This F-Rank Bubble Mage Is Too OP!-Chapter 93: Hiring?
Her hair, long and flowing with shades of brown that shimmered silver under the light, framed a face too captivating to hide behind simplicity. Melody wore a modest white dress, its soft fabric brushing just above her knees, paired with only the faintest touch of makeup. No jewelry, no extravagant styling—yet her beauty radiated effortlessly, the kind of beauty that no disguise could ever dull. She was the kind of woman people couldn't help but look at twice, even when she tried to remain plain.
At that moment, however, her beauty was dimmed by the frown etched on her lips.
The lounge room she sat in was spacious, furnished elegantly for a singer of her stature. Velvet seats, polished mahogany tables, fresh flowers arranged in crystal vases—everything about it screamed refinement. Yet despite the comfort, an air of tension lingered. Melody sat stiffly on the sofa, her fingers rubbing at her forehead as though trying to massage away a building storm inside her.
Beside her, Michelle stood with both hands clasped tightly over her clipboard. Dressed neatly in a black skirt, fitted blazer, and glasses, Michelle looked every bit the professional assistant—tidy bun, pen clipped at her chest pocket, an aura of strictness softened only by the concern on her face. She had served Melody for years, balancing between secretary, caretaker, and often, reluctant bodyguard.
"Nolan… he's persistent, Melody," Michelle said softly, her tone carrying the weight of worry. "What if he uses his connections to corner you? If he decides to make trouble, your career as a singer could be in danger."
Melody let out a long sigh, leaning back into the sofa. "My career…?" Her voice was quiet, weary. "Michelle, I don't care about my career. Singing is my life, yes, but even if I lost the stage, the lights, the crowd—I'd still sing. There's the internet. As long as people can hear my voice, that's enough for me."
Her hand fell to her lap, fingers clenching tightly. Her silver-brown hair swayed as she shook her head. "What I truly worry about isn't my career—it's what Nolan might do to the people around me. What if he uses his Skill? What if he hurts them… just to force me into his grasp?"
Michelle's throat tightened. She wanted to reassure her, but they both knew who they were dealing with.
Nolan wasn't just any Hunter. He was a B-Rank Hunter, young and gifted, his name well-known across the country. On paper, he was the kind of talent people praised, a man destined to rise higher in the ranks. But in truth… he was a wolf in gilded clothing.
Nolan was infamous in whispers and headlines alike. A playboy who treated women as trophies. He had an unquenchable appetite for beauty, especially celebrities, actresses, and singers who caught his eye. Rumors told of women who vanished from the spotlight after attracting his attention. Others spoke of scandals buried under money, victims silenced by fear or "accidents." His Skill, though rarely displayed in public, was said to have a terrifying effect on people's wills—a Skill that left many whispering about coercion.
His enemies had grown over the years: fellow Hunters who despised his arrogance, families of women he had ruined, even some within the Association who wanted him reined in. Yet Nolan's power and influence shielded him.
Michelle's lips trembled. "…Surely he won't go that far, right?"
"Nolan has a bad reputation," Melody replied bitterly, rising from the sofa. She walked to the tall window, her bare feet brushing against the carpeted floor. With careful hands, she pulled the curtain slightly aside, peering outside. A sleek, black limousine rolled past the driveway, its tinted windows reflecting the morning light as it merged into the busy streets beyond.
Her stomach twisted. She didn't need to see his face—she already knew it was him.
"I've heard it myself," she whispered. "If things don't go his way, he doesn't hesitate to use his Skill."
The curtain fell back into place as she turned away.
Michelle followed her with her eyes, chewing her lip nervously. "What are we going to do, Miss?"
Melody was silent for several seconds, pacing slowly back to the sofa. She lowered herself back into the seat, her body tense as her fingers curled into fists on her lap. When she finally spoke, her words were laced with hesitation—like a verdict she had wrestled with in her heart.
"…We have to hire a Hunter. A bodyguard."
Michelle's eyes widened. "Miss…"
Melody's knuckles whitened as she clenched them tighter. It was as if those words alone had cost her dearly, as though entrusting her safety to a Hunter was the most dangerous gamble she could ever make.
