Chapter 220: Amusement Park
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 220: Amusement Park
For the record, I'd never been to an amusement park before.
I'd seen them in videos, but this was my first time actually visiting one.
“Master! Look at that!”
Noel, who had bought her ticket and dashed into the park, shouted with sparkling eyes.
Where she was pointing, a massive attraction stretched out before us. A roller coaster?
It was a completely different feeling from seeing it on a screen.
Should I call it thrilling, or magnificent?
“Hurry up! They say we'll have to wait a long time if we're late!”
“You don't have to run. We don't have to wait in line anyway.”
I didn't feel like waiting in line, so I bought Super Pass tickets for 100,000 won each.
Times like these, you really appreciate capitalism.
“Besides, you said you wanted to try a churro. Let's get one on the way.”
“Um... If I eat before riding, won't I throw up?”
“Are you serious?”
Even a D-rank Hunter is a superhuman who has surpassed human limits.
There was no way Noel, with her A-rank level of magic and physical ability, would throw up just from eating and riding a roller coaster.
She could probably do aerial acrobatics in a fighter jet and be perfectly fine.
“I'm kidding. Let's get churros later. I've already planned out our schedule for today. All you have to do is follow me, Master.”
So that's why she was fiddling with her phone all night?
“I'm in good hands, then.”
“Hehe.”
Noel came up beside me and expertly wrapped her arms around mine. I could feel her soft touch.
“Alright! Then follow me!”
It felt less like I was following and more like I was being dragged along.
But seeing the smile spread across Noel's lips, a small chuckle escaped me before I knew it.
Well, as long as she's having fun, right?
Even though it was a weekday, the amusement park was crowded. It looked like you'd have to wait at least an hour just to ride the roller coaster normally.
It was convenient for us, though, since we didn't have to.
We boarded the roller coaster through the exclusive Super Pass lane.
“Master, I'm scared.”
As the safety bar came down, Noel grabbed my hand tightly, as if she'd been waiting for the chance, and her voice trembled slightly.
It was an obvious attempt at being cute, but I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face.
I'd learned something over the past few months: when someone is that pretty, everything they do looks pretty too.
-Ready! Check! Let's go!
-♩♪♬
Clank-
A moment later, music started playing along with the staff member's call, and the roller coaster began to move.
Slowly picking up speed, the coaster moved forward, quickly reaching the highest point.
-!
Then, it plunged downward.
“Kyaaah!!”
Dropping at a near-vertical angle, the roller coaster gained momentum and sped into the next section—a 360-degree loop.
My vision blurred as my body was thrown from side to side.
‘...This is kind of underwhelming.’
They say roller coasters go around 100 km/h, right?
It was definitely fast, but it didn't translate into a thrill. I think it felt that way because I knew I wouldn't die even if the coaster suddenly derailed and crashed into the ground.
I glanced over at Noel.
“Ahahat!”
She seemed to be loving it, smiling brightly with her hands stretched up in the air, oblivious to her long ears flapping in the wind.
Seeing her like that, I thought it was a good thing we came to the amusement park.
I probably never would have come here alone.
*
After that, we spent our time enjoying various rides: the Viking ship, bumper cars, a flume ride, the carousel, the haunted house, and more.
I had a bit of a scare when a startled Noel almost threw a punch at an employee in the haunted house, but other than that, it was a pretty good day.
We were so busy riding everything that before we knew it, the sun was setting over the park.
I had originally planned to leave early, but Noel insisted we had to see the parade, so we decided to stay until evening.
“Ah!”
Just as I was people-watching, I heard a cry from beside me.
It was Noel, wearing a bunny ear headband.
“What's wrong?”
“I forgot to buy churros!”
Noel, her mouth smeared with mustard and ketchup, acted as if the world was ending.
I wish she'd say that after putting down the hot dog and ice cream she was holding in each hand.
I took out a handkerchief and wiped her mouth.
“Hmph...”
“You get more on your face than in your mouth. I'll go buy the churros, so you wait here.”
“Really?”
If I sent her alone, she'd probably end up in a lost child announcement.
But if we went together, we'd definitely lose our seats. This was the best spot to watch the parade from.
“Um, I'll just go. There's somewhere I need to stop by anyway.”
“Huh? No, wait...”
“I'll be right back!”
Before I could stop her, Noel ran off somewhere.
And she even took the hot dog and ice cream with her.
“...At least she won't starve.”
I was worried for a moment, but I decided to trust that she'd be fine. I mean, how old is she?
