Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Residents' Meeting
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I stared at So Boss with a baffled expression.
What the hell was that supposed to mean?
For a split second, I wondered if this guy had finally lost his mind, but the rest of what he said sounded vaguely familiar.
Yeah, that time I took the Hunters job. On the way back, Park Ho-cheol had said something similar.
"The winner between ability users is king. Whether you sell them to the Bureau, let them go, or take them as a subordinate, no one can say a word against it."
"What is this, ancient Rome? It sounds like war slavery, and the country allows that?"
"What are they gonna do if they don't? You think guys with patrons like Caesar listen to the government?"
"Ah."
Right.
Thinking about it, those types don't even listen to their own parents.
If they'd listened to their moms properly, they wouldn't have turned into ability-user thugs in the first place.
Telling kids like that that slavery ended a century ago when the cops show up? They'd just get told to shut up if they don't want to become slaves themselves.
"End times, huh."
"End times for sure."
No matter how I sliced it, the world these days felt like it was spinning off its axis.
I could've sworn playing with that vampire involved some nonsense about the mad moon world or whatever, but now it seemed like it was just a mad world with a moon hanging in it. Big difference.
I was mulling over such thoughts when So Boss spoke up.
"And this woman? Useless to the Bureau, but she'll be pretty helpful to you. She can fill in all the industry common sense you're lacking right now, for starters."
He went on preaching about Yeo Su-jin's usefulness.
Listening to him, it felt like a salesman hyping up some hot new product—and honestly, the pitch was similar.
"So, general housework, industry know-how I'm missing, and in a pinch, she doubles as a self-defense tool? Like a robot vacuum?"
"You crazy bastard, how do you hear what I say and come to that conclusion? And what robot vacuum has self-defense features?"
Hey, why not?
Robot vacuums were the ultimate home appliances, weren't they?
I couldn't have summed up what he'd just said more neatly, but So Boss looked dissatisfied.
Of course, it didn't matter.
Whatever he said, my summary nailed it.
I turned to look at Yeo Su-jin.
She flinched as our eyes met.
Still scared out of her wits.
Well, yeah. Even I'd be freaked out listening to a conversation right in front of me about whether to kill me or enslave me.
But no need for kid gloves.
I might've flinched at the word "death sentence," but this woman was a criminal who wouldn't look out of place dragged off to a labor camp right now.
The only real hang-up was my conscience.
Could I really use a criminal worse than a serial killer however I pleased?
Even after hearing all that from So Boss, my sensibilities were those of an utterly average modern person.
Buying a bloodstained robot vacuum? It triggered endless moral dilemmas.
"Oh, right."
"What?"
"You said there were three options earlier. What's the last one?"
"Just let her go. Usually, you get a separate ransom for that."
Huh. That might actually work.
"Yeo Su-jin?"
"......Yes."
"How much you got?"
"......If you mean cash, 8 million won."
"Anyone else who could pay for you...?"
"No."
Nope.
This was a terrible idea.
Let a 500-million-won prize go for 8 million?
Are you insane? A 98% discount was unheard of.
More than that, where the hell did she spend all her money?
Her nickname was Poison Queen or something, right?
If she'd sold her soul for power, shouldn't her bank account be overflowing?
"......Quests, hiring mercenaries, that sort of thing."
I ground my teeth watching Yeo Su-jin mumble her excuse.
Looked like the friends I'd buried were her bank balance.
'Damn it!'
What the hell was I supposed to do now!
Did I really have to enslave a serial killer?!
If anyone out there could hear my anguish, please tell me the right answer!
'Make her give birth to as many as she killed.'
No, fuck off, not you!
After shoving aside the inner demon spouting idiocy right off the bat, I finally made my decision.
"Got it. I'll do what you said, Boss."
Obviously, I hadn't fallen for the demon's temptation.
This was just the best option for me all around.
'Can't rely on So Boss forever.'
Having someone steeped in industry knowledge would definitely help. Sure, 500 million was steep tuition, but I'd make it worth every penny.
