Ch.147The Massive Gate Is Dangerous (3)

After that, I spent time doing things I hadn’t been able to do due to dimensional travel restrictions.

Very trivial things that I couldn’t do with the mental stabilization ring that had a price.

Though I didn’t show it, these were experiences I had wanted to try at least once after returning to Earth.

【S-Rank Hunter Baek Eunha spotted at Suwon Hwaseong! Was she there for flower viewing?】

【Baek Eunha appears at famous artist’s concert, what’s her true intention?】

【Center of attention Baek Eunha, we explored her daily life.】

I guess I really am a celebrity now, with an uncountable number of articles pouring out just for that.

“No, isn’t that because you forcibly made cherry blossoms bloom out of season because you wanted to see them, Master…?”

“Well, I couldn’t just wait forever for flowers to bloom naturally.”

Setting aside such trivial matters, my impression after experiencing all of it was simple.

‘…It’s less impressive than I thought.’

I deliberately tried to keep myself busy because my heart felt empty, but strangely, none of it really suited my taste.

No, rather, the feeling that I was doing something that didn’t fit me was too strong.

“Especially the concert venue was really not for me.”

“Didn’t you say all the side effects had disappeared?”

“They have, but this is just…”

Perhaps I’ve grown too accustomed to those sensations, but it felt like the remnants were still engraved in my body and soul.

There were no unnatural emotional fluctuations like before, but crowded places still made me uncomfortable, and I felt an inexplicable aversion to group activities.

“…So basically, you’ve just naturally become antisocial now?”

Is, is that how it works?

Witnessing this shocking fact, I opened my eyes wide and paced around the living room.

“Come to think of it, you still stutter sometimes when there are many people around.”

“Sh-shut up, that’s just a habit now.”

Though I hated to admit it, it was clear that both my personality and lifestyle habits had changed compared to before.

Of course, it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling, more like how your food preferences change as you age.

“Well, if you’re not uncomfortable with it yourself, does it matter?”

“…I guess not.”

So now, except for occasionally spending time with Seoha, I’m back to being holed up in my room playing games like in the old days.

After all, people are most comfortable in their own homes, and within that, their own rooms are the most relaxing.

I nodded and asked Song Hayeon, who was peeling an apple for me.

“By the way, aren’t you streaming these days? You seem to be here all the time.”

Indeed, Song Hayeon’s recent lifestyle pattern consisted of just two things: either training or sticking to my side like glue.

She answered while deeply contemplating something else.

“Actually, I did get a collaboration offer recently. From someone big.”

“Who is it?”

Since I was also immersed in internet broadcasts for a while after coming to Earth, I know most industry figures.

She told me who it was, wondering if I might know them.

“An S-Rank Hunter from Japan. Someone named Saya who’s also active in the entertainment industry.”

“Ah.”

It was definitely a name I’d heard often. A celebrity who occasionally streams personal broadcasts online.

“Then do it. You should at least show your face occasionally since it’s your main job.”

I was feeling bored anyway, and watching Song Hayeon’s broadcast while having snacks would be a satisfying way to pass time for me.

However, Song Hayeon shook her head while staring at me for some reason.

“I did consider it, but I’ve decided not to.”

“Why?”

“It seems she’s a rather ardent fan of yours, Master…”

In other words, there was a high probability she would try to contact me if invited.

“You don’t like troublesome things.”

“That’s true.”

Maybe in the past it would have been different, but now that I’ve regained my power, even the title of S-Rank doesn’t particularly impress me.

To humans, aren’t ants and locusts just the same insects?

To me, they too were just about that different.

However, I developed a slight interest, so that night I lay in bed and watched her broadcasts.

And the next day, I told Song Hayeon again.

“If you want to do it, invite her and do it together.”

“Why suddenly?”

“J-just because?”

To be honest, that Saya girl’s broadcasts were quite entertaining.

No, actually, I even stayed up all night watching her videos, deliberately removing my fatigue.

Seeing my reaction, Song Hayeon seemed to realize this fact and asked with a shocked face.

“Don’t tell me you liked her broadcast?”

