Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Not an Idiot
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I'm not an idiot.
That was when.
Her eyes, brimming with enchantment, shifted to a mischievous glint.
"...It's a joke."
With those words from Chae-i, the mana binding Siwoo's body unraveled.
She sat up, stretched languidly, and picked up a water bottle to take a sip.
She acted as if nothing had happened, completely nonchalant.
Siwoo couldn't tear his eyes away from the sound of water passing through her throat or the subtle movement of her neck.
Even the bob of her Adam's apple was alluring.
As moonlight streamed through the window and illuminated her, ripples stirred once more in his heart.
In the end, he cleared his throat and rose from the sofa. Opening the door to the CEO's office, he said,
"Let's go. I'll walk you out."
"...Okay."
Lee Chae-i followed behind him with a faint smile.
Her footsteps were as light as a cat's.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A few days later, on the second floor of Miracle Management's headquarters.
This place was a battlefield in the truest sense.
Is a battlefield only defined by blood and screams?
It might not be overflowing with blood and cheers like a dungeon, but the relentless ringing of phones and the clatter of keyboards created just as fierce a warzone.
"Ah, Hunter Choi. I told you already—we have too many people waiting. You'll have to take a number."
"No, the MCN signup conditions aren't set yet."
"We're not accepting MCN inquiries right now."
Ten agents were glued to their receivers without a moment's rest.
Their breath smelled of garlic, but their eyes sparkled with vitality.
There wasn't a hint of irritation or dissatisfaction, not even in their furrowed brows.
Oh Jinseong, seated at the team leader's desk, watched them while adjusting his tie.
'Me, a team leader.'
He had seven years of experience, sure.
But he never imagined they'd promote him straight to team leader.
Of course, a new team needed a new leader and a fresh face. That was natural.
Usually, though, they'd promote from within.
He never dreamed the role would go to a newbie like him.
He deftly operated his tablet, checking the team's status.
"Team leader, another MCN inquiry. They're begging to join, even offering a 5:5 revenue split."
"Brush them off appropriately. What's with all the fuss?"
"Got it. Wow, after Lee Chae-i's stream blew up, the inquiries are pouring in."
"Why wouldn't they? We're the only MCN approved by the Association."
Oh Jinseong chuckled and picked up his tablet.
It had been like this every day since the agent team formed—from day one.
The inquiry calls never stopped, and unlike other agencies, they didn't need to chase contracts; the calls came rolling in on their own.
"Alright, I'll go give the report."
Oh Jinseong stood with a determined expression.
His steps brimmed with excitement and tension, like a knight heading to meet the king.
'Don't mess up.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Arriving at the CEO's office on the third floor, Oh Jinseong straightened his clothes once more and took a deep breath.
'Hoo...'
Beyond this door was him.
The man who had upended the Korean hunter industry.
He always felt tense arriving on the third floor.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
A low, gentle voice responded.
Oh Jinseong carefully opened the door and entered.
"Here's the report, sir."
In that moment, it felt like his breath had stopped.
Afternoon sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
That dazzling light illuminated Han Siwoo's profile.
Whether it was Siwoo's face or the sunlight itself that blinded him, Oh Jinseong couldn't tell.
'...Wow, seriously.'
He saw this face every day, yet he could never get used to it.
He couldn't fathom how such a person had stayed unknown for so long.
His jet-black hair gleamed in the sunlight, strands alive with texture. Even the shadow of his lashes as he reviewed documents seemed to breathe.
His nose bridge sparkled at the tip, and the sharp, elegant line of his jaw seemed perfection itself.
His flawless skin glowed even brighter under the sun's embrace.
Oh Jinseong stood there, report forgotten, staring blankly.
How could even working ordinarily look like a photoshoot?
It was as if the entire backdrop had been staged just for him.
Even the casual twirl of his pen was art.
'Why on earth is someone like this working as an agent?'
The thought was fleeting. He shook his head vigorously.
'No. It's insane because he's not just looks—he's got the skills too.'
Siwoo looked up, his gaze sweeping over Oh Jinseong. It sent shivers down his spine.
"Team leader?"
"Ah, y-yes! Sorry. I'll report this week's contract status."
Oh Jinseong snapped to attention.
He held up his prepared tablet, fighting his trembling body as he spoke.
"As of today, we've signed 17 new hunters. Fifteen C-ranks and two B-ranks. And the number hoping for exclusive MCN contracts keeps growing."
An incredible achievement in just a few days.
Fifteen C-ranks and two B-ranks.
Even including newbies, other agencies would slave a full month for these numbers.
And they'd done it in three days.
Siwoo slowly reviewed the documents, then nodded.
"Good work."
"Th-thank you, sir!"
Just that dry praise sent Oh Jinseong's dopamine surging.
His voice came out louder than intended.
"Your voice is loud."
"Sorry!"
"... ."
That was when.
A drawling voice came from the sofa area.
"Siiiir— I'm hungry."
Oh Jinseong whipped his head around in surprise to see Kim Yaeun.
Today, too, she lounged on the sofa like she'd forgotten she was an S-rank hunter.
