Cleaning Up the Corpse
I had to clean up my father's body.
First, Black Comet went to the bathroom and drained the blood, then dismembered the corpse into appropriately sized pieces. After that, she brought over trash bags and stuffed the parts inside. It wasn't exactly neat. The bags tore under the weight, so she had to wrap them in multiple layers. When she opened the refrigerator to store the bags, there wasn't enough space. She moved everything that could be frozen into the freezer. By the time she had crammed the bags into the newly emptied space, pressing them down firmly, dawn had already broken.
Her dress had gotten dirty and she was exhausted, so she took a leisurely shower and ate an early breakfast. After washing the dishes, she tossed the bedsheets into the washing machine, mopped the floors, and cleaned the entire house. The doorbell rang just as Black Comet finished tidying up the remains of the body, sat down on the sofa, and began sipping her coffee.
"Who is it?"
Beyond the door stood a man in a suit, holding a magic staff.
"I'm from the Disaster Response Committee."
"Oh... Then I suppose I should open the door?"
"That would be appreciated."
"Just a moment."
Black Comet felt cold sweat trickling down her back. She quickly scanned the living room before opening the front door.
"The house is a bit messy. Please bear with me."
"Excuse me."
Black Comet gestured toward the living room sofa, then headed for the kitchen.
"Would you like some coffee? I'm afraid I don't have any other drinks."
"No, I'm fine."
"Ah, I see."
Black Comet turned around mid-step and returned to the living room.
"So... what brings you here?"
"The committee has agreed to implement protective measures for the families of key high-ranking government officials. That's why I've come to explain the situation to the family members of Social Budget Director Ban Minhye."
The official looked around the house, as if searching for those family members. When his gaze brushed across the kitchen, Black Comet spoke up quickly.
"Then that family member would be me."
The official turned to look at her, then pulled out a notebook from his pocket. He read its contents, examined her again, and asked cautiously.
"Son?"
"Yes. Legally, a son."
The official glanced at her chest and the one-piece dress she wore, then tapped his notebook while falling into thought. It was a rather awkward gesture.
"...And your occupation?"
"Which one?"
"Both."
"It's a bit embarrassing to say, but I was working as an accountant and going through the external audit process when the change happened. I quit after that, so currently I'm unemployed. The other one is Necromancer."
"That matches."
"Does it?"
"Yes. Is your father not home at the moment?"
Cold sweat broke out on Black Comet's skin.
"I wonder... where could he have gone?"
"Pardon?"
"Just kidding. Haha. The truth is..."
Black Comet twirled the hair at her temple.
"He left a few days ago without any reason and hasn't come back. I suspect he might have been killed by a monster."
"Ah..."
The mood grew heavy, and a brief silence fell. Black Comet finished drinking the coffee she had brewed before the official arrived. It tasted bitter. The official bowed his head slightly.
"I apologize for asking such a sensitive question so abruptly."
"No, it's understandable. It's just... well, that's how it is. In the end, my father was true to himself until the very last. More importantly, what exactly are these protective measures?"
Apparently reluctant to delve deeper into family matters, the official smoothly changed the subject. Whatever the reason, it was a relief for Black Comet.
"We've decided to partially open the Yeouido Underground Bunker. If you relocate there, the government will provide food, clothing, and shelter."
"So I'll be living separately from my mother."
She knew the Ministry of Economy and Finance building was in Sejong City.
"Major administrative functions have been relocated from Sejong City to Seoul. She is currently in Yeouido."
"With communications down, it must have been difficult to work from Sejong City."
The acting president and members of the National Assembly couldn't very well head to Sejong City—that would have meant abandoning Seoul—so the civil servants must have come up to Seoul instead.
"I'll pack my things now. If I'm going anyway, it's better to go quickly."
Black Comet stood up.
"You don't have to rush. You can take your time."
"No, I don't want to cause any more trouble."
Black Comet found a large bag in the master bedroom and pulled it out.
"There's no need to stay alone in this house on purpose."
There wasn't much to pack. She gathered her magic knife and Soul Beads, stuffed some clothes into the bag, and that was it. The house held many things, but there were few she actually wanted to take with her. Black Comet glanced around the house one last time before stepping out the front door with the official.
She saw about a dozen soldiers waiting outside. Black Comet tilted her head, staring at them, then turned back to the official. He spoke casually, as if it were no big deal.
"I'm not suited for solo combat, so additional security personnel have been assigned."
Hearing that, Black Comet examined the magic staff in the official's hand. A realization dawned on her.
"You're a healer. A very valuable person. I was so distracted I didn't notice."
Black Comet twirled her side hair in thought for a moment, then readily got into the car. The vehicle headed for Yeouido. The security detail followed. Beyond the car window, shuttered shops and fallen street trees flashed by.
"If you have any questions about the protective measures, feel free to ask."
The healer, seated beside her and flipping through documents, spoke up.
"Questions? Hmm."
Since she would experience it soon enough, she didn't have many pressing curiosities.
"Now that I think about it, my father and mother are divorced, so legally they aren't family anymore, right?"
The healer paused while pulling out more documents and fell into thought.
"That will probably be applied comprehensively. We need to focus on the purpose rather than getting caught up in procedures."
It sounded like a generic answer from someone who wasn't entirely sure. The healer handed her several pre-approved documents. Some were related to the protective measures; others were not.
