A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 852 Chapter 849: Side Story - Employment Heavenly Lord (2)

Chapter 852 Chapter 849: Side Story - Employment Heavenly Lord (2) 

Enrolling Seo Eun-hyun in kindergarten would let her outfit him in the uniform.

Yet sending him there for real means she won't get to see his appearance.

"Is this the contradiction they mention, where holding the sword prevents embracing him, and setting it down leaves him unprotected!?"

Chewing her fingernails, Ji Hwa dives into figuring out a way to resolve this dilemma.

Finally, Ji Hwa's eyes widen as enlightenment strikes on the solution.

"Why not just sneak a peek?"

It's an incredibly straightforward approach.

She bundles up completely, heads to Seo Eun-hyun's English kindergarten, scales the outer wall of the building, and begins covertly observing the classroom he enters.

'What a brilliant idea!'

Thrilled with satisfaction, she watches Seo Eun-hyun secretly from the building's exterior.

Still, as expected, a trespasser clinging to a kindergarten wall for peeking draws attention inevitably...

Within mere three minutes, security spots her and chases her away.

***

"This approach fails too."

Ji Hwa refuses to engage in criminal acts.

Even with her mortal body now on Earth, she remains a former Radiance Eight Immortal who championed justice.

Though she stepped down from the Eight Immortals role, her commitment to justice stays unyielding.

"Right, rather than peeking obviously, I'll observe from the opposite building!"

Regrettably, attempting to view Seo Eun-hyun from a neighboring structure also attracts notice, with no ideal vantage point—utility poles and signs obstruct the sightlines, among other issues.

Ultimately, Ji Hwa heaves a heavy sigh, ascends to a more distant building's rooftop, and gazes down at Seo Eun-hyun's kindergarten.

"This location is perfect. Every kindergarten window comes into view, and no one will spot me."

She secures the optimal position, yet a single issue arises.

"Ah..."

Regardless, Ji Hwa can hardly violate her vow to limit her power on Earth, centered around Seo Eun-hyun, without extraordinary circumstances.

Thus, the excessive distance now poses the challenge of viewing inside the kindergarten using mere mortal vision.

"Kuaaaagh! Damn it! Why can't I spot Seo Eun-hyun!? This is unbelievable!"

Enraged by this harsh truth, Ji Hwa stamps her feet furiously and hunts for a fix at once.

"I'm the war goddess. I'm the supreme weapon master who claims triumph!!! This round, victory is mine too. Defeat is impossible!"

Clenching her teeth, she scours the web and eventually discovers the ideal item.

"Got it—a telescope!"

To tackle this tough obstacle, Ji Hwa directly orders from overseas a premium telescope worth millions of won (thousands of dollars) plus a listening device, licking her lips in anticipation.

Her painstakingly saved bank balance drains to zero, but the game currency and ultra-rare items she hoarded remain intact, so selling them will refill millions of won easily.

"Perfect, problem solved. Hehehe, delivery tomorrow means just one day's wait, and from then on, I can watch Seo Eun-hyun mornings and evenings...!"

Ji Hwa grins cunningly and returns home, brimming with excitement for a joyful tomorrow.

***

That night,

Seo Eun-hyun arrives dropped off at Ji Hwa's doorstep and tuts his tongue.

'Kindergarten...it's nice to set the mind aside and live carefree.'

Indeed, ditching logic and indulging childlike play restores his mental vigor.

Nevertheless, awkwardness lingers.

'But heading to Ji Hwa's after kindergarten...feels odd...'

Seo Eun-hyun punches in the code at Ji Hwa's home and steps inside.

"I'm home...Ji Hwa?"

Upon entering, Seo Eun-hyun senses an eerie strangeness in the room's vibe.

Tak, tak, tak, tak, tak, tak...

From the room's depths echoes repeated striking sounds, accompanied by a pervasive gloomy aura.

"Ji Hwa...?"

Seo Eun-hyun ventures into the room emanating that dark mood, peeks his head slightly, and beholds a shocking scene.

Ji Hwa, donning an aluminum foil hat with a vacant, soulless expression, hammers the keyboard maniacally.

Seo Eun-hyun knows her gaming passion.

But her state now is downright bizarre.

The screen displays not a game, but news.

The headline reads as follows.

—Breaking news!

—Massive hacking strike on UCN's <Life Creation Online> wipes out all users' currencies and items by hackers...

Life Creation Online is Ji Hwa's favorite game and prime income source.

All its currencies and items appear hacked and erased.

Ji Hwa dully switches to another screen, frantically hitting 'refund', yet only 'refund unavailable' notices appear.

She evidently purchased items costing millions of won, but refunds prove impossible.

"Uh...Ji Hwa."

Seo Eun-hyun tuts sympathetically over Ji Hwa's vanished efforts and addresses her.

It's regrettable, yet he must snap her out of it.

"Don't take it too hard. Items and money...you can rebuild them, right? Even from zero, you can stockpile again..."

