Chapter 556: Purification Work (1)

After it was confirmed that I would be heading out for purification work, just the two of us, with the Saintess whose mind is presumed to be quite the flower garden.

With Lulusia, I got into the transport vehicle and, following the staff member’s guidance, we headed to the area we needed to purify.

While continuing our conversation with the Saintess, whose gentle tone of voice made even the listener feel relaxed and drawn in.

“Taekyung is a Hunter from the company~!”

“I, talking properly with a Hunter from the company is a first for me~!”

“Is that so?”

“Yes~! I haven’t even been on a business trip to Korea for a year yet~! I don’t have that many friends yet, and besides, everyone I know is from the Foundation, so~!”

…Still, seeing as she became friends with the Foundation Hunters, who are famous for their eccentric personalities, in less than a year, it seems she certainly has considerable social skills.

Then again, considering she’s already calling me by my name after only about 10 minutes of meeting, what more is there to say?

At any rate, anyone would let their guard down and easily relax when spoken to in such a gentle tone. Those from the Foundation, even the proud women among them, would likely be no different.

To build a bit more rapport with her, I took the initiative to lead the conversation.

“You mentioned you haven’t even been on a business trip for a year, which means this is your first time handling the integrated management duties for the abandoned village… Ms. Lulusia.”

“Lulusia~!”

“…My apologies, Lulusia.”

“Don’t be so stiff all the time~! Between friends, I don’t like talking so stiffly~!”

…Aren’t we past the point of being close enough to call each other friends?

Even though we’ve only known each other for about 30 minutes, the fact that she brings up being friends and all shows she truly possesses remarkable social skills in many ways.

Well, considering my objective for participating in the purification work, it would be easier if she considered me a friend, so it was actually for the better.

I gratefully accepted Lulusia’s friendliness, which showed no sign of wariness towards strangers, and apologized calmly.

“Understood, Lulusia. I won’t make that mistake again.”

“…Alright. Just this once, as the Saintess, I have no choice but to graciously forgive you~!”

“Thank you, Lulusia. I’d only heard rumors about you until now, but you truly live up to the example of a Saintess.”

“Heh, thank you, Taekyung~.”

Unlike her gentle demeanor, does she secretly enjoy being adored?

Of course, even considering that, for a woman from the Foundation, she had an above-average, decent personality.

Thinking back to Sihee when I first met her, or Yehee until recently. Rather than beating around the bush and hiding one’s true intentions like some people, it was easier to deal with someone who clearly expressed what they wanted.

“About what I was trying to say earlier, Lulusia.”

“Yes~.”

“You mentioned you haven’t even been on a business trip to Korea for a year, so that means this is your first time participating in the integrated management event for the abandoned village, correct?”

“Yes~!”

“Actually, this is my first time doing this purification work too, so I don’t really have a good grasp on exactly how to proceed. Since you’re Lulusia, I imagine you have deep knowledge of various healing abilities, could you perhaps tell me how to properly utilize purification for this task?”

“Ah~! Of course~! I, I’ve often used my purification abilities even when I was back at the Vatican~? Like when I had to undo curses inscribed on old relics~, or when cleaning a messy room~!”

…So, for a Saintess, undoing a curse inscribed on a relic isn’t much different from cleaning a room.

For a moment, I felt a sense of almost absurd confidence, but I figured that for the renowned Saintess she is, it probably wasn’t entirely impossible.

In fact, someone with such strong confidence in their abilities was actually more reassuring.

Somehow, I absolutely want to become closer.

How to utilize healing spells, and all sorts of other healing abilities-it felt like I could achieve explosive growth through this person.

Although there were restrictions between guilds like the Company and the Foundation, there were plenty of ways to circumvent them and build a connection anyway.

Meeting during work through shared dungeons between the Foundation and the Company was entirely possible, or there was even the option of me taking a business trip to the Foundation, like Min-ah did.

Take Sihee or Eunbyul, for instance. Regardless of their affiliation with the Foundation, we became close, reaching the highest levels of affinity.

…Of course, in the case of those two, it’s hard to say it’s purely a platonic friendship, as there’s a slightly deeper, more intimate connection involved.

‘That’s not a method I can use on Lulusia, though.’

Approaching the Saintess of Vatican City with the intention of satisfying lustful desires wouldn’t be strange if it immediately escalated into an international incident. That’s how much the status of Saintess itself, regardless of gender issues, is a globally symbolic figure.

Of course, the moment I reveal that I am an ‘Awakened Male Hunter’, the symbolic significance would become similar for both Lulusia and me, but I couldn’t deny that the Saintess was still a more internationally important figure than I was.

So, for now, getting close under the guise of ‘friends’ seems like the best approach. Fortunately, it seems Lulusia’s first impression of me wasn’t too bad either.

“Earlier, when I cast the Blessing of Vitality on you, Taekyung, and the others, thank you for reacting first~.”

“Huh? …Ah, you mean that.”

