Mixed-Blood in a Gender Role Reversed World - Chapter 45

 Chaptet 45: Contract (1)

Inside a moving car.  

I was leaning slightly against the door, watching the scenery pass by through the window.  

Even near my house, it was hard to spot people, but the deeper we ventured into the heart of Gangnam, the more crowded it became not just with people, but with the glittering signs of bustling buildings.

As the taxi carried me forward, I noticed a shift in people’s attire.  

Women were mostly dressed in short skirts or hot pants, while men typically wore slacks with unbuttoned shirts.  

They looked like they were out to have fun probably college students.  

Watching women sneak glances at men who strutted with haughty expressions, I was reminded once again of what kind of place this was.  

It made me frown, but deep down, I felt a sense of relief.  

(At least those bastards aren’t wearing hot pants.)

“I was worried about it being a nightlife district, but… it seems decent enough.”  

I didn’t want to see anything disgusting while working as a guard.  

If some prissy guy in flashy clothes showing off his legs strutted in front of me, I’d probably lose it and want to knock him out.  

I came here to earn money, not to end up paying a settlement for causing trouble that’d make me look like an idiot.  

“We’re here,” the driver said.  

The car stopped in front of a building that made my eyes widen.  

I pulled out my card, paid, and stepped out of the taxi.  

Standing before the club called Valkyrie in person, I felt a bit dazed.  

(…That’s a club?)

I’d never set foot in a club, thanks to my focus on working out, but I’d heard about them.  

And I knew the clubs I’d heard about were definitely smaller than (this)

The entrance, tucked between long curtain-like dividers, was the only part that seemed reasonably sized.  

I double-checked the club’s name on the sign above and scanned the area for a smoking zone.  

I needed a cigarette.  

It was my first time working a job like this, and in a massive club no less.  

Even I, being human, couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.  

Smoking on a busy street felt awkward, so I wandered around until I spotted a secluded alley-like corner on the far right of the club.  

With hopeful steps, I stood in front of a trash can filled with cigarette butts.  

This had to be the smoking area. I pulled out a pack, put a cigarette in my mouth, and lit it.  

The taste was different from the cigarettes I usually smoked probably because Mina gave me these.  

With a faint smile, I inhaled the smoke into my lungs.  

*Creak.*  

While I was quietly smoking by the trash can, I turned at the sound of a door opening.  

A sturdy woman in a black hoodie appeared.  

Her height wasn’t much different from mine probably around 175 cm.  

She had the aura of a guard, but I wasn’t sure, so I just stared at her.  

She widened her eyes, chewing on her cigarette before speaking.  

“Uh… this smoking area is for staff only.”  

Her words were asking me to leave, but her sparkling eyes seemed to beg me to stay. I exhaled a puff of smoke silently.  

Just as I was about to say I’d be working here starting today, she scratched her head awkwardly.  

“Oh… you’re a foreigner. This place… staff only. No smoking zone. You… shouldn’t be here… ugh, whatever. Just smoke quickly and go. Or, uh, take your time…”  

Her broken English made me smile faintly.  

It reminded me of my first meeting with Hayul she was like that too.  

Since I now knew she was my senior, I bowed slightly in greeting.  

“Oh, you understand? That’s okay! I’m fine…”  

“Hello. I’m Ryu Sehwa, starting work here today, Senior.”  

“…”  

“Senior?”  

She seemed mortified, her cigarette still in her mouth as she opened and closed it like a goldfish.  

When she lowered her head, I called out to her again, pretending to be concerned.  

“Are you okay?”  

“Y-Yeah, I’m fine. But… you’re really starting here today?”

“Yes. And you can speak casually. You’re my senior, after all.”  

“…Alright.”  

She carefully folded her cigarette in half and clenched her fist.  

As I looked at the broken cigarette with a pang of regret, she stepped closer.  

“So… have you signed the contract? I mean, have you met the team leader and signed it?”  

“Not yet.”  

“Then… can I show you the way? The team leader’s in the basement, so it’s hard to find.”  

I put out my cigarette, tossed it into the trash, and said, 

“I’d appreciate that.”  

---

__

*Clank, clank.*  

The metal stairs screeched as we descended to the first floor.  

I looked around.  

Since it wasn’t business hours yet, instead of the dazzling lights I’d seen in videos, only pale white lights were on.  

At the end of the massive hall with a second floor, there was a stage for the DJ.  

We navigated around poles scattered throughout the space.  

“I’m Yoo Yeri, 24 years old. You?”  

When Yeri asked my age, I swallowed the truth that I was 18.  

Even if it was legal for a minor to work here, it felt awkward to admit especially since I’d just been smoking in front of her.  

I’d need to discuss with Sia about saying I’m 20.  

“I’m 20.”  

“Really? You’re super young.”  

(Super young? More like ridiculously young. )But I just nodded.  

If they were going to possess me in this body, they could’ve at least matched my age my resentment was directed at someone up in the heavens.  

“But that’s impressive. You already know how to make drinks?”  

“Drinks?”  

(Do guards make drinks too? )I tilted my head in confusion.  

“Uh… you’re not here as a bartender?”  

“…?”  

---

__

Yeri was desperately trying to win Sehwa over.  

She’d never seen someone who looked like this in her life.  

Back when she was in the military, obsessed with guys, any decent-looking man seemed like a celebrity.  