"Certain areas of Yeouido are currently restricted, so a few procedures are required. Please fill them out as shown in your status window."
Black Comet clicked the ballpoint pen he handed her a few times. When she looked at the healer, he returned a kind smile. She smiled back.
"Restricted access probably means the National Assembly Building. So the underground bunker we're going to is under the National Assembly?"
"It's a separate facility. Though it is nearby."
Black Comet nodded and scribbled with the pen.
"Your Synchronization Rate is at the default level."
"It's hard to raise with the Necromancer class. Thanks to that, my stats are only at ten percent, which is quite troublesome."
"Your strength is..."
"PVP user."
Black Comet suddenly had a question and looked at the healer.
"But aren't I fairly well-known? My character build should be public information."
"I'm sorry. I'm a casual player, so I'm not familiar with that side of things."
Black Comet felt a pang of melancholy, like a hardcore gamer who had been reduced to nothing. Unfortunately, it was the truth. The healer organized the completed documents.
"Mr. Na Hyesung, with this you now have access to all areas except for a few restricted zones."
"Ah. You can just call me Black Comet."
The healer stopped speaking and met her eyes. Black Comet smiled at him.
"Very well. Miss Black Comet."
The main gate of the National Assembly Building was in the middle of a protest. Yeouido itself seemed peaceful, as if the monster extermination had been completed.
"Have you had breakfast?"
"I did, but I ate so early that I'm already feeling a bit hungry."
"Let's get you something to eat first."
The cafeteria in the National Assembly Building tasted exactly like institutional cafeteria food. The only notable difference was the large number of exhausted, haggard-looking people.
"It's about what I expected."
"Sometimes it's actually pretty good."
After finishing the meal, she followed the healer's guidance and spotted a familiar user. The sight of her walking with a group of aides was somewhat surreal, so Black Comet hesitated and couldn't bring herself to call out.
"Chairperson!"
When the healer called out, the woman turned around.
"You're here. You've done well, so you may go rest now. Black Comet, come speak with me for a moment."
The healer left Black Comet behind and disappeared. Black Comet felt rather bewildered.
"It's been a while, Black Comet, hasn't it?"
"Yes, Mal-rang. It has been a while."
The woman laughed as if something about the answer amused her. The aides laughed along with her. Black Comet felt awkward and scratched her cheek. Upon closer inspection, some of the aides didn't seem to be laughing out of genuine amusement.
"Any questions?"
"You're asking on purpose, aren't you? What is your occupation?"
"Alchemist."
Black Comet simply stared at her without much reaction. The woman clicked her tongue and added one more thing.
"Elected public official."
Ah. A member of the National Assembly. Black Comet recalled the various disgraceful acts this assemblywoman had committed in the game. Thinking about it, she did seem perfectly suited for the position.
"I see. Mal-rang, it seems you've found your true calling. But I was supposed to receive guidance regarding the protective measures."
The assemblywoman laughed again. When Black Comet looked more carefully, most of the aides didn't appear to be laughing out of joy. As expected. Black Comet roughly understood the situation.
"Protective measures, huh. Does the number one ranked Necromancer and thirteenth overall need protection?"
"...Not really?"
At Black Comet's answer, the assemblywoman smiled and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it. Black Comet had secretly hoped to witness one of the aides lighting it for her, but that didn't happen. What a shame.
"It's not that you don't need it. However, treating you the same as a civilian would be a waste. I'll grant you free entry and exit without security personnel, so make yourself comfortable. Does that satisfy you?"
"If that's what you want, then yes."
The assemblywoman shrugged and assigned one of her aides to guide Black Comet.
"Any other questions?"
"I heard there are only about a dozen surviving members of the National Assembly. That must mean you're incredibly busy right now, Mal-rang."
"That's right."
Black Comet twirled her side hair in slow circles.
"Busy enough that you wouldn't have time to dawdle with me like this?"
"Are you criticizing me?"
"No, not at all. People need rest to maintain efficiency. I'm simply curious what you want from me to go this far."
The assemblywoman flicked the ash from her cigarette.
"Nothing at all."
Black Comet found it difficult to drop her suspicious gaze. The assemblywoman gave her a playful tap and smiled.
"I'm glad you look healthy. I'll be going now."
After the assemblywoman left, Black Comet was guided by the aide to her assigned quarters. The room was a single occupancy with basic furnishings, and it looked like she would be able to stay there without any discomfort.
Her mother arrived close to midnight, after she had eaten dinner. She looked exhausted, no doubt from having so much work.
"Missing, huh... Ha. That man really was a nuisance until the very end."
"Father... Yes, that's true. It would have been nice if it could have ended on a better note."
"Don't bother searching for him. A man his age who couldn't even take care of himself was bound to meet a bad end."
Black Comet scratched her cheek. Her mother let out a deep sigh, fell into thought for a moment, then crossed her arms and stared at her daughter.
"Did you design that appearance yourself?"
"Ah, yes. The customization turned out well, didn't it?"
Black Comet spun around once for no particular reason, fluffing out her dress, then gave a light bow. Her mother's gaze traveled over her. Short black hair. Red eyes. Cat-like face.
"It's quite nice."
"Isn't it?"
Her mother nodded and stood up.
"Let me know if you need anything."
"I will."
After her mother left, Black Comet fiddled with her knife for a while. Around midnight, when the moon was high, she put on a coat and left the facility. It was time for her nocturnal activities.