Chapter 45
Chapter 45
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: An Ominous Fragment
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In this world, the world of Fixers, the powers at play could be broadly divided into three factions.
There was the human faction, centered around governments and corporations established by humanity; the metahuman faction, centered around the various non-human races that had crossed over into this world; and the Invader faction, centered around the dimensional invaders.
Explaining it all like a history lesson would be tedious, so to put their relationship simply, it was like this.
‘While humanity and metahumans were mired in conflict, they belatedly noticed the existence of the Invaders and formed a temporary alliance to somehow prevent their own annihilation.’
To put it another way, it was like two people grabbing each other by the hair, ready to fight to the death, who suddenly had to join forces because a deranged psychopath who couldn't be reasoned with showed up.
Humanity alone couldn't counter the invaders, about whom they had no information. Metahumans alone lacked the power to fight them.
So, to survive, they decided to set aside their old grudges for a moment and work together. That was the gist of it.
But the Invaders’ appearance, which had instilled that sense of crisis, had happened years ago at this point.
Naturally, with the passage of time, the hastily patched-up conflicts of their temporary alliance began to fray, and they started pointing guns and swords at each other once more. This was the state of things when the original story began.
Only after several incidents that engulfed the entire city did the truth about the Invaders begin to surface.
The fact that their true enemy had not retreated but was lying in wait, holding its breath and biding its time.
So, what I’m trying to say is this.
‘This… this shouldn’t be here right now.’
This fragment in my hand, no matter how I looked at it, was an item belonging to the dimensional Invaders—something that shouldn't appear at this point in time!
Of course, I couldn't be one hundred percent certain.
I was only sensing something similar to the Tesseract from this metal shard; it wasn’t as if I could actually see an Invader nearby.
But my intuition, which had become unusually sharp since I became Yuria, was screaming at me.
This metal fragment was deeply connected to the dimensional Invaders!
“What’s that? Jin, did you put something weird in your pocket before doing the laundry again? I told you not to.”
“That… when did I put that in there? I don’t really remember.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m sure. You just toss your clothes into the machine without checking.”
However, it seemed neither Alice nor Raven could feel the ominous energy faintly radiating from the fragment.
It wasn't surprising. In the original story, very few characters were depicted as sensing the prelude to the Invaders’ arrival, and neither of them was among that group.
Perhaps it was a special sense only I, with my psychic powers, could perceive at this stage.
‘Should I pretend I didn’t see it?’
I clenched my fist around the cold metal fragment and squeezed my eyes shut.
Should I ignore this unsettling sign of the Invaders, which seemed to have appeared far too early?
Or should I investigate to find out what was happening? The dilemma was overwhelming.
What? Couldn't I just leave it alone since the original story would proceed just fine anyway?
Well… when it came to the Invaders, I couldn't just relax and let things be.
Raven might be close to his prime at this point, but Alice and David still had a lot of growing to do.
No matter how reliable the future hero’s party was, what could you do if one of the Four Heavenly Kings was suddenly waiting for you, sharpening his sword, in the second town?
‘I hope it’s nothing serious… No, wait, would it be better if it *is* serious?’
Come to think of it, the problem was that both possibilities had their merits.
What if the Invaders were plotting something beneath the city?
That would be a state of emergency where the city itself could be obliterated, so we could pull in everyone from the Dragon Mayor to the Elven Queen.
When you might die tomorrow, who cares about hiding your identity? It’s a lot better than dying.
I might even be officially protected by the Dragon Mayor for uncovering the Invaders’ plot. Of course, that was just wishful thinking.
But what if it was just a coincidence? A minor incident that wouldn't matter if I left it alone?
If I jumped the gun here, I would just expose myself as a psychic with suspicious knowledge.
It could even escalate into a situation that embroiled not only me but also Raven, Alice, and Greg. Ugh, just the thought of that was horrible.
Therefore, the best I could do was to first find out how this metal fragment ended up in his pants. I would decide what to do after that.
‘Am I really incapable of learning? Why am I getting worked up over this again? I could just leave it alone… Ugh, but that’s the hard part…’
I wish I hadn't noticed it at all.
In a way, this was the very situation I had wanted to avoid the most.
