Episode 445. End of Vacation (2)

Lee Hoyeon, who came up from the basement, returned to the living room.

In the living room, Nam Daeun and Liliana could be seen watching TV.

Seeing that they were watching variety shows, it seemed like today was the day to watch whatever Liliana wanted.

Unlike Nam Daeun, who liked the news, Liliana preferred variety programs that pursued pure fun over news or dramas.

She said it felt similar to what she used to watch in the Underworld.

As usual, I approached to tease Liliana, but suddenly the TV started making static noises (jijijik), and the screen switched.

Instead of the comedians running around, a reporter with an urgent expression appeared.

– This is an urgent breaking news report. We’ve received word that a giant sinkhole has struck Beijing, China. We will now play footage from the scene.

“What is this! Hey! Play Reckless Challenge again! Get rid of the breaking news!”

Beep. Beep.

Liliana changed the channel angrily, but all the other channels were also broadcasting the breaking news.

Lee Hoyeon approached the TV at the familiar words, ‘Beijing Sinkhole’.

“…Beijing Sinkhole? Liliana. Stay still for a moment.”

“No, today is the day I watch! Why on a day like this… Mmph mmmph.”

Lee Hoyeon covered Liliana’s mouth with his hand and changed the channel to a news specialty channel.

The news reported that a giant sinkhole that appeared in the middle of Beijing had caused immense casualties and sunk the city center.

On the screen, the giant sinkhole from Lee Hoyeon’s memory had formed.

A sinkhole sinking the city center.

Actually, it was a story I already knew.

Because it’s a story that appears even in the original work.

However, it was supposed to appear at least a few years later, so I had planned to strengthen my power until then, make it public, and reduce casualties.

…I never dreamed it would appear this early.

Anyway, even if I myself had said anything now, I couldn’t have reduced the casualties.

Lee Hoyeon frowned after hearing the reporter’s next words.

– N-next breaking news. Giant pillars have reportedly been erected in various places around the world. These dark pillars cause headaches and vomiting just by ordinary people getting close, so do not go near them under any circumstances. Currently, hunters worldwide are investigating….

“What is that?”

Lee Hoyeon frowned, looking at the screen.

The pillar stuck in the middle of the sea was emitting a dark aura, just as the reporter said. The statement that pillars had appeared worldwide didn’t seem to be a lie, as the camera showed various locations where the pillars were planted.

I knew about the Beijing sinkhole, and sadly, I recognized that it was unavoidable.

But, pillars?

Pillars like that were an event not present in Lee Hoyeon’s memory.

“Baby Daddy. Do you know what that is?”

“…That’s the problem, I don’t know either.”

Contrary to Liliana’s wish for variety shows, the news flowed continuously.

On the screen, discussions among experts continued.

– In my opinion, this is a new type of dungeon. We are seeing it as an extension of the strange phenomena that have been appearing recently….

– No. It is the wrath of God. He is angered by the destruction of nature by irresponsible and disorderly humans!

– Perhaps it could be a new opportunity. One of the investigation teams has found an incredible artifact.

“Strange phenomena….”

Lee Hoyeon frowned and fixed his gaze on the TV.

As the story progresses, strange phenomena occur in dungeons during the Earth’s merging process with the Underworld, but pillars like that do not appear.

“Did Pandemic do something? Or….”

Just then, while Lee Hoyeon was contemplating the ominous pillars.

Shining sentences appeared before his eyes.

---

『Special Quest』

Extend your right hand forward.

Time Limit: 30 days

– Reward: An opportunity for an urgent interview with the God of Betting.

---

“…?”

Lee Hoyeon blinked, looking at the meaningless sentences that appeared before his eyes.

I was pondering what those pillars could possibly be when a quest, which hadn’t appeared lately, popped up.

‘Extend my hand?’

What’s this about an urgent interview with the God of Betting?

It felt somewhat unsettling, but if it was an urgent interview at this particular timing, it must surely be about those pillars.

Perhaps it could be a more serious situation than I thought.

Not long after I was reincarnated, I had a conversation with the God of Betting.

He appeared before me for taking the virginity of the three heroines.

Back then, the God of Betting made it possible for me to win over women who weren’t the original heroines.

