Chapter 44

In this world, in the worldview of Pixies, the powers could be roughly divided into three major factions.

The human faction centered around governments and corporations established by humans, the alien faction centered around extraterrestrial races that had crossed over to this world, and the Invader faction centered around dimensional invaders.

Explaining this like reciting a history book would be bothersome, so here’s a very simple summary of the relationship between these three groups.

“Hostile humans and aliens were in conflict with each other when they belatedly noticed the existence of the Invaders. To somehow prevent annihilation, they formed a temporary alliance.”

To put it bluntly, it’s like two people grabbing each other by the hair, ready to fight to the death, when suddenly an incomprehensible psycho shows up, forcing them to reluctantly join hands.

Humans alone couldn’t handle the invaders due to lack of information, and the aliens lacked the power to fight the invaders on their own.

So, for survival’s sake, they decided to temporarily set aside old grudges and join forces. Something like that was the general flow.

But even the appearance of the Invaders, which triggered a sense of crisis, happened years ago at this point.

Of course, as time passed, the hastily patched-up conflicts for the sake of the temporary alliance began to resurface, leading both sides to once again aim guns and swords at each other right around the start of the original story.

After several city-wide incidents occurred, the true threat of the Invaders finally came to light.

The fact that their real enemy hadn’t retreated yet but was lying low, waiting for an opportunity.

So this is what I wanted to say.

“This shouldn’t be here, right now, should it?”

This fragment in my hand clearly belongs to the Invaders, dimensional invaders, and it definitely shouldn’t be seen at this point!

Of course, I couldn’t be 100% sure.

All I felt from this metal fragment was something similar to the Tesseract, and I hadn’t actually seen any Invaders nearby.

But after becoming Yuria, my intuition, which had become strangely sharp, was telling me something.

This metal fragment was closely related to the dimensional invaders, the Invaders!

“What’s that? Mr. Jin, did you put something weird in your pocket again before washing? I told you not to do that.”

“That… when did I put that there? I don’t remember.”

“Yeah, sure. You always just toss your clothes in the washing machine without checking.”

But Alice and Raven didn’t seem to notice the ominous aura faintly emanating from this fragment.

It wasn’t strange. In the original story, only a few characters showed signs of sensing the Invaders’ approach, and neither of them fit into that category.

Perhaps at this point, only I, who can use supernatural powers, have this special sense.

“Pretend I didn’t see it?”

I tightly gripped the cold, metallic fragment and shut my eyes tight.

Should I ignore this unusual sign of the Invaders that seemed to come too early?

Or should I investigate what’s going on? My thoughts churned with indecision.

Huh? Isn’t everything going to unfold fine if I just leave it alone and let things roll as they are in the original plot?

Well… at least regarding the Invaders, it’s not something we can relax about.

Unless Raven is already close to his final form, both Alice and David still need a lot of growth.

No matter how reliable the future hero group might be, what could they possibly do if one of the Four Heavenly Kings suddenly sharpened their blade in the second town?

“I really hope this isn’t anything serious… or maybe it’s better if it is?”

Thinking about it, the problem was that both possibilities made sense.

What kind of scheme were the Invaders plotting beneath the city?

If the entire city was at risk of being obliterated, it didn’t matter whether it was the Dragon Mayor or the Elf Queen; everyone should be called upon.

With death looming tomorrow, hiding my identity wouldn’t matter. Dying would be far worse.

On the contrary, revealing the invasion of the Invaders might earn me the official protection of the Dragon Mayor. Of course, this was just wishful thinking.

But what if it was all just a coincidence? Something trivial that wouldn’t matter even if left alone?

If I suddenly charged forward now, it would only expose me as someone with suspicious knowledge and psychic abilities.

Not only me, but Raven, Alice, and Greg could get dragged into it too. Ugh, just thinking about it made me feel uneasy.

Therefore, the best thing I could do now was figure out how this metal fragment ended up in his pants pocket. I’d decide what to do next later.

“Am I really incapable of learning? Why am I worrying about this again? I should just leave it alone… but that’s easier said than done…”

It would’ve been better if I hadn’t noticed.

In a way, the situation I most wanted to avoid was rushing toward me.

