Chapter 38
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Monster Tale Specialist Office: Centipede's Child (18)
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The next day, early in the morning.
Three people—no, now four—had gathered on the first floor.
Sia and Taeju were in their usual outfits, but Han Seol and Woli were still in their pajamas. One had no casual clothes yet, while the other was just too lazy.
"There, that's the work done."
With Sia's final words, the faint glow faded away.
"Here you go."
Sia handed the hairpin back to Han Seol.
"It's all done now?"
Han Seol asked, looking puzzled.
"It didn't take long?"
"Aw, what? That's so boring! I thought it'd be something huge."
Woli grumbled, disappointed that it wasn't as spectacular as she'd hoped.
She'd seen a ghost and a giant centipede turn into smoke and get sucked into the hairpin during the temporary fix, so she'd been expecting something epic.
"I got up early just to see this, and now I could've slept more!"
"It might look easy, but this is the hardest part."
Sia snapped back, bristling. She could take most things, but implying her work was nothing stung.
Just before Sia could launch into a lecture at Woli, Han Seol murmured as if sensing something from the hairpin.
"Ah, it really is warm..."
At those words, Sia shifted her gaze from Woli to Han Seol. One of Sia's eyebrows arched in surprise.
"It's definitely not ordinary."
Han Seol panicked at Sia's words.
"Huh? Me?"
"Yeah, you just said it was warm, right? Feeling that is incredible. No one else could sense a thing. That's talent."
Taeju nodded. The warmth he could feel was just the residual heat from someone holding it.
He hadn't felt that hand-warmer-like coziness at all.
"Is this what talent feels like?"
"Yeah. It looks innate. It's not just your eyes. You're the type who can naturally win over monster tales from the start."
Curious at Sia's confident claim, Woli asked,
"What do you mean, win over?"
"Monsters can tell right away when they see a human that it's a human. Just like how we instantly know someone from another race is different from us."
"So?"
"Naturally, they'll be wary of unfamiliar humans."
"Uh... um, but Seol isn't like that?"
"Right. Imagine seeing a total stranger from abroad slurping down some country soup and fluently yelling in Korean, 'Auntie, more kimchi over here!' How would you feel?"
"...What? Well, it'd feel kinda friendly for some reason."
"That's the emotion monsters feel when they see this kid. Not absolute, but enough goodwill to view her favorably."
It might not matter in life-or-death situations or critical moments, but otherwise, she could earn affection for no reason.
That was a huge advantage.
"It's a surprisingly amazing talent."
"It seems amazing, but that analogy makes it sound kinda lame..."
Woli said, looking exasperated.
"So, will that help call my sister?"
Han Seol asked, most curious about that. She spoke a bit faster, anxious.
"Yeah. That description fits you perfectly. With you around, your sister could come out sooner."
Han Seol nodded at Sia's words. She didn't fully get it, but it sounded like she had the power to bring her sister back faster. That was a relief.
Woli poked at the hairpin in Han Seol's hand.
"It's wild that both those things from back then are inside this."
"Don't poke it like that. It's precious to Seol."
Taeju scolded Woli.
"Ah, no, it's fine!"
"Fine by her! Why are you making a fuss? Hmph!"
At Han Seol's okay, Woli shot Taeju a bratty glare. But Han Seol's follow-up turned her pouty instantly.
"Yeah, friends can be a nuisance to each other, right?"
"Uh, wha...? I'm a nuisance...?"
"Yup!"
Taeju and Sia burst out laughing at Han Seol's innocent gut punch.
Han Seol laughed along, clueless why, while Woli faceplanted on the table, mumbling to herself.
"Nuisance... I'm a nuisance..."
Once the laughter died down, Sia patted Han Seol's shoulder, wrapping things up.
"Seol, you'll need to study harder from now on. In this world, knowledge really is power. And it doesn't come just from talent."
"Yes! Of course!!"
Sia chuckled at Han Seol's enthusiastic response.
"Feels like we've got another office energizer."
"Yeah."
Taeju nodded in agreement.
"Alright, I'm taking personal leave now. Clean up yourselves."
"Got it. Good work. I'll handle the rest. You two, go rest."
"Yes! I'm not cleaning!"
At Taeju's words, Sia headed for the stairs, and Woli sprang up excitedly, following her.