"Kiyaaaaaaagh! It's those filthy Lizard Race scum's plot!!"

Yet Ji Hwa denies the reality, merely shrieking.

"Ji Hwa, snap out of it..."

"No! With this...to keep you in kindergarten...I, I...I'll need a job...!!"

Howling at the horror of employment, she thrashes on the floor, prompting Seo Eun-hyun's sigh and comforting efforts.

"Job hunting isn't tough. I'll assist... Let's tackle it seriously before the tuition deadline."

"I must job hunt...? Me...? Making me do interviews, spewing bootlicking lies to beg mortals to hire me?"

Ji Hwa shudders as if darkness engulfs her world, frothing and clutching Seo Eun-hyun from the ground.

Seo Eun-hyun sighs, soothing the panicking Ji Hwa.

Despite occasional frailty, her strength endures.

As war and victory goddess, landing a job should come naturally.

'First, soothe Ji Hwa.'

Seo Eun-hyun tolerates her outburst, confident in her self-sufficiency potential.

A month later.

"Cook me ramen."

"Uh...Ji Hwa. A full month gone, yet still unemployed?"

"Argh, enough. They gotta hire me first, got it? Quit nagging, just make food."

"You claimed that last week, but rumors say you stabbed around at the interview...do you plan to get hired at all?"

"Argh, fine! Should I cook then!?"

"Sorry, Ji Hwa. Please don't...spare me your cooking..."

Seo Eun-hyun sighs at Ji Hwa's haughty demeanor, hauls his tiny frame to whip up ramen swiftly.

Ji Hwa, war god and victor, never mastered Earth cuisine properly; her attempts battle ingredients into chaos... Her dishes are utterly inedible.

'Does Ji Hwa intend to find work at all...?'

With tuition looming, Seo Eun-hyun feels only disappointment.

'Without Ji Hwa paying kindergarten fees...I can't continue either...'

So what's next?

Seo Eun-hyun must resume work too.

'Is my kindergarten break ending here...?'

Ji Hwa searches her way, but her temperament makes composed interviews unlikely.

Born to noble destiny, calmly fielding mortal company questions proves impossible from the outset.

Seo Eun-hyun learned she's been booted seven times already: at hobby or skill queries, deeming them toys, she drew a sword from her mouth, sword-danced, and got ejected.

'Kindergarten days end today or tomorrow.'

Seo Eun-hyun exhales briefly, boards the kindergarten bus, reaching New Spring Kindergarten.

"Hello, kids~ Early arrivals enjoy free play with toys till first class!"

Seo Eun-hyun joins friends in pre-class free time, rocking on a horse to cast aside concerns.

Then,

Seo Eun-hyun notices the principal and teachers clustering, debating gravely.

'What's happening?'

Teachers enter the principal's office for a crucial talk.

Curious, Seo Eun-hyun eavesdrops nearby, catching an odd discussion.

"A competing English kindergarten popped up right across in that building. Those folks lack any business decency or morals...erecting one so brazenly opposite us."

"Principal, what now? Word is that rival teaches English plus French, German, Hindi, Russian, Chinese, even Sanskrit—a real veteran spot."

"Worse, their fees undercut ours."

"Aggressive marketing from them, and we lose kids fast. Brainstorm solutions, everyone."

"Maybe drop our tuition slightly..."

"Gal! Cut fees? Haul that fiend to Hippo Class!"

"Principal, mercy! No such intent, I swear!"

Seo Eun-hyun puzzles over the overheard adult chatter from the office.

"Lower fees, superior kindergarten...overnight across the street? Possible...? If legit, telling Ji Hwa could lighten her load with cheaper option."

Glancing at the opposite building via the window, Seo Eun-hyun's face darkens.

"Ah..."

The rival before 'New Spring Kindergarten.'

'Silver Sword Kindergarten,' its sign bearing a massive silver snake devouring its tail.

"No...what on earth...?"

Stunned by Ji Hwa opting to launch a business over job hunting, Seo Eun-hyun stands baffled.

***

Shin Young-man, New Spring's principal, boils with fury over Silver Sword's unethical moves.

'Must oust that kindergarten at all costs. Any method...?'

Like no two tigers sharing a mountain.

No two English kindergartens thrive in one area.

Right then,

Post emergency staff meeting,

The kindergarten line rings; Shin Young-man dons a professional grin and picks up.

Rage aside, incoming calls are invariably parents, demanding courteous replies.

"Yes, hello, New Spring Kindergarten principal's office. How can I—"

"Yang Ji-hwang here, Silver Sword Kindergarten principal."

"..."

Shin Young-man's face stiffens as a crisp voice pierces from the phone.

—No mountain hosts two tigers. Waiting for local kids and parents to pick drags tediously. Let's settle principals' duel instead, wagering regional children to prove true English kindergarten worth!

Shin Young-man slams down the receiver.

"...Utterly deranged beyond imagination..."