Chapter 47
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Reap What You Sow
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A little time passed.
The manager, who had flamboyantly spun the scissors and tucked them into his apron, spoke up.
"How is it? If there's anything you don't like, feel free to tell me."
"Hmm...."
I gazed into the mirror, tugging at a few strands of my bangs with my fingers.
"Yes.... It's definitely better than before."
The straight-cut bangs had been transformed through countless snips into a natural style that artfully exposed my forehead.
Overall, my head looked much rounder.
I hadn't given it much thought at first, but compared to before, it looked way better.
"Phew! I'm still got it!"
As soon as he sensed I was done inspecting, the manager grinned and began removing the cloth draped around my neck.
With the cloth gone, exposing the inside, the infant booster seat on the chair reflected in the mirror.
It felt like my hidden shoe insoles had been revealed, leaving me a bit embarrassed.
Rustle-
As embarrassment washed over me, I sensed a faint movement in the mirror.
The culprit was the sprout atop my head.
After a single trim, the leaves were now far more prominent.
While the manager checked for stray hairs inside my clothes, I cautiously fiddled with the leaves. He chuckled and said,
"It happens often with mutation-type Awakener customers. Folks whose bodies change oddly because they're not yet used to wielding their powers."
"Ah."
"Especially young ones like you. They often don't even realize which body part has transformed. If it's the scalp or something sensitive, it might sting if touched—ouch!—so we avoid it. That's why I left it as your charming feature."
'Ouch,' huh....
Sigh.
I'd completely forgotten about it myself, but he'd handled it perfectly on his own.
Veteran indeed. Even if I'm not actually a mutation type....
But what happens if it gets cut?
Tucked among the hair, it'd probably just grow back...?
When I released my hand, the leaf rustled in the opposite direction.
After the cleanup finished, I stepped down from the chair with the manager's assistance.
"There, all done!"
The manager said with a satisfied look.
I sighed while peering into the mirror.
His skill was genuinely impressive, but the issue was—
"As expected of the manager...."
Someone murmured in quiet admiration.
"Wow-!"
"So cute!"
Clap clap clap clap clap—
At the sound of the staff applauding, the other customers turned to stare in bewilderment.
Min-ji and Ji-eun were pulling out their phones to snap pictures too.
"Su-hyeon, over here, look this way."
I hung my head low and grumbled.
"This looks way too childish...."
But everyone around cooed even more, calling it adorable.
"Aww, even that sulky pout is too cute!"
"Oh come on, Su-hyeon. What are you talking about? It suits you perfectly!"
The manager beside me beamed warmly and added,
"Exactly. This style is spot-on for you. I styled it myself, and it's just too lovable!"
I sighed and shook my head side to side.
But deep down, I had to admit the style wasn't half bad.
Still, I kept up the grumpy expression.
Somehow sensing that this reaction would only make me seem cuter to them.
After parting with Su-hyeon, Ga-eun entered the school building for class.
Her footsteps echoed softly in the oddly serene hallway.
The moment she rounded the corner—
"Do you have a moment?"
"Eek!"
A calm, melodic voice sounded right beside her.
"You scared me...! What, what is it?"
Whipping around, she found a woman clad head to toe in black standing in what had clearly been an empty corner.
Ga-eun steadied her racing heart and asked.
Renowned for her tough, ironclad nerves, even she couldn't help jumping at someone materializing without a whisper of presence.
"My apologies. I lack time for more discreet contact."
Brüel offered an apology alongside an item.
Ga-eun's eyes widened as she accepted it.
"K-kn... knife...?"
It was a military knife with a distinctive design.
"Why give this to me...?"
"A token of thanks for safeguarding Su-hyeon-nim at your side, and a gift for what lies ahead. We've assessed you, Ga-eun, as one of Su-hyeon-nim's 'associates.'"
Does that mean I'm close to Su-hyeon now...?
The implication of recognition stirred odd feelings, but Ga-eun shook her head in refusal.
"I appreciate the thought, but I can't carry something like this. I'm no Hunter, and knives in Korea?"
Strutting around with just a kitchen knife would get her tackled by Guards on sight.
Hunters even had to sheath weapons outside designated zones.
And this? Anyone could see it was built for stabbing foes.
Trouble if someone reported her.
High-grade Awakeners faced harsh penalties.
Classed as high-grade herself, Ga-eun knew to steer clear of anything suspicious.
"Personally, I hold your talents in high regard. Remarkable courage and dynamic vision for your age."
"Ah, th-thank you...?"
