Chapter 18. I'm not good enough.
Chapter 18. I'm not good enough.
"Why are we going to the Gate again? Didn't we collect everything?"
When the day to go to the Gate arrived, this question was bound to come out first. He had cut off goblin dicks and collected Chaos Flowers, so he thought it was only right to rest a little. But Choi Yeon-ju's cold retort had the power to crush his weak resistance like a bulldozer.
"Do you think Lim Seo-yoon will be conquered just because you brought those two items? Seriously, do you truly think that?"
"......."
Probably not.
But he felt wronged too.
"The goblin I fought last time was just a lucky catch of an old one. If I run into a young goblin, I really have to risk my life. Your master's combat power is weaker than you think!"
"Who is the master? Anyway, does that mean you'll go again if you train more and can beat a young goblin?"
"Well, I'd like that. Don't you want me to enter and exit the Gate safely too?"
"I need more goblin genitals. This time, I want you to rip out the entire pelvis. And this isn't for my benefit, it's for yours, isn't it? I haven't even mentioned the items I want yet."
"That's true."
"You seem to think you have time because nothing big has happened yet, but since there are many schemes you wanted to try on Lim Seo-yoon yesterday, we have even less time. You don't want to have sex with Lim Seo-yoon?"
"Is that even a question? Of course I do!"
He had suffered this much for sex, after all.
"Then what are you doing when you should be praying to go right now?"
"I'm saying that because I think sex is possible with what I have right now."
"What, even if the hypnosis brainwashing you're doing on Lim Seo-yoon finishes completely in this state, there's no way you'll be able to stick your 'chili' into Lim Seo-yoon's vagina."
"No. Why?"
"Doesn't the answer come naturally if you look at why I called it a 'chili' and used the expression 'sticking it in'?"
"........"
Is she talking about the modification?
"To modify it with a goblin's...?"
"That's right. Even if it's not a super-cock, it has to be a special cock to get meaningful results when you thrust it in. I trust you understand why I used the expression 'thrust' this time."
"So 'chili' is for sticking in, and 'cock' is for thrusting? No way."
"That 'no way' is correct."
To think he was a guy who couldn't even thrust...
"I guess I have to go...?"
"No amount of stating the obvious will earn you praise."
"Ugh..."
She was as cold as a blade wind on the Siberian plains.
But thinking about it, Yeon-ju wasn't wrong.
He's working his body hard lately, so not wanting to go is natural, but since he's already touched Lim Seo-yoon, he needs to find a way to get stronger fast. Whether it's the lower body or upper body.
Just as Yeon-ju said, she hadn't asked for the byproducts she really wanted yet.
He had a hunch about when she'd ask. Probably after Lim Seo-yoon falls a bit, she'll make him form a crew with her, then ask.
Both he and Yeon-ju want to corrupt Lim Seo-yoon quickly.
Even though Yeon-ju swore loyalty due to his hypnosis, looking at her actions, it was hard to see it as a master-servant relationship; it felt more like partners.
That's not the objective truth, just how he felt.
He can't afford not to keep pace with Yeon-ju.
So naturally, Yeon-ju must want to modify his cock before Lim Seo-yoon is quickly conquered.
He's anxious about that too, but the same goes for her. What man would refuse to be made into a one-of-a-kind, special cock?
He had no choice but to soothe the unusually angry Yeon-ju and head to the Gate.
It was the usual Yaksu-teo Gate.
ㅡ
Yeon-ju went to the Association right after sending Seong Byeong-jin off. As soon as she opened the main gate and went inside, people greeted her.
She accepted the greetings roughly and went into the lab, immediately unfolding documents on her desk to check.
Of course, she wasn't really looking at the documents.
'It's better to continue Lim Seo-yoon's suggestion for now. I've motivated that person, so I just need to do my job. It's impossible to make a meaningful brainwashing device right away, so in the end, is there no choice but to research using goblin genitals?'
