The Ghost Company Proposal
Government agent Lee Minyoung worked here at the Sejong Government Complex, where the buildings stretched out like a long serpent. Far from the main complex in a secluded spot stood a little-known annex: the Mercenary Support Agency.
It received more budget than what was listed on paper. It housed secret departments unknown to the public. Even the cafeteria ladies were rumored to be from intelligence agencies—a place shrouded in scary truths where most tabloid rumors were actually understated.
In the Mercenary Management Division's Promotion Department Communication Team of that very agency...
"Argh! Why can't they get it through their thick skulls?!"
A civil servant in a pink cardigan was venting her frustration loudly.
"Minyoung, what's got you riled up this time?"
"Nooo! It's that Jeokwol Mercenary Corps leader. They're whining about not getting support funding. They got rejected because they deserved to! They should take it up with the funding department, not come crying to me!"
Lee Minyoung pounded the mini sandbag on her desk. The team leader just shook his head, all too familiar with the scene.
Bzzz—
Then her smartphone vibrated. Checking the screen, Lee Minyoung's face lit up with a radiant smile.
"Communication Team Officer Lee Minyoung speaking! Vice Leader Haiseon, how've you been?"
* * *
Park Youngjun, head of the Communication Team, had a lot on his mind lately. Frequent overtime, overwork, performance pressure, and directives from on high. Nitpicking superiors and carefree subordinates... everything was a problem.
But especially the one who'd skipped out giggling to take that call—Lee Minyoung.
Where'd they even hire this girl from?
The mercenary program was one of the nation's top-priority projects. Hunters were like one-man warlords. Mercenaries were the last resort to keep from being at their mercy. Naturally, the agency overseeing it all got massive investments—not just budgets, but top talent funneled in. The saying that even stray cats passing by were ex-intelligence wasn't a joke.
In that regard, Lee Minyoung was an odd case. A bit scatterbrained, emotional, no sense of hierarchy. And loud to boot. She was the polar opposite of the agency's rigidly uptight staff.
Is she maybe the director's daughter?
It was a natural assumption.
"Team Leader! I'm heading out on a business trip!"
"A business trip? Right now? Out of nowhere? No schedule for that."
"Yep."
"Why."
"Claymore Mercenary Corps Vice Leader Haiseon suddenly wants to meet!"
"Why."
"Beats me... maybe a date?"
Team Leader Park Youngjun dragged his hands down his face. He'd wondered what the rush was when she came bounding over.
"You planning to go on a date with some guy during work hours?"
"Ahh! Not that... He didn't say why. Just that it's super important..."
"No clue at all?"
"None. I pried, but he said it's hard to explain over the phone—wants to meet in person."
"Huh."
Park Youngjun tapped the desk with his fingertips. Claymore's external communications were handled solely by Leader Pyo Yeojeong. Half-jokingly, she didn't trust sending her socially maladjusted underlings out lest they cause trouble. Even when she was away, they waited for her return—no one else stepped up.
But the vice leader himself reaching out...
Was something wrong? He'd heard Pyo had taken a serious injury—had it worsened? Internal issues? Nothing concrete came to mind. He'd been too lax with Claymore lately. Time to check in.
"By the way, why doesn't Vice Leader Haiseon ever ask me out?"
"...What?"
"It's just weird, no matter how I think about it. Isn't it about time?"
"...Because you're like this."
"Team Leader!"
"Enough, got it—go on your trip. Back today, right?"
"It's already 3 p.m..."
"Tch. Wrap up and head home from there. Don't be late tomorrow."
"Muuu..."
Lee Minyoung shook her head poutily.
"...What do you want me to say."
"Day after tomorrow."
"You'll return the day after?"
"Mhm."
"What are you talking about? How far is the mercenary office from here?"
"He's in Gyeongju. Recovering at his hometown."
"Why's Vice Leader Haiseon in Gyeongju making you go on a two-day trip? Be here normal hours tomorrow morning."
"Aw."
Minyoung put on a sulky face. Park Youngjun shrewdly issued instructions after the carrot.
"Check on his condition while you're there. If he's recovering that long, the shock must've been huge. Note any peculiarities."
"Oh! Does he need my comfort?"
"Comfort might help, but it doesn't have to be you specifically."
Ignoring Park Youngjun's parting words, Lee Minyoung grabbed her things to leave.
"Officer Minyoung!"
"Yees?"
"Uh, don't get too attached to mercenaries. You know their average lifespan."
"...Hehe, I'll be back~!"
She dashed off but paused and turned back.
"Team Leader!"
"What now."
"Do I look pretty today? Cardigan not too tacky? Should I change?"
"Just go already!"
