For Real? Yeah?
"For real? Yeah?"
Yeonwoo pressed again, stepping closer. Naturally, Mikael swiftly backpedaled to keep his distance. His footwork was precise and impeccable.
"Would a servant of the light utter falsehoods?"
But Mikael's expression crumpled. He'd maintained an air of utter indifference throughout, only perking up at the mention of a weapon as reward.
"You're really greedy, aren't you?"
He couldn't help but snap. "Chasing nothing but material value like that... someday it'll come back to bite you with severe retribution."
"Ha. You don't get it. You've gotta be materially fulfilled to overcome all that bad karma crap."
"...We clearly aren't speaking the same language. You."
Mikael shook his head, visibly exasperated.
"......"
But Yeonwoo fell silent this time, even tilting her head quizzically.
"Ah."
Mikael's eyes widened in realization. He belatedly recognized his own rudeness. Had he crossed a line just because she was uncomfortable to be around and had been receptive in conversation?
"That is..."
"I think we get along pretty well, though. Us."
Dashing Mikael's concerns to pieces, Yeonwoo just flashed a grin and voiced her thoughts.
"Pardon?"
"You're pretty popular among hunters, aren't you?"
A guy who grumbled complaints nonstop would naturally be disliked. Positive attitude mattered to veteran hunters. But someone who griped with their mouth while giving their all? That was different. And if that young kid was putting in max effort, ambitious, and cute to boot? He'd monopolize everyone's affection as the baby of the group.
Yeonwoo's veteran hunter take was the same. The kind of guy you just wanted to adopt as a little brother.
"Well, I've already got one grumbly but cute little sis. Can't handle two just yet on my end."
But she'd just restarted as a hunter. Busy times ahead, in more ways than one.
"What are you even talking about all of a sudden?"
Mikael grumbled right back. But at some point, his furrowed brow had softened. The words lacked any delicacy, but she knew it was praise.
Still, this needed addressing.
"I'm Tier II, Stage 7, on the cusp of Tier III promotion. So if anyone's doing the supporting, it'll naturally be me."
A bold, cocky jab. But with that insane strength volunteering in the Ant Nest, even his brashness didn't grate.
"Oh yeah? Then take care of me, why don't you."
"That's......"
Mikael trailed off. Unconsciously, he pictured it—a life living together. His already pale face drained to ghostly white.
"Blasphemy! Utter blasphemy! How could such a thing...!"
"What's blasphemous about it?"
"Anyway! Just work diligently and support yourself properly!"
"Ahaha. Can't even take a joke."
Yeonwoo clutched her stomach, cackling. Mikael's brow furrowed anew. He shot her a glare and quickened his pace.
Mikael reaffirmed his vow. Finish the tour fast, before this hunter said anything else.
But then it hit him. He still didn't know her name.
"...Name."
His voice dropped. Asking outright felt strangely hard.
"Huh?"
"May I have your name?"
He mustered the courage anyway. He couldn't not know the name of this benevolent soul who'd thrown herself into danger to save so many. Plus, she'd been casually calling him by name. It felt unfair that he alone didn't know hers.
"Oh, taking an interest? Yeonseo-ya. Yeonseo."
"Yeonseo. A fine name."
Only upon hearing it did a faint smile ghost across Mikael's lips.
"I'll remember it."
"What, you like it that much? Want me to introduce you?"
"Pardon? What on earth do you—"
Snip.
Mikael's words cut off. His smile vanished in an instant. Rewinding their chat, he realized where it'd gone off the rails.
"Your sister?"
"Yeah. Grumbly but cute little sis. Weren't you curious?"
Yeonwoo asked back. No mischief or teasing in her expression. Just a warm, gentle smile beaming with pride for her one and only sister.
"Not to brag, but she's hardworking at everything, sharp as a tack. Objectively gorgeous, too. Great kid."
Just thinking of her brought such cozy warmth. Mikael's face hardened in response. A tangle of complex emotions.
That smile especially—he couldn't stand it.
"Your name."
Icy.
"I asked for your name."
He repeated, his displeasure stabbing at Yeonwoo's skin like needles.
"Ah, aaah. Not sis—my name."
Even Yeonwoo faltered a bit. Such blatant glares were common back when veteran hunters groveled like dogs. But since this body? First time.
"Yeonwoo. I'm Yeonwoo."
"...Just follow me now."
Mikael strode ahead briskly.
