The Female Lead Saves the World - Chapter 281

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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 102

“Maestro?”
At the unexpected name, people who had been resting in the Break Room began gathering one by one around the delivery boxes.
“Really? This is from Maestro too.”
“All of these came from Maestro?”
Even a rough count showed more than twenty boxes.
Considering there were multiple items in each shopping bag, there might be over thirty in total.
“Heh.”
Standing with my hands clasped behind my back, staring at the mountain of stacked boxes, I let out an involuntary laugh.
The other hunters seemed to be in a similar state as me.
Though they peered around checking the contents, not a single brave soul had actually opened the packages.
Then, the entrance leading outside swung wide open, and along with a rush of cold air pouring in, a cheerful voice rang out.
“Ah, hello everyone from Justice Guild!”
Turning my gaze, a man in his late twenties with a compact frame and round glasses—Geum Eun Dong, the Sub-guild Master of Maestro—entered the Break Room with a bright smile.
“Sub-guild Master Geum Eun Dong, it’s been a while. But what brings you here?”
“Oh my, it’s already, already arrived.”
Geum Eun Dong, greeting with smiling eyes, looked at the delivery boxes and let out a small sigh.
“These are important items, so I, I came here personally.”
“That much is clear. But what is all this?”
“A, a belated Christmas gift?”
His grinning face was playful.
“Just kidding. These are, ah, items we’d like you to use in this, this Guild Cup. After all, Maestro is, we’re your sponsor, in name at least.”
“That’s true, but….”
Honestly, it would be enough if we just got some research tools for Han Ji Sung to use.
I genuinely felt a bit burdened by all this.
Perhaps noticing my gaze, Geum Eun Dong tore open one of the largest boxes nearest to him and pulled out the item inside.
“L, look at this! A sword for Jang Su Ho, a, a hunter’s sword!”
“That’s for me?”
Jang Su Ho, hearing his name, approached with a bewildered expression and accepted the large sword that Geum Eun Dong offered.
“But I only use shields. I’m a Shielder….”
“Y, you never know what situations might come up! Of, of course, you fight well barehanded too.”
“Ah, yes. Wait, this says it’s an A-rank item….”
“What?”
I had nodded along thinking ‘it would be nice to have one just in case’ since it was supposed to be an emergency sword, but I was startled and checked the item description that Jang Su Ho was holding.

[ Shield-Use One-Handed Sword (A)
: A one-handed sword for shield use, characterized by its weighty blade.
Craftsman – Jake Andel (Maestro) ]

The parade of A-rank items was far from over.
“T-this is a new bow for Hunter Lee Yu Chan, and these shoes should help Hunter Lee Yu Eul… Ah! H-here they are!”
Geum Eun Dong opened the boxes one by one himself, retrieving items and presenting them to the hunters gathered in the Break Room.
His actions made it clear he was determined not to give them a chance to refuse.
“T-this one is for Team 3 Leader Lee Tae Yoon.”
“Do I have one too?”
“Of course, of course. We’re the Justice Guild’s sponsor, after all.”
“Thank you so much!”
Seeing Lee Tae Yoon practically bouncing with joy at the realization that he’d received a share, I found myself nodding along despite my reservations.
The packages were already opened—these items were now the Justice Guild’s responsibility.
“By the way, Sub-guild Leader Geum Eun Dong.”
“Y-yes, Healer Yeo Joo!”
“What happens if an item gets damaged?”
My question brought the bustling Break Room to silence.
Everyone’s ears perked up as they listened intently to our conversation.
“W-well, we’d have to provide A/S, of course!”
“Rental items come with A/S?”
“Rental? These aren’t rentals—”
Geum Eun Dong tilted his head in confusion, then his expression shifted to something stubborn as he spoke.
“Our M-Maestro isn’t the kind of petty guild that treats sponsorship as a r-rental arrangement!”
“…You’re just giving all of this away?”
What is this? Some kind of Christmas miracle?
“D-don’t worry! The Maestro doesn’t do b-bad business deals either!”
Geum Eun Dong unwrapped a long box and pulled out a spear.
Though its appearance had changed somewhat, it was unmistakably Kang Han’s weapon—the Ink Spear.

