Ch.70Ramune 1

My ears perked up at her suggestion to go outside.

But soon, the thought of Jeksa’s face deflated my spirits.

“But… Jeksa told me not to wander around…”

Anna’s eyebrows twitched momentarily.

She asked me with a subtly raised voice.

“What does he have to do with you?”

I couldn’t bring myself to answer her question.

I just fidgeted with my head bowed.

“Are you his possession?”

“Well…”

At the word “possession,” I hung my head low.

Suddenly my whole body felt itchy, and I curled up.

“If that bitch is the problem, I’ll kill her.”

The killer said while putting on her jacket.

Seeing her look like she was about to storm into Ilshim right away, I hastily tried to stop her.

“Ah, fine! I’ll go…”

The thought of two killers fighting made my head spin.

To prevent such a situation, I had no choice but to cram my feet into my shoes.

The warm midday sunlight colored the apartment corridor.

I followed Anna down the stairs.

“…”

The killer stopped abruptly at the apartment entrance.

After looking around briefly, she asked me.

“So where should we go?”

Though we had come outside, Anna didn’t have any particular plan.

Right, I was the one who promised to teach her about emotions…

“Well, let’s head to the main street?”

To enjoy anything, we needed to get to the main street.

This apartment complex didn’t have much in the way of entertainment.

We walked aimlessly toward the main street.

Soon, an eight-lane road with numerous passing cars came into view, with various shops lining the boulevard.

“There are no taxis…”

Hailing a taxi in the Anarchic Era is extremely difficult.

Not only are they few in number, but most are used as call taxis for the middle class.

Anna tapped my shoulder.

She pointed her finger at a building.

Due to the sunlight, I couldn’t see the building’s logo clearly.

I squinted at the massive symbol attached to the building.

A beautiful pentagon shield shape.

Could that be…

“Porsche…?”

“I think we can buy a car there.”

What is she talking about?

Buying a Porsche because there are no taxis?

“Um, Anna. If we wait a bit, we’ll be able to catch a taxi…”

Before I could finish speaking, Anna strode toward the building.

Her steps were so quick that I hurriedly followed after her.

Even in the Anarchic Era, one can buy foreign cars.

But only those in high positions, like Jeksa who rode a Jaguar.

However, Porsche is a different story.

A Jaguar might be obtainable for around 100 million, but a Porsche at current market rates would probably cost whatever they ask for…

As we entered the building, a man in a stylish suit greeted us.

His classic demeanor was living proof of how luxurious Porsche cars are.

“Do you have an appointment?”

He asked us politely.

But Anna ignored his words and strode directly toward the showroom.

The dealer’s bewildered expression was clear as day.

I bowed my head to apologize on her behalf.

“I’m sorry. We don’t have an appointment…”

“That’s alright. What service are you looking for today?”

I hesitated before answering his question.

Surely she’s not actually planning to buy one?

“W-we’re just looking around. Haha…”

At the word “looking,” the man’s expression momentarily hardened.

But he soon nodded professionally.

“I understand. Let me guide you.”

I followed him leisurely toward the vehicles.

<Porsche 911 Targa4 GTS>

Grade: ???

Information: A beautiful black sports car. Though it’s a 2022 model, it’s considered the latest model since no newer versions have been released after the Gate incident. At this point, when Porsche imports are impossible, it costs whatever they ask for.

Anna stared intently at the car, seemingly pleased with it.

I moved closer to her side.

“This looks…”

The sleek exterior looks so expensive it’s almost intimidating.

Intimidated by its aura, I instinctively linked arms with Anna.

“How much is this?”

Unlike me, Anna bluntly asked the dealer about the price.

A middle-aged main dealer who had been watching approached smoothly.

Balding, he pushed up his glasses and looked us up and down.

“I’m afraid a purchase might be difficult for you.”

With his hands behind his back, he looked down at me with an arrogant voice, especially me.

My disheveled appearance from rushing out of the house seemed to bother him greatly.

A baggy T-shirt hanging down to my hips with shorts barely visible underneath.

