Chapter 118: Han Minyeong (1)
Shopping for the women was necessary, but investing in myself was something I couldn't neglect either. It was finally time to start boosting those stats I'd been putting off. I couldn't just hoard my ample coins and let them go to waste, right?
The initial 5.9 million coins had dwindled to 5.7 million after gradual spending. Even if I splurged on the Appearance Change Voucher with all the add-ons, I still had plenty left for my body.
I decided to use coins to raise all the stats I needed for work up to 60%.
From 60% stats onward, opportunity cost increases from 1→10.
"Hmm."
A sudden 10x cost jump at 60%... It hit me again how much more I didn't know about this system than what I did.
"If it weren't for that unexpected luck, pushing past 60% would've been a real pain."
If fair progression was 10x, how much worse would unfair progression be? With my history of illegally modding terminals, I never would've stopped at 10x.
'Wouldn't be surprised if it was 100x for those bastards.'
Since they were so shady, I planned to do exactly what they didn't want—everything.
For now...
I poured coins generously into the stats I'd deemed necessary. It cost a hefty amount, but with my reserves, I didn't bat an eye.
"This is flexing!"
Stats over 50% unlocked all sorts of unique abilities. I also stocked up on helpful shop items.
After all that shopping, my nearly 6 million coins plummeted to 3.5 million. A shame to see them go, but no regrets.
Using today's purchases would make handling the women far easier moving forward.
"No regrets on this shopping spree."
I stashed the bought items in my Subspace for now.
◈ Can hold up to 100 tons of weight.
◈ Easily store desired items; weight reduced to 0g.
As items piled up, I needed a way to carry them, so I went big and bought the Subspace. I'd stuff it with spare underwear and clothes too.
A few days after my flex spree, I met Han Minyeong at the shoot.
She'd accepted my offer but we hadn't met since—no rush on my end.
"Hello."
Today was my main shoot, so just Manager Noona and I showed up.
"How've you been, Noona?"
"...Hey."
Minyeong Noona met my eyes, panicked, and gave an awkward greeting. She managed her expressions well as an actress, but her legs betrayed her.
Tremble tremble—
"Your legs are shaking."
"Eep!!"
"Let's have a great shoot today."
"...Yeah."
Today featured one of my rare lines. It was the scene where the heroine Kim Jihye gets tangled with student council president Yoo Euntak—me.
The inhumanly overpowered council president was every girl's dream prince. Today's scene had him swooping in like a knight on a white horse to save troubled Kim Jihye.
She falls for him at first sight, sparking jealousy from Hwang Sangho (Kang Jun's role), kicking off the love triangle.
"Noona, drop the formal speech—use casual."
"Oh, still not used to it."
"Got it. Guess I'm still making you uncomfortable. It'll get better with time."
"Yeah."
"Dinner after the shoot?"
"Dinner? Why?"
"Why? Isn't it obvious?"
No backing out now. I stared pointedly, and she hurriedly explained.
"Y-You haven't contacted me at all since, so I thought you were messing with me."
"I said I wasn't, but you keep assuming it's a joke? No contact 'cause you've been busy shooting. No more after today with me, so dinner."
"...Fine. Dinner it is."
"Great. Oh, Manager Noona's giving you a ride? Take our car after."
"That far? Won't she hate it? What if she notices?"
"Won't happen."
Buffed to the max, my confidence overflowed.
"...Where does that confidence even come from? I can't figure it out. But if you're sure, okay. I'll follow your lead. Do whatever. I don't get it. You say act sly like a fox, but I've never done that—can't wrap my head around it. So I'll do exactly what you say."
So innocent and blind! Never expected my "act foxy" advice to bounce back like this.
"Just handing it all to me? What makes you trust me?"
"Not trusting you. No other choice. Already decided at the cliff's edge—I'm leaving it to you. You choose: crash me or save me."
"...That's scary. Suddenly feels heavy."
I had tons of gifts prepared for her. But her saying I was her only option off the cliff hit different.
'Thought I was prepared, but gotta scour the shop more carefully.'
