Hearing about his sister’s life from someone else’s mouth.
A child who should have been protected by her family had been abandoned, left to fend for herself.
A rift created by his absence.
Why had such a tragedy befallen him and his family?
Why did it have to be him?
If he hadn’t been caught up in the dimensional transfer.
If he had been by his family’s side.
Wouldn’t things have turned out differently?
“…….”
Xiao Yun, observing Taeseong, cautiously asked,
“Are you okay?”
Taeseong slowly nodded.
Of course, he wasn’t okay. But at this point, he didn’t possess the emotion to break down over it.
It wasn’t that he was trying to turn away from the past.
He couldn’t. He shouldn’t.
But if he let the past hold him back and failed to protect what remained in the present, then he would only repeat the same mistakes.
And that terrified him.
“So Sooah followed that woman and became a manager at The Tree?”
“Yes. You may have heard of it, but The Tree has an institution dedicated to training future managers.”
“I know. It’s called The Nest, isn’t it?”
Xiao Yun nodded.
“She must have received training at The Nest, followed her mentor to the Japan branch, and started working as a manager. Given that she’s already a Delta-grade, she seems to be adapting quite well. Looks like both siblings have remarkable potential.”
“Potential, huh…”
In Taeseong’s memory, Lee Sooah was nothing more than a clingy, childish girl. The thought of her joining this insane organization and managing all sorts of anomalies was difficult to picture.
“Everything is full of unanswered questions.”
From his parents’ deaths to Sooah awakening an ability and becoming a manager of The Tree—it was all too much to dismiss as mere coincidence.
It was a goddamn mess.
Once he returned to Korea, he would have to thoroughly investigate everything that had happened during his absence.
‘And another thing that bothers me…’
Sooah’s mentor.
A Beta-grade manager.
Up until now, the only Beta-grade manager Taeseong had encountered was Xiao Yun.
Sure, they were having a conversation now, but just moments ago, they had been trying to tear each other’s arms off.
Unpredictable behaviour. Strength that surpassed the limits of humanity.
A true monster tasked with managing other monsters.
A walking strategic weapon.
That was how Taeseong viewed Beta-grade managers.
And yet, the one who had taken Sooah under her wing was a Beta-grade as well.
Why had such an exceptional individual approached Sooah?
What was their true intention in taking her in?
Taeseong couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
“Can you tell me more about this manager, Yukina?”
“You must be worried.”
Taeseong answered honestly.
“Every manager I’ve met so far has been completely unhinged. And the one I consider the most insane is you, Xiao Yun. No matter how I look at you, you’re definitely not in your right mind.”
Xiao Yun bobbed his head as if he found the statement amusing.
“Well, I won’t deny it. And?”
“If even you call that woman a lunatic… how can I not be worried when she’s taken my sister as her apprentice?”
“Hahaha! From my perspective, you’re even crazier than that lunatic.”
“That’s your opinion. Now, answer my question.”
“I don’t know all the details. But for starters, she’s a transmigrator like me. The world she came from was also called Earth, just like this one.”
“Earth?”
“Yeah. The level of civilization was similar, and the names of the countries were the same. She said she used to be a hunter in Japan, so I doubt it was too different from this place. The only major difference was the existence of hunters and something called gates, from which monsters would emerge.”
Hunters and gates.
They sounded like terms straight out of a fantasy novel.
“Yukina was the most exceptional among those hunters. The Hunter Association, the organization that ranked hunters, had classifications ranging from E-rank to S-rank. But for Yukina, they had to create an entirely new rank.”
“…….”
“World’s top-ranked hunter. The SSS-rank hunter, Ice Emperor Yukina. That was her former title. Ice Emperor, huh… In my world, there were plenty of old folks who practiced ice techniques, but none of them were arrogant enough to claim such a title.”
“How does she compare to you?”
“Are you asking who’s stronger?”
“Yeah.”
“If we’re talking about our capabilities as individuals, outside of being managers… Honestly, I don’t know. Even if I fought with everything I had, I’d have to be prepared to lose a limb.”
In other words, even if Xiao Yun went all out, he couldn’t guarantee victory.
As Taeseong’s expression darkened, Xiao Yun added reassuringly,
“Don’t worry. She seems like someone with clear boundaries. If she considers someone hers, she won’t harm them.”
“She’d better not.”
Otherwise, I’ll have to kill a Beta-grade manager with my own hands.
Taeseong kept that last thought to himself.
And so, the two of them spent the night drinking, passionately discussing the worlds they had come from.
The Next Day
Due to the effects of overdrinking the previous night, the smell of alcohol still lingered with every breath. Seeing the living room filled with empty bottles, Taeseong turned his gaze away.
“Boss! You’re awake!”
“…Good morning, Administrator Lee Taeseong.”
In front of him stood Yato, avoiding his eyes for some reason, and Ito, greeting him cheerfully.
Still half-asleep, Taeseong rubbed his eyes and asked,
“What are you two doing here?”
“What else! We came to escort you, boss! As your subordinates, this is the least we can do.”
