I usually try to keep my mask on when I’m out in public.

    For one, I’m well aware that my face tends to attract attention in a way I’d rather avoid.

    And the last thing I want is to get caught up in some unnecessary commotion.

    Especially now, when I’m isolated without Alice to watch my back.

    It was smarter to avoid giving anyone a reason to take an interest in me.

    That’s why, ever since the fixer exam started, I hadn’t taken off my white fox mask even once.

    Not that I had done much besides play with a squirrel and turn it in to the examiner—there had been no reason to remove it.

    So, when this woman suddenly commented on my “cute face,” there was an obvious contradiction.

    ‘Then again... would logic even work on someone like her?’

    I might have found her words suspicious, but considering who she was, the answer was clear.

    No one else on this bus—not even the fixer staff—had the slightest idea who she really was.

    But if she wanted to, she could turn this entire bus into a bloody slaughterhouse in an instant.

    She was Vespera, the Crimson Progenitor.

    A legendary vampire who had lived for at least a thousand years.

    Her reputation was on par with that of Nighthaven’s Dragon Mayor.

    Of course, that comparison only held because the mayor had retired from active combat to focus on administrative duties.

    If the two were to actually fight, Vespera’s odds of winning weren’t great—

    After all, the mayor was practically a cheat character, capable of generating limitless magic from his heart.

    But the fact that she was considered comparable to such a figure was proof of her terrifying strength.

    ‘Her right eye... The True Blood Eye. It lets her see through magic, right? If my mask were just an ordinary disguise, maybe it would’ve worked...’

    One of Vespera’s defining traits was her right eye—a rare ability even among vampire royalty.

    A natural-born magic-piercing eye, capable of seeing through spells and enchantments.

    The fox mask Greg had gifted me was an artifact, imbued with numerous magical enhancements.

    That was probably why she had seen right through it.

    So, in short...

    This situation was bad.

    It was already a headache that someone of her caliber had somehow slipped into the fixer exam.

    But on top of that, one of the most dangerous people in the world had just seen my face.

    “Hmm... Oh, I misspoke. I meant your mask is cute. It’s a fox, right? A white fox, huh... It really suits your hair.”

    “...”

    Had she noticed how wary I was of her?

    Vespera casually flipped her braided hair over her shoulder, smoothly covering her mistake.

    It was a ridiculous excuse.

    No one in their right mind would accidentally confuse a mask with a person’s actual face.

    Her attempt to play it off was sloppy, and she knew it.

    But I had no choice but to pretend I was reassured.

    Agitating a walking bomb like her was far more dangerous than just going along with the act.

    ‘...But still. She really shouldn’t be here.’

    Of course, my relaxed demeanor was nothing but an act.

    Inside, my head was spinning.

    The Otherworld Liberation Army had already caused trouble recently—something that never even happened in the original story.

    And now Vespera was here?

    I had no idea what kind of ripple effect this would cause.

    But more importantly—

    Why was she even here?

    Vespera had no need for a fixer license.

    And what were the fixer staff doing, letting someone like her participate in the exam?!

    They should’ve kicked her out immediately!

    “Aren’t you going to introduce yourself?”

    While I was silently cursing the unknown exam staff, Vespera spoke again.

    Her tone was softer this time—almost teasing.

    With her braided hair, glasses, and plain appearance, she could pass for a humble librarian.

    If I didn’t know better, I might’ve been fooled into thinking she was just an ordinary woman trying to be friendly.

    But getting close to her was the worst possible idea.

    That was like seeing a freshly baked pie, thinking it looks delicious, and then biting into a scalding-hot rock instead.

    ‘The Seven Sins. The worst of the worst—criminals ranked higher than even Double Number Fixers...’

    Vespera wasn’t affiliated with any organization.

    She wasn’t a fixer.

    She wasn’t part of the Liberation Army.

    She simply did whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted.

    She was an absolute wildcard.

    And despite being one of the most infamous criminals in the world, she casually walked around major cities, as if she were untouchable.

    In short—

    She was a ticking time bomb.

    I had no idea why she was here, but I definitely didn’t want to get involved.

    “...”

    So, when she greeted me, I simply nodded.