That obsession had faded after her discharge, but seeing Sehwa brought those feelings rushing back.  

Naturally, she assumed he was here to be a bartender.  

Bartenders were often ridiculously attractive guys someone like him behind the bar would be a huge asset to the club.  

She imagined smoking together, bonding over annoying customers, slowly opening up to each other… and maybe something more.  

She was starting to admire the team leader for finding someone like him when—  

“I’m not a bartender. I’m here as a guard.”  

“…A guard?”  

Thinking she misheard, she asked again.  

“You’re really here as a guard?”  

“Yeah.”  

Yeri turned away so he wouldn’t see her beaming smile.  

(In my 24 years of life, today’s the day flowers bloom.)  

---

___

(Ugh…)

I swallowed a groan of dissatisfaction.  

Yeri, my senior who introduced herself, kept walking slowly, focusing entirely on talking to me.  

“Nice. We’re on the same team then. If you become my junior, I’ll take good care of you.”  

“…Thank you. Can we maybe…”  

“If any creeps show up later, tell me. Don’t get hurt.”  

“…Got it.”  

Yeri showed no signs of stopping her chatter.  

I gave up, figuring we’d get there eventually, and tuned her out.  

This place was unnecessarily huge what was the point?  

“I didn’t mean to stare, but… your tattoo’s cool. Where’d you get it?”  

Yeri pointed at my neck, then hesitated as if she’d almost pointed at my chest.  

Her expression froze, and I squinted.  

(That look… )

“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to…”  

“It’s fine. I have more tattoos if you’re curious. I can show you.”  

“You don’t have to…”  

The awkward atmosphere from her apologies annoyed me, so I casually took off my jacket.  

Part of it was defiance from being treated like a guy here.  

“Huh?”  

Yeri made a dumb sound, her expression turning uneasy as she looked at me.  

“…Wow. Cool.”  

“Thanks.”  

Her reaction wasn’t exactly pleasing, so I let my faint smile fade.  

Just then, my phone rang.  

I had a bad feeling.  

Checking the name on the screen, I took a small breath and answered.  

“It’s your aunt. Where are you?”  

The familiar language, unfamiliar to others, echoed through the receiver.  

“…You’re in Korea?”  

“Yeah.”  

(She’s finally here.) I sighed softly but responded.  

“I’m out for some business right now. I’ll be back a bit late.”  

“Don’t make your aunt worry, wandering around… Fine, just hurry back. It’s cold.”  

*Cold? Does she think this is Russia?*  

I said okay and hung up.  

“Uh… what language was that?”  

“Russian. I lived there.”  

“Who was that?”  

“My aunt.”  

Yeri let out an “aha” and finally shut up.  

Relieved I could walk in peace, I saw a metal door as we reached the end of the long trek.  

When Yeri cracked it open, blue light spilled through.  

“Come on.”  

Following Yeri’s gesture, I stepped inside and saw the source of the light.  

Blue neon signs covered the stairs and walls, creating a dreamy, surreal scene.  

I descended, intrigued.  

At the bottom, a corridor lined with more neon signs came into view.  

The glossy floor gleamed. Yeri walked across it with ease.  

“When we’re open, don’t come here. This is for VIPs only. See those rooms?”  

She pointed at closed doors and continued.  

“Those are private rooms. It costs a fortune to party in there. Most people bring escorts, so unless you’re called, you won’t need to come here.”  

“Got it.”  

Yeri, with a look of disdain for rich jerks, shook her hands and made a pleased hum at my response.  

“Didn’t the team leader send you a text or anything?”  

She tilted her head, puzzled.  

That’s when I realized something was off.  

(They told me to come for an interview but didn’t send any details about where to go.)

“Maybe they forgot.”  

“Really? The team leader doesn’t seem like the type to mess up like that…”  

I quietly agreed. Even if Sia could be a bit quirky, she seemed like someone who got things done.  

I remembered the chilling vibe she gave off last time.  

“Here we are. The team leader should be inside… probably.”  

We stopped in front of a door.  

I glanced at Yeri, who sounded unsure, then looked at the word on the door.  

[President’s Office]  

(Isn’t the team leader the president?)

“Isn’t this the president’s office?”  

“Yeah, but… the team leader’s basically the president. I’ve never even seen the real president.”  

(Got it. So Sia’s the real boss, not a figurehead.)

As I reached for the doorknob, I felt Yeri’s lingering gaze, like she was expecting something.  

Not knowing what it was and wanting her to leave, I nodded slightly in thanks.  

“Thank you for bringing me here.”  

Her face lit up, unlike her reaction to my tattoos earlier.  

“Y-Yeah… me too.”  

“Huh?”  

“No, nothing. See you later! I’ll show you the ropes!”  

Yeri’s mood swings were odd, but she had the sense to leave quietly.  

Left alone in front of the president’s office, I reached for the door but paused.  

(Better knock first.)

*Knock, knock.*  

“Come in.”  

At the permission from inside, I opened the door.  

A massive desk, out of place in the room, was piled with papers. A woman flipping through them looked up.  

“What’s the matter… Sehwa?”  

“Hello. I’m here to work.”  

Sia’s eyes shook slightly as she clutched her face and leaned back in her chair.  

Her expression didn’t match that of an employer greeting a new worker.  

(She’s the one who called me here, so why’s she acting like that?)

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Translated by Reversalmanhwa.web.id  

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