Chapter 141
Chapter 141
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: Nayeo-ju Saves the World
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Damn it!
Of all things, to get hit with this kind of debuff!
I belatedly clamped both hands over my mouth and looked down. Sama Young had his eyes closed, passed out.
Thank goodness.
In this state, his words from moments ago were probably just sleep-talking.
By the time he reawakened and escaped the dungeon a bit later, he'd dismiss my name as nothing more than a dream.
No, it'd be even better if he forgot it entirely.
Please, just forget it. Please.
I jumped to my feet and started running again.
Faster than when I'd entered, since I had no idea when Sama Young might come to.
Rumble.
I raised my head at the thunderous roar. The dungeon was collapsing bit by bit.
For a split second, I wondered if I should go back and drag Sama Young out, but that thought ended there.
'If I do, he might not reawaken.'
Besides, if he asked something like "Why are you here?" in the process, this damn debuff would make me spill every little truth.
Rumble rumble.
The dungeon's collapse was accelerating.
I glanced back briefly, but Sama Young was nowhere in sight from my position, already past the second field.
"Ah, whatever. He'll make it out alive on his own."
I've done my part.
I cranked up my speed even more and bolted straight for the gate visible in the distance.
"Aigoo, I'm dying here."
It had been two days since I'd gone to Yongin to save Sama Young.
Fortunately, the debuff hadn't created any more black history and had safely worn off, but its aftereffects were still tormenting me.
Right now, I was dozing off continuously on the training room sofa.
"Nayeo-ju-ssi, Nayeo-ju."
I'd definitely had my eyes open, but someone lightly tapped my shoulder and woke me.
"Tsk. Did I fall asleep again?"
"If you're that tired, why not sleep comfortably in your room?"
Ack, you startled me.
I forced open my heavy eyelids, and Kang Han's handsome face was right there in front of me.
I never got used to that beauty, even seeing it every day.
I tried not to flinch and checked the time.
I'd only blinked once, but an hour had flown by.
"Ugh. Guess I have to get up. Why'd you wake me?"
"Hunter Yu Jin-rok is here. With his daughter."
"Ah, right. Today's his first day."
Then I really need to get up.
I lightly pushed Kang Han's still-close shoulder and got off the sofa, stretching.
"You don't look well."
"I'm fine. I'll just greet the new guild member and head up to sleep."
I said that and headed to the first-floor entrance.
The other guild members had already gathered there, having heard the news.
Seong Yona was with them too.
"Yona-ya, you okay?"
I asked Seong Yona, whose face was pale as a sheet from nerves.
"Yes... I'm fine. I can't keep avoiding him forever."
Her face said she wasn't fine at all, but she was right.
Since Hunter Yu Jin-rok lived with his daughter, he wouldn't stay and eat in the Jongno building like the others.
But his daughter, Yu Ga-young, needed regular treatments from me, and given her role as training instructor, she'd be spending a lot of time in the underground training area.
So Seong Yona couldn't hide in her room the entire time Yu Jin-rok was in the building.
That would just be running away in a different form, same as before.
"Alright, I'll open the door then."
Yu Jin-rok and Yu Ga-young, who had been waiting in Seong Yona's sub-space until I arrived, stepped out a moment later as if through the real door.
"Nayeo-ju unnie! What was that just now? It was so cool!"
"That's quite the ingenious device, Hunter Nayeo-ju."
The Justice Guild's security system seemed like a fun ride to them, and both father and daughter looked bright-faced.
"Thank you for joining us sooner than expected, Hunter Yu Jin-rok."
"I should be the one thanking you."
Yu Jin-rok smiled with his kind face.
"Unnie! I heard I can come visit the Justice Guild sometimes, is that true?"
"Yeah, but no bringing friends."
Yu Ga-young flashed a beaming smile just like her dad's.
"It's been a while, Hunter Yu Jin-rok."
Kang Han, as guild master, shook hands first.
"Looking forward to working with you, Guild Master."
Yu Jin-rok gladly gripped Kang Han's hand in return.
"Now, let me introduce the guild members one by one."
Everyone welcomed the new member sincerely.
Jang Su-ho even pulled Yu Jin-rok's outstretched hand into a bear hug.
And Yu Ga-young standing beside him too, for good measure.
Finally, it was Seong Yona's turn.
"Ah, hello."
"Nice to meet you. Your name is...?"
"S-Seong Yona."
Yu Jin-rok's gentle smile toward the unfamiliar Justice Guild member faded bit by bit at the name 'Seong Yona'.
"Pardon me, but if you're Hunter Seong Yona...?"
True to his calm nature, he didn't show open hostility toward her right away.
