"So You're My Secretary?"

"So you're my secretary?"

"Yes. Didn't Manager Lee Tae-ho tell you?"

"I've never heard a word about... Wait a second, now that you mention it..."

He hadn't heard anything about having a secretary assigned to him. That said, Lee Tae-ho had kept mentioning to go through his secretary for everything. Naturally, Taejeong had assumed that meant Lee Tae-ho's own secretary.

Who would've thought it was his personal one.

"But why aren't you going home? Why are you sitting here like a ghost? It's past eleven already."

"Huh? You didn't know?"

"Know what?"

"Personal secretaries live with their VIPs."

"What?"

Taejeong was dumbfounded by her absurd claim. He'd never heard of any secretary in the world who did that.

Unaware or uncaring of his thoughts, she extended her hand toward him.

"Let me introduce myself properly. I'm Park Se-ah, your dedicated secretary starting today. I look forward to working with you."

"Boss? Uh... fine, whatever. But why does the secretary have to live here..."

"Personal secretaries handle everything for their VIP. It's the same no matter which guild you join."

"So this is totally normal?"

"As far as I know."

This guild really had a different system—way different.

"Fine, if that's how it is, but you can commute, right? No need to stay here together..."

"Don't you like me?"

"No, it's not that. There's only one room here—won't it be uncomfortable? This isn't some two-room suite."

"We can use the living room. Please, I beg you. I'll work really hard, so don't kick me out. This is really important to me."

"Jeez, what a pickle. Fine, crash here tonight. It's late— we'll talk tomorrow."

Taejeong couldn't fathom why she was so desperate, but it was too late to argue. He'd let her stay for now.

He handed her a spare blanket, then collapsed into bed in his room.

What a hectic day.

From the hotel incident to Han Seol-ah's test. His sister's move and settling into the guild. Everything had happened in a flash.

For those two days, Taejeong hadn't slept a wink. The only shut-eye he'd gotten was a brief nap in Han Seol-ah's car on the way from the hotel to the yacht.

No wonder sleep hit him like a truck.

But what do I do about that girl?

* * *

The next morning.

Taejeong, dead to the world from exhaustion, cracked his eyes open to the blaring alarm. Still groggy as hell, he dragged himself up, remembering last night's events.

Is she still here?

Curious, he cracked the door open—and a familiar yet unfamiliar aroma of food wafted in, tickling his nose.

On the dining table sat a full spread fit for a king, with Park Se-ah bustling about preparing something else.

Spotting him, she set down her utensils.

"You're up?"

"What's all this?"

"Breakfast. Sit down."

"Even this...?"

"Preparing the boss's breakfast is part of a personal secretary's duties. Eat up. A hearty breakfast gives you energy for the day."

"Thanks for the meal, then. So, what's the gist of this secretary gig?"

"Providing and handling general guild info, errands, and taking care of the boss."

"So basically, run everything guild-related through you?"

"Yes. And feel free to give me any personal errands too."

"Got it. Let's eat. I'm starving."

It still felt awkward as hell, but if it was guild policy, no point kicking her out. He'd adapt to the discomfort.

And damn, she can cook.

Starving, the food tasted like heaven. He polished off two bowls in no time, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠then sipped the coffee she poured while pondering the day's tasks.

All his worries were sorted. Time to focus on the main gig.

To clear this, I need a party. Who with... damn.

Something flashed in his mind mid-thought.

The person he'd planned to look for first upon arriving here.

"Hey, Secretary."

"Yes?"

"Can you help me find someone?"

"Of course. Any specific info?"

"Around level 150-200. Name's Seo Ju-ah. Paladin class, I think? Uses a sword anyway. Can you track her down now? Mid-to-late twenties."

"She's one of our guildmates. I'll check right away. And please speak casually."

"We'll see about that..."

While Park Se-ah went to find Seo Ju-ah, Taejeong washed up and headed out.

Spotting him from afar, Kim Hyung-sik the chauffeur jogged over.

"Heading out?"

"To the reading room."

"I'll drive you."

"Nah, it's right around the corner. I'll walk."

"Still, people are watching—better take the car..."

"Psh, who cares if they recognize me? I don't even have a rank yet. Take it easy."

Ignoring his persistent offers, Taejeong walked the 500 meters to the integrated reading room.

The integrated reading room was an electronic library stocked with vast data accessible to all guild members. Higher quality than community forums.

He grabbed a seat and searched for Crescent Plains.

A list popped up, sorted by importance. He clicked the top one with the most views.

The info was detailed as hell. If community posts were like personal diaries full of opinions, this was a straight-up textbook hitting the essentials.

"Recommended level 250, medium party."

Taejeong recalled the recent Recall raid. Jo Yong-seok had said it required at least one standard level-200 party to clear.

A standard party was eight people: melee DPS, ranged DPS, and healers.

He'd cleared it with minimal help, and now at level 300, this probably wasn't too tough.

"Gerard."

"Think I can solo Earl's Castle?"

"Unable? Already at my limit?"

"Gotta go in to know, huh. Fine. Got the basics anyway."

Satisfied, Taejeong headed back to the dorms. As the elevator dinged and he stepped toward his door, the neighboring one swung open.

Someone stepped out. Awkward to just ignore, he started to greet them—then his eyes went wide.

He knew that face.

Seo Ju-ah, the Superhuman Club leader's one and only sister. The exact person he was looking for.

"You live here?"

"Yeah. You too, Taejeong?"

"Ended up that way somehow. Haha."

An awkward chat trailed into silence.

Realizing, he broke it first.

"Thanks for before. You saved our asses. I meant to come thank you right away yesterday, but everything piled up..."

"No biggie. Don't sweat it—you saved our lives."

"Nah, it was a team effort."

"Come on. Everyone saw we were just along for the ride. How's the guild treating you?"

"Only a day in, but everyone I've met seems solid."

"Good to hear."

"Hey. Hunted any since then?"

"Nah, been resting. Team's on duty. Busy season."

"Wanna hunt? With the whole team from before?"

Park Se-ah blinked curiously at the sudden invite.

"Out of nowhere? Where?"

"Crescent Plains, attached to Earl's Castle. You know it?"

"Yeah. But isn't it tough?"

"Quest. You need it too, right?"

"True, but can you give me a bit? Gotta check with the team."

"Of course. We're neighbors—hit me up. Nice seeing you."

"You too."

Back inside after she left, Taejeong's phone buzzed with a call from Park Se-ah.

"Just ran into her."

"No need to apologize."

"Nothing now... uh, this is personal, sorry."

"My sister's in FD-1 sector. She just got here yesterday, knows nothing. We toured a bit, but could you show her around? Gotta find an academy too—worried she'll manage alone."

"Thanks."

After giving her Yoo So-young's address, Taejeong sat and mulled it over.

Yeah, partying with them won't be a burden. Chance to repay the debt too.

Truth was, he didn't need to hunt with them. For a simple party quest, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠teaming with max-level folks was always best.

But syncing with people he'd already hunted with offered psychological edges. Classes were open anyway—no need to calculate around secrets.

Of course, joining the guild meant abilities would go public eventually. The attention just felt burdensome now.

Plus, one more reason to team up: repaying his debt to her.

Recall cleared the life-debt, but meeting Han Seol-ah, massive growth, and Superhuman Club connections? Impossible without her.

Helping once wouldn't hurt—especially since he needed a party anyway.

Man, can't wait to test the new skills. Wonder how OP they are—already hyped.