Chapter 353

〈Chapter 353〉 Part 1, Chapter 15, Section 11

The remaining two parents of Kim Nori, the couple, were trembling with fear for having pissed off an SS-Rank Special Ability user.

“Who does he think he is to tell us what to do?”

“If only I had married five years earlier, I might have a daughter like her.”

“Seriously annoying. But what can we do? She seems completely smitten with Nori.”

“If we don’t accept, we won’t have any options. Let’s at least pretend to agree.”

The couple exchanged messages through their smartwatches and reached a consensus.

“Completely hooked on Nori, huh?”

“Nori has a way with people. We never imagined she’d awaken as a Special Ability user.”

Seok Harang, who spent a night with Kim Nori, seemed to strongly empathize with Kim Nori’s situation. Moreover, crossing Seok Harang could likely ruin the business they were currently running.

“Did she run away and awaken as a Special Ability user? Maybe we did right by leaving her alone?”

“But we left her too much alone. Even if we try to take her back now, she’d probably say no. Honestly, would she even agree to come back and live with us?”

The couple instinctively realized that Nori was far beyond their reach.

Kim Nori is already a fish released into the river. Just as Light Blade Heo Yoon-hwan took in Seok Harang, Seok Harang will also train Kim Nori as his disciple.

“Since Master Light Blade didn’t ask for money, Seok Harang probably won’t either, right?”

“He said he’ll cover all expenses anyway. Where would we get the money? All we have is debt. And honestly, we can’t raise Nori anymore. Even if we bring her back and try to raise her, would she even listen to us after all the hot air we’ve blown?”

Though it hasn’t been revealed yet, Kim Nori’s father also awakened as a water-touching civilian. Though merely at D-Rank with the ability to shoot small streams of water, very low-level indeed, he plans to make a big splash in Seoul.

“Nori hit the jackpot first. We just need to wait for her university application to be accepted.”

“21,000 to 1 odds. With Gaon, me, and you submitting applications, it’s now 7,000 to 1. Much better.”

Following their miraculous calculation method, they anxiously awaited the acceptance of their application to Galaxy University.

“Don’t forget. If you or I get accepted, we’ll humbly request to include Gaon.”

“Nori’s situation turned out to be a blessing in disguise. She really seems to be handling things well. Huh.”

The couple quietly tapped away on their keyboards while suppressing their grinning mouths.

“So, we’re entrusting Nori to Seok Harang?”

“Of course. Would parents really ignore their child later? If she earns an S-Rank Core, she’ll probably send us a hundred thousand won, right?”

“A hundred thousand won? Seriously, would Nori have such a narrow heart?”

“True, right? Celebrities pay off their parents’ debts and all that. Hahaha.”

The couple’s dreams were filled with rosy visions.

Crackle.

Little did they know that their conversation via smartwatch was being fully eavesdropped upon by someone else.

* * *

[Leader, should I keep sending this? I really want to go there and punch them.]

“We shouldn’t interfere in family matters. It’s not our place.”

[That may be true… but still, okay. I’ll keep sending it.]

Hikari grimaced but continued to hack into the couple’s conversations and send them to me.

[Isn’t this going too far?]

“Parents can be terrible, but don’t get too angry. It’ll only upset you more.”

Even though I told her it was none of our business and that it was up to Kim Nori to decide, she naturally read the couple’s conversation and got angry herself.

“So, Seok Harang, isn’t it time to snap out of it?”

“Shut up. People are giving me headaches because of your meddling…”

Seok Harang was clutching her head, looking like she was about to cry. Apparently, my detailed explanation about Yuinah had acted as a fatal poison.

“It’s because she’s someone we should avoid. To spirits, Yuinah is poison—someone who can instantly charm anyone.”

“Can’t I just kill her?”

Seok Harang made an unusually harsh comment even for herself. I was quite surprised to hear talk of killing from her mouth.

“Is it alright for a hero to even mention murder?”

“She’s not human, remember.”

“But she lived as one until now, growing up in an ordinary household and even ranking first nationwide in the college entrance exam. She’s someone who lived more humanely than most.”

“Are you secretly in love with her or something?”

