episode_0022

023

Yoo Seolhyun.

She is the granddaughter of the legendary Korean sorcerer Yoo Gapryeong.

Surrounded by numerous children, she was an elegant and haughty heiress whose graceful gestures and arrogant gaze suited her well.

Her academic performance was outstanding, both in practical and written exams, and her Western-style features such as a full chest, slender waist, and slim legs exuded a Western vibe.

Due to her unique mixed heritage of East and West and the fact that she was the daughter of a wealthy family, she was quite popular among the boys.

She seemed like a lady who could appear in a historical drama.

In terms of popularity alone, she could be considered more popular than Jin Soyeon.

Jin Soyeon, who never thought she was inferior in looks, knew that Yoo Seolhyun’s decadent aura and formidable background had a charm that attracted boys.

“….”

Could Jinhyuk be the same?

It wouldn’t be strange for any healthy young man to be interested in a beautiful woman.

But Jinhyuk had known each other for a long time, and she knew how he viewed women.

From childhood to Union Academy, he had almost always been with Jin Soyeon as a woman.

Jinhyuk, who always looked at women with disdain.

But why?

Why was Jinhyuk meeting Seolhyun separately?

During the performance evaluation, they had to meet, but there was no reason for it now, right?

She had never seen him hanging out with another girl other than Soyeon…

“Huh? Why is Jinhyuk with Seolhyun?”

“Did they get along well enough to meet separately?”

“Oh? What’s this, what’s this. Is the reason Jinhyuk went to the karaoke today because of that?”

The children reacted with some interest.

Due to the monster subjugation incident, Teams 1 and 16 were receiving a lot of attention.

So Jinhyuk’s meeting with Yoo Seolhyun was just good gossip for the other children.

“Soyeon, isn’t he your ex-boyfriend?”

“….”

“Soyeon?”

“….Huh? Why?”

Although Kim Seoyoon half-jokingly said it, Jin Soyeon responded a beat late as if she hadn’t heard.

Kim Seoyoon couldn’t help but smile bitterly in her heart.

No matter how well they had broken up, it wouldn’t be pleasant to see her ex-boyfriend and childhood friend meeting Seolhyun recently.

Plus, Jin Soyeon and Yoo Seolhyun had a subtle rift between them.

“Are you feeling a bit uneasy after all?”

Kim Seoyoon nodded as if she understood.

“Well, seeing something like that might make you feel a bit strange.”

Feeling strange, huh…

Indeed, her heart was a bit unsettled.

Was it a bit awkward or unsettling? Her heart felt stuffy.

She couldn’t quite express this feeling accurately.

– Actually, I’ve started to like someone else.

– A much prettier and kinder girl.

– Once we graduate from the academy, our school life will be over, so shouldn’t we try a proper relationship?

Suddenly.

Jinhyuk’s teasing remarks came to mind.

She had thought it was just a half-joking comment…

But was it not just a simple joke?

Did he really develop an interest in Seolhyun?

“….”

Hmm.

But you know.

A little, just a little…

“…It’s a bit disappointing.”

Yeah. That’s right.

It feels a bit disappointing.

He’s developed an interest in another woman, and he doesn’t even play with me these days.

Without Jinhyuk, who had always been by her side, she felt a bit empty.

When a new girl caught his interest, the way Jinhyuk pushed Jinsuyeon aside was a bit distasteful.

“……”

Anyway, Jinhyuk, who had been as cold as ice towards the opposite sex, showing interest in a girl was something to celebrate as a childhood friend.

Of course, it might have been partly due to Jinsuyeon asking for a fake relationship, but regardless, Jinhyuk had been so indifferent towards the opposite sex.

He even worried if Jinhyuk would be able to date properly in the future.

But.

But seriously.

‘Why does it have to be Yoo Seolhyun?’

Since they clashed from the first day, Yoo Seolhyun was a bit off-putting.

Yoo Seolhyun didn’t seem to have a favorable opinion of Jinsuyeon either.

Subtly provoking Jinsuyeon, Yoo Seolhyun didn’t seem to have a good personality.

Why did Jinhyuk show interest in Yoo Seolhyun out of all the girls?

“But is that okay?”

“What?”

At Kim Seoyoon’s casual remark, Jinsuyeon slowly raised her head. Kim Seoyoon hesitated for a moment. Ah, should I even say this?

“…Suyeon, Suyeon. This is actually a secret.”

After finally making up her mind, Kim Seoyoon whispered in Jinsuyeon’s ear so that the other kids couldn’t hear.

“Suyeon, that Seolhyun… there have been rumors about her and boys since middle school.”

“What?”

“Just rumors… how should I put it. She slightly tempts or seduces boys who already have girlfriends. Or should I say, she mesmerizes them? Anyway, there have been quite a few couples that have fallen apart because of her.”

She continues to whisper.

“But do you know that?”

Kim Seoyoon glanced around cautiously to see if the other kids were eavesdropping.

