Got a Job (1)
"Ah, Mom! That's hilarious! You got a comedian in you or what? Mana sensitivity? Psychological counselor?"
"Oh, why are you laughing? I'm serious."
"No way that makes sense. Do you even know what kind of certification that is?"
Jeong Yu-min wiped tears from her eyes as she shot back.
"That's something only people with awakened mana circuits can get. It's not like regular psychological counseling—you have to measure magical girls' corruption desire levels and read their mana wavelengths. It's essential. But that guy's a total normie without even a mana circuit. How the hell did he pull that off?"
"Exactly."
Jeong Yu-na chimed in. She wasn't laughing, but her expression grew even colder.
"I'm not super familiar with that certification, but the Association manages it pretty strictly. It's rare and hard to get. For that loser to have one... 100% got scammed."
The two daughters' reactions were ice-cold. No, beyond cold—it was mocking certainty. In their minds, 'Jeong Ji-un = total incompetent' was an unchanging truth.
But Lee So-hee tilted her head.
"Didn't seem like a scam..."
"Mom, that's why you get in trouble for trusting people too much. Have you ever seen him study? He's always holed up in his room gaming."
But Lee So-hee didn't back down.
"How about a bet then?"
"A bet?"
"Yeah. Meet Ji-un once and decide. It's like an interview."
Lee So-hee set down her teacup and looked at her daughters alternately.
"If he's scamming or incompetent like you say, I'll drop it clean. No more pushing him into company stuff. But if he really has the skills, we hire him officially. Deal?"
Jeong Yu-na and Jeong Yu-min exchanged glances. It was a game they couldn't lose. No way a normie like Jeong Ji-un had mana sensitivity certification.
"You're on. No backing out later, got it?"
Both daughters flashed eerie smiles.
A few days later, Sector 2 outskirts.
Amid the gray-tinged forest of towering buildings, a sleek sign reading [Nebula Logistics] caught the eye.
It looked like any multinational logistics firm's HQ on the surface, but this was one of the villain organization Nebula's front branches.
A sharp chill pierced my collar with every gust of wind.
But the cold I felt right now wasn't from the weather.
"......"
"......"
Flanking me, two women glared at each other like they wanted to devour one another.
To my left: Jin Se-hee, who until recently had been in shabby padding, but today was dolled up in her favorite purple dress and coat. To my right: the flashy beauty Han Seo-yul in pricey leather jacket, ripped jeans, and red lipstick.
From fashion to vibe, the two were polar opposites—and their gazes clashed fiercely in the air. Sparks practically flew.
"Hey, Jeong Ji-un."
Han Seo-yul broke the silence first. She pulled the cigarette from her mouth and exhaled a long plume of white smoke.
Fwoooo—
"Jeong Ji-un. Living long enough to see all kinds of shit, huh?"
She jabbed a finger toward Jin Se-hee.
We'd agreed to meet here, in front of the Nebula branch. To hand over the witch-ified Jin Se-hee ASAP. Too many unknowns about witches to just leave her with the choker alone.
In other words, this was their first meeting.
"Where'd you drag this frumpy auntie from? We heading to a neighborhood gossip sesh?"
"Sis. Let me introduce—"
Before I could speak, Jin Se-hee's grip on my arm tightened.
"Who's this?"
Her voice dropped low. Gone was the giggling promise of 'mamma' from earlier.
Her drowsy eyes sharpened as she scanned Han Seo-yul up and down.
"Why're you sniffing around my baby? You trashy bitch."
"Tr-trashy...?"
Han Seo-yul's eyebrow twitched. She let out a disbelieving scoff.
"Ha! Hey, auntie. You done? Who's sniffing who? And what? Baby?"
Han Seo-yul sneered.
"Jeong Ji-un. Your type MILFs? Even then, there's limits. Calling a grown-ass man 'baby'? Not embarrassing?"
"...Cut it out, sis. Seriously dangerous. You know why we're here, right?"
"Hmph!"
