“….It’s not a common story, is it?”
After hearing Menelapie’s story, Yeonhwa spoke in a slightly subdued voice.
It’s a long tale.
Heavier than expected.
Honestly, I thought that one day everyone would hear what happened to Shia in the previous world for 64 years, but it was a story much heavier and sadder than I imagined.
To be honest….. I might cry when I go home.
“…But Menelapie, why did you tell me that story?”
“Hm? Isn’t it simple? I thought you could handle it.”
“Can you really decide so casually based on your feelings? Sure, you were an emperor in the previous world. You must have been the highest of them all, but here, you’re just another returnee, not an emperor or a hero. The situation won’t flow comfortably, and if this story gets into the hands of impure people, Shia might be in danger.”
Of course, Shia has people ready to help her.
There’s Yeonseo and Yeonhwa, along with the Yeon family. If they put their minds to it, they could mobilize all connections related to the Yeon family and the Hunter Association.
Since Yeonhwa and Yeonseo have feelings for Shia, and think they owe her, the Yeon family would stand by Shia.
But Yeonhwa’s words weren’t wrong.
The history and stories of returnees could be a weakness in itself.
Even if it seemed that the era of hunters was stable, numerous conspiracies and political games were still in play.
Especially if a politician wanting to use Shia gets hold of her story, they might try to bind her with the chains of being a ‘dangerous element’ and manipulate her at will.
“Especially since this ethical review records all voices and conversations to determine the future disposition regarding Menelapie…”
“Anyway, you were going to erase all records, weren’t you?”
“…What?”
“Records and whatever, it wasn’t important from the start. What matters is how you, alone, decide regarding the burden.”
How did he know that?
As Yeonhwa showed a slight look of surprise, Menelapie chuckled and continued.
“If it were anything else, you wouldn’t have reason to come in here alone and face the burden, would you?”
“…….”
Did it show that much…?
It shouldn’t have; Shia never reacted strongly. She was good at maintaining her poker face…
Seeing the slightly confused expression on Yeonhwa’s face, Menelapie smirked as if she knew everything.
“Fufufu, although others might not know, I can’t be deceived by your gaze.”
She had distinguished between the favor and hostility towards Shia for over 60 years; would she really miss one gaze from you?
“And you. When you came in here, didn’t you block all the other gazes? Did you call them surveillance cameras? After you entered, I noticed that gaze had disappeared. You closed all the observation while conducting the ethical review, so you never intended to record what happened in this room.”
In fact, Yeonhwa had come to do the ethical review instead of Director Choi Bomi, turning off all CCTV and listening drones.
Of course, by principle, the ethical review’s content and consultation processes were supposed to be recorded, but Yeonhwa planned to smooth it over with the significant credibility gained from becoming an S-grade Hunter.
“Were you worried that anything in the burden’s words might bring Shia some disadvantage? No, it must be more than just that. Now that I think about it, you said you’re the legal representative of the burden…..”
Legal representative…
As she chewed over that word, Menelapie realized why Yeonhwa solo met her.
Yeonhwa was Shia’s legal representative, treating Jin, the human from the previous world, as a returnee, and claiming to be Jin’s legal representative as well.
She didn’t know the background of this girl, but claiming to be the legal representative of a returnee implied she had a substantial background, power, or someone of equal competence.
Then, in conclusion… Yeonhwa must have been trying to assess what kind of person I, Menelapie, was and decide how to treat me based on that result.
“Fufufu, I see. You wanted to test Jin. To see what kind of person Jin is, whether he’s someone Shia would genuinely miss, or someone who might negatively influence her.”
“…How did you know?”
“Do you realize your gaze was just like Jin’s when he first met Shia?”
“Excuse me?”
“Shia, you see, if left alone, seems like she might get into trouble. She’s strong but a bit precarious. Moreover, she can be a bit dopey yet cute.”
“Ah, that’s certainly true.”
The Mangja Seongnyeo is strong… but human Shia has her clueless moments and is quite optimistic, almost absent-minded at times.
It’s just a concept, or she’s laissez-faire about it, yet she was even kidnapped by a stalker once.
“So sometimes, I often wish to smash anything filthy that reaches for Shia.”
“…….She really isn’t the emperor of one world for nothing.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Anyway, just as you evaluated Jin, he also evaluated you.”
“And how so?”
“Well, if you are someone precious to Shia, Jin will treasure you too.”
Just as Menelapie said.
The reason Yeonhwa closed off all sights and ears, even making Director Choi Bomi exit, to have a private talk with Menelapie was possibly to prepare for the unexpected.
If the person Shia missed so much, Menelapie, was actually gaslighting or brainwashing her for personal gain, or if Menelapie didn’t seem fit to take care of Shia, Yeonhwa would have considered using the power of the Yeon family to separate them.
In fact, one of the issues that returned humans sometimes face in modern times was gaslighting or Stockholm syndrome.
Returnees who were abused or used as tools for long periods might not realize they had been treated unfairly, leading to mental issues of longing for the past. Furthermore, Shia’s ethical review record indicated she had similar mental problems.
Fortunately, the person Menelapie, who Yeonhwa had met and spoken with directly, was more than satisfactory in Yeonhwa’s eyes.
“Of course, I’m extremely displeased with the audacity of testing Jin without notice, yet I will forgive it, considering that you acted independently for Shia.”
“Should I say, ‘It is an honor’ at this time?”
“Fufu, do as you please.”
Menelapie shrugged and stood up.
“Now that the talk is over, there’s nothing left to discuss. You found out what Jin is like, so further questioning, and ethically reviewing, would be meaningless. I believe you will handle any upcoming procedures.”
She might not be someone who lived on Earth, but it was evident she was knowledgeable about the administrative structures and powers at play, truly an emperor.
