Struggling (2)

I lifted the paper cup. It tasted like green tea.

“Coffee.”

Where’s the coffee?

“Coffee.”

“…..What do you want me to do?”

“Give me coffee.”

Erica beside me looked at me as if in disbelief.

A moment of silence passed.

“There isn’t any.”

“Why?”

“Because the coffee machine is broken.”

I raised my upper body and glanced at the machine fixed to the office wall.

It’s working fine.

“It’s not broken!”

“The machine says it doesn’t want to give you any. That’s what being broken means, you know.”

Erica blinked.

“Thinking about it again, I guess it’s not broken. It’s a fitting punishment for you who monopolize the coffee machine over 20 times a day.”

“What can I do if the coffee is so delicious…..”

Erica fluttered the report. A breeze rippled.

“You know, I’ve seen you growling and pushing away employees every time they stand in front of the coffee machine?”

“Gasp!”

I’ve been caught.

“But I’m happy. It means you’ve been watching me all along.”

“I can’t believe this. Really.”

Bad deeds suit me.

I’m trying to be that way. Maybe I’m doing it more because I’m in the same office as Erica.

“Ah!”

Suddenly, I felt a cold sensation on my cheek.

“Drink this instead.”

Green waves rippled inside the bottle.

“This is green tea too!”

“Don’t you like it?”

Erica turned her face and took the bottle back.

“N-no, if it’s from you, I can drink hundreds of bottles.”

“Is he really saying that consciously…..”

I hurriedly snatched the bottle. With a dejected laugh, the report was spread out.

“Do you have time this evening?”

“Are you asking me on a date?”

“No.”

That’s disappointing.

“Due to the aftermath of this Spirit Realm invasion, there are many areas that have become necrotic from Namyangju to Uijeongbu.”

“Gasp.”

“According to reports, this situation where a large number of souls are overflowing……”

Erica lifted one report. Charts and indicators covered the front.

“They say it’s a suitable time for necromancers to run wild.”

It’s a good opportunity for them too. Because it’s a chance for necromancers who usually don’t show themselves due to weak stats to raise their necromancy stats.

It’s not just uncollected human corpses. It’s the perfect time when they can even reanimate spirits’ souls.

“What should we do!”

“So we’re planning to visit the Hunter Alliance as Association members.”

Erica put down the report. A faint sigh was visible.

Another job? Though I can’t tell because she doesn’t show it, she must need rest anyway.

I pondered for a moment.

It will be a bit harder from now on, but it can’t be helped. I’ll give her some leeway after that.

“What are you going to do there?”

“Information sharing and group rituals are the basics.”

Erica held out a notebook. Numbers and various sentences were written in a row.

“And the Association’s support plan.”

Erica nodded.

I twisted my side hair. It’s literally an alliance. A group that doesn’t even fear death. The reason for not using the Association’s power in suppressing these necromancers is that it could potentially involve a big risk.

Usually weak stats are the necromancers’ weakness. However, after experiencing an unprecedented invasion like a major war or this Spirit Realm invasion, when an area is tainted with souls, it’s a well-known fact that their potential explodes.

That’s also the reason why the Alliance is rising. Because the Association, which is worn out due to current manpower shortage, cannot handle the necromancer groups that are starting to cooperate with each other now. Especially after blocking the repeatedly pouring gates and this Spirit Realm invasion.

That’s why the Association’s support plan for the Alliance is necessary. Although not externally, ultimately the Association needs to show that they are favorable to you.

I pondered for a moment.

If I just walk in alone and sweep away the whole group, would Erica praise me?

It would be an interesting hunt since the necromancers wouldn’t resist in this situation.

“We’ll visit twice.”

Snow-white eyes met mine. I smiled slightly and nodded.

Anyway, what I need most is a terrorism plan. I just decided on the location.

The Alliance building.

Just imagining the situation of taking hunters hostage and talking with Erica is thrilling.

It’s also a good opportunity to hear condemnation and curses after a long time.

“…..You’re being unusually obedient today.”

“If you say that, it makes me sound like I usually don’t listen at all?”

“That’s right, isn’t it?”

“No, it’s not?”

My cheek was pinched. It didn’t particularly hurt.

Erica went into the conference room and I got up from my seat. Going up to the upper floor, hazy smoke was filling the air.

“Director smoking in a non-smoking building!”

“It’s a secret from Erica.”

“Oh…..”

