Episode 417. Iris Guild Korean Branch

“That’s right…. It was so annoying when reporters swarmed me coming out of the airport.”

“Still, you were lucky. You managed to escape, didn’t you?”

“That’s true. How about you, Surin noona? Are there still a lot of reporters around these days?”

“It’s okay these days. Maybe it’s because Hoyeon’s gotten famous?”

We chatted about recent events while sipping our tea.

Surin noona got over her fear of stalkers by stalking me.

The motive itself was weird, but the outcome was good.

Thankfully, she doesn’t seem to worry about stalkers anymore.

‘Instead, she collects my photos, but that should be fine.’

A pretty woman collecting my photos is always welcome.

While talking with Moon Surin, I remembered the reason for my visit and opened my mouth.

“Surin noona, you have many channels to get information, right?”

“I suppose so? Is there something you want to ask?”

“There’s something bothering me.”

I wet my throat and told her about the internet article Liliana had seen.

The incident where mana measurements in dungeons weren’t working properly.

I don’t think it’s a big deal, but there’s no harm in checking.

Hearing my words, Surin noona pondered for a moment before continuing.

“Dungeons… there have been rumors like that already.”

Chak-chak-

Moon Surin rummaged through the piles of documents on her neat desk and pulled out one file.

Surin noona looked serious as she read the document.

“Reports of strange dungeons appearing worldwide have increased.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Actually, incidents like that are common, so it wasn’t something to worry much about, but the frequency has increased surprisingly lately. That’s why some experts are paying attention.”

“Thank you, Surin noona.”

This means Liliana’s feeling of unease wasn’t wrong.

Something is definitely suspicious.

‘And more suspicious dungeons appearing is good news.’

Then my fake dungeon might slip by unnoticed.

I want to investigate it if I get the chance.

I need to check it myself to properly grasp the anomaly.

“I’m glad I could help.”

Moon Surin smiled bashfully as she tidied up the documents.

“How’s your work going?”

“My work?”

“Yes. That… your father’s situation.”

I carefully brought up Moon Sungmin.

Honestly, I didn’t want to touch on family matters, but since it involves me, I had to ask.

I wanted to help if I could.

“He was really good at hiding. He’s been in hiding for over 10 years… so it’s not easy to find him.”

“That’s true.”

He even had a mobility ability that couldn’t be tracked by magic.

It would be difficult to catch him under normal circumstances.

“But thanks to the pendant Hoyeon found, it’s gotten easier. Thank you.”

“Oh, stop. I didn’t do anything.”

I chuckled awkwardly and brought the teacup to my lips.

The topic made it hard to know what to say.

It felt unnecessarily burdensome.

Surin noona seemed to read my expression and said, spreading her arms.

“Hoyeon. Give me a hug.”

“…Yes, yes.”

I stood behind Surin noona, who had a playful smile on her face.

It was a simple hug, wrapping her arms around my upper body, but Surin noona seemed satisfied even with that, stroking my hand and looking happy.

“I wish we could always be together like this.”

“…Me too.”

I gave a wry smile and nudged Surin noona’s head with my chin.

“Ouch, that hurts. What are you doing?”

“You’re just cute.”

Even when she pouts, she’s pretty, so I can indulge her.

She always looks tired because of various things, so I should make her feel good when she’s with me.

“If you keep pushing down like that… mmm.”

I turned Moon Surin’s pouting face sideways and kissed her.

A gentle kiss.

Enjoying the feel of her lips and caressing her face felt good, no matter when we did it.

“Hngh, Hoyeon. I still have work…”

“You like it too, noona.”

“…Mmm.”

I continued the kiss, looking at Moon Surin’s bashful smile.

*

After sharing a brief moment of passion with Surin noona.

I gave a kiss to Surin noona, who still had work to do, and left the student council room.

“Hoo…”

I adjusted my clothes and exited the club building.

My schedule for today is over.

I should go home and do some magic research with Rebecca.

‘Or maybe I should monitor Liliana’s broadcast?’

It would be good to check Liliana’s broadcast, which has been getting weirder lately.

What on earth is she broadcasting to be like that?

Lost in thought, I exited the club building.

Just as I was about to head home.

Ttak- ttak-

The sound of light footsteps echoed.

The sound seemed to be getting closer to me.

I turned my head towards the sound, and saw Irene walking towards me with a tense expression.

‘She was waiting here.’

I expected her to contact me after I got home, so this was unexpected.

I smiled and gave a slight bow.

“Hello?”

“…Yeah.”

“I just got back from America yesterday. I didn’t expect to see you here either.”

“That’s right. Nice to see you.”

Irene took a deep breath, relaxed her expression, and approached me.

“…Should we move somewhere else? The student council president might see us talking here.”

“Okay.”

Neither Irene nor I wanted Moon Surin to find out.

I followed Irene towards a nearby cafe.

Ttak. Ttak.

Jeobeok. Jeobeok.

We weren’t saying anything, but I thought as I watched Irene’s back.

‘She’s surprisingly calm.’

Last time, she couldn’t control her emotions and got angry.

She probably thought a lot on her own while I was in America.

I was curious about what she would do about her feelings for Alice.

‘If possible, I’d like to play the bad guy.’

