The Owner of the Healing Therapy Shop Is Ranked 0th in the World - Chapter 71

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Owner of the Healing Therapy Shop is World Rank 0

Chapter 71

In that fleeting moment, all the noise in the world vanished and only Senior’s rough breathing echoing in my ears and the heart-pounding beats threatening to burst became clear.

Senior’s body heat suddenly enveloped my body that had stiffened in bewilderment.

From his arms that embraced me tightly as if to crush me, I could feel both desperation and relief simultaneously.

‘…This is nice.’

I was startled by that single thought that suddenly came to mind.

It was clearly a bewildering situation, but the moment my face was buried in Senior’s broad chest, I felt a strange sense of stability along with a tickling sensation in one corner of my heart.

My face became hot as if it would explode, and I was nearly breathless from the uncontrollable pounding.

That’s when it happened.

Whether my heartbeat had reached Senior’s ears, or whether he himself was surprised by his own actions, Senior suddenly pushed me away and hurriedly stepped back.

“Ah…! Sorry, I must have lost my mind for a moment.”

Senior’s face and neck were dyed bright red as he rambled uncharacteristically, not knowing what to do.

“That is, I mean… thinking you might be in danger, the barrier I set up around the store detected an anomaly, so I thought someone had intruded…”

Senior even stammered, showing an unfamiliar side of himself.

I suppressed the laughter and fluffy excitement that wanted to burst out and answered brightly.

“It wasn’t an intruder – I just used a store remodeling item. The inside of the store expanded like magic and the mana must have fluctuated.”

“Ah… remodeling? The reward item you got back then?”

“Yes! I was actually scared because I felt unfamiliar mana around the store and wondered if someone was watching, but I’m really relieved it was a barrier you set up, Senior.”

I calmly continued the conversation while cooling my burning cheeks with my palms.

We avoided each other’s gaze and smiled awkwardly at each other, but the strange current flowing in the air didn’t easily disappear.

But I didn’t dislike this strange silence.

What broke that tense awkwardness was the building owner who suddenly appeared from the building stairs.

“Oh my, the handsome young man came? Isn’t it moving day yet?”

The lady looked at Senior Jinseong standing next to me and waved her hand very warmly.

I looked at the lady with puzzled eyes.

How does the lady know Senior?

“Hello. Are you acquainted with Senior?”

“Young lady, didn’t I tell you? I sold the building to this young man! There have been so many people wanting to buy the building recently. I kept refusing, saying I wouldn’t sell, but he begged so much that I finally sold it to this young man at a high price.”

“What…? You’re selling the building?”

My eyes widened. When I looked at Senior in surprise, Senior just cleared his throat and scratched the back of his innocent head.

“That’s what happened. There were some circumstances.”

“Young lady, this young man didn’t just buy this building. He bought all the buildings on both sides too! Very generous, very generous!”

At the lady’s clinching words, my thought process temporarily stopped.

The buildings on both sides too? He bought three buildings at once in this Mapo-gu, Seoul land?

I knew Senior’s wealth was enormous, but this was something that far exceeded the realm of imagination.

“Senior, why on earth… why did you go that far?”

At my question, Senior Jinseong hesitated for a long time, then as if he had made up his mind, looked straight into my eyes and answered.

“I was worried. Not knowing when people like Alice or Jang Dohun might come barging in again, I thought watching from afar had reached its limit. So…”

Senior paused to catch his breath, then added.

“From now on, I’ve decided to use the 3rd and 4th floors of this building. So that no one will ever approach your side again.”

“…”

I was finally left speechless.

How should I accept this man who would become the building owner and even move to the upstairs apartment to protect me?

The thought ‘He’s doing this much for me?’ naturally occurred to me, but on the other hand, I didn’t dislike even this.

‘I really am too…’

“Oh my, did I make a slip of the tongue? Was this a secret from your girlfriend, young man?”

“Girl, girlfriend…?”

