Chapter 151
Chapter 151
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 151
Chapter Title: Rooftop Reunion
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“Wow, it's just the same!”
Yang Hwa-yeon, the guild master, led the way as she pushed open the rooftop door with a laugh.
Bright sunset light settled on her face as she stepped out from the dim stairwell landing.
“Feels good to be back after so long.”
Her face was still as spirited and bright as ever, but her eyes carried a hint of longing.
‘She said she had no choice but to leave Justice Guild. Guess it's true.’
I knew nothing about the events before the <Sejong Wall> began—or a few years before I fell into this world.
Nor the stories of Kang Han and the old Justice Guild members.
‘What a strange feeling.’
It felt even stronger watching Lee Yu-eul and Lee Yu-chan dash past me onto the rooftop like eager colts.
‘Maybe I've been too full of myself.’
I'd thought I'd seen Justice Guild at its lowest.
That I'd swooped in like a hero when they were struggling most and saved the day.
But maybe the guild's real rock bottom—the time Kang Han suffered most—was when he had to watch his longtime comrades leave one by one.
“What're you thinking so hard about?”
“Ah. Just regretting not coming up sooner if I'd known the rooftop was this nice.”
I brushed off Kang Han's question from over my shoulder with the first excuse that came to mind.
He gave a faint smile.
“I come up here a lot. Looking down at Cheonggyecheon clears the mind a bit.”
“Hmm. I see.”
Something about his words made me reflect even deeper.
“Don't just stand there, Nayeo-ju-ssi. Come on out.”
Kang Han guided me outside like a proper escort.
“Waa.”
The sweltering daytime heat was fading away on the cool breeze.
Tucked amid the jagged forest of Jongno skyscrapers, Justice Guild's modest rooftop felt like a secret hideaway few knew about. And just as Kang Han said, it had that wide-open feeling in the chest.
The Cheonggyecheon waterway flowing right below was a nice sight too.
“Not bad, right?”
Kang Han asked, facing into the cool wind blowing in.
“It's great.”
I had a feeling I'd be frequenting this spot from now on.
“Must be the Saturday crowd. Cheonggyecheon's packed.”
Han Ji-seong leaned against the railing at the rooftop's edge and peered down.
“We can't let them outdo us!”
“Light the fire!”
“On it!”
The twins shouted excitedly in response to Yang Hwa-yeon's call.
But did we even have a fire pit to light?
“Well, look at that.”
I muttered blankly at the glowing red embers.
Yang Hwa-yeon, busy grilling meat beside me, asked,
“What?”
“The fire pit. Who knew there'd actually be one up here.”
“Oh, that? The rooftop shed's got all kinds of stuff.”
Her tongs pointed toward a small space set up on one side of the rooftop.
“Back when we were really broke, we'd fire this up and grill skewered rice cakes or potatoes.”
Even as she reminisced about those hard times, a flicker of nostalgia crossed her face.
“Sounds like things have been tough lately?”
Old memories always surface when nothing's going right.
She blinked wide-eyed at my question for a moment before nodding.
“A little. This and that.”
“Magma Guild's been killing it lately, though. What's up?”
“Hmm. Too much success, maybe.”
Like one of those ‘too much money is the problem’ lines.
But everyone has worries they can't spill to just anyone.
I didn't press and pointed at the fire instead.
“Meat's burning.”
“Ack! Blinked for a second!”
As she hurriedly flipped the meat, I slipped away from the rooftop.
From behind, Jang Su-ho's shout of ‘More meat!’ faded into the distance.
Tap, tap.
I walked the quiet hallway until I reached the boiler room door at the end of the third floor.
Knock knock.
“Yona-ya.”
I rapped on the worn door that looked like it wouldn't open easily, and soon it creaked open. Seong Yona's bright face peeked out.
“Nayeo-ju unni?”
She looked genuinely surprised, like she hadn't expected me.
“Did the guests leave?”
After Magma Guild arrived, she'd holed up in her room.
“Nah, not yet. What're you up to alone?”
“Just reading.”
“Mm. The Magma folks seem decent. Wanna come up for a bit?”
