Chapter 66

“You clearly said you weren’t interested in the Maze Shopping Mall…”

“Well, I just remembered there’s something I need to buy here. It just happened that way.”

I calmly dealt with Sang-ah’s complaints.

It’s not like we’re that close anyway. We just happened to bump into each other.

There’s no reason I *have* to hire Sang-ah. I don’t even need her.

As long as I have the mole, exploring the Maze Shopping Mall won’t be a problem.

“That’s so mean…”

Is it really that mean?

I don’t get why she’s acting so hurt.

We’ve only met once, after all.

It’s not like she fell for me at first sight, and I didn’t leave any ambiguous hints either.

Or maybe I just look like a sugar daddy to her.

I sighed in frustration and finally spoke up.

“Getting involved with me isn’t going to be a good thing.”

Even if she’s a guide who needs to make money, or a girl who’s the head of her household, there are lines you shouldn’t cross.

Getting tangled up with people connected to the underworld is never a good choice.

It’s practically no different from associating with criminals. Especially since I’m out here hunting villains, I really don’t want the original heroine sticking by my side.

There’s already enough tangled mess, and if it gets worse, the original events might get skipped or even worse, go off the rails.

So far, I’ve only been pulling out the kids who were supposed to become Quaker’s lackeys, which hasn’t had much impact on the protagonist’s side. But the heroine? That’s a different story.

“What is it? Are you doing something dangerous or something?”

“Yeah. If you want to live long, just go on your way.”

I urged the mole to hurry.

“Guide me to the exit.”

“Yes, yep!”

I followed the mole out of the Maze Shopping Mall, ignoring the piercing gaze on my back for some reason.

————————–

“Oppa, what’s this?”

“It’s a coffee machine. You can brew coffee with this.”

“Brew coffee?”

Seolhwa tilted her head, not understanding what I meant.

Her innocent reaction made me chuckle, and I ruffled her hair roughly.

“Dizzy~”

“Boss, did everything go well with work?”

“For now.”

I got the information I wanted, and now I just need to re-enter the Maze Shopping Mall and find a good spot.

For now, I’ll have to lay low until the protagonist, Si-woo, meets Sang-ah and encounters the attempted terrorist. I declared in my head that I’d be laying low for a while.

At my words, Mina narrowed her eyes and spoke in a somber tone.

“Boss… I trust you. You know that, right?”

“Y-yeah…”

What’s with her?

I nodded awkwardly at Mina, who was looking up at me with cold eyes today.

“I don’t think you’re going out with girls under the pretense of work.”

What is this?

What on earth is this?

That awkward line…

“Unnie, you sound like a wife keeping tabs on her husband!”

“A wife…?”

At Seolhwa’s sudden remark, Mina shyly smiled and twisted her body. Is she really that happy?

I know Mina likes me, but her reaction feels a bit like she’s got trust issues, which is kind of creepy.

“Don’t worry too much. I’m really just going for work.”

“…Boss, you’re too cool for your own good. Girls are always coming up to you—”

“They’re not coming for me, they’re coming for my position and money.”

At my response, Mina nodded with a doubtful expression.

“Well, since the setup’s done, let’s brew some coffee.”

“I’ll get the cups.”

I followed the shop owner’s instructions, adding water and coffee beans, and waited for Mina to bring the cups.

“Should I put it here?”

“Yep.”

As soon as Mina placed the cup under the spout, I pressed the button. The machine started vibrating with a whirring sound.

“Oppa, is the coffee coming out here?”

“Yeah, it’s a whole different level from instant coffee, so you can look forward to it.”

Mmm, that’s a good aroma.

I brought the cup, about two-thirds full, to my nose and savored the scent.

Yeah, that’s it.

“Oppa, oppa! I want to try it!”

“It might be a bit bitter, is that okay?”

“I can handle bitter stuff~”

I’m looking forward to her reaction after she drinks it.

I handed the cup to Seolhwa, who confidently answered. She made a slightly bewildered face at the strong coffee smell, then nervously tilted the cup little by little.

“Ugh… bitter!”

“That’s how coffee is supposed to be.”

“The coffee I drank before was sweet!”

