Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Alcohol and Bunny Girl (1)
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A few days after his private meeting with the Director of the Magical Girl Management Bureau, one evening.
Even after the two Magical Girls had clocked out first, Jae-hyun was still pulling overtime in the office.
"Ha...."
He stared blankly at the monitor screen, typing away diligently at the keyboard, only to suddenly clutch his face and let out a deep sigh.
Working extra hours due to the massive workload had become routine long ago.
But tonight's overtime wasn't just because of that—it was because he couldn't focus on work at all right now.
'What the hell... was that all about.'
The chilling killing intent and intense fury the Director had shown him that day.
On the surface, she looked like nothing more than a young, perpetually exhausted office lady.
But in reality, she was a Magical Girl exuding tremendous pressure.
If she had truly confirmed that Jae-hyun was the source of that alien sensation she felt, she looked like she had more than enough power to reduce him to ashes on the spot.
And perhaps because she wielded such overwhelming power, his hypnosis had worn off in no time at all, even after he'd cast it on her.
'Is the Director's mana just too strong... so my power couldn't reach her properly...?'
It felt just like slamming into a wall.
Unlike with Flora or Athena, where he'd found some cracks to slip through, this was like facing an impregnable fortress with not even the tiniest gap.
'At least... I didn't leave any solid evidence behind.'
The silver lining was that the Director hadn't obtained any concrete proof yet.
There was no way for her to know that Jae-hyun was actually an apostle who had received power from the Evil God, or that the two Magical Girls had submitted to him and fallen.
If Athena or Flora had been out there operating as corrupted Magical Girls, that might be different.
But they were carrying on exactly as usual, without any changes whatsoever.
All she had was a hunch about some strange sensation—no objective, logical evidence to pin on him.
'For now... I should avoid doing anything that could make her suspicious.'
Even though he had become an apostle of the Evil God, he didn't have any particular goals yet.
And even if he did, he couldn't even dream of taking on the Director right now.
For the time being, the key was to keep acting like a normal manager for normal Magical Girls while searching for a way to crack that fortress-like wall.
"Whoa... it's already this late."
As he tried to sort out his tangled thoughts and push them aside, the clock had already ticked past 8 p.m.
Stepping out into the hallway to catch his breath, he saw that all the other offices on the floor were dark and empty, save for one or two.
"How much is left...?"
If he could just wrap up the tasks at hand, tomorrow—Saturday—would be a carefree day off with nothing on his mind.
And that Saturday was extra special for Jae-hyun... it was his birthday.
With all his contacts cut off, the only birthday wishes he got were from shopping malls.
But it was also the day he treated himself to a modest gift.
"Alright... gotta finish up what I started."
- *Ding ring~*
As he chugged ice-cold water to snap himself out of it, a notification chimed on his phone—a new message.
"Ah, come on... don't tell me there's more work."
Of all times, right when he was almost done, another task?
Thinking it was a work directive on his work phone, he glanced over—only to see the message on his personal one.
"At this hour...?"
He didn't know anyone in the Bureau well enough for this, and he hadn't talked to friends in ages.
Even accounting for his birthday tomorrow, his parents were the only ones who might reach out.
"Hello, Manager-nim! Sorry to bother you when you're busy.
Would it be okay if I asked when you might wrap up?"
"Ah... it's Athena."
The message wasn't from his parents or a shopping mall—it was Athena.
She had something to say, or maybe wanted to meet up like last time, and was asking when he'd be done.
"I should finish in about 30 minutes and head out soon.
Is there something you wanted to talk about?"
"Oh! Well... Flora and I are together right now,
and I was thinking maybe you could join us for a meal... hehe."
His reply that he was almost done got an instant response.
"Come to think of it... that hand-holding as they left earlier was for this?"
Athena and Flora often grabbed dinner together after work.
With the weekend tomorrow, they were inviting him along.
"Sure. I'll message you after I clock out.
Send me the address of where you're eating."
It was a bit late for dinner, but he replied that he'd head over as soon as he was free.
"Yes! Just come here!
Thank you so much for replying even though you're busy!!"
Athena sent the address link along with a cute emoticon.
"Heh... what a riot."
Her bubbly message made him chuckle despite himself.
He started hammering the keyboard again to hurry to the meetup spot.
About 40 minutes after Athena's message.
Jae-hyun finally wrapped up work and left the office, navigating to the address she'd sent.
"Weird... did she send the wrong one?"
A dinner spot should be a restaurant or bar, but clicking the link just gave a plain address—no name or anything.
He messaged to double-check, but she insisted it was right and to come casually.
'Maybe they rented a party room...'
These days, people booked hotel rooms or party spaces for friends—delivery food, board games, movies.
Often converted from empty commercial spaces or homes, so probably that.
After 15 minutes of staring at the map and walking, he arrived at the building.
First floor: a convenience store and a small bar.
Above: ordinary offices and apartments.
It looked a bit dated from the outside, but the hallways were clean, and there was a proper elevator.
"Third floor, right...?"
Three floors? He figured stairs were fine.
Wiping sweat from his brow in the humid heat, he climbed up and reached Athena's spot.
- *Knock knock knock~*
"O-Okay... just a sec!"
A familiar voice from inside.
- *Click~*
Footsteps approached quickly, and the door swung open.
Athena greeted him warmly, her face a bit shy.
"Hello...?"
"U-Um... come on in...♥"
Jae-hyun was thrown off by her bold outfit.
A bunny girl suit with a deep crotch cut barely holding her chest, pantyhose, and even rabbit ears.
"Ehehe...♥ Oh... come inside!"
Clearly embarrassed herself, she covered her flushed face and led him into the party room.
'What the...? Sudden bunny girl...?'
His eyes were feasting, but he was flustered too.
Following her swaying form—complete with a fist-sized bunny tail—the interior revealed itself, far fancier than the plain exterior.
More like a hotel lounge or upscale bar than a home.
Black floors and walls, soft lighting illuminating the long bar table and sofas, adding to the ambiance.
'Kinda suits it, actually.'
With decor like this... a bunny girl felt right at home.
"This... is champagne...♥"
Athena's cheeks still rosy.
She placed a tall, slender flute filled with fizzy champagne in front of him.
"Thanks."
He still couldn't quite grasp the situation.
But he took a sip to wet his throat.
"You must be surprised...?"
Athena had noticed his fluster from the doorway.
Dragging a busy guy here out of the blue—she worried he might be upset.
"Nah. Actually, I'm liking it."
Jae-hyun's eyes had flickered just briefly.
But seeing Athena all sexy and cute in bunny girl gear was a treat for the eyes.
He itched to grope those barely-contained breasts straining the suit.
But he held back, not wanting to fluster her more.
"Glad you like it...♥"
Athena finally relaxed at his faint smile.
"Flora should be out any minute... mind waiting a bit?"
She topped off his glass, then stepped away from the bar table and slipped into a closed door nearby.