The Worst Interview Outfit
html, body { margin:0; padding:0; } CEO: Geum Taeyang
It felt like sitting on a bed of nails. What the hell was going on here?
Park Jiyeong had figured out that this absurd presentation was the work of a monster from the Shadow World. But she'd never encountered anything like this during her days as a magical girl. Back when she was active, the monsters' schemes had been far more subtle.
Were the monsters from the Shadow World evolving too? Magical girls passed down power and knowledge to future generations through the Akashic Record, so there was no reason monsters couldn't do the same.
If those monsters were feeding on humanity's corrupt emotions and growing stronger, that would be a nightmare for humans. And right now, that nightmare was unfolding before Jiyeong's very eyes.
If only she had her Muse Watch, she could've smashed this shitty prank in an instant. But she was just an ordinary college student now. Her mental fortitude was a bit stronger than average, but that was it—no different from anyone else. And honestly, that's what she'd wanted after retiring.
She had no idea why a Shadow World monster would show up now, nearly a decade after she'd quit being a magical girl. Not that she should expect normal logic from them anyway.
Damn it! Where the hell is the current magical girl? A monster's putting on this flashy show right in front of me!
No matter how much she griped inwardly, reality didn't budge. Jiyeong realized she'd have to play along with the monster's game for a while—at least until the current magical girl caught wind of this and mobilized.
"Alright, let's treat this like a real interview. I'm your Fine interviewer."
The tanned blond delinquent sat down in front of Jiyeong. Maybe it was prejudice, but he reeked of tackiness from the get-go. Had this guy fallen under the monster's control and gotten that altered appearance? If so, he was a victim too.
Jiyeong swallowed hard. For now, she'd have to go along with this horrific prank. Otherwise, who knew what might happen to the man right in front of her.
"Yes, got it."
"Before we start the interview, one thing to point out. That outfit? Worst possible choice for an interview."
The man gestured at Jiyeong's clothes. She was dressed casually—ivory blouse on top, black skirt below.
"Oh, right. For a real interview, I'd definitely wear a suit..."
"Nope. A suit is the absolute worst of the worst. No interviewer in the world wants to hire someone in bland, cookie-cutter clothes. The best interview outfit is naked."
"N-naked?"
At Jiyeong's words, the man flipped to the next PPT slide.
"Check out this survey result. 'We asked 100 interviewers: What are you thinking during interviews!?' A whopping 71% said, 'I want to fuck them.' So naturally, naked is the top attire."
As if on cue, the suited female office worker watching from the back chimed in.
"Coming in dressed and stripping right there is best. It leaves a strong first impression for big points. And to really grab the interviewers' eyes, slowly reveal the intimate parts—that's the key. Gets them way hornier."
"Exactly. Now, strip."
Jiyeong freaked out at the man's words. Strip here? Was he insane?
"N-no, I really can't..."
"Guh! Cough! Cough!"
The man vomited blood again, and Jiyeong panicked, hastily stripping off her clothes. Even as a former magical girl, she had a strong sense of justice at her core.
"I'm stripped! That's enough, right!?"
"We're just getting started. Plenty to correct. First, fix your posture. The proper interview sitting position: spread your legs to show your pussy, look at the interviewer, and smile."
"Ugh... Got it."
The sleazy interview had only just begun. Jiyeong had no idea how long she could hold out.
No matter how tough her mind was from her magical girl days, this insane interview felt impossible to endure for long.
Han Dambi was always busy. Her true identity was Queen Melody, ruler of the Magic World.
Alternating between managing the Magic World and her school nurse duties demanded immense stamina. But she couldn't half-ass either one—that was the path she'd chosen.
"The human world's harmony... is getting hazy?"
It hadn't been long since she'd appointed a new magical girl. Their job was to protect the human world from Shadow World monsters. The better these girls performed, the healthier the human world's harmony stayed.
As Queen Melody, Han Dambi didn't have any special mascot-like ability to detect negative energy, but she could instinctively sense the world's balance.
If that balance tipped further into chaos, disaster would strike the world. Conversely, a stable balance meant peace.
She appointed magical girls whenever the balance wavered. That's what the system was for. Yet even after appointing one, the human world was tilting even more. This was blatantly abnormal.
Unprecedented.
Unprecedented events always demanded caution. She let out a short sigh and stood up. First period had just ended.
