Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Will Na-young Give Permission? (1)
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Even though Yu-ra had completely drained me, I'd managed to get past things with Yeon Du-na without issue. It felt like one of my aching teeth had finally fallen out, but I couldn't relax just yet. Joo Na-young was still waiting!
"Ah, what a headache."
This was all because of my own greed. Who else could I blame? I didn't want a purely physical relationship. I didn't want to use hypnosis either. So what choice did I have but to bust my ass for it?
"Wonder if I can make some progress today?"
As thanks for handling her uncle's issue last time, Na-young's mom had offered to treat me to a meal.
It might be awkward with her mom there, but Na-young had suggested we grab a drink alone afterward. The vibe felt promising.
The real question was whether my dick could hold up. Honestly, I wasn't even in the mood for sex right now.
"Ugh, that insatiable bitch Yu-ra. I thought I was gonna die."
A day had passed, and my stamina was back to full, but my dick still hadn't fully recovered. Yu-ra had sucked up all my semen to fill her belly and seemed satisfied enough that her jealousy gauge dropped, but I'd ended up with a mild fever.
"Should I just cancel?"
She'd caught me with Yeon Du-na just the day before, so meeting another girl might look bad, but surprisingly, Yu-ra had been nonchalant. Maybe she was in wise-man mode after getting her fill yesterday, just like me?
"Nah, it's fine. You've got Pomi anyway."
"Hey!"
"You're always glued to Yu-ra these days."
It was less hassle that way, but it left me feeling a bit lonely. What the hell were those two doing holed up in Yu-ra's room all the time?
Lately, Pomi only played in Yu-ra's room when Yu-ra was at school or when I wasn't writing my novel at home. I'd scolded her not to disturb Yu-ra's studying, but if Yu-ra herself said it was fine, what could I say?
I said goodbye to the two of them and headed out. On the way down, I glanced at my parked car.
The domestic model my dad had handed down to me. I wasn't driving it today since I planned to drink, but ever since learning [Flight], I hadn't needed it at all.
Now that I was dating multiple women, I'd probably need it soon. That meant I wanted something flashier.
I checked my phone on the way out and saw a missed call and a reply from the contact I'd texted yesterday.
[Chae-yeon: Jun-young-ah, saw your text. I called but you didn't pick up? Call me back when you see this?]
She must've called while Yu-ra was on top of me.
It was still before her shop opened, so I gave her a call.
-Hello?
"Hey, noona. It's Jun-young. Sorry I missed your call yesterday. You busy now?"
-Taking a quick break before opening. Hold on? I'll step outside... Yeah, okay.
"Sure. So, what about the thing I asked?"
-I've still got a few contacts I talk to. I can introduce you. But Jun-young, you don't have any certifications, right?
Realizing I had no talent for novel writing, I'd decided to trust my status screen and try a job that used my stamina. I'd concluded that leveraging my massage skills was the best bet.
I'd thought about it before, but male prostitution was out due to my looks. Even if I used Charm and Plastic Surgery skills to land a gig, I couldn't imagine smiling through sessions with women over 50.
I wasn't sure if places existed that only took pretty female clients—probably not, since it was illegal anyway.
Massage, on the other hand, was legal and perfect for racking up points and cash.
With my skills, once word spread, celebrities would line up—it was only a matter of time.
But certifications?
"Uh, no, I don't."
-Sigh, knew it. No cert, no job there. Even if you got in, complaints could screw you later.
"Ah... Sorry, I should've researched more before asking."
I knew massage certs existed, but I'd assumed it was like a cooking license—you could work without one. Plenty of famous restaurant chefs didn't have them.
Apparently not. Was it more like a business permit?
-Honestly, noona's always amazed by your massages lately. But nothing I can do. If you really want it, start with the national esthetician cert. It's not too long if you study hard. I could even adjust your shifts if you go to academy.
"Thanks, noona."
-But you're not quitting the shop, right? I'd feel bad toward the boss if I made you restless.
"...Dunno yet. Can't say for sure. Thanks anyway, noona."
I thanked her again for the advice and hung up. By the time I searched cert info on the bus, I was at the meeting spot.