She'd been watched at the theater too?
The stalker incident flashed back. No wonder the trip seemed unnatural.
Praise from a special agent who'd trashed pro stunt performers left Ga-eun flustered.
But Brüel's words pressed on.
"Yet for all your talent, your close-quarters combat remains novice. Tied to us now, you may face threats beyond your limits someday."
"Yes...?"
"If wary of prying eyes, this book-like case helps. Same wood won't trip detectors; blade disrupts mana too."
Especially effective against beasts or Awakeners.
"No, even so."
Ga-eun shook her head firmly.
"It's still no good. I never planned to Hunter it up. Self-defense or not, blades and fists are worlds apart. Sorry, take it back."
Ga-eun refused again, handing back the book-disguised knife case.
"Hmm."
Then.
Whoosh—
Brüel unleashed a punch at Ga-eun's temple, too fast to react.
Ga-eun belatedly leaned back to evade, but it was over.
Intentionally off-mark, thankfully—otherwise, that speed would've caved her skull.
"This is your most confident stance's punch."
Gulp—
Trapped in that head-tilted pose, Ga-eun was helpless.
"When a punch whiffs like this, your outer body exposes briefly. Against peers, fatal hits to flank or thigh loom."
But with a knife in hand?
Brüel drew her arm back slowly.
The book-shaped case was now in her grip—from Ga-eun's hand.
The book grazed Ga-eun's hair, skimming perilously past her cheek.
Ah....
A knife grants another shot.
Extended reach ups hit odds; foes dodge wider, turning trickier.
"Short as it seems, 15cm shifts dire outcomes. Reverse grip amps punch force, pulls focus."
Brüel retracted fully and bowed apologetically.
Then, voice laced with gravity, she proffered the book anew.
"For emergencies—to shield not just Su-hyeon-nim, but yourself."
Brüel's tone rang earnest.
"......"
Utterly cowed, Ga-eun took it wordlessly.
"Ah, and...."
"...Yes."
Brüel hesitated, putting Ga-eun on edge—what now?
"Um.... C-can I get a ph-photo too...."
"......Pardon?"
"Ahem. Su-hyeon-nim pics.... You snapped plenty, yes?"
"......"
Brüel gleefully snagged Ga-eun's number before departing.
Moments later, Ga-eun sat in the lecture hall, heart tangled.
To protect myself....
'Your skill level handles riffraff with this weapon alone.'
'Riffraff...? And above...?'
'They shun clashing with us, so flashing it sends them packing.'
"......"
Ga-eun mulled the loaded words.
Brüel called them riffraff, but needing the knife implied bare hands lose...?
Active C-ranks minimum, then.
Maybe B-ranks up.
Clash with types like that?
...Su-hyeon and the elves have surprising foes?
Stepped into forbidden shadows?
"Haa...."
What now? Couldn't void her bond with Su-hyeon anyway. Nor wanted to.
To banish the clutter in her mind, she lit her phone screen.
Reflexively dove into KakaoTalk—always triple-digit alerts.
Tapping the top-pinned group chat, she gawked.
"Huh? What, pfft!"
"What's up? Ga-eun, why the laugh?"
As Ga-eun clapped a hand over her giggling mouth, her seatmate perked up.
"No, hehe.... Check this."
Su-hyeon's photo filled Ga-eun's screen.
Full-body shot: peak emperor pampering.
Golden robe barely ankle-length. Tiny feet below, hands kneading diligently.
Cheeks masked in pale mud pack; light-green locks headband-swept, forehead bare. Hair care, evidently.
One hand cradled a wine glass of orange juice.
Crowning glory: star-shaped sunglasses.
Luxuriating like a Chinese upstart, pure kid aping grown-ups.
"Heh, Senior Su-hyeon? Puhahaha. No kidding, adorable."
Ga-eun nodded.
"Yeah, from a friend in another major. Guess they hit massages together. Heh."
"Lucky ducks. How'd they buddy up for outings again? Ahh~ Senior Su-hyeon makes me wanna pop out a daughter."
Su-hyeon unwittingly spurred births.
Ga-eun snickered.
This bliss chased worries to irrelevance.
Ga-eun bundled and saved the pics with a smile.
Meanwhile, Su-hyeon savored aftercare on Min-ji's tab.
Started sheepish with scalp rub, but momentum hit—full-course indulgence.
Ji-eun's discount spared Min-ji half her paycheck.
Min-ji hammered the shutter endlessly for value.
Yet shots stayed blurry, focus elusive.