118 – Nymphs Love Spacetime Typhoon! #2
“The A Rank Awakened meeting is now concluded.”
Clap clap clap clap-.
With the sound of half-hearted applause, A Rank Awakened Han Ju-ryeon exited the meeting room.
“It was all trivial talk just like last year. If they’re going to bore us with such trivial matters, why gather busy people here?”
The meetings of the A Rank Awakened often turned into tense and tedious psychological battles. Even Han Ju-ryeon, who had a decent amount of experience as an A Rank, felt fatigued.
However, what annoyed Han Ju-ryeon the most was not the pressures or faction fights from other A Ranks, but the fact that Haildo, who had been invited as a special guest, was absent.
“Haildo. With A Rank advancement right around the corner, doesn’t he want to join the A Rank factions?”
Any Awakened wanted to build relationships with A Rankers.
The A Ranks had plenty of secrets related to advancing ranks and many ways to enhance their skills.
It was as childish as the faction of undergraduates lining up for those who had the answers to exams, but the world always worked in a messy, haphazard way.
Yet-.
By rejecting such a trend, Haildo had effectively made a statement of refusal.
“Is he bold or just reckless?”
As Han Ju-ryeon left the meeting room, her secretary and C Rank Awakened Oh Eun-hee trailed behind her.
Oh Eun-hee was cautious of Han Ju-ryeon’s mood, but with her bangs covering her eyes, it was quite challenging to gauge her complexion.
“At times like this, it’s not the face I need to observe, but the surrounding atmosphere. Should I say, reading the mood.”
Sparks, crackle crackle-.
Oh Eun-hee recognized the intense static electricity rising around Han Ju-ryeon.
The air truly felt prickly.
“At times like this, it’s better to stay quiet and not to talk.”
These days, there was talk among people that the personalities of Awakened followed the nature of the abilities they handled─if so, what could be said about Han Ju-ryeon, who dealt with intense static electricity?
“Eun-hee.”
“Yeah? Why?”
“What do you think is the reason Haildo didn’t come to this A Rank meeting?”
‘How am I supposed to know that?’
Oh Eun-hee grumbled internally, but if she said it aloud, she would surely get a zinger. So she decided to express a compatible opinion in a few words.
“I mean, maybe he didn’t feel the need to join the factions. Everyone knows Haildo’s connections to Seo Ye-rim and Telos.”
In a society where all Awakened wanted to network with the upper group, it seemed Haildo was oblivious to how a B Rank with connections to an S Rank would be perceived by A Rank Awakened.
“The most cautious enemies for Awakened are not the demons in the cracks. It’s the other Awakened living shoulder to shoulder. Looks like Haildo doesn’t understand that yet.”
Haildo was bound to run into trouble due to the scrutiny of the irritated A Ranks.
With that thought, Han Ju-ryeon simply headed home.
Then, she watched the broadcast of “Animal Ranch Episode 1004.”
At Haildo’s house, there were many cute animals.
They looked fluffier and warmer than described.
There were various types.
“……”
Unable to hold back, Han Ju-ryeon went to visit Haildo.
She drove toward “Primal Village” and finally arrived at a strangely bustling rural street.
—Kkungkkungi…!
—Kkungkkungi…!
It was indeed a place filled with Squirrel Beasts, just as the rumor had suggested.
Her secretary, Oh Eun-hee, brightened her face as she watched a Squirrel Beast approaching her as if it were interested in her.
“Oh my, what is this? So cute…! Hey! Come here! Come here! Ju-ryeon, look at this! There are so many Squirrel Beasts! Swarming! Oh, they are super cute!”
Swoosh-.
The creature was elongated and resembled a ferret more than a squirrel.
Just as Oh Eun-hee reached out her hand toward the Squirrel Beast’s nose, a sudden spark of static electricity erupted.
“Ouch!”
—Grrr…!
The Squirrel Beast, shocked by the sudden static, fled without looking back.
