The Female Lead Saves the World - Chapter 9

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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 9

Behind my collapsed form, I heard the rapid footsteps of people fleeing, growing distant.
“Run while it’s eating!”
I had become the ‘sacrifice’.
To the miners, and to Kang Han as well.
Witnessing an ‘innocent victim’ before his eyes and protecting that person with his life on the line.
This was the keyword to unlock Kang Han’s first skill restriction.
However, in the 【Sejong Barrier】, Kang Han fails to re-awaken his skill in this Mansu Mountain Dungeon.
Just as the miners threw me out as a sacrifice, they abandoned Kang Han as a sacrifice and fled alone.
But now I had fallen perfectly into the role of an ‘innocent victim’.
‘Still, this is ridiculous.’
Saliva dripped from the monster’s mouth as it stared at me.
“Grrrrr….”
The beast was licking its chops at the sight of me.
While I locked eyes with the Wingbat, Kang Han never remained still for a moment.
He continued desperately trying to draw upon his ability—electricity—but the skill that hadn’t yet been properly unlocked only produced small sparks.
“Damn it.”
Honestly, I could attempt to flee even now.
Whether I’d succeed was another matter entirely.
But instead of forcing strength into my legs to run, I crouched my body down.
“If I’m going to die anyway, might as well die once.”
After all, I had come to find Kang Han at this point for exactly this reason.
To trigger the skill re-awakening that would normally occur much later due to a different incident—to make it happen today.
Of course, I never expected that ‘victim’ would be me.
“Shrieeeek!”
The monster let out a piercing wail and lunged at me.
Watching the creature hurtle toward me like an arrow cutting through the air, I braced my body as tightly as possible.
And finally, when sharp claws dug into my shoulder and arm, raking across my flesh with a horrible sensation.

[ Skill ‘Body Restoration’ is activated. ]

Let this work on my body too, please!
I don’t want to die leaving behind blood worth 25 billion won!
I saw a soft glow emanate from the wound the Wingbat inflicted, and simultaneously, the impact of the attack sent my body tumbling completely backward.
At the same time, the monster pushed off the cavern wall for its second attack, launching itself forward like a projectile.
Did I fail?

* * *

Kang Han was furious.
At the people who had abandoned the weakest among them as bait to the monster and fled.
And above all, at himself for being so utterly powerless.
His jaw muscles bulged as he clenched his teeth with all his might, but only a faint crackling current flowed through his hands.
His vision was filled—so much so that it made his teeth chatter—with the all-too-familiar system notification windows.

[ Skill ‘Electric Current’ cannot be activated. ]
[ Please unlock the skill restriction. ]
[ Skill ‘Electric Current’ cannot be activated. ]
[ Please unlock the skill restriction. ]
[ Skill ‘Electric Current’ cannot be activated. ]
[ Please unlock the skill restriction. ]

The horrific carnage from the Fifth-Tier Dungeon Break flashed before his eyes.
Before the pitch-black Gate from which neither his mother nor any of the hunters from the Justice Guild—who had been like family—emerged alive, the screams of hell itself echoed vividly in his ears.
Years had passed since then, yet the restrictions placed upon him due to the ‘forced awakening from crisis’ remained unchanged.
“Damn it!”
He could not stand idly by and watch an innocent person die before his eyes once more.
Rather than endure such helplessness, death itself would be preferable.
Kang Han pushed off the ground and charged forward.
To block the monster’s attack with his own body if necessary.
Or to die in place of that innocent woman.
That was when it happened.

[ System recognizes ‘innocent victim’. ]
[ System recognizes your noble spirit of sacrifice. ]
[ Your action has been judged as ‘righteous fury’. ]

A stream of incomprehensible notifications appeared.
Then, moments later, all the notifications vanished, and a new window materialized.

[ Skill ‘Electric Current’ has been re-awakened as ‘Punisher’s Lightning Strike’. ]

“Hnngh!”
Kang Han’s body convulsed as he sprinted forward.
It was agonizing.
Yet simultaneously, a savage pleasure surged down my spine like electricity coursing through flesh.
Every cell in my body awakened with jubilation, just as they had during my initial awakening.
Power flooded through every limb.
And Kang Han understood instinctively.
It was possible now.
Now, I could save that woman.
Whoosh!
Pushing harder into my sprint, my body catapulted toward the monster like a spring released.
Simultaneously, Kang Han raised one hand high.

[ Skill ‘Punisher’s Lightning Strike (S)’ is being used. ]

Golden light flickered across Kang Han’s green eyes.
And finally, as I stood firm before the fallen Yeo Joo, shielding her.
Crackle!
From my outstretched right hand, lightning blazed forth toward the descending Wingbat.
“Shriek!”
The monster couldn’t even scream properly.
Fzzzt—
The instant the lightning struck, its entire body seized before oxidizing into black dust.
“Hah… hah…”
Kang Han gasped for breath, staring down at his own hands.
Yellow electricity crackled menacingly across my scarred, calloused palms—proof that what had just happened was no illusion.