Her eyes wavered at my suggestion.
But she shook her head soon enough.
“Not yet.”
“Got it.”
I had no plans to push her.
With Yu Jin-rok Hunter, it was different—he was basically family now. But Magma Guild were total outsiders.
Plus, they'd once chased after Seong Yona.
I nodded and gently stroked her hair.
“Enjoy your alone time then. I'll swing by again when Magma leaves.”
No real need, since she managed the sub-space entrance.
Still, better to check in once more.
I turned and headed out of the third-floor hallway.
I'd failed to bring Seong Yona up to the rooftop, but I'd fetched some new guests instead.
Three familiars.
I'd left Gong-gi, who hated the noise, to rest in the room alone.
The Magma Guild members' reactions were explosive when I reappeared with the familiars in tow.
Clang!
Yang Hwa-yeon dropped the tongs in her hand, and her cousins—the two vice-masters, Shin Dan-ju and Shin Dan-bi—shot up from their seats.
“What...? You raise animals too?”
“Not animals. Familiars.”
At Kang Han's curt reply, Yang Hwa-yeon quickly stripped off her work gloves and approached cautiously.
“Familiars... for real.”
Kang Han had acquired Baek Young after most hunters left Justice Guild, so this was their first encounter.
“Don't foreign hunters take familiars everywhere?”
They were still treated like pets, but their existence was public knowledge.
For instance, one of America's most famous S-rank hunters raised a baby unicorn.
“Sure, abroad... Never thought we'd have any in Korea.”
Yang Hwa-yeon clearly hadn't imagined Justice Guild hiding this many familiars. She froze a few steps away, just staring.
But Na Baek-ho wasn't one to let a sure admirer just watch without petting.
“Kyao!”
“Ears! So cute!”
In the end, one roar from Na Baek-ho and Yang Hwa-yeon dropped to her knees.
“C-can I pet it?”
“Me too!”
“Just once for me!”
The Magma Guild folks swarmed toward me.
“This one's Na Baek-ho—you can pet him all you want. Same for Baek Young and Maeng-i.”
I glanced at Im Cheong-su and Kang Han for approval.
Kang Han had already sidled up beside me, soothing the wary Baek Young. Im Cheong-su peeked at the still-drowsy Maeng-i, gave a vague nod, and went back to his meat.
“Baek Young, you good?”
“Prfft.”
Baek Young eyed the three people waiting for his okay, then nodded reluctantly.
He'd judged them harmless.
I got Maeng-i's permission myself.
“Im Maeng-i.”
“Chit.”
“Wanna say hi to them?”
“...Chit.”
Na Baek-ho didn't need my asking.
“Kkhah! You're my type!”
“Kyaa!”
“Here? Or here? Good boy?”
“Cong!”
He was already rubbing his forehead against Yang Hwa-yeon's hand, flopping belly-up in full chaos mode.
Clap your hands and he'd probably dance.
“Ha, animal therapy is the best.”
Yang Hwa-yeon, who'd spent ages playing in sync with Baek-ho, spoke with a hugely relieved expression.
“Familiars, not animals.”
“Cute's cute, right?”
“True, but these guys handle dungeons just fine.”
I chimed into the exchange between Kang Han and Yang Hwa-yeon.
“Dungeons? These little cuties?”
“They were born in dungeons, after all. And Justice Guild plans to bring them on raids going forward.”
“Isn't that dangerous?”
“We've got our reasons.”
I didn't elaborate, and she didn't pry further.
Instead, she gently stroked Na Baek-ho, still cradled in her arms.
Seemed like she'd grown attached already.
Perfect opening.
I murmured to Yang Hwa-yeon,
“Worried about Baek-ho getting hurt?”
“Mm, he's still so tiny. You know how filthy and scary dungeons are, Nayeo-ju Hunter.”
“Then you could watch over him. Keep Baek-ho safe.”
A massive question mark popped up over Yang Hwa-yeon's head.
“When we head into dungeons with the familiars, you join us.”
“A joint raid alliance... That's the proposal, right?”
“Yep. Magma Guild and Justice Guild teaming up. What do you say?”