Episode 158. Request

I pondered where to even begin the story, then slowly opened my mouth.

‘Do you know of the Buyer Guild?’

‘Of course, I know. I also know that Cadet Lee Hoyeon visited them yesterday, and that you had a conversation with Cadet Nam Daeun.’

So, you had a general idea already.

It seems you even know my objective is Nam Daeun.

‘I need proof of all the illegal activities happening within the Buyer Guild. It needs to be so solid that the moment it’s revealed, the Buyer Guild will fall into ruin.’

First, I need evidence for the exposé.

If I can just obtain the evidence, I can handle the exposé myself.

I have enough of a reputation for that.

‘Surely, that’s not all, right?’

‘This next part is the most crucial. Nam Daeun’s younger sister, Nam Dahee, is being held captive in a hospital connected to the Buyer Guild. I need to get that child out.’

Nam Daeun’s leverage is her younger sister, Nam Dahee.

It’s a bit of a shame to give away my information for free, but I can’t afford to be picky right now.

‘Hmm… So, the condition for the lifetime contract was her sister.’

Kang Hyorin looked at her smartwatch and tapped the air.

I swallowed hard, waiting for Kang Hyorin’s next words.

‘Ah… This throws off my calculations.’

‘Huh? Calculations?’

I asked, startled, wondering if it would interfere with the job.

‘Because of the information you just gave me, this has become something I can handle alone. It feels too dishonest for the amount of commission points spent.’

‘…?’

What is she even talking about?

So, you mean the information I gave made the job too easy?

‘At this point, there’s no need to entrust this to the Guild Master. I can handle it myself.’

‘It’s fine. As long as the job gets done.’

I obtained the commission points specifically to ensure Nam Daeun’s situation was handled properly. As long as it’s dealt with correctly, I don’t care who does it.

‘No way. This is a matter of pride for the Korean Branch Manager of the Iris Guild.’

‘I really mean it’s fine.’

I just wish the job would be done quickly.

That would be enough for me.

‘How about this, then? I’ll keep the forces slandering Cadet Lee Hoyeon in check for you, and we can settle the remaining balance with that.’

Suddenly, Dr. Kang Hyorin started pursuing something I hadn’t even asked for.

But this is actually better?

‘Forces slandering me?’

‘Yes. Cadet Lee Hoyeon must know too. That place called ‘The Truth Lee Hoyeon Hides’ is spreading malicious propaganda against Cadet Lee Hoyeon. That’s the Shinyoung Guild’s doing.’

‘The Shinyoung Guild… Shin Dongmin?’

The Shinyoung Guild is run by the family of Shin Dongmin, the student council vice president.

I thought they went quiet after getting crushed by me during the festival, but they were up to something like this?

It made sense why the vice president’s defeat was swept under the rug while the public opinion focused on me. There was an organized effort behind the scenes.

‘Normally, they’re meticulous about cutting off loose ends, but strangely, there are many openings right now. We can definitely dig into it.’

‘Well… I appreciate it. But you absolutely must handle Nam Daeun’s situation first. Dealing with the Shinyoung Guild can wait.’

Even with Professor Im Sol or Baek Ahyoung helping, there was no sign of immediate resolution.

Help would be good.

‘Alright. I’ll send you the relevant investigation materials as soon as they’re done. We’ll put the Shin Dongmin matter aside for later, and the Buyer Guild issue… should be wrapped up by next week.’

This is a place so well-defended that even Scarlet, an elite from the Iris Guild, couldn’t penetrate it, so a week is unbelievably fast.

But next week, the party will already be over.

I don’t know what might happen to Nam Daeun at the party, so I wish it could be finished before then.

‘What if we focus solely on rescuing Nam Daeun’s sister? We need to save Nam Dahee by Friday at the very least.’

‘Hmm, rescuing the sister isn’t the end of it, is it? We’ll need to set up a decoy magic circle afterward to buy some time… Sigh. Alright. I’ll finish it by Friday somehow. But that means other investigations will be postponed.’

‘Thank you. That’s all I need.’

‘Very well. I’ll begin the commission immediately.’

Dr. Kang Hyorin nodded, conjured a holographic monitor in the air, and began contacting someone.

I bowed my head and left the laboratory.

*

Just before lunch ended, I went to find Professor Im Sol.

Since Im Sol is also famous, my goal was to ask her to let me tag along if she got invited to the party this Saturday.

‘Ah… You already notified them of your non-attendance?’

‘Yep. Of course. I can’t stand places with lots of people.’

Gulp. Sip.

Im Sol drank her instant coffee mix while picking up a cookie.

