Asano Ryo followed the female receptionist through the office area and arrived at the section where Heaven's Punishment's senior executives worked. There was another reception desk here—the senior executives' offices were separated from those of ordinary employees, and special access cards were required to enter.
The female receptionist who had brought Asano Ryo over said:
"She's an intern sent by the Thousand Crane Group in the Island Nation, a Level Two Inspector. She's here to report in today."
"I know. Director Vini's assistant already notified us." The older, more mature-looking receptionist picked up the desk phone and called the director's assistant, saying respectfully:
"Assistant Emma, the new inspector has arrived."
After making her report, she hung up and looked Asano Ryo over, remarking, "My God, a Level Two Inspector. She looks underage. There aren't many girls this outstanding—no wonder Director Vini wants to meet her personally."
The receptionist who had brought Asano Ryo over shrugged. "Yeah, her file says she's seventeen, but she looks more like fifteen. Well, Mongoloid people naturally look young. I never expected the Island Nation to have such exceptional talent too."
The two receptionists chatted as though no one else were present, showing no regard whatsoever for Asano Ryo's feelings.
So rude. Bakka. Asano Ryo kept her little face taut the entire time, trying to make herself look colder and more mature.
Before long, a tall woman in high heels emerged from deep within the office area.
She was around forty, with black hair and brown eyes. She had the deep-set eye sockets characteristic of Westerners. Her features were not particularly beautiful, but they were gentle, and faint freckles dotted her cheeks.
She swiped the access control with the work badge on her chest, pushed open the glass door, then beckoned to Asano Ryo with a