My Slave is Utter Trash
My Slave is Utter Trash
Being an idol was far more difficult than she had imagined.
Yu-jeong had realized this fact quite early on—back when a dating scandal involving her agency's top celebrity had erupted.
At the time, she was just a trainee, but she was close enough with the staff to hear everything that had happened behind the scenes. And to her young self, the agency's cold, mechanical handling of the situation had been nothing short of shocking.
Honestly, dating scandals were practically routine for idols. A female idol and a male idol getting sticky with each other? Sure, their fans suffered, but it wasn't exactly a crime worthy of public condemnation.
Even the comments under the dating rumors were mostly filled with people baffled by the fans' outrage. Logically speaking, why should attractive young people be criticized for freely dating? What era did they think this was, to impose such a cruel punishment as a dating ban on fresh-faced youths?
So usually, dating scandals would blow over quietly. The agency would issue a few denials and move on. After all, time made people forget—that was just how modern society worked.
But her agency shattered that convention and refused to let this scandal slide. Not because the idol involved had fallen out of favor in internal politics, nor because she had a habit of cursing at the CEO and flipping him off.
No—the problem was the other party.
The person caught in the dating scandal with their top idol was a 50-year-old politician.
Naturally, this was big news. Articles poured in at a rate the agency couldn't control, and investors bombarded them with calls. This wasn't the kind of scandal they could sweep under the rug.
So the agency chose to cut her loose. She was kicked out shortly after, and the group disbanded. Rumor had it the other members sued the company, but what chance did a bunch of young girls with no experience in legal battles have against a corporation? And just like that, the incident ended.
Thanks to their disbandment, Yu-jeong was given a chance to debut. Through sheer effort and her pretty face, she successfully became an idol—not just any idol, but a so-called "top-tier" one.
But her group wasn't top-tier. She was the only one who shone. And living with members who envied and resented her success was incredibly stressful.
Yet despite that, she managed to continue her idol career for a long time without any major controversies—all because she had witnessed firsthand the downfall of her senior.
After that incident, she learned something crucial: reading the room was everything.
In short, she had to be perceptive.
Her fallen senior had been careless, wandering around outside until she got photographed. The jealous colleagues who resented her? They all acted without thinking and suffered the consequences.
That's right. To survive as an idol, the most important thing was awareness.
And Yu-jeong, who had endured as a famous idol for so long, had that in spades.
'Is it safe to get up?'
Yu-jeong lay motionless on the floor, only her eyes darting around to assess the situation.
All the attention was on Si-woo. No one was paying her any mind.
'Thank goodness. Mi-ho's safe.'
Mi-ho was clinging tightly to Si-woo's leg. It stung a little that no one spared her a glance after she'd been slapped to the ground, but she endured it with a mother's patience.
Right now, she had bigger things to worry about—like herself.
Carefully, she rolled her eyes toward the source of her downfall: So-yeon.
'She's still staring at Si-woo.'
The floor beneath her was cold. She wanted to get up immediately, but So-yeon's earlier threat—"Get up and I'll kill you"—lingered in her mind. A mage from the Gu Family wouldn't make empty threats.
But she couldn't stay sprawled on the ground forever. Time to put her skills to use.
Shhh, shhh.
Slowly, she turned her head, scanning the surroundings with utmost caution. The most dangerous woman's gaze was still fixed on Si-woo.
"Damn it...!"
Yu-jeong heard So-yeon grit her teeth and mutter a curse under her breath. Only then did she feel certain that So-yeon wasn't paying attention to her.
Then it's time to move!
She pressed her delicate hands against the floor. Then, inch by inch, she began to crawl forward—slow as a worm slithering through dirt.
She mapped out every gaze in the room and exploited the blind spots to advance.
Years of idol life had subjected her to countless stares. Over time, she had honed her senses to the point where she could detect even the slightest shift in attention behind her. It wasn't a talent she was proud of, but she was grateful for it now.
Slither, slither.
She moved without drawing a single glance. It was nothing short of miraculous—a grown woman, an idol no less, crawling blatantly across the floor, yet no one spared her a second look.
But for her, it was child's play.
There were only a few dozen people here at most. She had once snuck into a building late for a fan meeting, slipping past hundreds of eyes. This was nothing.
Besides, all their attention was fixated on one place.
Failure was impossible.
"Hang in there, Mi-ho. I'm coming."
She grinned, looking at Mi-ho, who was still hugging Si-woo's leg.
But in her focus on Mi-ho, she failed to notice that someone had caught her movements.
"...."
Si-woo stared at her, bewildered, as she crawled toward him with a smile.
### An Unshakable Resolve
Si-woo watched Yu-jeong crawling across the floor with amusement.
And in her determination, he saw something familiar.
He, too, was the type to endure any pain or despair if it was for his family.
"First time seeing this."
Not many people could smile and push forward toward their loved ones even in life-threatening situations.
He was sure such people existed somewhere, but he had never met one in his life.
Then again, he hadn't been part of society for long. And what little experience he did have was spent entirely on construction sites—places notorious for attracting the worst kinds of people. Selfish bastards, deadbeat parents who abandoned their families—he'd seen them all.
Either way, Yu-jeong left a strong impression on him. And though faint, he felt a sense of goodwill toward her. Not romantic interest, but the kind of goodwill that made him hope she'd survive and live happily with her family.
It was a vague feeling, but that was close enough.
In Si-woo's book, anyone who turned their back on family was abnormal.
And protecting family, no matter the danger, was just common sense.
So to him, Yu-jeong was normal.
And helping someone like her was only natural.
"Stay still. Don't move."
"Kyuu~!"
Mi-ho, still clinging to his leg, nodded excitedly with a bright smile.
