“What did you just say? What? You idiot?”
“Excuse me? What…? Please don’t do this.”
“Hey, don’t threaten the Saintess! You filthy bastards!”
“What are you idle good-for-nothings doing now?!”
“No, this b*tch just swore at me…!”
“What, ‘b*tch’? You crazy bastard?”
“The Saintess swore? Stop spreading such malicious rumors, Kim Hojun.”
As I feigned ignorance in response to Kim Hojun’s aggressive questioning, the other hunters who had fought alongside me in the gate immediately surged forward, ready to lynch him.
Though Kim Hojun protested with a deeply wronged expression, his pleas fell on deaf ears; those already exasperated by his past conduct dismissed his words entirely. Instead, they unleashed a torrent of insults, accusing him of attempting to manipulate the current situation.
“Hunter Kim Hojun of Abyss. Can you truly stand by those words? I must ask if I may officially address your negligence, deliberate obstruction, and malicious slander against the Saintess at a press conference, representing the Abyss Guild.”
“Ugh, you’re all conspiring against me! It’s a complete setup!”
“Well, I beg to differ. It seems to me that the ‘conspirators’ are rather those of you who were resting comfortably, doing nothing.”
As Jin Taesan’s chilling gaze swept over the assembled hunters, those with guilty consciences instantly fell silent, their eyes darting away as if they had swallowed honey and lost their tongues.
Kim Hojun fixed me with a furious, axe-like glare, but what power did he truly hold? I was, after all, a healer who had assisted in subjugating an S-grade gate, and I had the backing of both the Association and Cheonhwa.
Nevertheless, when I managed to conjure a subtly frightened expression under his piercing gaze, the surrounding hunters immediately converged on Kim Hojun, their collective fury so palpable it seemed they might tear him limb from limb.
****
Perhaps, then, I should seize this moment to attend to the wounded.
“Allow me to examine them.”
“Ah, Saintess… my deepest gratitude.”
“Think nothing of it; it is merely my duty.”
[Heal the Injured. 1/7 (Reward: Experience)]
“Please bear with me for a moment. I apologize for the intrusion.”
“Such divine radiance… I am truly grateful.”
[Heal the Injured. 2/7 (Reward: Experience)]
“You are truly a savior.”
[Heal the Injured. 3/7 (Reward: Experience)]
.
.
Quest experience acquired.
This quest system… does it possess a philanthropic inclination? It seems to manifest almost exclusively when I’m saving lives outside the Tower.
No sooner had I finished treating all the wounded and finally straightened my aching back than the surrounding people, in turn, bent their own backs in deference.
While it was true that, given the accumulating misunderstandings, I had intended to capitalize on the situation by fully embracing the role of a healer outside… why did this scenario seem to be escalating into something far grander than anticipated?
A strange, awkward smile flickered across my face as I felt the situation subtly morphing into something akin to a cult; retreating a step, I found Lee Jaehoon had imperceptibly drawn near, extending an object towards me.
“Please, accept this.”
“What is this, exactly?”
He offered me a silver, metallic sphere, no larger than my clenched fist.
Yet, upon taking it into my hand, it registered as virtually weightless, and its subtly peculiar texture was neither warm nor cold. How truly remarkable.
****
“It is an artifact known as an ‘Orb.’ This item is notoriously rare, said to be found only within S-grade gates, and possesses the remarkable ability to transform into a weapon or provide automatic defense, adapting itself to its user.”
“…This, you say?”
Isn’t this an absurdly overpowered, game-breaking item? And you’re simply handing such a priceless artifact to me, just like that?
“While it is unlikely you will ever need to wield it as a weapon… its automatic defense capability alone will prove immensely beneficial to Iroha. For you will, without doubt, face countless individuals like them in the days to come.”
Lee Jaehoon’s contemptuous gaze flickered briefly towards Kim Hojun before softening once more.
“Oh, but surely this… isn’t this a boss reward? I don’t believe you should simply hand it over like this.”
