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“So that’s Stella’s situation…”

“Yes. The security is so tight that’s all I could find out.”

After sending Bella and the others back through the gate, I sat down with Park Se-hee to discuss our next steps.

Park Se-hee had spent the past week investigating the development department behind the “Milky Way” that was placed on Sora’s head. But she found almost nothing.

Stella was more secure than any other company. Considering the company’s size, that was expected, but it was still strange that no one had ever met anyone from the development department.

Park Se-hee had a strong theory about why.

“Maybe there isn’t even a development department. The Milky Way was supposedly all made by CEO Park himself. If his close associates are saying that, then the development department might just be a facade.”

They might have hidden the development department’s existence for security reasons. If there was no development department at all, it makes sense why no one from it was ever seen.

“But is that something one person could do alone?”

The Milky Way is an invention that’s said to have opened a new era. The virtual world it creates is so detailed it’s hard to distinguish from reality. It’s an innovation that has the whole world waiting for the game service to launch. Even if CEO Park Joon-hyuk is the world’s greatest genius, it’s hard to believe he did it all alone. Especially since I’ve experienced the world the Milky Way created firsthand.

“Then CEO Park is…”

It sounds ridiculous, but…

“A genius who didn’t just create a machine to simulate a virtual world, but one that creates a real world?”

“…It’s hard to believe, but that seems to be the case.”

I, who thought I was just data in a virtual world, am now talking to Park Se-hee like this. I have a physical body, not a hologram. It’s as if I came from another dimension. The place I was in wasn’t Sora’s imagination, but a real world created by her imagination.

That means the Milky Way isn’t just a device to create a virtual world, and the CEO who made it…

“Could he be… a god?”

Park Se-hee must have thought the same thing. Creating a world is something only a god could do.

“Maybe…”

“Aren’t you scared? If CEO Park has god-like powers, can we even stand against him?”

Park Se-hee looked serious. She must have realized this was much bigger than she thought. She might have suspected the company was shady, but creating an entire world is beyond human capability.

I’ve thought about that possibility too. CEO Park is very different from ordinary people. Whether he’s a lunatic or a god, I don’t know.

But one thing’s for sure: he’s a psychopath with no humanity. He used not only my younger sister but also me. He’s the worst of the worst.

I clenched my fist without realizing it.

“…You know I don’t have a choice. My sister and I are trapped by him. So whether he’s a god or not, I’ll resist and fight to the end to protect us.”

“Ji-hwan…”

“You can back out if you want. You’ve already helped enough. I can handle the rest alone.”

Now that I know how dangerous CEO Park and Stella are, it’s going to be tough. Especially since I’ve already burdened Park Se-hee enough. I don’t want her to take any more risks.

Hearing this, Park Se-hee widened her eyes and lowered her voice.

“Hmm… Ji-hwan, that’s a bit disappointing.”

“Disappointing?”

“Shouldn’t you rely on me at least once? I’m your senior. You should know how to act a little spoiled with me. Trying to do everything alone… You might really get into trouble.”

“If this were company business, I would, but this is personal.”

“It’s about CEO Park and Stella, so it’s company business.”

“That’s…”

“Ji-hwan, I know what you’re trying to say. You’re telling me to back out because it’s getting dangerous.”

“Aren’t you scared?”

“I am. But you’re not going to give up, are you?”

“It’s not that I won’t give up; I can’t.”

“That’s the same thing. So, I can’t give up on you either.”

Park Se-hee leaned back on the sofa and stared at me. Her gaze reminded me of when we worked together at the company.

I used to stay late at the office so often it felt like I lived there. The only one who stayed with me was Park Se-hee. Of course, she only stayed until the last train, but that’s the kind of person she was.

She never left me alone… a responsible senior.

“…Are you sure?”

“About what?”

“What I’m about to do might bring down Stella… your company.”

“Ji-hwan, do I look like someone with company loyalty?”

“……Not at all.”

“Well, not entirely, but almost none. So don’t worry. I don’t need this company. There are plenty of other places to work.”

Park Se-hee patted her chest as if to say not to worry. Every time she did that, her chest shook, and I didn’t know where to look.

“From the moment you joined the company as my junior, we’ve been in the same boat. So don’t take everything on yourself.”

“Alright…”

“Stand tall and answer confidently.”

Listening to her nagging felt like going back in time.

“I think to wake Sora up, we need to figure out what the Milky Way is first.”

“I agree. But we don’t know where CEO Park is or what he’s doing. If we could at least find out where he lives…”

I wanted to find his place, beat him up, and force him to tell me how to free me and Sora. But a psychopath like him wouldn’t just talk. The chances are slim.

‘What should I do…’

I pondered.

Stella doesn’t have a development department. So there’s no one who knows about the Milky Way.

