Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: A Sudden Development
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It just happened.
“Ugh, ow….”
I was planning to punish Ophelia with my ultimate skill, EX Random Beating (no such thing exists), when she returned, but after moving my body, all my stamina was gone.
I heard on the gallery that doing home workouts releases estrogen and turns you into a girl, but then I remembered I've already changed.
“Minium… get me some water….”
—Clank!
I used to drink tap water from the sink; Korean tap water is actually very clean, so it's fine to drink. I'm not sure if that applies to a rundown house like this, but now I drink the bottled water Ophelia buys.
“Ah, thanks.”
Minium must have been bored because it seemed to be following the exercises next to me. Surprisingly, its joints are incredibly flexible. Aren't machines supposed to have a limited range of motion and creak when they move like this?
Shockingly, my range of motion was worse than Minium's, and in terms of stamina, I was a complete wreck by comparison. Whenever I started to struggle, Ophelia would appear in the video and explain something like '500 Million Reasons Why the Princess Must Exercise'.
She'd do that every time I felt like slacking off and taking a break.
“But where did Ophelia go? Does she know someone here?”
81st floor of the headquarters of 'Nova,' a Hunter guild under the Ohsung Group, located on Teheran-ro in Gangnam.
“This covers all the administrative procedures we require at present.”
“...I see.”
Yoo Chae-rin nodded as she looked over the documents Ophelia had handed her. They contained records of an unfamiliar man, along with his physical identification card and other details.
The contents requested that the existing identity be declared legally deceased, a new resident registration number be issued, and new biometric data (fingerprints, DNA, iris) be registered and entered into the national database from scratch.
This would involve creating a document to substitute a birth certificate, based on the naturalization process for foreigners, but with specific notations to differentiate it.
A legal guardianship designation process was also necessary. As a minor, she cannot perform legal acts independently, so Ophelia, with her newly created identity, would be registered as the legal guardian to handle contracts, medical issues, and property matters on her behalf.
It also required terminating the existing social security records and re-registering her in the minor welfare system. All insurance, taxes, and contracts from her time as an adult would be nullified, followed by new registrations for minor's health insurance, linking bank accounts to the guardian, and so on.
“Indeed, if everything outlined here is carried out perfectly, there will be no issues with her identity.”
“Correct.”
For Yoo Chae-rin, who wanted to recruit Eve into Nova, the creation of a social identity for Ophelia and legal guardianship for Eve was exactly what she had hoped for.
After all, for a Hunter under the age of 13 to join a guild, even with a guardian who consents to it, the process is 'difficult to the point of being nearly impossible'.
Without a guardian, or if they refuse, it's simply impossible.
“We should be able to handle most of this. The tax issues mentioned below will require close cooperation with the relevant parties, but with time, it shouldn't be a problem.”
“Is that so.”
“In that case... would it be acceptable for Nova to propose some conditions of our own?”
“I will review them.”
“Yes, the document.”
The man in the suit standing behind Yoo Chae-rin calmly placed a document resembling a contract on the table in front of Ophelia. It detailed a temporary affiliation for Eve with the Nova Guild, written in fairly moderate terms.
“She is to act as a Hunter for the Nova Guild until she comes of age, is that it?”
“That's correct. We respect her free will after she becomes an adult, so unless she voluntarily chooses to remain with Nova, this arrangement would be best.”
Ophelia slowly reviewed and analyzed the contents of the document before giving her answer.
“Unfortunately, we have no intention of having her directly join the Nova Guild.”
“Are you sure that's wise?”
Yoo Chae-rin tilted her head slightly. She was asking if they could really afford to refuse their offer—an offer with softened conditions—considering all the help Eve had received and was currently requesting from the Nova Guild.
“While maintaining a good relationship with the Nova Guild is certainly beneficial, the Princess has much to accomplish in the future. We are skeptical about joining a guild, which comes with many restrictions.”
“Hmm….”
“However, this does not mean we intend to become enemies with Nova. On the contrary, it may be far more convenient for the Nova Guild to have Princess Eve as an external collaborator.”
“Why is that?”
“According to the standards of the Central Hunter Affairs Division, or CHAD, the management classification the Princess can achieve with adequate financial support is 'Quasi-National Power'.”
“...What does that mean?”
Quasi-National Power.
It's a management classification given when a single organization possesses military strength equal to or greater than the government of the country it resides in.
A prime example is the 'Starwell Syndicate,' a coalition guild of UAE oil magnates. It is one of the Hunter guilds with a Quasi-National Power classification, composed of Hunters recruited from numerous countries.