If she catches you, it probably won’t end with just a few hits.

I pondered for a moment. Getting caught might not be bad either.

The Director smiled slightly. The fire went out and the cigarette was crushed.

“How are things going with Erica?”

“Of course. I’m receiving love and hate simultaneously.”

“Still amazing.”

Sitting in the chair in front of the desk, I saw a report. It was about the disposal of necromancer groups.

“This Alliance is unexpectedly cooperative.”

“I wonder why?”

“Who knows?”

Black eyes flashed.

“Maybe because the Association is controlling the famous Orli?”

“Hearing it right in front of me makes me a bit embarrassed.”

“I didn’t know you could feel such emotions?”

“I was human too, you know?”

I twisted my side hair. Right now, I’m in the process of becoming human.

“I can’t just watch a situation where only the Association benefits.”

“Oh?”

“I’m a mutant, so I’ll act erratically!”

Mixed beings are always like that. You can’t predict where they’ll bounce.

“I plan to show a cooperative attitude to the Association, then cause chaos again!”

“That’s scary.”

The Director put a cigarette in her mouth. It was lit.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

“Why are you being so kind?”

“If I don’t humor you like this, the country will be in danger, so I have no choice.”

“That’s sad.”

The Director laughed. Green tea was offered.

Why is it all green tea?

“How about drinking this and thinking about canceling that plan of yours?”

“Oh…..”

I downed the green tea in one go. It’s not great.

“Actually, the ending is already decided. Erica will stop me.”

“Then that’s fortunate.”

It’s a natural action for her who embraces many things. It’s an unchanging rule based on relationships. Predicted results and set procedures are like that.

Erica is optimized for that. She who is filled with justice and ambition always rises up. Even if she coughs blood and her limbs are torn, she shows a different look in her eyes.

It’s a natural conclusion for her to laugh last. It has to be that way. Brilliant humans deserve to be revered.

I already knew that I was disgusting for simultaneously pouring out crisis and treatment. I didn’t want to forgive my twisted self for that.

Because I’ve received kindness stuffed into my mouth to the point of suffocation, more than I deserve. Unbearable, excessive love is also like that.

“I hope you don’t get hurt.”

“Who?”

“Both of you.”

“Is this flattery too?”

Tilting my head.

“No.”

I smiled slightly at the Director’s answer. I burned a cigarette and put it in my mouth. Is it pure concern?

Smoke rose and began to fill the ceiling. I closed my eyes watching the Director open the window.

So far, there have been no deviations from the planned schedule. Overwhelming force makes that possible.

Suddenly, her worried eyes seeped into my brain. Kindness pierced my lungs. The gentle touch caressing my back tore my skin.

Anxiety suddenly set in.

I got up from my office seat when I saw the meeting had ended. The conference room door opened and Erica came out.

“Good job.”

“…..Shall we go now?”

“Yeah.”

It was late afternoon. The sun was leaning towards the ground.

The building where the Alliance meeting was taking place wasn’t far from the Association. Looking up at the building we arrived at, it was quite a large building. Many glass windows covering the walls stood out.

It’s known as an important building treated with magic engineering technology in the game era. Still, they’re using a good building even though they’re the Alliance.

We passed the entrance after getting through identity verification with Erica’s help.

“This is Erica. I’ve come for the Association’s 1st and 2nd dispatch.”

“I’m the representative of the Alliance’s general assembly. I’ll guide you to the waiting room.”

During the short conversation and following steps, I glanced at the passing conference rooms. The interior was spacious. Among the lights and desks filling the inside, a crystal ball that seemed to be made of magic technology was visible in the center.

I wonder if it’s different for the Alliance hunters here. Anyway, I might feel a slightly different atmosphere from many situations I’ve seen before.

I blinked. We were already in the waiting room. Watching the high-ranking official who left to prepare drinks, I leaned slightly on Erica.

“How long will it take?”

“The first meeting is short.”

Come to think of it, didn’t she say there’s a second one too? Then I can act at that time.

It’s not like I can cause terrorism right away just because I want to. I need a chaotic situation where nothing can be discerned. Getting Erica’s attention comes after that.

There’s no point in causing it in a place with strict security and quiet, it will only draw the attention of the hunters in position.

The only one I’m interested in is Erica. It’s easier to hold the hunters’ lifelines and stage a hostage situation during chaotic times.

Anyway, I’ll need preparation.

A few days until the next meeting should be enough.