Chapter 164 Yarikiri! 2
The next day, Shia visited the Returnee Management Bureau carrying a load of dungeon cabbage.
If asked why she was visiting the bureau, which had just completed its third ethical audit, it was to recover the Hunter AI-assist drone camera that had met its end in a single blow from Menelapie’s stone throw the day before.
"Hing, I really liked that thing..."
Modern Hunter drones were quite expensive.
The astronomical price was justified because the AI drones incorporated mysterious technologies unique to Returnees, making mass production impossible.
The ones sold on the market were merely replicas made by Returnees.
Thus, it was no exaggeration to say that the quality of a Hunter streaming broadcast depended on the drone camera.
Connecting to Switch channels, setting up a Hunter streaming room, creating accounts, managing them, cognitive filtering, motion recognition that responds to a simple gesture, adaptive learning, and even automatic solar charging—
Though Shia had not even used 20% of her AI drone's abilities before it broke, she found it incredibly convenient, so she hoped to get the same model from the Returnee Management Bureau.
“Excuse me~? Is anyone here?”
“Who… Huh! I-Is it you, Hunter Shia?”
“Yes. Is Chief Choi Bomi here by any chance?”
“Please wait a moment! I’ll call her right away! Hey, Chief Lee! Go bring Hunter Shia some coffee!”
“It’s okay. I don’t drink coffee.”
Actually, it wasn’t that she couldn’t drink coffee; she just preferred sweet drinks like choco lattes.
Regardless, the unexpected visit from Shia, who was practically a VIP at the Returnee Management Bureau, caused a small commotion.
Though sounds of commotion came from outside the waiting room, Shia paid it no mind.
There was no way her visit was such a big deal; she assumed today was just a busy day at the bureau.
Three minutes later, a slightly out-of-breath Chief Choi Bomi, who was familiar to Shia, entered the waiting room where Shia was seated.
“Phew, phew. Hello, Shia! It’s been a while since you visited the Returnee Management Bureau. What brings you here today?”
Meeting Shia again after a while, Chief Choi greeted her with a friendly smile.
From Chief Choi’s perspective, Shia’s unannounced visit must have seemed quite alarming.
"We approved her streaming and completed three ethical audits, so did something serious happen all of a sudden?"
In Chief Choi’s eyes, Shia was an outstanding Returnee who had achieved various feats in a short time.
She had successfully completed the mission in the Great Forest of the Elves and received the Quarterly Outstanding Hunter Award with Hunter Yeonhwa.
Immediately afterward, they heard news of her tackling an S-class incursion dungeon that had covered Mapo District.
Even the Emperor from her previous world had come to see her, and word had it she had even found her birth mother.
Government sources were circulating information that the elves’ recruits from the Great Forest had been entrusted to Hunter Shia.
Chief Choi wondered if Shia was feeling mentally burdened by the many events that had occurred within such a short time, less than half a year.
Even if Shia didn’t know it, she was the highest-ranking Returnee in the eyes of the Returnee Management Bureau.
Just by being registered with the bureau as a Returnee, Shia’s existence itself was a groundbreaking achievement for the bureau’s history.
She possessed combat power comparable to Yeonseo, yet, despite her PTSD from her previous world, Shia’s enlistment as a Hunter under the bureau’s care greatly benefited national interests.
Moreover, Shia frequently visited gates simply to go for a walk or enjoy good food, streaming monster-eating broadcasts.
Though she had earned the nickname "Antics Saintess," the number of monsters Shia had hunted was uncountable.
The general public was assured that gates with monster habitats were safe.
However, when dungeons reached saturation or unusual events occurred, some monsters leaked out.
Although Hunters immediately exterminated any monsters found, there was still occasional damage.
Goblin Empire guerilla units continued to attack rural towns and military bases, killing people or looting supplies, and Shia’s previous encounter in the mountainous regions of Gangwon Province, where orcs stole her pork belly, was also a case of monsters emerging from dungeons and gates.
Since Shia’s return, monster incidents spilling from gates or affecting civilians had noticeably decreased in South Korea.
If they treated her like an ordinary visitor and Shia said, "I’m fed up with the bureau! I’m quitting being a Hunter!" it would be a disaster.
“Well… it’s nothing serious…”
“Please feel free to tell us! We’re here to help solve any issues Returnees face!”
“Is that so?”
“Of course! Especially since you’re a pride of our bureau, we promise the utmost assistance in every way possible. Yeonseo also requested it.”
At those words, Shia sighed in relief.
“My drone camera broke…”
“Uh…”
Hearing “drone camera,” Chief Choi Bomi momentarily looked blank.
Still, it was a relief.
Better this minor issue than something serious or a shocking incident.
“Oh dear, I see. How did it break?”
“It melted while I was streaming.”
“Excuse me?”
What on earth was that supposed to mean?
As Chief Choi had to handle various responsibilities, she hadn’t kept up with Shia’s broadcasts, but there were five dedicated staff members at the Returnee Management Bureau who monitored Shia’s broadcasts.
She would have to ask about what happened later.
