〈 Chapter 448 〉 Part 1, Episode 19-4
November 8th.
I arrived at the entrance of a multi-unit apartment building in New Seoul, riding inside a bio-android possessed by Ang. I was driving, with Ang sitting shotgun. We were waiting for today’s protagonist, Nuri, to come down.
“Uh… Nuri lives here…?”
“Yep. To be precise, she bought this place again.”
After taking down the drug kingpin in Mexico and playing a crucial role in the battle against the Demon Dragon, Nuri received an absurd amount of bounty money.
Since she was registered as a Hunter under the Blue Wind Sect—not as a Hero—she cashed in on rewards like the bounty on the drug lord, core payouts from defeating nearby monsters in Mexico, and even a reward from the Mexican government for killing the Demon Dragon. Nuri raked in an astronomical sum.
“Didn’t Nuri originally come from a financially struggling family? Any idea why?”
“No clue…”
“You never ask, do you? You’re supposed to respond with something like ‘Why are you acting like that? Is something wrong?’ That way, people will want to keep talking!”
“…Sorry.”
Ang fidgeted awkwardly with her fingers. I cleared my throat and used my magical gear to display the faces of Nuri’s four family members.
“Nuri’s parents believe that money solves everything. They think it’s their duty as parents to make tons of cash so their kids can live comfortably, then leave them a massive inheritance.”
“Isn’t that normal?”
“It is, but they take it too far. Remember how they sold everything they had to buy buildings in Seoul’s Noryangjin district? They ended up selling their home and living in a tent without even a tatami mat because of it. Things have improved now, but barely.”
Back when Nuri ran away from home, things were so bad that Gaon—who was being looked after by the Black Flame Dragon at the time—had it easier than Nuri, who slept in a tent.
“Parents who provide materially but not emotionally? That’s why Nuri had to grow up so independently. She struggled to make friends since her parents kept moving her to expensive neighborhoods.”
“…”
At the mention of no friends, Ang immediately reacted. Age doesn’t matter when it comes to forming bonds between spirits and humans. If hearts connect, friendship can bloom.
“So Nuri needs a stable emotional haven. Right now…that’s the Blue Wind Sect. She truly loves her life as a Hunter. By the way, this building? Her parents sold it, but Nuri bought it back using all the money she earned as a Hunter.”
Even though this place holds deep ties for me, it no longer carries much meaning. Aside from the familiarity of the parking lot and alleys nearby, I didn’t feel much nostalgia.
“You understand Nuri better now, right? The rest, you’ll learn directly.”
BEEP!
The elevator to the first-floor parking garage just opened. The front door swung wide, and a middle school girl in a uniform rushed toward the car. Reflexively, I operated the car controls to open the door.
“Director, let’s go!”
Before Nuri could even close the door, I slammed on the gas pedal. From the stairs, I spotted Nuri’s parents hurrying down. Like a streak of light, we zoomed out of the parking lot and onto the main road. Using magic power, Nuri effortlessly closed the door while the car sped along at over 50 km/h.
“Phew, damn, almost got caught.”
“…Nuri?”
“…Director, don’t act like such a grumpy old man, okay?”
Still only 140 cm tall, Nuri complained loudly without even buckling her seatbelt. But when I glanced at her through the rearview mirror, she immediately shut up.
“Sorry about swearing. I’ll repent.”
“Don’t swear. So what’s going on this time?”
“My parents…oh wait, who’s this sister?”
Living with Seok Harang must’ve rubbed off on her Busan dialect. Ang shrank back into her seat as Nuri leaned over from behind. Nuri stared wide-eyed at Ang’s chest.
“Holy crap! Is this sister a new Hunter? A Blue Wind Sect rookie? Or…is she Director’s new girlfriend?”
“…Girlfriend?”
“Director, this chick went blind yesterday and can’t see or hear anything. I won’t tell any of the higher-ups in the Blue Wind Sect, especially not Gaeul or Harang. Totally a secret—”
“Hey, Azidahaka.”
“Huh?”
I pulled the car over to the side of the road. Nuri’s pupils dilated dramatically, and Ang turned pale, clutching her knees tightly.
“…An existence that once was.”
“Wow, big deal.”
“The entity sealed beneath Azidahaka’s personality is called Ang. As you can see, she currently resides in this artificial body…”
“Wait, does that mean if I borrow this sister’s power, I could become super curvy too?! Please say yes!!”
A switch flipped in Nuri’s eyes. Knowing her future self, I knew exactly how much trauma she carried regarding her body. Without hesitation, I spoiled her future.
“If you hit SSS Rank, you’ll be 170 cm tall with C-cups.”
“Onee-san, let’s be friends!”
