episode_0368

( Ban Harin-ssi. I’m fine. )

I wanted to be of help to you. I hoped you would be happy. If you held any resentment toward yourself, then surely, it must have been about things like that. ……

You were observant. Because of that, you saw a lot— even the things you wished not to see.

( Ban Harin-ssi, nothing’s wrong, right? )

At some point, you began asking after my well-being every morning. “Do you have any injuries?” “Are you being tormented by any grotesques?” “Do you still have the clay doll?”

I saw you—worried.

It wasn’t that I accepted the reverse-cross hairpin because I wanted your concern, but the way you scanned me for visible wounds— that felt really nice.

“Eunha-nim.”

Little by little, I moved forward.

From the day we met at the orphanage, to driving a kitchen knife into the director’s heart, joining the Hunter Association, becoming a regular at the café, and receiving the reverse-cross hairpin—

I never lost my way. Because this path was always one walked while gazing only at you. Now, I could truly feel that I was finally being of help to you.

( Yang Soa-ssi. I’ll die for you just once. )

But if the end of this path meant you dying in my place— then I wouldn’t have walked it so hastily.

( Ban Harin-ssi… can you grant me just one request? ) ( Heㅡre. Cut it with a knife, and throw it as far east as you can. )

Was that why?

After the incident at [Goryongsan Rift Field], the reason I couldn’t return from the world of grotesques— I had lost my way.

『Happiness for sale.』

Me, with my expressionless face. You, always hiding your true feelings behind a smile.

We mirrored each other.

I tried acting stupid with a blank face, wanting to see your real smile— but it didn’t work out.

『Happiness for sale.』 “……What is it?” 『Convenience Store Owner.』

Time passes.

Euncheon Park at sunset.

At the hour Eunha—who had her neck snapped and survived—took a stroll through the park, Ban Harin met a grotesque shrouded in mystery.

A woman clad in a blue robe covering her nudity. The robe, the kind a fantasy-world mage might wear, was embroidered with constellations unrelated to this world.

Huu…

‘Convenience Store Owner,’ smoking a long pipe, approached and scanned her up and down.

Hair covering one eye. A glimpse through the parted blue robe—a chest nearly as large as her head, though smaller than Eunha’s.

Ban Harin mused—if Eunha had a mother, would she feel like this?

Plop—

The ‘Convenience Store Owner’ slumped onto a park bench with a sigh. Walking seemed uncomfortable.

Ban Harin stared intently at the woman’s swaying chest.

What she sensed from the grotesque before her wasn’t fear—but mystery. A strange grotesque.

“What is your business?”

『Happiness for sale.』

What did it mean to sell happiness? After pondering, she finally spoke.

“…What kind of happiness?” 『Your happiness.』 “And the price?” 『Someone else’s happiness.』

A convenience store selling happiness. No one knew why this grotesque—unrecorded in [Euncheon Park]’s guide—had come here.

Ban Harin shook off her thoughts. When had grotesques ever been understandable?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6. Buy and sell happiness at the convenience store.

– Happiness is a subjective concept. – Yet, somewhere in this world, there must be a treasure that makes everyone happy.

# If you enter the convenience store and the exit closes.

– Don’t panic. Just pick the item you like most and take it to the clerk. – You must use the item you purchase.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rules of the Happiness Convenience Store: 1. Choose the item you like the most. 2. You must use the purchased item.

No dangerous rules, it seemed.

Ban Harin approached the ‘Convenience Store Owner’ and voiced her desire.

“……Does Eunha-nim’s happiness exist here?” 『A way for all to live long. Interested?』

An abrupt remark.

Ban Harin wiped her expressionless face out of habit.

『Five years from now, do you still want to protect the lady?』 “Lady?” 『Lady Eunha.』 “Of course.” 『Ten years from now?』 “I will protect her.” 『Thirty years from now?』 “As long as my body moves, I’ll protect Eunha-nim.” 『Five hundred years from now?』 “…….”

