Chapter 351

〈Chapter 351〉 Part 1, Chapter 15, Section 9

After leaving Kim Nuri in Busan.

Trusting that Seok Harang would handle things well on her own, I returned to Seoul by flying through the night sky. The Jongno area was finally starting to shape up nicely, and the residents of Seoul could now wander around at night without any issues, albeit a bit awkwardly.

Rustle.

The lights were still on at Seoul City Hall. Folding my wings, I landed on the rooftop and infiltrated via an unseen route, launching a surprise attack on the mayor’s office.

“Yes. It’s truly fortunate. Please take good care of your daughter. Yes. I will focus on city affairs. Thank you.”

Just as he was wrapping up a phone call, Ryu Cheonseong finished his conversation and hung up the receiver after using the internal line phone in the mayor’s office.

“Thank you.”

“That’s what elders are for. Phew, truly impressive.”

Ryu Cheonseong loosened his tie. Though his suit pants and white shirt were typical civil servant attire, he needed to momentarily unfasten his tie to cool down.

“I’ve never met parents this stifling before.”

“In many ways, they’re peculiar parents. But they’re also the kind you might find anywhere.”

“At least we managed to make contact with her older sister, Kim Gaon, through a post on the city hall bulletin board. Otherwise, I might have gone mad from frustration.”

There was no way to reach Kim Nuri’s parents. Thus, Ryu Cheonseong personally responded to Kim Gaon’s post, barely managing to establish communication.

Runaway girl Kim Nuri, wandering through Seoul, passing through New Seoul, and eventually reaching Busan. She was discovered by Seok Harang, who happened to pass by, and is currently under her protection.

Stories about the Black Flame Dragon protecting Kim Nuri in Seoul or me handing her over to Seok Harang and awakening her powers were appropriately fabricated. Her parents were not even informed that Kim Nuri had awakened as a special ability user.

“When her parents come down from Busan to receive Nuri, Seok Harang will casually mention that the girl seems to have talent as a special ability user. Then, they’ll likely proceed with a magical power pattern test and discover that she has awakened as a special ability user.”

“Her parents are heading down from New Seoul to Busan tomorrow morning, right? But will everything go smoothly?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s troubling how to deal with potential child abuse cases. Legally and ethically, Kim Nuri must return to her parents, even if she has awakened as a special ability user.”

Age was a significant issue.

“She’s just passed the age of fourteen, but there’s no real way to handle her living arrangements.”

“This is how we plan to resolve it.”

I revealed to Ryu Cheonseong the agreement reached with Seok Harang and Kim Nuri. He listened intently to my plan with a serious expression and nodded in agreement.

“For a squad leader, it’s surprisingly solid planning. But will it really work?”

“It has to. Would SS Rank Round Table Hero propose taking someone as a disciple and be refused?”

Our plan was simple.

To offer Kim Nuri’s parents a deal they couldn’t refuse: the master-disciple relationship between Seok Harang and Kim Nuri.

“Though there’s only a six-year age gap, considering rank and hero experience, Seok Harang is more than qualified to be Kim Nuri’s mentor. At least outwardly.”

“Hmm… but tell me…”

Ryu Cheonseong still wore a troubled expression, hinting at something nagging him.

“Why?”

“Well, while talking directly, I vaguely sensed something… Will they try to exploit the situation financially?”

“Considering they’ll be fed, housed, and clothed, why would they?”

“No, I mean… like if my daughter became Seok Harang’s disciple or something, and then they start using it for mutual benefit…”

“That’s quite possible.”

On the contrary, the possibility was overwhelming. In the original story, Kim Nuri’s parents used her status as a member of the Divine Officer team to borrow money and start businesses, which gradually escalated.

Eventually, they resorted to borrowing from monsters and ended up becoming one themselves.

“Is there no way around this? Murdering them all is a bit extreme though.”

“That’s obvious. While I agree that we should silence them, hmm… Squad Leader, if you don’t mind, what about this method?”

“What?”

Ryu Cheonseong made a zipping motion over his mouth.

“Silencing them with money, right?”

“…”

Silencing a family that’s likely to fall apart due to financial issues with money?

“That’s actually a great idea.”

“Yeah.”

“But where did you come up with such an idea?”

“Not much different from dealing with people squatting in redevelopment areas, is it?”

An accurate analogy.

“Alright. So, what about the second problem?”

“Another one?”

“Naturally. Ryu Cheonseong, what would you do? If your son or daughter were in the same situation, for example…”

I lit different flames around the tense Ryu Cheonseong.