We had agreed to meet again after everything was over, so him reappearing now might mean that a significant change occurred in the bet, unlike back then.

“…Hey, Daeun. Watch my body for me.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“Just in case.”

Lee Hoyeon slowly extended his hand forward.

Swish.

Fwaaang-!

Pitch-black darkness and a strong wind hit his entire body, and Lee Hoyeon closed his eyes without realizing it.

Standing in the calmed wind, when I opened my eyes, a new world appeared.

The place I was standing just moments ago, Lee Hoyeon’s home, was gone.

Familiar. No, now it was awkward scenery.

The world before reincarnation.

It was Lee Hoyeon’s bachelor pad.

Half-empty water bottles and vitamin supplements were scattered on the desk.

Textbooks and comic books were stuffed in the bookshelf.

The hair wax and spray I bought when trying to style myself.

It was the room of ‘Kim Jin-ho’, not ‘Lee Hoyeon’.

The name from my previous life, now faded from memory.

Lee Hoyeon looked at the man sitting in the chair.

Seeing his relaxed smile, I couldn’t help but burst out laughing at the absurdity.

“…You’ve appeared again?”

“I know, right. It’s been a while. I didn’t want to see you like this either.”

The blond man, the God of Betting, smiled.

*

Victoria Academy is the world’s best hunter training institution.

A place that stains the hands of newly adult men and women with blood.

It’s the place that teaches how to fight efficiently better than anywhere else in the world.

Of course, not all students specialize in combat, but most students learn how to deal with monsters and demons as soon as they enroll.

It is not easy for young men and women in their prime to complete the academy’s curriculum.

It is different from the theories learned in middle and high school.

Whether it’s magic or swordsmanship, the ultimate goal is to win battles. It involves actually taking the lives of living beings.

It is not strange that some students suffer mentally in that process.

Therefore, the academy has well-established counseling programs.

A system has been prepared so that not only professional counselors but also professors or teaching assistants friendly with the students can provide counseling.

It is easier to break down emotional barriers with them compared to counselors, as they interact directly with students.

All professors at the academy frequently counseled students, but among them, the most popular professor was naturally Baek Ahyoung.

The divine epithet ‘Saintess,’ which seemed to solve all worries.

Her compassionate smile and warm voice listened to worries.

Of course, male students started visiting even without specific issues, so she now only counsels female students… but her counseling was still very popular, even now that she was assigned to the emergency room.

“Mm-hmm. I see. Student Chaeyun must have had a hard time too.”

“…Yes. B-but I really didn’t intend to….”

“It’s okay to cry if you’re having a hard time. Here. I will cheer on Student Chaeyun’s path.”

“Saintess-nim…!”

Baek Ahyoung patted the shoulder of the female student who was crying and hugging her.

Students who kill a demon for the first time usually experience these emotions.

It manifests more strongly, especially in sensitive girls, and Baek Ahyoung always comforted the students familiarly whenever this happened.

Since being assigned to the emergency room, I’ve practically set aside the title of Professor.

It would be okay to stop this kind of counseling, but there were students who gained courage by looking at me, so I couldn’t stop.

The female student, her tears stopped, bowed her head repeatedly, expressed her gratitude, and left the room.

“If your heart feels troubled again, please come see me anytime.”

Baek Ahyoung watched the student’s retreating back and felt a bittersweet emotion.

Seeing that kind of scene reminds me of my past self.

When I first awakened my healing abilities and came to be called the Saintess. Baek Ahyoung also went through hardships difficult to express in words to get here.

The experiences I’ve had since then served as nourishment, making me the Baek Ahyoung I am today, but there were many times I felt frustration and regret in that process.

Baek Ahyoung did not want the young students to experience such negative emotions.

Baek Ahyoung’s nature itself inclined her to like helping people, so counseling wasn’t that difficult.

Rather, a sense of pride emerged.

Knock knock.

“Saintess-nim. May I come in?”

“Yes. Please come in.”

Baek Ahyoung readjusted her posture.

She had to be composed for the student to open up.

Baek Ahyoung looked at the two female students entering through the door.

“Hello. Saintess-nim.”

“Ah, hello. Saintess-nim….”

