Chapter 40: Woonjang Joins the Family

“Here he comes. The rookie said he’d show us some grand magic.”

“Yeah…”

“But why isn’t he doing anything? Nothing at all.”

That’s what I’m saying.

I definitely heard it too.

He said he’d handle it with grand magic.

So why is he just standing there in the middle of the living room with his eyes closed…?

“Look at this! Grandpa’s standing still but his beard is dancing! Amazing!”

Even though Rani walked back and forth, no reaction.

Meanwhile, his clothes and beard fluttered in the air.

It is kind of fascinating.

“So cool! Grandpa, you’re a wizard!”

Rani was already bouncing around excitedly.

The other summoned workers watched in awe as well—

“Everyone, stay alert. Suspicious energy is approaching outside the gate.”

‘Huh?’

Ding-dong—!

No way.

‘It was real?’

“What is it?”

“Right? We didn’t even order delivery. Who could it be?”

“Come out, Sohjang. I’ll go.”

Grand Mage Woonjang’s eyes were full of caution.

We all tensed up too.

Carefully peeking through the intercom, “Is there anyone inside? I’m a student studying here and came to share some good news.”

“What, a cult?”

Phew.

We were worried for nothing.

A cult.

Like those “believe in the way” types?

‘How to deal with them?’

Just don’t believe, and it’s over.

Still, they were suspicious for sure.

Not dangerous, though.

Breathing a sigh of relief, “Sohjang, please wait a moment. I’ll handle this myself.”

‘What?’

No, no.

‘What’s this?’

“Stop right there.”

If I let this go, it’ll be a disaster.

Gotta stop it.

I quickly reached out and grabbed the intercom.

“I’m not interested.”

“Oh, okay… I’ll come back another time.”

Geez.

I said I’m not interested, but they just keep pushing.

‘I just saved your life, you know?’

Not that they’d understand, but be careful…

“Heh heh, Sohjang, your heart is quite tender. Letting your enemy go.”

“Hmm.”

‘Where to start explaining this…’

They’re not suspicious.

No.

They actually are suspicious.

“Anyway, they’re not an enemy, just an ordinary cult you see all the time. No need to worry.”

“Huh? A cult? What’s that?”

“Um…

It’s like setting up a fake god and extorting money—”

No.

If I say it like that, Rani won’t understand.

Looking at her, she just tilted her head.

To explain at her level, “Uh… it’s like broken wolf’s teeth or something.”

“That’s bad?!”

“Yeah.”

“Then Rani hates cults!”

Right.

That’s why everyone hates them.

Meanwhile—

“Wow, I get it! It’s a scary feeling! There are so many weird things in this world! I’m getting used to it!”

Oh…

Arthur showed some empathy.

Come to think of it, that’s true.

When he first came out, he didn’t even know what a coffee pot was.

‘Now?’

He’s mastered it.

Experience bred empathy.

It was very effective!

“Magic is like that. Sometimes it malfunctions.”

Our Grand Mage Woonjang’s embarrassed expression.

But he added, “Hah… the magic definitely cried.”

Well, of course it did.

You said you couldn’t use magic but kept trying…

Anyway.

The situation was roughly settled for now.

‘Shall we wrap up the first summon?’

“Hey~! Grandpa, you’re going to play with us from now on?”

Rani must like Woonjang.

Look at her sparkling eyes.

‘Grand Mage’s reaction?’

“Heh heh, I’d be happy if the Sohjang permits it.”

“Great~! Our Sohjang said he accepts everything!”

Really?

Not everything, though…

“Alright! Our boss is great!”

“Looks like it’ll be fun. Seeing everyone this happy, Sohjang, how do you think your grand magic will help the Sohjang?”

A new top-tier worker.

Grand Mage, Woonjang.

No, Grand Mage advocate.

He’s got some unique quirks, but it’s okay.

I’m used to it.

Our workers are all like that to begin with…

So,

“Of course, that goes without saying. Please take good care of me from now on.”

[Manage Fixed Team]

[Registered to Fixed Team – Woonjang (Top Tier)]

“Heh heh, pleased to work with you.”

Korea’s private detective guild, [Eye of Truth]

***

Guildmaster Kim Sunwoo and guild member Lee Minkook were having a conversation.

“The guy we’re investigating this time is Yoon Hajun, right?”

“Yeah.”

On the desk were profiles of various Awakened.

[Lee Harang – B Rank]

[Yoon Hajun – D Rank]

[Woo Jinhui – E Rank]

One of them.

