Registering Rica, Too
“Register Rica unni too~”
“Haaah~”
The next morning, bright and early. They leave Jeju Island and head back to Seoul.
“Jeju really does have great air. Right?”
Nod nod.Wriggle wriggle.
Deobseok-i in her arms and Kkumteuli on her wrist both agree. Her little buddies must feel the difference from their usual daily life.
“Chorok-nim... I hope I haven't been a burden...”
“Chorok-ssi, why don't you sleep a bit more if we're traveling by car?”
Two voices overlap from behind. Rica unni and Seonhwa unni both sound worried at the same time.
“I'm fine! I just woke up a tiny bit early, that's all.”
She must have yawned too long just now. True, they did rush back to Seoul today.
“Chorok unni, the plane wasn't uncomfortable, right?”
“Nah, I slept like a log inside. Just the early morning rush.”
The flight back to Seoul was on Yusung's private jet or something like that...
From what she heard, there were some super complicated circumstances, and Seo-ah's grandpa suggested they all fly together.
No other passengers—just them, some sunglass-wearing ajusshis, and the flight attendants. It was a pretty novel experience.
Like a super long limousine that could fly?
“Still, I wonder if I caused all these complications...”
But Rica unni's been looking all wilted since earlier. She keeps saying it's her fault, but it's really not that serious.
“No way! Who would've thought you'd be recognized as an awakener, Rica unni!”
“Chorok-nim... Thank you for your generous heart.”
The reason they came back early is Rica unni. She had no idea the behind-the-scenes stuff from last night would blow up like this.
There was a whole commotion waking up Seonhwa unni, who'd moved to the room next door at the hotel, and then Seonhwa unni figured out the situation and spent the late night making calls everywhere.
The result? An earlier return to Seoul. She wanted to splash around the Jeju beach a bit more, but oh well, can't be helped. Falling over was fun anyway.
“Think positive, Diabolica-ssi. Seonhwa and I were already working together on your identity issue with Jang Taesan. The awakener factor actually makes it easier to resolve.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Chairman Lee Suhwan. I hope to maintain good relations with Yusung going forward.”
“No need to thank me for this much. An old man like me should provide conveniences to the nation's new talents. And that troubling matter seems easily solvable now. Though Chorok-ssi's opinion is the most important part.”
Huh? Suddenly her name comes up? Wondering what it's about, she glances at Rica unni, who gives a faint smile.
“Chorok-nim... What do you think about becoming family with me?”
“Family?”
“Yes. Humans place great importance on family ties, even legally. As your attendant, I wish to become family, if possible. Of course, it's entirely up to you, Chorok-nim.”
That'd make her buddy-slash-close unni into a real blood sister? Hmm... She doesn't really know since she's an orphanage kid with no family experience.
But it doesn't sound bad. She's felt lonely for a while, so having family would be nice.
Deobseok-i and Kkumteuli are already like family, and this would just make Rica unni's bond a tiny bit deeper.
“I'm good with it!”
“Then, shall we proceed soon?”
“Yep!”
“Heh heh... Since we're all here, I'll give you a ride to Hunter Management Bureau HQ. Leave the rest to you, Bureau Officer Bong Seonhwa.”
“Yes, sir.”
“See you later, Chorok unni!”
“Bye-bye, Seo-ah too! Let's hang out again soon! And goodbye, Grandpa!”
“Sure thing. See you again, Chorok-ssi. I'll introduce you to that promised land within a few days.”
“Yep! Thanks!”
They arrive at Hunter Management Bureau HQ via the super long limousine. She parts ways with Seo-ah since they have different business.
“Chorok-ssi, Diabolica-ssi. We'll head straight to Hunter Registration and Awakener Analysis.”
“That place full of machines, right? I was here last time registering Kkumteuli.”
“Yes. This time, it's for Diabolica-ssi's hunter registration. HQ just confirmed her identity is mostly sorted.”
“Very well. If it's required to be with Chorok-nim in this country.”
But this is hunter registration, right? Remembering her own first time, she should give Rica unni some advice.
“Rica unni, keep your wits about you! Don't fall asleep, or you'll end up with a dumb-looking photo!”
“Hee hee... Thank you for the advice. I'll keep it in mind.”
She has to warn her about this! She's planning to retake her own photo later too!
“...It's been a while, Chorok-ssi.”
Finishing the chat, they arrive at the machine-filled room, and there's a familiar face she hasn't seen in ages.
“Huh? Iron Fist Grandpa! Long time no see!”
“Iron Fist...? Heh, that's a fun nickname. I did land a good punch back in the day. Heh heh heh!”
“But what's up?”
“I wanted to observe your new companion Diabolica-ssi's registration. That must be her?”
“Yes. Observation is fine as pre-arranged.”
What? They already know each other? Well, Rica unni did visit the Jeju branch often for studies, so they must've talked then.
“I'll just watch the results and go. The administrative procedures are mostly prepared already.”
“It's good that institutions and companies are cooperative. I've learned a lot.”