“Would you advise them to walk the rewarding yet low-paying path of a hero, or guide them toward the guaranteed golden future of a hunter?”

Ryu Cheonseong hesitated to answer.

As the night deepened, I left the mayor’s office and returned to my penthouse.

All choices belong to Kim Nuri.

I merely support Kim Nuri’s decisions.

* * *

<August 14th, 10:00 AM>

Seok Harang rarely moves from Busan.

It’s extremely rare for her to leave Busan, and even rarer to ascend to New Seoul. Especially when she does so not by flying alone but by taking a bus to New Seoul, it’s exceptionally uncommon.

– Why is Seok Harang taking a bus?


– Is something happening in New Seoul today? Is there an event at the association?


– Who’s that person sitting next to her? It doesn’t seem like a coincidence.

The murmurs of the passengers inside the express bus echoed even to the front seats. Attempting to avoid causing confusion, her decision to sit at the very back turned out to be counterproductive. Both passengers and the driver kept glancing back.

– What are they saying? Can’t hear it.


– Hmm, probably a barrier.

Indeed, as someone mentioned, Seok Harang had cast an invisible barrier around their seats. Anyone who approached closely could confirm a thin film stretched across, but naturally, on a highway-bound bus, people stayed buckled in their seats.

“Bald guy in front of me, show some respect!”

“You can’t hear us, so don’t talk trash.”

“Just testing the barrier. Wow, sis, this is awesome! Perfect for gaming rooms. Haha.”

Therefore, the two could converse freely. Initially cautious of others’ gazes, Kim Nuri embraced the fact that her voice wasn’t leaking outside and began chattering loudly.

“Sis, don’t you have a license? Or a car?”

“Flying gets me wherever I need to go. Why bother with a license or a car?”

“Are you walking everywhere?”

“…Hey, I can fly from Busan to Beijing in thirty minutes, you know?”

Seok Harang felt exasperated but couldn’t win against a fifteen-year-old. Arguing verbally with a teenager was already a defeat for an adult. Moreover, Kim Nuri was a spirited kid who didn’t back down even to Cheon Gaeul.

“If you can fly, why take the bus?”

“…You, show some consideration. Do you want me to carry you all the way to Seoul?”

“Gross. Even if we’re going to be master and disciple, let’s keep boundaries. What would others think?”

Seok Harang turned her head towards the window, scowling. The fact that she didn’t have to physically carry Kim Nuri all the way to Seoul was a small comfort.

“You need to tell your parents properly when you get to New Seoul, okay? Don’t use your special abilities recklessly.”

“Hehe. Of course.”

Kim Nuri quietly conjured a small water droplet beneath her seat. Having learned to control her magic overnight with direct coaching from the Water Spirit, she was now adept enough to adjust her magical power like a proper special ability user.

“Hey…!”

At this, Seok Harang felt as if even the nonexistent chest she had was sinking. Worried someone might have seen Kim Nuri, who was seated by the aisle, using her powers, she squirmed anxiously.

“You said you didn’t want the window seat, but using your abilities here is problematic…!”

“Doesn’t the window seat give you free reign to use them?”

“That’s not what I meant! You’re really annoying.”

“Is this what a master should say to their only disciple? Your attitude stinks.”

Kim Nuri skillfully irritated Seok Harang, but she couldn’t retort.

“So that’s why your wardrobe looks like that.”

“Hey!”

Seok Harang shouted, her face turning red, but Kim Nuri wouldn’t stop.

“In my fifteen years, I’ve never seen such a dirty closet. Is that even a closet? It’s more like a clothing grave. Didn’t the squad leader say anything when he came?”

“……Keh, wait. He didn’t touch inside the closet, right?!”

“It’s not that he didn’t touch it; it’s that he couldn’t because it was too filthy. I almost threw up yesterday. Waaah.”

Kim Nuri mimicked vomiting while muttering complaints. Seok Harang wanted to punch something but couldn’t say anything.

“Can you even get married with a housekeeping style like that?”

“I’m only twenty, you know?”

“Does age matter when your household is such a mess?”

“You sound exactly like someone else.”

Seok Harang didn’t know that all the nagging Phoenix gave her originated from Kim Nuri (20 years old). However, human nature doesn’t change drastically, and the sharp-tongued remarks from Kim Nuri (15) weren’t much different from the future version. The parties involved were unaware.

“Housework can be covered with money! I have plenty!”

“You spend all that money on food delivery and nothing else.”

“Let the man do the housework! It’s fine, he’s amazing at it.”

“From what I see, it’s because of you that he became so skilled. Oh, this woman is hopeless, trying to do everything herself.”

