Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Duel Marriage!
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"……."
Sunset sky.
Reneah walked silently ahead, with Kim Yang following behind me.
The meeting with Han Hyo-jae had fallen through.
Or rather, calling it a failure didn't quite fit.
It simply meant they weren't meant to be.
You couldn't really divide encounters with people into successes and failures, after all.
"P-President... Say something to cheer her up."
Kim Yang poked my side, trying to lighten the heavy mood.
But what could I say right now to lift Reneah's spirits?
Sometimes, just quietly staying by someone's side offered greater comfort than words.
More than that, I decided to reflect a bit more on Mr. Han Hyo-jae.
Just as Reneah was my client, so was Mr. Han.
Even if he was on the basic 1 million won membership plan, this meeting had clarified exactly what kind of partner he was looking for.
'Sometimes, seeing things firsthand like this isn't so bad.'
Deeper insights into people that I wouldn't have gained just sitting at my desk matching profiles.
Coming out here today was the right call.
My perspective on the job had definitely broadened.
"Um, hey—."
When I didn't respond, Kim Yang stepped up. Eager to do something, she started suggesting ideas.
"H-How about we go shopping for cosmetics together? We can make you look way prettier."
"……No."
Firm refusal.
But her voice held no resignation or disappointment.
If anything, her golden eyes sparkled brilliantly in the sunset glow, as if the path ahead was now crystal clear.
"How should I put it? It feels like I now know how to approach the dream I once chased so blindly."
"……."
"Yes, I've learned much. Though it wasn't a marital bond, it was undoubtedly a meaningful encounter—."
She turned slowly, gazing at me with a radiant smile.
"Thank you for granting me this enlightenment through such a new meeting."
"No need for thanks. It wasn't intentional, and you've already paid the proper fee."
"Hm! True, 5 million won isn't pocket change!"
She shrugged, but her mood was clearly uplifted.
"Th-Then, no makeover?"
"Hm! Am I not already beautiful enough? Instead, I should focus on other things."
"……."
Why was she looking at me while saying that?
"Answer me."
"……Well, you do look like you're in your twenties."
"Hehe!"
No one criticized an elf's appearance—unless their tastes were truly unique.
The massive tree takeover at the amusement park, camping under park trees claiming them as home...
These should have been major social issues by now, but they were being hushed up because of the elves' looks.
Think of it like cats.
They never listen, show no gratitude.
But they survive on cuteness alone, and elves were much the same—they lived off their faces.
"For now, I want to find work. With that bounty from last time, I can rent a small place too."
"Good thinking."
"Th-There's an app for finding rooms. I-I'll install it on your phone."
Realizing how she'd chased illusions, she now faced reality.
Some might call it compromise, but I preferred to see it as growth.
"Yes, once you get a place and a job, you could rise from F-rank to E-rank."
"Ooh! Really?!"
To ensure she never forgot a day like today, to let her feel her own growth.
Something felt good.
Maybe because I'd witnessed something positive.
As Meracle's president, I felt like I'd leveled up myself.
"Aw, what the hell. My treat—sushi buffet tonight!"
As I shouted with a grin, Kim Yang's eyes lit up instantly.
"S-Sushi buffet! P-President, I love you! Sooo much!"
I wasn't sure if sheep liked fish, but I never expected her to get this excited.
"Sushi?"
Reneah, on the other hand, tilted her head, clearly unfamiliar with it.
"Heh."
"Huh."
Seeing that, Kim Yang and I both smirked at the same time.
"Brace yourself, Elf Queen."
"Huh? Why say it like that?"
"G-Get ready to lose your dentures. It's that good."
"I don't wear dentures!"
That good.
"Yaaawn."
Early morning.
As usual on the way to work, I'd run out of cigarettes.
Forgot to buy more yesterday.
No big deal.
There was a convenience store on the first floor of the building next door.
As I passed by, the lady from our building's first-floor gukbap restaurant was sweeping the entrance.
"Morning, handsome."
"Good morning, ma'am."
"Business booming lately? Must be nice."
"Haha, just the building's good vibes."
By the way, she owned the building.
"Come for lunch. I'll load it up with meat."
"I'll try convincing Kim Yang. She hates hot stuff, so no gukbap for her."
"The white-haired girl? Aw, too bad. My son seems quietly smitten."
"Really?"
Now that was intriguing.
"Well, he's of marriageable age now... but he's shy, and with the shop, no time to meet people."
