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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Song Ha-na
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Song Ha-na.
Song Ha-na.
The brightest star among S-Rank players, the one they called the star shining in the night sky.
Kind-hearted, talented—she was a benevolent goddess without a single flaw to criticize.
It was only natural that someone like her earned the nickname "Saintess."
'Who would've thought I'd run into her here.'
Who could have predicted that he'd bump into one of the only 100 S-Rank players in existence right in the Tutorial?
'What's the probability? With a global population of 4 billion and only 10 spots per zone, that's 1 in 400 million, right?'
Math wasn't his strong suit.
They said the Tutorials were grouped by country or region, so the odds might be a bit better than that—but still, it was never something you'd expect to happen easily.
Anyway, it was insane luck. Unbelievably so.
'I have to recruit Song Ha-na as a teammate, no matter what.'
Her healing abilities were unmatched by anyone.
Even just in terms of healing output, she outdid ten other healers combined. And unlike Shin Seo-yeon, her personality was impeccable—a woman with no faults.
'Even before the regression, she helped me out countless times.'
-"Money's fine. A simple thank you is enough."
-"If you need help, just let me know anytime."
'What a shame. Such a waste.'
He clicked his tongue in regret. He wanted nothing more than to approach her right then and suggest they team up.
But they were strangers, a man and a woman who'd just met. The supplies he'd brought were meant for solo grinding from the start, not ideal for two.
'If I'd known we'd meet in the Tutorial...'
So, he had to boost her favor toward him here somehow. That way, even if they met later, she'd be open to joining as a teammate.
Fortunately, things were unfolding in his favor.
"Ugh, it's freezing. Why do we have to hunt foxes out here? Ha-na, I'm so cold—mind lending me your coat?"
"Ha-na, I need shoes. My toes are killing me after walking in heels all day."
Shameless. Did they think if they were cold, everyone else must be too?
And the most ridiculous part? They were already wearing suit jackets but still trying to snatch someone else's coat to layer on top.
'Wow, that's some next-level selfishness. Even I, with ten years of first-run experience, can't help but admire it.'
"Song Ha-na, what are you doing? Hurry up."
"H-Here."
Yet Song Ha-na handed over her shoes and coat without protest.
In truth, that was her one flaw.
She had all the potential to become an S-Rank Saintess, but she lacked assertiveness and let herself get pushed around.
Shivering.
Even unreasonable demands from others left her flustered, but she couldn't say no.
He'd never seen her refuse any request that wasn't sexual.
'She's a pushover, basically.'
If she were a guy, Shin Seo-yeon would've stripped her down to her underwear. But this trembling woman with her saintly aura paradoxically shone as the brightest star because of it.
Anyway, it was his chance. He approached Song Ha-na.
"Excuse me."
"Y-Yes?"
"You look freezing. I have spare gloves, shoes, and a coat if you want them."
"Oh, um..."
"I'm not giving them away. Just lending. Use them and return later."
He pressed the thick winter gear set into her hands, and Song Ha-na clasped them together, eyes glistening with tears.
"Th-Thank you."
Her face lit up like no one had ever treated her this kindly before.
Seeing that warmed his heart too.
'No need to thank me—I'm the one who's grateful. Now I can finally repay the favor.'
His lost left arm, severed fingers, gut wound, amputated legs...
He owed her so much. His desire to help her was genuine.
-"When I get stronger, I'll pay you back."
Every time he'd said that, she'd smiled softly and replied, "Okay, I'll wait."
But he couldn't help her in the end.
Because when all the Trials ended, he was the only one left standing there.
'But this time will be different.'
He returned her touched smile with a gentle one of his own.
But their heartfelt moment froze solid the instant an intruder butted in, like ice water dousing a flame.
"Song Ha-na? What's that?"
Song Ha-na stiffened. Her coworkers spotted the winter gear in her hands and turned to him.
Sly grins spread across their faces immediately.
"Oh, what? You gave it just to Ha-na?"
"Give some to us too."
He hated those smiles.
As if they'd entrusted their stuff to him—how could they demand it so brazenly?
Of course, he wasn't one to talk when it came to shamelessness.
"Sorry, that's all I have."
"I'm freezing—mind if I borrow what you're wearing?"
"Gloves for me."
These women were even more brazen than he'd expected.
"It's so cold my ears might fall off. Can you take it off quick?"
"Ha-na, hand that over. I'll wear it, then you can have it back after."
"Yeah, good idea. I'll take the gloves then, Ha-na."
What kind of people were these?
He was seriously tempted to throw a punch.
