Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: End and Beginning (2)
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I hadn't had time to think about it earlier while calming down the startled Yu-ra, but wasn't this a seriously dangerous situation?
I was hiding a nationally wanted criminal whose face had been plastered all over the news. And not just any criminal—the politicians and chaebols were turning red-eyed searching for her!
As I pushed aside the itchy burlap blanket and sat up, Yu-ra's eyes fluttered open at the noise. In a sleepy voice, she asked,
"Mm... Oppa?"
"Yeah. Sorry. Go back to sleep, Yu-ra."
I patted her shoulder a few times until she drifted off again, then headed to the living room. Gulping down a glass of cold water cleared my head a bit.
"Yeah. Definitely not the time to sleep."
Thinking it over carefully, this was no small matter. The fact that a wanted poster hit the evening news the same day a witness came forward—without any verification process—was absurd.
The sticky ones must have panicked, thinking they might be next. But that invisible person Se-ri had been chasing? She had some serious backing too.
Either the power to manipulate the media, or skills like mine to influence people.
"When I brought Se-ri home yesterday... good thing no cameras caught us."
I'd hidden us completely with Invisibility and Flight, worried about misunderstandings from dragging in a blood-soaked woman. Smart move. Unless calling 119, there weren't many options.
So Se-ri couldn't go outside for a while... Sigh. No part-time work then? Did that mean I had to keep running the shop until we found a new hire?
"Ah, this screws everything up."
Plus, the deadline I'd promised fortune-teller Kim Do-yeon was fast approaching.
"...Hoo. Think positive. Better that the wanted notice dropped today."
Imagine if it came after we'd hired her at the shop and introduced her face to everyone. Not just Se-ri—we'd both be fucked.
"Gotta be a way. [Quest]."
Time to check the quest I'd lazily postponed and distribute those points.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Quest] Assailant's Disposition 1 (Completed) You ravished the assailant and let her live. [Hidden Quest] Assailant's Disposition 2 (new) - Displays quests performable with the current user's possessed and acquirable skills. (1 quest selectable) (Trigger: Completed 'Assailant's Disposition 1' while keeping the assailant alive) ⚙ QUEST OPTIONS ⚙ [Whim of the Lustful Demon] - Release the assailant. Reward: ???, Ring of Mercy x1 (Wearer's Favorability +50) [Companion of the Lustful Demon] - Employ the assailant. Requires related skill. Reward: Related Skill Level-Up Coupon x1, Ring of Oath x1 (Wearer's Obedience +50) [Lust of the Lustful Demon] - Brainwash the assailant. Requires related skill. Reward: Related Skill Level-Up Coupon x1, x2 Acquisition Pt with Lustful Demon, Ring of Depravity x1 (Wearer's Lewdness +50) My eyes, which had been aching for a while, now darted busily through the air.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next morning.
I whispered to Pomi to bring Se-ri and Byul-i over.
Se-ri hesitated timidly at the sight of Yu-ra when she entered, but when Yu-ra approached first and took her hand, Se-ri flinched once before meekly letting herself be led inside.
"I heard about it. Sorry for startling you yesterday."
"...Huh?"
Yu-ra gripped Se-ri's slender hand tightly as she spoke, while Se-ri looked up at her in surprise. Se-ri fidgeted, uncomfortable with someone else touching her hand, avoiding eye contact.
Yu-ra had extended her hand first, but she felt awkward too. For a moment, she just stared silently at Se-ri.
Then, noticing Se-ri still wearing my clothes, she made the same offer she'd given Pomi.
"Wanna go shopping for clothes with me later?"
"...Yeah."
Se-ri nodded faintly.
Kwugh. So touching.
But I had to break the moment.
"Yu-ra, she's a wanted criminal."
"Ah..!"
Yu-ra must've forgotten, just like I had last night. Her face fell in realization, then hardened with resolve.
"Then I'll go out alone today. At least grab some underwear and toiletries."
"Hold on, Yu-ra."
This was why I hadn't slept.
I stopped Yu-ra, who was about to head out, and strode confidently to Se-ri. All eyes turned to me.
"Se-ri, close your eyes for a sec. Might sting a little?"
She squeezed her eyes shut like a kid at the doctor's for a shot. I placed one hand on her face and shouted,
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ [Shapeshift] Unlike when I used it on myself, there were no light effects bursting from her face. The hologram was just for mirror purposes anyway—no need for third parties.
My part was done. Time for golden hands Yu-ra to shine.
