Sassy Little Brat
[Game paused.]
After achieving that accomplishment and giving in to the thrill by ravaging Dokgo Hwaryeon's body in a frenzy, I returned to the hotel room in reality.
Brushing my hand over Park Jisu's shoulder as she still slept soundly with soft breaths, I summoned my character window.
Seeing over 10,000 points piled up, even after fully satisfying my urges, a faint heat leaked out with a satisfied sigh.
'Too bad it's one-time only.'
If it weren't limited, I'd dive into random game worlds and wreak absolute havoc, but that impossibility left me a bit regretful.
'Asking for more here would just be greed.'
Over 10,000 points. It was way beyond my initial goal of 3,000—an overachievement.
Calming my excited mind, I reaffirmed my current goal.
What mattered now, with the Grand Prix underway, was my declaration of war to the world. Becoming an A-rank hunter at my young age to make a name for myself, while showing Park Jisu a reliable side—no need to consider anything else.
Shaking off the thoughts, I immediately started distributing points.
First up: ranking up Sipdan-geum.
Sipdan-geum Rank Up
3000 Points Consumed
3,000 points vanished in an instant, but to fill the ensuing emptiness, the first form of Sipdan-geum—hazy like fog until now—slammed into my brain.
The forms' applications and effects flashed in my mind, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.
'Holy shit... that bastard Hyun-chung Jin-in was a mad fucker.'
I'd seen the first form as just a simple counter, with no real expectations, but this felt like a hard smack to the back of my head.
He'd modified the art, turning a Taoist technique into something demonic—gave me chills.
'Just looking at One Origin Qi showed he was crazy...'
Shaking my head, I invested more points.
With Sipdan-geum upgraded, naturally, the matching movement art needed the same.
Flying Sky Shadowless Technique Rank Up
3000 Points Consumed — Master Rank Achieved
Another 3,000 points gone, but thankfully, Flying Sky Shadowless Technique imprinted movement methods in my mind and hit master rank, unlike Sipdan-geum.
Mulling over the movement art, with enough mana to wield it skillfully and user improvisation, I could move exactly as I wanted.
Left with 5,378 points.
'This was decided already.'
I dumped 5,000 points in one go to uniform all stats at 80.
Closing my eyes and looking inward, my body—fused with mana—itched all over as if achieving perfect balance, while drowsiness crashed in contrast.
'Should be fine after waking up.'
Ignoring the tingling, the sweet fatigue pulled me under, and my mind flew away before I could react.
+++
Smack!
"Aaack!"
The sharp sting on my cheek yanked my submerged mind to the surface, waking me.
Even with Iron Man's durability, it hurt... tough opponent.
"What the fuck?!"
Tensing up and raising my battle intent as I sat up, what I saw was Park Jisu in a bizarre state.
Her head hung low, shoulders trembling, faint mana clinging to her arm.
This bitch dared hit her husband?
"You fucking hag, what the hell did you do to your man? Ugh... smells like shit..."
As I opened my mouth to yell at her, a nauseating stench slammed my brain, forcing me to pinch my nose.
Felt like my mind was getting raped.
"You okay, President?"
Seeing her covered in some black muck, I asked with my nose plugged, and her shoulders shook harder.
"Wh-what?"
"Ugh..."
"Huh?"
"Bleeeeurgh!"
The last thing I saw was the stream from Park Jisu's mouth and the equally filthy soaked bed.
+++
"Ugh! Fuck. What kinda seaside hotel has its sewage burst? You two okay?"
Instructor Park Jongcheol pinched his nose, giving us pitiful looks.
"...Yes."
"Yeah..."
"Alright, the tournament starts soon, so wait here. I'll go complain. Jeez."
Shaking his head, Instructor Park Jongcheol left, and only then did Park Jisu glare at me with bratty eyes.
"N-no, it's 'cause you're A-rank now, right? That thing from wuxia novels, molting rebirth? Yeah, that's it!"
Stimulating my dantian and focusing, ferocious mana swirled the room—way beyond B-rank—and Park Jisu finally sighed, straightening her gaze.
"Fuck! Say something next time!"
"How do I say 'woke up like this'? You sane, hag?"
"Sigh... warn me at least."
"Hey, your man's A-rank hunter now—no money worries for life—and you're acting up?"
