The Female Lead Saves the World - Chapter 30

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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 – Episode 30

Sugar Workshop remained shrouded in darkness.
Once we get closer, I should suggest installing some lighting first.
I deliberately announced my arrival with a loud, cheerful voice as I opened the workshop door.
“Hello, boss! I’m here. How have you been?”
In gratitude for pulling me out from what felt like the stairs of hell—or was it heaven?—I’d stopped by Candy Land beforehand today as well, arriving with both hands full.
“…Come this way.”
Oh, progress.
Jung Je Hwa actually gave me a response.
Just to be sure, I checked the affection meter and found it had risen to ♥ 2.
‘Hehe, I guess he thought about me while working on the ice crystal.’
Feeling pleased, I set the candies and chocolates I’d brought onto the counter, then followed Jung Je Hwa to where he led me.
Though it was just a small workbench beside the counter.
“I called you for a progress check. Take a look.”
Jung Je Hwa spoke in his usual gloomy, monotone voice.
As his large frame in dark clothing shifted to the side, the ice crystal sitting alone on the workbench came into full view.
“Usually, I don’t show pieces during the middle of work….”
I was at a loss for words.
Goosebumps erupted across my entire body, and I had to cover my mouth with one hand to suppress the strange giggling sound that threatened to escape.
“Wow, boss. This is… wow.”
Here was another person who couldn’t hide their talent and dedication—besides Sung Yo Na, the workaholic.
How could someone earning 500,000 won in commission fees at Basement Level 4 be like this?
The ice crystal had been transformed into an absolute jewel, as if he’d been hiding his true abilities all this time.
“I’ve only done the basic cutting so far, so it doesn’t look quite as good yet….”
“Are you insane?”
“…Pardon?”
Oops, unfiltered words had tumbled out before I could stop them.
But Jung Je Hwa’s words were equally absurd.
I pointed at the ice crystal and exclaimed.
“It’ll be hurt if it hears that! It’s this beautiful! Saying it doesn’t look good yet!”
“…The ice crystal cannot understand words.”
“But there’s such a thing as feeling! I’ve heard that even water molecules can distinguish between kind words and harsh ones!”
And if our little ice crystal gets upset, you’ll be the one responsible for it.
Ignoring Jung Je Hwa’s gaze, which looked like he was watching an incredibly foolish person, I stepped closer to observe the ice crystal.
“Ah, it’s so beautifully sparkling.”
I quickly pulled up an information window.

[ Refined Frost Aggregate ( B )
: Increases the bearer’s stamina by 30%. ]

“Insane.”
This time, I didn’t even have room to worry about filtering or anything else.
The frost aggregate that had raised my stamina by ’30’ points just from Jung Je Hwa touching it now increased it by 30% instead.
His skill was truly extraordinary.
“Ah, my apologies. It’s just so beautiful.”
“Once the cutting is complete, it’ll be even more beautiful. The size will become a bit smaller, though.”
As he spoke, his fingertips brushed against the frost aggregate with a gruff sort of affection.
“Well, some loss is inevitable when cutting.”
Beneath the dim lighting of the workshop, I murmured while watching the frost aggregate sparkle like a premium-grade diamond.
The size of the jewel didn’t really matter anyway.
Even though it had already been cut once, the effect didn’t diminish—it actually increased, which said everything.
But what had started as the size of a thumb was now the size of a thumbnail, and thinking about how it would become even smaller once the process was complete, a different thought occurred to me.
“Boss.”
“Yes?”
“I originally asked you to make this into a necklace, remember?”
This was an item I was having made for Han Ji Sung.
So I’d submitted the request as a necklace without much thought.
“Don’t you think this would look beautiful as an earring instead?”
“…An earring.”
“It would only be worn on one ear, but the person I’m giving it to has very blue eyes. And fair skin too. So I think it would suit them really well as an earring.”
“….”
Jung Je Hwa didn’t respond.
He was already lost in his own world, staring intently at the frost aggregate.
‘I shouldn’t interrupt at a time like this.’
I waited quietly, barely breathing.
Some time passed.
Jung Je Hwa began to move.
He pulled out a sheet of paper from under the workbench and began sketching something rapidly with a pencil.
Despite his enormous bear-paw-like hands, his fingers traced even the finest details with elegant precision.
On the top and bottom of the frost aggregate, cut into a diamond shape, he attached tiny round somethings the size of salt grains, and thread-thin lines wrapped protectively around the frost aggregate.
And finally, another jewel took its place on the part that would touch the ear directly.
Then he began scribbling something in a language I couldn’t understand in one corner of the paper.
‘This is going to take a while, it seems.’
I should leave now.
I don’t want to break his concentration by lingering.
I slipped out of the Workshop Sugar carefully, my footsteps making no sound.
My heart fluttered as I recalled the status window I’d checked one last time for Jung Je Hwa.

