Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 026
Chapter Title: Succubus Incident (1)
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Green House Academy Security Force Special Countermeasures Division.
As the name suggests, this was the true core strength of Green House, dedicated not to routine guard duties but to handling "special" situations.
Its prestige was in no way inferior to that of a major hunter guild, and its firepower was just as formidable.
Every member was a superhuman—first-rate, veteran, master-level talents. Even if their visible ranks seemed low, they possessed qualities and abilities far beyond appearances. That was the Special Countermeasures Division.
Superhumans were the chosen ones. No matter how much a superhuman claimed to be free of any sense of elitism, they couldn't completely escape such notions.
Especially the elite members handpicked from among them—they'd naturally carry a touch of arrogant superiority.
Yet even within this Special Countermeasures Division, there was someone who understood the virtue of humility.
Lee Tae-ho, a member of Team 2. He was an exceedingly humble man who never forgot to be grateful, even for the smallest things.
"You mean the paperwork processing? No need to help. I already finished it all this morning."
"...You handled it already? Thank you."
Expressing gratitude for completing paperwork that was obviously my responsibility anyway.
"Got it. So routine patrols are mostly left to the General Division. The Special Division needs to be ready for rapid deployment when incidents occur—like a five-minute standby team."
"...You understand. Thank you."
Expressing thanks for grasping even a simple task.
"I'm heading to the cafe over there to grab a coffee. Want one, Senior? I'll get yours too."
"...Thank you for thinking of me."
Not forgetting to give thanks for basic social courtesy.
Lee Tae-ho was oddly overly grateful about everything. As if he were thankful for the entire world.
When I asked why he was so grateful for every little thing, he replied with an enlightened expression.
"Unlike you, Chae So-yeon took a full week just to finish one bit of paperwork because she kept forgetting."
"Unlike you, Chae So-yeon needed multiple explanations to understand even simple tasks."
"Unlike you, Chae So-yeon only ever cared about what she wanted to eat or drink and never once asked about my preferences."
"I don't like comparing people or judging them superior or inferior, but even so, I can't help comparing."
"Thank you, Ahn Su-ho. I'm grateful beyond words that you possess at least the minimum intelligence and manners as a person."
In his matter-of-fact tone, I caught a glimpse of a monk who had attained enlightenment. Watching him, a strange sadness welled up, and I wiped away the tears that trickled out.
Lee Tae-ho. He was a pitiful man forced to learn gratitude by Chae So-yeon.
"I know Chae So-yeon's abilities. They're formidable. I get why the Team Leader brought that kid into Team 2. But apart from combat prowess, she's terrible as a coworker. As a mentor-mentee partner? The absolute worst."
"Sounds like you've had it rough."
"Don't even get me started. Who would've thought I'd end up babysitting in the Special Division?"
The building tour had wrapped up, and we were walking the rounds of Green House's key security posts. Complaints about Chae So-yeon poured endlessly from his mouth, as if venting long-pent-up frustrations.
I listened quietly, chiming in occasionally with agreement. Normally, enduring a senior colleague's grumbling is tough, but since I'd suffered under Chae So-yeon a bit myself, I could easily empathize.
"...You're a really good guy."
He seemed to like my attitude. There's a saying that just staying quiet gets you to mid-level. This was exactly that situation.
Thank you, Chae So-yeon. Thanks to you, my work life looks like it'll be pretty smooth.
"We've seen the main spots. Let's head back."
After checking all the key posts, we headed back to the Special Division building. Maybe because it was early spring and days were short, the sky was already tinged with sunset at the edges.
'Huh? That person...'
As we approached the entrance, a woman crossed paths with us, exiting the building.
Her face looked strangely familiar. I quickly recalled who she was.
'Do So-young?'
Do So-young. The homeroom professor for Class 1-A, where the protagonist and heroines belonged, and one of the heroines herself.
I'd only seen her in 2D illustrations, but I recognized her instantly. It felt like the image in my memory auto-filtered into realistic 3D.
As I stared after her retreating figure, Lee Tae-ho asked what was up.
"What's wrong? Know her?"
"Yes. Professor Do So-young, homeroom for Class 1-A. But why is she...?"
Why was she coming out of the Security Force building, of all places—and the Special Countermeasures Division at that?
'No way.'
A vague unease washed over me. Had another incident happened without my knowledge? The thought flooded my mind in an instant.
As I watched her back with anxious eyes, Lee Tae-ho spoke up.
"If you're that curious, check with the admin office. Outsiders with business here almost always stop by there first."
"Thank you. I'll be right back."
"Sure. I'll head up to the office first."
After parting with him, I hurried to the Special Division admin office and asked the staff about Do So-young.
"Professor Do So-young? She came to request an investigation into a missing student."
"An incident?"
"Yes. She said one student from her class didn't show up to the academy today."
The situation was this: One student from Do So-young's Class 1-A hadn't come to the academy despite it being the first day after opening. Thinking it was just an absence, she tried contacting them, but no response.
Left with no choice, she called the family—and surprisingly, they hadn't heard from the student in over a week already.
Judging that the student might be involved in some incident, Do So-young had requested an investigation from the Special Countermeasures Division.
"Why report to the Security Force instead of the police?"
"The Special Division has the same investigative authority as police for academy-related cases. If it's a real incident, they'll collaborate with the police anyway, so she reported it here preemptively... You're on the team and didn't know?"
The staff eyed my Special Division badge suspiciously. I mumbled something about it being new and left the office.
'...A missing student from Class 1-A. Nothing like this in the original story.'
At least, it wasn't described in the original. A new incident? Or like with Ji Ye-won, something that happened but wasn't mentioned?
I thought maybe it wasn't important since no quest popped up, but shook my head.
The system was made by the Blissful Heavenly Demon, after all. It might be deliberately withholding or delaying info.
-Bzzzzt.
At that moment, my pocket smartphone vibrated. A call from Lee Tae-ho.
"I've got the phone. What's up?"
-You done with your errand?
"Yes, just finished."
-Then come straight to the Team Leader's office. She's asking for you.
The call ended after delivering the message.
Could it be related to Do So-young's matter from earlier? Uneasy, I headed to the Team Leader's office where Min Chae-ryeong awaited.
Opening the door, the sunset-tinted office greeted me. Min Chae-ryeong sat with her back to the large window, shrouded in backlight, her face cast in deep shadow.
The oddly heavy atmosphere made me swallow dryly. This didn't seem like a routine summons.
"How was your first day? Did Tae-ho explain the duties well?"
"Yes. He was kind and clear. I think I'll adapt just fine."
"Good. That's a relief."
Truly a relief, she murmured, pulling out a stack of documents. The top one bore a printed case number like "Incident No. xxxx."
Seeing it, Lee Tae-ho's eyes lit up as he asked.
"An incident?"
"Right. Unusual to assign a newbie on day one, but you two seem perfect for this one."
"What kind?"
Maybe the case Do So-young requested. But Min Chae-ryeong's next words were entirely different.
"You two... know anything about succubi?"
A sly smile curved Min Chae-ryeong's lips, backed by the sunset.