“Actually, that blessing doesn’t really show its effects well unless someone synchronizes with it~. I almost ended up feeling embarrassed all by myself, but thanks to you, Taekyung, it seems everyone managed to perk up, so I’m relieved~.”

Although, the energy they temporarily gained seemed to fade within a dozen minutes or so.

It wasn’t exactly Lulusia’s fault. It was simply the attitude problem of the healing-type Hunters who were too accustomed to being pampered.

There was no need to point that out specifically, so I simply replied to her with a friendly smile.

“I’m glad I could be of help.”

…If I ever run a guild to achieve my dreams later on, I hope that at least in my guild, healing-type Hunters won’t show such lack of motivation.

Of course, since it involves the lives of Hunters, I currently have no idea how to address that.

While having such thoughts and conversing with Lulusia, the vehicle carrying us eventually arrived at the contaminated area near Sector A.

As a rather damp and dreary sight became visible outside the car window, the guide driving the vehicle turned back and said to us.

“The two of you should put on the masks you were given earlier and step out.”

“And please make sure to bring the antidote potions, just in case.”

“Understood.”

“Yes~.”

Wearing masks, we got out with the guide near a factory in Sector A. It appeared to be the boundary where pollutants spreading out from the factory had settled. Although the guide’s explanation hadn’t started yet, it was easy to grasp at a glance what Lulusia and I would need to do from now on.

The guide, still wearing a mask, got out of the vehicle and began explaining the purification work to Lulusia and me.

“Before we begin the purification work, I will provide a preliminary explanation regarding the tasks required of the Hunters.”

“Yes.”

“Yes~.”

“13 years ago, this abandoned village became a dungeon because of a dungeon gate that opened beneath the factory in Sector A. Even after 13 years, the gate beneath the factory continues to generate monster waves, which is the primary reason why this abandoned village cannot be restored to its original state.”

“I see.”

“As the monster waves continue, the amount of pollutants flowing from the abandoned factory increases relentlessly each year, and these pollutants are gradually spreading throughout the entire abandoned village dungeon, centered around Sector A. If we were to neglect it for even a year, it would likely contaminate more than half of the abandoned village into a highly toxic zone, and after just two years, it would reach a level where Hunters could no longer enter.”

“…….”

“Therefore, every year, our Guild Alliance requests Awakened individuals with purification abilities to cleanse the increased contaminated areas during the integrated management day for the abandoned village. This is somewhat dangerous and arduous labor for healing-type Hunters. That’s why there are few volunteers each year.”

So that’s why that woman named Ham Eunsol desperately threw a tantrum trying to avoid it. Furthermore, I heard that other purification ability users also disliked this task and didn’t participate in the integrated management event, so when I said I would participate, the Guild staff’s suddenly brightening expressions finally made sense.

“Special bonuses will be provided additionally to the two of you participating in the purification work. Also, if you complete the purification up to the designated location, early departure is guaranteed. Should any inconvenience arise during the work, we can accommodate you in any way, so please let us know at any time.”

It felt like they were pleading, “Please, just focus on the purification work and nothing else,” their attitude bordering on desperation.

Well, since I didn’t come here with the intention of slacking off from the start, of course I intended to perform the purification work diligently.

After all, I participated in this task to make a good impression on the Saintess, and acting lazy or shirking my duties would hardly look favorable.

“Excuse me~.”

“Yes, Hunter Lulusia Belmonte.”

“Can we start the purification work right now~?”

“You can start whenever you feel inclined and comfortable.”

“Aha~! Then we’ll begin the purification work starting now~. Could you possibly hold onto my belongings for a moment while I work~?”

“Certainly, I’ll take care of them.”

-Zzzzip.

As soon as the guide nodded in response, Lulusia unhesitatingly pulled down the zipper of her boots. Then, without the slightest hesitation, she took off both boots. Watching her, I wondered if she meant her shoes when she asked me to hold her belongings. This time, she even took off her socks and placed them on top of the boots.

Lulusia, now barefoot, with an innocent expression, began running towards the pool of poison.

“My shoes and socks~! Please take good care of them~!”

“W-wait a moment, Hunter! Walking barefoot in a contaminated area is dangerous…!”

Ignoring the guide’s warning, Lulusia ran barefoot and dipped her feet into the pool of poison. Even though she was a Saintess, I worried if she might get hurt from such a dangerous act and squeezed my eyes shut, but what I saw immediately after was a mystical sight that required no concern whatsoever.

“It’s okay~! I’m a Saintess, after all~!”

“…….”

“…….”

The potent poison began to purify, centered around Lulusia’s feet submerged in the pool. The murky, purplish pool instantly transformed into crystal-clear water, so transparent you could see straight through it. At the astonishing sight, both the guide and I were momentarily speechless, staring blankly.

“For a Saintess, this much is nothing~!”

It was the moment I first witnessed the true awakened ability of Saintess Lulusia.