The Female Lead Saves the World - Chapter 401

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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 3, Episode 5

Sa Ma Young pretended not to hear at all, busying himself with champagne, while Kang Han seemed to be wrestling with some internal conflict—his deep green eyes wavering more noticeably than usual today.
“Why aren’t they going?”
Exactly.
These two were essentially the figureheads of the Gong Gil Yeon Alliance and the Jung Dong Alliance.
Now that they were eating from the same pot under the Justice Guild banner, they needed to actively circulate and converse with hunters they had personal connections with to create the synergy the banquet’s name implied.
It wasn’t their first time at such an event, and they’d both performed well last time—so why the hesitation?
Unable to make sense of it, I tilted my head in confusion when the Association Director, apparently noticing something, approached the two of them and spoke in a hushed voice.
“Get your heads in the game… the sooner you finish… it’ll help your score….”
What on earth was he saying?
The music flowing through the banquet hall and the chatter of people around us made it impossible to hear properly.
At times like this, I resented being non-combat class with a body no different from an ordinary person’s.
“Wait here. I’ll be back in a moment.”
“It’s dangerous, so stay close to the Association Director.”
Sa Ma Young and Kang Han each left a parting word, then suddenly switched on their public faces and walked off in different directions.
Watching them seamlessly weave through the crowd as if they’d never hesitated at all, I eventually couldn’t resist my curiosity and asked casually.
“What exactly did you say to make them both suddenly so motivated?”
“Competitive spirit.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Men are all the same regardless of age.”
Association President Ji Jung Hwi answered evasively, then clicked his tongue and muttered under his breath.
“Two pathetic show-offs… please don’t tell me there’s a third.”
Then he suddenly frowned at me disapprovingly.
“And why did you have to dress up so much!”
“But you said manners make the person! And you threatened to cut our guild’s funding if I showed up in jeans and a uniform!”
I did exactly as instructed, and this is the thanks I get!
I was about to lunge at the Association Director with a low growl when—
“Association President Ji Jung Hwi.”
A woman with striking white hair that had been cultivated naturally walked toward us.
It was a face I’d seen a few times on the news.
A strong contender for the next presidential election, if I recalled correctly.
“Councilwoman Kim, it’s been so long. I’m delighted to see you.”
Association President Ji Jung Hwi broke into a public smile and shook hands with Councilwoman Kim.
After exchanging polite greetings—thanks for the invitation, it’s been a while, and so on—Councilwoman Kim’s gaze turned toward me.
“Yeo Joo, the healer—it’s truly wonderful to meet you like this.”
I grasped the hand extended without hesitation, as befitted a seasoned politician, and I caught a flicker of “oh no” cross the Association Director’s face.
It seemed I wasn’t entirely trustworthy in his eyes.
Association President Ji Jung Hwi quickly, yet naturally, interjected with a smile.
“Allow me to introduce you, Yeo Joo the healer. This person is….”
“Congressman Kim Jung Joo, it’s an honor to meet you. I’m Yeo Joo.”
“Hmm? You know who I am?”
The Association Director’s wide eyes posed the same question.
How could you possibly know who this person is?
“You’ve always been championing excellent legislation related to Awakeners in the National Assembly. And is there a single Korean who doesn’t know Congressman Kim Jung Joo?”
“Ha ha, I appreciate you saying that.”
Show me a politician who dislikes being praised for their fame and prominence, and I’ll eat my hat.
“I must say, seeing someone as renowned as you, Yeo Joo the healer, in person has me feeling as excited as a child.”
“Oh my, Congressman, you’re stealing my lines!”
I applied slightly more pressure to the hand I was still holding, just enough to seem natural, and continued.
“If you don’t mind, would you be willing to take a photo with me later?”
For the record, there isn’t a politician alive who dislikes taking photos at official events.
“Of course. Yeo Joo the healer, shall we sit over there and chat comfortably?”
“That sounds wonderful, Congressman.”
As I moved to another seat, I felt a gaze and turned to meet the eyes of the Association Director, who still hadn’t quite erased his look of shock.
I smiled quietly, but with unmistakable satisfaction.
Even if I say so myself, I’ve maxed out my social skills, haven’t I?