A pause.

Ban Harin shut her mouth.

The ‘Convenience Store Owner’ spoke too calmly— as though Eunha being alive in 500 years was obvious.

A meaningful yet cryptic conversation.

“…….”

Ban Harin reflected.

Was she someone who could truly help Eunha? Could she make her happy?

( Yang Soa-ssi. I’ll die for you just once. )

If not… If she couldn’t become someone who could help—

『A way for all to live long. Interested?』

Words slipping through the gaps in her heart. Useless words kept coming.

……. …….

“……I’ll buy Eunha-nim’s happiness.” 『Price?』 “I’ll sell my happiness.”

Even so, Ban Harin’s resolve remained unchanged.

As long as Eunha was happy— that alone would be her happiness.

『……Good.』

[Euncheon Park], steeped in grudges, glowed sunset-red.

Soon, the ‘Convenience Store Owner’ reached into her sizable chest and pulled out something.

A single pill. Its color resembled dewdrop eyes.

Accepting it, Ban Harin chased after the departed Eunha, leaving [Euncheon Park]— carrying an unresolved grudge.

…….

A convenience store where happiness is bought and sold. Just that— a trivial tale.

……. …….

Since ancient times, there’s been a saying—never eat the food of the underworld. Once you do, you can never return.

『We mistook another’s happiness as our own.』 『In the end… what we desired was our happiness.』

Huu…

The ‘Convenience Store Owner,’ pipe in mouth, exhaled pure white smoke.

…….

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

# Safe Hunter Life Guide #

– This guide is your story. – Not the past of others, but the tale of now. – Write it yourself.

1. The Lying Spider. – I am a liar. – Do not be deceived. – I dislike you. – If I chase you, run away. – If I stretch out my blade-sharp arms, dodge. – Run until you can no longer see me. – Even if you call my name, even if you cry for help, I won’t appear. – What is my name?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Ban Harin-ssi! Help!!”

KWAANG!!

Spider legs sharp as fillet knives grazed Eunha’s cheek, severing the arm of a ‘mouse’ that had seized a restroom grotesque.

Tak. Tak. Tak. Tak. Tak.

The sound of claws tapping the restroom floor echoed.

Black blood oozing from the severed stump, the ‘things’ crawling in the pooled blood screeched and retreated.

Seizing the moment, the ‘mouse’ carrying Eunha escaped the restroom— gulping the cool park air as she wiped cold sweat.

She almost died.

The ‘thing’s’ grip on her ankle was corpse-cold— its crazed laughter and crawling movements sent horrific chills up her spine.

Plop…

The ‘mouse’ shrugged off dozens of pale hands still clinging despite her severed arm.

“Whew… Made it out of the restroom, but… what’s that now?”

The ‘mouse’ set down a carrier wrapped around her long tail and checked on Eunha in her arms— then stared silently at the grotesque blocking the restroom entrance.

KAKAK!

Eight blade-sharp legs centered around a ‘spider egg’ woven from white silk.

Large enough to barely fit two people, the egg’s silhouette—a hunched ‘something’—was faintly visible against the sunset.

『…….』

No words.

Backlit by Euncheon Park’s twilight, it merely glared—as if keeping the ‘things’ trying to exit the restroom in check.

Eventually, the restroom grotesques—arms crudely reattached— turned with frustrated gestures… and retreated inside.

“…Did they just stick their arms back on?”

The ‘mouse’ muttered, dumbfounded.

Pausing, the grotesques glanced down at their reattached arms— corpse-pale limbs.

……Slap. Slap.

Then, clicking their tongues, they approached each other, swapped their severed arms, and shoved them back into place before returning to their stalls.

『Tsk. You messed it up.』 “Why blame me? You crazy? What’s your name?”

Creak… Click.

No reply. The stall closed.

Confirming all doors were shut, the ‘mouse’ turned her head with a huff.