Unfortunately, it seemed too late.

Then again, given her personality, she wouldn’t prefer parties anyway.

‘But why the party?’

‘Ah… I just became curious. I thought maybe I could tag along next to Professor Im Sol.’

‘Hmm. That’s a shame.’

Wait a second, if Professor Im Sol got invited, wouldn’t Baek Ahyoung have been invited too?

Baek Ahyoung is a saintess in her own right, after all.

‘Speaking of which, do you think Ahyoung-ssi might have been invited too?’

Tsk-.

‘Yeah. Probably.’

‘Huh? Oh. Right? I should probably check the nurse’s office.’

Did I just hear a faint ‘tsk’? Or did I mishear?

Either way, after I finish talking with Professor Im Sol, I should head over to Baek Ahyoung.

‘I’m currently looking into the forces slandering you. It won’t be over quickly, but I’ll handle it somehow, so don’t worry.’

It seems Professor Im Sol has noticed the forces targeting me too.

However, she doesn’t seem to know that the Shinyoung Guild is behind it yet.

‘I’m also gathering information on my end. If I find anything first, I’ll let you know, Professor.’

‘Okay. But don’t push yourself too hard. I’m pulling some strings on my end too.’

‘Thank you, Professor.’

She really is a reliable Noona, Professor Im Sol.

I considered telling her that the Shinyoung Guild was the mastermind, but I didn’t want to risk hurting Professor Im Sol’s pride.

There’s no guarantee that the Iris Guild’s investigation will be completely accurate anyway. It’s not bad to investigate through multiple channels.

But even with the grateful Professor Im Sol, I still had something else to discuss.

‘Anyway, you remember the promise we made, right?’

‘Promise? What promise… Ah.’

‘You remember now. You have to go to the Magic Exhibition with me.’

We had promised to go to the Magic Exhibition together if I got a perfect score on the written exam.

No matter how busy I am, I have to make time for this.

‘Haa…’

Im Sol let out an annoyed sigh, but even though she made it obvious, I had no intention of backing down.

‘It’s a promise. Surely, you wouldn’t abandon a promise with your student and run away, Professor?’

I had already figured out how to provoke Im Sol.

Im Sol, with her strong pride, always says yes if you nudge her just right.

‘… Fine. I’ll definitely go. It’s a promise.’

‘Thank you, Professor. In return, I’ll help diligently with your research.’

Lee Hoyeon, a man who knows how to separate work and play.

A man who gets things done.

‘Got it. Now, take off your pants.’

Im Sol stood up from the sofa, walked towards me, and knelt down.

She placed her hand on my thigh and slowly began moving it towards my groin.

‘Wait a moment, Professor. What about the thesis research?’

‘I can do that alone. You just need to provide the sugar.’

‘There’s no sugar in my semen… Yes. Understood.’

I met Im Sol’s gaze, but seeing the cold look in her eyes, I tucked my tail between my legs and lowered my pants.

‘Slurp. Smack. Gloomp.’

Im Sol took my protruding cock into her mouth and sucked hard.

‘Ack! Just a moment, Professor. You’re not angry, are you?’

‘Nnngh. Slurp.’

What is she saying?

Her mouth was completely full of my member, so I couldn’t understand.

★ Heroine Status Window

[Im Sol]

• [ Affection: 64 ]

• [ Lust: 30 ]

• [ Appetite: 25 ]

• [ Fatigue: 45 ]

Current Status: The thesis is almost complete… but I have to keep my promise. It’s a matter of pride.

Why do people these days care so much about pride and honor?

‘Ah, it hurts, Professor. Your teeth are touching… Yes. I’ll stay still.’

Im Sol’s fellatio today was a bit painful.

Still, the way her soft tongue gently rubbed the spot where her teeth had grazed felt good.

*

‘Haa…’

Baek Ahyoung slumped back in her chair as lunch break ended.

The Academy’s nurse’s office was busier during lunch breaks than during regular hours.

That’s because most cadets visit during their lunch break.

During regular hours, it was spacious because hardly anyone came unless it was an emergency.

Knock knock-

That’s when a knock sounded at the door.

‘Doesn’t sound like an emergency patient, maybe a lobby staff member?’

But staff usually announce themselves from outside. No one comes this quietly.

‘Yes, come in.’

There were guards outside anyway, and it wasn’t like any strange person would just show up at the nurse’s office. Baek Ahyoung granted permission without much thought.

Creeak-

As the door opened, a familiar face met Baek Ahyoung’s eyes.

‘H-Hoyeon-ah?’

‘Hello, Ahyoung-ssi. I just came by because I was bored.’