Messy hair and dark circles under my eyes.

I certainly don’t look like someone with money.

In such an elegant showroom, my presence might be identified as a cause of decreased sales.

Intimidated by his cold gaze, I leaned more heavily on Anna’s arm.

“This model is currently the most valuable in our showroom.”

The middle-aged dealer cleared his throat and brushed his suit lapel.

Anna, seemingly irritated by his haughty behavior, took her eyes off the car.

She stared at the dealer with empty eyes.

Sensing something unsettling in her gaze, the dealer finally told her the car’s price.

“320 million. No installment plans, cash only…”

“…”

Anna didn’t respond to his words.

The main dealer smiled casually with an “as expected” expression.

“Well, it’s a one-of-a-kind car in Korea. Not just anyone can afford it.”

He shrugged and casually walked around the car.

The dealer soon made an offer to the scruffy me and the killer in her drab jacket.

“Would you like to have a cup of coffee before you leave?”

“Sure.”

Before Anna could do something impulsive, I took the initiative.

I linked arms with her and calmly headed toward the sofa.

“Anna, let’s just have coffee and go. It’s too expensive.”

I whispered to her quietly.

She looked down at me and said:

“We need a car.”

She put her hand into her jacket’s inner pocket.

Soon, a black credit card appeared between her pale fingers.

“You.”

At Anna’s firm call, the main dealer stopped in his tracks.

His gaze fixed on the card the killer was holding.

Hot coffee soon overflowed from the cup he was holding.

He seemed so shocked he didn’t even notice his burned fingers.

What’s going on…?

Why is everyone making such a fuss over a credit card?

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were a VIP…”

He approached Anna hurriedly, not even attending to his burned hand.

Then he bowed deeply and apologized.

“Can I test drive it?”

“Of course. With pleasure.”

Completely transformed from moments ago, he personally opened the car door for her.

Anna gestured for me to join her as she got into the driver’s seat.

It’s strange to see Anna receiving such special treatment, just like Jeksa.

I followed her and somewhat dazedly got into the passenger seat.

The soft, comfortable leather seat embraced me.

“Wow…”

It’s a sophisticated car with an elegant interior like an airliner.

Every man must have dreamed of owning such a car at least once in his life.

I respectfully folded my hands, afraid of causing even the slightest scratch.

In contrast, Anna’s actions were bold.

She turned the steering wheel this way and that like an old man, and pressed the accelerator firmly.

Soon the killer asked me:

“What do you think?”

“This car? It’s amazing. This is my first time in a Porsche.”

“I see.”

Anna nodded at my words.

Then she called the dealer and held out that problematic ‘black card.’

“Full payment.”

Just three words.

Those three words made my eyes, the main dealer’s eyes, and the eyes of the rookie dealer watching us all widen.

“A-are you serious?”

“Yeah.”

At her firm response, I repeatedly swallowed the saliva pooling in my mouth.

I grabbed the bold killer’s arm and shook my head.

“Didn’t you hear the price…? It’s 320 million…”

Anna shook her head at my desperate words.

Then she pointed at me with her finger.

“You said you liked it.”

“I like it, but not enough to buy it…”

The dealer nodded in agreement.

Of course, while a sale would be nice, losing this showroom’s pride might drastically reduce visitors.

He actually makes his living more from test drives than selling cars.

Despite his arrogant image, he too was struggling in this harsh world.

“Th-that’s right. How about at least taking a test drive before deciding…”

I nodded frantically along with the dealer.

I knew Anna made good money as a professional killer.

But I couldn’t tell if she was rich enough to burn 320 million or if her financial sense was as dull as her emotions.

“Let’s do that.”

Fortunately, Anna accepted the dealer’s suggestion.

He sighed in relief and handed over the car key.

“The test drive time is 10 minutes.”

Anna shook her head at the too-short time.

She stared at the dealer and made a counter-offer.

“One day.”

“One day would be a rental, not a test drive, wouldn’t it?”

“Rental.”

The dealer ran his hand over his bald head at this unexpected proposal.