At worst, she'd just get a little lost before finding her way back.
I leaned back in my seat and picked at the tteokbokki Noel had been eating.
Hmm, it's spicier than I expected, but it's not bad.
As I was sitting there, mindlessly chewing, someone sat down.
Plop.
Someone sat down in the seat across from me.
“Hello.”
“?”
A woman lowered her sunglasses and greeted me.
She was a beautiful woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. She didn't look Western, though. Maybe she was mixed-race?
“...Sorry, but I'm here with my girlfriend, so I can't give you my number.”
“Oh, what a shame.”
At first, I thought she was a civilian because of her clothes, but the faint aura leaking from her was unusual.
Probably B-rank, maybe even A-rank.
“Your number would be nice, but unfortunately, I'm here to see you for a different reason today, Mr. Hyun-woo.”
The woman, watching me with an unreadable smile, suddenly handed me a business card.
I couldn't help but be surprised by the pure white text engraved on the black card.
[National Intelligence Service, Superhuman Control Bureau, Baek Arin]
If the Hunter Association has the Surveillance Department, the National Intelligence Service has the Superhuman Control Bureau.
But unlike the notoriously infamous Surveillance Department, almost nothing was known about the NIS's bureau, as it was shrouded in secrets not disclosed to the public.
At most, people knew it was an agency that arrested Hunters or mages who broke the law.
“What business does the Superhuman Control Bureau have with me? I don't think I've broken any laws.”
“Everyone commits sins, big and small, as they go through life.”
“Did you come here to have a philosophical discussion instead of slapping on handcuffs?”
“Of course not.”
Snap.
She flicked her fingers, and the business card caught fire.
Soon, it was nothing but ash, carried away by the wind.
“My job doesn't exactly allow me to hand out business cards. I hope you understand.”
“...It was a business card without a title, email, or even a phone number. Was that really necessary?”
“Well, it's protocol. I'd get disciplined if I were caught.”
“Very befitting of a public servant.”
“More like old-fashioned.”
Baek Arin smiled faintly. It was a bright, radiant smile, hard to believe from an NIS agent.
“The reason I came to see you, Mr. Hyun-woo, is to make a proposal and a request.”
“A proposal and a request?”
“Yes. Which would you like to hear first?”
I pretended to think for a moment, stalling for time.
If the NIS had any reason to come looking for me, it could only be about how I dealt with the assemblyman, the high-ranking officials, and the chairmen related to the Taepyeong-dong redevelopment project.
“Hehe, it's a simple matter, so you don't have to be so tense.”
But if they really knew I was the culprit, they wouldn't have sent just one person. And they certainly wouldn't have approached me in a crowded amusement park.
“I'll hear the request first.”
There were two possible hypotheses. Either I was a suspect in the Taepyeong-dong redevelopment case, or she was here for something completely unrelated.
“You had an unfortunate incident at a Gate recently, didn't you? Could you tell me about what happened then?”
Thankfully, it seemed to be the latter.
“...I don't understand.”
“Pardon?”
“I've already been questioned by the Association. So instead of coming to me, couldn't you just request their cooperation?”
“...”
For a moment, a frown flickered across Baek Arin's brow.
I didn't know why, but she didn't seem to like me bringing up the Association.
“I don't know the details, but I've already received something for my trouble, so it's difficult for me to talk about it.”
I think I get the gist of it.
It's hard to form an equal relationship even between friends or lovers. There's no way two organizations with immense power could cooperate amicably and laugh together.
The two organizations' duties overlap to some extent, as they both arrest superhumans who break the law. However, the Association is an international organization, while the NIS is a national one.
Their pride probably won't let them ask for cooperation.
“...That's a shame.”
Baek Arin gave a bitter smile and backed off.
I was a little surprised she gave up so easily. I thought she might try to threaten me.
Then, a question popped into my head.
“Can I ask you one thing?”
“Yes, but you have to bite gently, okay?”
“?”
“Just kidding.”
“...Why did you specifically come to me?”
Most mages don't have pleasant personalities.
This was a prejudice I had even before becoming a mage, and it's something many people agree with.
It's like how many people with tattoos are thugs, or how many otaku are ugly.
So why would she specifically seek out me, a mage?
“Wouldn't it be much better to ask my other party members?”
“Hmm, if I had to say, it's because of the proposal I'm about to make.”
Thump.
Another business card landed on the table.
But this one looked quite different from the last.
“It's a card with my contact information.”
“...Did you really just come here to ask for my number?”
Baek Arin covered her mouth and laughed softly.
