Chapter 360
When I found out that Park Se-hee’s “good idea” was cross-dressing, I immediately refused.
– Ah, why not? I think it’ll suit you well.
– It won’t.
– Come on, you won’t know until you try.
– I said it won’t.
– How do you know without trying? Ah… Don’t tell me you’ve cross-dressed before, Ji-hwan?
– ……
– Eek… Really? Ji-hwan, you have that kind of hobby…?
– …Let me clarify, it was a choice I had no control over.
– Huh?
– Back then, no matter who it was, they would’ve had to become a woman.
To act as the Demon Lord, I needed the mask of Trinity. To give the impression of being harmless to the humans who opposed demons, I thought a woman’s appearance would be better than an intimidating man’s. That’s why I chose it.
Helga and the Annihilation Maids all praised and liked it, but I never wanted to cross-dress again. Being treated like a doll by women was the worst.
I did consider disguising myself to infiltrate Stella, but cross-dressing? No way. This time, there’s no need to take on a woman’s appearance.
No matter how much Park Se-hee tried to persuade me with sweet talk, I swore I’d never cross-dress again.
– By the way, did you know our company only hires female part-timers?
Of course, I didn’t know. Damn it.
‘Ji-soo, my foot…’
I grumbled internally while organizing the documents.
Park Se-hee offered to do my makeup herself, but I flat-out refused. Whether she was disappointed or not, I used the Gate to change my appearance with the ‘Mirror’ and returned.
If I’m going to disguise myself, using the ‘Mirror’ to perfectly cover my appearance is the best option. The reason I transformed beyond the Gate is that once magic power is infused, the transformation can last a long time. This way, even in a place with no magic supply, it’s still usable.
I wanted to take on a man’s appearance, but I chose a woman’s—specifically, Trinity’s—for efficiency. Trinity’s appearance is based on Tristan’s, so it consumes less magic and can be maintained longer.
But just because it’s an efficient choice doesn’t mean it’s one I like.
– W-wow…! Is that really you, Ji-hwan?
– Yeah.
– Ji-hwan, you’re so pretty… Wow… You look like Ji-hwan but… Hey, wanna try this on?
– …Isn’t that your skirt?
– Yeah. Try it on.
– No.
– Ah, why not? It’s a waste of your looks.
– It’s my looks being wasted, not yours.
– Come on, just try it once. Please?
– Absolutely not.
Park Se-hee made a fuss and tried to get me to wear a skirt, but I immediately chose suit pants. I have no interest in cross-dressing. If it weren’t for the infiltration mission, I wouldn’t want to stay in this form for even a second.
At least no one seemed to recognize me as Jeong Ji-hwan. I wasn’t as outgoing as Park Se-hee, and I was the type to quietly work in a corner. Plus, I’d lost a lot of weight, so I figured few would recognize my face. And as expected, no one did.
‘Speaking of which…’
Compared to when I was here, not much had changed. It had only been a year in reality, but due to repeated regressions, it felt like I was visiting after a decade. Still, the company wasn’t much different from my memories.
“Ji-soo, is the work not too hard?”
“No, Manager.”
“Haha. Let me know if there’s anything you don’t understand.”
“I will.”
“Need any help?”
“No.”
Even though I’d worked here before, I was worried about adapting since the department was different. But it was just part-time work. They only gave me menial tasks or labor-intensive jobs. It’s incredibly easy for me.
“Wow, you’re really good at this. I like you. If you’re up for it, how about lunch together?”
“No.”
“Come on. I know a good place. I’ll treat you. It’s for team bonding…”
“I’m fine.”
“No, really…”
“I’m good.”
“Oh, okay… Did I say something wrong? Ahem. Back to work.”
Hmm. I should be careful not to stand out too much. Drawing attention isn’t good.
“Ji-soo, do you have a boyfriend?”
“…Why are you asking, Deputy Manager?”
“Just curious. Someone like you must have one.”
“……”
Now I see the problem isn’t my work speed but Trinity’s appearance. Given Helga and the Annihilation Maids’ reactions, Trinity’s looks are far from bad or average. Beauty is subjective, but even I can admit Trinity falls under the category of a beauty.
“What are your hobbies?”
“Is that related to the work we’re doing now?”
“Ah, Ji-soo, you’re too uptight. Take it easy.”
“Deputy Manager, you’re too relaxed. Here, take care of this.”
“Huh? Uh…”
Some men were outright forward, while others came over for trivial matters just to glance at my face. Even from distant departments, I could feel their gazes. It wasn’t just men; women also gave me jealous looks. I’m already sick of office life.
I successfully infiltrated the company in disguise, but I’m getting too much attention. Can this even be called infiltration?
‘Well, it’s too late now.’
For now, blending in naturally is the priority. Park Se-hee, who became Director Choi Jae-man’s secretary, is more likely to gather useful information than I am.
I thought to myself as I stared at the monitor.
“Jeong Ji-soo… Did you say she’s your friend?”
When Director Choi Jae-man mentioned that name, Park Se-hee was surprised but didn’t show it.
“Even though she just started, she’s already quite the talk of the company.”
“Talk…?”
“She’s good at her job and, well, pretty.”
Park Se-hee was momentarily worried Jeong Ji-hwan might have caused some trouble, but Director Choi’s words were nothing like that.
“Ah, is that so?”
