Seoul Dragon - Chapter 35

Everywhere was abuzz with talk about the press conference.

The same was true at school.

"Hey, Yoon Seohyun, I watched your press conference. Hahaha!"

Look at Han Taehoon laughing as soon as he saw me. He definitely came to tease me.

Even I thought some of my words were a bit embarrassing. Like the part about burning the world.

But honestly, you need to make that kind of impact to prevent people from doing stupid things.

"I didn't particularly want to say such cringe-worthy things either, you know?"

"I know, I know."

"If you know, why are you like this?"

"When else would I get to tease you? But was that for real?"

"Of course it was real. Look, you might not fully understand this, but someone like me, whose only societal experience is university and military service, is suddenly taking a key position in a government agency. What would happen if they looked down on me? I'd be dragged around like a slave and have a miserable time, right? I said that to avoid such a fate."

"Oh... so there was thinking behind it?"

"Of course, do you just blurt things out without thinking when you're in such a position?"

"I'll never be in such a position anyway?"

"...Let's just drop it."

"I'm joking, joking. I was watching seriously. But you spoke quite well? Is it because you've always been one to speak your mind?"

"If I were to stumble in a place like that, there would be an issue with basic trust."

"But didn't you used to get nervous during presentations? I still remember you taking anti-anxiety medication before presenting your group project."

"That's also..."

As soon as I started the sentence, Taehoon seemed to understand and continued.

"Thanks to the gracious dragon's characteristics, right?"

"That's right. By the way, where are the others?"

"In the department lounge."

"As always."

"Are you going?"

"Well... I have something to do today. I'm meeting someone after class."

"Who?"

"A government official. A mutant who will work with me in the agency I'll be joining."

"Oh... what kind of mutant?"

"A vampire."

"Is that really okay?"

"I heard they're really kind? So honestly, I'm a bit excited."

"Excited...?"

"Why, vampires in media are usually portrayed with a noble impression, aristocratic feeling, and splendor. I also like their unique color scheme."

"You have quite unusual tastes."

"It's just personal preference. But, was there any assignment announcement when I was at the press conference?"

"Assignment announcements are always posted on the course homepage, so check that. A new one came up today."

"Ugh... it'll be annoying to deal with. Anyway, thanks, I'll head to class now."

"Come see the others next time. They're going crazy wanting to see you."

"Is this what it feels like to be popular?"

"Calling you an outsider in the first place would be an insult to true outsiders, an insult."

"Hmm... is it to that extent?"

"It is. What kind of outsider shows up to the orientation when asked? That disqualifies you as an outsider right there. You fake outsider."

"What do you mean 'fake outsider'... Anyway, I got it. I'll come when I have time. There aren't any events or anything, right?"

"There is? The academic field trip."

"Ah."

"You didn't go last time, so you must attend this time. You know that, right? If not, you'll have to go twice in your senior year."

"I know, ugh, how annoying. I can only hope nothing happens."

"That's right."

"But after threatening like that, there shouldn't be any crazy people acting up, right?"

"Honestly, if someone did that after seeing that... wouldn't they just be suicidal?"

"Exactly."

"But Seohyun, remember this."

"What?"

"There are many crazy people in the world."

"Oh, come on! Stop saying such ominous things!"

"What can we do? The world is like this. Most people tend to think, 'Would such a thing happen to me?' Mutants are probably no exception, right?"

"I'm really scared of that, scared."

I shuddered.

"But well, can't you just go out and burn them once with fire and it's over?"

"That's true, but I don't particularly want to do that. I've been discharged from the military, but it feels like I'm waiting for a beating?"

"Ah... that would suck."

"Exactly. But since I'm an agency director, they pay well... I have to be satisfied with that, I guess."

"You're really something. How did you even think of taking on the role of an agency director?"

"Well, before I get labeled as some dragon that needs to be hunted down or whatever, I quickly sided with the government. There might be some annoying tasks, but I didn't particularly want to see the world's people chewing, tearing, tasting, and enjoying me."

"A wise move... I guess? Those old people won't just exploit you, right?"

"Yesterday, I had a chance to briefly talk with the NIS Director who appointed me as the agency director, and he said this."

"What did he say?"

"That even those high officials value their lives, so they won't treat me carelessly. If I just stay quiet, they won't touch me."

