Chapter 895

EP.895 [Light Novel Side Story] Deathdinass Chapter 2 Volume 012

An impromptu “Underground Sweep Operation” was carried out in the dead of night.

When the good news came from Seoul as people woke up, the residents of New Seoul were both delighted and highly perplexed. How did they discover there were underground tunnels in Seoul? Why were they found now? And how could monsters have been living in these tunnels all this time?

All sorts of conspiracy theories swirled around this surprise operation. However, the media deftly shifted public attention by heavily reporting on the heinous crimes committed by the captured monsters – serial murders, kidnappings, organ trafficking, etc. As details of these despicable acts were broadcast, public focus gradually shifted away from questioning how the underground monsters were discovered.

Of course, there was another growing concern:

“How can you send our children to such a dangerous place with monsters underground?! Bring them back immediately!”

Parents of Hero Academy interns were ready to storm Seoul, forcing the academy to issue an apology and expedite the interns’ return.

Amidst the morning uproar, the mastermind behind the surprise operation, Princess Snowflower Seok Harang, held an impromptu live press conference in Seoul.

“Given the circumstances, we’ve decided to halt Operation 13 for Seoul Reclamation. Effective 07:00 hours, all personnel will return to New Seoul.”

What was supposed to be a multi-day Seoul Reclamation mission ended in just one day, but thanks to Seok Harang and her team of heroes, they achieved remarkable success.

The interns, whose training was abruptly canceled, had no choice but to pack up and head back to New Seoul. Among the long convoy of returnees was Xian’s group.

* * *

<March 2nd, 8:00 AM, Highway to New Seoul>

“The trainees are about to explode.”

Yuna observed her former classmates from a month ago with concern. Xián, who was driving slowly, wondered where she was getting her information.

“They’re all handling it pretty calmly on TV. Just saying things like ‘It’s unfortunate but it’s good.'”

“It’s important to maintain appearances publicly, so they behave during interviews. But privately, it’s different.”

Yuna projected a screen without interfering with the driving. In a captured chatroom, Xián began to understand the situation.

“Ah, I see. You’re getting updates from a friend?”

“Well, this person is sending me updates unilaterally.”

While nervously laughing, Yuna continued responding to messages filled with “kkkkk” and photos in the chatroom. Xián subtly glanced at her companion while keeping his eyes on the road.

“Which classmate is it? A guy?”

“…Why does Master Xián care about that?”

Xián gulped as Yuna’s tone turned cold. Unable to meet her gaze, he stared at the bumper of the car in front and made an excuse.

“I’m just curious. Maybe if they’re talented, I could recruit them…”

“A girl. Already registered in a guild. Potential B Rank, currently C Rank.”

“Ah, got it?”

A spark of interest returned to Xián’s previously subdued voice. Yuna tried not to look at him but saw his smug grin reflected in the window.

“Hmph, hmm~”

Xián started humming cheerfully. Worried he might be excited about adding a new woman, Yuna quickly changed the topic.

“What else do you want to know? Should I find more information?”

“Yeah. Tell me about the Hero Association and Hunter Guild’s moves following the operation results.”

Even while heading back to New Seoul, Xián wanted to gather information. Yuna collected data from the network while Xián drove and summarized it for him.

“It seems the Hunter Guild is seriously planning to feud with the Hero Association. Princess Snowflower moving only with heroes really upset some people.”

“Even though it was a small elite team of trusted members, it still comes off as distrust towards the guild. So… they distrust the guild…”

Xián continued thoughtfully.

“Why would someone who dislikes foreigners be so worked up about letting foreign guilds in?”

“…Could it be they gave their phone number hoping you’d notice?”

Before Yuna spoke, Xián recalled a woman from January who kept insisting she was S Rank and applied to join the guild. Finding her claim laughable, he cut off the call and had Yuna block the number.

That number. It was the one given by Seok Harang.

“There were too many prank calls. I got annoyed and blocked it.”

“Master Xián.”

Yuna glared at him.

“If it had been Princess Snowflower, an actual S Rank hero, would you have accepted her after an interview?”

“……Probably? There’s no disqualifying reason.”

“…Then what if, hypothetically, Princess Snowflower joined us now?”

“……”

Xián remained silent, always quick to respond to Yuna’s questions. After much deliberation, he finally spoke.

“Yeah.”

“Huh?”

