Discharge (3): The Mysterious Photo on Hunter Gallery
I stood in front of the shoe rack, tying my hair back and kneeling at the entrance door with my mouth open.
A ingrained ritual to greet someone...
"Sis, what are you doing?"
"Uh..."
Yeah, what am I doing right now?
I hurriedly stood up and gave an awkward laugh.
"Just getting out the slippers... haha."
I pulled a pair of fluffy guest slippers from the shoe rack—ones I'd never used before—and handed them to her.
"Here, guest slippers."
"Thanks...!"
Yumi slipped them on and stepped inside, looking around the house in awe.
"Whoa, Han River view! Sis, you've made it big. This place is amazing. It's like a chaebol mansion from a drama, right?"
"It's too big for one person, don't you think? Feels empty."
"No way~ Sis, that sounds like bragging depending on who hears it."
Yumi spotted three robot vacuums quietly moving in the corner of the living room and stuck out her tongue in amazement.
"Whoa, three robot vacuums. No wonder there's not a speck of dust anywhere."
"I hate dirt. Isn't this normal?"
"No way... This is straight-up OCD level. If you came to our place, you might freak out and refuse to come in."
"Maybe I'll check it out next time."
"If you're coming, sis, tell me ahead of time. I'll call in a deep-cleaning service."
"Just keep it clean all the time."
"Easier said than done. Arghhh."
Yumi flopped onto the cowhide sofa.
"Whoa, this sofa is so soft and comfy. It hugs you perfectly. Where's it from?"
"Italy... somewhere? I forget."
It was the sofa from the clinic I'd sat on...
"Rich sis, where's the walk-in closet? Can I check it out?"
"Over there."
Watching her excitement, I pulled some chilled sparkling water from the fridge and poured it into glasses.
A moment later, Yumi's disappointed voice echoed from the dressing room.
"Aww, what? The closet's full of nothing but combat uniforms and training clothes, sis?"
"That's all I ever need to wear."
"Not anymore! I'll be your coordinator, so let's go shopping every week and fill this place with cute outfits."
"Sure, sounds good. What do you want to drink?"
"Anything."
Yumi kept exploring.
"The bathroom's huge. Let's take a bath together later, sis!"
"Maybe."
"Whoa... whoa. Jackpot! Huh, what's this..."
Yumi rustled out, then stopped in front of the small room at the end of the hallway.
"Huh? Sis, why's this room locked? Artemis?"
"...That's the storage room."
"A storage room you lock from the outside? Don't people usually lock from inside?"
"Got some important equipment in there."
"Oh, gotcha. Can't go in then. Bummer."
Thank goodness. She didn't pry further and headed back to the living room.
It's not like there's anything weird in there—just your standard dildos, vibrators, anal beads, SM gear...
And a ton of cosplay outfits from maid to bunny girl, plus clinic footage recordings...
Nothing to be ashamed of, so maybe it's fine to show Yumi?
"Sis, but while touring the house, I didn't see a computer? You don't use one?"
"Oh, it's in the study over there."
"Ooh, a study! Can I look?"
"Not many books."
Stuff like 100 Ways to Please a Man or comics listing guest play requests—those are in storage.
"Wonder what porn's on sis's computer~"
"Hold on, Yumi!"
I rushed to the study.
"Lemme see, search history..."
"Yumi?"
"Whyy? Hiding something? Looks normal... Sis, you never search your own name?"
"Why would I?"
"You're famous! Don't you wonder what people think of you?"
"I'd rather train if I have time for that."
"You don't check Hunter Gallery or hunter communities?"
"Those exist?"
"Yeah! I search every day. Wanna see? Not all good stuff, though."
"Search it for me."
A feast of posts with bizarre titles. My face burned; I couldn't even look at the screen properly.
Yumi, on the other hand, seemed amused and snatched the mouse to scroll.
"Whoa, sis is super popular. Look, everyone's talking about you."
"This is... popular?"
"Totally! Hate's still attention, sis. Better than no comments."
I pointed at one post.
"Isn't this one too much?"
Yumi moved the mouse.
"Most of these are bait."
"Uh...?"
