Chapter 61: Bet (2)

The day I cleared up to the 7th floor of the Tower of Destruction, also known as the Doom Tower, I logged into the community.

—

[General] “This person is absolutely insane” [15] -100-Year-Old Body

[General] “I envy you so much” [12] -Overweight Orc

[General] “5 days of ED, my confidence is gone…” [51] -Juju Extreme

[General] “Anyone up for gaming today?” [7] -Sad Slime

[General] “How do you like my photo shoot?” [74] -Innocent Elf

—

[Author: HeadSmasherSaint]

[Title: A Rain of Magic Stones]

[Image.gif]

After sweeping the ceiling, a rain of magic stones fell.

Earned 400 million ~ 500 million more to pay off.

[Comments]

Sad Slime: Can you pay off my debt too?

└HeadSmasherSaint: I just got lucky this time.

Revolutionary Leader: Wow, you’re helping someone who’s enjoying posting half-naked photoshoots.

└Soulinder Man: LOL

MaxSizeCentaur: Can you fix my ED too?

└HeadSmasherSaint: That’s your own fault, dude.

└MaxSizeCentaur: Sobs Please, just somehow…

Baby Siren: She’s earning well. Top bride material?

Harpy Life 20 Years: I almost died because of her today.

└HeadSmasherSaint: Coming again?

└Harpy Life 20 Years: Nope!

└Harpy Life 20 Years: Even if you pay me a lot, I’m not going back! Don’t call me!

Innocent Elf: Saintess, did you pay off all the debt?

└Harpy Life 20 Years: No way, what a conscience…

└Real Battle Mage: Why are we even helping her? LOL

└Overweight Orc: Your head’s gonna get smashed soon, LOL

└HeadSmasherSaint: How dare a servant speak?

└Innocent Elf: Sorry, master.

—

I was thinking of writing a few more posts when my phone rang.

[“Is this Karina unnie’s phone?”]

“This voice… Ah, Min-ji.”

I recognized the voice from before.

[“Yes, it’s me, Min-ji.”]

“What’s the reason for this call?”

Min-ji, my cousin on my aunt’s side, explained her situation.

Apparently, at the Hunter Academy’s middle school, she had a rival.

That guy, instead of relying on his own skills, bragged about clearing dungeons with his uncle.

He even boasted about showing off dungeons if people got on his good side.

Min-ji, furious, declared her cousin was also strong and made a bet.

Although the details weren’t finalized, the bet was dungeon-related, with the loser becoming the winner’s servant.

She had called Park Yu-jeong for help, but since Yu-jeong works an office job, she declined.

Yu-jeong offered to find a stand-in hunter, but since Min-ji’s friends knew her face, it wasn’t feasible.

So, Min-ji called me.

“Impressive, really.”

[“S-Sorry, I lost my temper.”]

No, it wasn’t Min-ji’s fault.

“No, that’s not it. Everyone plays like that when they’re young, especially in a competitive environment like Hunter Academy.”

It’s normal to play like that as a kid.

You tease the girl you like, make rivals, and compete.

That rival probably wanted to either get closer to Min-ji or win the bet to make her his servant, but I couldn’t let that happen.

Anyway, Min-ji’s practically family to me.

[“Ah, so then…”]

“I may not be a hunter, but if all that matters is being strong enough to enter the dungeon, then having a strong cousin should be enough, right?”

That should work, right?

[“Yes.”]

“Alright. Being a civilian stronger than a hunter sounds like a better title, doesn’t it?”

[“Oh, but, why are you still speaking so formally to me?”]

Ah, damn. I’d gotten too used to acting like a saintess lately.

“Sorry, it’s a habit from work. I’ll fix it soon.”

Some habits are hard to break.

[“Are you free tomorrow? Tae-hyung’s uncle is coming tomorrow.”]

“Hmm, I don’t mind.”

Is this a “who has the better connections” contest?

Come to think of it, even during our travels, other parties used to compete over me.

“Our saintess heals immediately! She even has sustainable healing!”

“That’s nothing. Our saintess kills all enemies before anyone gets hurt!”

“How is that a saintess?”

Ah, memories.

Alright, since I took the call, it wouldn’t hurt to help before my aunt scolds me.

After all, I’m a saintess.

Helping my cousin in trouble is the right thing to do.

-Why don’t you change outfits too?

Was she suggesting I change while helping my cousin?

“No need to keep the saintess persona?”

-Whoever that uncle is, at least our devoted followers know you’re famous in the community.

“That’s true.”

“So, you’re saying it’s better to play along with the setup, huh? Well, now that my name’s out there, I guess it’s time to show what a strong unnie is so someone like that nobody Taehyung can’t even think about approaching Minji.”

“Hmm. Instead of being overly kind, how about going for a strong image? There are a lot of clueless guys around here. Show them a bit of your tough side.”

“Do I really need to come off tougher? It’s not like they’re underestimating me for any reason other than that I’m too pretty.”

“I did help build that body, but wow, you’re really insufferable.”

“These kids only rush at me brainlessly because of this pretty body, you know? Maybe I should just crack some skulls and be done with it?”

***

The next day, I headed to the spot where I was supposed to meet Minji.

I thought it’d be better to see what kind of person I’m dealing with before stepping in.

Minji was hanging out with some kids her age in the guild square.

