The Female Lead Saves the World - Chapter 7

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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 7

“Such pathetic self-pity. It’s absolutely unbearable.”
In this crowded space, Kang Han sat alone.
From the occasional glances cast his way, it seemed everyone knew who he was.
Yet no one approached him, as if some malevolent aura surrounded him.
What irritated me most was that Kang Han seemed accustomed to this isolation, his gaze fixed in discontent.
Or rather, he was probably staring at his status window.
Like me, Kang Han was someone who could view his status window without relying on external devices.
“As if staring at it changes anything.”
All his important skills were locked, leaving only an S-rank status window.
But this habit of gazing blankly at his status window while drowning in helplessness—that was classic Kang Han from the early chapters of the story.
I walked slowly toward where Kang Han sat.
As the distance between us narrowed, more eyes turned toward me.
“Ugh, I’m exhausted.”
Deliberately ignoring Kang Han, I settled into a spot that was neither too close nor too far away, as if I knew nothing.
Fortunately, Kang Han only glanced at me briefly before remaining in his seat.
“Is that woman with Kang Han?”
“I’ve never seen her before.”
“Is she a new member of the Justice Guild?”
“No way. Who would willingly join that mess of a group?”
I heard every word.
It struck me anew just how much of a scapegoat Kang Han had become in this world.
But whatever these people said or didn’t say.
I observed Kang Han discreetly, pretending to warm myself by the fire.
‘I thought so before, but he really is handsome.’
Awakened ones, especially high-ranking hunters, undergo physical changes after awakening.
Depending on what type of ability they possess, their eye and hair color can change, or their height and muscles can grow.
Kang Han was the type whose eye and hair color had transformed.
Having been a soldier originally, he was already tall with a good physique, but with his brown hair and green eyes, he had a different allure than Sa Ma Young—one that was hard to look away from.
Even just sitting by the campfire in the clearing.
In his dirt-covered military boots and worn combat uniform, Kang Han resembled a massive ancient tree, hollowed out and rotting from within.
That’s probably why people kept their distance, muttering insults from afar, rather than confronting him directly.
‘Well then, let me take a look.’
I moved my hand closer to the fire and spoke silently to myself.
‘Status window.’

Kang Han S
Growth Type
1. Electric Current (S) – Deactivated
2. Charging Spear (S) – Deactivated
3. Opportunity to Counterattack (A)
4. [Empty]
5. [Empty]
Engraved Ability Recovery – Baek Young
Status Abnormality – Darkness Addiction 83%
Equipped Item – Common Worn Sword (D)

My status window was in a pathetic state.
And yet, despite being a Guild Master, the only item I possessed was a D-rank sword.
The addiction status was severe, and both of my main skills were completely deactivated.
‘No wonder people say I’m not truly S-rank.’
I clicked my tongue softly.
‘The real question is whether I can activate those skills.’
That was why I hadn’t approached Kang Han in the Air Raid Shelter.
First, I needed to register myself as an Awakened, and I also had to intervene in the “Mining Disaster” episode from the original story to confirm whether I could actually change the narrative’s course.
Perhaps I could shatter that shell far sooner with my own hammer than it would naturally break in the original timeline.
‘I’ve already figured out how to strike, at least.’
I was lost in thought, rubbing my hands together over the campfire.
Clang.
The large metal drum holding the fire shook once.
I looked up to see that Kang Han had tossed another large log into it.
The flames devoured the fresh wood and blazed even brighter.
‘Is he doing that because of me?’
An S-rank shouldn’t feel the cold at all.
I glanced over again, but Kang Han was still just staring at the fire.
‘Ah, maybe he just didn’t like the size of the flames.’
I shrugged and killed time.

Before long, large vans and buses began streaming into the vacant lot one after another.
The Awakened who had made prior arrangements boarded the vehicles sent to pick them up, while others raised their hands to volunteer with the office staff recruiting on the spot.
Kang Han stood up as a gray van approached—he was among the pre-arranged group.
‘I can’t miss this.’
I had to enter the Dungeon with Kang Han, no matter what.
I hurried after him, and a middle-aged man who appeared to be in his fifties acknowledged Kang Han.
“Ah, you’re here. Wait a moment. I need to gather a few more people.”
Then he shouted in a loud voice.
“Five miners for Mansu Mountain, Incheon Dungeon!”
Four people quickly gathered.
They were all well-built, regardless of gender.
“Now, just one more!”
“Me, me!”
I raised my hand high and rushed toward the man.
“You don’t look very promising.”
The middle-aged man muttered while appraising me from head to toe.
“I can do well! I’ve tried every kind of part-time job, and I’m quite strong!”
“Student, have you ever done mining work? It’s no easy task. Even those with physical enhancement abilities struggle with it. And your Awakened ability doesn’t seem to be combat-oriented either.”
“Well, that’s true.”
“Don’t waste money on Hospital bills. Look for work elsewhere.”
But I didn’t back down.
“I really need to do this job. I’ll work hard.”
“Take her along.”
A low, calm voice interjected.
It was Kang Han.
“I’ll do more to compensate.”
Since Kang Han, who already did the work of ten people alone, said so, the middle-aged man’s frown softened.
“Well, if the Guild Master Kang says so…”
“I’ll work hard. Thank you for the opportunity!”
I bowed deeply to drive the point home, and the middle-aged man clicked his tongue once and turned away, saying.
“Don’t come asking me for pain relief money later.”
This level of rebuke was hardly worth mentioning.
This man was quite soft-hearted after all.
In any case, after all the twists and turns, I ended up sitting next to Kang Han in the van.
I should at least greet him.
“Thanks for earlier. I really wanted to go to this Dungeon.”
…
Kang Han didn’t respond.
He glanced at me briefly, then nodded once and turned his gaze back out the window.
It’s really hard to get him to speak.
How am I supposed to build affection with someone like this?
Just before the car’s engine started, I caught sight of a clear number hovering above Kang Han’s head.

《 ♥ 0 》

* * *

“Well, so this is what it looks like.”
After driving for a while, as the sun began to peek over the horizon, we arrived at the Gate before Mansu Mountain Dungeon.
I’d only read the words “Gate” in books, but the Gate I now faced in person was far larger and darker than I’d imagined.
A Gate is literally the entrance to a Dungeon.
Just as you cannot see beyond a closed door, no one knows what environment awaits when you pass through this Gate.
Of course, since Mansu Mountain Dungeon had already been cleared, its layout was already known.
Still, separate from that knowledge, staring blankly at the Gate—as dark as ink and rippling like liquid, large enough to swallow two or three massive revolving doors from a skyscraper—sent chills down my spine.
“You know this place was just cleared a few days ago, right? We agreed to keep it open only until next week, so we need to extract resources quickly. Today’s work is going to be intense, so don’t even think about slacking off.”
The work team leader, who had introduced himself as Goo Kyung Il in the car, said this and was the first to step through the Gate.
Kang Han followed after him, and that left only me.
“Here goes.”
I took a deep breath and stood before the Gate.
Don’t be scared over something like this, Yeo Joo.
Twenty-five billion won—a fortune—was waiting for me alone.
I inhaled sharply once more, then thrust my face into the Gate, black as squid ink.

* * *

“You’re doing better than expected?”
“I’m easily pulling my weight for two people.”
I found myself agreeing with the praise coming from behind me.
Contrary to my initial worries, my pickaxe never stopped swinging.

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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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