I absolutely can’t let anyone find out, no matter what happens.
Shin Na-yoon resolved herself once more. The devil the team leader was searching for was right here, and the fact that she had made a contract with that very devil was something she would take to her grave. At twenty years old, she definitely didn’t want to face execution or life imprisonment.
“…….”
But could someone as clumsy as her really keep such a huge secret? She had never successfully deceived anyone in her life.
No, calm down. It’ll be fine.
The contract was only until she found that person, Seo Kang-joon. It wasn’t like she would live like this forever, and once she fulfilled the devil’s conditions, he would leave on his own. Then her peaceful life would surely return.
…He will leave, right?
Suddenly, Shin Na-yoon was filled with anxiety. What if, even after fulfilling the contract, the devil didn’t leave quietly? What if, like in the movies, he just said “Thanks for all your help” and made her disappear with a flick?
Maybe confessing to the Security Bureau now would be the better choice? It wasn’t like she wanted to make the contract, so maybe they would take that into consideration.
[I can see exactly what you’re thinking.]
“Eek!”
[If you’re planning to report me to the Security Bureau, go ahead. I won’t stop you.]
“Ugh.”
It was actually more terrifying because of the way the devil said it. He wasn’t threatening her, nor was he threatening to kill her. He just spoke in a tone that genuinely didn’t seem to care what she did.
When she thought about it, this was the same devil that had crushed that powerful centipede devil with a single punch. Could the Security Bureau even handle something like that? What if reporting it only got her caught in the crossfire, like a shrimp crushed in a battle between whales?
Shin Na-yoon shivered in the passenger seat while she was lost in her own anxious thoughts, until they arrived at their destination with In Ha-young driving.
“We’ve arrived, Na-yoon-ssi. Shall we get out now?”
The place they had arrived at with In Ha-young was an ordinary part of the city.
In fact, there was something familiar about it. It was the Seongsu neighborhood where chaos had broken out just yesterday. Judging by the fact that Seoul Forest, a rare green space in Seoul, was nearby, she was a pretty sure.
Shin Na-yoon felt a growing sense of discomfort in her chest. The memory of people being brutally killed by a devil right in front of her was still vivid, and here she was, returning to the same place less than a day later. It was only natural that she didn’t feel at ease.
In Ha-young noticed her discomfort and spoke up.
“Are you wondering why we came here?”
“Oh, yes. A little…”
In Ha-young nodded her head and continued explaining to the new agent.
“Since there was such a major incident yesterday, it’s only natural that this area would be the top priority for patrol. There’s always the chance that the missing devil is still hiding nearby.”
“Are we… looking for the devil?”
“No, it’d be impossible for just us. We’re seriously lacking in both equipment and manpower. But even if that’s not the case, the residents around here are probably feeling anxious after yesterday’s incident. Just by having the Security Bureau patrol lightly like this, it should help ease their worries to some extent.”
“That… makes sense.”
After that, the two began a light patrol around the city.
It wasn’t anything particularly special. They asked nearby shopkeepers if anything unusual had happened recently or used a magical power detector to scan suspicious areas. It was all fairly routine.
However, throughout the process, Shin Na-yoon couldn’t help but feel the immense power of the Security Bureau’s authority.
Even the most unfriendly people changed their attitude the moment they saw the Security Bureau badge, and even in restricted private areas, just mentioning they were from the Security Bureau was enough to grant them access without any formalities.
At one point, they received a report of a suspicious person at an entertainment bar. When they entered, the owner himself came out to treat the two of them with utmost hospitality. Though In Ha-young immediately declined, the owner continued to show extreme courtesy not only to her but also to Shin Na-yoon, solely because they were affiliated with the Security Bureau.
For the first time in her life, Shin Na-yoon was receiving such courteous treatment, and it left her feeling both flustered and strangely unsettled.
Is this… the power of authority?
More precisely, it was the power of the Security Bureau.
Shin Na-yoon realized again just how feared the name of the Security Bureau was in this country and how immense the authority it wielded truly was.
At the same time, she couldn’t help but wonder how she had even managed to get hired by the Security Bureau. No matter how short-staffed or dangerous the job was, it didn’t seem like they would hire a high school graduate with no experience like her.
Could there have been some kind of mistake? Maybe she was hired by accident due to an administrative error?
Shin Na-yoon shivered in fear while she was lost in her own anxious thoughts again.
In Ha-young noticed her state and let out a wry smile.
