Chapter 226
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 226
Chapter Title: Sinkhole Extermination War (2)
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"What's that? It has a horn? Is it a unicorn or something?"
"Haven't you heard the rumors?"
"Rumors? What rumors?"
"The guy dispatched from the Raider Guild this time. That's him."
"That tamer dude? Ah, so that's why he's got animals and monsters lined up like that?"
"They're not just any animals, apparently. They're all villains."
"Villains? ...But they all look way too cute for that."
Everyone around was staring at me and whispering.
I was probably drawing even more attention because I was riding on Uni's back.
"Master. Don't you think it's time to get down now?"
"Ah, yeah, maybe."
I dismounted alongside Hye-jeong.
Then I patted Uni, who had galloped all the way here with us.
"Good job, Uni."
"......"
"Lime. Can you pull out Uni's clothes?"
The blue slime perched on my head suddenly wobbled and spat out a priestess robe.
It was that skimpy priestess outfit Ya Hye-jeong always wore.
"You're taking up too much space like this. Turn into your human form."
"......"
The pure white horse with a horn on its head glanced around cautiously.
This was like a base camp set up near the sinkhole.
Even at a rough estimate, there were over a hundred hunters there, plus even more people from the Ohsung Corporation.
With so many people, a few folks with striking appearances stood out.
Muscular types, handsome faces, revealing outfits—plenty of eye-catchers.
But the one drawing the most attention was me, arriving on a unicorn.
Honestly, how could I not stand out? Riding side-by-side with the Saintess of the Battlefield, a slime on my head wasn't enough—I had a green snake coiled around my arm and a baby fox perched on my shoulder.
So Uni was hesitating, too.
To shift from animal to human form, she had to go naked first.
I had clothes ready, so she could change quickly, but a ton of these people were hunters. Elite ones gearing up for an A-rank sinkhole, no less. No way they'd miss Uni transforming.
Then Uni grabbed the outfit in her mouth and pointed her horn toward the nearby woods.
I got the message instantly. She wanted to go in there, change, and come back out.
"No way. Put it on right here."
"......"
"Everyone's suspicious. Whether you guys are really just animals. So show them."
In that instant, Uni's body glowed brightly.
The horse's mane and tail already shimmered with rainbow hues, but now it blazed even brighter, drawing every eye straight to us.
People peeking over, folks who hadn't cared before because they were chatting among themselves—all went quiet, staring.
"......"
Uni had the priestess robe on in the blink of an eye.
By the time the light faded, she was fully dressed.
"What was that? You wanna walk around naked?"
"......"
"Fine. Then take off your—"
"I-I'm kidding, Master........."
"Oh, really? Then keep it on."
"......"
Uni bit her lip in frustration, looking stunning.
Her ankle-length hair gleamed in the sunlight.
No underwear meant the tight priestess robe perfectly outlined her breasts. The black stockings and side-slit black robe contrasted flawlessly with her pale skin.
"What are you all standing around for? Move it!"
A woman's shout—like an animal commanding its pack—rang out, and the frozen crowd started stirring.
"Whoa... What skill is that? Just hearing her voice gives me chills."
"That's Hong Yeon-jin, wife of Eden Guild's 4th Squad Leader."
"So she's our boss?"
"Yeah. She's bold and hearty, but scary when she's mad. Better not get too playful with her."
Maybe worried for me, Hye-jeong kept giving advice from the side.
She strode right up, greeting Hye-jeong first before extending a hand to me.
"Nice to meet you. You're Jeong Ji-ham from Raider Guild, right?"
"Yes. That's me. Looking forward to working with you."
Following Hye-jeong's advice, I shook Hong Yeon-jin's hand meekly.
As our light handshake continued, she scanned me up and down.
'Her voice isn't the only overpowering thing...'
Just shaking hands, I was overwhelmed by her presence.
For starters, she was taller than me. Way taller. Roughly 190 cm. Maybe more.
Simple two-block haircut. Her hair, eyebrows, and eyes burned fiery red.
Her hand was easily twice the size of mine. Her forearm thicker than my thigh.
One word: general's build.
Mid-50s, maybe?
Big chest, but definitely out of my strike zone.
"I heard you single-handedly blocked an Amazoness attack brilliantly. Teaming up with a rookie whose name's on everyone's lips... I'm the lucky one."
"I've heard plenty about you too, Hunter Hong Yeon-jin. This is my first real mission, so... I'll learn a lot."
"They say you're level 35? That right?"
"Yes. Awoke late, so my level's a bit low."
"......"
"But with these guys, no worries."
At my words, Hong Yeon-jin turned to Uni.
She stared piercingly for a long moment, silent.
Uni met her gaze head-on, unflinching.
A weird tension built as I wondered when to let go of her hand.
Hong Yeon-jin released first.
"Sparkling hair... Never thought I'd see it again here."
"Huh? You know Uni?"
"Before I got married, she did me a favor. My boyfriend back then got killed by her."
"......"
"Eh, over 30 years ago. But seeing her again like this... feels strange."
I was speechless.
I'd figured I'd run into someone with a grudge against these guys eventually, but not this soon.
"Looks unchanged from back then. Aura so tightly controlled it's eerie. Taming a monster like this... I thought the rumors were exaggerated, but they were understated."
"Big body's all mouth, yapping away."
Uni suddenly spoke up.
"Quit pretending classy while leaking killing intent. Want me to send you to your ex too?"
"Y-You crazy bitch!"
I smacked the back of Uni's head hard enough to crack like a whip, purely on reflex.
"Ow! Shit...!"
Uni glared at me, pissed.
Her hair swished prettily as she whipped her head, but no time to admire.
"Shit my ass. Apologize. Now."
"Ugh... Why should I..."
She strained against my command but eventually bowed to Hong Yeon-jin.
"Sorry. I... spoke out of turn. Ugh! No! That bitch came at me with killing intent first! Why do I have to bow?!"
"One more word outta line, and you're walking around naked for real."
"Eek......"
Uni clamped her mouth shut, face full of resentment.
I followed up with my own apology to Hong Yeon-jin.
"I do keep her in check... but she's got a wild temper. Let me apologize on her behalf."
"No need. Riyo gave me the gist. More impressive, you're actually taming her properly."
"Of course. Don't worry. They'll do anything I order."
Thankfully, Hong Yeon-jin's reaction wasn't bad.
She even seemed to view my forcing Uni's behavior positively.
"Jeong Ji-ham, right? Thirty, still single."
"Pardon?"
Why ask about age and marital status out of nowhere?
"Perfect. Heard your love life's messy, but heroic lechery's an unavoidable trait. I like it."
Hong Yeon-jin left it at that with a meaningful smile.
I wanted to pry what she meant, but the operation start call from afar cut me off.
"I'd love to chat more, but no time. We'll make room inside."
She spun on her heel, then paused and glanced back as if remembering something.
"Oh, Hunters Jeong Ji-ham and Ya Hye-jeong, you'll join my daughter's 4th Squad. She takes after me—gorgeous girl. Prime of her life, so take good care of her in every way."
[Ding!]
[Skill Sudden Mission (S) activated! Clear the mission and grow stronger!]
[Mission!] Use Time Stop skill to spank Hong Yeon-jin's ass hard!
[Success] Level +1
[Failure] Level -1