I Became the Cute One in the Problem-Solving Team

In this world, the universe of the Fixer can be broadly divided into three factions.

There’s the human faction centered around the governments and corporations established by humans, the otherworldly faction centered around the different races that crossed into this world, and the Invader faction led by the dimensional invaders.

It’d be tedious to explain everything like a long history book, so let’s summarize the relationship between these three very simply:

“While humanity and the other races were in conflict and at odds with each other, they belatedly became aware of the Invaders’ existence and temporarily united to prevent extinction.”

To put it in a rough metaphor, it’s like they were pulling each other’s hair in a “you die, I die” kind of fight when suddenly a crazy psychopath that they couldn’t communicate with showed up, so they ended up teaming up for survival.

With just humanity, there’s no information to counter the invaders, and the other races lack the strength to fight against them.

So, to stay alive, they decided to set aside their ancient grudges for now and work together. It was basically this kind of flow.

However, the sense of crisis triggered by the appearance of the Invaders was already an event from several years ago at this point.

Of course, as time passed, the patched-up conflicts for the sake of the temporary alliance started to erupt again, and it was around this time that they began to aim their guns and swords at each other once more, just as the original story begins.

After several city-wide incidents, the true nature of the Invaders began to emerge.

The real enemy threatening them was still lurking, holding its breath and waiting for the right moment to strike.

So, what I want to say is this:

“This shouldn’t be here right now!”

The shard in my hand is undoubtedly an object of the dimensional invaders, something that should not be shown at this point in time!

Of course, I couldn’t be 100% certain about this.

All I could sense from this metallic shard was something akin to a tesseract, but I hadn’t actually seen any Invader nearby.

However, ever since becoming Yuria, my sense of intuition has sharpened alarmingly.

This metallic shard is definitely related to the dimensional invaders!

“What’s that? Jin, did you put something weird in your pocket and then wash it again? I told you not to do that!”

“That… when did I put something like that in? I don’t remember.”

“Of course you wouldn’t! You just toss things aside and throw them into the washer all the time.”

But it seemed that neither Alice nor Raven could perceive the unusual aura emanating from this shard.

It wasn’t strange. In the original story, individuals who sensed the signs of the Invaders were extremely rare, and these two were not part of either faction.

It might just be a special sensitivity only I, who can handle psychic powers at this point, could feel.

“Should I ignore it?”

I clenched the cold-feeling metallic shard tightly and squeezed my eyes shut.

Should I just pretend not to see the signs related to the anomalous Invaders?

Or should I take a closer look to find out what’s happening? The dilemma bubbled up inside me.

Huh? Well, isn’t it going to proceed smoothly even if I leave it alone? Can’t I just let it be?

That’s… at least it’s not a situation where I can afford to feel at ease regarding the Invaders.

At this point, if Raven is nearing completion, Alice and David still need considerable growth in many ways.

No matter how reliable the future hero group might be, what could they do if suddenly the Four Heavenly Kings were sharpening their knives waiting in the second village?

“I really hope it’s nothing… No, maybe it’d be better if it turned out to be something?”

Thinking about it, the problem is that both possibilities seem plausible.

If the Invaders are plotting something beneath the city?

That’s a situation where the city might explode at any moment; I’d have to call in the Dragon Mayor or the Elf Queen to deal with that.

In a situation where I could die tomorrow, what’s the point of hiding my true identity? It’s way better than dying.

In fact, if I take credit for uncovering the Invaders’ attack, the Dragon Mayor might officially protect me. Of course, this is just wishful thinking.

But what if it’s just a coincidence? A trivial matter that won’t matter if I leave it alone?

If I suddenly make a rash decision here, I’d end up revealing the fact that I’m a psychic with suspicious knowledge.

And it could drag Raven, Alice, and Greg into this mess too. Ugh, just thinking about it makes me uneasy.

So, the best I can do here is find out how exactly this metallic shard ended up in his pants. After that, I’ll make a judgment later.

“Am I really incapable of learning? Why do I keep worrying about this stuff? I could just let it go… Haa, but it’s so hard…”

I wish I hadn’t noticed it in the first place.

In a way, this was exactly the situation I wanted to avoid, now unfolding before me.

But what can I do? I’ve heard that a potential bomb is hidden nearby, and I can’t just pretend I don’t know!

