episode_0023

It took about thirty more minutes before Ms. Choe Sia finally calmed down.

“Are you feeling better now?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Though the tremor in her voice lingered, she had at least regained enough composure to speak—unlike when she first saw me, completely frozen in fear. And so, we exchanged casual introductions.

“Uh, um. Hello. I’m a draconic variant, Yun Seohyun. Twenty-four… and a university student.”

“A-ah, hello… I’m a high elf variant, Choe Sia. Twenty-three, and I live in California. I don’t attend university.”

It was a terribly formal exchange. But given how terrified she still was of me, suddenly acting familiar would’ve just made her uncomfortable.

Regardless of her apprehension, I couldn’t help but feel the urge to befriend the high elf variant before me.

It wasn’t just her appearance. There was just… something about her. The instinctive thought that getting closer to her would be really nice. Was this some kind of innate attraction?

Of course, her appearance didn’t hurt either.

Not in any weird way—she just looked incredibly cute.

Like, the kind typically seen in a fifteen-year-old? She had this doll-like quality that made me want to pinch her cheeks.

Sure, she was just a year younger than me, but… that’s how it felt, okay?

My staring must have unsettled her because Sia looked utterly terrified. At this rate, I wasn’t sure we’d even get any work done…

“I won’t eat you, so you don’t have to be that scared.”

“I-I know that…! It’s just, this feeling…!”

“Racial instinct or something?”

“Something like that…”

“Uh, well… If it helps, could you give me your hand?”

I had this feeling—maybe this would help calm her down.

And so, she hesitantly extended her trembling hand, and I took it.

Then, something unexpected happened—a warm energy flowed from me into her.

What kind of ability was this?

Some kind of soothing charm?

“H-huh? I feel… relieved somehow…?”

“Really?”

“W-wow! I’m not shaking anymore! Incredible. Do dragons have all kinds of abilities?”

“Ahaha… Honestly, this just came to me. I have no idea how it works.”

“It’s almost like… magic.”

“Well, most media depicts dragons as adept in magic, so maybe it’s a branch of that?”

“Wow… You’re literally on a whole different level compared to other variants.”

“Haha, and you, Ms. Sia, aren’t your abilities also leagues beyond other variants?”

“R-really…? Ahaha.”

Sia laughed awkwardly.

Yeah, she really was cute.

Was it just part of being a high elf? Whatever it was, I wanted to get closer to her.

I rarely ever felt drawn to someone like this, but the moment I met her, it was instant.

She just had this undeniable charm.

If this was indeed a racial trait, it must be an incredibly potent one—the ability to effortlessly win favor. In modern society, what could be better than making a strong first impression?

If I had to guess, she probably had some ability to communicate with animals too.

“Uh, Ms. Sia? By any chance, can you communicate with animals?”

“Gasp—! How did you know…?”

“Just a hunch, considering standard fantasy elf traits…”

“I’ve never mentioned this before, but… yes. I can communicate with animals and hear their stories.”

“Agent, you already knew, right?”

“Haha, correct. In fact, pinpointing this variant’s location was only possible thanks to her ability. She can listen to plants and animals alike… Once we had a general idea, her knack for zeroing in on exact locations was invaluable.”

“Though, are we really just moving as a trio?”

“Of course not. Other agents are securing the scene as we speak. Highly trained operatives capable of subduing variants even without your help.”

“You sure this isn’t an anti-terror unit rather than the NIS?”

“Since variants appeared, the NIS has aggressively recruited former counter-terror operatives. It’s practically formed its own special forces division now.”

“Shouldn’t the NIS be more… clandestine?”

“That’s what I thought too. But tracking and dealing with variants isn’t exactly something they can do publicly, so I guess they just slapped the NIS label on it.”

…Seemed like the NIS got saddled with a role it was never meant for.

Not unbelievable, but not entirely understandable either.

“As for operational details… Well, the moment you accepted this mission, Ms. Seohyun, our entire role shifted to assisting you.”

“Aren’t you putting too much faith in me?”

“Your track record speaks for itself. Even if it’s just one case, subduing minotaur variants as effortlessly as you did—that’s uniquely your feat. During the initial arrests, most agents suffered moderate to severe injuries.”

“I see…”

“So, we’ll be counting on you this time too. Rest assured, compensation will be generous.”

“Honestly, I’m still not used to this. Since when did the government hand out generous rewards for incidents like these? I thought citations and nominal bonuses were the standard.”

“Bitter as it is… yeah, that used to be the case. But under my watch? That won’t happen. I believe hard work deserves proper compensation.”

“Ah… Though, I do have one concern.”

“Go ahead.”

“When variants like us subdue others… are our families protected? Not that I expect it, but worst-case scenarios exist. Retaliation, for instance.”

“That goes without saying. We always station agents around the families and associates of cooperating variants. In emergencies, protection is guaranteed. So you needn’t worry.”

“Ah… That’s a relief.”

“Now then, let’s get down to business—who’s our target, and where are they?”

“Right.”

“The variant we’re dealing with is an orc-type who crossed over from China. Extremely combative. Why he fled here remains unclear. First, we subdue him—then we’ll interrogate.”

“Understood.”

“He’s not far. Ms. Sia will guide us—just follow her lead.”

“Trust me!”

Sia grinned brightly, beaming at me.

Despite the severity of the situation, her cheerful expression made me want to hug her tight—but I restrained myself.

Last thing I needed was her fainting out of shock.

Honestly, though… she was ridiculously cute.

It was like looking at some adorable little animal.

Following Sia’s guidance, we quickly arrived at the abandoned factory where the orc variant was hiding.

“This way.”

“…Yeah, he’s definitely inside.”

As soon as she pointed it out, I expanded my vision—revealing the orc sitting motionless within.

Like a monk in meditation.

Didn’t they say he was a violent variant? This didn’t add up.

“Guests, huh?”

The orc spoke. Oddly, I could understand him.

Agent Choi Jungho seemed to as well.

“Orc variant, Liang Wei. Why did you flee to Korea?”

“I killed people. Didn’t want to kill more.”

“Why kill?”

“Humiliated me. Need another reason?”

…What is this, a martial arts novel?

An orc martial artist? What kind of bizarre fusion is this?

“What humiliation?”

“Called me swine. Mocked the martial arts I dedicated my life to.”

“What martial art?”

“Boxing.”

“…That’s an odd genre crossover.”

“Chinese ’traditional’ martial arts? Crushed beneath modern styles. Pointless to cling to the past. With this physique, mastering practical, powerful combat is true mastery. They refused to see it. Clung to ’tradition,’ mocked everything else. Even called me a pig. I am not a pig.”

“Ah. Right.”

Frankly, it was absurd. Couldn’t he just shrug it off? Murder over something so petty?

His occasional snorts made parsing his words a pain, but I got the gist.

Sia, however, was lost.

“What’s he saying?”

“Hmm. Claims he killed because they called him a pig and dismissed boxing.”

“…He’s insane.”

“Right?”

“Let’s just capture him and go.”

“Agreed. No point in further talk.”

Killing people over slights?

His moral compass was clearly eroded.

No need for dialogue. Just a measured adjustment.

“I’ll handle this. Agent, fall back.”

“Understood.”

“What? Girl. Horns suggest a variant… but what kind?”

“Dragon.”

“…What?”

After my brief reply, I stomped the ground.

BOOM!

The factory floor erupted. In an instant, I stood before him.

Without a word, I drove my fist into his face.

“Guh—!”

CRACK!

A dense impact—his body collapsed like a puppet cut from strings. No lightning or fireballs needed.

“Don’t worry. I pulled my punch.”

“…Well done.”