The photo showed me. My mouth filled with white liquid, looking up submissively at someone.
"......"
Yumi froze on the spot. I scrolled down.
Yumi's voice broke the silence, trembling with anger.
She slammed the keyboard with shaking hands.
"Th-these fucking bastards...! Deepfakes have limits. We gotta call the guild legal team right now and throw them all in jail! This is straight-up sex crime!"
"..."
I turned off the screen.
"Sorry, sis... Shouldn't have shown you this... Ruined the mood..."
"It's fine. Really. Not your fault."
Act mature...
"You sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, don't worry about it. Stuff like this happens. So don't sweat it."
"Got it. Sorry again, sis."
Yumi hugged my waist.
"Wanna change the mood? I got some gifted wine. Drink?"
"Booze? Didn't see that coming! Never thought you'd suggest drinks first, sis!"
"Too soon after discharge? Or you hate alcohol?"
"No! No! Let's drink and forget it all!"
"Nice. What's your limit?"
"Soju? One bottle. Two if buzzed."
"You hold it well."
Yumi covered her mouth laughing.
"Sis, if we drink, I might crash here?"
"Was gonna say stay. It's late. Crash here. Definitely."
Yumi sprawled on the sofa, stretching arms and legs sky-high.
"Yesss! Sleepover at sis's! Wanna live here with you."
She propped up her head, teasing.
"Sis, wanna adopt a 20-year-old daughter? I eat well and obey."
"Pass. Yumi, you hungry?"
"Huh? Nooo?! Why? You gonna cook, sis?"
"Yeah, you said you wanted to try. Should've shopped on the way. But I can whip up a simple dessert side."
"Whoa! Alcohol belly and dessert belly are separate, y'know? Love it!"
I tied on an apron.
"Holy shit! Apron meow, sis, need help?"
"You're the guest. Sit."
How long since I cooked for someone? Just having company warmed the empty house, making me happy.
I opened the fridge. With these ingredients...
Ricotta cheese salad and caprese should do.
Sword Saint's Blessing isn't for this, but I diced tomatoes and veggies.
Then shaved chunks of cheese.
And from the very back, separated from other ingredients—a small glass jar.
Milky, thick liquid. Sniffing it: funky, fishy, yet oddly nutty aroma tickled my nose.
I drenched the arugula and cherry tomatoes with this special milky dressing.
"Any wine okay?"
"Yup!"
I grabbed a bottle from the built-in cellar without checking the label. Gifts via guild, piled up since I don't solo drink.
Yumi gasped at the wine I casually plunked on the table.
"Whoa, Romanée-Conti? Sis, this is crazy expensive! Millions per bottle, and you're just opening it?"
"Is it? Don't know wine. When if not now?"
"Let's drink! Sis, where's the corkscrew? I'll open."
"Corkscrew? Don't have one."
"How ya opening then?"
"Just slice the neck."
"Huh?"
"Don't worry. Clean cut."
"If you can, I trust... but."
I gripped the kitchen knife; Yumi backed up a bit.
"Should I stand back?"
"Nah, watch."
"Okay!"
I took stance.
Battōjutsu
Blade swung at invisible speed.
Shwick—
"Done."
"Huh? What?"
"Heh, check it."
Yumi cautiously gripped the bottleneck.
"Wha... whoa?!"
As if precision-cut from the start, the corked top popped off cleanly.
"Like that?"
"Whoaaa insane! Couldn't follow with my eyes! Sword Saint power?"
I set two wine glasses from the cabinet on the table.
"Quick pic for proof, sis. Gotta brag to dad. His stomach'll hurt! Kyakyakya."
"Take one as a gift?"
"Nah, sis. I'll buy you one."
"Good daughter."
Yumi snapped the label and my simple spread.
"Not much, but enjoy. Next time I'll shop and do proper."
"No, sis, this is plenty!"
Yumi speared dressing-drenched salad and ate.
"How's it? Taste... okay?"
"Mmm...! Mmmph!"
Her eyes widened.
"Sis, what's this? The white stuff."
"Ricotta cheese and some dressing. Weird?"
"Funky-fishy but super rich and tasty."
"R-really?"
"This the stuff from the cafe?"