The Reunion Was Total Chaos
Ah, seriously. How the hell did this happen?
"Do you even know who I am?! Huh?!"
Why the fuck is this punk in front of me acting like this toward me?
"Think you're hot shit just 'cause you've got a pretty face, huh?"
...Hah.
A sigh escapes me on its own.
Coming back to the Hunter Management Bureau wasn't exactly appealing in the first place. After causing all that chaos yesterday, returning here after just one day? Sure, only the Director knows who I really am, but you never know. She might've spilled to someone else. Probably not, but still.
"Get it together. Today, I'm doing this right for real."
I double-check my projected appearance. Mana's flowing smoothly, and I've charged enough to hold for at least three hours even if I panic. I'll keep this form until I meet the Director privately, then drop it and talk as my true self. That should make things smoother.
...Probably.
Whirr—
As always, I feel eyes on me as I enter... Huh?
'Why's it so empty in here?'
The Bureau's usually packed, but today it's weirdly deserted.
'Something happen?'
Fewer people is actually better. No need to worry about stares—I can just strut right in.
Click-clack, click-clack—
My heels echo across the polished floor as I push forward.
Over there at the reception desk, I spot Hye-su from last time, plus a bunch of other staff I don't know. Every one of them looks like they're dying of discomfort.
'What's their deal?'
Is it because of me? Unease starts creeping in. They haven't noticed me yet, so probably not...
As I glance around with those thoughts, I start to get why they're acting like that.
"I'm telling you, get Yoo Eun-ha out here! Huh? You think I'm fucking around?!"
"Sir, we don't have the authority to—"
"Customer??? Cuuustoomeeerrr?!?!"
'Heh.'
It's like a scene straight out of a drama. Y'know, where some rich asshole with power throws his weight around.
'Yeah.'
Just looking at him screams it. Gut sticking out, face flushed red, wild gestures. Total moneybags slob. And behind him, slouching with a bored look, there's a punk delinquent.
'Textbook rich kid punk.'
Seeing a comic-book scenario play out live is kinda novel, but I really don't wanna get involved. Nasty vibe.
Figured out why it's so empty. I head to a counter far from the slob.
That's when Hye-su spots me from afar, lights up like she just saw her savior, and waves frantically.
Hye-su... Seeing her that happy kinda makes me feel guilty. Last time, all I did was pressure her a bit...
I don't wave back. Her reaction suggests the Director hasn't told her my real identity. If she knew, she wouldn't be waving like that all cheerful...
Probably?
Anyway, she doesn't know my true form, so I gotta stick to the 'stoic' persona from last time.
With that in mind, I'm heading toward Hye-su when someone blocks my path.
"Excuse me."
It's the punk from behind the slob earlier.
"...?"
He blinks a few times, then scans me head to toe. His gaze is so blatant, I nearly grimace on instinct. I barely keep my face straight and watch him.
He's shorter than my projected body. Dyed blond hair, skinny like he skips the gym. But dripping with that rich-kid swag—fancy clothes and bling everywhere.
'Tacky as hell.'
First thought that hits me. Money doesn't buy taste, dude.
As I'm standing there thinking that, he opens his mouth.
"New face. Here to register?"
That smug look—like he thinks he's a catch, especially to girls. Gotta be the slob's son, right?
'Annoying.'
Is this some kinda pickup attempt?
I don't answer. No reason to.
He takes my silence as intriguing, smirks wider.
"You know how this works? If it's your first time, I could help."
'No thanks.'
That's my instant mental reply. Out loud? Nothing. I just furrow my brow a bit.
Seeing that, he licks his lips like it's fascinating.
"Heh, playing hard to get."
'Urgh, gross.'
Then Hye-su hurries out from the counter and rushes over.
"You've arrived."
She glances between me and the guy for a split second, then pivots toward me as naturally as possible.
"I'll... escort you inside."
Her voice trembles, but she's trying to bail me out. Impressive. Did I really pressure someone like her that hard on first meeting...? Guilt hits hard.
That's when—
"And who the hell are you?"
The guy scowls and turns on Hye-su.
"Sir, I'm sorry, but this person is with the Bureau—"
"Sir?! Do you know who I am?! Huh?!"
What the? Why's he flipping out all of a sudden? Did we touch a nerve?
"N-no, sir... Please, not here..."
Hye-su barely gets the words out. But he's not even looking at her. His eyes are glued to me the whole time.
"She needs to be escorted inside."
"Escorted?"
He snorts.
"I talked to her first."
"..."
"Just chat with me a sec, why dodge?"
Ah, for real.
I swallow, then say curtly, "...Move."
His face twists oddly—like he's never been rejected before.
"What?"
"Not interested in trash like you. Get lost."
I try to keep it emotionless. Wanted to end today quietly.
But nope. Projection's just the looks, but it pulls from my transformed state—temper included. Even swearing didn't get censored.
Despite that, he doesn't drop the grin. Gets creepier instead.
"Got some fire."
"Do-yun, please stop."
Hye-su jumps in again, but Do-yun finally glances at her, annoyed.
"Shut it."
Then blocks me again.
"I'm being nice here."
Nice? Where?
I'm genuinely curious. My patience snaps—grind—
Staring him down while my gut boils, and this clueless idiot keeps hitting on me.
"...Hah."
His vibe is straight-up repulsive.
"Pretty face and you act all high and mighty, huh?"
"No, Do-yun—"
"Back off already!!"
