An Unexpected Scout from the Association

"I still can't believe you can buy and eat food this freely."

She murmured as she wandered around the food court inside the department store.

"That's what's weird about it. Every country in the world is like this."

"It's amazing."

Yoo Hwa grinned while shoveling takoyaki into her mouth.

Just how much is she gonna eat?

Snack expenses alone had already hit 150,000 won. And we hadn't even gotten to a proper meal yet.

I'd spent about 70,000 won myself, but I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠couldn't keep up with her pace. Our stomachs had no limits, sure, but... what can I say? Her technique was on another level.

I snatched a takoyaki from Yoo Hwa's plate and scanned the area. Time for a real meal now. If we kept snacking, my wallet would be empty.

Still, I wanted somewhere nice... [XXX Restaurant]. A family restaurant? That one?

"Yoo Hwa, let's go there."

"Mm?"

I grabbed her arm and headed for the restaurant. For the record, she vacuumed up the remaining takoyaki in one bite.

I'll save my words.

Inside the restaurant, soft lighting illuminated rows of tables. Since it was just two of us, we grabbed a quiet corner seat and started flipping through the menu.

"Hmm... this, this, oh this looks interesting, add that too..."

"Whoa, fuck."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing, keep picking."

I hadn't even chosen yet, but the order list was piling up like crazy. I sighed inwardly.

I'm gonna have to work my ass off.

To cover today's damage, I'd probably need to grind non-stop for two or three days.

Ding-dong.

I pressed the call button to summon a server.

"Yes, how can I help with your order?"

"Uh, this, this, and this..."

"Yes, yes..."

It took two full minutes just to recite the order.

"Um, there are so many items, so the food might take a while. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, no choice."

If this much came out quickly, that would be the monster.

"And please take this."

The server handed me a folded scrap of paper.

"What's this..."

"Then I'll be going."

Before I could ask, the server vanished in a blink.

...That wasn't human speed.

I unfolded the paper with a puzzled frown.

"What's it say?"

"Eh... nothing. Just a phone number."

I stuffed it into my pocket.

This was a bit fucked.

The Association.

So there really was an organization managing monsters overall.

How'd they find me?

I hadn't left any trails. No ID, but maybe I'd tangled with too many monsters.

Guess I have to go.

I leaned back in my chair with an inward sigh.

7:50 PM. I arrived ten minutes early and looked around.

Nothing here?

I checked the 10,000-won watch I'd bought. A junkyard full of wrecked cars. That's where I was.

I hadn't expected fancy hospitality, but this was a bit much.

For the record, I'd sent Yoo Hwa back to the Demon Realm. Just in case things went south, I could pull her out and wreck shop.

No one's here.

The place was suspiciously devoid of people. Ten minutes to go, and no one shows?

This a trap?

Missiles dropping from the sky at 8 sharp?

As anxiety crept in—

—Hello, Ms. Heuk Seol-ah.

A voice came from behind.

Whoosh.

"Oh."

I turned, and the scenery shifted. From junkyard to a posh office.

A man sat on a plush sofa.

Bodyguards along the walls?

About ten men stood at attention by the walls.

"Sorry for the late detection; we couldn't bring you sooner."

"No worries."

I eyed him warily and sat on the opposite sofa.

"Didn't know your tastes, so I prepared coffee."

Cookies and coffee sat on the table in front.

"Thank you."

I ignored the food and stared him down. What was his goal?

They think I'm a monster? Here to quarantine me?

Our eyes met, and he spoke.

"You're suspicious."

"..."

I neither confirmed nor denied. That was answer enough.

No way I can out-psych this guy. I've spent centuries holed up training, not politicking.

Beating someone who's clawed their way ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠up through countless mind games? Know my place.

"Heuk Seol-ah... May I call you Seol-ah?"

"Sure."

"Thank you. You must sense something's up too."

He sipped his coffee and continued.

"The biggest issue is probably your identity."

"You know."

"Forgive me, but we mobilized every monster hunter to trace you."

Kim Han-seong leaned back.

"Couldn't find a thing. No one lacks a trail after being born into this world. Means one of two things."

He held up two fingers.

"You're human, but centuries old. Or not human at all."

"..."

I leaned back and met his gaze.

