Chapter 2

To explain why Lee Chae-eun ended up in the Convent, we also need to talk about her position as a ‘Saint Candidate.’

And to explain that position, we have to clarify the difference between a Hero and a Hunter.

There seem to be various legal interpretations and professional classifications, but obviously, I don’t have that kind of specialized knowledge. I can only vaguely recall what I read in novels. So, let’s try to explain with my weak understanding.

A ‘Hunter’ is someone who ‘hunts’ monsters that pop out of the Gate. It’s a pretty common setup in these novels. Hunters have different ranks, and in this world, they are treated like a kind of professional.

A ‘Hero’ is a step above that.

Rather than becoming a hero through some heroic feat—think of it like an ‘American superhero’ kind of figure.

However, in the world of the story, the title of Hero seems to be surrounded by a lot of controversy.

The main debate is whether it makes sense for someone to hold a 1st-level Hunter license without proving their qualification just because they have talent, when they’re ranked higher than a 1st-level Hunter. In fact, a 1st-level Hunter isn’t really comparable to Heroes. The difference lies only in whether they climbed up from a lower rank gradually or were recognized for their incredible talent right from the start.

Although there are plenty of Hunters, their classification is more systematic, and they occupy a decent amount of positions, their influence doesn’t entirely eliminate the system of Heroes.

First, the concept of a Hero existed before Hunters. When the Gates suddenly appeared and monsters started pouring out into the normal world, who would those awakened beings protecting people be called? The term ‘Hero’ became established for that reason.

Secondly, since the term originated from those who were actively engaged in the early days, many of those were closely associated with religious figures. Some saints produced by the Church were also ‘Heroes’ at the same time. Most Heroes are quite devout believers, too.

In that context, Lee Chae-eun was born to a ‘Hero’ father and a ‘Hunter’ mother.

Her relationship with her parents was generally okay, but when she was young, her mother passed away, and her father clung even more to his faith to cope with that memory.

Having inherited her father’s talent, she rose to the rank of Saint Candidate, but she wasn’t fond of her father. In the story, he’s depicted as a really old-fashioned guy.

When she finally exploded in frustration as an adult, she had a serious argument with her father, saying, “If that damn god existed, mom wouldn’t have died!”

Well, anyway, she said something that could lead to trouble in many ways.

Her father was so furious that he threw her into the Convent.

“…Huh?”

As I walked, organizing the situation like I read in a novel, I tilted my head slightly.

Isn’t Lee Chae-eun the same age as the Saintess?

That means she’s the same age as me. She’s an adult this year. But can her father really put her in a Convent?

“Oh, right.”

Her birthday is in June, after all. So, until June, she’s still legally a teenager. Technically, she’s still 19.

As for me, my birthday is in February. Well, it wouldn’t matter to be kicked out of the Convent regardless of being a legal adult.

Having sorted out my thoughts, I walked towards where Lee Chae-eun was waiting.

The place was the Interview Room where I had previously met with the Sister Warden.

Actually, the way I ended up here also necessitated some sort of ‘interview,’ so it makes sense. It would be a troubling situation to be shoved into a Convent just as I was about to become an adult.

[Aaah!]

Then, as if to prove my thoughts, I heard a shout from beyond the door.

[Just you wait until June! I’ll take off this nun’s habit and date a guy first! Just you watch!]

Huh.

I knew her personality wasn’t exactly sweet, but hearing it directly was quite a different experience than reading it in writing.

[Now, Sister Lee Chae-eun, please calm down. The Sister I mentioned will be here soon.]

[Ugh…]

It seemed Lee Chae-eun realized she wasn’t the only one in that room— or maybe she just forgot it— and gritted her teeth.

Standing at the door to the Interview Room with her hand on the doorknob, I sunk into thought for a moment.

Since I was a fan of the original novel, I was quite interested in meeting a character from it, particularly one of the heroines.

After all, isn’t that what it’s all about— immersing yourself in the protagonist’s journey?

She might have had her share of quirks and often clashed with the protagonist, but once you read about her you inevitably start to care. Plus, characters like that always have the cutest moments when they slowly start falling for the protagonist.

The problem, however, is that Lee Chae-eun and I are originally rival heroines.

In a harem story, the catfight between heroines is destiny. It’s just like male protagonists fighting over a single female lead in a romance novel.

