The Female Lead Saves the World - Chapter 292

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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 113

“Woo Jun Kyung.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“How insolent.”
“…I apologize, my lord.”
According to the Sa Ma Family’s internal code of conduct, such an offense would warrant capital punishment without hesitation.
Yet Woo Jun Kyung, who had served Sa Ma Young since the day he first stepped into the Sa Ma residence at the tender age of four, holding his mother’s hand, showed not a flicker of wavering in his gaze.
It was the unwavering loyalty of a trusted retainer who understood his master’s heart better than Sa Ma Young understood it himself.
After a prolonged silence, words of permission finally escaped.
“Bring her inside.”
“As you wish.”
Woo Jun Kyung closed each of the windows that had been wide open, then left the room.
And not long after, Yeo Joo appeared.
“What? Why are you hiding away in these mountains when there’s a perfectly good building in the heart of Gangnam?”
“I’m not hiding.”
The response was curt, but Sa Ma Young could not help but acknowledge the truth in his heart.
Woo Jun Kyung’s words were right.
He had been waiting for Yeo Joo all along.
Now, seeing the vitality returning to him as if he were truly breathing again, it was undeniable.
Unaware of his feelings, she stepped into the inner chamber and embraced Hong Joo like a separated family member reuniting after decades, rubbing her face against his.
“Oh, Hong Joo. Have you been well, my Hong Joo?”
“Meow.”
Hong Joo, trembling with joy at being reunited with Yeo Joo, his black tail quivering, finally could not contain himself and reverted to his true, enormous form.
“[Yeo Joo, Yeo Joo, Yeo Joo.]”
“Oh? You can talk now too? My Hong Joo has such a beautiful voice!”
“[I missed you. I waited for you.]”
“Did you? My Hong Joo waited for me?”
It was inevitable that one’s speech would soften before such an adorable creature.
Yet there was an undercurrent of bewilderment in her heart.
‘Has he always liked me this much?’
From the massive paws planted squarely on Yeo Joo’s shoulders to the face that rubbed and nuzzled without pause.
Today’s welcome ceremony was particularly long and intense.
A Familiar’s emotions are greatly influenced by their Imprinter, or so she had heard.
Yeo Joo’s gaze drifted toward Sa Ma Young, who sat with his legs crossed leisurely in his chair.
‘Ugh, surely not.’
If this were Sa Ma Young’s influence, the man himself wasn’t even sparing her a proper glance.
True to form, a cold voice spoke as he tilted the teacup placed by the window and moistened his throat.
“You came here because you had business with me, didn’t you?”
“Oh, right.”
Yeo Joo, recalling the errand she’d momentarily forgotten, peeled away the reluctant Hong Joo and rose to her feet.
Then, abruptly, she set down a familiar small box before Sa Ma Young.
“Lost property.”
“How considerate of you to bring me something I was planning to discard.”
“What do you mean discard?! Why would you throw this away?!”
Yeo Joo burst out, opening the box and thrusting the wristwatch inside directly under Sa Ma Young’s nose.
“Do you know how much trouble I went through making this? Well, I didn’t actually make it myself, but I still put a lot of care into it!”
Yet Sa Ma Young merely snorted dismissively, not lifting a single fingertip toward the wristwatch.
“I even paid for an expensive spatial transfer service to bring it here because you’ll need it for the Guild Cup later, and you can’t even thank me?”
“That kind of trash—I know dozens of them were delivered to the Guild.”
“Well, that may be true, but… just use the one that came with your own allocation anyway.”
“So you’re determined to reveal it after all—that skill.”
That skill which had saved him when he was dying alone, deceived by Sa Ma Jung’s scheme within the Dungeon.
Every time she held his hand and used her ability, the scorching heat that had been boiling away would subside, and he could never forget the ecstasy that filled that space instead.
But now others would learn of it too.
There were already far too many people around Yeo Joo.
Kang Han, clinging shamelessly to Yeo Joo, and those Justice Guild bastards; and even Je Hwa, who was called “Workshop Sugar’s boss” when they met in the Hospital Room, but upon investigation turned out to actually be “Master.”
He couldn’t tolerate those men, and now all manner of riffraff would cling to Yeo Joo.
Just thinking about it made him want to find each person who would use Yeo Joo’s skill and burn them to ash.
“Because revealing the skill will allow us to save more people.”
Look at her now.
Yeo Joo was far too passive.
With an ability no one else possessed, she could obtain anything simply by wielding it as a weapon.
Yet she merely wanted to “save more people”?
“So Sa Ma Young, if you don’t want to die from a rampage, wear this wristwatch consistently.”
“Why? Wouldn’t it be better for you if I died?”
He already knew that Yeo Joo disliked him.
Fear, suspicion, wariness.
He wasn’t so foolish as to miss the emotions flickering across that bright face.
So naturally, he expected her to nod in agreement.
“No? I hope you live long and well, Sa Ma Young.”
“…What?”
“Don’t die from something like a rampage. You should live too, Sa Ma Young.”
As if answering something obvious, she furrowed her brow and shook her head, then fastened the watch she was holding onto his wrist as she spoke.
“This measures your Dark Addiction gauge. If it rises, contact me. Don’t suffer alone like last time. I’ll come save you.”
“Then what about you?”
I was furious with this foolish woman.
“If you’re the one in danger, who will save you?”
The situation after revealing my skill was as predictable as fire.
The hunters who had always considered it natural to overcome runaway states would reach out their hands, each begging for help.
Then this soft-headed woman would grow anxious, unable to save all of them.
Moment by moment—or perhaps frequently—she might fall into danger.
The world was full of people with desires just as ugly as my own.
The thought of such creatures daring to covet Yeo Joo made my blood boil.
‘Perhaps I should just lock her away.’
It seemed like a good idea.
Yeo Joo had come to this residence nestled deep in the mountains, alone.
Without any strength to protect herself, yet so naively.
It was the perfect opportunity.
My eyes glowed red.
To confine her here, where no one would know, where she could meet no one but me.

