Why Is Everyone in This Dating Sim Trying to Kill Me?!

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Translator: Vine

Chapter Title: Exquisite Timing

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After handing Ryu Jin-ju over to the senior members of the Demon Slayer Squad, Jin Yu-ha and Baek Seol-hee headed to the Hunter Management Bureau Director's office.

*Rustle— Rustle—*

"What kind of bullshit…!"

Kim Ji-won, who had been flipping through the given documents for a long time, slammed her fist down on the desk with an enraged face.

*Thud!*

A round, fist-shaped hole appeared on the desk.

She leaned her head back against the desk chair and pressed her temples.

"…Ha, this is preposterous."

The situation was already chaotic.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the internet had been flooded with complaints and hit pieces targeting the Hunter Management Bureau.

While she was frantically devising various countermeasures, Baek Seol-hee and her disciple returned.

And with them, shocking documents.

Kim Ji-won closed her eyes tightly and collected her thoughts.

'…Phew, it sends shivers down my spine to think what would have happened if these articles had spread.'

The materials they provided were shocking.

Things she hadn't done were recorded as her actions, and even various pieces of evidence and photos had been fabricated.

They were probably sufficient to deceive a layperson who wasn't an expert.

'If I hadn't secured these, I would've been blindsided…'

She opened her eyes and interlaced her fingers.

Leaning forward on her desk, she looked at the black-haired master and disciple in front of her.

"…So, you're saying this whole commotion, right now, was something you started? To buy time before these documents spread?"

"Yes, it blew up bigger than expected, but while they're disoriented, analyze those documents and prepare your rebuttal."

*Sigh—*

Kim Ji-won let out a deep sigh.

"I owe Velvet Academy a big one."

"Hmm, if those articles had gone out as planned, you, the Director of the Bureau, wouldn't have been safe."

Baek Seol-hee said in a calm voice.

Kim Ji-won nodded, as if agreeing with her.

"…That's true. They set the stage very subtly. It's so professional that even if we release a counter-article later, people would believe the initial fabrication is real and our explanation is false. So, the one who orchestrated this… was Ryu Jin-ju?"

"No, that girl is just a puppet. She seemed to genuinely believe it herself."

"…Really? Well, she certainly isn't capable of such high-level manipulation. It would be best if the Demon Slayer Squad's name doesn't surface in this matter… Hmm. Should we announce it as something Velvet Academy did?"

Kim Ji-won said with a disheartened voice, her blue hair hanging limp.

'Now, the Hunter Management Bureau can no longer be a check on Velvet Academy.'

While one organization monopolizing power went against her values, there was nothing she could do.

Comparing the two organizations now, it was clear that the Hunter Management Bureau was unilaterally holding Velvet Academy back.

'Yes, it can't be helped…'

At that moment, she saw Baek Seol-hee turn her head toward her handsome disciple.

And when the boy gave a subtle nod, Baek Seol-hee also nodded as if she understood.

He had seemed to just tag along, but perhaps that wasn't the case after all.

'…Did that boy have something to do with this? No, judging by the current atmosphere, it looks like that boy led it…?'

Baek Seol-hee turned her head back and met her gaze.

"Let's say you prepared and released this information."

"…What!?"

Kim Ji-won was startled, her eyes widening.

'Say I prepared this? Why on earth…?'

"Velvet Academy and the Hunter Management Bureau are organizations that check each other. However, the truth is, even now, Velvet Academy holds significantly more power than the Hunter Management Bureau."

In a world where power equated to strength, even though they were supposed to be opposing organizations, the Hunter Management Bureau was a step behind the Velvet Academy, an institution that trained high-level hunters.

"In any case, the Hunter Management Bureau's standing will significantly decline due to this incident. And to those who planned this in advance, a reeling Hunter Management Bureau will look like an easy target."

Baek Seol-hee spoke in a calm voice.

She was right.

Even if they had obtained the fabricated documents in advance, it was now revealed to the world that there was a rotten part within the Hunter Management Bureau.

It was obvious that all sorts of scoundrels would try to worm their way in, targeting this moment when there were so many openings.

What Kim Ji-won couldn't understand, however, was why they were attributing this achievement to her now.

Hadn't Velvet Academy always loathed interference from the Hunter Management Bureau?

