Chapter 888

EP.888 [Light Novel Side Story] The Death Dinast of the Created Heavens Vol.2 005

“That guy’s got a perverted look in his eyes. Rejected.”

“Even if he’s just a driver or an errand boy, please? You do have a DUI record, right? Rejected.”

“Huh? Even if I get scolded, I beg you to let me in! Ack!…Rejected.”

“You know, we’re looking for someone to guard Nuri, not a guild for Nuri to join. Stop pitching! I’ll report this to the association.”

“What? You want me? Nu-ruh! Calm down!”

“Hey, you look familiar… Ah, Lord Windhorse! Nice to see you. We’ll consider it positively. Please leave.”

* * *

The interviews were proceeding at breakneck speed. Only, that speed meant dismissing hopefuls after about a minute of talking and promptly ushering them out, gradually exhausting Xian and Nuri.

“It’s too much, really! After we saved his life!”

After Windhorse left grumbling, Nuri stopped acting once they were alone and face-planted on the desk. Though she had so much to say, it was hard to approach Xian, who was checking the next candidate with a stern expression.

“We’ve already rejected 27 people.”

Xian yawned and checked the time—4:43 PM. They’d been interviewing for over two hours, yet there were still easily a truckload of special ability users waiting.

Xian took a sip of coffee as Nuri asked,


“Uncle, are you really planning to hire a bodyguard?”

“Of course. It’s also an opportunity to recruit for our studio.”

“Studio members, huh.”

Nuri glanced at the motley crew of the guild called Studio—dropouts from Hero Academy, a washed-up hero who reversed their retirement decision, a high school graduate who couldn’t even enter college and works in cafeteria service.

“If you’re just looking for someone with issues again, forget it.”

“Issues? Why are you suddenly blowing up?”

“Uncle, you’re an expert at taking antiques with flaws and turning them into masterpieces.”

“Ah. So you’re boasting that you’re a masterpiece… …You actually are one.”

Nuri turned her head slightly toward Xian and giggled. Xian chuckled along, comforting his weary mind momentarily. After chatting outside for ten minutes, Xian explained the talent they intended to hire this time to Nuri.

“Even if they don’t have issues, we can recognize potential when we see it.”

“I’ve been wondering, but is your sense really that special? It seems off somehow.”

“You should meet more people and gain insight. Don’t you know physiognomy? You can roughly tell what kind of person someone is just by looking at their face.”

“Hah? Uncle, saying ‘physiognomy’ is hilarious.”

Nuri sat up straight and leaned toward Xian.

“Uncle, how about my physiognomy? Am I awesome?”

“…A beautiful person destined for an early death unless they meet a benefactor, in which case they will enjoy eternal life. Also, the sign of spending a lifetime with said benefactor in blissful harmony.”

Xian solemnly spouted random nonsense, causing Nuri to snort derisively before blushing slightly upon understanding its meaning.

“S-so, Uncle, are you saying you’re the benefactor?”

“…? What nonsense is this? Why would I spend a lifetime with you? I’m just some random uncle you met passing by. There will be a real benefactor somewhere. Physiognomy isn’t something to take seriously anyway.”

“Fuuu.”

Nuri pouted loudly, clearly dissatisfied, making Xian internally frustrated at another mistake.

‘They all have such sensitive feelings; I thought I understood but now I don’t.’

Consulting with Café owner Huan or Oracle only resulted in roundabout comments like “You’re the idiot,” without any useful advice. Rest time ended, and Xian prepared to greet the next interviewee.

Creeeak.

“Huh?”

The familiar smell of coffee tickled his nose. Xian tried to recall where he smelled it before but was overwhelmed by the towering figure of a man whose head nearly touched the ceiling.

“Nice to meet you.”

The man greeted with a deep voice and sat down. Despite being the same chair as Nuri’s, it looked like a kindergarten chair under him.

“C-Rank Special Ability User, <Polaris> Ha Yujun.”

“Accepted.”

“……What?”

Xian stood up, smiled, and extended his left hand toward the muscular man, Ha Yujun.

“I was just thinking we needed a dependable man. You seem the most trustworthy among those who’ve come so far.”

