Chapter 164. The Social Mixer
"E-Eh...? Uncle Min-gyu...?"
"...Yeah. And that's not the end of it. Ever since you were hospitalized, Da-eun..."
I didn't want to reveal the ugly truth to a kid who was still so young. But if I didn't lay out something with real weight—like 'Park Min-gyu used you as an excuse to demand Da-eun's body'—there'd be no reason for them to have kidnapped Nam Da-hee. If I skimped on the explanation, it'd look like I'd dragged this hospitalized girl here over nothing.
She didn't believe it at first, but when Scarlett brought concrete evidence of the guild leader blackmailing Nam Da-eun, even Nam Da-hee got it.
In the end, after hearing everything, Nam Da-hee covered her mouth with her hands and started sobbing.
"Unnie... sob. I trusted Uncle Min-gyu... sniffle."
"...Scarlett."
Consoling a crying girl is tough. Not my specialty, so I called in Scarlett, the expert at childcare.
"Da-hee, it's okay."
Pat pat.
"Wanna eat some chicken?"
Liliana came over with a drumstick and handed it to Nam Da-hee.
Nom.
"...It's good."
Nam Da-hee's expression brightened a bit as she held the drumstick.
"Really? This is renewal chicken, y'know."
Thankfully, the pretty big sisters seemed to ease her mind a little. While Nam Da-hee calmed down, Liliana looked at me and asked,
"So, whatcha gonna do with her?"
"She'll stay here for a bit."
The Buyer Guild would soon notice Nam Da-hee was gone. Before that, I'd pull Nam Da-eun out of the Buyer Guild and have Kang Hyo-lyn drop all the evidence she was gathering. After that... honestly, I hadn't thought that far.
Maybe have her live with Nam Da-eun? Sure, keeping her in my dorm was the safest option for now... but Liliana and Scarlett weren't exactly great for a kid's emotional development.
How did my dorm end up feeling so crowded?
Maybe I should get a new house. For now, I'd shelve that and focus on tomorrow's party since my biggest worry was out of the way.
I'd specially ordered a suit for the party. Since I was going with Baek A-young, I didn't want to look sloppy, so I went for something expensive. Moon Su-rin was coming too, so I had to step it up.
- Me: A-young, where should we meet tomorrow?
Prep's done, just need to set the time.
I messaged Baek A-young.
- Baek A-young: Let's meet in front of the party venue. It'll be insanely crowded tomorrow.
- Me: Got it. See you tomorrow.
Hmm. Date with Baek A-young set, now just wait for the party tomorrow.
But something felt off. Better do all the prep I could.
"Scarlett. Come here."
"Pardon?"
I called Scarlett over from where she was playing with Nam Da-hee.
I had a plan for how to act, but just in case, I decided to get some insurance.
*
Saturday. Heading to the party venue for the event.
I met up with Baek A-young right away. I'd figured she'd dress up for the party, but she was in her usual work clothes. Well, she always wore a suit for work anyway, so this was her formal look. She was pretty enough that it didn't matter—she could've gone like this and fit right in.
"There are so many people."
"Tell me about it. These parties are always like this, but this one's worse."
We were a bit away from the party venue. The front entrance was packed with civilians gawking at celebrities and a swarm of reporters.
What's with the crowd? I get wanting to see famous people, but this is nuts.
"Let's go around that way."
Baek A-young pointed to the back entrance, not the main one.
"Why? We can just go through the front."
"The front's a mess with reporters. You'll get mobbed for interviews and photos."
"So?"
The same girl who'd spread dating rumors with me just days ago to get attention was now dodging the spotlight? I grabbed Baek A-young's hand and dragged her to the front.
"N-No, wait! They'll take pictures!"
"You caused a fuss with that weird interview, messing everyone up, and now you wanna bail? Time for you to squirm a bit too, A-young."
"Th-That was just a mistake..."
Her voice trailed off smaller and smaller as I pulled her toward the main entrance.
Click! Click!
Shutter sounds from the entrance, where celebrities were filing in.
"Over there—it's the Saintess and Lee Ho-yeon!"
"Whoa, they really came together!"
People had already spotted us. Baek A-young realized it was too late to back out now and hung her head.
"C'mon, A-young."
"This is... ugh..."
Ducking out in a crowd like this was kinda cute. I smirked, hooked her arm, and pushed through the reporters.
Some were yelling into their cameras while snapping us; others shoved mics in my face.
"Cadet Lee Ho-yeon! Just one comment! What's your relationship with the Saintess? Are you two dating?!"
"First official appearance together—please, one quick interview!"
Chaos. I couldn't straight-up say we were dating—not with the other heroines to consider. But denying it after showing up together wasn't an option either. Best to play it vague and slip through.
"Strike a pose for the photos at least."
"...Okay."
"Don't tense up."
"How are you so calm...? This is your first time too, right?"
Baek A-young eyed me like I was some mystery. Thanks to my Clear Mind, I could shake off nerves in any crowd if I focused.
"What can I say? I'm just that good."
"Haa..."
I held her tense hand and headed for the entrance. Right before going in, we turned for the cameras. Might as well look good if we're making headlines. Photo op time.
Oof, blinding.
