Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Guard's Resignation Crisis
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Having barely talked Cheon I-ryeong out of coming into my house and spending all Sunday recharging the energy completely drained by shopping, I stepped into the elevator heading to the Association.
'Feels like I've got a babysitter or something.'
I'd blocked her from entering because I had a feeling it'd be hard to get her to leave once she was inside, and the nonstop text notifications confirmed my choice was right.
-Did you eat?
-If the clothes feel uncomfortable, just tell me. I'll get you something else.
-It's Sunday with no gates around, so things are quiet. What are you up to, Miss Iroha?
-I know a great restaurant, and I just happen to have a reservation—
Bzzz—
Why does it feel like she's even more clingy now that I'm officially with the Association?
At least it's still just texts for now, but she's not going to show up at my door later and do this in person, is she…?
With those slightly fearful thoughts, the elevator dinged and the doors slid open. My dedicated floor, now neatly arranged, felt much larger than when I'd first arrived.
…Way too big?
The walls I'd seen before must have all been partitions. This 20th floor, equipped like a lounge rather than an office with all sorts of amenities, was the size of a soccer field.
'Ah… this used to be the Digital Plaza spot.'
The vast exhibition and event building once called Digital Plaza had been half-abandoned after the gate incident and turned into land for the newly established Hunter Association.
Given the massive scale of the Association building that went up there, I should have realized they'd give me an entire floor—the 20th.
"You've arrived, Miss Iroha. You don't need to come in when there are no high-rank gates, you know."
Jin Tae-san greeted me as if it were the most natural thing.
No, I'd heard as much, but… still, a little shame wouldn't hurt. I couldn't just lounge at home forever and keep collecting those 300 million checks regularly.
I might not make it in every day diligently, but I could at least show my face periodically to prove my diligence.
"I still have to come sometimes. My place is close anyway, so it's no trouble to pop in and out. Don't worry about it."
"Haha, I understand. If you ever feel tired, just head home and rest anytime?"
"Yes, got it. But… were you handling this yourself?"
Jin Tae-san had his dress shirt sleeves rolled up and was personally moving a potted plant as big as I was. His exposed forearms were packed with dense, split muscles, looking like a bodybuilder's arms.
At this level, this guy must be a hunter too…?
"It's almost done, but it felt a bit lacking, so… This much is light, no need to worry."
After thunking the pot down, Jin Tae-san flexed his forearm, and the muscles rippled. I hadn't really been worried, but he must have been self-conscious about his age.
"We've brought in everything that seemed necessary for now, but if there's anything else you need, just let me know anytime."
"No, there's already way too much here."
The vast lounge disguised as an office was like another world.
A sofa the size of a bed was standard, along with a massive TV, a PS and all sorts of gaming consoles next to it, and bookshelves stocked with comics, magazines, novels, and humanities books of every genre.
Glance a little further, and there were all kinds of fitness equipment, and way over there… a swimming pool? A pool in an office?
When I looked up at him with incredulous eyes, Jin Tae-san looked sheepish, aware it was over the top.
No… what is this? Just call this my house and be done with it.
I shook my head slightly, feeling like I'd moved from one house to another. But what was that small metal compartment? A tablet was attached next to it, making it look suspicious.
"This is…"
"If you're ever thirsty or hungry while you're here, you can use the dumbwaiter."
…A food elevator?
Tap the tablet, and a menu popped up from cafe drinks to all sorts of food and desserts.
At this point, are they planning to raise me like livestock? Jin Tae-san's subtly proud expression only made it more absurd.
"Ah, I have a meeting soon, so I should go. Please relax here, Miss Iroha. Oh, this elevator goes to the staff floors—feel free to check out up to the 14th. Only vetted people are stationed there."
Glancing at his watch, Jin Tae-san straightened his clothes, reverted to his politician mode, and pressed a different elevator button from the one I'd come up on.
I waved goodbye as he vanished with a gentle smile, then explored the lounge labeled as an office—what I'd call paradise for office workers—piece by piece.
The fitness zone had familiar dumbbells, bench presses, lat pulldowns, step mills, long pulls, and all the basics.
