She had assumed that the part-time job Eight mentioned wouldn’t involve anything vulgar or degrading using her body. But she had never imagined it would be something like this.

Bright lights shone dazzlingly on her face. The tiny pinpricks of light filled her entire field of vision. Women on either side and behind her, all exuding a sweet fragrance, began quickly fussing with her hair and face.

“Wow, your skin is really nice. It’s unbelievable for someone who doesn’t do any skincare….” “Your hair is mostly clean, except for a little bit of dust clumping. A quick nutrient treatment should do.” “Makeup’s going on well, too. Looks like we’ll be done in no time.”

Having lived her life as a beast, Hanee had never learned the things humans needed to know. She could hardly make sense of what they were saying as they repeatedly muttered words she didn’t understand.

All she could do was try her best not to flinch whenever something cold or soft brushed against her skin or hair. But even that didn’t last long, and they were finished before she knew it.

After a while, the stylists, having completed Hanee’s transformation, began applauding each other, marveling at the “masterpiece” they had created. Still utterly bewildered by the situation, Hanee cautiously called out to Eight.

“...Professor? This… what exactly is this?” “Perfect. Doesn’t look too rich, nor does it look shabby.” “Sh-shabby…?” “Looking poor might win sympathy, but it’s hard to inspire admiration.”

With that, Eight lightly patted Hanee on the shoulder. The weight on her shoulder was excessively heavy, as if to convey how much he expected from her.

“All you need to do, Miss Hanee, is give it your best effort.” “My best effort…?” “Yes. We’ll take care of the rest.”

How any of this would help Eight—Hanee didn’t understand any part of it. But there was one thing she did comprehend.

The money spent to dress her up like this was equivalent to her living expenses for thirty years.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Hanee.”

From that day on, Hanee began participating in volunteer activities for the environmental group that had recruited her—the one run by Flower, True Natural.

Being a beastkin and visually impaired, her involvement in volunteer work drew various looks from environmentalists. Their glances made it clear that their mission was to protect the environment, not to support disabled people…

The only reason they didn’t show open hostility was the unexplainable aura of refinement emanating from Hanee and the fact that she had been invited by Flower, the group’s leader.

“Hanee… Miss? Are you visually impaired?” “Yes. It’s not completely dark, but…” “Well… volunteer work can be quite challenging. In your condition, with your eyesight….” “It’s fine. I have this.”

Hanee pointed to the smartphone tucked into her chest pocket. The camera faced forward, aimed in front of her, and the group members quickly understood its purpose.

It was an era when artificial intelligence had become so commonplace. The fact that people with disabilities could now enjoy an unprecedented quality of life through AI was no longer even newsworthy.

Nodding in acknowledgment, people welcomed her into the group. Hanee’s unique appearance, coupled with her pleasant demeanor, made it easy for others to warm up to her.

“I can do it.” “What? But… with your eyesight….” “I’m strong, so it’s fine.”

Tasks that others would hesitate to assign to a woman or a person with disabilities, she took on willingly, getting her pristine white clothes dirtied without a second thought, smiling every time someone called her name, with a pretty face and a well-endowed figure.

It was only natural that the environmental activists there, supposedly dedicated to protecting the environment, would instead begin prioritizing their personal desires. The male members, quite literally, began flocking to Hanee.

“What are you doing after this?” “Going home.” “Maybe we could have dinner together…?” “Sorry, I have things to do at home.” “Well, then, could I at least get your number…?”

Though she monopolized the attention of the men, it was hard for the women to feel annoyed. After all, she had Flower’s protection, the very leader of the organization.

If you can’t beat them, join them. Watching Hanee charm the men under the chairwoman’s support, the women members began working to get closer to her, trying to catch whatever favors fell their way.

And within less than a week of volunteering, Hanee had risen to an executive position in the organization. Of course, it wasn’t as if Hanee, who had only just gained a sense of humanity, had mastered social skills on her own. It was all thanks to artificial intelligence.

[The man in front of you adopted a puppy three days ago. Use this to build rapport. Suggested line…] [This woman feels hostile toward you due to feelings of inferiority. Just crush her with… the following approach…]

Her AI provided a comprehensive analysis of every person’s emotions and suggestions on how to win their favor. Just as Eight had said, Hanee didn’t have to do a thing. All she needed to do was follow the AI’s instructions.

With just a bit of acting, she had become an executive in the organization; there was no need to explain how effective it had been.

“Miss Hanee.” “Yes, Ms. Flower.” “You’ve been so dedicated lately! It’s great to see!” “…Thank you.” “Let’s keep it up! Understood?”

Looking at Flower’s smile, Hanee felt a pang of guilt for deceiving her. Yet, she was certain this was the right thing to do. It was clear from Flower’s actions within the organization.

Claiming to protect the environment, they wore synthetic fiber clothing, traveled separately in private vehicles instead of pooling rides, and even used private jets that spewed pollution.

Their so-called environmental work often involved protesting outside factories supposedly for community betterment or sneaking in to shut down machinery… Actions that could be called “environmental protection” but, viewed differently, were little more than villainy.

With no evidence that these activities directly protected the environment, the hypocrisy was glaring.

“So, have you thought about what I said?” “If you’re referring to…” “I mean, working with me to change the world.”

At Flower’s words, Hanee briefly looked around, as if checking for eavesdroppers, then leaned close to whisper in her ear.

“Until I know more about your abilities, Ms. Flower, I can’t help but be cautious.” “My abilities…?” “Yes. I can’t do this alone, can I? I need certainty…”

“Fine. I’ll show you my abilities.”

“…Pardon?”

Flower shrugged nonchalantly and began to talk about her powers. Hanee, pressing herself close, recorded everything she could.

After hearing Flower’s abilities, Hanee finally understood why Flower had invited her to “change the world.” The power was indeed one that could reshape the entire world…

But.

“I believe I’ve fulfilled my role, Professor.”

With a serene smile, Hanee gazed at Flower.

Her role ended here. It was now up to someone else to deal with the girl before her.

The next day, Hanee vanished from the world’s stage, along with evidence of the countless crimes True Natural had committed.

News Update

[Breaking News: Environmental organization True Natural has been implicated in over fifty crimes, including embezzlement, tax evasion, misappropriation of donations, and obstruction of public administration…] [Reports suggest that Flower, the organization’s leader, was even found to have trespassed on private property and stolen assets…] [Supporters are demanding refunds, while the police and prosecutors announce plans to investigate and prosecute the group…]

The news ran continuous updates about a single organization. Though True Natural wasn’t a major entity, nor had its offenses been particularly extreme…

But mainstream media was often the megaphone of corporations, parroting the messages big businesses wanted to spread.

Given that True Natural was already despised by many companies, no one was willing to extend a helping hand to save them under the current storm of public backlash.

“—All thanks to you, Hanee.” “You flatter me, Professor.” “No, if we had planted someone else, it wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.”

Indeed, all this success was due to Hanee. If she hadn’t been the one whom Flower had initially tried to recruit, it wouldn’t have been so easy to expose everything about the organization.

Of course, even with the group dismantled, it wasn’t the end. In this world, an individual with supernatural powers could sometimes surpass the strength of any organization.

Flower was one of those individuals.

“A person beloved by nature…”

She was loved by all things natural and could reject all things artificial.

It was easy to grasp how absurd this ability was. Artificial objects couldn’t harm her, and natural elements wouldn’t attack her.

An invincible power with no apparent weaknesses. In the past, that might have been the case.

‘We can use things that are neither natural nor man-made.’

A solution came to mind. Something that could neither be created naturally nor artificially.