The building owner’s innocent question echoed through the alley.

At that moment, Senior’s face turned red like a ripe apple.

I hurriedly grabbed the sleeve of Senior, who had broken down.

If we continued standing in the middle of the street like this, it would only be a matter of time before the fact that S-rank Hunter Gangjinseong had bought several buildings in Mapo-gu spread throughout the neighborhood.

“Senior, let’s go inside first!”

I gave the lady an awkward smile and dragged Senior into the store.

When the cool herb scent inside the store reached my nose, my burning rationality finally began to slowly return to its place.

“Senior, were you serious about what you said earlier? You’re not joking, right?”

At my interrogation, Senior slightly hunched his shoulders like a student standing before a stern teacher.

Then he nodded very slowly.

“Are you uncomfortable that I decided without permission? Should I sell it back?”

“That’s not the problem right now…”

Tens of thousands of worries were floating in my head, but all Senior was worried about was whether I gave permission.

‘What should I do with this person.’

“Senior, you need to receive special treatment and management at the Hunter Association building. Does it make sense to abandon all that and come here?”

Senior is an S-rank Hunter who receives the most precious treatment in South Korea, no, even globally.

It was impossible for someone whose diet and sleep schedule, even the smallest details, are managed one by one by specialists to move to this old building.

Even while listening to my worried scolding, Senior looked straight into my eyes.

“You’re here. Other treatments don’t mean anything to me now. You’re the best and the finest for me.”

My heart sank again at those words he casually uttered as if it were obvious.

‘You’re here.’

How could that indifferent yet affectionate line make a person’s heart flutter like this?

I quickly turned my head to hide my heated face.

“If people find out Senior bought buildings here, wouldn’t it make hiding my existence meaningless?”

“I bought buildings all over the country together under borrowed-name accounts in case that happened.”

“What…?”

My gaze, which I had deliberately kept distant, was immediately fixed on Senior.

This person, really, why is he doing this?

Senior observed my reaction then pretended to be nonchalant and began slowly looking around the store.

“Amazing. This is the first time I’ve seen an item that transforms space like this.”

Senior’s admiring gaze stopped at one place.

The moment he discovered the newly created massage bed past the item display case, Senior’s brow noticeably furrowed.

“I don’t like this.”

“What?”

“I’d prefer if you didn’t take massage customers.”

It was clearly grumbling mixed with jealousy.

“Ah… massage customers take a lot of time, so I try not to take them unless necessary. And… given my situation, the customers are just Senior, Hyeongtaek, and Nara at most.”

Senior’s lips softened with satisfaction at my answer.

Then Senior’s gaze lingered on the yellow chrysanthemum bouquet placed on the table.

That bouquet, made more splendid than usual, was a gift I planned to give to Donguk tomorrow.

“You’re meeting Donguk, right?”

“Ah, yes. I’m scheduled to see him tomorrow. I’m going to give him that bouquet.”

Senior silently looked down at the bouquet.

Is he going to say he doesn’t like this either?

As I carefully observed Senior’s expression, Senior said something unexpected.

“If you’re going to hire another part-timer besides me… please choose Donguk.”

“Donguk?”

Senior showed me a faint smile at my surprised question.

But that smile somehow looked bitter and wistful.

“Right now, Donguk might be the person you need most. As you said, I’m too exposed.”

“Ah…”

“He’s an upright and strong person, so I can trust him with confidence… He might be just as suitable as me, or perhaps even more suitable than me, to protect you.”

I could feel Senior’s trust toward Oppa Donguk.

But at the same time, he seemed to feel regret about the fact that he might no longer be the only ‘part-timer.’

“He’s better than me at protecting someone. Think about it.”

Though they were just words recommending Oppa Donguk, I read Senior’s pained heart within them.

‘Someone who protects others better than me.’

In other words, it was deep guilt—that Oppa Donguk would be better than Senior himself, who had lost countless comrades due to his own mistakes.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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