Oh Eun-hee was used to it.
Being around Han Ju-ryeon, experiencing static electricity was common.
“……”
Han Ju-ryeon, watching the Squirrel Beasts retreating in the distance, seemed to narrow her eyes a bit but then turned away as if disinterested.
Finally reaching Haildo’s house.
Knock knock-.
She knocked on the door.
Ding-dong ding-dong-.
She also pressed the doorbell.
# # #
“That’s Han Ju-ryeon, isn’t it? What’s she doing here?”
Lee Jin-A frowned.
Referring to her as ‘that’ suggested there was some acquaintance between Jin-A and Ju-ryeon.
“Whoa, are they close?”
I couldn’t contain my curiosity and asked.
After all, being acquainted with Han Ju-ryeon, the one from “Thunder,” was quite a noteworthy event!
Han Ju-ryeon was one of the very few Mana Awakened with electric-based abilities, predicted to be a strong contender for S Rank next.
Tsk- Lee Jin-A clicked her tongue.
“Well, we’re not particularly close. It’s just we used to alternate between first and second place.”
Lee Jin-A was a third-generation Awakened, on the same line as S Rank Cha Yura.
Han Ju-ryeon was also from the same third-generation line.
They seemed to have had an acquaintance during their training at the Awakened training facility.
“I recommend you don’t let her in if you can help it.”
Lee Jin-A scratched the back of her head in annoyance.
Yet it was unacceptable to leave a guest standing outside.
More than anything, I really wanted to meet Han Ju-ryeon personally.
You could even call it personal fandom.
“Please, come in!”
I warmly welcomed Han Ju-ryeon.
She was dressed in a battle suit with a white hue and had hair that was voluminous like wool, covering her face, making for a really distinctive appearance.
They said A Ranks all had unique characteristics, and it certainly was true!
Han Ju-ryeon entered the house without a word, but the moment she did, a problem arose.
Sparks, crackle crackle-.
Zzap-!
“Ouch, that stings.”
The moment I grabbed the doorknob, static electricity began to spark.
The intense change made my arm’s hair stand on end, and Kkungkkungi, who had been sleeping on the cushion, woke up, growled angrily as its entire body’s hair stood on edge.
—Grrr…!
With a rush, Kkungkkungi dashed out toward the yard.
Even the usually calm Bang Bang moved cautiously, stepping softly, only for static electricity to pop every time it took a step, causing it to growl and leave the house.
—Zzzz…!
Even Ahn Ahn, who had no hair and was smooth-skinned, flustered and unsure what to do, making Lee Jin-A poke me in the side. Her demeanor seemed to say, ‘See, I told you so.’
Indeed!
It was clear Han Ju-ryeon’s condition sparked electricity around her.
So cool!
She truly exuded the vibe of “An Electromancer” with every part of her!
Swoosh-.
A Rank Han Ju-ryeon sat on the cushion I had prepared.
I turned to her and asked, “What brings you here?”
“Haildo. This is our first time meeting, right? I’ve heard a lot about you. I also watched the Animal Ranch episode that just aired. I’ve heard you fight in the cracks while carrying animals, right?”
I felt a sense of clarity in my mind.
So this was the effect of appearing on Animal Ranch!
Pop-.
Just then, someone opened the door and stepped out.
“Who is releasing such nymph-hating waves…? I, Illinois, find that the Nymphtendo is malfunctioning again…!”
It was Illinois, who had been blasting the air conditioner inside the room.
Upon seeing Han Ju-ryeon, Illinois frowned.
“Truly a spiky woman like a thundercloud…! You are nothing but a hassle, aren’t you…! But I, Illinois, can make potions for times like this…!”
Pop.
Illinois started heading towards the yard, picking a bunch of leaves from a golden apple tree and some flowers planted by Inoi.
What was she doing with that? She shoved them into her mouth, chewed, and then spat it out.
Then she proceeded to rub it on Han Ju-ryeon’s head.
I was completely taken aback!
