episode_0044

The date with Hanyeorwon was much more enjoyable than expected.

Perhaps it was because we had been in contact for almost two weeks, but we spent time overflowing with affection for each other.

…I mostly stayed indoors, afraid of being recognized.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking pictures.”

“Again?”

“I’ll take them and look at them every day. Hehe.”

It seemed like Hanyeorwon wanted to capture everything he hadn’t taken a picture of before, as he constantly snapped photos of me.

He took solo shots of me, face-to-face shots, and even staged moments where our lips met, creating a flood of pictures.

It was as if he wanted to show them to someone.

“Your phone is like a Pandora’s box.”

Hanyeorwon’s phone was filled with old photos and videos he had kept for a long time.

Among them were many things that should never be shown to others, so special caution was needed.

“Just in case, I organized everything!”

“Phew. I don’t know if I have a daughter or not, but it’s impressive.”

“Hehe.”

Of course, I wasn’t particularly worried since she was meticulous and would handle it well.

It was truly the result of the trust we had built over a long time.

“Ah. One night and two days is too short on a human level.”

“…Yeah… I wish time could stop like this.”

“Gasp. That statement is a bit risky.”

“Why? Don’t you want to die with me?”

“Because I’m going to live one day longer than you, no.”

After enjoying our brief tryst, we chatted leisurely on our way back to Seoul.

As Hanyeorwon leaned on my shoulder and played with my hand, he suddenly spoke in a subtle voice.

“You know. Should we… see each other on weekdays now?”

It was nothing but a suggestion to meet on weekdays.

“On weekdays…?”

Honestly, I also wanted to meet more freely.

Since Mayeonseo was busy and could only see me in the evenings, maybe it would be okay to be cautious and meet during relatively free daytime hours.

But.

That made me even more apprehensive.

We didn’t secretly keep in touch for almost two weeks for no reason.

Seoul especially has many watchful eyes, and we didn’t know how Mayeonseo might monitor us.

The risk was too great.

‘I need to tread carefully.’

I cautiously tried to persuade Hanyeorwon with words that suggested waiting a bit longer.

“Let’s think about that a little more.”

“Why…?”

“Although I feel the same way, I think it’s better to wait a bit longer for now.”

“….”

Hanyeorwon, seemingly displeased with my hesitance, pursed his lips with a somewhat sullen expression.

It wasn’t a genuinely angry expression; it seemed more like he was dissatisfied with not being able to be together.

‘How cute.’

A faint smile involuntarily appeared on my lips.

“Don’t pout.”

“…I don’t know.”

“Want some candy?”

“Me, a child?”

“You’re too cute, that’s why.”

Tingling. Hanyeorwon, who sent a fleeting glance my way, soon sighed in resignation and accepted my persuasion.

“…Fine. If that’s what you want, I can’t help it.”

Satisfied with his compliant demeanor, I quietly held his hand tightly and expressed my gratitude.

“….”

As I gazed out the window at the swiftly passing scenery, a thought crossed my mind for some reason.

‘How nice would it be if Mayeonseo did just as much.’

I didn’t fully understand the significance of that thought.

*

The Association estimated that it would take the Mayeonseo conquest team a total of one week to break through the 9th floor.

This was the result of countless simulations based on data from Mayeonseo and other team members, the core of the conquest team.

However.

Mayeonseo escaped from the tower in just four days.

With the remains of Death Scorpion, the final boss of the 9th floor, in hand.

Not only that, she even explored the entrance to the 10th floor and collected valuable data.

Impressed by this, both the Association and the government gladly welcomed Mayeonseo back with open arms.

“You’ve really worked hard. We’re glad you’ve returned safely.”

Especially Lim Mi-yoon, who had eagerly rushed out, expressed her gratitude to Yeonseo with a brighter face than ever before.

Within her term, achieving the feat of reaching the 10th floor, Yeonseo couldn’t help but look beautiful.

“I didn’t suffer as much as the other members did.”

In response, Jil Sera, who made a significant contribution, also increased her favorability in real-time by praising the raid members.

Already, among those who were enthusiastic about the Tower, Ma Yeonseo was nothing short of a ‘god.’

Title: “Ma Yeonseo, she’s something else lol”

How did she clear the 9th floor in just 4 days?

1. “Her??? Is Ma Yeonseo your friend?”

2. “Look at this jerk talking lol”

3. “Call her Jjangbit Hwang, not Ma Yeonseo.”

In the awakening fan community, followers began to emerge.

Title: “So, Ma Yeonseo… is she that ‘woman’?”

Rather than a goddess who does nothing, it’s better to elevate Ma Yeonseo, who enhances Korea’s reputation. Disapprove.

No. The lucky goddess who rules on a global scale is still superior. Disapprove.

1. Pandral Disapprove

2. We need to strip off the S-rank from Chuseojin, who ran a strategy run lol. This guy is really full of hot air.

3. Even if so, competing with a goddess? Are you kidding? Disapprove first.

Comparisons were made with the goddess leading the congregation with jokes.

Title: “What have the mid-tier players been doing all this time?”

Those who boasted about being S-tier haven’t even cleared one floor up to the 9th. Have they just been watching all along?

We should just sweep away all these mid-tier players and reevaluate. Once you get an S-rank, there are many benefits, sponsorships, and even tax breaks. Mid-tier players should feel ashamed.