"Yes, I understand that far. But still, Velvet Academy and the Hunter Management Bureau are independent organizations. There's no reason for you to go this far—"

"There is a reason."

The words came from Baek Seol-hee's disciple.

'His name was Jin Yu-ha, right…?'

Kim Ji-won turned her gaze to him.

"We hope that the Director will become the focal point."

"…Focal point?"

"Yes, if the Director becomes the one credited for exposing this, you'll be able to clear out a significant number of internal enemies who have been obstructing things. It's a cleanup, you see. Although the Hunter Management Bureau's own strength might weaken, after completely excising the rotten parts, you can build a complete tower from scratch again, can't you?"

He spoke in an innocent voice, as if this was the most natural course of action.

'Is he still young and doesn't understand the complexities of power dynamics…?'

For a moment, a dark thought crossed Kim Ji-won's mind. Perhaps it would be best to just accept this offer…

However, as if negating that thought, Jin Yu-ha added,

"Because, after all, I don't think it's good for power to be concentrated in one place."

Kim Ji-won's body stiffened at the boy's words.

The very thought she had just entertained had come straight from his mouth.

"…Alright, but why me? There must be many others who could carry out this task, even if it wasn't me. We just met today, didn't we? Can you… trust me?"

Kim Ji-won asked him, convinced that Jin Yu-ha had led this whole affair.

"Well…"

Saying that, the disciple looked back at his master.

He gave a charming eye-smile and sent a look full of trust.

"Instructor said that the Director is a pretty good person."

At that, Baek Seol-hee cleared her throat and blushed.

'…Ha. So many surprising things today. That bloody butcher is actually blushing and looking embarrassed?'

"…Alright, I understand. I'll accept the proposal."

She wore a momentarily bewildered expression, but dwelling on this part would be a defeat.

"However, the math still doesn't add up. At this rate, I'll continue to feel indebted to you. Then I won't be able to interfere with Velvet Academy fairly. About this part—"

"Then how about this?"

As if he had been waiting for those words, Jin Yu-ha added.

"Instead of the Hunter Management Bureau as a whole, consider it a debt owed by Kim Ji-won, the individual Hunter."

'So, you want to put the debt only on me? Keeping the Hunter Management Bureau separate entirely. This kid is really audacious.'

It felt like she had been tricked from the very beginning, but a smirk played on Kim Ji-won's lips.

She felt like she could fall for this kind of trick any day.

"Baek Seol-hee. You've got quite a capable disciple."

Baek Seol-hee nodded slightly in affirmation.

* * *

"Our youngest!"

"Wow, so cute! Your skin is amazing!"

"Hey, would you mind calling me 'unnie'?"

"Ugh, can't he just come into the Squad without wearing a mask? His face is like a nutrient just by itself."

"When do you start your full-fledged activities?"

After adjusting a few situations with the Hunter Management Bureau and stepping outside, the squealing ninjas—that is, the senior members of the Demon Slayer Squad—surrounded me.

They had quite a boisterous personality.

"U-um, youngest… can I, can I possibly pat your head just once…?"

Among them, the senior wearing a rabbit mask asked.

"…Oh, um. Yes."

I lowered my head, feeling a bit awkward about their enthusiastic welcome.

Patting my head wasn't a big deal, after all.

However.

Just before her hand touched my head.

"…Assembly."

A cold voice, laden with a chill, cut in.

It was Baek Seol-hee.

Immediately, they snapped into formation, perfectly aligned.

"From now on, you will monitor the Hunter Management Bureau."

"…"

"Report if anyone approaches Kim Ji-won or attempts to track Ryu Jin-ju. Once you've confirmed the order, move to your positions."

At that, the seniors in animal masks dispersed silently from their spots.

"Then, Jin Yu-ha. Let's go."

Baek Seol-hee turned her back with a composed face and began walking a step ahead.

"Yes? Where are we going…?"

"They probably won't appear."

"Huh?"

"It'll be an unexpected situation for them, so they'll likely lie low for now."

"But the seniors…"

"It's just a precaution, don't worry about it."

"Ah."

"Now that class is over, let's go home."

"Yes!"

'…But did she intentionally stop the seniors from patting my head?'

No way.

"Hurry up."

"Yes!"

I quickened my steps, following behind her.