It was suspicious—letting go of vengeance so meekly— but no time to dwell.

Swoosh…

She turned.

Only the massive spider-like grotesque remained. No longer even human-shaped.

Escaping one grotesque, only to face another—a living nightmare.

“Know this bastard’s rules?” “…Let me down.”

Then, Eunha—held by the ‘mouse’—spoke quietly.

Her voice colder than usual—or was that an illusion?

Head bowed, her expression was unreadable. Likely her usual smiling face.

Swoosh…

Carefully lowering Eunha, the ‘mouse’ watched as she steadied herself— then stepped toward the ‘grotesque.’

“…….”

One step. Two steps.

Passing the blade-sharp legs, approaching the ‘spider egg’ at the center.

Plop—

Kneeling before it, Eunha bowed like a penitent at a cross.

“……Why…”

From behind, the ‘mouse’ couldn’t see her face.

…Was she not smiling now?

“Why… like this…”

Crunch…

Kneeling on the dirt, her soft hands stroking the ‘spider egg’— her body drenched, soaked.

『…….』

Silently, it stood guard.

If it embraced her with blade-legs, she’d be hurt.

Happiness bought and sold. Price: someone’s happiness.

Who was happy?

The ‘mouse’ wordlessly watched Eunha’s trembling back.

……. …….

Tap. Tap.

“Something wrong?”

Then—behind the ‘mouse’— a cold voice tapped her shoulder.

“GYAAAK!!”

CLICK!

Startled, the ‘mouse’ dodged with a reflexive skill.

“Wh— Team Leader Ban Harin? Since when?” “Just now.”

Expressionless as ever, Ban Harin stood there—having approached soundlessly.

Dressed in black, left eye covered by a patch— she brushed her hand down her face habitually.

……Flutter.

The ‘mouse’ eyed her suspiciously, swishing her long tail side to side.

“…….” “……Team Leader, where’s your hairpin?” “Returning around this time tomorrow. That seems to be the price.”

Adjusting her now-bare bangs, Ban Harin replied.

What did that mean? Price for what? Was this even really Ban Harin?

Side-eyeing the ghostly woman, the ‘mouse’ glanced back at Eunha.

……Eunha was still kneeling silently on the dirt.

“…….”

Nothing stood before her now.

The ‘spider egg’ that had protected them from the restroom grotesque—nowhere to be seen.

Only the lingering twilight glow.

“…….” “Eunha-nim.”

Eunha, gazing at the empty path— rose slowly, ensuring she wouldn’t stagger, and turned to face the voice calling her.

“…….”

Meeting Ban Harin with her usual smile.

“Ban Harin-ssi.” “I came when called. Hoping to help.”

Liar.

Swallowing words that surged to her throat, Eunha approached Ban Harin, pulling the carrier with the [Black Book].

Rumble…

A day full of incidents. Nothing resolved—except saving the ‘mouse’ from death.

Neither the matters regarding [Rare Hunter Protection – Execution Division], nor those concerning Ban Harin.

When could she rest peacefully?

‘Ah… I miss the babies.’

Eunha thought positively.

She saved the ‘mouse.’ Ban Harin, unseen for days, was healthy. Wasn’t that enough?

“Thank you.” “…….” “Really… thank you.”

Words heavy with meaning.

Hug—

Ban Harin embraced Eunha impassively.

Had so much piled up in their days apart? Or was this just resolving grievances?

Holding Eunha, Ban Harin gently gripped her sizable chest— lifting Eunha’s chin with her other hand.

Eunha closed her eyes.

“Whoa… Should I just go back into the restroom?”

Didn’t matter. If Ban Harin was happy, that was enough. The rest could wait.

…….

“…The sun will set soon. Let’s leave the park.” “You know the way?” “It’s obvious. Follow me.”

How much time had passed?

Breaking away, Ban Harin turned and quickened her steps.

Eunha, pressing her lips, trailed behind, pulling the carrier.

