DAFRMLS Chapter 1 - Moonlight Novels

The Detective Agency For Regretful Male Leads is Now Open For Business!

Episode 1

‘When I opened my eyes, I was met with a strange ceiling.’

When that tiresome cliché line became a reality, I realized I had entered someone else’s body.

My extensive experience with web novels told me; This was the beginning of a possession story.

As soon as I grasped that fact, I shouted out the line I had always wanted to say.

“Status window!”

…

No response. It looked like this wasn’t a hunter or saint story.

It didn’t seem to be a modern tale judging by the exotic appearance.

“Mom! Dad! Maid! Butler! Anyone there?!”

Thinking of Western fantasy novels, I called out loudly to the person supposed to be standing there.

Again, silence. Not a family-centered story either?

“Since my body is fully grown, it can’t be a child-care novel. Just an ordinary extra possession story then? Hm….”

Usually, possessions start with waking up in a strange bedroom, but surprisingly, where I woke up was not a fluffy bed but…

Just a sofa.

Yes, I woke up while napping on the sofa.

This was clearly not the behavior of some noble daughter, right?

Still, they could have at least let me sleep on a bed.

“Oh well, whatever.”

I got up, stretching my neck side to side in case it was stiff.

No matter where the possession happened, it’s not that surprising. Because…

‘I have lived a life that’s truly like that of a possession story protagonist.’

An orphan without family. No deep relationships with anyone.

I died alone after drifting from place to place all my life, never able to settle down anywhere.

It was a perfect setup to be the main character of a possession story.

So I promised myself that I wouldn’t be surprised even if I suddenly saw a ‘strange ceiling’ one day.

“I didn’t expect it to really happen though.”

I only read soft works to prepare for such a thing, so who did I end up being possessed by?

Getting up from my seat, I looked around.

The first thing I noticed was worn-out furniture and scattered piles of documents. It looked like an office scene that had been neglected for a long time.

Seems like even the budget for possession stories has taken a hit. Is it because of the bad economy?

With that thought in mind, I approached what seemed to be my work desk.

In the cluttered office, the only thing that looked new was a shining nameplate.

“‘Office Director Celia Wolf’… Is this my name?”

Office Director? What kind of office was this?

I tried to think of a character that runs an office.

…There wasn’t any character that clearly stood out as ‘this is it!’ for me since most of the ones like that were extras.

As I was fumbling about my memory while fiddling with the nameplate, something happened.

“Huh?”

A blue light began to pour out from the nameplate.

And then…

Welcome!

You have taken the first step into your new life as ‘Celia Wolf.’

Follow the system’s guide to build up your job experience and increase your expertise!

– Current job grade: F

System guide? Job?

I blankly stared at the words on the window floating above.

“This is…”

It was a status window. The one I knew.

Wow, it seems I luckily got possessed with a cheat key.

“Wait, why didn’t this show up when I called it earlier?”

※Caution! This is not a ‘status window,’ it’s a ‘system window.’ Please call it correctly! (Thinking face) (Praying hands).

Ah, it’s because I wrongly called it the status window.

…But hey, people can make some mistakes with names sometimes, how petty.

The First mission begins!

You opened your eyes in an unfamiliar world.

However, what greets you is… nothing but a shabby office that wouldn’t be surprising if it crumbled at any moment?!

How will you survive in this office? What role has been assigned to you?

Let’s find the relevant clues!

Success reward: New Quest, 500 cash

Soon, a new system message popped up.

Not even giving a moment for the person who just woke up to catch their breath.

It’s a terribly harsh labor-centric system, that’s for sure.

Anyways, the role given to me, huh.

To find the ‘clues about me’ that the system mentioned, I carefully searched around the office.

Although a bit old and dirty, it didn’t seem too bad, since it was decently equipped with daily essentials and furniture.

“Huh? What’s this?”

Amidst the rummaging, I found a neat set of documents and a bouquet of flowers on a tabletop.

Let’s see what’s written on the documents.

“A business registration certificate… and a house deed?”

Once again, the name ‘Celia Wolf’ was written here as well.

I then examined the words on the card stuck in the bouquet.

“’Congratulations on the opening of Wolf Detective agency. Sent from R with longing… Huh?”

Wait, a Detective agency?!

An occupation I never could have imagined.

Is this the informant character that gets ordered and bullied around by the main characters in a fantasy world?