Maybe check on the kids? I meant to drop by more often, but Magic World duties kept pushing it off.
Magical girls were precious beacons of hope for both the human world and the Magic World.
If the Magic World, human world, and Shadow World fell out of harmony, all three would perish. And magical girls were the ones maintaining that harmony.
She left the nurse's office and headed to Hope Class, where Somi was. Somi was her favorite type among past magical girls—bold and embodying hope itself, just looking at her brought a smile.
"Teacher, hello."
The kids in the hallway bowed politely. Dambi smiled and greeted them back.
All the students here were girls. Boys were housed on the upper floors.
Recently, school policy had changed to separate classes by gender, pushed aggressively under claims it aided college admissions. As a nurse, Dambi just shrugged it off. No teacher was as oblivious to admissions as a school nurse.
Hope Class was just ahead. She stepped inside, and the lively chatter froze stiff. It was like dumping cold water on the vibe.
Dambi scanned the room with a uneasy frown. It felt like she was being watched warily. Had the kids always been like this? She couldn't hide her bewilderment.
"Hello, Nurse Teacher."
Jeong Mi, Hope Class's class president, greeted her politely.
"Hi."
Dambi returned the greeting with a kind smile. You could tell Jeong Mi was class president just from the atmosphere.
"What brings you here?"
"Just checking if the kids are okay. Anyone sick or hurting?"
"No, everyone's healthy."
Dambi looked around the class, searching for Somi. But she didn't spot her.
Where'd she go?
Break time, so maybe the bathroom. Kids this age were super active with their social lives, and one going to the toilet often meant a train following.
Dambi asked a nearby unfamiliar girl.
"Hey, where's Somi's seat?"
The girl tilted her head at Dambi, then pointed to the back corner.
"Over there."
Dambi's gaze followed. A tanned-skinned girl was leaning on her desk, chattering animatedly with friends.
We've got a delinquent like that here too? Doesn't that break school rules?
No matter how you sliced it, she was too bold for a middle schooler. Tanning aside, the heavy makeup, earrings, bracelets, and dangling accessories screamed anything but model student. She'd be violating a rule or two easy.
Recent staff meetings had tweaked the school rules—some loosened, some tightened.
Dambi thought that level of rebellion needed correcting. But oddly, the girl gave off a familiar vibe.
Wait... no way.
Dambi doubted her own eyes. She took a few steps closer.
Up close, she was certain—it was Somi. No amount of tanning or makeup could hide that vibrant energy.
"S-Somi!?"
At Dambi calling her name, the delinquent looked up and grinned brightly at her, mid-chat with friends.
"Nurse Teacher! What's up with our class?"
"Oh... just checking faces. But you..."
Somi quickly clocked Dambi's shock at her look and beamed like a flower.
"Whaddya think? Suits me, right? Skin tanned so pretty. The tanning salon did great. This manicure's from the department store..."
"Is that okay for a student?"
Dambi couldn't help blurting it out. Any other kid, maybe, but Somi was her chosen magical girl.
Purity was a key virtue for magical girls. As performers purifying corrupt power in the human world, it was essential.
Somi puffed her cheeks at Dambi's words. Her precious PE teacher had complimented her look, but now the nurse was nitpicking—without even chipping in for the tanning or makeup.
"What's wrong with a student doing this? Doesn't break rules. Right, class prez?"
Somi turned to Jeong Mi, who nodded stiffly.
"Yeah. Not against rules. Makeup, accessories, dyeing—all free game."
"Even if it's not against rules, shouldn't students uphold some dignity?"
Somi stuck out her tongue at Dambi.
"I'm doing fine. Mind your business. Hmph~!"
Dambi left the classroom with a regretful look, unable to handle the sulky Somi.
Did she end up hating me? Sigh... Am I too out of touch with the times?
Having lived eons beyond human reach, keeping her sensibilities current was no easy feat.
Dambi was still a tech dunce who struggled with machines. Born before the Industrial Revolution, it wasn't surprising in the Magic World.
As Dambi trudged back to the nurse's office, Jeong Mi pulled a walkie-talkie from under her desk.
Jinglebell Middle School had fallen into Geum Taeyang's hands. The class presidents and security chief used walkie-talkies and CCTV to monitor and track Han Dambi's every move completely.
That's why Dambi was thoroughly shut out from everything happening at school.