Chapter 9 

It had already been ten days since I joined the Urban Planning Department.

“Everyone, gather in the meeting room.”

As soon as he arrived at work, Team Leader Toma Harens called all the staff together.

There had been several meetings before, big and small—but not once had I been called.

“Why are you just standing there when I said everyone should gather?”

So I thought I’d be excluded again, but the team leader frowned and looked at me.

What was this? A sudden change of heart?

That shouldn’t happen.

I needed to get fired as soon as possible!

Confused, I still entered the meeting room.

The other employees were already seated around a long oval wooden table.

The only empty seat was at the very head of the table—the team leader’s seat.

…So where was I supposed to sit?

Should I have brought a chair?

“Stop blocking the way and stand over there.”

As I looked around, Allen Cranter smirked and pointed to a corner of the room.

None of the others, including the team leader, said anything.

Ah, I see.

So I wasn’t supposed to sit—I was just supposed to stand there like decoration and observe.

‘That’s a relief.’

I was worried they might suddenly decide to accept me as part of the team.

Thankfully, that wasn’t the case.

I stood quietly in the corner.

“Alright, let’s start with the status reports.”

“Zone A has completed installation of the triangular roofs.”

“Zone B will begin installation next Monday.”

“Zone C will also begin work next Monday—”

As Toma spoke, the employees gave their reports while looking at documents.

They even positioned the map on the table so I couldn’t see it.

‘They’re really going all out with the exclusion.’

It was the kind of blatant workplace bullying I had seen often before.

But seeing how clearly they refused to acknowledge me actually made me feel good.

“Was it Aileen? How do you think we should solve this issue?”

While I was trying to suppress my laughter, the team leader suddenly asked me a question.

I blinked.

I had no idea what they were discussing or what they were looking at.

“Hmm, acting like you know everything, but in the end, you’re all talk and no substance.”

“Exactly. The triangular roof and drainage system were probably just luck. The lord and everyone else seem to be overestimating her.”

“Isn’t there a saying? Even a blind cow can catch a mouse by chance?”

The employees immediately began criticizing me.

Especially Allen Cranter, who seemed delighted to tear into me.

I had never been called incompetent before.

And these people—the same ones who suggested covering roofs with grass and leaves—were saying this?

It was infuriating.

So much so that I wanted to flip the table.

If I did that, I’d definitely get fired…

…But then—

“Then I will hold your father responsible for raising his daughter improperly.”

The memory of the lord’s threat came back.

I shook my head.

If I flipped the table, I’d get fired—but it would be my fault.

And the lord would shift the blame onto me and my father.

No.

I needed them to judge me as incompetent and fire me on their own.

“That’s true. I also thought it was strange that the lord evaluated someone as lacking as me so highly.”

So instead of getting angry, I agreed with them.

It hurt my pride, but my life mattered more.

When I smiled and went along with them, everyone stared at me in disbelief.

“She admits it herself? Is she crazy?”

“I thought she was odd from the beginning, but not this much…”

Bang, bang—

Toma tapped the table, silencing them.

“Well, at least you’re aware of your shortcomings.”

“That’s right.”

“Then you should study, shouldn’t you?”

…Study?

At his signal, an employee quickly left the room.

“Take this.”

He returned and placed a large box in my arms.

It was filled with blueprints.

“What is this?”

“These are the blueprints used for buildings in Zone C. Some were approved, and some were rejected.”

Toma smiled meaningfully.

“By tomorrow, separate the approved ones from the rejected ones. If you want to work in the Urban Planning Department, you should at least be able to do that.”

[1-3. Gain recognition from the Urban Planning Department team leader.]
[Reward: 5,000p]

The main quest appeared immediately.

Why do I have to earn recognition from someone like him?!

Anger surged inside me.

“…Understood.”

But unlike subquests, main quests didn’t give me a choice.

So I accepted it through gritted teeth.

***

“…They’re all strange.”

I reviewed all the blueprints the team leader gave me, but none of them looked like they would have been approved.

“No way… did he only give me rejected ones on purpose?”

Knock, knock—

Just as that thought crossed my mind, someone knocked.

“Excuse me.”

It was the annex manager.

“May I ask how much longer you’ll be staying? It’s almost time to lock up.”

Come to think of it, it was already past 8 p.m.

I had been so focused on the blueprints that I lost track of time.

Looking around, I realized all the other employees had already left.

They usually worked late, but today they left early.

If it weren’t for this ridiculous main quest, I would have gone home too.

“I’m leaving now.”

Since I was done reviewing, I packed my things and left.

“Hey.”

As I headed toward the carriage stop, someone called out.

“…What?”

There was no one around.

“Did I imagine it?”

Maybe I was just tired.

Or maybe it was the eerie, dark atmosphere.

“I should just go.”

Just as I quickened my pace—

A hand suddenly shot out from the darkness and grabbed my arm.

“Ahhh!”

I screamed and swung my bag.

Thud!

My belongings spilled all over the ground.

“…You’re more violent than you look.”

That voice—

“…My lord?”

It was Calix Kraubel.

Something scarier than a ghost had appeared.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”

I instinctively apologized as I picked up my things.

One pen rolled to his feet.

He kicked it toward me with his foot, as if it were something dirty.

“Pick it up.”

Of course. He really was the final boss.

The way he acted made it obvious.

I needed to get fired and leave this place as soon as possible.

“Your carriage is ready, my lord.”

Noah Roheim appeared just as I finished picking everything up.

“Miss Aileen?”

“Hello.”

His eyes widened slightly when he noticed me.

“You’re heading home now? The carriage to the city gate has already stopped running at this hour.”

“…What? It’s only 8 p.m., and it’s already stopped?”

Surprised, I asked, and Noah sighed.

“You didn’t know? The carriages only run until 7 p.m.”

No way.

I was used to a world where public transport ran late into the night.

“How am I supposed to get home now?”

If I walked, I’d reach the gate around midnight—but it would be closed by then.

“Since you’re heading toward the gate anyway, my lord, how about letting Miss Aileen ride along and drop her off nearby?”

Noah suggested.

“…Fine.”

To my surprise, Calix accepted.

Ride in a carriage alone with the final boss?

Just thinking about it made it hard to breathe.

‘I’d rather sleep outside and wait for the gate to open.’

…Wait. I could just sleep in the staff room.

Tabin would worry, but if I explained, he’d understand.

“I just remembered I still have something to do—”

[Surprise Quest Appears ☆]

Just as I was about to refuse, a system window popped up.

[Q. Enjoy a cozy carriage “date” with the lord!]