99. A Battle of Pride!
Seo Ha-jin's shout echoed loudly through the gym. But fortunately—or perhaps predictably—no one gave it a second glance. Everyone was plugged into wireless earbuds or headphones. Music during workouts was the unspoken rule. She wasn't wrong.
But I couldn't back down, not even a little.
"Why not Deokgu? The man hailed as a saint! The great holy knight who sealed the demon! Romantic lightweight Kim Deokgu!"
"N-No! If you put it like th-that—!"
Seo Ha-jin looked utterly wronged. Sorry, but I still had more to say.
"And right now, Deokgu's getting tamed by a blonde loli nun, you know? You think it's easy for a guy pushing fifty?"
"......You're insulting him, right?"
"Ahem."
Okay, maybe that was a bit much. I stepped back awkwardly, and Maramdeshi stepped forward.
"Hajin, go warm up. You two, over here."
"Yeees~."
Even PT clients got the casual treatment. Good thing she wasn't my employee. Seo Ha-jin pouted her way back to her stretches. We followed Maramdeshi's lead to the front desk.
"Hold on. You're not about to charge us for a day pass, are you? We're just here to look around."
"W-We. W-Workout. N-No."
Making money-spenders out of money-makers. Competent. She'd be perfect at Meracle.
But sadly, I'd overestimated her a tad.
"No day passes here. Only for Royal Matching clients."
"......"
"B-Boss. I-I'm s-scared."
"Me too."
This place was insane. Would Meracle ever reach this level?
Maramdeshi handed us trial pass necklaces.
"Head over there for the communal workout clothes—change into those. And keep the necklace on at all times. We don't want other members getting the wrong idea."
"Wrong idea? Oh, so they won't think we're potential matches?"
"Exactly."
She gave a cool nod and headed off to coach Seo Ha-jin. Kim Yang and I stared in awe at the necklaces.
"So this whole place is basically one giant matchmaking venue."
"G-Genius. Sh-Sharing. W-Workout hobbies."
"Right? They've got screen golf downstairs, a pool, a cafe. People with matching interests naturally flock together."
"Sm-Smart."
Honestly, I'd had zero intel on Royal Matching beyond it being for the elite. But behind that massive Top Hon facade was the real deal.
We changed and stepped out. As we watched Maramdeshi spotting Seo Ha-jin, Kim Yang nudged my back.
"B-Boss. L-Let's go."
"Okay."
"L-Lower body!"
I grabbed Kim Yang's horn to stop her from diving into squats.
"Eek?!"
"Where do you think you're going?"
I'd only meant to remind her we were here to work, not work out. Shoulder seemed too formal; the horn was closer.
But then—
Crack! Kim Yang's hand shot up and yanked my hair.
"Aaaack?!"
"L-Let go! L-Let g-go!"
"Grabbing the boss's hair?!"
"Y-You first! L-Let go!"
"You first!"
"B-Boss! You first!"
We ended up locked in a ridiculous stalemate, me gripping her horn, her clutching my hair, grunting like idiots. It happened so fast, I didn't even notice the stares.
"On three, we let go. Okay?"
"O-Okay."
"One, two, three!"
I released her horn, but Kim Yang gripped harder and started shaking my head.
"Aaaah?! Hey!"
"H-Horn! Don't t-touch the h-horn! R-Release! Release!"
Finally, still holding my hair, she locked eyes with me. Then yanked my head back hard—
"Bam!"
She headbutted me square on.
"Aaaaaah?!"
I reeled back, forehead throbbing like it was cracked. Kim Yang rubbed her own flushed forehead, huffing triumphantly.
"R-Release."
Pumping her fist in victory. She really saw her boss as dogshit.
"Hey!"
"N-No touching horns."
"Why?!"
"Bam! Bam!"
No answer—just her swinging her head wildly in mock headbutts, like a fighting game boss waiting for the next challenger.
"Ugh, thick-headed sheep."
"Hey, sheep-head!"
Rock solid, damn it. But don't get the wrong idea—plenty of beastkin and savages had horns, and most didn't mind a touch. I'd heard it didn't even feel tactile or anything.
Is there a reason not to touch them?
I wanted to argue, but Kim Yang's endless headbutt practice was intimidating. I backed off.
"Bam! Bam!"
"I get it, so stop!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! The air whistled.
"Ahem, excuse me, sir? Please keep the noise down."
A gym staffer had even come over.
"Yes, sorry. Won't happen again."
"Bam! Bam!"
Like a fan on full blast. Meracle summers would be breezy.
"And that lady behind you......"
"I'll calm her down."
"Mm, alright."
The staffer kept glancing nervously at Kim Yang as she turned to leave. Seizing the moment, I segued smoothly.
"By the way, are you close with Maramdeshi?"
