Chapter 118
Chapter 118
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: 《 ♥ 28: Master 》
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A fluffy affection bubble floated buoyantly, perfectly mirroring Jang Su-ho's buoyant mood.
"Hey, you know, a shield made from eternal cold iron like this—probably no one else but you could pull it off."
"So it's sized perfectly for me, even the handle position?"
"Yeah, exactly. What do you think? Pretty great, right? Check the certificate here—it's an A-rank item and…"
Whoosh.
Suddenly, I was wrapped up tight in Jang Su-ho's arms.
He hugged me so fiercely I half-worried a rib might snap.
"I love it because Nayeo-ju made it for me."
"Oh, Jang Su-ho."
You softie.
The certificate I'd been holding slipped from my grasp in the sudden pull and fluttered to the floor.
"Sigh, fine. Go fight hard with your new shield."
"Yeah! I will!"
Jang Su-ho's grip tightened even more around me.
I wanted to shove him off because I could barely breathe, but considering how much stress he'd been under lately, I decided to endure it a bit longer.
Still hugged tight, I barely managed to lift a hand and patted his lower back.
"What?"
But oddly enough, it was Jang Su-ho who pulled away first, looking puzzled.
He grabbed my shoulders, easing me back, then blurted out,
"That's weird. Why didn't you push me away?"
"Even when I'm being nice?"
Pow!
My retaliatory punch flew straight into Jang Su-ho's side with a solid thud.
Despite the loud smack, he just shrugged it off like it was nothing.
I was the one wincing instead.
His body was like a damn rock.
My punching fist actually hurt.
And Jang Su-ho? He wasn't just ignoring the pain—he seemed to be enjoying it, grinning ear to ear.
"Thanks. Thanks a ton."
Tinkle~
A pink heart shimmered wildly behind his head.
"Yeah. Use it well—don't hold back."
"Got it! I'm gonna go show it off!"
With that final shout, Jang Su-ho grabbed the shield and bolted toward the simulation training ground.
"Don't run! You'll trip!"
"I won't!"
He was so thrilled that between the pounding of his footsteps came a cheerful medley of tinkle-tinkles.
That was the last check on Jang Su-ho's affection level.
"Ugh… that was a good nap."
After handing over the shield to Jang Su-ho, I'd collapsed on the training room sofa and passed out like I'd fainted.
"Alright, got Jang Su-ho's affection up, so that's one hurdle cleared."
A single shield bumped it up five whole times—his purification efficiency should rise with it too.
"Slept well, but why do I feel so stiff… What's this?"
Glancing down, I saw three blankets piled on top of me.
I'd definitely lain down in just my clothes. Huh?
And that wasn't all.
All around me, my familiars were deep in slumber, snoring away.
At my feet, Gong-gi and Maeng-i were sleeping butt-to-butt for some reason, while Baek Young had curled into a tiny ball by my head.
Na Baek-ho was sprawled starfish-style across my chest.
"No wonder it felt heavy."
I lifted the chubby white tiger—who'd put on even more weight lately—and set him aside. He let out a little grunt.
"Mmmph."
Without my body heat, he fidgeted for a moment, but a pat on his round back settled him right back into peaceful snores.
I kept stroking him as I muttered,
"I'm not a daycare, you know."
Just baby familiars everywhere—no sign of their owners.
Sitting up and craning my neck, I heard faint noises beyond the door. Probably training.
"Maybe sleep a bit more."
The soft, hefty weight of the baby familiars was lulling me back to drowsiness from all sides.
But I squeezed my eyes shut, forced myself up.
A little more sleep, and poverty would sneak in like a thief.
"Can't have that. Not after getting the Justice Guild back on its feet."
I distributed the blankets one by one over the familiars, then stretched big.
Still sleepy though, so with a jaw-cracking yawn, I headed to Han Ji-seong's lab.
Through the frosted window, I could see his shadow moving about.
Truth be told, Han Ji-seong worried me just as much as Jang Su-ho.
Because flame dungeons and ice mages were polar opposites.
