Chapter 123
Chapter 123
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: How to Steal the Protagonist's Woman
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"Y-Yeo-reum!"
"Oh my..."
"What's wrong with him?"
Unlike the other women who were fretting over him, Min Ha-yeon simply stared at the collapsed Han Yeo-reum with a furrowed brow.
But inside, she felt completely different.
'Yeo-reum-ah~. Get my mood now? Pu-hut.'
Outwardly putting on a show of annoyance, Min Ha-yeon was inwardly cheering in delight, feeling utterly refreshed.
There wasn't a shred of guilt in her heart.
Just pure exhilaration and satisfaction.
But she couldn't just leave Han Yeo-reum there like that.
'...Nah. Do I really have to be the one?'
Min Ha-yeon spoke cautiously.
"Um, could someone help carry Yeo-reum?"
"Us?"
Park Seon-ui was clearly showing her resentment, as if to say, Are you ordering us around?
But Min Ha-yeon already knew how to resolve it.
"From what I know, the inn won't let anyone check in on behalf of others."
In other words, she was handing them the decision.
The decision of who would take Han Yeo-reum with them.
"Well, you three barely know him, so it must be unsettling. I guess in my room then..."
"I-I'll take him."
"Haha... I'm from nursing school, so I can handle the care..."
"M-Me too..."
The spark that was Han Yeo-reum, tossed by Min Ha-yeon, ignited the three women's competitive fires.
Ignoring the three women now vying to take Han Yeo-reum, Min Ha-yeon quietly apologized to Seong Su-ho.
"Sorry. My friend doesn't seem to be feeling well today."
"It's fine. Keeping a cool head in a situation like this isn't easy."
"But you're awfully composed, Seong Su-ho. It's impressive."
"Haha..."
Watching Seong Su-ho's awkward smile, Min Ha-yeon recalled his earlier words flashing through her mind.
(Phew... alright. To be honest... it's awkward saying this in front of you, but I'm a fan... Back then, just being with you would've gotten me ridiculously excited?)
Seong Su-ho definitely had feelings for her. Min Ha-yeon firmly believed that.
It was a fact she knew even without reading his mind.
His past actions made it impossible not to know.
No way he would d get physical with a woman he had no interest in.
'Ugh... I do want to hook up with Su-ho..., but I hate the idea of looking like we are just sex friend.'
Min Ha-yeon didn't want to settle for merely the haughty concept.
"By the way, it's getting pretty late."
"Ah... Guess we should find lodging now."
"I spotted an inn on the way earlier. Let's go."
"Um... what about your boyfriend...?"
Seong Su-ho looked embarrassed as he pointed at Han Yeo-reum.
The three women were still tussling over him, insisting on taking him.
Min Ha-yeon narrowed her eyes and replied.
"Does he look like my boyfriend?"
"Ah, he's not?"
"No. So don't get the wrong idea."
"Oh... sorry."
Treating Seong Su-ho coldly made her uneasy, but she stubbornly pushed forward.
She turned to the three women with a haughty expression.
"If Yeo-reum wakes up, tell him to meet at high noon tomorrow at the east gate."
"Sure~"
The women barely glanced her way, mumbling responses as they obsessed over Han Yeo-reum.
Min Ha-yeon let out a scoff at the sight and turned away.
"Let's go."
"Yeah."
'Oho! Looks like things are heading in a different direction this time?'
[Last time was excessive. Partly due to the subordination effect.]
Armonia was right.
This subordination wasn't just about verbal commands spoken aloud.
The principle was that if you harbored the desire unconsciously, it would naturally manifest.
But ultimately, my wish was something simple.
At subordination level 1, even now, Min Ha-yeon's actions were driven more by her own will.
Straightened shoulders draped in a blouse, long legs confidently striding in skin-tight jeans.
And the elegant sway of her long, straight brown hair with each step.
Thinking how all that had been disheveled and ruined last round made me secretly excited for this one too.
'I feel bad for Ha-yeon, but this is for the best.'
[[Min Ha-yeon will look only at you for the rest of her life anyway, Su-ho-nim. If you can raise the level of subjugation later, it won't be too late to explain everything then.]]
