Chapter 73
Chapter 73
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Do You Believe in Fate?
Park Hyun-soo's sudden confession attack—!
This had an incredible effect!
Ah, of course, the one saying it had an incredible effect wasn't me.
"Park Hyun-soo, you fucking bastard—! How could you do this—!!!"
It was Bug Hater, who'd heard it all beside me and taken the hit.
"Ji-ah. Calm down."
"Calm down? Fuck, do I look like I can calm down right now—?!"
"...Just calm down first. Let's talk this out quietly."
"Talk? What the hell is there to talk about! You said you liked long hair, so I grew mine out. You said you liked tall girls, so I chugged milk even though I hate it and grew taller. You said you liked tough girls, so I even learned to swear on purpose!"
"Ji-ah..."
"And now... now you say you like guys...? Is that something you say in front of me after I've waited twenty years—?!"
"That's..."
A quick glance—
"...There's a reason."
"Again—! Again—!! Again—!!! Don't you dare look at your parasite brother with those longing eyes in front of me? Do you really want to see me lose my mind—?!!"
"The parasite brother you're talking about is listening, so please refrain from the insults."
"Master. If you have any sense, just shut up. Stay quiet and you're halfway there."
"No, I need to make my stance clear too."
I'd only approached to scout useful talent and recruit him to my side.
I had zero desire to get tangled in their love triangle.
So, to avoid any possible misunderstandings, I had to draw a firm line, even if it meant ignoring all subtlety.
Anyway.
For a moment, I was stuck between them, feeling like the bad guy as I listened to their awkward conversation.
"What the hell is this reason...?"
"That's... I'm sorry. I can't tell you."
"You fuck... fuck...... fuuuuuck... hng... hnggg..."
"...Don't cry. Ji-ah."
"It's your fault, you fucking bastard—!!!"
The end of a twenty-year unrequited love.
Bug Hater couldn't believe it had come to getting NTR'd by some random guy she'd just met, and she burst into tears.
"Hnggg... hng... fuuuuck... fuuuuck... you bastard..."
"...I'm sorry. Ji-ah."
"Sigh... How did I end up tangled in this mess..."
Bug Hater's sobbing figure soon looked so pitiful.
So, while I had the kids comfort her, I decided to talk with Mr. Park Hyun-soo.
"Kids. Sorry, but can you go comfort sis?"
"I don't wanna! She keeps swearing at Daddy-nyang!"
"Yeah! She's a bad sis who says bad words!"
"She's just got a rough way of talking, but she's probably not a bad person. Remember that 'Swearing Granny' story? She's like that granny."
"Hmm-nyang... If that's it, okay-nyang."
"I'll forgive her just this once!"
After sending the sniffling Bug Hater and the kids to a separate room.
I spoke to Mr. Park Hyun-soo, who was watching her with eyes full of remorse.
"Girlfriend's gone now, so let's talk freely."
"...She's not my girlfriend yet."
"You both clearly have feelings for each other, right? That's why you're causing this scene just to talk to me."
"Sorry for the trouble."
"You know it. So, spill it. Even if it makes you look gay, what did you want to say alone?"
"Then... I'll ask shamelessly. Mr. Yi Ron. Do you believe in fate?"
"...?"
No, what bullshit is that?
You're not actually gay, are you...?
#####
A confession attack followed by asking if I believe in fate—this guy's no easy one.
I was seriously wondering if it wasn't too late to cut ties with Mr. Park Hyun-soo and scout someone else.
Sensing my mood, Park Hyun-soo hurriedly added an explanation.
"I didn't mean it that way. To be honest... I can faintly see people's fates."
"You can see fates?"
"Yes. Hard to believe, I know, but I can roughly divine a person's fate from the colors emanating from them. Not some grand future sight. More like today's fortune—gauging the good or bad of the day."
"A trait or skill you got when awakening as a Climber?"
"No. I've had this ability since before the Tower appeared."
"Before the Tower?"
"Yes. It's just my guess, but it might be because my family has been shamans for generations."