It was when she was thinking that.
"Um... Director-nim?"
"Hmm? What is it?"
It was a researcher from the lab.
A man who had carefully opened the door just a crack and poked his head in was looking at Yeon-ju, fidgeting as if apologetic.
Yeon-ju felt annoyance rising at the researcher who broke her train of thought, but with her chameleon-like ability, her expression didn't change a bit, and she asked as if nothing was wrong.
"That... someone who wants to have a consultation has come..."
"Did you tell them I'm busy?"
"I did, of course... but they insisted they had something they must see you to talk about, so... Ah. They said it's a story you'd be interested in if you heard it, Director-nim."
"Where are they now?"
Just as Yeon-ju asked. From behind the researcher, a tall, handsome man swung the door wide open and answered with a smile.
"I was waiting."
"....Come in for now."
This time, even Yeon-ju frowned. The researcher was facing the Director, and the subject of the conversation was listening to everything from behind the researcher.
This was a lack of common sense. It was behavior that crossed the line of etiquette.
When Yeon-ju openly showed her displeasure, the handsome man who entered made a fuss as if he was startled.
But his relaxed smiling expression and exaggerated gestures proved he wasn't sorry at all.
"Ah. I apologize. I had something I absolutely had to tell you, so I couldn't help but follow. It's my fault, not the researcher's. I hope you don't scold the researcher."
"That goes without saying. Don't act like a big-hearted person. You are clearly being rude. I'm not an idiot who gets angry at the wrong person without understanding the situation."
"...I apologize."
The man lost his words at Yeon-ju's venomous tongue, which openly insulted him. It wasn't something to brag about, but he was a man who could be called an alpha male, including his height, physique, and appearance.
Yeon-ju was the first woman to spit venom at his face on their first meeting.
It was a situation the man had never experienced in his life, so even the man who usually didn't lose his composure when dealing with people was a bit different this time.
"I am truly sorry."
"Why did you do something to be sorry for? Does it end with just words? Who are you? Even if you are someone, would you be better than me? I don't think so."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because you're someone I don't know. I remember people better than me, but I don't remember people worse than me."
"........"
The man thought. This woman. She was not easy.
Anyway, since the timing was right, the man quickly took a business card out of his suit's inner pocket and handed it over.
"I am this kind of person."
Yeon-ju took the business card. But she didn't read it. Yeon-ju, who arrogantly snatched the business card between her index and middle fingers, replied without even reading the card Si-woo had handed over. She didn't even glance at it.
"Why are you giving me a business card at this timing? Didn't I ask what you were going to do? If you're thinking of making me read the business card to gloss over it, you'd better not."
"......."
She was truly not an easy woman.
"I will make a small donation to the laboratory..."
"How much for a donation? How much? If it's a measly amount, don't bother. How much can you do?"
"I will match the amount the Doctor wants."
"300 million to the lab. 200 million to me personally. And when you leave after the consultation, bow 90 degrees to the researcher you messed with and leave. Got it?"
"Understood."
She told him to "bow" (literally "stick/plant" an apology). Not just to offer an apology, but to plant it.
Even for a man who was usually relaxed about everything, if he didn't get angry, he wouldn't be human.
The man gritted his teeth. This woman was the first person to treat him like this.
But whether the man thought that or not, it was none of Yeon-ju's business. Only then did Yeon-ju scan the business card the man handed over.
And she frowned again.
"Hunters? Lee Si-woo? Are you the representative?"
"That's right. Hunters. Representative Lee Si-woo."
"What kind of place is this? Just hearing the name, it sounds like a gathering of Awakeners. Is that right?"
"That's right."
"It wouldn't be a crew."
"That's also right."
The man, Lee Si-woo, nods. Seeing that, Yeon-ju smiled bitterly. Because she had accurately grasped what kind of person Lee Si-woo was from that short conversation.
Yeon-ju retorted sarcastically.