"You know what happened before," Michelle reminded her quickly, voice filled with urgency. "We can't trust Hunters. They only care about profits, about what benefits them. The last man we hired—" her voice faltered, bitterness seeping through "—he tried to take advantage of you. If I hadn't been there, if I hadn't intervened… who knows what might have happened?"
Melody's lips curved into a small, bitter smile. "We do know what would've happened." Her tone was calm, but her eyes betrayed the pain of memory. "And yet… Nolan is worse. At least with greedy Hunters, they want money, fame, or power. But Nolan…" She exhaled heavily. "Nolan wants me. He wants my body, my voice, my very soul. And if I ignore him, there's even a chance that once I fall asleep tonight, he'll find a way to be here."
Michelle felt her chest tighten. She hated how right Melody was.
The lounge fell into silence, broken only by the faint hum of the city beyond the window. The two women sat there, one steeling herself for a decision she despised, the other silently praying they wouldn't regret it.
For Melody, the thought of hiring another Hunter after what happened before was terrifying—but it was also the only way to keep Nolan at bay. And deep down, she knew: if she didn't act, it wouldn't just be her career at risk. It would be her freedom.
…
River leaned quietly against the cold wall just outside the lounge room, his body cloaked in near-perfect invisibility. The bubble film coating his skin shimmered faintly, reflecting the dim corridor lights before bending them away entirely. From his position, he could hear every word that came from the two women inside.
"…Nolan… he's persistent, Melody," the assistant's voice trembled. "What if he uses his connections to get to you? Your career as a singer will be in danger."
River narrowed his eyes. Nolan again…
He listened carefully, filing away every detail. Melody's voice followed, soft but firm, tinged with bitterness. "I don't care about my career, Michelle. All I've ever wanted is to sing. Even if I never step on a stage again, as long as my voice can reach people, that's enough for me. What I fear more is Nolan using his Skill. If he can't have me, he might hurt the people around me—just to force me into his grasp."
Her words were steady, but River could hear the tremor underneath. He had heard countless Hunters speak with arrogance about their strength, but this was different. This was fear born not from weakness, but from being cornered by someone stronger who thought power granted him ownership of others.
River's lips curved into the faintest smirk, though it held no humor. So the golden-haired bastard really is that kind of man…
The conversation continued, confirming Nolan's reputation as more than just a playboy—that he was a dangerous predator shielded by influence and raw strength. River's hands twitched slightly at his sides. This wasn't the first time he had heard of men like Nolan, using power to trample over others. But something about hearing Melody's quiet desperation stirred something sharper in him.
When Michelle finally mentioned hiring a Hunter, River tilted his head slightly. He could almost feel Melody's hesitation, hear the bitterness in her voice as she admitted that even those she sought protection from could not be trusted.
There was silence after Michelle excused herself. The sharp click of heels against the marble floor grew fainter, and then the sound of a door closing echoed down the hallway.
River did not move immediately. He waited, counting the seconds, letting the stillness settle inside the lounge before finally taking a step forward. His invisibility flickered slightly, the bubble film straining as his mana drained faster now that he was in motion.
With practiced ease, he placed his hand against the lounge door. A shimmer rippled across his skin as the bubbles shifted, silencing even the faint creak of the hinges. He slipped inside like a shadow sliding into water.
The lounge was warm and softly lit, far different from the sterile hallways outside. A faint scent of flowers lingered in the air, blending with perfume. His gaze flicked to the figure on the sofa.
Melody sat with her long silver-brown hair spilling over her shoulders, her hands clenched tightly together as if she could squeeze her anxiety away. The pale dress she wore made her look fragile, almost unreal, and yet her expression told another story—a mix of exhaustion and stubborn resolve.
River stood by the door, watching her silently. His breath was steady, but he could feel his MP draining with each second. If he revealed himself too soon, she might scream, draw attention, or worse, mistake him for one of Nolan's lackeys. Yet if he remained invisible for too long, his mana reserves would collapse, forcing him into the open anyway.
He had to time it right.
For now, he stayed in the shadows, observing. He tilted his head slightly, almost amused. The world knew Melody as a shining idol, adored by countless fans. But what he saw now wasn't the polished celebrity image—it was simply a woman cornered by fear, trying to muster courage against a predator she could not face alone.
Interesting, River thought, eyes narrowing. Very interesting.
