Chapter 368 – This is How Office Life Goes (2)
Just a few hours into Kim Shinwoo’s first day at work.
He landed a critical hit on the team leader’s wallet and Park Mira’s stomach.
But this can’t be the end.
After all, every office worker has their go-to after-lunch coffee bet.
That would quite seriously injure Kim Shinwoo’s wallet.
Especially here, at the green cafe situated in the guild building.
As luck would have it, Kim Shinwoo had genuinely gone to the bathroom this time.
Everyone decided to gather and plot a scheme.
“Hey Mira, do you have something to say?”
“Let’s have a quick meeting, everyone.”
Rock-paper-scissors is the most neutral way for a coffee bet.
Right now, Park Mira planned to rig it.
Only Kim Shinwoo would be caught.
The others, unsure of what to do, silently agreed with her words.
Only the team leader showed a hint of hesitation.
“As if he’s a new guy…”
“So, did you like the lunch we had?”
“……Of course, we’re doing this, f*ck.”
The moment lunch was mentioned, he immediately agreed.
It was inevitable.
The amount was ridiculously high.
Anyway, the plan was simple.
Everyone would team up to leave only Kim Shinwoo and one other person behind.
Dropping them all at once might raise suspicion.
And Park Mira volunteered to be the last one to play rock-paper-scissors with Kim Shinwoo.
“Are you sure you’re okay with that?”
“Yes, of course. I’m actually the one in charge here, so I can take it.”
“Alright. I’ll owe you one in the next performance review.”
“Thanks!”
Is scheming like this petty?
Feel free to insult it all you want.
This is what being a hunter is about.
In fact, Kim Shinwoo should be grateful to everyone here.
Even if he got caught once, they were giving him another shot.
Though whether it was genuinely a chance or not, that’s another story.
“Shinwoo, are you back?”
“Yes!”
Just as Kim Shinwoo returned, Park Mira naturally proposed.
“How about we play rock-paper-scissors, and the loser buys coffee for everyone?”
“Let’s do it!!!”
She felt fortunate.
Kim Shinwoo was a complete idiot.
‘You brought this upon yourself, you f*cking jerk.’
With just one round of rock-paper-scissors, a bunch of people scampered off.
As planned, only Park Mira and Kim Shinwoo remained.
She was worried about what he might throw, but things were going surprisingly well.
“Shinwoo, don’t blame me if you lose~”
“Of course not.”
Then, Park Mira decided to use her hidden card.
The reason she volunteered was precisely for this.
Her ability called regression.
When they conducted an extensive investigation in the guild previously.
She had lied about not having regression despite actually possessing it.
To preserve her secret weapon.
Unbeknownst to her, the team leader had a favorable view of Park Mira.
So she could benefit while being two steps ahead.
And this ability was meant for situations just like this.
Even if it was his first day, it didn’t matter.
This f*cking Kim Shinwoo.
She was going to show him the spicy taste of society.
“Ready?”
“Of course!”
“”Rock-Paper-Scissors!””
The first round was a draw, both throwing fists.
At that moment, Park Mira regressed.
The regression point was just before starting the rock-paper-scissors.
A precious opportunity that can be used only once per day, but Park Mira didn’t mind.
To mess this jerk up, she could totally accept that level of risk from her perspective.
If anything, it was a bargain.
‘That guy is throwing a fist this time!’
In that moment, something in Kim Shinwoo’s left eye seemed to glint.
The ominous red color sent a chill down her spine.
‘…Must be my imagination.’
She thought there was no need to care about such things now.
Since it was a certainty that Kim Shinwoo would throw a fist.
‘I suppose I should torture him a bit more.’
Since it had come to this, she decided to subtly provoke him.
This was also one of the virtues of being a hunter.
“Shinwoo, if you’re really scared, you should beg on your knees for a 50-50 split.”
“Let’s hurry it up! A hunter isn’t supposed to back down here!!!”
She had no intention of playing along.
