“He’s obviously just going to ignore me,” I said.

“You never know,” Lee Ji-Hye said.

‘She says that, but this noona doesn’t know.’

There probably wasn't a situation more awkward than Commander Jin and me sharing a meal together. Sure, there was that one time we ended up eating mapo tofu together in his secret hideout, but that was nothing more than an unavoidable accident born from circumstance.

I was so uncomfortable that I couldn’t even remember what the food tasted like.

Of course, someone as thick-skinned as me managed to keep relatively at ease, but I still remember the look on Commander Jin’s face as he acted like he was dealing with a virus. He was absurdly cautious the entire time. He acted like I was some kind of germ.

Naturally, sharing food was completely out of the question. He didn’t show it outright, but knowing how much of a germaphobe he was, I was sure he was on edge the whole time, worrying about even a drop of saliva splashing on him.

‘How the hell does that bastard even function in society?’

Even Lee Ji-Hye said she never once shared a table with him. It seemed like he would eat with Benigoa occasionally, but it was only because Benigoa would barge into his office and do whatever she pleased.

Aside from that one-sided relationship with Benigoa, he basically never communicated with anyone in the upper ranks. He seemed to get along reasonably well with Belial when it came to work, but I had never seen him exchange words with anyone else.

Actually, perhaps it wasn't that he was isolating everyone. I felt like everyone else was avoiding him. He probably believed he was the one pushing people away, but in reality, everyone else could just be refusing to communicate with him.

‘Yeah, that makes way more sense.’

Anyone could tell at a glance that he was the type one wouldn’t want to get close to. He was unpleasant and irritating to no end. Honestly, who would even want to be friends with a guy like him? Setting aside Benigoa’s right-hand Lauren, even a demon like Rimoura and Lonovera probably didn't want to talk to him.

After all, hadn't Lee Ji-Hye said it herself? He constantly looked down on others with contempt. Of course, this probably did not apply only to mortals.

From the perspective of those born as nobles, Commander Jin suddenly rising above them and belittling their capabilities had to be hard to swallow, so even if they maintained a formal relationship with him, there was no way they’d want a good personal relationship with him.

Of course, when it came to official matters, Commander Jin would speak politely and observe basic etiquette, but just because he wasn't expressing it directly did not mean it wasn't obvious. The demons had to have realized long ago that he treated them as if they were monkeys.

‘Even that cupcake event says it all.’

The number of participants wasn’t small, but the only ones who actually took part in the cupcake chaos were Benigoa and Lee Ji-Hye. Even though his office was in complete disarray, no one else came to watch or showed any interest in it. It was noisy, but the other employees didn’t care about him at all.

Just then, I realized that perhaps the reason Benigoa had been visiting his office was that she felt sorry for him.

‘Is that bastard... actually kind of pitiful?’

I believed he never thought of himself that way, but now that I was staring at him from the perspective of an observer, why was it that he looked so sad? Why was his office looking so lonely today?

“...”

“Anyway, are you going to do it or not?” Lee Ji-Hye asked.

“I’ll do it, but I’m not sure anything will really change just from spending a little time together,” I answered.

“That’s what I think, too, honestly. I’m not expecting some dramatic effect. I just want things to go back to a state where basic work can get done. Isn’t it better to at least try something rather than just sit around doing nothing?

"As I said earlier, I’m seriously struggling here. It’s not just the higher-ups. The others are overflowing with work, too,” she complained.

“Ah, right. Speaking of others... you handled their issues, right?” I asked.

“Of course. Yeon-Soo and the Continental Protection Management Committee are probably taking care of it now. Palette, Brush, Pastel, Paint, Hamgardia, and... was it Rus... something?

"Anyway, all the young ladies from the Union of Kingdoms that you checked have been placed into every program run by the Democratic Country after their identities were verified. Not sure if it’s a coincidence, but the Black Rose Salon girls ended up on Straggler’s Street,” she replied.

“Straggler’s Street?” I asked.

“Yeah, looks like they went to Big Boy’s shop. Let’s see... I should have it written down somewhere.... Brush was sent to the Democratic Country’s royal castle since it seemed good for her to learn under the council members. Palette was already studying abroad at the Magic Tower, so we decided to fully cover her tuition.

"As for Pastel, she joined the Adventurer’s Guild’s new clan establishment support program, and Paint is apparently setting up a merchant company. We provided her with funding under good conditions and even arranged some loans,” she explained.

“Those are very suitable for them,” I commented.

“Right? It’s the same for the other young ladies, too. Some were in bad situations, but most were handled well. Also, eight major merchant groups, including the three major guilds of Lindel, have decided to make large-scale investments into the Union of Kingdoms.

"At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Black Rose Salon girls end up holding real power in the Union within ten years,” she remarked.

“...”

“So, are you satisfied?” she asked.

“More than satisfied,” I answered.

“Then you should satisfy me a little, too. Things only work properly from the top down, you know? I can guarantee the Republic’s situation isn’t great either. Their President seems to have a lot on his mind—Oh, and this is unexpected news. The Holy Sword Hero you mentioned has apparently been found in the Republic,” she said.

“What?”

“It seems like he’s been wandering all over the place, talking about finding the whereabouts of the missing First Seat and preparing for threats to the continent. I don’t know the details myself. I just got the report from Yeon-Soo, so I’m not even sure if it’s true. If you’re interested, you could look into it yourself,” she suggested.

