Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Partner?
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Partner?
The place we arrived at was the special training ground on the third underground floor.
A massive space surrounded on all sides by a special alloy said to withstand even missile strikes.
Team Leader Do Jae-hyeok was lounging on a bench in the spectator seating at the corner of the training ground, sucking on a piece of candy. I sat next to him, cradling Fry and Pepper like a VIP spectator.
"Let's begin."
The center of the training ground.
Seo Hwa-rin loosened her tie slightly and snapped open her telescoping baton.
In contrast, Sa-hyeon stood there cockily with one hand in his pants pocket, yawning.
"The team leader's taking him on herself? It'd be a problem if you got hurt."
"Don't worry. I won't kill him."
Thud!
Seo Hwa-rin kicked off the ground and shot forward.
Her movements were clean and sharp, without a single wasted motion.
Blue spiritual power surged from the tip of her baton like a sword aura, aiming for Sa-hyeon's nape.
Whoosh!
But Sa-hyeon easily ducked his head to dodge.
"Slow."
Sa-hyeon muttered mockingly as he twisted his body.
Seo Hwa-rin unleashed a barrage of strikes without pause.
The sounds of thrusting, slashing, and whipping filled the training ground, but not a single blow landed on Sa-hyeon.
He was deflecting her attacks by the narrowest margins.
"You've got power, but you're lacking speed. Is this all a Ghost Gate team leader's got?"
Sa-hyeon flicked Seo Hwa-rin's baton away with his bare hand and cackled.
At his arrogant attitude, the light in Seo Hwa-rin's eyes grew cold.
'I was going easy, but that won't work.'
Seo Hwa-rin leaped back to create distance.
Then she slammed her baton into the ground.
"......Hoo."
Roooar!
The spiritual power emanating from her body shifted to a deep blue.
It wasn't mere spiritual power—it was ferocious water energy, like the rapids of a deep valley.
A massive beast's illusion flickered behind Seo Hwa-rin's back.
The spirit beast that ruled over water and justice.
"Haetae."
Sa-hyeon murmured softly.
'I thought she was just a stuck-up elite... but she's got good bloodline.'
A lineage that inherited the Haetae's power.
A bloodline born with the attributes of 'justice' and 'judgment' that yokai feared most.
[...Tch. Foolish thing.]
I could almost hear Fry clicking his tongue.
The Haetae had stayed until the end, cleaning up after humans even after witnessing their betrayal. To her, it must have looked pathetic and stupid.
[To wear down those noble horns just to protect these pathetic insects. How unbecoming.]
Fry turned his head away with a snort.
And the one who reacted most intensely was Pepper.
"Woof...!"
Pepper jumped up from her seat.
Her tail wagged wildly.
Pepper stared at Seo Hwa-rin—no, at the Haetae's aura behind her—with sparkling eyes.
[...It's been a while.]
Memories of the battlefield 500 years ago flashed through Pepper's mind.
When most divine beasts abandoned humanity.
The blue beast that stayed by their side until the end, charging at evil spirits covered in blood.
A comrade who knew humanity's foolishness but believed in and protected the 'goodness' within them.
[You haven't given up on humans yet either.]
Though Seo Hwa-rin was human now, the Haetae's aura imprinted on her soul was a nostalgic fragrance to Pepper.
"Haetae Sword, Third Form."
The air in the training ground grew heavy around her, thick mist exploding outward.
"Pasa."
Boom!
Seo Hwa-rin's form vanished literally into a spray of water.
"Huh...?"
Before Sa-hyeon could react, a baton infused with immense water pressure surged up under his chin.
The evil-breaking strike of Pasa, empowered by the Haetae.
Smaaack!!!
"Guh?!"
A chilling impact echoed as Sa-hyeon's body floated up and was pushed back several meters.
Sparks flew from his shoe soles scraping the floor.
A heavy silence descended on the training ground.
Sa-hyeon's head was twisted to the side.
He wiped the blood from his mouth with his thumb.
"Haha..."
A low, eerie laugh leaked from Sa-hyeon's lips.
His sunglasses had fallen and shattered on the floor.
Revealed golden pupils.
Not round like a human's, but vertically slit like a reptile or beast.
"You... dare."
The air in the room shifted abruptly.
Dry, choking sandstorm winds began swirling from the training ground floor, overwhelming the chill water aura.
An overwhelming killing intent that choked the breath.
Something massive lurking within Sa-hyeon's shell could no longer contain its rage and was about to burst out.
"I'll kill you."
Just as Sa-hyeon kicked off the ground.
Kaboom!!!
A tremendous roar echoed as a flashing silver blade embedded itself before his eyes.