With that attitude, she felt relieved.
‘I wish you’d keep being so pathetic.’
Soon, Park Mira and Kim Shinwoo presented their determined expressions as they extended their hands.
To an outsider, it looked like a decisive showdown.
‘If only they could split it!’
Without a word from anyone, they both shouted at the same time.
To determine the future loser.
“”Rock-Paper-Scissors!””
Hearing that, Park Mira couldn’t hold back her laughter.
Because the result was all too obvious—
“I won!!!”
“……Huh?”
-Not at all.
She was confused.
That wasn’t supposed to happen.
What the heck.
Why?
How come?
This is absurd.
Countless questions flooded Park Mira’s mind.
In a moment of disbelief, she tried to speak up.
“Hey, you clearly-!”
“I thought about throwing a fist but suddenly switched it up, so lucky me!!!”
“……”
She could only shut her mouth quickly.
She couldn’t expose her hidden ability called regression now.
‘That useless jerk!!! Even to the bitter end!!!!!!!’
That was the only thought she could hold back.
Meanwhile, unaware of her predicament, the team leader patted her shoulder with a sympathetic smile.
“I’m sorry, Mira. I’ll stick to the cheapest thing.”
“……Okay.”
That wasn’t much of a comfort.
Feeling gloomy, she looked around to count the people present.
Though she had felt there were plenty earlier, counting again now revealed a significant number.
If they ordered whatever they wanted, it would truly be a disaster.
For both Park Mira’s sanity and her wallet.
Suddenly, faced with an unforeseen crisis, Park Mira acted quickly.
First, she approached them with a gentle tone, showing a sharp gaze that clashed with her demeanor.
To secure a minimum level of safety.
“Everyone, feel free to choose your menu items.”
“…….”
Thanks to the contradiction between her tone and gaze, no one could say a word as they exchanged awkward glances.
This was a relief.
Even if it was an expensive place, they’d probably just end up ordering ice Americanos.
Just as she thought that.
“How shall I take your order?”
“Please make it as many mint chocolate chip blended drinks as there are people here!”
The words, though in Korean, seemed nonsensical in her ears.
Mint chocolate chip…blended…?
Wait, are they really ordering that?
I’ve never even heard of that…?
Regardless of how jumbled Park Mira’s mind was.
The barista brightly smiled at the beaming Kim Shinwoo.
“Do you have any additional options you’d like?”
“9 shots of espresso, and top it with as many Java chips as possible!!!”
Kim Shinwoo started listing even weirder orders than before.
“Anything else you want to add?”
“Let’s do 9 mocha and dolce syrups, as much whipped espresso topping as possible! Give me heaps of caramel and chocolate drizzle!!!”
At this point, Park Mira was desperately trying to keep words that were about to escape her mouth at bay.
Ah.
What the hell, dude.
What’s with all these options?
Then, when she saw the price flash on the screen, she realized.
This is bad.
This is really bad.
Eventually, unable to hold it in any longer, she unconsciously yelled at Kim Shinwoo.
She had held back until the midpoint, but the final price brought her to the breaking point.
“Hey!!!! That’s not okay, you jerk!!!”
“What?”
Though Kim Shinwoo held back from scolding her because he hadn’t made a vow to do so.
The option to hold back had long been wiped from Park Mira’s mind.
The only choice left was to unleash her emotions.
“Why in the world are you ordering that f*cking nonsense!!!”
“Ah, well…”
Frustration clouded Park Mira’s rationality as she let out an angry groan.
She wanted to hear the ridiculous reason behind such orders.
“Tell me!!!! Why the hell are you ordering that!!!”
At this point, Kim Shinwoo made a notably wilted expression and cautiously began to speak.
“Ah, it was actually my mom’s favorite menu item…”
In contrast, Park Mira’s mouth snapped shut.
As if she had originally been unable to say anything.
‘Oh, f*ck. Please don’t do this.’
After the order, the sudden tug at her heartstrings left her mind swirling.
