Ch.128Chapter 5. Do Ji-hwan’s Ambitious Project (5)

At that moment.

In a luxurious room resembling a penthouse, a blonde girl lay on a bed so spacious that ten people could lie on it with room to spare. She stared blankly at the ceiling.

“Yawn.”

The girl was tiny, barely reaching 140cm in height.

Despite her small frame, she wore provocative clothing more suited to an adult, but there was no one else in the vast room besides her.

“Baek Seol-hee. Ymir.”

As the girl spoke these two names, holograms flickered on the ceiling, instantly revealing images of the two people.

The holographic display showed all kinds of information about them.

Text, photos, videos, and even reports extracted from various ability research institutions flipped through one by one.

“Both look promising. One with ice-type S-class abilities, the other an EX-class who can steal demons’ powers.”

The girl briefly ran her hand through her hair.

“These are talents we should be begging to join us, but if they become our allies this easily, that would be perfect.”

Where her hand passed through her hair, it momentarily turned black, then changed back to blonde when she removed her hand.

“Yawn.”

[Chairwoman?]

A flashing popup window appeared at the bottom of the screen.

“What is it, Qiongqi?”

[That call you received during the meeting just now, was it Manager Do?]

“Yes, that’s right. As you probably heard, Manager Do seemed to call me after getting tangled up in various excuses during the operation.”

[You figured that out from just one sentence…?]

“Well, when someone calls me in such situations, they’re usually asking for help.”

The girl shrugged lightly.

“Isn’t it impressive though? Less than two months after infiltrating Sejong Academy, he’s already seduced two S-class heroes. That’s our Manager Do for you.”

[I wonder if heroes might be tracking him.]

“If they are, that would only make Manager Do show his charm more aggressively. The Goblin uses every means possible to persuade others and turn them into assets for the Syndicate. That’s who he is, and you know it firsthand.”

[Isn’t that true of you as well, Chairwoman?]

“Indeed. That’s why I’m so relaxed right now.”

The girl kept smiling cheerfully, but Qiongqi only expressed anxiety.

[If he betrays the Syndicate and sides with the heroes—]

“Qiongqi.”

The girl lowered her voice while maintaining her smile.

“The Goblin doesn’t betray.”

[……I apologize for my presumptuous comment.]

“It’s fine. From your perspective, it must be strange and awkward that a newcomer who joined just six months ago has risen so quickly.”

[No, that’s not it.]

“Or are you jealous? Of Baek Seol-hee and Ymir, the two S-class heroes?”

[…We are perfectly capable of handling the Goblin ourselves.]

“I doubt it.”

The girl crossed her legs and shook her head firmly at Qiongqi’s words.

“From Christmas through the New Year holidays, you all got destroyed. Don’t you understand yet? The Goblin isn’t someone to be taken lightly. The five of us can’t handle him.”

[But if we try harder…!]

“Some things can be overcome with effort, and some can’t. If you’re losing 5-to-1 against the Goblin, do you think you can win 1-on-1 decisively?”

[……That’s why we’re all looking for methods. All of us executives, trying to find ways to physically handle the Goblin….]

“You can’t win. I guarantee it. That one aspect of his is practically EX-class, no, it’s the strongest in the world. You confirmed it yourself recently.”

At the girl’s words, Qiongqi cleared his throat and turned his head away.

“I understand your jealousy, but you should consider yourself fortunate. By chance, the Goblin supported your mission. And you even achieved a better union than just night work.”

[Ch-Chairwoman!!]

Qiongqi shouted.

[Ah, s-sorry! I’m in no position to raise my voice…!]

“No, no. I find it entertaining to talk with you all like this. It’s quite amusing to see virgin ghosts who were always plotting to devour me now acting like proper ladies with hairpins.”

[Ugh…!]

Qiongqi’s face turned as red as his hair, and the girl gave him a slight smile with a thumbs up.

“You won’t be able to meet the Goblin often from now on. Instead, return to Korea as soon as the October Travel matter is resolved. You’ll need to take charge of the Gangwon Province foreign zone, including the Gangneung area.”

[I’ll be in charge of Gangwon Province…?]

“Yes. And gradually others will each take charge of different zones, so if the Goblin goes to Gangwon Province, please support him well locally. I can’t enter Korea myself.”

[I will do my best according to your orders, Chairwoman.]

