Ch.128128. Support is Needed.

# The White Dragon Guild was preparing for an expedition to Mexico.

“I’ll go to Mexico first. The rest of the team can follow later.”

As he spoke, he looked at his phone. He was watching a video of Jaegers being tortured by Mexican cartels.

On a gore site, Jaegers were being brutally slaughtered by cartel-affiliated Jaegers.

‘Disgusting bastards.’

This was a cartel organization that even the state government had surrendered to regarding drug matters.

Although defenses had improved since the emergence of Jaegers, Mexico’s economic situation meant more Jaegers were joining the cartels.

In that situation, the Apocalypse Cult had infiltrated and joined hands with the mafia.

This was the result. Government Jaegers were being captured and tortured due to information leaks and corruption.

Things were so bad that the Mexican government had requested an expedition dispatch.

Dokgo Jun was emanating killing intent as he watched the gore video.

“Stop watching, Guild Master.”

Lee Chaerin covered the video.

“Chaerin, you stay here and take care of the kids. Siwujin and I will go together.”

Siwujin smirked beside him.

“Of course. I’ll pay them back exactly as shown in that video.”

“…”

“No, I’m joking. But it does make me that angry.”

“Do whatever you want with those dogs. Just don’t kill them.”

“As expected of our Guild Master! I’m feeling motivated. I’ll really beat them all to a pulp.”

According to the Apocalypse Cult’s plan, Dokgo Jun was departing to subjugate the Mexican cartel.

The reason Chaerin remained behind was not only to manage the guild but also to work with the Magician Guild on drug enforcement operations.

Before Yoo Deokmin was captured, they had successfully apprehended a drug dealer at a transaction site while conducting surveillance.

But they needed to catch the actual producers.

In Korea, they had fortunately managed to locate and capture Yoo Deokmin after he caused a commotion following his match with Do Jonghyun.

They destroyed the production facility, but those selling the remaining drugs were still out there.

The rest of the White Dragon Guild was trying to find them.

Once this was done, they would also depart for Mexico.

“But by the time we get there, won’t everything be cleaned up already?”

Chaerin was not only a secretary and vice guild master but also held another position. She was essentially a mentor to Seol Yuhwa, an intern and future guild member.

Seol Yuhwa was emerging from a simulation device that had “S-class” marked on it.

“S-class is still challenging for me.”

“That’s because your ability is non-combat oriented. But the moment you use it aggressively, it will be a great help.”

“Yes.”

However, Seol Yuhwa had been acting strange lately.

‘She doesn’t look happy.’

Normally, Seol Yuhwa would be delighted whenever she got stronger.

But this time, she didn’t seem happy even when praised.

“What’s wrong? Couldn’t you win? A first-year facing an S-class is abnormal to begin with. Even I couldn’t do that.”

“No. I caught them.”

“Anyway, don’t be impa— What?”

When Chaerin looked at the record, it clearly showed that despite performing worse than other records, she had caught them.

“My goodness. I should be surprised… but not really? You’ve worked so hard.”

Chaerin stroked Yuhwa’s head sympathetically.

Seol Yuhwa’s family was poor. The salary from the Jaeger school kept them from starving, but with four younger siblings and school expenses to consider, there was a lot to worry about.

Due to her family circumstances, she focused solely on becoming stronger.

She gave up enjoying herself like others, dedicating herself only to this goal.

This was also why she had been relatively behind when Do Jonghyun and others were dealing with school violence issues.

Rather than meeting friends, she devoted herself entirely to improving her skills.

It seemed like she didn’t have any close friends at school.

Chaerin found this sad.

‘She’s already at a level where she could join the White Dragon Guild, but how is she handling school life?’

It was clearly different from when she was under the influence of Geum Dohyun before the regression. She had concentrated all her worries and joys here.

As a result, she had become stronger but looked lonely.

As Yuhwa’s mentor, Chaerin needed to take care of her.

“Alright. Today, you’re coming on patrol with me. The entertainment district, clubs! There are many places to go.”

“What?”

“We’ll have fun there.”