On top of that, others were looking at her as if she were garbage.
‘Why is this emotional turmoil hitting so hard!!!’
Meanwhile, the team leader began to give her a peculiar glance.
Did it really have to come to this?
Ultimately, there was no choice but for Park Mira to wave the white flag.
“Um…Excuse me?”
“Yes…What is it?”
The barista, unable to hide her surprise, cautiously repeated the order.
“What should we do with the order…”
“……Just go with that.”
“Alright, understood!”
She barely managed to keep her composure and replied.
Allowing her gloomy mood to show without reservation.
Of course, the others were feeling crazed too, though not as intensely as Park Mira.
If this continued, they’d end up having to drink something they didn’t want.
But with no grounds to protest, all they could do was wait in silence until their drinks came.
“Your drinks are ready!”
“Okay, everyone, grab them!!!!!!”
After quite some time, the barista’s bright smile accompanied a slew of drinks.
As Kim Shinwoo swiftly distributed the bizarre concoctions to everyone.
“Senior! I’ll enjoy this!!!”
With Kim Shinwoo’s words signaling the cue, everyone took a sip simultaneously.
Without exception, all twisted their faces in disgust.
And of course, Park Mira was no exception.
It was an affront to the concept of coffee.
By this point, caffeine and calories had long surpassed safe limits.
But now that the damage was done, they had no choice but to drink it.
Any wrong words could lead to irreversible consequences.
Furthermore, Kim Shinwoo approached anyone who didn’t drink.
“How’s it tasting, everyone? This is something my mom adored.”
“It’s…f-fine…?”
“Seems like you haven’t had much yet. Drink it all down.”
“Please, don’t…just stop…”
With such personal feeding going on, they had no choice but to drink.
Eventually, after everyone emptied their cups.
They forced a smile that resembled a grimace.
“Wow, mother’s choice really… truly is excellent…”
“Delicious… Urp…”
“Really… it’s a poisonous taste…”
“Thanks to everyone for enjoying it!”
Their taste buds were ruined, and their wallets even more so.
At this rate, bringing Kim Shinwoo aboard the guild would lead to disaster.
For both Park Mira’s sanity and patience.
Ultimately, as soon as they returned to the office, she called out to Kim Shinwoo.
“Shinwoo.”
“Yes!!!”
She ordered him to go home immediately.
“Since it’s your first day, head home early.”
“Understood!!!!”
Kim Shinwoo smiled widely while preparing to leave.
Suddenly, he wore a guilty expression and cautiously opened his mouth.
“Actually, about that coffee earlier…”
“……No need.”
Truthfully, she had been angry earlier.
But what could she do?
It was a dish her mother supposedly loved.
“Your mom liked it when she was alive, right? Just go home.”
No matter how much hunters are considered trash, there are limits.
Moreover, her boiling emotions had calmed down by now, so she was fine.
But the moment Kim Shinwoo cocked his head in confusion and questioned her.
“Huh? She’s alive, you know?”
“…….What?”
Once again, something within her began to boil.
It was hard to describe what it was, but if she had to put it into words, it could easily be anger or hatred?
Or perhaps a combination of both.
And upon hearing Kim Shinwoo’s next words.
“She liked it before but doesn’t like it now.”
“You, you, you!!!”
The threshold for her explosive rage crossed instantaneously.
So much that she couldn’t even form coherent words.
“Then I enjoyed it!!!!!!!”
With that phrase, Kim Shinwoo bolted out of the guild before Park Mira could voice anything.
He even left without taking a single sip.
What’s more, the drink was discovered by the maid who was cleaning the guild office, who took a sip and immediately gagged, spitting it out and throwing it into the trash.
Muttering that this wasn’t food waste but just trash.
Ultimately, all that was left for her was to express her pointless rage in words.
“Kim Shinwoo, you f*cking jerk!!!!!!!!”
Kim Shinwoo was seriously a sh*thead right from his first day at work.