“So, is this the end of the interview?”

“Yes. I’ll handle everything with the association. By the way, are you currently part of any guild?”

“…No, I’m not in a guild.”

Xian clapped happily.

“Great! Then, would you like to have dinner together later?”

“…What?”

With Xian’s unusually enthusiastic words and actions, Ha Yujun trembled and froze as if sensing some sort of moral threat. Unbothered, Xian grinned widely, placed his left hand on Ha Yujun’s shoulder, and gave it a pat.

“Don’t worry at all. There’s absolutely no need to. Heheh. How long has it been since I’ve seen a good man…”

“Excuse me!”

Ha Yujun, pale as a ghost, hastily fled the interview room. Xian moved his hand aimlessly in the air, then tilted his head in confusion.

“…He seemed pretty decent.”

“……”

Nuri had gone beyond being pale; she was downright ashen. Concerned by Nuri’s bloodless complexion, Xian asked,

“Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

“A, ah, no. I’ll be back after using the restroom for a moment.”

Saying that, Nuri rushed to the bathroom. Before Xian could say anything, she disappeared. Watching her retreating figure, Xian turned his gaze to the empty seat Ha Yujun had left behind and regretfully licked his lips.

“He would’ve been great for carrying heavy loads…”

Xian secretly disliked doing labor work.

* * *

A little later. After returning from the restroom, Nuri laid down an ultimatum to Xian.

“No men. Get me a woman.”

“…What? Why suddenly?”

“…Because it makes me uncomfortable!”

Nuri yelled and sat back down. She dropped all pretense of acting and openly displayed her usual temperament, while Xian scratched his head and nodded.

“Alright. But does that exist? If Mr. Yujun comes, I intend to actively recruit him.”

“No way!”

“…Why exactly?”

“The thing is, when a man comes, you and h-he, h-he…”

Nuri’s face was red enough to explode. To her, still pure despite having no tolerance for such matters, it felt like stories from another world.

“…Is it because you think you and Uncle might get close?”

“Ah, that’s it! Our high school grad cafeteria worker even gets jealous. It’s fine. If you’re really uncomfortable, we should hire a female bodyguard instead.”

Xian scrolled through the list of interviewees, checking their genders. Already, due to ominous rumors spreading outside, most male interviewees had given up and left.

“But I haven’t even mentioned hiring men yet?”

“……”

“Good. Anyway, except for Mr. Yujun, everyone else was mediocre. It’s fortunate our working hours will be halved.”

“Uncle.”

Nuri declared with a serious tone as the next participant entered.

“From now on, I’ll lead this interview.”

* * *

“Sister, you’re D-Rank. Sorry, but we need someone who can protect us all the way to Seoul.”

“…Hero Academy student? Students aren’t acceptable. Even if you’re B-Rank.”

“No, I don’t plan to join a guild. If you’re trying to pitch… Hmm? This uncle wants to recruit me? Hey, you -”

“Excuse me. Covering your face during an interview is inappropriate… Ah, Ji-hye? The classmate who mocked me as a failure after I failed university entrance exams? Hey, scram.”

“No, this uncle doesn’t want to hire you!!!”

* * *

By 6 PM, dinnertime approached, but the group hadn’t found a satisfactory bodyguard.

Only one person remained. Exhausted Xian stifled a yawn and scratched his cheek.

“How come there’s not a single usable talent?”

“It’s because Uncle has high standards.”

Nuri gulped down the last of her cola with a sullen face. Although Nuri had expressed refusal, most were dismissed with a subtle foot signal from Xian.

“Why don’t we just settle for one person?”

“It’s your fault for raising my standards. Take responsibility.”

“……Tskfflrmhrsk.”

“What did you just say?”

“18-Rom level trash. A friend of mine earlier.”

Xian recalled Nuri’s friend cursing loudly before leaving. Though she had the decency to cover her face upon entering, she was quickly exposed by Nuri and chased away.

“She seemed talented but lacked manners.”

“…? Why are you strict with me but not with her, Uncle?”

“Are you and her the same?”

Xian drank the remaining coffee from his cup.