Jung Je Hwa S
1. Alchemy ( S )
2. Genius ( S )
3. Delicate Fingertips ( S )
4. Intuition ( A )
Abnormal Status – Depression, <>, Darkness Addiction 35%
Equipped Items – Stamina Enhancement Necklace ( S ), Magnifying Glass ( S )….

Jung Je Hwa’s mannerism was coming to an end.

* * *

The twins had gone to school, and Han Ji Sung had come upstairs to sleep after receiving healing from me following an all-night research session.
I watched Kang Han’s training with the feeling of a director observing the debut match of a promising prospect I’d personally scouted.
Boom!
Rumble—crack!
Mana suddenly concentrated above the head of Kang Han and the virtual monster, and with a sound like a dragon’s cry, lightning struck down.
“Wow, now he’s even calling down lightning.”
To be honest, it wasn’t quite impressive enough to truly be called lightning yet.
But someday it would be.
Compared to when he first couldn’t even properly execute an electrical attack against a C-rank monster in the Mansu Mountain Dungeon, this was nothing short of remarkable progress.
Ever since obtaining a proper training facility, Kang Han had been growing by leaps and bounds each day.
I pulled up Kang Han’s status window.

Kang Han S
Growth Type
1. Punisher’s Lightning Strike ( S )
2. Charging Spear ( S ) – Inactive
3. Opportunity for Counterattack ( A )
4. [Empty]
5. [Empty]
Acquirable: Archangel’s Wings ( A ), □□□□□, □□□□□□….
Engraved Familiar – Baek Young
Status Abnormality – Darkness Addiction 90%
Equipped Item – Common Worn Sword ( D )

“Hmm.”
Kang Han’s skill control had improved, but there was still much to refine.
“If I just adjust that part this way, then that way, and bring over just that one thing, it should work.”
I lay on the lounge sofa, muttering to myself, and turned to address the creature that had settled comfortably on the cushion near me.
“Right, Baek Young?”
*Pssst.*
True to form as an engraved familiar, Baek Young was absolutely devoted to Kang Han.
Originally confined mostly to Kang Han’s room, Baek Young had relocated here once his master began spending most of his time at the Training Facility.
Especially fond of the green cushion placed on this sofa where he could see everything clearly, that spot had long since become Baek Young’s exclusive domain.
I crept closer to Baek Young and asked carefully.
“Say, what does your master like? If I can raise his affection, I can purify his darkness, right? You don’t want to see Kang Han suffering either.”
*Hisss.*
My attempt at persuasion failed—Baek Young simply turned his small head away and pretended to sleep.
How annoying.
“Hmph, who says you don’t take after your master? You’re just as stubborn as they come.”
Baek Young was just like Kang Han in that regard.
“Did Baek Young cause trouble?”
Kang Han emerged from the training room, wiping sweat from his brow as he asked.
“No, he’s been lying there since this morning without moving a tail. I think he’s bored.”
“Ah, I should take him for a walk this evening. Now that I think about it, I’ve been neglecting Baek Young’s care lately.”
“He goes for walks?”
“All pets require adequate exercise and stress relief, Yeo Joo.”
“I know that, but I didn’t realize snakes could go for walks….”
*Hisssss!*
The moment I uttered the word “snake,” Baek Young bared his razor-sharp teeth at me, each one gleaming like a grain of white rice.
“Oh, sorry, sorry.”
This creature had quite the temperament.
“Tsk. Baek Young. You can’t act like that.”
Puff.
When Kang Han sternly scolded him, Baek Young—as if he’d never done anything wrong—feigned innocence and returned to his pristine posture, but not before shooting me one last disapproving glare.
“I apologize on his behalf. He tends to get irritable like that sometimes, for no apparent reason.”
I knew the reason, but I pretended ignorance for now, shrugging my shoulders and speaking as if I understood completely.
“He mentioned he couldn’t go for a walk. The stress might have built up. Plus, with you being so busy lately, he might have gotten pouty.”
“Baek Young enjoys rock climbing.”
As Kang Han said this, his eyes were brimming with affection for Baek Young.
Baek Young had it good.
With such high favorability from Kang Han.
Never thought I’d live to see the day I’d envy a snake.
A wave of reality crashed over me, and I sighed before extending my hand toward Kang Han.
“Well, now it’s my turn to train.”
These days, the guild members received healing from me after their training sessions ended.
Though it was modest, they recovered faster after expending their stamina, and I got to raise my skill proficiency. It was a win-win.
Everyone benefited.
“…Very well.”
Everyone else had gotten used to it quickly.
Kang Han still seemed embarrassed about having to hold my hand, hesitating like this every time.
“Like I said before, if you don’t like holding hands, other options are fine too. I can place my hand on your forehead, or even your foot if you prefer…”
“I’ll do it with my hand.”
“Suit yourself.”
Kang Han quietly extended his hand.
With his recent intensive lightning training and increased equipment exercises, his hands had developed more calluses than before.
His palms were rougher now.
I closed my eyes and interlaced my fingers with the hand he offered, holding it gently.

