This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 15

The moment our eyes met, she quickly snatched away what was floating on her palm, as if she had been caught doing something naughty behind the adults’ backs.

So, the little kid in front of me truly belonged to that group commonly referred to as geniuses.

In that case?

There was an urgent need to revise our strategy.

If we went ahead with the current plan, that kid or their parents might eventually realize that their worth was far greater than this and shift their allegiance elsewhere. For an organization already struggling with a shortage of manpower, that would be a significant loss.

And if that happened?

It would also impact those who had initially handled the contract.

They would look foolish for failing to recognize the value of the jewel and letting it slip through their fingers elsewhere.

If such a scenario were to play out, she—who desperately wanted to stay with the organization indefinitely—would definitely want to avoid that outcome.

Thus, she felt the need to modify her strategy.

Of course, just feeling the need to do so didn’t mean she could immediately act on it.

That was because she lacked the authority to do so.

At this moment, her role was merely that of an assistant, not the main conductor of the proceedings.

Therefore, to steer the direction of the contract, which was gradually nearing completion, she needed to persuade her superior.

“After all, they said to secure as many promising candidates for heroes as possible…”

While her superior was undoubtedly grinning at the thought of finishing up negotiations and heading home, poking them in the side didn’t prick her conscience too much.

“Um, Senpai, can we chat for a moment?”

“…What is it?”

Although the upper management had issued guidelines suggesting it was fine to disperse promising candidates, giving away too much could lead to complications in the future.

Consequently, she couldn’t openly discuss matters in front of the child’s parents and had to be content with vague expressions.

Fortunately, her usually stoic superior was raising an eyebrow in curiosity about her sudden behavior and readily stood up from their seat.

“Excuse me, but could I step out for a moment? There’s a call from the upper management…”

“Uh? Oh, sure…”

“It might take a while, so feel free to take your time.”

After barely managing to excuse herself, she began, “So, what’s the issue?”

“Senpai, about that kid’s contract conditions… Let’s elevate it. At least to A-rank.”

“…What?”

Naturally, her superior’s expression was one of utter surprise.

After all, she was the one who had strongly asserted before coming here that a C-rank contract would suffice for that kid.

Now, out of nowhere, suggesting a boost to A-rank—of course her superior would find it absurd.

“But… what can I do?”

She had witnessed what she had witnessed.

In the first place, the reason she had argued that a C-rank was enough was based on her belief that the kid’s awakened talent was related to water manipulation, or rather, liquid manipulation.

While it was a talent that could become powerful depending on how it was utilized, she believed its limitations were clear.

But what if those limitations didn’t exist for that kid?

In her mind, even presenting an S-rank contract—something usually reserved for those with a very high chance of becoming heroes—wouldn’t be a waste.

Not every genius would become a hero, but most who were called geniuses eventually reached that position.

“Is that what that little kid is? No, but even so, their water manipulation ability has its… limitations, right?”

“Yes, it’s quite apparent.”

Despite the talent being strong, many who exhibited it would often fail to show anything significant during tests.

“But… that kid is different.”

“What makes you think so?”

“You didn’t notice? While you were focused on the kid’s parents, what that kid was doing all by themselves?”

“…Well, I was busy concentrating on the explanations.”

The look that followed surely communicated, “What exactly did you see to come to such extravagant conclusions?”

The intensity of the gaze was sharp, but she was already certain.

If she described what the kid had accomplished with a nonchalant expression, her superior would definitely empathize with her.

“Did you perhaps feel like the surrounding air became more humid when you were explaining?”

“Huh? Now that you mention it, I think it did… Wait, no way.”

“Yes, it was indeed ‘no way.’ That kid was creating and playing with clouds all by themselves.”

And it was a level of ability only a minuscule number among those born with such talents could reach.

Sadly, the one who had made their name for that particular feat wasn’t a hero but a villain.

But still, for a seven-year-old who had only been awakened for half a day to display such capabilities?

The potential slumbering within that tiny frame was unfathomable to her.

“With that level of talent, at the very least…”

“It could be on the level of Frozen.”

The moment she uttered the name of a villain that had caused significant trouble for the organization and their established heroes, the value of that little kid skyrocketed.

By that point, it was essential to secure an A-rank contract or higher to prevent villains from snatching them away.

If they didn’t take adequate measures and risk letting that kid one day be labeled a villain instead of a hero?

The organization and citizens could face a second Frozen—who had frozen a 5km radius during their last stand.

As someone working within an organization tasked with protecting citizens, that was something that simply couldn’t be allowed.

She worked tirelessly to persuade her superior, and as a result, managed to successfully modify the contract that would soon be presented to the kid’s parents.

