Chapter 10
Cat Fight༺Cat Fight༻
Orgia didn't seem to strongly deny this fact either.
It seemed that it was because she had experienced it firsthand through the Celestial Demon *Cheon Hong-ryeon.
"Instead, we also need to prepare to cut the world line. Above all, we must find the place where the deceased returnees, Seong Ho-ram and Aegis Seiya, connected the world line."
"Seiya's return location needs to be found."
"Yes, that's right. As expected, Ha-chan, you know well."
She smiled at me, as if she were proud of me.
Something about it felt off, but then she looked back at Orgia.
"I'll ask just to make sure, but cutting the world lines means we can't return to Serlintium anymore. Are you okay with that?"
"Yes, I don't want to go back to that world anyway."
"Understood. Since we have the data of Eegis Seiya, it shouldn't be difficult to determine where he returned. We'll handle this matter from our end. What remains..."
Baek Seon-hyang tapped the table with her index finger, indicating its importance.
“This will be the future treatment of the returnee, Ms. Orgia.”
Normally, it would be a priority to help her find her family, but she is from the Joseon era of the 1800s. It's uncertain whether her lineage still exists, and it's not an easy task to unleash someone lacking modern knowledge into such a situation.
"Do you have any plans in mind?"
Having confirmed through me that the Returnees Association was a trustworthy place, she, Baek Seon-hyang, once again took the lead in the conversation.
As she asked, Orjia's gaze shifted to mine.
However, as if to block those gazes, Baek Seon-hyang slightly raised her body and lowered her upper body in front of me.
Due to that action, the distinctive sweet scent flowing from her hair momentarily overwhelmed my senses, but I managed to regain my composure.
"Please don't cause any more inconvenience to Mr. Ha-chan. As you said, Ha-chan's reason for coming here today is in good faith. It would be rude to rely on him any more."
Warningly, Baek Seon-hyang spoke, and at that moment, Orzia slowly shifted her gaze.
"What can I do in this world?"
And at the same time, she was innocently expressed her own doubts.
I, who was quietly watching the scene, raised my hand as if to gain the right to speak, and only then did Baek Seon-hyang return to her original position.
"Baek Seon-hyang, you are quite high up in the Rodria Company, aren't you?"
When she answered without hiding anything, I pointed to Orgia.
"Then, would it be possible for you to employ Orjia? Returnees are valuable talents."
Although I didn't know Orjia's exact rank, returnees were in a league of their own compared to ordinary hunters. There was a separate classification for returnees and hunters, for various reasons.
As such, being able to hire returnees is a big advantage for Rhodri, a new company.
'Although Baek Seon-hyang, who seems to be a prominent figure at the Rodri Company, may not hold significant weight from the perspective of someone affiliated with the Returnee Association.'
After all, having more power was ultimately a good thing, even if it was just a little.
As I made my suggestion, Baek Seon-hyang silently observed me.
"You again."
With a motion of her lips that seemed to say "What now?" she let out a small sigh.
"It's not difficult. I also have to observe Miss Orjia as well."
Yet, even as she said this, she looked at me with a slight pout.
"I'm not going to put you in Mr. Ha-chan's group, though, because I'll personally employ you."
"Yes, of course."
Originally, the team I manage consists of hunters. Unless it's an S-class hunter who can stand shoulder to shoulder with returnees, having a returnee among ordinary hunters would only lead to the hunters being robbed of all credit.
In that case, it's much better to keep the returnee as an individual, and hunters among hunters.
"Will Miss Orjia be all right?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
As I personally proposed and can be trusted, Orjia readily accepted the proposal.
I hoped that through this opportunity, she would be able to adapt safely to the world.
2
After finishing the business with Orzia, everything was wrapped up as Baek Seon-hyang made a call to someone and engaged in conversation.
Feeling a sense of accomplishment for completing the task, I also relaxed my expression slightly.
"Huh, Oppa?"
At that moment, I turned my head at the familiar voice.
Standing there unexpectedly was Ayu, who looked surprised as she glanced at me with wide eyes.
Today, she wore a mask and a hat, her expression indicating confusion as to why I was there.
"Why are you here? "
"Why are you–"
As I was about to ask, I remembered that she was a returnee and scratched my head.
Because, as a returnee, there was no need for it to be strange for her to be in the returnee association.
“I came here to finish yesterday’s story because it wasn’t finished.”
It seemed she was referring to the matter of the call from the Returnees Association that she mentioned yesterday.
"I came because of Orjia. Orjia still doesn’t trust the Returnees’ Association.”
When I mentioned Orzia, Ayu's gaze suddenly sharpened.
"What does that have to do with oppa?"
For some reason, I suddenly started to see the face of the Heavenly Demon in her, but I tilted my head and answered.
"I was the one who informed her about the death of her lover, Seiya."
As I responded, the emotions that flickered in her eyes disappeared in an instant.
"Oh, her lover, right. That's how it was."
For some reason, the focus seemed a bit off.
Whether I expressed my puzzlement or not, Ayu nodded as if understanding.
"So, what happened then?"
"Baek Seon-hyang has decided to employ her at our company."
While there may be various issues such as the dimensional war, there's no need to unnecessarily worry since Baek Seon-hyang said she would handle it.
Since Ayu was also involved with the Orjia matter, when I answered, she immediately tilted her head and pressed her chin against the mask.
".... Baek Seon-hyang?"
Does she know her?
As I looked at Ayu with curiosity, I heard footsteps from behind.
"Mr. Ha-chan, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. Shall we proceed with the guidance...?"
"Gyaak?!"
The moment Baek Seon-hyang came back after finishing the phone call, Ayu suddenly let out a strange scream.