Na-young and her mom were already seated inside the rib joint near their house. Through the glass, Na-young stuck her tongue out at me. Was she in elementary school?
"Bleh."
I stuck mine out back, then went inside.
"Welcome! Table for...?"
"With them over there."
I took off my shoes and stepped up to the floor seating.
"Oh my, come on in."
"Hello, ma'am."
The mother and daughter sat across from each other, so I hesitated before sitting next to the mom.
"Hey, what're you doing? Don't mess around—sit here!"
"Making it awkward. I was just trying to make you laugh. Hey, you go right side. Easier to grill from here."
"Ooh, Choi Jun-young... oppa's gonna grill?"
"What's wrong? Like always! Choi Jun-young!"
"Hey! When did I ever... uh..."
Even rude Joo Na-young watched her manners around her mom. She glanced across, then spoke softly.
Her mom watched with an amused smile, like she'd seen it all.
"Move quick? Mom's treating, so the freeloader grills."
I plopped down next to grumbly Na-young and nudged her aside with my hip. She scooted over reluctantly.
We ate and chatted. Na-young's mom said she could be prickly but was a good girl and asked me to take care of her. Na-young yelled "Mom!" Dad might be a nutjob, but the two got along great.
After eating, at her mom's invite for coffee, we moved to their house. The second we arrived, she got a call from a friend and left us alone. Obviously on purpose.
"Mom must want to marry you off. Leaving you alone with a guy like me."
"Bullshit."
"What? Bullshit? To your oppa?"
"Oppa my ass. Anyway, Choi Jun-young, Mom's gone, so coffee or booze? Thanks for last time—my treat today!"
"Treating on a full stomach?"
Truth was, that's what I'd hoped for.
She smirked, grabbed her wallet, and stood.
"Wait. I'll grab some."
"Huh? Here?"
"Cheap treat on a full belly. Why?"
"Fine, I'll get snacks. What?"
"Stuffed from dinner. I'll just grab some chips."
She flashed white teeth in a grin. "Be right back!" And out the door.
"She's gotten so friendly. Must have killer aegyo."
Alone, I glanced around Na-young's room, rubbed my belly, and flopped sideways.
"Haaah. Ugh, so full... sleepy..."
A bit later.
Smooth, smooth.
The ticklish feeling on my head made me open my eyes to Na-young stroking my hair.
"Nngh, what're you doing?"
"Wondering how you got so ugly."
"That's asking for it. My face stresses me out too."
"Get up. Beer's cold."
I sat up, and she pulled cans from the freezer. Snacks were chips and nuts.
Na-young clinked her can against mine.
"Cheers~!"
"Yeah, cheers."
We downed the first silently, moving to seconds. The air shifted oddly.
She handled booze well—no flush—but grew quiet.
Then she spoke.
"Hey, Choi Jun-young."
"Yeah?"
"Why haven't you asked about that thing?"
"What thing?"
"That... at our house a while back..."
"Oh... Curious, but you okay?"
She nodded.
"You know that guy was my dad, right?"
She opened up. A common tale of family violence that must've tormented her.
Beaten by her dad since childhood, she'd grown to hate men—especially ugly ones like him. She'd even bullied them.
Not that bad from what she said, but who knows from their side.
She got mad at weaklings too—reminded her of her and her mom getting hit.
Her calm retelling suddenly teared up.
"Ah, why... embarrassing. Must be the booze."
Hug time!
I shifted toward her, but she grabbed tissue, dabbed her eyes, and cheers'd again.
"Y-yeah. Cheers!"
Hmm. No opening. I watched for a moment as she spoke first.
"Hey, Choi Jun-young. What do you think of me?"
"You? ...Rude?"
"Ugh."
"Rude but pretty?"
Words I'd cringe at sober flowed easy with booze.
She flinched, blushing unexpectedly.
"What..."
She clamped her mouth, twitching to speak, humming and closing repeatedly. Finally, a long sigh, then she stared straight.
"Choi Jun-young, I like you."
"Huh?"
"Argh, seriously. Embarrassing... I like you, Choi Jun-young."
I hadn't expected a confession!