Couldn't outright say I'd use items to fix her looks—she wouldn't believe it, and even with add-ons to ease the change, effects wouldn't show instantly. The longer we spent together, the more beautiful she'd become, gradually.
'Was gonna blame it on "love makes you prettier"...'
But in her desperate state, could she hold out that long? Didn't plan immediate sex, but maybe adjust.
'Was saving the swan moment for sex.'
She was unripe fruit, an unfledged swan. Bought special semen, but for faster results, got the superior Appearance Change Voucher. No issue achieving my goal.
Once perfected and bloomed, I'd embrace her. By then, that wary sponsor-look would vanish.
But seeing her now, she needed a "result" pronto to ease her extreme mindset.
'What to do to calm that desperation?'
Serious pondering required.
？？？
Kim Jihye ground her teeth, thinking of the girls who'd locked her here.
"Gotta be Hwang Sangho's fanclub."
She'd known him since childhood, so yeah, closer than others. But it always sparked jealousy, flooding her with unfair frustration.
"Maybe I should just confess and date him! Keep saying we're not like that—why this crap?! Bitches."
If she were actually dating him, the bullying wouldn't feel so unjust. But she and Sangho were just guy friends—nothing more. She even avoided him a bit.
'Never had a good time tangled with that jerk!'
Sangho probably had no clue she suffered because of him.
"Driving me nuts. Everyone gone home? No one's passing by?"
They'd planned meticulously, calling her after school when paths cleared, snatching her phone too.
"This is a crime. Crime!! Call the cops? Film a doc? Argh!"
"...Anyone there?"
"Huh? Y-Yes!! Someone here!! Open the door!! I'm locked in!!"
Thought she'd rot here, but luck struck. She pounded the door frantically.
Whoever outside heard and delivered good news.
"Don't panic—wait there. Grabbing the key."
"Yes! Thank you!!"
'Nice voice. Familiar... who?'
His kind, gentle tone made her heart skip.
Then she recalled her jailers. Grit—
"Won't let 'em off. Life's real-world practice. Straight to cops, summon their parents."
Plotting revenge, teeth gnashing, when footsteps returned quick with the key.
Clank clank—
Creeeak!
Door opened!
"Woo! I'm aliiiive!!"
"Huh?"
Jihye jumped for joy from the stuffy warehouse, arms up cheering—till she saw her white-knight savior and screamed.
"Scared you?"
"Eek!"
Stunning from afar, up close student council president Yoo Euntak's solo beauty was jaw-dropping.
"How'd you get locked? How long? You okay?"
His worried gaze would've clocked the setup in normal times—no reason for her in this remote shed otherwise. Obvious bullying victim.
"Uuuuh..."
Embarrassing. Knew honesty was fine, but words stuck.
'Can't say his fanclub locked me outta jealousy over hanging with Sangho! Mortifying!'
Misreading her hesitation, Euntak gently took her hand understandingly.
'H-Hand!!'
Big guy hand? Completely enveloped hers, with room to spare. Thump thump—
"B-Body's fine. Wasn't locked long."
"Good it was short. Asking why might be tough?"
"Huh? Uh..."
How to explain? Brain jammed, silent, so he sighed softly.
"If it's hard, no need. But without details, can't help. Asking adults isn't shameful—you're young."
"...Friends pranked. No worries. I got it."
Already simulated revenge dozens of times. They'd bawl rivers.
"Okay. Find me anytime—3rd year Class 7, Yoo Euntak."
"Who doesn't know the president?"
"Haha, true?"
Damn right. Not knowing this face was half a life wasted.
Now add: anyone not seeing it up close lost more than half.
'Too handsome!!!'
Thump thump— First love hit the high school girl.
"Anyway, I'm really fine. No need to worry."
"Glad you're tough."
Chill, heart.
Euntak-senpai cared 'cause he was president. No ulterior motives.
If reason controlled the heart, how great. But pubescent teen girl's? No brakes.
Gulp— 'If I visit for counseling, would he...?'
His kindness tempted selfish hopes.