'Act like I'm boosting his stamina, purify the darkness, and give him a gift too.'
On my way back from the nap errand, I pulled out my purchase from sub-space and knocked on the lab door.
"Ji-seong oppa, can I come in?"
No waiting—Han Ji-seong opened it right away.
"Wondered who it was. Come on in, Nayeo-ju."
"I got your favorite coffee…"
I quickly shut my mouth and stashed the finely ground beans back in sub-space.
"Huh? What'd you bring?"
Han Ji-seong, who'd just taken off his glasses to rub his eyes, asked.
"Nothing. Didn't bring a thing."
I shook my head firmly, and he chuckled.
"Nah, I swear I heard 'coffee'."
"Nope. Never said that."
"Perfect timing too—ran out today. I'll enjoy it."
"…Okay, I did bring some. But I'm confiscating it. Your complexion's awful."
"Just skimped on sleep these past few days. Save me, Nayeo-ju."
Han Ji-seong drooped his eyes pleadingly.
A look he only showed close ones, ditching his usual mature, cool vibe.
"What a waste of a handsome face."
I surrendered and handed over the beans.
He took them politely with both hands like a good kid, beaming wider.
"My favorite roast. How'd you know? Thanks."
His big, pale hand ruffled my hair.
Affection ticked up simultaneously.
Tinkle~
This oppa's sneakily clingy.
Affection up was good, at least.
"Whew."
Standing by the electric kettle filling with water, Han Ji-seong sighed habitually—looking utterly drained from behind.
As a healer, I couldn't just watch.
I approached, placed a hand on his back, and activated the skill.
"Just skimped on sleep," my foot.
My stamina drained by a whopping 15—he must've been exhausted.
"…Thanks, Nayeo-ju."
Han Ji-seong said, looking guilty.
"It's what I do. Call me right away next time you're beat."
"I've got clear water potions these days—handles it."
What? So this is after drinking Im Cheong-su's tonic?!
"Nope, not good enough. More healing. Gimme your hand."
Han Ji-seong hesitated briefly but extended his right hand, figuring my help was best.
Of course, his stamina was already maxed.
My real goal was dark purification.
Thankfully, addiction wasn't too high.
Felt my freshly napped stamina dip again.
Quickly released his chilled hand to hide my cooled body temp and asked,
"What's the big worry that's got you grinding yourself down like this? Is your body a coffee grinder?"
"Hm."
Han Ji-seong went quiet, organizing his thoughts.
Then, after setting coffee down and sitting, he finally unlocked his heavy lips.
"The dungeon we're hitting next is a flame one. My skills'll be limited there."
"Yeah, figures."
Ice power dips in blazing infernos.
Meaning Han Ji-seong's usual finishing blow damage would suffer.
"Been experimenting to boost ice hardness even in that environment, but…"
No way it's easy.
Hence the body-breaking worry.
Actually, ending his struggle was simple: assure him an S-rank like him would crush a C-rank flame dungeon easy.
But Justice Guild faces way tougher ones ahead.
Cheap comfort would stunt his growth.
Silence fell as I mulled that.
My sigh broke it eventually.
"Sigh, yeah, that's worth stressing over."
"…Right."
Han Ji-seong smiled bitterly.
The lab quieted again.
Even as a possessor, I couldn't instantly solve what an S-rank mage like him couldn't crack in days.
So, staring at steam rising from my hot coffee, I muttered absently,
"Wish there was a hot spring in the flame dungeon."
"Hot spring?"
"Yeah, hot water freezes faster, right? Might weaken power but speed up attacks."
Clink.
A noise from across the table made me look up.
Han Ji-seong had frozen mid-placing his cup down.
If not for his dazed mutter, I'd swear he'd turned to stone.
"Steam…"
Then suddenly, he extended a pale hand over his coffee.
His blue eyes shimmered silver for a split second.
Swish.
With a soft sound, snow began falling onto the black coffee.
"Yes—steam."
A smile bloomed on Han Ji-seong's pale face.