Survival S Hijinks (3)
In a world where most of the population was female, the market naturally overflowed with women's products. The second-floor clothing section was packed with eye-catching women's apparel.
Damn, there are a ton of people here.
"This is pretty!"
"We're not here to shop for cute clothes—we need to find bullets, right?"
"It's not good to push too hard during a tight shoot. You'll burn out your stamina fast."
Na Yeonghui was trying to hold back my eager self, leisurely strolling through the clothing store. She'd pull out clothes to hold them up to the mirror, and if there were any men's clothes, she'd actively recommend them to me.
"Is this really okay?"
Of course, all of this was being captured on camera, leaving me in a total mental breakdown over how to react.
"It's fine, I said."
"The other team members are probably working their asses off though?"
"Aigoo! Relax~ Relax~ There's always a way. If your brain's no good, your body's gotta suffer! But if your brain's sharp, your body gets a break. That's the saying."
Na Yeonghui, who had been shopping like she was on a casual outing, finally started moving when we spotted Team A on the second floor. Instead of spreading out to search, Team A had chosen to stick together and quickly sweep the floor as they went up.
Several cameras were filming the herd of Team A members moving en masse—a combo that was impossible to miss.
"Finally found 'em!"
"Why Team A?"
"Heh heh, just waitin' for this. Hide good and follow 'em?"
She expertly concealed herself and trailed behind Team A. And sure enough, the diligently searching Team A found the bullets.
"Got it!"
"Ooooh!!! As expected from the ace!!"
Tae Huigyeong, clutching the small box labeled "bullets"—fake ones, of course—threw up her arms in victory. But the box had a lock on it, and a note inside said they needed to find a specific "store" to get the key.
"It says to find the tallest employee in the men's clothing store on the second floor!"
"Where's the men's clothing store? Anyone remember?"
"I don't think we've seen one yet…."
"Let's keep looking then!"
The group started moving en masse. Na Yeonghui, who had been secretly spying on Team A from hiding, flashed a meaningful grin. If that smile looked a bit villainous, was it just my imagination?
No way… she was aiming for this?
I belatedly realized why she'd been so relaxed about searching. By following her lead, we'd essentially gotten the fruits of their labor without the effort.
"See?"
"How'd you know it'd play out like this?"
"I've got years of experience, kid. This is child's play."
Magic that produced results while we lounged around! An incredible achievement.
"I've heard the rumors about your infamous reputation(?), but seeing it in action, you're even more amazing!"
"I haven't even shown my true colors yet. You picked the right partner today. Hohohot!! Just stick with me."
"Yes, Master!"
"Huh? M-Master?"
"Yep. I really wanna learn from you. Take me as your disciple!"
Normal people play games by the rules—they don't think of exploiting loopholes like this. But for her, "betrayal," "scheming," and "manipulation" were everyday habits(?). No wonder she went from guest to MC.
Her backstabbing character was incredibly appealing to me.
If I just stick with that woman for this variety show, I'll more than pull my weight.
Being next to such a distinct personality on a show lets some of that shine rub off on you. Since she had a bit of a bluffing vibe, I decided to go with the role of the quirky admirer showering her with "respect"(?) by calling her Master nonstop.
Na Yeonghui seemed to catch on to my positioning and played along, hamming it up like she was deeply moved by "Master" and accepting me as her disciple.
"Even if they bust their asses, we reap the rewards. That's Master's secret sauce."
"I never would've thought of it. I was a bit anxious when you said we didn't have to search hard."
With the camera right there, telling us to slack off had me wondering what the hell she was doing for a second.
"Just trust your Master, okay? Still anxious?"
"No! Not at all. We've been sightseeing so diligently, we remember where the men's store is."
"Exactly!! That's what I'm talking about. Let's beat them there and claim it first."
The box was with them, but that wasn't an issue. Without the key, those bullets were useless.
"But what about the box? We need it to get the bullets."
"Some other teammate will snag it for us, right?"
"Ah~ right. So we just mess with Team A to keep them from getting the bullets!?"
I widened my eyes like she was a tactical genius, clapped enthusiastically, and shoved my face in hers like I was super impressed.
"Eek, back off a bit? Sis's heart isn't great. You're gonna give me a heart attack."
"Ah! Sorry!"
We beat Team A to the men's clothing store, found the tallest employee, beat a quick mini-game, and snagged the key. But just as we got it, Team A spotted us, sparking a brief chase scene.
A young body really is the best.
The body Poni gave me—Jin Haesol's—was on another level from my old 30s trash heap. When Na Yeonghui tossed me the key and yelled to run, I bolted like lightning. The VJs scrambling behind couldn't keep up and lost me entirely.
Only after the staff radioed my location did I reunite with my VJ, linking up with Team B searching another floor. We had to execute a rescue op for Na Yeonghui, now a hostage of Team A.
The shoot flew by in a frenzy, and before we knew it, the sun had set and wrap-up filming was done. Team A took the win. Ace Tae Huigyeong's monstrous performance knocked out Team B for the victory.
"Whew, that was brutal."
"I'm wiped."
"How long ago was dinner? I'm starving again."
We'd dieted before the activity, but maintaining diet meals during it was impossible with our stamina drained. Now we could eat freely.
Running around the survival game all day had tanked our energy completely. If I could just crash in bed and sleep, it'd be heaven.
