The Female Lead Saves the World - Chapter 183

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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
Part 2, Episode 4

Cheongmun Guild was based in Cheongna, Incheon.
The founding guild master, who was the current guild master’s aunt, and her entire family lived in the Incheon area.
Perhaps because of this, unlike other guilds scattered here and there according to convenience, Cheongmun had an exceptional affection for the region.
Whenever a Gate opened in Incheon, it naturally became Cheongmun’s responsibility, and people naturally expected the Cheongmun Guild to mobilize.
Over a long time, trust was built between the region and the guild.
And that trust grew abundantly, becoming the foundation for Cheongmun’s rise.
‘How many A-rank Gates have opened in Incheon so far?’
Cheongmun, which swallowed high-risk Gates without interference from other guilds, rose to become a top-tier guild.
As a result, the current Cheongmun possessed all the conditions to maintain its top-tier ranking.
Appropriately-ranked Gates that opened steadily in the Incheon region without fail, excellent hunters, and devoted supporters.
‘The supporters seem to be greatly influenced by the guild master’s appearance, though.’
Gazing into the clear, crystalline eyes of the Cheongmun Guild Master, I found myself naturally convinced.
With such looks, it would be strange not to become a fan.
A man with long black hair, dressed in an elegant, refined modernized hanbok according to the Cheongmun Guild’s dress code.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Healer Yeo Joo.”
Ryu Do Kyung, the Cheongmun Guild Master, was startled for only a moment by my sudden approach.
Returning to his usual composed demeanor, he rose from his seat and extended his hand.
I hadn’t noticed when he was sitting, but standing up, he was considerably taller than me.
I grasped his delicate, pale hand—the kind that perfectly embodied the phrase “soft and fair”—and smiled.
“You’ve come a long way from Incheon.”
Ryu Do Kyung and the members of Cheongmun Guild, like ascetics quietly cultivating the Way in the mountains, rarely involved themselves in matters outside Incheon.
It wasn’t without reason that the guild’s official dress code was hanbok.
Ryu Do Kyung offered a smile so gentle it seemed to rustle softly as he spoke.
“Given the circumstances, it was necessary.”
“True enough.”
“Still, thanks to this, I’ve had the chance to meet Healer Yeo Joo, so the trip wasn’t wasted.”
“Likewise. Director Seo Yu Baek has told me many wonderful things about you. I’ve always wanted to meet you someday.”
Ryu Do Kyung, the Cheongmun Guild Master, and Seo Yu Baek, the nagging S-rank Healer, were close friends.
Occasionally, photos of the two drinking together appeared on online communities with eyewitness accounts.
Sure enough, the moment Seo Yu Baek’s name was mentioned, Ryu Do Kyung’s expression brightened considerably.
“Ah, Director Seo. I haven’t seen his face in ages because work has been so busy lately. How is Director Seo doing these days?”
“Quite well. He’s conducting potion research together with our guild member Im Chung Soo. The results have been so good that I worry he might be overworking himself. But you know Director Seo’s personality.”
Ryu Do Kyung nodded slightly, furrowing his brow in agreement, as if he had heard about the wound potion research with Im Chung Soo.
And at that same moment, a cheerful chime sounded as Ryu Do Kyung’s affection rating appeared above my head.