‘Isn’t it class time right now? Why are you here…’

‘Isn’t Ahyoung-ssi more important than class? I ditched it all.’

That smile, where the corners of his lips curled up slightly and his eyes formed beautiful crescent moons.

Baek Ahyoung knew he was joking, but it still made her heart race.

‘S-Stop saying weird things. What did you come here for?’

‘I have something to ask you, Ahyoung-ssi. Are you attending the party this Saturday?’

Thump-

Lee Hoyeon casually sat down on one of the patient chairs in the nurse’s office.

‘Party…? Ah, you mean the social gathering the Association is holding?’

‘Yes, that one.’

‘I probably won’t attend. I don’t have a partner…’

The parties hosted by those old geezers at the Association tend to encourage matchmaking between men and women.

It wasn’t an official rule, never spoken aloud, but it was a long-standing unspoken norm.

Plus, if young men and women show up alone, rumors spread that they’re looking for a partner, leading to a lot of unwanted advances.

It was bothersome, and frankly, Baek Ahyoung had nothing to gain from attending.

‘A partner? Is there such a thing?’

Lee Hoyeon asked Baek Ahyoung, as if hearing this for the first time.

‘Yeah, usually men and women attend as pairs. If young men and women attend a party without a partner, it implies they’re looking for one.’

‘Ah…’

Shit. So that’s what it was.

Lee Hoyeon finally caught on.

That old geezer intends to attend the party as Nam Daeun’s partner.

Even if it looks pathetic to others, it would deter any men approaching Nam Daeun.

Seeing Lee Hoyeon’s expression suddenly turn grim, Baek Ahyoung worried if she had done something wrong.

‘Ahyoung-ssi. Come with me.’

‘W-What?’

And then, she couldn’t believe what she heard.

‘I’m asking you to be my partner.’

‘… It might lead to unnecessary gossip. Attending a party hosted by the Association as partners is more… than you think…’

‘I don’t mind, though. Even if we get misunderstood like that, Ahyoung-ssi.’

‘… Hhht! Heeeet!’

Baek Ahyoung let out strange noises in her fluster.

Baek Ahyoung couldn’t help but be flustered by such a sudden advance.

‘Tsk, what was that sound?’

Seeing Lee Hoyeon smile as if teasing her, her face grew hot.

‘I-It’s because you keep joking around!’

‘Ahyoung-ssi. I’m not joking. Come to the party with me.’

‘Ugh…’

Baek Ahyoung hated that Lee Hoyeon said such things, even without fully understanding the implications of attending the party together.

Why did he keep giving her hints in such a playful manner?

Could he possibly be serious?

After much deliberation, Baek Ahyoung finally nodded.

‘Okay. You definitely asked me to go. Don’t regret it later.’

‘I won’t regret it.’

Lee Hoyeon thought as he stood up from the chair.

‘It wouldn’t be bad if rumors spread about us being partners.’

I came to the party partly to check on Baek Ahyoung’s condition, and her condition was surprisingly good.

Whatever change of heart she had, her affection level, which had dropped, was rising again, and the resentment in her eyes towards me had lessened.

★ Heroine Status Window

[Baek Ahyoung]

• [ Affection: 96 ] (+ 0.7)

• [ Lust: 82 ]

• [ Appetite: 30 ]

• [ Fatigue: 65 ]

Current Status: Why do you keep… making it impossible for me to give up?

Seeing her inner thoughts made me feel a little sorry.

Once this current situation is resolved, I think I need to deal with Baek Ahyoung properly.

With all the incidents constantly erupting, she’s somehow become the tragic heroine.

I need to resolve this before I worry any further.

Still, you have to play hard to get sometimes for the real pull to be effective.

It’s the law of action-reaction for charming women, a principle I developed myself.

‘Honey, come here.’

‘… Yes. Honey.’

Thump-thump-

Baek Ahyoung’s heart pounded.

She hated how she fluttered at the word ‘Honey,’ like Pavlov’s dog.

‘But… it doesn’t feel entirely unpleasant.’

Baek Ahyoung rose from the chair and hugged Lee Hoyeon.

‘It’s been three days.’

‘Yeah, Honey… Wait, at least lock the door first…’

‘I already locked it when I came in.’

‘Hhhnn…’

Baek Ahyoung surrendered herself to Lee Hoyeon’s touch.

With each piece of clothing removed, her heart pounded harder.

How long could she feel this fluttering excitement?

Maybe… maybe it could actually happen.

Baek Ahyoung hugged Lee Hoyeon, hoping for a future where they could build a home together, and the title ‘Honey’ wouldn’t feel awkward.