Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: The Commotion is Just Beginning
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The secretary position for the Clan Boss was surprisingly similar to an ordinary office job.
Morning wake-up, commute to work, greet the Boss.
Pass on incoming news and carry out whatever tasks the Boss assigns.
At first, she worried about being ordered to harm heroes or civilians.
For Lee Bora, affiliated with the Union, such acts would be hard to perform without hesitation.
But contrary to her fears, the Boss never issued such orders.
There are plenty of guys to fight anyway, so just do what I tell you well.
Thanks to that, her undercover work proceeded smoothly, and visits to the orphanage were possible.
Even after the Seven Evils recently split from the Clan, nothing had changed.
There were still plenty of villains remaining who admired the Boss.
"You've gone to the orphanage again."
So when such words suddenly came from the Boss's mouth...
Lee Bora barely managed to keep her heart from sinking.
'She's never commented on my personal life before?'
Change was not a good thing. At least not in the current situation.
The Black Woman, who had never interfered as long as the work was done well, had mentioned the orphanage.
Of all times, right when she suspected her cover might be blown.
And she'd even met the Smiling Man at the orphanage yesterday!
"...Yes, Boss."
Lee Bora calmed her trembling heart and steadied her shaking mind.
Stay composed. Panicking prematurely would truly end everything.
If her cover was blown, given the woman's nature, she would've been dismembered on the spot.
Less ruthless than the Seven Evils, but the Clan Boss was no pushover villain either.
She wasn't the type to kindly offer to spare her life if she confessed honestly.
"You said it was good cover for your disguise."
"That's correct."
"I understand, but why not quit now? A Clan member doing volunteer work at an orphanage. My subordinate, no less."
She hasn't been found out... right? From the way she's talking, it seems not?
No. Don't let your guard down. It could be leading questions.
Focus. Act like the Boss's loyal secretary, as always.
No, not acting. Become the secretary herself.
"If you say so, I'll quit immediately. If my actions have displeased you, I apologize."
"No. Unlike me, you need to go out into the world. The disguise is necessary for that, and it's to avoid suspicion, so I won't blame you."
A villain doing volunteer work at an orphanage rubbed her the wrong way.
Having gauged the Boss's intentions, Lee Bora inwardly sighed in relief.
But at the same time, she felt a pang of regret.
Even if it wasn't the orphanage where she grew up...
She had spent years with the children and grown attached.
'I couldn't even say goodbye...'
It had been the same when she joined the Union.
She thought she could return.
She figured she'd see them soon and brag.
But after that, Lee Bora hadn't gone near the orphanage.
The Union's training to groom her as a secret agent was brutal.
And without respite, she was assigned a mission and infiltrated the Clan.
I wonder if everyone's doing well. If I'd known, I should've at least said hello.
That regret lingered heavily for Lee Bora.
So the Black Woman's order now made her chest tighten.
Hearing she couldn't come back would hurt too much.
At the very least, they needed time to say farewell...
"Yaaawn."
"...?!"
Wait. What? There's someone there?! Since when?
The figure hidden behind the pavilion shadow stands up.
It's the Smiling Man. And she hadn't sensed his presence at all.
"It might not be mannerly to interrupt ladies' conversation, but... Boss. May I offer an opinion?"
"Permission granted."
"Thank you."
The Smiling Man elegantly bows and points at Lee Bora.
"Ever since I killed the Holy Knight, the Union bastards have gotten unnecessarily cynical. In times like these, their vigilance and suspicion toward those trying to gather external intel, like our secretary here, will only intensify."
"Hmm."
"Isn't that right, Secretary?"
For a split second, the Smiling Man winks at her.
The Boss didn't see it. But Lee Bora did.
"...Yes. Lately, all our informants are laying low. They say tails are on them. We're avoiding contact, but we don't know how much the Union has confirmed. Abruptly changing my existing schedule in such a situation could definitely raise suspicions."
Her voice unwavering. In her usual calm tone.
Lee Bora made good use of the opening the Smiling Man provided.
The Black Woman then strokes her chin and speaks.
"I overlooked that. Right, they must be furious over losing an S-Rank Hero. They've probably unleashed hunting dogs everywhere, desperate to bite at anything."
"Exactly. And... ah!"
The Smiling Man claps as if just remembering.
"Come to think of it, I 'happened to' run into the secretary yesterday!"
"Oh?"
"Yes, Boss! She was doing an excellent job playing the kind volunteer. I was genuinely impressed. The Union's hunting dogs would never imagine she's the Boss's secretary!"