《 ♥ 12 》

…Higher than I expected?
I’d assumed Seo Yu Baek must have said something favorable about me.
‘I should bring another fruit basket sometime soon.’
Thanks to this, my conversation with Ryu Do Kyung seemed like it would flow much more smoothly.
“Director Seo is the problem—he’s far too kind-hearted. He treats so many patients every single day, yet he barely takes care of himself.”
“That’s true. I’ve seen him just grab instant ramen for meals.”
Once Seo Yu Baek became the topic of conversation, there was no awkwardness between Ryu Do Kyung and me.
This was the power of a mutual connection.
But then Ryu Do Kyung suddenly said something unexpected.
“There’s a hypothesis that an Awakener’s abilities reflect their inherent personality. Are all Healers naturally this altruistic, Healer Yeo Joo?”
“Well… I’m not sure. I’m not as kind-hearted as Director Seo…”
“I’ve heard Director Seo express concern more than once, saying ‘Yeo Joo is so good-natured it’s actually a problem.'”
Ryu Do Kyung smiled with a slightly mischievous edge.
I stared at him blankly.
Of course, part of it was because his smile was radiant enough to make his handsome face shine even brighter, but more than that, I was remembering Ryu Do Kyung’s final moments from the Chronicles of Sejong.
‘Ryu Do Kyung died saving thousands of Incheon citizens.’
My last memory of him was his glorious death in battle—refusing to escape from the rampaging Underwater Dungeon and single-handedly holding back the monster wave until he fell.
So what expression should I wear when someone like that calls me kind?
Seeing me stumble over my words in silence, Ryu Do Kyung offered serious advice.
“Both Director Seo and Healer Yeo Joo need to learn to take care of yourselves as much as you do for others. Understood?”
…Now I understood why Seo Yu Baek and Ryu Do Kyung were close.
Both of them had a meddlesome streak as vast as the Pacific Ocean.
“I will. But I’m really not that altruistic. I actually came here to ask Cheongmun Guild Master for a favor.”
“A favor?”
“It might be somewhat difficult… but it’s quite important for Justice Guild.”
“Tell me.”
“Well… if possible, would it be alright to enter the Underwater Dungeon that Cheongmun Guild owns?”
It was a sort of field study request.
Before we actually bid for and attempted to conquer an Underwater Dungeon ourselves, we could gain experience by entering a safely maintained Gate.
And Cheongmun Guild’s fixed Underwater Dungeon was perfectly suited for that.
Originally classified as A-rank, and large in scale, the dungeon was maintained by not destroying its core, and intentionally kept some monsters alive rather than exterminating them all—specifically for training Cheongmun Guild’s rookie Hunters.
‘Building a relationship with Cheongmun now will be a huge asset later.’
The fact that Cheongmun currently belonged to the Gong Gil Yeon Alliance wasn’t important right now.
I was thinking and moving with a longer future in mind.
Hiding such ulterior motives—or rather, not-so-ulterior motives—I waited quietly for Ryu Do Kyung’s answer.
With a lengthy speech already loaded and ready, just in case I got rejected.
But Ryu Do Kyung asked me a question.
“What’s your reason for wanting to experience an Underwater Dungeon?”
It was a straightforward question without any deflection or probing.
I took a moment to collect myself before answering.
“Because it’s an avoided Dungeon.”
“…There are reasons why Guilds don’t prefer them. You need to prepare many items just to enter, and the danger level is higher compared to other types of the same rank. But despite that, the amount of Magic Stones you can mine is small. In short, the cost-effectiveness is poor.”
“Hmm, that’s true. But our country is surrounded by sea on three sides. Plus, there’s an enormous river running through the middle of Seoul. It wouldn’t be strange if Underwater Dungeons appear more frequently in the future. I’m just preparing for that possibility.”
I glanced toward where Kang Han was standing before speaking.
“I’m not such an altruistic person, but our Guild Master is genuinely kind-hearted. Even if it’s an Underwater Dungeon that others avoid, if it’s necessary, he’ll dive in without hesitation. If we can’t stop him, it’s better to prepare properly.”
“Hmm.”
After a moment of contemplation, Ryu Do Kyung readily nodded his head.
“Excellent. Very good. I think it would be best to set a date right away. What do you think?”
…He’s being a bit too eager, isn’t he?
Ding—

《 ♥ 13 》

His favorability had increased.
I wondered if wanting to tour an Underwater Dungeon was really something to be this pleased about.
“Thank you so much for allowing this. Would it be alright if I contact you tomorrow after checking my schedule?”
“Of course. Here’s my personal number. Please reach out through this.”
The Cheongmun Guild Master’s personal number falling into my hands this easily?
And Ryu Do Kyung’s kindness didn’t end there.
“Since this is a tour for the Justice Guild, I’ll make time to accompany you personally.”
“Accompany… me?”
“Cheongmun has many excellent Hunters, but I know Underwater Dungeons the best. It will be helpful.”
Helpful was an understatement.
If Ryu Do Kyung went in with us, I wouldn’t need to worry about unexpected emergencies.
I quickly grabbed his hand before he could change his mind.
“Then, without further hesitation, I’ll be counting on you.”
As Ryu Do Kyung and I smiled at each other and shook hands warmly, I felt curious gazes from those around us.
Of course they would.
Cheongmun belonged to the Gong Gil Yeon Alliance.
But.
‘How long will it last?’
There was no impenetrable wall between the Jung Dong Alliance and the Gong Gil Yeon Alliance.
Anyone could cross that line and join the opposing faction at any time.
“We’ll resume the meeting now. Everyone, please be seated.”
At the Association Staff’s voice, I gave one final squeeze to my right hand that held Ryu Do Kyung’s.
Cheongmun was different from the Sama Guild and Fantasia, who wouldn’t even hesitate to cause a Dungeon Break for their own position and power.
Ryu Do Kyung’s support for the Gong Gil Yeon Alliance was transparent.
The fear of potentially having to abandon the Incheon region he had protected for so long against his will.
If that anxiety disappeared.
‘The residential restriction bill—I need to eliminate that first.’
I returned to my seat beside Kang Han and made a silent vow.

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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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