The entertainment zone was stocked with arcade games, CDs, motion gaming machines, and more, tailored to every taste.
Further out toward the edge were a small garden, swimming pool, and little areas for squash or billiards.
'If this got out, there'd be a public backlash.'
Your taxes, wasted like this! All for one person's office!
Every community and news outlet would explode.
Pushing aside the excessively lavish setup, I entered the one plainly office-like room in the corner and slumped into a chair.
Of course, the back wall was all glass, giving a clear view outside.
They really went all out pouring money into this. It was overwhelming, like they'd prepared everything imaginable since they didn't know my tastes.
The enclosed, ordinary office space felt cozy instead, so I looked around calmly. Aside from a few educational books, nothing special—until I tapped the separate tablet next to the computer.
"Connected to the dumbwaiter…"
There were call buttons for Jin Tae-san or security, but the menu stood out most. Browsing it made me thirsty, so I ordered a simple grapefruit honey black tea.
Not long after, a notification chimed, the small dumbwaiter door opened, and the drink arrived without a single drop spilled.
This fast…? Did they make the dumbwaiter a super express elevator? Fast is nice, but anyway.
Sipping the grapefruit honey black tea on the sofa while fiddling around with things,
"Ehehe, this is fun—"
Before I knew it, I was cackling over a manga.
Well, why not. Humans are creatures of adaptation, after all.
If there's plenty to enjoy, you just enjoy it. They weren't just handing me honey—they brought the whole hive. How could I resist?
After rolling around like that for a while, a sense of emptiness crept in, probably because I was alone. Let's see… up to 14th floor is fine?
I didn't know how they'd vetted it, but with Jin Tae-san's guarantee, what could go wrong? I pressed the staff elevator button.
First, the 14th floor.
The scene that unfolded was packed with countless offices, busy office workers hustling about.
Some noticed me, startled briefly, then bowed lightly with a smile as they passed.
Surprisingly, no one made a fuss—must've trained them well. I'd worried about clingy types like Cheon I-ryeong, but this was reassuring.
Hm, looks like they divide zones by region to handle guilds. I even saw some arguing heatedly over the phone—
"That gate's B-rank, so Hwarang Guild can't take it! Clear out and withdraw!"
"No personnel and you want to hog a low-rank gate? Hand it over to Rouen Guild as assigned."
They were tearing their hair out dealing with hunters resisting the new laws.
Habits ingrained over two years wouldn't change overnight.
This would probably drag on for a while, so I silently pitied the poor souls.
As I went up floor by floor, the offices grew larger, staff numbers dwindled, ages rose, and the serious atmosphere grew heavier.
'Gate Management, Support, Special Response Team.'
Curious about the departments overseeing the lower-floor staff, I peeked from afar to avoid disturbing, then arrived at the 19th floor, right below my 20th.
A hushed floor. A large conference room, a few offices, and a big one with a plaque reading "Association President's Office."
"…Saintess? Is that you?"
"Ah, hello."
"Welcome! It's an honor to meet you. Looking for something?"
The security staffer in a crisp uniform greeted me as I looked around.
"No, just taking a look."
"I see. The 19th floor's mostly unused since the president's seat is vacant. Nothing much to see, but… shall I show you around?"
"Yes, thank you."
Other floors had guards too, but they were swamped with people. This one, guarding the quiet 19th, seemed bored and volunteered as guide.
"This is the conference room—lower departments come up occasionally for meetings."
Passing the large conference room,
"The president's office was neglected until recently; now that it's being tidied, looks like there's a candidate."
We looped back toward the president's office.
"By the way… is that a stun gun?"
The odd-looking firearm dangling from his side throughout the tour. Probably a gas gun or taser.
"Yes. I'm a hunter too, so I could handle things without it, but this is for subduing potential civilian suspects non-lethally."
So the taser was ironically to protect civilians from overly strong hunter responses.
But a taser…
Perfect for properly feeling out electricity, right?
"Could you do me a small favor?"
"Of course, anything."
"Shoot me with that stun gun… just once."
"…Pardon?"
The relaxed guard's face turned ashen.