Sharp as she was, Han Seo-yul had to know. The woman beside me was the 'result.'
"Just testing. Who knows? Might just be a big-titted cow auntie."
As Han Seo-yul strode forward boldly, Jin Se-hee blocked my front.
"Don't come closer."
"Whoa, feisty reaction."
"Get away from my baby. You stink."
Jin Se-hee wrinkled her nose like she'd caught Han Seo-yul's scent, disgust plain on her face.
"Fishy, nauseating. Heat-struck bitch in heat."
"...Yeah, not gonna get along."
Han Seo-yul's face hardened, her aura turning menacing. I hurriedly wedged between them. A fight here would tank everything.
"Please, both of you. Sis, you forgot we're here to report? You know where this is...!"
"Who doesn't? That auntie started it."
"Started what? I just stated facts. Stinky is stinky—what, call it perfume?"
Jin Se-hee peeked from behind me and snapped back, like a kid relying on a tough backer.
"You little...!"
"Hey, hey, calm down. People are staring."
I pretended to look around. Lunch hour meant plenty of office workers passing by, glancing and whispering. Fair enough—guy sandwiched by two hotties? Prime spectacle.
"Let's head in first. Talk inside."
"Tch, fine. I'll hold it in. You'll see later."
Han Seo-yul irritably swept back her hair and marched toward the revolving door.
I patted Jin Se-hee, still clinging to my back, soothingly.
"Mom... no, Se-hee. Please. You promised to behave?"
"Ung... but that woman's eyeing my baby."
"Not eyeing. Just colleagues, colleagues."
"Colleagues my ass. Reeking of female pheromones..."
Jin Se-hee pouted sulkily but didn't escalate. Instead, she compromised by clamping my arm tight.
Squish.
The massive sensation pressing my arm. Overwhelming volume and elasticity transmitted fully.
'Uh, this is a bit too close.'
Not just brushing—my arm was straight-up wedged between her tits, crushed.
Her ultra-tight cling made walking awkward, elbow grazing nipple embarrassingly.
We reached the elevators.
Ding—
Han Seo-yul hit the 11th floor button.
"Hey."
Sis leaned in, whispering.
"What the hell did you do to her?"
"Do what?"
"That auntie. Why's she so obsessed with you? Been stuck like gum since earlier. I know witch symptoms, but this is different, right?"
Her eyes narrowed. Her gaze lingered on Jin Se-hee's chest plastered to my arm.
"Look. Rubbing her tits on purpose? Flirting outright."
"Ah, well, see..."
I grinned awkwardly, pulling out my prepped excuse.
"It's my ability."
"Ability?"
"Yeah. Sis knows mine's counseling-related. Guess my mana wavelength gives psychological stability. Instinctively fixates on the stabilizing source."
Not a lie.
Even like this, her obsession was somewhat mitigated. I'd supplied my clothes, socks for scent—enough for daily life apart briefly.
"Hmm..."
Han Seo-yul looked skeptical but nodded.
"Makes sense. Witches are desire blobs. Obsessing over their fixation's common."
"Yeah, side effect probably."
"Still, for a side effect... you look like you're enjoying it?"
Sis shot me a glare. Couldn't deny the arm felt amazing, but...
'Gonna keep explaining forever? Exhausting!'
Drained between two women. This a harem? More like bloodbath setup. One wrong move, stabbed in the gut?
Ding-dong—
Doors opened. Her scary glare had me bolting out.
Ahead: 'HR Team.' Normal company? New hire interviews, salary talks. But Nebula.
"Let's go. They'll be waiting."
Han Seo-yul led. I followed, dragging Jin Se-hee. She clutched my clothes the whole hall.
End of corridor: steel door.
"Come in."
Approaching triggered a short, dry voice over intercom.
Beep.
Door slid silently open.
A rush of cool air. Thick perfume mixed with metallic fishiness—eerie atmosphere.
I swallowed dryly, gripping Jin Se-hee's hand tight.
"Let's go in, Mom."
"Ung... Baby, scary here..."