“…Ban Harin-ssi.” “Yes.” “Don’t die.” “……No reason to die now.”

If only I could become Ban Harin again— then I’d know if that was a lie.

Eunha followed the liar out of the park.

“So, don’t hesitate to call when you need me.”

Rustle… rustle…

The sunset casting [Euncheon Park] in red—

Surely, that was why the nape of Ban Harin’s neck looked flushed as she walked away in silent strides.

Brrrring… Beep.

“Yes, hello.” ㅡ 『My arm hurts.』 “Gramps? What’d you do?” ㅡ 『Guess.』 “Huh? …Never mind. We’re leaving the park soon. When’s the bell?” ㅡ 『Thirty.』 “Thirty minutes?” ㅡ 『Twenty-nine. Twenty-eight.』

“Ban Harin-ssi!! Help!!”

FWOOSH!

And so, Eunha—held by the ‘mouse’ held by Ban Harin— felt the breeze against her cheeks as they fled [Euncheon Park].

『……May you all write a tale of happiness.』

On a park bench, the ‘Convenience Store Owner’ exhaled white smoke— watching them leave as dusk swallowed the fading sunset.

DEEENG—!

The day ended.

……. …….

Splash—!

“Haah……”

8 PM.

Dusk.

Somehow escaping [Euncheon Park], Eunha now soaked in a warm bath.

Splash. Splash.

A peculiarly unpleasant day— best relieved by a soak.

Her smooth skin glided under the water.

Thanks to [Self-Recovery], there was little bodily waste, but she still enjoyed immersing herself when fatigue piled up.

A hobby of sorts.

“Were you really not hurt?” ㅡ Correct. From October 1st, I was trapped in the grotesques’ world. Now safely returned.

Phone in hand, Eunha spoke with Ban Harin.

“What if you get trapped again?” ㅡ Unlikely. I’ve found my way now. “Dunno what that means, but I’ll trust you.” ㅡ Thank you.

Come to think of it—they’d chatted like this during a bath before. Months ago already.

Eunha suppressed her buoyant chest, lips curling.

ㅡ Rest well. See you at the café tomorrow. “Good night.”

Beep.

The trivial call ended.

Checking the time—she’d been in the bath a while. Nearly 30 minutes.

“Haha…”

Splash.

Laughing, Eunha sank deeper.

So warm.

“Haah…… Today was deliciously painful too.” 『My spot.』 “Yeah. Back then, I was on the phone with Ban Harin-ssi when I first met you, loser.

Her reflection mirrored in the water’s surface.

Eunha grinned down at ‘Eunha’ staring back.

A mirror trying to resemble someone. We mirrored each other.

『……Tsk. Calling me a loser, yet you’re not even scared.』

The ‘Eunha’ in the mirror scowled.

WHOOSH—!

Thirty minutes passed.

The ‘Eunha’ in the water reached out.

A hand breached the surface, grasping Eunha’s shoulder—dragging her under.

SPLASH!

‘Eunha’ rising. Eunha, pulled down by her grip.

Like swapping places—the grotesque emerging from the ‘mirror’ climbed atop her.

The tub’s water splashed violently.

Their smooth skin pressed together—chests larger than heads flattening like pancakes.

Feeling water enter her nostrils, Eunha smirked.

『My spot.』 “Yeah. You stayed behind.”

The mirror’s grudge— an unfinished story remained.

SPLASH!

Using [Body Enhancement], Eunha twisted forcefully— flipping the equally frail ‘Eunha’ underwater.

Positions swapped.

“Haha! Try stealing it now!” 『Wha—』 “You’re stuck with me.”

SPLASH! SPLASH!

The day’s end.

A night unwilling to surrender easily to sleep.

“Hahah… Hold up.” 『What?』 “Let’s talk this out. Don’t touch below the shoulders.” 『Huh.』 “I’m serious.” 『Loser.』

SPLASH!

The day had been long.