Chapter 17
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Department Store and the Mage, Vigilante (5)
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The sound of longing shattering was awfully similar to the pronunciation of "small dick."
"Only after seeing it myself did I realize. I like small dicks!"
"Ah, no, Chae Seoah... "
I was so dumbfounded I couldn't even speak. She thrust out her chest, straightened her back ramrod straight. For such a bold declaration, it sure unsettled the listener.
Her outrageous claim was so absurd that even Oroji and Moon Hayeon, who had been locked in a fierce fight moments ago, stared at Chae Seoah with blank expressions.
"I loved touching it, loved sandwiching it between my thighs. The way it dangled and leaked, got rubbed red and swollen. And yet it kept flopping around desperately, trying to pass on its genes..."
Chae Seoah's silhouette flickered for an instant. Before anyone knew it, her clenched fist slammed straight into Oroji's solar plexus.
BAM!!
From where she'd been standing to the food court counter, Oroji flew in a perfect straight line, half-embedded in the counter.
Chae Seoah raised the fist she'd thrust forward. She let out a calm breath. Dust clung to her hand, which she clenched tight again.
Wearing her red Vigilante Corps uniform, black hair in twin tails whipping around, a serene smile on her face as she stood amid the settling dust. Her back view was like a painting.
"She's so damn hot!"
Watching the scene unfold, memories flashed by like a montage. Come to think of it, Chae Seoah had been staring at my crotch the whole time.
So her offer to protect me, not filing that Declaration of Intent... No, then my serious deliberations were...
"No, fuck, why bring that up now..."
Oroji's head drooped as she trembled. I was thinking exactly the same thing, which twisted my face in some weird synchronicity.
The impact of Chae Seoah's bombshell statement was tremendous. The panicked crowd escaping all wore strange expressions, filing out in perfect order.
My nape prickled from the stares, but I decided to ignore it.
Even Moon Hayeon had wiped the look off her face. Gripping Oroji's collar, she watched Chae Seoah's back as the vigilante called someone. I sensed a similar sentiment in her eyes.
'She's hot...'
In the trashed food court, I took a moment to reflect on life's lesson: reality never unfolds as expected.
"Here she is."
Oroji, bound hand and foot, was handed over to the Vigilante Corps members. In the distance, someone in uniform bowed repeatedly to the mart owner, groveling.
Chae Seoah brushed dust off her gloves, gazing at the departing vehicle. Her confident figure was impossible to reconcile with the woman who'd just said that.
Her gaze turned toward where the group sat. Moon Hayeon tugged lightly at Park Jungwoo's shoulder, whispering softly.
"D-don't make eye contact. Sh-she seems weird..."
Park Jungwoo swallowed the retort—Pot, meet kettle—and held his tongue. Even after emergency treatment, his side still ached, and he lacked the energy to bicker.
Chae Seoah approached with neat steps. She brushed dust from her clothes with a subtle expression, then bowed her head.
"Sorry, Park Jungwoo."
Her apology sparked a flood of thoughts. Too many possibilities; no way to pinpoint which incident she meant.
Instead of pressing her, Park Jungwoo asked a question.
"Was that why you offered to guard me?"
"...Yes. From the first time I saw it at the bank..."
It sounded like love at first sight, but knowing the object was between his legs left a bitter taste.
He scratched his knee, sighing softly. Leaning more comfortably against Moon Hayeon, he muttered.
"It's fine. You weren't forcing it, and it ended up helping anyway..."
Moon Hayeon, who'd been looking at him proudly, averted her eyes. The word "forcing" must have hit a nerve.
Chae Seoah, still bowed, lifted her head slightly.
"But also, soon the rumors will..."
"Ah, it's okay. Really."
It wasn't that bad thoughts never crossed his mind—that'd be a lie. But he didn't blame Chae Seoah.
He just regretted his own carelessness and weakness, so quick to spill a hard-vowed secret.
Chae Seoah eyed him with lingering unease. She bowed again, speaking hesitantly in a tone that didn't suit her.
"The bounty from the Vigilante Corps will arrive today. ...I hope we meet again, Park Jungwoo."
"Yeah, me too."
Park Jungwoo replied nonchalantly. Chae Seoah stared a moment longer, bowed once more, and headed to her fellow vigilantes.
"...Y-you sure you're okay? Jungwoo..."
"What? Oroji's caught, no more drama incoming."
"No, I mean, that..."
Moon Hayeon trailed off awkwardly. Park Jungwoo barely registered it, half-lidded with fatigue, blinking slowly. His blinks quickened, eyes suddenly snapping wide.
New general skill acquired!
Hunter skills could emerge from surprisingly simple conditions—or stubbornly refuse to appear.
This was clearly a lucky streak. Hope bubbled up naturally. Surely, this time, a fine skill matching his good deeds!
