Together for Life

"Clue acquisition?"

I tilted my head. I'd only checked the codex to see if the name suited her, but the bond effect was something I hadn't expected.

Maybe because Watson was a monster with investigative skills. This was the first bond effect focused on gathering info, but just reading the description didn't give me a clear sense of it. What the heck did "acquiring clues about Muksi Saengmyeongche" even mean?

I glanced out the window. It was already evening after resolving the case. I'd tangled with plenty of anomalies today, so hopefully no more would drag me in.

Should I test the bond effect? I activated it on Sua.

Ooh... So it works even on monsters who've already become cute girls? And the info listed was exactly what I wanted to know.

Normally, keeping Watson around would cause murder incidents to keep popping up nearby. But like all the other monsters so far, turning into a cute girl meant she lost some of her monstrous power.

In Sua's case, she no longer triggered murder incidents, and even if I failed to solve a case, she wouldn't kill me anymore. That was a relief.

Though she'd turned into a total menhera instead... Still better than people dying.

"And Sua, we need to get you new clothes. That outfit stands out too much. Special Task Force might spot you."

"Yeah... Watson the detective assistant likes this outfit, but if it's detective's order, I'll follow."

"Don't say it like that—you're making me sound like some old fogey..."

Sua clearly loved her detective getup; she couldn't hide her disappointment. No helping it. Not just the Task Force—the Foundation and others probably knew about the Watson Muksi Saengmyeongche too.

Detective outfit was fine at home, but I told her to change when in public.

"And fix your speech. Even if I named you Sua, calling ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠yourself 'Watson' in first person will tip anyone off."

"No worries there, detective. Watson's voice only you can hear."

"What? That's possible?"

"Watson's your personal detective assistant. And sometimes you need countermeasures against eavesdroppers from criminals, yeah."

Not sure if anyone's bugging us, but as long as her true nature stayed hidden, it was fine...

And so, our office gained a new employee.

I got a call from Baesena. The Special Task Force was tallying rewards, but it'd take time.

I could only laugh awkwardly. "Haha..."

For instance, Watson hadn't been eliminated. She'd powered up by devouring Small Boss Bitch and Mary, then joined as my subordinate.

Our office was stronger now, but we were claiming rewards while hiding that fact. Felt a bit scummy.

...And Baesena had straight-up caught my Cute Girl Mod.

Ryu Harin only knew about bond effects, not "Cute Girl Punch". But Baesena saw me turn Watson with her own eyes—and was keeping it secret from the Task Force.

I'd freaked out. Was I about to take responsibility for yet another cute girl? Scarier than the hallucinations from 'Possession'...

Anyway, we'd rest the office until rewards came. Matan and Sua had joined, so next job would help clear ending conditions.

The Rank 6 threat I'd meet first was likely from the cult. Tensions rising between Foundation and cult. If things continued, cult might release a Rank 6 to flip the board—or lose control as their power waned.

Either way, their Rank 6 would break free first. To gather clues ahead, our office needed to hit the cult once.

"Could be dangerous."

Every job so far felt dangerous, but next might be worse. So we'd prep fully—grab Task Force rewards first.

With the break, we reorganized. Four big things: first, IDs for newbies.

"Long time no see, customer. Thanks again last time."

Heh heh heh. Calling 'Devil's Deal' got his laugh.

"...'Magical Girl's Birth'?"

"Yes. Only you could fulfill that entity's wish. Makes business easier for me now."

Dunno how it eased business, but no need to ask. He handed three IDs, ready as if expecting me.

"No charge. Service for the gratitude."

Free? But three?

"...Why three?"

I checked: Baek Matan, Jo Sua, and... Shin Na-o?

"Nao already has an ID. Why this...?"

"You'll need it for that one. Right?"

"Uh, yeah..."

Nao nodded. I glanced at her new ID. Nothing weird, but the photo was Small Nao, not Big Nao.

"S-Sis... Lately, small form feels like default."

"You've been tiny a lot, yeah."

"Not that... Even drinking blood packs, hard to go big now..."

"Huh?"

I blinked. Immortal vampires optimize bodies to their minds. If mind changes, body follows.

Meaning Nao was getting used to small form.

"So I decided to make VTuber ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠model for this and live as is."

Thus, her VTuber modeling started—with Woorim Group's help.

"R-Really okay?"

Heard about 'Twentieth Sea Turtle Soup', so Woo Jin-ho called first. Chat led to Nao's story; he offered help.

"No need for exec like you to—"

"Buying low..."

Felt burdensome, but he was upfront, so I accepted.

Our office's four tasks: 1) Manage newbies' IDs. 2) Nao's VTuber model. 3) Hire driver.

Taxi rides lately: me, Ari, Lisa, Nao. One more and it's cramped. During break, get van for 6+ and driver.

'Cars easy... but driver tricky.'

Many staff now; need work vehicle. But secrets galore—my Cute Girl Mod, staff identities. Driver must keep quiet.

Ideally one of ours learns, but Ari failed written test, Lisa uninterested, Taemi physically impossible. Humanizing monsters ≠ learning to drive.

Post job ad? Hire outside, but will they keep secrets...?

"Detective, I can drive."

Sua said that.

"What?"

"Detective assistant supports detective. Learned driving, yeah."

Whatwhatwhat?! I stared. Sua looked... pretty? Was this love?

"Sua, you're so capable...?"

"Yeah, Watson the assistant is capable. Dump me and you're dead, yeah."

"Won't dump you."

"Yeah. Together for life, detective."

...Lifetime's a bit much.