“Ahem, ahem. So, you’re saying the drone broke?”
“Yes. I liked that model. Can you get me the same one?”
“The AI drone was originally provided by the Hunter Association. The model is still restricted from public sale. They say it’s not suitable for commercialization or mass production.”
It would be strange if just anyone could buy an AI drone with so many attached features.
“Hmm, so I can’t get the same model? Should I just buy one on my own…”
“Ordinarily, yes.”
Typically, Hunters had to pay a rental fee or fulfill certain ‘missions’ issued by the Hunter Association, which required a monthly quota of monsters.
But Shia, with her broadcasts, easily met and exceeded any monster quotas.
All her records were archived on her Hunter Shia Switch channel, so the Hunter Association didn’t even need to assign her special tasks.
Moreover, by approving her broadcasts, the government could legally monitor Shia.
Given her PTSD and psychological issues from her previous world, monitoring her was essential.
“But, I’ll look into it. I’m not sure if I can get an identical drone, but I think the Hunter Association might be open to helping.”
“That’s a relief. Do you think I’ll have to pay for it?”
“No, no. The drone was provided to you in the first place to help you quickly adapt to the modern world.”
Relieved that she could get a replacement drone, Shia left the Returnee Management Bureau in a light-hearted mood.
Outside, she saw Menelapie leaning stylishly against a wall, holding a takeaway coffee.
‘I keep thinking Menelapie has adapted to modern life far better than I have…’
Like a cool city woman from a movie, Menelapie sipped her coffee, arms folded, looking as if she belonged on a runway.
Look at that.
Every passerby was glancing her way.
In the past, I used to attract more attention, but now that Menelapie’s here, she’s the one catching everyone’s eyes.
“Menelapie! Are you done?”
“Yes. I’ve been waiting.”
Menelapie explained she’d gone to the National Assembly on Shia’s behalf to process paperwork and review matters related to the elves.
Currently, there were 512 elves from the Great Forest in South Korea.
They’d all been relocated to Yeonseo’s private dungeon through her large-scale spatial transfer ability.
The government directive was to accept them all, as it was like gaining 30,000 A-class Hunters.
Accommodating all the elves in South Korea was initially challenging.
However, the elves possessed terraforming abilities, allowing them to create habitats compatible with human habitation.
As a result, an initial team of elves established a habitat, and with Shia’s endorsement, they planned to engage in Hunter activities and economic ventures in South Korea.
“So they’re all in Yeonseo Unnie’s highland dungeon for now?”
“Yes, for now. We need to go check on their progress since we’ll need to submit periodic reports.”
“Aww… When will I get to stream again…”
“When you get your drone, why not broadcast the elves’ terraforming process?”
“Ah!”
“Plus, the elves won’t only be working without breaks. You could even cook for them during breaks, just like you did for Little Olgania.”
“Oooh! You’re amazing, Menelapie! Your ideas are inspiring!”
“By the way, when did they say you’d get that drone?”
“The drone? It’ll take a while, but why?”
Menelapie took a sip of her coffee and replied.
“If there happens to be an extra one, I’d like to have one myself. Though I suppose a device like that wouldn’t be easy to obtain…”
"No, no! Then I'll ask Chief Choi Bomi to give me another one later."
"Would that be possible?"
"Of course! I may look like this, but I get special treatment, you know?"
"Hehe, as you should. Wherever you go, Shia should always be treated with respect."
"But why do you need a drone? Are you planning to broadcast, too, Menelapie?"
"Hmm, I haven’t ruled it out."
"If Menelapie starts broadcasting, she’ll become a huge hit! Ehem, I’m a broadcast veteran, so if you really start, I’ll mentor you."
"Hehe, that sounds good."
After that, Shia and Menelapie headed to Yeonseo’s dungeon to check on Lirisia’s condition, which Shia had completely forgotten about over the past few days.
●●●●●●●
At that moment, Lirisia was glaring at Yeonseo with a deep sigh.
"…You said these elves are from the Great Forest?"
"Yes, they are."
The ecology and history of elves vary between worlds, but when the term "Great Forest" is used, it usually refers to elves who directly serve the Holy Mother World Tree, a sacred honor.
Elves who serve the Holy Mother World Tree typically have a self-regard that pierces the heavens, looking down on other races, and even barring entry to other elves, no matter how noble, unless permitted.
In Lirisia’s world, elves were seen as both lofty and fearsome, so much so that there was a saying: "Those who pluck the flowers of the Great Forest shall have their lives plucked as well."
"But here on Earth, those Great Forest elves have fallen into internet and subculture degeneracy, indulging in hardcore fandom?"
If it were an ordinary elf or one who had lived in the outside world for a long time, it would make sense, but judging by Yeonseo’s words, that didn’t seem to be the case.
Well, hardcore fandom aside, whatever.
It’s fine if it’s just something you see once and move on.
But according to Yeonseo, Lirisia would be stuck in this dungeon for a while—specifically, in the part where elves were terraforming the land into green fields—alongside these degenerately fanatical elves.
