Chapter 12
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: I've Arrived at a Splendid Place
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I've arrived at a splendid place!
Ever since coming out of the Gate, a whirlwind of events had swept through my life.
First off, right after we got out, everything was a total blur.
Outside, a ton of folks from the Hunter Management Bureau had rushed over, frantically searching for the people trapped inside.
And that was us, of course.
Both Officer Seonhwa and I hadn't come out of the Gate immediately, but Seo Ah was the biggest issue of all.
As expected from a super-platinum-diamond-gold-spoon heiress, huh?
They'd even called in outside Hunters to look for her.
Everyone was so relieved when they saw Seo Ah safe and sound with us. They must've been really worried.
That moment sticks with me.
All the little kiddos came swarming over, bouncing around me excitedly.
"You saved Seo Ah? Rich girl head, you're the best!"
"Waaah! Rich girl head is amazing!"
"Rich girl head is our hero!"
I felt a bit embarrassed, but I was still thrilled.
Even the teachers from the gifted school came over later, thanking me profusely.
After that, for a few days...
I had to go to the Bureau headquarters because of the Gate incident and answer a barrage of questions.
Most of it, I could only say I had no idea.
I mean, I really just messed with that magic circle and said "open sesame."
"Still, thanks to you, Miss Chorok, the Samhwa Mine Gate should see a lot of research activity for a while. We appreciate your contribution."
Officer Seonhwa said they'd give me a reward, so I signed for it.
My empty bank account went from flat to stuffed—now it's plump and happy!
It's so much money that aside from living expenses, I don't even know what to spend it on.
Just staring at my plump bank balance and giggling "I'm rich!" is way more fun.
"And don't worry about that gem you found in the Gate. Per regulations, it's been processed as a reward claimed by the discovering Hunter."
The biggest issue was Chomper.
Officer Seonhwa handled the shiny gem that Chomper had swallowed perfectly.
I'd been worried it might cause problems for Chomper...
But Chomper got even shinier and softer, all sleek and sparkly now!
They said it absorbed fragments of something called Mosigi, but who knows for sure yet.
"My grandpa wants to see you, unnie. Can you come over?"
Next up was my connection with Seo Ah, who I'd been through that with.
Guess we're friends now? We even exchanged numbers.
She sees me as her lifesaver and seems to really like me.
I did get a "Are you really 20?" but after seeing my ID and Hunter registration, she started calling me unnie.
I am older, technically...
But I never imagined I'd be the one hearing "unnie." Still getting used to it.
And about her grandpa wanting to meet...
I got invited straight-up to dinner.
Dinner with a big corp chairman?
Isn't that something only TV drama protagonists or hotshots do?
"...Miss Chorok, is something making you uncomfortable?"
"Huh? Green unnie, gotta pee all of a sudden? Should we pull over?"
Three days after getting out.
We were currently riding in a car to that very dinner.
This super long car—they call it a limo, right?
As expected, the ride of Korea's top rich family is on another level.
First time riding one, and it's so cool!
Here I am, facing Officer Seonhwa and Seo Ah on these super plush seats.
"...No, it's nothing."
I was just spacing out because all these whirlwind events didn't feel real yet, and they ask if I need the bathroom—what gives?
Lately, every day is pure dopamine.
Of course, I need this kind of dopamine too. I don't do exercise or anything.
And thinking about it, there is one uncomfortable thing...
This outfit I'm wearing right now.
I'd been rocking my bear strap overalls every day, but Officer Seonhwa said no way today and dressed me up new.
A skirt! Me, in a skirt...!
This is ridiculous. Totally absurd. My armpits and legs feel all exposed and weird.
Though looking in the mirror, it suits me better than I thought.
Not a ton, just a tiny bit.
"But Seo Ah-ya, what's your grandpa like?"
"Mm... He's kind to me. During the Gate thing, he didn't scold me at all—just worried about me tons."
Having family does sound a little enviable...
My only family was the orphanage director. Maybe I should visit sometime?