"Yeah, the gukbap's so good, you're always busy."
"Such a sweet talker."
I mentioned a friends-and-family discount if her son signed up, then headed to the convenience store.
'Come to think of it, does Kim Yang even date?'
As a famous SNS influencer, she must get tons of attention.
Even at her club, guys hit on her constantly.
Of course, she brushed them off claiming a boyfriend—using my name.
'Once her 3rd Floor speech improves, she'll snag someone quick.'
It barely budged, though.
Her stammer felt like a habit now.
Ding-a-ling.
At the convenience store counter, no clerk in sight. Sounds from the back room suggested restocking.
I tapped the counter like a knock.
"Excuse me, could I check out?"
"H-Hold on a sec!"
"……Huh?"
What was with that familiar speech pattern?
It wasn't just the speech. Out from the back came Meracle premium client, Reneah.
"Oh, President! Perfect timing. Get me a strawberry milk!"
This brazenness—what was it?
Experience at work?
"You working here?"
"Hm! Thought I'd try some society life! And I need to hit E-rank!"
She flashed a sly grin, spilling her true intent.
"Met a B-rank as an F-rank, so at E-rank, maybe an A-rank—!"
Not that simple math. But dreams were free, so I let it slide.
"FYI, part-time work counts as unemployed. Heads up."
"Huh? Why?! I-I'm earning money too!"
"Come on, who counts a spouse's part-time gig as a job? Doesn't qualify."
"……."
Reneah pouted and glared. I ignored her and grabbed cigarettes.
"One pack of Malboro, please."
"Hey, customer! Bring it to the counter!"
She puffed up, reciting her practiced line. Fine for most items—but cigarettes at a convenience store?
"It's cigarettes. You get 'em from behind the counter."
"Oh, cigarettes? You should've said so."
Yeah, whatever.
Obviously her first day.
"Maaal-boo-roo—."
Her humming even sounded like a grandma.
"Right there. No, left. Higher. No, lower. One shelf up. No, up, why right—argh, shit."
"What?! Shit?!"
"Ahem, sorry. But you're killing me here. Is this how you treat customers?"
"I'll show you how I throw a fit at Meracle after my shift."
Oh, crap.
Should I lock the office door?
"You'll see 1,901 years weren't wasted."
1,901 years to flop on the floor and rage?
In the end, I bought the Malboro and a strawberry milk, handing them over to settle it.
"Whew."
What a morning ordeal.
After a smoke, I entered the office—and a gust of wind hit me.
"Gah?!"
My hair flew, the cigarette smell vanishing from my clothes.
Opening my tightly shut eyes against the sharp breeze, I saw an unfamiliar woman standing there.
"Sorry, I just hate foul smells."
The black-haired woman wore white daoist robes. Refined and pure in appearance.
She performed a fist-and-palm salute, bowing, then introduced herself.
"I'm Baek Yeonhwa of the Tai Chi Yin-Yang Sect. Though lacking, I'm also known as the Yin-Yang Twin Veins, one of the Ten Great Masters of the martial world."
Confident smile.
A guest from the 5th Floor Old Martial World.
Kim Yang peeked out from behind her, gesturing wildly.
"P-President. This is that one."
"That one?"
"I heard Meracle is the best matchmaker on the 3rd Floor, so here I am. I have one request."
Blunt as a hammer—classic Old Martial World style.
Especially for one of the Ten Great Masters, a high position for sure—.
"A man who can defeat me. Yes, that's all! I want to marry the man who beats me in combat!"
Grand declaration.
In that instant, I understood why Kim Yang called her 'that one.'
"Ah, I see. One moment."
"Yes?"
I went straight to my desk, opened the bottom drawer, pulled out a paper from the stack, and handed it over.
"Here, write your name."
"Hm? This is—."
"The list. In simple terms, the Duel Marriage list."
"Pardon?"
I handed her a pen, pointing to the very bottom for the dazed woman.
"Sign here. Oh, right—can you write 3rd Floor script? If not, I can do it. What was it, Yin-Yang Twin Veins Baek Yeonhwa?"
Another addition to this list.
"There, signed. When a challenger shows up, we'll set the contract fee and membership tier then."
"H-Hey, is this list—."
"Yes, the Duel Marriage waitlist."
"……."
"They don't clear out easy, though. One left about a year ago? Pretty sure she lost on purpose—."