Thwack—
"Kyaaak!?"
The guy swings his arm, slapping Hye-su to the floor.
Something boils up inside me. Already pissed about coming back, guilty over Hye-su, mood soured by yesterday—and now this moron.
Dares to block my way, keep needling me, and hit an innocent like Hye-su right in front of me?
That instant.
Grab.
Park Do-yun's hand reaches for my wrist.
"Come here a sec."
...Crossed the line.
'God, even You'd approve this, right?'
'Right?'
Rumble rumble boom...
In the top-floor office, Yoo Eun-ha pauses mid-paper-flip and looks up.
"...What?"
Thinks it's nothing at first. But then the water in her desk cup trembles faintly—her face hardens.
Right after—
Whiiine—!
The emergency intercom blares.
She grabs the radio instantly.
"Report."
[D-Director!! The lobby, the lobby...!!]
The voice is terrified.
[The Agent of God has appeared!!]
"..."
Eun-ha freezes at those words. But the next moment, she's already on her feet.
Click-thud. Click-thud.
Her cane and heels echo rapidly through the office.
"Damage report."
[No major casualties yet! But—]
"But?"
[One person's suspended in midair, and the target is in extreme rage! Staff can't even approach!]
"Understood."
She cuts the line and heads for the door. Her mind races with calculations.
Why here? Why now? Why enraged?
"Gotta assess first."
Priority: Calm the furious Agent of God. Need the exact reason.
Even as the elevator descends, the building keeps shaking.
"...Damn it."
Mana waves thicken the air near the ground floor—hard to breathe.
No time.
'No choice.'
Boom—!
Eun-ha smashes the elevator floor. Wraps her body in mana.
"Black Hand."
A deep purple mana hand envelops her. She dives through the hole.
'Hope I'm not too late.'
Shaaa—
Something inside me flips completely. Suppressed mana surges, melting the forced adult female projection into light.
Just before the guy's fingertips touch my wrist.
"...Huh?"
His dumb voice registers. Too late.
Kwaaaang—!!
Dazzling golden light floods the entire lobby. Floor quakes, building trembles faintly. Counter glass vibrates, ceiling lights flicker wildly.
"Kyaaak!!"
"Wh-what?!"
"Mana overload!!"
"Barrier! Raise the barrier!!"
Chaos erupts in seconds. But nothing reaches my ears properly.
Only one thing in view: The trash before me.
The scum who dared lay hands on an innocent right in front of me.
And then—
Whoosh—
"Guhk?!"
The trash's body lifts into the air. Like an invisible hand grips his nape.
Toes kick futilely in empty space.
"G-guhk... Wh-what...! Let... go...!"
Let go? Me? Why?
I slowly raise my head. Golden hair ripples in the air, faint wings of light unfurl behind me.
Not full combat transform. But close enough. Plenty to channel power.
And above all, a form no one here can deny.
"Th-the Agent of God..."
"For real..."
"Insane..."
Trembling voices leak from around. Hye-su on the floor, cheek clutched in pain, stares wide-eyed. The slob who'd been yelling is now pale as a ghost—finally grasping the situation after letting his son run wild.
"D-Do-yun?! Park Do-yun!!!"
Even his voice shakes. So the punk's name is Park Do-yun? Cares for his kid, huh. Then raise him right.
『...』
I gaze silently at the floating Park Do-yun. Not lifted high. Just a bit above my eye level—so a slight tilt and our eyes meet dead-on.
He's not smirking anymore. Face drained white, flailing in midair.
『...Do you know who I am?』
My low, cold voice crushes the lobby. Echoing his exact words back.
Park Do-yun's pupils shake wildly.
"S-spare..."
『Dares to.』
My voice drops deeper. No need for long speeches to scum who crossed the line.
『Before me.』
『A worthless worm dares raise a hand?』
That instant—
Crack—!
Air warps faintly. Or rather, the grip on Park Do-yun just tightens a fraction.
Enough to make him scream.
"Gaaaaah!!"
Of course, not killing him. No major crime, and he's a civilian.
But a little stress relief? Sure.
That moment—
Bang!!!!
The elevator doors behind the counter explode in smoke.
"Everyone, freeze!"
Shrrk—
"Black Arm!!"
From the wreckage leaps the Director, mana surging as a black mana arm snatches the airborne Park Do-yun.
『...Rude.』
"I cannot allow further actions. Retract your mana and cease resistance immediately."
Her face is pale with terror as she says it.
『...』
I glance at her briefly, then shift my gaze aside.
Hye-su on the floor, clutching her cheek. Terrified staff. The trash trembling behind the Director.
Then back to her.
『Amusing.』
"..."
『You don't even know why I'm angry, yet your first words are to stop me?』
Her eyes flicker subtly.
I look down at Park Do-yun.
『That scum struck a person before me.』
『And arrogantly tried to toy with me.』
My voice presses down on the lobby.
『Your organization watched and failed to stop it. No—chose not to.』
Faces around blanch. True, after all. When Park Do-yun harassed me and hit Hye-su, they froze fearing the slob's backlash.
She can't respond easily. Cane and Black Arm still out, just staring.
『Yet.』
Golden mana thickens around.
『Your first utterance wasn't apology—but command.』
"..."
Her expression hardens faintly. Realizing her mistake now.
I stare her straight in the eye.
『Well.』
『Let me ask again.』
『Why should I obey you now?』