Baiting the Delinquents
"Hey, Alesia. Is this really gonna work?"
"Absolutely."
It was early morning—the time when I should have been heading to the academy. Yet there I sat in the mansion, in Alesia's room of all places, getting ready for school. Yeah, school, not the academy.
"We'll comb your hair down like this... put on these horn-rimmed glasses... Ah, Young Master's skin is so fair already, no need for any foundation."
I kept my eyes closed while Alesia fussed over my face, primping and prepping.
"All done, Young Master. Could you open your eyes now?"
At her words, I slowly lifted my eyelids. My reflection stared back from the vanity mirror.
"...This."
"Just as you asked. The perfect look to make any passing delinquent think you're an easy mark. What they call the 'nerd' makeover around here."
Unlike my usual slicked-back pompadour, my hair now hung forward in a subdued style. Add the fake prescription black horn-rimmed glasses and a checkered cardigan, and it was a total transformation. I couldn't help stroking my chin in admiration.
"...Better than I imagined."
Any bully worth their salt wouldn't be able to leave this face alone.
"So, Young Master, starting today you'll be heading to Jigeul Middle School instead of the academy?"
"Yeah. Probably for about a week."
The original "reform project" was basically a week's vacation after the ordeal of midterms.
"In that case, should I let the other family members know so they—"
"Nah. Starting today, I'm commuting by scooter."
"A scooter? Well, if that's the case... You don't have a license, so—"
"I do."
Her smiling face froze solid at my reply.
"Pardon?"
"I said I have one. A license."
I flashed my brand-new license at her with a grin.
"Figured it'd be handy to have a motorcycle license. Went and got it over the weekend."
"In... in one try?"
"Of course?"
With years of riding experience from my original life, I could've passed blindfolded.
"I... I had to try five times before barely scraping by... As expected of you, Young Master."
No wonder her driving was so erratic—she barely passed.
"Well, no helping it then..."
Alesia suddenly turned solemn, rummaging in her pocket. She pulled out a key with trembling hands and held it out to me, her voice quivering.
"Lend me your beloved steed—"
"Ah, I bought a scooter already, so I'm good."
"Eeeeng."
She had to know riding her own bike out on the streets would get her busted by the cops. No matter how pouty she got, some things were off-limits. I fiddled with the scooter key in my pocket and shot her a smile.
"See you later, Alesia."
Any longer and she'd insist on tagging along.
* * *
Jigeul Middle School. Not the jiggle of jelly, nor the sizzle of meat on the grill. From the "ji" in wisdom (智) and "geul" for gathering (結)—a place where wisdom gathers. Or so the name claimed.
In reality, it was Incheon's most notorious den of delinquents.
"No way a high schooler carries this little cash, right?"
In an alley near the school. Class had already started, but three kids lounged in a pack anyway.
"Kids these days all use cards. Maybe we gotta switch up our game?"
A girl in a yellow bridge jacket scowled as she counted the bills in her hand. A boy leaned against the wall, grumbling.
"Just make 'em bank transfer the protection money! I'm a genius!"
The third kid beamed like he'd cracked the code.
The girl counting money smacked the boy on the head.
"You moron. Transfers leave records, idiot. Wanna go back to juvie?"
"Fuck... Why hit me then?"
"'Cause maybe it'll fix your thick skull. Why so useless?"
"Sorry..."
The boy shrank back at her clenched fist, taking a step away. His name tag read [Kim Hyun-su].
"God, dragging around idiots like you..."
The girl shook her head and leaned back against the wall.
"Ugh... Circle dues are due this week. Can't pay, we're screwed. Any ideas?"
Han Ji-yeon—name tag on her chest—stared at the bills in her hand.
Then someone tapped her shoulder.
"Hey. Got a good idea."
"What?"
She looked up at Ki Min-ho beside her.
"Adults carry more cash than kids, right? So we hit up adults."
Ki Min-ho grinned wickedly, ears perking at the scooter hum from the alley's end.
The kids stood one by one, peeking out.
A mint-green scooter approached down the deserted street.
"...Jackpot. One hit like this covers dues. Plan?"
