Sure, here is the translation of the text:
—
As expected, the director is still the director.
Perhaps it’s because they hold a high-ranking bureaucratic position in the Association, but they seem to have some special ability.
Or maybe it’s just keen observation.
“Wow. How did you know it was me?”
“….”
“Yeah?”
“…You’re the only one with that kind of look in your eyes.”
What’s wrong with my eyes? However, I couldn’t find a specific counterargument.
“If you know, the Association President must have figured it out a long time ago.”
“Those who remember the massacre days must have sensed it all.”
“Really? There haven’t been that many people who noticed me.”
The news broke, and people began to recognize me only after that day in the factory area when I had my first encounter with Erica. Before that, no one recognized the girl as ‘Orly’. Thanks to that, the reckless Awakened Ones were good prey.
“I think it’s not that the director has keen observation.”
“If you’re a hunter, it’s strange not to know the magic power level of a being right in front of you.”
Magic power levels.
That’s what it was.
After becoming a woman, I had worried about a decrease in my stats, but it seems that nothing had particularly changed. So, they were answering while gauging my reactions.
“If it were at a level I could easily subdue, you would have left the position long ago, but seeing you remain silent, I think you’re right.”
“….”
The director’s expression twisted with anger. Looking at it this way, even the same expression seems prettier on Erica.
They threw the man they had been holding to the ground and dusted off their hands.
“I wish you wouldn’t make such a scary face.”
“…What is it that you want?”
They glanced around for a moment. Several hunters were drawing their weapons and aiming at me. Their expressions were quite fierce, and there was a sense of tension in the air.
Well, if you’re stepping into the hunter profession, you should be prepared for this much.
“I really don’t want to talk about this here.”
“….”
“If it were you, would you want to sit quietly among those who would readily attempt to cut your throat and gently open your mouth?”
It’s pointless if you can’t kill them anyway. If you can’t tear apart limbs and hearts enough so they can’t regenerate completely, it’s all futile.
“I’d prefer a quiet place where I could enjoy a cigarette and cake together. We can talk afterward.”
I am very aware of my position, but I couldn’t keep my personal feelings regarding the Association out of this.
The director bit their lip.
It looked painful.
—
Following the director, I went to an outdoor space with a view.
It wasn’t the roof; it seemed like a space set up separately for relaxation on the top floor.
With glass walls on both sides, there were flowers and plants decorating one corner, mimicking a small garden, and the floor looked like it had artificial grass.
It’s nice, the atmosphere is good.
Most importantly, it’s quiet.
“How did you know I like chocolate cake?”
On a makeshift table made from a magic stone, there was a small slice of cake that was easy to eat as a dessert.
“…Why did you spare Erica?”
“I was going to kill her. But circumstances weren’t favorable.”
I can’t kill more than three people a day.
“Oh, are you a ranker by any chance?”
“Yes.”
“Well, the gates have been tough lately.”
Rankers and High-Rank Layer Awakened Ones are needed.
“So I thought I could help a bit.”
“…Help?”
“The gates aren’t the only problem, right?”
With that sudden comment, there was a look of suspicion on their face.
I scooped up a piece of cake with a small mini spoon. It was tasty.
It would be perfect if there was an iced Americano too.
“The criminal organization seems like they are plotting something lately. I thought, since you’re in charge of Gyeonggi Province, you would know.”
“…That might be true. What’s it to you?”
“I….”
I shaped my hand like a gun.
“Bang bang.”
No, I don’t use guns often, so maybe a knife?
“Swish swish.”
I waved the spoon around in the air.
“I’ll take care of it.”
“….”
A moment of embarrassment washed over me. But I held back and smiled gently.
“It’s quite a strange feeling that such gestures feel completely natural now that I’ve become a woman.”
“…What’s your game?”
The director glared at me with red glints reflecting their pupils.
“Wow, you don’t trust me, do you?”
“….”
“I guess that’s understandable. Even I think I’m a crazy girl. Back in the Spirit World, I massacred hundreds of humans, carried out large-scale terrorist assaults on the Association Headquarters and its branches, and confronted and held government agents hostage for days.”
I set the spoon down on the plate.
“But I’ve never told a lie until now. At least, not in front of our righteous Association members.”
