Siren's Heart (2)
"Son!"
As soon as we got out of the car in front of the Acardan Museum, I spotted Mom and Dad all dressed up fancy. Mom, wearing a deep-plunging dress, rushed over and pulled me into a hug. The soft, ample sensation pressed against my chest.
"Tch. Looks like Mom wasn't dying to see her daughter, huh?"
"I see you every day at the company. Even if I went through hell giving birth to you, you're still a bore."
"Gah! A bore...?"
Ji-na grumbled from the side, but Mom wasn't one to back down. She effortlessly shot Ji-na down and then stroked my cheek.
"Why are you so skinny? You eating properly?"
"Me?"
"He's skinny? Where do you see that?"
Ji-na stuck out her tongue, making a disgusted face. Hmm... yeah, even I couldn't defend that one.
"Get off my son now."
And now Dad, showing jealousy toward his own son! Total chaos.
"Let's head in."
"Yeah."
After enjoying our reunion, we climbed the stairs.
Click-click-click!
The moment the top brass of Dark City's number-one corporation showed up, the cameras snapping shots of the celebs all swung toward us. The flashes were so intense I could barely see.
"Whoa?"
"Careful."
"Huh? Oh... thanks."
Ji-na, half-blinded by the flashes while climbing, nearly tripped, so I grabbed her arm. She's always so clumsy.
"You think I'm a kid?!"
"Sudden acceleration there?"
Startled by the sudden skinship, Ji-na's face flushed as she tsundere'd out. But she didn't pull her hand away. I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Hmph..."
"President Bal..."
Once inside the museum, the eyes of the people already there naturally turned to us. Some let out sighs, others lit up. Then, a burly middle-aged man approached with his group.
"Hello, President Bal."
"Yes, it's been a while, President Gwen. I take it the chairman didn't come?"
Gwen?
"Yes. His health hasn't recovered enough for crowded places yet. Good to see you too, Vice President. You're as beautiful as ever."
"Hohoho, flattery."
"Ahem!"
From their conversation, I pieced it together. The only family using the Gwen name who could get an invite to a Hero Association-managed museum like this was one: the Gwens.
"And your daughter still...?"
"Sigh... yes. We're doing everything we can, but no news at all. If we just knew if she's alive or dead..."
Aigoo.
I'd suspected, but damn, he really was Elis's dad.
But... something feels off?
His words dripped with sorrow, but his eyes? No grief there. Just wariness, scrutiny, probing—emotions that didn't fit a grieving father.
"Hey."
"What?"
"Elis's dad, right?"
"Yeah."
"What's his name?"
"Saint Dunn Gwen."
"Thanks."
Having gotten Elis's dad's name from Ji-na, I observed him closely. He didn't look the least bit sad for a father who'd lost his daughter.
"These must be the president's children."
Saint's eyes shifted to us as he chatted with Dad and Mom.
"Yes. Kids, say hello. This is Saint Dunn Gwen, president of Gwen Enterprises."
"Pleased to meet you."
"An honor, sir."
Ji-na and I greeted Saint politely. For Elis's dad's image, at least.
Sniff sniff. Apple scent?
The moment Saint approached, I caught a whiff of apples from him.
"Hmm..."
Like with Mom and Dad, Saint eyed Ji-na and me with that probing gaze—cold as a snake's eyes.
"Must be reassuring to have such sharp kids."
He flashed a big smile at Dad. Afterward, we exchanged greetings with the rest of the Gwen family. True elites, every one a stunner—handsome men, beautiful women. And I figured out who Elis got her killer figure from.
"Nice to meet you. Risanna Gwen."
"Likewise."
Elis's mom, Risanna Gwen, was pushing fifty but had a youthful beauty rivaling Mom's. And the real shocker? Her chest was even bigger than Elis's.
That's F-cup! No, G-cup! G-cup!
If Elis was SSS-grade, Risanna was SSSSS-grade.
After a brief exchange, we parted. I stared intently at the retreating Gwen family.
"What, smitten?"
Misreading my stare as jealousy bait, Ji-na pouted and poked my side with her elbow.
"Smitten? Nah, just checking out Elis's family."
"Hmph... fine, whatever."
"Jealous?"
"W-who's jealous?! Crazy! Ugh, unbelievable."
She denied it hard, but her flushed face gave her away. Kekeke! Doesn't even know strong denial means strong affirmation, huh, Ji-na?
Ji-na fanned herself and followed Mom and Dad.
"..."
The Gwen family...
Not one ordinary member. Their gazes brimmed with confidence, all gorgeous, great bodies. Especially since my rep among chaebols was trash thanks to Duran, but they showed no disdain. Super polite, refined.
