INV 28

As they shared the cake, the team members were further astonished by Kwon Yihyeon’s social prowess. They hadn’t imagined that the concepts of “Jae Angshin’s contractor” and “social butterfly” could exist within the same person.

He was a truly marvelous hermaphrodite of traits.

However, Assistant Manager Woon was not amazed, even though she had discovered a legendary rare animal that had never appeared in academic circles. The only thing capable of surprising her was the betrayal of her colleagues.

After eating half a slice of cake, Assistant Manager Woon explained coldly.

“…Therefore, unlike existing departments, the Haetae Department is granted a certain degree of independent activity. Why did I say the Haetae Department is the only exception?”

“Because I’m a mad dog.”

“Because Reaper Gwak is a mad… I am sorry. I will say that again.”

“…”

Any sane person would have no choice but to laugh at such a sight. Assistant Manager Woon was splitting her time as if even the moments spent eating cake were a waste to guide him through the department’s founding purpose and history, but it turned into a comedy with a single intervention from Gwak Deukcheon. Assistant Manager Jeong and Manager Kang were laughing openly, Staff Member Lim had buried his face in the cake, and Staff Member Man, unable to endure the intermittent spasms, began pretending to practice his pronunciation by shaping his mouth into “A-E-I-O-U.” Only Assistant Manager Woon was different.

“To use such rude language toward the Team Leader.”

Staff Member Man intervened quickly before Jae Angshin—who had said he would spend time in the next room with Great King Yama to allow the team members to converse freely—could kill Assistant Manager Woon.

“Hey. The Team Leader was the one who cut in just now. When he’s teasing on purpose, one might make a mistake.”

“Still, there is a clear hierarchy…”

“No! It was my fault! Team Leader!”

The existing atmosphere of the Haetae Department was quite far from polite. Being respected at this point didn’t even feel good. Gwak Deukcheon replied dismissively with a very dissatisfied expression.

Kwon Yihyeon thought it was quite a feat to display such offensive feelings through the mere sculpting of facial muscles…

The mind of Assistant Manager Woon, who was looking back and forth between the polite Jae Angshin’s contractor and her rude superior, was approaching its limit.

‘I have no idea whose side I should take! I just don’t know!’

Assistant Manager Woon is a principled person. She feels most at ease when following rules. A company is a place that imposes regular lifestyle patterns and regular duties. Assistant Manager Woon found the company more comfortable than home. Although a daily routine of having to destroy principles bit by bit began when a once-in-a-lifetime madman named Gwak Deukcheon became her superior, she could handle that.

Because Gwak Deukcheon is Assistant Manager Woon’s benefactor.

But the Jae Angshin’s contractor was different. If one followed principles, he was a being who must not be accepted as a member of society. Just as one must not accept a contractor of a plague god, it was no different with Jae Angshin. Yet the company had stepped forward to make Kwon Yihyeon an intern. Gwak Deukcheon had brought him to the team. Assistant Manager Woon’s sanctuary was collapsing.

‘Furthermore…’

Just as Assistant Manager Woon was about to flare up, Gwak Deukcheon rose from his seat.

“Assistant Manager Woon. Let’s have a smoke break.”

“…You seem to have forgotten, but I am a non-smoker.”

“Shall we call it a coffee break then?”

At the command to come out since the name didn’t matter, Assistant Manager Woon’s complexion turned a dark, reddish-purple. Even she thought that splitting time during a cake-sharing session to explain the founding purpose of the department might have been too much.

However, Assistant Manager Woon simply couldn’t keep her wits about her with him right in front of her.

‘As long as Jae Angshin’s origin… is a fox yohwi!’

At the same time as the fur on the fox ears protruding from Assistant Manager Woon’s head stood up prickily, Assistant Manager Woon rose from her seat.

Presently, as Gwak Deukcheon and Myo Woon left the room, the team members eating cake fell into a brief silence.

“…”

“…”

The always bubbly Assistant Manager Jeong wore an uncharacteristically gloomy expression.

Manager Kang let out a sigh, taking on the difficult responsibility of cleaning up the aftermath.

“That, don’t worry about it too much. Assistant Manager Woon is…”

“Has the rumor that Jae Angshin’s origin is a fox yohwi perhaps spread?”

“…”

Manager Kang, who was about to say that Assistant Manager Woon didn’t mean any harm, stiffened for a moment.

Manager Kang barely managed to smile without letting his expression change.

“Well. I’m not sure of the details. Why do you ask?”

“If the rumor has spread, I imagine it must be very difficult for her to look at me…”

Kwon Yihyeon was speaking slowly, pressing his lips lightly with a fork. The almond cream that had been on his red lips was snatched away a moment later by the tip of his tongue.

