Blushing Victory and Nade Man's Reckless Bet
Yeonwoo closed her eyes. There wasn't any particular reason. Even though it was inside an event, this solitary space felt comfortable. She simply savored the tranquility, eyes shut, body swaying gently.
The new trait pleased her too.
Click. Click. Click.
Especially this one.
'It's oddly addictive. Feels good.'
She loved the texture and the sound of flicking the switch. Those fidget toys, as they were called, that helped with focus. Come to think of it, quite a few hunters used them. In extreme environments, everyone needed their own routine to stay sharp.
Of course, Yeonwoo had her own ritual to steel her mind. Thinking of family. Dreaming of a richer, happier life.
'Oh yeah. That stuck around too.'
The hunter's proof, the accessory called a Bag. On Yeonwoo's left hand was an extra ring.
To be brutally honest, hunters were abnormal beings with no rules or standards. For all she knew,
'Everything could be because of hunters.'
Even the future she'd experienced or her hunter career might have been some product of a Stigma or awakening.
But the ring left on her finger was solid proof that she'd lived as a veteran hunter.
Finally, Yeonwoo stopped moving. For some reason, a warm feeling welled up. Feeling the ring's outline through her glove, she slowly opened her eyes.
Clap clap clap clap.
"Congratulations!"
"First place, Saintess!"
Clap clap clap.
"Even after all this time, I still can't beat you."
"Sis was so pretty dancing, even if it was clumsy."
Clap clap clap clap.
Yeonwoo opened her eyes to a chorus of applause. Several familiar faces came into view. She even heard that tiresome line.
"Ah."
Yeonwoo let out a short breath.
"Ah, haha."
A laugh bubbled up. When had they moved? No, when did the movement even start? She'd been first place. Proud first in the golden zone. She should have arrived first even after relocating. Could the first stage of an event end simultaneously? It didn't make sense time-wise.
But the answer was already in Yeonwoo's heart. Hunters were abnormal with no rules or standards. Naturally, gates—their counterparts—were the same.
"Aha, hahat. Uh, heuk. Uh. Heu...."
The silly laughter dragged on, and Yeonwoo's face flushed redder. Blub blub. Clueless soap bubbles floated lazily around her. They became yet more proof of her embarrassing behavior. Her laughter turned almost to sobs.
It was the first shame she'd ever felt in her life. Yeonwoo had been through it all. In the past, she'd begged on her knees for her life, but even then, the emotion hadn't been this intense. Her face burned so hot it felt like every cell in her body was writhing. She wanted to die from the humiliation.
"Yeonseo-ya.... Even looking like this, you're married off...."
Thinking of Yeonseo barely let her cling to sanity, swapping "getting married" for "getting married off."
"I-it's fine! That modern martial arts vibe was kinda cool!"
"Modern dance kid."
"Anyway, good job!"
"Sis is too pretty. If no one takes you, I'll take responsibility!"
"M-me too! I'll serve you for life."
"Then shall we serve her together? Haha."
Those who knew Yeonwoo desperately threw out words of comfort. She'd saved them in the Ant Nest, raised them, fed them, let them sleep soundly—so they didn't hold back in consoling their benefactor.
"...Heh."
Thanks to them, Yeonwoo finally lifted the corner of her mouth in a short laugh. With people comforting and loving her like this, she felt ready to die trying.
'...Let's recall it.'
She hadn't expected it'd come this quickly. Yeonwoo dove straight into her veteran hunter routine—like a dog rolling over. She pictured family and happiness. Yeonseo across the rickety table, tearing into chicken wings. Mikael huddled in the corner, facing the wall. And finally, Shin Gaon devouring all the drumsticks by herself.
'No. Not you yet.'
This crazy bitch was crashing her routine and causing chaos. Unable to stand it, Yeonwoo opened her eyes. And met the gazes still fixed on her.
She was on the verge of an absurd conclusion—if she couldn't die, maybe beat others half to death instead—when a familiar face appeared among the hunters who'd cleared the first stage. It even strode right over boldly.
"What a coincidence. We meet again."
He approached with shameless flair. Was it ridiculous or brave?
"Nade Man?"
Yeonwoo frowned and named him. All eyes turned to Nade Man.
"Who's that Nade Man guy?"
"The Nade Man who got schooled by the Gold Punisher Girl?"
"Damn, doesn't he feel embarrassed? What a thick face."
Murmurs spread instantly. Not just the Ant Nest kids who followed Yeonwoo, but other event participants recognized him too. The Gold Punisher Girl video was too infamous. Especially among Tier II hunters nearby. People swapped info most with their peers.