Jealousy started creeping into Seok Harang’s voice. However, I firmly shook my head.

“Not at all. You and Yuinah were the same to me. Rather, I’m the confused one here. Besides, you’re also compatible with Yuna.”

“That’s why it’s even harder… Ah, but why are you planning to meet her when you were avoiding her till now?”

“Because we have no other choice.”

Literal meaning.

“You need to awaken Yuna, prepare the vessel, and ensure synchronization readiness with anyone. Both you and I can synchronize individually, but we don’t know about Eun Yuhwa or Xiao Lin.”

In the original story, everyone got along so well that the synchronization lasted until the end, but within the next five—or possibly shorter—years, the relationship between humans and spirits might not last forever.

Even couples who’ve lived together for twenty years argue and reconcile repeatedly; how much worse must it be for humans and spirits?

“Fortunately, Eun Yuhwa and Karna get along really well, so they’re fine. As for the Huanyong side… Honestly, Cheon Gaeul or Hikari would be a better match than Xiao Lin.”

“What about me?”

“Yuinah, Park Ra-on, Kim Nori. Adding Eun Yuhwa or Baek Hee-a, and maybe Cheon Gaeul could reach synchronization level if her water attribute power improves slightly?”

“Sounds kind of easy, doesn’t it?”

Seok Harang grimaced at the thought of being able to synchronize with six people.

“Don’t worry. Your main focus is solo synchronization. Others are secondary.”

If Seok Harang fails to satisfy the awakening conditions, she’ll suffer from the guilt of the Busan massacre and mentally self-destruct. Also, receiving Seoyea’s power as a subordinate heroine with water attributes is different from synchronization, so it’s irrelevant.

“Don’t worry about Yuna. Once she awakens and meets us, we won’t be charmed. She’s a good person regardless.”

“……I’ve heard some things, so I’m confused about what this ‘Holy’ title means.”

“Ah, that… Well…”

[Hikari, how long do I have to wait?]

Kim Nori sent a text message first. Although my sentence was interrupted, her message indicated she couldn’t hold back any longer. I called Kim Nori.

“Are you hungry?”

[Yep.]

“The Hero Association serves decent meals, so why do you want to eat now?”

[Ah, Leader. There’s something I’d like to ask you.]

Kim Nori’s voice became serious. From her tone, I felt a sense of déjà vu with <Wild Yellow>.

[…Could I have lunch with my parents today? Just this once. It might not be the last, but at least before I leave…]

“And what do you think about that?”

“What can I stop? Eat, I say. Nori, if anyone complains about meal expenses, ignore them. I’ll pay for it.”

[Does that mean I can order the most expensive item?! The Hero Association’s course meal costs 50,000 won per person!]

“…….”

Seok Harang’s expression hardened. Kim Nori began sensing the tension on Seok Harang’s face.

“Course meal at the association restaurant… Is 50,000 won really that expensive? I’ve never eaten there, but is it pricey?”

Seok Harang, despite being a dried food enthusiast, was bourgeois enough to wear sweatpants and sandals while heading to hotels for meals.

“That’s because you always go to the U-Sung Hotel.”

Eating at expensive and overpriced hotels meant she wouldn’t have known otherwise.

“Then go ahead. Charge it to either Cheongnyeon or Seolhwaryeong. Eat whatever you want.”

[Ah…. Thank you, Leader! Thanks, Sister!]

Kim Nori hung up happily.

“Just as she says.”

“What?”

“Kim Nori.”

Her words reminded me of Wild Yellow’s statement: that she hadn’t changed since six years ago. Who would’ve guessed her personality was already set during middle school?

“Seok Harang.”

“What?”

“Now all we need to do is strip Kim Nori of her cafeteria lingo. Can you handle it?”

“Of course. Are you underestimating me?”

“…….”

“What, what is it? Why are you looking at me like that!”

I thought Kim Nori would pick up Busan dialect, but Seok Harang was gradually becoming cafeteria slang herself.

* * *

The dining area was quiet.

It wasn’t peak dining time anyway, and thanks to Cheongnyeon’s prior warning, the association had cleared out the restaurant.

“…Executioner, isn’t this overstepping?”