[ Skill ‘Body Heal’ is activated. ]

The unpleasant sensation of draining my own strength and pushing it into my opponent still lingered, but by now I’d grown accustomed to it.
It wasn’t just the other guild members who had grown during this time.
It was when I’d reduced my stamina by about ’30’ points to increase Kang Han’s stamina.
“What a refreshing morning…!”
Jang Su Ho burst through the Training Facility door with characteristic energy, then froze in place.
His eyes darted back and forth between me and Kang Han, and his face flushed red.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh… no, um. I didn’t mean to be so oblivious… I’m sorry for intruding…?”
“Intruding?”
At Jang Su Ho’s reaction, I glanced back at our current positions.
I was sitting in my usual spot as always, and Kang Han was seated at the table in front of me, holding my hand.
Moreover, we were sitting quite close together.
Understanding the situation, I could naturally grasp what Jang Su Ho was thinking right now.
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
I released Kang Han’s hand and frowned sharply.
Jang Su Ho, whose massive frame made him fear my anger, immediately shrank back.
“Ah, never mind then. Why are you getting mad… I should just head straight to my workout.”
With that, he scurried into the fitness room with the unmistakable gait of a golden retriever with its tail between its legs.
“Tsk.”
I really should exhaust that puppy until he becomes a German Shepherd one of these days.
“Kang Han, when Baek Young goes for a walk today, take him along too…. Huh?”
The seat where Kang Han had been sitting was already empty.
The cushion where Baek Young had been lying was gone too.
“They’re fast, I’ll give them that.”
I understand the desire to head upstairs and rest now that training is finished and stamina has been replenished.
“Ugh, I’m bored.”
I lay back down in my designated spot and slowly pulled the blanket over myself.
I’d expended quite a bit of stamina, so sleep should come easily, but I couldn’t help but smile faintly.
“We’re finally ready to move forward.”
It was time for the Justice Guild to leave this Underground Training Facility and venture outside.

* * *

That evening.
I called for another guild meeting.
Looking at the familiar faces gathered around the circular table, I opened my mouth to speak.
“The Justice Guild needs money, everyone.”
“That’s not something that just started happening.”
Lee Yu Chan, his eyes heavy with drowsiness, grumbled quietly.
“Oh! We’re going mining again? I can do better this time!”
Jang Su Ho wagged his tail proudly, showing off his noticeably more muscular forearms.
“No, of course we’ll keep mining whenever we need cash.”
I interlaced my fingers meaningfully and placed my hands on the table before continuing.
“This time, let’s apply for a guerrilla Gate assignment.”

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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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