She'd be thrilled to hear I've become a proper Hunter, right?
"Seo Ah's grandfather, Chairman Lee Suhwan of Yuseong Group, is a key figure in the Hunter industry too. Yuseong's name is everywhere in the Hunter business overall."
Officer Seonhwa added an explanation.
Yeah, yeah. I know Yuseong for sure.
The smartphone I'm using right now is even made by them.
Heck, even outside the Hunter world, not knowing Yuseong would make you a spy or something.
"Additionally, Chairman Lee Suhwan has a close friendship with our Bureau Chief Jang Taesan. That's why the Bureau and Yuseong Group maintain good relations."
Officer Seonhwa was also invited to tonight's dinner.
Since we'd saved Seo Ah from the Gate together, her grandpa insisted she come.
Seo Ah's grandpa.
Hearing about him makes him sound even more intimidating.
All I hear are praises like "amazing" and "kind."
I'm worried I'll mess up and look like an idiot in front of him.
"Don't stress too much, Green unnie. Grandpa's a good guy. You can talk casually."
Guess my worry showed on my face.
If even Seo Ah noticed, am I shaking like a leaf right now?
"I-It's just... first time getting invited to dinner like this. That's all."
"Ahaha. Gotta hang out with Green unnie more then. You need to get used to stuff like this. If we're friends."
"I agree. You should experience it all, Miss Chorok. The more famous you get as a Hunter, the more opportunities like this come knocking."
Ugh... Then maybe I don't wanna get famous.
I get all trembly around strangers, not knowing how to act.
"Chomper, you think so too, right?"
Nod nod.
Chomper, bundled up and brought along today, nodded its head.
You traitor.
Before bed tonight, it's rub-rub sleek-sleek time for you.
"Ah, we're almost there. We'll be home soon."
Beyond the window, colorful houses dotted the mountainside below.
All of them screamed "rich people" at first glance.
.
.
.
"Welcome to my house! Green unnie, Officer Seonhwa."
The place we arrived at was a truly magnificent mansion.
Even the courtyard was huge, filled with blooming flowers everywhere.
Heading inside past that, the interior just screamed "rich house" too.
Living in a place this big, going to school must be such a hassle for Seo Ah.
Or not? With that limo from earlier, maybe it doesn't matter.
Anyway, this is super-platinum-diamond-gold-spoon life, huh.
"The food our housekeeper made is super tasty, so get excited."
Whoa. They really have a housekeeper.
Entering the dining room, the long table was loaded with food that looked like it could break your legs from sheer abundance.
But it was a little different from what I imagined.
I'd pictured some drama-style butler in a suit.
"Ah, you're here. Let's eat first since it's dinnertime. Sit wherever's comfy."
At the end of the table, someone was waiting for us.
This must be Seo Ah's grandpa, right?
Definitely not like Bureau Chief Grandpa with his iron fist.
He looks so ordinary, you could swear he was just the neighborhood grandpa.
Of course, his voice dripped with charisma—yep, total chairman vibes.
"Green unnie, here! Here! Next to me!"
Seo Ah sat first and patted the seat beside her.
No reason to sit elsewhere, so I took it.
"You're Yeon Chorok, right? Seo Ah really likes you. She's been talking about nothing else these past few days."
"Grandpa! That's embarrassing... It's not like that!"
Seo Ah's grandpa then turned to Officer Seonhwa, who'd come with us.
"And Bong Seonhwa from the Bureau. Long time no see. Feels like yesterday you were working directly under Jang Taesan."
"That's old news. I'm just a regular officer now."
"Still so humble. It's a shame you retired from active duty. Hit me up anytime you need help."
"I'll keep the thought in mind."
Officer Seonhwa sat across from me.
Eavesdropping on their chat, seems she knows Seo Ah's grandpa too.
As expected from a secret, nano-maximus-caesar-special-agent type.
"Didn't know your tastes, so I told the An-san housekeeper to whip up lots of tasty stuff. Eat up without holding back."