"Yu-ra, come on."
"Oppa..? How..?"
I grinned at her stunned expression.
"Leveled up the Shapeshift skill yesterday."
⚙ SKILL INFO ⚙ [Shapeshift, R, Active] - Alters appearance. Gains additional slots per level-up. Lv.1: Low-level customization. 3 slots. Can shapeshift others. Worth the 3,000 pt investment.
Three save slots meant instant face swaps, even for others.
Yu-ra approached in a daze, took my hand, and began tweaking Se-ri's features.
"Oppa, this lets you change way more than before?"
"Heh. Do mine next. Make me handsomer, your type."
Yu-ra smiled and worked busily.
"Don't make her ugly just 'cause you fought yesterday."
"Don't joke like that! You scared her."
Se-ri's brow twitched at "ugly," and Yu-ra glared at me.
She soothed Se-ri and continued.
The slightly droopy puppy eyes lifted, the round nose and jaw sharpened.
The cute, innocent girl vanished, replaced by a cool, sharp beauty. Both pretty, but this cold avenger vibe suited her better.
"Done. Too pretty? Pomi, mirror from inventory."
"Ong!"
Yu-ra handed the mirror with a smile.
Se-ri opened her eyes and gaped at her perfect new face.
"Whoa!"
"Like it?"
Nod, nod.
"Like unnie."
Yu-ra, top-rated golden hands. She'd have cried if I'd done it—or Pomi.
"Se-ri, that's your face now. Awkward at first, but you'll adjust in days. Tell me if it's off—we can revert."
"Yeah.."
Se-ri barely listened, mesmerized by her reflection.
"Yu-ra, wanna try? You're pretty, but prettier?"
"If I change your face daily, you won't meet other girls?"
"Huh? Well.."
Yu-ra smirked.
"Pass. I'll say if I need it."
Flattery backfired. No gain.
I cleared my throat and changed topics. Time for today's highlight: my new SR skill.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ [Vassal] "Chunyong-ah, why announce skill names? Chuunibyou?"
"Shut it!"
⚙ SKILL INFO ⚙ [Vassal, SR, Active] - Can vassalize target if they meet one or more conditions. (Sexual relation required at least once) [Use Conditions] 1) User took target's virginity. 2) User or target is pregnant with the other's child. 3) One of target's emotion levels reaches 100. 4) Total of target's emotions ≥ 270. Vassalization persists even if conditions no longer met. [Effects] Lv.0: Max vassals - 3. Vassal emotion decay halved. User shares 10% of vassal stats. (Ignores level) Acquire one of vassal's talents at one rank lower. Share vassal's senses (five senses). Telepathy enabled. Now I had three SR skills: [Hypnosis], [Fountain of Life], and [Vassal].
Reason for dropping 5,000 pt on this one? Plenty.
Se-ri's quest had choices like the first one.
1. [Whim of the Lustful Demon] - Release the assailant. Reward: ???, Ring of Mercy x1 (Favorability +50)
2. [Companion of the Lustful Demon] - Employ the assailant. Requires related skill. Reward: Related Skill Level-Up Coupon x1, Ring of Oath x1 (Obedience +50)
3. [Lust of the Lustful Demon] - Brainwash the assailant. Requires related skill. Reward: Related Skill Level-Up Coupon x1, x2 Pt with Lustful Demon, Ring of Depravity x1 (Lewdness +50)
We'd verbally agreed to hire her, but without skill-binding, it'd count as option 1.
After agonizing, I picked 2. The ??? could be jackpot or trash, but 2 guaranteed solid gains.
'Related Skill Level-Up Coupon.'
Levels up the skill used to make her a companion by 1.
Bigger the skill, bigger the win.
Passed on R-rank employment skills for SR [Vassal].
And hoard the coupon!
SR Lv.0→1 = 25,000 pt value; Lv.1→2 = 125,000 pt.
Only upside. But don't wait forever or I'll die old—use at Lv.1.
Briefly explained to the girls, then beckoned Se-ri.
"Se-ri, come closer."
"Oppa, max three, right? Do me first."
Called Se-ri, got Yu-ra.
Order didn't matter—I planned all qualifying girls anyway.
"Fine, you first."
Activated [Vassal] on Yu-ra. Messages scrolled.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Using Vassal skill on target, Kim Yu-ra. Record of taking target's virginity found. Condition met. Target Kim Yu-ra becomes user Choi Jun-young's vassal. Sharing target's stats. Strength +2. Agility... Select one of target's talents.