“Had Iroha not graced us with her presence, we would have faced utter annihilation, let alone claimed any rewards. Ah, and another S-grade material was indeed recovered; I shall have it processed separately and then present it to you.”
“Another one besides this?!”
While it’s certainly appreciated, still…
A person possesses a certain sense of propriety, you see, so I find myself slightly taken aback.
Truth be told, I did deliver the final blow, but that was only after the other hunters had valiantly fought to create such a crucial opening.
It was Cheon Yiryeong who had carved the initial wound, deep enough to penetrate the boss’s defenses; Choi Kang-in who then breached that seemingly impenetrable opening; and the combined might of ranged attackers, who added their firepower, along with the melee hunters, including Lee Jaehoon, who simultaneously held the boss immobile.
But to simply hand all these rewards to me… it feels almost too generous.
‘They’re offering it; only a fool would refuse.’
Furthermore, it was an S-grade item—an artifact so precious one might never even glimpse it in a lifetime. Who could possibly resist accepting such a gift when it was being offered so freely?
****
“For the time being… I shall keep it. Please, simply let me know whenever you might have need of it.”
“Understood, then. Haha, if that arrangement brings you greater comfort, we shall proceed accordingly.”
Lee Jaehoon let out a soft, almost imperceptible chuckle, a gentle smile lingering on his lips as he turned to depart. That man, I mused, hadn’t his initial persona shifted quite a bit? I distinctly remembered him having a much sharper, more resolute impression.
In any case, my duties here were concluded, and Cheonhwa had already assumed full responsibility for managing the aftermath, so perhaps it was time for me to return.
Just then, Jin Taesan, having concluded his standoff, approached me.
“Truly, you are utterly unpredictable. To arrive here so swiftly and enter the gate without hesitation. Whatever were you thinking? When I received the call and arrived, I was frankly bewildered to discover only those inept individuals present.”
“Ahaha, it just… happened to unfold that way?”
The message I had sent to Jin Taesan was, in essence, a desperate plea for backup—a request to somehow get more hunters into the gate.
Indeed, it was largely due to my conviction that reinforcements would soon arrive that I had dared to venture inside.
“Thanks to your intervention, a rather dramatic public announcement is now possible. It seems we ought to release the official statement quite soon. By any chance, have you given any thought to the position of Association President?”
“Ugh, I’m quite alright, thank you.”
This man is remarkably persistent.
I genuinely fail to comprehend what he expects to achieve by installing me, utterly devoid of knowledge, in such a crucial position.
“A pity, truly. Ah, after the official announcement, considerable attention will undoubtedly be focused upon you, so I have made special arrangements for Iroha. Shall we proceed together?”
“Arrangements? What else could you possibly have…?”
“It is nothing particularly grand. Shall we call it a discreet passage, allowing you to enter and exit the Association in secret?”
A secret passage?
This, I simply couldn’t resist.
Indeed, it was only natural that frequent visits to the Association would draw unwanted attention, and I had, in fact, been meaning to inquire about such a matter.
I climbed into a spacious van alongside Jin Taesan, and we proceeded towards the Association’s vicinity. Yet, upon our arrival, what met my gaze was not a discreet entrance, but a rather opulent house nestled within an affluent residential neighborhood.
****
“…?”
“Do come inside.”
Before I could even voice my question, I found myself drawn inside, as if by an unseen force, and the interior immediately revealed itself, boasting an array of luxurious furnishings.
Though there were no visible signs of recent human presence, the house was meticulously arranged, so perfectly ordered that one could move in at a moment’s notice and live in utmost comfort.
But he had promised to show me a secret passage, so why, I wondered, were we here of all places…?
“This residence has been registered under Iroha’s name. It has been meticulously prepared for your immediate occupancy, whenever you choose.”
“What?”
“After one year, when you have settled on your permanent residence and decide to depart, we will even assist you with its sale.”
“What?”
“Nevertheless, it will likely prove far more comfortable for you in numerous aspects than a typical apartment. It features south-facing windows, comprehensive heating and air conditioning, and despite being at the intersection of three subway lines, the traffic flow remains surprisingly manageable.”
