Investigation Site - Third Day in the Hospital, Wednesday
Three days into my hospitalization. It was Wednesday. I brought up wanting to go out to Baek Ayoung, who came once a day to check on my condition.
"Go out? Is something up?"
Baek Ayoung tilted her head, looking at me, and I gave her the excuse I'd prepared.
"I heard they're still cleaning up after the friendship party terror attack. The investigations into those involved haven't wrapped up yet... In a way, I'm a victim too, so shouldn't I help out with the questioning?"
"Ah..."
It was also time to see Moon Sulin... I needed to stop by the dorms, and there were plenty of people to meet. Baek Ayoung scanned my body thoughtfully before slowly speaking.
"Honestly, you're past the point where moving around would strain you. The issue is you don't have any means to protect yourself right now... You good with that?"
"Sulin noona will be there, and Min Ye-ji too, so it should be fine, right?"
"Hmm. They're reliable, sure... But darling, why are they all women?"
"..."
Under her gaze, I turned my head away. What could I do in this sexy game world where everyone capable was a woman? The problem was the world, not me. Definitely not.
"Haa. Fine, but no overnight stays. Can't respond immediately if something happens."
"Don't worry. I'll take good care of myself."
I lifted the corner of my mouth slightly. Her obvious concern was just too cute.
"Don't look at me like that. It's really because it's dangerous."
Baek Ayoung glared at me, her face slightly flushed.
Current Status: If I just tuck him into bed at the hospital at night... it'll be fine. What do you mean, no? It's obvious just looking at his face.
"Kh... Got it."
"Y-you bad man..."
I couldn't hold back a chuckle by accident, and Baek Ayoung bit her lip before starting to punch me.
Smack! Smack!
"Ow, hold on. Ayoung. Darling. That hurts. I'm the patient here."
I took her fists to the chest and pulled her into a hug with both arms.
"Thanks, darling."
"Ugh... darling..."
Thankfully, she didn't swing at me even in my arms.
*
Three days into Lee Ho-yeon's hospitalization. Wednesday. In a bright room of the massive mansion.
"Hmm..."
Ellis lay on her bed, deep in thought. She'd planned to visit him, but now that it was time, she had no excuse. Sure, she could just say, "I'm here as a friend." That's normal for friends. But Ellis wasn't the type.
If anything, she saw him as a business associate.
"Come to think of it, maybe I don't need to go... But I do want to check on his condition..."
Ellis continued her pointless fretting.
Knock knock.
A steady rhythm at the door—definitely Sebas Chan.
"Miss, may I enter?"
"Yeah, come in."
Ellis sat up on a chair. Sebas Chan approached, bowed slightly, and spoke.
"The Guild Master has granted you vacation time. Said you begged for it..."
Ellis clenched her fist inwardly at his words. Her constant phone calls and aegyo to Dad had finally paid off.
'Hold on, but can Ho-yeon even handle a massage right now?'
She'd heard it was a severe injury. Scarlett said it wasn't that bad, but he probably wasn't in shape for massages.
"Hmm, how long are you planning to go?"
"A week. If you want it shorter, I can cut it."
"It's fine. Yeah. Even a month works."
A week. Too short, if anything. Who knew how long it'd take Ho-yeon to recover?
"...Am I inconveniencing you?"
"Just go rest—you've worked hard. Head out now. Handover to Scarlett done?"
Sebas Chan looked a bit hurt, but Ellis didn't care. She just wanted him gone on vacation ASAP.
"Yes. Scarlett has personal missions, so she won't be glued to you like I am... But I've briefed her thoroughly, so no worries."
"Yeah. Thanks."
Her family overprotecting her at 20 was suffocating. She didn't need escorts.
"Then I'll be off."
Sebas Chan bowed as he entered and left.
Now Scarlett would handle secretary duties for a week.
Ding-
Right after he left, a message from Scarlett popped up.
She'd already told Scarlett: don't come to me, keep doing your job.
"True freedom."
Ellis licked her lips and activated her smartwatch. Scarlett had sent a video report. A fresh two-hour one. Starring that beauty from the last video. Installing cameras in the hospital room had been the right call. How long could she enjoy this?
Gulp.
Ellis slowly slid her hand toward her crotch.
*
First time out of the hospital in days. Had to get one more checkup, get a pass saying I'd be back before nightfall, but it was satisfying enough.
Already messaged Moon Sulin. Investigation HQ was at the party venue, probes ongoing. Days after the terror, and still investigating—must've been huge. Probably thorough because high VIPs were involved.
'See Sulin noona and help out... Hit the dorms, meet Lucy and Lumi... Won't see Professor Im Sol, though.'
Time was tight, but I had a plan.
At the venue, people bustled about.
"Sulin noona!"
I spotted her platinum blonde hair waving and approached where she waited.