"Do you know this? If I make one phone call from here right now, you'll be arrested and die."
"It wouldn't be too late to judge after hearing the whole story, would it?"
"How would I know what you're capable of? You look like an Awakener, but unless you introduce yourself with a Hunter license, it's hard for me to show trust. You know that, right?"
"That's easy. Here."
At Yeon-ju's sarcasm, Lee Si-woo readily took out his license. When he got blood on it, glowing letters appeared.
Yeon-ju, who received that along with the business card, opened her eyes a little wider.
"Psychokinesis? That's a near-omnipotent ability."
"It's embarrassing, but yes. I'm also running a crew. Hunters is a gathering of hunters, after all."
"But the reason you came to find me, who hasn't even awakened?"
Licenses cannot be duplicated. It's impossible to fake them. Therefore, a hunter who introduces themselves with a license is equivalent to saying they didn't lie about their abilities.
Yeon-ju was ready to talk with Lee Si-woo.
Lee Si-woo organized his thoughts.
According to the original plan, he had planned to chat in a friendly atmosphere and bring up the main point when the atmosphere was ripe.
But no. Yeon-ju was a much pricklier person than he thought. No, could this be simply described as prickly?
It seemed insufficient to explain everything about the human being named Choi Yeon-ju.
The important thing, for now, was that it was absolutely impossible to chat amicably with Choi Yeon-ju.
Therefore, he had no choice but to bring up the main point immediately.
"Don't you have any thoughts of wanting to research freely without being controlled?"
"Ho-ho? You're committing high treason right away? Violation of the National Security Act. Interesting."
Yeon-ju held something in one hand, sneering. It was a small recorder. A red light could be seen blinking. It meant it was recording.
Even Lee Si-woo, who had maintained his composure until now, felt his heart drop just this once.
"Did you record it?"
"Is there any woman who wouldn't record when a suspicious guy suddenly approaches rudely? Especially when she's an Awakener?"
"That's troublesome."
"Then you shouldn't have brought this up from the start. Still, you should be grateful. Because you've piqued my interest. Depending on what comes next, the recording could be erased, or it could be sent to the court by registered mail."
It was a disaster. Lee Si-woo thought. Choi Yeon-ju's reputation within the Association was incredibly good.
With an image of being gentle, kind, and competent. Of course, that wouldn't be wrong information, but the comparison group was different.
Choi Yeon-ju only showed gentleness to safe Awakeners whose identities were perfectly verified, or to the Association's employees.
At least not to himself, who had come in looking suspicious from the start.
This won't do.
"We are a group gathered to find the rights of hunters."
"Rights? What kind of rights are you talking about?"
"To put it broadly, human rights."
"Are you saying there are no human rights?"
"The government is managing the byproducts that only hunters can collect in their entirety. Thanks to that, we have no choice but to sell the byproducts we risked our lives to get at the same price. That's not even mentioning the second problem of not being able to bring out dangerous byproducts at all."
"You want the right to sell freely?"
"Because the price is determined by the market. How much profit do you think they are making from the byproducts we sold to the state? Do you think the price range of the processed goods made from them makes sense in the first place?"
"Are you saying that since the price of the produce is an illusion, the price of the processed goods made from it must also be an illusion?"
"That's right. The only things that the country directly sets the prices for are the byproducts that come out of the Gate, and the processed goods made from them. They are the things they control most strongly."
Bullshit. Yeon-ju was indifferent. These guys were likely crazy people who just wanted to overthrow the government.
At the very least, it was something one could reach even by thinking a little based on the stories of Lee Si-woo that Yeon-ju had heard so far.
Lee Si-woo asked.
"Director-nim, don't you have a desire to research Gate byproducts to your heart's content?"
"Wouldn't I? Of course I do. Very much."
Yeon-ju replied without hesitation. Lee Si-woo smiled triumphantly.
