Chapter – 15
Pretty One, Long Time No See
“Since being separated from her mother, I don’t know what happened, but the kid just shut up. She can’t speak.”
“Can’t speak?”
“The hospital says it’s psychological, just a card.”
My heart tightened. So that’s why. That’s why Nayeon couldn’t say anything to me.
It wasn’t just because she was unfamiliar with me.
“Then, what about the other kids?”
“We rescued them. They’re all in a shelter.”
“And the people who kidnapped the children?”
“Why?”
“They deserve to die anyway… Did you kill them, sir?”
“What could an old man like me do?”
“Did your underlings act instead?”
I swallowed hard without realizing it. Hearing the sound, the boss clicked his tongue and said:
“Ah, these dramas and movies… they mess up people’s perception! What could I do? That’s Incheon. How long would it take to go there? What if another regional guild causes trouble there?”
“Then…”
“I reported them to the Hunter Agency!”
“That’s… surprisingly by the book.”
“Where did you hear that from? Tsk.”
Being scolded by him seemed to lift his mood a little. His expression was much better than before.
“I crushed a few heads with a stick so they could never walk again.”
“…….”
“By the way, Yeongseok said you’re going to buy the billiard hall upstairs.”
“How do you know that?”
The billiard hall above the café was up for sale.
After the cigarette incident, the billiard hall owner must have decided to clear out everything he had been holding onto.
As soon as I found out it was for sale yesterday, I ran to the nearby real estate office—but how did the boss know before I even returned?
“This building belongs to me.”
“Oh, you owned it? No wonder you knew so quickly.”
“I’ve owned this building for years, so I can operate freely here.”
It turned out Park Ilsuk, the boss, was the building owner.
“So, what are you going to do here?”
“I’m going to open a fortune-telling shop.”
“There are many types of fortune-telling. What, saju? Tarot? Or that crazy thing where you talk to gods like when you found Nayeon? A divine oracle?”
“Yes, that one.”
“That’s too broad to handle?”
“It’s fine. It’ll be full of customers, so there’ll be enough seating. Oh, and don’t worry, I won’t cause you any trouble!”
The boss remained silent for a moment.
“Alright, I’ll introduce you to an A-class.”
“Right! Who are you introducing?”
Just as I asked, the sound of worn stairs being climbed lightly echoed.
A bright greeting resounded in the cramped space:
“Pretty one, long time no see?”
“You… you crazy bastard! Not even a tiger, yet you dare speak to me.”
The boss didn’t even glance at him, cursing as if dealing with someone familiar.
Who in the world had the guts to call this terrifying boss “Pretty One”…?
“Your complexion is nice too.”
“Ahhh!”
Completely unprepared for someone like him, I let out a shrill scream as if being exorcised.
It was him. The fireproof, handsome trash, the environmental destroyer.
“Isn’t that a bit too much cheer? We only met yesterday. Then again, my face isn’t easy to forget.”
“B-B-Boss!”
I looked back at the boss, asking silently if this was really him. The boss just nodded.
“I don’t want him!”
“You’re exactly the type for the awakened one I’m looking for.”
“What do you mean? I don’t rescue perverts like that!”
“Not sure when you saw it, but he’s definitely crazy…”
The boss, smiling like the sun, explained:
“He’s an A-class healer. Quick-witted, keeps secrets, doesn’t cause trouble. Personal life may be complicated, but he’ll do anything that makes money.”
“Anything that makes money?”
The blond man stepped beside me with a loud thump of his shoes.
Despite my bewildered expression, he looked down at me with a fresh, spring-like smile, then said something chilling:
“I heard Ms. Eun-sol has a lot of money?”
“What? Well… yes, I guess…”
“Maybe it’s fate. In a world where you can get stabbed any moment, meeting like this is fate. If you get stabbed, I’ll stitch you up. Cleaner and prettier than anyone.”