D-rank Awakened, Yoon Hajun.

Lee Minkook’s surveillance target.

“He’s a boring guy.”

‘What?’

He’s young, but even after awakening, he keeps going to construction sites.

I thought he’d quit by now.

‘But he’s just holed up at home?’

“If you want to monitor someone, they need to go outside. There’s no way to do it now.”

“But what’s with the construction sites?”

“No clue. He kept going even after registering as Awakened.”

“A hunter going to a construction site?”

“Looking at his ability, it makes sense.”

D-rank.

Barely good enough to make a living.

His ability is the worst.

He cleared an F-class Dungeon in 1 hour 30 minutes.

‘That’s fast, but what use is it if it’s only once a day?’

‘And then what?’

‘Orc summoning?’

Hmm.

“Anyway, since he’s hardly left the house, I tried approaching him pretending to be a cultist.”

It felt strange.

He lives alone and no one went in or out, but I sensed other people inside.

“Saw?”

“They were detected.”

“Huh? Are you sure?”

“You know my skill.”

Lee Minkook.

Weak in combat.

But he has a detection skill.

That’s why he joined the private detective guild.

“It was a little fuzzy compared to usual, but that happens when you’re not in good condition. Still, there were several people inside.”

“What, orcs? He’s a summoner, right?”

“Maybe.”

“Or maybe family came. Still, investigate more just in case.”

Hmm.

We’ll do it because we’re told to.

“Guildmaster, but why did we even take this request?”

“Why else? If a request came in, we have to accept it.”

“But it’s weird.”

‘What kind of guy would give such detailed info?’

Even if I asked the guildmaster, “I take responsibility, so don’t worry.”

“No, that’s exactly what’s weird.”

‘What the hell is up with that guy?’

Lee Minkook was puzzled.

And Kim Sunwoo, the guildmaster.

He’d done private detective work but never lived badly.

But this…

[Awakened Information]

Even the info came from the Awakening Management Bureau.

‘Could this have come through normal channels?’

No way.

“Brother, remember we decided not to do bad things anymore, right?”

“Yeah, I remember. I got it, so just go out.”

“I trust you.”

Creak—.

Lee Minkook left.

Kim Sunwoo sighed deeply.

“Sigh… Who wants to do this kind of stuff?”

He rubbed his ankle with a troubled expression.

“No, it’s not an electronic ankle bracelet or anything, but why put something like this on a person? Damn bastards.”

Even Lee Minkook didn’t know.

‘How could he?’

It was only a few days ago that Kim Sunwoo was attacked by mysterious assailants.

[Investigate these guys and report immediately.]

That’s the Awakened info they handed over.

Lee Minkook smelled something fishy too.

‘But would the guildmaster not know?’

Of course he does.

‘So what?’

If he doesn’t comply, they’ll kill him.

The bracelet forcibly attached to his ankle.

If he doesn’t report on time or tries anything funny, it detonates immediately.

“I hope it’s a bluff…”

But it’s probably not.

Kim Sunwoo.

Master of the private detective guild.

He’s handled so much information and met so many people.

His instincts screamed.

Those guys are dangerous.

Judging by their accents, they seemed Chinese.

They wouldn’t blink killing a few people.

“Sigh…”

I get the feeling.

I don’t know the purpose of investigating these people…

But the end is probably already decided.

After this is over, they’ll all be killed.

These people.

Himself.

Even Lee Minkook who went outside.

After all, silence through murder is the easiest way to shut people up.

I want to stop it somehow.

But there’s no way.

The bracelet on my ankle.

Whenever I try to tell Lee Minkook what’s going on, it heats up instantly.

Like a warning.

Whatever I do, I die.

If I stay still, I die.

‘Is this what it feels like to be on a death sentence?’

“Please…”

I pray every day.

Please.

Please let a miracle happen and someone help me.

If only they save my life.

I’ll give everything, please.

“Sohjang! Sohjang! Is that fun?!”

“Huh? What is it?”

Our workers’ new daily routine.

When their tasks are done, they watch TV.

See the outside world.

And get entertained.

Sometimes they even ask me questions.

‘What’s this time?’

Looked like…

“Escape room?”

Hmm.

I don’t know either…

Never tried it before.

Before awakening, Yoon Hajun’s daily life was simple.

Go to the construction site every day.

Sleep after work.

‘Luxury like escape rooms?’

Never crossed his mind.

