Baek Ya Department Store
Following Jin Yeon-ah, we arrived in downtown. It hadn't even taken thirty minutes by car, but the atmosphere here was worlds apart from Baek Ya-seong's streets, which were hemmed in by towering skyscrapers and chilled by a cold, isolating vibe. This was a bustling city street alive with crowds of chattering citizens. Staring at it all, I couldn't help but feel a quiet surge of emotion.
"Whoa..."
"What's up with you?"
Jin Yeon-ah tilted her head at my exclamation and glanced back. I scratched my head and answered her.
"Nah, it's just... I never thought I'd be able to walk around a normal street like this."
Before the quest to join Baek Ya-seong as an exclusive assassin popped up, I'd been a Back World assassin—a lawless rogue the public treated like a criminal. The Back World's influence was massive, and clashes with the legit world were rare, so we weren't hunted down much. Still, casually strolling a downtown street like this? Unthinkable. We had to be on our best behavior to avoid incidents, and if we ever got dragged to a police station, it was game over—arrest on the spot. Carrying weapons was another risk; get caught, and an investigation could spiral into disaster. That criminal status crushed me, making it impossible to hold my head high amid all these ordinary citizens. You're a sinner, it always hammered into my skull.
But not anymore.
"My criminal record's wiped clean now, and I won't have to worry about that crap anymore."
All my past crimes had been erased under Baek Ya-seong's name, and now I was a licensed assassin on their roster. Legit ID, no record, a spot in a mega-corp—successful citizen status. Walking this normal street with my head held high? The thrill was beyond words.
Jin Yeon-ah gave a look like she got it, patting my back. She'd never even stepped out once until a week ago, so we shared that vibe. Then she took a step forward.
"Alright, let's live a normal day today. I don't really know what 'normal' is, so no guarantees..."
"I'm good with anything, Miss. Where to first?"
"I heard there's a cafe nearby that girls my age hit up. Wanna grab a quick drink there?"
"Sure, sounds good."
I'd wondered why we got out here; turns out she had a cafe in mind. I nodded and followed her lead, blending quietly into the crowd of laughing, chatting civilians.
After a bit at the cafe, stomachs decently filled, we hopped back in the car headed for the department store—to fulfill Jin Yeon-ah's wish to shop with her own eyes. In the speeding vehicle, I thought back to the cafe's drink prices and my hand trembled slightly.
"What kinda cafe charges a hundred thousand won for one drink..."
"Yeah, pricier than a regular spot. But ten-man isn't a big deal, right?"
"From your position, sure... Forgot for a sec that the girls your age who go there are loaded."
"That much...?"
Jin Yeon-ah cocked her head at my words. Recalling her black card from earlier, I swallowed a wry chuckle. Truth be told, ten-man was pocket change for me too now, but dropping it on a drink you finish in five sips? Total culture shock. I'd never spent over ten thousand on something like that in my life.
But for a rich girl like Jin Yeon-ah, spending units were on another level. Her outfit, accessories, even a single weapon—hundreds to thousands at minimum. And with her gourmet tastes, she didn't skimp on food.
At least her financial sense wasn't trashed despite the scale. She wasn't some clueless heiress blind to commoner life—thank god for that.
As we chatted about the cafe, we pulled up to the department store. Greeting us were staff waiting right in the parking lot.
"Welcome, Miss Jin Yeon-ah. Thank you so much for gracing us with your presence today. I'm Lee Seon-hwa, in charge of attending to you."
As we stepped out, a redheaded woman bowed deeply and handed over her business card. I took it on Jin Yeon-ah's behalf and whispered.
"Miss, you been here before? This is full VIP treatment."
"Huh? Didn't I mention? This is our Baek Ya-seong department store."
"Wait, Baek Ya-seong runs a department store...?"
"Of course. Assassin gigs from Central barely cover the cash flow."
Her words left me stunned; I finally checked the card.
Baek Ya Department Store Hongdae Branch Manager
Lee Seon-hwa
The fancy card's title confirmed it—no lie. And the name screamed Baek Ya-seong. I'd never set foot inside, but anyone would know.
As I quietly marveled at Baek Ya-seong owning a department store, Lee Seon-hwa smiled after waiting out our whisper-fest.
"Shall I guide you now?"
She opened the parking lot door, and we followed her lead inside.
Lee Seon-hwa, branch manager of Baek Ya Department Store's Hongdae branch, glanced back at Jin Yeon-ah and her exclusive assassin, Baek Se-rin, trailing her.
"Clothes first... Se-rin, need anything?"
"Nah, I'm good, Miss. I'll buy my own."
"No need to feel burdened. You don't get out much otherwise."
"Well... true."
The two bantered casually, close as they were. For Lee Seon-hwa, guiding them was a high-stakes tightrope.
If I screw up even a little, I could end up on their shitlist.
Jin Yeon-ah was basically the owner here. Freshly public, but as Baek Ya-seong's youngest daughter, treat her like the rest of the heirs. Plus, exclusive assassins were Black-grade VIPs by rank and skill. They rarely visited personally, but good impressions couldn't hurt.
So when she heard Jin Yeon-ah was coming, Lee Seon-hwa cleared out every customer immediately. Normal folks griped at the forced exit, and she lost some VIPs, but it was acceptable damage.
Sales'll tank for a bit...
Short-term: days; long-term: a month. But with zero intel on Jin Yeon-ah's tastes, emptying the place spotless was safest. Bonus: it weeded out cheapskate VIPs expecting top service for pennies.
At least no facility issues to piss her off. Good.
Confident in her prep, she led them to the luxury clothing section popular with VIPs.
"Here we are. Browse as you like—if you need explanations, the store manager will assist personally."
Jin Yeon-ah and Baek Se-rin entered, fingering fabrics and browsing slowly.
"Whoa, this stuff looks pricey. You sure it's okay to grab whatever, Miss?"
"If it's too much, deduct from your salary. Deal?"
"Ahaha, first paycheck hasn't even hit. You're kidding, right?"
"..."
"Right...?"
Chatting lightly, they shopped. Lee Seon-hwa stepped back to check store status—overkill never hurt.
"Cleaning other floors done? Displays sorted?"
"Floors 2 through 9 complete. First floor and basement have food sections, so still ongoing."
"What the hell have you been doing? Hurry it up—they might head down for food or more shopping."
"Got it."
Tongue-clicking at the delay, but they'd finish before clothes shopping ended. She tamped down rising anxiety—no sloppy vibes in front of VIPs.
"M-Miss Branch Manager!"
"What?"
Before more checks, a staffer rushed up, pale-faced. She gulped instinctively. Bad feelings always hit true.
"F-Fight broke out outside the store!"
"What? Just some scuffle...?"
"N-No, it's outlaws fighting!"
"...What?"
Outlaws clashing meant Back World assassins—guns, bombs, full-scale war, not fisticuffs. Before countermeasures, a low rumble shook the building.
BOOM...!
The explosion's echo and tremor sent cold sweat down her neck. Silence crashed in right after, conversations in the store cutting dead. Mere seconds, but felt eternal.
Then laughter-laced voices shattered it. Lee Seon-hwa knew instantly.
"Miss, trouble follows you everywhere you go out."
"Tell me about it. Maybe I should just stay home."
Her perfect hosting? Utterly fucked.
"...We're screwed."
Tearful mutter—that was all she could manage.