“Done!”
“Thank you!”
Elcia’s ability re-registration ended too blandly for a K-registration.
Explain the new ability. Show it in action. Then, the staff member updates it.
And that was it.
“This is discrimination against citizens…”
“Yeah, f*ck.”
While Elcia was sauntering over to us, Hyeji and I were just left feeling dejected after watching the whole process.
For citizens, if there’s a major change in ability, the re-registration requirements become a nightmare.
You have to go through all the initial registration procedures, plus provide a detailed reason.
But when they say “detailed reason,” you’re praying that the staff member is just in a good mood that day.
If you’re lucky…
– “I suddenly have a change in my ability and need to re-register—”
– “Got it. Go ahead.”
– “……What?”
And it can end just like that.
But where is this place?
Proud South Korea.
Active X still exists, various security certificates are a must, and you have to load a ton of useless security programs.
Thus, a typical ability re-registration is as complicated as a US immigration check.
No.
At least with US immigration, you can communicate.
This is hell.
– “So, why are you here for re-registration?”
– “I’ve explained it a million times! My ability suddenly changed!”
– “Why are you even using your ability?”
– “Because I have it, and it’s needed!”
– “But how does that relate to you coming here now?”
– “……”
Usually, that’s the base case.
Anyway, now that Elcia’s ability re-registration is done, we headed towards the bank.
To get the exclusive security card and certificate for ability users to unlock my frozen account.
Hyeji and Elcia naturally linked arms with me.
Elcia was all smiles for some reason.
Meanwhile, Hyeji was flushing red but clung tightly to my arm as if she wouldn’t let go.
And so, like a three-legged race, we slowly walked as one.
The passersby had varied reactions.
Embarrassment. Curiosity. Disgust. Hatred. Surprise. Envy. Admiration.
Especially since neither of them was lacking in looks, they were definitely catching eyes.
[I’ve said it before, but both of them are definitely top-tier in appearance.]
‘Don’t forget your true nature.’
One’s a morally bankrupt coin-obsessed ear goblin.
The other’s humanity’s strongest yet worst concrete wall.
Both are anything but normal, despite their appearances.
– Crack!!!
Hyeji and Elcia suddenly launched a surprise attack, simultaneously kicking my shins.
It sounded like a single strike from their precise timing.
The damage, of course, was doubled.
With mechanical grins, Hyeji and Elcia chimed in before I could even speak.
“I thought it was about time to unleash the pain.”
“I just felt like this was the moment!”
“……I just accept it now.”
Hold on, I got hit by a ‘no-move’ CC before finally moving again.
The ordinary folks kept staring, but the hunters’ gazes were a bit different.
One stared at Elcia with awe, but upon spotting Hyeji, they tucked tail and scrambled away as if fleeing for their lives.
Like a terrified rabbit burrowing into a dark burrow to escape reality.
And as we kept walking, we soon arrived at the bank.
It was bustling with people, and the number kept increasing, not diminishing.
At that moment, I suddenly remembered something urgent and left Hyeji and Elcia outside the bank.
A little later, I returned to the bank.
With a stack of cash in hand.
Upon seeing me, Elcia suddenly burst into tears, while Hyeji sighed with a glum expression.
“Sniff… Waaaah… My husband committed another crime!”
“Shinwoo, I understand. I knew it would happen someday.”
“Security! There’s a criminal here!”
“Shinwoo, I’m still on your side. Let’s just serve three years in jail quietly.”
“Don’t worry! I’ll always wait for you!”
“Hey, hold on, f*ckers.”
[Three years isn’t too long, right?]
‘Come on, you little sh*ts, you know what I did.’
The bank security rushed over to drag me away.
After a long and boring stretch of time, the security staff sheepishly ushered me back inside the bank.
“Husband! You’re out already!”
“Shinwoo, did you bribe someone? How much?”
“No! Please listen to me, you bastards!”
I had just sold the trophies I rightfully earned from the Elves at a jewelry store.
The cash I currently held came from that.
After hearing my explanation, Hyeji and Elcia switched their attitude like Udir.
“Husband, I always believed in you!”
