Chapter 47
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 047
Chapter Title: What Did the Two of Them Do?
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"S-Rank? Ju-yeon's oppa?"
"It was a huge deal at the time. Her oppa was a rising star, and then she awakened too."
"She never even mentioned it to me."
"It was such a famous story. You're the weird one for not knowing."
"After my parents passed, I completely lost interest in all this."
The Hunter world was full of hotter scandals than the entertainment industry, but as a kid, hearing about it just hurt every time.
I couldn't easily accept that my parents, who died in a hospital bed, were the same kind of Hunters as those glamorous types.
"Your parents... were Hunters?"
"Yeah. Guess you can't cheat your blood. I ended up in this world too."
"I see... Wait. Did your parents die in an accident?"
"It's been over ten years, so I don't know the details. I heard the story roughly, but I don't even remember it."
"You left the orphanage after graduating high school, right?"
"Y... yeah?"
"No other support payments?"
"They gave me five million won as settlement funds."
"I see...?"
Something feels off. Sin Ju-yeon acted the same way in the dungeon last time. Is this really that surprising?
"Why? Is there a problem?"
"Huh? No, nothing like that."
"Ju-yeon had a similar reaction."
"Probably just your imagination. Hunters all think alike, right?"
Jeong Se-hee brushed it off casually. But as she pulled my arm tighter, the feel of her chest pressed against me even more vividly.
"Right. Make some time when you're free."
"Time? Just call ahead and come over."
"You said you'd buy me clothes earlier."
"Oh, that? Don't worry about it. I have plenty like that."
"That's not why I want you to buy them."
"Huh?"
No matter how designer it is, how expensive could one dress be? For Jeong Se-hee, it's pocket change anyway.
But I had other plans. I leaned in close to her ear and whispered lewdly.
"I'm gonna dress you up in my tastes... and rip it off."
"......"
"Don't like getting pretty for your master?"
"......I like it."
Jeong Se-hee's body shivered like she'd felt a chill. From her reaction, if I lifted her skirt right now, her panties would be soaked.
"Guess we should head back."
"Y... yeah."
I'd lost track of how many laps we'd done around the yard. It wasn't just a yard—it was a garden big enough to play in, and we'd walked for about ten minutes.
"Hey."
This hesitant side of her was refreshing. Jeong Se-hee looked up at me with a dopey expression.
"When you're not calling me Master... does that mean I can't do what I want?"
"......Pardon?"
It was Korean, but why was it so complicated? I stared at her blankly, then scratched my head.
"Noona, I think you're misunderstanding something."
"Misunderstanding?"
"You calling me that is just you doing what you want, right?"
"......Oh."
"Would I force you to do something you hate just because you call me that? You, Noona?"
Jeong Se-hee probably didn't want me treating her like a total slave. Her way of venting stress was just a bit unique.
She deserved respect. Her passion as a mage and researcher was genuine.
So even while calling me Master, she held some control. I had no intention of ignoring that.
"If you don't like something, just say what and why, and we fix it or compromise. What's so hard about that?"
"I guess I overthought it."
"Work on that. You seem like the type who creates her own problems."
"Pfft."
......She could laugh like that too.
I'd always seen her as pretty and sexy, but that expression was purely cute.
She gazed at me silently for a moment, then spoke with a faint smile.
"I had so much fun today. Feels like a blockage in my chest just burst open."
"I had fun too."
"Figuring out equipment crafting will take time. I'll call when I get a quote."
"No rush. Take your time."
"Yeah. And......"
She wrapped her arms around my neck and slowly tilted her face toward mine.
Mm.
It wasn't the sticky passion of lust. Just soft, comfortable... with a hint of coquetry.
"This kind of thing... is okay too, right?"
"Ha......"
See? She was lonely after all. This woman needed someone to lean on too.
Was this emotional bonding? Unlike with Yu-ra Noona, I felt like I had to reach out first here.
"Noona."
"Yeah?"
I kissed her cheek with a smack and playfully patted her butt. Not always naughty stuff—light touches like this were nice too.
"I'll come again. Keep up the research—I'm rooting for you."
"......Yeah."
"If you need semen, don't hesitate to ask. I can't promise I'll come every time, but I'll try my best."
I meant it as encouragement and goodwill after our deep connection, but Jeong Se-hee's response exceeded imagination.
"Even from sex with other women is fine? I can filter out the foreign substances myself."
"......Collect it in front of another woman?"