“Uh…okay.”
Nuri extended her hand immediately, and Ang hesitantly shook it, only gripping her index finger. Ang looked to me for help, flustered.
“Why? Isn’t Nuri more sociable than you thought?”
“No, it’s not that…”
“Nuri’s naturally social; she just hasn’t had many chances to make friends.”
Ang glared at me, feeling betrayed. But before she could say anything, Nuri continued, catching Ang off guard.
“Sister, can I touch your…boobs?”
“…What?”
“Your boobs.”
The blatant question made Ang bow her head in embarrassment. Unable to respond due to sheer mortification, she finally looked up to say something…
“Sure. Thanks.”
Before Ang could finish, Nuri took that as permission and grabbed her chest. Her expression of shock was akin to a child tasting cola for the very first time.
“Whoa, sweet, holy cow, wow!”
“A-Ah, stop…please…”
Ang trembled all over. Nuri’s innocent (?) touch quickly reddened her face. Feeling sorry for her, I grabbed Nuri’s wrist.
“That’s enough. She’s really sensitive to human touch.”
“Oh…got it. Sorry, I was just curious.”
“A-It’s fine…”
“You can speak freely.”
“Um…is it okay to…?”
“Holy crap. Ang actually dropped formalities!”
Indeed, this seemed to be the ultimate combo. Despite the physical barrier of the seatbacks, they already appeared to get along well. I pressed a button to open the passenger door.
“I’ll take you two on a drive today. Get to know each other in the backseat.”
“U-Um…”
“Onee-san, come sit in the back for a bit? I feel like we’d vibe.”
Without waiting for a response, Nuri hopped out, dragged Ang, and pulled her into the backseat. With Ang now relocated, I closed the door with magic and started driving again.
“Ang, listen up. Guess what my parents said to me today…”
* * *
About three hours later.
I drove leisurely, following the wind. For those three hours, Nuri chattered nonstop for about 2 hours and 30 minutes, I spoke for around 25 minutes, and Ang chimed in for about 5 minutes.
“Haha, Sister, you’re amazing. So if I meet your true form, I’ll instantly unlock an S-rank Dark Attribute ability?”
“Pretty much. Want to fly there now? Just turn the car toward the West Sea.”
“N-Nuri. I’m not ready mentally yet…”
“Director, Ang seems uncomfortable. Let’s save it for next time.”
Nuri smoothly adjusted the conversation, showing genuine consideration for Ang. Ang sighed deeply, looking relieved.
By the time the sun dipped below the mountains, I drove Nuri back home. As she prepared to leave, she handed her magical gear to Ang.
“Sister, let’s exchange numbers.”
“Uh…sure.”
They touched wrists, and their embedded magic transferred patterns between their devices.
“Alright, Ang, next time we’ll meet in person. Promise?”
“…Okay.”
Nuri hooked pinkies with Ang to seal the promise. Thanks to Nuri’s warmth, Ang resolved to eventually meet her in her true form—Azidahaka.
“Director, drive safe!”
“You too.”
With that, Nuri slipped inside her building. I wasted no time turning the car around and leaving New Seoul.
“Nuri’s fun, isn’t she?”
“…You said she didn’t have friends.”
“Having no friends and being socially skilled are different. Besides, she has plenty of friends now. Look how well she gets along with everyone in the Blue Wind Sect.”
Everyone in the Blue Wind Sect knows about Nuri’s family situation, but no one pities or consoles her. While Nuri’s abilities and background are impressive, she lives as just another Hunter, free from feelings of inferiority.
‘Even though she did obsess over growing taller earlier…’
She also complained about why she couldn’t awaken powers as strong as the Black Flame Dragon’s, but that’s just her charm. After all, Ang has already surpassed two stages of awakening.
“How’s Nuri?”
“…Is this what having a friend feels like…?”
Ang covered her mouth and giggled softly. I let her savor the moment, reflecting on her first proper human friendship.
“…”
I quietly loosened my grip on the steering wheel and lightly tapped my magical gear on my left wrist with my right hand.
“Huh? Calling someone?”
“Just some business. I need to meet Hya tomorrow, but we need to adjust her schedule.”
“Oh…do you think I could also be friends with Hya?”
“Of course.”
As I nodded, Ang buried her face in her hands and bowed her head. While she cried quietly, I secretly sent a money pouch to Nuri.
[WildNuri: Friend fee ^^7]
[WildNuri: Can we stay friends? This sister is so much fun.]
“Anyway.”
I sent another money pouch.
[Contract Extension Request?]
[WildNuri: Your grace knows no bounds. Phoenix forever loyal.]
“Sniffle…finally, my first human friend…sniff…”
Ang had no idea.