“Most of the girlfriends of the guys who were mesmerized by Seolhyun were girls who didn’t get along well with Seolhyun.”

“So…”

“That’s right, Suyeon. Honestly, your relationship with Seolhyun seems a bit off, right?”

Like a cunning fox, the slight smile that Yoo Seolhyun gave Jinhyuk passed through Jinsuyeon’s mind.

Was it intentional after all?

“Of course, it’s just a rumor, so there’s no need to believe it too much. Anyway, this is a secret, okay? Don’t tell anyone that you heard it from me, got it?”

“Yeah. Got it.”

Jinsuyeon nodded slightly, lost in thought.

Jinsuyeon also knew that rumors were just rumors.

In fact, during middle school, there were rumors spread by girls who were jealous of Jinsuyeon.

But the rumors related to Yoo Seolhyun were quite credible.

No, she wanted to believe they were credible.

“Hey~. What are you guys doing? Not going to the karaoke? We might be late at this rate.”

“Oh, sorry, sorry.”

In response to a male student’s words, Kim Seoyoon smiled brightly and replied.

“Anyway, Suyeon, let’s go now. They might have something to discuss separately, right? So don’t worry too much. If you’re really concerned, you can ask Jinhyuk later, right?”

“…Yeah, okay. Got it.”

Jinsuyeon, who had been gazing at the cafe for a moment, suddenly moved her feet.

Nothing had been decided yet, despite Kim Seoyoon’s words.

It wasn’t certain if Jinhyuk really had an interest in Yoo Seolhyun, or if Yoo Seolhyun was deliberately trying to seduce Jinhyuk.

She could find out everything by asking Jinhyuk directly later.

‘…I wish what Seoyoon said was true.’

The rumors related to Yoo Seolhyun that Kim Seoyoon mentioned.

Jinsuyeon hoped that those rumors were true.

After all, if the rumors were true, Yoo Seolhyun was nothing short of a villainess straight out of a women’s novel.

Then Jin Soyeon would probably be able to comfortably dislike it.

The villain, Yoo Seolhyun, who is deceiving her childhood friend.

***

A cafe in the city where clean interior and the subtle aroma of coffee blend well.

“Lee Jinhyuk.”

Yoo Seolhyun and I sat facing each other.

With her arms crossed, she stared at me sternly.

It seemed like my words had struck a nerve. Well, it was understandable. The fact that Yoo Seolhyun was involved in conquering the Yeongdeung Mountain dungeon could be considered a secret.

But when a mere academy classmate suddenly started talking about the Yeongdeung Mountain dungeon, Yoo Seolhyun had every reason to be cautious.

Being cautious was not a bad reaction.

At least she wasn’t dismissing my words carelessly.

It was a necessary step to start the conversation we were about to have.

“What’s up with you? How do you know that the Yeongdeung Mountain dungeon is related to me?”

“Before we continue, could you use a soundproofing spell so that no one can eavesdrop? There might be listening ears around.”

“Tsk.”

Yoo Seolhyun gave me a displeased look but then flicked her finger to create an opaque soundproof barrier.

Oh, neat.

It was a simple spell, but she used it well.

“Now that’s done, go ahead and speak.”

“Alright.”

I nodded firmly, thinking that I needed to speak boldly and confidently.

I had to continue giving Yoo Seolhyun the impression that there was something about me. Something that would make her misunderstand me.

“I have a proposal regarding the conquest of the Yeongdeung Mountain dungeon by the unofficial hero team you manage.”

“….”

Yoo Seolhyun raised an eyebrow and nodded calmly.

She didn’t bother hiding the fact that they were in the middle of conquering the dungeon.

The dungeon exploration report had already been submitted.

And from Yoo Seolhyun’s perspective, all she had to hide was the fact that she was managing the team.

“I have a dungeon conquest guide that I want to offer you.”

I rummaged through my bag and pulled out a few documents.

It might be risky to reveal this information so early, but it was necessary to persuade her and successfully conquer the Yeongdeung Mountain dungeon.

“….Huh?”

Yoo Seolhyun looked at the document filled with text and furrowed her brows.

She seemed to have figured out what the contents of the document were.

“Information on the environmental conditions of each level of the Yeongdeung Mountain dungeon, the types of monsters and their weaknesses, recommended equipment, trap locations, and precautions to take? What is this all about?”

“That’s as far as you go.”

I put the documents back in my bag so she couldn’t read any further.

Yoo Seolhyun seemed a bit dumbfounded.

She had a slightly bewildered look on her face.

“What was that just now?”

“A dungeon conquest guide.”

“No, how? This doesn’t make sense…?”

It was indeed something that didn’t make sense.

A dungeon conquest guide for a dungeon currently being explored?

It was something that she couldn’t believe, but Yoo Seolhyun didn’t outright deny my words, instead biting her lip a few times.

Because as someone who regularly received reports on dungeon exploration progress, she realized that the information I had just shown her matched the information she had received.