Shocked, I accelerated my plan.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Charm, R, Active Temporarily boosts target's positive affection.
>Lv.0: Raises desired affection up to 20% (1 Stamina per %/min)
This was the skill I'd used on Yeon Du-na yesterday: [Charm]. Hypnosis felt too guilty, so after agonizing, I'd acquired this new one.
Thanks to it, Du-na's favorability hit 108, submission 54. Submission was shaky, but over 100 favorability let me convince her.
Hypnosis and Charm differed clearly.
Hypnosis forced even self-harm commands blindly, but Charm just tipped the scales when she was wavering.
Lame for such a grand name, but since hypnosis success tied to affection, it'd see use.
If someone said, "Influencing hearts is the same as hypnosis!" I'd have no rebuttal.
It was just my personal line: "This far... okay." Same logic, Essence Absorption should be off-limits too!
'...Who am I justifying to?'
Anyway, I'd already told—and convinced—Du-na about dating Na-young. Might as well Charm her into the harem!
'Just Na-young. More would be unmanageable.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Activating Charm. Consuming 40 Stamina to raise 'Favorability' and 'Submission' by 20% each. Favorability temporarily: 84 Submission temporarily: 60 Favorability was lower than Du-na's, but high affection and acceptance meant potential. I gazed at Na-young with a sultry look.
"I like you too."
"Ah!"
"But I've got a girlfriend."
Na-young's face hardened instantly.
"...That Du-na bitch?"
"Hey, don't call your elder sis that."
"Is it Yeon Du-na?!"
"...Yeah. But I like you too."
Work, work. Charm, work. Like with Du-na, make it work for Na-young!
"..."
A minute passed in silence, draining 40 more stamina. Another minute, two... Na-young stayed mum.
'Ugh. Stamina's low.'
Not as high as Du-na's, so taking longer. As my toes fidgeted anxiously, her eyes quivered.
"Dating Du-na noona and you like me too?"
"Yeah."
"Hah... So? Cheating? And you're saying it so boldly?"
"What else? I like you too."
"Ha, unbelievable. Ugly ass already snagged Du-na noona? That tame kitty... whatever. When did you start?"
Na-young-ah, know your idioms? Date oppa, I'll teach you common sense and more? Heh heh!
Unlike her initial excitement, her expression softened. It was working. Then—
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Remaining Stamina insufficient. Favorability/Submission boost auto-adjusted: 20% → 10%. Favorability: 84 → 77 Submission: 60 → 55 No! Almost there!
I eyed her nervously. She snapped sharply, unlike before.
"When did you start?!"
"Uh, yesterday."
"What?! Yesterday? Shit!"
Grind.
Na-young ground her teeth, bit her lip, and glared.
"Hah! Thinking again, it's ridiculous. What makes me so bad I gotta date a cheater?"
This was bad. So close.
Regrettable, but no choice. Not just today. Build more favorability and submission, try again. A week'd do.
First, survive today. Even failed persuasion—don't drop affection. Soothe her.
"Du-na, calm down. We'll talk later. For now, drinks..."
"Du-na? Du-naaa? You called me Du-na?!"
Oh crap! Slipped mentioning Du-na too much!
"Na-young-ah, no. Total slip. Sorry. Oppa messed up."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Remaining Stamina: 0. Skill forcibly terminated. "Get out."
"Na-young-ah?"
"Out! Now!"
"N-Na-young-ah. Wait. Please, oppa's really sorry. Ow! Don't throw chips!"
Thud thud thud.
Bang!
"Ah, damn. Mood was perfect."
Booze to lower mental resistance then hypnosis... No, ruled that out.
"Just invest a few more days on favorability..."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Target's Favorability and Submission drop by 10 each. Current Favorability: 50 (Like) Current Submission: 40 (Acceptance) *Warning: Further Submission drop cancels pre-condition 'Emotional Reversal' for Quest 'The Loser Hides His Strength'. Must redo 'Emotional Reversal' to proceed.
Kicked out, I steeled myself at the door when despairing messages scrolled up. Couldn't stop the tears.
"Shit."
Sob. Home time. Invisibility! Flight!
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Stamina: 0. Cannot use skill. "Ah..."