You're even better at playing the kind volunteer, aren't you, Smiling Man?
She set aside the question that arose.
In the end, the Black Woman retracted her initial order.
She acknowledged that the volunteer work aided her disguise.
Along with a reminder to put even more effort into acting and concealment going forward.
"Thank you, Boss."
Bowing her head, Lee Bora glanced at the Smiling Man standing beside her.
Was his smile slightly different from usual? Or just her imagination.
Anyway. Thanks to him, she wouldn't have to part without a word again. A relief.
"Since I've reversed my command, you must pay the price for it."
"No need, Boss. It's fine."
"Enough. I have my own business today, so just report the essentials and spend the rest of your time as you wish. See you tomorrow."
At the Black Woman's gesture, Lee Bora withdrew without another word.
Her morning shift had unexpectedly ended.
Has this ever happened? First time experiencing the Boss's whim like this?
'Actually, this works out.'
Orphanage. The children. She'd been getting too deeply involved.
Forgetting who she was. Forgetting her mission.
She couldn't cut ties immediately. But she needed to prepare for the worst.
From now on, instead of weekly, she'd visit every two weeks.
Then next, once a month.
'...So.'
So. Time unexpectedly freed up.
Just one more visit to the orphanage where the kids are waiting.
It might create more lingering attachment, but she wanted to see them.
She wouldn't be able to come often anymore, so going again after yesterday should be fine.
Suddenly reducing visits might hurt the kids.
They mustn't feel abandoned again.
Because she had felt that way once. She didn't want to cause that misunderstanding.
"Unexpected."
At the Black Woman's words, the Smiling Man asks what she means.
A reaction showing he doesn't understand at all why the Boss would say that.
"You speaking up for that girl."
"Speaking up? What do you mean?"
"I saw regret in her. Even if acting, it's become real before she knew it. I told her to quit out of concern, but thanks to you, I had no choice but to withdraw."
The Black Woman crosses her arms, as if she knows everything.
The Smiling Man maintains his clueless expression.
But he bursts into laughter at her unmoving demeanor.
"Ahaha! Ah, darn. Busted?"
Seeing the Smiling Man's carefree smile, the Black Woman clicks her tongue.
Outrageous—he wasn't even trying to hide it, saying he was busted.
If he'd really wanted to conceal it, no one would've noticed.
"Aren't you enthusiastic? Hobbies keep body and mind healthy."
"Is volunteer work a healthy hobby for a villain?"
"Same as you playing Go. Calling me in from morning to play Go today!"
Oh my. How healthy is Go for a villain.
It cultivates wisdom, making number games with heroes easier!
He preaches for over five minutes on Go's greatness.
Only ends when the Smiling Man yells stop.
Then the Black Woman gazes at the door where her secretary vanished.
"I hope this doesn't hurt that girl."
"What do you mean?"
"One of the guys who left with the Seven Evils fought her once. Seems he harbored a grudge from losing then, and that's probably why he quit the Clan this time."
Oh ho. I just learned about that backstory today.
Yushin lets out a gasp of surprise as the Smiling Man awaits her next words.
"That guy's the type who'd have mapped her movements long ago. He's been quiet because I forbade disturbances under me, but now he's no longer in the Clan."
Hmm?
"Given his nature, he'll probably target that orphanage... Tsk tsk. That's why I say villains shouldn't get attached anywhere."
Might have to find a new secretary if things go wrong.
She'd been useful over the years, so it's a shame.
Saying it's regrettable while noting she's now beyond her control, the Black Woman calls the Smiling Man to the pavilion to finish their Go game.
"...I see."
A flash briefly glints in the Smiling Man's eyes before vanishing.
"Boss."
Yushin, seated before her, continues.
"Just playing would be boring, so how about a wager Go?"
"Wager Go? Suddenly? With me?"
He wins about twice out of ten games against her.
Yet he's the one proposing a wager first.
"Fine. But if I win, you'll play Go with me for life."
"Oof. That's terrifying!"
"No side chatter. Your turn. You must want something to propose this."
The Smiling Man ponders briefly, then smiles.
"Nothing much. Just need a day off today."
"Meaning don't interfere whatever you do? Deal! I'll allow it!"
If you can beat me, that is! Haha!
The Black Woman boldly declares and prepares the board.
"Wh-what is this...?"
"I'll make good use of my vacation. Boss."
And she was overwhelmingly defeated.