“Didn’t you doubt Shinwoo? He wouldn’t do that.”
“…You two delete 112 from your phones, you sl*ts.”
[Yeah, why didn’t you just live decently?]
‘Seriously, I want to kill you.’
I picked a number and quietly waited for my turn.
Elcia was looking around, and Hyeji, seeming tired, fell asleep with her arms crossed.
Seeing that, I felt a bit drowsy too and went to wash my face in the restroom.
And that was a mistake.
When I got back, only Hyeji was there, sleeping.
Elcia and the money were nowhere to be found.
[Oh no.]
‘…No way, f*ck…’
Just as luck would have it, Elcia came back to her seat.
However, there was no cash in Elcia’s hands.
I grabbed Elcia’s shoulder and stammered while asking.
“Elcia?….Where did the money that was here go?”
“Oh! It’s in my account!”
“Oh?”
Fortunately, no one had stolen the money, and Elcia said it was safely kept in her account.
It was a bit unfortunate that she didn’t put it in mine, but at least it was safe in Elcia’s account, so I felt a little relieved.
No problems here.
“Good to know. I thought someone swiped it.”
“And I bought more Elf coins with it!”
Now there’s a problem.
I would’ve preferred if someone had stolen it. That way, I could just track that bastard down and deal with it.
But this… we blew it ourselves.
There’s no one to complain to.
Our conversation was probably loud enough to draw eyes and rolls from onlookers, but that didn’t matter.
“Crazy woman, why’d you take all the money for yourself?”
“What belongs to Caesar belongs to Caesar! What belongs to Elves belongs to the Elves!”
“You took my money and poured it into coins, you ear goblin.”
“Husband’s is the wife’s! It’s common sense!”
Letting out a sigh, Elcia gently ruffled my hair and said quietly.
“I’m sorry. But just wait a little longer.”
“Elcia?”
I tried to ask Elcia again, but she just pulled my head in tightly, beaming at me.
“You don’t have to worry! Just trust me!”
“Ugh.”
At that moment, it was finally my turn.
There was nothing to be done about the missing cash.
I trudged over to the bank window.
“Hello, what brings you here today?”
“I’m here to get the exclusive security card and certificate for ability users.”
“Please submit your ID, registration, and license. It’ll take a little while.”
I waited for a moment, signed a few documents.
Then, waited, signed again.
In the mechanical repetition of tasks, the tedious time eventually came to an end.
“Here’s your security card. You can check the certificate on the banking app.”
“Thank you. So, the account freeze is lifted?”
“Yes, please check.”
With trembling fingers from anticipation, I nervously pressed the bank app that I hadn’t used in half a year.
After a brief wait, instead of the notification, [Your account has been stopped.], my precious account information popped up on the phone screen.
Money from the academy had been continuously deposited, and since I hadn’t touched it in ages, there was quite a hefty sum.
[Finally, the long torture and humiliation are over.]
‘Thank goodness I’m still alive…’
It was a pittance compared to the money I had given Elcia before.
But just having a sum I could spend was enough consolation.
Now that my business was finished, I was about to take Hyeji and Elcia out of the bank when suddenly—
– Bang!!!!
“What the???”
The bank’s security shutter slammed down with a loud bang.
Knowing how frequently incidents happen because of ability users, I understood that a security shutter existed for the bank.
However, what I didn’t get was why it had to close now.
“Husband! Did you steal something?”
“No, crazy woman.”
“Shinwoo, what’s going on?”
“No idea.”
Right now, the situation was that we couldn’t get out because of the closed security shutter.
As I pondered how to resolve this, something flew in and hit the shutter hard.
It was a person.
All the security guards inside the bank were hurled against the shutter.
Just as I turned my head, a petite woman suddenly put on a mask and pulled a handgun from her handbag.
Before we could react, she fired a shot upwards.
– Bang!
“AAAAAAGHHHH!!!!!”
“Shut up!!!”
Where the security had been, two masked women had appeared, shaking off their hands, and along with the gunfire, two more masked women emerged from the corner.
Yes.
These were the bank robbers making their grand entrance.