"Come on, you cum buckets nonstop anyway. Just handle it after we're done cleaning up."
......It was a pretty reasonable suggestion, but hmm. Last time with Yu-ra Noona, the waterproof sheets came in handy.
"I'll think about it."
The moment I answered, Jeong Se-hee's eyes narrowed like a cat's. She pinched my side hard and grumbled sulkily.
"Hmph, you sure say that casually. Other women, huh? Player."
"You're the one who told me to take care of my body in the first place."
"You know that and pretend not to? Idiot."
As if I didn't. Her grumbling was clearly affection or appropriate aegyo. Crossing that line once must've made her more comfortable with me.
"I'm really going now."
"Be safe. Call the number I gave you if anything happens."
Jeong Se-hee had handed me her accountant's business card when she transferred the 480 billion. He'd handle spending and such.
"Good night, Noona."
"Yeah."
I waved back at Jeong Se-hee waving from the gate and left the mansion with light steps.
Vrrr.
Sin Ju-yeon was pondering tomorrow's outfit when her phone buzzed. She tilted her head at the caller.
'This late...? What's up?'
They were friendly, but not the type to check in casually. She set down her t-shirt and sat on the bed.
"Hello?"
[Oh, good, you're still up.]
"It's not even 11 yet. How've you been?"
[Good. You too? No issues?]
"Same old every day."
[Sorry for the late call. Got something to ask.]
What could Jeong Se-hee need from her? She'd been the one seeking advice before—this was new.
"What is it?"
[Seong-han was from an orphanage, right? You knew?]
"Ah...... Yeah."
[Just checking if what I heard matches.]
Sin Ju-yeon had heard Lee Seong-han's story from Jeong Se-hee. She straightened up slightly and spoke.
"Pretty much. He said no relatives to take him in, so orphanage."
[Yeah...... Something doesn't add up.]
"......You think so too, Unnie?"
Ever since hearing his past in the dungeon, it'd bugged her.
When a Hunter dies in a dungeon raid accident, the guild managing it pays compensation by principle.
Plus, monthly government subsidies until the kids reach adulthood. It wasn't a small sum combined.
[At least tens of millions should've come. But he acts clueless. Settlement funds are standard for orphanage grads.]
"That bugged me too. Was gonna ask properly next time."
[Don't. Pretend you don't know for now?]
"You'll look into it?"
[Yeah. From what you said, it's obvious. Some relative pocketed it midway.]
"......What're you gonna do?"
[Figure out the situation first, then talk to Seong-han. His thoughts matter most here.]
True. No matter the good intentions, acting on your own ignored the person involved.
"I'll check separately too. Easier for me to access records from back then."
[Asking your oppa?]
"Fastest way."
[Got it. Oh, I gave all the adamantium payment to Seong-han. Details tomorrow.]
"Pardon? What's that mean?"
[You two found it, right? I was just the seller. You two split it.]
"No......"
[Gotta go? Good night.]
Jeong Se-hee hung up abruptly, like she wanted no part in complications.
Sin Ju-yeon stared at the screen, then set her phone down and lay back.
"Her appointment was with Se-hee Unnie......"
How'd they get so close? There was that post-Party Practice dinner vibe, but.
Calling this late suggested they'd been together until recently. If they'd split at dinner like Seong-han said, she'd have called sooner.
'From afternoon till now?'
What on earth did they do? Probably not just dinner and coffee.
"Haa."
Whatever their relationship, she had no right to meddle.
But that thought led to needless fantasies cluttering her mind.
Did he do that—or more—to Jeong Se-hee like in the dungeon? Her responding eagerly too.
"......Whatever."
Sin Ju-yeon scowled and shoved the clothes aside.
I arrived near the Association a bit early.
First time, I'd been too focused on my license to sightsee. Now I wanted to leisurely take in the morning vibe.
'Crowded from the get-go.'
The morning coffee at the cafe terrace was great too. No wonder it was packed.
It was just past 9, but all sorts streamed in and out the main gate. Office workers, and others screaming "Hunter" from their gear.
'......That one's a big shot for sure.'
Several at least A-Rank, giving off Im Yu-ha vibes from afar.
"Huh? Seong-han?"
What, only 9:30? I turned to see Sin Ju-yeon blinking in surprise.
"You're early?"
I stood, happy to see her, and her eyes widened as her gaze traveled up.
"Y-you!"
"Yeah? What?"
"Wh-what happened to your body?!"