The Female Lead Saves the World - Chapter 225

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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 46

What virtues does the Association Director need to lead the Korean Awakener Association?
First, they must be an Awakener.
Only then can they truly understand the hearts of Awakeners and properly represent our interests.
Second, they must be someone capable of maintaining neutrality.
Not merely neutrality between the Gong Gil Yeon Alliance and the Jung Dong Alliance.
They must be someone with a clean slate, untangled from complex webs of interest, capable of remaining thoroughly neutral in all disputes—great and small—that arise among Awakeners and making sound judgments accordingly.
And finally, they must be someone who can earn the trust of non-Awakeners.
When conflict erupts between Awakeners and non-Awakeners like last time, would Jo Gye Young’s message even reach people properly if someone unpopular with both Awakeners and non-Awakeners appeared on television spouting off?
But fortunately, there exists someone who fits all these difficult conditions perfectly.
Kang Han and I traveled all the way to this remote mountain village in Jeollanam Province to find that person.
I smiled at Kang Han as he parked the car at the village entrance.
“Still, I have to say, the former Association Director did us a favor. At least we got some breathing room to come all this way.”
“I wouldn’t say we have much breathing room. Once we finish here and return to the Guild, I still need to review the remaining applications for the Strategy Team 4 entrance exam…”
“La la la, I can’t hear you. I don’t know, I don’t care. I’m on vacation here, so I’m not talking about work.”
As I covered my ears and shouted, Kang Han chuckled softly and unbuckled my seatbelt for me.
“Understood. We won’t discuss Guild matters here. Shall we get out and head deeper into the village?”
As we stepped out of the car and began walking, the reality of having traveled south truly began to sink in.
In Seoul, it was cold enough to make me wonder if I should pull out my padding jacket soon.
Yet despite being surrounded by mountains, the village was warm enough to walk comfortably with my back straight and relaxed.
Kang Han and I walked in sync, discussing the person who had brought us here today.
“The former Association Director. Hunter Ji Jung Hwi. Do you know anything about him?”
“He’s an upright person. I haven’t met him directly many times, but I’ve heard many good things about him.”
“But how did someone like Jo Gye Young end up taking a position that such a person held for so long?”
“He apparently experienced a major incident and retired quite suddenly.”
“Ah, an incident.”
I was already well aware of the “incident” involving Hunter Ji Jung Hwi.
The perpetrator was Ji Jung Hwi, and the victim was his wife—a tragic “incident.”
It was all because of that damned Darkness addiction.
A-rank Hunter and Association Director Ji Jung Hwi had personally cleared a Guerrilla Gate that appeared near the Korean Awakener Association Building, then went berserk after returning home.
‘The problem was that it was a rampage where he indiscriminately unleashed skills everywhere.’
It was an unusual type of rampage for a mental-type Hunter with Mind Control and Telepathy skills.
After his wife, who had just returned home, was thrown out of the apartment window, Ji Jung Hwi finally came to his senses and immediately stepped down as Association Director, disappearing.
Mii Village, where he now lived, had only been registered as his address about a year ago.
Until then, he had remained missing the entire time.
“But why is the village so empty? Surely they didn’t all go on a trip together, did they?”
“Hmm, though the numbers are small, I can sense some presence coming from the village community center over there.”
“Really? Then let’s hurry over. While we’re at it, we can also check if there’s a house where we can stay for the night.”
I took Kang Han’s hand and led him toward the village community center.

* * *

Sa Ma Young’s Mansion, located on the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province.
Sa Ma Young lay sprawled across the bed, his gaze fixed upon the large television hanging before him as if pinned there by a thumbtack.

[ “Despite clearing an S-rank Dungeon that had a time limit….” ]

Watching the press conference footage—how many times had he seen it now?—Sa Ma Young forgot even to blink.
Knock, knock.
A knock sounded in the silent bedroom where only the television’s voice had been heard.
Moments later, Woo Jun Kyung entered without making a sound and spoke in a low voice.
“As you commanded, I have compiled a list of suitable candidates for the new Association Director. I will leave it on the side table, my lord.”
“….”
Woo Jun Kyung did not expect a response.
Ever since Yeo Joo had visited, Sa Ma Young had remained in this state.
Having completed the task his lord had assigned, it was time to withdraw.
Yet an uncharacteristic impulse of jealousy caused Woo Jun Kyung to open his mouth once more.
“My lord, why do you not become the Association Director yourself?”
He could not fathom Sa Ma Young’s intention in seeking out a new Association Director to serve as a puppet.
The last time the position had been vacant, he had lacked the perfect support of the previous director due to his A-rank status, so appointing a proxy had been the wise course.
But now it was different.
Sa Ma Young had re-awakened as S-rank and even driven out his half-brother Sa Ma Jung back to the United States.
With his internal foundation already solidified, he was more than capable of becoming Association Director himself now.
“I believe it would be a good opportunity. If you became Association Director, you could pursue many endeavors more smoothly than you do now….”
“Leave the list and go.”
What returned was a cold dismissal.
Woo Jun Kyung swallowed a sigh and retrieved Sa Ma Young’s phone from his pocket, placing it on the nightstand as he reported.
“Jo Gye Young continues to contact you. And in the most recent call….”
Woo Jun Kyung paused as he saw Sa Ma Young’s crimson eyes, which had been fixed on the television all this while, turn toward him.
“In the recent call, he said, ‘I cannot die alone.’ What shall we do?”
Sa Ma Young answered immediately.
“Handle it.”
The meaning of the word “handle” was unmistakable.
“He wants to die anyway—we should grant his wish.”
“Yes, I understand.”
As Woo Jun Kyung left the bedroom, Sa Ma Young replayed the press conference footage that had already concluded.
Though his appearance was disheveled, his eyes fixed on Yeo Joo in the screen gleamed with crystalline clarity.
“Yeo Joo.”
As if she were standing in this very room, Sa Ma Young called out her name.
Of course, no answer came in return.
His long, pale fingers merely caressed the main ribbon of the snack box Hong Joo had left behind with stubborn persistence.

* * *

“Phew, someone’s talking about me. Why does my ear keep itching?”
“Huh? Your ear’s itching? Want me to grab you a cotton swab?”
“No, Elder. But where did you say Hunter Ji Jung Hwi is?”
“Who?”
The grandfather guarding the Village Community Center, his face so deeply lined it was impossible to gauge his age, tilted his head as if he’d already forgotten the conversation they’d just had.
“Ji Jung Hwi, Grandfather. The hunter who used to work in Seoul. You remember, don’t you?”
“Ah, Teacher Ji? Of course I do, of course.”
“Thank goodness. Could you tell me where Teacher Ji lives?”
“Well, there’s a house with a red gate right below that mountain over there. But he won’t be home now, will he?”
“Then where can I find him?”
“If you want to meet Teacher Ji, you’ll need to go over there.”
The grandfather’s weathered finger pointed toward the distant mountain.
A sudden premonition struck my mind like a hammer.
“The mountain…?”
“Yeah. The villagers are up there picking jujubes tonight.”
“Jujubes…”
Right, autumn was the season when jujubes ripened.
But of all nights, they had to go up the mountain to pick them tonight.
For a moment, I wanted to abandon everything—the Association Director position and all—and flee back to Seoul.
But that was impossible.
“Thank you, Grandfather. I’ll meet with Teacher Ji and come back here!”
“Be careful now. The mountain’s steep, so watch your step going up.”
As I bowed and turned to leave, I spotted the sneakers I’d taken off still sitting in their original spot.
“Sigh. I really wish I could wear comfortable shoes.”

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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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