The Perfect Proxy

My name is Kim Yu-hee.

A real man's man, but with HP that drops like a premature finish.

I'd found an item to extend my lifeline. This was the most important moment of my entire life.

"I'll just slip in, grab the goods, and leave them on the rooftop where we trained, right? That should work!"

Hah. In a world where people even snag an extra drumstick these days?

Sign for it without even checking in person? No way in hell.

It's a door-to-door delivery.

"We're going ourselves."

"H-how?!"

Might as well scope out every face at the Hunter Management Bureau while we're at it, commit them to memory. Send a clear message: Steal or hide spoils like that again, and you're dead.

From now on, pick a separate spot, notify us, and we'll pick up.

Jenny, just this once—suck it up for me.

I'll pay you back. Big time. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

I'd shelled out ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a decent chunk of gold on supplies for a clear conscience.

"Put this on."

"Eeeek! What is this?!"

I'd been planning a nice gift anyway.

Ancient Mage Horn's Robe was restricted to magic-class jobs only. It boasted insane defense—enough to shrug off most warrior attacks.

But the real draw was the exponential boost to total mana and recovery. Irresistible.

She's a precious agent. When I equip her, I go all out.

As Jenny slipped on the robe, it let out a whoosh and shrank to fit her petite frame perfectly.

"I feel power surging through me! Captain! I could cast a hundred spells now! To give a wretch like me such a precious gift—thank you!"

Jenny bounced up and down in excitement.

I watched her closely. Truth be told, the real reason I'd bought it was something else.

The robe had a built-in stealth function—basic model.

Once a day, 30 seconds of invisibility. Plus, the interior was pitch black; no one could ID the wearer.

Perfect for a proxy role.

If it weren't mage-only, I'd have worn it myself. Useless without mana control, though.

"Can't recognize you at all now, Jenny."

"Really? You can't see my face?!"

I bought another item from the Sniper Shop.

I fitted it into her right ear.

I pinned it to her mage robe.

"Alright, briefing time!"

"I'm the envoy of the Unregistered, and I'll say nothing about him—just take the item! Deliver only the memorized lines, and tell them to send any further discussion by mail! Act strong and unshakable!"

"Next. If it feels dangerous?"

"Activate robe stealth immediately and warp back! If it's really bad, warp out in the open! Jenny's safety first!"

Heading to the legit Hunter Management Bureau—doubt much trouble. The robe's defense was monstrous anyway; no real worry about injury.

Bureau location was public knowledge, so Jenny warped straight there.

Jenny's feed popped up in front of me. The Bureau.

The email had said "contact anytime," with the ops room number. She was probably there now.

『W-whoa. Th-this way, I think...!』

Jenny whispered, but it came through crystal clear. Damn good earpiece.

She reached the Ops Situation Room.

Knock. Knock. Knock. Jenny knocked.

Showtime. My avatar play begins.

Creeeak... The door opened.

"Jenny. Go stern. More dignified than usual, heavier tone. Because we..."

『Insolent!』

"?"

『You wretch!』

What the—input to output ratio was insane.

『Bow your head at once!』

『Such irreverence! How dare you!』

"...?"

She had a real talent for the weird side of things.

Hunter Management Bureau – Director's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Special Reception Room

From now on, all contact with her would be classified top secret externally.

After impressing that on the rest of the staff, only Director Baek Moon-seong and Team 1 Leader Kim Chun-gyu remained.

The white-haired elderly Director Baek Moon-seong faced the most critical moment since taking office.

"......"

Korea's mysterious hunter, Unregistered—practically a national asset.

His proxy sat before him.

A petite girl in the head seat, deep cowl of her dark red-black robe hiding her face in total darkness.

'That's an incredibly rare robe. For a proxy to wear something like that.'

- It's rare enough only top-50 rankers could afford it.

Appraisal Team Leader Park Jae-kwon from ops had tipped him off. Item expert.

No ordinary player. Tension ratcheted up.

A portable inventory bag (disguised as a regular one) filled with carefully packed spoils sat before Jenny. The goblin Hae-dong's panties? Already tucked away.

- Confirmed. Items match status window nearby. Proof we took down Goblin Hae-dong.

Based on Kim Chun-gyu's report, Baek decided to treat her as Unregistered from here on.

"...An honor to meet you, Unregistered. We've been waiting."

Beside him, bald Team 1 Leader Kim Chun-gyu sweated bullets.

"T-tea first? Something to enjoy...?"

"The proxy is here only to relay Unregistered's words."

"!!!"

A total shift from her initial fury—now calm, emotionless. The two men faltered.

'No openings. No small talk. And with no facial cues...'

Baek and Kim resolved to speak sparingly. One slip, and this chance might never return.

Hear all demands, accommodate fully. Confirm one thing: he's on our side. Then hand over all prepped intel without hesitation.

Proxy Jenny Gorwell grabbed a bright red glass bottle from the table drinks. Strawberry juice.

They took it as no tea needed. Unlike Kim Chun-gyu's puzzled intent-reading, she just sipped. Then flinched.

'Oh no!'

Top-shelf tea set, but given her robe, this was borderline insult. Mistake. Then—

"Unregistered joins no affiliations."

The proxy's calm, sunken voice echoed. Like a girl whispering from shadows—a spell slamming into their souls.

'Unregistered joins no affiliations.'

Solid declaration. Expected since cooperation was already greenlit.

But it stung. Dream of formal contract, comrades someday—dashed?

Baek replied with utmost courtesy.

"The Bureau will support Unregistered's activities to the fullest. Please take our one-sided reports as a plea for contact channels."