Chaerin pulled Yuhwa’s arm.

“But if it’s patrol, isn’t that an important duty?”

“We can do both. And you should be able to handle that much. That’s part of being in this position.”

Chaerin winked as she led Yuhwa. There was nothing special about it.

Rather than doing anything extraordinary, she was simply enjoying time with her disciple.

Of course, Yuhwa might not realize it due to her lack of leisure, but Chaerin could easily spot suspicious movements.

“So, you’re strong enough already, so build deeper friendships. You’re not being bullied or anything, are you?”

“No. But unnie, where are we—”

Chaerin swiftly knocked a pickpocket to the ground.

“That’s good then. This unnie will tell you about the latest gossip. I’m quite knowledgeable about these things. Oh, there’s a suspicious meeting in that alley, let’s check it out.”

She had already picked up her radio and spotted suspicious movement.

While Yuhwa was turning her head around helplessly, Chaerin led the conversation smoothly.

Chaerin noticed the admiration in Yuhwa’s eyes.

“No need to rush. When I was your age, I wasn’t as good as you. So don’t be impatient.”

“Yes. Even this much is more than enough for me to be grateful.”

Yuhwa’s words were sincere. Chaerin recalled recent events.

A nationwide incident caused by illegal drugs. Another death at the academy that never seemed to have peace.

‘Well, since they’re from the same academy, she must feel bad. I should take care of her.’

Being perceptive, Chaerin did her best to cheer up the gloomy Yuhwa.

“Come on, to celebrate catching an S-class in simulation, unnie will buy you a gift.”

“Really?”

Chaerin tried to lift Yuhwa’s spirits by taking her around various places.

“With your long legs, jeans and a white T-shirt would be perfect… Do you have a boy you like?”

“What?”

It was just a casual question. Like the typical greetings relatives give when they see you after a long time: “You’ve grown handsome,” “You’ve become pretty,” “You’re doing well.”

But Yuhwa stumbled over her words here. Chaerin showed an interested look.

‘Oh, does she have someone? Well, it wouldn’t be strange for a high school student not to have anyone either.’

With a mischievous smile, Chaerin asked:

“Who is it? Who? This unnie can help you get anyone, except for breaking unwritten rules.”

“We’re not dating.”

“So there is someone you like? I was just guessing. Who is it? I can coach you on dating too.”

But Yuhwa blushed and refused to name the person.

“Don’t tell me there’s a big age gap? Don’t worry. Unnie knows a lot about that kind of thing(?). Just tell me.”

“I’ll… tell you later.”

As Yuhwa tried to change the subject, Chaerin was disappointed but pleased.

‘Now she’s acting more like a high school girl. Should I continue with this mood?’

Chaerin only needed to lift Yuhwa’s spirits, so this was a kind of entertainment.

She wasn’t planning to pursue it further.

That is, until they passed by a TV covering the incident.

Chaerin wanted to move on quickly, fearing it might make Yuhwa depressed.

But Yuhwa didn’t move on.

The TV was showing the faces of Yoo Deokmin, Do Jonghyun, and Ariel, discussing their relationships.

But Yuhwa’s face didn’t look sad—it looked bad in a different way.

‘Huh? Her expression is not good, but for a different reason.’

[So basically, this student Do Jonghyun and Yoo Deokmin were in the same lower class and were jealous of his relationship with Ariel.]

[Ariel is the child of Graham Grady, a famous Irish Jaeger and businessman. She was sent to Korea, one of the world’s top academies, since middle school.]

[So Yoo Deokmin was jealous of the relationship between Ariel and Do Jonghyun. He was jealous that Do Jonghyun was dating the daughter of the Grady family.]

This was already known information. Chaerin was just surprised to hear that Do Jonghyun was dating Ariel.

‘Is that boy so popular? Come to think of it, my man was also concerned about him?’

“So those two are dating. His face isn’t bad, but isn’t Ariel too good for him? I wonder how they get along?”

“They’re not dating.”

Her response was firm.

When Chaerin looked at her in surprise, she could understand everything from Yuhwa’s expression.

