Chapter 109
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: Side. While You Were Asleep
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sss... Sss...
The tiny chest rose and fell slowly.
Su-hyeon had fallen asleep even before 9 o'clock.
The days were getting hotter and longer, but she'd been through so much emotional turmoil during the day that she seemed utterly exhausted.
Once 9 hit, the murmurs outside began to die down.
It wasn't too early for adults to sleep, but with the instructors putting out the lights, wandering around felt awkward.
Everyone was at least pretending to head inside.
A brief moment passed like that.
Then, the sound of a door opening rang out, followed by a booming voice.
"Youth is something else. It's impressive to see such patriotism in a country with such low birth rates already, but sadly, I'm American."
"No, that's not... Just a quick talk...!"
"Exactly. More importantly, birth rates? What...!"
"Seeing you've got the energy to resist, I'll personally give you some stamina training. Conveniently, there's a state-of-the-art training room in the basement here."
"Kaaaaah!"
"Aaaah!"
"Hahaha, no need to thank me. If the students can't sleep early and we fall behind schedule, that's a problem for me too!"
"Save us!"
The sounds of a few men and women, trying to sneak off into the darkness for a rendezvous, being dragged away by Carmen echoed through.
They were all in their prime, brimming with interest in the opposite sex, it seemed.
Good thing we'd put Su-hyeon to bed early. Even if she was 23...
Ah, thinking about what Brüel had told her.
"...Her real age might not even be 23."
Ga-eun gazed at Su-hyeon, sleeping peacefully beside her.
The dainty nose, pale lips, and subtly long eyelashes.
If not for the occasional twitching eyelids and lips, she could've been mistaken for a doll.
And strangely, at night, the sprout on her crown seemed to press flat against her head.
To avoid getting crushed while sleeping, maybe?
A bit more time passed.
Thud thud thud.
'She's here.'
At the knock, Ga-eun sat up in the darkness.
So bold.
Just as she'd thought—if someone was after Su-hyeon, it'd be now.
Couldn't let Sky sister get dragged into it. Good thing she'd stubbornly chased her out of the room.
Ga-eun slowly opened the door, one hand hidden behind her back.
"You picked the wrong one, you... Huh?"
As Ga-eun opened the door, Brüel stood there.
"Pardon the intrusion."
"Brüel? Why are you...?"
"I came for this."
"Oh, that..."
In Brüel's hand was something like the bracelet she'd received earlier.
"Is Su-hyeon asleep?"
Brüel asked naturally as she stepped inside.
"Yeah... She must've been wiped out."
"Can't blame her."
"Ugh..."
Ga-eun hunched her shoulders like a criminal.
"I'm not here to scold you, Ga-eun. I just wanted to say you used quite a bit of Dryad power today."
"H-Haha. Right. It was seriously impressive..."
"Of course, that wasn't all of it."
"..."
"Seems like today's events awakened more of your power. A good thing."
...Feels like she's poking at me right when I least expect it.
Brüel approached the sleeping Su-hyeon and deftly swapped the bracelet.
"All set now?"
"Well, even if we'd left it, it wouldn't have been a big issue. It doesn't have any incredible functions to begin with. Any discrepancies could've been chalked up to margin of error or device malfunction."
"...So it really was a scam?"
"By the way, who were you waiting for? With that dangerous thing in hand."
"Oh, th-this...?"
Ga-eun awkwardly brought her hidden hand forward. In it was the dagger Brüel had given her.
"It's a bit late to shy away from killing now, but I didn't think you'd swing it at a person so boldly."
"No... It's not like that."
Truth was, Ga-eun had never properly used a blade like this.
Until now, she'd only hit weak gates, and her B-rank power was plenty.
Fighting magic beasts didn't feel like facing living things, so the mental block was less.
Though they were still gross.
"Ah! There are people after Su-hyeon's info. Probably...!"
"I know."
"Oh, you already knew... Well, of course..."
She'd planned to tattle to Brüel at the perfect moment, but she already knew... Huh?