* * *

At first, it was just the Association Director, Congressman Kim Jung Joo, and myself seated at the table in conversation, but gradually more people began to gather around us.
It was inevitable given the nature of a banquet where people could move freely.
Even if they couldn’t actively participate in the discussion, simply listening in could be tremendously beneficial.
When four famous congressmen gathered in one place, S-rank Hunters began appearing one by one from various directions.
The Guild Masters of Utopia, Dongbaek, and Fantasia even brought chairs over and planted themselves at our table.
No matter how absolute the logic of power was in the Hunter world, it seemed impossible to remain completely free from politics and influence.
“My goodness, the Dongbaek Guild Master certainly has a way with words!”
“I’m simply not one for empty flattery or social pleasantries, so I suppose I do have decent social skills! Haha!”
“I thought the Sung Ro Sa Guild Master was taciturn when I saw him on television, but I never expected such a personable character!”
“You’re too kind, Congressman.”
…Everyone really does work hard at living.
I was thinking I should make more effort myself, offering occasional interjections to avoid being left out of the conversation while observing the situation, when—
“Ah, you’re all here?”
Someone suddenly appeared between the people standing around the table.
The way he seamlessly inserted himself, as if by prior arrangement, earned my silent admiration—though it didn’t last long.
It was Shin Tae Jung of the Muwoon Guild, formerly the Vice Cult Leader of the Doomsday Sect.
“Oh, Hunter Shin Tae Jung!”
“You’ve been well, I trust, Congressman?”
One of the congressmen, who already seemed quite familiar with Shin Tae Jung, greeted him warmly, causing the person sitting next to him to hesitate awkwardly before reluctantly surrendering his seat.
Shin Tae Jung then claimed the chair as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“My apologies for the late arrival. I came up from Busan and the journey took longer than expected.”
“No worries at all. If I don’t understand the busy circumstances of the Muwoon Guild with all the traveling between Busan and Seoul, who would? I’m exhausted myself going down every weekend!”
Ah, his electoral district.
The middle-aged man, his face flushed from alcohol, apparently represented Busan as his constituency.
I pretended to sip my drink while pulling up Shin Tae Jung’s status window to check it.

Shin Tae Jung S
Blood Compressor (S)
Command (S)
Deep Signal (S)
Abnormal Status – Darkness Addiction 90%

What kind of rat-like scheming had this bastard been up to that his addiction level was so high?
Then my eyes met Shin Tae Jung’s, and he flashed me a grin.
“Yeo Joo, the healer—you’re here too?”
It sounded like a warm greeting, but to my ears, it translated differently.
What’s someone like you doing here?
“It’s been a while, Vice Guild Leader. You must have had such a difficult time in that Double Dungeon last time. I hope you’ve recovered well?”
You don’t even recognize your savior, you ungrateful bastard?
“Thanks to you. I’ve been meaning to visit, but I’ve been so swamped with Seoul branch operations lately that time just slipped away.”
You know we successfully expanded into Seoul, right?
“You must be incredibly busy, yet you’re expanding from Busan to Seoul—that’s truly impressive!”
Stop eyeing Seoul and just protect your own territory properly, you idiot.
We exchanged several silent volleys like that.
Suddenly, a sinister smile flickered across Shin Tae Jung’s smug face, and he abruptly addressed Association President Ji Jung Hwi.
“The new Gate auction list was announced today, Association President.”
“Ah, has it been that long already? Moo Woon has been performing so well here in Seoul that we feel very reassured.”
“Thank you for the praise. I still have much to learn, but I’m thinking of challenging the Jongno A-rank Gate that’s opening this time. Since we don’t have experience conquering large-scale Gates in Seoul yet.”
“Jongno, a large-scale Gate?”
Association President Ji Jung Hwi’s expression hardened.
The people gathered at the table began to murmur.
“A-rank and large-scale?”
“Jongno is going to be problematic.”
The National Assembly members immediately sobered up.
I quickly checked the Gate auction list on my phone.
‘No way.’
He was right.

[ Seoul, Jongno District, Jongno 1-ga, A-rank, Large-scale, Type Unknown ]

I hastily hid my trembling hands beneath the table.
Shin Tae Jung was watching me intently, as if observing my reaction.
“Since it’s an A-rank Gate, we’ll probably end up bidding against you, won’t we?”
He spoke casually, as if joking, but all I could hear in my mind was the wail of sirens.
A large-scale A-rank Gate opening in Jongno 1-ga.
The cause of the Sixth Dungeon Break that killed Seo Yu Baek.

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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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