"Good call. Oh, try not to get caught by the Bureau if you can help it. This is kinda in a gray area between illegal and legal, so if they nab you, they might not touch you, but they'll definitely go for her. Odds are low, but they could lump you in as accomplices."
"Don't worry about that. I have no plans to tangle with the Bureau anyway."
"Right. And if possible, set up some control measures. I recommend..."
After that, So Boss gave me tips on product handling and left.
Suddenly, I felt like a kid's mom who'd fallen for a sales pitch and impulse-bought something frivolous.
Of course, after deciding, it was whatever.
Anyway, alone with her in the security booth, I called out to Yeo Su-jin.
"Yeo Su-jin."
"......Yes."
"You heard all that, right?"
A nod.
Up to now, it'd been my unilateral decision—hell, comparing her to a robot vacuum wasn't helping.
Couldn't treat her fully like an object. As a human, basic conversation was necessary.
"Got anything to say about my decision?"
"No."
I asked anyway, but she shook her head.
Well, she'd heard the ability-user talk, so it was expected.
"From now on, let's drop the formalities."
"......Yes."
"Good, Su-jin."
I had a casual chat with Yeo Su-jin.
Self-intro, what exactly she could do, even stuff about the constellations.
True to her Poison Queen title, she was a specialist killer.
Apparently, at full strength, a mere touch would've been lethal.
"Not quite that strong now, though..."
"Because that constellation Hwanung ditched you?"
"Yes."
Nerfed right after partnering up? What is this, Power Rangers Black?
The thought crossed my mind, but it didn't matter.
Even at full power, she'd gotten one-shot by the Book Sheep.
I wasn't keeping her alive for her combat skills anyway. She was for chores and intel.
'You. The intel part appeals to me.'
I patted Yeo Su-jin's shoulder while thinking that.
"Su-jin."
"Y-yes."
"You're not planning to stab me in the back and bolt, right?"
"N-no! Of course not."
"Good. Let's get along."
She was only verbally under me so far, so this was a warning.
Yeo Su-jin nodded frantically.
She seemed obedient enough, but I wasn't stopping there.
'So Boss said control measures were needed.'
There were magic tools for that, apparently. When I had time, I'd hit up Kiki...
That was when it happened.
Shrrrrk.
The grimoire on the desk flipped open on its own and stopped at a certain page.
[The following describes methods to create items that form bonds of subordination with external entities. Subordination levels are divided into five stages, each requiring different materials...]
And there was an illustration of a man leashing a slime-like creature slithering on the floor.
Uh.
Don't tell me.
"The Book Sheep can make this?"
The usual hallucination appeared.
The Book Sheep nodding and showing me the dog collar in the illustration.
One was already around her neck! I nearly screamed!
This was too devastating!
But as expected, it was just my imagination.
Blink, and it was just the book with its red text.
The magic recommendation was spot-on for the situation, though, so I hugged the Book Sheep.
"Thanks. I'll try making it later."
Bzzz.
The Book Sheep vibrated in response.
Yeo Su-jin's face twisted weirdly as she watched, but that wasn't my problem.
Whether by utility or practicality, the Book Sheep was way more important to me than her.
Couldn't miss a chance to boost the Book Sheep's affection because of Yeo Su-jin.
"No need for a collar anyway—you're already mine."
I whispered that.
Bzzzzt!
The vibrations felt a bit stronger somehow.
Subway, now this.
The Book Sheep was weak to intense affection.
If possible, I'd do it more often.
Screw performance boosts—the reactions were cute.
By the time I'd dealt with all that, quitting time rolled around.
Sauce Ne was on temporary holiday since they hadn't finished cleaning up.
After my report, I headed to the nearby mart for materials to craft the Book Sheep's recommended gear.
Luckily, nothing special was needed.
Wire, candles, salt, and red ink.
Of course, higher stages required lapis lazuli or sulfur—even direct mana infusion.
