OMH Chapter 76
by VolareIn this mission as well, the evaluation of Cha Woojin was very good.
In fact, the Great Monster Extermination Team tends to be exclusive towards Guides, so I was worried when Director Kim told me to take Cha Woojin, but thankfully, it went well.
Moreover, Cha Woojin ended the monster’s life; it was an incredible achievement I couldn’t even imagine.
Indeed, Cha Woojin isn’t just heroic in appearance but is a true hero incarnate. How many combat-type Espers are there here, and yet, without any Esper abilities, he took down a giant monster with three bullets! If that’s not a hero, then what is?
I looked at Cha Woojin with a proud heart.
Cha Woojin glanced around, looking somewhat embarrassed.
It was understandable that Cha Woojin would feel burdened because the people from the Great Monster Extermination Team were constantly praising him. People don’t know what moderation is. They ignored Cha Woojin so much because he was a low-grade Guide, and now they’re finally recognizing his competence.
I always wanted everyone to realize that Cha Woojin is a handsome, kind, and capable talent.
But I never wanted them to swarm around and bother him like this.
‘Cha Woojin is uncomfortable. Everyone, back off a bit!’
I subtly glared at the people flocking towards Cha Woojin, but it had little effect.
Kim Jiwon, a member of the technical team, was flirting with Cha Woojin.
“How can you be so good at shooting? Our team works on the front lines, so we receive ample support for the lab’s weapons, but we don’t use firearms often, so we were told off. Thanks to you, I have something to write in my report. So, how about you come often and create many practical usage examples of firearms? The rifle and magic bullet you used this time are all new, but they haven’t been used in actual combat. And if possible, please give us your feedback.”
Kim Jiwon pressed close to Cha Woojin, even holding out a recorder.
I stepped in to shield Cha Woojin and block Kim Jiwon. While I was at it, I snatched the recorder and said,
“Yes. I will submit a written report on the new equipment used this time. Then, we’ll be going.”
I put the recorder back in Kim Jiwon’s hand and said,
“I’ll give you the report by tomorrow at the latest. Let’s go now, Mr. Cha Woojin~”
I dealt with Kim Jiwon and turned to Cha Woojin.
However, Kim Jiwon wasn’t the only one aggressively clinging on.
“Did you learn shooting before joining the Association? Did you serve in the military?”
“How about partnering with me? I don’t really care about grades.”
“Instead of being a field specialist Guide, how about just joining here? Managing a new team is really tiring. It’s hell, the new side is.”
Maybe it was because I saw Kim Jiwon sticking so close, but now leeches were sticking to Cha Woojin, not even 5cm apart. They were getting closer and closer; it seemed like they would touch Cha Woojin soon.
This wouldn’t do.
I tightly hugged Cha Woojin’s waist, blocking the leeches.
And I looked up at Cha Woojin and said,
“Mr. Cha Woojin, you must have been overwhelmed with so many things happening suddenly today, right? You worked hard, so shall we go back now?”
Cha Woojin couldn’t look around because he was looking at my face. Taking advantage of this gap, I hugged Cha Woojin and moved away from the people towards where the team leader was.
I said goodbye to the team leader loudly and left work.
“We’ll be leaving now! I’ll submit the report tomorrow!”
*
Cha Woojin and I returned to the Guide Director’s office.
I didn’t want to come here again today, but it couldn’t be helped.
It was because we had left Cha Wooreen here.
Of course, we didn’t want to leave Cha Wooreen in a place like this if we could help it. But it was such an urgent dispatch that there was nowhere to leave the child.
When we entered the director’s office, Director Kim greeted us warmly.
No, actually, it seemed like he was only interested in Cha Woojin.
Director Kim patted Cha Woojin’s shoulder and said,
“Good. Very well done! A smooth start from the first button. Since you showed impressive skills in the most capable team in the Association, it will be easy to get support.”
Today, Cha Woojin seemed like he was very tired from dealing with so many people.
Moreover, Cha Wooreen clung to Cha Woojin’s leg and whined.
“Oppa, why are you so late? I’m hungry.”
-Beep
On top of that, the monster joined in, making a racket.
I picked up Cha Wooreen and separated her from Cha Woojin’s leg. Of course, Cha Wooreen was annoyed and fussed to be put down, and the monster on top of Cha Wooreen’s head was also squawking loudly, but I didn’t care and soothed Cha Wooreen.
“Today, your brother was a bit late because he caught a very big and scary monster. You saw that big centipede through the window earlier, right?”
“How did Oppa catch that? Isn’t that a lie?”