Upon reaching the private bathroom tent, Mikael delivered a curt, one-sided explanation and vanished.
"Ah, did I go too far?"
Yeonwoo couldn't help but fret over Mikael's attitude. The wasteland sky still blazed with [11]. Couldn't leave the Ant Nest till it hit zero. They'd cross paths coming and going, bump shoulders, get treatments.
"Introducing my sis to a guy uncomfortable around women—even as a joke, no wonder he'd get pissed."
He'd totally misread the room, but Yeonwoo genuinely felt bad for Mikael. Especially with the bathroom's stellar condition playing a part.
"Huge corps really are on another level."
The camp's communal showers were just waterproof tarps partitioning basic overhead sprays. But Eden's? A proper bathroom. Steam rose invitingly from a square tub of hot water, complete with tiled floors. Changing room had a washer, dryer, even a steamer. And the service? Spare clothes prepped inside the steamer.
"Fitting all this in a tent."
Made sense, though. Eden hunters came to volunteer. Comfort and facilities took a backseat to sustainable setups for long hauls.
"Works for me."
Yeonwoo plunged into the tub. Never used one before, so she twisted around awhile finding a comfy spot.
"Haa......"
Finally, the steamy warmth enveloped her. A reflexive sigh escaped.
"Ahh. Everything's melting away. Body feels insanely light."
The sensation was unreal. Her body genuinely felt lighter. Like...
Floating buoyantly.
"......"
Yeonwoo opened her eyes. And confronted the two shy mounds bobbing on the water's surface.
Not just a feeling. Buoyancy.
"Hnnnggg――"
Heat surged. Scalding beyond hot—she felt like she'd die. Yeonwoo dunked her nose to the waterline, kettle-boiling noises bubbling out.
But rookie tub error. Her body slid down the walls. Naturally, the mounds drew closer. Higher. Prouder.
"Eek...!"
Horror flooded Yeonwoo's face. No trace of the hunter who'd faced ant hordes head-on. Just a panting, helpless woman unsure where to look.
Sure, just naked. Overreacting, maybe. But this body was dangerous. Sleek without an ounce of fat, flawlessly pristine. No brushing off as "just."
A violently alluring form.
"Ugh."
Yeonwoo snatched a towel, hastily covering up. Slight relief as she turned her head.
"......Huh."
Her reflection stared back. Wet hair clinging pitifully to her face. Flushed expression blankly gazing.
Splash!
Yeonwoo slapped a hand up. Couldn't bear watching—fingers over eyes.
Premature mistake. Now the mirror showed a woman desperately shielding her face with slender, graceful fingers. Opposite hand clutching a towel, barely covering her body.
"......"
Sploosh. Yeonwoo crammed her whole self underwater.
Woman's life was no joke.
Somehow finishing the bath. Somehow donning underwear after. Yeonwoo approached Eden's prepped items.
Neatly folded shirt and coat. Stretchy leather pants too. Her old clothes were trashed, so Eden's spares.
"Ooh."
Yeonwoo's eyes sparkled. At the weapon beside the clothes, naturally.
Silvery stand cradled a sword. Silver blade with opulent gold inlays etched along it.
"This... that one?"
Yeonwoo knew it. Any long-time hunter had heard of it.
"They really gave it. For real."
She lifted the sword. Inspected eagerly every angle.
The upscale blade was named Bond of Gratitude. Crafted by Eden's smiths, a gesture and symbol for those they'd indebted to.
"Heard they don't hand these out lightly. Guess it wasn't that big a deal?"
Yeonwoo shrugged it off, but Bond of Gratitude wasn't casually given. Only a handful in Eden could bestow it at personal discretion. Pure Eden goodwill. Just possessing it earned priests' blessings.
Still, purely symbolic. Not for swinging in gates.
◈ Special Option: [It pierces and cleaves soul and spirit]
A training sword without grade, like a wooden dummy blade. But to Yeonwoo, invaluable. Famous for its uniquely special option.
"So this is the option."
[It pierces and cleaves soul and spirit]
[Sharper than any honed blade, the word itself]
Cryptic description, but simply: ghost-slaying power.
"Alright then."
Gripping Bond of Gratitude, Yeonwoo turned her gaze.
"Time to check 'em all out."
Head swiveling revealed weapons piled haphazardly. Not from Eden. These were pried from Tier I rookies before queen ant hunt.
[If you're really grateful......]
[Got any spare weapons?]