Agents of the Branch
October 27th, 9:05 AM.
When Kang-jun arrived at the office that morning, he received a summons from Team Leader Carlos. He stepped into the third floor and found the burly man sipping a sweet mixed coffee while blowing on it noisily.
Carlos, dressed in a sharp suit and watching the news, caught sight of Kang-jun entering and flashed a grin.
“Come in.”
“Ah, yes, sir.”
Carlos waved him over with a flourish. Kang-jun slid into the seat facing the team leader and accepted the mixed coffee that Miss Kim had prepared. The pretty woman’s smile carried a hint of warmth that made Kang-jun’s lips curl into a knowing smirk.
He winked like a playboy and turned his gaze back to the team leader.
“You called me, sir…”
“Because I have a transfer order.”
He pointed at the ceiling with a finger.
“From headquarters.”
Headquarters? Kang-jun frowned. Miss Kim placed the printed document on the desk and slid it over. Kang-jun picked it up and read the contents in silence.
The recommending name S-class Wang Gang appeared in bold letters. It was marked as a first-class secret document, so the details were left blank. Of course, he had a pretty good idea what was inside.
“Wang Gang-senpai… you know him?”
“Ah, yes. We met when I visited Senior Jang Hwa-young’s house last time… I didn’t expect a recommendation letter to be included.”
“You recognized the raw talent.”
Carlos nodded as if it was obvious. Of course. She wasn’t an S-class hero for nothing. She spotted a rare talent the moment she saw him.
“He’s apparently arrived at our branch.”
“Ah, yes, I know.”
“Oh? Well, since it’s a temporary dispatch, there’s no need for you to come here every day. It’s for two weeks.”
“Two weeks?!”
“I don’t know the details either. It’s up to Senior Wang Gang.”
No A-class leader in their right mind would question an S-class hero. Even in rank or power, Carlos was playing in a much lower league.
“Understood. I’ll send him over right away. …And tell him the Carlos team sent you, too, dammit.”
“I’ll make sure to pass it on as if I were barking orders.”
“You brat—”
They shared a pointless laugh, then parted ways. As Kang-jun headed downstairs, Erika stubbed out her cigarette in the break room and stepped out.
“What’s up?”
“Dispatch. Two weeks.”
“Two weeks?!”
“It’s a headquarters order.”
A B-class rookie like Erika couldn’t possibly interfere with what an A-class couldn’t. She shot him a look of pure envy, eyes darting toward the sky like a chicken.
“So I won’t get to see you for a month…?”
If his schedule clashed too, it would be almost a month before he let her see his face. Erika was already sulking, but she had no choice.
“Well, contact me whenever you have time.”
He gave her the obligatory line and packed his bag. The three D-class members jumped up. He gave them a quick wave and warned them not to show up empty-handed next time.
Erika caught on and followed him out. She glanced at the office door where Carlos was gesturing wildly, then turned to the D-class.
“You two… aren’t you weird?”
“Huh? Ah, yes…”
“Is this dating? …You two don’t seem to have boyfriends yet.”
The D-class just watched them with nervous glances. They knew better than to gossip about the team leader; the craving that followed such rumors would be unbearable. Yuhyeji, who had been secretly pining for Kang-jun, looked devastated.
“Kang-jun—!”
Erika called out to him as he stepped out of the building. He paused, glanced back at her, then kept walking at a brisk pace toward the car and climbed into the driver’s seat. The engine roared to life, and the window slid down.
“Why?”
The magical girl Erika turned her head left and right, checking if anyone was listening, then glanced up at the second-floor window where her teammates were glued to the glass. When she shot them a fierce glare, they quickly scurried back to their desks.
There goes the new guy.
“Kang-jun, you absolutely have to contact me, okay? …If I don’t see you, I’ll be in trouble.”
“Wasn’t I the one who came all this way to say that?”
“Yeah… I… I like you…”
Kang-jun’s smile faded at the sudden confession. Erika waved her hands frantically.
“No, no! I’m not asking for any payback or anything—just… my feelings are what they are… I just wanted you to know.”
“Understood.”
“…You have to contact me. Okay? I’ll wait.”
Kang-jun nodded a couple of times and stared straight ahead. Erika took a few steps back and watched his car disappear into the parking lot.
He exhaled long through his nose while watching the pink-haired figure shrink in the rearview mirror.
Did I push her too far?
This playthrough had been unusually octopus-like already. With so many women in his orbit, he was getting close to filling both hands.
…Well, it was inevitable for a coupon-chasing bastard like him.
— Ah, senpais. It’s so sad. This fate that can’t satisfy even one woman…
— Haha lmao smh lol lol lol lol lol
— Lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol
— This guy sometimes goes full speed lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol
— Ah I want to slap him with a coupon but I’m holding back lol lol lol lol lol
Ah, opportunity—
— Oh my, thank you taste-hyung! Slap him hard with a coupon plz lol ang
— ????????????????????????????
— He’s insane lol lol lol lol lol for real lol
— For real smh lol lol lol
— Smh for real lol
— Did you just act all affectionate just now? Fuck lol lol lol
— Ang jrl lol lol lol
Bad guys—
The streets were noticeably quieter now that the office commotion had passed. Kang-jun raced down the wide road at full speed toward the 45th District Hero Branch. It took about an hour.
Upon arrival, he passed through security smoothly and descended to the underground parking lot. He parked the sedan, took the elevator, and headed to the reception desk on the first floor.
“Oh my, Mr. Lee Kang-jun. Long time no see.”
