Seoul Dragon - Chapter 52

If there's a representative characteristic of fairies portrayed in media, it would definitely be their mischievousness.

However, I couldn't sense any fragments of such mischief from Harin.

"But usually when people talk about fairies, don't they cause trouble for humans with various pranks?"

"Ultimately, that's just an ability created by human imagination. When you think about it, there are some similarities with what people imagine, but subtly different."

"...Come to think of it, you're right? Even though I'm technically a Western dragon, I can make rain and control lightning."

"Right? It seems that human imagination accumulated over time is quite accurate. It's not completely wrong. Like with Yeonhwa unnie too."

Looking at how Ha Yeonhwa's abilities don't significantly deviate from what humans imagine vampires to be, it's something... something indeed.

"Perhaps the phenomenon of mutation itself originated from human imagination."

When I muttered this absentmindedly, Harin nodded.

She agreed with that opinion. Well, there might be specific differences... but overall, the general framework seemed similar.

"I think so too. Ah, by the way, unnie. If you have time today, would you like to go see Jin-ha unnie with me?"

"Huh? You know Jin-ha too?"

"Of course. My clothes are also made by Jin-ha unnie."

That's right. She mentioned that she makes clothes for mutants free of charge. Since Harin was active before me, naturally she would be acquainted with Jin-ha.

"Did you have an appointment or something?"

"Not exactly an appointment... but she asked to see me after a long time. But if I go alone, I feel like I'll become Jin-ha unnie's doll again."

Judging from Harin's tired expression, it seems even the cool Jin-ha had succumbed to Harin's charm.

She probably unknowingly keeps her on her lap and rubs her cheeks.

As I said this, Harin nodded.

"Exactly. Being popular can be exhausting."

"...I can imagine. But what did you do before joining the Management Bureau? You said you quit university."

"I was just unemployed. Then I helped a bit with psychological treatment for mutants at the hospital where I woke up."

"Don't you need a license for that?"

"Well, yes... but the doctor said it was fine since it was effective. As long as it works, even if it's unofficial, that's all that matters, right?"

When you think about it, that's true.

Of course... the problem is that among unofficial psychotherapists, there are quite a few who trick people and commit fraud.

"You could have scammed people if you wanted to."

"Ah, that wouldn't work. National Intelligence Service agents would have been monitoring me anyway."

I had forgotten about that. Maybe they determined it was okay under supervision. If so, I can understand.

Also, when it comes to psychological treatment for mutants rather than humans, Harin would be the perfect candidate.

"And then you came to the Management Bureau?"

"Agent Choi Jeongho... that is, the Vice Chief, said to me: instead of being an unlicensed psychotherapist, how about working here? I was tempted by that offer."

"But that's a bit different from what the Vice Chief told me?"

"What do you mean?"

I recalled what the Vice Chief had previously said about Harin.

That she's very interested in others and might unknowingly be annoying. That she has a very boisterous personality.

When I relayed this exactly, Harin laughed.

"Ahaha! That could be the case. I asked him a lot of questions. After all, he deals with mutants in general, and I'm interested in other mutants too."

"For someone like that, you seem quite calm..."

"Ah, that's because the Vice Chief strongly advised me to be calm in front of people I'm meeting for the first time..."

So, is she wearing a mask? It's probably more accurate to say she's suppressing her natural temperament. But doesn't that contradict what she said earlier?

"But doesn't that contradict what you said earlier? Being boisterous means you like to play pranks, doesn't it?"

"No, unnie, those are separate things. Not all boisterous people like to play pranks. I'm just interested in others. The fact that I immediately came to meet you proves that, right?"

"Ah."

"...But Jin-ha unnie is kind of my natural enemy. I can't act according to my natural tendencies with her."

"Really?"

"Yes. It's like... feeling psychologically blocked? Like my instincts are screaming that I should behave? It's similar with you, Seohyun unnie, but with Jin-ha unnie, it's more at an instinctual level..."

Ah, I immediately understood what she meant.

I couldn't help but recall how Sia behaved in front of me previously.

Didn't she say her instincts were screaming in fear?

"Maybe it's because she's an Arachne?"

"I think so too."