—H-Hey! Hurry up and get rid of them! They're about to bite me again!
A naked woman stomped toward him, pointing at Lantern with trembling fingers.
—Shiver shiver!
Lantern was practically vibrating, ready to chase her off the moment Si-woo gave the word.
"Didn't you say you'd listen to anything I say?"
At his calm question, she puffed up her chest in response.
—O-Of course! Who do you take me for?! I keep my promises!
"Good."
Satisfied, Si-woo flicked his wrist. Instantly, Lantern and the cursed tome, which had been looming threateningly in the air, withdrew and returned to his side. Lantern lingered for a moment, radiating a chilling "This isn't over" before obediently melting back into his embrace.
The woman let out a long sigh of relief. Despite her complete nudity, she showed no hint of embarrassment, pretending to wipe away nonexistent sweat as she steadied her breathing. Si-woo studied her before speaking.
"I get that you're the 'Great Gate.' But why did you appear before me?"
—Huh? I already told you.
The moment the threat vanished, her composure returned in full force. A coy smile curled her red lips as she whispered:
—To make you mine.
"So you already knew what my magic was?"
Si-woo wondered if she might hold the key to uncovering the truth of his magic.
After all, that was why he had come here. If he could achieve his goal without wasting more time, nothing could be better.
But his hopes were quickly dashed.
—I don't know either. You're the first human I've seen whose magic is so tightly sealed.
She shrugged, picking at her nails disinterestedly.
"Then why did you give me this robe?"
But at this question, her eyes lit up with excitement.
—That's simple! Because I saw the star of talent burning in your chest, bright as the sun!
Floating in midair, she flailed her limbs wildly, trying to convey just how incredible it was. But Si-woo ignored her theatrics, lost in thought.
"Talent, huh..."
She saw talent, not magic? Se-chan had said the robe was determined by the level of one's magic. But now, Si-woo couldn't help but suspect it was just her arbitrary decision.
"Hmm."
Was there anything more abstract than "talent"? In the end, there was no clear answer as to why she had chosen him.
Bzzzt—
Just then, Lantern, tucked deep in his embrace, began vibrating violently.
It was her signal when she wanted something. Still deep in thought, Si-woo instinctively reached for her, his fingers gliding smoothly over her cold metal surface. The moment he began stroking her gently, she settled down, radiating a satisfied warmth.
—W-What is that?!
The woman shrieked, her face twisting in shock. Drawn like a magnet, she rushed forward, locking eyes with Si-woo—who immediately recognized the naked envy in her gaze.
—I want that too! Do it to me! Pet me like that!!
"No."
He refused flatly.
—Wha—?! Why not?!
"It's a special reward for listening to me."
He continued stroking Lantern absentmindedly. The woman's bravado instantly deflated, replaced by hopeful puppy eyes.
—So... if I listen to you, you'll do it for me too?
"Sure."
—Perfect!
She clapped her hands like a child, but the moment she did—
Whoosh!
The air grew heavy.
"That person...!"
A mage's voice trembled.
Si-woo turned to see who had arrived.
An elderly man clad in blazing crimson robes strode forward with an oppressive aura, dozens of subordinates trailing behind him.
"Elder!"
"What brings you here?!"
The surrounding mages cried out in relief. Their reaction made it clear—this was one of the family's high-ranking elders.
"What is this absurd commotion?"
The elder clicked his tongue, not bothering to hide his displeasure. His arrogant gaze swept the room before freezing the moment it landed on Si-woo—specifically, the obsidian robe draped over his shoulders.
The elder's pupils trembled in shock.
"Y-You...! How dare you wear that sacred robe?!
His voice cracked with fury as he pointed at Si-woo.
"Strip it off and return it at once! Who do you think you are?!"
His face flushed red with rage as he jabbed his finger accusingly.
The surrounding mages inwardly cheered. With an overwhelming authority figure stepping in, they were sure order would be restored.
Even So-yeon, Se-chan's half-sister, felt a flicker of relief.
But in that instant—
POP.
A dull, grotesque sound split the air.
Without warning, without even a ripple of mana, the head of the elder—a 7th-Class mage, a pillar of the Gu Family—exploded in midair.
His headless body swayed for a moment before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
Crimson blood stained the cold marble floor.
And everyone who witnessed it was horrified.
Except Si-woo.
—How's that?! I took care of the one yelling at you!
"I never told you to do that."
He stared at her impassively.
—Ugh! So stingy! I did it for you!
"Don't act on your own."
—Tch! Men are so petty! Fine! I won't do it again, so hurry up and pet me already!
Her whining was something he had never experienced before. With no other choice, he reached out and patted her head.
"Give me your head."
—Yes, yes!
She eagerly leaned forward, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
The moment his hand touched her hair—
—KYAAAAAAH!!
Squelch! Squelch!
Her legs trembled violently as an unidentified blue liquid gushed from her entire body. Thick with mana, the fluid splattered everywhere, some of it landing on Si-woo—though thankfully, it passed through him without staining his clothes.
"Sigh..."
He exhaled deeply.
This was the second time something like this had happened.
The first was with the gumiho. Now, it was the Great Gate's avatar.
'Do all beings who tread the realm of Mystery end up like this when they touch me?'
It was still just a hypothesis. The sample size was too small to be sure. A few more precise experiments would be needed to confirm the phenomenon.
But his usual analytical mindset didn't last long.
A disgustingly sticky sensation disrupted his thoughts.
"Disgusting."
He spat out the words like poison.
Wiping the viscous blue liquid from his skin and clothes, he slowly raised his head.
His gaze, now fixed on her, was filled with icy contempt.
—H-Hey... do it again.
He stared at her like she was something pitiful.