Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: For Now, Let's Try Something. (2)
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After lunch, when I stopped by the school in the afternoon, word had already spread that I'd mercilessly thrashed the students, so no one was lining up to challenge me. That let things wrap up a little quicker than expected.
Officially, the goal was to support underage Awakeners from vulnerable backgrounds. Of course, I did handle that too while I was at it. We'd decided to distribute support funds to the students, after all.
In the process, I met an interesting kid.
"This is student Lee Sun-young. She's a Fire-type Awakener like you, and she's in the top ranks academically."
A girl with quiet vibes and long silver-gray hair sat next to the student affairs officer who was explaining, gazing at me with her red eyes.
"Mind if I have a quick chat with her?"
"Of course. Then I'll step out for a bit to handle some business. Heh heh."
The moment I said I wanted to talk, the officer tactfully excused herself. With a click, the door shut behind her, leaving us face-to-face across a single table. We stared at each other in silence for a moment before she spoke first.
"Hunter-nim."
"Yes."
"I heard you don't have parents either, Hunter-nim."
"That's right."
"How did you get by?"
She went straight for the gut punch. Well, sorry to this girl in front of me, but I'd never actually lived without parents, so I had no idea. I'd have to borrow the memories of Lee Seo-woo from the novel to answer.
"When I was little, I didn't really know any better. Once I got older, the guild basically adopted me, so I never really felt like I was missing anything. The Guild Master even stepped in as a big sister figure sometimes."
"...I'm jealous."
Of course, even in my previous world, there were kids without parents. I felt sympathy and pity for them. My own life hadn't been all that abundant, so that was about the extent of it. But hearing it straight from the girl in front of me now felt... strange.
"So, how about you come with me for a bit?"
Was it a sense of kinship? From what angle? Just because she was a Fire-type Awakener like me, so I figured I could raise her? Or was that incongruity I felt during today's sparring really Lee Seo-woo's memories lingering in this body?
"......"
She looked like she was pondering it. This could've been one of those connections where I just offer support and move on. But for some reason, I didn't want to let it slip away, so I sweetened the deal.
"Beyond the guild's support, I'll personally help you out too."
"...Why?"
"Who knows. A sense of kinship, maybe? Similar family situations. And the Fire-type thing too?"
It was a hunch. But I had a feeling I'd regret letting this student go.
I pulled a business card from my wallet and handed it to her.
"If you're interested, give me a call here. You're welcome anytime."
I flashed a smile and started to stand, but suddenly she grabbed my sleeve.
"I'll decide right now."
She handed the card back, leaving me flustered, but then—
"Looking forward to working with you, Hunter Lee Seo-woo. Or should I say, Vice Guild Master-nim."
"Welcome to Crystal Guild."
Success.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ *Knock knock.*
I gave a light knock and entered the Guild Master's office, where Yoo Soo-jung greeted me while looking at something.
"You're back?"
"Today's schedule is done. And, here."
"Hello, Guild Master-nim."
"Huh? Who's this cool beauty?"
"I brought her in personally this time. Lee Sun-young. Fire-type, like me."
"Pleased to meet you."
"Ooh! You already snagged a new recruit!"
Yoo Soo-jung came rushing over like you could practically hear a "todo dot" sound effect, grabbing Lee Sun-young's hand and shaking it wildly.
"Welcome, welcome!"
"Y-Yes."
Caught off guard by the unexpected high energy, she looked extremely flustered with her hand trapped, but Yoo Soo-jung didn't seem to care and kept pumping away.
"Fire-type, huh?"
"Yes."
"Hmm... You planning to raise her yourself, Seo-woo?"
"That's the idea for now. We already talked it over with Sun-young."
"Alright! Go for it then."
True to her experience as Guild Master and her age, she looked her over from all angles and picked up on more than I'd expected.
"You use a rapier, so is that weapon enchantment specialization? Or just more comfortable that way?"
"Fire-type mana is tricky to handle in open air, so I'm focusing on channeling it into weapons for now."
"Yeah, that can be tricky. Don't worry, Seo-woo will sort that out for you. How about you cut loose at full power here?"
"Here?"
"I might not look it, but I'm the Guild Master. And honestly, I'm older than you think."
"I figured you were maybe just into your twenties..."
"A bit more than that! I know I look young, so I don't fuss over age much. Anyway, hold on. Pull your sword and get into stance first?"
Lee Sun-young drew her sword from her waist and assumed a basic posture. Then, with a poof, Yoo Soo-jung summoned a magic wand out of thin air, sprinkling pink glitter as she swung it. A translucent pink barrier, like a cylindrical shield, enveloped just the blade.
"There! It won't break easily. Go all out!"
"Ooh..."
It looked squishy, so I poked it—sure enough, my finger sank in and bounced back. Lee Sun-young tested it too, squeezing with satisfaction.
"Come on, I can make as many as you want. Let's check your output first."
At that, both of us let go and focused. Her expression shifted from toy-like curiosity to dead serious, and I could visibly see her mana circulating through her body and gathering in her hand.
"Hup!"
With a sharp kiai, red flames filled the inside of the barrier. The firepower was stronger than expected—we both jumped a bit, staring in surprise. Talk about striking gold.
"Hoo..."
She'd pushed to her max, so it didn't last long before fading. But with that much potential, a little mana capacity training and she'd be strong in no time.
"Seo-woo, this is jackpot! Where'd you find her?"
"Good luck. The student affairs officer at a school I happened to visit recommended her."
"A raw gem! What's your name again?"
"Lee Sun-young."
"Got it, Sun-young! Ah, casual speech okay?"
"Yes. You too, Vice Guild Master-nim."
"Great, great! Looking forward to it! Anything you need, just tell me or the Vice Guild Master anytime!"
Yoo Soo-jung seemed even more thrilled than I was. Watching them chat like peers felt oddly amusing. Pink hair and silver-gray hair... what an unbalanced combo.
"Oh right! Vice Guild Master! Speaking of which."
"What?"
"How about bringing her on the next dungeon run?"
"Are you crazy?"
"Come on, you could clear it solo anyway."
"True, but."
"And it's a Fire-type advantage dungeon, right? Undead, wasn't it?"
"That's our guess for now. The terrain's forested, so we'd have to burn our way through anyway."
"Then share some first-clear experience with her. No big deal."
First-clear experience? What the hell was that?
It was the first term I hadn't heard since possessing this body—my brain froze. Glancing over, Lee Sun-young was sparkling with anticipation too. What even is it?
"Still, it's dangerous..."
"Guild'll provide an extra Return Stone. Problem solved."
"Sigh... Fine, got it."
She steamrolled me into agreeing. But seriously, what was first-clear experience? I'd have to look it up later.
"Alright, I'll show you to your dorm, Sun-young! Oh, if staying at the guild's inconvenient, you can crash at your old place! Just come here after school. Of course, if you live here, school comes first."
"If you contact the orphanage for me, I'd prefer staying here."
"You got it! Hear that, Vice Guild Master? Handle that part. Come on, Sun-young, let's go! I'll show you around!"
She mouthed for me to wait here. Might be back sooner than I thought.