“Good. You know? If you do well, I’ll give you the ultimate reward. Later… about a month after Chuseok.”

The girl stroked her lower abdomen and began organizing the screens on the ceiling one by one with a much more comfortable smile than before.

“National Foundation Day. The day the heavens open, by then I’ll give you the ‘union’ you all desire most. With me.”

[……!!]

“I mean it. After all, it’s National Foundation Day, right? A national holiday, a day of celebration for the country.”

[It will truly be a day when new heavens open. I understand. Hoping everything proceeds according to schedule, I will continue handling the Faygreen matter. I will report immediately if there are any changes. Glory to the world that shall be one.]

“Glory to the world that shall be one.”

Beep.

The popup window closed.

After saying goodbye to Qiongqi via video, the girl turned her head to the side.

Outside was complete darkness.

It looked like the depths of an underground chamber where not even sunlight could penetrate, but the girl closed her eyes as she gazed outside, illuminated by the light from her room.

“Right, as if we could handle that monster by ourselves.”

The girl stretched and lay back down on the bed.

“We need at least five more women to handle him.”

Click.

“That’s the only way I’ll survive.”

As the girl closed her eyes, music began to play along with the sound of some mechanism activating.

“…If I had to handle that monster alone, I’d literally die.”

Classical music.

“Baek Seol-hee, Ymir… I wonder if the two of them can handle him. Hehehe.”

In the penthouse room, Brahms’ “Rain Song” gently filled the space.

And then.

[Honey?]

“…….”

The girl let out a hollow laugh at the call that came several hours later, almost at sunset.

“Just as I thought.”

* * *

It was over.

Checking the time, I saw it was already approaching 5 PM.

“…….”

I turned my head.

There, Baek Seol-hee and Ymir were sleeping quietly with their eyes closed.

Well, nothing special happened.

I just had a lengthy counseling session with them, listening to their thoughts about this country and this world.

I took out wet wipes and wiped the sweat from their bodies.

Despite it being April, they were drenched in sweat from our daytime conversation, and I wiped them down with wet wipes to make sure they wouldn’t feel uncomfortable, then threw the wipes in the trash.

“Phew.”

While they rested, I picked up the Taegeuk Watch I had placed on the desk and went outside.

To avoid any accidents from wearing the Taegeuk Watch in the room, I went to the kitchen before putting it on and making a call.

“Ah, hello? Honey? Yes, it’s me.”

[Just as I thought.]

“Huh?”

[I was wondering if you’d last even half a day.]

“…Yeah, that’s how it turned out. They’re both sleeping like they passed out.”

[…Is that so? Hmm.]

Was that low laughter joy at her prediction coming true?

Or was it a signal to have a serious conversation through our established code?

[Did you enjoy yourself, Manager?]

“…I’m always grateful. Thanks to you, honey.”

[Was it on speakerphone?]

“No. Just. Being cautious.”

[I see.]

While she could speak to me normally, I had to be careful with my words.

[If they could hear the speaker, we’d need to be extremely careful.]

“That’s not the case. They’re both unable to get up now. I’m certain.”

[If you say so, Manager, it’s trustworthy. So, do you think they’ll join the Syndicate?]

“Not at all.”

I took out a bottle of black raspberry wine, filled a glass, and took a sip.

“…One noticed but is determined to stick to her own will, and the other didn’t notice but is someone who can’t be persuaded.”

[Then the only option is to use your handsome face. Try to work it out. If things go wrong, immediately….]

“I’ll have to pack everything and go home. And since just leaving would be disappointing, I should pack my greatest treasure too.”

[Oh my. Are you suggesting kidnapping?]

“If necessary.”

Baek Seol-hee.

Ymir.

If the situation deteriorates to the worst and I can no longer maintain my identity as Librarian Do Ji-hwan, I’ll forcibly take them to the Syndicate.

After all, it’s a predictable development for protagonists or heroines to be kidnapped or detained by enemy organizations.

[I see. Well, before I hang up, let me ask one thing. Does the white cow do better, or does the yellow cow do better?]

“…….”

The call was approaching the three-minute mark.

“Asking who does better.”

I pulled my hand to my mouth.

“You.”

Smooch.

I hung up first, then downed the remaining black raspberry wine in one go.

“…I should make dinner.”

I decided to prepare dinner for the two of them while they woke up, washed, and came out.

Preferably.

Something rich in iron.