Isn’t that a kind of fantasy, too? In real life, such things could be a headache, but well, it’s just a story.

“…”

But wait, should I really be overthinking this?

The only reason Lee Chae-eun and the Saintess would be rivaling each other is because of the protagonist in the same party.

Whether Lee Chae-eun ends up doing well with that protagonist or has to fight with the other heroines is none of my business. I probably won’t end up liking the protagonist anyway.

Having swiftly come to that conclusion, I opened the door.

“Sister Anna.”

The Sister Warden quickly stood up and spoke as our eyes met.

According to the Sister Warden, my position as a Saint Candidate hasn’t completely vanished yet, but since I’ve been stripped of all those ‘rights,’ inside here I’m just an ordinary nun.

In other words, the reason the Sister Warden stood up quickly at the sight of me was not to give respect to me as the Saint Candidate but clearly to shove a troublesome presence onto me.

Yeah, that makes sense.

I might be a namesake Saint Candidate right now, but the other party is a real Hero Candidate. She’s completely intact with all those rights.

A woman with red hair, propped up on the table with her elbow and clutching her head, turned to look at me.

She had a look on her face that seemed ready to cut me with her gaze.

It’s a bit uncomfortable that her rage is directed at me. It’s not my fault Lee Chae-eun is here.

“This is Sister Lee Chae-eun, who will be living with us from today. Sister Lee Chae-eun, the Sister who just came in is Sister Anna, and she will share a room with you in the future.”

“…”

Lee Chae-eun looked back and forth between the Sister Warden and me.

In an instant, the life drained from her face, replaced by a look of shock.

Well, I guess that’s understandable.

I do stand out for my fashion sense among all the other nuns living here.

If I had to describe it, I’m the only one looking like this.

Right here, even Lee Chae-eun had a veil on so tightly that it was hard to distinguish what her natural hair looked like. If I hadn’t seen the original work, I wouldn’t have even known her hair was a short red bob.

In contrast, I have a bridge hairstyle right in the middle of my head, with a veil loosely placed over it, exposing all my inner hair. Plus, I have piercings in my ears.

“V!”

I made a peace sign in front of Lee Chae-eun.

Look at this—this is the image of a Saint Candidate in this world!

Absolutely fallen… Ah, maybe that’s a bit too much.

Honestly, I would’ve liked to dye all my hair bright red, but the Sister Warden looked like she would seriously shave my head if I did that, so I settled for the bridge hairstyle.

When I later brought it up directly with the Sister Warden, she was genuinely shocked and shouted, “I would never do such a thing!”

“Er…”

Lee Chae-eun pointed a finger at me while looking at the Sister Warden.

“…Please don’t dye it too much.”

Why, she’s clearly only here because she has a strong aversion towards the Convent, right?

Isn’t this like a kind of mirror therapy?

Given the Sister Warden’s personality, it was obvious she thought she could simultaneously toss the troublesome case onto me while also having me realize something.

Well, that’s fine.

As far as I’m concerned, I just need a little time to buy myself. Even if it’s not on a yearly basis, as long as I can endure until the end of this year and come up with a plan, it’ll be all right.

“So, can we go to the room now?”

I said that while grabbing the handle of the suitcase next to the door.

“Ah.”

Lee Chae-eun, who had just barely been upset moments ago, now seemed temporarily at a loss for words, or perhaps she was shocked enough that her language skills dipped.

Just a moment before I opened the door, she had been venting all her frustrations about her father, and now she just stared at the Sister Warden.

“May the Lord be with you all.”

“Then goodnight.”

I answered that prayer-like greeting with an extremely secular farewell, gave a slight bow, and stepped outside through the door of the Interview Room.

“Oh, wait.”

Lee Chae-eun followed me out, a bit flustered.

“I can handle the suitcase.”

“How can I put you to work right at the start with someone who’ll be living with us for a while?”

Exactly.

Convincing Lee Chae-eun to feel a sense of familiarity toward the Church is likely what the Sister Warden and perhaps even her father who shoved her into the Convent intended.

And if that is the case, I can do an excellent job at it.

Because, I already have several sisters who became my roommates, left to seek God, and ran away.

Living in a society of strong faith, where the existence of God is general knowledge, is a bit like knowing the Earth is round but living with someone who believes in the flat Earth theory.

…

But that doesn’t mean I think they’re equal to flat Earthers or anything.