Chapter 5
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Conviction Enhancement
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Conviction Enhancement?
While succeeding in the variety show alongside Go Nan-young PD, my name spread far and wide.
I appeared on camera a few times, gaining some public recognition, and the number of juniors eager to learn from me grew.
Seeing those juniors move at my every word filled me with a sense of superiority and boosted my self-esteem.
For the first time, it felt like I'd finally achieved the successful life I'd always dreamed of.
But strangely, it left me feeling empty.
Once the intense days of struggling as the maknae writer faded away, an unexpected void crept in before I knew it.
Of course, I didn't want to go back to those times.
But with all this newfound leisure, useless thoughts started flooding my mind.
The biggest issue was my relationships with others.
After becoming a Star Writer and Queen Writer, I could clearly sense my juniors treating me with more distance and respect.
Not wanting to be labeled an old fogey, I put effort into managing my public image.
Now that I was engaged to Go Nan-young PD, I didn't want us labeled as a "trash couple."
I covered meals for the juniors, left team dinners early to give them space,
and tried my best to seem like a good senior, but the more I did, the fewer people approached me sincerely.
Only flatterers remained, while those who truly understood my feelings gradually disappeared.
Maybe that's why.
I needed something to relieve my stress.
Exercise? Gym and Pilates were enough.
Hobbies? Nothing really appealed to me.
I craved something more stimulating.
That's when it started.
A certain male staff member began showing interest in me.
Unaware of my engagement, he kept approaching me.
I knew him too.
The way his gaze lingered on my legs.
After crossing paths a few times, I noticed where his eyes wandered.
He was quite handsome, so I didn't outright reject him.
Then, something intriguing happened.
To impress me, he gave me gifts, sent flowers, and offered to help with my work.
'This... feels thrilling.'
We'd never even met alone.
Just hallway greetings or chance meals at the cafeteria—that was it.
Yet he pursued me desperately, as if his life depended on winning me over.
That sight stirred a rush of pride and strange pleasure.
It was far more exhilarating than the gifts or attention from my fiancé, Go Nan-young PD.
I started to understand why people cheated.
The sense of taboo set my entire body ablaze.
But I turned him down.
Go Nan-young PD was far more useful to me.
Even so, he didn't give up.
"I like you."
"Please, be with me."
He dropped to his knees, pleading desperately.
In that moment, I felt an immense catharsis.
The sensation that a man would throw everything away for me.
It was so intoxicating, I still haven't forgotten it.
After that, I played similar games a few more times.
A little kindness, and I could read their desires plain as day.
I saw their lust to pin me down, brimming over.
Watching them crumble upon realizing they could never have me—those expressions were pure delight.
That thrill became another way to maintain my self-esteem.
And this time, I started a new game.
The target: our team's maknae writer.
Choi Min-seong.
Did I hear that wrong?
Let me touch your leg as a reward?
Kang Seo-yoon's lower body stood clearly before my eyes.
It was hard to tear my gaze from the sleek allure of the black stockings stretching down from under her skirt.
'Is she serious?'
I glanced up cautiously.
Kang Seo-yoon looked down at me with a smile.
The fact that this stunning woman with an incredible figure was gazing down at me...
It sparked a slight excitement.
I wanted to touch her.
I wanted to touch her so badly.
Honestly, Kang Seo-yoon was a total beauty.
The kind of attractive woman even celebrities hit on.
When in my life would I ever get to touch legs like hers?
'Ah.'
Thinking about it, this was dangerous.
She's Go PD's woman.
And my boss at work.
If I touched her just because she said to, who knows what backlash I'd face.
From the personality I'd seen in Kang Seo-yoon so far,
she didn't seem the type to use this against me.
It's probably just a joke.
I shouldn't fall for it.
I absolutely shouldn't...
"Why so quiet? Not a good enough reward?"
"Hup!"
She suddenly stepped back, sat in her chair again, and crossed her legs.
That sexy motion nearly snapped my rationality.
When she crossed her legs, something peeked teasingly from between her skirt—it fueled my imagination.
'Damn it.'
My heart pounded like waves in a storm.
The longing for her legs grew fiercer, my fingertips trembling on their own.
In that instant, everything blurred, and only her legs stood out in sharp clarity.
I could no longer hold back my desire.
Rational judgment failed me.
"Uh... for real?"
"Pfft."
Kang Seo-yoon burst into laughter as if she'd been waiting for my words.
"Our maknae's so cute. You like my legs that much?"
"...Honestly, they're beautiful."
"Yeah? Thanks for the compliment. But this is fun. You've got some guts. You know I'm Go PD's woman, right? And you still thought about touching me for real?"
"..."
