How to Seduce S-Class Hunters with Bungeoppang - Chapter 34
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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【Chapter 34】
A chilling sensation crept across the nape of my neck.
From the feel of it, a small blade—dagger-sized—pressed against my skin, and despite its modest dimensions, it was more than sufficient to end a life.
“Scream and I’ll run this through you. I’m not joking! Nod if you understand!”
The man threatened me with a slurred accent. Judging by his tone and voice, he was in his forties, perhaps older.
“Do you understand?!”
My neck, stiff with terror, barely obeyed as I nodded slowly. Seeing my compliance, he loosened the hand clamped over my mouth. In the dim moonlit alley, the Masked Man gradually revealed himself.
“You brought her faster than expected. But is this the right one? She looks young.”
“Don’t worry. I confirmed everything!”
He circled around me, scrutinizing every detail. I remained frozen, barely breathing, acutely aware of the blade still hovering at my neck.
“What does she sell? Fish cakes?”
“Not ordinary fish cakes. Golden fish cakes. They’re items, and Hunters go crazy for them. The daily sales alone must be astronomical.”
The man whistled carelessly. From their conversation, it was clear they were after my money.
‘…Don’t they know I’m an Awakened One?’
Perhaps they did but didn’t care. F-Rank Awakened Ones typically lived lives indistinguishable from ordinary people. But I was different.
Since I had to enter Gates directly without engaging in combat, I carried a diverse array of items. Their carelessness was my opportunity.
I subtly flexed my fingers. A System window materialized before me, displaying my Inventory’s item list.
‘Self-defense items… Ah, found it.’
I summoned the stun gun item at the top of the list—one that delivered electrical discharge. A small, elliptical form materialized in my clammy palm. Fortunately, the darkness concealed what I held.
‘Breathe. Stay calm.’
One chance. That was all I had. Cold sweat beaded across my palm. Then, finishing their conversation, the man whispered roughly against my ear.
“Miss. I hear you’ve accumulated quite a bit of money. How about you share some with us?”
“…Why would I?”
“What?”
“I don’t have a single coin for you.”
The man froze at my response.
“Is this brat out of her mind?!”
The moment the Masked Man sensed my sudden shift in demeanor and stepped forward with a furrowed brow, I drove my elbow backward with all my strength into the abdomen of the man restraining me.
A sharp “Ugh—” escaped him as he doubled over.
‘Never underestimate the arm strength honed by years in the food business!’
While he gasped roughly, I twisted free and slipped from his grip in an instant.
“Hey!!! Get back here!!!”
Too late. I mashed the item button repeatedly. Crackle! Brilliant arcs of electricity shot toward them.
“What the—Aaaaaahhhhh!!!!”
“Gah, gaaahhhhh!!”
They convulsed and collapsed like puppets with severed strings. Watching them twitch and spasm, I stumbled backward.
“Haa….”
Something clattered against my foot. Without even registering what it was, I spun around and bolted. I could almost feel them recovering, their hands reaching for my collar.
“Huff, huff… gasp…!”
Fortunately, bright lights appeared in the distance. The moment I burst onto the well-lit Main Street, my hands trembling, I switched on my phone.
“W-wait, the emergency number is… 112….”
I fumbled through finding 112 and made the call. The dispatcher assured me they’d arrive soon and told me to wait nearby. I glanced around anxiously, gnawing at my fingernails.
Even beneath the brilliant streetlights, I couldn’t calm myself. If they hadn’t been careful, I would have been seriously injured.
As I nervously darted my eyes about, two female students walking past while talking suddenly let out small screams. Following their gaze, I reached up to touch my neck.
“Ah, I’m bleeding….”
My hand came away slick with crimson liquid. It looked like I’d been cut by a blade when I’d wrenched away from the man’s arm. Only when I saw the blood did the sharp pain finally register.
I bit my lip and pressed my hand against the wound on my neck. Passersby glanced at me sideways and quickened their pace.
I stood motionless, catching my breath in ragged gasps. Through my tightly shut eyes, countless lights flickered dizzily.
* * *
The Police Officer arrived shortly after and, seeing my condition, rushed me to the Hospital. Fortunately, it wasn’t serious—after stopping the bleeding and receiving basic treatment, I was able to continue with the investigation.
“You have no idea who the assailants were?”
“No. Their voices were unfamiliar, and I didn’t recognize them at all.”
“Hmm…. You mentioned they discussed your Shop’s sales, correct?”
“They were talking about how our Shop does well and must have plenty of money.”
The Police Officer nodded as he jotted down my statement in his notebook. It seemed likely this was a crime motivated by money, but he said he’d share more details after conducting a thorough investigation.
I nodded in agreement and thanked him repeatedly.
“The assailants may still be in the area, so I recommend you stay elsewhere for a while.”
“Yes, I will. Thank you.”
Unfortunately, by the time the Police Officer went into the Alley, the men I’d knocked unconscious with an item had already disappeared.
It wasn’t a high-grade item, but it should have had quite an impact. I hadn’t expected them to regain consciousness and flee so quickly.
“Is there a guardian we should contact for you?”
“A guardian?”
“Yes. It seems you could use some reassurance right now.”
Only then did I realize my hands were still trembling slightly. I grasped my shaking hands and bit my lip.
The only person I could call right now was….
-Bzzt.
“…Lee Hyun-woo?”
“Yes? Who is this?”
“Oh, no. Just a moment. Let me take this call and be right back.”
The name displayed on my phone screen was Lee Hyun-woo. I excused myself briefly and stepped outside to answer.
“…Hello?”
-Sky Hunter. This is Lee Hyun-woo. I’m calling to ask that favor I mentioned before.
Ah, that’s right. Lee Hyun-woo had agreed to do an interview, and in exchange, I’d promised to grant him one favor.
I watched my breath mist in the cold air and fell silent for a moment. I steadied my voice, adjusted my grip on the phone, and slowly nodded.
“…I’m busy right now. Could we discuss it another time?”
Despite trying to sound composed, my voice came out pathetically strained. He must have sensed something was wrong through the receiver, as he asked carefully.
-Do you need my help?
I paused, holding the phone, suddenly yearning desperately for someone’s warmth.
“Actually… well, you see, I’m currently….”
But the words wouldn’t come easily. The fact that he was an S-Rank Hunter whom everyone watched kept echoing in my mind.
If you heard my story and were flustered by an unexpected situation? If you found deep involvement burdensome?
In the end, I parted my lips several times before shaking my head. No matter how much I might need someone, it didn’t feel right to call him. But his response defied my expectations.
-I’ll be right there.
“…What?”
-If I leave now, I should arrive in about fifteen minutes. Please wait just a moment.
Wait—he knew where I was and was coming anyway?
I suddenly snapped to attention. I frantically waved my hand to say it was fine, but he hung up faster than I could speak. I stared at the dead phone, blinking in bewilderment.
“Suddenly rushing over like that. What is this….”
But strangely, I didn’t feel upset about it. No—rather, the thought of him coming lifted the heaviness that had settled over me.
I returned to the Police Station, exchanged greetings, and caught a taxi. My destination was Protagonist’s Home. When I arrived at the dark alley, I spotted his familiar figure beneath the street lamp.
“Lee Hyun-woo!”
Upon seeing me, he offered a small smile. But then, in the next moment, his expression vanished from his face. He strode toward me and asked in a low voice.
“Who did this to you?”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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