‘Isn’t that something young people do…?’

Ah.

I’m still young too…

“But it looks fun.”

“Right! Rani wants to try it!”

Rani, huh.

***

Just staring won’t solve everything…

‘Huh?’

Arthur’s eyes were shining too.

‘Why was Robin sneaking glances?’

“Do you all want to do it?”

Nodding simultaneously.

Ugh.

These meerkats are always in sync at times like this.

“But Rani, even if that’s true, you guys fight monsters and go to dungeons every day, isn’t this easy for you?”

“Wow, I’m thinking! It’s different.”

‘Is that so?’

“Heh heh, enjoying something and going to fight are definitely different things.”

“What, Woonjang, you interested too?”

“Not really. But it might help with my magic research.”

No, sir.

That’s a polite way of saying you want to go.

Looking at him, that guy adapts fast.

Just a few days ago he wanted to kill the suspicious cultist.

Already fully adjusted now.

Even sitting cross-legged watching TV, just like an old man.

“Hmm, an escape room…”

I’d been thinking about it.

It’d be nice if our workers had a way to go outside occasionally…

Rani—airplanes, amusement parks.

Arthur—coffee at a cafe.

Robin—grilling meat at a restaurant.

I even made a note about it.

But…

Going out right away is tricky.

They all stand out too much.

If they go out like this, they’d look suspicious.

‘Isn’t there a good way?’

If curious, better ask.

“What is it, Sohjang?”

The info guy.

I called Todd separately to ask.

‘Is there a way?’

“Hmm…”

He thought for a moment.

Then answered.

***

“When you open a permanent Labor Management Office, many functions will unlock. Do you remember I told you that?”

“Of course, I remember. Need to raise the unique skill rank.”

“That’s important, but I believe house space matters too.”

‘House space?’

“Yes, just like you moved here because you needed training space, you’ll need more space.”

‘Moving again?’

That’s really not easy.

“If you want, there might be a way even before that. The Request Point Shop has a Disguise Ticket or something.”

“Oh, really?”

‘Do they have it?’

There are so many items…

Scanning quickly.

Oh, there it is.

Request Point Shop (Rank – Bronze)

Temporary Disguise Ticket (24 hours) – 2,000P

2,000 points for 24 hours.

“The workers outside. Arthur, Robin, Rani, Todd, Woonjang.”

Exactly five.

‘Todd might not need one?’

Even if so, that’s 8,000 points.

Almost the cost of one Dispatch Range Expansion Ticket at once.

Wow, expensive.

“But it’s not impossible.”

Right.

All points were earned by our workers anyway.

‘Why save it? Let them do what they want.’

Okay.

Decision made.

Then, let’s go to the living room and say, “When shall we set a day to all go out together?”

“Go out? Can Rani even go outside?”

Our Rani.

Look how wide her eyes get just hearing that.

If she had a tail, it’d probably fly away.

“Yeah yeah, go do an escape room. Eat grilled meat at a fancy restaurant.”

Chomp.

Saliva sound.

I know who it is without looking.

Of course, Robin.

‘Drooling already, what’s he going to do?’

If he sees real meat later, he’ll flood the Han River.

“Coffee too?”

“Of course.”

“Great!”

“Ahem.”

‘What’s up with this old man?’

“Woonjang, is there something you want to do?”

“Heh heh, nothing special. Just hoping that if we go out later, I could have some alone time for magic research.”

‘So you want to stroll outside by yourself?’

He speaks so oddly.

‘What’s so hard about saying it?’

“Just don’t cause trouble.”

“Heh heh, this Grand Mage Woonjang is already fully adapted.”

Of course.

I trust Woonjang.

But sometimes the Grand Mage Woonjang that appears is kind of quirky…

Anyway.

“Then I’ll book the escape room cafe and restaurant. Rest well today and tomorrow, and let’s all go together the day after tomorrow?”

“Great!”

“Cafe? Nice! Wow, studying starts now!”

‘Studying?’

Still, everyone’s happy, so I feel good.

Sigh.

It’d be better if we could go out often.

Suddenly feeling a bit sad.

[Unique Skill: Summon Worker (Rank – Gold)]

Well, that’s to be expected.

If you keep leveling up, you’ll get there eventually.

The problem is the house…

‘Is there a guild that exchanges magic stones for cash and hides info?’

Probably not.

“Sigh.”

Wake up from the dream.

Guess I’ll look for a fun escape room cafe.