Chapter 193
Chapter 193
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 192
Chapter Title: All-Night Chat and Morning Scandal
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* * *
Sarang spent the entire night talking with Jaeyeon. It was a case of an adult man and woman pulling an all-nighter, but there wasn't the slightest hint of anything risqué—and that's precisely what made the time so wonderful.
Sarang felt her heart floating light as a feather. She hadn't touched a drop of alcohol, yet she felt utterly intoxicated.
'We just chatted through the night, and it was this much fun?'
Bae Sarang.
She was the daughter of Bae Jaeseok, the head of the largest conglomerate on the 34th Earth. Born with a silver spoon that surpassed even gold or diamond—an orichalcum spoon, no less.
Not only did she possess stunning beauty, but also exceptional intelligence and a biometric aptitude in the top one-in-a-million range. She grew up under strict tutelage amid the great expectations of those around her.
And so ten years passed, then twenty, and finally thirty.
Though she was talented and diligent, combining both perseverance and sincerity, she eventually hit her limit.
Her growth rate began to slow, even with elixirs and rigorous training.
No matter how much she steeled her resolve or received mental care, her spirit grew weary.
And it was around that time
that she discovered a [Fantasy] novel in the library.
'It was a shock.'
Just flipping through a few pages made her heart race like mad. Writing created purely for the sake of 'fun' was on a whole different level from any book she'd ever read in her life.
She tried sharing this amazing pleasure with those around her, but the reactions were disappointing.
[What? You, reading stuff like that?]
[At your age, stick to proper genres....]
[Don't read weird things. Let's go to the art gallery instead. Kim Taegon just released a new piece....]
No one understood her joy. Those who had looked at her with respect and admiration now belittled and dismissed her hobby.
When she talked about the settings and world-building, even the people who whispered their love for her shot her cold, jaded glances.
They probably thought they'd hidden it well, but they couldn't fool her extraordinary eyes—eyes that even immortals had praised as '[At this level, it's no exaggeration to call them spirit eyes or the eyes of a young divine beast!]'
And maybe that's why?
'If I... were to spend my life with someone....'
The conversation with Jaeyeon, stretching over ten hours, had been utterly sweet to her.
'Someone I could talk to this easily....'
Sarang was seventy years old but had never even had a proper relationship, let alone any physical intimacy.
She'd dated a few times, but the shortest lasted a week, the longest a month, and even then, real dates were rare.
She felt no impatience, of course.
With her background as the heir to the world's top conglomerate family, her dazzling looks, her ability ranking in the top 0.001%, and her talent for building an entire company single-handedly.
Unlike the common excuses of spinsters who 'couldn't' date, she truly 'didn't' date. Romance simply wasn't a priority, but the courtship from men had never ceased in her lifetime.
The problem was
that now, having met someone who truly stirred her heart, the situation was entirely different from before—back when all it would take was for her to give love 'permission' to bloom.
Murmur murmur.
The research institute buzzed. Researchers who had come in early that morning clustered in the hallway, whispering.
"She's here! She really came!"
"Wow. I never thought I'd see F·D in person...."
"She's so pretty.... Hey, there's talk that Jaeyeon and F·D's Flower are dating. Is it true?"
"Nah, she's a dragon. No way. I hear dragons see humans like dogs or cats."
Everyone lost their minds at the arrival of this cosmic superstar. Even the prideful institute director was acting like a kid in a candy store.
"Ah."
From a distance, Sarang watched the women surrounding Jaeyeon. The dragons' gazes on him were scorching.
"Hey, why'd you stay out all night without a word? We were worried something happened!"
Interrogating Jaeyeon in a high-pitched tone was Red Dragon Ruby. Though her build was quite small for an adult, her perfect proportions and adorable features made her an undeniable beauty.
"Hehe. We're not even living together yet, so calling it staying out might be a stretch."
The oriental beauty with jet-black hair, Black Dragon Heukyo, smiled. Her all-black suit, which accentuated her voluptuous figure, exuded an irresistibly seductive aura.
"But this is where you work, Jaeyeon? It's pretty intriguing."
White Dragon Snow, dressed in a flamboyant gown as if ready to leap onto a stage at any moment.
Blindingly white sneakers, loose-fitting long jeans, a top-tank with flashy patterns, and earrings cascading down to her shoulders—Blue Dragon Sapphire sat pressed shoulder-to-shoulder with Jaeyeon.
Their physical contact felt so natural it seemed inevitable.
'It's not just one Flower.'
Sarang had little dating experience, but she was still a woman.
The moment she saw the F·D members talking with Jaeyeon, she knew without a doubt.
'They're all... serious.'
Especially Flower's gaze, meeting hers with a gentle smile....
"Haha...."
It was unbelievable. She'd never imagined a scenario like this in her life.
"Is this for real...."
* * *
After chatting all night with Sarang and grabbing breakfast, I was startled to see F·D show up at the research institute.
'Is there some event this morning? Full makeup at this ungodly hour?'
As the five beauties, each radiating a unique charm, appeared, everyone around held their breath.
"Did you have breakfast?"
"Ah, yes. This is the company cafeteria, after all."
"Oh, now that you mention it, I'm hungry too. Excuse me! If it's not too much trouble, could we grab a bite before we go?"
