Chapter 11
Meteor (流星), Yoo Yena.
The mere appearance of one of the Seven Extremes, whose firepower was arguably among the top one or two, had already thrown the club into chaos.
Moments ago everyone had been enemies, but now people parted to either side whenever Yoo Yena stepped forward.
Yoo Yena's ability was telekinesis.
Telekinesis itself was a common ability, but her output was absurdly overpowered.
When she fought, it looked as if a meteor shower were raining down.
Poke, poke.
B-Boss.
Hm?
Kim Yang poked the unconscious Geum Taemin, who was being dragged away by telekinesis.
D-Didn't you say you were on bad terms with that guy?
Right... Didn't this guy just say he hated you so much that he wouldn't even issue your Hunter license?
The two of them stared at me curiously.
How was I supposed to explain this?
I glanced at Yoo Yena, but she was already heading quickly toward the entrance.
She didn't show any reaction.
She must have heard everything.
Well, Geum Taemin just didn't know any better. He jumped to conclusions on his own.
T-Then Boss is really the top one?
Come on, that's a lie too, isn't it? If you were the top one, that would mean you beat that woman too. How could that even be possible?
That's true.
Stung in my pride, I answered right away, and Renea patted me on the back.
Ahem! There's no need to be so proud. You were plenty cool today too.
…….
I wanted to say something in disbelief, but before I knew it, we'd reached outside the club.
Coming out after being inside, the cool night air and everything else seemed to refresh my whole body.
Outside, police cars and Hunter Association personnel had already gathered and surrounded the club.
After Yoo Yena handed Geum Taemin over to the police, she came over to us.
There shouldn't be any problems. We can't deal with Baekdu Pharmaceuticals immediately, but we'll definitely keep them in check. And I'll make sure your identities stay hidden.
Thanks.
I only did what I had to.
She speaks in a cold, expressionless tone, but that's just Yoo Yena's usual face.
She's not angry or annoyed.
…Don't get involved in dangerous things.
I know, I know. I wasn't planning to get involved in this either.
After I gave a brief explanation of why we were here, Yoo Yena gave a small nod.
She seemed to accept that this was indeed a kind of entanglement.
Nothing more, nothing less.
We'd finished talking, and I figured we'd just have to go through some police questioning.
Yoo Yena was still standing there, hesitating.
…Is work bearable?
Work? It's fine. It's my calling. Meeting people is fun too. There are a lot of oddballs and troublemakers, though.
Thwack.
Apparently hit where it hurt, Grandma smacked my back.
Yeah, you'll probably just have to go through a light investigation. But there's nothing to worry about. I'll talk to them.
Though I'd tried to steer the conversation in an awkward direction, Yoo Yena turned and left as if she had nothing more to say.
All right, then shall we head out too? Even if the questioning ends quickly, it'll probably be dawn by then... Let's just go get some gukbap.
B-Boss.
Hm?
Y-you're really just classmates?
A question from Kim Yang, who had a keen sense of smell.
For a second I thought about holding my breath and hiding it, but
that would only make it look even stranger.
It would seem like there was still something left between us, wouldn't it?
So I just.
decided to tell the truth.
She's my ex-girlfriend.
* * *
A few days later.
U-Um. Is this Meracle?
Just after I finished interviewing one person and came out, another wildling walked into the office.
As usual, Kim Yang greeted them right away and showed them to a seat.
We'll find your miracle. Welcome to Meracle.
I'd had Kim Yang practice the greeting several times, so it came out perfectly without a stutter.
Three already today.
And all three were wildlings.
'Yoo Yena, I can't thank you enough.'
There had apparently been quite a few wildlings involved in this incident, and some had even been forcibly taken away.
Thanks to that, the news has been buzzing nonstop lately.
Since there was no mention of us at all, she must have hidden us well.
No, she'd done more than just hide us.
According to the first wildling who came in, the Hunter Association had recommended our Meracle, saying it might be good to try a new match for a fresh start.
Yoo Yena must have arranged it.
Thanks to that, Meracle had been packed lately.
My bank account was getting fatter too.
Heh heh, this is why people need strong connections.
Even the lowest membership tier, Basic, costs 1 million won.
[20,721,000 won]
Ever since I got the matchmaking fee last time, my bank balance had been climbing steadily!
Did I suddenly hit a money streak? Should I buy a lottery ticket?
They say there are times when money just starts flowing in.
Is it now?
Now?!
Humming, I checked the file folder.
The file for 'Customer Lee Cheolsu,' who could be said to be the starting point of this whole incident.
By now he was probably on a date with the lioness wildling we matched him with.