I don’t want to ruin Irene and Alice’s relationship.

Since I’m treated like trash anyway, it should be fine.

Besides, even if my image worsens somewhat, I can turn it around with the fake dungeon plan.

‘What if the fake dungeon plan fails because of this?’

It’s practically the only way to resolve my complicated relationships with women.

I intend to put all my effort into making it a perfect plan, but life never goes exactly as planned.

Even putting everything on the line, there’s always a possibility of failure.

To prevent that, I need to prepare as perfectly as possible.

‘…Thinking about it, there’s Irene.’

Perfect preparation is necessary for the fake dungeon plan to succeed.

It would be good to have help from others besides Rebecca.

Someone who knows about my relationships with women but doesn’t care.

Plus, someone with the ability to help me.

Irene.

Isn’t she perfect for helping with the fake dungeon plan?

Cooperation can be forced, after all.

“What are you doing?”

“Ah, I’m coming.”

I was lost in thought and didn’t see Irene waiting after opening the cafe door.

I quickly entered the cafe.

After ordering drinks and sitting down.

I spoke to Irene, who was sitting across from me.

“Did you do well while you were in America?”

“We’re not the kind of people who exchange pleasantries.”

“I apologize if I offended you.”

“…You don’t need to apologize.”

Irene seemed surprised for a moment by my apology, but quickly stiffened her expression.

It seems she wants to have a serious conversation today.

I also got straight to the point.

“So, have you sorted out your thoughts?”

“My thoughts are the same. Alice is my precious family.”

“I’m not doing anything wrong either.”

Think about how much love I give to Alice.

“I can’t trust you. Alice has become strange since meeting you.”

“What will you do for me in return?”

“Whatever you want… I’ll do anything.”

“It’s convenient that Alice isn’t home right now.”

Irene bit her lip.

Anyone would think I’m the villain.

Where else can you find a man who considers women as much as I do?

“Even so, doing it at home is out of the question. Alice could come back anytime…”

“Let’s put that aside for now. I have something to ask.”

I cut off Irene and spoke.

I met the 1st team leader of the Information Guild, so I should ask Irene about dungeons too.

I found out from Surin noona that something is going on, so I need to extract information from Irene too.

“Do you think I’ll answer you?”

“You said you’d do anything.”

“That has nothing to do with information.”

“What? Were you perhaps thinking of something else? What were you thinking?”

“…Ask me anything.”

As I smiled with a cheeky expression, Irene sipped her coffee with an uncomfortable look.

• Heroine Status Window

[Irene]

• [Affection: 45] (+ 0.2)

• [Lust: 60]

• [Appetite: 40]

• [Fatigue: 40]

Current Status: Surely the additional promise isn’t just providing information, is it? Surely not….

Checking the status window confirmed she was expecting a lewd promise.

Of course, I need to get the lewd promise too, but for now, I plan to get the information.

I asked Irene the same thing I asked Surin noona about the dungeon anomalies.

Hearing me, Irene checked her smartwatch.

“I don’t know how you found out about that incident, but the Iris Guild is currently investigating.”

“Really?”

“Information about dungeons is often sold at high prices because many guilds want it.”

I checked the smartwatch screen Irene was showing me.

The screen showed the Iris Guild’s investigation process, and dungeons in Korea were included in the list.

“The Huadong Dungeon is in Korea?”

“That’s right. The Korean branch will investigate it soon.”

“That’s great. Let me join that too.”

“Huh?”

“The investigation. I’ll help.”

I wanted to check the dungeon with my own eyes, and this was a perfect opportunity.

If I gather more information on unusual dungeons, the completion of my fake dungeon plan will improve.

“That’s not within my authority, it’s up to the Korean branch manager…”

“What can’t you do, Irene? You’re the Guild Master’s daughter.”

Who do you think I am?

Irene is the 1st team leader and the Guild Master’s daughter. Getting someone onto the investigation team is a piece of cake.

Irene looked at me suspiciously and said.

“Is that really how you’ll… cut ties with Alice?”

“Let’s try it first.”

Getting information and taking Irene’s body is the best outcome.

Of course, I need to think of a good plan that considers Irene too.

“…Don’t add conditions later saying it’s not enough, tell me everything now.”

“I can’t think of anything right now. Do you, Irene, have any conditions in mind?”

“……”

Irene shut her mouth and frowned.

Irene was definitely thinking about sex.

But it must be hard for her to say the word ‘sex’ out loud.

She wouldn’t want to show me her weakness.

Still, seeing how honestly she’s giving me information, Irene isn’t a bad person.

Is she the type to be sensitive about promises, like Alice?

“Speaking of which, when is Alice coming back?”

“…I don’t know.”

“Don’t lie.”

“I really don’t know. She decided to stay in France until the Guild Master is satisfied.”

It seemed she really didn’t know when Alice would return.

‘If possible, I’d like to improve Alice and Irene’s relationship too.’

It would have been easier if they were twins like Lucy and Lumi, but since they’re sisters with an age gap, persuading them won’t be easy.

“Anyway, let me join the investigation team for now. I’ll think about the rest later.”

“Is that really all you want?”

“Yes. For now.”

Irene tapped her smartwatch as if she had a headache, and I smiled looking at her.

Now I have something to do for the entire vacation.