Petty Jealousy
The low hum of tires rolling over pavement filled my ears. Naturally, it was the sound of the car I was riding in—or more precisely, the one Jin Yeon-ah and I were sharing. Inside this vehicle heading toward the location of the regular gathering she'd mentioned, I turned to meet her worried gaze.
"You're really okay, right? I know it's not my place to say, but did you get any sleep?"
"Yeah, I slept plenty, so don't worry about it."
Of course, it was just a three-hour power nap, but I swallowed those words. I could already picture her feeling guilty again. Besides, with my body, three hours of catnapping was enough to match anyone else's full eight hours—it wasn't a lie.
Power napping is basic survival in the Back World.
You never know what might happen in the Back World. More accurately, you never know what might go down on the streets or in a cheap motel. Back when I was active there, things got stable after I secured a proper safehouse in my first year. But early on? Every nightmare imaginable. Thieves sneaking my cash while I slept rough, attempted rapes, even guys trying to slit my throat. Cheap motels were crawling with lock-pickers pulling the same stunts. Getting used to power naps was mandatory for rookies.
Luckily, my superhuman body kept me unscathed, and I adapted in under a month. Now, I could get deep rest from catnaps alone. Reassuring Jin Yeon-ah, I asked her,
"By the way, miss, any pointers for me once we get there? I'm not great with high-society etiquette..."
"Huh? Uh... well, this is my first time actually attending one too..."
My biggest worry was screwing up somehow. I'd never been around fancy folks in the old world or this one. No knowledge of social gatherings like this, so it was natural to fret. Jin Yeon-ah scratched her head, admitting it was her debut too.
"But it should be fine. Exclusive assassins are just there to protect their charges anyway. Stick close and stay quiet."
"If that's all, then no sweat."
"And if you end up greeting someone, just act like you did with Min Si-hyeon from the Execution Team last time."
"That? Piece of cake."
Her point: basic politeness would suffice. I exhaled, easing the needless tension. Watching me for a moment, Jin Yeon-ah let out a soft hum as something clicked.
"Oh, right. Father's exclusive assassin mentioned something the other day."
"You mean the clan head's guy... Do Jin-hyeok?"
"Yeah, he's been to plenty of these. He had some advice specifically for you, Se-rin."
"Oho, what'd he say?"
If it was from Do Jin-hyeok, it'd be gold. The guy's attended at least a dozen, per Jin Yeon-ah. Leaning in, I heard his relayed tip—simple as could be.
"Ignore any provocations unless you have to."
"Even if they pick a fight?"
"Yep. With all the assassin firms there, trash talk happens a lot."
"Picking on Baek Ya-seong? That's surprising in itself."
"Places like Hwanghon or Moomyeongyahang think they're our league. Plus, they're gunning for our spot."
"Ah, got it."
Baek Ya-seong was Korea's top assassin firm, but Hwanghon and Moomyeongyahang—second and third place—coveted the throne. Our scale dwarfed theirs, but they weren't total longshots. Hence the petty jabs.
"They won't be overt, given the venue. It's subtle digs. Best to brush 'em off."
"Not hard. Unless it's extreme, just ignore."
"But no punching if it pisses you off. Got it?"
"I'm not a five-year-old. Obviously."
Her gaze shifted to fresh concern, and I chuckled. But under that intense stare, I turned to the window, spotting our destination in the distance. A skyscraper piercing the heavens—the Central Headquarters.
The annual regular gathering drew reps from every assassin firm, so Jin Yeon-ah wasn't the only Baek Ya-seong arrival at Central Headquarters today.
"Ah, Yeon-ah. Finally here."
"You're late. We said meet at 30 minutes and go in together."
"Sorry, bro. Prep took longer than expected."
At the entrance, Baek Ya-seong's eldest son, Jin Seong-hun, and second son, Jin Tae-hyeon, waited for Jin Yeon-ah. She waved back, approaching. Behind them, another figure greeted her warmly.
"Good, you're here. Daughter."
"Yes, Father. Sorry for being late."
"No matter. Five minutes isn't worth fussing over. Doors close at seven anyway."
"Haha, thanks."