Of course, getting them to sign it was a completely different story.

Logically speaking, the sudden and unexpected change in the contract’s content left the kid’s parents bewildered.

However, that was all it was.

Since the contract conditions had not worsened, but rather improved, it was rare for anyone to persist in nagging over that kind of lucky break.

Thus, with a suitable explanation, she figured they would be able to smoothly finalize the contract—but then,

“Then, please take good care of her.”

“Rest assured.”

“Mom, mom.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Do I have to move again?”

Out of nowhere, a surprise attack.

“I really don’t want to move…”

Yoonseo, the little girl they had assumed was just well-behaved until now, suddenly began to whine.

Seeing her turned into a sad face in an instant caught everyone who was in the process of signing the contract off guard.

“I can’t stay?!”

To remedy the situation, her father stepped in.

“I’m sorry. Our child hasn’t been in this neighborhood for long. She just made friends in kindergarten, and now we’re saying we have to move again…”

“Ah, um…”

Apologies were offered, but all the two could do was awkwardly scratch their cheeks, caught in the uncomfortable situation.

It’s easy to see why they were hesitant.

While it may seem like an adult’s circumstances, to a child, it’s simply unacceptable.

Of course, while there are kids who would act as if friendships don’t matter when the prospect of becoming a hero is at stake… at least, this little one didn’t seem to fit that mold.

Which posed quite the challenge.

“Sister, can’t I just stay? I don’t want to part with my friends… wuhhhh…”

Under normal circumstances?

She would have pushed ahead regardless of what the child said.

But at that moment, they simply couldn’t do that.

Given that she believed this little girl was already a future hero in the making.

However, what if this led to a bad impression of the organization?

Imagining how this might impact things later sent shivers down her spine.

It could very well be an unnecessary worry, but that’s just how human emotions are.

Excluding herself—even she could never predict where her frustration might surface from.

“Moving to a new kindergarten might mean you’ll make even more friends!”

“But… I have no friends right now…”

Hearing that reply made her instinctively realize something.

This kid wasn’t ordinary.

Certainly, despite that, she couldn’t cease her persuasive efforts.

“Well, you can stay in touch with your friends.”

“I heard on TV that out of sight means out of mind…”

What in the world were today’s kids watching to speak so clearly?

Taken aback by the statement that sounded as if it had been rehearsed for this moment, she briefly entered a state of shock before continuing the conversation.

“Can’t we just learn here? I really don’t want to move…”

“Ah, Yoonseo, you can’t throw a tantrum. I’m sorry for the trouble my child is causing…”

“But I don’t want to! I just got close to the kids, and now…!”

Displaying signs of maturity beyond her age, the girl quickly shifted back to acting her age, engaging in a tug-of-war with her serious-looking parents. She pondered if there was truly no other alternative.

In that moment of contemplation, it was her senior, who had kept quiet till now, who proposed a solution.

“How about this?”

Primarily, kids who had awakened their talents were mandated to shift from their existing educational institutions to ones designated by the government for Awakened individuals to receive basic education.

Once essential education was completed at those institutions, they could then attend regular schools mixing with the general public.

However, that was simply the norm; alternatives existed for children with special circumstances, such as health issues.

What her senior was suggesting to the child’s parents was one of those alternatives.

“Remote education?”

“Yes, originally a course designed for Awakened kids unable to attend regular schools due to particular circumstances…”

Considering moving a seven-year-old kid and forcing them to part with friends felt like something no adult would want to do, it was remarkable how naturally her senior brought it up.

“What do you think? If you both agree, I wouldn’t mind enrolling Yoonseo in that course.”

“Is that really okay?”

“Of course. This is not a favor; it’s Yoonseo’s rightful privilege. If she becomes a hero in the future, she’ll need to fight to protect citizens, and we can’t have her shedding tears over such matters.”

Though not overtly displayed, perhaps the sudden move weighed on the parents as much as on their child.

Their expressions visibly brightened.

And so did Yoonseo’s, who had been on the verge of tears moments before.

“So I won’t have to move?!”

“Right, the sister said so!”

“Really?”

“Yes, so you should thank her, alright?”

“Thank you!”

“Oh, it was nothing. But just a little… You do need to study hard from now on. If by any chance you fail the exams every month, I won’t be able to assist you anymore.”

“Yes! I’ll work hard!”

Watching her senior effortlessly build rapport with the future hero made her reluctantly acknowledge that her superior wasn’t just a superior for no reason.

While she was busy nodding to herself, she remained oblivious.

This entire affair had been carefully orchestrated in the palm of one hand from start to finish.