Chapter 6

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 6

Chapter Title: Did I Do Well?

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Anyway, did I do well?

Citizens' safety.

Yeon Chorok, whom she was assigned to escort.

- My protectee right now is none other than Miss Chorok. Cooperating with the agents is the safest call I made.

That was what she said, but...

In this urgent Emergency Gate situation, Seonhwa was torn, trying her best to protect both sides.

Even if she couldn't use her full strength right now, she still saw herself as a field agent of the Hunter Management Bureau.

For the sake of the nation and its people.

For safeguarding hunters' rights.

Most of the Bureau operated under that conviction, and Seonhwa held it too.

Yet she couldn't protect either side.

She felt ashamed of herself in this moment.

- It's okay. Chomper and I will handle everything.

But the one she had to prioritize stepped forward.

Even though they'd only met today.

Watching her from the side, she seemed so innocently naive it was precarious, like someone who needed protecting.

She shouldn't. It's dangerous.

Seonhwa wanted to stop her right up to the end.

But before she could, Yeon Chorok sprang into action.

'Is that the power of a hidden class...?'

...And at the miraculous sight unfolding, Seonhwa's gaping mouth wouldn't close.

This can't be real.

The power Seonhwa had lost long ago.

Even compared to the hidden class she'd seen overseas, the scale was different.

One could possess immense power.

The hunter world was one where initial power differences equaled talent from the start.

...But what the hell is this?

Seonhwa witnessed it.

A massive shadow amid the pink mist, extending countless tendrils.

--Crunch!

The grotesque maw devouring the horde of sky-invading monsters.

Her head throbbed.

Not from the chaos, but from the fear staining her mind.

She wanted to look away immediately, disgust prickling her whole body.

'Now I get why senior freaked out over that photo...'

The summon Yeon Chorok called Chomper.

Seonhwa had glimpsed its true form in the morning post, but even that was cute compared to now.

"Urk..."

Seonhwa couldn't hold back the dry heave.

This was overload she'd only felt in the depths of A-rank or higher dungeon gates before.

Especially staring at that hideous mouth—it was enough to induce this dizziness.

This incident, rated B-rank danger, was downright trivial by comparison.

--Crack. Crunch!

Soon, the black sky swarming with monsters cleared.

As if they'd never been there, draping blue skies once more.

"Officer Seonhwa!"

When Seonhwa came to her senses at the call, the horrific sight was gone.

"Miss Chorok..."

Yeon Chorok.

She approached Seonhwa, cradling the nightmare's source like a doll.

"It's all done. Did I do well?"

Innocently.

Like a child just wanting praise...

"Ha ha..."

Seeing Yeon Chorok's beaming smile, Seonhwa let out a hollow laugh.

"Yes. You did great. Thanks to you, Miss Chorok, the Emergency Gate is cleanly resolved. Thank you."

"But... um... everyone's sleeping around us. What do we do?

Sure enough, people littered the streets.

All collapsed in place, as if asleep.

Seonhwa checked them closely—no agonized expressions.

Just eerily peaceful sleeping faces.

"I'll call for headquarters support. Leave the rest to the Bureau from here and rest easy."

"Okay!"

Seonhwa reassured Chorok while vowing inwardly.

The power this Chorok wielded before her eyes.

Unfathomable what ripples it would cause...

She had to ensure she got protection from anyone who might misuse it in the worst ways.

'I need to meet the Bureau Chief in person...'

"Huh... Thought Chomper's big moment would make the news, but nothing."

Unfamiliar hospital room.

I rolled around on the fluffy bed, browsing the community.

Too lazy to type, just lurking on Behind.

"Chomper, why do we have to rest in a hospital room?"

Shake shake.

Chomper on the bed with me shook its head like it had no clue.

You don't know either, huh.

Well, we came together—how would you?

"It's... better than the chaos, but still."

Just hours ago, ambulances blaring everywhere...

Then followed Officer Seonhwa to Bureau HQ, ended up at their attached hospital.

But I got tricked.

Doctor poked and prodded, stethoscope on my tummy, said I'm fine.

So we're done, right?

Why send us to this boring room for "rest"?

Getting bored.

Nothing new on Behind either.

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Nothing to do but roll around.

Why am I even here? I'm totally fine.

Not hurt at all. Officer Seonhwa was the wrecked one.

"I wonder if Officer Seonhwa's okay..."

Threw herself at monsters for me, all banged up.

Hid the pain... looked bad, worrying me.

And still escorted me here.

Cool, but she's overdoing it—worries me.

"Officer Seonhwa was awesome though. Gotta be a secret hyper-ultimate-rare secret agent!"

Nod nod.

Chomper agreed.

Good kid—we vibe.

"Oh yeah, Chomper. Why can't you do thought-share poof now?"

Shake shake.

Chomper doesn't know either. What's the condition?

No idea.

But during the fight, text-like things flashed by.

Lots at first like that.

A few like that.

Skill leveled up, got it...

Then static at the end.

Didn't get that one—check later?

"Status Window."

Glad Plant Empathy hit Lv.2 under skills, just in case.

"Huh...?"

But the issue was elsewhere.

That recheckable quest.

Totally changed.

Did I misread? Wasn't this before?

"Second friend? Chomper, know who?"

Tilt.

Not the usual shake—what's that mean?

"Mm... So another friend like you?"

Nod nod.

Chomper affirmed. New friend incoming?

Lucky!

Soft like Chomper, cute shakes, understands me perfectly—bestie goals.

"But vine seed... I don't know plants that well."

Search online later.

First quest—curious what completing gives.

Or ask cool pro secret agent Officer Seonhwa?

Knock knock.

"Come in."

Pondering friend hunt.

Sudden knock.

Officer Seonhwa back?

Escorted me here, said she'd step out briefly.

--Creak.

Door opens—yep, Officer Seonhwa first.

Bandages galore—heart aches.

Wait...

Who's with her?

"Wh-who are you...?"

Eye-signal Officer Seonhwa!

But she's flustered, says nothing!

Who?!

That grandpa...

"Oh, ignore me. Talk between yourselves."

Scarred face scary.

Suit, but bulging muscles everywhere.

And he's staring hard despite "ignore"—super awkward.

Why? I'm scared.