Seok Harang remained silent. Kim Nuri sipped on the blueberry drink she brought from Seok Harang’s house and shook her head.

“Tsk tsk. How much does a man have to love you to live with someone like you? Sister, you really need to treat that man well. He even organized your storage room for you? If it were me, I’d serve him for life. Tsk tsk.”

“……Why is it so hot here?”

Seok Harang fanned herself, feeling heat rising to the back of her neck, attempting to change the subject. However, Kim Nuri’s reproaches continued.

“He cooked meals for the fridge, prepared side dishes, cleaned the bathroom, even coordinated outfits for you—though sticking them on the mannequin was a bit creepy since it looks exactly like you. But, sis, who is this guy?”

“……”

Seok Harang sincerely thanked the fact that no sound escaped the barrier and promptly corrected Kim Nuri’s misunderstanding.

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Then what?”

“He’s my future husband.”

“Ah….”

Kim Nuri crossed her arms with a complicated expression.

“Having someone live in your place while you’re living alone is such a hassle. Sis, since you’re rich, can you help me rent a room? I’ll commute to and from your place.”

“Nope.”

Despite being annoyed, Seok Harang had no intention of kicking Kim Nuri out of her home.

“Disciples living with their masters is a golden rule.”

“Tch, got it. Since I’m the one living there, I won’t comment further. I’ll stay quiet. But…”

Calculating the time until the express bus arrived in New Seoul, Kim Nuri took control of Seok Harang’s magical gear and opened a shopping mall website.

“Your house is so barren. Can I buy some necessities? Using your money.”

“Sure, go ahead.”

Seok Harang secretly planned evilly. If Kim Nuri went overboard with unnecessary purchases, she’d immediately teach her about the virtue of moderation as an adult.

“What shampoo do you use? All your sweaters are ruined.”

“Sis, don’t you know aluminum foil causes environmental pollution? Use paper foil instead.”

“Sis, this is an air freshener—”

“Buy whatever you want.”

Seok Harang surrendered completely. And admitted it.

Even though Seok Harang dominated with magical power, she couldn’t beat Kim Nuri in homemaking skills.

“……”

And Seok Harang subtly scanned Kim Nuri from head to toe, nurturing a petty jealousy-based sense of victory within herself.

Until the bus arrived in New Seoul, their shopping spree continued. Seok Harang’s balance drained as inexhaustibly as her magical power.

* * *

Meanwhile, in Seoul.

The officers gathered in the conference room as soon as morning arrived. I was also seated in the meeting room, busy typing away on the keyboard.

“How’s everyone doing?”

“It’s tough. Public opinion leans more towards becoming a hero.”

“Can’t we just reject them outright and accept them as hunters? Do we really need to deal with these matters?”

The officers of the Blue Wind Sect and I were currently posting articles and comments online, stirring public sentiment.

– Isn’t the kid beside Seok Harang incredibly talented?!

Based on factual conspiracies, the spark ignited by Seok Harang’s bus trip to New Seoul was blazing fiercely across all communities.

“We’ve found the identity of Miss Nuri. They seem to be classmates from the same middle school.”

“Collect the coordinates of the posts and send them to Hikari. Let her hack and delete them.”

“Boss, the guild always welcomes new hunters. We want to recruit her.”

“While I agree that Kim Nuri should become a hunter, she’s someone the Blue Wind Sect has targeted, so it’s absolutely unacceptable.”

Complete privacy protection. Meanwhile, the conspiracy theory seeded appropriately would flare up like a campfire the moment they arrived in New Seoul and registered Kim Nuri as a special ability user at the association.

Seok Harang personally discovered a fifteen-year-old A-Rank special ability user.

Whether Kim Nuri becomes a hunter or a hero will significantly influence other special ability users’ choices.

“Don’t forget. We are recruiting talents through entirely ‘legitimate’ means.”

“…But what about yours?”

Cheon Gaeul, who was typing the fastest, asked me.

“If Seok Harang convinces Nuri’s parents and officially takes her as a disciple, what will you do? What if Nuri becomes a hero?”

“Pfft, that won’t happen.”

I was certain.

“If she tries to persuade them and they refuse, consider it a blessing.”

“Do you really believe that? Want to bet?”

“Fine. If Seok Harang convinces Nuri’s parents…”

I glanced around at the officers and announced confidently.

“I’ll ask Yun Yuhwa to provide each of you with a Bio-Loid.”

The officers paused mid-typing. Then they typed even faster, and Cheon Gaeul deployed all nine tentacles to type.

“…Are you guys supporting Seok Harang by any chance?”

The officers remained silent.