Chapter 146
Chapter 146
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: I Guess I've Become Very Nice
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Should I respond or not?
I stared at the guy's smartphone. If I held onto this, I could probably blackmail him in all sorts of ways.
Suddenly, my sister's words popped into my head.
-Cha Dowon, live a good life!
Damn, sis. They're over there plotting a hit-and-run, and you're saying I can't even blackmail?
-Live a good life as much as you can!
Well, sis. I want to, but... Fine. If I'm living a good life, but they're committing crimes, isn't this level okay for me?
I clicked my tongue. The world was so unfair.
"Hey! You stalker!"
I muttered from the next stall over.
"I'm not a stalker."
"Gah! What the hell are you?!"
"Hello. This is Cha Dowon of Zenith, delivering the peak to you."
The guy stammered, clearly flustered.
"What?"
Idol greetings are a bit unique, huh. I spoke in a voice mixed with laughter.
"The guy who was about to ram into your car."
"Gah!"
"Funny thing is, I happened to be sitting right next to you. I overheard your crime plotting. But since I've been living a good life, suddenly your smartphone dropped down."
"You... you!"
"So I snapped a few photos of that overseas messaging app screen. Planning to take it to the police station."
I muttered while looking at the ceiling.
"VIP hit-and-run plot. If this hits the news, it'll blow up big time. Right?"
"W-what are you talking about!"
"I've got all the evidence. That data's everywhere—already backed up to the cloud."
Not that I expected this.
The guy pounded the wall next to me. I stretched my arms out. For some reason, my mind felt complicated.
'A lot of thoughts are clashing.'
I gazed at the ceiling. Sis, I'm conflicted. This wouldn't even be a dilemma in the old days. I guess I've become very nice.
I clicked my tongue.
'That's why it's so hard to survive in this harsh world.'
I lowered my head. Should I go back to basics? Live nicely? Or not. It was a more serious dilemma than live or die.
'Well, I still have to get my revenge.'
I shook my head to clear my thoughts.
After agonizing for a while, a shout came from next door.
"W-what do you want!"
A chuckle escaped me. Well, if he's coming out like this, it makes things easier.
"Sunbae-nim. I'm a pretty nice guy."
"What?"
"You know exactly what I have, right? Your smartphone, sunbae-nim. Unfortunately, you didn't even set a lock screen."
Don't celebrities need locks as a must? So careless.
"Are you gonna spill about Lisa-noona?"
Who the hell is that? Oh, the one from the phone call earlier?
"Your private life isn't my business, sunbae-nim."
Though I do have a small wish that getting totally exposed would tank your image.
"Th-then what do you want?"
"How many times is this?"
"W-what?"
"The hit-and-run plot. No, traffic accident plot. This isn't your first or second time, is it?"
Guys like this disappearing from the industry would benefit humanity, right? Even if it's dirty, how can it be this filthy?
"Your methods are pretty vicious. Reminds me of organized crime."
"Gasp!"
Huh, bingo?
I heard the sunbae's rough breathing. Guess I nailed it.
Organized crime, huh.
'The law doesn't reach everywhere in this world.'
Working part-time, I met all kinds of people. Gangsters among them, and folks tangled in loan shark debts.
'They weren't really living.'
That's when I learned life can be not just zero, but straight-up negative.
'In that sense, good thing Leader hyung never co-signs.'
Gambling, guarantees, loans, drugs. All plummet your life in an instant.
A bitter smile formed. Ah, the world is scary. Too dark and harsh for a young, innocent idol to survive.
"Ah, so you hired someone from that side, huh."
Wonder how he found them. Probably debtors?
Well, people who owe money will do anything.
"B-but this time, it got messed up."
Wow. Did the debtor turn around and blackmail him?
'Well, corner a rat, and it'll bite a cat. Sounds like things went south for them too, but that's not my problem.'
I smiled brightly. Honestly, the world felt livable.
"Ahh, I really want to send this to the police."
If I asked Aunt, she might send it to the opposing faction or something.
"N-no, don't. I'll give you anything. Just don't. Hey, Cha Dowon. Want money? I got lots."
Wow.
"I've got plenty of money too."
"Ah, you're doing well, huh."
"I'm a middle schooler with decent cash. No need for your dirty money."
Well, technically high schooler soon, but since I didn't graduate, middle schooler it is.
'Of course, more money is always better.'
But as an idol, popularity still beats cash for now.
"Th-then if not money, what?"
"Hmm. Self-surrender for a brighter, cleaner society?"
"N-no! I have a single mom!"
What does that have to do with anything? Plus, someone with a single mom does this?
'Well, single mom is the classic criminal excuse.'
Laughter bubbled up.
"If you won't surrender, I'll make you."
"Hey, please. S-sob. Don't. I was wrong."
Huh. Wow. The guy's crying.
'Pathetic as hell.'
How did I almost die to a creep like this?
A sigh escaped me, but he kept babbling.
"I want to keep doing idol activities."
Then don't do shit like this.
'No, you guys were already on borrowed time?'
One scandal and you're all vaporized. Even if not now, you'll fly away soon.
'Whatever. That's that, this is this.'
I organized my thoughts and spoke up.