Taeseong looked at Yato and asked,
“You too?”
“…Ito kept insisting.”
Having grasped the situation, Taeseong quickly got ready and stepped out of the room.
As he made his way to the Japan branch with the Yato siblings, countless eyes turned toward him.
“Team Leader Yato! Good morning!”
“Deputy Team Leader Ito! Have a great day!”
“Administrator! You’re looking sharp as always!”
Employees and administrators greeted Yato and Ito while stealing glances at Taeseong.
From their eyes, he could read emotions ranging from intense curiosity to fear and admiration.
However, whenever he met their gazes, most quickly averted their eyes or pretended to be occupied.
Only after he had passed by and gained some distance did they begin whispering among themselves.
“Is that the administrator who supposedly took down the twin siblings?”
“Yeah! I heard he’s a new recruit dispatched from Korea, but the rumors say…”
“What? A Delta rank? But he tore off a Beta rank administrator’s arm? Come on, that’s ridiculous! How does that even make sense?”
“Hey, it’s true! Plenty of people saw it happen! Look at how even that ill-tempered Deputy Team Leader Ito is treating him so respectfully!”
“Yeah… Ito is definitely not the type to act like that. Could it really be true? If so, wouldn’t this be an unprecedented event in the history of Tree?”
“Exactly! I bet he’ll get promoted soon. We should get on his good side while we still can.”
“Doesn’t matter, he’s just going to return to Korea anyway…”
Thanks to his enhanced physical abilities, Taeseong could easily pick up on whispered conversations with just a bit of focus.
“Oh, boss! I gathered some information on your sister, as you requested. She should be returning from her mission today.”
“Really? Thanks.”
It was welcome news.
At last, today, he would see his sister.
Finally…
“Don’t mention it! Just give me orders anytime. Until the higher-ups send down instructions, you can just take it easy. I’ll be off now!”
With a 90-degree bow, Ito took his leave, while Yato gave a slight nod before following suit.
Watching their retreating figures, Taeseong turned and entered the break room.
Unlike the initial place he had been assigned, this one was much more spacious and luxurious. Everything was there—from a large sofa to a bed, TV, refrigerator, and computer.
‘Ito, that guy… he’s surprisingly considerate.’
As he surveyed the room with a satisfied expression, Yu Gi-jun spoke up.
“Captain, good morning. You seem to be in a good mood today.”
“Does it look that way?”
“Yes. Right, Haeyoung?”
Oh Haeyoung also smiled brightly and said,
“That’s true! Usually, Taeseong, you have this unapproachable aura, but today, your lips are curved up!”
Taeseong answered honestly,
“I think I’ll be able to see Sooah today. She’s on her way back from a mission.”
“Really!? Congratulations, Captain!”
“Congratulations, Taeseong!”
Feeling warmth in his once-desolate heart from their shared joy, Taeseong nodded in gratitude.
From one corner of the room, Lee Eunha, who had been talking to another woman, turned at the conversation and approached.
“What’s up? Taeseong, did something good happen?”
“I believe I’ll finally see my sister today.”
“Really? That’s great!”
“Thank you.”
Taeseong’s gaze shifted to the woman standing beside Lee Eunha. She had jet-black hair as dark as ebony and striking feline-like features.
“And who might this be?”
“Oh, my bad! I completely forgot to introduce her. Taeseong, meet Chief Go Yeong hui. Remember how the team leader mentioned that we have someone stationed here in Japan? That’s her.”
Taeseong extended his hand for a handshake.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Taeseong.”
“Oh, hello. Y-you’re that famous Lee Taeseong, aren’t you? I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“What kind of stories—”
Taeseong suddenly cut himself off.
Tears were streaming down the woman’s face.
Dumbfounded, he looked at her before turning to Eunha and asking,
“Deputy, did I do something wrong?”
At that, Lee Eunha burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! No, you didn’t do anything wrong! Hahahaha!”
One person was crying nonstop after a simple introduction, while another was laughing hysterically at the scene.
When he turned to the other two in the room, they also seemed to be struggling to hold back their laughter.
‘What the hell is going on?’
Wiping away her endless tears, Go Yeong hui hastily explained,
“Oh, I must have startled you. I’m sorry. I have a curse that makes me express my emotions in reverse sometimes…”
“A curse that reverses emotions?”
“Yes. To put it simply, I cry when I’m happy and laugh when I’m sad. Haha…”
Even now, tears continued to stream down her face.
Which meant—she was delighted.
‘What kind of ridiculous curse is this…?’
As Taeseong stared at her in disbelief, Go Yeonghui suddenly asked with a serious expression,
“Taeseong, the sister you mentioned earlier—are you referring to Administrator Lee Sooah from the Japan branch?”
“Yes. Do you know my sister?”
“Yes. I’ve worked with her on a few missions since being stationed here. But something doesn’t add up.”
“What do you mean?”
“She told me she doesn’t have any siblings.”
Go Yeong hui said it with absolute certainty.
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