First Mission (1)
"Then we'll ship the equipment you've selected to your address. We'll include a manual just in case, though I assume you'll make full use of it. Pulling 100% performance from a weapon always comes down to the details, after all."
"I agree."
"As expected, you know your stuff."
For the record, all I'd said in this conversation was "I agree" or "Understood." I felt like an NPC from a low-budget game with only two response options. To keep up my psycho act, I put some real intensity into my stare.
Yu Seo-yeong, who had been packing up the intimidating weapons that looked deadly just sitting there, shook her head with a wry smile.
"Secretary Seo. I get it—you're confident in your skills, so armor feels like a hassle. With that agile, flexible build, you probably favor hit-and-run tactics. But without at least mana-infused Nebula gear, survival in a pinch isn't guaranteed."
"……."
It was blatantly a soothing tone, like she was talking down a wild animal. Did she seriously think I was some veteran who takes down bosses in nothing but underwear? What are you talking about? If possible, give me the thickest stuff you've got.
"Phew. Thank you for understanding. With basic gear sorted, let's move on to a more detailed handover."
"I'm all ears."
"Yes. First, when you arrive at work—"
After that, I quietly absorbed the training. Did Yu Seo-yeong see me as some human USB drive? She never repeated anything she'd already explained once. Thanks to that, my head nearly exploded from memorizing it all. By the time I'd crammed the manuals into my brain like it was chewing nails, the sky had darkened—it was quitting time.
Yu Seo-yeong and I exchanged goodbyes in front of Nebula HQ. She was still in her crisp suit, tie knotted tight, giving a slight bow.
"You worked hard today."
"It was nothing."
I kept looping I'm a psycho, I'm a psycho in my head. Acting long enough makes it habit. Now the creepy lines came out without effort. The lifelong Confucian boy from Chungcheong-do, Seo Han-gyeol, was wailing inside. No choice. If I don't do this, people die! (For real!)
Yu Seo-yeong paused, choosing her words carefully. She swallowed, then spoke.
"…And as expected, Secretary Seo is from the PEB. That extreme stealth in mana control and concealment. Movements so refined, even I couldn't tell what martial art you trained in. Truly impressive."
"?"
"Even a colonel or general would mistake you for a civilian with that disguise technique. PEB lives up to the name."
What? PEB? Pep? The soda company? That'd make sense—I did work at a beverage factory in college. No idea how Yu Seo-yeong knew, but whatever. Super-elites in this hunter fantasy world probably had their ways. Still, it'd be embarrassing if word got out about sorting cider and cola on the line. I shook my head slightly.
"I can't discuss that."
"Ah, my mistake…. Yes, I know nothing."
She apologized, startled. "But what you showed today was incredibly striking."
"Thank you."
Where'd I slip up and show factory vibes? I'd think about it on the way home. Tilting my head, I boarded the subway.
"I've been watching."
"Doesn't matter. Treasures always come with thorns."
If I'd known what was unfolding in my absence, I'd have grabbed a meal with Yu Seo-yeong, sipped some coffee, and untangled all these twisted misunderstandings.
The next morning, I checked the chairman's schedule as Yu Seo-yeong had instructed. Roughly speaking, more than half my day would be tailing the chairman.
The secretary's office, scarred by the chairman's electropunk sword dance, lay deserted. The spacious area, usually bustling, was filled only with ownerless desks and papers strewn across the floor with no one to organize them.
Lonely….
Sucking on the Xdiya summer-limited strawberry yogurt quenku frappuccino I'd bought on the commute, I tidied up. Sweeping and mopping with a will. Perfection.
Seeing the secretary's office finally neat and clean eased my mind. And thanks to [Organization], which I'd thought useless? I instantly knew where everything went, and once mopped, spots stayed spotless. Nice.
As I basked in petty joy at the pristine office, my phone buzzed.
Beep-boop.'It's the chairman.'
The phone emitted its quirky ringtone, set specially for the chairman. Lightning-fast, I checked the message.
"……."
Aaah, it's come. Yesterday had Yu Seo-yeong as a buffer, but now? Alone. A cold, solitary one-on-one….
Tension rising, I gulped hard and rode the elevator. Got off at the 99th floor. Standing before the massive chairman's office door, a voice boomed from inside, carefree.
"It's open."
"……."
So there was CCTV at the chairman's door these days? Or x-ray vision. Haha, good one.