“Diabolica-ssi, this way please. We'll begin precise measurement and hunter registration.”
The researcher ajusshi she sees often guides Rica unni to the dentist-chair thing.
When she came, there was a machine glitch that took forever. Wonder how Rica unni's turns out?
It won't say measurement impossible all over like hers and spit out those nasty words... right?
...
“...Come to think of it, Chorok-ssi, you've been quite active lately. Among rookies, you're the standout.”
After watching Rica unni enter the exam, Iron Fist Grandpa, standing nearby, speaks up.
“R-Really...?”
She just wants to make a guild and works hard for that. Is she actually doing well?
“First gate clear as MVP, and now gate break suppression plus the international wanted criminal incident—you helped a ton.”
“Heh heh, no rewards for praise...”
Her mouth corners lift on their own. Iron Fist Grandpa knows everything. Well, he's the director.
“Your dreamed guild setup isn't far off. Got a name in mind?”
“A name...? Haven't thought about it...”
Hmm, now that he mentions it, she ponders. Other guilds have short names.
Hers should be easy to say too... Something sparkly like stars? And since it's plants, factor that in.
“Ah! How about Byeolkkot? As long as it doesn't overlap with others.”
“Byeolkkot... Bong Officer, no overlaps domestically?”
“Just checked the list—no matches.”
“Then I'll go with Byeolkkot when registering later!”
“Good name, Chorok-ssi.”
“I think so too, Chorok-ssi. Suits you perfectly.”
She is good at naming! Iron Fist Grandpa and Seonhwa unni like it too.
“Deobseok-i, Kkumteuli—good, right?”
Nod nod.Wriggle wriggle.
They approve too. Byeolkkot Guild is basically decided!
Everyone's fine with it, so before making the guild, ask Rica unni too. She'll be the first member? Probably!
“Oh, one more thing, Chorok-ssi. Any guild goals set? I got reports from Bong Officer, but I'd like to hear it directly.”
“Yep! I wanna help newly awakened folks who don't know what to do, like me! A guild that lends a hand in tough times!”
Seonhwa unni said it was a great goal when she told her. She'll definitely stick to it!
“Heh heh heh! Excellent. Very excellent! Hold onto that heart.”
“Yep!”
“Such a clear answer— even better! Heh heh heh!”
See? Iron Fist Grandpa agrees. She'll treasure this goal and heart.
“...Examination complete. Let's view the results together.”
While chatting with Iron Fist Grandpa, the researcher ajusshi and Rica unni emerge.
“Didn't fall asleep?”
“No. Thanks to your advice, Chorok-nim, I stayed alert. Though it did consume quite a bit of my mana.”
“No device issues like last time. Printing results now.”
Class:【The One Who Opens the Abyss】
Held Skills:【Domain Formation Lv.EX】, 【Mana Operation Lv.50】, 【Open Abyss Entrance】
Stats:【Stamina: B】【Mana: S】【Strength: B】【Agility: A】
— Bureau Rank Equivalent: A (S Promotion Possible) —
The results ding on the monitor amid the complex machines. Whoa? First time seeing her stats—EX and S everywhere, nothing below C.
And S promotion possible? Rica unni's super strong, right? Like, mega strong?
“Heh... Astonishing results.”
“With international certification, she'd be a new S-rank hunter for our country right now.”
Iron Fist Grandpa and Seonhwa unni, viewing together, look shocked.
“Compared to Chorok-nim's other seeds yet to awaken, this result is overly generous.”
Eung? Rica unni, on the other hand, speaks humbly like it's natural.
Is this the dignity of the strong? She'll have to use that someday.
“Stats lean toward mage type. Classless skills without levels are unusual. First case I've seen.”
“That's Registration's take...? Given her close ties to Chorok-ssi, we shouldn't judge by common sense. Finish the registration.”
“Yessir! Moving to admin procedures now. Exam complete. Good work!”
Registration's finally done. After all the running around, time to say something to Rica unni.
“All done! Great job, Rica unni!”
“Hee hee... Thank you, Chorok-nim. Now I can properly attend you at your side.”
“Ooh, awesome! But now we gotta head back— to our house!”
“I'll escort you both.”
“Ah, Seonhwa unni! Thanks!”
They finish the exam and return home around sunset. Getting out of Seonhwa unni's car, she naturally heads to her third-floor place.
“Um, Chorok-nim...”
“Yep...? What's up, Rica unni?”
“You've made this your residence...?”
Huh? What's the problem? Rica unni, who'd been bright until now, looks all sulky.
It's a bit worn and bugs come out sometimes, but cheap rent, and the boiler works fine in the cold...
“Yeah. It's where I used to live. Right, Deobseok-i? Kkumteuli?”
Shake shake.Wriggle wriggle.
What? Deobseok-i, Kkumteuli—why shake your heads side to side and make X marks?
What's with you guys? You've been fine here all this time!
“We move residences immediately! More urgent than even the garden! I cannot allow Chorok-nim to live in a place like this!”