But what could I do? I heard there might be a bomb about to explode nearby. How could I possibly pretend nothing was wrong!

Surely, not just me but anyone in this situation would feel anxious and uneasy. Yeah, I’m innocent. It’s this world that’s messed up.

“Sigh, enough of these useless thoughts. On the bright side, things might work out. Staying at the office? That makes secretly investigating much easier. After I quietly examine this fragment at the office, if it’s nothing serious… I’ll just forget about it.”

If it turns out to be something big? Well, I’ll deal with that when the time comes.

With that thought in mind, I casually slipped the metal fragment into my skirt pocket and looked at Raven and Alice, who were staring at me with bewildered expressions.

What must those two have thought, seeing me suddenly rummage through Raven’s pockets and pull out the metal fragment to ponder deeply?

Ugh, thinking about it from their perspective suddenly made my face feel hot.

Now, I had to ask to stay at the office…

Wait, this is embarrassing.

“Suddenly doing that is alarming, isn’t it? No matter how much you want something, you should ask first before touching someone else’s body. You startled me so much I almost called the police.”

“…Are you serious, Mr. Jin?”

“Cough, it was a joke! What do you do taking it seriously? How awkward is this now?”

Maybe it was because I was wriggling my toes in embarrassment.

Meanwhile, trying to lighten the mood, Raven cracked a joke and spoke up.

His attitude suggested he wasn’t overly concerned about my sudden actions.

Honestly, I thought I deserved a smack on the head, but his reassuring demeanor eased some of my tension.

Alright, I’ve sorted my thoughts.

My current actions aren’t driven by greed but by a greater purpose.

Thinking that I wasn’t causing trouble but rather doing him a favor made me feel a bit better.

“…”

“Huh?”

I approached Raven with quick steps.

Naturally, since there was quite a height difference between Raven and me,

I found myself looking up at him.

Carefully tugging on his clothes, I gazed up at him with pleading eyes.

Could you reconsider that earlier offer? I’ve changed my mind.

That was the gist of my movements.

Perhaps Raven, with his quick perception, immediately understood my intentions.

His face turned pale, while Alice, watching from the side, broke into a wide smile like a blooming flower.

“…Huh?”

“Aah! Mr. Jin! It seems Yuria wants to stay at the office too!”

“What? Why? Just a moment ago you didn’t seem interested…”

“People can change their minds suddenly, right? Come on, let’s not stand in the hallway. Let’s go inside!”

I was the one making the request, and Raven was the one granting it. So why was Alice more excited?

Both of us were gently pushed inside by Alice.

Meanwhile, Raven seemed completely unprepared for my change of heart, gripping my shoulder and speaking in a hurried voice.

“Uh, wait! How about reconsidering? Maybe staying at their place would be better… Hey! Stop pushing! I’m talking here! My happy time is important too…!”

“Eek! What are you saying in front of the kid!”

Thwack!

Alice elbowed him in the side as if offended by his words.

Raven collapsed with a deflating sound.

Whether from the pain in his side or the sudden responsibility of taking care of me,

a tear rolled down his moist eyes. Uh… I felt a bit sorry.

“Damn… I haven’t finished reading all those holographic magazines filled with beautiful ladies I bought last time…”

“…You’re such trash. Yuria, don’t listen. It’ll rot your ears.”

“…”

Hologram magazines? Aren’t those the risqué holographic magazines from the original story?

I’d always wanted to check one out in person. I’d have to sneak a peek later.

While nestled in Alice’s arms, glaring at Raven with contempt, I secretly entertained such thoughts.

After the pain subsided and Raven returned to normal, we sat across from each other on the couch to discuss.

I would stay in one of the rooms in his office until my temporary part-time job ended.

It was a room rarely used due to the lack of guests, so no rent was required.

Instead, the cost of daily meals would be deducted from my daily pay.

For me, this was the best possible condition to endure this cold winter.

It was practically free. Was this guy an angel?

“How did things end up like this…? I really hope it’s nothing serious.”

Two weeks remained.

Why was this fragment here, and why specifically with Raven?

I had to uncover that secret no matter what.

The unpleasant time limit only piled on more worry.

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