“…Oh, so Irina ended up going to Russia as well?”
“Yes. That’s the news I heard from Grandpa.”
After the brief greeting with Kang Hana, Kim Suhyeon suddenly mentioned it. The media never covered it, but it seemed Irina was among those dispatched to Russia. Kim Suhyeon explained that she crossed over and took part in the mission.
“Then why is there no mention of Irina on the news?”
An S-rank ability user drew attention anywhere in the world. They were strong enough to be considered true superheroes who saved people from monsters and villains. They had fans and supporters, and some were even treated like idols.
Irina was one of the top S-rank ability users. There were only about three people across the globe who could fight her on equal footing.
Later on, that number would be four if Lee Hyunwoo joined them. Now that Kim Suhyeon was one, perhaps the total became five.
That was why her popularity was enormous. She caused a fair share of controversy because she acted a bit outlandish.
“That’s strange, Suhyeon? This is the first I’ve heard of it. Even the Tower of Magic had no idea.”
Kim Suhyeon kept her eyes on me, as though she did not hear Kang Hana’s question.
“It seems she clashed with the Elder in Russia in a full-scale battle.”
“…Huh?”
“What?!”
I was not the only one shocked. Kang Hana leaped from her seat, eyes wide.
An S-rank ability user and an Elder were both living strategic weapons, acknowledged as the strongest. When either of them fought, the surrounding area became a wasteland.
Villains did not care how others judged them, but most S-rank ability users acted from a sense of duty. They rarely did anything that caused large-scale casualties.
“Most” was the key word.
“Was the damage severe? Considering what she’s like, it might have been brutal.”
Although Kang Hana asked, Kim Suhyeon remained quiet. She stared at me and blinked. After I repeated the question for her, she finally answered.
“Apparently there weren’t any towns or villages nearby, so they were lucky.”
“That’s a relief. A huge relief.”
Would Irina worry about diplomatic relations between Korea and other countries? She was the type to blow everything to pieces if something annoyed her, then laugh about it. If another country criticized Korea, she might even wreak havoc on that country.
It was not something that had happened yet, but part of the original story came to mind. Lee Hyunwoo had clashed with a Chinese ability user, prompting strong protests from the Chinese side. Irina, who was curious about his power, caught wind of that and caused chaos along China’s coast while claiming to hunt villains.
That was why people, villains and ability users alike, believed she was crazy. She seemed normal for a while, then lost control out of nowhere. Her mood swings left everyone unsettled.
The scariest part was that there was nothing wrong with her mind. She did it all in full clarity.
“That’s why I said you’re incredible, Examiner.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Examiner, do you know one of the nicknames the villains gave Irina?”
Kang Hana’s question made me nod.
“I’ve heard of it. I assumed it was just a malicious label from the villains.”
“Half of them use it maliciously, but the other half use it for real.”
Even villains, along with the Elder himself, acknowledged that crazy blonde nickname. If that was how far it went, others in the world must have heard it too.
“She’s very eccentric. People say she almost never treats anyone kindly. Maybe other S-rank ability users, although sometimes she ends up picking fights with them.”
“She does sound a bit unhinged.”
I agreed, and Kang Hana smiled as if asking if I felt the same.
“She’s the same in front of reporters and cameras. If someone bothers her, she tells them to take the idiot and get lost. Her pride is monstrous, and she does not care about anyone. It’s a terrible combination.”
“It does sound extreme.”
“Yes. Such a person randomly shook hands with Examiner Baek Seojin and claimed you helped her deal with that monster. Everyone is watching you for that.”
She then quickly added that there was more to it than just Irina, as if worried I would think I only got attention for being acquainted with Irina.
“Anyway, Examiner. My point is…”
“Senior.”
Right before she finished, Kim Suhyeon quietly touched Kang Hana’s shoulder.
“Don’t you have a lecture today?”
“Huh? Oh, actually, I’m free.”
“You have no classes today.”
