Part-Time Job Reunion
"Where the hell have you been? You got here fast."
"Home... wait, is that really the issue right now? What do you mean, someone knows you?!"
Ryu Shin-ah yanked off his sunglasses as he demanded answers.
Yul grabbed his arm and dragged him into the crowd. Even inside the pizza joint, his dedicated fan wouldn't draw too much attention, but there was no need to linger by the door.
Yul gave him a quick rundown of what had just happened.
"......He told you to go to the tower?"
"Yeah."
"What'd he look like? You're sure he's a hunter?"
"No clue. Kinda like In-ah but not quite. Not sure about a contract, but he was awakened for sure."
A hunter of Yul's caliber could size up anyone else's stats in an instant. The reason it felt ambiguous was because the guy hadn't used any powers directly.
Ryu Shin-ah pondered for a moment before summoning a keyboard and screen.
"What'd he look like? The guy."
"Blond. Way brighter than yours, though. A bit yellower than that ice queen. Eyes were gold."
"......"
Ryu Shin-ah's face turned grave, but Yul remained unfazed. In her mind, the guy from earlier was just some crazy blond #1—not worth the mental storage space.
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' nods vigorously, saying that's right—such a guy doesn't deserve space in our Yul's head.
"Anyway, how far's our country gotten in the tower?"
A word she'd ignored until now slipped out, prompting the question.
Ryu Shin-ah sighed shortly as he tapped away at the keyboard.
Ah, the tower?
"No system window for you...? Yeah, figures you're not interested. Daehwanjang Guild entered two weeks ago and cleared up to floor 2, then Twilight took over and they're pushing hard now."
"Overseas?"
"Roughly 3 to 5 on average? US and China at 6."
Oh, and ReturnMyDailyLifeYouShoes and Deep Sea look like they're about to enter too, Ryu Shin-ah added.
The top five guilds in Korea: Deep Sea, led by its guild master and vice-guild master who were both top-10 domestically. Even stats across the board, excelling in everything—always neck-and-neck with Daehwanjang for second place: Twilight. Third: Daehwanjang. Elite few in fourth: ReturnMyDailyLifeYouShoes. And last, led by former 8th—now 9th: Silla.
I think I vaguely heard something about them entering soon... but why's everyone so fast?
Entry tickets were doled out by rankings, so it made sense the top hunters worldwide started first.
Ryu Shin-ah looked puzzled. "But why the tower?"
"It kinda stuck with me."
That vague special info from before.
This 'Babel Tower' is not prepared for everyone.
「What's the point if you don't climb it.」
......Overthinking it?
Yul tried to brush it off casually, but then her phone buzzed.
"Ah."
"What's up?"
Yul held up her screen for Ryu Shin-ah to see. A single text with a smiling emoticon: "Part-time job approved."
......But seriously, why'd they hire me?
* * *
"Ah, for real."
A man with light brown hair and light brown eyes hid in the shadows. Sleazy-looking impression. Owner of an exceedingly punchable tone of voice. Kim Jae-won.
"Finally escaped, and boom—arrest warrant right away... You work fast, huh?"
He turned to someone deeper in the darkness.
A pale blond man stared back impassively. Yul's mental "crazy blond #1."
"So, you went to find her yourself?"
"......"
"If you'd step in like this, no need to drag family into it at the concert... But you must have your reasons. I won't pry."
Kim Jae-won nodded politely enough.
"By the way, what'd you say?"
The blond man finally spoke after a long silence.
"......She's doing part-time."
"......Pardon?"
"Told her to come out. To the tower."
"Wait, what......"
Kim Jae-won fumbled for words before giving up.
"Leaving the mom alive creates variables like this... No, I get she's obedient. But why's the world's strongest living so mundanely......"
"If she keeps hiding, no choice."
The man said coldly. His golden eyes glinted icily.
"......Then we'll drag her out by any means."
* * *
A week later.
Yul headed to work as usual.
Man, it's been forever since I did a part-time gig.
Last one was at least three years ago. Two years into her leave of absence now, and before that, she'd quit for hunter work.
「Part-time approved......」
「For real? Congrats! Make Shin-ah treat you. He scouted a good spot.」
Kang Young-hwa had cheered at the news of her slacker daughter finally moving and getting out regularly. From her perspective, it was worrying: a 24-year-old skipping job prep and college for two years, holed up fangirling. Not asking much—just work part-time and go out. Yul's conscience had finally surrendered.
"One iced Americano, please. Regular."
"Fourteen hundred won."
Yul punched the register familiarly and started brewing. Prime spot in front of an idol agency in the best commercial district—packed from day one. She'd wondered if they were picky about hires, but good was good.
Cafe work counted as semi-pro thanks to helping her mom. Orientation flew by. A week in, Yul handled it like a veteran of months.
At least she wasn't a nuisance.
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' says our Yul can be as much of a nuisance as she wants.
The Sovereign scoffs: Even if they swing their spear, who dares raise their head at the throne's foot?
Sure, sure.
Yul handed over the coffee without fanfare. She overheard customers at tables murmuring over their phones.
"Deep Sea and Twilight just returned! Only a couple days, right?"
"Two days. Clear complete... So Korea's at floor 5 now?"
"Wonder what the rewards are? Interviews said better than dungeon loot."
"Hunters only anyway."
Floor 5 already? They live at the tower or what.
Yul listlessly sorted the buzzing pager. Tickets by rank, so only top global hunters qualified yet. Top guilds like Deep Sea and Twilight naturally went first.
System alerts on clears, but Yul didn't retain uninteresting info.
"Hey, Yul."
"Yes?"
She turned at the manager's call. The franchise owner was a surprisingly young woman.
"Customer coming soon for a reserved cake—can you handle it? Gotta step out."
Sudden emergency, she apologized. No big deal, Yul nodded casually.
"Thank goodness. Thanks—the red box in the display case. Name's here."
"Got it. You heading out now?"
"Yeah. Sis got caught in a gate......"
"Ah."
Her voice dripped anxiety. Yul let out a dry exclamation and nodded.
Go quick, then.
The manager left hurried apologies and bolted. Yul checked the reservation slip.
"......Huh?"
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' asks what's wrong.
"Isn't this Double Black's manager's name?"
Well-known among fans. Longtime with them since debut—fans loved how well he cared for the boys.
Cake? Not a birthday, and even then, protocol team handles it.
The door opened then, snapping her from thought. Probably not, anyway.
She brushed it off.
* * *
......But it was?
"Here for the cake."
Yul stifled a mental gasp. The day Ryu Shin-ah landed... when she'd first seen Park Sa-ha and Han Jun-yeol in the flesh. The manager sulking behind them.
"Here you go."
"Ah, thanks."
"Have a good one......"
Yul blankly watched him go.
Real deal. Local haunt?
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' shrugs, saying maybe.
Excitedly says wouldn't it be great if our Yul ran into those boys?
That'd take insane luck... Wait, no—meeting Star-nim was even rarer odds.
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' earnestly denies, saying you and I were fated to meet.
Murmurs it's the one unchanging truth, no matter the world or dimension.
The constellation's words were uncharacteristically solemn. Yul rubbed her neck awkwardly.
Uh, thanks. Words mean a lot.
* * *
That awkward hour nearing evening. Shift change loomed.
Folks trickled out early due to the timing, emptying the cafe. Yul wiped cups and plates, then sat.
No one around—break time.
Phone check: message from Ryu Shin-ah.