“Yes. Hehe. This is the first time you two have come together. Please sit comfortably.”

Baek Ahyoung familiarly brought out snacks and poured warm tea in front of Lucy and Lumi.

Lucy and Lumi.

They are twins famous at the academy.

Their abilities as hunters are good, but the reason they are famous is naturally their appearance.

The cute vibe coming from their petite figures, and conversely, their mature figures.

There are people who say it’s healing just seeing the two similar-looking individuals walking around.

They were in the same class as Lee Hoyeon, and I knew they were close to him.

However, I thought they weren’t as close to him as I was, so Baek Ahyoung smiled and welcomed Lucy and Lumi.

“Ugh, ughh….”

“Lucy. You were supposed to talk, Lucy….”

“I-I will. Just a moment….”

Baek Ahyoung smiled, looking at Lucy and Lumi, who were hesitating.

It was common for them to hesitate when coming for counseling.

There’s nothing harder than talking about one’s own problems to others.

“Lucy-yang. It’s okay. I won’t tell anyone else, so please speak honestly.”

“Saintess-nim… Yes. Then….”

Lucy began to speak without hesitation after deciding.

Before coming to Saintess Baek Ahyoung.

She had already discussed it with Lumi and they had decided.

First, they decided to ask about the sex test, and then about Lee Hoyeon’s romantic relationship.

Although it was burdensome to speak honestly, since it wasn’t just anyone but the Saintess, she could feel at ease.

Hearing the story, Baek Ahyoung suddenly felt a headache coming on.

…I never imagined it would be this kind of consultation.

Baek Ahyoung had counseled many students, but this was her first time with such a consultation.

“So… Sex, ahem. You suspect the intercourse test is incorrect and it’s bothering you?”

“Yes… that’s right. It’s definitely not 11 times… but it came out as 11.”

Baek Ahyoung searched for information about the device on her smartwatch.

Baek Ahyoung knew that device. It was a highly reliable device used even in hospitals.

Even papers she checked just in case confirmed this.

The device’s success rate was 99.9%.

Baek Ahyoung carefully chose her words while observing Lucy’s expression.

“Isn’t it possible that Lucy-yang is mistaken about something? That device… ahem. It doesn’t count the number of times of ejaculation, but the number of times you had intercourse. So even if you do it multiple times in one session….”

“Ah, yes. I know that. If that were the case, the number would have been much higher.”

“M-much higher….”

“Yes. So I was wondering if maybe my health or something else was the problem….”

Seeing Lucy’s dejected expression, Baek Ahyoung continued to ponder.

There was no possibility of that device being wrong.

Health? Health had nothing to do with measuring the number of sexual encounters.

Perhaps there were sexual encounters she didn’t know about.

However, conveying this fact was a point of concern for her as a counselor.

Should I tell the truth or should I lie?

Should I increase this girl’s worries by telling her?

After pondering, Baek Ahyoung tried to phrase it indirectly.

“Perhaps… it might be something like this. While Lucy-yang was sleeping, her boyfriend did it secretly…?”

“Ah… Could that be possible?”

“Yes. That’s probably it.”

Baek Ahyoung didn’t know if it measured secret acts during sleep either.

She thought it probably would, but she wasn’t sure.

Still, she thought it was better to make the girl in front of her think that than letting her worry.

Indeed, Lucy showed a relieved expression as soon as she heard Baek Ahyoung’s words.

Satisfied with her handling of the situation, Baek Ahyoung brought the coffee to her lips.

“Lumi. I’m glad we came to Saintess-nim after all.”

“Yeah. It was Lucy’s idea. But did he really do it while I was sleeping? Even for Hoyeon-ssi…”

“That Lee Hoyeon is such a beast. He definitely touched me while I was sleeping.”

“Is that so? Hoyeon-ssi is a pervert, but….”

Lucy and Lumi continued chatting for a bit, thinking about Lee Hoyeon.

It was definitely the right decision to come for counseling. The Saintess always solves our worries.

When Lucy turned her head forward for the real romantic relationship consultation, she was about to ask.

“Pfft…!”

“Kyaaak!”

Hearing their conversation, Baek Ahyoung, without realizing it, spat out the coffee she was drinking.