Chapter 20: Kim Yoo-Won, You bastard

By this point, I questioned whether I really had four times the average Luck stat.

‘Unlucky. So unlucky.’

Every action led to a troublesome situation.

I wondered if the “the world aids you” effect of my Savior of the World trait was malfunctioning.

Facing two towering mountains immediately after overcoming the small hill that was Jin Baek-ryong was suffocating.

“I’ll… explain what happened.”

Like a criminal confessing, I recounted the events between Ha-yeon, Jin Baek-ryong, and myself.

“So, Jin Baek-ryong confessed to that woman,… and you got angry and attacked him using Lightning God Transformation?”

A week together, and she still referred to Ha-yeon as “that woman.” We had a long way to go. I nodded in confirmation.

“Why only that woman…”

I heard the click of her teeth against her bitten nails.

“I should have been there…”

Liera, struggling to contain her emotions, occasionally displayed such manic expressions and behavior.

If I didn’t appease her in time, it would lead to a week-long ordeal, leaving even my superhuman body utterly exhausted.

‘That won’t do.’

She was already restraining herself. If she lost control, things would escalate beyond repair. Fame and reputation wouldn’t matter then.

I approached and embraced her tightly, whispering a nickname I’d used only for her since our childhood.

“Eri.”

Hearing the long-forgotten nickname, she stopped biting her nails, her manic expression softened, and she looked up at me.

I continued, ruffling her red hair affectionately. Most women disliked having their hair messed with, but Liera loved it.

She’d once said she liked the way I ruffled her hair without a care, as if declaring ownership and showing her off as “mine.”

She enjoyed finding meaning in small gestures, strengthening our bond.

I’d developed many such habits for her.

“Are you feeling better?”

“A little… more.”

She grabbed my collar, pulled me closer, and pressed her lips against mine.

Her tongue delved into my mouth.

Kissing Ha-yeon felt like devouring each other.

Kissing Estelle was like a newlywed couple’s first kiss, innocent and sweet.

Kissing Liera had its own unique quality, reflecting her personality.

A slow, possessive kiss, marking every corner of my mouth with her saliva.

Our tongues intertwined, creating a sweet, strawberry-flavored mess.

Slurp. Smooch. Smack.

When my mouth was thoroughly marked with her scent, she finally released my collar.

She swallowed every last drop of our mingled saliva.

“I’m… better now.”

Liera returned to her usual calm, expressionless demeanor.

She seemed to have calmed down.

But this was only one mountain; another remained.

“Wow… To prioritize another woman while your wife is right here, feeling neglected… What happened to the sweet Yu-won I knew?”

She stroked the mace in her hand.

‘That other woman is also my wife…’

I’d comforted Liera first because she seemed more unstable, but now Estelle was showing signs of jealousy.

The thought of getting my head bashed in with a mace was disheartening.

‘Who in their right mind said harems were a good idea?’

Managing three was hard enough.

How did the protagonists of those harem webnovels maintain balance? I envied their wisdom.

“You said we couldn’t reveal our relationship at home, yet you openly declared you were in a relationship with that woman to Jin Baek-ryong… This makes me sad, oppa.”

Gulp

Unlike Liera, Estelle wasn’t easily appeased with physical affection.

Brushing her off would only lead to repercussions later.

“I only told Baek-ryong, so wouldn’t it be okay to tell him all three of us are involved with me?”

-What do you want…?

I responded to her while sending a private message via Sound Transmission. A smile played on her lips. Here it comes.

“That sounds good.”

-Go out with me alone on a weekday.

She replied via Sound Transmission.

“We’ll keep it a secret from everyone else.”

-You know we can only leave the academy on weekends, right?

Her expression turned cold.

“How long do we have to hide this?”

-I believe top-ranked students have permission to leave the academy for a day during the week… with one companion.

‘She knows that…?’

Had she read the entire thick rulebook, even the section about top-ranked students? A shiver ran down my spine.

I’d planned to use that privilege to clear Gates and earn money.

Top-ranked students received full scholarships, but clearing Gates would hone my combat skills, increase my level, and provide extra income.

There was no reason not to.

“Just until I graduate. It’ll be okay after that.”

-I… wasn’t aware of that rule…?

She gave me a disbelieving look.

“Only until then?”

-Hmm… You really didn’t know…?

“No.”

-Sure…

That look that said she knew everything but was playing along.

Estelle’s signature expression. It always sent chills down my spine.

“I can trust you, right?”

-You’ll go out with me?

“Yes.”

-Okay…

A day off wouldn’t hurt.

She probably wouldn’t ask to go out every week.

“I’m generous, so I’ll let it slide this time. Please behave yourself from now on, Yu-won oppa.”

She spoke as if granting me a favor, having already gotten what she wanted.

‘This is… a Saintess?’

“Thank you.”

I was grateful she hadn’t demanded a public declaration.

That would have obligated me to take all my wives out every week.

“You’re welcome.”

“Now that everything’s settled, let’s go eat. I made a reservation at a great restaurant.”

I’d used my savings to book a high-end Korean restaurant that specialized in mana-infused dishes.

The portions were small, but I planned to order a lot.

It was a delicious restaurant, perfect for unwinding after the exam.

Sharing a meal and conversation would be a good opportunity for everyone to bond.

As we stepped outside, a barrage of flashes engulfed us.

“Kim Yu-won is here!”

A huge crowd surged towards us, mostly reporters with recording equipment.

The rest were probably scouts.

They recognized me instantly.

My face must have been plastered all over the news. This was already giving me a headache.

“We’re from the Dragon’s Tail Guild! Kim Yu-won, can we have a word…!”

“Out of the way, small fries! We’re from the Blue Ocean Guild…!”

Scouts jostled, shoving business cards at me, desperate to speak to me.

“This won’t do. Let’s split up and meet at the restaurant. I’ll send you the address.”

Answering each of them individually would take all night.

I immediately employed the Demonic Heavenly Sect’s stealth techniques, my concealment skills, and the assassin’s footwork I’d learned in the fantasy world, and vanished.

[Skill acquired: Shadow Walk (Lv1).]

Due to my proficiency, the technique registered as a skill despite being my first time using it in this life.

I ignored the notification and sprinted towards the restaurant.

Ha-yeon, Estelle, and Liera used their own movement techniques to escape.

Seung-ah used the Flash Step she’d learned from her master.

Only Shin-woo remained, bewildered, searching for us.

“Huh…? Where did everyone go…? Yu-won…? Seung-ah…? You guys…? Where are you?!”

‘Right. He doesn’t have stealth skills…’

The crowd, noticing him, started shouting.

“That’s Han Shin-woo, the blacksmith YouTuber and Kim Yu-won’s best friend!”

“It’s him! That’s Han Shin-woo!”

The crowd shifted their attention to Shin-woo.

He spotted me and yelled.

“Kim Yu-won, you son of a! Don’t leave me! Come back!”

‘Sorry… and thank you…’

I’d abandoned him, but it was for the best.

Since he wasn’t the main target, they’d probably let him go after some questioning.

‘Better you than all six of us.’

“They must be really close, judging by how he’s cursing him.”

“Han Shin-woo! Could you please give this business card to Kim Yu-won…?”

Business cards rained down on him, and dozens of reporters requested interviews.

‘I’m so sorry…’

I’d let him order anything he wanted.

Just as long as he survived.