Han Seol started to follow too, but bowed politely to Taeju first before going up.
Taeju waved with a smile. He joked to himself that a greeting like that earned her a drink, no hassle.
'Next time, no drink for Woli.'
Taeju started cleaning up alone with that thought.
The bustling cafe fell quiet.
The leisurely peace felt nice.
Ding-a-ling.
Then the door opened, shattering the office's silence.
No way customers this early—Taeju jumped and looked over.
"It's the Director?"
Where had he been this time? The guy was so elusive.
"Looks like everyone's upstairs."
The Director grinned.
"You knew and came anyway..."
He'd probably timed it when no one was around.
Coming at this hour meant he wanted to talk alone.
So, the question was obvious.
"It was you, right?"
"What? Oh, the bell?"
The Director played innocent, like he knew nothing.
The Director feigning ignorance was the most mismatched thing ever.
"Cut the act. Seol. She couldn't have woken up without some drug or spell."
"Coincidence, pure coincidence."
Taeju didn't buy that for a second. He pressed on other oddities.
"Plus, Ms. Okbun's eyes that were closing—they were fully open. They were practically sealed shut when she came to us. We didn't even know that was possible."
"So, you think I did something?"
"Who else?"
The Director smirked shamelessly.
"Yeah, who else? Remember the first day we met? I gave you that potion to unseal the eyes, right?"
Taeju shook his head at the Director's casual tone, but bigger questions loomed.
"Not an instant potion, then?"
If so, her eyes should've opened by the time they reached the office.
"Nah, it takes time to kick in. Proportional to how long it was sealed. Sealed a long time, so delayed effect."
"So, you timed the dose perfectly for her eyes to open right then."
"And one more! Side effect: once it activates, you get sleepy. Wakes up when it wears off."
"That's some strong stuff if it wakes you despite the sleepiness?"
"Eh, not quite. More like programming. The last command overrides. Not about strength—without specifics, the final effect always takes precedence."
"I don't know programming."
Taeju eyed the Director like he was absurd. He got the idea, but the metaphor was ridiculous.
"You get it, that's what matters."
Only the Director could pull that off. Timing Han Seol's sleep, her waking, syncing with Okbun's eyes—impossible without perfect foresight.
Taeju felt a bit deflated.
That was something he could never replicate, no matter how hard.
"If you can see that far, why not handle it yourself?"
Half joking, half serious. Chatting like this after jobs often made his efforts feel pointless.
"Can't. If I step in, scary folks come knocking."
Who knew if joke or truth? The Director always said that to Taeju, who always asked the same.
"How scary we talking if even you're laying low?"
Never got an answer.
Taeju shook his head. Then he voiced one lingering doubt.
"You unsealed the eyes, right?"
"Yep."
"What if you hadn't?"
A what-if about an unchosen future.
Anyone else couldn't answer, but the Director could.
"Han Seol wouldn't be with us. Smart, independent—she'd adapt to the world easier than we'd worry."
"Just the life Ms. Okbun wanted."
"Yeah. Live with people, marry one, die among them. But she'd never forget that place, live steeped in nostalgia her whole life."
"I see."
Taeju didn't pry more. Wanted to ask about this choice's outcome but held back.
Would Han Seol be happier than the alternative?
"Not asking?"
"Nope. Rather not know."
"Good call. Attitude of seeking unnecessary knowledge isn't great. You might end up like me."
Taeju didn't know what "like me" meant.
"Dunno, kinda curious what that's like."
"Don't. Gains aplenty, but losses match."
The Director chuckled.
"You did great this time. Beyond expectations."
He patted Taeju's back and left.
Taeju smiled faintly.
Future's unknown, but right now, Seol got what she wanted. And so did we. That should be enough for now.
Job done anyway. Taeju opened the outer door.
"Wonder who'll show today?"
Leaning back at the bar, Taeju waited for customers.
*Next Story*
That video wasn't meant to be played.
- Kekik, kick! Kick!
A choking sound, or maybe laughter, echoed.
The schoolgirl couldn't take the creepy noise from behind anymore.
"Wh-where the hell is this...? Found it...!"
No sign on the building, but it matched the flyer. She dashed up, yanked the door open, and screamed.
"Help me!"