Chapter 132:

We kindly ask for your understanding regarding the inconsistency of character pronouns, particularly for the Entities (ex. The Greedy Predator). In Korean, pronouns are rarely used, making it challenging to ascertain a character's gender or identity until later narratives unfold. Update twice a week [SUN] & [THURS] starting August 2024!

Song Hanna expressed deep concern over Seora’s sudden abnormal behavior. But although she offered to stay with Seora and accompany her home, Seora refused.

She insisted on being alone today. No, to be precise, she wanted to be alone with the administrator.

“Administrator.”

The nine-tailed fox, appearing out of thin air, landed silently. Its nine tails calmly settled on the ground.

Its composed eyes gazed at her. Unlike usual, there were no emoticons or cute gestures. As expected, the administrator already knew what she was going to say.

“The legacy my mother left for me and my brother. You know about it, right? She passed her powers down through the system; there’s no way you wouldn’t know about it.” The administrator did not deny it. The sight of it nodding silently made Seora’s heart skip a beat. “The message that appeared before my brother and me back then. You were the one who sent it, right?”

Having become an Awakened, she understood how the system worked. The system operates according to the will of the Awakened, but it doesn’t react to unspoken actions. But at that time, the system clearly reacted to even the smallest actions of the siblings, even though they weren’t Awakened then.

Then, there could only be one explanation.

“Administrator, were you with me back then too?”

It was clear that the administrator had intervened in the event.

“Ah.”

And then, Seora clearly saw it. The fox’s eyes filled with a trace of a smile. It was an affirmation.

“So it was true. From the beginning, you were really with us, with me…..”

Tears welled up in her eyes. She had believed that she first saw the administrator at the age of twenty-two in the Werewolf’s Dungeon, but that wasn’t the case. The administrator had been watching over her for a long time, trying to give the power to live to the young siblings who had lost their parents.

“…Thank you.”

Seora’s hand reached out to embrace the nine-tailed fox’s neck. The nine tails wrapped around her.

“I’ve always been curious about how I could make a contract with the system administrator.” Now, everything finally made sense. It wasn’t a sudden miracle; they had already met before. “I’ve misunderstood all this time. I thought you appeared before me because I cursed the system or something. I thought that was your taste.”

【Administrator: ∑(°口°)!!】

【Administrator: ٩( ̀Д ́)۶】

Seora laughed with tearful eyes at the emoticons that seemed to ask how she could see him that way.

“But seriously, how did Mom leave a legacy through the system? By any chance, Administrator-nim, have you ever met my mom?”

The fox nodded vigorously.

“Well then, what’s the story? How did Mom leave a legacy? Is it even possible in the first place?”

〖“It’s only possible for Hyeon Jaehui. No one else could do it.”〗

A low voice reached her ears. Seora rubbed her ears, feeling them heating up.

“So… What kind of person was Mom? She became an Awakened for less than a year, so what was she doing all that time?”

〖“She was an exceptional person. As much as I can remember as a system administrator.”〗

The fact that her mom was impressive enough to be remembered by the administrator left Seora feeling strange. The Hyeon Jaehui she knew was just a person who lived happily day by day with her family. However, when it came to the Awakened Hyeon Jaehui, she knew almost nothing. She hadn’t lived long enough to learn about that part of her life.

〖”It’s hard to explain in detail, but Hyeon Jaehui had the ability to leave a legacy through the system, and I, as the administrator, simply followed her instructions. As for why I got involved in the inheritance… let’s just say it was a personal interest.”〗

“If it was because of her ability, I can understand. Many abilities in the world still haven’t been properly explained. But personal interest? Ah, does that mean Mom stood out so much that you were interested in both her children—my brother and me?”

〖”It’s difficult to explain in detail. If I tell you, Seora, you might end up hating me.”〗

The administrator’s voice contained a bitter laugh.

Though he seemed reluctant to tell her, it was related to her family. She wanted to hear the truth no matter what.

〖”It doesn’t matter to me if others hate me, but if you were to hate me, I’d be really sad.”〗

However, as the administrator looked straight at her, with a sad expression on the fox’s face, how could she ignore that and demand to know everything immediately?

Seora looked away from him. “Elizabeth, you know that saying things like that intentionally weakens my heart, right?”

〖”The fact that you show a particularly vulnerable side to me is my pleasure.”〗

With those words, soft laughter brushed her ears, and Seora’s face blushed. Wait, hold on. Can’t you give me some warning before saying something like that? My heart might explode. “Anyway, you’re also weak in front of me.”

〖”Making you happy is my delight.”〗

No way. She had no chance of winning against the administrator, not even with emoticons, let alone words. Before her face turned any redder, Seora quickly changed the subject. “My brother doesn’t know you were involved in the inheritance, does he?”

〖”Yes. He had to swallow that incident alone since he couldn’t tell anyone, and you eventually forgot about it.”〗

“I feel sorry about that… but why did you place such a restriction?”