If she had openly nodded at this question, it was because it could be interpreted that Yeon-ju was dissatisfied with the current government's Gate policy.
Although Yeon-ju was living within the system right now, at least the thoughts she held inside could be said to be similar to theirs.
Hope was visible.
"Do you have any intention of joining hands with us and adding strength?"
"What kind of abilities do you have?"
"There are already many companies that want to be with us. It can be said that I came to Dr. Choi Yeon-ju very late, actually. Because I judged that it was impossible to persuade the Doctor in a state where nothing was prepared."
"So? You judged that it's possible now?"
"That's right. We already have more than enough money and military power. We are in a situation where we need a public justification. We have no doubt that the Doctor can fulfill that."
"Because the cry of a researcher is easy to become a justification. Especially if it's me."
"You are correct."
Lee Si-woo smiled nicely and nodded at Yeon-ju's words.
Yeon-ju seemed to be thinking about something intently.
Just by that, Lee Si-woo had no doubt that his solicitation would succeed. Because the fact that she pondered at all was proof that she was weighing it.
As expected, this woman is indeed a woman with a great desire to research byproducts.
Lee Si-woo thought so and waited for Yeon-ju's answer.
And Yeon-ju did not make Lee Si-woo wait long.
"There is a condition."
"A condition, you say?"
"Yes. Bring me the monster byproducts I want in the quantity I want. If you succeed, I will lend my strength."
"Monster... byproducts?"
"Yes. Is your hearing bad?"
Yeon-ju asked with a suspicious expression.
Lee Si-woo shook his head immediately. Rather, Lee Si-woo was feeling ecstasy.
The fact that she made a request to bring byproducts openly was the same as saying she would smuggle out monster byproducts that the state is already controlling.
It was clear that Choi Yeon-ju wanted to write a contract between himself and Hunters right now.
Because it was a matter where Hunters who smuggled monster byproducts, and Choi Yeon-ju who received them, would all become criminals.
In any relationship, there might be no relationship as tight as that of accomplices, excluding family relationships.
The answer had no choice but to be loud.
"Of course!"
"Really? Then three Swamp Blue Frogs. One Iron Lizard. One Orc. How about that?"
"...Are you saying to catch them alive?"
"Even if I have greed, would I do that? If you release that in front of me, I'll die, won't I?"
"You mean a corpse is fine. I think I can get them soon."
"I guess you do have ability, more than I thought?"
"They aren't strong guys, just a headache."
Lee Si-woo regained his composure and showed a nice smile to Yeon-ju, who opened her eyes wide as if impressed. Then he got up from his seat.
Because he judged that he could move on to the next story only after bringing the byproducts Yeon-ju requested.
And there was no reason to talk to Yeon-ju more and tarnish his first impression now.
Lee Si-woo knew that leaving coolly was the best method.
"Then, I will get them as quickly as possible and contact you."
"Then take my business card."
Yeon-ju takes out a business card and hands it over. Naturally, it was a business card with her cell phone number written on it. It was clear that she was telling him to contact her here.
Since the number exchange was finished, all Lee Si-woo had to do was move.
"Then I'll be going."
"300 million. 200 million. And don't forget the 90-degree apology on your way out."
"....Understood."
"If you were a woman, we might have been able to get closer."
"Yes?"
By any chance, is Choi Yeon-ju a lesbian?
It was a misunderstanding that Lee Si-woo would naturally have.
Choi Yeon-ju was not that, but what she was thinking right now was something only Seong Byeong-jin, not Choi Yeon-ju and Lee Si-woo, could know.
Lee Si-woo greeted politely, without losing his composure, then turned and left the office.
Yeon-ju was silently watching the back of the tall and handsome Lee Si-woo.
Soon, when Lee Si-woo completely left the laboratory and was no longer visible, Yeon-ju sneered with a mouthful of mockery.
"Idiot."
There was no way Lee Si-woo would hear that.