Chapter 25: Office Wife
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 25: Office Wife
The Clan Leader’s office looked desolate, furnished with only a few sparse pieces.
Sitting in an expensive-looking black leather chair, Park Sung-jun couldn't take his eyes off the monitor.
The screen showed Jeong Yeon-woo taking down wood monsters and insect monsters with a pair of pistols.
Since it was a D-6 dungeon, the monsters weren't particularly formidable. However, the man who, just six months ago, had crawled out crying because he couldn't catch a single goblin was now single-handedly wiping out a swarm that had annihilated an entire party.
And he was doing it with effortless ease, without a hint of danger.
"Did he engrave magic circles on the bullets...?"
He was using magic so naturally that it raised suspicions, but it seemed even more impossible to predict the flow of battle and pre-load the magazines with specific rounds.
Freezing, fire—as Sung-jun replayed the footage, he saw that Yeon-woo was even using magic to adjust the bullets' penetration power.
If that were the case, it meant he was imbuing each bullet with magic individually as he fired. Performing such rapid-fire while casting is a feat difficult even for experienced mages.
Even if Sung-jun found it hard to believe, the Jeong Yeon-woo on the monitor was slaughtering monsters with magic-infused bullets. His final sweep to confirm the kills made him look like a veteran of several decades.
"Was that all an act...?"
"What are you muttering about all by yourself? It’s creepy."
When Han So-ye, who was watching the monitor beside him, scolded him, Park Sung-jun scowled and looked at her, breaking his serious facade.
"He’s a completely different person than he was six months ago. Doesn't it occur to you that he might have been acting all along to deceive us?"
"I don't know. What would he gain from doing that? Isn't it more likely that he overcame a painful past and worked himself to death? It’s actually quite admirable."
This was why dealing with people whose heads were filled with romantic notions was such a chore.
Park Sung-jun grimaced deeply and turned his gaze back to the monitor.
No matter which D-rank hero they brought in, they wouldn't be able to create an impact like this.
Superb mana control, marksmanship reminiscent of special forces, and the skill to coolly sweep away a horde of monsters—if this video were released right now, Jeong Yeon-woo would undoubtedly be ranked number one among all D-rank heroes in the world.
"Don't get any funny ideas. That would be a breach of contract."
At Han So-ye's words, Park Sung-jun clicked his tongue.
Jeong Yeon-woo had used his field authority to turn off all drones and communications. Because Sung-jun had given prior instructions to observe him, the situation room had secretly recorded with one drone, but if they went public with this, they would face legal repercussions and be lynched by other heroes.
Outstanding skill, and on top of that, flashy gun techniques.
Aren't guns the kind of weapon women go crazy for?
If this were released, the number of heroes knocking on Break Line's door would skyrocket. And not just heroes—clans would be lining up to collaborate with a Break Line that had captured the public's attention.
A brilliant future shimmered before his eyes, but he couldn't reach for it. If he used it and Jeong Yeon-woo kicked up a fuss about a breach of contract, the loss would outweigh the gain.
If it were the old, powerless Yeon-woo, he could have easily manipulated him. But after being caught off guard once by underestimating him, Park Sung-jun realized that Jeong Yeon-woo was no pushover.
Recalling Yeon-woo’s face as he nonchalantly smiled while pocketing an incentive Sung-jun never intended to give, Sung-jun’s eyes turned sharp.
I have to put a leash on him...
If things continued like this, Yeon-woo might leave the moment he found a clan offering better terms.
Since they were already using him to promote Break Line, other clans were already showing interest. He needed a reliable leash to feel at ease.
Han So-ye glanced at the deeply contemplating Park Sung-jun before turning her gaze back to the Jeong Yeon-woo on the screen.
Seeing the boy who used to be so fragile now taking down monsters with such coolness made her feel incredibly proud.
The light in Han So-ye’s eyes as she watched and the glare in Park Sung-jun’s were worlds apart.
“... ...”
What is it? Why did my mood suddenly sour?
I was sitting in my office, playing around by rotating a mana sphere, when a strange sensation made me look around.
I felt like someone was watching me...
Did that bastard Park Sung-jun install a CCTV in my office or something?
I was searching every nook and cranny of the office out of suspicion when the phone rang.
"Yes, this is Manager Jeong Yeon-woo."
"Come up to my room."
Click—
I stared blankly at the receiver before hanging up. Even if caller ID was a thing, that was way too cold.
It was a summons from Kim Yun-ah.
Ever since she pissed herself at the karaoke bar, she’s been avoiding me, and now she’s treating me with ice-cold indifference.
When I casually asked the other male employees, they were all getting sexually harassed just fine. Even the manly Won Tae-hun sighed and lamented about Department Head Kim Yun-ah’s "wandering hands."
What the hell? Why am I the only one being discriminated against? Do it to me too.
Full of complaints, I entered her office to find Kim Yun-ah looking at me with her legs crossed in a seductive pose. Her aura was playful, but the look in her eyes was nothing short of frigid.
She tossed a thick stack of documents onto the desk.
"This is the press release material we’re sending to the reporters. Check it."
It was worth storming into the PR department after they kept releasing materials that used me to piss off other clans. Truly, in any organization, you have to throw a fit for them to stop seeing you as a pushover.
Reading through the documents, they were still full of lies.
Stop lying. You guys don't give a damn about my reports.
They had written a dazzling account of how much potential I was showing as a supervisor. At least the tone provoking other clans had been removed, which was a relief.
There was also interview material from Yoon A-young.
The clan probably made her do it, but she said my advice was a huge help in reaching D-7 and that she always welcomed evaluations from professional personnel.