"Min-seong's a real man, huh. Yeah, a guy needs that kind of edge. Too bad—it was a joke."
She stood from her chair and slowly approached me.
Smoothly—
"Sorry. I was just teasing. Didn't think you'd actually go for it."
She patted my head and brushed past me.
"Still, Min-seong. I'm basically your boss. That was too much. I thought you'd play along, but now I feel embarrassed."
My racing heart sank cold.
Realizing I'd been played turned the rising heat into icy chill.
Humiliation and contempt washed over me. I wanted to escape this spot immediately.
"Our Min-seong's got some nerve. Good. Listen well from now on, work hard, and do well like today—maybe next time I'll really let you touch my legs."
Tap tap—
Kang Seo-yoon patted my shoulder and circled around me playfully.
"So keep up the good work from now on, Min-seong."
"..."
I got played.
Definitely played.
So I'm confused.
The Kang Seo-yoon I'd seen so far was serious about work and not the teasing type.
She acted and behaved like the Star Writer whose name was known publicly.
Meaning, no weird rumors or problematic behavior.
For her to throw sexual jokes at me like that...
"Am I that comfortable to her?"
There must be various reasons.
Maybe because I'm the maknae, she feels at ease with me.
Or perhaps she's always had a playful side.
"Or maybe she's not like I thought."
Either way, I feel like the weird one now.
I know it was just a joke and I fell for it, but it still leaves a bad taste.
She even teased that next time she might really let me touch her legs.
Feeling toyed with just sours the mood.
"Hey. What the hell are you doing."
Right then, I ran into someone I didn't want to see.
"Why are you coming out of there."
Go Nan-young PD stood before me, frowning.
"On my way out after submitting the report."
"Report? What report?"
"The report for the shoot two weeks from now. You told me to make one."
"Assigning that to the maknae already? This punk's spouting bullshit."
"Go ask inside—you'll know if it's true or not."
With my excitement cooled, words flowed surprisingly smoothly.
"Look at this punk. Talking back now, huh?"
"Just answering your question."
"Hey!!!"
Go Nan-young's face reddened like an angry wild boar.
"I let it slide yesterday when you kissed in front of everyone, but now you think I'm a pushover? Huh?"
Ah! Conviction.
A day passed, so I can use the Conviction ability again.
"No, sir."
"Don't give me that. Hey, follow me. Keep pushing and see what happens."
Why is he doing this?
Even dragged to the break room, I kept hearing "this punk" and "that punk."
At this point, it's just him venting stress because he hates me.
"I was thinking of cutting you some slack since you seemed to work hard, but you're hopeless. From now on, keep..."
Can I use the ability in my mind too?
'Conviction Target Designation: Go Nan-young PD.'
You have designated Go Nan-young as the Conviction Target.
[Go Nan-young. 35 years old]
Conviction TIP: He can't easily refute talk about family.
Favorability stayed the same, but Trust actually dropped.
Probably because of my defiance last time.
Still, gotta go for it.
"I'm not a bastard, sir. I have a father. So stop calling me 'this punk' or 'that punk.' Ease up on the nagging too. I'm a person too."
It came out a bit strong by my standards, so my heart raced a little.
"Kh, kkhum. Wh-what's with the attitude? When did I call you a punk?"
Slight resistance again this time.
"That's why—stop with the punk talk."
"Fine. A-alright. I did get a bit harsh with my words."
"Then apologize."
"Kh, khum. Fine. Sorry."
D-Grade Conviction successful.
10 points awarded.
Current points: 30
A skill is available for use with your points.
It worked!
My tense heart suddenly relaxed.
"Then I'll be going."
I bowed and bolted from the break room.
"Jackpot. Real jackpot."
No one around when I stood up to him, so normally his explosive temper should've blown up.
But it didn't.
Instead, he accepted my words as his own mistake and apologized.
"Thrilling."
The apology was just a test,
but maybe the plausibility in the Conviction process made it possible.
Getting an apology from that arrogant Go PD lifted my mood immensely.
"Right, check skills!?"
Does yelling it like this work?
Whoosh—
As expected, a transparent window popped up before my eyes with text.
Conviction Enhancement
Unlock C-Grade "Blade of Logic" ability.
Cost: 30 points
Level 2: "Blade of Logic" (C-Grade)
Feature: Convinces opponent through logical reasoning. Greatly reduces suspicion. Affected by Favorability and Trust.
"Oh?"
Conviction Enhancement, huh.
C-Grade sounds pretty good.
If it's logical, I can convince him—that's what it means.
"This'll be useful."
10 points per success, three successes and I can upgrade the skill.
"How best to use it."
My first thought was Kang Seo-yoon's legs.
Go PD, thanks to you, I learned something good.