Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Lee Ji-ah (7)
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Early in the morning, I leaned against the bed and made a call somewhere.
—Hello?
A voice heavy with weight.
It was the trainer who had told me a week ago that I had no talent and to give up.
"Kang Hoon? It's Kim Hyun-woo."
—Yes, Hyun-woo! Long time no talk. Just a week, huh.
"Can you talk?"
—Of course, of course. What's up?
The trainer answered cheerfully. I'd worried he might be uncomfortable since I wasn't a student anymore, but it seemed like needless concern.
No matter what, we'd seen each other's faces for a year—must've built some rapport. I guess I'd been viewing the world too harshly.
"I have some questions about awakening abilities."
—Ah...
Suddenly, a regretful sigh escaped him.
No, what was I even bringing up?
—Well, Hyun-woo. Like I said before, it's best to give up on being a hunter. Everyone has their own talents...
Haha. I let out a dry laugh at the trainer's misunderstanding.
This guy was poking right at my sore spot.
"I've given up cleanly. I've got a job elsewhere now."
—Wow, congrats. But why ask about awakening abilities...?
"Need it for the job."
After Lee Ji-ah had a panic attack in the bathroom. Her obsessive symptoms had gotten worse.
She was pretending not to be, but whenever I made the slightest move around the house, she'd find some excuse to follow me.
'Hyun-woo, where are you going?'
'The kitchen.'
'Ah, I'm thirsty too...'
'Want me to get you some?'
'No way, you're not some slave under contract. How could I make you do chores like that? Let's go together.'
She even followed me to the bathroom, let alone the bathroom where we'd had a big fallout once.
It was uncomfortable, but I tolerated it to some extent.
For that salary, waking up once or twice at night was nothing.
But there was another problem. Human life doesn't stay confined to the house forever.
Right now, we were holed up at home until the rumors about Lee Ji-ah died down, but eventually, we'd have to go out.
Could we live normally then?
The same issues from home would repeat outside. She'd trail after me like a puppy. And I'd have to chase after her, worrying when she'd have an episode.
I felt the need to develop Peace of Mind.
—Well, you did train combat skills to death for a year.
"That's why I want some advice on developing my awakening ability."
—...
I could sense the trainer pondering on the other end.
—Hyun-woo, your ability was passive, right? The one that calms people's minds.
"Yes."
—Usually, using abilities is compared to muscles or chopsticks. The more you use them, the more familiar and precise they get.
"Exactly, that's the problem."
Peace of Mind.
This ability that calms people's minds was an automatic passive.
I couldn't touch or control it at all.
—No, you're misunderstanding it, Hyun-woo.
But the trainer denied my thinking.
—Active and passive are just distinctions hunters made for convenience—they don't mean much in reality.
"What?"
—Uh... you called the right person. Mine's passive too. It's something only insiders know, but since I was rude before, I'll tell you specially.
"Haha."
—Take my awakening ability as an example: it passively boosts sensitivity to mana. Same category as yours, Hyun-woo?
"Right."
—Awakeners can control this sensitivity as they handle mana. Lower it, strengthen it. Turn it off and on. It's always active, but controllable.
So what?
—You don't get it, do you?
"Yeah."
—I'll just give you the simple answer.
—Expand the variations of your ability. It'll strengthen gradually, like building muscle. In your case, since it's so unique, adjusting intensity might not help...
The trainer, after some thought, said:
—Try consciously turning it off and on.
"Huh? Turn it off?"
—Yes, keep turning it off and on. Like pressing the power button on an electronic device, repeatedly. That'll naturally expand the range.
"How long to master it?"
—Haha, won't take long. You'll get the hang of it in a day?
An alarm sounded on the other end.
—Huh? Oh, PT time... Call me later. Let's grab food sometime.
The trainer hurriedly ended the call.
"..."
Turn it off and on to expand the range.
I wondered if Lee Ji-ah would be okay during training. Without Peace of Mind, it'd be her suffering, not me.
I mulled it over, but no other way seemed viable.
For now, talk to Lee Ji-ah about it.
Lee Ji-ah, sprawled on the living room sofa, recoiled and answered.
"No way."
I'd expected this.
The moment I explained the training, she scrunched up her face and refused.
"Ji-ah, think about it."
