The Female Lead Saves the World - Chapter 254

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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 75

Sa Ma Young looked quite startled to see me already inside his office.
His gaze toward Woo Jun Kyung was sharp and silent, as if questioning something.
“Don’t say anything to Woo Jun Kyung. I lied and said I had a prior appointment.”
“…I see.”
At Sa Ma Young’s words, Woo Jun Kyung bowed deeply and left the office.
As I watched his departing figure, something soft brushed against my stomach.
Hong Joo, a familiar with a sleeker build than Na Baek Ho, was rubbing its forehead against my body.
“Hong Joo, you’ve grown too?”
“Meow.”
I stroked Hong Joo’s neck, impressed by how well it responded, and asked Sa Ma Young.
“When did it evolve?”
“A few days ago.”
“Na Baek Ho did the same. Must be because they’re twins.”
It was a plausible hypothesis.
Baek Ho and Gung Gi weren’t simply twins born on the same day and hour from the same litter.
Since they were essentially one soul split into two, it wasn’t strange that when one grew, the influence would reach the other half.
I gently rubbed Hong Joo’s ears between my fingers while addressing Sa Ma Young, who still stood at a distance.
“You know why I came, don’t you?”
“You came because of the Double Dungeon access restrictions.”
Even as Sa Ma Young answered my question, he didn’t meet my eyes.
Well, whatever.
“If you’re thinking of persuading me to lift the restrictions, you can leave.”
“Why would I need to persuade you?”
I tapped Hong Joo’s dark, moist nose once more, then walked toward the window where Sa Ma Young stood.
I stopped at a distance where I could reach him with an outstretched arm and spoke.
“The Gong Gil Yeon Alliance is yours to do with as you please. Whether you oppose increasing personnel transfers and restrict healers from entering Double Dungeons or not—do as you wish. But the Jung Dong Alliance isn’t the same, is it?”
After the hunter world split cleanly between the Jung Dong Alliance and the Gong Gil Yeon Alliance, and the Association Director changed to Ji Jung Hwi, Sa Ma Young’s sphere of influence inevitably shrank.
It was exactly what I wanted.
“Even if Jung Dong Alliance hunters get drafted, the Awakeners Association won’t permit healers to participate in those operations.”
“You know one thing but not two.”
“What?”
“The Association avoids situations where healer safety isn’t guaranteed. In other words, if a healer’s safety is assured, the Association has no intention of restricting access and doesn’t want to either.”
From the Association’s perspective, it was naturally better if healers participated.
To increase the probability of clearing the Double Dungeon, and for the safety of other hunters as well.
“What would you think if Jung Dong Alliance hunters voluntarily sent three or more S-rank hunters into the Double Dungeon?”
I didn’t need to wait for an answer.
Sa Ma Young’s cold gaze was speaking for him.
“The dispatched personnel—the minimum required number—is just three. If more than that go in, do you think the Awakeners Association would stop them? I absolutely don’t think so. They’d welcome it with open arms instead. So among them, don’t you think there won’t be a single hunter willing to prioritize protecting me?”
Sa Ma Young had orchestrated this situation believing hunters would be reluctant to enter the dangerous Double Dungeon.
But that logic only applied to the Gong Gil Yeon Alliance guilds, who preferred to play it safe and lacked any altruistic inclinations.
The Jung Dong Alliance hunters were people who believed three S-rank hunters alone were insufficient to clear the Double Dungeon.
They were people who worried about the damage ordinary citizens would suffer if those three S-ranks failed to clear it.
“Your plan was flawed from the start, Sa Ma Young. I’m going into the Double Dungeon.”
Sa Ma Young finally erupted.
It wasn’t merely an emotional outburst.
Literally, Sa Ma Young and the space around me were engulfed in flames in an instant.
“Kyaaaah—!”
When the flames, towering higher than a person, made it difficult to approach us, an enraged Hong Joo bristled and cried out.
I didn’t have the composure to soothe Hong Joo either.
Sa Ma Young was right in front of me.
“You’re really insisting on going there.”
His voice, uttered as if chewing each syllable, was cold yet seething with rage.
“Do you want to die that badly?”
It’s the opposite.
I’m entering the Double Dungeon because I want to live.
To prevent the end of this world and let us all survive together.
To do that, I intend to use everything I’ve been given.
Like that affection gauge floating above Sa Ma Young’s head right now.