“I'm sorry if I got your hopes up, but that's not it. My proposal—no, our proposal—is for you to become a mage affiliated with the National Intelligence Service, Mr. Hyun-woo.”
“...Are you serious?”
“Of course. I may not look it, but I'm a very busy person.”
I was speechless for a moment.
Was it because it was such a good offer?
No, on the contrary, it was because it was a surprisingly meritless proposal.
It might be different for a mage belonging to a guild, but mages affiliated with a specific government agency are generally barred from operating in the Magic Tower.
In other words, asking me to become an NIS-affiliated mage was the same as telling me to leave the Magic Tower.
“Ah, you don't have to leave the Magic Tower, so don't worry.”
“Do you think that's up to me? If the Magic Tower finds out I'm affiliated with the NIS, they'll try to kick me out.”
“We can just keep it a secret. We're experts in that sort of thing.”
She was openly telling me to act as a double agent.
Unless I was prepared to be permanently exiled from the magic world, it was an offer not even worth listening to.
“I refuse.”
At my sharp reply, Baek Arin's eyes widened for a second before she broke into a bright smile.
“What a shame.”
Hardly.
It was the reaction of someone who had clearly expected to be rejected.
As the time for the parade approached, the crowd around us grew, but a strange silence settled between her and me.
Just as we were staring at each other, as if observing one another...
“Master!”
Noel was running toward us from a distance, her hands full of churros.
Seeing this, Baek Arin chuckled and gently stroked my leg with her toes. When on earth did she take her shoes off?
“It's nice that you're so vigorous, but shouldn't you exercise a little restraint in public? 'Master,' you say. Is that your preference?”
“...I'll handle it myself.”
I swallowed a sigh.
I had a feeling a note like 'Has a sexual preference for being called Master' was about to be added to my file in the NIS database.
“Perhaps if we add a clause to the contract where I call you Master...”
“Not necessary.”
“So cold.”
For the first time, Baek Arin looked genuinely disappointed as she stood up.
“Wait.”
At my voice, she stopped in her tracks.
A smile spread across her pretty face again, this one full of mischief.
“If I start calling you Master right now...”
“Why did you really come here today?”
If she wanted to ask about the demon worshipper incident, she could have asked someone other than me.
And the proposal to become an NIS mage came without so much as a contract, let alone any real merits.
It was clear that neither the request nor the proposal was serious.
“Hmm... would you believe me if I said it was out of personal curiosity about the genius mage acknowledged by that witch?”
“No.”
“Hehe, you're right. In fact, the proposal wasn't even discussed within the NIS. It was just something I impulsively made up.”
With the sunset at her back, her blonde hair shone.
And her blue eyes, hidden behind long lashes, held a strangely brilliant light.
“I heard you were a 2nd Circle mage, but seeing you in person, you look more like an ill-fated genius who's been underestimated. So I threw it out there, wondering if I could poach you, but I failed.”
I reflexively felt around my neck.
I couldn't feel the familiar texture of the necklace. I'd forgotten I wasn't wearing the Necklace of Concealment.
The only silver lining was that I had suppressed my magic as much as possible, so she probably didn't realize I was 4th Circle.
“I'll be waiting for your call, okay? Personal matters are welcome too, so don't feel pressured.”
Baek Arin made a phone gesture with her hand and waved before disappearing into the crowd.
She was so skilled at hiding her presence that I lost track of her in an instant.
“Master?”
I crumpled the business card I'd received from Baek Arin and shoved it into my pocket.
“Who was that woman just now?”
“A peddler.”
“Huh? At an amusement park?”
“Guess she's just working hard to make a living.”
The public's perception of the NIS was clearly that of an incompetent organization.
It seems I had been subconsciously looking down on them as well.
‘I'll have to be more careful from now on.’
There's no telling when I might be exposed as the culprit in the Taepyeong-dong redevelopment case.
Of course, that's a problem that will solve itself once I become stronger.
As soon as I reach the 6th Circle, like Grandma Choi Young-ok, the government won't be able to touch me.
“But isn't this way too much?”
A small mountain of churros was piled on the table.
A quick glance told me there were over twenty.
“This is the bare minimum if we're going to eat them during the parade... Oh?! Master, look over there! I think the parade is starting!”
With Noel's excited fuss, the first parade I'd ever seen in my life began.
Amidst dazzling lights and upbeat music, giant character balloons and groups of dancers marched by, captivating the crowd.
The parade went on for hours, and the night sky glittered brilliantly with fireworks.
*
Tiring-
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