The Female Lead Saves the World - Chapter 172

—————

This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

—————

Yeo Joo Saves the World – Episode 172

I arrived in Samseong-dong, where the Sama Guild was located.
I’d taken a taxi and simply said “Sama Guild!” without needing further explanation, and the driver brought me straight here.
“Where on earth is the guild entrance?”
The problem was that I’d been dropped off in front of a major avenue in Samseong-dong, and I had no idea where to go.
“I’m definitely in the right area though.”
It had come up a few times in the Sejong Chronicles as well.
It was supposedly located in a building that was once called the Samseong-dong Trade Center.
“Surely the guild doesn’t occupy the entire massive building by itself.”
I muttered while looking up at the large building with “Sama” written in Korean characters.
“Could it be… underground?”
I’d heard that most of the underground shopping mall, which was formed as intricately as an ant colony, was occupied by the Sama Hunter Market.
Just then, a somewhat familiar voice called out to me.
“Good day, Hunter Yeo Joo.”
“Ah, Hunter Woo Jun Kyung… right?”
“Yes, it’s been a while.”
Woo Jun Kyung, who could be called Sa Ma Young’s right hand, was now standing beside me.
“How long have you been there?”
“I saw you get out of the taxi.”
So he’d let me wander around looking confused.
But I wasn’t surprised.
Woo Jun Kyung wasn’t serving as Sa Ma Young’s right hand for nothing.
It was all part of the same package.
“I came after receiving word that Hong Joo was acting strange. Could you show me the way?”
“Understood. I shall guide you to my master.”
Wait, he’s taking me to Hong Joo?
But since Hong Joo, my familiar, would be near Sa Ma Young, I silently followed behind Woo Jun Kyung.

* * *

“I never would’ve found this place on my own.”
Sa Ma Young’s location was in the heart of the building.
Though it was housed within the massive Sama Group building, I had to take the elevator up to a floor that only activated with a special security card.
And after getting off, I walked through a maze-like corridor with no directional signs whatsoever before finally reaching an enormous door.
“Please, go inside. He’s waiting for you.”
A massive wooden door large enough for six people to pass through simultaneously slid open smoothly the moment Woo Jun Kyung’s fingertips brushed against it.
At the same time, a woman’s voice reached my ears.
“Ugh, this is so frustrating.”
The voice was coming from inside.
I turned back to look at Woo Jun Kyung, who was still standing in the doorway, and asked.
“It doesn’t sound like he’s alone. Is it okay if I go in?”
“Please go inside. He’s waiting for you.”
Well, it’s not like I’m having a conversation with a robot.
Since it seemed pointless to expect a detailed answer from Woo Jun Kyung, I decided to step inside.
Meanwhile, the woman’s voice continued.
“Can’t you just look at me for a second?”
…I’m really not sure if I should be going in here.
As I left the corridor decorated with ink paintings and orchids, a spacious living room came into view, with a panoramic window overlooking the Samseong-dong area.
And I could see the back of a woman kneeling in front of the sofa.
“Hong Joo.”
Fortunately, it seemed the woman was addressing Hong Joo, not Sa Ma Young.
“Look here, look. Let your sister touch you just once, okay?”
No matter how much Bang Ri Ri pleaded, Hong Joo didn’t spare her a single glance.
“Ahem.”
I deliberately cleared my throat to announce my presence, and the woman spun around sharply.
Black wavy hair framed her face, and her sharp eyes carried a striking crimson gleam at the corners.
‘So it’s Bang Ri Ri.’
The one who treats Sa Ma Young like a demigod
(半神)
and obeys him blindly.
She possesses an insatiable desire to possess Sa Ma Young as well.
“Who are you?”
As expected, her gaze toward me was far from welcoming.
“My name is Yeo Joo.”
“Yeo Joo?”
When she was sitting on the floor, I hadn’t noticed, but now that she stood up, she was considerably taller than me.
“I don’t know who you are, but this isn’t a place you can just walk into….”
“Meow.”
Just as Bang Ri Ri was about to chase me out.
Hong Joo, who had spotted me, suddenly leaped down from the sofa and rubbed his forehead against my leg.
“Hong Joo, have you been well?”
“Meow.”
Now she was answering properly too.
I crouched down where I was standing and gently stroked Hong Joo’s back.
Purr, purr.
I was lost in the emotion of hearing Hong Joo’s rumbling purr for the first time when I heard Bang Ri Ri let out a hollow laugh.
“Who are you? How did you completely enchant Hong Joo?”
“I’m temporarily protect——”
I was about to say “I’m someone who was temporarily protecting her.”
“You don’t need to know. Get out.”
“Master!”
Sa Ma Young, who had just finished showering, walked into the living room with wet hair.
He wore a towel draped around his neck and comfortable lounge wear.
“Master, Ri Ri is——”
Hearts practically burst from Bang Ri Ri’s eyes as she looked at Sa Ma Young, but he was cold.
“I said get out, didn’t I?”
“But I can’t leave you alone with a woman I don’t even know.”
“She’s my guest. Don’t speak carelessly.”
Sa Ma Young waved his hand dismissively as he spoke.
As if that were an ultimatum, Bang Ri Ri turned away with frustration, biting her lower lip, and left the living room.
When I heard the distant click of the door closing, Sa Ma Young looked at me and smiled, his eyes narrowing gently.
“How have you been, Yeo Joo?”
Yeah, smiling like that now won’t change the fact that I just saw your terrible personality.
“I’ve been well, and Hong Joo seems to be doing well too, doesn’t she? What’s wrong with Hong Joo?”
I looked back and forth between my surroundings and Hong Joo as I spoke.
As a temporary guardian, I was proud—Hong Joo was living like a princess.
First, there was a large window perfectly suited for Hong Joo, who loved looking out at the scenery.
Moreover, there was a sturdy and cozy wooden cat tower positioned right by the living room window, making me feel sorry for making her sit on the cold, hard windowsill in my room every day.
That wasn’t all.
As befitted a home where a familiar in cat form was kept, I could see several cute little hideaways scattered throughout, and the transparent, gleaming water bowl was clearly crystal.
It wasn’t the forest residence of Sa Ma Young I’d read about in books, but since it was Sa Ma Young’s residence within the Sama Guild, the beautiful interior design was as magazine-worthy as they come.
“Her fur is so glossy and shiny that it seems like her energy intake is going well too.”
“Ah, about that.”
Sa Ma Young poured me a cup of water and spoke.
“She’s been strangely refusing snacks. I’ve offered her everything cats are supposed to like, but she won’t eat any of it.”
“What have you tried giving her?”
“Everything made by the dedicated chef I hired for Hong Joo.”
…So Hong Joo even has a dedicated chef.
I’d momentarily forgotten that Sa Ma Young was an S-rank Hunter and a conglomerate heir.
I gently combed through Hong Joo’s round head with my fingertips and asked.
“Hong Joo, would you like to try a snack that Chung Soo made?”
“Meow.”