[ Ink Spear (墨戈) II (S)
: Attack Power + 60%, Critical Hit Chance + 12.5%
Craftsman – Master ]

I was staring blankly at the more dazzling item effects and the Master’s name emblazoned across the spear shaft when Geum Eun Dong’s finger pointed directly to the center of Muk Chang’s spear.
“Look here, do you see this? It’s the Master’s seal.”
The mark, written like a flowing letter M, was indeed the seal that appeared only on items the Master had personally crafted.
“Oh, and the other items we gave you today have the Maestro’s gear symbol attached. Every time the Justice Guild performs well in this Guild Cup, it becomes promotional material for our Maestro too!”
“Ah, I see….”
Sponsorships attached to sports teams did work that way originally.
A company’s logo would be placed on the team’s uniforms, and promotional benefits would be gained every time that team appeared on screen.
But for everyone to receive sponsorship from Maestro like this.
To be frank, the Justice Guild would get more publicity than Maestro would.
I had no intention of refusing, but I found myself caught in that strange mixture of gratitude and burden when Geum Eun Dong approached and whispered in a voice too quiet for anyone else to hear.
“The Guild Master asked me to tell you to meet him at the Workshop.”

* * *

Knock, knock.
“Boss, I’m here.”
As I knocked on the door of the Sugar Workshop and spoke, Je Hwa appeared not long after.
“You came, Yeo Joo? Come on in.”
Following Je Hwa through another door, I was able to enter the familiar Secret Workshop.
“You’ve probably eaten by now, but would you like some tea?”
“Yes, that sounds good. Please.”
Shortly after, Je Hwa placed a sweet-scented wild strawberry tea in front of me.
“Boss, you look like you’ve gotten thinner.”
At my words, Je Hwa laughed while brushing his face with one hand.
“Really? I’ve been busy lately.”
“No matter how busy you are, you need to eat properly. Are you the type who doesn’t eat well when alone?”
“Well, yes. It’s easier to just get by with energy bars or protein shakes.”
Kang Han was exactly like that too.
I shook my head and launched into a full lecture.
“Missing a meal or two is one thing, but people still need to eat. We’re all working to make a living! No matter how annoying eating is, going to the Hospital because you ate carelessly is even more annoying, right? And you’re not some twenty-year-old kid—at your age, one wrong move and you could develop a serious illness….”
“Yeo Joo.”
“Yes?”
“I’m not that old.”
Oh no, did I step on a landmine?
Je Hwa leaned his body toward my flustered self and asked.
“How old do you think I am?”
“Um….”
Cold sweat trickled down my spine.
Get it together, Yeo Joo.
I knew there was quite an age gap between us, but I couldn’t remember his exact age.
Based on the fact that Master had made a name for himself roughly fifteen years ago, I gave the most conservative estimate.
“S-so early thirties?”
“I’m thirty-two this year. How old are you, Yeo Joo?”
“Twenty… four.”
“There’s only an eight-year difference, so it bothers me when you keep treating me like an elder.”
Only eight years?
Various questions arose, but in any case, I simply nodded obediently.
At that, Je Hwa smiled with satisfaction.
“Still, I’m glad you’re concerned about me, Yeo Joo.”
“Then stop worrying me by eating properly.”
“Since you’ve shown concern, I should repay the favor. Can I borrow your hand for a moment? Your left hand would be even better.”
Following Je Hwa’s request, I extended my left hand.
In the blink of an eye, a ring slipped onto my pinky finger.
It was a simple silver ring set with a gem as black as obsidian.
“It’s an item that helps with stamina recovery.”
“Oh wow.”
I barely managed to suppress my twitching smile as I read the item description.

[ Yeo Joo Warrior Origin Ring (S)
: A ring that increases natural stamina recovery speed by 50%.
Craftsman – Je Hwa ]

With this, I could reduce my dependence on stamina-boosting tonics.
I no longer had to worry about stamina draining away with every breath in high-grade Gates that took forever to clear.
I liked it so much that I couldn’t bring myself to refuse, even for courtesy’s sake.
But I couldn’t help tilting my head at the last line of the description.
Kang Han’s ring clearly had “Master” listed as the craftsman, so why did mine specifically have “Je Hwa” written in his real name?

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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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