The Foreigner on the Periphery - Chapter 22

Chapter 22 – Between Work (2)
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“Sister!”

The sound of words eventually broke through the calm atmosphere of the room.

The sudden words were short, yet destructive. This was even more the case when considering the place, situation, and target of the utterance. The air inside eventually became cold.

“….”

After everyone’s conversation stopped, there was an awkward silence for a while. Finally, someone spoke up. Someone had just been called by a name he did not wish for.

“I should have done something about that sooner.”

The voice was without emotion. After he spoke in a flat tone, he raised his glasses.

This was Blair Campbell, who had just come to visit a sudden visitor while sitting at his desk. He was the chief of staff, who was the closest assistant to President Jenkinson. He was also the elf who delivered the president’s handwritten letter to Lee Minjun not long ago. Blair entered his office through the closed door, and then looked at the person who had called out, ‘Sister!’

“Ah…”

The expression of the employee reporting to Blair hardened. Two of them had been engrossed in looking through the documents without knowing that the other was coming in.

The uninvited person spoke to the staff.

“Oh, would you like to go out for a while and have a cup of tea? I have something to talk about with my sister here.”

Looking at his superior’s expression, Blair let out a shallow sigh and nodded, as if he couldn’t help it. The door opened and then closed again. With only the two of them left, the chief of staff took off his glasses and pressed down his eyes.

“I would like the company to keep some basic language etiquette, especially when there are other employees around.”

He had asked her several times, but the person he hadn’t even heard of was a woman wearing a bold red suit.

Her name was Larisa Andreyeva. She was the general manager of real estate security management at the Jenkinson Company.

She shrugged, almost as if to say something. Underneath the silver-white hair trimmed to reveal half of her forehead, the curves of the years she had endured were revealed. As a human being, it seemed that they were going through the middle and old ages.

Larisa sat cross-legged on the desk, pulled out a cigarette-like object, and bit into it.

Hwareuk!

Pink flames bloomed on her fingers. Soon, the smoke and sweet scent of star candy filled the room. Blair’s eyebrows furrowed.

“If the president knows…”

“The gentleman went on a business trip to another world. You enjoy it when you’re not there.”

He had gone on a business trip to another world, not abroad, so it didn’t seem like he would come back right away.

The sweet scent emanating from between her fingers wasn’t offensive and didn’t harm the other staff, but Jenkinson hated her smoking it. It was because of Larisa’s racial characteristics. Pointed ears, beautiful features, and a slim body. Overall, she looked so similar that she could definitely be mistaken for an elf. However, if one were to zoom out a little bit from the viewpoint instead of approaching the front and observing, the difference will become apparent quite quickly.

Behind her, perched on the edge of the desk, were four pairs of opaque wings that would remind someone of dragonflies, and were folded neatly. Also, the proportions between the head and torso, arms, and legs were almost the same as that of Blair, but there was a big difference in size.

The body that resembled an Elf’s was reduced to a ratio of approximately 5:1.

Blair looked displeased with the fairy family, who tended to spit out a cloud of gas much like a mini humidifier.

“Isn’t that too poisonous?”

For fairies, sugar acted like a drug. That was the reason why they were obsessed with candy and cakes. The arabesque that Larisa smoked now was like cannabis to the other races.

Larisa then responded with a slightly reminiscent expression.

“Well, how are you? It’s not illegal.”

There was no law prohibiting the elves from consuming sugar. That was because there had never been a group of immigrants in this world. All attempts had been rejected because it had been expected that a large social cost would be incurred to take care of them because of their remarkably small stature. If one were to create a separate area where only fairies lived and drove in, the cost would be significantly reduced, but that was not the committee’s way.

In other words, there was no environment in which fairies could live comfortably in this world. Still, the reason why Larisa could live on Earth was in a suit that fit her body, smoked arabesque the size of her finger, saw a doctor who knew the body of a fairy, and lived in a house full of furniture of just the right size, was because she had so much money. And that was because she had the capability to earn that much.

And so, he ended up getting hired by Jenkinson. That was because that elder dragon always hired only the best experts.

In the end, it was said that Larisa’s professional ability as the chief of security was unmatched. Even if you were a drug addict who drank hallucinogenic substances, even during working hours.

Blair then asked whilst breaking the complicated thought process.

“So, what’s going on?”

Larisa spit out a strong scent that would make her diabetic, if only she held it for a few minutes.