The boss, now almost bored, added:
“He’s great at what he does. Not part of our guild, but he’s treated injured people often. About a year I’ve observed him.”
I gawked at the blond man, only snapping back to reality when the message from Seongjwa, the “Prophet of the Sun,” pricked me.
“A healer, A-class, backed by Seongjwa?”
This was awkward. Still, he was recommended by Park Ilsuk.
“Let’s go inside and talk.”
A healer is crucial. An A-class healer is rarer than ginseng.
Having already experienced how formidable he was, I couldn’t just reject him.
Seongjwa was pounding his chest in frustration, threatening not to support me if I worked with this man.
“Even healing potions have limits!”
“Ah, what is my god saying?”
Seongjwa threatened to flay contractee Kim Eun-sol if he caused trouble. The jealousy of a god is terrifying.
The blond man and I sat in a sunlit spot. No drinks were needed.
“We’ll record this conversation from now on.”
“That’s fine, but why record us? Better to make a special contract.”
I realized his meaning two seconds later. Recording was pointless. Kill and erase evidence, and it’s all useless.
The blond man paused, then pulled a contract from his bag.
“Hey, Blond Man, are you good at fighting?”
“Do you like men who fight well?”
“No… just answer the question. Can you fight?”
“Yes. I’ve worked as a doctor in the underworld for years. Here is more comfortable; less concern about attacks from behind or the side. Park boss has my back too.”
A basically skilled martial doctor in the black market. What kind of Seongjwa is behind him?
“Would you answer questions about Seongjwa?”
“If you go on a date with me. There’s a bakery in this area I’ve never visited in over a year. Come with me.”
Seongjwa glared at me, furious.
‘Maybe previous contractees went crazy from stress trying to watch Seongjwa’s mood.’
I candidly admitted to the blond man:
“If I date him, my Seongjwa would try to kill you. I have no intention of dating, so I must refuse.”
Seongjwa finally thought I spoke correctly.
Satisfied, he sent a message.
“Yes. Since he’s protecting me, I need to reassure him. And draw a line with the blond man.”
“My first condition: Don’t tell anyone I’m contracted with Seongjwa. I’ll explain if needed. Until then, I’m just a crazy person yelling at the void. Understand?”
“Fine.”
“Second: Don’t pester me to meet or flirt.”
He tried to speak, but I gave a third condition:
“Third: If other awakened women enter and flirt, causing trouble, they’re out. No exceptions.”
“Do you think I’m that kind of trash? Disappointing, Eun-sol. Why can’t you trust me?”
“No one in my situation would trust someone else.”
The blond man smiled, clearly frustrated:
“Fine. Then I’ll have to seduce you with excellent work while we’re together.”
Seongjwa said he’s about to explode.
“I’ll follow your conditions. Now tell me why you’re recruiting awakened ones like me?”
“Contract work for about two months. Find information and evidence about an incident involving the Yongsun guild.”
“Danger pay is much higher, you know?”
“I’ll pay handsomely.”
“What exactly would an A-class healer do?”
“Simple. Heal injured guild members during combat.”
“There are guild members?”
“Two, including you, if you join. That’s it for now.”
His smooth face and light brown eyes were unreadable.
The blond man tapped the table thoughtfully, then answered quickly:
“I’ll refuse.”
“Why?”
“You seem rushed. Then no.”
He put the contract back into his bag.
“I want clear participants and specific objectives. Even a money-loving person like me doesn’t want to jump into uncertainty. You need to survive to spend the money.”
“Can I recruit the team and propose again?”
“Fine.”
Seeing his casual smile, my embarrassment eased.
I asked the sudden curiosity:
“Did you steal medical supplies for money?”
“No.”
Surprisingly quick reply.
“So?”
“I stole them for those who couldn’t get treatment. That’s all.”
“…That’s all?”
He answered with effortless calm:
“Nothing more to add.”
Passive skill activated!
[Divine Oracle (B)]
Clarity: 79.0%