'Right, our ultimate goal is Han Yeo-reum. Good thing my acting isn't half bad. Heh...'
The three women were still bickering as Min Ha-yeon and I left the potion shop.
Glancing at the passed-out Han Yeo-reum, I sent a silent thank-you.
'Thanks. You played the loser so perfectly, life's gonna be fun here. Puhahaha.'
After leaving the potion shop, Min Ha-yeon and I stopped at the inn for a simple meal.
The innkeeper playfully brought soju, but Min Ha-yeon politely declined, and neither of us touched alcohol till the end.
..
..
The next day at noon.
Min Ha-yeon and I arrived at the village's east gate right on time.
There, we found the three women glaring at each other and a haggard-faced Han Yeo-reum.
'Wow... normally, if you don't wash and have dark circles under your eyes, aren't you supposed to look like a homeless person? How the hell is that bastard still handsome even when his face looks like that?'
Sure, I didn't envy his good looks.
What's the point of a handsome face? Min Ha-yeon was by my side.
While I smirked to myself, Min Ha-yeon and Han Yeo-reum kept arguing about me.
"No way... I absolutely won't let that guy come."
"...How rude, talking like that in front of him."
"No!"
The reason for the fight was simple.
Min Ha-yeon was dead set on taking me along, while Han Yeo-reum begged her to ditch me.
After dozens of minutes of back-and-forth, Min Ha-yeon's conclusion was...
"Fine. Then it'll just be me and him."
"Don't make me laugh!! Why do you keep sticking to that creep?"
"Sticking? You gonna say that to me?"
"Th-That..."
Han Yeo-reum clenched his trembling fists for dozens of seconds.
Then, with a deep sigh, he said,
"Fine... But don't stay alone with him. Got it?"
"Sigh.... Are you determined to make me look like some kind of scandalous woman?"
"N-No!! I just... worry about you, Ha-yeon..."
Han Yeo-reum wore a regretful pout, clearly sorry for his words.
'Yup, the regression's downside is shows here.'
[What downside?]
'Trust. Once you know it's all fake, it crumbles bit by bit.'
Especially trust in a lover. Not just holding hands with another guy, but seeing her shake her hips and flirt? The remaining rounds would be hell.
From Han Yeo-reum's view, Min Ha-yeon was still a virgin now.
But his brain must be riddled with hole, images of her kissing my glans flashing everywhere.
'Haa!! Feels too good!!! Watching that handsome face turn wreck later is bliss!!'
[...]
Min Ha-yeon furrowed her brow and replied.
"Got it. Now let's go. Don't bother the others."
"Yeah..."
Finally deflated, Han Yeo-reum cautiously followed behind Min Ha-yeon as she strode off briskly.
And I followed with the three women.
..
..
I could tell Han Yeo-reum's behavior had changed a lot today.
He was more diligent and focused than usual.
Desperately trying to show off a cool side to Min Ha-yeon.
The women fussed when he got hurt, but he brushed it off nonchalantly.
But one thing hadn't changed.
"Hand over the potion, potion!"
"..."
His attitude toward me was the only constant.
'Agh...'
[You've figured out how to overcome regression anyway. Why hold back?]
'Well... partly for Ha-yeon. And one more.'
[...?]
I calmed my irritation and messaged.
'Guys like him will keep attracting other girls besides Ha-yeon. And nothing says he won't flip for them.'
[True...]
'Showing a regressor like him his new loves getting railed over and over? How thrilling is that?'
Sure, annoying at times, but my goal isn't killing Han Yeo-reum. Impossible anyway...
It's turning him into a wreck with each regression, letting him taste hell.
'Plus, this world's concept is...'
Min Ha-yeon stepped in front of nagging Han Yeo-reum, glaring at him.
'...Creating a world where it feels like Ha-yeon is the one in control.'
Min Ha-yeon snapped at him.
"Han Yeo-reum... Enough. What rudeness to the man I brought."
"But he's hurt..."
"Then ask nicely. Is that how you talk?"
His attitude toward Min Ha-yeon had softened a bit from earlier.
Her firm demeanor was suppressing his anger.
If I thought deeply about why Han Yeo-reum was acting this way, there was only one answer.