"Sh-shut up!"
Nade Man yelled.
"Wooo~"
"All bark."
"Fold your gold."
Of course, it fell on deaf ears. Jeers and mockery spread around him.
"Fine, say what you want."
His mentality was tougher than expected. Ignoring the stares, Nade Man pushed through the crowd to Yeonwoo. Then pointed at her dramatically—not jabbing, but palm open.
"I haven't given up yet."
"...What?"
"That time? Honestly, I lost 'cause I let my guard down. Didn't even get a chance to show my real strength."
"After swinging like crazy and still saying that?"
"A hunter fights with weapons! Duh!"
Correction needed. It wasn't tougher than expected—it was just insanely tough. Doing what would shame normal people into hiding, without a care. That alone put him beyond gold, into Numbers territory.
"So, I'll prove it in this event."
He even declared his ambition solemnly. His eyes on Yeonwoo brimmed with greed.
"Prove what?"
"Win and prove it! Then honor, beauty, everything's mine!"
"...?"
Yeonwoo cocked her head. After three seconds.
"You still on about that bet?"
"Yeah. Nade Man the human—man who never gives up, Yeonwoo-ssi."
"...Ugh."
Yeonwoo unwittingly stepped back. She hadn't retreated even against the queen ant when battered. But physiological revulsion overwhelmed her, forcing a step back. Realizing this was a woman's emotion, she vowed to treat Yeonseo better. Unlike her past self, Yeonseo was pretty and well-groomed, drawing useless guys.
"Ugh. Trash."
"Gotta get group-beaten and kicked from the event to learn?"
"Get lost from the Saintess—no, from Earth!"
Naturally, backlash poured on Nade Man. One woman even rolled up her sleeves, ready to charge.
"...Hold on."
That's when she noticed—from one step back.
'Wow, he's really an idiot.'
Déjà vu hit. Just like at the Hunter Center. Nade Man's waist openly sported a weapon. A sword with a cylinder above the grip and a thin pipe running along the long blade. Longer and more complex than the one she'd taken before. Definitely Real Combat Compression series.
'That's rarer than rare.'
Had to be higher than No.2.
'Should I snatch it?'
Two coincidences made fate.
"Got that strong, huh?"
"Yeah! Know how hard it was? Lost my Real Combat Compression and credit—had to bleed to reach Tier III!"
Did he have zero learning ability? Same script as Hunter Center.
"Then bet again. That on the line."
"You got an eye, Yeonwoo-ssi. This sword... Wait. Hold on. This is...!"
Nade Man froze mid-boast. Losing it again? No excuse for his company standing.
"You said winning gets you honor and the beauty. The beauty—me—needs something to win too, right?"
"That's. Uh. But."
His hand hovered over the sword. Clearly precious.
"Ugh. Coward."
"Brave men win beauties."
"Right? Sis is too beautiful!"
"Puts up nothing. That's Fortress's prodigy? Ugh. Selfish pig."
Surrounding reactions soured. Teeth gritted under the barrage, Nade Man clenched his fist and shouted like a vow.
"Fine! This time, pure hunter vs. hunter! I'll bet this Real Combat Compression No.4. If I win this event!"
He pointed at Yeonwoo boldly. Palm open again.
'No.4?'
Yeonwoo's attention snagged on "No.4." Real Combat Compression weapons tied to compression. No.1 was static electricity. No.2 gathered slashes. No.3 and up were rare; just rumors from hunter gossip.
But Yeonwoo recalled,
'No.4 explodes or something.'
Heard it at some drinking session. Easy to check by taking it.
"I'll accept your date invite, Yeonwoo-ssi. Got it? Gate raids together! This time, I'll teach you everything!"
Not as sleazy as thought.
"Sure. What can't I do if you win?"
She had no intention of losing—couldn't lose—so Yeonwoo replied casually.
"Ha. Hahat! Everyone hear that? Winner takes the bet from now!"
Nade Man's face finally relaxed. He pointed wildly at hunters, grinning that all were witnesses. At Ant Nest kids, event spectators, even the 180cm lunatic.
"Can't back out now..."
As he declared triumphantly.
Smack!
"Gurk!"
The 180cm lunatic burst out, smashing Nade Man's jaw with a fist. Not straight on—she twisted, slamming him to the ground.
Crunch!
So hard he cratered the floor.
"...Eh."
Everyone lost words. Couldn't follow the flow.
But one exception. The 180cm lunatic, Shin Gaon.
"There. Bet over!"
Shin Gaon dusted her hands.