“Instant coffee has a lot of sugar in it.”

“I’ll just stick to regular coffee…”

I took the cup from Seolhwa and brought it to my lips.

The unique aroma and the bitter, yet strangely addictive taste flowed down my throat.

“Yeah, that’s the stuff.”

“Boss, me too…”

“Here.”

Mina took the cup from me and just stared at it for a while.

Is it too hot?

“I-indirect kiss…”

“What?”

“N-nothing!”

“Wait, if you drink it too quickly…”

“Ah, hot!”

“Are you okay? Be careful.”

“S-sorry…”

“Open your mouth.”

“M-my mouth?”

“I need to check how badly you burned yourself. If you just leave it, thinking it’ll heal on its own, it could get inflamed.”

Not that there’s much I can do about it.

“Okay…”

I checked inside Mina’s mouth as she blushed and opened it.

Even teeth, pearly white.

And a slightly bumpy tongue.

“Your tongue seems fine. Don’t drink so fast next time.”

“Okay…”

“Let’s start preparing dinner.”

“Okay!”

For dinner tonight… let’s go with stir-fried pork.

I picked up the apron hanging on the wall.

————————–

“This is…”

…the Maze Shopping Mall.

Si-woo, dressed in casual clothes, stared intently at the entrance of the Maze Shopping Mall.

His first arrest mission.

He had to find and arrest the attempted terrorist, Park Jung-woo, here.

The term “attempted terrorist” meant he could become a full-fledged terrorist at any moment.

‘Can I do this?’

He hadn’t even entered yet, but his palms were already sweaty.

It was inevitable.

Everyone struggles with their first time, and even heroes are no exception.

“They said to find a guide first…”

It’s not like there are no heroes from the Maze Shopping Mall.

But he was a popular hero, so he wasn’t suitable for this mission.

The moment he entered the Maze Shopping Mall, rumors would spread, and Park Jung-woo would notice and flee.

Of course, there was a plan to secretly form a perimeter, but it was still better to disguise himself as an ordinary visitor and handle things quietly.

“Where do I find a guide…”

“Are you looking for a guide?!”

“Ah, yes…”

‘T-too close…’

Unlike the stinky entrance of the Maze Shopping Mall, an unknown floral scent hit Si-woo’s nose.

Was it perfume, or her natural scent?

Si-woo looked at the girl, who didn’t seem much younger than him, as she leaned in close.

When their eyes met, she smiled slyly and started calculating in her head.

‘He’s wearing expensive-looking clothes! He must be rich!’

Judging everything by money isn’t a great mindset, but what use is that to a girl who’s the head of her household and has siblings to feed?

In this world, you have to use every means necessary to survive.

“Yes, yes, that’s right… I’m looking for a guide to show me around the Maze Shopping Mall.”

“Then how about me?! I’ve been a guide for 3 years! 3 years without any accidents! If you entrust me, Sang-ah, with guiding you, I’ll take you anywhere!

From shops where you can buy ordinary items to the deep parts where you can get secret stuff! Anywhere! Just leave it to me!”

“Uh, the distance…”

For the shy Si-woo, Sang-ah’s closeness was overwhelming. If she leaned in any further, her cheek would be pressed against his chest.

“How about it?! If you hire me now, since you’re my first customer, I’ll give you a discount!”

“O-okay… got it.”

“Then I’ll be in your care!”

Sang-ah grabbed Si-woo’s hand and shook it vigorously up and down. Si-woo, being swayed by her, forced an awkward smile.

“Shall we go now?”

“…It’s not so much about where to go, but I’m looking for someone—”

“A person?”

‘Should I tell her?’

“Don’t tell anyone else. This is really dangerous…”

Si-woo gave a warning before speaking.

It was necessary.

“Don’t worry! Even if a knife is at my throat, I won’t tell!”

‘Her voice is too loud…’

Si-woo felt a bit uneasy about Sang-ah’s seemingly carefree attitude, but he decided to trust her for now.

Seeing other guides slowly avoiding the area, it seemed difficult to find a new one, so he rationalized it to himself.

Soon, a part of the secret slipped from Si-woo’s lips.

“Do you know… someone named Park Jung-woo?”