"Same as always."
"Roger. Get ready?"
Easy prey lit up their faces. Han Ji-yeon peeked to gauge speed, gathering mana in her palm.
'What’s with that dumb mint helmet? Delivery guy?'
Mint scooter, mint helmet... hideous combo twisted her face. She hurled the glowing orb at the scooter.
"Now!"
The flash burst in midair. The rider panicked, scooter tipping sideways. Not going fast, so no flying, but he tumbled across the pavement.
"Move!"
At Han Ji-yeon's shout, the two boys dragged the rider and scooter into the alley. She cast a barrier spell, blocking outside views.
Twenty seconds flat. Pro-level execution.
"Usually just nab kids on bikes, but this works great."
Han Ji-yeon grinned at the man still sprawled on the ground.
She shuddered at his fashion peeking from under the mint helmet.
"Ugh. White shirt under a checkered cardigan? Black slacks? What kinda style is that? Hate it."
"Just some random nerd."
Kim Hyun-su, hyped by the easy prey's vibe, yanked off the helmet roughly.
"Let's see our nerd's face."
The helmet came off, revealing the man's face. The three kids froze.
"Uh..."
"This..."
"Bro's insanely hot."
Just seconds ago, a crumpled nerd. Now? Magazine model material. They panicked.
"Hot my ass, he's a total loser. Hey, snap out of it? No dues?"
Ki Min-ho griped at dazed Han Ji-yeon, reaching for the guy's jacket.
She glared, then joined in.
"Check pockets first. Wallet?"
Kim Hyun-su plunged a hand in. His lips curled up.
"Got one. Wallet."
He held it high, spotting the logo. He whistled.
"Whoa, this brand's pricey as hell. Jackpot. Inside... What the— who is this guy?"
The wallet bulged with 10,000-credit bills. All that talk of no one carrying cash? Mouths dropped.
"Rich kid from some loaded family, probably. But... what's she doing?"
The kids, buzzing over the credits, turned to Han Ji-yeon behind them.
Squatting, staring blankly at the knocked-out guy with crooked glasses.
"Hey. What're you doing?"
"Eye candy."
The boys rolled their eyes at her instant reply.
"Crazy. What's hot about him?"
"Outfit screams budget from the jump."
"Y'all don't get fashion faces first. Even terrorists like you wouldn't know."
Han Ji-yeon sneered over her shoulder, then melted giggling at his face again.
"God. If he wasn't the mark..."
"What do you mean 'if'? Psycho! Bounce before he wakes!"
Ki Min-ho grabbed her hand to bolt.
"—Going somewhere?"
But the downed man opened his eyes. Game over.
"Fuck..."
They'd shown their faces.
* * *
All I knew about these punks was from the files. That's why I set this trap—to see and hear for myself. Didn't expect them to rabbit so soon, though.
Thinking back on their victims, I got why they rated S-rank as a group. Blinding a scooter to stop it? A regular Awakener like me shrugs it off, but civilians? Potential disaster.
Then dragging into the alley and concealing? Not their first rodeo.
'Starting to get a feel for how to handle 'em.'
They even took the bait wallet and cash I'd left. Excuse secured. Time to rise and educate.
Problem was...
"No, seriously, why's he so hot?"
This girl squatting inches away, drilling holes in my face with her stare. Han Ji-yeon. Seemed like the group's leader.
What I hadn't counted on: my surging notoriety boosting my 【Bad Boy】 trait's charm stat sky-high.
'Even so, staring at my face in this situation?'
Perfect moment to sit up and school them, but her gaze made timing tricky.
"Bounce before he wakes!"
Then they tried to flee—opportunity.
Flee? After I circled the block how many times hunting you punks? Dream on.
I shot to my feet.
"Going somewhere? Got your faces memorized."
"Fuck—"
First, declare I'd ID'd them all. Uniforms, faces. They'd used powers on me too. No bolting easy.
Even if they ran, I could chase every last one. Confident.
'Now, what's your move?'
Bolt? Fight?
Or—
"Hey, can I get your number?"
—Flirt? That I didn't see coming.