The man standing atop that sword was Team Leader Do Jae-hyeok of Team 1, who had been munching candy on the bench.
"Whoa, whoa. Killing the interviewer during the interview means you're out, newbie."
Do Jae-hyeok crunched the candy in his mouth.
Pure white A-grade spiritual power poured from his body, crushing Sa-hyeon's sandstorm head-on.
Korea's strongest exorcist.
A mad pressure befitting his reputation.
Sa-hyeon and Do Jae-hyeok.
The two monsters' gazes sparked in midair.
Sa-hyeon smacked his lips, then slowly reined in his boiling killing intent.
Fighting Team Leader 1 all-out here would blow up Ghost Gate HQ, and then he'd lose his excuse to keep that tasty 'packed lunch' nearby.
"Tch. Fine. I'll hold back."
Sa-hyeon raised both hands in surrender.
At that moment, Branch Director Park Dong-cheol's voice came over the training ground speakers.
[...That's enough. Deputy Team Leader Seo, take him in.]
"Branch Director?!"
Seo Hwa-rin, catching her breath, cried out in protest.
[I'm appointing him as a temporary member of Team 7. Pair him with Kang Han-gyeol as his partner. He's the type to cause a major incident if we let him loose outside. Stick him with Kang Han-gyeol and keep him under dedicated surveillance.]
The branch director knew.
Turning a beast like that into an enemy would be idiotic.
Better to lock him in the sturdiest cage and pit him against the 100-billion-won mad newbie to keep them in check.
"Ha... Understood."
Seo Hwa-rin sheathed her baton and pinched her forehead.
One out-of-spec 100-billion-won newbie was already a handful, and now this mystery disaster-class lunatic on the same team?
She felt dizzy.
Sa-hyeon walked over to me.
"Nice to meet you, partner. Name's Sa-hyeon."
Sa-hyeon extended his hand to me.
"Let's get along. At least until I figure you out completely."
"I don't make a habit of holding hands with guys."
I ignored his hand and crossed my arms.
Sa-hyeon blinked in surprise at my reaction, then burst into a chuckle.
"Good. I like you already."
The moment history's worst—and strongest—team, Team 7, was complete.
.
.
.
"Here, sign this."
Back in the Team 7 office, Seo Hwa-rin handed over a contract with a resigned expression.
"The conditions are simple. Obey Ghost Gate's orders. Don't harm civilians. And..."
She glared at Sa-hyeon and stated firmly.
"Operate under dedicated surveillance by Agent Kang Han-gyeol. Solo actions are strictly prohibited."
"Oh, I like that. Means I gotta stick close to my partner, right?"
Sa-hyeon giggled and scrawled his name with enough force to nearly tear the paper.
[Sa-hyeon]
It looked more like sword marks than writing.
"Team Leader, how much is this guy's salary? Same as mine, 100 billion?"
I asked with wide eyes, and Seo Hwa-rin cut me off cleanly.
"No, you're a special contract case, Mr. Kang. He's on basic probationary pay."
Satisfied, I nodded.
Sa-hyeon shrugged like money meant nothing to him.
"Don't need money. But the food better be good. With meat sides."
"......The cafeteria menu is set by the nutritionist."
Sa-hyeon grumbled, "Tch, strict," and handed the contract back to Seo Hwa-rin.
Then, Do Jae-hyeok, who had been leaning against the wall sucking on candy, approached.
He patted Sa-hyeon's shoulder.
"Hey, newbie."
"Yes, senior?"
Sa-hyeon turned to look at Do Jae-hyeok.
The two men's gazes sparked in the air once more.
Korea's top exorcist versus a disaster-class great yokai. The invisible clash of auras thickened the office air.
Do Jae-hyeok jerked his chin toward me.
"That guy's our branch's 100-billion-won treasure chest. Scratch him even a little, and I'll rip you apart. Got it?"
A brutal warning.
But Sa-hyeon didn't flinch.
If anything, he grinned wider, looking more amused.
"Don't worry. I take good care of tasty things."
"......Psycho."
Do Jae-hyeok clicked his tongue and patted my back.
"Mr. Kang. If this guy's up to no good, call Team 1 right away. I'll be here in three minutes."
"Ah, yeah... Thanks."
Do Jae-hyeok winked at me and left the room.
Watching him go, Seo Hwa-rin massaged her temples like her head hurt.
"Haa... Two problem children in the team just one hour after formation."
She checked the clock with a deep sigh.
6 PM.
Regular quitting time.
"We'd normally do orientation and job training, but... everyone's off today, so let's call it. Official start tomorrow at 9 AM."