    My response was as dry and mechanical as possible.

    For a moment, she stared at me in silence.

    Had my lack of response annoyed her?

    Her ruby-red tongue flicked across her lips as she lowered her voice.

    “Not much of a talker, huh? Or do you just have an attitude with strangers?”

    “...!”

    “Ah... I see. So you can’t speak. What a shame. I bet your voice is beautiful.”

    There was something terrifying about her words—beyond mere discomfort, I could feel a hint of bloodlust.

    So, I immediately raised my fingers to my throat and made an X gesture, signaling that I was mute.

    Thankfully, she seemed to accept that as the truth.

    Her expression softened into a much more pleasant smile.

    Wait... If I had just been ignoring her on purpose, would she have stabbed me?

    The moment I get off this bus, I have to run. No hesitation.

    I silently made up my mind while keeping my gaze forward as if nothing was wrong.

    But, apparently, Vespera had a different idea.

    She pointed to herself and spoke in an overly polite tone.

    “Oh, by the way, you can call me Ves. Hmm, I really like you. Want to stick together?”

    “...?”

    “No? Hmm... But I can protect you.”

    “....”

    ...Refusing wasn’t an option.

    I didn’t need the original story to tell me what would happen if I rejected her outright.

    So, with a forced smile, I had to accept her proposal.

    I had just been forcibly recruited by one of the worst criminals in the world.

    This was, without a doubt, the biggest crisis of my life.

    ***

    After two hellish hours, the bus finally arrived at its destination—a mountaintop far from the city.

    This place was called Reverse Mountain.

    It wasn’t originally part of Earth’s landscape.

    After a war had left the land devastated, the Fixer Association took the opportunity to rebuild it.

    Through a combined effort of magic and science, they created an artificial mountain to simulate an Otherworldly ecosystem.

    The mountain was several kilometers high, its terrain reinforced with layers of enchantments and technological reinforcements.

    Thousands of massive trees had been planted, lakes filled with fish and birds had been formed—

    It had taken over a decade for scientists and mages to complete this masterpiece.

    Despite its breathtaking beauty, the general public knew little about it.

    The reason was simple—Reverse Mountain was under the Fixer Association’s jurisdiction.

    They had no need to profit from tourism.

    And since it was meant to preserve Otherworldly life, access was strictly limited.

    ‘So they’re opening it up as a temporary exam site? That’s pretty rare... But wow, this place is gorgeous.’

    The view looked like something straight out of a pastel-painted dreamscape.

    The glowing trees and flowers shimmered with absorbed mana, creating an ethereal glow.

    Tiny floating insects and mystical creatures flitted between the trees, making it feel almost surreal.

    Honestly, if I failed the second task and had to leave, I wouldn’t even be that upset.

    Just being able to see this in person almost made the expensive exam fee worth it.

    The other applicants seemed equally entranced, gazing in awe as they stepped off the bus.

    “Wow... This place is amazing. Those fixers were hiding this from us? Feels just like home.”

    “....”

    I ignored Vespera’s suspiciously revealing comment and focused on our next destination—

    A large gymnasium built at the peak of the mountain.

    Inside, there were other applicants—

    Likely the ones who had also passed the first task and been assigned to the White Team.

    The moment we stepped in, I could hear them whispering.

    “Tch. Another kid? Are they even taking this exam seriously?”

    “These guys look weak. What a disappointment.”

    “Ugh... So few women. Depressing.”

    ...Were they talking about me?!

    Excuse me! And who exactly do you think you are, making judgments like that?!

    I let Vespera take my hand—might as well play along to avoid provoking her—

    But I memorized the face of the guy who insulted me.

    I might not be strong, but I wasn’t the type to let things slide.

    If I ever got the chance to ruin his test results, I’d make sure it burned.

    After we entered, the final applicant stepped inside.

    The doors slammed shut behind them, and the lights inside flickered on.

    Then—

    A figure appeared, descending from the ceiling as if walking down an invisible staircase.

    “Mwahaha! Applicants! Congratulations on making it into the White Team! I, the great Fixer Peacekeeper, will be your examiner for the second task!”

    ...That was certainly a dramatic entrance.