Even if things didn't work out with the lioness wildling, that was fine. There were plenty of other wildlings to introduce.
'Hope it goes well.'
Even if the world laughs at you.
Meracle will at least cheer you on.
I smiled with satisfaction and closed Lee Cheolsu's file folder.
The next time I opened this, I'd probably be collecting the matchmaking fee.
All right, customer who just arrived. Please go into the consultation room.
Ah, yes!
Being busy was a very good thing.
After being busy to the point I couldn't catch my breath, it was already four in the afternoon.
With one hour left until quitting time, customers finally started to thin out.
At last, I straightened my back and sat down in the soft chair.
Gaaah! Kim Yang, how many people came today?
Seven, Boss.
Wow, that's the most we've ever had.
Th-That's why I thought this was a cushy job and stayed here.
…….
They say when a company is busy, the boss is happy but the part-timer gets worked to death.
You've got some sneaky ideas, don't you, Kim Yang?
And yet Kim Yang still made me a cup of coffee.
As I took a sip of coffee and let my body relax...
Clunk!
Waaah!
We'll find your miracle. Welcome—what, Grandma?
Renea, whom I hadn't seen for the past few days, burst through the door.
We're closed for the day.
I answered lazily because I couldn't be bothered, and Renea charged at me with her fist clenched.
Quiet, traitor! You rotten traitor!
Agh!?
After the last Yoo Yena incident,
Renea started calling me a traitor.
She must have felt betrayed that I'd actually dated someone, when she thought I was a fellow lifelong single like her.
But that's unfair.
No, it's not like we actually did anything! We dated for about a month? I was too busy training to even go on proper dates, and we only held hands, that's all!?
Still a traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!
She started thumping my shoulders nonstop. For a 5 million won premium customer, I could put up with this much.
I guess that's what they call a capital punch.
S-So, why did you come today? N-Normally, we'd contact you after a match is made.
You told me to come, so I came.
Right, I told you to come.
The appointment was at 1:00, so what kind of excuse is showing up at 4:30?
Ahem, this lady was napping.
You're a total deadbeat.
Last I'd heard, she was living in a pavilion behind Daebong Mountain, and judging by the smell of grass on her, not to mention the leaves in her white hoodie, it seemed true.
If you've got 100 million won, at least get yourself a house.
Huh? No, if you're under a tree, that's a house. Why would I pay money for—
B-Boss. The homeless elf problem. S-serious.
I saw it too.
It showed up on the news every so often, just when people were about to forget it: those elf bastards sleeping under trees.
And the things they say are even more ridiculous.
'We are part of nature.'
'Does the third floor even forbid flowers from blooming under a tree?'
'Just let us flow as we please. We are free, and we are nature.'
Bullshit.
I thought of that meme of elves lying under a huge tree at the amusement park.
They wouldn't leave even after closing time, so the police came and it was a whole scene.
Anyway! Why did you call me here?! I'm busier than you think!
You just said you came after taking a nap... what are you busy with?
Ahem!
With a sigh, I pulled out the document I'd prepared for Renea.
Name's Han Hyojae. He's 31 and works as an assistant manager at a paper mill. Being an assistant manager at that age means he's capable.
…Huh?
Renea looked at the photo.
He couldn't exactly be called handsome, but he had a neat look with glasses.
His annual salary is around 50 million won. He doesn't have to worry about his parents' retirement, and he's clean-cut with no major flaws.
…….
Her expression as she stared at it turned strange. Then, as if wondering whether it was a dream, she pinched her cheek once.
She said she liked older partners and other races. As long as they weren't human, that was fine.
B-But... I'm 1,901 years old? Did you lie about my age?
I told you that was illegal. Of course I told you.
This time, Renea and Kim Yang were both shocked.
But I really did my best to persuade her. Even at 1,901, her looks are definitely excellent.
You call that your best?
No, it was a desperate battle.
'Customer, she's only 1,901 on paper, so you can basically think of her as in her twenties. In fact, that's an advantage. Meeting a truly young twenty-something is realistically beyond your level.'
'What? Dentures? No, what...? Look at the photo. These teeth—I'm telling you they're hers. They're spotless, aren't they?'
'Dementia? She was even an elf queen, you know? Absolutely not. If she had dementia, I'd have taken the money and pretended not to know!'
Seriously.
You went through hell, Kim Juseon.
You're F-rank, but since you paid for premium... I really had a hard time—
Tap.
I pointed at the letter on the document with my finger.
It's B-rank. You did great, so let's try getting married.
When I said it with a smile, Renea teared up and immediately hugged me.
Waaah! Thank yooou! I love yooou!