"Family history..."
...Honestly.
I wanted to snap, 'Even if it's nonsense, know your limits—what kinda snake oil are you peddling?'
But with Towers around, being born with divine power from a shaman lineage didn't seem so far-fetched.
And I'd had S+ grade mental illness not long ago, so I moved on assuming Mr. Park was telling the truth.
"So, this mess is related to your fate-seeing ability?"
"Yes. The first time I saw you from afar, Mr. Yi Ron, I was entranced by the brilliant golden light from your body. Face-to-face, I realized—you're a once-in-a-lifetime benefactor. I can't miss this chance."
"Hmm... Golden's good, huh? Calling a stranger a benefactor."
"I don't know. You're the first I've ever seen emitting gold in my life."
"?"
What? So he spilled all this without knowing if I'm good or bad?
What makes him so sure?
The answer was simple.
"I've seen someone with a similar color before. Not as brilliant as yours, Mr. Yi Ron. But a warm, embracing sunlight-like hue."
"Warm sunlight... Sounds like gold. Who?"
"Ji-ah. The once-in-a-lifetime connection in my life. Someone I absolutely can't lose."
"Ah."
"So, Mr. Yi Ron, golden benefactor of a lifetime. I'd do anything for Ji-ah, but I'm lacking to make her happy. Will you help me?"
#####
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Contract between Yi Ron and Park Hyun-soo has been established.] It was sudden, but I'd planned to recruit Park Hyun-soo anyway.
When I decided to form a guild, I prioritized personality—and that still held.
I accepted his proposal in exchange for signing my contract.
And right then.
"Master. I hate to say this, but the condition 'repay as much as helped'—isn't it too generous?"
"Nah, it's fine. Trust me, no issues."
"Pardon?"
Right after signing.
Mr. Park, now calling me Master, questioned the generosity of the terms.
But he had to retract it within three minutes.
And understandably so...
"Tabula. Can you bring that out?"
<네. 사장님.>
*Ding!—*
⚔ ITEM ⚔ Topical Hair Loss Treatment [A] [Effect]: Hair follicles infused with mana will grow. Acquire skill [Mana Hair (B+)].
[Penalty]: Follicles touched by the potion melt down, entering [Reconstruction] state. Suffer extreme pain during [Reconstruction]. ...I was confident.
That this seemingly lax contract condition would make Mr. Park a lifelong slave.
"...Master? What is this...?"
"What else? The one remedy to fix your shortcomings."
"...You knew from the start? About my issue."
"I approached to recruit you, so I did some background checks."
"Haha... Plenty have dug into me for recruitment. But you're the first to uncover my hair loss."
"Really?"
"Yes. I only researched hair loss via the Gallery. Transactions through the Exchange—thought it was airtight. Impressive."
Hmm... That all?
I figured Tabula got it with one click—nothing special.
But hearing him...
"Even top mages can rarely extract info from the Gallery. You have one like that, Master."
"Uh... Yeah, something like that."
"As expected...! Wise to follow you, the golden benefactor."
...Pulling Gallery intel is super tough, he says, suddenly hyping my side.
I don't know the details, but backing out now would be awkward, so I nodded affirmatively.
[Tabula's awesomeness recognized—nice new hire!]
"Yeah, Tabula's amazing."
[...Heehee.]
Anyway.
After praising the thrilled Tabula a few times thanks to Mr. Park.
I chatted with him about future activities.
And learned something shocking.
"Master. What's your goal going forward?"
"Normalizing Korea first. So, building my own force and solid base right now."
"Normalizing Korea... Ambitious."
"Gotta be. Facing a split Management Bureau and corrupt politicians."
"Them too, but I'm most worried about the Four Great Guilds."
"Four Great Guilds?"
"Yes. As you know, Azure Dragon and Black Tortoise are in bed with the Bureau. Vermilion Bird's neutral. White Tiger's holding out alone... but isolated, won't last."
"...What?"
What the hell?
Two of the Four Great Guilds colluding with the Bureau?
Doc didn't tell me that?