I bit my tongue, recalling an idle game's abandoned storyline. No need—yesterday's intro flashed back. [Vault Keeper]. A terrifying moniker.
Face neutral, I opened the door.
Transform! Psycho secretary Seo time….
Inside unfolded an unexpected sight. Massive display cases lining the walls. A huge sofa opposite them. Seol Hwi, gaze fixed endlessly on her arrayed collectibles, patted the seat beside her.
Sit? But snuggling up to this ruthless evil corp overlord? My heart screamed for mercy.
More importantly, my psycho persona wasn't the obedient type.
…I won't die, right?
With gambler's all-in resolve, I sat about 3 meters from the chairman.
"?"
Seol Hwi stared blankly. With jewel-clear, ruby-red eyes, piercingly.
Say something! Hiding cold sweat, I pulled fashion glasses from my pocket, slipped them on, and adjusted with an index finger.
"A choice for efficiency."
"Hmm…."
Not enough? She let out a suspicious hum. Her gaze burned.
"Maintain distance from the subject. It's in the secretary's manual."
I spat it out, then agonized. Still not enough. I wanted to kneel and beg for my life. Bark like a dog if ordered….
'I don't have hobbies like admiring ordinary trinkets.'
Recalling yesterday's Seol Hwi, that'd be worst. Go with the flow. If things went mad, I'd go madder! Humans adapt, right? One crazy act or two—what's the diff?
I spewed nonsense.
"And Chairman Seol."
"?"
"My time is valuable. To use me more efficiently, I require you to set clear objectives quickly and in detail."
Let 'er rip!
"Huh? Ha?"
Did it land? Her face shifted from bafflement to,
"Ahahaha! Are you giving me your user manual?"
pure delight.
"You could see it that way."
"Fine. Let's test this manual."
…Survived. I'd half-expected it, but still. Like narrowly escaping a cliff fall, I kept cool, serene as a pond.
"Aaah, really…. Haven't laughed this hard in ages. Secretary Seo, you've got some fun sides?"
After cackling wildly, she wiped a tear from under her eye.
"Take and read this."
A crumpled stack from the display's bottom shelf whooshed over.
Uh, I'm terrible at catch! It flew fast. But I couldn't drop it—activated on instinct.
[Organization]
-Rustle.
Luckily, it triggered—the flying papers swirled into my hand like a magnet. Neatly stacked midair for easy reading, they fluttered down.
Oh.
[Organization] had this trick? Busy scanning the docs quick, I missed Seol Hwi's eyes widening at my skill use.
This was a termination notice. Why give it to me…?
Before doubt settled, Seol Hwi struck.
"Two of them."
Leg crossed on the sofa, she tapped her nails together. Faint irritation creased her face.
"I manage people around me personally, no issues. But as the company grows, defectives slip in."
Defectives? At people? Cotton-candy me couldn't grasp that mindset.
Undeterred, the ruthless overlord continued.
"One embezzled funds, one murdered a civilian…. All sorts."
The menacing aura from her shut my mouth. She monologued on.
"Your first mission. Fire these defectives. Cleanly, no loose ends."
I glanced at the papers. Kang A-ram. Issue: embezzlement. Early twenties, innocent-looking woman. Gwak Du-chil. Issue: civilian murder. Mid-forties. Uncle type.
…And both 7th-grade and 8th-grade hunters.
Blood ran cold. Me, firing hunters?
I'd web-searched hunters last night home. Had to know, living here. Insane. No X-ray vision needed.
7th or 8th grade? 8th could smash logs barehanded; 7th could stop a speeding truck. Tell those superhumans, face-to-face, they're fired—and get signatures?
Of course….
"Confirmed. Termination proceedings start immediately. However,"
"However?"
"…Using the word 'fired' on them? Objects can be recycled, but people? Better to say 'separate waste disposal procedures.' More accurate."
Gotta match the boss's taste.
"Ah, ahaha! Ahahahaha!"
Seol Hwi laughed maniacally. I mirrored her glee—just a smidge.
Dad, how'd you endure this grind? Survival's no joke.
"Ah."
Nebula's 1st Field Team Leader Yu Seo-yeong exclaimed at the file in her hand. She'd forgotten to give Secretary Seo the handover docs and remaining manuals.
"I'll deliver them."
Casually, she headed to the secretary's office… where Seo Han-gyeol had personally [Organized].