The Female Lead Saves the World - Chapter 171

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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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Yeo Joo Saves the World – Episode 171

After training ended, Sung Yo Na was absolutely elated.
“How did you come up with such an idea, sister?”
“Well, since it’s a spatial compression skill, I thought it would be useful not just for increasing distance, but for reducing it too.”
“Why didn’t I think of that all this time?”
“Because you’ve never had to enter a Dungeon.”
“Ah.”
Oh no.
The dimming of Sung Yo Na’s expression was born from the terror that the word “Dungeon” evoked.
People had died in the Gate she’d entered already brimming with anxiety.
She’d barely escaped, only to spend two years hiding under the false accusation of murder.
It was more than sufficient reason to develop an aversion and fear toward Dungeons themselves.
“Right, a Dungeon. I have to go in…”
Worry filled Sung Yo Na’s small face.
But I didn’t offer her any words of comfort.
“I think you and Yu Chan have incredible synergy in combat. I’m really looking forward to it.”
“I was surprised too.”
“We didn’t even take that long to take down an A-rank Relicia. Right?”
“That’s true.”
“So let’s enter the next Dungeon together. All of us from the Justice Guild.”
“T-together.”
Only then did relief wash over Sung Yo Na’s previously rigid face.
“You trust the Justice Guild members, don’t you?”
“…Yes, I do.”
Sung Yo Na’s gaze turned toward the guild members conducting their individual training.
Kang Han and Jang Su Ho, engaged in combat with monsters rendered through simulation.
Lee Yu Eul and Lee Yu Chan locked in intense sparring, with Yoo Jin Rok overseeing them.
And Han Ji Sung and Im Chung Soo, each diligently researching in their own spaces.
As Sung Yo Na gazed upon them, her eyes gradually grew calm and serene.
“Yo Na, are you going to train more before you leave?”
“Huh? Oh, yes!”
“Good, keep up the hard work.”
I gave Sung Yo Na’s shoulder a final encouraging pat and left the Training Facility.
My steps up the stairs felt lighter than usual today.
Overcoming the fear of Dungeons, and never losing trust in my guild members.
These were things only Sung Yo Na herself could accomplish—no one else could do them for her.