Something's off.
But I sensed a weird vibe from the whole Gwen crew.
Every single one a superpowered?
All Gwens had superpowers. My gut twisted with each greeting—that unique physiological reaction I get around ability users. Sure, our family all had powers too, but that's 'cause I'm the player, right? Ji-na was a surprise, but I assigned powers to Mom and Dad myself. A whole family of ability users, yet Elis has none? Weird. And why the fruit scents?
Gotta investigate.
The Gwens were hiding major secrets, no doubt.
*****
After that, we barely had time to browse the exhibits or artifacts. People kept coming up to chat. All because of awesome Mom and Dad. Hard to sightsee with everyone fishing for a word.
"What are your hobbies, Miss Ji-na?"
"Do you enjoy museum visits?"
And Ji-na drew crowds too. One annoyance: young guys wouldn't leave her side.
"..."
But why's no one approaching me?
If young dudes swarm Ji-na, hot young ladies should swarm me, right? Is this how it is?!
"Tch."
Clicking my tongue, I slipped back. Time to browse solo. No one noticed amid the crowds. Is my presence that thin?! Grrr... pisses me off! Evil mood MAX!!!!!!!!
Screw it. I'll loot 'em all.
Originally just the Siren's Heart, but ignored? Plan B: steal every artifact. Sorry, curator—gotta vent.
But wandering the museum, nothing caught my eye. Better to ogle the ladies instead.
"Um..."
"Yeah?"
Then someone approached. A middle-aged guy and a young woman who looked like his daughter.
The man asked, "You're President Bal's son, Bal Jeong-nam, right?"
"Pfft!"
"... Ah, yes. That's me."
The girl behind him burst out laughing. This bitch? My name that funny?! Well, yeah, ridiculously so. Who names their kid Bal Jeong-nam? Even I'd laugh. Go ahead, miss.
"Hoo! Suspected as much. I'm Director Han Sun-hyeok."
"Director? Wait...?"
He nodded with a smile at my question.
"Yes. I work in strategic planning at the president's company."
"Whoa. Pleasure, Director Han."
I bowed politely. Never imagined running into Dad's employee here.
"And the lady behind you is your daughter?"
"Ah, yes. Late intro. Ji-min, say hi. This is President Bal Ji-woon's eldest son."
"Yes. Hi, I'm Han Ji-min."
"Han Ji-min?"
Rings a bell... Han Ji-min? Same as Ice Queen's real name? Curious, I activated Superpower Analyzer to check her status.
"Huh?"
To my shock, her status popped up before my eyes. Ice Queen's status.
"You okay? What's wrong?"
Han Ji-min tilted her head, puzzled by my wide-eyed stare.
"Oh, yeah. Just surprised—same name as someone I know."
"Huh? Why freak over a name?"
"Good question. Why did I freak?"
"Pfft. Why ask me?"
"Yeah, why'd I ask you, Ji-min?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Whether my reaction was funny or absurd, Han Ji-min burst out laughing.
What? Ice Mask skill effect?
Ice Queen has mysterious silver eyes and hair. But this Han Ji-min had black eyes and hair. Body was the same, though. The color difference startled me.
"What do you do, Ji-min?"
"Me? Just school."
"School? Ah~ high schooler, huh."
"Huh? High school? Pfft, no. College."
"For real? Don't look it."
She looked over twenty, but to win favor, I lied kindly. Worked like a charm—she laughed, not hating the "young" compliment.
"Ji-min, Dad's hitting the restroom. Nice meeting you."
"Honor meeting you too."
Spotting the good vibe between us, Han Sun-hyeok smiled satisfied and tactfully left. Damn! If he worked under me, instant promotion!
"D-Dad!"
Han Ji-min panicked, not expecting him to ditch her. But he bounced coolly—no restroom that way.
"Wanna wander?"
"Uh... sure."
She hesitated but nodded, unable to refuse. We resumed the museum tour.
I chatted her up to boost affinity, but minimal effect. She'd laugh at my lines one sec, wary the next. Women's hearts are reeds? This is a whole forest. How to drop her guard?
Then—
"Hello, esteemed guests. I'm Samuel Sos, director of the Acardan Museum. We'll soon exhibit our pride, the Siren's Heart. Please join us in the Ocean Hall."
The director's voice boomed over the speakers. Finally, Siren's Heart time?
"You going too, Ji-min?"
"Of course."
"Together then."
"Yeah."
Han Ji-min and I headed to the Ocean Hall for the Siren's Heart.