Chapter 2
While some people in Magic Control Bureau uniforms were evacuating civilians and controlling the surrounding area, I just blinked at the woman named Shin Chae-ah.
It's great that I've come this far—able to interact with humans—but now that the mood's all serious, I have no idea what to say. Plus, she's keeping her distance like she doesn't want to get close. That's too much.
Shin Chae-ah glanced over the crumbled building and the bisected wolf corpse, then looked at me.
"I don't want to use force in the middle of the city... but can we at least talk? You're not a normal monster, that's for sure."
I made a dumb face, then nodded vigorously. She spoke to me first. That made me so happy.
Shin Chae-ah looked relieved that I could understand her and asked again.
"...I see. I'm a hunter whose job is to handle the aftermath of battle scenes like this. Can you explain who you are?"
"Um..."
I hesitated, not sure what to say. Shin Chae-ah spoke up.
"Do you have a race?"
"Yes. I'm a Demon Race."
Shin Chae-ah's face stiffened.
"...A Demon Race? Really?"
An unexpected reaction of disbelief. Tilting my head in confusion—do Demon Race get special treatment or something?
"It's true. You'll know right away if you look up close."
She's too far away right now. This is my first human encounter in ages, and feeling distant is just wrong.
Shin Chae-ah took a flustered step back.
"That's fine. For now, just stay there—"
I tilted my head, then crouched like I was about to dash toward her.
"Take her down!"
A low shout rang out. The armed soldiers raised their guns. I took one step forward, then stopped right in front of Shin Chae-ah.
A sword materialized in Shin Chae-ah's hand a beat too late.
"Wh-what the—"
I smiled at her stunned face.
"See? Horns and tail. Total Demon Race."
".........I, I see."
"Heung."
I nodded happily. Her shocked expression felt great. It really felt like she was human.
Shin Chae-ah gestured to the soldiers with her swordless hand, and they lowered their guns with bewildered looks.
"What kind of speed was that..."
"Some kinda monster..."
"W-we'd be screwed if we'd shot just now, right?"
The soldiers muttered. Were they talking about me? Whatever—good is good.
Then Book floated over to me. Shin Chae-ah stared at it blankly.
"...And this one?"
"My magic tome that I made."
Book stared silently at Shin Chae-ah. She blinked.
I smiled.
"Cool, right? Amazing, huh?"
"Uh? Oh, yes."
"Heung!"
I puffed up with pride. First praise from a human. I wanted to savor it, so I put my hand on my hip and struck a bolder pose. Me, totally totally amazing.
Shin Chae-ah gave an exasperated look and rubbed her forehead.
"Never in my life have I..."
I tilted my head.
"Anyway... I get it. You don't seem to have any hostile intent, so we won't be hostile either if you don't attack us. First, I wanted to let you know that."
"Huh? Sure, of course. No hostility here."
Why would I be hostile? Humans are great. I want to be around them right now.
Yeah, people. I need people.
I tilted my head, and Shin Chae-ah nodded, eyeing the bisected wolf corpse.
"Did you kill that wolf monster?"
"Yes."
"How'd you do it?"
I blinked, then opened and closed my mouth.
"Waaang! Like this."
"........"
A moment of silence. Maybe she didn't see? I struck a big kraaang pose with both hands.
"Waaang!"
"A-ah, got it. Then, did you destroy that facility too?"
Shin Chae-ah pointed to the empty lot where a building had been.
"Yes."
"Can you tell me why?"
"There were people inside. I wanted to see them. The wall was blocking me from the people."
Shin Chae-ah looked dumbfounded.
"...I see. Do you have a name?"
"Yes. Lee Seo-ah."
"A human name...? Do you have a place to live?"
I shut my mouth for a second. I'd just returned from that hellish Demon Realm. On Earth right now, I had no home, nothing.
"No."
"...Right. Let me introduce myself more properly. I work at the Magic Control Bureau, a place that helps special individuals like you, Miss Lee Seo-ah."
"Magic Control Bureau?"
"Yes. Specifically, I handle guiding people to the bureau. Would you come with me to the bureau?"
I thought for a moment. What to do?
"By the way, it's a place with tons of people you'd probably like..."
"Okay!"