“Things that came into area ‘B-39’ a few days ago.”

Blair was nervous for a moment, yet skillfully hid it. He urged her to keep talking.

“What on earth is in there?”

Larisa’s job included being a safekeeper. Like the second rarity of the Elder Dragon, the Jenkinson Company’s Bukhansan warehouse contained treasures that required extreme attention. Area B-39 was part of that warehouse.

“What happened?”

“When I asked, I didn’t get an answer. When will our old man with scales come back?”

“…I think he’ll be back next week,” Blair replied vaguely.

“Hmm, then that’s going to be a bit of a pain in the ass.”

“What the hell are you doing?”

At this, the fairy frowned. The wrinkles on her forehead deepened.

“After ‘they’ were put on the B-39, there are traces of someone starting to rub it around the Bukhansan warehouse.”

“….”

“I wouldn’t have been able to find it without me. Even if the erased marks are clean, it is too clean. There are children who were properly educated in order to earn a living from this.”

It must have been the words of the most powerful among the fairies who were able to freely move in and out of the spirit world.

In addition to this, the problem was the identity of the items stored in the area. The reason the president was now absent from the earth was to negotiate how and when to share some of it with the committee.

“We need to increase our expenses.” “Yeah, I think our kids alone might not be enough.” “Is that enough?” “That’s because it’s not serious. This is the first time I’ve seen kids who have come and gone so neatly. The past few days have only been seen for a while, and if there is something they’re aiming for, they’ll soon reveal their true colors. In any case, it’s strange that the traces start from the day the president vacated the earth. That gentleman’s schedule… is it top secret?”

In short, they needed external help.

“But… what crazy people?!”

The omitted backstory was, what kind of madman would cover the Elder Dragon’s courtyard?

“Isn’t it because you have the confidence to handle it? Then, that means it’s even more dangerous.”

A sigh was let out at this.

Suddenly, a name popped up into Blair’s mind. They were once in Sokcho, now stored in Area B-39, and an agent made a decisive contribution in the process of being moved to Bukhansan.

‘No, not yet.’

In a situation where only signs had been found thus far, he was reluctant to entrust such a sensitive location such as a warehouse from Bukhan to contract agents. It was full of things that should never even be known outside. Even if it was an agent named as the ace of aces, it would still be the same outcome.

“I’ll report to the president first and wait for a reply. In the meantime, let’s fill the security around the warehouse.”

Larisa frowned at the size of the recruitment that Blair had proposed.

“I don’t think that would be enough.” “I think it’s appropriate considering the barriers that the president himself has been put out inside. Most of all, I have the ability to make decisions on my own. The rest will proceed upon approval from the president. You’ll probably get an answer soon. Communication is not completely lost, even while on a business trip.”

However, contrary to her expectations, it took a long time for President Jenkinson’s answer to come back.

Cathy began to mutter bewilderingly.

‘What did I just hear now?’

The old man who came in… he seemed to be born in… the 70s? the 80s? Such a person had called Minjun “sister.”

Sister? Wait a minute… Why? Her thoughts became muddled. The old man’s friendly expression and joy-filled eyes were still fixed on Minjun. The target of his expression was unmistakable.

Seeing Cathy’s panicked state, Minjun clicked his tongue.

‘The timing was bad.’

Her trembling eyes implied many words. Before the delusion grew any bigger, Minjun decided that he had to cut the buds.

“Are you sure you’re not mistaken?” “Ah, yes?”

Kids these days definitely didn’t know. On the other hand, because of the other person’s name, Minjun discovered his identity.

“Master Oh Man-sik?”

“Yeah! You remember, sir!”

The old man smiled widely. Minjun smiled bitterly in response.

“It’s still better if you use the teacher’s voice like I just did. What do you do when there are so many people calling you like in the old days? Misunderstood.”

Then, the old man began to whisper to the middle-aged woman that had been supporting him. When the woman, who looked to be his daughter-in-law, gave a small answer, Oh Man-sik’s face colored with embarrassment.

“Oh, I’m so sorry about this, sir. It has become a habit I used to sing in the past…”

The two had met through work, but he remembered that they had been quite close at the time.

And, until the 1960s and the 1970s, the male speaker often referred to an older man with whom they were close as ‘sister’ instead of ‘brother.’ Languages also changed with the passage of time.

Oh Man-sik, too, would not have spoken that word for several decades. However, in the end, when Minjun appeared in front of him, those old memories and habits came back to life, even for a moment.

