Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Alice
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“D-rank? You mean his rank went up?!”
Jin-ah's report left Hanna utterly shocked.
“Yeah... Your judgment was spot on.”
“N-no way, even so, less than a month... This defies all common sense. Are you absolutely sure?”
“I didn't want to believe it either... But after seeing his mana manifestation with my own eyes, I had no choice.”
If even Jin-ah was saying that, Hanna had no reason to doubt it.
For a body enhancement awakener to manifest mana was proof they'd reached C-rank.
It was growth speed far beyond Hanna's expectations. And in that moment, her guess solidified into certainty.
“He also asked for four suits and a detector.”
Given the situation, Hanna couldn't bring herself to refuse his request.
“He says he's not forming his own team or anything...”
But Jin-ah didn't seem to take his words at face value.
Even if he formed a hunter team on his own, independent of the company, there'd be no risk for him.
The contract was the issue.
Worrying about it wouldn't change anything.
“It'll be fine. If he planned to form a separate team or do something like that, he wouldn't have asked you for help in the first place.”
Jin-ah's expression didn't soften at Hanna's words.
“He said he'd even sign a contract.”
Hanna saw it as Un-ho's way of showing he wanted her trust.
“That's what he says.”
She wasn't oblivious to Jin-ah's concerns.
But since Hanna had decided to hold onto him, she wanted to win his heart for real.
As long as his demands weren't outrageous, she planned to grant them.
“Hmm... Then let's provide the gear for free and have him sign the contract.”
“For free? Four full-option suits plus a detector—that's way too much...”
Even just in monetary terms, it was a hefty price.
“With the condition that if he teams up with anyone outside our company, we reclaim it.”
“Even so...”
In truth, it was basically giving it away.
Hanna knew that.
Until now, he'd only reaped one-sided benefits from the company.
She also knew that if he turned elsewhere, this favor wouldn't mean much.
But he didn't strike her as the passionate type who'd cast aside the company's goodwill to strike out on his own.
As long as the company kept showing him favors, Hanna figured he had no reason to turn his back on them.
“Think of it as a rank-up congratulatory bonus. Building a solid positive image with the company is more important to him right now.”
Implant enough convenience that he'd feel uncomfortable without the company.
That was Hanna's plan.
And it was one no other company or guild could pull off.
“Alright. I'll handle it that way.”
...
He gazed at Jae-eun, sleeping exhausted beside him.
The soft, smooth feel of her pale skin under his hand had an addictive quality that never got old.
She had awakened.
It had happened a little while ago.
Judging by her mana flow, she was a body enhancement awakener.
And a solid D-rank, at that.
After days of nonstop skin-to-skin contact like that, it was inevitable she'd awaken.
There was Ji-ah's case too, so he'd half-expected it.
People awakened at different times with varying talents, but he couldn't help thinking Jae-eun might have awakened even without him.
Watching her, he gained some confidence that women he got involved with would awaken.
Did Jae-eun know she'd awakened?
She didn't show any signs of it.
Just getting a mana test and starting hunter life would let her live quite comfortably.
'She might leave...'
No, she probably would, nine times out of ten.
It only made sense.
There was no reason for an awakener to keep working as a housekeeper.
Not that he planned to take credit for awakening her.
He couldn't even if he wanted to.
'Hey, you awakened from having sex with me. Wanna hear about it?'
That'd just be ridiculous.
'Well... I enjoyed it plenty too.'
He decided to think of it positively.
And two days later, Jae-eun left him a short note and vanished.
『Uncle... I'm heading out somewhere for a bit...』
“Heading out...”
Did that mean she'd come back?
It said she'd return, but... he was a bit skeptical.
He could have Suni track her, but decided against it.
No point meddling in someone chasing their own life.
If she became a hunter, they might cross paths someday.
Still, he couldn't help regretting the loss of her sleek, feminine body.
'Did she at least get her fill?'
Maybe.
“Tch...”
It felt like his pleasant vacation had come to an end.
Time to get moving.
While lost in time with Jae-eun, he'd forgotten about the zombie world.
Seemed like it was time to go smash some corrupted beings.
Jae-eun had delayed his schedule more than expected.
'Oh, right... Shouldn't I check on Yu-na before I go?'
...