“You keep getting swayed by your surroundings, so it’s a temporary detour. She’s just inherently bad-mannered.”

“…Huh, hehehe.”

Nuri laughed cheerfully and called the last interviewee. A woman with ash-gray hair shyly opened the door and entered.

“Ah!”

“Hello…”

The rather tall woman bowed deeply in greeting. Despite her brown suit, her imposing presence made Nuri feel uneasy.

“…Are you an actress?”

“Yes… I’m also working as a hunter now.”

“Hmm. Uncle, what will you do with this aunt… sister?”

Through Nuri’s guard, it was evident she intended to join Oracle Studio and make her Hollywood debut. Xian subtly scanned her up and down before searching for her profile.

“May I ask your name?”

“I am…”

The ash-gray-haired woman placed her hand on her chest and gently bowed.

“C-Rank Hunter <Persona> and actress, Chun Bom-i.”

* * *

Two hours later.

After finishing the interviews, Xian returned home and gathered the team.

Yuinah, Park Ra-on, Kim Nori—three members present. Unfortunately, Gaon couldn’t attend due to her parents’ unstable condition, requiring her to nurse them at the hospital.

The three sat side-by-side on the sofa, while Xian sat separately on a single-person sofa, asking those on his right,

The mountain-climbing gear-clad giant and casually dressed woman.

The positively conversed Ha Yujun and Chun Bom-i, two individuals. Following positive discussions, Chun Bom-i immediately followed Xian and Nuri to the office, and Ha Yujun, after calming down somewhat, contacted Xian through the association to join them at the office.

“Coming here today implies you have intentions to join our studio, correct?”

“…I merely came for an interview as Kim Nori’s bodyguard.”

Ha Yujun looked at Xian, then covered his mouth with his fist and coughed. His sun-tanned copper skin had slightly reddened.

“If your side considers it positively, I have intentions to join. Rather, at that point, I will submit my application.”

“As for Yujun, we’ll count you as Nori’s bodyguard and intern, and Bom-i…”

“You can call me casually.”

Chun Bom-i smiled warmly and bowed. Overflowing maternal instincts caused the three women seated to Xian’s left to naturally bow their heads.

“Even though you’re an actress, considering C-Rank or B-Rank levels of special abilities, it won’t be too burdensome.”

“Are you sure it’s alright? Due to insufficient manpower immediately, we may not be able to focus on Bom-i while concentrating on Nori.”

“It’s fine. I’m already grateful to be accepted.”

Xian welcomed the newly joined duo and introduced them to the existing team. Yuinah, Ra-on, and Nuri greeted Chun Bom-i while subtly keeping an eye on Ha Yujun, and Xian took extra care of Ha Yujun, fearing he might leave.

Clap. Xian clapped to draw attention.

“Then, today is February 28th, Friday. The last day of February, right? I’d like to have a drink tonight, but…”

“Our operation starts tomorrow morning.”

March 1st.

At 9 AM, the 13th Seoul Recovery Operation begins in New Seoul. Xian nodded, dispersing the group to ensure they got sufficient rest.

“Please take care starting tomorrow. All five of you.”

The moon rose.

* * *

<Polaris> Ha Yujun

Date of Birth: July 7, 1999

Seoul Special City Yeongdeungpo District

Nationality: South Korea

Affiliation: None

Physical Condition: 195cm, 121kg, AB Blood Type

Position: Close-range Tanker

Magic Power Pattern: Fire 07 Water 21 Wind 35 Earth 49

Light 42 Dark 14 Illusion 28

Awakened Magic Power: Durability

Comprehensive Evaluation: C (as of 2024)

* * *

<Persona> Chun Bom-i

Date of Birth: September 30, 1992

Seoul Special City Yongsan District

Nationality: South Korea

Affiliation: US Entertainment

Physical Condition: 168cm, ##kg (Profile deletion requested), B Blood Type

Position: Long-range Dealer, Supporter

Magic Power Pattern: Fire 2 Water 17 Wind 34 Earth 31

Light 8 Dark 37 Illusion 44

Awakened Magic Power: Wind Attribute, Illusion Magic

Comprehensive Evaluation: C (as of 2024)