Potential for upright growth.
Stat growth rate receives an upward adjustment.
But he wasn't that naive. Who knew what might happen? It could twist weirdly again, like before. He tamped down his inflated expectations.
Adjusting skill...
Review item: Behavior.
See? It was bound to happen. Park Jungwoo wasn't hugely disappointed.
"...Did I do something really bad in a past life?"
"H-huh? Suddenly?"
"Karma or something. Nah... forget it."
"Y-you're acting weird too now. B-because of Chae Seoah...?"
Park Jungwoo glanced at Moon Hayeon, who was suddenly pondering gravely. Her furrowed brow and groans were oddly cute.
The translucent window shimmered.
...Just one letter missing, but the nuance shifted completely. Even with the level-up, a bad feeling swept over Park Jungwoo—this growth wasn't positive.
Your potential can change one person's life.
Expose hidden walls, create tastes that didn't exist.
People who see you will sense 'potential.'
"Bullshit."
"H-huh? N-not to me, right? J-Jungwoo?"
"No. Just... stuff happened."
Life's harshness brought out the profanity. Park Jungwoo couldn't shake the feeling he was stepping squarely into the path of becoming a cum tank.
He scooted closer, head on Moon Hayeon's shoulder. Her hair tickled his nape; tension rippled through her relaxed body.
Leaning his full weight on her, he breathed easier. Surprisingly, his expression wasn't dark.
"J-Jungwoo. You sure you're really okay...?"
"Yeah. Feeling great, just a bit tired..."
Today, he'd overexerted beyond his level. Amid Oroji, Chae Seoah, and Moon Hayeon's brawl, he'd dodged stray attacks with desperate effort.
The backlash hit now. Eyes drooped. Late afternoon sun warmed him, spring breeze carried heat, forsythia petals danced—lulling him further.
In that peaceful spring scene, Park Jungwoo's eyes fixed on a family.
A child beaming despite dust-caked clothes, parents clasping those tiny hands tight.
The image of the crying child he'd carried through the chaos, searching for mom, faded.
Someday, maybe I'll hear 'thank you' from folks like that. He thought.
Gazing at the scene, Park Jungwoo slowly closed his eyes. A small smile graced his lips—and Moon Hayeon's, watching him.
'Hunter Park Jungwoo. Who is he?'
This one was tolerable.
'Shocking truth about this year's first S-Rank unique skill holder...'
This was iffy.
'Vigilante Corps mired in scandal. Controversy spreads...'
This was the worst.
Showering and crashing at home was nice. Moon Hayeon surprisingly leaving him alone was better. Clean and tucked in, he slept deeply—best rest ever.
Side wound barely hurt; mood soared. Bounty fattened his wallet. Delivery fried chicken tasted divine.
Until Moon Hayeon's text. Before checking top news rankings, dominated by yesterday's incident. Most focused not on Oroji, but Chae Seoah's words.
Naturally, my name in her statement drew eyes. Not positively.
"Small dick" phrasing, her excited graphic details, bank sightings combined—now I was...
"Haa..."
First brutal headache ever. Tossed phone aside—onto the blanket. It was already on its last legs.
Ding-dong. Ding-dong.
Fine, concede: media spreading how I helped catch a criminal hunter? Acceptable. Even good PR.
Ding-dong. Ding-dong. Ding-dong.
But did they have to include that? What brag was that? It was breeding a complex from nothing.
Ding-dong ding-dong ding-dong ding-dong ding-dong ding-dong.
"Ah! Who is it!!"
Scratching head on the floor, he bolted up. Bad mood fueled stomping to vent passively.
...Door opened cautiously, of course.
"Ah, hi?"
"Good afternoon."
...At the basement stairs stood Moon Hayeon and Chae Seoah. Issue: each dragging two large suitcases.
He shut the door, chained it, reopened. Moon Hayeon looked stunned, smile gone; Chae Seoah impassive.
"J-Jungwoo. R-remember our promise yesterday...?"
"...Promise?"
"Y-yeah, from tomorrow, l-live together... Y-you said you were anxious, so I..."
Moon Hayeon blatantly avoided his eyes. He narrowed his brows. Obvious lie.
She wouldn't be calm if he'd forgotten a real promise—she'd be rolling eyes, leaking mana, muttering.
He gave up. Fine. Planned to stay together a week anyway. News shock numbed further thought.
His gaze shifted slowly to Chae Seoah. Here for her left suitcase? Then why bring another?
Eyes met. Her face serene. Ominously so.
Plain voice, she spoke.
"I got fired from the Vigilante Corps. So, I'd like to stay here for a while. Park Jungwoo."
Doesn't add up? Response blurted.
"This isn't a hotel..."
A strange silence settled on the musty basement stairs.