Even thinking about living with a hardcore fan elf made her head hurt already.
Of course, if it were someone else’s story, it might have been interesting to listen to.
But I'm the one involved, damn it? Ugh.
"Sigh… Why are there so few elves here, and why are they in this state?"
Although only the red-haired hardcore fan elf and another elf named Elanar were visible, there were actually around 500 elves working on greening and terraforming Yeonseo’s dungeon.
While not visible, there were elves underground working on water channels, and many others were alternating shifts to expand the highland farming area into the desert.
"They’re building new infrastructure here."
Elves… creating infrastructure?
Weren’t they just supposed to lie around in forests?
"And how does that connect to them being in some kind of hardcore fandom trance?"
"They work twelve hours a day without rest, and the only thing to watch during breaks are YouTube videos on the smartwatches they were given from Korea. While mindlessly scrolling, they somehow ended up in an algorithm trap of old videos."
"…That’s just absurd."
Yeonseo shrugged, patting Lirisia’s shoulder.
“They’re highly academic and have strong empathy. And among the elves, they are unmatched in areas related to building and technology. That red-haired one looks young, but she’s actually over a thousand years old.”
…Over a thousand years old, and she’s doing that?
Never in her life had the Witch of the Dark Star thought she’d have to admit defeat to an elf.
Fine, you win, damn it!
"Sigh, so she's a degenerate ace? It seems like all they do here is build stuff."
“Age and experience of 1,600 years are not trivial. These elves are handling everything from the basic designs to the actual work of terraforming the dungeon’s desert into a green area. They’re creating a new Great Forest that can be permanently preserved without harming the land or foundation.”
"…And they're hardcore fans?"
"Yes."
"…And you’re leaving them in my care just because I’m a day or two ahead of them?"
At this, Yeonseo’s eyes briefly glanced at Lirisia, then shifted to the desert, where the greening work was underway.
Look at her avoiding my gaze. She knows it’s unfair.
“It’s karma, dear.”
“...Can I curse?”
“You’re already doing it with your face.”
“You bastard!”
Thus, Lirisia found herself in a situation that felt like a [High-Performance Cabbage Harvester Turned Degenerate Fandom Crew Leader].
With no other choice, Lirisia squatted back down, using her hoe to carefully dig into the soil and pull out the cabbage.
“Pfft…”
“………”
“What, damn it.”
Hearing a laugh from nearby, Lirisia knew that Shia and Menelapie had arrived, and she desperately tried not to look in their direction.
She wasn’t sure when they arrived, but she knew they were holding back their laughter after seeing her current state.
She remembered when she first appeared as “the Witch of the Dark Star, Lirisia Alphenheim,” exuding such dignity and intimidation.
Back then, she’d been so imposing that Shia had seen her as a terrifying, twisted reflection of herself.
Yeah, that’s right…
“Break time will start soon! Everyone, please keep up the good work!”
“Senpai! Look at this! It’s a massive cabbage dildo winking! This thing is hilarious~”
“Damn it, shut up and just harvest the cabbage…”
“Black Shia, can’t you speak more kindly to your juniors? Or do you want to go sightseeing on the tundra in that outfit?”
“Ugh, damn it…”
Oh, Witch of the Dark Star.
Saintess of Steel and Fire.
Mother of countless corpses.
How did it come to this?
Wearing a straw hat to shield herself from the sun,
a towel around her neck to wipe away the sweat.
Her eyes, once filled with malice and venom, now brimming with irritation, frustration, and stress.
She couldn’t stand the hardcore, fanatical elves and the intense, watchful gaze of Yeonseo, who monitored her like a marine drill instructor all day.
Lirisia sighed, stabbing her hoe into the ground in annoyance as she attempted to harvest cabbage.
Thunk, thunk, thunk!
[Ack! The Fallen Saintess is harvesting me! I’m being uprooted! It’s cabbage humiliation!]
[Hey, I have some pride as a cabbage. I’d rather be harvested by an elf than the Fallen Saintess.]
What the hell, damn it.
Now I’m hearing things.
No, it wasn’t just hallucinations Lirisia was hearing.
It felt like the cabbage itself was looking at her with a teary-eyed expression.
What is this?
Am I going mad?
I mean, I went mad as the Witch of the Dark Star, but never like this…
“Pfft… pft… haha…!”
Watching this, Shia and Menelapie could only laugh bitterly at the fallen state of the parallel world’s Saintess of the Dead.
After considering every dark possibility, every worst-case scenario, and running countless simulations in their minds, reality once again surpassed all imagination.
The Witch of the Dark Star… had become an expert worker.
“E… he… kyaahahahaha!”
“Pfft, my, my apologies… even I… hahahaha!”
Hearing Shia and Menelapie’s laughter, Lirisia recalled the moment she first arrived in this world.
Ah, I wish I could go back to that moment.
No, is it better now that I’m human?
I don’t know.
I just wish everyone would disappear.
"Please… just… disappear… please…"
And so, Lirisia, once known as the Witch of the Dark Star…
was repaying her karma in a most unexpected place and in the most unexpected way.