"Ho-yeon! You okay?"
Moon Sulin's eyes widened as she rushed over, checking me head to toe. Like a long-lost big sis.
"Of course. Here to help you, noona."
"Thanks. I've been all over the venue, so tons of testimonies. You'll make it easier."
She beamed, clearly happy to see me.
"Just trust me. Only me."
I grinned confidently and headed to the investigation area.
Three hours later, I dragged myself out, drained.
"Noona... I'm dying..."
"Aigoo, good job. Here, drink this."
Moon Sulin handed me a beverage like she knew exactly how it felt.
"Thanks..."
Gulp gulp.
Hydration helped. Casualties among top brass were high, and first time Pandemic deployed so many Mines. Classified as a massive incident. Insane manpower. Left me wiped from endless questions.
Especially on the barriers—grilled nonstop. Barely escaped playing genius mage.
'Why no such big event in the original?'
Butterfly effect, sure... but no clear trigger.
Click click!
Reporters snapped photos everywhere.
"Still chaotic, huh? Reporters mean interest hasn't died."
"First day was worse. Half reporters, half investigators."
"Ah..."
Dizzy just thinking. I got it, having dealt with them before.
"Rest up. Got personal investigating to do."
"Sure. Go ahead."
Moon Sulin stepped away. As I chilled on a bench, someone approached.
"Cadet Lee Ho-yeon... Hello."
A familiar cat-like woman sat beside me.
"Ah, Min Ye-ji. Hi."
"Sigh. No idea what number first greeting this is."
"Yeah. Was gonna visit you anyway—thanks for making things smooth. Appreciate it, Min Ye-ji."
Her being here made sense. Combat folks had tons to report, in and out.
"If you're grateful, rethink the guild offer?"
"Uh... That's..."
I smiled politely, refusing. No way I could guild up while seeing women.
"We could sweeten the terms. Too harsh, Cadet Ho-yeon."
Min Ye-ji treated me like an old pal.
'Sneakier than she looks.'
Light for an Iron Blood team leader. But she had a point. Words alone meant nothing.
"Uh... Maybe hear the terms? Or something besides joining—collaboration?"
No need to join; win-win partnership worked.
"Shall we? Then..."
As we talked business, a crowd gathered.
Wrapping up, about to offer non-join terms—people interrupted.
"Cadet Lee Ho-yeon. Hear Noblesse Guild's offer too. Won't lose to Iron Blood."
"Hey, he's negotiating with Iron Blood right now!"
Min Ye-ji snapped at the intruder.
"Give Warrior Guild a shot too!"
"These bastards—no. Don't these people know business etiquette?!"
"Don't fight, Ye-ji. Hold on. Ah..."
These old-timers acting up in front of a cadet? Too many eyes to curse out, so I waited quietly for Min Ye-ji to handle them.
*
Same time at the venue, a man emerged from questioning.
"Haa... Fucking assholes. Dumped it all on me and ran."
Buyer Guild Master Park Min-gyu. Used to cleaning up after big shots, handling grunt work here too. Stuck in investigations for days, guild business neglected.
Heading out for a smoke, he saw a crowd rushing one way.
"Ugh, that crazy bitch needs to chill. Tried to kill us for poaching her recruit."
"Right? Don't fall for Ho-yeon's pretty face."
Overhearing, Park Min-gyu frowned.
'What? Ho-yeon?'
No reason for a crowd at an investigation site. Curious, he followed.
Min Ye-ji and Lee Ho-yeon were chatting. Soon, Min Ye-ji bowed and walked off opposite.
Park Min-gyu got it.
'Recruiting Ho-yeon!'
The hot genius mage Lee Ho-yeon. If he joined Buyer Guild... they'd skyrocket.
But he shelved it. Iron Blood bowed; he had no cards.
'Wait.'
Actually, he did. Temptation no young man resists: lust. Buyer had Nam Da-eun, bound by slave contract.
She'd be his soon. Couldn't give first dibs, but after he'd had his fill...
Lend her to Ho-yeon. Same grade; he'd know her beauty. No public spot for this, but alone now—worth probing.
'Thanks to him, Da-eun lost first place. Heh. Join us, and she'll be your reward.'
Confirming Min Ye-ji gone, Park approached. Ho-yeon stretched, tired.
"Cadet Lee Ho-yeon. Hi. We met at the party, right?"
"...Hello. You're Park Min-gyu of Buyer Guild, yeah."
"Yes... You remember."
'It's Da-eun. Has to be.'
No reason a small guild master like him stuck otherwise. Baseless confidence surged.
Smiling kindly, he kept talking. Ho-yeon played along, barely keeping a straight face.
'Why's this bastard talking to me?'
Ho-yeon stayed cool, handling Park Min-gyu.