Looks like she’s still shaken from yesterday.
Considering how many Security Bureau agents had lost their lives that day, it was only natural for a rookie like her to still be in shock.
In reality, even for an experienced agent, it would have been difficult to endure such a situation. While the Security Bureau was accustomed to risking their lives on the front lines against devils, an event like yesterday’s was far from common.
More than two high-ranked devils appeared in one day. One of them was even presumed to be a archdevil. It was an unusual situation that had never happened before, even if she looked back at past devil incidents.
Still, seeing the new agent not run away and continue with the Security Bureau’s duties made In Ha-young proud, not just as a superior but as a senior colleague.
Maybe this kid is like me…
Watching Shin Na-yoon follow along without complaint during today’s tiresome patrol, In Ha-young judged that despite her fragile and fearful exterior, she must have a strong will deep inside.
Of course, the reality couldn’t have been more different.
“Shall we wrap up the patrol for today?”
“Oh, is that okay? It’s still early…”
“We’ve covered all the places we needed to. Besides, it’s almost lunchtime. I’ll treat you to something good today, so let’s eat before heading back. Do you like sushi? I know a great place nearby.”
“Wow, sushi! Well, if that’s the case… I guess I can’t say no… hehe.”
Although she said that, Shin Na-yoon was secretly overjoyed. She had deliberately stayed behind during the patrol; she was anxious that In Ha-young might suddenly pull out a detector and scan her. Of course, the fact that the patrol was ending early was also good news.
It was then that a female student in a school uniform came running toward them in a panic, just as they were about to head back. The girl’s face was pale, and she was gasping for breath; her voice was filled with desperation.
“Excuse me! Are you a security agent? Please help! My friend was kidnapped by some strange people!”
In Ha-young’s face hardened instantly.
“Kidnapped?”
“Yes! Please, you have to help! Hurry!”
“Calm down. First, explain the situation. Where was your friend taken? Have you reported it to the police?”
“Over there, down that alley! Just a little while ago! It happened so fast, I didn’t have time to report it! I saw you two and ran over right away!”
Though the situation had come out of nowhere, In Ha-young who was an experienced agent of the Security Bureau quickly made a decision.
If a student had truly been kidnapped, immediate action was necessary. However, rushing in blindly with insufficient information while having a rookie like Shin Na-yoon along could put her in danger.
“Na-yoon-ssi, stay here and request backup. I’ll follow this student.”
“Yes?”
“I’m counting on you!”
With that, In Ha-young and the student sprinted down the alley. Shin Na-yoon who was left alone watched their retreating figures with a face filled with confusion.
“My… my sushi…?”
Suddenly, she recalled In Ha-young’s request for backup and hurriedly pulled out her phone, but her mind went completely blank. Who was she supposed to call for backup? The police? The Security Bureau? But the only number she knew was the general emergency line.
The flustered Shin Na-yoon quickly reported the kidnapping to the police, but after that, she just stood there while anxiously shifting from foot to foot. Then, out of nowhere, a low heavy voice suddenly rang out in her head.
[Follow them.]
“H-Huh? Me?”
[Or are you just going to stand there and watch?]
“Uh… I shouldn’t? The team leader told me to wait… and what could I even do if I went?”
[It seems you’ve forgotten who you’re contracted with. Stop whining and hurry after them. If you don’t, that woman you call your team leader might end up in danger.]
Shin Na-yoon let out a long sigh and slowly started walking toward the alley where the two had disappeared. Up until that moment, she was thinking rather optimistically.
It’s not a devil incident, it’s just a kidnapping at best. Sure, it’s a serious crime, but for a Security Bureau agent who fights devils, it’s probably nothing. If I go, the team leader will probably have already subdued the kidnappers and just scold me for showing up…
But she was wrong. What greeted her eyes when she arrived at the alley was a scene far from what she had expected.
The schoolgirl in uniform stood holding a spray bottle filled with a transparent liquid, and across from her, In Ha-young lay unconscious on the ground. Surrounding them were unfamiliar men.
When Shin Na-yoon stepped into the alley, all eyes immediately turned toward her. Amidst that suffocating silence, she forced an awkward smile and spoke.
“Ah… I must’ve taken a wrong turn. I’ll just be on my way now.”
She turned around as naturally as she could, trying to act as if nothing was wrong.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Uh….”
But unfamiliar men were already blocking her path from behind as well.
Cold sweat trickled down Shin Na-yoon’s forehead.
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