Jin Yeon-ah bowed politely to Baek Ya-seong's clan head, Jin Hyun-cheol. As she chatted with family, I took in the trio behind them—their exclusive assassins. I'd glimpsed the brothers' during the moth terrorist incident, but besides Do Jin-hyeok, they were strangers.
They seemed to think the same; our eyes met briefly.
"......"
"......"
We nodded curtly in greeting. Back when I first joined Baek Ya-seong, I'd have gotten wary stares. But now? I'd proven my place as an exclusive assassin, and we were all Baek Ya-seong here—no need for hostility amid enemies. Allies should stick together.
I nodded to familiar Do Jin-hyeok too, then followed Jin Yeon-ah and family inside. Naturally, I fell in step with the other exclusives. Do Jin-hyeok, a step behind, spoke softly.
"Long time no see, Baek Se-rin. I asked Yeon-ah to pass on my message the other day—did she?"
"Ah, yes. Ignore provocations from other firms unless necessary? She told me."
"Good. And as you heard, Hwanghon or Moomyeongyahang might test you. Endless varieties, hard to list... but ignore if possible. They're beneath us anyway."
"Didn't expect you to phrase it so bluntly."
"Not wrong, is it?"
"Fair enough."
I hadn't anticipated the edge, but I agreed. Hwanghon and Moomyeongyahang were second- and third-raters. Petty jealousy from inferiors—best to magnanimously ignore. Baek Ya-seong was undisputed number one. Nodding firmly, I trailed Jin Yeon-ah into Central Headquarters.
The elevator hummed, depositing us at the venue. Central guards welcomed us, swinging wide the doors.
Clunk!
Revealed: a massive party hall.
"......Wow."
Simple snacks dotted tables—Central's doing—while liquor lined another wall. People wove between, exchanging frantic greetings and chatter.
The buzz was deafening, voices blending into mush. I was already drained just watching. Grimacing inwardly, I steadied my face and entered with Jin Yeon-ah.
As Jin Hyun-cheol led Baek Ya-seong in, eyes locked on instantly. They'd seemed busy chatting, but someone always watched the door—crowds swarmed.
"Aigoo, Clan Head Jin Hyun-cheol. Long time. How've you been?"
"Ah, if it isn't you. Been ages, Clan Head Im Hyeong-seop."
First to approach: Hwanghon's leader, Im Hyeong-seop. I'd seen his photo before; the Hwanghon logo on his suit made it obvious.
"Oho, and this must be the youngest daughter debuting this year?"
"Indeed. Still green, but my pride and joy. Yeon-ah, greet him."
Small talk shifted to Jin Yeon-ah—natural, as she'd gone public this year. She'd griped about nerves in the car, but at Jin Hyun-cheol's cue, she bowed flawlessly. Adapted already. I smiled inwardly, proud.
How long did I stand silently behind her amid the chatter? As empty pleasantries dragged, the topic suddenly swung to me.
"Speaking of... that one over there. Yeon-ah's exclusive assassin?"
Im Hyeong-seop eyed me curiously. Jin Yeon-ah nodded.
"Yes, my pride and joy. Why do you ask, Clan Head Im Hyeong-seop?"
"No reason. Just younger than I expected. Baek Ya-seong must've rushed to assign one."
He chuckled at her words. Jin Yeon-ah's brow furrowed faintly at the barb. Jin Hyun-cheol matched her reaction.
"Hardly. I handpicked her myself."
"Then the assassin pool's quality must've tanked lately. Even so, such a kid guarding Yeon-ah? Unsettling for her safety."
Jin Hyun-cheol smiled back, but Im Hyeong-seop grew bolder, gaze pitying. I stifled a laugh inside. This was the provocation? So direct.
As I pondered a response, Jin Yeon-ah beat me to it.
"Haha, no need to worry, sir. With my exclusive assassin, I could handle everyone here gunning for me and sleep easy."
...Oho.
Her bold counter made me glance her way, impressed. Jin Hyun-cheol sighed softly; Do Jin-hyeok rubbed his temple. But to me? Steadfast master.
"...Haha, Yeon-ah really treasures her assassin. Quite the exaggeration."
"Exaggeration means inflating fiction, no? Nothing fictional in what I said..."
Cheering her on silently, I beamed at my unflappable charge.