“It has been. …Do you know where Senior Wang Gang is?”
“He’s on the fifth floor, Mr. Wang’s office.”
“I see. Then…”
Kang-jun took the elevator again. He exchanged a casual glance with the unknown staff member already riding up and stepped off on the fifth floor.
The moment he stepped out, he felt it. The natural aura radiating from the man was on an entirely different level from the others. Kang-jun walked straight toward it.
Wang Gang, seated in his office, lifted his head and swept his gaze along the wall. The agents traded glances at the team leader’s unusual reaction, wondering what was going on.
“A rare visitor has arrived.”
A rare visitor? Suddenly?
Everyone followed Wang Gang’s eyes to the door. A knock echoed. D-class Peter opened it at once, and Kang-jun stepped inside.
Oh my—
Julia’s eyes widened the instant she saw him. He was just too striking. Wang Sian was also startled; she had left early for work, hadn’t she? …And she realized her father had been scheming behind her back.
Kang-jun approached Wang Gang and gave a light bow.
“Senior.”
“Did I rush you? Sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
“Not at all. If there’s anything I can do to help, of course I will. As fellow colleagues.”
Although Wang Gang’s gaze had been a little pointed, Kang-jun didn’t mind. Making connections with powerhouses like this only benefited him.
To defeat the Four Heavenly Kings of the third dungeon—Abosev, the failed dragon—he needed the strength of these S-class heroes. That was also why he had become a hero in the first place. After all, a slight difference in atmosphere existed depending on whether one was recognized as a hero or not.
“You already know what we do here, don’t you…?”
“Yes. I’ll do my best, at least temporarily.”
“Good.”
The agents hadn’t seen Wang Gang smile like that often. It clearly meant he had a favorable impression of the guest. …They were all still trying to figure out his identity.
“Now, gather around.”
Wang Gang clapped lightly. The agents, who had been watching nervously, rushed over on cue. Kang-jun met each of their eyes. Wang Sian deliberately avoided making eye contact; it was probably best that way.
“I’m C-class Lee Kang-jun from the 45th Branch. Things are about to get busy, so I requested the recommendation to borrow the branch’s resources.”
“Lee Kang-jun.”
Clap, clap, clap—light applause followed.
Besides Wang Gang and Kang-jun, the agents consisted of three men and two women. The only familiar face was Wang Sian, who had been screaming herself hoarse late into the previous night. The rest were nameless D-class fodder.
One by one they introduced themselves.
Deputy Team Leader B-class Kim Ji-cheol.
Agent C-class Wang Sian, C-class Julia, C-class Roy.
Temporary D-class Peter.
Peter felt a chill when his eyes met Kang-jun’s. Not just unease… it was like a ghost. As if he were standing before Wang Gang’s master.
A hidden expert…
He had suspected it, but hadn’t expected this level. After all, he had age on his side. No matter how talented, time and experience mattered.
“He’s a friend I cherish deeply. You’ll have to look after him while he’s here.”
“We understand, Team Leader.”
“Alright, back to work, everyone.”
The agents scattered back to their desks. Before sending Kang-jun to the empty chair, Wang Gang asked if anyone had a recommendation.
“If there’s no one to pair with, the picture would be odd. Having someone you know would be better.”
In other words, was there no partner to work with?
Kang-jun thought for a moment. He needed someone he could actually use.
“Senior Jang Hwa-young?”
“Leave her out.”
Even Wang Gang wouldn’t treat Jang Hwa-young like a subordinate. Even if there was a difference in hierarchy, it was based on score, not position.
Kang-jun hesitated. He needed someone he could pull strings with… The list narrowed quickly.
Erika would be a pain in the team, and Lexy was out of the question. Then the only remaining option was…
“I have one.”
Belita was fuming the moment she received the sudden branch summons.
Shit, I was just resting on my day off! Why the call now?!
She hated calls on her off days the most. If it had been to meet Kang-jun, she would have understood, but summoning her for no reason made her want to flip the entire building upside down. …Of course, she wouldn’t actually do that.
Still, the villa was only a ten-minute drive from the branch. Of course, she hadn’t thrown on a hoodie and come out; that would have been too sloppy.
The 45th Branch’s fashionista was ready.
She wore a pink mink coat over a black silk one-piece dress made of silk. She had also dyed her wavy platinum hair recently, giving her a perfect, almost painted-on look. Sunglasses completed the illusion, making her look like a celebrity walking through the streets.
Wow, really Belita. Why are you so perfect.
Before getting out of the car, she struck a few poses in the parking lot.
I have to make sure Lee Kang-jun sees this. …He’ll just be enjoying the show for free—
Belita stepped out and rode the elevator to the fifth floor. The address was written in detail, so she didn’t need to go to reception.
The staff and heroes riding with her in the elevator shot her sidelong glances.
Hmph, so full of yourself.
She stepped off the elevator with her chin raised and walked down the hallway in a model’s stride. The office wasn’t far. Still, since she was a senior S-class hero, she kept it professional. Just enough to assert her dominance without looking arrogant.
Knock, knock, knock.
Belita knocked politely. The door opened almost immediately. A young man who looked barely adult stood there. She gave him a light nod and slipped inside.
It was obvious who the boss was. She walked straight to him.
“Ah, you’ve come.”
Wang Gang turned his gaze toward the person who had recommended the flashy hero. Someone stood up from their seat.
The dignified woman’s eyes widened when she saw the man who had risen.
“Lee… Kang-jun?”
The man whose five letters had been returned that very day was standing right here.
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