While immersed with Jae-eun, he'd put off heading to the zombie world. Now he started preparing.
First, he visited the Manz store in Hero Mall where he'd bought his weapons.
“Can I return this?”
He showed the store manager the large shield, wrecked by a mid-level corrupted being.
“Pardon?? Th-this...”
“It's broken.”
“H-how on earth did this...?”
The manager looked baffled as he asked.
“It just happened while I was using it.”
“I-I'll check with headquarters first.”
It was gear shattered in combat anyway.
Since it'd served its purpose, he didn't care if they refunded it or not.
He was just testing the waters.
His real purpose for visiting was different.
“More importantly...”
“Yes, what can I do for you?”
“Can you make one much thicker and sturdier than that shield?”
He requested custom fabrication for a bigger, tougher shield for Suni.
“Pardon?? Bigger and thicker than Aegis? Th-that'll need headquarters' approval too.”
Whether they didn't do customs or no one ordered them...
The manager couldn't give a firm answer.
Still, he made the request and left the store.
'If they can't make it, I'll find another way.'
He browsed Hero Mall for usable mana weapons too, but none worked well—probably due to his unique mana.
He considered custom orders.
But that would require revealing his odd mana nature.
'No guarantee it'd even succeed.'
It'd take tons of research and time, and just cause needless hassle.
He'd have to stick with his old weapons.
'Gotta buy some for Ji-ah and Chae-won too.'
He also picked up necessities like mana generators for rebuilding zombie world infrastructure, per Suni's instructions.
By the time he finished his errands, it was time to meet Yu-na.
...
“Yu-na, did you see Ms. Ella's action yesterday?”
A petite girl under 150cm tall, with long orange hair in twin tails—a cute beauty—spoke up.
It was Alice, Yu-na's best friend.
She'd come to Korea for her father's business and was studying abroad.
“Huh? Oh, no?”
At Yu-na's response, Alice excitedly shoved her smartphone in her face.
“For real? How could you miss that? Here, look.”
The screen showed a platinum blonde beauty heroically freezing and capturing villains in flashy style.
America's top hero, an ice-element awakener.
Her stunning platinum hair and haughty demeanor.
Overwhelming power.
A light blue hero suit that accentuated her figure, beautiful and ornate.
Alice was a die-hard hero fanatic.
That's why she'd entered the Hero Support course at Awakener Academy.
She loved to chatter, especially about heroes—she couldn't hold back.
Yu-na was the only friend who could handle her high-energy ramblings.
“Yeah, she's cool.”
“Right? Huh? Huh? Ahh... Do you think I could become a supporter for an awesome hero like that?”
*Ding.*
Yu-na's phone rang.
“Huh? A call?”
“Yeah. Hang on, Allie. Let me take this.”
Yu-na seemed a bit flustered, triggering Alice's instincts.
After answering, Yu-na's cheeks flushed slightly.
*Sneak sneak.*
Alice crept closer as Yu-na took the call cautiously.
'Can't hear well... A man.........!!!'
She gasped at the faint, pleasant deep male voice.
“Y-yes... After class... Yes... Around then...”
*Gulp.*
“H-hey, Allie... I have something to do later... You might have to head back alone... Sorry.”
“Uh...?? Oh, s-sure. No problem if you have stuff to do.”
Seeing Yu-na's flushed face, Alice sensed it instinctively.
'A boyfriend?!'
Yu-na, who'd turned down every confession!
Alice couldn't just sit still.
This was for her best friend.
Yu-na was innocent and too kind to refuse favors.
Alice had been covering for her to some extent.
It wasn't curiosity—she needed to check what kind of guy he was.
And after class, Alice secretly tailed Yu-na.
This was for her friend.
Definitely not curiosity.
Pure, innocent Yu-na could end up in trouble with a bad guy.
Alice kept justifying her actions to herself as she carefully followed.
Yu-na waited by the roadside for something.
A pickup truck pulled up, and a massive man stepped out.
'Whoa! He's huge...'
Yu-na liked that type?
Couldn't judge by looks alone, but...
Tall—no, huge—and a perfectly balanced, muscular build that screamed manly.
'...Is, is he actually a decent guy?'
The man patted Yu-na's head with his huge hand as she greeted him, then helped her into the truck and drove off.
'No! Don't let him get away!'