Entrusting a 320 million won car to someone else… he clearly didn’t like the idea.

“That’s…”

It felt like sending a precious daughter for an overnight stay.

He shook his head, thinking this was unacceptable.

But…

“5 million won.”

The dealer, momentarily stunned, frantically calculated in his head.

And before Anna could change her mind, he quickly took the card.

“Here you go.”

He immediately handed over the car key.

Then hurried to the counter.

What just happened…?

Spending 5 million won just to borrow a car for one day?

While I stood there with a dumbfounded expression, the main dealer had a serious conversation with the rookie.

They were so excited that their voices could be heard from here.

“Are you really going to rent it out?”

“Of course. 5 million for one day!”

“But what can we trust…”

The main dealer chuckled at the rookie’s concern.

He reassured him by waving the card he was holding.

“It’s a black card. The credit is solid.”

“What exactly is a black card…?”

“A card only available to council-level personnel of the Association.”

Both dealers simultaneously looked at the white-haired woman.

The dealer murmured in a trembling voice.

“That means she’s at least a senator of the Association or their close associate.”

The 100 council members leading Korea.

Among them, only 50 can possess the ‘black card.’

The main dealer had dealt with numerous wealthy people throughout his career.

But this was the first time he’d seen this card in person.

He swiped the card through the terminal with trembling hands.

“Payment complete. Please enjoy your time…”

The dealer politely returned the card with both hands.

Anna casually took the card and started the car.

“Let’s go.”

I fumbled with my seatbelt.

Soon, the black Porsche began to growl, emitting a red glow from its entire body.

The vibration naturally heated up my body as well.

A feeling of blood boiling throughout my body.

It felt like returning to my male days after a long time.

The dealers hurriedly moved to press a switch behind the car.

The wall, which had appeared solid, split open, revealing a back road leading to the parking lot.

Anna stepped on the accelerator toward it.

Soon, with a thunderous engine sound I’d never heard before, the wheels began to move.

The Porsche passed through the parking lot and headed straight for the main road.

Upon reaching the eight-lane road, the black stallion raced smoothly down the center.

Other cars reduced their speed and made way, overwhelmed by the Porsche’s imposing presence.

My messy hair flew in all directions.

I surrendered myself to the car slicing through the air.

At first, I was afraid.

Because of Anna’s previously unskilled driving and the car’s value.

But gradually, the corners of my mouth began to rise.

The depression that had been constricting my body and mind fell away with the wind.

I even stretched my hands toward the open roof, savoring the speed.

Anna drove skillfully across the road, as if she had been practicing.

Eventually, the Porsche arrived at an abandoned city with few people.

A place where no one lives, perfect for enjoying a drive freely.

Anna maneuvered through alleys, driving around.

Then suddenly, she stopped in a quiet place.

“What’s wrong, Anna?”

I clutched my pounding heart.

With a joy as if I had returned to being a man, I asked her.

“Now you try.”

She said, unbuckling her seatbelt.

“Me driving this car…?”

Anna nodded expressionlessly.

I nervously took the driver’s seat slowly.

To think my first time driving since becoming a woman would be in a Porsche…

I awkwardly struggled in the driver’s seat.

Due to my reduced height, my feet couldn’t even reach the accelerator.

For my sake, Anna personally adjusted the car’s height.

Thanks to her, I was finally able to grip the steering wheel with trembling hands.

I slowly press the accelerator in park mode.

Soon the car growled while stationary.

“Haha…”

It’s amazing.

The accelerator that depresses as softly as pudding and the powerful engine sound are so much fun.

I just smiled at Anna in the passenger seat.

The killer asked me expressionlessly:

“Are you enjoying it?”

“Of course! When else would I get to drive a car like this!”

I shouted as if it were obvious.

Anna then interlaced her fingers and casually cradled the back of her neck.

“Drive it.”

“I-is that okay? I don’t have a license.”

“It’s fine. Neither do I.”

My heart is pounding.

All my attention is focused on the road stretching out ahead.

I carefully shifted the car into neutral.