Chapter 35
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Scandals Lack Romance (3)
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Human hearts are truly fragile and cunning. Even if you've steeled your resolve, seeing someone utterly dejected in front of you, hearing the not-quite-encouraging cheers from those around you—it's all too easy to rationalize it away and let your defenses crumble.
That's how fragile we are, folding without much resistance. And how cunning, convincing ourselves it's okay anyway.
"So... you'll keep coming with me from now on, right...?"
Her voice, slightly damp with emotion, leaves me no choice but to nod. Why do I still open the door so easily to this emotional onslaught? Seren would scold me if she saw. It happened a lot before.
"Yeah. Well... at this point, going separately won't change the headlines that are already out there. In exchange, Luna Guild's a fine place, and you're an S-rank hunter—get them to issue a clarification or correction. You can manage that much, right?"
"Do we have to correct it? It's such a hassle to talk to the guild..."
"Yeah, well, then it'll be a hassle for me to go into gates too. Mind if I head out now?"
"...I'll call them right now."
Countering fire with fire—who started it? Either way, it's the right call.
Yuna grabs her phone and dials the guild, roughly asking for a clarification. From what I overhear, the staff sounds flustered, but she states her business and hangs up.
Her expression doesn't change even at the staff's urgent tone. She's consistent, that one.
With that settled, we head to the gate. We agreed to raid it together from the start, so now it's just following through.
She's more excited than usual, hurrying along. She glances back now and then, waving me forward—like a dog out for a walk with its owner. One just starting to show its emotions.
"H-Hey, slow down a bit. No need to rush; it's a gate just for us anyway."
So, as the owner, I tug the leash. A signal to calm down and take it easy.
"Huh...? I'm not rushing."
"Hide those sparkling eyes first, then say that."
If she had a tail, it'd be wagging her straight to the sky.
"Ah. Do I look that excited...?"
"Yeah, extremely."
She's looking back at me, but her feet keep pushing forward. Worried she'll crash into something, I grab her arm.
"We're almost there. Slow down."
"Eek...! Don't drag me like that..."
The gate comes into view, so I silently pull her toward it.
- Yes, S-rank Hunter Yuna Lee and A-rank Hunter Ansiu confirmed. You may enter.
We step into the gate today as well.
Others were saying it: that S-rank hunter Yuna was the one chauffeuring me around in her bus. The news, the internet, even passersby all said the same.
An A-rank gate has that kind of presence. Even for an S-rank, clearing it solo takes ages. The common wisdom is that an A-rank raid leader needs at least 40 B-ranks to barely scrape by.
Clearing one in under three hours every time? Naturally, they figured I was just providing minor support, gathering mana stones and byproducts inside.
- Grrr... Grrrk.
Another one. I slice off the head of the charging monster and tally the count. How many have I killed so far? Too many to keep track.
About an hour in now. The monster waves are finally thinning; time to catch my breath.
It's not tiring, but the endless onslaught is annoying. And I don't want to show off wiping them out in one go.
"Ansiu."
Her voice comes from behind, where she's been staring blankly at me.
"Yeah, what."
I vent my frustration at her for just spectating while I handle everything.
"Help out a little instead of just watching."
"I was just amazed..."
"Amazed by what now."
"It doesn't feel off at all to think you're S-rank, not A-rank...?"
"If it feels that way, then that's what it is."
I never planned to hide it. She's not the type to blab anyway. She'd probably be thrilled to be the only one in the know.
"You faked your rank? That's a crime..."
"The one's who got fooled is at fault."
The victim of a scam is the bad guy.
"Getting caught would be the real crime...? I fell for it."
"You don't seem like the type to go spreading it. I've got a good eye for people."
Ten years on the battlefield taught me to spot betrayers, or you'd end up with a blade at your throat. My judgment's sharp now. Trust too easily, and it's my life on the line.
I don't want to die like back then.
"Fair point. I wasn't planning to tell anyone..."
She nocks an arrow and fires ahead. Infused with mana, it streaks through the forest, leaving a trail of light.
Snipe
Long-range piercing shot
Monsters' limbs litter the path it carved. She'd preemptively cleared some sneaking up on us.
"Finally doing some work. S-rank, let's make this easy."
"You make it look easy too..."
"It's unfair when I'm the only one. Why do you always just watch?"
"No... I just like how it shines. It's so radiant when you swing your sword..."
She said it last time too. Keeps saying I shine—what's that about? I'm not wrapped in divinity or anything.
"That's just your eyes playing tricks. Go see an optometrist."
"You're right, my eyes are weird. Everything else looks so dull compared to you..."
"Ugh, that's some cheesy line."
"No... it's true!"
"Now you're dropping formalities too. How old are you anyway?"
Surprised I've only known her name till now. Rare to be this casual without prying.
"Changing the subject? ...I'm 31."
"Oh, same age."
Her mature looks fit, but her airheaded vibe made her seem younger.
"You're 31 too, Ansiu? You look so young..."
I don't age. Can't be helped.
"Huh? Same age, so casual speech?"
"Eh... kinda don't want to now."
She frowns, suspicious of my words, signaling refusal. Fat chance.
"You already did~ Hey, Yuna. Hurry up and kill some monsters."
"Look at you, dropping manners too..."
"You're the one without common sense."
"Rude jerk..."
"Thoughtless—wait, no. Hey, don't aim that bow at me!"
"Dodge it yourself... I'm just targeting monsters."
Snipe
Long-range piercing shot
This wicked woman.
Our game of tag-not-quite-tag got us to the boss at breakneck speed. Of course, I dodged everything, so the poor monsters just got ventilated on their way out.
"I'll leave you behind next time."
She said that as we cleared the gate, but...
"Whatever~"
Luna Guild has finally issued an official statement on the rumored romance between Hunter Yuna and Hunter Ansiu, after staying silent until now.
They began by denying any such relationship, calling it mere curiosity on Yuna's part that led to their meetings.
But Yuna's side later admitted it's more than curiosity—she's actively pursuing Ansiu unilaterally.
Yuna herself confirmed her interest in Ansiu. That's the end of the news.
Whatever...
Beep—the TV shuts off, its black screen reflecting nothing more.
The internet's already exploding.
Whoa... First time seeing Yuna Hunter this into someone.
So jealous. A woman like that chasing a guy...? That's rare.
Handsome face and skills? Jackpot.
I can't bear to check more comments and set my phone down. The gaze watching me from the side is terrifying. That dumbfounded look, the "I knew it" glint in her eyes—I can't face it straight on.
"Oppa."
"Yeah..."
"Oppa, didn't you say you refused and left? Why'd you come back filming a romance drama?"
I don't know either.
I text Yuna.
- Are you insane?
Three letters summing up my feelings.
- You knew...
Three letters back that scream utter madness.
This girl's completely nuts.