Xián’s response surprised Yuna. Despite having been thoroughly embarrassed by Seok Harang, he suggested the possibility of hiring her anyway.

“I sort of get why she dislikes me, but I have no idea why she tried to join. Still, she’s S Rank. Having her would be beneficial.”

“……Then how about meeting her separately sometime?”

“That’s a good idea?”

Yuna smiled sweetly, causing Xián to freeze.

“You could casually probe her then. For all we know, she might have become our first member before you. Right?”

Though her mouth smiled, her eyes didn’t. Xián broke out in a cold sweat and nodded reluctantly. Yuna clapped her hands mechanically.

“Ah, maybe I wasn’t noticeable back then since I was only E Rank. What a strange twist of fate, huh?”

“……”

Xián’s mouth went dry.

“If Master Xián wants to hire Seok Harang, there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m not capable enough right now. It’s fine. If she joins, so what? As Master Xián said, it would mean gaining another strong member.”

Yuna’s chatter didn’t stop until they reached the outskirts of New Seoul.

* * *

The uncomfortable journey home was brief.

After receiving the order to disband from headquarters, Xián dropped everyone off at their respective homes and headed to the office.

– Why do you always wreck rental cars? This time it’s completely covered in monster blood!

While returning the rental car and enduring complaints about damaging it again, Xián also noticed Ha Yu-jun eyeing Yu Sung’s truck sales pitchingly.

– How about buying a passenger car while you’re at it? Used ones from Yu Sung are great too.

– Whoa, even when selling rental cars, you don’t recommend Yu Sung’s stuff. No integrity, man.

– What’s wrong with recommending Yu Sung’s vehicles?!

– Are you secretly the president of Yu Sung Motors or something? Calling trash trash isn’t a problem!

Slipping away from the argument between Ha Yu-jun and the rental car staff, Xián headed straight to the office.

Despite trying to achieve significant results during this trip to Seoul, everything was claimed by Seok Harang.

Even knowing it wasn’t entirely her intention, it still left an uncomfortable feeling.

“So, what’s wrong with staying anonymous?”

Xián slapped his cheeks in self-deprecation.

He had accomplished something but for some reason, it became “nothing happened,” and Xián was starting to get used to such situations. Thus, he decided to spend the afternoon maintaining the office until the team reconvened.

“Results can be accumulated later. More importantly…”

This trip to Seoul wasn’t entirely fruitless.

There were matters to consider:


– The identity and background of the mysterious villain Chon Bom-i.


– Seok Harang’s intentions and future relationship.


– The still unsettling truth about Ha Yu-jun despite treating it as a joke.

“Eh, forget it. Don’t worry about trivial matters.”

After all, this trip to Seoul wasn’t particularly important initially.

Whether Chon Bom-i seeks revenge for “that person,” Seok Harang plays tricks because she dislikes Xián, or Ha Yu-jun turns out to be the real president of Yu Sung Motors—none of these matter to Xián right now.

“……Yuna seemed really upset though.”

Walking to the convenience store, Xián seriously reflected on his words and actions more than ever before. He realized the most problematic statement.

“Damn. Why did I talk about hiring Seok Harang?”

If only time could be reversed, Xián would have pointed a gun at that blond troublemaker in the driver’s seat and told her to shut up.

He usually overlooks verbal slip-ups, but this time he clearly sensed Yuna’s anger and recognized his mistake.

“……It’s all my fault.”

Technically, there wasn’t anything majorly wrong with what Xián said, but arguing with Yuna over this was unimaginable for him.

If such a situation arose, it would definitely be entirely Xián’s fault.

Thus, Xián took responsibility for his own sins while carrying random items from the convenience store back to the eerily quiet office without any other people around.

“……Hm?”

Just before opening the office door, Xián noticed something black lying unconscious in front of it.

“A cat?”

For a stray, it had unusually soft and shiny fur, suggesting it was cared for, though it lacked a collar or bell. When Xián squatted down to observe it, the cat woke up upon sensing his presence.

“Hello?”

“……”

Xián waved with a smile, but the cat remained frozen.

Its vivid green eyes struck him as beautiful, yet Xián felt apologetic for startling it so much that it couldn’t move.

Gurgle.

The cat’s stomach growled loudly, indicating it might have been starving for days. Xián chuckled, finding it strangely human-like, then opened the office door.