"What?"
"We're not staying home forever."
Not even going to the movies when I wanted to watch one. Or shopping at the department store.
We'd always have to move as a pair, never alone.
"If we keep this up, you'll have to stick right to me every time we go out."
"Then just keep sticking right to you!"
Lee Ji-ah blurted it out in frustration, then realized and quickly hid her flushed face with a pillow.
My head was starting to ache.
"You know how many paparazzi there are outside. They'll snap pics and post them again—cool with that?"
"Doesn't matter. Hate comments don't faze me."
"What about women-only spaces? Bathhouses, bathrooms..."
"I'll hold it."
"The hearing... what about the hearing? Can't bring you to the witness stand."
"Then I'll just stay A-rank."
Lee Ji-ah mumbled into the pillow, her words muffled. Her tantrum-like attitude raised my voice without thinking.
"Ji-ah! This isn't something you fix with stubbornness!"
Lee Ji-ah hurled the pillow to the floor and yelled back.
"You're the stubborn one, Hyun-woo! Why should I do this? It's not even in the contract! Why! I'm absolutely not doing it!"
Calm down, Hyun-woo.
If we fight, I lose.
Wait, contract?
"Come to think of it, we..."
"Huh?"
"Haven't written up the contract yet..."
"Whaaat!?"
Lee Ji-ah froze, then smacked her forehead.
Good, I can negotiate with this.
As I savored the small victory of winning the argument,
"...So?"
A subtle light flickered in Lee Ji-ah's eyes. Her aura exploded outward.
Like prey facing a predator.
I couldn't move a muscle.
Tension froze my body at her sudden shift.
I had no idea what she was thinking, but her glare looked dangerously serious.
Suddenly, the dream flashed back.
The basement with pitch-black darkness.
Lee Ji-ah's whisper in the dream.
'Without you, Hyun-woo, I'd die anyway.'
'Just live here with me.'
'Forever.'
Fuck, no matter how mentally cornered Lee Ji-ah was, she wouldn't go that far.
...Right?
I hurriedly opened my mouth.
"If Ji-ah──"
"...?"
"──just cooperates with that training I mentioned, I can draw up the contract right now..."
Her aura deflated instantly at my offer. She blinked rapidly with a dazed look, so I tossed out casually,
"Not signing the contract?"
"Ah..."
Realizing my meaning, she shouted urgently.
"W-wait a sec!"
Lee Ji-ah bolted somewhere.
Crash!
Rummaging sounds.
Shatter!
Glass breaking.
"Where? Where? Where's the pen?"
Even her mutterings.
I waited on the sofa, and she came rushing back, disheveled.
"H-Hyun-woo! Made you wait long?"
Recalling how she'd intimidated me moments ago, I felt annoyed for no reason.
Work colleague... technically my subordinate.
But threatening someone you work with like that?
I filed my nails idly and replied nonchalantly.
"Nah, just... a bit boring, but it won't affect the contract much..."
"W-wait, please hold on. I'll write it right now."
"Take your time. Take your time. I'm not going anywhere."
I put emphasis on 'not going anywhere.' Lee Ji-ah flinched and prostrated herself on the floor, scribbling desperately on the paper.
"Done!"
"Let me see."
I had to read the contract carefully.
Especially a handwritten one.
For something scribbled in haste, the handwriting was neat and tidy.
Salary matched, benefits matched, working conditions matched.
She considered everything in that short time. As I marveled and skimmed,
a jarring line caught my eye.
[Contract Period: 2021-03-27 ~ 2121-03-26]
100 years? Elf or what?
Absurd. I pointed with my finger.
"Ji-ah. Something weird in the contract."
"Y-yes? Weird? No way..."
Lee Ji-ah's eyes darted anxiously side to side.
"Ji-ah, this isn't a contract between countries or companies... A hundred years on an employment contract?"
Haha. She laughed awkwardly and rubbed the numbers with her fingertip. Seeing the ink smudge lightly, I resolved.
I'll keep the original.
[Contract Period: 2021-03-27 ~ 2031-03-26]
"There."
10 years.
Enough time for Lee Ji-ah's depression to heal?
I harbored such hopes.
I signed the signature line.
"Too short... Maybe extend it later."
I ignored Lee Ji-ah's mutter.