* * *

“I… I survived.”
I really thought I was done for.
The shock was so intense the world spun before my eyes.
But as the system window materialized, I realized this dizziness was far more than mere panic.

[ Self-Healing Penalty Applied. ]
[ 60% of maximum health consumed to treat critical wounds. ]
[ Remaining Health: 15% ]

You should have told me about this beforehand.
“Ugh….”
The wound wasn’t even fully healed.
As I gripped the still-bleeding injury, my vision blurred.
Was this what losing consciousness felt like?
For twenty-three years, I’d lived confident in my health alone, and now I was about to faint for the first time.
Or was this the second time in this world?
As my body crumpled weakly, supported by something solid, the last thing I saw before losing consciousness entirely was Kang Han’s green eyes, still bearing the faint yellow afterimage of lightning.

* * *

“Oh my, everything aches.”
When I opened my eyes, I saw a familiar hospital room and a familiar face.
Not Kang Han, but the Doctor I’d seen before.
“I hear you were brought in this time after mining in a Dungeon.”
The Doctor shook his head in disbelief as he spoke.
“You certainly live quite dynamically, Yeo Joo.”
“I suppose my fate is rather turbulent.”
No ordinary fate could involve being reincarnated into a fantasy novel and fainting after fighting monsters.
The sensation of those long claws tearing through my flesh remained vivid.
“Ugh.”
I checked my injured arm first.
Fortunately, the wound had disappeared without leaving a scar.
‘Show me my current stamina.’

[ Current Stamina: 40% ]

My body was still in the process of recovery.
According to the system window that had flashed through my mind just before I collapsed, self-healing a fatal wound required consuming 60% of my stamina.
In other words, I could only heal enough to avoid death.
Moreover, when my remaining stamina fell below 60%, even that became impossible.
While I was contemplating this peculiar penalty imposed upon me, the Doctor spoke.
“I treated the wounds on your arm, Yeo Joo.”
“Ah, thank you.”
I thought that was simply part of his job, but I bowed respectfully nonetheless.
A low chuckle drifted down from above my head.
“I wasn’t asking for gratitude—I was saying that our Awakened Hospital needs an excellent healer like you.”
“Oh, right now….”
“Yes, I’m making a recruitment offer.”
“So you’re an Awakener too, Doctor.”
Now that I thought about it, that made perfect sense.
Someone had to treat all the Hunters who came back from expeditions broken, bleeding, and torn apart.
“I’m sorry, but I already have a Guild in mind.”
“So there’s absolutely no room for negotiation besides that Guild?”
The Doctor asked, his eyebrows drawn down in clear disappointment.
“No.”
He was handsome enough, and the white coat suited him well, but I wasn’t the kind of person to be swayed by such things.
“Then I’m afraid you’re about to face a difficult situation.”
With that, the Doctor turned on the television.

「 Rookie A-Rank Healer Identified as 23-Year-Old Yeo Joo, Resident of Seoul 」

My name blazed across the massive screen in letters just as enormous.
“Wait, is it even legal to expose someone’s personal information like that?!”
“The media’s obsession with Hunters is quite blind.”
Even the photograph I’d used when registering with the Awakener Association was plastered right there.
Then the screen shifted, and a reporter’s flushed face appeared.
The background looked strangely familiar.
Could it be… there?

「 “Yes! We’re here outside the Awakened Hospital where Hunter Yeo Joo is currently admitted! According to what we know so far, A-Rank rookie Yeo Joo appears to be one of the victims in this Mansu Mountain Dungeon incident in Incheon. The reason why this sensational A-Rank Healer was mining in the Dungeon remains unclear! There are rumors that Justice Guild Guild Master Kang Han’s skill re-awakening is connected to Yeo Joo…. 」

The reporter was practically shouting, his neck flushed, speaking words that weren’t entirely wrong.
When four luxury vehicles with their distinctive gleaming finish pulled up in front of the hospital entrance, the cameras swiftly pivoted toward them.

「 “Ah! The Guild Masters of the Four Major Guilds have just arrived at the hospital entrance! It’s believed they’re here to make recruitment offers to Hunter Yeo Joo, who’s hospitalized from the accident! In order: Dongbaek Guild’s Yoo Myung Hwa, Sama Guild’s Sa Ma Young, Fantasia’s Sung Ro Sa, and… Ah! Maestro Guild has sent their Vice Guild Master, Geum Eun Dong!” 」

Dozens of cameras flashed in unison toward the four figures standing in a row.
“Ah, so that’s why.”
“They’ve likely already learned that Yeo Joo has been admitted to the VIP ward.”
The Doctor adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses as he explained.
“Even if they appear that way, they represent the Four Major Guilds, so it wouldn’t hurt to familiarize yourself with their faces. However….”
“Doctor.”
“Yes, Yeo Joo?”
“Where’s the back exit from here?”
What came in response was a knowing smile.
“I suspected you might ask that, so I’ve already arranged directions to the back exit.”
I hastily removed the IV needle from the back of my hand and changed into my clothes.
As I carefully opened the hospital room door and stepped out, a hospital staff member stood waiting to guide me to the back exit.
“Thank you, Doctor. Let’s not see each other again!”
With that rushed farewell, I emerged cautiously, scanning my surroundings, when a strange sense of déjà vu washed over me.
The name written on the white coat.
It seemed like a familiar name somehow.
But for now, escaping from the Four Major Guilds took priority.
I pushed aside the unnecessary thoughts and quickened my pace.

