# Chapter 152
As they ate and drank, the atmosphere relaxed, and the topic naturally turned to Jaekyung’s new workplace.
“But what exactly does the place do? Just any mutant ecological research?”
“Well… it changes every year, but I don’t know exactly yet. I heard they also work with high-level mutants.”
Jaekyung’s cheeks were flushed red as he said this. He looked like he couldn’t contain his excitement and anticipation for what lay ahead. Can someone be that happy about a job? Finding it both curious and a bit enviable, Iyeon looked at Jaekyung with wonder. Hyegang, who had just emptied his glass, joined the conversation.
“Is the director someone who’s done a lot of research on high-level mutants?”
“Yeah. I’ve read all of their papers, and they’re seriously amazing… This is something I heard during the interview, but the director has done a lot of research on top-tier mutants. You know, especially those really high-level ones that have orbs? The director said they’re thinking of researching that area again next year, so I’m planning to stick around no matter what until next year.”
High-level, especially top-tier mutants, can’t be easily researched without the cooperation of the Superpower Management Office. The reason was simple: it’s much easier and more convenient to observe mutants managed by the Superpower Management Office than to find wild ones.
Having the qualification to research high-level mutants meant the research director had considerable academic authority. It was surprising that such a person would set up a modest research institute with only three staff members… While most researchers were like this, it was certainly eccentric behavior.
“I see. But if it seems like they’re doing anything illegal, don’t help them—resign and report it.”
“Ah, I told you I won’t do that anymore…”
Jaekyung grumbled awkwardly as he drank his beer. He was someone who had simply followed orders at the club research facility until he determined the mutants were dangerous. Honestly, even his part-time jobs were suspicious… Iyeon couldn’t let his guard down. When he narrowed his eyes and glared, guilty Jaekyung was quick to avoid his gaze.
But since it’s a legitimate research institute, there probably won’t be major problems. Considering this sufficient, Iyeon looked away and picked up a piece of jokbal. Wherever it was bought from, the chewy and spicy flavor was exquisite.
“But there’s a problem.”
Iyeon looked up mid-chew at Jaekyung’s words. His deep sigh and troubled expression seemed quite serious. Since Iyeon couldn’t speak with his mouth full, Hyegang asked instead.
“What kind of problem?”
“Well…”
To summarize the detailed explanation, the research director had given Jaekyung a task to test his abilities. He was to find mutants roaming around the city and write a report on them.
“Isn’t that easy?”
Iyeon tilted his head. In the case of lowest-tier mutants, many were docile species that didn’t attack humans, and many even had cute appearances. That’s why many citizens didn’t report them when discovered, and in reality, there wasn’t enough manpower for hunters or the national research institute to handle all these reports.
Due to this tacit agreement, lowest-tier mutants that didn’t inconvenience or endanger residents’ lives could be found without much difficulty in the city. Jaekyung was even raising mutants—four of them, no less.
It didn’t seem difficult enough to call it a problem. To this doubt, Jaekyung replied as if complaining:
“I don’t want to work with commonly seen mutants; I want something more unique.”
“…Why bother?”
“No, think about it. This is my first assignment at my workplace. It’s fair to say this assignment will determine my impression. I don’t want to seem too ordinary. I want to look like a promising talent.”
“Do you think your director wants that too?”
“I really want to do well. This is my dream workplace.”
Even when presented with the sobering reality, Jaekyung didn’t give up hope. Iyeon and Hyegang’s eyes met at this ordinary newcomer’s ambition. He wouldn’t listen even if we tried to dissuade him, right? Better to let him try and learn from reality later… A silent conversation passed between them in an instant.
“But I don’t think I can do this with just my own strength.”
Ah, don’t tell me. Both of them looked at Jaekyung simultaneously.
“Could I request this from you guys?”
Compared to the minor requests Jaekyung had made before, this one was quite substantial. After thinking briefly, Iyeon asked:
“So… you want us to find an uncommon mutant?”
“Yes.”
“I’m only a low-level hunter, so I can only take on missions with low-level mutants. And they’re all mutants you’d likely already know about.”
“I know that. I’m not asking you to take me on missions.”