《 ♥ 50 : Distrust 》

It had risen even higher than before.
If ‘♥100’ was the maximum, then I was already halfway there.
Right now, the only thing I could rely on was that meager number.
At least he wouldn’t harm me.
But as if to betray that very belief, Sa Ma Young suddenly seized my throat.
A chill ran down my spine as I stared into his crimson eyes, reflecting the dancing flames.
“Why not die by my hand now, rather than meet a dog’s death inside the Double Dungeon?”
As he spoke, I felt his grip tighten around my neck.
Honestly, Sa Ma Young didn’t even need to exert force to kill me.
The moment he decided, I would be consumed by the Calamity Fire
(劫火)
without even ash remaining.
That inferno which burned the entire world on the day of reckoning.
Fortunately, I felt no fear.
In fact, I thought it was time to settle this once and for all.
I placed my hand over his, the one gripping my throat, and stepped half a pace closer.
Then I looked directly into his eyes and spoke.
“Sa Ma Young, you can’t kill me.”
A fierce blaze erupted in defiance.
Raging flames surged forth.
But I felt like laughing.
Not a single one of those Calamity Fire flames—swelling menacingly and billowing with threat—was hot.
Instead, all I heard was a rather embarrassing *ding* sound.

《 ♥ 52 : Distrust 》

‘As expected, Sa Ma Young is beyond help….’
Had I celebrated too early?
Sa Ma Young’s left hand drew closer to me.
Was he trying to strangle my neck with both hands?
Or perhaps slap my cheek?
With such thoughts running through my mind, I reflexively squeezed my eyes shut.
Yet as time passed, there was no pain.
Through my barely-open eyes, I saw Sa Ma Young’s fingertips brushing against my right cheek without quite touching it.
And trembling crimson eyes.
His face, drawn so close, desired nothing more.
He simply tucked my fallen hair behind my ear and withdrew.
The moment Sa Ma Young’s hand released from around my neck, the flames vanished and the ceiling sprinkler burst open with a sharp crack.
Crash!
It was then that the office door exploded inward with a tremendous sound.
“Yeo Joo!”
Kang Han, who had torn away the massive wooden door panel that had been half-dislodged by the earlier explosion and hurled it aside, came rushing toward me.
“I told you to wait downstairs.”
“The fire alarm suddenly went off… Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Just a bit cold.”
This must be a quality building—the sprinkler system was relentless.
Seeing me begin to shiver, Kang Han frowned and draped his uniform jacket over my shoulders.
Maybe I should just wear a uniform every day.
Best insulation available.
Due to our size difference, I was completely swallowed by the uniform as Kang Han led me out of the office.
As I walked, I glanced back to find Sa Ma Young still standing by the window.
The fierce torrent of water pouring from the ceiling made it impossible to open his eyes properly, yet I could unmistakably feel him watching me.
I took one last look at Sa Ma Young before walking out with Kang Han.
‘Please, let it work.’
I had bluffed to Sa Ma Young with a confident “do whatever you want,” but that would be disastrous if it actually happened.
If it didn’t matter how the Gong Gil Yeon Alliance responded, I wouldn’t have needed to chase all the way to Gangnam like this.
The Double Dungeon is the true beginning of the end.
It means a tidal wave far too massive for the Jung Dong Alliance’s hunters alone to contain.
Not only the S-rank hunters of the Gong Gil Yeon Alliance, including Sa Ma Young, but every single high-rank hunter was essential.
I could only hope that becoming a drowned rat like this would be worth it.
And fortunately, that very evening, an official notice from the Awakeners Association arrived.

[ URGENT ] Double Dungeon Dispatch: S-rank hunters increased from the existing 3 to a minimum of 5. All other ranks, no personnel limit.

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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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