…Not really to my liking.

Anyway, when we put together the information gathered so far, each clue pointed to one simple truth.

“So my name is Celia Wolf, and I’m the owner of this Detective Agency that just opened.”

I couldn’t believe that of all things, I ended up possessing such a person.

It wasn’t like I hoped to be some noble lady or a princess.. But couldn’t I have at least been an ordinary office worker?

As if responding to my words, the system window appeared once again with a bright light.

Mission complete!

– As a reward for success, you will receive 500 cash and a new quest!

Fortunately, it seemed like the mission was carried out correctly.

Thanks to that, I had a small, cute amount of cash and another task coming into my hands.

Let’s just say that this ‘cash’ looked like a currency of some sorts…

“A new mission? How will I be paid for it?”

Ding.

As I wondered while looking at the system window, I heard the sound of a bell ringing from behind me.

Accompanied by the chilly outside air, someone had come inside.

“Hmm….”

When I turned to look, there stood a tall man with a hat pressed down on his head.

From the clothes he was wearing and his atmosphere, it was clear he was a gentleman of high status.

Even though I didn’t invite him in, he confidently strode up to me.

After scanning me from head to toe, the man frowned slightly.

“The reception here is pretty bad.”

Well, you did come in unannounced, didn’t you?

I was speechless for a moment.

‘…Oh, could it be?’

Was this the new mission the system mentioned?

“Whether you just woke up or not doesn’t matter. As long as you’ve been commissioned.”

“Oh, yes!”

I knew it!

Was it time to start running the office now?

As I waited for an answer with palpitations, the man opened his mouth with an unpleasant expression.

“You were the only detective available to be commissioned right away. Though I’m not sure how much you’re truly worth.”

The man slightly kicked his tongue and tossed an envelope onto the desk.

“Find a woman for me.”

“When you say ‘a woman’…”

“Chelsea Grayden.”

Excuse me, who is that?

“She dared to leave me without permission. A foolish woman.”

Grit.

The sound of his teeth grinding echoed from his mouth.

Sticky gloom swirled in his eyes.

‘What’s with him…’

As soon as I saw those eyes of his, I instinctively sensed something was amiss.

I think it would be best not to get tangled with him further…

“One week. That should be enough.”

“Pardon?”

“Find the woman inside that envelope, If you fail to make it by then…”

The man swiftly turned away as if he’d finished talking.

“You won’t see the morning sun again.”

He affirmed, with a low, dreary tone.

From his firm voice, I could see that the words were sincere without a hint of a lie.

My once pounding heart now turned cold as if it’d been plunged into icy water.

The thrilling first task arrives for the Director of the Detective Agency!

Let’s find Marquis Grayden’s lost wife, the male protagonist of <The Contracted Marchioness Seeks Divorce>!

– Success Reward: 10,000 cash

– Penalty For Failure: Death by the wrath of the Regretful Husband

Seeing the daunting system window pop up as soon as the conversation ended left my mouth agape.

The failure penalty was death?

Wasn’t that a bit too intense for someone who’s just starting?

And to top it off, the first task involved a man whose eyes have gone mad searching for his missing wife.

It meant I’d have to be dealing with someone unreasonable.

“…”

Only a heavy silence sank into the empty space.

For a while, I stared at the spot where the man had left.

“Is that the Obsessive Regretful Husband…? Isn’t he just a madman?”

I’m sure this guy’s novel has tags like #crazymalelead #obsessivemalelead #regretfulmalelead #trashmalelead.

I used to enjoy such novels – when they were novels.

The only issue here is that, am I just the unfortunate person who dies because of this ‘crazy obsessed man’?

“This is making me go crazy…”

I slumped on the sofa because my legs turned into jelly.

To think I’m taking on a task that threatens my life on the very first day of possession – I just learned my name, and now I’m expected to go find someone.

I closed my eyes in despair.

…

“..I will overcome this!”

Hello, this is the translator, Ami!

I picked up this series even tho I had stuff to do simply bc it was too good, lol. If the update rate going forward is inconsistent, please forgive me, I try my best! (I’ll def post at least 5 chaps a month tho) It’s exam season. Let’s enjoy this series together!

I already love her bahaha

Special thanks btw to my dear Sienna Senpai who provided me with the raws for this series! Thank you againn (⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)