〖”If the fact that one can leave power through the system were to be known, can you imagine what might happen worldwide? The idea that it’s only possible for Hyeon Jaehui wouldn’t be accepted. And in the process, you and your brother would have been hurt even more severely.”〗

“Oh…”

〖”I thought it would be better to keep quiet about it, as even if they investigate, they won’t find out about me. That way, I could keep your and your brother’s safety in mind.”〗

Ultimately, it was all for Seora and her brother’s sake. Hearing that he had wanted to protect them since then, she bit her lip in happiness. “Thank you, Administrator… Even if I tell my brother I remembered that day, I won’t mention anything related to you.”

〖“Thank you, Seora.”〗

Ahem. Seora cleared her throat with a blush on her face. The fox let out a squeal and nuzzled her cheek.

“But why didn’t you tell me until now? We could have talked about it after our communication was established.”

〖”I thought it was no big deal, and you forgot about it. So, was there a need to bring it up? Besides, you didn’t receive the inheritance, so I figured it didn’t matter if you remembered.”〗

How he said ‘no big deal’ seemed oddly emphasized, but maybe that was just her imagination. Seora quietly reflected on how it was her own fault.

“Ahem. But, then, have you been watching me since I was eleven years old? My goodness. I thought Kang Sejun was the only stalker, but it seems Elizabeth is the same.”

【Administrator: ∑(;°Д°)!!!!】

【Administrator: (°Д °;)(;° Д°)(°Д °;)(;° Д°)(°Д °;)(;° Д°)(°Д °;)(;° Д°)】

The administrator vehemently denied it, wagging his tail and face together. Emoticons popped up above his face.

“Even before I was Awakened? Wow! I didn’t see you that way, Administrator-nim!”

【Administrator: (° Д °);;;;;;】

Thanks to Elizabeth, Seora learned for the first time that a fox’s face could blush. The nine-tailed fox waved his tail with a face that seemed to want to hide in a mouse hole.

Finally, Seora burst into laughter and hugged the fox’s neck, falling sideways with a chuckle. Even in the midst of this, he wrapped his tail around her to ensure she didn’t get hurt. She was happy.

“Thank you. Thank you for watching over me.”

The movements of the administrator, who had been sweating nervously, suddenly came to a stop.

“I forgot everything, but you didn’t forget and saved me. Thank you, Administrator. Thanks to you pulling me out of the Werewolf’s Dungeon, the lives of many, including mine, have changed. It’s all thanks to you.” Seora’s hand gently caressed the fox’s face. She whispered, hoping her sincerity would reach the administrator behind those green eyes, “I’m living thanks to you. My benefactor, thank you.”

She leaned her forehead against the fox. Ah, the warmth of their touch was truly lovely.

Her dear benefactor, her savior who rescued her.

Her growing feelings couldn’t be hidden any longer. She wanted to meet him. She desperately wanted to meet him and connect with him like this. She wanted to meet him in person, listen to whatever stories he kept within, and learn more about him.

Seora looked straight into the fox’s eyes and smiled with happiness.

***

Crunch. Something touched Seora’s toes as she had her eyes closed. It wasn’t a stone or a coin; this sensation…!

“It’s a jewel!”

Her eyes snapped open. As she expected, the grand mansion filled with jewels appeared before her eyes. After experiencing it three times, she could now recognize the sensation of jewels even with her eyes closed.

“Where are you!? Come out this instant!”

But today, she had no intention of being distracted by them. There were even more dazzling and abundant items piled up on the floor than last time, but she didn’t care!

Platinum hair and green eyes! You rascal! I won’t let you slip away this time!

“Oh, dear. It’s hard to walk with all these jewels.”

Walking barefoot on the gems was difficult. Seora eventually planted her feet on the floor and moved slowly as if she was skating. It would have been easier if it were a marble floor, but unfortunately, there was a carpet.

“Where are you hiding!? Come out now!”

In the end, Seora swung her arms in frustration. If this was a setup, then it was a stroke of genius.

Seora turned around swiftly at the voice that came from behind. There, with a rather awkward expression, stood the stunning beauty gazing at her feet. Despite his impeccable appearance, she wouldn’t be swayed by his charm this time.

…Sigh. But looking at him again, he really is handsome.

“No, no. Get a hold of yourself. Hey, Mr. Beauty. We have a lot to talk about, you know? Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?”

“You deceived me, hiding your true intentions. Why should I be polite to you?”

Whatever the beauty said, Seora ignored it. Instead, she put her hand inside her bosom. She had been carrying it with her every night, hoping it would be there…

‘It’s here!’

Seora opened her eyes wide as she felt the cold touch in her hand and immediately aimed it at the man. The muzzle of a Colt was pointed at him.

“I prepared myself to meet you and slept with it in my bosom every night. Luckily, it’s still there. Now, come on, spill everything. If not, I’ll shoot!”

Despite her determination to shoot, the man shrugged nonchalantly.

Seora’s face contorted in frustration. The beauty smiled and flicked his finger.

The weight of the gun she was holding suddenly became much lighter. Seora looked at Hit with surprise. Its shape was the same, but what on earth…?

“What on earth did you do!?”

Angrily, Seora pulled the trigger. And what came out was…

Squirt, squirt.

“…”

It was water, not a bullet. Clear water sprayed from the gun’s muzzle, drenching the man standing before her. His white shirt was soaked in an instant.

“…”

The woman holding the gun and the soaked man stood in the room, enveloped in silence.