“So, you’re saying you’re going to wipe out the criminal organizations, and you want me to believe that?”
“Exactly!”
Their fearsome face began to frown. For someone in the director’s position, it would be a good opportunity. To alone take down the criminal gangs that a top-tier ranker might have been plotting something with.
In a world where gates run rampant.
But that also entails significant risk.
“I’ve run low on nutrients. I need high-quality blood. Naturally, regular citizens won’t suffice. Ah, of course, I shouldn’t kill them wantonly!”
“….”
“That’s why I came up with the method of eliminating criminal organizations. Bad guys that disturb law and order should be excluded from society, right?”
Their face became even more complicated. I was suddenly curious how far their expression management could go.
“So I want to negotiate. It’s simple. Just help with the investigation. Like the hideouts or bases.”
Nutrient deficiency, high-quality blood, exclusion from society.
Well, obviously, all a lie.
Blood is sufficient, and I don’t care whether criminals run rampant in society or not. However, I can’t say, I need the blood of dead bodies, in front of the director. They would definitely be suspicious.
So I took the final ultimatum to present to the director at a crossroads. Either accept my proposal and relieve the burden of maintaining city security or express their refusal here and turn me into an enemy.
In fact, the second path is uncertain. At least from the director’s perspective. They could just as easily pull out a knife and say, “Maybe you should die here.”
“If I suddenly inject myself into the original plan, that could be a problem. Bringing a top-rank criminal who is currently wanted into the team for the elimination of criminal organizations could cause image issues. If it were me, I think there would be opposition.”
I dragged the chair and stood up from the table.
“Well, take your time to think it over. I hope for a good outcome….”
“…Erica.”
“Yes?”
The director placed their hands on the table and interlocked their fingers.
“In the original criminal organization, Erica was the main figure. The field team, the operations, and everything in combat, she was in charge of all of it.”
The red glint looked at me.
“Erica’s direct superior is not me. It’s the Association President. Since it’s a case that came down from headquarters to the branches, my will and judgment won’t have any impact. I’d only provide personnel and means.”
It’s not that they are at a crossroads, but do they think they’ll remain outside the path from the start?
“What the hell. If you don’t have any influence, then what’s the point? I came here for nothing.”
If that statement is true, I can understand the director’s position.
It’s already a considerable burden to oversee just Gyeonggi inner and outer districts under the title of director.
Yet they send a ranker from headquarters. They’d probably not care about who that person is and keep handing over the job.
“So… You’re saying it has nothing to do with me? Talk to Erica… Is that what you’re saying?”
“That is correct.”
What a waste of time. This was a real fruitless trip. Whether that statement is true or not, they probably won’t express their intent.
No intention to help, nor an intention to not help.
Did I come all the way here just to eat a piece of chocolate cake?
I pulled out a pack of cigarettes from my pocket. I lit it in the air and brought it to my mouth. The swirling smoke ignited, and the acrid scent piqued my nose.
Today’s cigarette tastes bitter. No, was it always bitter? I’m not sure since I haven’t smoked much.
In any case, since they nailed that it has nothing to do with me, I doubt I’ll be told what the director thinks…
“Can I ask you one thing?”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
“What’s blowing in the wind?”
I glanced around. Faintly, I could see a barrier drawn.
“After shattering some hunters and bringing them in, I can’t believe that you would quietly engage in conversation over cake and cigarettes while attempting to intimidate under the guise of a negotiation.”
“Now that you mention it, I really was trash back then.”
It was unavoidable. A year ago, everything in sight was prey and a source of blood. From the position of having to fight against the strays of the Association and government every day, a stronger knife was needed.
Is it still that way now?
I would rather brainwash myself. Not now, though.
“Just…”
I dropped the cigarette on the ground and crushed it. Since the artificial grass had a different material, it didn’t turn the floor into a flaming inferno.
“I just thought the iced Americano was delicious.”
The director said nothing.
“I chewed on ice instead of people.”
I tried, but the result was minimal. The ice was crushed, but the ice particles flowed into the coffee.
“Oh, would you like to have a cigarette too, Director?”
“I don’t need it.”
“I wasn’t going to give it to you anyway. My cigarettes are precious.”
Wow. That cold gaze and expressionless face.
Scary.
—
