Chapter 14

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 14

Chapter Title: Heading Home

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bam-papa-bam-bam—

"Ah……. Department Store, thank you for the 10,000 won donation…. I didn't really do anything, though!?"

That evening, Ga-eun was at a loss during her stream, overwhelmed by the flood of thank-yous from countless people.

It was because footage of her from the scene and interviews with the survivors had gone viral.

"Yeah, all the other hunters and Awakeners ditched us, calling us baggage and bait just to save their own skins. Only Ga-eun and this one muscle guy stuck around, taking care of everyone… Sniff. I really thought that was it for me there……."

"This pretty young lady who had her little sibling with her, she stayed behind with us and kept reassuring us like this and that. Oh, what a sweet girl with such a kind heart. If I had a son, I'd have introduced you, but I only have daughters…. Huh? Yeah, yeah, I get it……."

The survivors all expressed their gratitude to Ga-eun and Su-hyeon and Chan-seong in their interviews. Spotting that Ga-eun was a somewhat famous streamer, the PD edited in her parts prominently and aired them as-is.

It was only natural that it hit the internet news next.

Su-hyeon's mentions were relatively few because, as soon as they exited the gate, Ga-eun had spotted reporters swarming and asked them not to spread excessive rumors since the child was scared of all the attention.

Plus, Ga-eun's feats as a high-grade Awakener with precedent were more clickbait than a kid or a buff guy.

"Stop! Enough already! Everyone, let's wrap up that topic here— we can't get on with the stream!"

(And so on with lols)

clang-

"Huh? I just helped out while others were doing the work, and no, the one I brought out… yeah, but it wasn't just me. Others helped too. Anyone in that situation would've done the same, I think. I just got lucky and survived."

(And more emotional chats)

"Seriously, stop it! And from now on, any bashing of the victims will get you banned. It's not because they're bad or demons or anything—anyone in an extreme situation like that can't help it. Like I said in the interview, I was just lucky. You might make the same choice if it happened to you. Got it? Who'd want to make that call…? I was gonna take a break today, but I turned on the stream and now this… Keep it up and I'm logging off for real?"

(Apologies flood in)

"Hey, I said knock it off."

In the end, Ga-eun had to temporarily disable donations before she could continue the stream.

The morning after the department store disaster.

Squirm!

Su-hyeon jolted her body once and struggled to lift her eyelids.

It felt like she'd barely closed her eyes before waking up.

Not that she could fall back asleep anyway, so she decided to get up.

It was a perfect time for some sunbathing, too.

Last night, she hadn't slept a wink thanks to visions of the grotesque magic beasts, wide-eyed corpses, and scattered body parts.

She'd been fine in the moment, but once the tension wore off, the shock hit delayed.

And she'd even dreamed of people pointing at her as dead weight, kicking her out of the group… The dream ended inside a magic beast's maw.

"Ugh, this sucks……."

She'd come home too late yesterday to get much sun.

If she had, those horrific scenes and weird dreams probably wouldn't have plagued her.

Still, she'd gotten more than usual wandering with Ga-eun—what gives?

Whoosh—clunk

As soon as she got up, she filled a cup with water and headed to the balcony.

The cabinet under the sink held a living box repurposed as a footrest instead of a desk.

Slurp

On the balcony, basking in the sun, she checked her phone.

Nothing major—just curious how the gate she'd been caught in turned out.

'Gonna cost some folks their jobs over nothing.'

Not her fault, but it still sat wrong.

Slurp

Skimming more news, she saw Ga-eun's interview.

Ga-eun came off like a hero who saved people.

Her flustered interview face was hilarious.

Worlds away from charging at magic beasts with Su-hyeon in her arms.

"Heehee."

She pieced together the aftermath from the news.

She'd passed out right after exiting the gate, clueless about what followed.

Next thing she knew, she was on a chair in some police station, wrapped in a blanket. Ga-eun and Chan-seong had handled statements and paperwork, so she just went home.

Stuffed her ruined clothes in the washer and crouched in the shower.

"Phew…."

Should she text Ga-eun? Still orientation week, so probably no classes.

She opened KokoTalk, flooded with alarms.

Mostly ads and spam, so she'd half-ignored it—no real contacts anyway.

Friends (2)*

Huh, notification light's on.

Ga-eun? She tapped….

New message from 'Grandma'.

Thud

Her heart dropped.

"……Huh."

'What do I do.'

She wasn't on bad terms with Grandma or scared—quite the opposite.

Gruff and curt, but always considerate.

This text came after dinner time, knowing she might be in class and not wanting to disturb.

'…….'

Small things hit hardest. Proof of love and care.

She opened KokoTalk.

Grandma sucked at tech except calls and texts—mastered them when she moved to Seoul.

After yesterday's chaos, she craved Grandma's voice right now.

But Grandma didn't know her situation.

Hearing a stranger's voice instead of her grandchild? Disaster.

Just imagining it choked her.

Her one family who'd raised her.

She'd avoided contact fearing rejection.

"Hoo, hoo…."

Deep breath, finger on call button.

Grandma sent it last night—probably waiting. Rude to delay.

Press

Ring-ring-ring—ring-ring-ring—

Connection tone hit, heart racing wild.

Part of her hoped no answer.

Ring-ring-ring—click

No such luck—answered before three rings.

"Huh, Hyeon-ah."

'……!'

Steadying ragged breath, peeling stuck lips.

Please don't push me away.

"Hoo…. G-Grandma…."

Voice cracked at the end.

Dead silence, panicked.

"……."

Lips bitten raw, burning inside—but unexpected reply.

"My little pup, why you cryin'? Who bullied ya?"

"…Sniff!"

Not 'who are you' but 'why's my grandkid crying'.

"Sob, Grandmaaa waaah…."

"There there, it's Grandma. Don't cry, okay?"

"I-I'm, my body's kinda weird now, but I'm really your grandkid… Hick."

"Aigoo, you rascal. Think I can't recognize my own grandkid's voice? You hurt anywhere?"

"Sniff, hng, nyo…."

Grandma's warm comfort overflowed emotions into babble. She didn't know what she said, but Grandma just listened patiently.

She clutched the phone, sobbing for a while.

Once calmed, Grandma spoke.

"…If it's tough, want me to come up?"

"Sob, no. I'll come down."

"Body changed, you sure you can make it alone?"

"Yeah. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Bus anyway."

"Alright, if that's what you want."

"Yes…."

"But any guess why your body changed?"

"Uh…."

She had a hunch. But….

Hesitating, Grandma sensed it sharply.

"Spit it out, kid. Gotta know if it's a problem."

"W-Well…. Actually……."

She spilled: ate some soil ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and supplements from Grandma.

Omitted no sleep, no food, just games.

Just curious, she said.

"Aigo, you fool…. Curious or not, you don't gobble that up!"

"……."

"Livin' alone's rough, huh? Didn't know my grandkid was strugglin', eatin' dirt 'cause no food?"

"N-No…."

"I'll hit the bank soon, sendin' money. No more of that, got it?"

"No, really, don't send money. I'm fine. Seriously."

"Stubborn again. Why you always hate takin' my money? Tryin' to make me the bad grandma starvin' her grandkid to dirt?"

"Guh, no…. Grandma, where's your money from? I'll earn my own."

"Huh? I got plenty. Take it. Save what ya don't use."

She failed to dissuade Grandma.

Hung up, started laundry, booked tomorrow's bus.

Good thing she shopped with Ga-eun yesterday.

Couldn't go to Jiri Mountain in undies, tee, and slippers.

Laundry done, Grandma already transferred.

5 million won, three times.

15 million won.

…Holy crap.