Returnee's S-Rank Management Guide

Chapter 256 : The Era of the Awakeners (3)

The Era of the Awakeners (3)

If you had to pick the busiest hunter in Unique these days, it was undoubtedly Alencia.

First of all, since she filmed all the footage for the demonic zone broadcasts, she had to participate in editing as well.

She also had to continuously monitor electronic equipment for any special movements from the demons or Jin Su-hyuk.

Because of that, it was also Alencia who accompanied Park Jung-woo most frequently these days.

For broadcast work.

For hunter-related work.

And for most things related to Jin Su-hyuk, she acted together with Alencia.

"So tired~."

Alencia melted languidly into her chair at the café.

Taking a sip of her cold iced americano, she let out a sigh.

"Of course, it's my mind that's tired. My body, as you can see, is perfectly fine."

"It's understandable, since you've been so busy lately."

At Park Jung-woo's words, Alencia opened her eyes wide in surprise.

This was the first time he ever responded when she said she was tired.

"I thought you'd just say it's only natural for a Saintess to be okay?"

"Recently, you've been particularly busy, so even if your body is fine, your mind could definitely be worn out."

He replied calmly, as he always did.

Perhaps because of that, the crisis that was soon to begin felt ever so distant to Alencia.

It felt unreal.

Here she was, drinking an iced americano and chatting in a café.

Yet in just a week, she might be fighting a battle that could decide the fate of the world.

"Are you doing okay, Alencia?"

Just then, Park Jung-woo asked quietly.

At first she thought it was another question about fatigue, but it seemed a little different.

"With what?"

"When we fought in the demonic zone last time, you were hit by Cade."

"It was just one punch, you know?"

"But you were still hit. And you haven't even fought since."

"That's because Baek Hojun intervened and I withdrew."

Alencia bristled a little.

What, was he making it sound like she got beaten up by Cade?

"But... that's true, actually."

Honestly, most of Alencia's opponents so far hadn't even put up much of a fight.

It was always one-sided.

So, in the fight with Cade, she couldn't help but feel bewildered.

"I wonder if my next opponent will be like that too?"

"Most likely. They might be able to respond to your speed, and your attacks might not land."

Park Jung-woo added that he would try not to let her fight those types of opponents.

"Right, you said a Saintess's authority isn't invincible, didn't you?"

"I've heard that several Saintesss before Estella were killed by the Demon King."

In short, if the enemy was of that level, even Saintesss with powers akin to gods would have a hard time surviving.

"Paradoxically, that's proof they aren't a god."

"Exactly. A Saintess is just a human who possesses divine power. Their body is forged by humanity's history, and their strength proves their worth, but in the end, it's still human."

Against an opponent who could wipe out humanity, a being with world-ending power, one could lose their life.

Hadn't the Demon King proven that himself?

"Tough stuff. Will I really be okay...?"

"You'll be fine."

It wasn't just words—Park Jung-woo truly seemed to believe that.

That sight felt comforting yet, at the same time, maddening.

'Do you even know how anxious I am right now?'

She wanted to say that.

The truth was, Alencia didn't have that much real battle experience as a hunter.

Sure, lately she'd been forced to grind a lot of experience, but she hadn't gone through years of real combat like Shin Ah-yeon or Lee Soo-ah.

So, when faced with unexpected situations, she couldn't help but panic, and she'd been startled when she got punched by Cade this time.

It hurt.

Well, of course it hurt—she'd been hit, after all, and it was practically the first time she'd ever really taken a hit.

'The truth is, it wasn't even that big of a wound.'

Just like she told Park Jung-woo, she could have kept fighting as much as she wanted.

She still had charged electricity left, and the wound wasn't that bad.

Just a bit of bleeding, really.

Considering that she'd been struck by a sword swung with full strength, it was a small wound.

If Cade knew that, he'd probably be dumbfounded.

If it had hit an ordinary person, there wouldn't have even been a body left.

So if he saw her whining about a minor wound, how ridiculous would that seem?

Alencia understood that. She knew.

'Maybe that's why I still can't use anything like my own Conceptualization Technique.'

When Baek Hojun spoke to her about Conceptualization Technique, he told Alencia that she already had something similar. She could already use it, but her mindset couldn't keep up, or something along those lines.

In other words, it wasn't complete.

She had it, but it was in an incomplete state.

It fit her current self perfectly.

Because of that, she hadn't been able to use it properly.

"Alencia."

Lost in those thoughts, Alencia heard Park Jung-woo's voice.

"Yeah?"

"Why don't we take the day off today?"

It was a pretty random suggestion.

Taking a break at a time like this—did that make sense?

When she gave him a look, Park Jung-woo just shrugged with a smile.

"There's still a week left anyway, so there's no need to force anything. And managing your condition is part of the job, too."

"I...is it?"

"It really is."

Well, if he said so, it must be fine.

When Alencia nodded, Park Jung-woo turned his gaze out the café window.

"Then, shall we finish our drinks and go?"

"Where? If we're resting, are we heading to Ah-yeon unni's mansion?"

"No."

That wouldn't be a bad choice, but today, Park Jung-woo wanted to talk a lot with Alencia.