At those words, I scooped some rice and topped it with nearby meat side dish.
Whoa, this is insanely good!
The best food I've ever tasted!
"You eat with such relish. You're older than Seo Ah, but to this old man, it feels like my granddaughter's friend came to play."
"Really? My orphanage director says the same about how I eat. Guess everyone thinks so."
"Hoho. Take it slow. Don't choke."
"Unnie, eat your veggies too. All our sides are delicious."
Seo Ah offered other dishes.
Ugh... I don't really like veggies...
But they're tasty, so maybe just once?
"Sure thing!"
Guess that's why I never came to a place like this before. Now I get it.
I'm gonna devour everything here.
Munch munch.
"...That was delicious. I ate well!"
Finishing dinner, I gave double thumbs-up with both hands in ultimate praise.
"Glad you enjoyed it. Now, come chat with me while you digest."
"Yes!"
He'd said he wanted to meet, so I figured there was something to talk about.
"First off, thank you sincerely for saving our Seo Ah from danger. Both you, Miss Chorok, and Officer Bong Seonhwa."
"No, we got trapped too and ran into Seo Ah while trying to get out."
"Just doing what needed to be done."
"Hoho. So humble. Still, I acknowledge contributions properly—that's my principle. So, the favor of saving my granddaughter, I'll repay."
Ugh? You don't have to...
Just this dinner was enough for me.
"I'll grant whatever you wish. Miss Chorok, what do you want? Money, fame, Yuseong's power—nothing's out of reach."
"Umm... Something I want? Can I think a bit?"
"Of course. And you, Officer Bong Seonhwa?"
"As I said, I'll just take your kind words."
With Officer Seonhwa declining, all eyes turned to me from Seo Ah's grandpa.
So pressuring...
I don't really want anything right now.
The money I got is untouched—bank's still plump.
Fame? No clue. Can't I just build strength with super-strong Chomper through Hunter activities?
Then what I need is...
"Ah! I do need something!"
"What is it? Let me help."
"I'm looking for vine plants, so could you help? I don't know much about plants..."
"Ho!"
Did I say something wrong?
Seo Ah's grandpa looked totally baffled.
"That's really all you want? I can do more."
"That's fine."
New friend!
There must be one somewhere, and I really wanna find it.
That's enough for me.
"Hohoho... Alright then. I'll arrange people and places. We'll actively help you find your plants."
"Yes! Thank you!"
Yay! Awesome!
Soon I'll have another friend!
Late night.
The mansion's study.
Yuseong Group Chairman Lee Suhwan made a phone call.
"Hello. Jang Taesan? You free to talk now?"
- "What is it, Suhwan? What's the business this late?"
"I met that one you've been hiding away."
It was Bureau Chief Jang Taesan.
- "Even with my influence, Yuseong is Yuseong, huh. How much do you know with your intel?"
"I know a single Hunter quelled the Sejong-daero Gate. That person's the one who saved my granddaughter, and the existence you've been trying to keep under wraps. S-rank or Hidden Class maybe?"
- "You know it all. Then you get it? Yeon Chorok—that child's power is overwhelmingly strong. You know how easily it could be abused, right, Suhwan?"
Lee Suhwan furrowed his brow.
Being lumped in with such pathetic types was unpleasant.
"Putting her under the Bureau could look the same from the outside. What's your goal?"
- "I'm just guiding Yeon Chorok to use her power properly. Without being swayed by outsiders."
"You know that statement's self-contradictory, right?"
- "The choice is hers. The Bureau will just provide the experience to choose where to use that power."
At Jang Taesan's response, Lee Suhwan relaxed his furrowed expression, quite satisfied.
"That child is purely innocent, without a speck of dust. I tried repaying the favor for saving my granddaughter, but no greed at all. Still, I want to give her something."
With that, he recalled Yeon Chorok's words that nothing else was needed.
"Experience, huh... Doesn't she need experience observing corporations and guilds up close? Invite her to the upcoming Hunter Industry Expo. What do you think?"