“…Maybe a little?”

“Y-you haven’t watched mine even once since I became your disciple…”

Song Hayeon sat down in despair and hung her head.

It seems she had been quite concerned about this despite pretending otherwise.

‘No, I just changed accounts, but I’ve been watching every day.’

Despite appearances, I quite enjoyed Song Hayeon’s broadcasts. Wasn’t that what initially led me to take her as a disciple?

That’s why after forming our master-disciple relationship, I simply didn’t show that I was watching to avoid causing her any burden.

When I awkwardly told her this, Song Hayeon muttered to me with an almost tearful intensity.

“I thought you’d grown completely tired of me…”

“Now that you know, focus on your broadcasts from now on. And accept that offer if possible.”

Song Hayeon nodded and went home to make plans.

And I, recalling the person I had seen in yesterday’s video, munched on the chestnut that Song Hayeon had peeled for me.

‘Quite interesting.’

It’s not a lie that I liked the broadcast, but there was no need to invite her just for that reason.

The real reason I became interested in her was because I discovered something quite peculiar in the video.

‘Who marked her?’

The girl was currently in a state of being some sort of coordinate through an extremely elaborate magical technique.

I couldn’t tell whether she was aware of this state herself, or if she was the one who created the mark, but one thing was certain: the craftsmanship was extraordinary.

‘Moreover, I think I might know the purpose.’

If I hadn’t seen it, it would be different, but having already confirmed it, I couldn’t help but pay attention. That’s why I planned to meet her directly through Song Hayeon.

And so, I continued munching on the chestnut in my mouth while thinking about what was to come.

#

“R-really? You’ll meet me in person…?”

Saya, an S-Rank Hunter active in various entertainment fields including music, acting, and broadcasting.

She covered her mouth in joy at the news conveyed by Song Hayeon, a fellow broadcaster from Korea.

“Y-yes. Thank you. Then I’ll see you then.”

She had agonized dozens of times before making this simple proposal, honestly thinking she would likely be rejected.

‘But to think she would even meet me in person…’

In this dreamlike reality, Saya rolled around on her bed while fiddling with her smartphone.

She would be able to meet Baek Eunha in person, whom she had only seen in occasional sighting photos or battle videos.

It was a great honor for her.

‘Th-this is no time to be idle.’

Gathering her belongings hastily, Saya opened the window and flew into the sky using her magic.

She didn’t need a manager or bodyguard. After all, no one would dare mess with an S-Rank Hunter like her.

“…So you came to find me in the middle of the night just to brag about something so trivial?”

“Trivial? How is this trivial?”

“Enough, go to bed. This is annoying.”

Sanada, known as the Sword Lord of Japan, pushed away the forehead of his colleague who kept chattering to him.

“You say you just met by chance and aren’t particularly interested.”

“After bragging about going through a dungeon together and meeting during the recent incident.”

“Only you would consider that something to brag about.”

Seeing that his companion showed no signs of leaving, Sanada sighed and asked a question.

“What exactly do you like so much about Baek Eunha?”

“W-well, she’s cute, pretty, and strong. And she has this inexplicable charm.”

“I find it hard to understand.”

To Sanada, Baek Eunha was the epitome of a lone wolf.

With her personality and the immense power he had witnessed, he honestly felt somewhat afraid.

“She is a dangerous monster. Avoid provoking her unnecessarily.”

“Hey, you shouldn’t casually call people monsters.”

“…”

Since it was a valid point, Sanada frowned but didn’t offer a rebuttal.

And on the other hand, he thought. In fact, even such words were ridiculous when truly describing Baek Eunha.

‘I don’t know what she’ll do in the future…’

He just hoped he wouldn’t be on the opposing side.

That’s why Sanada turned away and busily made something.

The next day, what Sanada handed to Saya, who was preparing to leave, was a handmade confectionery set of incredible quality.

“I heard rumors that she likes these things. Please, for heaven’s sake, don’t provoke her.”

“…If you give something like this, won’t she think it’s strange?”

It was, in a word, a somewhat unusual bribe.