Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Orcs Over Elves!
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"That thing-! I'll kill that thing!"
"Kim Yang! Hold on tight! Don't let go!"
"P-President! What did you do?"
Meracle was currently facing an unprecedented crisis.
All because a former Elf Queen—a 1,900-year-old grandma—was throwing a tantrum.
In this aging society, the problem was that the elderly couldn't keep up with modern life.
At 1,900 years old, she clearly had trouble grasping reality.
"Prince Valentino matches your requirements as closely as possible, you know?"
"Even so, becoming his 127th wife crosses the line! Do you think you'd even see him once a day?!"
Once a day? From what I'd heard from someone married to Prince Valentino, meeting once a year was considered frequent.
And private conversations? Almost nonexistent.
"C-Customer! Calm down first! President, what do we do?"
"Customer! Okay, just calm down a bit. We'll match you with someone else-."
Screeech.
Right then, the door opened, and a man walked in.
Tall and handsome, dressed in dapper fashion.
It was Lee Kangho, one of our few S-grade clients at Meracle.
"...President? Uh, are you busy right now?"
"Oh! Hunter Lee Kangho! You're here? No, no! Not busy at all."
I was about to yell at Kim Yang to subdue Reneah quickly-.
"Ahem, a customer, I see? Hello, I'm Reneah."
"Uh, yes? Hello, I'm Lee Kangho."
Before I knew it, Reneah was sitting demurely, brushing her hair behind her ear.
Kim Yang, standing behind her, just stared in bewilderment.
"P-President. I'm scared."
"...That's what they call experience."
Reneah shot me a glare, but she couldn't say more with Hunter Lee Kangho there.
"Have a seat, Hunter Lee Kangho. Still heading out of Seoul to hunt beasts these days?"
"That's just how hunters are. I've been thinking about heading to the 4th or 5th floors."
Look at her ears perk up the moment someone mentions the 4th floor—her homeland.
"What brings you in today?"
As I asked with my best capitalist smile, Lee Kangho approached, looking a bit shy.
"I have a date with Mia today. I was hoping to get some styling service. Possible?"
"Of course! Premium clients don't need reservations. Kim Yang, get ready for him!"
"R-Right away!"
Styling service.
One of Meracle's perks: premium clients get styling at a steal before dates.
Kim Yang's raison d'être.
The majesty of an SNS influencer.
She pulled out the makeup set, styling scissors, curler, and set up.
"They even have this kind of service."
"...Your speech."
The primly seated grandma.
Her way of talking sounded like someone from the provinces trying to hide their dialect.
The rest was Kim Yang's showtime.
"Wh-What style do you want?"
"Same as always—up to you. Your sense is impeccable."
"Got it."
Wax for a 7:3 parted perm.
Trim the mona bulk a bit.
Neatly groom the eyebrows, nose hairs, beard.
Skin: tone-up base and clean sunscreen.
Finally, clear lip balm on the lips.
"Ooh, today's look. Coat, knit, slacks. B-Beige tones for dandy cozy."
Kim Yang finished in just 30 minutes.
Just light basic makeup and hair styling, yet his charm exploded.
"Ooh......"
Reneah gawked like she'd seen magic. Lee Kangho himself smiled satisfied in the mirror.
"Meracle lives up to the hype. Real skill."
"Aw, it's not that big a deal."
"I-I did it. Not the president."
"......"
Kim Yang pouted, insisting it was her work.
I ignored her and snapped a photo of Lee Kangho right away.
"Looks great. You seem pleased with this one. All dressed up so handsome."
"Ahem, yeah. She's a good person. We click in conversation. Mia works as a nurse at a field hospital outside Seoul, so we have lots in common as a hunter."
Lee Kangho's shy demeanor radiated deep satisfaction.
'This one's a solid match?'
Last time, matching him with a female hunter backfired—too much coworker vibe, fizzled out.
This time, introducing Yumia the nurse? Hit the mark.
"Haha, enjoy the date. You got this."
"Thanks. I'll be off then."
After paying by card, Lee Kangho headed out for his date, brimming with confidence.
The moment Hunter Lee Kangho left, I called Kim Yang over.
"Kim Yang, who was that? Yumia—bring her file."