"Straight talk: The Association is convinced you're a monster—or at least tied to them."

I rested fingers on the armrest. If shit hit the fan, rip open the Demon Realm.

Whoosh.

"?"

He slid a paper from his pocket toward me.

"But we judge you friendly to humans."

"Huh?"

"Your actions in the hotel escape. Evil wouldn't protect civilians."

He smiled.

"So, we have a proposal."

"Proposal?"

"Join the Monster Management Association's Special Ability Agent Team."

What.

Not capturing me—for scouting?

"And tell us your abilities and level."

"Monster or human—doesn't matter?"

"Humans ride horses—animals—into war, don't we?"

Kim Han-seong replied lightly.

"We care if you're on humanity's side or the monsters'."

"Hmm, I see."

"If you are, the Association will support you fully."

I closed my eyes briefly.

Humanity's side...

I'd never really fought for humans. Enemies appeared; I crushed them. Side effect: saved whoever was with me. Picking up roadside trash-level goodwill. Nothing more.

Me, joining the Association to fight for humans?

Yeah, right.

Thin but long life—that's my goal. Standing with humans is too heavy for me.

I'm not on monsters' side either. I've killed plenty.

Then like this.

I decided inwardly and spoke.

"Sorry, can't accept."

"Why?"

"Too heavy for me."

Shff, shff.

The guards shifted stances.

Oh ho, wanna go?

"Stand down—no scenes."

As I moved to open the Demon Realm gate, he raised a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hand. They flinched at his commanding tone and reset.

"Sorry."

"It's fine."

"I get you won't join."

Kim Han-seong pondered, then continued.

"But many cooperate with us without being members."

A question hit me.

"Why chase me so hard?"

They don't know who I am. Just the monster who cleared the hotel. Not that enticing.

High-up guy personally scouts, and after rejection, pushes cooperation? Weird.

"..."

He shut up at my point.

"...Can't deny it's suspicious."

He admitted quick and countered.

"Truth: Upper brass wants ties with you. Reason unknown."

"I just got orders to recruit."

He doesn't know either?

Tap, tap, tap.

I tapped my foot irritably.

"Then like this."

Snap. Darkness flooded the room.

"...What're you doing?"

"You wanted my power level?"

I unleashed raw ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠presence.

Thud, flop.

Bodies hit the floor.

Seconds later, snap—light returned.

Guards all down.

Not bad.

Kim Han-seong paled slightly but held.

High-rank indeed?

"...Got it. Aura blacks out the room, knocks out agents... 3rd Grade to 4th Grade."

That's high?

Figured.

"Said cooperation if no join."

I don't know their game. But no malice. No backlash worry. Hiding intent annoys, but no need to cut ties.

Take all I can get, though.

I placed hand on the contract. Terms rewrote to my will.

"These the terms?"

"Yeah, might seem harsh, but you won't regret—"

"If this secures high-grade monster cooperation, no loss."

He stamped it. The paper turned to ash and vanished.

"Oh, didn't mention—it's a monster too. Binding once stamped."

I was more shocked he'd stamp without hesitation.

Damn.

How good are they?

"Take this."

He pulled a box from under the table.

"Oh..."

Inside: latest smartphone.

"Use it. We'll contact when ready."

"Thank you."

Switching to polite, I pocketed it carefully. Rich company perks.

No joining, but this cooperation? Solid deal.

"We'll head out. Escort?"

"No, teleport."

"That power too. Understood. Good deal."

Snap. Back to junkyard.

Monster Management Association.

I pocketed the phone, murmuring the name.

"Whew..."

Kim Han-seong slumped on the sofa, exhaling.

Tremendous presence.

Tied to a 1st Grade monster, indeed.

1st Grade. World-ending threats. Even among them, variances, but each could doom the planet if unchecked.

The Demon King—with 100% rampage risk—was long classified 1st Grade internally.

Heuk Seol-ah's definitely linked.

Reason for certainty: Contact plan activated.

Risk dipped slightly.

Separately, impressive abilities.

Hard to grade precisely, but at least 4th Grade, maybe 3rd.

Not a bad outcome.

Monster or ability user—either way, he closed his eyes contentedly. The aura's intensity was hitting his limit too.

Thus, all of Team 5 passed out.