“I suspect that pressure has been applied to other fox yohwi in a threatening manner.”

“The Underworld is an equal place.”

“Yes. Of course. Without a doubt.”

“…”

Kang Taerim thought he didn’t know what to say to the beaming Kwon Yihyeon.

For a kid who is quick at grasping situations and sharp-witted to speak like this is no different from saying, ‘I know everything I need to know. So please be honest.’

But Kang Taerim had no intention of being honest. Honesty toward the Jae Angshin’s contractor.

The scale of the situation was not something that could be approached in a pure manner.

Even if it meant casting himself as a villain, Kang Taerim would block the team members who tried to be honest with Kwon Yihyeon. Even if he were to get hurt in the process…

The quick-witted intern started a leisurely chat while focusing back on eating the cake.

Just then, the door swung open and Gwak Deukcheon and Myo Woon entered.

It felt like only yesterday that Myo Woon had confidently requested to be called Assistant Manager Woon because she hated being called Staff Member Myo, but now her deepened gaze was flashing with resolve.

‘…Could it be?’

Kang Taerim felt he had to stop it. However, Gwak Deukcheon’s snickering was faster, and Myo Woon’s shout was faster still.

“I dislike you! Intern Kwon!”

“…!”

Kang Taerim squeezed his eyes shut. Staff Member Man made the sign of the cross in a flurry, and Staff Member Lim fainted. Assistant Manager Jeong looked into the distance. It was an expression of having let go of everything.

Surprisingly, however, no bloodbath ensued, and Kwon Yihyeon spoke.

“Yes. I know.”

“I dislike your shamelessness, your easy smile, your friendliness, the fact that you seem to have a good personality, your excellent social skills, and your politeness!”

“That’s understandable.”

“There is only one reason for it!”

This time, he really had to be stopped. Kang Taerim and Man Juhae rushed in almost at a run to catch Myo Woon, but Myo Woon transformed into her yohwi form to escape and then re-humanized, successfully neutralizing the two’s capture operation. Then, standing right in front of Kwon Yihyeon and even grabbing his collar, she shouted.

“Do you even know what is happening to fox yohwi right now?!”

There was a strange sorrow in that shout, and Kwon Yihyeon nodded calmly.

“I was waiting for the person who would tell me that.”

⋆˙⟡

Myo Woon began to become honest at a rapid pace, as if her mouth were equipped with some kind of motor.

“The claim that the Underworld is equal is bullshit. On the surface, they claim that for the sake of protecting the Underworld, yohwi, humans, and those who committed suicide are treated equally without hierarchy, but that’s not a realistic statement.”

“Hey, hey… Assistant Manager Myo.”

“Blood ties, regional ties, and school ties from the human world are interfering greatly with company politics. In other words, humans occupy most of the high-ranking positions. When Kanglim Doryeong ousted the previous Yama and purged his subordinates cleanly, humans occupied those empty seats and refused to let go. They began to form cartels, handing down high-ranking positions based on blood, region, and school. I believe this is a point for which the current Great King Yama must also feel a sense of responsibility.”

“Myo Woon!”

“There is a saying that among the souls belonging to the Underworld, those who committed suicide—commonly known as suicide victims—decided to work long-term to pay for their sins, becoming the first Underworld Reapers, but now there are more human Underworld Reapers than the dead. Since the first human Underworld Reaper, Kanglim Doryeong, became the Great King Yama, it is only natural, but it is deeply regrettable that yohwi have no place to stand due to the policy of modernizing the Underworld. In a world where a yohwi can become an immortal through cultivation, to be persecuted is…”

“Hah… what are you really planning to do!”

Great King Yama was in the next room, but Myo Woon’s mouth spat out only the truth without hesitation.

“I could still endure it. I was able to endure it. However, as the news spread that Jae Angshin’s seal was broken, the situation became uncontrollable. There are eighty-four victims I’ve heard of. Twenty-two survived, and the rest have left this world.”

“…”

“For no other reason than being fox yohwi, just like Jae Angshin.”

“…”

“They have become prey. Even those who have cultivated for hundreds of years and have never so much as tasted a human liver!”

Myo Woon asked with bloodshot eyes.

“Mr. Kwon Yihyeon. I am sorry for bullying you blindly.”

But, can you give me a reason why I should look at you for who you are?

⋆˙⟡

“There is no need to listen further.”

Chacha was about to snap the neck of the insolent fox yohwi right then and there. However, Kwon Yihyeon’s answer was slightly faster.

“Well, I’m sorry, but there is no such reason. Just as I have no obligation to be liked by you, sunbae.”

“…”

Chacha decided to remain in his seat for a little longer.