Laborer Mr. Kim Reaps Sweet Rewards with Auto-Hunting - Chapter 41

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 41

My first outing with the Workers.
What do I need?

[Temporary Disguise Permit – 2,000P]

And I need four of them, so… 8,000P.

“My hands are shaking.”

Expensive, but necessary.
I bite the bullet and buy four permits.
Still, it could’ve been worse than I expected.
Normally I would’ve needed ten of them….

“I think I’ll be fine without one, Director.”

Todd declines.
He says wearing a disguise permit would only make him look more suspicious.
Fair point.
Now that I think about it, he’s right.
A teddy bear costume, Todd.
The way he moves?
Bound to draw attention no matter what.
I’d have to carry him no matter what anyway.
With a disguise permit?
Ugh….

“You weaklings! Too bad you can’t come with us!”
“Yeah, really….”
“That’s right! Lani’s sad about it too!”

I’m disappointed too, honestly.
But what can I do.
They’re the ones who don’t want to go.

I asked them casually the other day.
Suggested we all go sightseeing and then grab some meat on the way back.
How did the orcs respond?

‘Workers have no interest in the outside world! Squeak!’
‘Squeak! Besides, we’d rather you just feed us lots of meat later!’

Meat’s a go.
But?
Sightseeing’s a no.
Their preferences are just different, apparently.
It’s been that way all along.
When everyone was glued to the TV, the orcs showed zero interest.
Well….
Gotta give them what they want.
I’ll pick up a bunch of meat on the way back.

“Boss, are we going?”
“Yeah.”

Time to head out.
Hold on a moment.
Before I leave, I need to use the Temporary Disguise Permit first.

[Using ‘Temporary Disguise Permit’.]
[Please designate the target.]

Target.
Everyone except Todd and me.

[Confirm]

I designate and hit confirm—?
Flash!
Light blazes across the room.
And then.

“Oh… how strange. So it transforms like this?”
“Wa-suh, you Korean now, eh?”
“Wow! Hey, my hair is pitch black! Completely black!”

I thought a disguise permit would only change clothes.
But no.
For 2,000 Points, this is worth every coin.
It transforms everything—clothes, face, hair color, even the color of the eyes.

“Heh heh, quite remarkable. Such magic exists.”
“Rookie! Boss, you wait—gonna see way crazier stuff than this!”

Though Arthur’s way of speaking hasn’t changed.

“You okay?”
“Yeah, you…”
“It’s fine, Director. Since the disguise permit is active, it will sound natural to everyone else.”

Oh.
It does that too?
The Dungeon Management Bureau really is something.
Truly all-purpose.
In that case, nothing to worry about.

“Everyone ready? Shall we head out?”
“Yes!”
“Good to go!”

Okay.
Let’s get moving right away.

* * *

An escape room to start.
Then an expensive restaurant I’d booked ahead of time for some meat.
Finally, a café to wrap it up.
A perfect plan.
But then…

“Director, if you don’t mind, might I wander separately?”
“Huh? Out of the blue?”
“Heh heh… Speaking with Todd yesterday, I thought of something I’d like to see nearby.”

The man adapts fast, I’ll give him that.
Just the other day we said we’d handle it quietly.
Now Todd’s already been outside checking the internet.

“You’ll be all right?”
“Of course. More than all right.”

It’s a shame, though.
Well….
Since we’re already out, might as well do what we want.
Besides.

“Unlike the others, if it’s Todd or Unjang, I can trust them going alone.”
“Huh? Ha-jun? You don’t trust Arthur?”
“Uh, w-well….”

Sorry.
It’s just you.
You always seem like you’re about to cause trouble.
Unjang, though?
He’s already adapted completely.
He’s even been searching online for places to visit, for heaven’s sake.
More modern than the construction workers.
Still, just to be safe, one thing….

“If you happen to run into anyone, please don’t kill them. If possible, it’s better if you can avoid them altogether.”
“That’s only obvious, isn’t it? Don’t worry so much, sir.”

Right.
It’s obvious.
Sigh.
No need to worry.
Honestly, worried about them getting hurt?
Not at all.
Especially not top-tier Workers.
They clear Grade A Dungeons with ease—what’s there to worry about?
Just give them enough spending money.

“Unjang, this should be plenty for a full day.”
“Ah…, much appreciated.”

Okay.
A card would be nicer.
They could clock out while they’re out—rejected.