"P-President doesn't have hands?"
"You get paid, right?"
"H-Here you go, President."
Oh? She knows how to add 'nim' when it suits her?
Capitalism's black sheep, through and through.
I took the file, checked Yumia's number.
Dialed immediately and stepped outside.
"Wh-Why ignore me?"
"Coffee, customer?"
"......Cola."
"B-Bad for you. Grandma."
Thud.
I lit a cigarette and made the call.
Heading to the smoking area, the call connected.
- Hello?
"Hello, Customer Yumia. Meracle calling."
- Ah, yes. Hello.
"Just a heads-up: you have one free styling service trial. Haven't used it yet, and it expires today-."
- Today? Oh, then I'll come! Can I do it now?
"Yes, we can. Takes about 30 minutes usually."
- On my way!
Call ended.
Smoked one cig, back to the office.
Kim Yang and Reneah were chatting over guys' photos.
"How 'bout this one?"
"Handsome, but looks rude."
"This?"
"Big build, and tattoos? Ew, pass."
"......Grandma's picky."
Close call.
Worried she'd shown client list.
Thankfully, Kim Yang's SNS followers.
"Kim Yang, Yumia's coming soon? Style her to match Kangho's."
"Y-Yes, President."
Kim Yang started prepping.
As I sat down, Reneah furrowed her brow.
"I'm a customer too, you know?"
"Haven't paid yet."
"......"
"Want to now? Let me intro the membership."
Perfect.
Pay up, and you're official.
"Ahem!"
"......"
"How can I trust a company trying to make me some backwater prince's 127th wife?"
"No, customer. You need some self-awareness. I've got a sharp eye for people in this business."
Elf?
Pretty, sure.
Personality?
Talk to her—not that rough around the edges.
Career?
Ex-queen? Could do anything.
But age.
1,901.
That's the killer.
"There's a reason elves get undervalued in the market. Some even say orcs are better."
"Ah, don't lie! How dare you compare me, of noble blood, to brutish orcs!"
"Ha, unbelievable."
She hasn't seen recent orcs, huh?
"Wait here."
I pulled up our orc client's SNS on my phone right away.
"Hah, the audacity. Making up nonsense."
"Just wait, I said."
"Orcs, orcs! How dare you pit orcs against a noble elf? Since ancient times, elves embodied beauty, orcs ugliness! You know nothing-."
"Don't bring up 1,900 years ago."
Perfect timing—she just posted "workout done."
"This is one of our clients. 26 years old. A-grade looks and body."
The moment I showed her the phone, Reneah's eyes nearly popped out in shock.
"N-No way...... That's an orc?"
"See? That's the marriage market these days. Think you can beat a 26-year-old orc like this?"
"......"
Lips pressed tight.
Trembling—felt kinda bad.
"So snap out of it-."
"Waaaaaah!"
"W-Wait?!"
Reneah ran out crying.
"Ah, no. Didn't mean to hurt her that bad."
"President, trash."
"Had to. Reality bites. Self-awareness is key to competing in marriage market!"
Saying that, but I did feel sorry.
Then, peeking through the half-open door came Yumia.
"P-President? Everything okay?"
"No, nothing. Come in, have a seat."
Sorry to the Elf Queen, but paying customers come first.
...I'll treat her better next time she comes back.
* * *
A few days later.
Hunter Lee Kangho returned.
'Why that look?'
A bad feeling crept up.
"Ahem, Kangho. What's up? How's it with Mia? Going well? You two seemed perfect."
I probed lightly, and Lee Kangho clutched his face, sighing deeply.
"Think I got dumped."
What? After all that styling?
"Can't reach Mia."
"No contact?"
"Yeah! Vibe was great, even planned after-date! Then suddenly, no reply!"
He grabbed my hand, standing abruptly.
"President! Please! Contact Mia for me? What did I do wrong?!"
"Sure. I'll try."
Stepped out, called Yumia.
Long hold music, then voicemail.
"......Not picking up?"
Texted.
No read.
'Weird.'
Yumia definitely liked Lee Kangho.
Just days ago, her voice brimmed with excitement.
Sudden radio silence?
'Atmosphere's turning sour.'
Not a simple rejection.