Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Agent Training #2
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That was how the day passed. Miscellaneous rules, a tour of the Management Bureau's interior, and meals filled up the time.
Even an organization lurking in the shadows of the world like the Management Bureau had nothing special for new agents to do. That was just the way of the world.
Now it was time to head home and get some car quotes. Since this would be the first car of my life, I'd put real thought into choosing it. What kind of car would get me that satisfying "cha-ching" sound? A man only lives once—he's gotta hear that sound when buying a car. That's what I was taught, and I'd follow through.
"Oh, before that."
I pulled Dr. Kim Seonghan's ring out of my pocket.
"Should grab the Black Stone first."
Sure, running into Sal-hyung could be risky, but having it wouldn't hurt.
The Management Bureau was extremely wary of Islamic forces, but if I showed them the Black Stone, who knows? Besides, if Sal-hyung was that dangerous, it'd be a hundred times better to have it if we crossed paths by chance.
"Who would've thought Sal-hyung was Islam's great hero... Well, he was that kind of guy."
But if he was a great hero of the Islamic world, was he like al-Qaeda or Osama bin Laden? Thinking about it that way made Sal-hyung seem plenty dangerous. No wonder kids used to idolize Osama bin Laden. That's why they kept trying to climb the 63 Building.
Anyway.
It was late, but I headed to the hospital. Luckily, they were still accepting visitors, so I told the nurse I'd come at Dr. Kim Seonghan's request.
From there, it was smooth sailing.
"Excuse me. Are you the one Dr. Kim Seonghan asked to come?"
"Yes, that's me."
Kim the secretary came right away to fetch me, and I rode in the limo just like before.
On the way, I took in the sights of Seoul.
"..."
It was a peaceful world with no giants in sight.
What if a giant suddenly appeared and crushed everyone? It was the kind of scenery where such thoughts stayed just that—thoughts.
This was how Seoul should be.
I'd protected it.
Those monster bastards could just stay gone forever.
Descendant of the Singing Star, my ass—if you crush them early, they can't do shit.
"We've arrived. Please step out."
"Yes."
Once inside the mansion, sure enough.
"Welcome."
The Arab Madam greeted me. After a normal hello, I briefly explained the situation and pulled out the ring.
"Ah! This is my husband's...! Sob!"
Who knew how many times I'd see this scene.
After a long cry, the Madam thanked me profusely and brought out a box.
"This looks quite precious. What kind of relic is it?"
"You have a good eye. It's a necklace made from the Black Stone. A very valuable item, so please treasure it."
"Where did you get something like this?"
This was a top-tier relic that even Sal-hyung—Islam's so-called great hero—had instantly seen me as his benefactor for. Hell, he'd sacrificed himself to protect me in the end.
Having something like that meant...
This Arab wife must come from an equally prominent background.
Islamic nobility?
Maybe royalty?
"I can't tell you that much."
The Madam shook her head.
I still remembered her teleporting, but asking would be weird, so I let it slide.
"Understood."
With that farewell, I headed out.
"Nice."
Putting on the Black Stone pendant eased my mind a bit.
With this, even running into Islamic forces should be fine... Though it might cause issues with the Holy See now.
Sal-hyung and Blaret Nun were itching to attack each other despite that situation. In peacetime like now, they wouldn't hesitate to swing a sword on sight.
I'd have to be careful.
"..."
Still.
Walking the streets like this made me feel like vampires might jump me. Some kind of PTSD, maybe.
But since they didn't show their faces even during the giant apocalypse, Purebloods and all that crap—they were just small fry who cut in at the Descendant of the Singing Star level.
Fucking cowards, preying only on civilians.
Either way, it'd be nice to get the Holy See's help taking down vampires. Blaret Nun said she'd come to track Purebloods, so mixing it up right might work.
Oh, right—in this timeline, I already knew Blaret Nun. I'd bought a cross at that Christian shop and headed to Seoul.
Plus, I knew about the "vampire hunters," so I could casually probe while buying a cross.
The Management Bureau classified them as hostile, but info mattered more to me.
Though thinking like this brought the fake Management Bureau to mind.
Should I check out Sejeongge on my phone?
Would they show up?
Nah, if they appeared just for browsing the board, what about all the other users? They couldn't track everyone.
Lost in those thoughts, I went home and researched cars to print quotes.
"Cha-ching!"
The next day.
Unfortunately, Spandal was in charge of my training today. Jamtree was so kind... but Spandal was too shady and weird.