* * *

“I feel like I’ve been coming here far too often lately.”
As I gazed up at the Korean Awakener Hospital, Im Chung Soo let out a soft chuckle.
“So who’s sick?”
“No one. I wasn’t sick. I was perfectly fine.”
“Liar. The guild master told me you coughed up blood.”
“We’re running late for our appointment. Let’s hurry.”
I poked Im Chung Soo’s back repeatedly with my finger as I spoke.
“Do you really need to hire an assistant?”
He was referring to the suggestion I’d made in the taxi on the way to the hospital.
Whether it was the concentration potion or the wound-healing potion he’d be developing in collaboration with Seo Yu Baek.
Since it might be too much for Im Chung Soo to handle alone, I’d suggested he recruit someone to help with the research.
“Why not? Working together makes things easier and more enjoyable.”
“I’d have to teach them how to handle medicinal herbs from scratch. It’s simpler to just do it myself.”
“That’s how you’ll never grow, you know.”
“Stop harping on my height! I’m still taller than you are!”
“I’m just being considerate. If your face got any better-looking along with your height, your merchandise would sell like crazy.”
“You money-obsessed fiend.”
As we continued our banter, we arrived at the director’s office where Seo Yu Baek was waiting.
“You’re looking well today, teacher.”
“Welcome, Yeo Joo. It’s good to see you too, Hunter Im Chung Soo. I’m Director Seo Yu Baek.”
“Hello.”
Im Chung Soo, who was shy around strangers, had become a taciturn teenager, offering only a slight bow.
“I’d heard from Yeo Joo about the ability user who created the wound-healing potion, but I’m still amazed to see someone so young. It’s quite remarkable.”
“I’m not… young. I’m a high school student.”
I saw it.
Seo Yu Baek swallowing hard, trying to suppress his laughter.
“I apologize for my rudeness. Today, I arranged this meeting to brief you on the research progress so far and to introduce everyone. I asked you to come along as the guardian of Hunter Im Chung Soo, who is still a minor.”
A neatly organized folder of documents was slid toward us.
“As you can see from the report, we’ve completed the first phase of recruiting awakeners to participate in clinical trials. They’re primarily C-rank or higher hunters who have been heavily exposed to trauma while inside dungeons.”
“But teacher, there are more participants than I expected?”
“There’s an absolute shortage of healers. Everyone participating hopes that a trauma treatment potion capable of effectively treating severe injuries in a short time will be distributed as soon as possible. The potions currently on the market take time to work even after consumption. Plus, since Yeo Joo has already used the wound-healing potion in a dungeon, there’s likely little concern about safety. What do you think, Hunter Im Chung Soo?”
“The first experimental group has 30 people total, but I don’t think we need that many.”
“It’s not a project aimed solely at determining whether the potion works or not. I’m planning to develop various wound-healing potions with Hunter Im Chung Soo.”
“Various potions?”
“For example, what if Yeo Joo’s trauma had included a fracture? With the current potion that temporarily maximizes the body’s recovery, the bone would have healed while still broken, wouldn’t it?”
Oh, I hadn’t thought of that.
Chung Soo’s expression hardened as well, as if he understood the implication.
“I see what you mean. Having more participants would certainly be better.”
“May I add my thoughts as well?”
I raised my hand and spoke.
“I’d like the clinical trial subjects to include ordinary people, not just Awakeners.”
“Ordinary people… you say?”
“Yes, because trauma isn’t limited to Hunters alone.”
“That’s true. The wound-healing potion would certainly be more effective for the general population. I’ll reach out to university hospitals about research collaboration.”
“And I’d also like a version that can be mass-produced, even if the potency is somewhat reduced.”
“That’s a valid point.”
Seo Yu Baek began writing something in the blank spaces of the report.
As I watched him work, I sipped the beverage in front of me, but I felt a sharp gaze burning into my profile.
The owner of that gaze was Chung Soo.
“What? Why are you staring at me with your eyes all narrowed like that?”
“Noona.”
“Hmm?”
“You’re not thinking of going to war or something, are you?”
I gripped the cup tightly to hide my flinch and laughed as if his words were absurd.
“War? What are you talking about?”
“Never mind then.”
“If you’re going to say strange things, just eat some snacks instead. These look delicious.”
The boy had grown up in a place with clear water and fresh air, so sometimes he had a tendency to see right through people.

* * *

The meeting stretched far longer than originally scheduled.
It was because Seo Yu Baek and Im Chung Soo’s conversation flowed actively, perhaps due to their shared interests.
“Mandalian flowers are excellent for hemostasis. But if you steam them without drying first, it actually worsens bleeding, so you need to be careful.”
“Vasodilation effect, huh. After examining the mechanism, we could even develop it into a drug to reduce edema or suppress thrombosis after surgery.”
What on earth were they talking about?
I’d come as Im Chung Soo’s guardian, so I’d been quietly holding my place, but my limits were starting to show.
“Yawn.”
Oh no, this is awkward.
I’d yawned without even realizing it?
“Ha ha. You must be bored, Yeo Joo. Look how late it’s gotten.”
“Sister, can’t you just head back to the Guild first? The Director and I still have a lot to discuss.”
I’d expected Seo Yu Baek to wrap things up around this point and suggest continuing the conversation next time.
“I’ll personally drive Hunter Im Chung Soo home today to ensure his safe arrival. Would that be alright?”
Seo Yu Baek seemed delighted to have finally met someone he could have a real conversation with, so he was pushing even further.
“I understand. It seems we’ve covered everything about the research, so I’ll head back to the Guild first….”
Bzzt, bzzt.
My phone in my pocket began to vibrate.
“Yes, hello?”
[ “Yeo Joo, hi.” ]
That low, sticky yet pleasant voice belonged to Sa Ma Young.
“…Just tell me what you need, Sa Ma Young.”
[ “You’re too much. This is our first call.” ]
“If there’s nothing urgent, I’m hanging up.”
[ “No, there is something. It’s about Hong Joo.” ]
“What about Hong Joo?”
Hong Joo had only recently found his master—had something happened to him?
Or could he be sick?
A flood of thoughts rushed through my mind in those brief moments.
Then Sa Ma Young spoke in a slightly dejected voice.
[ “Hmm. He seems to be in poor condition since yesterday. I’m wondering if he might be sick.” ]
“Where are you right now? I’ll come over.”
I nodded silently to Im Chung Soo and Seo Yu Baek as I stood up and spoke.
[ “Really? You’d do that?” ]

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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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