"It's fine. I'm here."
I'm scared too.
Jin Se-hee shrank behind me, huddling. Witch or not, still timid? Or sensing top predator instinctively?
Inside: dark room.
Sole light: mood lamp center table. Faint glow silhouetted several shadows.
"Heh?"
First reaction: familiar voice.
"Faster than expected? Kid. Didn't think you'd make it in under a week."
Huge woman lounging, legs propped on table. Muscled arms, crude leather choker on neck.
Bear.
She crunched her lollipop stick, eyes gleaming. Her gaze pierced Jin Se-hee behind me. I hurried forward, bowing.
"Jeong Ji-un. Nice to meet you."
Glanced up at head seat.
Vision filled with intense red cascade. Luscious crimson hair spilled past chair back to floor. Woman reclined, long pipe in mouth.
Fwooo...
White smoke rose from her lips. Acrid yet sweet, dreamy scent.
"This the guy?"
Drowsy eyes. Her voice low, husky.
Viper replied.
"Yes, Team Leader. This is the new recruit Jeong Ji-un."
"Hmm."
She tapped ash off pipe, scanning me. Indifferent, like inspecting a bug.
Instinct made me shrink.
She a witch too?
No—likely all women here were.
Five or six in shadows, all wearing Nebula chokers. Auras chilling spines.
Seductive scents, but laced with poison qi.
"Plainer than expected... no, pathetically weak. That wimp helping us?"
"Looks deceive. Ability's solid."
Viper defended me.
"Heh? Really? Still don't buy it."
Bear, perched on table crunching candy, cackled.
Crunch, crunch.
"Spill, Viper. He got dirt on you? Suspicious from start. Why else recruit a loser here?"
"Shut it, Bear. Getting here means mission success. Your brain's all muscle, so you think all witches are psychos."
"What? You glasses bitch...!"
Bear growled, fist clenched. Tensions clashed.
"Quiet."
Head woman murmured. One word silenced them.
She wiped teary eye corner, annoyed, repiping.
"...We got our meeting. Wrap quick. Made a witch and brought her?"
"Yes, Team Leader. As you see."
Viper pointed to Jin Se-hee beside me. Shrunken in unfamiliar air, she trembled, clinging tighter.
"Hmm."
Redhead eyed her lazily. Gaze lingered maybe 1 second—or 0.5.
"Quality's decent. Packed with poison qi."
She flipped documents.
"Approved."
"...Pardon?"
Involuntary reflex. Approved? That's it?
"Problem?"
"N-no. Thought more verification..."
"Verification my ass."
She waved dismissively, shooing flies.
"Results mean hire. Ask staff for details. Out. Busy."
"......"
Interest gone. Other witches back to papers, tablets, chatting.
"C'mon, out. Don't space."
Han Seo-yul nudged my back. Dazed, I nodded to Viper, dragged Jin Se-hee out.
Clunk.
Door shut, corridor chill returned.
"Mm..."
Thought I'd die tense—booted in under a minute.
"What, so wronged? Why the face?"
Han Seo-yul vended two canned coffees.
Clunk, clunk.
"Kinda anticlimactic. Life-on-line gig, but reaction's meh."
"Duh."
She tossed one. Thud.
"Hey, this Nebula. Grips this city—no, countries' underworlds. One job gets standing ovation?"
"Still... you said promotion possible!"
Anyone else fine, but not you!
Sis grinned sheepishly.
"Ahem, making witches ain't easy. But from their side: found near-corrupted magical girl by luck, sweet-talked her. More plausible, right?"
"Mmm..."
True, but... no falling for it.
Past gigs half pay. Sis just hyping solo?
"Whatever, relax! No attention's better. Stand out, just get targeted, tiring."
She patted my shoulder.
Then Jin Se-hee beside me growled.
"Don't touch baby."
"...God, auntie. Important talk here."
"Hmph! What important talk with my baby? I'm joining."
Jin Se-hee tugged my arm, whining. I sighed, cracked can, held to her mouth.