"Man, it's kinda unsatisfying. I know I could've done better."
"Think they'll let us reshoot?"
"Hahaha, they'd call us crazy."
"Uyeon, you okay? You got eliminated super early."
"Ugh, it was scary~ Tae Huigyeong sunbaenim, I'd only heard rumors, but her strength is no joke. She pinned me in seconds, dragged me around, shot me, and I was out."
I Hwan and Uyeon had teamed up like little squirrels, sneaking around peeking here and there, only to get nabbed by Tae Huigyeong, dragged as hostages, shot, and unceremoniously eliminated. But they were giggling like it was all good, so their screen time probably wouldn't get cut. Sneaking like squirrels must've felt thrilling and impressive to them.
Being dragged as hostages probably gave them decent footage too.
"Did you get I Hwan sunbaenim's number? You two got super close."
"Yep! Of course."
"Honestly, I thought he'd ice us out. Rumors say he hates idols. Calls 'em rude too. But up close, he's less prickly and more like a hedgehog fretting about getting attacked."
How much crap had he taken in this industry to develop that habit?
"The fact he vibes so well with that annoying Uyeon already makes him a legend. Man's got character."
"Rare energy for sure."
"Why you gotta do Hwan hyung like that!! He's not like that at all? He took such good care of me today!!"
Looking after an 18-year-old kid like that? As a guardian figure, I'd be grateful too.
"Should I have at least said thanks for taking good care of you?"
"Puhahaha!!"
Doing variety had leveled up everyone's humor.
"Cut the crap and let's sleep. I'm dying of exhaustion."
"Totally agree."
"Tired~ So tired~"
"Gotta sleep to survive."
With everyone's stamina in the gutter, the ride back to the dorm was eerily quiet.
The close-up of Jin Haesol's handsome face, perfectly synced with Na Yeonghui, filled the camera. Thump-thump!
"So cool."
She'd never watched variety shows much, but hearing Airplane was on Survival S had her glued to the screen. She couldn't tear her eyes from Jin Haesol dominating the frame.
That man… he could be the perfect guy I've always dreamed of.
He was the first man she'd ever felt drawn to. To claim the spot next to her perfect self, an average guy wouldn't cut it. So she'd searched diligently.
For a man worthy of standing beside her!
I never expected a guy who could take the spot next to a perfect woman like me to show up out of nowhere.
Her mother hadn't found a suitable man until 37, finally marrying and having her. A whopping 17-year age gap. Yet Mother's choice was right. Even after 25 years, their chemistry was still golden.
At 25, after 25 years of searching for a man worthy of her perfection, she'd shockingly found her first candidate.
25 is super early, right? As expected, I'm amazing.
Of course, finding him didn't mean instant marriage. She'd circle him for at least a year, investigate every detail, set up "tests" in various scenarios, then decide on the wedding.
The car wasn't one of the tests, though.
Donating it? A car was pocket change, yet he sweetly donated it anyway, saying it was no burden.
"So cute."
Wasn't it adorable? Donate, of all things! How does his brain come up with such a cute idea?
It was a whimsy she could never dream up.
"Cute… so cute… How can he be that cute? Is it even allowed to be that cute? I wanna bite him. Lock him up. Keep him as a pet!"
Emotions overwhelming her, her gaze grew terrifying. Her secretary urgently interjected.
"Miss, you need to calm down."
"Ah!"
"Are you okay?"
"…Did I do it again?"
"Yes."
"I can't keep doing this."
"Exactly. That kind of obsessive talk terrifies men. It's in the top 10 types of women men hate most."
"…I lose it whenever I see Haesol. Didn't know I had zero patience."
"First loves are tough like that. But you can overcome it, Miss. Can't disappoint the Chairwoman."
At the secretary's words, her dreamy eyes turned fierce.
"Disappoint? Who dares feel disappointed in me? Even Mother couldn't. What do they take this body for?"
"S-Sorry. I'll correct it."
"Even you, Jung Secretary—no forgiveness for that."
The secretary bowed deeply. She pondered briefly, reassessing the secretary's value in that instant.
Too useful to toss for being cheeky.
Jung was competent. Helpful to the company and her personal life. Competent enough to overlook the sass.
"Last warning."
"Thank you."
She'd let it slide this once. Of course—
Slap!!
"Guh!"
Letting it slide didn't mean no punishment. She slapped the secretary clean across the face, toppling her. Then she kicked her stomach without mercy.
Thud!!
"Aaaagh!!"
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
She followed the rolling body, stomping every inch. The secretary screamed in agony, but she didn't flinch, continuing the beating relentlessly. Blood finally seeped from the battered secretary's body.
"Hoo, hoo…."
Regulating her ragged breath, she stopped kicking.
"Cough, cough! Ugh… ugh…."
"Mouths really are the root of evil. Haah~ Was my training lacking?"
She had to break that habit of zoning out before facing him. Glancing at the writhing "competent worm" at her feet, she said,
"Head home for today. I'll let them know—go to the hospital, get treated, and claim expenses."
"Ugh… y-yes. O-okay… cough!"
Turning a person into bloody pulp without a shred of guilt, she left the fallen secretary and exited the room.
Click-clack—click-clack—click-clack—
The sharp stiletto heels faded into the distance.
Thud!
The door shut. No one came to open it for the injured secretary.