But what could I do? I’d just heard that there might be a bomb hidden right next to me, ready to go off. How could I just pretend I didn't know!
I’m sure anyone else in my shoes would be just as anxious and restless. Yes, I’m innocent. It’s the world that’s wrong.
‘Hoo, enough with the useless thoughts. For now, this is actually convenient. Staying at the agency? That would make it much easier to investigate secretly. I can examine this fragment at the agency, and if it’s nothing major… I can just drop it.’
And if it was something major? Well, I’d cross that bridge when I came to it.
With that thought, I discreetly slipped the metal fragment into my skirt pocket and looked up at Raven and Alice, who were watching me with bewildered expressions.
I wondered what they were thinking as they watched me suddenly rummage through Raven’s pants pocket, pull out a metal shard, and fall into deep thought.
Ugh, seeing it from their perspective made my face feel hot.
And now, I had to ask to stay at the agency…?
Wait… this is so embarrassing.
“You can’t just do that out of the blue, it’s startling. Even if you want something, you should ask for permission before touching someone else. You surprised me so much I almost called the police.”
“…Are you serious, Jin?”
“Ahem, it was a joke. Why’d you take it so seriously? Now look how awkward it is.”
Perhaps because I was wiggling my toes in a brief wave of embarrassment, Raven spoke up first, trying to lighten the mood with a jest.
His tone suggested he wasn't going to make a big deal out of my sudden actions.
Honestly, I thought I deserved a flick on the forehead, so his reassuring demeanor helped ease some of my tension.
Alright, my thoughts were in order.
My actions now were not for selfish reasons, but for the greater good.
Thinking of it not as me imposing on him, but as me doing him a favor, made me feel a little better.
“…”
“Huh?”
I trotted over to Raven.
Naturally, there was a considerable height difference between us.
This created a dynamic where I had to look straight up at him.
I carefully grabbed his clothes, tugging at them gently as I looked up at him with pleading eyes.
*That thing from before, can we please reconsider? I’ve had a change of heart.*
That was the meaning packed into my gesture.
Did the quick-witted Raven immediately understand what I meant?
His face instantly turned pale, while a wide smile bloomed across Alice’s face as she watched from the side.
“…Huh?”
“Ah! Jin! I think Yuria wants to stay at the agency too!”
“What, why? She seemed reluctant just a moment ago…”
“People can change their minds on a whim! Come on, let’s not stand around in the hallway. Let’s go inside!”
I was the one making the request, and Raven was the one granting it, so why was Alice the most excited one?
She gently pushed us both from behind, ushering us into the agency.
Raven, who clearly hadn't expected me to change my mind, grabbed my shoulders and spoke urgently.
“Ugh, w-wait! How about you think it over again! It would be better if you slept at their place… Hey! Stop pushing! I’m talking here! I have my own happy time to consider…”
“Eek! What are you saying in front of a child!”
*Thwack!*
As if she had heard something vulgar, Alice jabbed her elbow into his side.
Raven let out a deflating sound and collapsed to the floor.
Then, whether from the pain in his side or from the burden of suddenly having to take me in, a single tear trickled from the corner of his moist eyes.
Uh, um… I kind of feel bad now.
“Damn it… that Holograma full of pretty ladies I bought the other day, I haven't even finished reading it yet…”
“…You’re truly despicable. Yuria, don’t listen. It’ll rot your ears.”
“…”
Holograma? Wasn't that the lewd hologram magazine from the original story?
I’d always wanted to see one in person. I’ll have to sneak a peek later.
As Alice shot Raven a look of contempt, I secretly had that thought while in her arms.
After the pain subsided and Raven returned to normal, we sat down on the sofa to discuss the matter.
It was decided that I would be given a room in his agency, just until my temporary part-time job ended.
Since the room was rarely used due to a lack of clients, he wouldn't charge any rent.
Instead, the cost of my daily meals would be deducted from my daily wage.
For me, in this cold winter, these were the best possible terms.
It was basically free. Is this man an angel?
‘How did things turn out this way…? Seriously, this better be nothing.’
I had two weeks left.
Why this fragment was here, and why with Raven of all people.
I had to uncover the secret, one way or another.
The unpleasant time limit only made my worries grow.