She stared at Kang Hana, who forced a nervous laugh. My heart skipped for a moment. Imagining the Crimson Witch wearing that expression made me feel dizzy.
They insisted they were close friends, but this gave me doubts.
Could Kang Hana be misunderstanding that closeness? She did not seem the type to miss obvious signals, so I was not sure.
“Ahem. Examiner, if it’s all right, I have a small suggestion I’d like to make.”
“A suggestion?”
“Yes. I do not want to pressure you in any way. It is just an idea, so please do not feel burdened.”
That might have made it more burdensome, but I still nodded.
“Are you familiar with the Tower of Magic clan, Examiner?”
“The Tower of Magic? Of course I know it. It’s well known.”
It was one of the top clans in Korea, well respected in society. The name suited it, as it had many skilled magic users.
Compared to weaponry or martial arts types, magic users were fewer in number. This made them highly sought after by both small and large clans. The Tower of Magic even hired out its magic users as mercenaries.
I remembered that in the original story, the Tower of Magic gave tremendous support to Kang Hana. People joked that she might be the daughter of a top executive there. I did not read far enough to see the truth, but I heard her origins came out later on.
“Wait a minute, Kang Hana? Is your suggestion tied to the Tower of Magic clan?”
“You caught on quickly. Yes, that’s right.”
So she really was an executive’s daughter to propose it so casually. My situation was the bigger issue, though.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can keep listening if it involves them.”
“What? Why?”
“I may be low ranked, but I’m a public servant.”
An ability user from one clan could talk to members of another clan freely. There was no problem with exchanging visits or being invited elsewhere.
But a government employee was a different story. Accepting a private clan’s offer in secret could cause serious problems. It might look like bribery, or something corrupt.
“Oh, I wanted to express our gratitude, and I wondered if that was disallowed too.”
“Gratitude?”
“Yes. You recall fighting Orrox, right?”
By Orrox, she meant that day I fought monsters, then encountered Irina and the Elder in turn. Honestly, the monsters were less frightening than that pair.
“Sure, I remember. Why?”
“I heard you rescued an ability user then.”
I paused, recalling someone named Park Minho. I did help one person who had been badly injured by Orrox.
“That ability user turned out to be the younger sibling of one of our clan members. They really wanted to thank you, and…”
“If they just want to say thanks, there are other ways.”
“It’s… well…”
“Please be honest. There must be a different reason.”
If they were truly grateful, they would have come to me themselves. If there were circumstances that prevented that, they could have found alternative methods. Asking me to visit the Tower of Magic clan in person seemed excessive.
“Well, someone there wants to offer you a place in the clan.”
“Me? The Tower of Magic clan? I’m not even a magic type.”
“The Tower of Magic doesn’t only employ magic types. There are plenty of non-magic people who protect them. Most of our famous members happen to be magic users, but we have many other roles too.”
She continued explaining. A spot recently opened on a hunting team for a support role, but it was hard to find someone capable of detection, measurement, and basic combat. They thought I fit that description.
“Still, it’s not right to take away government staff like that.”
“Not if it’s field agents. But you’re administrative. It’s not illegal, so the Tower of Magic need not worry. The restrictions only apply to active field operatives.”
“That… is a fair point.”
“Yes. Besides, big clans contribute large sums in taxes and emergency relief. Think of it as them having the right to recruit someone when they need to.”
It was a capitalist system at its finest. They paid, so they got something in return.
“I hope you don’t take this the wrong way. They mean well, and they want to give you a good opportunity. The pay and experience would far exceed what you have now.”
It was a harsh truth, but that was how things worked. The top clans held more prestige than an administrative government job. People would respect that experience more.
If I were still a regular employee, this would be the chance of a lifetime. Quitting this government job for a top clan would be considered the smarter move. Most people would do it in a heartbeat.
Yet it was different for me now. I had only just found my footing, so switching to a clan would make no sense.
“That’s not for me.”
I had just reached a good place, so leaving would be foolish.