"Pardon? Maramdeshi? Eh, somewhat?"
She looked thrown by the sudden question but answered anyway.
"Any preferences in guys? Exes or types?"
"Huh? Yeah, I had an ex. Broke up recently, from what I hear—wait. Who are you to ask?"
Damn, she caught on.
I'd been pushing gently in her daze to fish for info.
"Is this stalking? I'm reporting you!"
As she eyed me suspiciously, a man entered the entrance. She bolted over, bowing deeply.
He was suited up, mid-20s like me. The bespoke suit and luxury watch screamed upper crust—no contesting Aloromang.
Why the details? He's staring right at me.
He marched straight over, hands in pockets, tilting his head cockily.
"Kim Juseon?"
"Yes? That's me......"
A business card extended—black base, gold embroidery, oozing prestige.
"Royal Matching CEO, Oh Sang-min."
"Ah, aaah—!"
I whipped out my own card for the exchange.
"Meracle CEO, Kim Juseon."
"W-Workout clothes. Wh-Why carry th-those."
Kim Yang muttered in disgust from behind, but hey, useful.
Younger than expected. Trust fund kid?
"Skip the cards."
He tossed mine back dismissively. His face twisted in clear displeasure.
"Leave. You barge into my business causing trouble?"
"Wasn't planning to. But how do you know me?"
"I memorize faces in the industry."
Impressive.
"And I know you poached clients tangled with Top Hon."
A question mark at first, then it clicked. Raichen, Seo Ha-jin. Even Ophelia jumped from Top Hon to us. From an outsider's view, easy to misread.
"Complicated circumstances there. And Seo Ha-jin's right here."
"Meracle couldn't handle her league, so she came to us naturally. To me, you're just a shameless poacher from a rival firm."
"Shameless? Harsh for a first meeting. You don't even know the full story."
"Nope. Don't."
Brazen.
"No need. Some small-timer running a hole-in-the-wall office—your sob story's irrelevant."
"......Compared to you, Top Hon's CEO seems like a saint."
"Out."
"Fine. Kim Yang, let's go."
Infuriating. But was bailing okay? Felt like it'd screw Maramdeshi over.
Heading to the lockers, I paused and turned back.
"One request. Don't take it out on Maramdeshi. Our fault for pushing."
"......"
No reply. As if unworthy.
"F-Fuck you."
Kim Yang flipped him off boldly en route to the lockers.
Moments later, changed and out, Maramdeshi waited upfront. Worried she'd get fired over us.
"Ahem, sorry, Maramdeshi."
I bowed. She shrugged with a grin.
"Nah. Labor laws make firing that easy anymore. Just a warning."
"Phew, good."
"Tried my best, oh well."
Her straightforward speech matched her vibe. As I pondered prying about her ex—
Boisterous staff voices boomed from the entrance.
"Hello!"
"Welcome!"
Another CEO? Nope—familiar face.
"Seram?"
Ryu Seram, in light gym gear, sighed at the door. Oh Sang-min, all warm smiles unlike with me, welcomed her.
"Huh? You two close?"
Maramdeshi's deferential tone felt off.
"She's our main liaison with Royal Matching. Connected through Hajin."
"I knew they were buddy-buddy."
"Yeah? Wide network. That's why their CEO's desperate to snag her. Having a Chilgeuk member changes everything."
True. Chilgeuk hunters were in a league beyond idols or execs. Hunters didn't rank high in marriage markets overall, but top-tier like Chilgeuk? Untouchable premium.
"Free gym access hooks 'em, natural sales pitch. Their company gym—huh? Where you going?!"
I brushed past Maramdeshi, striding to the entrance.
"......?!"
She gawked, eyes wide. Never imagined a rival CEO here.
Oh Sang-min blocked me instantly.
"Kim Juseon, what rudeness is this? Harassing our VIP—"
"Rudeness? Royal Matching started it."
I cut him off.
"Poaching members shamelessly? Unheard of."
Brief silence. Oh Sang-min's brow furrowed slowly.
"......Pardon?"
I turned to Ryu Seram instead, eyes pleading desperately.
Please. Seram, I beg you.
"Ryu Seram is a Meracle member."
Chugged water like emptying the cooler before leaving the lockers. Throat still parched.
I put you on the non-exclusive list. Gotta match that foul temper with someone top-shelf.
"Right, member?"
No prayer this fervent to birthday cakes, Santa, or church. Show 'em dickheads have pull too!
I extended an arm to her, brimming with desperation—
"Haa."
A short sigh, then one step. To my side.
"Yes."
Crisp reply.
"I'm signed up with Meracle."
Her verdict landed; Oh Sang-min's face froze in real time.
Sweet victory. I slung an arm over Seram's shoulder, basking.
"Heh."
We won.