His read on the proxy's words: a [partial warning] to the Bureau.

They'd declared cooperation unilaterally, muddled wording on spoils delivery.

Necessary to request aid, but to him? Arrogant affiliation assumption.

"We apologize."

Baek bowed. The proxy flinched again.

'What now?!'

Kim eyed her. No expression... Another slip? Replaying Director's words—

The proxy continued.

"Cooperation conditionally approved."

"!!!!!!"

"Conditions at Unregistered's discretion."

The word they'd craved. Goosebumps hit both men simultaneously. Conditional, but approved.

"Thank you. This is what the Bureau has awaited. Unregistered Hunter."

Jackpot.

'Relief. This is relief.'

Hongmaehwa came to mind. Unregistered trickier, but aligned interests? Joker-level asset.

"All requests proceed at Unregistered's final say."

Kim ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠thanked her, volume below hers. Relay format over dialogue now.

Watching for more—

"Today's proxy visit demands Cartibes classified data."

"Y-you'll aid the Cartibes battle?!"

"......"

No reply.

No more chit-chat. Matches his rep: no pushover.

Top-tier prickly even among private guilds.

'Fully independent stance from Bureau.'

"Understood. Cartibes data prepped on our end."

They'd emailed this plea. Too classified for secure system mail. Physical handover needed.

"Repricing requests: negotiate and mail. Including Cartibes."

"Got it! Awaiting further talks!"

Kim snapped back. Budget pulled for this. For Unregistered? Pay up.

Clear message: current spoils? Peanuts. Acknowledged.

"High-value spoils like today's, with delivery limits: prep secure site, notify."

Proxy relayed on.

Minimize site changes.

No tampering.

No ambushes or detectors.

Any slip on these? Full cooperation severed.

'Naturally.'

"Understood. We'll execute flawlessly. Spoils henceforth from Bureau..."

"Unregistered watches humanity, Korea, and Bureau actions closely."

"!!!!!!"

Baek and Kim froze.

"......"

"......"

Baek and Kim stayed silent long after.

'Last words: watches closely.'

Interest and surveillance. Room for positive spin, but also ominous.

'Simply... do well?'

Kim frantically noted the relay.

Baek wiped forehead sweat with a handkerchief.

"......"

No talk between them for a while.

Brain still loading the radical shift. Joy and chaos needed settling time.

Above all, felt like Unregistered still watched from somewhere.

Proxy's otherworldly aura lingered in the room.

A fortune.

Accompanying mail explained: [Proxy visit gratuity + past feats bonus]. Further pay criteria via mail.

"Good work, Jenny."

Sent a good sum; got multiples back.

"Hah... hah... hah... Did I do the lines right?! I think I messed up! So tense!"

Jenny nailed the memorized lines post-room entry. Word-perfect.

No chit-chat variables either. Cutest agent ever.

My good mood? The bag she carried.

Inside: top-grade magic stones plus assorted valuables.

Mana stones? Oil substitutes, cash cows. Big money... but above all—

'Pendant of Revival!'

Chills.

Goosebumps of ecstasy.

Dopamine flooding my neurons!

A shwoooah washed over me. No other effects noticeable, but I kept rereading, shedding a single tear.

"Hic... snff..."

"Don't cry, Captain! No tears...!"

Jenny teared up cluelessly too.

Couldn't test it—my shriveled guts wouldn't allow. [Test → One-use destroy] dogshit structure. Still live cautious.

But this? A foothold.

Solid backup. No more question mark death! One step closer to normie bounds...

As we sobbed, the 'Cartibes file' Jenny brought sat on my grimy bed.

Tears held, I reviewed. Not safe yet...

『Undead villain group, aka Necrophilia, worships undead dragon 'Cartibes'—but investigations reveal deeper, more dangerous roots. Constellation Anubis... (omitted)』

Bureau deep-dive, complex. I'd never parse it all—sorry, just a 2-year college grad convenience store pro.

TL;DR: Necrophilia way scarier, huger than thought.

My priority: Cartibes raid progress, my role.

'Here.'

Purpose-straight to section.

Five apostles offering sacrifices to Cartibes—logical process summary. Yoon So-i et al., Bureau scholars.

Apostle traits listed. All but one dead.

Wait—me credited for three (blood, shadow, bone). Feels weird seeing my name in highbrow doc.

Overwhelming DPS and dispel... Felt my value. No wonder the file.

『Post Yoon So-i's 'Soul Apostle (Etheron)' defeat, Cartibes hatch check possible.』

Immediate task too. Till Yoon seals it, just regroup.

『Barrier around Cartibes egg unbreakable now. Five apostles' 'incomplete returns' key to breach. Post-4th apostle: cracks 80% from start...』

"Ah. That's why."

Mystified why not smash egg first. Barrier issue.

Classified pic: purple-pixel barrier shrouding black egg.

'That egg's atop World Tower, right?'

True classified.

Outside? Fine. Inside? Hellish.

Worth my three kills. Necro analysis deep too.

"How is it, Captain?!"

Jenny, chugging mystery strawberry juice like it'd been discovered, panted at me.

"Hm... Nothing I can do right now."

"Th-then what...?"

Actually good. Sniper practice pending, review for when/where to snipe strategy.

Prime sniper spot hunt. Jenny co-training needed.

'Barrier gone? Boom, snipe...'

Hm?

Odd thought hit.

'Barrier's the issue. Not apostles.'

One memory flashed.

Criper's purple barrier shredding like paper...

Thanks to my [Dispel Bullet].

"Jenny."

"Yes!"

Juice finished, time for her next mission.

"Let's check this out."

An unused space remained.