Her face brightened as she scratched her cheek at my words.
"R-right? Uh... good job."
"No reward?"
"Huh?"
"Don't ya owe me something for hitting A-rank?"
Crossing my arms and demanding boldly, Park Jisu looked puzzled but tempted.
Here, asking for tits or pussy wouldn't get me chewed out.
After pondering, she spoke.
"Th-then... after the Grand Prix."
"Oho, deferred payment's pricey. Can you handle it, President Park?"
Grinning teasingly, she blushed and turned away.
"W-wanna live together?"
"..."
"I saved up to move out, and you've got money now... uh... President Kang?"
She glanced pleadingly, begging not to be rejected.
Even after suggesting it herself, her pitiful mumbling warmed my worn-out heart from all the accomplishments.
'Driving me crazy.'
I really couldn't live without this girl.
Wordlessly pulling her into my arms, she fidgeted anxiously without an answer but melted into me, lips curling uncontrollably.
'Won't let anyone see that face.'
Park Jisu wriggled in my embrace, unable to refuse outright.
"P-President Kang? Deal or no? Huh?"
Definitely bringing up "contract" on purpose. If I refused, she'd laugh it off as a joke and cry secretly later.
Hug alone wasn't enough confirmation.
'Such a dumb-cute idiot, President Park.'
Kneading her to calm down, she'd sense no weird vibe in my tone.
"One rule."
"W-what rule?"
Her shoulders slumped at the sudden condition.
"At home, feet on the ground or not?"
Grinning lewdly, I slipped my arm between her side and lifted; her legs reflexively wrapped my waist.
Realizing her action and my meaning, she bowed her head like a ripe apple.
"...Not."
"Feet on ground or not?"
"N-not..."
"Stamp it, President Park!"
With my words, she shyly pressed her lips to mine like a seal.
'Permanent contract sealed.'
Perfect deal, no toxic clauses.
Kissing endlessly, her eyes sparkled faintly—and so did a lens in the waiting room ceiling corner.
We didn't know the player lounge streamed to spectators online.
+++
"My teeth are rotting. When do we get the electronic anklets? How do you kill a second awakener?... What a shitshow."
""Sorry.""
I apologized flatly, but Park Jisu grinned nonstop, making Instructor Park Jongcheol sigh.
"You two never stop causing trouble. Know you left the lounge less than 30 minutes ago?"
Tsking but giving us subtle looks.
We hadn't done anything weird; maybe as a married guy, it looked like cute kids playing house?
"At least it's video-only... you really only kissed, right?"
His gaze lingering on my crotch made me sick.
'Where you looking, you dirty bastard?'
"It's online anyway; you can check."
"True..."
"More importantly, tournament schedule?"
"Ahem. Right."
Instructor Park Jongcheol nodded, handing us pamphlets.
"Gate subjugation first, so Jisu, check your gear and ammo by then."
"Yep."
"Hm... San, no weapon, so warm up?"
"Can I join the gate then?"
Gate subjugation allows anyone as long as no interference; doesn't make sense to send only targets when tools and variables might require all-nighters.
Other countries would bring weapon handlers, supply managers, etc.
"Hm... staying together might headache you more?"
"Already partners?"
He shot a "hell under hell?" look, chuckling dryly.
"Yeah, go if you can. Partners match well."
"Exactly."
"...Got it. Help Jisu prep. Enter gate together; I'll report to Association."
"Yep."
Me leading made her beam, shaking shoulders while handling her gun.
Sigh escaped automatically.
'Honestly, Jisu's too exposed.'
Our relationship overexposed from "mistakes"; worrying consciously or not.
If accident in gate, could I continue tournament normally?
Even hypotheticals felt insane.
Definitely chaos, forfeit, or rampage.
'Better keep her by my side forever.'
Like not leaving a kid by water—parent's fault for creating the situation.
Our cute baby Park Jisu stays snuggled in my arms eternally.
"President Kang, hands too slow?"
Look at her grinning smugly...
"Jeez..."
"Wh-what?!"
My pitiful glare pissed her; she bonked my head with gun barrel.
"Ease up. Still streaming."
"Fine..."
Her pout was satisfying.
In the lounge, footage streamed: grumbling Park Jisu fiddling gun, me teasing, instructor mediating—as time passed.