1. “Seriously… What are these Kim Hyejin guys doing besides making YouTube videos?”

2. “Chuseojin, who ran a guide run, should also be stripped of his S-rank lol. This guy is really full of hot air.”

3. “Wow, this guy is actually speaking the truth.”

└”He checks the clock twice a day…”

4. “There are too many S-ranks in this country.”

Even domestic S-rank players started receiving criticism.

It was literally a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.

“The public opinion is very favorable! It seems like the plan worked perfectly!”

While driving, Ie Ye-na couldn’t contain her joy and flattered Yeonseo.

One could say she had gained a certain level of influence. It was impossible not to be happy.

However, Yeonseo herself wasn’t particularly interested.

“How’s Kim Seonghwan doing?”

Yeonseo was focusing on Kim Seonghwan, a recent high-ranking official in the association.

Especially because of the involvement with Kang Yuchan, she was more concerned.

“It’s almost finished while he’s inside. We should be able to pull everything out soon.”

“Good.”

“What should we do with Kim Seonghwan after this incident?”

Looking at Yeonseo through the rearview mirror, Ie Ye-na asked.

In response, nonchalantly engaged in messaging with Yuchan, she replied.

“We should give him a chance to prove himself.”

Once someone betrays, they can betray again at any time.

He needed to prove why he wouldn’t betray Ma Yeonseo, no matter what it took.

“Should we prepare some groundwork in advance?”

“Yeah.”

Handing over all tasks to Ie Ye-na, Yeonseo quietly looked at the picture sent by Yuchan.

[ Congratulations on finishing the celebration party preparations. Auntie helped a lot, but… Anyway, come quickly.]

She had a cute expression on her face, as if she was about to die from cuteness.

*

After coming out of the Tower, Ma Yeonseo postponed the celebration and ran straight home.

“Welcome ba… Woop…!”

And then, upon seeing me, she hugged me tightly and passionately kissed me.

“Woohoo! Woop!”

Whether Ie Ye-na was behind us or not, whether I was patting her shoulders or not, it didn’t seem to matter at all.

“Haha…!”

I managed to break free, gasping for breath, and glared at her.

With an unusually affectionate expression, she said, “I missed you.”

Just because we hadn’t seen each other for only 4 days.

I wonder how she endured it all this time.

“…Haven’t you eaten? Let’s go eat. I’m hungry.”

“You should eat first, shouldn’t you?”

“Wait. I’ll let you eat your fill.”

“…Okay.”

We celebrated with a bottle of good wine at our own private congratulatory party.

I wanted to pretend not to notice the mischievous act that filled my heart, but this time, I decided to just let it go.

“There’s nothing good that comes from going overboard now.”

It was a strategic retreat to properly sedate her.

It wasn’t because of guilt.

“Did you do all of this?”

“Yeah. Auntie guided me, but I did it all by myself. I really worked on it all day.”

“You could get married for real, couldn’t you?”

“Don’t talk nonsense and let’s eat already.”

“Haha.”

And so, after finishing the celebration party and finally being liberated from the devil’s invention, the chastity belt.

It was when we returned to our usual daily routine.

“Hello! I heard the news about your girlfriend yesterday! Congratulations!”

“…Thank you.”

As soon as I arrived at the training camp, I received congratulations from the information officer guarding the entrance regarding the chastity belt.

“Oh, Mr. Yoochan. I heard the news. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

Not only that, people I frequently encountered or even those I didn’t know came up to me and pretended to know me.

‘These people. They knew all along.’

It felt like they had been watching me and finally approached me after recognizing me.

‘…They were right to be cautious.’

Indeed, it was best that I hadn’t met them in Hanryuwon and Seoul.

“Mr. Yoochan!”

“Oh, Trainer.”

“I heard about yesterday. Ah, congratulations!”

“Thank you. Actually, it wasn’t even something I did, but today feels like I’ve heard congratulations over a hundred times.”

“Isn’t that the fate of a celebrity?”

“It’s not easy….”

“Haha! Are we starting PT right away?”

“Yes. Let’s go right away.”

Eventually joining the trainer for personal training, I exercised while having various conversations.

Perhaps because of the service industry, the good nature and easy communication made me feel like I had gained a friend.

“I also went on a date with my girlfriend yesterday.”

“Oh, the one who works at the hotel?”

“Yes. But these days, work is so busy that I feel like I’m going to die….”

While chatting like this.

“Hey, Mr. Yoochan.”

“Yes?”

The trainer, who was subtly observing, whispered quietly to me.

“(My girlfriend works at NP Hotel.)”

“…?”

“(I would appreciate it if you could speak carefully later.)”

Not understanding what he was trying to say, I raised an eyebrow and looked at him.

“What do you mean by that….”

He showed a subtly sinister expression as if he knew everything.

“(I heard everything. You’re going to propose there this time.)”

“…What?”

It felt like my brain stopped for a moment.

‘A proposal? Me?’

Suddenly coming back to my senses, I asked the trainer again.

“Wait, hold on. Are you saying I’m having a wedding at that hotel…?”

“Um…. Isn’t that the case?”

The trainer displayed a belatedly flustered expression.

‘…Could it be.’

Sensing something suspicious, I probed the story he heard from his girlfriend.

“I’m sorry, but could you please explain in more detail?”

“Uh, well….”

And then.

‘What?’

Finally, I uncovered the secret scheme that Mayeonseo had secretly prepared.