I've Never Seen a Saint who can use Magic so Well-Chapter 123

“True, I guess so.”

“Hehe, I’m really looking forward to the hot spring inn.”

“Ah, me too. I can’t wait to try the dinner.”

I nodded in agreement, and Ji-Ah tilted her head slightly with a smile.

I looked at her for a moment, then turned my gaze back to the scenery.

We didn’t take long to reach our destination.

After getting off the cable car and stepping outside the building, the air felt completely different.

“You can see Mount Fuji so clearly!”

“Yeah, it definitely has a grand feel to it.”

“It’s cooler here than in Tokyo. Let’s go eat the famous black eggs now!”

Excited, Si-Yoon hurried ahead.

We followed behind her, sightseeing while she led the way.

We casually toured the Ashinoko Lake with the dock and the cruise ship.

At first, I hadn’t realized, but now that we were here, I realized this was the setting of a famous anime.

It was fascinating, or should I say, it felt very “Japan”?

We also admired some pictures of humanoid bio-combat weapons on display.

“Shall we head back soon? The cable car’s last ride is earlier than I thought.”

“Yeah, let’s go!”

We wrapped up our sightseeing and headed back to the inn, not too late.

The air-conditioned room felt wonderfully cool.

It also had a different vibe compared to city hotels.

The tatami room exuded a quiet, peaceful atmosphere.

The well-maintained garden visible through the window added to the tranquility.

It made me feel relaxed.

After a short wait, we heard a knock, and the staff began preparing our meals.

After finishing our dinner with a light drink, Si-Yoon rubbed her stomach and said,

“What about you two? The hot spring.”

“Hmm? Si-Hyun, what do you think?”

“Well… I think I’ll just use the private hot spring.”

The inn in Hakone was famous for its hot spring facilities.

Especially the traditional system, where the men’s and women’s baths alternated at specific times.

It was said to offer different types of baths.

Personally, though...

I preferred the quiet private hot spring over the crowded public bath.

This one required a reservation.

As I relaxed, feeling a little tipsy, Ji-Ah brought up the idea.

“Then, should I do the same?”

“You don’t have to do it just because of me. Go enjoy the public bath with Si-Yoon.”

“I just want to have some more sake. You’ll join me, right?”

“...That’s a good idea.”

At Ji-Ah’s suggestion, I nodded lightly.

The sake we had with dinner was honestly delicious, so having a bit more didn’t sound bad.

As Ji-Ah and I agreed, Si-Yoon, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.

“Hmm, as much as I’d love to do that, I really want to enjoy the public bath, so I’ll go ahead. Should I make the reservation while I’m at it?”

“Oh, could you? Thanks.”

“Then, see you later!”

Si-Yoon quickly finished preparing and left the room.

Every time I watched her, I was amazed at her initiative when we were traveling.

...Well, it’s nice that she’s taking care of the reservation for us.

Now, I can just enjoy the sake with Ji-Ah.

The local sake is best enjoyed while we’re still here.

***

When the small sake bottle was nearly emptied, Si-Yoon returned, her cheeks flushed with a rosy glow.

She looked completely at ease, and despite her relaxed posture, her skin was glowing, reflecting a healthy, radiant sheen.

“How was the hot spring?”

“It was amazing! Maybe it’s because the inn is generally cool, but even the summer hot spring was really nice!”

“Really? That’s good to hear.”

I nodded lightly, and after checking the time, Si-Yoon spoke again.

“I made the reservation for the empty slot, so we can go in about 20 minutes.”

“That works perfectly. Thanks! Should we rest a bit and go together?”

“I was planning to, but... I feel so lazy now, I think I’ll just rest.”

Si-Yoon flopped onto the tatami mat.

“Go ahead with the others! I’ll stay here and rest.”

She lazily waved her hand.

Her posture was so relaxed it made her look completely lethargic.

“Looks like if we finish the rest of the sake, we’ll be right on time.”

“Yeah, looks like it.”

Ji-Ah lifted her glass. I raised mine as well, and we gently clinked our glasses together.

The sharp, yet smooth taste of sake—its tangy sweetness—filled my mouth.

Though the alcohol content wasn’t too strong, I could feel the effects of drinking steadily.

Starting off with a little light drinking, it wasn’t surprising that the effects of the alcohol gradually started to take hold.

I could feel my senses dulling.

Of course, I wasn’t drinking because it felt bad—quite the opposite.

I continued sipping the sake in steady gulps.

The bottle emptied quickly, though...

Wait, maybe not that quickly.

It had already been almost 20 minutes.

“...Should we head out soon?”

Ji-Ah stood up and asked.

I nodded obediently, gathering the bath baskets we’d prepared earlier.