“Cold out here. Want to come in for a bit?”

While sarcastically talking to a cat, Xián grabbed a disposable plate from the break room, placed it on the floor, and pulled out milk from the plastic bag he’d set on the desk—

“Holy crap.”

Xián froze upon reading the label on the milk carton. Checking for alternatives, all he found were coffee-flavored milks packed with caffeine.

I must have absent-mindedly picked this up while thinking about Yuna. Despite his frustration, Xián tore open the milk carton while the cat stared intently at the bowl.

“……Take a sip. If you don’t like it, you can leave. Sorry for giving you this.”

Xián poured the milk into the disposable plate. The green-tinted milk emitted an aroma—or rather, a smell—that made both Xián and the cat wrinkle their noses.

Meow!

The cat began licking the milk with clear enthusiasm. Watching it drink so readily, Xián crumpled the empty carton.

“You like it, huh? Should I have bought more?”

Meow! Meow! Meowww!

“……Are you serious? Did you understand me? You really want more, huh?”

Meow! Meow! Meowww!

“……Should I go buy more then? Stay here and wait, okay?”

Xián left the office shaking his head while clutching the crumpled milk carton.

“Who knew there’d be a cat that likes mint?”

Fortunately or unfortunately, the convenience store had plenty of the same milk in stock. While scanning the dairy aisle, Xián experienced déjà vu.

“……Why is there no strawberry-flavored anything again?”

Strangely, all strawberry products were gone. Feeling a chill, Xián hastily paid for the milk the cat had enjoyed earlier.

Rushing back to the office and carefully opening the door, he found the cat enthusiastically greeting him by wagging its tail. The disposable plate of milk was completely empty.

“Wow.”

Xián exclaimed in amazement while pouring more milk from the carton.

As the cat eagerly greeted him until he finished pouring, it immediately started licking the milk once he stopped. Xián sat crouched down, chuckling awkwardly.

“This isn’t a cat; it’s basically a puppy—”

Meowwwww!

* * *

<1:00 PM, Xián's Office>

“Auntie, why do you have a scratch on your face? Got scratched?”

“…Fought a wild beast.”

Xián covered the bandage on his cheek while grinning sheepishly. Nuri, who arrived at the office first, licked the cream off her parfait while snickering.

“Did that wild beast take your position too? Is this cat our leader now?”

“Don’t ask.”

“Our guild master is now Cat-sama. Must take a picture!”

Nuri aimed her magical gear at the black cat lounging on Xián’s work desk, basking in the sunlight. The cat lazily opened one eye at the camera sound, yawned widely, then resumed sleeping, completely ignoring Nuri, who became slightly irritated.

“Did it just ignore me?”

“The whole world ignores us; why would a cat be any different?”

Xián slouched back in the sofa, defeated.

Despite visiting Seoul, he returned without any accomplishments, looking rather dejected like a squid drying on a clothesline.

Nuri kicked him lightly with her foot while eating her parfait.

“Raon-ssi was even kidnapped. There was nothing you could do. Right?”

“You’re supposed to be comforting me, not making things worse. Seriously.”

“…You’re such a whiner. Why are you so deflated, Auntie? Is it because of lack of achievements? Really?”

“I was planning to make a big score in Seoul this time and officially register the guild.”

Xián revealed his inner thoughts, prompting Nuri to perk up her ears.

“Raon is finally getting into the groove, and Yuna doesn’t need mentioning, right? So I thought we should create an achievement anyone would recognize and apply for official guild registration.”

“…Oh yeah, we haven’t registered our guild yet.”

Nuri blinked, trying to change the subject.

Our guild name, which is embarrassing to mention anywhere, <Deathdinass>, remains unofficial.

“Nuri, wouldn’t it be better if I registered the guild without you? With Raon, Gaon, and convincing Oppa Yu-jun, we’d be three people.”

“Ew. That’s betrayal, Auntie. I’ll really join another guild. Try saying that again.”

“…I was joking, joking.”

Xián waved his hands in defense and closed his eyes, exhausted. Nuri glared at him with a pout before resuming her parfait while teasing him.

“If you’re so desperate for achievements, how about catching this?”

“This? What is it?”

As Xián showed interest, Nuri immediately displayed her screen to him. Noticing Xián’s half-closed eyes widening, Nuri smirked.

“Auntie, have you played Whack-a-Mole?”