If Song Ha-na weren't there, his fist would've already met a gut.
"Um, excuse me."
To avoid actually swinging, he wedged himself between them.
"I'm not lending my stuff to you."
"What?"
"Why not? Why give to us?"
He ignored them and looked at Song Ha-na.
"Put it on."
"P-Pardon? Oh, okay."
"And since I'm lending it to you, don't give it to anyone else, no matter what they say. I lent it to you, not them. Got it?"
"Yes."
Song Ha-na, bundled in the thick gear with gloves and boots, nodded with visible relief.
After his stern warning, the two women protested from the side.
"What? Discrimination—that's too much!"
"Right! Why only pamper Song Ha-na? If you're helping her, help us too. And honestly, it's up to Ha-na how she uses it. Ha-na, take that off quick."
They lunged to grab it, so he quietly raised his bloodied axe and aimed at the women.
Ah, ah? They finally grasped reality and backed away hesitantly.
'Words only go so far.'
Especially for 21st-century Earthlings whose brains had bloated from long peace.
He addressed the two women whose brains were finally rebooting.
"What to do with this gear is up to me, the lender. Not for third parties like you to interfere. Anything else?"
"Y-You psycho. Ugh, what a shitty day. Let's go, Mi-hee."
"Ptoo. On Earth, I'd call the cops and have you locked up. Remember this."
Spouting lines straight out of a morning drama villain, the women walked off.
Their glares were vicious, but he paid no mind.
'Don't recognize them. They'll be gone soon.'
They'd probably get culled before long.
He gave Song Ha-na a light nod and resumed fox hunting.
Whirr—thud!
Snowy mountain.
The snow that once crunched softly underfoot had been trampled into hard ice.
But the footprints' owners had all vanished, leaving the Tutorial zone in eerie emptiness.
Now, only the three women and he remained.
'Hmm?'
Or so he thought—but actually, it was just him and Song Ha-na.
Song Ha-na approached him hesitantly.
"Um, excuse me..."
Her face looked ready to burst into tears any second.
"Can I... join you?"
She hesitated briefly before asking timidly.
"What about the others?"
"They... suddenly distanced themselves and told me not to follow, then left on their own."
Ah, yeah—that fit her inability to say no.
He knew she'd suffer until she met the Sea God Guild's master.
Head bowed, the 23-year-old Saintess awaited his answer in silence.
Truth be told, he'd half-expected this.
By favoring only her among the three, the other two would get jealous and ditch her.
'That contrasts my kindness with their nastiness. Makes my favor stand out.'
He figured she'd realize something and leave that toxic group on her own.
'Didn't expect them to abandon her first. Works out easier.'
Did they know? The person they discarded would awaken as the top-priority named S-Rank Saintess everyone wanted as a teammate.
'If she survives that long, they'll regret it big time.'
If she survived, that is.
Anyway, with her coming to him like this, he had no choice. Supplies were tight, but he'd take her as a teammate.
"Got all the foxes?"
"Yes, just now."
After a quick introduction, he explained the situation.
"See this? We're grinding foxes for that accessory."
"Oh."
Song Ha-na stared blankly at the Snowfield Necklace before asking.
"So, what do you need from me? You explained, so I must be able to help, right?"
As expected, she wasn't just a pushover—her head was sharp.
"When I kill a fox, go reset the body and pick up the drops."
"Got it."
And so, in the deserted snowy mountain, they formed a team and continued the grind.
Fox appears—he throws his axe, retrieves it. Meanwhile, Song Ha-na darts around, resetting corpses and collecting items.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙[First Trial: Slay foxes. (359/2)]
"Let's call it here for today."
"Moving to the next area now?"
"No. Staying put for a while."
"Then?"
He chopped branches from a prominent tree on the snowy mountain and built a campfire.
Normally, he'd scout sleeping spots and prep a fire pit in advance, but the chaebol heiresses who'd passed by earlier had done the flattening for him.
"You brought a tent too?"
"Yeah. Just in case, and now it's coming in handy."
"You're amazing. When I heard Earth was ending, I panicked, and next thing I knew, I was here."
Who wouldn't?
The real odd ones were those chaebol folks who'd come fully prepared.
Poke. Poke.
He unpacked the tent from his backpack, laid down waterproof sheeting over the snow, and said to Song Ha-na warming her hands by the fire.
"Only one sleeping bag, so we'll have to share."
"Oh."
"You okay with that? If it's uncomfortable, I'll sleep outside."
"N-No, it's fine. Don't worry."