As Menelapie said, Yeonhwa gathered all the necessary information.
All further ethical reviews or psychological assessments would be obliterated under Yeonhwa’s purview, and with her status as an S-grade Hunter, she could likely gain a free pass for most issues and inspections as Menelapie’s legal representative.
“By the way, Jin will not speak of the events from the previous world to Shia… especially not the matters after she fell into the That Bottomless Pit.”
“Why not? Anyway, it’s still Shia’s affair.”
“Doesn’t the child deserve to live happily and peacefully now? I don’t want Shia to unnecessarily worry and fuss.”
In the previous world, that girl had been through so much pain and struggle.
As Menelapie added, she placed her hand on Yeonhwa’s shoulder.
“The reason I shared the harder past and deeper truths with you, whom I’ve only recently met, is because I felt that Shia values you as a precious person. The way she looks at you, the way you look at her, drips with familial affection. So my mention of the previous world was indeed… wishing for Shia to live at ease. In case of an emergency, well, you could act as her ally.”
Yeonhwa realized then.
Indeed, Menelapie was no ordinary emperor.
Using anything she could, even on her first trip to this world, she was insightful about the workings of human society, even thinking to manipulate someone she had just met.
Very well.
After all, Yeonhwa’s objectives and Menelapie’s seemed to align.
“Then I’ll look forward to working with you, Yeonhwa.”
“……Alright. I look forward to working with you too.”
Come on over now.
You are now Shia’s carpet.
○○○○○
In the bustling center of Seoul, an Erosion Dungeon erupted.
Not just any dungeon, but an unprecedented event with an average risk level of S-grade and an erosion rate surpassing 120 percent, ensnaring tens of thousands of people enjoying their time in the area.
Naturally, many people were shocked and astonished.
Foreign media predicted numerous casualties from the sudden dungeon erosion, and the nation had declared a state of emergency, preparing for the worst.
However, the next day,
On “Genre Hunter Gallery,” the largest internet Hunter community, an urgent news flash appeared in bold letters.
[Breaking News: Hapjeong Station Erosion Dungeon conquered successfully by Gallery Master and Yeonhwa Hunter!]
ㄴ[Is this real?]
ㄴ[Wow, that ended incredibly quickly?]
ㄴ[Casualties?]
ㄴ[Tens of thousands were trapped; there should be at least a few hundred deaths…]
ㄴ[No casualties.]
ㄴ[Shut up, no way there’s no deaths from that, lol.]
ㄴ[Official statement out. No civilian casualties. A few public hunters went missing, but otherwise, no casualties at all.]
ㄴ[Seriously?]
ㄴ[Did Yeonhwa and the Gallery Master actually save all those people?]
[Armband: From today, anyone questioning Elyon Seongnyeo being the Gallery Master will be blocked.]
ㄴ[WTF lol]
ㄴ[Lol, indeed.]
ㄴ[Gallery Master! Gallery Master! Gallery Master! Gallery Master!]
Tens of thousands of civilians were trapped in an S-grade Erosion Dungeon, and even powerful monsters emerged. Yet the country announced that the Erosion Dungeon was completely conquered, saving the lives of those civilians, thanks to newly upgraded S-grade Hunter Yeonhwa and Hunters with temporary licenses like Isia.
Naturally, the name “Isia” would skyrocket in value not only in the Genre Hunter Gallery, but throughout the internet and Hunter community.
Even those who hadn’t known Shia began to learn about her after the conquest of the Erosion Dungeon and the rescue operation, leading them to discover she was a streamer.
[When is the Gallery Master streaming?]
[I’ll hold my breath until the Gallery Master streams! Hup!]
[Giving you a heads up, lol.]
[What? Still haven’t given you a heads up?]
[Aw, c’mon. The Gallery Master is pretty, has a big chest, earns well, and streams casually like it’s a chore.]
[Looks like she lost her original intention, lol.]
[No, the Gallery Master has always streamed as she likes, lol.]
[Just hurry up and stream to share your experiences about the Erosion Dungeon conquest!]
[Open the door!]
And three days later, after the Erosion Dungeon was completely erased.
[‘Isia Hunter’s’ broadcasting has begun!]
The stream of the Mangja Seongnyeo opened up.
○○○○○○○○○
[Open the door. Open the door. Open the door. Open the door. Open the door. Open the door. Open the door. Open the door. Open the door. Open the door. Open the door. Open the door. Open the door.]
[Kita!!!!]
[Gallery Master! Gallery Master! Gallery Master! Gallery Master! Gallery Master! Gallery Master!]
[The streamer is divine!]
[She’s a goddess!]
[I was one of the people in the Hapjeong Station shelter. Thanks to Noona, I survived, thank you!]
[‘KawaiiHorned’ donated 100,000 won!]
ㄴLong time no see!
[‘Selling Fried Leaves’ donated 5,000 won!]
ㄴI saw the news! Congrats on conquering the Erosion Dungeon! 🎉🎉
[‘ViewerBeamCarpet’ donated 10,000 won!]
ㄴThis is my first visit; you’re so famous I just had to check it out.
[‘EarBiter’ donated….]
Although it wasn’t even a long time since her last stream, the moment the broadcast started, viewers flooded in like a tsunami, causing her to wonder if the drones were malfunctioning.
[Number of viewers: 159,342]
After several rechecks, it was clear that the AI drone camera, the culmination of the Hunter Association’s technology, wouldn’t malfunction in calculating human numbers.
Even if the time was still a bit early, since Shia’s powerful performance following the conquest of the Erosion Dungeon was extraordinarily striking.
Even though the Mapo District had been completely engulfed, and tens of thousands of people were trapped in dungeons, having no civilian casualties was nothing short of a remarkable achievement, not something that could end simply with praise.