"Come to think of it, Sia was like that too. She trembled when she saw me."

"Sia unnie? She's not usually like that... Indeed, I wonder if there's some kind of natural predator-prey relationship between species that we don't know about."

"Maybe... Shall we head out now?"

"Sure."

After leaving the café, we headed towards Jin-ha's shop.

I could feel the gazes of people around us... but I was used to it now.

There were so many people asking for autographs.

I was somewhat used to it from university, but having so many people ask for selfies or autographs was... a peculiar feeling.

"Unnie, you're already a public figure. It's a bit different from being a celebrity, but..."

"Is that so?"

"Well, some people might perceive you like a celebrity. Like a social media influencer. That's why there are people asking for your autograph."

"Has that happened to you, Harin?"

"Not as much for me. With my appearance, people first think they'd be in big trouble if they bothered me."

Indeed, since Harin looks only a year or two older than Hayoon I saw last time, many might think she's a minor.

Of course, I don't know what kind of stress she might feel because of it.

"Don't you feel stressed? Having such a youthful appearance at twenty-two?"

"It's good to look young, isn't it? Actually, I don't think much about it now. At first, I was a bit stressed that I looked too young... but honestly, isn't it better than looking old?"

...That's true.

Anyway, as we chatted and walked, we soon arrived in front of Jin-ha's shop.

When we opened the door and entered, we saw Jin-ha looking at us with a welcoming face.

"Oh my, Seohyun came too?"

"It just turned out that way."

"It's been a while, Harin?"

"Y-yes..."

"My, there's no need to be nervous."

Would it be rude to say that the way she embraced Harin looked like a predator with prey in sight?

Harin seemed to stiffen a bit at the sudden hug.

Jin-ha rubbed Harin's cheeks and gushed over her in that state.

"Uaaa..."

"Mmm~ So cute! Do you know how long I've been waiting for you, Harin? Yet it's so hard to see your face."

Somehow, the image of Jin-ha I had until recently was being shattered.

It's not incomprehensible. She was that cute after all...

But, that might make me a bit jealous.

"Oh my, look at me. Here, new clothes for Harin. That's why I asked you to come. It's my masterpiece. Ah, Seohyun should take some too. I prepared them since I heard you were coming together."

"...Thank you."

"Uh, I already have a lot of clothes..."

"Tsk. The more clothes, the better. I only gave you a few last time. Take this opportunity to fill your closet. I asked Seoa earlier, and she said you don't have many clothes besides what I gave you."

"Ah, did Seoa contact you separately?"

"Yes. I heard she's changing her major completely. She's trying to earn credits? I welcome it. The more talented models, the better. By the way, Seohyun, are you thinking of changing your major too?"

"Ahaha... I'll pass on that."

Jin-ha looked disappointed at my words.

"That's a bit disappointing. Well... since you're busy, I understand. How's it going over there?"

"Well, there hasn't been much yet. Maybe because I made threats at the press conference, there aren't any mutants causing trouble."

"Hmm... Really? That's fortunate, at least. I heard things are chaotic overseas recently."

"Overseas? Why?"

"I heard this through an acquaintance, but overseas... in Mexico, a warlord composed of mutants has appeared. They keep crossing the line, so the U.S. is keeping an eye on them."

"...An extermination squad?"

"Yes. They're called warlords, but they're essentially just an organization... about five mutants? But they're so powerful that even military-level firepower can't stop them. From the beginning, the Mexican drug cartels are quite powerful, and I heard these mutants have taken over their leadership."

"That sounds difficult to handle."

"Well, it doesn't concern Korea... so I don't think there's anything for us to do?"

Harin said.

Come to think of it, she's right. Since Korea and Mexico are unrelated... there's no reason for me to go there.

"I guess so?"

"Usually, each country handles its own mutant-related issues. The Management Bureau won't have to intervene this time."

I nodded at Harin's words. She's right.

Unless they go crazy and come here, the Management Bureau won't have to step in.

The role of the Management Bureau is to stop mutant criminals who invade our country.

...Or so I thought.

At least until the mutants who had taken over the Mexican drug cartels completely annihilated the extermination squad formed by the United States.