“…I have an idea.”

Park Se-hee, who had been deep in thought, quietly spoke up.

“What is it?”

“Well… I don’t really want to, but…”

Park Se-hee untied her hair, letting her brown locks fall.

“It’s time to use my charm.”

“……”

“Wait. What’s with that face? Ji-hwan, do you have a problem?”

“…I was just thinking about what ‘charm’ means.”

“W-well! I’m not saying I’m a great beauty, but I’m popular enough! The company director even asked me to be his personal secretary.”

“So you’re thinking of becoming a secretary?”

“Yes, that’s the plan.”

Wait, she’s serious?

“The director I mentioned is CEO Park’s right-hand man. He seems interested in me. If I become his secretary, I might be able to get information about the Milky Way or CEO Park…”

“Hmm…”

So Park Se-hee’s plan is to become the director’s secretary and gather information. She’s capable, so she could handle the secretary job. If it works out as she says, it would be perfect.

“But there’s a problem…”

“What?”

“I asked around about that director… He has a reputation for being a womanizer. And he’s strict, so his secretaries don’t last long.”

I frowned. He’s exactly the kind of person I dislike.

“Then maybe we don’t need to go that route…”

“No, I’ll do it.”

“…Why?”

“Ji-hwan, don’t you know me? I have a temper. If that director tries anything funny, do you think I’ll just sit still? I’m not that easy.”

That’s true. Park Se-hee is fierce at work, and no one dares to mess with her.

But I still feel uneasy leaving everything to her.

After some thought, I spoke up.

“Then I’ll go too.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll infiltrate the company too.”

“What? How? Are you going to use magic or something?”

“Well.”

If I put my mind to it, I can infiltrate. I could learn stealth-related magic or skills from Blanshe. Or use shadow magic like the Dark Elves.

“No, it would be better to disguise myself as an employee.”

The problem is magic power. This world doesn’t have magic like ours, so I can only use the magic power within me. That limits how long I can use magic, so I’ll have to disguise myself.

“But… it’s not recruitment season. How will you…”

“Don’t they hire interns or part-timers?”

“Well… they do… but I think your face is too well-known. Unless you lose a lot of weight? Maybe glasses would help.”

Park Se-hee stared at my face, deep in thought.

“Hmm… Ah.”

Suddenly, she smiled as if she had a fun idea.

“I just had a great idea.”

I immediately sensed it was anything but a great idea.

*

Director Choi Jae-man found a familiar face on the first floor of the company.

“Well, well. Look who it is. Park Se-hee, assistant manager… no, should I say Park Se-hee, secretary?”

“Hello, Director.”

Park Se-hee, dressed neatly in a suit, smiled softly and bowed to Director Choi Jae-man. Her smile had a sly, fox-like charm.

Choi Jae-man liked that. He preferred strong, enigmatic women over foolish ones.

“You made the right choice. Working with me will be much better for your career and prospects.”

“I’m counting on you, Director.”

“Alright. Let’s see… You start as my secretary tomorrow, right?”

“Yes. I need to finish the handover, so I’ll be working as an assistant manager today.”

“Tsk tsk… That’s unnecessary in your department.”

“Don’t say that, Director. I want to take responsibility for my work.”

“Alright, alright… By the way…”

Choi Jae-man’s eyes scanned Park Se-hee from head to toe. She felt his uncomfortable gaze but didn’t show it.

“If you’re going to be my secretary, your skirt should be shorter.”

“Haha… What does skirt length have to do with secretary work?”

“Hmph… You’ll understand once you start working as my secretary.”

“Maybe.”

“But… Assistant Manager Park. Who’s that next to you?”

Director Choi Jae-man pointed to the woman next to Park Se-hee. She had been ignoring their conversation, sipping coffee with her back turned.

‘How dare she not greet me while I’m here? Let’s see her face.’

Park Se-hee, flustered, spoke up.

“Ah, this is… a part-timer who’s here to help with some company work.”

“A part-timer? We have part-timers here?”

“Yes. We’re short-handed, so I called a friend who was free.”

“Can you just call someone like that?”

“Of course not. The team leader approved it. Jeong Ji-soo… no, Miss Jeong Ji-soo. Greet Director Choi Jae-man.”

At Park Se-hee’s call, the woman named Jeong Ji-soo turned her head. Her ponytail swayed as she moved.

“…!”

At that moment, Director Choi Jae-man had to catch his breath.

She was stunningly beautiful. Her fair skin and sharp features were accentuated by her jet-black hair, adding to her mystique.

What shocked Director Choi Jae-man the most were her icy cold eyes behind her glasses. Just meeting her gaze sent a chill down his spine.

“…Hello.”

Jeong Ji-soo greeted him in a low voice.

 

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