“No, sir, how is it that nothing has changed since then? It’s very similar.”

If Minjun had also appeared old and reunited, he might not have made a mistake. Seeing the same face as that time, naturally, he had been called the same way as in the past. Cathy also heard the explanation and realized the misunderstanding.

The two of them had met once more after a long time and exchanged greetings with polite words. Cathy came up with the keyword ‘Goseong Academy’ from the conversation. It was like a job they had used to work at together.

“So, what are you doing these days?”

Minjun did not miss the fact that Oh Man-sik’s expression stiffened a little.

“I’m just rolling a small… alchemy workshop.” “Oh, yes. Oh, alchemy was a long-term skill.” “Does Ye Minjun still teach magic?” “I quit teaching, and these days I go hunting for aliens.” “…Yeah?!”

His last words didn’t sound very loud because of his weak energy. The woman supporting him looked very much stunned, and Cathy was a little surprised as well.

Was that really such a terrifying thing to say?

“No, I am old and my ears are deaf… I think I misunderstood what you just said.” “You probably heard it right. I am now acting as an agent.”

The old man’s jaw dropped. Then, he began to mumble an array of words, almost as if he had seen a ghost.. ‘No, it’s an agent… Teacher Ye Minjun has become an agent… this gentleman… who couldn’t even beat a mouse… Oh my God.’

The atmosphere was indeed going crazy.

Then, the woman standing next to him quietly put her hand on the back of his own. The old man coughed, seemingly coming to his senses.

“Ah! There were a lot of mistakes.”

Hesitantly, belatedly, he checked my watch, his thoughts crazily running about.

“It would have been nice to share my regards with ease, but I’m really sorry. I have an appointment on the third floor right now…”

The two exchanged business cards before parting. The old man couldn’t help but lament once again when he saw Ye Minjun’s. ‘Oh my God… you’re an agent!’ Then, after the woman noticed again, he slowly bowed down to say hello.

“I don’t know how many days I have yet to live, but I hope to see you again and have a cup of tea someday when I have a chance. I feel so happy to see one of the best people I’ve ever known.”

Hearing the words “best person,” Cathy took a deep breath.

Huh!

“I can’t raise my face because I feel so embarrassed. Then, Sensei Oh looks so healthy.”

“Ah, me…”

It was the woman with Oh Man-sik who intervened in the conversation. Her gaze was fixated on Minjun’s business card.

“Are you an exclusive contract agent for the Immigration Office?” “Yes, I am.” “I heard about that. Of all the contract agents working in Korea, the Immigration Bureau Agent is the best…” “Oh, what…”

It was true. Looking at his expression, the woman hesitated before asking, “I, then, do you receive personal or corporate requests?”

This was the same as when he had responded similarly to when he had refused lawyer Jeon Nam-gyu.

“Baby.” Oh Man-sik spoke up, staring intently at the woman. “What are you doing now?”

This time, Minjun also felt a little embarrassed. Oh Man-sik’s expression as he looked at the woman had completely changed.

The woman began to protest.

“Father, but…” “No.”

There was heavy dignity evident in Man-sik’s voice. His prior embarrassment was already long gone.

“…”

Then, he returned to his original expression and bowed his head deeply towards Minjun in order to greet him. Minjun nodded in response, but his thoughts were already running.

‘It’s on the third floor… the troll lawyer said there was something that needed to be done there.’

And, saying that his client had been treated badly, he inquired if he could accept the quest.

‘Hmm.’

A picture was being drawn in his head. It was just too subtle to be dismissed as a coincidence. Jeon Nam-gyu seemed to have come here specifically for Oh Man-sik.

‘Wait a moment. That lawyer, Jang Tae-joon’s, was also in charge.’

If one was a lawyer who could write a will for someone so wealthy, ordinary clients would not accept it. He glanced down at Oh Man-sik’s business card again. The company name seemed familiar, so he shook his head for a moment.

After a few seconds in that state, Minjun began to smile bitterly.

‘A small alchemy workshop. That yangban is still too humble.’

It was true that Minjun’s heart squeezed slightly when he thought of their old relationship. He had said he didn’t need any help, so there was no reason for Minjun to go out of his way here. He could just shove the card into his pocket and get ready to go back.

“Minjun-ah?”

But then, there was Cathy, who was staring at him with a face that was waiting for an explanation.