As Ruby raised her voice, a middle-aged man rushed over.
He was the director of the Hyperreality Research Institute.
"O-Of course! It's an honor to meet you! I'm John Smith!"
"Ruby, shining like the sun!"
"Ruby! I'm a fan! Could I get an autograph...!"
The once-quiet company cafeteria erupted into chaos. I let out a hollow chuckle watching Ruby and the other members take turns dealing with the crowd.
'They do fan service, huh. I figured they'd tell them to buzz off.'
That's when it happened.
"Meow! Meow! Meow! Meow!"
Cheda suddenly started ringing nonstop.
"What, how many times is it gonna ring?"
Cheda basically ignores unknown numbers. Meaning it only responds to registered contacts—and now all the rare exceptions were calling at once?
I checked Cheda in surprise.
Missed calls: 17.
[Multiverse Hottest Guy: Jaeyeon, you okay? Is this sorted with the broadcaster?]
[Hye-young: Did you see the broadcast, Jaeyeon? If there's any issue, let me know.]
[ShockBoobs: Jaeyeon! It's blowing up right now!]
"...What's going on?"
Puzzled, my shadow suddenly sprang up.
Whoosh!
The shadow writhed for a moment before transforming into a handsome black-haired man brimming with starlight like a galaxy.
It was Shadow Dragon Eodukseoni, F·D's manager.
"Eodukseoni?"
"Jaeyeon. It's an attack."
"Huh?"
I couldn't make sense of it. This wasn't Ardania—who was attacking whom?
'Doesn't seem like a monster outbreak.'
As I wondered, Eodukseoni lightly beckoned.
Flash!
I accepted the incoming psychic wave without resistance, and over a dozen screens popped up in my mind.
[He was a lunatic. His nickname 'Mad Dog' wasn't for nothing. Always picking fights and throwing punches at the drop of a hat.]
[Honestly, as a Transcendent making bank, how does it make sense he didn't support his parents? You can have all the wealth and fame, but if your roots are rotten, that's that!]
[In and out of the police station was his daily routine. Punishment? None! He was sly enough to know every loophole in Justice God's system!]
It was a broadcast. A documentary centered on interviews.
I saw the people featured: my army senior, the thugs my dad hung out with, the school bully and gangsters I'd beaten up.
"Yes, that guy killed my husband.... After that? I never saw him once. He cut ties completely."
And... my mother.
She looked far healthier and better dressed than I'd imagined. If there was one thing the same as my memories, it was her face full of resentment and irritation.
"...Cheda."
I immediately pulled up Cheda and went online.
Public opinion was not good.
⤷Howanmama: So he really did abandon his mom, huh? Not only did he never visit, he ignored her calls. Even when she showed up multiple times, he gave her the cold shoulder and kicked her out.
⤷Brave: A Transcendent should have plenty of leeway, but zero financial support? Plus, he's an immigrant himself, yet the evidence of him discriminating against immigrants is crystal clear.
⤷PenguinWiki: Han Jaeyeon has shown up at the police station 11 times. Even if all were released with warnings, showing up 11 times as a minor is never normal.
Critical articles about me started pouring in. As the Apostle of the Game God and the third Transcendent born on the 34th Earth, I'd drawn massive attention, so no topic could be hotter.
Sure, my background is what it is, but the 34th Earth's press freedom is top-tier—no external pressure works.
"What the hell is this? Have these arrogant bastards lost their minds!"
Whoosh!
Flames erupted in Ruby's bright red hair.
"Which broadcaster!? I'll head there right now!"
I shook my head at the sight of flames spewing from her mouth with every shout.
"Calm down. You'll get arrested."
Snow shook her head at my words.
"No.... I knew about the 34th Earth, but this is a real culture shock. The media attacking a Transcendent over personal matters like this? In any other civilization, the whole group would be wiped out."
Heukyo wore a cold, incredulous expression too.
"And public opinion swings completely off one documentary? Does that even make sense?"
I nodded.
"It does. Because this is the 34th Earth."
People here tend to believe whatever comes out of news or documentaries, no matter how outlandish.
In a world where the Truth God exists.
The media can't utter a single lie. Of course, they can omit truths or twist the order to fool people, but there's a strong faith that if they assert something, it must be true at least in that context.
And that's the media's most powerful weapon on the 34th Earth.
If it's based on facts, they can swing it at anyone—and for now, what they were claiming was mostly factual.
"Oh no.... This is bad."
"What do we do? The situation is worse than we thought...."
"Shareholders are flooding us with complaints."
I sorted my thoughts as I overheard the researchers, now checking articles and news, murmuring.
'The media wouldn't target me on their own.'
The fact that I'd lived like a thug isn't some huge secret. Of course, the parent stuff was sensitive enough that few touched it... but those in the know would've known.
So why was it blowing up now?
'Just like Eodukseoni said. This is an attack.'
An organization with malice toward me was making a move. And big time.
As far as I knew, there was only one group that would pull something like this.
'Celes Society.... Have they gone mad? What do they think provoking me like this will achieve?'
It made no sense. Sure, the controversy would dent my image, but it couldn't actually destroy me.
Wasn't this just a ploy to enrage me?
'Is there... some bigger conspiracy at play?'