Alright then.
"Come on in. It's getting dark—will cool fast. Sleeping bag's tight, so better take off the coat."
"O-Okay."
They set up the thick sleeping bag inside the tent and slipped in wearing only thin winter clothes.
Heads close enough that noses would touch if they turned—the distance made Song Ha-na blush and roll over to face away.
Warmth spread. The spots where their bodies touched felt hotter than a hot pack—not just his imagination.
"Um, Min-jun."
"Yeah."
"Something hard's poking my butt. Better take it out of the sleeping bag. Might be uncomfortable while sleeping..."
"That's my dick."
"P-Pardon...? Yes?"
"The thing against your butt is my dick, Song Ha-na."
"Wh-What?"
Flustered Song Ha-na.
Her panic made him chuckle involuntarily.
"You're too attractive—couldn't help it. But I won't actually do anything, so bear with it. It'll go down once I sleep."
He hugged her and closed his eyes.
"Um, wait..."
Song Ha-na was still stammering in shock, but it was a joke—he had no real intentions.
Exhausted from throwing the axe all day in the cold, and forcing himself on her now would cross an irreversible line.
'Tutorial could end before sex, and she'd bolt to the next area. Favor gone—instead, I'd be the villain.'
Better to rest peacefully now. Soon, her relieved voice came.
"Oh... it's soft now."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Early morning rustling woke him—his hand was kneading Song Ha-na's breast.
The woman's scent must've made him slip his hand under her clothes in his sleep out of habit.
"A-Awake?"
"Y-Yeah."
"Then... could you move your hand...?"
"Sorry."
As he apologized and pulled out, Song Ha-na's flushed face emerged first from the sleeping bag as she dressed.
'She's not gonna dress and flee to the next area, is she?'
Late worry, but thankfully, no.
"Well, let's do our best today too."
"Yeah, you too."
Day two—team hunting felt natural now.
They meshed well.
He had ten years of combat experience, future knowledge, and confidence. She had consideration and smarts.
Whirr—thud!
Pat-pat-pat!
When he acted boldly, she supported flawlessly without complaint.
Progress sped up dramatically.
"Short break."
"Okay."
During rest, they dried clothes and shoes by the fire and ate Earth rations.
"Here."
While eating, Song Ha-na handed him a heavy pouch—morning's loot.
Their good Saintess couldn't say no to bringing all the farmed items, so she'd delivered everything.
'She could've pocketed one.'
But she wouldn't regret it—he'd take good care of her in return.
"Wear these."
He gave her two earrings, one necklace, two rings.
"One ring per hand?"
"Yes. Multiple per hand works but lowers efficiency."
Something about mana waves canceling—anyway, two per hand halved effects.
Three made it one-third, only one special option procs.
'Just clunky, so usually one per hand.'
"Thanks."
"No need. We worked together."
"Oh."
"Don't worry—these will sell well later, and I'll share your cut."
"N-No, I just picked stuff up. Got clothes, shoes, food... all from you."
She added.
"I don't want anything else—just don't toss me if I'm useless. Keep me around."
"..."
The future S-Rank Saintess begging not to be abandoned.
Life was unpredictable.
Who could've foreseen? Cheongsung Group's heir Han So-hee vanishing without a trace, while the exploited underdog Song Ha-na rose to save humanity.
"Don't worry. I won't ditch you."
"Thanks."
Yet her anxious eyes said their peak-era Saintess needed more trust in him.
A bit early, but he reached out, pulled her into a hug, and pressed a kiss to her lips.
"!!"
As Song Ha-na's eyes widened in bewilderment, he pulled back.
"I want to get close to you, Song Ha-na."
"Uh, um?"
"If that upset you, sorry. But I wanted to show I mean it—won't abandon you."
"Y-Yes..."
Too bold? For the next three days, she avoided him.
Alone in the mountains, avoidance was limited, but meals and bedtime were silent.
Eye contact? She'd whip away.
'Oops, too hasty.'
Still, she didn't leave. If uncomfortable, she could've gone next area—but she stuck around him.
Day four, noon.
Eye contact as usual—Song Ha-na startled, averted gaze. He spotted her flushed ear and knew.
'Ah, that's it.'
He sat flush against her eating. Then wrapped an arm around the flinching Song Ha-na, kneading her butt.
"..."
Yet their Saintess sat demurely, no resistance.
He gripped her chin and kissed her.
"Stick out your tongue. Spread your legs."
"Y-Yes. *Smack. Smack.*"
Saintess obediently parted her legs.
Ah, nice.