By the way, she only cleared D-6 for the second time a few days ago, and she’s already at D-7? I don't know if she’s just that good or if she’s overextending herself, but she definitely has talent.
She has the Jewel of Life, so there’s no need to worry.
I handed the documents back to Kim Yun-ah and nodded.
"Yes, looks fine."
Kim Yun-ah is the boss, but strangely, it felt like I was the one reviewing her report. Since I told the PR department to let me verify any info they use about me, this awkward situation has been created.
"Don't bother the PR department for no reason and just focus on your own work, Yeon-woo. Just because the Clan Leader is fond of you lately doesn't mean you should act so arrogant."
Am I not doing well?
Compared to before, it feels like I have ten times more work. Of course, since I did nothing but stamp papers back then, ten times more work is still a small amount, but relatively speaking, I look like a hard worker.
Kim Yun-ah glared at me as if she had swapped souls with Kang Jeong-mi from the Strategy Department, who hated me for some reason.
Is it because of that after all?
As her aura suggested, Kim Yun-ah seemed to have a strong desire to dominate men. I bet she would have been the same even in my original world. The type who would enjoy wearing leather and wielding a whip.
I don't know if that kind of thing is common in this world, but regardless, it seems her pride took a hit after being helplessly defeated by me.
"I know you're out in the field a lot supervising apprentice heroes, but get your work done on time."
I haven't been late once so far.
I’ve dealt with bosses who pick fights for no reason plenty of times in the military, so I didn't argue and just said I understood. Talking back would only prolong the lecture.
As I stood there quietly saying "yes, yes," Kim Yun-ah glared at me for a moment before waving her hand for me to leave.
Dammit, no sexual harassment today either.
Swallowing my disappointment, I was heading back to my office when Han Ju-hee approached me with someone in tow.
"Manager, the intern is here."
Since I only handle hero-related business, I don't really know who joins the clan.
"Hello! I'm Baek Bo-min, the new intern! I look forward to working with you!"
I wondered if she was even an adult. Baek Bo-min, with her small frame and bobbed hair, bowed and then looked up at me. Her small face was dominated by large eyes and a tiny mouth, making me want to pat her on the head.
"I've seen so much of your work on the internet, Manager Jeong Yeon-woo! It's an honor to work with you!"
Thanks for the compliment, but more than half of that is bullshit. It’s just an illusion created by Park Sung-jun.
However, Baek Bo-min’s eyes were sparkling, and Han Ju-hee, standing beside her, nodded with a satisfied expression as if the intern was speaking the absolute truth.
No, Han Ju-hee, you know the truth, so why are you so happy?
"Nice to meet you. I'm Manager Jeong Yeon-woo. I hope we can continue working together, Ms. Baek Bo-min."
"You can be comfortable with me! Please, feel free to speak informally!"
"No, the company policy itself is a culture of mutual respect."
I greeted the over-enthusiastic intern with an awkward smile and headed to my office.
I had a time when I was eager to work hard at everything, too. It’s such a distant memory now that I can barely recall it.
A little while after I sat down in my office, Han Ju-hee came in with some reports.
"What do you think of Ms. Baek Bo-min?"
"We'll have to wait and see. Even if she makes mistakes, now is the time for her to learn step by step."
Han Ju-hee answered casually and handed me the documents.
She really is good at her job. She doesn't judge hastily and is the type who would do well even in a high-ranking position. She’s ambitious and never slacks off; I’m just curious why she’s working under me.
I read through the perfectly organized report, which didn't have a single typo, and handed Han Ju-hee the documents that were on my desk.
"It's a new project. We're going to push for recruitment this time, focusing on the list of B-rank heroes you submitted before."
"We're finally recruiting B-rank heroes."
Perhaps because it was something she had been involved in, Han Ju-hee’s eyes sparkled as she took the documents and looked at me.
"I'm going to form a team centered around you, so please request the necessary personnel or support in three days."
"Pardon? I'm doing it?"
"Yes, because you're the right person for it. You're the one who compiled the list, and you're the one who judged their recruitment potential while investigating them."
If she successfully completes this project, Han Ju-hee’s performance record will skyrocket. Since she was ambitious and wanted a big project, this was my gift to her.
Well, it did involve a bit of dumping my work on her, too.
Seeing Han Ju-hee hesitate, wondering if she was allowed to take on such a project, I gave her a thin smile.
"It's not a command, so you don't have to take it if you're anxious. And don't worry, I'll be helping you from the side."
Since I’d have to be dragged along as the face of the operation anyway when we go to recruit, I was just acting generous.
Han Ju-hee took a deep breath, her eyes filling with determination, and gave a firm nod.
"I will show you results that live up to your trust."
After making that reliable promise, Han Ju-hee gave me a slight bow and left the office. Seeing her footsteps skip a little as she walked away, she seemed excited.
Since my work for the day was done, I stopped by the shooting range at quitting time to meet Sung Hee-na.
She still had that chic exterior, but the moment she saw me, a puppy-like smile spread across her face and she came running over.
While we practiced shooting and chatted, the other team members left one by one. Once we were the only two left, Sung Hee-na became restless, her eyes filled with anticipation.
"Hee-na, want to help me with my training?"
"Yes, Yeon-woo."
Answering in a sultry voice, Sung Hee-na quickly locked the shooting range door and came close to me while I was shooting.
Though it was heavily laced with lust, this was, in its own way, training.
I had to improve my shooting accuracy while moving or while my body was being shaken by Sung Hee-na touching me.
As I always emphasize, the moment you accidentally give a heal meant for an ally to a monster in any situation, everything goes to hell.
Yeah, so Sung Hee-na unzipping my pants while I’m shooting is also training.
"Mmm..."
It’s training. Really.