“Jonghyun is just naturally kind to everyone. He can hang out with Ariel because he tolerates her personality.”

“Is that so?”

Chaerin’s eyes sparkled.

‘My, this could be very interesting! She’s showing her emotions so openly.’

The cause of her emotions was clearly Do Jonghyun. Chaerin realized this just before meeting Do Jonghyun and Ariel.

“Ah! How wonderful…”

Chaerin looked like she was having the time of her life.

She immediately sensed the atmosphere between the two. The sparks flying between Ariel and Seol Yuhwa, and how Do Jonghyun’s eyes actively moved between the two girls.

Ariel smirked.

“Oh, Seol Yuhwa. Working hard, I see? Even on patrol. Do Jonghyun and I are going to hang out, so keep us safe.”

“I have no reason to protect you. While you’re doing that, I’ll be getting stronger.”

“Your voice sounds a bit too forceful for that?”

Ariel was looking down on Seol Yuhwa as if she were beneath her.

“I understand. You must have a lot of unpleasant things going on lately.”

“What? Who are you to understand my feelings?”

“It seemed pretty easy to figure out? Maybe you don’t realize it yourself.”

As Yuhwa’s tone rose, the tension between the two began to flare up brilliantly.

Chaerin found it amusing but decided to step in before it escalated into a bigger fight.

“Enough, enough. There’s no need to fight when you’re all friends. Are you two dating?”

“We’re just hanging out.”

“No.”

Their responses contradicted each other, but Chaerin was a woman too.

She could infer the psychology of another woman.

At least in terms of romance, Ariel seemed to have the upper hand over Seol Yuhwa.

‘They’re definitely not dating, so is it a crush? No. Are they walking the tightrope between a crush and love? Well, I should side with our Yuhwa.’

“Still, a boy and girl going on dates and all. You seem close. Not dating? Well, I guess you can hang out. So it wouldn’t be a problem if either of you dated someone else?”

When Chaerin playfully asked this, Ariel became excited.

“It’s none of your business. I don’t know if Do Jonghyun has that ability, but he’d have to court me hard.”

“He doesn’t do that with you.”

Their bickering seemed quite good-natured. Chaerin also noticed that Seol Yuhwa was fidgeting uncomfortably.

“Alright, alright. Looks like we’re interrupting. Have fun.”

Chaerin realized it was time to retreat for now.

She had also clearly understood why Yuhwa’s expression had darkened.

“Let’s go.”

She took Yuhwa back on patrol.

*

Chaerin glanced at Seol Yuhwa once more.

‘Do Jonghyun is the cause. Well… I have to coach her on dating too. That’s what makes it fun.’

With a mischievous face, she approached the gloomy Seol Yuhwa.

“Come to think of it, the academy will soon enter winter break, right? Your schedule will become more flexible then. So our White Dragon Guild, including our subsidiary guilds, is holding a small event. You know about the end-of-year ceremony? You’ll definitely participate.”

“Is that so?”

She didn’t seem very interested, but Chaerin’s most important words were yet to come.

“You’ll be the only high school student there. We’ll dance like at a ball, have a reception, it might be boring. So you can bring one friend.”

“A friend?”

“Yes. For a girl like you, it would be better to bring a boy. One boy. If there’s someone you like, bring him. It doesn’t have to be a guild member.”

Chaerin skillfully created a situation where Yuhwa could bring Do Jonghyun.

Yuhwa showed significant hesitation.

She had just realized that Do Jonghyun and Ariel were closer than she thought.

So in this anxious state, Chaerin had thrown her this assist?

“So, I can bring one boy?”

“Of course. This unnie will help you look sexy, from the dress to the reception.”

“O-okay then!”

Seeing Seol Yuhwa’s determination, Chaerin silently cheered her on.

“So do your best. Unnie will coach you properly.”

“Yes… I mean, we’re not dating. I need to work harder at the White Dragon Guild…”

“You’re capable enough to balance dating and work. Don’t push yourself too hard. You’ll actually grow more when you don’t overexert yourself. Never be impatient.”