Park Ra-on, wearing a chef’s cap in the kitchen, asked Baek Hee-a standing beside her. Baek Hee-a had also removed her usual suit and beret, instead wearing a chef’s uniform and hiding in the kitchen.

“Curious, aren’t you? About whether the A-Rank Special Ability user who appeared overnight will become a Hunter or a Hero.”

While the chefs cooked, the two listened intently while doing dishes. In the dining room, there were only Kim Nori and her parents.

“Mom, Dad.”

“Yes, what is it, Nori?”

“Do you have anything to say?”

The parents’ voices were incredibly gentle. Knowing the full story, Baek Hee-a clenched her fists in frustration.

Disgusting. But she endured it for Kim Nori. After all, she was an unprecedented talent capable of reaching SS-Rank with dark attributes.

“And what about sister?”

“…….”

“…….”

The couple remained silent. Kim Nori’s “family” wasn’t a three-member household but a four-member one, clearly indicating another sibling existed.

“Isn’t sister in Seoul right now?”

Kim Nori calmly twirled spaghetti with her fork, knowing everything. The couple’s faces turned red, unable to continue speaking.

“Sister, take care of her. I understand since I was written out of the family register, but she hasn’t caused you any trouble, right?”

“Nori, that’s…”

“In the future, I won’t see her often. I’ll probably stay at Harang’s house, and following her education, I’ll need to work hard. School…the association will handle it, so when the notice comes, please follow it.”

Though it was a one-sided announcement, the couple could only heavily nod. At fifteen, Kim Nori was already more mature than many adults.

“Nori, living at Seolhwaryeong’s place means…”

“Planning to be a hero?”

The father raised his voice hastily, forgetting they were at the heroes’ base, then stopped himself from pushing for hunting due to his wife’s glare.

“…….”

Nori held her cup for a while, blinking, then tilted her head.

“Am I a hero?”

“Isn’t going to Seolhwaryeong’s place to become a hero?”

“That’s correct, but I don’t plan to do it.”

Nori twisted her lips and speared a pickle with her fork.

“I plan to milk both sides for five years and then choose the brighter path. I’ll register as a hero and apply for part-time hunter work. Since I can’t ask you to pay off the debts you’ve accumulated, I’ll earn money and help with the debts.”

The couple marveled at Kim Nori’s foresight regarding the future. They realized they couldn’t offer her any help.

Debts ‘and beyond.’

“….I’ll definitely earn several billion, so I’ll handle it up to that point.”

Kim Nori clearly drew the line.

* * *

“….Did you know this would happen?”

“Of course. Whose daughter is Kim Nori? She’s a money ghost pretending not to be, gathering all the money while raising her own value. She’s a master at inflating her worth while maintaining her image.”

<Wild Yellow> Kim Nori.

Ever since I hinted that she could awaken as an SS-Rank Dark Attribute Special Ability user, she’s been scheming.

She’s been maximizing her worth while carefully preserving her image.

“Taking all my techniques and planning to be a hunter, huh!”

“She’s not the type to just be a hero these days. Still, she plans to prioritize being a hero while doing part-time work. Who would stop her when she wants to pay off her parents’ debts?”

“Damn…”

Seok Harang was frustrated. Kim Nori had accurately caught onto the subtle suggestion I gave her, securing all the moral high ground and practical benefits, leaving everyone without a countermove.

Until she becomes an adult, Kim Nori will balance being a hero and a hunter, honing her talents.

“Just you, learn some housekeeping skills from me. She handled cooking and laundry from when she was little.”

“…..You, you’ll see. I’ll return as the queen of housekeeping.”

“Before becoming the queen of housekeeping, let’s solve other problems first, Queen of Great Britain.”

“Damn.”

Seok Harang genuinely got irritated. Outside the association, white headbands were tied around those calling out to Seok Harang, showing madness.

[Oh great Seok Harang]

[How beautiful!]

[First king of Harang Country! Please return to Busan!!]

“Ah, this is so annoying…”

“Thinking about it, isn’t this kid supposed to be in school? Really.”

Seok Harang, 21 years old.

If she had gone to university, she’d probably be fretting about the upcoming semester right about now.