“Illinois! Don’t do that to a guest!”
“Hehe, it will make things alright…!”
What does that even mean?
Just then, Ahn Ahn, who had been on the alert since earlier due to the sparks, noticed something.
The static electricity that had been sparking had vanished.
“…The static electricity is gone…?!”
Oh Eun-hee was completely astonished, sounding as if this were her first time experiencing such a thing.
Han Ju-ryeon seemed equally surprised.
“……”
Glancing at her palm, Han Ju-ryeon swiftly stood up.
“I’m leaving.”
With firm steps, she closed the door and left without looking back.
I was left wide-eyed.
“Illinois, because of your strange actions, the A Rank Awakened got angry and left. This is a problem! Han Ju-ryeon is the main attacker of the strongest faction in the A Ranks.”
I had heard that A Ranks were notorious for their faction struggles.
I had only heard this as rumors, but to survive as an A Rank Awakened, skill was essential, but crafting factions was also critical.
I thought perhaps Han Ju-ryeon came to me today to offer a place in her faction.
It could easily be imagined that she, who loved animals, would approach me, Haildo, and say, “Join my team!”
However, Illinois putting that strange stuff on her head must have certainly made Han Ju-ryeon furious.
Of course, Illinois didn’t back down either.
“My potions are all made this way…! Most nymphs create potions like this…! You must apologize…!”
Ding-dong.
That was a truth I really didn’t want to know.
So I decided to apologize to Illinois.
“I’m sorry.”
“Hehe, my mind is as wide as the Pacific…! I’ll forgive you…! But in return, take Illinois to this place called an internet café…!”
Pop.
Just then, Inoi burst out as well.
“I, Inoi, also want to try playing games at the internet café with Illinois! There must be wonderful games that surpass Minesweeper…!”
# # #
Han Ju-ryeon had kept her lips sealed since leaving Haildo’s house.
Then, she slowly reached out to the Squirrel Beasts visible in the distance.
—Kkungkkungi…!
The Squirrel Beasts approached Han Ju-ryeon.
She stretched her hand toward the Squirrel Beasts, only to flinch back as though startled, but soon as if emboldened, she pointed her finger toward a Squirrel Beast’s nose.
—Kkungkkungi…!
“……!”
There was no static!
It was the first time animals didn’t avoid her.
However, the Squirrel Beast swiftly darted away as if displeased.
“Ah…”
Just as she felt regret, a half-bald man approached and said.
“Opening your heart to animals. That is the first path to them approaching you. You must realize that you are nature, and nature recognizes you as well.”
“……”
Who on earth is this man?
Soon enough, Han Ju-ryeon realized that this man was the director of a wildlife research center who had entrusted himself to nature.
“……”
There were so many things she wanted to say, but as she kept her mouth shut as usual, Oh Eun-hee soon followed her out, asking.
“Ju-ryeon, weren’t you planning to say something to Haildo? You need to be cautious since the A Rank Awakened are on edge.”
Instead of responding, Han Ju-ryeon fiddled with her phone.
Then she posted online.
“Jojal Jojal Malmi Jal: How do I catch a Squirrel Beast and bring it home? There are tons of Squirrel Beasts around, but I want to take just one home. I’ll cuddle it a lot when I get homeㅜㅜㅜㅜ.”
Ding-dong.
Shortly after, comments began piling up.
└They say if you trap Haildo’s hair, the chances of catching a Squirrel Beast go up by 30 percent.
└This was a secret that only I knew, so please delete that comment quickly.
└But getting Haildo’s hair is super hard! That guy’s hair is like steel!
“……”
Han Ju-ryeon thought she would need to return to Primal Village again.
And she also remembered a lot about Lee Jin-A, who was next to Haildo earlier.
“I think two new A Ranks will be promoted soon. I don’t know about Haildo, but Jin-A will definitely come into A with me. Things are going to get noisy in many ways. The dynamics of faction fights will change as well.”