“How do you know about this for real?”

After chewing on her lip for a moment, Yoo Seolhyun looked at me directly.

“Do you really have some kind of precognitive ability or something?”

“Well, who knows.”

I deliberately gave a vague answer.

It was better to make her think for herself than to say it myself. If she came to believe that I had precognitive abilities, my actions and words would gain more credibility in the future.

And then…

“I guess you have nothing to say, right? Well, that’s fine.”

She brushed her hair roughly before starting to speak in a low voice.

“Lee Jin-hyuk, listen carefully.”

She spoke softly.

“I don’t need your help.”

Yoo Seol-hyun’s gaze sharpened slightly.

“Even if the information you have is all correct, it doesn’t matter. The dungeon is already being cleared smoothly.”

“Is that so?”

“I won’t ask how you found out about this. But listen. Just remember this.”

Yoo Seol-hyun leaned in a little closer, her eyes glaring fiercely.

“It’s best not to casually spread the fact that I have a team under my management to others. Got it?”

“Of course.”

Warning.

Yoo Seol-hyun was warning me.

It meant that if I spread unnecessary information around, she would somehow impose sanctions.

I couldn’t take her warning lightly because she could actually use the power of the household.

‘The power of the household.’

In fact, Yoo Seol-hyun’s power can be said to come from the background.

It is possible to use the power of the clan more actively than Lee Si-woon of the SL Group or the powerful Hyeok-yeong Clan.

That’s because she has been overseeing clan affairs for a while.

‘I may have revealed too much information to Yoo Seol-hyun.’

If she were to have ill intentions, she could use the power of the household to extract only my information.

To be honest, revealing so much information to someone with a strong background could be very dangerous.

But I was convinced.

Yoo Seol-hyun would never use such methods.

This was not blind faith or irresponsible trust.

It was because I already knew Yoo Seol-hyun’s character setting.

And I had been observing Yoo Seol-hyun’s personality, behavior, and actions through comparison and analysis with the character setting for months.

After considering all the internal and external information I could gather, I came to this conclusion.

‘And I have also saved Yoo Seol-hyun before.’

Since I once saved her from the long-armed monkey, she wouldn’t cross the line as long as I maintained a proper boundary.

Even though Yoo Seol-hyun has the setting of an antagonist, she is not someone who would imprison a lifesaver and suck up information.

Oh, of course, assuming she hasn’t turned into a villain.

‘And Yoo Seol-hyun is a person with a strong sense of talent, so she won’t worsen relations with someone she thinks will be helpful in the future.’

Thanks to the events of the past few months, she probably has a decent opinion of me.

Moreover, if I show that I seem to know the future like this today, considering Yoo Seol-hyun’s character, she wouldn’t unnecessarily kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Maintaining a good relationship while engaging in mutual transactions is what I want.

In order to properly utilize the many pieces of information I have, knowing Yoo Seol-hyun’s background was essential.

I gain power, she gains information.

Both of us have commodities that can be traded, so we could build a positive relationship.

‘Well, in the first place, in order for Yoo Seol-hyun to demand a price after helping clear the Yeongdeung Mountain dungeon, this level of information had to be disclosed.’

Apart from helping Yoo Seol-hyun clear the dungeon, there is ‘that item’ deep in the Yeongdeung Mountain dungeon.

I definitely wanted to retrieve that item.

With my current strength alone, I could never clear that dungeon.

“Haah. Sorry. I think I may have been a bit too harsh with my words. Honestly, I reacted sensitively because you know about those things.”

“Honestly, I am curious about the source of the material you showed me. Well, it’s not something I can force out of you.”

“….”

I secretly checked the time while listening to Yoo Seolhyun’s words.

It seemed like time was almost up.

I still remembered it because it was a cutscene that had been repeated dozens of times when I played this game multiple times in the past.

When Yoo Seolhyun would receive the sad news.

“Anyway, if you’re done talking, I’ll go ahead and check…”

– Ring. Ring.

Suddenly, the phone rang.

Yoo Seolhyun glanced at her bag.

It was her phone ringing.

Ah, is it time already?

“Answer it. It could be an urgent call.”

Yoo Seolhyun checked the caller and then answered the phone with a slight frown.

It seemed like she was secretly anxious to receive a call from a team member who was unexpectedly contacting her while conquering a dungeon at this hour.

“….Hello? Yes? The academy is over. But … why. Ah, yes?”

Yoo Seolhyun’s eyes, which had been on the phone, trembled without a break.

“….”

How much time had passed since she answered the call?

Yoo Seolhyun suddenly hung up the phone and sat down on the chair, feeling powerless.

“Are you okay?”

“….Ah.”

Yoo Seolhyun slowly nodded in response to my question.

“….It seems too coincidental to be true. Could it be?”

“Well, I’m not sure what you’re talking about, but….”

I hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“….Have you considered accepting my proposal?”