“Well then, we’ll head this way.”
“Should I clock out once I get home?”
“Um…. Do whatever feels right.”

I’ve already paid their daily rate, so they can clock out anytime.
They can punch out while they’re out and about.
Or they can wait until they’re home.

“Understood, sir.”

He said there was something he wanted to see.
He doesn’t even look back as he leaves.
Where are they heading, I wonder.
Curious, but—.

“Ha-jun, are we going too?!”
“……Meat.”
“Hey! Come on, let’s escape!”

These meerkats.
They’ve been craning their necks waiting since before.
Now they’re restless and stirring.
Can’t blame them.

“All right, all right, let’s go.”

* * *

At that same moment.

“Huh?!”

The man on the roof of the building across the way, keeping watch on Yoon Ha-jun.
Lee Min-guk, a guild member of Truth’s Eye, felt his eyes go wide.

“No, why are there five of them?”

The surveillance target, Yoon Ha-jun.
The door opened and he came out of the house—
One, two, three….
Even counting again, there are five.

“I knew something was off about this.”

It was definitely supposed to be a place where he lived alone.
He’d confirmed no one had entered recently either.
Yet five people came out of that house?
How is that even possible?
No matter how I look at it, something’s wrong.
I’d better record all of them.

Click, click.

The surveillance target, Yoon Ha-jun.
A small child cradling a bear doll.
Three adult men.
He jotted down their distinguishing features quickly.
Wait?
One of them peeled off separately.

“Hmm….”

The group split in two directions.
Still.
I need to tail the surveillance target.
I’ll just get a rough look at where the man who split off is headed—
Wait?
Where did he go….”

“Looking for me, perhaps?”

A cool sensation on his neck.
And a voice from behind him.
Who—?
He barely managed to turn his eyes to the side.
Insane.
That man who’d just separated from us….

“Good to see you. I heard your voice from beyond the door just moments ago. Wasn’t your name Pseudo?”
“Uh….”

No.

He’d been downstairs just seconds ago….

In that brief moment?

“How in the world….”
“You seem curious about why I’m here. Nothing to be surprised about—it’s the power of magic.”

Magic?
An Awakening related to magic?
There are skills that transcend space?
Ah, so that’s why the Dungeon Management Bureau director…!

“I felt an aura lingering around this area. You should explain what you were monitoring for.”
“That…. I wasn’t monitoring, I was just-.”
“Passing by?”
“Yes, that’s right!”

Does he believe me?
Looking into his eyes, hoping for a positive response—
His gaze is ice-cold.

“Well now, wouldn’t it be better for both of us if you told me who sent you, while we’re still being civilized about this?”
“I’m telling the truth. As you know, my area for spreading the faith I believe in is around this neighborhood….”

It’s true.
On paper, anyway.
The kind I could show if asked….

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Once you’re hit with Truth-Speaking Magic, you’ll tell me everything anyway.”

Truth-Speaking Magic, my foot.

No skill can control the human brain.

That’s common knowledge.
If such a skill existed, someone would’ve conquered the entire world by now.
This has to be pure intimidation.

“I-I’m telling the truth. I don’t know why you’re doing this, but-.”
“Enough. I’ve given you every chance. Now I’ll have to borrow the power of magic.”

The power of magic?
Go ahead and try.

If you can.

“I’ve told you many times—I’m innocent.”

Lee Min-guk straightened his shoulders and spoke with confidence.
Not knowing he’d soon regret it.

* * *

A private detective guild in Korea.

Truth’s Eye

Kim Seon-woo, the guild master, was sorting through information.

“Monitor the list of recently registered Awakeners. Every move they make. China’s probably behind it all.”

I could guess the aim well enough.

[Recently Registered Awakeners List]

Someone in here. That’s what they’re after.
But who?
The answer’s already come to me.

“The head of the Dungeon Management Bureau….”

It can’t be.
That hero in this list?
If it’s really true….
I find him first, explain the situation,
ask for his help….

“Tch.”

Nonsense.
The head of the Bureau would never show up on a registry like this.
The Chinese must have gotten their wires crossed.

“I’ve organized everything now. Just waiting for Lee Min-guk to get back.”

That one too.
Nothing special about him.
Just some dull bastard who holes up at home.

Screech—!

“Oh, you’re back?”

I said he’s no gentleman.
Think about him and he walks right in—.
Wait.
Why does his face look so hollow like that?