He could practically see Alencia's troubles weighing on her.

And it wasn't something he could resolve for her.

It was a problem that Alencia needed to overcome herself.

But that didn't mean he could just leave her alone.

As the saying went, they didn't have that luxury of time.

'If I can't help, then I can at least bring her to someone who can.'

And Alencia knew exactly who that was.

"Let's go to America."

"Huh?"

At that sudden statement, Alencia couldn't believe her ears.

***

America was a long way away, even by plane.

It wasn't somewhere one could travel to and from in a day using normal means, and with only a week left, there wasn't really time for a trip like that.

But Park Jung-woo could say it so lightly, all thanks to Alencia.

"These new clothes don't have any issues keeping up with your speed, Alencia."

"I'd be in trouble if your manager clothes couldn't handle it."

"That's true."

Alencia was fast.

So fast that, in the time it took for Shin Ah-yeon to buy a cup ramyun at the convenience store in front of her house, Alencia could circle the globe.

So going to America was no problem at all.

The only wrinkle was that, since Park Jung-woo had to tag along, the speed sometimes created side effects.

"But now that we're in America... where are we going?"

Los Angeles.

Alencia had arrived naturally here.

She'd considered going to Denver, where Leon lived, but today she just didn't feel like it.

"You're already in LA—why even ask?"

"I, no, it's just... my instincts brought me here."

When Park Jung-woo chuckled, Alencia flailed her hands, flustered.

There was nothing else she could do.

As if Park Jung-woo's words implied, even at her age...

"Alencia?"

"Oh."

Alencia turned, her long blonde hair swirling.

There, a woman with a very pleasant impression was standing, watching her.

"Hello, Susan."

"What brings you here all of a sudden? You were just here a few days ago, weren't you?"

"Y-you didn't have to say that!"

"Oh my, did I?"

She never imagined she'd bump into someone she knew the moment she arrived.

Alencia let out a sigh, glancing at Park Jung-woo.

'I've been caught making secret trips to America.'

There was really only one reason Alencia came to Los Angeles.

To meet the person staying here.

"James was worried, you know. He said you seemed to be hiding something last time."

"I wasn't hiding anything..."

Alencia answered hesitantly.

When she came last week, she hadn't said very much.

"Even if you weren't, it was obvious. But..."

The lady alternated glances between Alencia and Park Jung-woo and then gave a teasing smile.

"Is this your boyfriend?"

"N-no!"

"Oh dear, I've seen you two together sometimes on TV, so I just assumed."

With that, the lady laughed, patted Park Jung-woo's back a few times, and disappeared.

Seeing her just say her piece and leave, Park Jung-woo gave an awkward chuckle.

"... That's just how Kara is, don't mind her."

Of course, the one who felt embarrassed was Alencia.

It was awkward, having someone appear out of nowhere with a teasing comment.

"I guess you really came here after the demonic zone, then."

"Yeah, well..."

Alencia answered vaguely, and Park Jung-woo nodded.

Just as he'd thought, Alencia had all sorts of concerns on her mind.

"You're really not bothered by it at all."

"Sorry?"

"Hmph, nothing."

Alencia felt a weird twinge.

Even if it was just a joke, it felt unfair that only she was embarrassed by Kara's words.

'Am I really the only one affected by that?'

The thought made her reflect on Park Jung-woo.

To be honest, there were a lot of people around who seemed interested in Park Jung-woo.

Though, whether it was romantic interest or just general likeability as a person, she couldn't really tell.

'But the manager never seems to react to that...'

That was probably his way of drawing a line between himself and the hunters, as a manager.

Except for one person.

There was a single person who crossed that line from time to time.

'It must be Shin Ah-yeon unni, right?'

Even if others didn't, Shin Ah-yeon always hovered right at that line.

Whether it was because of her past life as Estella, or because she was Park Jung-woo's first S-rank hunter, it was hard to know.

But just by watching the way they talked or spent time together, it was obvious—they had a completely different atmosphere.

'Though I don't think even the manager himself realizes it.'

That thought made her feel even more wronged.

So unfair, really.

"Let's go, then."

"Where?"

"To see James, of course. That's the whole reason we're here."

"Was there really business with my dad?"

"A little different, but in a way, yes."

Alencia's father, James Walker.

He had spent a long time in prison, but lately he'd been released.

That was mainly because his daughter was Alencia, and it had since been revealed that not all of his charges for fraud were truly fraudulent.

The only lie among his statements was claiming to be a returnee; everything else had been true.

The statements he made—were not based on his knowledge, but on Sarah Walker's.

Because of all that, his sentence was reduced, and he was able to get out recently.

That was about a month ago.

When Alencia had been busy preparing for the demonic zone.

"But even if we go, I don't really have anything to say—it's just awkward."

Honestly, Alencia didn't really want to see James.

She visited Los Angeles often.

She had the ability to travel freely, at least within countries like America.

But even when she visited, she never spent much time talking with James.

It was hard to know what to say.

Talking face to face had just grown too awkward.

That was also the reason she didn't really say anything to him when she visited a week ago.

And even though it made her sad, there was still a big gulf between her and James.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

26 chapters left.

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】