This is a form occasionally seen in countries where the state is weak and guilds are exceptionally successful. But of course, when speaking of the military power needed for Eve to reach the 'Quasi-National Power' classification, it was referring to the South Korean government.
“...Do you mean she can surpass them?”
“Hmph. You used the ambiguous pronoun 'them,' but I will interpret your meaning appropriately.”
Ophelia responded confidently to Yoo Chae-rin's trembling voice.
“Yes.”
Today's Yanfei at the Manchuria Subjugation.jpeg
He was rampaging while fighting an S-rank giant monster over in Heilongjiang, but then Nikolai showed up and he calmed right down lol
Told you Yanfei has selective intermittent explosive disorder
Yanfei is just a power level scouter lol.. Any S-rank who can't even stop Yanfei's frenzy should just give up their rank
—Ring! —Ring!
“Ah, it's Ophelia.”
I was browsing the gallery on my computer while resting after my exercises when I got a call from Ophelia.
“Hello? Ophelia?”
“Princess. Have you finished viewing all the audiovisual materials?”
“Well... I'm done.”
“You've worked hard. I'm proud of you.”
Did she just say she's proud of me? How old am I to be hearing this? Getting praised for doing some clumsy toddler exercises.
“Something has come up.”
“Really? How late will you be?”
“No, it is a place you must accompany me to, Princess. Please change into the outfit located in the second drawer of the cabinet. I will be there to pick you up within ten minutes.”
“Ehh... me too...?”
“That is correct.”
I guess I have no choice. I wonder what happened, but it's clear Ophelia needs my help. Since I'm the princess, I'm the one who has to step up and take charge.
Ehehe.
“Okay!”
“Thank you.”
Just as Ophelia said, after changing clothes and waiting for about ten minutes, she arrived at my door.
“Where are we going?”
“To the Hunter Rank Evaluation Center in Yongsan.”
“Huh? Rank evaluation? Right now?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
Of course, I do need a Hunter rank... but aren't there still too many problems for that to be possible? The biggest issue is my identity... there must be a ton of things to sort out.
As I followed Ophelia, lost in these thoughts, I saw a vehicle parked in front of us—a black van with the Nova Guild's emblem emblazoned on it.
“Eve, we meet again. It's nice to see you.”
“Ah, Yoo Chae... Yoo….”
“Please call me Chae-rin unni.”
“Ch-Chae-rin unni….”
To think Hunter Yoo Chae-rin herself would be accompanying us. So, the 'something' that came up for Ophelia was meeting with Yoo Chae-rin. Come to think of it, I did get her business card at the Shilla Hotel.
“Shall we get in? The air is chilly.”
“Ah, yes!”
And so, we boarded the Nova Guild vehicle and traveled together to the Hunter Rank Evaluation Center in Yongsan. We chatted about various things along the way.
“Eve, Ms. Ophelia helps you out a lot, doesn't she?”
“Ophelia... Yes! She takes great care of me.”
“That's why Ms. Ophelia came to see me this time, for your sake.”
“R-Really...?”
Ophelia went to see Yoo Chae-rin for me? I wonder if she made some kind of deal.
“Ophelia... hmm, legally? The law might be a little difficult for you to understand, Eve, but would you like to hear about it?”
“Uh... yes.”
“Legally, Ophelia has become your mother. I suppose you could say you're her adopted daughter?”
“Eh.”
Mom...?
“So, the difficult problems you were facing have been resolved... though this is something you don't really need to know about. To summarize, it means you can now get your Hunter rank evaluated and officially begin your activities as a Hunter.”
“Really...? But, how...?”
I glanced at Ophelia, who was sitting silently beside me. She noticed my gaze, turned her head, and simply gave a slight nod without offering any explanation.
“I heard you wanted to be active as a Hunter, Eve. Is that right?”
“Ah, yes... that's right, but….”
I never imagined the problem would be solved so quickly. It feels like I have an incredibly competent personal lawyer.
‘Still, Ophelia is my mom.’
Even if it's just a relationship on paper, is this really okay? I mean, Ophelia looks human, but... she's a machine? A golem? Or maybe a... summon? Something like that.
“Don't worry, it's fine. I'll help you out a lot too, Eve.”
“Ah, thank you….”
Then what happens to things like my phone plan? And the contract for our house is still under my original name.
Trying to think about all that is making my head spin. I'm sure Ophelia will handle it, though.
‘Ophelia is my mom….’
What a strange feeling.