"Here, drink. Sweet."
"Mmm... 'cause baby gives. Slurp."
No straw, lips straight to rim, sipping.
Simple's good.
Screee—
Meeting room opened; Viper emerged, adjusting glasses, approaching.
"Whew... Hired now, casual speech okay?"
"Ah, sure."
"Sorry. Team Leader's like that. Likes conclusions only."
"Then..."
"Congrats. Verified. Leader approved—rank soon. Meanwhile, this."
Viper pulled card key from pocket, handed over.
Black base, red hex logo: Nebula official employee ID.
Dazed, I took it. Jin Se-hee got one too.
"Temp ID. Clears most building areas. Security zones excluded."
Viper explained flatly, eyes to Han Seo-yul.
"And Fox."
"What. Gimme ID? Contract not done, don't need."
Han Seo-yul waved lazily. But Viper smirked oddly, stepped close, whispered in ear.
"No. Different business. 'That one' wants you."
"...That one?"
Han Seo-yul frowned. Viper mouthed name silently. Han Seo-yul paled, then grimaced in horror.
"Fuck. Witches gonna witch..."
"Know what refusing means? 13th floor lounge, waiting."
"Sigh, stepped in shit."
Han Seo-yul ruffled hair roughly, bitter smile at me.
"Hey, Jeong Ji-un. Gotta go first. Super tiring... meeting."
"Huh? What meeting?"
"Don't ask. She'd hurt you knowing. Contact later."
She fled down hall opposite. Back screamed desperation.
She? Who called her?
Witch, so not ordinary.
Hall now: me, Jin Se-hee, Viper.
"Well then."
Viper peered over glasses at me.
"You, with me."
"Where to?"
"Stuff to discuss. Follow."
She turned, deeper into hall. I grabbed Jin Se-hee's hand to follow.
But.
"No. You stay."
Viper crooked finger.
"Huh?"
Jin Se-hee froze, clinging, growling.
"No. I'm going. With baby."
"Get separation anxiety, fine. But business talk. Even witches can't hear."
"Won't listen! Plug ears! Just let me stay with baby!"
Jin Se-hee whined stubbornly.
"Se-hee, wait. Back quick."
"No! Don't! That woman's gonna eat you! Stinks! Dangerous smell!"
Who here doesn't stink danger?
"Haa..."
Viper sighed shortly.
"Can't take hint. Fresh witch, huh."
Snap.
That instant.
"Kgh...?!"
Jin Se-hee's body stiffened. Her choker's red gem flashed wildly.
Vrrr—!
"Mmph?! Mph! Mmmph!"
She tried screaming, voiceless. Invisible bonds restrained her; arms forcibly peeled off me.
I reached in shock.
But her body flew magnetically to waiting bench on wall, forced seated.
Thud.
"Mph! Mmph! Mmmph!"
Stranded on bench, immobile. Eyes bulging, thrashing futilely—no finger twitch. Mouth sealed like gagged.
"Don't worry. Just restrained."
Viper casual.
"Choker you put on, but admin rights mine. Safety for rampage or defiance."
"Ah..."
"Quick talk. Tell her wait nicely."
Viper strode off, heels clicking. I waved to pitiful, eye-rolling Jin Se-hee on bench.
"Back soon. Promise."
"Mmmph...!"
Her eyes welled, but no choice. Hurried after Viper.
Click, click, click.
Long hall echoed her sharp heels. Windowless, sealed. Cold air brushed skin.
I swallowed behind her.
What to discuss alone?
Business wouldn't need separating Jin Se-hee. Sparse area too.
Doubting my ability? Or like Seo-yul sis, some scheme...?
Thoughts swirled.
"You."
Viper halted ahead. Back turned, low voice.
"Jeong In-hyeok."
"...!"
Heart plummeted. Feet stopped.
"Know?"
Viper turned slowly, facing. Cold lenses pierced me.
Jeong In-hyeok.
Long time hearing that name from another's lips.
"...My father."