As I was looking at Ayu in surprise, she pointed at Baek Seon-hyang with her hand and trembled.
"Iron, Iron-blooded Empress, you crazy bitch, why are you with my oppa!"
"Returnee Chun Hong-ryeon, your words are harsh."
“Shin Sora. I told you not to call me that name."
"Then, Cheonma."
"Alright, let's fight, then."
Ayu openly disliked Baek Seolhyang, making it evident through her distant gaze.
"Ayu?"
When I called out to Ayu, she recalled my presence and coughed awkwardly.
Then, with a flushed face, she stood guard in front of me, eyeing Baek Seolhyang warily.
"Oppa, you shouldn't be with that woman. Run away from here right now."
"Run away and hide, huh?"
I casually patted Ayu's head with my hand.
"She's an important person in our company."
Probably the chairwoman.
Upon hearing that, Ayu trembled as if she were in a match, then firmly grabbed my shoulders.
I feel so vulnerable these days, even with Ji-eun grabbing my arm.
"Leave the company right now!"
"Make some sense. I have to pay the rent tomorrow."
"I'll take care of you! You can become a sugar baby and live together peacefully!"
She's really going off the rails.
"Just say the word. I'd do anything for you, even marry you."
"Please don't say anything to mislead Mr. Ha-chan. Cheonma, you're still as spoiled as you were before. Did they forget how old you are?"
"Hahang, I'm a college student who just turned 20. But how old are you, If we add up the ages from that side."
"I'm a responsible adult for my age. Unlike someone, I can establish and employ at a company."
Now I know for sure.
The relationship between these two is extremely bad.
As I was shaking like a shrimp caught in a whale fight, the two glanced at me and stopped the fight.
"And don't worry. I have no intention of using Ha-chan. Rather, I want to enhance his abilities."
"How can I take your word for it, after what you've done."
Ayu glared at her with a look of disgust.
I don't know what's going on between them, but Baek Seon-hyang seemed unfazed, casually flicking her hair as if there were nothing to be concerned about.
"If you want to argue about what I've done, don't deny that you've benefited from it too. It was necessary for the returnees."
While information regarding the Returnees Association was expected, as a regular person, my knowledge was extremely limited.
Moreover, aside from special cases like Seiya's, there is very little information available to the general public about returnees.
Therefore, I didn't know what kind of returnee Baek Seolhyang was, but through the conversation, I could vaguely sense that she had contributed to the establishment of the Returnees Association.
'Well, at least at the point where she can arrange a meeting between a newly returned like Orjia.'
It showed how high up she was in the World Association of Returnees.
"I hate you."
"It's okay. I'm not particularly fond of you either."
Is it okay to treat someone like her like that?
I started to worry a little about Ayu's future, but it wasn't my place to get involved, so I kept quiet.
“So, I’d like to give Mr. Ha-chan a tour of the association again.”
"What, why do you do that?”
“Because Ha-chan wanted to do it.”
"I'll do it!"
"Let's do the tour another time."
I'm not someone who would wedge myself between these two and tour the Returnees Association.
So, when I politely declined, Baek Seol-hyang smiled regretfully.
“Yes, there will be another chance.”
Somehow, her words sounded like she was determined to create one, but I chose not to dwell on it.
3
Kang Ha-chan, who had refused despite saying he would take a tour, turned and left. Then, after Cheonma also went off to handle Association business, Baek Seon-hyang was lost in thought.
The reason she was lost in thought was simple.
This is because of the name Ayu that Kang Ha-chan used when calling Cheonma.
'Ayu.'
Although Kang Ha-chan didn't realize it, she and Kang Ha-chan were acquaintances in the game.
She didn't mean to do this either, but how happy she was when she found out that the DoremiFasolo character she happened to become friends with in the game was Ha-chan Kang.
Unlike the present, In her past memories, she remembered a much younger Kang Ha-chan, and a calm smile appeared on her lips.
However, it didn't take long for that smile to quickly fade away.
'Black ayu.'
A member of the Dangchan Guild created by Ha-chan Kang.
He was not only an acquaintance of hers but also like a sworn brother to her, just as close as Kang Ha-chan.
'I knew she was a woman.'
Although a man might not have noticed, she could see through her identity with the eyes of a woman.
But she didn't seem to have any intention of revealing it herself, and above all, since she was close to Kang Ha-chan, she didn't really care.
'So, that was Cheonma?'
Today, Cheonma and Kang Ha-chan seemed to be conversing as if they were very close.
Ever since hearing reports that Cheonma and Kang Ha-chan were together during the incident involving the returnee Orjia, she had been expecting it.
But she never imagined in her wildest dreams that Black Ayu would turn out to be Cheonma.
'It's not good.'
Baek Seon-hyang gently pressed her red lips together.
Through the events that unfolded leading up to her encounter with Kang Ha-chan, she had put in so much effort to disguise their connection as mere coincidence.
The plan she had once concocted to reveal herself as his in-game acquaintance "KnowingIt'sHing" and solidify their bond had now been distorted into her involvement with Cheonma.
'Cheonma, just by looking at that woman...'
She had feelings for Kang Ha-chan.
Of this, she was one hundred percent certain.
As she reached this realization, a silver crown suddenly began to materialize above Baek Seon-hyang's head.
Just before the crown was fully formed, she shook her head, running her tongue over her lips to dispel the crown that had appeared.
Would she use the power of the crown on the person she harbored the deepest feelings for?
For a moment, overcome by emotion, she felt disgusted with herself for even considering bringing out the crown.
"...Ha-chan."
Thinking back on the name, which she still have no choice but to call with an honorific title.