"B-But why...?"
"We left them alone because the council hasn't directly targeted Su-hyeon yet. Sorry to say, but Chan-seong and you are close associates, not Su-hyeon herself."
And they were testing Camellia too.
Jun-hyeok's words earlier had merit.
Watching if they could really live up to them.
Honestly, so far...
It felt like they were barely scraping by on the passing line.
Brüel didn't like how they were walking a fine line despite being capable of more.
"Sorry if we disappointed you."
"No, you're not our protector, so it's only natural..."
Ga-eun waved off the apologizing Brüel.
"You asked why I had the knife earlier."
Ga-eun let out a deep sigh and perched on the bed.
Careful not to jostle Su-hyeon.
"I was anxious someone might come for her at night... But what if it's someone my power can't handle?"
She recalled the instructor from the showers.
Just eye contact, but she knew.
If they fought, she'd be subdued in seconds.
Definitely A-rank.
If it wasn't Brüel at the door tonight, but an attacker—worse, an A-rank like Carmen?
She'd be helpless, forced to watch Su-hyeon in danger.
Even with Sky sister there, same deal.
Not dismissing her, but the participants here were all rookie hunters or hopefuls.
Lower rank than her, no experience—couldn't risk dragging in a third party.
Brüel nodded as she listened quietly to Ga-eun.
"I get your worries, Ga-eun. The hunter world you just dip into casually is worlds apart from experiencing it firsthand."
"Yeah, exactly. Never noticed when I didn't care."
When she was C-rank, she'd brimmed with confidence...
But hitting B-rank, the whole world was monster-filled.
This camp alone proved it.
Most instructors were B or A-rank.
Considering the anomaly talk, staff were probably no lower than C.
The guy asking about Su-hyeon seemed fine too, so B-rank like her or higher.
Where were all these people hiding before?
Ga-eun sighed in frustration.
Yet Brüel remained calm.
"For now, we've got Su-hyeon covered, so no need to worry too much."
"...Forgot. Got too worked up."
Ga-eun sheepishly averted her gaze.
Even in the pitch dark with her helmet on, Brüel could see it clearly.
"Remember what I said when I gave you the knife?"
"Real powerhouses will avoid you, and clueless riffraff are fine... Something like that?"
"Exactly."
Brüel held out her hand to Ga-eun.
"Mind if I see it?"
"Here."
Brüel gripped the dagger and swung it slowly, fluidly.
Despite the casual motion, Ga-eun felt a chill crawl up her spine.
"Feel anything off? Goosebumps?"
"Yeah, I do."
Because the wielder changed?
When she held it, it just felt like chopping dried bonito...
"This is lethal to those with mana. The more mana, the more they'll instinctively wary of the blade."
"What if they don't?"
"Even better if they let their guard down. Gives you a shot at a critical hit, even if they're stronger."
"...Optimistic way of thinking."
"Not sensing the threat means they're either dull or overwhelmingly superior. First case is good; second, no point worrying."
"..."
"But you could at least buy time against an A-rank. Then we'd come—or someone else."
"Someone else?"
Ga-eun asked curiously.
"...Well, police or guards sensing the commotion."
"Out here in the mountains?"
"That's why we're here now."
Moonlight faintly illuminated something on the desk.
Su-hyeon must've taken it off because it was uncomfortable for sleep.
But Ga-eun still looked deflated.
"You called them riffraff, but I'm not sure. That instructor today was insane. Body all bu-waaah... Eyes like iiiii..."
"Hm."
Ga-eun exaggeratedly mimicked Carmen.
Brüel briefly wondered about telling Carmen, but dropped it.
"Carmen Rodriguez is no riffraff. She's a veteran among veterans who dives into ultra-large gates with S-ranks when manpower's short."
"...Really?"
Even more impressive than she thought.
But why was someone like that at this rundown camp...?
"Yes. So no need to blame yourself. Objectively, you're plenty impressive, Ga-eun."
"Th-Thank you..."
Ga-eun perked up a bit at Brüel's comfort.