At that moment, Si-Yoon suddenly called out.

“Hey, wear a yukata like me! Everyone else is wearing it and walking around.”

“...Really?”

“Yeah! When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

She was absolutely right.

I nodded calmly and picked up the yukata from the pile.

It was unisex, and there were instructions, so I managed to figure out how to wear it.

When I finished preparing and looked up, Ji-Ah, who had already changed, was waiting.

...Oh, right.

I was going into the hot spring with Ji-Ah, just the two of us.

Was it because I was still feeling a bit hazy from the alcohol?

I only fully realized the situation at that moment.

...Then again, it would be strange to be shy about being naked now.

After staying together in the same inn for the last few days, we had seen everything we needed to see.

Maybe it was the courage of the alcohol kicking in.

I pretended to be calm and walked forward, Ji-Ah following closely behind.

The inn at night was a completely different scene than during the day.

The soft glow of light inside created a cozy, old-fashioned ambiance.

We went down the stairs and crossed the hallway.

I casually peeked at the vending machine while walking, and soon enough, we reached the entrance to the hot spring Si-Yoon had reserved for us.

There didn’t seem to be any formal check-in procedure.

We entered and, after briefly glancing at Ji-Ah, quickly got ready.

We undressed and placed our clothes on the shelves, washed up, and I tied my long hair in a bun, just like Si-Yoon had taught me.

After checking the water temperature, I got in without hesitation.

“Haa…”

The water was comfortably hot, just the right temperature.

Since I was already feeling the effects of the alcohol, my body relaxed completely.

“How’s the water temperature?”

“It’s just perfectly hot!”

“Aha.”

Splash.

The sound of the water gently rippling.

Ji-Ah slowly stepped into the bath, and the tub was spacious enough for four people, so it wasn’t cramped.

“Mmm, this is really nice.”

“Right?”

I lightly responded and leaned back against the wall of the bath.

The fatigue in my body seemed to melt away.

At that moment, the water shifted slightly, and Ji-Ah moved closer.

Our thighs brushed against each other in the quiet water.

“Hey, Si-Hyun.”

“...Hmm?”

“The woman in the red robe we met in the SS-rank dungeon. You know her, don’t you?”

“...Yeah, you noticed.”

“I saw you two talking, so it was obvious.”

“Aha.”

Now that she mentioned it, I realized she had probably figured it out.

We had talked about the thief when we were eating tempura, so it wasn’t surprising that Ji-Ah picked up on it.

“Do you think... she’ll come after us again?”

“Yeah, I think she probably will...”

“...”

Ji-Ah fell silent, lost in thought, and the atmosphere around us became quiet for a while.

I turned my gaze from my body, which was half-submerged in the water, to the surroundings.

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The outdoor hot spring bathed in moonlight, the starry night sky.

Before I knew it, our arms were brushing against each other in the water.

In the stillness, with only the sound of gentle waves around us, I leaned my head lightly on Ji-Ah’s shoulder and spoke softly.

“Ji-Ah, can I ask you something?”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“If the Hero really does come... you’ll help, right?”

“What are you talking about?”

Ji-Ah responded lightly, laughing.

“Didn’t I say this before? I became a hunter because I want to protect people.”

“Yeah, you did.”

“Well, that includes you, Si-Hyun. Of course, I’ll fight alongside you.”

“...Thank you. I really feel reassured with you by my side.”

“Heh, no need to thank me. We’re in the same party, after all.”

Same party.

Such a pleasant, comforting word.

In an instant, several faces flashed through my mind.

A soft fluttering feeling spread quietly in my chest.

We continued to enjoy the hot spring in silence.

The water was just the right temperature, and the moment felt peaceful and comforting.

***

The night passed, and it was late morning when the inevitable arrived.

The appearance of a gate leading to an SS-rank dungeon.

After the observation was successful, the news quickly spread.

The public's reaction was varied.

"Well, if the Saintess returns, won’t she be able to handle it?"

"The Saintess and Hunter Kim Ji-Ah will really come back, right?"

Even in Japan, five hunters were deployed.

Wouldn't there need to be more hunters sent from Korea too?

Even if the first successful SS-rank dungeon raid was cleared,

it wasn't enough information to be certain about anything.

At this time, another piece of news was revealed through the media.

The A-rank supporter from the Dawn Guild, Choi Ga-Eul, was pregnant.

Her partner was Kim Tae-Ho, an S-rank tank from the same guild.

Choi Ga-Eul, who had significantly reduced her activities after the undead-themed double dungeon,

was now the subject of rumors about her possible retirement.

Even without the SS-rank dungeon, the number of S-rank dungeons was rapidly increasing.

Korea was bustling in many ways.