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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Exclusive Sparring Partner
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"You… you okay? Hey, are you conscious?"
"Ugh… cough! Cough! Ptooey!"
Thank goodness. At least she was alive, judging by the groans of pain escaping her lips.
Struggling to rise amid shattered debris and alloy panels, she spat out blood-mixed saliva and bits of stone before glaring at me.
'Oh shit, I'm screwed. Should've just countered after my skill ended. What do I do? Headbutt her and apologize now? Nah, that'd land me straight in slave territory.'
"Mister, your fists are no joke. Whew~ That's it. This is it. The pain, the burn, the thrill. Now that's a spar! Ptoo!"
Out of nowhere, she crossed her arms and started nodding like she was perfectly satisfied.
Wait, is she insane?
It was terrifying seeing her beam with satisfaction while blood trickled from her mouth.
I eyed her warily, wondering if she had some weird(?) fetish, when she hauled herself up and spoke.
"Ah~ I lost. Total defeat."
"Ah… yeah. I see. How's your body holding up?"
"Hmm, hurts all over and breathing's a bit tough, but! I'm fine."
That's not fine at all.
As I thought that, her declaration of defeat must've triggered something, because Judgment Field dissipated.
What? So it just cancels out after a full-on fight and mutual exhaustion?
"Nah, it's not just a simple cancel—it needs both sides going all out first. Anyway, our Constellation nailed it. Who'd have thought a gem like you was hiding here? Puahaha!"
"Whatever. I won, so stick to the promise. Handle the cleanup here too. I'm out."
With a Constellation's name on the line, there shouldn't be any backlash.
The damn duel was over, so now I could head back, rest, and prep for morning shift.
But for some reason, this girl named Shin Ayoung kept tailing me.
"Hey, why are you following me?"
"Can't I? Oh, and drop the formal talk. Staff guy!"
"We're done with our business, right?"
"Yup. But forget the past and let's start something new."
Her bold words gave me a budding headache.
Didn't we just settle things? Why's she bugging me again? Driving me nuts.
Something new? What the hell? I'm done with you.
"Sigh~ Just go. Whatever hopes or fantasies you've got, I want nothing to do with Hunter life."
"Why not?"
Aaaah! I wanna scream.
This is why I hate kids! Gotta spell everything out, they don't even try to get your side, conversations drag forever.
Wish they'd just get it on instinct. Am I asking too much?
"Look, I just wanna keep working as Staff and live moderately. Got it?"
"Hmm? That's such a waste. With that power, landing a spot in one of the top three guilds would be easy…"
"Pass on the peace and quiet? Not interested."
We bantered like that all the way to the Staff dorms, but she stuck to me like glue.
"But seriously, why are you following?"
"Couldn't pass it up."
"Pass what up? And where's the night guard? Damn it!"
Normally, the on-duty guard would block outsiders and rowdy students, but tonight? Nowhere in sight.
I couldn't exactly use force myself, so this pint-sized Shin Ayoung kept yapping at my heels.
"Hmm, if you were a golden nugget rolling on the ground, you'd just leave it?"
"Yeah. Picking it up just brings trouble. As long as I've got shelter and food, no need to chase more."
"I wouldn't. A golden nugget like this! Hehehe!"
She lunged like she wouldn't let go.
Of course. Even a kid like her wouldn't ignore an Awakener topping B-rank.
I'd been too complacent.
Should've faked an accident and gone all-out from the start?
"…So, what do you want?"
"Be my exclusive Staff. I'll double your pay, treat you better than Academia does. I'll handle hiding your Awakener status too—whatever it takes. Duties? Mix of Staff work, but mostly just spar with me."
"Hmm…"
Huh? Sounded better than expected.
No Hunter contract forced on me—just shift my Staff affiliation, respecting my wishes.
If I couldn't shake her off, maybe this was the better play.
The doubled pay and perks tugged a bit too!
"Hmm, alright. Deal. But I need time for my own training and level-ups, so get that."
"Oh, of course! You get stronger, I do too. As exclusive Staff, I might toss you other tasks occasionally—just handle those and we're good."
"Let's sign tomorrow."
We shook on it, swapped contacts, and Shin Ayoung and I parted ways.
Back in my dorm alone, I flopped down, mulling the day's chaos.
Cleaned up one mess, only for that damn Constellation's meddling to stir another.
'Hoo~ Bring it on, then.'
Fate's flow reeked of malice, dead-set against me Staying Staff.
To fight back, I'd grind levels harder and grow.
Finish the contract, then hit an E-rank dungeon for post-15 level-ups. With that thought, I drifted off.
***
Next day, Facilities Maintenance Department.
"I heard already. Heh heh, swept up in her training out of nowhere."
"Yeah. Caught me off guard. She's not badly hurt, though…"
By the time I clocked in, Shin Ayoung's side had briefed the Academia Staff.
Story: She was training solo, unleashed her secret art, accidentally dragged me in—boom, injuries.
No CCTV in the gym, just rubble and our word, so as long as I played along, we were golden.
"Shin Ayoung wants you as her exclusive Staff as part of the compensation. You know?"
"Yes, sir."
"Figures. No intent, but a student injuring Staff… yeah."
Awakeners attacking civilians was banned outside too.
Academia rules hammered that home—no violence against Staff.
But here? No malice, full insurance and aftermath handled, plus hiring the injured Staff exclusively? No big issue for Academia or the Association.
"Losing a skilled guy during crunch time sucks, but can't be helped. Do well there. We'll handle your exit paperwork."
"Yes, Chief."
Loaded farewell, but I got it.
Busy season, losing a Team Leader drops efficiency by 10%.
What could they do? B-rank Awakener names you exclusive, doubles pay—no holding that.
"Hmm~ Light load to move. Good. Dorm's already set—nice."
Paperwork done, I left the regular Staff dorms for the exclusive Staff quarters attached to Heaven Class housing.
"Whew~ Never thought I'd end up here."
Still looping inside Academia, but unlike regular Staff digs, Heaven Class Staff got spots right next to the hotel-level Heaven Class dorms.
Greeted the entrance Staff, headed in, reached my new exclusive quarters.
"Wow, impressive."
From one-room studio to three bedrooms, plus office and storage.
Makes sense—exclusives need special skills or talents; this was baseline.
'Students won't stay forever, though… limits. Eh, not my worry. Peasants fret over lease hikes every few years.'
Silly thought, even for me. Unpacked anyway.
Just clothes, phone, instant snacks, few beers—done in a flash.
"Alright, now…"
"Huh? Already unpacked? You're fast."
Door open for air, and bam—Shin Ayoung inside, fresh off settling.
Not gym clothes today—Heaven Class casuals.
Looked demure compared to yesterday's pushiness. Refreshing vibe.
"Single guy's stuff is minimal~ Anyway, contract?"
"Brought it, obviously!"
Took her contract, scanned meticulously.
Exclusive Staff, sure, but duties? Solely sparring with her. Slim terms.
Weekly spars, rest for my Awakener growth.
One hitch: Advise/help boost her skills freely. But anytime opt-out? Solid.
"Hm, no red flags."
"Other Awakeners, maybe. Trick a golden nugget? Nah."
"True enough."
Society now? Contracts don't bind 100%. Awakener power, abilities, Constellations—that's the real lock.
Fancy paper? Scavenger life calls, it's confetti.
"Anyway, done. I wanna hit a dungeon ASAP—prepped?"
"Yup. Exclusive Staff training request approved."
They had their angle on me; I had mine. Fair trade.
Installed new guild app, confirmed exclusive status, activated training menu—E-rank dungeon access: check.