Chapter 24:

Perhaps because the conversation had reached its conclusion, Greg stood up without hesitation, as if his business here was done.

“Well then, I’ll be off.”

“Oh, Greg, you’re leaving already?”

“Yes. I plan to catch a flight this afternoon. There’s no reason to delay.”

It seemed he was intent on leaving for overseas right away.

That explained why he’d brought me here first thing in the morning.

Classic Greg—the orc’s characteristic straightforwardness and speed left no room for hesitation or second-guessing.

After answering Alice’s question in his usual blunt manner, Greg turned his attention to Raven.

“Thanks again, Raven.”

“Nah, you helped me out before. It’s all about mutual support… By the way, do you offer any perks? Like free appraisal services?”

“I’ll consider it.”

Greg gave a slow nod, his expression saying “Fair enough.”

Considering the help he’d received, it seemed like a reasonable trade.

Feeling a bit guilty for being the reason Greg had to make such concessions, I shifted awkwardly.

As I anxiously watched their conversation, Greg turned to me, still trapped in Alice’s arms, and said:

“Yuria.”

“…?”

“Stay healthy. I won’t be gone long.”

“…!”

I smiled brightly and nodded vigorously in response.

Of course, my mask completely covered my face, so he couldn’t see my expression!

Still, I wanted to properly bid him farewell.

I lightly tapped Alice’s arm, which rested on my shoulder, signaling her to let me go. Then, I scurried over to Greg.

Truthfully, I didn’t linger on goodbyes.

As long as people weren’t leaving forever, we could always meet again somewhere in the world.

Thinking that we shared the same sky made it hard to feel sad or lonely.

And Greg wasn’t even leaving for long—just a short trip abroad.

That made it easy for me to see him off with a smile.

I extended my hand, palm open.

Greg immediately understood, grinning wide enough to show his teeth as he pressed his enormous hand—like a pot lid—against my tiny one.

With that simple goodbye, Greg nodded to Raven and Alice before leaving the office without a backward glance.

A cool, decisive exit, true to his nature.

“He’s gone.”

“Yeah, he’s really gone.”

“….”

With Greg’s towering presence gone, the room felt noticeably emptier.

Well, he was over two meters tall, so it wasn’t surprising.

I gazed absentmindedly out the window at his retreating figure, now just a speck in the distance.

He’s really gone.

Suddenly, the reality of being left behind began to sink in.

“Yuria looks so forlorn. Is she that upset?”

“She looks like a cat staring at a fish tank.”

“Oh! I get it—she’s a fish-tank cat!”

Who are you calling a fish-tank cat? I’m not upset, okay?

I shot Raven and Alice a brief glare before sighing internally.

One month.

When it’s over, it’ll feel short, but right now, it seemed interminably long.

From “Manager of Greg’s General Store” to “Temporary Worker at Crowley Problem-Solvers’ Office.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

My sudden drop in rank led to my very first task:

“Hmm… I don’t really have anything for you to do right now. Just sit and take a break.”

Break time as my first task.

Sure, new hires rarely have much to do on their first day.

Especially when they’re parachuted into the position through connections.

I sat quietly on the sofa, trying to appear as inconspicuous as possible.

Rule one of survival: It’s better to be competent than hardworking.

But more importantly, never stand out.

The key to surviving in society was to accept that I was just one of many interchangeable cogs.

Never delude myself into thinking I was irreplaceable.

“Hey, do you know how to make coffee?”

“…?”

Coffee?

I tilted my head in confusion at the sudden question. Alice chimed in before I could answer.

“Coffee? Jin, you can’t even drink bitter stuff! If it doesn’t have at least five sugar cubes, you won’t touch it—such a child’s palate.”

“Shut up. She’s staff now; she should do something. She’s too young to go out on jobs, but making coffee or tea for clients should be fine.”

Ah, so my role was to serve drinks to clients.

It wasn’t a bad task—actually, it was ideal!

It wasn’t much different from what I’d done at Greg’s store.

And roaming around Nighthaven without telekinesis to protect me?

Absolutely not. Too risky.

But Alice seemed dissatisfied. She pouted and grumbled at Raven.

“I want to take Yuria outside with me… Boo! Evil boss! Free Yuria right now!”

“Not happening. You’d just detour for shopping, wouldn’t you? Someone like you, who loves cute things, wouldn’t just go for a stroll.”

“Eh-heh… I don’t know what you’re talking about~”

Bullseye.

I silently applauded Raven for preemptively blocking Alice’s schemes.

If she dragged me along, who knew what embarrassing outfits she might try to make me wear?

“All right, Alice, stop butting in. We’re getting nowhere. Anyway, Yuria, you can make coffee or tea, right? Good.”

Raven scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to me.

“Start tomorrow. Show up at 9 a.m., or 10 at the latest. We’ll have lunch together, and you’ll clock out at 6 p.m. Your main job is to greet clients, serve drinks, and guide them to the reception area. When there are no clients, you’re free to read, play games, or whatever. Got it?”

“….”

“Great. You understand. As for pay… It’s not difficult work, so this much should be done. It’ll be enough to get by for a month. Sounds good?”

I nodded enthusiastically, nearly shaking my head off.

Perfect. No, amazing.

A cushy part-time job with a 9-to-6 schedule, provided lunch, light duties, and free time!

Sure, the pay was modest, but I wasn’t planning to settle here forever. For someone who might’ve ended up wandering the streets, this was a godsend.

Raven added, “Since you don’t have an ID, there’s no need for a contract. Don’t worry; I’m not going to stiff you.”

“If Jin tries to withhold pay, I’ll break his spine and make him pay. Don’t worry!”

“Hey! Don’t joke about that!”

“Not joking.”

Alice’s unnervingly sweet smile made it clear she was 100% serious. Even I found it scary.

And so, the details of my part-time job were settled. With nothing else to do, I decided to start working right away.

“I’ve handled customers before; this won’t be too hard!”

…Or so I thought.

What I’d failed to consider was that the Crowley Problem-Solvers Office wasn’t just a workplace—it was the chaotic hub of the Fixer world.

The first client of the day burst in sobbing, “Fixer! Please, you have to help me!”

“Yes, ma’am. What’s the issue?”

“My… my Etheleon-Darkfeathered-Seoron-Floraelis-Spectra-Rizen has escaped its cage!”

“I’m sorry, could you repeat the name?”

“Etheleon-Darkfeathered-Seoron-Floraelis-Spectra-Rizen! Are you even listening?!”

Next, a cyclops in ancient samurai attire strode in, proclaiming:

“I seek a restroom.”

“There are plenty of restrooms in Nighthaven…”

“I am a germaphobe of the highest order! I cannot sit upon a toilet once it has been used—even by myself!”

“Have you considered placing tissue on the seat?”

“…I shall try.”

Later, a sentient treeperson entered.

“Supplements.”

“Are you looking for plant-based supplements?”

“Expensive.”

“I see. There’s a botanical garden on the east side of Nighthaven that sells affordable ones in bulk.”

“…Understood.”

One bizarre client after another.

Was this a fixer office or an all-purpose errand center?

By the time night fell, I was mentally exhausted.

Finally, the long-awaited moment arrived: clocking out.

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