***
A sleek black sedan pulled up along the rugged road. Out stepped a stylishly dressed woman, her refined look clashing with the rough neighborhood.
"Vice Leader! It's been forever!!!"
"Last time was at the site, right?"
"Exactly! Text more often. I'm forgetting your voice. How've you been? What's life like these days? Heard about the 20th floor... no injuries, right?"
Lee Minyoung greeted him energetically. He already felt drained. She looked perfectly fine—what was with the theatrics? Half-ignoring her, he led her to the forge.
"Whoa! The building's so pretty! Can I post pics?"
"Illegal structure."
"Gasp!"
Come to think of it, he hadn't reported it. No big deal. It was his land; the bureaucracy wasn't that strict. If anyone complained, Lee Minyoung could handle it.
"Whoaaa... First time in a forge. Whoa, that hammer's huge!"
Was it? Who knew. No point fretting over nothing. He had a showcase to do. He'd made plenty of rings. Time for a demo. Grabbing the rifle leaning against the wall...
Click—
"...Vice Leader Haiseon?"
A gun barrel was aimed at his head.
"Vice Leader, why grab a gun out of nowhere?"
"Should've explained first."
"Yes, please explain first. And lower the gun."
"Hmm... Minyoung, how about we both lower ours?"
"I'd play along with funny business, but don't try any tricks."
He gripped the rifle tighter. Her aim stayed locked on his forehead.
"Heard the 20th floor raid's stressing you out. But relieving it like this is no good."
"Not that. My head's clearer than ever."
"Everyone at the psych ward says they're fine, you know?"
"I'm actually fine."
He stepped forward. She backed up warily.
"Lower it. Last warning."
"Really...? Whoa!!!"
Like startling a kid, he yelled and charged. Her pistol barked at the same time. Ting-ting!Ting-ding-ding!
Of course, no bullet hit him. The mana barrier activated in an instant, blocking every threat.
Blue dots flickered on the auto-barrier and vanished. He felt zero impact. He even had time to watch Lee Minyoung's furrowed brow turn to shock.
"Wha...?"
He tossed the rifle far away. Showing empty hands, he explained simply.
"So, an auto-defense artifact powered by mana? That's how you demo it?"
"Sorry. I was rude, but the prankster in me took over."
"You scared me! Ack!"
Charging at him, Lee Minyoung bounced off the barrier.
"Revenge in three minutes. That's when it wears off."
"Ugh..."
"Still, that was cool. Ex-agent skills are no joke."
"Social misfits, huh..."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing! Forget it!"
She snapped irritably. To soothe her, he handed over a ring.
"Bribe. You just got a bonus life, Minyoung."
"Aren't artifacts only from the Black Tower? What huge demand are you prepping for with gifts? I prefer taking it slow."
"It's not a gift—it's a bribe. Not as rare as you think."
"Huh?"
He emptied the pouch, spilling dozens of rings onto the table. Ones he'd made while she traveled.
"Gasp! This many? Artifacts only drop mid-layers and up! How'd you get them?"
"Made 'em."
"Made them?! No way!"
She looked skeptical. Thirty years since the Black Tower and mana emerged—no one had crafted an artifact. Fair enough.
"Just watch."
He whipped up several mana barrier rings on the spot. Now practiced, he could hit ten minutes per ring.
"Wanna shoot again?"
"...Lend me the rifle."
Only after replicating his rifle test did Lee Minyoung accept the handmade artifacts.
"Take these besides the one I gave. Better options."
"Thanks... So you called me to Gyeongju for these?"
"Nah."
Time for the main topic.
"I want a supply contract with the government."
"Supply?"
"Regular shipments of these rings. Government distributes to those in need."
"Who counts as 'in need'?"
"Mercenaries, vulnerable folks—anyone but hunters."
Lee Minyoung nodded vigorously. He could see her brain simulating the impact.
"But there's a condition."
"Yes?"
"Want a ghost company as the supplier. Don't know how to set one up..."
"Why assume we do?"
"You don't?"
"We do."
Only he could make barrier rings. But he couldn't front it. Claymore mercs would lynch him if his awakening got out—especially Pyo Yeojeong stabbing him with her greatsword.
Even without that, reasons to hide abounded. Dodge unwanted attention. Prevent copycats. For all that, he needed the agency's ghost company and puppet CEO.
"Get it?"
"Ahh! Stop rushing me."
Lee Minyoung massaged her temples like her head hurt.
"Ugh, this is... beyond my pay grade."
"Figured."
"Lemme call the team leader first!"
"Send video proof too."
She returned after three minutes on the call.
"Team Leader's coming to Gyeongju right now!"
It was 8 p.m.