* * *

The four hunters who had come to recruit the rookie A-rank healer Yeo Joo stepped into the elevator, leaving the throng of reporters behind.
Sung Ro Sa, the guild master of Fantasia Guild—a magic-specialized guild—elegantly pressed the button for the thirteenth floor with his long, pale fingers.
[ Doors closing. ]
With the mechanical announcement, only the low vibration of the elevator filled the rectangular space.
Breaking through the oppressive silence so complete that even the sound of blinking could be heard, Sung Ro Sa’s cherry-like lips parted.
“Those damn bastards, they picked up the scent way too fast.”
Then Geum Eun Dong, the acting guild master of Maestro Guild—a crafting-specialized guild—cried out in a thoroughly intimidated voice.
“W-who should be saying that! This side is the one feeling uncomfortable, you know?”
“Both of you, stop fighting. If you keep this up, I might just crush both of you into pulp.”
Yoo Myung Hwa, the guild master of Dongbaek Guild—composed entirely of women and a former martial arts champion—spoke while smiling, her teeth clenched tightly.
The only one still maintaining silence was Sa Ma Young, who kept his gaze fixed on the ascending numbers.
Unlike the other guild masters, he was merely A-rank, yet Sa Ma Young carried himself with confidence.
It was the self-assurance of the guild master of the largest among the Four Major Guilds, backed by the power of the massive Sama Group conglomerate.
Ding!
As the cheerful chime sounded and the elevator doors opened, the four hunters strode out in unison, creating a gust of wind.
Thud, thud. Thud, thud.
The quiet VIP ward corridor was briefly filled with hurried footsteps.
The moment the hospital room door with the nameplate reading “Yeo Joo” opened.
“Yeo Joo?”
Yoo Myung Hwa, impatient by nature, even checked the bathroom herself, and confirmed that the hospital room was completely empty.
“Damn it, you said she was admitted here!”
“The nameplate outside says this is the right room, but… could she have gone for some kind of examination…?”
“She was fine! I’m going to beat that damn informant to death!”
“The informant in Samseong-dong?”
“Yeah, you too? That bastard screwed me over as well!”
While Yoo Myung Hwa and Sung Ro Sa, famous rivals, finally found common ground after a long time and discussed how to make the Samseong-dong informant suffer as much as possible without killing him, Sa Ma Young, who had been standing quietly in place, began to move.
Extending his long legs, he stood before the bed and gently placed his hand on the wrinkled sheets.
There was still a faint warmth lingering.
He chuckled softly and murmured in a low voice.
“She ran away.”
A crimson tongue slowly licked his lips, which still held a trace of amusement.

* * *

Near Jongno Cheonggyecheon.
I arrived in front of a dilapidated four-story building.
Following the trail of broken, faded tiles up the wall, the weathered letters came into view, bearing the unmistakable marks of time.

「 Justice Guild 」

This is the current reality of the Justice Guild, which once saved South Korea and stood at the forefront of the Five Major Guilds.
I stepped into the dim building.
“Good grief.”
But there was a broken elevator sign plastered right on the elevator.
Thank goodness Awakeners have subspace to rely on.
I nearly had to haul heavy luggage up four flights of stairs.
“Alright, let’s do this.”
I climbed the dark, decrepit staircase and reached the top floor.
Before the frosted glass door marked “Justice Guild Office,” I took a few deep breaths and pushed it open.
First, I saw two men sitting in the shabby office.
The man with silver hair and blue eyes, who looked like a snow man, was Han Ji Sung, an S-rank Ice Magic user.
And the large fellow with gentle, drooping eyes now wide open in surprise was Jang Su Ho, an A-rank Shield user.
Both had serious disqualifying issues and had been shunned by other guilds, eventually drifting to the Justice Guild—what people called “defective goods.”
Whether they heard me coming up or were startled by an unexpected visitor after so long.
Their wariness was palpable.
“Who are you? What brings you here?”
Jang Su Ho asked with a bewildered expression.
I took a deep breath, then pulled two large bags from my subspace and dropped them heavily onto the office floor.
“I’m Yeo Joo.”
Zip.
I opened the zipper, revealing the interior of the bag brimming with one-million-won checks.
“I’ve come to purchase from the Justice Guild.”

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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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