“Eii~ It’s not~ Your brother caught it with a cool bang with his gun! Isn’t he cool? So, since your brother will be tired today, let’s stay with me. Okay?”
“Woong…….”
Even so, Cha Wooreen, who understood words well, nestled obediently in my arms.
We waited quietly until Director Kim let go of Cha Woojin.
Outside the window, which was now completely dark, white snowflakes were swirling.
*
Cha Woojin was very bewildered by the situation he was experiencing now.
He clearly remembered that the people of the EGA Association, not Gang Hana, had been subtly ignoring him, as if he were an invisible man.
Cha Woojin didn’t forget that even Director Kim, who was praising him to the skies now, had initially shown hostility towards him.
So, he couldn’t feel purely happy about people’s kindness. He couldn’t purely rejoice in the achievements he had made with his abilities.
It was because this change had occurred since he became a political pawn set out by the Guide Director.
Of course, he felt resentful towards the people who had ignored him because he was a low-grade Guide.
When he suggested helping Gang Hana, who was fighting the monster, it was a bitter sight to see the people who had listened perfunctorily suddenly react to the story of the Esper called the team leader, although he could understand it.
But Cha Woojin decided to think differently.
From the day his picture appeared in the sky, people started calling him the next team leader and treating him with special consideration.
He was no longer just a Guide who was ignored.
As Cha Woojin was deeply considering his situation, Director Kim spoke to him.
“This kid is spacing out while an adult is talking. Why? You don’t like that the way they treat you has changed so drastically?”
“Ah, no. I’m just a little confused.”
Cha Woojin stammered slightly, preemptively startled by Director Kim’s sharp perception.
Director Kim scanned him up and down as if displeased with him.
Director Kim, who gave Cha Woojin goosebumps with that look, said,
“Right. I guess so. Low-grade Guides aren’t really in a respected position within the Association. But isn’t it much more comfortable now than being constantly ignored? Isn’t it easier to live as next Team Leader Cha Woojin than D-grade Guide Cha Woojin?”
Director Kim, who had a stern expression, suddenly changed to a smiling face and asked him.
Cha Woojin, who had already thought about that part, immediately answered.
“Yes, that’s right. So, I am always grateful to the Director for giving me this power. Thank you. I will work hard.”
“Haha! You’ve become very affable since you’ve been sticking with Gang Hana. Very good to see. Let’s keep doing things like this, our Team Leader Cha.”
“Then, can I go now?”
Director Kim and Cha Woojin turned to Gang Hana, who suddenly cut in.
“It seems like the child is too tired. She’s been whining that she’s hungry since earlier, but there aren’t even any snacks to feed her here. We’ll be going now. Is that okay?”
Cha Woojin knew that Gang Hana was originally an informal person, but he was slightly surprised that she was such a bold person.
He was inwardly afraid that Director Kim would be displeased, but fortunately, Director Kim didn’t seem offended.
Director Kim rather said to Cha Wooreen with a smile.
“I’m sorry, baby. Are you very hungry?”
Cha Wooreen, who was held in Gang Hana’s arms, just nodded without answering.
Director Kim approached Gang Hana, stroked Cha Wooreen’s head, and said,
“Our baby has had the hardest time. No one to play with, and nothing to eat. What does our baby want to eat?”
“French fries.”
“Okay, Auntie will buy you french fries.”
Director Kim stroked Cha Wooreen and then said to the people around,
“You guys can go home now. Everyone has worked hard. Gang Hana and Team Leader Cha, follow me.”
“Ugh, I hate company dinners, can’t you just give us a bonus?”
“The baby is hungry, I’m just buying you food at a restaurant anyway.”
“Then, can I order something expensive?”
“When have you ever eaten something cheap?”
Gang Hana bickered with Director Kim and then ran to Cha Woojin.
He, who was holding Cha Wooreen with one arm, looped the remaining arm around Cha Woojin.
Because they were so close, Gang Hana’s soft curly hair touched his cheek.
Gang Hana looked up at him with big, round eyes and said,
“You worked hard today. Mr. Cha Woojin will always do well. Thanks to Mr. Cha Woojin’s performance, our prickly team members fell for you with a ‘Bump’! But I’m the one who likes Mr. Cha Woojin the most, so you can’t have wandering eyes.”
“I like our Oppa too.”
“The kind you like is different from the kind I like, so it’s okay.”
“What kind is it?”
Cha Woojin looked at Gang Hana and Cha Wooreen, who were chattering beside him.
Thinking that there were always people beside him who looked at him and loved him, he felt like something warm was filling his heart.
As long as they were here, he would be able to overcome anything in the future as well.
Cha Woojin grabbed Gang Hana’s hand and walked forward.
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