But what I was making wasn't that fancy.
[Stage 2 subordination eliminates hostility toward the master while leaving free will intact, instilling an obsession with obeying orders. Required items...]
Higher than this was puppetry or body-transcending stuff. Felt wrong, even for me.
Anyway, after buying the goods and returning to the apartment, Ro Boss was out in the hallway.
"Boss?"
"Han-sik. You're back."
Out for some air again?
I greeted her with that in mind, and she smiled warmly in return.
Still that reassuring smile.
I fought the urge to hug her right then. You're not an animal, Han-sik.
As I stood there, her gaze shifted behind me.
"Oh, and Su-jin's here too."
Ah.
Come to think of it, Ro Boss thought she was only staying one day.
Grip.
Yeo Su-jin suddenly grabbed my arm hard.
Strange, but no big deal.
I approached Ro Boss and explained everything, including the Book Sheep bit.
"......So for now, she'll crash at my place tonight. Once the collar works, we'll find her another room."
"I see. But 403 has that kid in it."
The kid meant Meow, right?
I knew, but no other way.
Let her out of my sight without measures? She'd bolt for sure.
"Just lock her in another room for a bit. She just lounges around anyway—time to share."
"Haha, true enough."
Ro Boss nodded with a smile, then hummed thoughtfully.
"Why not just keep using 402?"
"Pardon?"
"Make her a resident here. Sound good?"
That caught me off guard.
"You serious? Not my place to say, but she's not exactly model tenant material."
"True, but better than empty. Easier for you too, Han-sik. Oh, no extra rent, don't worry!"
What.
She was giving me an extra room for my convenience?
"Wait, hold on! That's too much, even for you!"
"No, it's fine. Just an empty room anyway."
This woman was unreal.
Angels like her allowed in this world?
My last landlord set my phone on fire every rent day. Was this human decency?
Ro Boss smiled the same as always and asked Yeo Su-jin.
"That work for you?"
"......Yes."
"She says yes."
Done deal.
Yeo Su-jin's opinion barely mattered—Ro Boss's will was key.
"I'll pledge eternal loyalty."
"Didn't you say that last time?"
"Then next life too."
"Hehe, kidding. This life's plenty. Oh, mind if I borrow Su-jin a sec? House rule orientation."
"Of course."
With that, I headed home.
No worries leaving her alone with a criminal—Boss was way stronger than me anyway.
Better focus on crafting that magic tool the Book Sheep recommended.
[She wishes for you to stay here.]
[So it shall be.]
.
.
.
"It's fine. I warned those kids yesterday. I swapped the calendar too, so it'll be much better than before."
"......"
"Oh, I tweaked the rules a bit—wanna check?"
.
.
.
[9. Everyday conversation and interaction with 403's resident is permitted. Avoid physical contact as much as possible.]
[9-1. If unavoidable physical contact occurs, imagine the scene. The landlord will review and judge personally.]
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.
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[Per the words of our Great and Eternal Ruler –nim, we hereby partially correct the October 33rd broadcast content. We deeply apologize with bowed heads.]
A few days passed.
A few minor things happened in the meantime.
The collar worked fine despite my uniqueness—no issues.
Got repair payment from So Boss for the subway incident.
Exactly 100 million.
Seemed low for averting a major disaster, but I got it.
No client this time.
Half public service—generous they paid at all.
-Glad you see it that way. Others bitch it's too little.
"Others commissioned it too?"
-A few. Even that was just bagging a couple chimeras. Entitled much?
Anyway, such was daily life until the weekend hit.
Drove my new car—bought with earnings—to some mountain in Gyeonggi.
No job.
Just needed a remote spot.
Today: test the grimoire's spells.
Subway showed illustrations reveal what but not power.
Can't rely on Book Sheep forever. Time to know my limits.
Parked appropriately.
Grabbed the grimoire from the passenger seat.
"Alright, Book Sheep?"
Show me everything you've got.
With that thought, I climbed the mountain path.