Surely, anyone would feel anxious and uneasy in a situation like this, wouldn’t they? Yeah, I’m innocent, innocent! It’s this world that’s wrong!

“Whew, I’ll set aside the useless thoughts for now. Anyway, it’s rather fortunate. Staying in the office? That’d make it easier to investigate secretly in many ways. After examining this shard in the office, if it’s nothing major… I can just stop worrying about it.”

What if it’s something major? That’s something I’ll have to think about when the time comes.

I thought to myself as I sneakily tucked the metallic shard into my skirt pocket and glanced at Raven and Alice, who were looking at me with bewilderment.

What were they thinking as they watched me suddenly rummage through Raven’s pocket and pull out the metallic shard while pondering it deeply?

Ugh, thinking from the other side suddenly made my face feel hot.

But wait, am I really going to ask to stay at the office all of a sudden…?

Hold on… this is way too embarrassing.

“Suddenly doing this is quite shocking, you know? Even if you want something badly, you should at least ask for permission before touching someone else’s body. I was so startled I almost called the police!”

“…Jin, are you serious?”

“Cough, just kidding. What are you gonna do if you take that seriously? What about this awkward atmosphere right now?”

I fidgeted with embarrassment, my toes wiggling nervously.

In the meantime, Raven seemed to want to lighten the mood and started making jokes.

I could sense that he was trying not to dwell too much on my sudden actions.

Honestly, I thought I might get smacked for this, but seeing him relieved made me feel slightly less tense.

Alright, I’ve sorted my thoughts.

What I’m doing right now is, after all, for the greater good, not out of selfish desire.

If I think of it as not causing any trouble but rather doing him a favor, it makes me feel a bit at ease.

“…”

“Eh?”

I approached Raven with determined steps.

Of course, due to the height difference between us, it naturally positioned me looking up at him.

I carefully grabbed his clothing and pulled it lightly, looking up at him earnestly.

Could we maybe reconsider that? My thoughts have changed a bit now.

It was a gesture filled with such meaning.

Quick-witted Raven seemed to catch on to my intent just from my demeanor.

His face turned pale in an instant, while Alice, who was watching from the side, broke into a blossoming smile.

“…Huh?”

“Ah! Jin wants to stay at the office too!”

“What? Why? Just moments ago you weren’t interested…”

“Thoughts can change suddenly! Let’s not do this in the hallway. Let’s go inside first!”

I’m the one asking, and Raven is the one agreeing, so why is Alice the one looking so happy?

Raven and I were gently pushed inside the office by Alice.

In the meantime, Raven seemed completely unprepared for the change in my opinion, grabbing my shoulder with a panicked voice.

“Ugh, wait! How about thinking this over one more time? Honestly, sleeping at their house would be—Hey! Don’t push me! I’m still talking! My happy time is important too…”

“Eek! What are you saying in front of the kids?!”

Thud!

Alice elbowed his side, as if she heard something scandalous.

Raven let out a whoosh of air and flopped down onto the seat.

And whether it was due to the pain in his side or finding himself suddenly saddled with me, a single tear rolled down from his moist eyes. Oh, um… I feel a bit sorry.

“Damn… I haven’t even finished reading all the holograms filled with pretty girls I bought last time…”

“…You’re truly the worst. Yuria, don’t listen. It’ll rot your ears.”

“…”

Hologram? Isn’t that the risqué holographic magazine that appeared in the original story?

It’s something I’ve wanted to see at least once in real life. I’ll have to sneak a peek later.

I thought this while sneaking a glance of contempt at Raven, nestled in Alice’s embrace.

After he recovered and returned to his original state, Raven and I sat down on the couch to talk things over.

I decided that for the duration of my temporary job, I’d be given one of the rooms in his office.

Since it was a room he hardly used without guests, he wouldn’t charge any rent.

Instead, we agreed to deduct from my pay only enough for daily meals.

Truly, this was the best deal for me during this cold winter.

It was basically free! Is this guy possibly an angel?

“How did it come to this…? Really, please let it be nothing serious.”

The time remaining is two weeks.

I need to uncover why this shard is here, and why it’s Raven who has it.

I absolutely must figure out that secret.

The ominous ticking of a time limit only continued to build my anxiety.