"Oh! Quitting time? Good work."
As I turned to leave with crisp salute, Seo Hwa-rin nodded tiredly.
"Team Leader. One thing before I go."
"Yes?"
"When can I move into that Gangnam penthouse you promised?"
At my shameless, brazen demand, Seo Hwa-rin pinched her forehead.
Exercising the rights of a super A-grade with a 100-billion-won contract.
"......I'll arrange a suitable place by today and text you the address and temp password."
"Kuh, clean as expected. See you tomorrow!"
Amazed by the perfect perks, I grabbed Fry and Pepper and left the office.
Made money, got a house, clocked out on time.
A perfect day.
I was heading through the revolving doors from the first-floor lobby after taking the elevator down.
Leisurely footsteps followed from behind.
"Partner. Scored a nice place, huh?"
It was Sa-hyeon.
Hands in pockets, he sidled up next to me like we were old pals.
"Why're you following?"
I stopped, frowning.
"Didn't hear earlier? Deputy Team Leader Seo said to operate under your surveillance. Partners gotta stick together. And I'm hungry."
Sa-hyeon circled me, smacking his lips.
His golden eyes glinted.
"Rooftop room's perfect for grilling meat. Dinner there tonight?"
"In your dreams."
I waved him off firmly.
"Surveillance is during work hours only. It's quitting time now. I'd get indigestion eating across from you, so stop following. Go home."
"Don't have a home? Just got hired."
"Sleep on the street then. That's what you do without a place."
I turned away coldly.
"Hey, Fry. Breathe some fire. Fry him if he keeps bugging."
"Pyak! (Get lost, lowly beast!)"
Fry opened his beak and spat a small ember, making Sa-hyeon raise his hands with a "Whoa, whoa, got it."
But that intrigued smile still lingered on his lips.
"See you tomorrow, partner. Might show up in your dreams."
"Don't jinx it."
I flipped him the bird lightly.
Just as Sa-hyeon giggled and vanished into the darkness.
Smooth―
A black luxury large sedan pulled up silently before me, engine barely audible.
A suited man stepped out from the driver's seat, approaching and bowing 90 degrees politely.
"Are you Agent Kang Han-gyeol? I'm your dedicated driver, sent by Deputy Team Leader Seo Hwa-rin."
"......Driver?"
"Yes. I'll handle your commute home today and to work tomorrow. Please, get in."
The man courteously opened the rear door.
I sank into the plush genuine leather seat, dazed.
A subtle, luxurious diffuser scent tickled my nose—worlds apart from yesterday's hellish commute reeking of sweat.
"Where to, sir?"
"Ah, Sinrim-dong. 00-dong, 00 address, rooftop room..."
The car glided smoothly down the road.
On my lap, Pepper sprawled contentedly on the wide, comfy seat. Fry perched arrogantly on the window armrest, surveying the night view.
"Pyak. (Well, this rolling carriage is fairly comfortable. Pass.)"
"Woof!"
Soon, the shiny luxury sedan climbed the steep, narrow alleys of Sinrim-dong—a sight to behold.
Feeling the neighborhood stares, it stopped before my rundown multi-household building.
The driver quickly got out and opened the door.
"I'll pick you up again at 8 AM tomorrow. Oh, and Deputy Team Leader Seo asked me to relay: Tomorrow when you arrive, Ghost Gate's exclusive moving team will pack everything here and set it up in the Cheongdam-dong penthouse by end of day. Just bring valuables and head to work."
"Whoa... They handle the move too? No need to get boxes?"
"Of course. You're a key agent. See you tomorrow."
The driver bowed politely and left.
I climbed the rusty iron stairs to the rooftop room in a stupor.
Beep beep beep.
Opening the door, my bedding and worn mats greeted me.
It had been my cozy haven just this morning, but after my standards rose to '100 billion' and VIP treatment, it looked like a pigsty.
Human hearts are so fickle.
I stripped off my jacket and stretched grandly.
"Alright, kids! This dump's last night!"
I dove onto the creaky bed.
Sure, tomorrow some psycho mystery partner would cling to me, and a no-nonsense deputy team leader would loom as my direct boss.
So what?
I've got two sturdy divine beasts at my back, and by tomorrow, my stuff'll be unpacked in a Han River-view penthouse.
"Tonight, pre-move party—three chickens on me! Drumsticks all yours!"
"Pyak?! (Chicken...? You devil, making me eat kin fried?!)"
Fry flapped in horror, but I ignored him and opened the delivery app.
The last night in my rundown rooftop, drunk on capitalism's sweet victory—I couldn't stop laughing.
Farewell forever, pathetic past.