I answered instantly.
"Great. Can you wait just a moment?"
"Yep."
I'm good at that. I waited 10,000 years in the Demon Realm for people, after all.
Shin Chae-ah called over the soldiers and said something. Things got busy around us. Soon, a vehicle pulled up.
"You can get in."
And so, clutching Book in one hand, I boarded the vehicle. Shin Chae-ah sat in a separate seat, fiddling with what looked like a tablet.
Curiosity bubbled up. I let out a bit of mana. I could see the words appearing on the tablet.
• Negotiation with target successful. Demon Race. Language communication possible. Possesses a creature referred to as magic tome.
• Confirmed high-speed movement, capable of shattering mana reinforcement barriers. Solo-killed a large monster.
• Exact abilities undetermined.
• Need to hear more from the rookie hunter on site.
I blinked. Oh yeah, monsters exist. Every building hums with mana. This Earth is totally different from what I remember.
But there are people. Good is good.
As I thought that, more text appeared on Shin Chae-ah's tablet, which she'd been watching.
• High risk level assessed. Recommend classification as high-threat.
Eung? Risk level?
"Shin Chae-ah."
"...Yes?"
"I'm not dangerous."
"...Pardon? Ah, right. Understood."
Her voice sounded flustered. I puffed out my cheeks sulkily.
We arrived at the Magic Control Bureau. It was a fancy tall building. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of mana. I spotted plenty of skilled hunters radiating power.
Following Shin Chae-ah a short way, we reached an empty room. Desk and chair in front of me. She kindly showed me to a seat.
"Please wait here a moment. Is there anything you'd like to eat or drink?"
I blinked. Oh yeah, I might be hungry.
"I wanna stuff myself with sweets."
"Got it."
Shin Chae-ah left through the door, then returned with a basket full of chocolate. My mouth watered instantly.
"Ehehe."
She handed me the basket with a polite bow, then stepped out. I picked up a chocolate and popped it in my mouth. Munch munch. Sweetness spread across my tongue. Delicious. Blissful dessert time.
Then Book, nestled against me, floated into the air.
Transformed into that special-mana voice only I can hear.
"Really?"
"Like the Demon Realm management legions?"
"This place has delicious chocolate, so it's a bit different from those filthy spots."
"Want a chocolate?"
"Sure. But I'm eating them all."
I looked around the room. Special soundproofing. Suddenly curious what people outside might be talking about. I released a tiny burst of mana.
Beyond the wall: Shin Chae-ah, a blue-haired woman, and the rookie hunter I'd seen at the building. The blue-haired one was called Department Head.
The Department Head rubbed her forehead and spoke.
"So that Demon Race... Lee Seo-ah... you saw her eating something, and suddenly the wolf got bisected? That A-grade large monster?"
"Yes. Her physical abilities are on another level from normal monsters. Just her movement speed surpasses S-grade hunters."
"Damn... where the hell did something like that come from? The Management Bureau Chief is away and busy right now... She's friendly to humans, you said. Proceed with standard checks, and I'll contact the Chief. We can't handle this ourselves."
The Department Head set down her papers.
"Max out the alert level and keep her under watch. The atmosphere's already tense, and if something happens here, the Chief and us'll get dragged through the mud."
"Yes. The Seoul branch is getting a harsh government audit right now too."
"All these incidents lately... the air's thick with tension."
Then came the Department Head's laments. Once that ended, Shin Chae-ah and the rookie hunter left the room. The Department Head stayed alone and lit a cigarette.
"A conversational Demon Race, which is supposed to be super rare... If word gets out, everyone'll swarm. My head's already killing me... Pray her mana reserves aren't insane... Sigh."
I stopped watching and popped another chocolate in my mouth. Feels like I'll be meeting tons of people soon.
Soon Shin Chae-ah opened the door and came in.
"Sorry to keep you waiting so long."
"It's Shin Chae-ah."
"Yes, that's me."
She smiled awkwardly.
"I wanted to explain the management procedures for you, Miss Lee Seo-ah. We'll do our best to fulfill whatever you want, as much as possible."
"Really?"
"Yes. But we have one small request."
I tilted my head.
"Could we ask for an examination of you, Miss Lee Seo-ah?"