"First, tell me."
"S-sob, what?"
"If you spill properly, my mind might change a bit. Jeremy. What's his deal?"
I recalled Vita's leader punk. He was a dictator too, but not on VIP's level.
'Something more.'
Sniffling continued. Kao slowly answered.
"He's the company president's hidden son."
Damn. The world's full of shitty things, and family business is one of them.
'I get it. So he got perks.'
Felt it during Stereo Star too, but things that should explode don't always. Should've blown bigger than Hershey.
'Wasn't just good PR.'
A son, huh. Explains the instant protection.
"Our president is scary."
Would be, if gangsters.
"But Jeremy hyung is scary too. He says he's taking over the company."
I rested my chin. Unfortunately, I had info from Kang Minje.
'When that president talked kingdom, the heir was just a kid, right? Is that one on the family register?'
It clicked.
A bastard son storyline trying to take the company is kinda compelling.
'But to be this pathetic.'
All he does is cause accidents if his group rises higher?
"Don't tell anyone! Even members don't know."
"Oh, precious info only you know."
Sorry. Planning to spread it everywhere.
"Sob! I'm dead. If Jeremy hyung finds out I told, he'll kill me."
Scared stiff. Could be acting, though.
I unfolded my arms.
"My condition is simple."
"W-what is it! Money?"
No learning curve? I said I'm rich now.
"No. Simple and easy. Don't mess with us."
"Th-that's not up to me."
"No. It is. Jeremy sunbae-nim doesn't do it himself, right? Always makes you do it?"
"I-I'm his right-hand man."
"Then you'll know first. If you're planning anything on us, tell me ahead."
He went quiet.
"If anything happens to us, I'll blast all files to police and reporters right away."
"Gasp!"
"I'll pick the ruthless reporters too. Most take money, but some crazies don't."
Well, send to all, one'll bite.
"O-okay... I got it."
I let out a long breath. Really, being this nice—how do I survive this harsh world?
'Losing out big time because of sis.'
Will good things come from living like this? I wiped my fingerprints off his smartphone thoroughly. Then shoved it under the stall.
"Hey! My phone!"
Touched something dirty. Gotta wash up.
I cracked the door and slipped out. Washed my hands and opened the bathroom door. Still deserted, no one around.
'Oh, forgot. Last cheat.'
I swiped the screen, resetting the smartphone to cheat mode.
[cheat mode 2/3]
[Kao of VIP's smartphone, all functions disabled for 3 hours.]
[Changed.]
[Side effect: Eyes blind for 3 seconds.]
[cheat mode 3/3]
Perfect side effect. I stood still, then walked slowly. Around the corner, Lee Seungjun leaned against the wall.
"All done?"
"Got a great haul."
I turned off the recorder in my pocket. A smirk slipped out.
'Even if I don't give the video to police, I've got the recording.'
My voice too, so not illegal.
'Though analysis might call it blackmail, leading to court mess.'
Lee Seungjun suddenly gripped my shoulder tight, scanning me up and down.
"No injuries?"
"Ah, startled me. None. I'm fine. Ah, this maybe?"
I clenched and unclenched my hand. Bruise bloomed red and purple on the back.
'Used all cheats today, can't heal.'
Tomorrow's fine. Bear-man sighed, eyeing my hand.
"It's okay. Should heal by tomorrow?"
"Wasn't that hand sprained?"
"That's fine too."
Lee Seungjun shook his head with a displeased look.
"Let's go to the hospital."
"I'm fine."
"Let's go."
"Fine, if it still hurts tomorrow."
Lee Seungjun looked like he had more to say but didn't. I kept walking.
"That hit-and-run was VIP, right?"
"Yep."
"Threatened him directly. Probably won't happen again. Or I'll know ahead."
Tears were fake. But Kao feared the videos and pics going to police.
'His idol dream is probably real.'
Not my business.
I looked up at Lee Seungjun. The guy who became my accomplice willingly was the same as always.
"Thanks. For being my accomplice."
Bear-man smiled faintly. Just like him, so nothing to say.
"Didn't need to worry about cameras. No one there."
"Kinda remote spot."
"You knew it was deserted?"
Couldn't say I worked here pre-regression.
"Obviously coincidence."
"Lucky. New building, no one knows the layout."
Sharp guy. I sighed, changing topic.
"How'd you handle the toilet paper?"
"Stacked it in the hall. Janitor'll put it back."
"Good job."
A chuckle. Petty revenge.
'Stay there 3 hours, see how you like it.'
No TP there first. Even if miraculously solved, can't get out. Plus, phone's dead.
'I'm so nice.'
3 hours disabled, but someone'll come sooner. 30 minutes max till rescue.
I clenched my bruised hand.
'If he can even open the door.'
Calling help takes longer.
"You think I'll back off like this? It's just starting."
"What's starting?"
"Revenge. Includes the hit-and-run revenge. Annoying they're going criminal while I'm playing by rules."
VIP properly lost #1. Buzz shifted to us. Go Japan, but home turf loss stings.
'Decline.'
A chuckle.
"Heard about drama casting yesterday."
"Oh, the one you're doing?"
"Yeah. Jeremy's in it too."