But at the same time, he instinctively pulled his daughter behind him.
"Um..."
Seong Yona's face crumpled into a teary mess.
Her eyes, brimming with tears, looked to me.
But I just met her gaze without reacting.
"Um, mister."
Lee Yu-eul tried to step in, unable to watch, but I stopped her too.
I wanted Seong Yona to handle this herself.
"I... I..."
Understanding my intent, Seong Yona bit her lower lip hard and spoke in a trembling voice.
"Yes, I'm Seong Yona, wanted by Fantasia. But... but all the rumors about me are misunderstandings. Someday, I'll step forward myself and clear it all up. I swore on my mana. I'd... really appreciate it if you believed me."
It turned into incoherent mumbling toward the end, but I could tell she was giving it her all.
Still, one impressive thing was that she managed to hold back the tears welling up in her big eyes without letting them fall.
Hunter Yu Jin-rok was silent for a moment.
Yu Ga-young, sensing the heavy mood, peeked out from behind her father with curious eyes at Seong Yona but didn't butt in.
Hunter Yu Jin-rok calmly looked at Seong Yona standing before him and asked.
"You've been wanted for several years already, correct?"
"...Yes."
Depending on the listener, it could sound like criticism: 'If it's really a misunderstanding, why haven't you cleared it up after all these years?'
Seong Yona's head drooped lower, as if that's how she took it.
"You've been through a lot."
"Pardon?"
Perhaps not expecting that at all, Seong Yona's eyes widened as she looked at Hunter Yu Jin-rok.
"Must have been tough on your own."
Yu Jin-rok patted her shoulder reassuringly.
"But now you've got good comrades, so you won't be lonely anymore. That's a relief."
Plop.
In the end, thick teardrops fell from Seong Yona's eyes.
"Sorry for judging based on rumors. Now that I've met you, I get it."
"Th-thank you for believing me."
"Looking forward to working together, Hunter Seong Yona."
"Me too. I... look forward to it, Hunter Yu Jin-rok."
Done.
Even if it was within the safe haven of the Justice Guild, Seong Yona had forged a new connection as herself.
Without using items to change her appearance or hiding behind the alias Gu A-ri.
I had no idea how Hunter Yu Jin-rok would react, so it was a big gamble for me too.
And the result was a success.
I clapped my hands sharply to lighten the mood and said.
"Then, shall we head down to the most important place: the training area?"
"C-Cute!"
The moment Yu Ga-young set foot in the training area, she spotted the familiars and let out a cheer.
Startled awake by the noise, Baekho lifted his head, spotted the newcomers, and hopped over playfully.
"Baby tiger!"
Yu Ga-young practically collapsed to the floor, legs giving out, and covered her mouth with both hands.
Probably worried she'd yell again and scare Baekho.
"Kruung?"
Baekho tilted his head, approached Yu Ga-young, and nudged her forehead.
"P-Pretty unnie, can I pet the tiger?"
Seong Yona, now dubbed 'pretty unnie' by Yu Ga-young, nodded and replied.
"Yeah. His name's Baekho. Na Baekho. He's asking you to pet his head right now."
"Hng... so cute..."
Yu Ga-young carefully stroked Baekho's head with her fingertips.
"Hi, I'm Yu Ga-young. Nice to meet you."
"Kyaaang."
Na Baekho seemed to like her too, squinting his eyes and purring.
"Heok, he's purring."
As I watched Yu Ga-young, who'd spent so long in the hospital, adapting to the Justice Guild in her own way, Hunter Yu Jin-rok asked, unable to hide his surprise.
"Familiars... right?"
"Yes, four in total, including Baekho."
"Heh. I'd only heard about them. Justice Guild really is full of wonders."
"Speaking of which, could you take a look at this for a sec? Ga-young-ah, come with me too?"
"Yes!"
Yu Ga-young regretfully gave Na Baekho one last pet and followed me into Han Ji-seong's lab.
"This is Ji-seong oppa's lab. I asked ahead to borrow it briefly, so sit comfortably."
"Whoa, so many books!"
Yu Ga-young exclaimed, looking around the book-packed lab.
But she sat politely at the table without touching anything.
Though her hips fidgeted now and then from curiosity.
I sat across from the Yu father-daughter duo and pulled out what I'd prepared in my sub-space.
"That's..."
"Yes, nondisclosure agreements."
Just like the one we'd signed before from Fantasia regarding Seong Yona.
"Both Hunter Yu Jin-rok and Ga-young need to sign."
I placed the pen and contract in front of Hunter Yu Jin-rok and said.
"As you can see, the guild has a lot of secrets."