“Excuse me, that passage… you were going to guide me to…”
“Ah! Would you kindly follow me this way?”
Jin Taesan, who had abruptly transformed into a veritable real estate agent, paused his enthusiastic description at my bewildered query, then stood before the staircase leading to the second floor and indicated a section of the wall.
“Would you be so kind as to place your hand upon this surface?”
My mind struggled to grasp the bewildering situation unfolding before me, yet I instinctively followed his instruction, placing my hand upon the wall, whereupon—
[-Code Name, Saintess. Single designation registered.]
The wall illuminated and hummed, outlining the precise shape of my palm, before the staircase itself began to descend, as if sinking into the earth, morphing into a new set of steps leading down into the depths.
“Oh, wow…”
This is absolutely incredible…! It feels just like something from a spy thriller!
“I find it rather surprising that you appreciate such features. However, it is still too early for true astonishment, so shall we proceed downstairs for now?”
Isn’t this something every man secretly yearns for?
A private, clandestine space of one’s own—there’s an undeniable allure to that romantic notion.
As I descended the steps with an excited gait, Jin Taesan continued, a smile playing on his lips.
“It would be impractical for you to use the standard Association entrances, so we have prepared this discreet method to avoid drawing attention. This passage is designed to open only in response to Iroha.”
So, this entire house functions as a secret passage? And I can live here, too, as an added bonus?
My dream of owning a home was realized in an instant.
Unable to articulate my astonishment at this dream, achieved without a single penny, I proceeded further. This time, I saw a long, straight passage, a rail laid along one side, and a miniature train car.
“You may travel swiftly using this vehicle, or you are welcome to walk leisurely through the passage. The upper structure is engineered with special earthquake-resistant and protective designs, capable of withstanding even a nuclear attack. Should a natural disaster or nuclear strike occur, this passage will function as a bunker, with all necessary provisions materializing from the walls.”
“Erm… what will you do if I sell this later…?”
“We would have to decommission it. Until then, please utilize this passage for your protection, Iroha.”
Unbelievable. They’ve poured the nation’s entire tax revenue into this.
The sheer cost of it was evident, seeming an absurdly extravagant investment for a single person.
Ugh, taxes… can they really taste this sweet?
Suppressing the laughter that threatened to bubble forth at all these provisions made solely for me, I quickly disembarked from the vehicle at the end of the passage. Upon opening the door and stepping inside, I was greeted by what appeared to be an ordinary elevator.
“Though this elevator is installed within the Association, its core structure and operation are linked to this passage. Even if the Association were to lose functionality due to an attack or fire, you would still be able to return via this elevator.”
With a ‘ding,’ the elevator doors opened. Stepping inside, I found a modern interior with only two buttons: the 20th floor and the underground passage floor.
The private elevator ascended swiftly and without obstruction, depositing us on the 20th floor in mere moments.
“The 20th floor is still under preparation, so there’s nothing particularly noteworthy, but it should be fully furnished by next week.”
As Jin Taesan had stated, the 20th floor was a vast, empty space, largely unfinished.
Sitting in a makeshift reception area off to one side, Jin Taesan casually referred to my identity by the codename Saintess, explaining that I would not need to make official appearances. At first, I had thought ‘Saintess’ was merely an exaggerated title, but how had it become my official designation? It was all thanks to the Philanthropy status window.
“Iroha, did you perhaps have a prior connection with the Cheonhwa Guild?”
“Um… to some extent, yes?”
Cheonhwa had initially approached me for recruitment, and we had become entangled in various ways. Now, however, belonging to the Association made dealing with them somewhat awkward.
“Would you mind taking a look at this, please?”
With a subtle tone, Jin Taesan slid a tablet across the table towards me. It contained a stream of information about the Cheonhwa Guild. Could it be Cheonhwa’s hidden secrets? But these were the people who had given me precious items; could there be some other underlying motive?
Unable to suppress my curiosity, I picked up the tablet and read the first page.
‘Cheon Yiryeong Hunter’s Gate Subjugation Peculiarities.’