“I’m not that eager to check it personally, but I should at least look into it. Not sure if the summoning timing got delayed or if Benigoa interfered separately...” I said.

“The Holy Sword Hero Project didn’t even happen in the second life to begin with... so maybe his turn in the queue got pushed back, and he has just appeared?” she remarked.

“That’s possible, too. Seriously, what is going on... I should also take another look at the tutorial dungeon sometime soon,” I said.

“...”

“...”

“Yeah, if you want to fix things sooner rather than later, you need to deal with the problem first,” she said.

“Alright, I get it, so stop rushing me, noona,” I said to her.

“Do I look like I have a choice? Have you even been listening?” she asked me.

“It’s not like I’m sitting around doing nothing either. I’m just as busy as you are...” I argued.

“You think I don’t know that? I’m saying this because I feel like I’m about to collapse. Should I just go on strike? Want to see it happen? Maybe you’ll finally be satisfied when Miss Benigoa becomes the union head,” she said, threatening me.

‘Damn it.’

“Alright, I said I got it,” I said.

“Then go talk to him right now. Right now!” she yelled at me.

“...”

“...”

‘This is really uncomfortable.’

I could feel myself hesitating.

‘Damn...’

I didn’t even know why, but something about it just felt off. It wasn’t like I couldn’t eat with Commander Jin, play games with him, or just spend time together with him. I had done it before, after all. However, this wasn’t something natural. I had to force it, and it made it feel like a huge burden on me.

‘What am I even supposed to say? Just ask him to hang out?’

It was my first time asking him to spend some time together. I wasn't going to provoke or mess with him. It wasn't for work as well. I was actually going to his office for personal reasons. Still, if I didn’t do it, there was a real chance Ji-Hye noona would actually organize a union upstairs and put Benigoa in charge of it.

I decided to move forward, but my feet felt heavy. The more I thought about it, the more complicated my thoughts became.

“...”

Still feeling uneasy, I forced myself forward and knocked on the office door, but there was no response. When I carefully pushed it open, I saw Commander Jin sitting in his chair, staring up at the ceiling. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

“Um... Commander Jin?” I said.

“...”

“Commander,” I repeated.

“...”

“Commander!” I called out to him.

“...”

It took about three seconds before he even registered the sight of me, and he snapped upright upon recognizing that I was here. He hadn’t been doing anything at all just a moment ago, but now, he had already changed postures and looked like he was calmly working as if nothing had happened.

“What is it?” Commander Jin asked.

‘This bastard... what the hell is his deal?’

“It’s not like I need a reason to come in, right? I had a few things I wanted to talk about...” I answered.

“Idiot. Don’t you see the pile of work waiting to be done? Whatever you’re here for, I have no intention of entertaining your nonsense,” he said.

‘Then why the hell were you just sitting there doing nothing?’

“I’m not the kind of person who comes into your office just to mess around. Why are you talking like that?” I asked.

“I don’t even need to look to know what you’re here for,” he said.

“What’s that supposed to mean? I just came to check in, that’s all,” I told him.

“I never thought we were the kind of people to check in on each other. More importantly, tell Lee Ji-Hye to keep her promises. The only reason I even went into that first life I didn’t want to set foot in with you was because of that,” he said.

“Yeah, I know. What you’re supposed to get and the deal.. I know. Even without saying anything, it’s already decided that your next project will get full backing. Big budget, full support, and no complaints. The problem is...” I trailed off.

‘The damn proposal hasn’t even been submitted, you know.’

Of course, I had to swallow that down before it slipped out. Saying something like that right now wouldn’t be helpful. Normally, he was supposed to be busy drafting the proposal, but instead, he wasn’t even handling his regular work.

There was no reason to go poking a hornet’s nest.

“What problem?” he asked.

‘There are tons of problems right now. Why are you acting like there aren’t any?’

“...”

“...”

“There are... some internal circumstances...” I mumbled.

“What a mess. Useless bastard,” he said.

‘I seriously want to punch this guy.’

“Hey, we’ve got our own situation, too. What did you mean by mess?” I asked.

“Do you expect me to take every little circumstance into account?” he questioned.

‘Come on.’

“...”

“...”

“I shouldn’t have said anything,” I said.

“Works for me.”

‘No wonder this guy ends up alone at work. Honestly, he’s asking for it.’

I wanted to chuck a cupcake at him right then and there, but I forced myself to calm down. I reminded myself why I’d come all this way in the first place. Even then, I could see him continuing without a care.

“If you’re done, I’d like you to leave. I’m busy,” he said.

“No, I do have something to say...” I said.

“Make it quick,” he said.

“...”

‘Asking him to grab a meal together might be pushing it, right?’

“...”

‘That might be a bit much... Maybe asking him to play a game of chess would be better. Or some other game? That’s probably the safest, most natural option. Way less pressure that way.’

I nodded to myself first. I had sorted out my thoughts, so now it was time to actually say it. I had already spent quite a while talking with Ji-Hye noona, so I decided I’d be satisfied just bringing it up for today.

“Maybe... we could play a game sometime?” I suggested.

“...”

“...”

“A game...” he mumbled.

And then, I got an answer I hadn’t expected at all.

“Actually... let’s have a meal together instead,” he suggested.

“???”

“I’ll send you the date,” he said.

“???”

“I have work to do, so leave,” he said.

“???”

“Didn’t you hear me? I said leave."

“???”