'Kekeke... Desperately trying to please Ha-yeon so she doesn't get stolen this time.'
[[If that is the case, I wonder why he continues to act so rudely toward Su-ho-nim. He should be trying to present a good image....]]
'Just pride. Probably looked down on guys for 20+ years. It won't change overnight. Can't, really.'
A guy who'd belittled men his whole life on luck and looks.
Its impossible to change your personality in just days.
Especially with regression here, there's no reason to respect me when he can reset.
If I were him, I would do the same thing.
After arguing with Han Yeo-reum, Min Ha-yeon bowed deeply to me in apology.
"Sorry. Let me apologize for my friend."
Her hands clasped, waist bent low—a humbly apologetic pose rare even in society.
Seeing it, Han Yeo-reum exploded in rage.
"Hey! Why are you apologizing?!"
"...Please be quiet."
"Urk..."
Cowed by her glare, Han Yeo-reum glared at me long and hard before whipping his head away.
'At least he's thinking now, not swinging a sword around here.'
[One thing puzzles me.]
'What?'
As I eyed Han Yeo-reum distastefully, Armonia messaged.
[Han Yeo-reum was a Red Summoner before regression. That means his abilities were halved. We don't know Novice's power, but no physical difference shows.]
One penalty of Red Summoner: halved stats.
All skill levels cut in half.
Yet his combat felt unchanged.
'...True. I'm starting to wonder what kind of skills he has. I'll have to ask Ha-yeon later.'
She might know.
After the long hunt, the sunset beautifully painted the sky.
And the distributed points were...
"3,000..."
Min Ha-yeon eyed the points with a subtle expression.
Impressively high for a party here.
But compared to when the two of us did it alone, she probably felt like she was being treated as a salt farm slave rather than earning minimum wage.
Being perceptive, she quietly asked me to hold off on alchemy potions.
While she looked apologetic, she quickly hardened her expression to continue the conversation.
"Good work today. See you all tomorrow same time."
"Yeah. Yeo-reum, wanna grab food?"
"How about I sell your items for you?"
"Need anything? I'll buy it."
As soon as Min Ha-yeon finished speaking, the women immediately clung to Han Yeo-reum.
I found the sight amusing.
'Wow... Ha-yeon lights one fire, and it blazes. Its way more aggressive than last round.'
[[And this situation looks very positive. If Han Yeo-reum sees things changing every loop, he won't find it strange even if he notices other behaviors from Su-ho-nim.]]
'Nice~'
I inwardly cheered and carefully told the party.
"See you tomorrow then. I'll head out..."
"...Yeah, tomorrow."
Min Ha-yeon's poor acting showed her reluctance in her farewell.
Things had flowed well the day before, but today it would be difficult to ask her to come along again.
It seemed she was heading to the hotel with Han Yeo-reum today..
Since I had decided to go along with Min Ha-yeon's concept, I decided to stick to the "detached loner" act I had established at the start..
I stopped by the herb shop alone, I bought all the moonlight herbs from the herb shop and returned to the inn.
And the nonstop sexual harassment chat from Gay Peepee.
"...Fresh."
Fun fact: slightest change in situation, and his chats shift a bit.
Ultimately says the same crap, though...
"If you want dick that bad..."
But the conclusion's always the same.
Similar mission for sure.
But details changed.
With Min Hayeon's attitude now, I wanted to respect her pace.
Since I didn't know how she would approach me, I decided to give it some time..
The funny part is, Gay Pee-pee boasted I'd never bed a woman he approved of in a month.
Now with this long mission, it stings his pride...
"..."
Is this how I feel wanting Ha-yeon's tits?
I quelled Gay Peepee's excitement and started some alchemy.
Only the Artemis Potion are possible anyway...
"No, one more."
I pulled an item from inventory and activated alchemy.
Result are...
'I didn't expect this ingredient to come out. Well, I guess I saved some points?'
[[But haven't you already raised your Anti-Magic, Su-ho-nim? Then....]]
Knock, knock, knock.
The knock cut off Armonia mid-sentence.
I opened the door to find Min Ha-yeon across the hall, a stoic expression as she spoke.
"Um..."
She paused quietly before continuing.
"My friend was rude today, so I wanted to offer some compensation."
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