"Hearing that makes me realize how amazing you are. So, even the higher-ups in the government have to tread carefully around you?"

At Taehoon's words, I tilted my head. Uh... is that how it is?

Ah, that's right?

"Really? I guess so. Oh, hey, I'm going to be late. I'm really going now, okay?"

"See you later, then."

"Yeah."

After class, Agent Choi Jeongho was waiting for me. No, he's not just an agent now, but the Vice Director, that is.

Ah, and the name of the agency has also been announced.

Mutant Crime Eradicate Agency

I thought they would give it a more fancy name, but it seemed they were going with something simple. A name that clearly shows what the agency was established for.

Abbreviated as MCEA... but they said to just call it the Eradication Agency. They said it's more annoying to call it by its English abbreviation.

"So, have they arrived?"

"The fairy-type mutant... Yoo Harin hasn't arrived yet, but the vampire-type mutant, Ha Yeonhwa, has arrived. You'll be able to see her right away when we get to the agency."

"...The agency headquarters was established already?"

"We just got an office in the NIS. We can't build a new building, after all. Since it's an agency under the NIS."

"Just one room..."

"Well, there aren't that many personnel belonging to it in the first place. It's called a room, but you can think of it as an NIS office."

"Yes, well."

Right, it's not like we need a splendid headquarters anyway.

"It's called an office, but it's quite spacious. Clean and well-organized. The agents worked hard to organize it."

"I'm looking forward to it."

"Haha! It's not really something to look forward to. It's just like those offices you see in investigative dramas or movies. Anyway, Yeonhwa is waiting there now."

"By any chance, is there anything I should be cautious about when dealing with... Ha Yeonhwa?"

"Hmm... first, she's extremely shy."

"What?"

"She's extremely shy. In younger terms, she's a typical outsider. She finds it extremely difficult to meet new people, so just be careful not to approach her too suddenly."

"I see..."

Come to think of it, considering her species characteristics, it's not strange that such outsider tendencies would manifest. After all, vampires are beings weak to sunlight and can only be active at night.

"But then, can she only be active at night? Since she's a vampire."

"No. If that were the case, she couldn't work at our agency. Her exact mutant designation is Jinjho-type mutant."

"Jin...jho?"

"It might sound a bit unfamiliar, but it's like a higher species of the common vampire. Like a High Elf. There are quite a few vampire-type mutants. Several abroad too... But among them, only she can be called a Jinjho. The fact that she can walk proudly under the sun is proof of that."

"Sounds like a formidable person?"

"Haha! She's not formidable. She's really kind and good. She's been subsisting on blood packs or clotted blood since her awakening because she doesn't want to attack people."

"...Ah, so she's that person."

"Pardon?"

"No, there was a mutant on the mutant community who was actively promoting blood donation. So that was her..."

"Haha, that's right."

"But is it okay to give her blood packs? Providing blood packs to an individual seems like it might fall under blood selling..."

"Well, we're providing blood packs in exchange for legitimate compensation, so there's no issue. Besides, it's not like Yeonhwa consumes a tremendous amount of blood packs. At most, half a pack a day? Even then, she often drinks pig's blood and such because she doesn't want to harm people."

"That's... kind of pitiful."

"It can't be helped. It's fortunate that her innate disposition is so overwhelmingly good and ascetic that it suppresses a vampire's bloodsucking impulse. Normal vampire-type mutants can't suppress that impulse. Honestly, I feel like she might be the Virgin Mary descended into modern times."

"My goodness..."

The real-life Virgin Mary? To be someone worthy of such high praise. I can't help but be intrigued.

And as soon as we arrived at the Eradication Agency, I was confronted with... a woman of overwhelming appearance with brilliant silver hair and red eyes.

An appearance that was somehow decadent yet alluring. If I had remained male, I might have fallen for her immediately.

But the moment she opened her mouth, I felt my first impression of her crumble.

"H-hi, h-hello... I'm Ha Yeonhwa. Y-you're Yoon Seohyun, right? N-nice to meet you..."

Looking at her as she spoke while staring at the ground, unable to meet my eyes, I couldn't help but feel it clearly.

This woman is the real deal.

Her speaking style is completely different from what I saw in the community.