“Hey, are you hurt somewhere? You look off.”

I asked, startled.
The answer came from behind me.

“The aftereffects of magic, sir.”

Magic, out of nowhere?
No.
Looking at him, he’s on the verge of collapse—what’s this talk about magic?

“A magic that helps people speak the truth.”
“Such magic exists.”
“I heard it all. Truth’s Eye took a contract and surveilled our director all day long.”
“Lee Min-guk, you….”

He really talked?
Even when he dodges and weaves, he’s not one to run his mouth.
What the hell did he do?

“No need for pleasantries. Just tell me who hired you. If you don’t….”

If you don’t, well.
Why stop mid-sentence like that, trying to scare me?
But wait — Director?
You don’t mean….

“That director — the Dungeon Management Bureau director?”
“That’s correct.”

No.
The Dungeon Management Bureau director was actually on that list?

This is insane….
Even worse, this person doesn’t seem to be just one director.
Like the jokes that used to circulate — it’s not a single person but an entire group?
But there’s no time for speculation now.

“But if I say that….”

Wasn’t it supposed to be secret?
I faltered mid-sentence.
Why would I speak?
Because I think I understand the reason.

“Damn.”

After I reveal the mastermind, they’ll dispose of me too.
Right.
If I’m going to die anyway, better to speak before I go.

Yeah.
Better this way.
Better to die revealing the truth to heroes than to die by Chinese hands.
Still, there’s regret.
I wish he’d come himself.
Then maybe he could’ve done something about this damn bracelet.
But this is the fate I’ve been given. Can’t be helped.

“Hmm? It seems you have no intention of talking. I suppose I’ll have to resort to magical compulsion.”

No.
I’m already prepared to die here!
Besides, that’s not magic.

Why are you clenching and unclenching your fist like that?

“Wait.”

I’ll tell you everything.
I’ll speak.
Just make sure you get your revenge properly.

* * *

Daerim. Chinatown.
A street where Chinese people gather.
At the corner of a secluded alley, deep within it, stood a single house.

In that place.
An operative of the Chinese Special Operations Unit.
Zhang Jun swallowed hard.

Gulp.
The Chinese Special Operations Unit.
His own identity was secret enough, but compared to these people…
it barely registered.
And so.

“What’s the situation?”

Despite his position as a manager, formal speech tumbled out unbidden.
Not that he could help it.
These had to be extraordinarily dangerous people.

He’d only heard rumors.
No department designation.
Ten agents with no names.
He’d assumed it was just gossip.
But it was true—they really had no names.
When he’d asked.

Agent 1, Agent 2, Agent 3… Agent 10.

That was the extent of their introductions.
His superior had explained it to him before he arrived.
These were beings born and raised as tools from the start, so names held no meaning for them.
But their capabilities, in exchange, were beyond question.

Groomed as instruments from childhood.
They’d Awakened in the midst of that, and climbed the Tower besides.
Which said everything.
Each of them had reached the 50th floor of the Tower or higher.

[Zhang Jun, you don’t need to do anything. Just control them.]

That was enough.
An order from his superior.
Of course it was.
What could he possibly do when creatures like that were present?
Information gathering, analysis—
they handled it all themselves.
And just now.
Agent 9 had brought the final piece of intelligence.
The conclusion was.

“No matching individuals identified.”
“I see.”

Now it fell to Zhang Jun to decide.
It would’ve been convenient if something had been narrowed down here.
But nothing had. No help for it.

“Are you ready?”

These people.
They didn’t bother answering—just rose to their feet.
That was their answer.
This was the whole point, after all.

“Proceed with the order as the party commands.”
“Understood.”

Now that they’ve made their move, an answer will come before tonight is through.
All I had to do was wait, or so I thought.

“There’s no need for that.”

A strange voice came from nowhere.
Wait.
There shouldn’t be anyone here but us.
Who is this?
I turned to look, and saw a face I’d never seen before.

“How did you get in here?”
“I came by magic.”

No.
Looking at the wall behind him, I could see it had been cut clean through.
This one came with purpose.
Still.
No need to worry.
Agents 1 through 10 were already closing in—he’d be dead soon enough.
I settled in to watch quietly, at ease.
Then the man said something strange.

“Hmph, what’s this blood smell…? You’re not human, any of you. Then it’s fine to kill you.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————