Jaekyung hesitated a bit, then added with some stammering:
“You don’t need to complete a request at the risk of danger. If you happen to see one while passing by, just letting me know would be fine… If you see one, just tell me.”
“…”
Iyeon gazed at Jaekyung intently. With his head bowed, his long hair flowed down his cheeks, obscuring his detailed expression. Only his fingers fidgeting with his cup and slightly reddened cheekbones were visible.
Blinking, Iyeon looked around. The table full of food and alcohol. The way Jaekyung had eagerly inquired about his well-being and recent happenings.
His eyes met Hyegang’s again. It seemed Hyegang was thinking the same thing.
“Do you have any methods in mind?”
At Hyegang’s question, Jaekyung’s face brightened.
“So, about Mungchi…”
“That won’t work.”
Iyeon cut him off firmly. If it were just observation, that might be one thing, but documenting it in a written report was problematic. Starting with explaining how he discovered a Level 2 mutant would be troublesome.
Jaekyung seemed to know Iyeon would refuse and didn’t even ask twice. That’s probably similar to why he doesn’t write about his own mutants in his reports. Instead, he suggested an alternative without much confidence:
“…The mutant black market?”
“Would it be okay to write in your report that you saw it at the mutant black market?”
“That… wouldn’t work, huh?”
Jaekyung mumbled dejectedly. This will take forever. The five-year office worker already predicted the future.
“What about searching Unchat? If you look for rare mutant sighting stories, there should be several.”
“Iyeon-ssi, you don’t know how full of pretense internet community people are. They’re so practiced in fabrication that they can’t be trusted.”
You’ve already tried that, I see. Iyeon patted Jaekyung sympathetically.
Even after discussing various methods, no suitable solution emerged. To be frank, there were limits to the mutants that Jaekyung, not being a hunter, could access. And they couldn’t take a civilian to a place where dangerous species were being dealt with. It would be hard to give them enough time to study the ecology there. And without Sano, Chageum couldn’t even take on missions with such mid-to-high-level mutants…
As the conversation stalled while everyone pondered, Hyegang suddenly slapped his knee as if he’d thought of something.
“Ah, how about this?”
The strategy Hyegang presented was a direction no one had considered.
“You all know there are many urban legends in Chohosi, right?”
“Urban legends?”
Iyeon’s eyes widened. Chohosi is an area that was urgently and intensively developed only in the city center due to the appearance of mutants. Thanks to this, the center of the city was as bustling as Seoul, but the further out you went, the more rural it felt. Even with many areas under development, it would still take time for the downtown area to expand.
This drastic urban development, like Count Asura, naturally produced discordant scenery everywhere. Buildings whose construction was halted due to construction company issues, old abandoned houses overgrown with weeds, shopping streets where more than half the stores were vacant… These were often seen in the outskirts.
While these were the results of capital circumstances, they certainly looked eerie to passersby. Perhaps because of this, Chohosi was particularly rich in various urban legends. Some legends were so well-known they were considered representative of Chohosi.
“What does that have to do with mutants?”
Jaekyung, who had been quietly listening beside them, also asked quizzically. Hyegang responded triumphantly:
“This is Choho. Isn’t the probability of finding unreported mutants higher than finding ghosts?”
Exclamation marks appeared above everyone’s heads. The timing of urban legends is usually the dark dawn. With limited visibility, there was a high possibility of mistaking a suddenly appearing mutant for a ghost. With that reasoning, it made sense that countless urban legends circulated in Chohosi, where mutants were particularly abundant.
“I used to be really into urban legends and went looking for them. So I’ve seen stuff while lurking in related communities. Among Chohosi’s urban legends, there must be some based on mistaken mutant sightings.”
“That sounds plausible?”
Iyeon muttered while stroking his chin. After hearing Hyegang’s explanation, it seemed quite credible. And talking about urban legends was something they could do right away in the office.
“Remember any legends?”
“Yeah, I saw tons back then.”
“…Isn’t there another way?”
Amidst the rapid developments, a mumbling voice quietly emerged. Everyone’s eyes turned to the source of the voice. Jaekyung was staring intently at the floor with his eyes lowered. A small murmur leaked out belatedly.
“Because they might really be ghosts…”