I thought it was something else.
When Park Se-hee saw Jeong Ji-hwan transformed into a woman, she couldn’t help but be shocked. The fact that magic could change someone so much was surprising, but what stunned her the most was his transformed appearance.
He looked like the epitome of a femme fatale. His pale skin, long lashes, and obsidian-like eyes held a terrifying darkness. His decadent gaze was like a black rose with sharp thorns.
It was an appearance that couldn’t help but draw attention. But for Jeong Ji-hwan to become the talk of the entire company made her feel strange.
“When I first saw her, I thought she was a model.”
“Ah, yes…”
“So, what do you think about having her as my secretary too…?”
“W-what?! Ji-soo, as my replacement?”
“Haha, of course not. There’s no rule saying a secretary has to be just one person. If she becomes my secretary, she’ll assist you.”
Park Se-hee was speechless. Director Choi seemed to treat secretaries like his personal collection. She had no desire to satisfy his wish to have a capable and beautiful woman by his side. Especially when that woman was Jeong Ji-hwan. She could already imagine the look on his face if she told him about this.
‘Wait, actually…’
This might be an opportunity. Being by Director Choi’s side would be much more advantageous for gathering information than Jeong Ji-hwan’s current department.
“I’ll ask her.”
“Haha. I wonder if it’s okay to give such a privilege to a part-timer.”
But Park Se-hee felt uneasy. The more people praised Jeong Ji-hwan—no, Jeong Ji-soo’s—appearance, the stranger she felt.
“Are you jealous?”
“Huh?”
“Are you worried I’ll favor your friend more?”
“…What?”
“Did I hit a nerve? Don’t worry. No matter what, you were my secretary first, so I’ll treat you well.”
“…That’s absolutely not it, so please refrain from saying things like who I favor more.”
Who’s jealous of whom?
Jealousy between women isn’t unusual, but jealousy over a man? Over looks? That’s ridiculous.
“Tsk tsk. You’re not being honest. Women are such a hassle. When there’s a pretty woman, they have to compete…”
“Director Choi.”
“Huh?”
“Say one more word. I don’t know what’ll happen then.”
“…Uh.”
Director Choi shut his mouth. Though she hadn’t been his secretary for long, he wasn’t completely clueless.
Now, how to coax Director Choi to extract company information…
“Oh, who’s this?”
Director Choi warmly greeted someone. When Park Se-hee saw the person’s face, she froze.
“Hey, you. If the CEO doesn’t show his face at the company, what are we supposed to do?”
“That’s true.”
The middle-aged man in a suit was none other than CEO Park Joon-hyuk. The mastermind behind the Remina Project, which used brain-dead patients, and the one who trapped Jeong Ji-hwan in the game. He had appeared.
Instantly, hostility and wariness surged, but Park Se-hee composed herself.
“CEO…”
“Oh? Long time no see, Deputy Manager Park Se-hee.”
“You’re the one who’s been away, CEO. It’s been a while since you’ve been to the company.”
“Haha… I’ve been busy with external meetings for the launch. But why are you with Director Choi?”
“She’s my secretary now.”
“Your…?”
“Yes.”
After hearing Director Choi’s explanation, CEO Park Joon-hyuk nodded.
“Hmm. Didn’t like the department you were transferred to? You could’ve told me. I’d have moved you to the department you wanted. Ah, but I’ve been away from the company for too long, haven’t I?”
“It’s fine, CEO. Thank you for your concern.”
“Still, it’s a bit bittersweet. Becoming Director Choi’s secretary… What a waste.”
“Sigh. What does that make me?”
“Haha. Of course, I’m joking.”
CEO Park Joon-hyuk and Director Choi exchanged pleasantries warmly. Every time CEO Park laughed, Park Se-hee felt chills. How could someone who sent so many people to ruin laugh so shamelessly?
“You don’t look well. Are you okay, Secretary Park?”
“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”
She didn’t show any agitation, but her expression must have been too stiff.
“By the way, are you still looking for Ji-hwan?”
“…Yes, I am.”
“What are the police even doing? Can’t even find one person. You’ve been through a lot.”
CEO Park Joon-hyuk patted Park Se-hee’s shoulder. For a moment, she wanted to shake off his arm, but she held back. Instead, what came out of her mouth wasn’t anger or condemnation but a genuine question.
“CEO…”
“Huh?”
“Aren’t you worried about Ji-hwan?”
His attitude, as if it were someone else’s problem, didn’t sit well with her.
Park Se-hee studied his face. If he had any conscience, he’d be shaken. Even if he didn’t show it, he’d at least appear concerned. Either way, it was disgusting, but she wanted to confirm. To see if the man before her was the villain she thought he was.
But CEO Park Joon-hyuk’s response was different from what she expected.
“Hmm… Not really?”
“Huh?”
“Honestly, I’m not too worried about him. He’s probably doing fine somewhere. Ji-hwan is tenacious and doesn’t give up easily.”
“…So, if something happened to Ji-hwan, it wouldn’t matter to you?”
“Oh, of course not. I’m just saying I ‘acknowledge’ Ji-hwan. He has a special quality unlike anyone I’ve met before. That’s why I believe he’ll reappear before me someday. No…”
CEO Park Joon-hyuk smiled softly and added.
“To be precise, I’m eagerly waiting for him.”