It seemed like the boy facing off with Minji was Taehyung, and the kids around them were split between supporting Minji or Taehyung.

“Hmph. Why not swallow your pride now?”

The boy named Taehyung looked like a typical troublemaker—the kind that would probably enjoy bullying a girl he liked.

“Don’t come crying later. My cousin unnie is a returnee!”

“A returnee? She’s just a civilian living off handouts, isn’t she?”

Wow, he’s really got a mouth on him.

But I get it—opinions on returnees are divided.

It seems like returnees aren’t viewed very favorably.

I’ve seen people on forums complaining about tax money being wasted on them.

Maybe the only reason the returnee issue hasn’t blown up is because of the Hunter Society and the monsters.

If the monster invasions stop, there’ll probably be a lot of people who resent the benefits given to returnees.

This is something that might need changing.

“We’ll see about that!”

“Taehyung! Your uncle’s here!”

Taehyung’s uncle showed up.

He looked like one of those muscular characters with a cool, chiseled face straight out of a comic book superhero story.

His suit would definitely appeal to kids.

“Uncle! This is Park Minji!”

“Hello, I’m Park Minji.”

As expected from my aunt’s daughter—so polite.

“Oh, you’re the girl Taehyung likes… No, wait, you’re Taehyung’s friend? But still, Taehyung, it’s not a good idea to involve adults in a bet with your friends.”

“But I can win, right?”

On closer inspection, Taehyung’s uncle seemed around my age.

Maybe a little older or about the same as me.

“Of course, kid. After all, your uncle is none other than Kim Yoonsik, the Lightning Punch!”

He flashed a grin, striking a thumbs-up pose with a face that wasn’t half bad.

There’s no need for me to come up with some character to deal with this.

Unless he turns out to be a real jerk, I don’t think he’s a bad guy.

“Just seems a bit simple-minded.”

Should I step in now?

“Hey, Minji, when’s your cousin unnie showing up? Did she chicken out?”

Taehyung laughed smugly.

These kids really don’t have any manners these days.

Should I knock some sense into him?

Honestly, I hate kids the most.

They whine, they’re loud, and they’re just plain annoying.

At least Minji seems mature for her age, thank goodness.

I walked confidently in my dolphin shorts and hoodie toward the group of kids.

A saintess should always carry herself with confidence.

“Minji.”

“Oh, unnie. Unnie?!”

Minji was thrilled and ran to cling to me.

“Yeah, did you wait long?”

“I didn’t think you’d actually come.”

“Of course I would. It’s only right to help out my little sister.”

I can’t let her feel down.

I’m not like girls like Park Yoo-jeong.

“Oh… Oh wow. Such a beautiful woman. How about a cup of tea after all this?”

Is this guy serious? Asking for tea in this day and age?

“No, thanks.”

“I’ll let you win, somehow.”

Let me win?

Who does he think he’s talking to?

“Let me win? I have no intention of losing.”

“Ah, I was just joking! But seriously, Kim Yoonsik, the Lightning Punch, will show you today what it means to be a true Hunter!”

Please, spare me.

Guys like this, who try to show off and bother people who clearly aren’t interested, really make me uncomfortable.

I just want to get this over with.

“So, what are the conditions for the bet? Is it whoever clears the dungeon faster? Or is it who kills more monsters in the dungeon? Let’s decide quickly.”

“Oh, right, we didn’t actually set the terms yet.”

He flashed his white teeth in a grin.

He’s blatantly trying to hit on me.

Honestly, it’s irritating and uncomfortable.

“Let’s wrap this up quickly.”

“Uncle, you’re embarrassing!”

“Ah… yes.”

Finally, things seemed to be moving forward.

“So, what conditions should we set? Hmm. How about a time attack in the practice dungeon? Whoever finishes first wins.”

“Sure.”

Let’s just wrap this up quickly.

“Since the kids are betting, why don’t we place a bet of our own?”

Lightning Punch’s face twisted awkwardly.

“No, not really.”

It’s already annoying to be dragged into a kids’ bet, and now you want the adults to bet too?

I can see right through him.

His face is somewhat okay, but… unfortunately for him, I only love myself, so there’s absolutely no chance.

“If I win, I’ll treat you to a meal. If I lose, I’ll even become your slave.”

Is he insane?

“Neither option is appealing to me.”

Honestly, it’s true.

I’m not lacking money, I’m not desperate for a man, and this is just a waste of my time.

I just want to finish this bet quickly.

“Hmph. So, you’re saying you’re not confident you can win?”

Should I just smash his head in?

This is seriously the worst.

Even the hero didn’t use such lame lines.

But if he’s called Lightning Punch, he can’t be just some nobody.

“No, it’s just that I don’t desire anything from this, and honestly, making that kind of bet with you feels like harassment.”

“You really think it’s that bad?”

Of course.

How does he see himself as someone who can flirt with me?

Maybe another woman would be fine with it, but not me.

This perfect body and face are only for myself.

“Yes. Just looking at it, don’t you think I’m far too good for something as trivial as a dinner date with you? Doesn’t it feel like we’re on different levels just by appearance alone?”

“Ugh.”

Lightning Punch’s face crumpled in frustration.

Does he really not know anything about me?

Doesn’t everyone browse the forums these days?