[ Abnormal Status ‘Desire’ has been activated. ]
[ All abilities of the Awakened One increase by 33% for 24 hours. ]

Just as I was about to surrender to this sinister desire.
Crack!
“Ugh! There you go thinking useless thoughts again!”
Yeo Joo struck my forearm hard.
Then she laughed softly and spoke.
“Did you really think I’d reveal my skill without any countermeasures?”
“…Then?”
“You’ll find out gradually later.”
I couldn’t tear my gaze away from the mischievous curve of her eyes.
Yeo Joo met my vacant red stare with warm brown eyes and whispered like a mischievous child.
“And honestly, if I’m in danger, you’ll save me anyway, right? You wouldn’t just stand by and watch someone bother me.”
In that moment, I was left speechless.
It wasn’t Yeo Joo who was foolish.
It was me, thinking even for a moment that I could oppose this woman.
“Ha.”
A hollow laugh escaped me.
Like waking from a dream, I couldn’t ignore the emptiness mixed with the quiet joy blooming from deep within my chest.

“If I’m in danger, you’ll save me anyway, right?”

Why does his trust in me sound so bittersweet?
Sa Ma Young quickly turned his head away, desperate to hide his foolish grin.
Taking this as a gesture to end the conversation, Yeo Joo stepped back with a bow.
“I should go now. The teleporter must be waiting. Good luck with the Guild Cup—I’ll be rooting for you.”
Tap, tap.
Her light, delicate footsteps faded beyond the inner chamber.
Hong Joo, who had been watching Yeo Joo’s retreating figure with reluctant eyes, slowly returned to Sa Ma Young’s side.
“Meow.”
When Sa Ma Young didn’t stroke his head despite the plaintive cry, Hong Joo looked up at his master in confusion.
His face was hidden behind his large hand, but his ears—flushed crimson—peeked through the black strands of his hair.

* * *

[“Ah, Sa Ma Young’s performance as guild master is remarkable!”
“Absolutely! Did he come in with a special strategy today? This is exactly what the power of an S-rank flame user looks like!”
“It’s unfortunate for the Bo Guk Guild facing the Sama Guild, but as the first match of the Guild Cup’s round of 16 being watched by the entire world, it’s truly something to be proud of!”]

The caster’s and commentator’s voices echoed through the car heading toward Jeonju.
Han Ji Sung, watching the live broadcast on his phone from the back seat, tilted his head and muttered.
“Did he equip some new buff item? Even for the Tree Dungeon, Sa Ma Young seems unusually powerful today.”
“Ha, haha. Y-yes, that must be it.”
I can never tell him that I accidentally boosted his stats when I went to deliver the watch.
Bo Guk Guild Master, I’m sorry.

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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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