As Chaerin was giving advice to Seol Yuhwa:

[Vice Guild Master Chaerin. You need to come over here.]

“Oh my, I told you incidents would happen.”

Suddenly, a call for help came through the radio.

Seol Yuhwa and Chaerin immediately started moving toward the location.

But as they were running, flames erupted from a club building right in front of them.

At that moment, Chaerin summoned arrows with her magic.

Her bow, responding to her magic, was intuitively detecting anomalies.

“Yuhwa! Jump to the third floor!”

As she drew her bow, a flash of light struck a monster that was about to emerge from the third floor.

Seol Yuhwa began using Brisingamen to analyze the entire building.

A scene where people and monsters were entangled. Only she could distinguish the monsters.

“Unnie Chaerin! There’s a monster moving on the first floor. It’s taking people hostage. And…”

At that moment, Seol Yuhwa sensed a disturbance from below. Something was breaking through from the basement.

A monster.

“A monster is coming from the basement! We need to evacuate people…”

Seol Yuhwa blocked a Minotaur monster charging at her with Brisingamen.

[Hehehe. I desire a righteous girl like you.]

The moment the Minotaur flicked its tongue, magic began to burn.

Minotaurs typically rely on pure physical strength. But this specimen was using magic to approach Seol Yuhwa quickly.

If Seol Yuhwa hadn’t adjusted her arm muscles in the opposite direction, she would have been hit hard.

[Argh! My arm… What did you do!]

As Seol Yuhwa concentrated, she rapidly invaded the Minotaur’s mind.

But the monster writhed against her strong self-awareness.

‘Monsters are harder than regular monsters or others.’

Just as the Minotaur’s fist was about to strike Seol Yuhwa, magic from Brisingamen was released.

The pure magic released from Brisingamen was blocking the attack.

Seol Yuhwa used that energy to slam the Minotaur down.

Then she used mental manipulation to send it downstairs.

Numerous arrows pierced the heads of the transformed monsters.

While things were going favorably, an unexpected event occurred.

A cornered monster suddenly killed its comrade.

It began inhaling large amounts of red powder from its dead comrade’s possession.

This monster started transforming hideously.

Spikes began covering its body.

Its form resembled an A-class monster, the Yeti, but was more powerful.

At that moment, Chaerin’s arrows rained down on the monster, but its magic soon burned the arrows.

“This one’s strong.”

When Chaerin released her magic to the extreme and fired, it hit the monster’s body. A large hole appeared where it was hit, but it quickly began to heal.

[Hehehe. I’ve become stronger. With the power of this powder!]

Then, it took Chaerin’s rapid fire head-on. But before the arrows could touch it, they shrank and lost power.

When Seol Yuhwa’s Brisingamen tried to control it, her power weakened as if cursed.

“Debuff!”

Yes, the monster was weakening their attacks with a debuff around itself.

In this gap, the monster took a hostage.

The attacks stopped, leading to a standoff. The hostage’s screams began to fill the area.

[Now, take hostages. Hostages.]

The emboldened monsters began grabbing people.

In such a busy district, finding hostages was as easy as looking at one’s front yard.

[Don’t move. Do you want people to die?]

The monster’s body was gradually expanding. It was covering its entire Yeti-like form with spikes.

Chaerin, looking extremely angry, came to Seol Yuhwa’s side with a stern expression.

“I could use a priest’s power, but the destructive force would be too great. But to overcome that monster’s regeneration, I need to infuse magic into my attacks.”

“If only we could do something about the hostages, right?”

“If there was an opening, that would be good.”

As the monsters began to flee, Chaerin and Seol Yuhwa followed.

Ordinary attacks were weakened by the debuff and regenerated.

In this hostage situation with such a tricky ability, everyone was at a loss for what to do.

Suddenly, a sound as loud as a helicopter was heard.

Chaerin paused briefly, and Seol Yuhwa raised her head at the familiar sound.

‘Could it be?’

Behind the fleeing monsters, a giant monster with stag beetle armor was chasing them.