We endured the flash storm and finally entered the party venue.
"Baek A-young and one guest. Entry confirmed. Enjoy the evening."
Handing our invite to the association staff inside got us guided further in.
The party was already underway. For all the "friendly gathering" talk, it was just a booze-fueled chat fest with a touch of formality.
The moment we walked in, eyes turned our way.
Poke.
"Eek?!"
I felt Baek A-young stiffen and nudged her side.
"Told you not to tense up."
With the association hosting, a few of her old coworkers were around.
"A-young~."
A voice that didn't fit the formal vibe rang out. Min Ye-ji was heading our way.
"Ye-ji... you're here too."
"Had to be. With our A-young and..."
Min Ye-ji's gaze shifted to me. Her cat-like smile was cute, but kinda intimidating.
"Cadet Lee Ho-yeon here. Nice to meet you properly—first time talking like this, right?"
"Hello. Sorry I didn't greet you sooner."
Min Ye-ji had spoken up for me at the hearing and taken the lead. Sure, she had her own agenda, but I appreciated it.
Her breaking the ice let others who'd been hesitant approach one by one.
"A-young, long time. How's the academy?"
"Ah... it's not bad. The association was great too, of course."
Baek A-young started chatting with people she knew.
"Ho-yeon."
"?"
Turning at the voice, I caught platinum blonde hair swaying. Moon Su-rin in a neat dress.
"Su-rin noona! Weird seeing you here."
"Yeah. Didn't expect to see you either."
A group of young guys stood where she'd come from—probably just finished talking to her.
"Who are those...?"
"Oh... don't mind them. Strangers here gunning for my plus-one spot."
"Heh, noona's popular as expected."
I flashed a winner's grin at the guys eyeing us with drinks in hand.
"Hehe, thanks."
I grabbed a glass too—didn't plan on drinking, but everyone had one, so atmosphere.
I chatted with Moon Su-rin, enjoying the party.
"Hello, Nurse. Or should I say Baek A-young here."
"Ah... hello, Moon Su-rin."
Moon Su-rin greeted Baek A-young. They'd bonded during the last dungeon training—she'd found us first.
"First real chat since you joined the academy infirmary."
"Yeah. I'm always grateful to you, Su-rin. Heard you spoke well of me."
Their vibe was good. Coworkers and all.
"Sure. But I didn't expect this motive."
Moon Su-rin smiled, glancing between me and Baek A-young.
...Wasn't the mood good?
"Ah... n-no, it's not like that."
"Haha... still, spreading those false rumors tires us out. Please be careful."
"F-False...?"
Baek A-young trailed off and looked at me. What am I supposed to do now, A-young?
"Oh? Is what I heard not true? Ho-yeon?"
"...Can't exactly call it false. We never said we were dating outright—just said ambiguous stuff that could be misunderstood."
Baek A-young deflated at my words.
But I couldn't announce we were dating here. What'd she expect?
Sorry, A-young.
Moon Su-rin didn't push further. After that, things stayed casual and peaceful. Or at least that's how it felt to me.
Anyway, I scanned the room during chats for anyone useful. Spotted some familiar faces: A-class extra Do Jin-hyuk, magic research club VP Kim Hyun. And some bad blood.
Right, those guys.
Too busy to remember. They scowled and looked away whenever our eyes met.
Guess I'm too big for them now.
*
"Guhk... ngh."
Crunch!
Shin Dong-min watched footage from his hidden underlings' cameras at the party.
Sizzle—crunch!
Irreversible changes wracked his body. The mine transformation after being swallowed by the magic stone.
Since contacting Pandemic and stepping onto the mine path, he couldn't control himself anymore.
Wriggle wriggle.
"Not... yet. Still fine."
Blind to his body's ruin, he stared at the screen. Moon Su-rin laughing and chatting with Lee Ho-yeon fueled his rage.
That spot should've been mine. I should've been the star—with Moon Su-rin beside me.
"Lee Ho-yeon... and Baek A-young too."
Shin Dong-min glared and ordered the waiting Pandemic mine behind him.
"Start in two hours."
"Yes. I'll inform Rebecca."
Pandemic's capabilities were top-notch. Give them cash, and they'd handle anything. This time, a barrier over the whole venue.
He'd blown most of Dad's money, but worth it. After this terror, Lee Ho-yeon would crash and burn.
Shin Dong-min grinned.
Not long now. Let's see you smile in two hours...
*
"Ugh, exhausting."
Starting with Min Ye-ji, most guild folks had come by to greet us. Couldn't ignore them with Baek A-young and Moon Su-rin beside me—image control.
Feels like a hundred hellos.
Good thing I didn't need to remember names. Knew 'em all already.
Now ducked out to the bathroom.
Heading that way, I ended up in unfamiliar territory. Venue was huge—plenty unseen. This spot had a ton of new faces.
"Hahaha... exactly, Chairman."
"Park exec as expected. Speaking of, that lady beside you—new secretary?"
"Yes, yes, Chairman. Something like that."
I glanced around at the voices and turned instinctively.
There—the guy I'd been looking for.
Found you.
Dark corner of the party venue. Nam Da-eun stood behind some middle-aged guy.