[ ( ܸ ⩌⩊⩌ ܸ ) ]

Before arriving at the Sama Guild, I’d hastily grabbed a bag of snacks from Im Chung Soo just in case. As I shook it, Hong Joo’s eyes sparkled with interest.
“Here, this is an upgraded version of the snack. Try it.”
He’d mentioned adding some ingredients or other, but I’d forgotten the details the moment I heard them.
Not that it mattered what went into it.
The effect was undeniable.
Crunch, crunch, crunch.
Hong Joo didn’t even lift his head as he devoured three pieces in quick succession.
“What is that?”
“It’s a specialized snack for Familiars, made by our Guild’s Potion Master.”
“Could you buy about a hundred of them?”
“It’s not something we sell. Since Hong Joo likes it, I could bring some by occasionally….”
Wait, something felt off.
I caught Sa Ma Young’s expression—his eyes crinkling with deeper amusement than before—and changed my answer.
“I’ll have them shipped to you instead. By courier.”
“That’s unfortunate. You’re far too perceptive, Yeo Joo.”
Sa Ma Young licked his lips with his tongue, confirming that his earlier words had been calculated.
Watching him, a sudden suspicion rose to the surface.
“Was Hong Joo being strange just an excuse?”
“About half of it? You know, ‘come see the cat at our house,’ that sort of thing.”
He didn’t even deny it.
I set the snack bag on the table and stood up immediately.
I’d confirmed Hong Joo was doing well, and I planned to send plenty of Im Chung Soo’s snacks by courier, so there was nothing left to do here.
“You’re leaving already?”
“Meow.”
“Even Hong Joo seems reluctant to see you go.”
Watching Hong Joo’s crimson eyes gleam as he looked at me, his tail swishing gently, my resolve wavered slightly.
But there was nothing good about getting entangled with Sa Ma Young for any length of time.
“I’m a busy person in my own right, you know?”
“That’s true. I wonder why you’re so busy. If you were my person, you wouldn’t have to struggle so hard.”
As Sa Ma Young rose from his seat, I felt the full impact of his height and build—both considerably larger than mine.
I stepped back, and he chuckled at my reaction before speaking.
“What would it take for you to become my person? Would money do it—the kind you like?”
Honestly, I was terrified he’d offer hundreds of billions, even trillions, without hesitation.
I let out a scoff and a bitter laugh, then said something Sa Ma Young could never possibly do.
“If you became as kind as our Kang Han Guild Master, then maybe.”
“In your opinion, is Kang Han a good person?”
“Of course.”
“From where I stand… he’s just a hypocrite.”
“Hypocrisy is still goodness. People become good by doing good things.”
The Kang Han I know is exactly that kind of person.
Someone who doesn’t spare himself for the justice he believes in.
Sa Ma Young is his exact opposite in that he chases only his own desires.
“Hong Joo, Baek Ho is doing well. If you want to see Baek Ho… come alone.”
Tired of exchanging words with Sa Ma Young any further, I stroked Hong Joo one last time before turning away.
Before leaving the living room, the last I saw of Sa Ma Young, he was still standing in that spot.
Both hands in his pockets, wearing a smile.
But his eyes were utterly cold and vacant.

* * *

“My, has our guest already left?”
Woo Jun Kyung, who had emerged into the living room carrying two cups of tea, asked as he looked at Sa Ma Young sitting alone on the sofa.
“How did it go?”
The master’s aura, which softened like flower petals whenever he was with the woman named Yeo Joo, had already turned as cold and hard as marble.
Woo Jun Kyung clicked his tongue inwardly before responding.
“I executed it as you instructed. By now, the ultimatum should have reached the Magma Guild, my lord.”
“Seal it tight. Leave no room for escape.”

—————

This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

—————