"What’s with that look? You think it's okay to make that face at a senior sacrificing her time to train a newbie? Ignoring your senior won't end well. Especially in a job where your life’s on the line. Heh heh."
Starting with the nagging...!
And I'd been controlling my expression!
"I'm just nervous, so it must show on my face, Senior Spandal."
But I was an indomitable salaryman. Even the Descendant of the Singing Star couldn't break me. Could a mere agent? Reminding myself, I gave the most textbook response possible.
"I'll listen attentively no matter what, so please forgive me. I'll learn well today."
"Hmm, that makes it no fun."
Her head tilted sideways creepily.
Was the lifeless gaze her default?
"Anyway. Be grateful I'm teaching you. One word from a senior like me could save a worthless junior's life."
"You're absolutely right. I'll keep it in mind."
"Then follow me."
"Yes."
I followed Senior Spandal.
"..."
It was suffocating.
"Any questions?"
"I'm curious what you'll teach me, Senior Spandal!"
"Oh, I like that question. Gets me motivated?"
Motivated?
That made me uneasy.
Spandal turned to me with a grin.
It was a ghostly smile that scared me.
"What I really want to teach you is how agents die."
"Yes?"
"They die a lot. Agents. Even the cocky skilled ones go down in seconds. Ever seen someone torn in half?"
"Why say something so scary!"
I'd seen it plenty, actually. Gorgodio had just died that way recently, and I'd been cut in half myself.
But hearing it still freaked me out!
"Huh? You asked me to teach you. I'm telling you because you asked. Why change your tune now?"
"I meant work-related!"
"Oh, on-the-job deaths? That happens too. My favorite topic."
Spandal's wicked smile overwhelmed me.
"Something else! Teach me something else!"
I couldn't gauge how far this crazy senior planned to torment her junior. Should I tattle to Jamtree?
"Sigh... Keep interrupting."
Spandal bent at the waist with a sigh. Her chest seemed to pour forward with gravity.
"Why don't juniors ever understand their seniors' hearts? Grong. There are always newbies besides you. But now it's just you—what does that mean?"
"Yes...? Other newbies?"
"It's a company, a team. Newbies come in. What do you think happened to them?"
Right.
Where were they?
"What happened...?"
"Here's the thing."
Spandal had sidled up close, whispering right in my ear. I couldn't resist the hold.
"Some died... some transferred departments. A few even went back to civilian life."
"Ah."
"Our Comprehensive Response Team's Chief Jaaldi is super strong. So tough jobs get dumped here. They can't hack it, die, transfer, or quit. That's how it goes."
No way.
"Really? You're telling me scary stories to warn me because it's that dangerous?"
"Oh, do true hearts connect? Finally getting your senior's feelings...?"
I slipped out of Spandal's embrace.
Stay longer, and her tongue might end up in my ear.
"Thanks for caring!"
"Huh?"
"But bring it on! That's the kind of danger I want!"
"Oh, come on. What did you even hear? You'll die quick."
Her sigh made her seem more human.
"Jamtree will be sad."
"I won't die, don't worry. With ace Management Bureau agent Senior Spandal teaching me, I won't die even if I want to, right?"
"..."
I showed my resolve while buttering her up with a grin. Spandal seemed odd, but it came from caring for juniors.
We'd get along fine.
Lots of good-hearted people struggle to express it right. As group leader in the apocalypse, I'd counseled plenty like that.
The fix was interpreting their hearts correctly.
"Hmm... Fine."
Spandal, quiet for a moment, nodded.
"If you're ready to learn, no problem. Alright, today we'll head to the Management Bureau's underground world?"
"Underground world?"
"Newbies usually get simple tasks. To help adapt since we can't have you dying right away. Some danger, of course."
Tense.
"Fail this, and you're unfit as an agent."
"That fires me up. Looking forward to it."
What was in the Management Bureau basement?
I'd only seen the upper floors yesterday. Guess this was how I'd learn. Coming to the Management Bureau was the right call.
"Too eager... Grong. What do you think Management Bureau work is?"
"Stuff beyond common sense. Taking it down, right?"
"Add capture, containment, management, surveillance."
"Ah."
"The basement has contained anomalies."
"What...!"
What the hell!
"You've got an anomaly zoo down there?"
"Heh heh, yep. Fun zoo where the animals try to kill the zookeepers. Fun, right? Be great if cute kids came on a field trip. I'd lead with the flag. They'd have a blast."
What kind of crazy talk!
She's definitely not right in the head...!