Dressed in black training pants, her hair a mess.
The sight of the mighty Sword Ghost rolling around like a jobless bum never failed to shock him.
"I've already checked on that beast, and I have nothing else to do."
Even as she whined, Siwoo didn't look up from his papers. He replied softly,
"Yaeun."
"Yeees?"
"I told you we'd look for work together."
"...Yes."
"That didn't mean lounge around like this."
"...Tch."
"If you get it, behave."
"Okaaaay—"
Kim Yaeun pouted, hugged a cushion obediently, and glanced around warily.
'...The Sword Ghost. The one who smashed everything in her path...'
She who had wrecked the Association and more.
Seeing her tuck tail like a puppy at Siwoo's words always stunned him.
'And she's even under control these days.'
Was there anyone in the world who could handle an S-rank hunter at will?
The only name in Oh Jinseong's mind was Han Siwoo.
Then the door to the CEO's office opened, and Lee Chae-i peeked in.
"Um, sir... ."
She was the first Awakener to become a Miracle streamer.
Stumbling cutely on stream yet revealing a mystical aura when singing, she'd already amassed tens of thousands of fans.
This was his first time seeing her in person.
She was even more beautiful than on screen—too beautiful for the images to capture.
Childishly, he thought that if goddesses existed, she must be one incarnate.
Yet she didn't spare Oh Jinseong a glance, her eyes fixed only on Siwoo.
"This... it's the outfit for today's stream. Is it okay?"
She fidgeted with her fingers, asking shyly.
In her white dress, she embodied pure innocence.
Her slightly flushed cheeks and girlish demeanor were utterly pure.
Like a pubescent girl trying to impress her crush.
"Just wear it or whatever."
But it was Kim Yaeun who answered.
She shot back curtly, glaring at Lee Chae-i with a face full of dissatisfaction.
Jealousy burned fiercely in her eyes.
I'm not an idiot.
"... ."
Lee Chae-i smiled at Kim Yaeun and replied,
"Unlike some people, I'm not rolling around broke."
'What.'
Oh Jinseong inhaled sharply.
Saying that to the Sword Ghost, of all people.
Did she have nine lives?
But contrary to his expectations, Kim Yaeun just glared at Lee Chae-i without acting.
She seemed at a loss for words, letting out an irritated "Eeek!"
"It's pretty."
"...Really?"
At the response she'd been waiting for, Lee Chae-i beamed as if she owned the world.
She crept closer, draping the outfit over herself, and asked Siwoo again while watching his face.
"Really pretty?"
"...Yes."
"Too close! Back off!"
Kim Yaeun shrieked like she was having a fit, and only then did Lee Chae-i step back.
She puffed her cheeks once, shot Kim Yaeun a dissatisfied glare, and left the office.
'This is straight out of a romance novel—no male lead needed.'
Skills, looks, charisma, leadership.
Everyone seemed even more drawn to him.
"Anything else to report?"
"N-no, sir."
Oh Jinseong bowed 90 degrees and exited the office.
Cold sweat trickled down his back, but he felt refreshed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Oh Jinseong finally returned from his field work at 4 p.m.
The moment he entered the headquarters,
'Huh? That person...'
His eyes caught the woman he'd seen waiting for her interview a few days ago.
She'd seemed so anxious, as if she didn't belong, leaving a deep impression.
'And she bolted from the interview room suddenly.'
She was peeking at the building stealthily, still lingering with regrets.
So he thought as he entered the building.
Arriving on the second floor, he headed to the break room to shake off his fatigue.
His throat was parched now that the tension had eased.
'One coffee to perk up.'
He hummed lightly, reaching for the break room door.
But then—
"Oh, team leader."
"Gah?!"
Oh Jinseong jolted into attention stance.
Siwoo, passing by the break room, looked at him.
"S-sir!"
"Good trip?"
Siwoo said flatly, then glanced at the carrier in his hand.
It held two takeout cups from a famous franchise cafe logo.
One was empty; the other brimmed with ice and Americano.
Siwoo pulled out the Americano cup and offered it to Oh Jinseong.
"Here."
"Pardon? No, sir! I can get one from the break room... ."
"They threw in an extra with my purchase. Feels wasteful to toss it."
Siwoo casually placed the cup in Oh Jinseong's hand.
Droplets beaded on the cold surface, brushing his fingertips.
Like the sweat on Oh Jinseong's back.
The chill snapped him alert.
"Good work."
Siwoo turned and left after those words.
Oh Jinseong stared blankly at his retreating figure, then down at the coffee in his hand.
'Cool.'
Maybe he'd bought an extra just for him.
Yeah, that had to be it.
That brand never did freebies.
Oh Jinseong was convinced.
That he'd handed it over casually, using the "leftover" as an excuse.
The skill of giving without burdening the recipient amazed and touched him.
"......"
Oh Jinseong cradled the coffee like a holy grail in both hands.
'...I'll treasure this cup forever.'
He was dead serious.
A female coworker passing by shot him a disgusted look, as if she'd seen something gross.
But Oh Jinseong paid no mind, clutching his coffee dearly to his chest.