Chapter 194. The Girl's Revenge (2)
Nam Da-eun arrived at the hospital, enveloped in Scarlett's mana.
"Here to see Ho-yeon?"
"Yes. You mentioned it last time, Da-eun. That you wanted revenge on the Buyer Guild."
"...Did you tell Ho-yeon?"
Nam Da-eun furrowed her brow slightly. She needed to repay Lee Ho-yeon. She couldn't keep accepting more from him. She still saw their relationship as one where she was the subordinate and he the superior.
"No. Before I could even say anything, Ho-yeon had already planned it out himself. He gathered the intel on the Buyer Guild personally, and he's wanted to help with your revenge for a while now."
"...Why?"
Come to think of it, she'd heard from Ho-yeon himself that he was collecting information. But how had he known her feelings? She'd only ever told Scarlett about wanting revenge.
"Who knows. Even I don't know the exact reason. Ho-yeon always has his own plans."
"Why does he keep trying to help me? I have nothing to give him..."
Scarlett looked at the dejected Nam Da-eun with a bittersweet smile. There were people in the world who just couldn't accept kindness. Scarlett had once lived without caring about others, focused only on her own survival. But knowing Lee Ho-yeon had changed her. She wanted things to go well for Nam Da-eun. They'd grown close living together, and her little sister Da-hee looked up to her so much.
So, she spoke slowly. "Do you really have to repay him?"
"Huh?"
"Ho-yeon doesn't want that. He's just... well, he likes helping people. So maybe it's okay to just accept it gratefully, once in a while."
She hoped Nam Da-eun could learn to receive kindness. And to leave a good impression on Ho-yeon, she added one more thing. Their first meeting hadn't gone well, but now she knew he was pretty fun. Plus, bluntly speaking, Ho-yeon was a surefire jackpot—like a winning lottery ticket. No reason not to line up. Life in a major guild, where you could get axed anytime, was tougher than it looked. Better to have a backup ready.
"..."
Nam Da-eun fell silent, pondering Scarlett's words. What came next depended on her. Scarlett's further words wouldn't reach her now.
"We're here. Ho-yeon's waiting inside."
"Yes. Thank you, Scarlett."
Scarlett nodded as Nam Da-eun entered the room. It was that weary, rain-soaked herbivore look she only showed without Da-hee around. But it had a bit more strength than before.
*Clunk—
I was meditating on the bed when the hospital room door suddenly flew open.
Baek A-young?
I cracked my eyes open and turned. There stood Nam Da-eun.
"Nam Da-eun?"
Scarlett had brought her already. I'd figured she'd come through the window, but this was surprisingly normal.
Clean.
Before talking, I wiped away the sweat from meditation with magic. Light spells no longer burdened my body.
"I came because you were looking for me."
"Yeah. Got something to say. Wanna sit?"
I adjusted my posture once she sat. But why was today so awkward? She looked the same as always—expressionless—but the vibe felt... serious, maybe?
I started with my prepared lines. "Remember when I said I was gathering intel on the Buyer Guild?"
"Yeah."
"It's done. I'm about to blow it wide open, but I wanted your take first."
The intel had finished long ago; prep was just now complete. I watched her face. Her blinking eyes were still hard to read, but I could tell she was thinking.
"Once this drops, Park Min-gyu is finished. You and Da-hee can move freely again."
"...Yeah."
"But I don't want it that simple. I don't want to just ruin the guy who hurt you and Da-hee."
"..."
Why no reaction? I even named Park Min-gyu directly, but nothing. She stared, then closed her eyes briefly and spoke.
"Why?"
"Huh?"
"Why can't you forgive Park Min-gyu? Why help me like this?"
"Uh..."
Her eyes were more serious than ever. Fair point. My excuse back when I rescued her and Da-hee was 'coincidence.' Investigating Shin Young Guild led to Buyer Guild, and I luckily saved you. But now? No excuse. Shin Young was gone; I kept digging for her.
I could squeeze out excuses. I investigated them together back then.Started before meeting you; just wrapped up luckily now. But she was staring right at me, eyes baring her soul.
"..."
Nam Da-eun was pure. Even amid her sister's kidnapping and Park Min-gyu's exploitation, she'd cry and laugh over a few hundred won, turning childlike joy when visiting Da-hee. She'd learn sex to repay gratitude with her body, unquestioning of the succubus or suspicious blonde beauty in the dorms—because they were my allies who'd helped her.
Pure, yes—but not stupid. I stopped thinking and met her eyes. Expressionless, but laced with fondness. Not suspicion. Pure curiosity. A flimsy excuse would slide; her high affection wouldn't drop.
But for perfect Conquer, no lies now. My instincts from conquering heroines screamed it. I scrapped the excuses.
Deep breath. I faced her. "Goodwill."
"Goodwill?"
"Call it goodwill? I just want to be nice. You... I like you, Nam Da-eun."
"..."
"That's my honest feeling. So be honest with me. What do we do with Park Min-gyu to ease your heart?"
A bit off-script, but it flowed well. She hesitated, words stuck in her throat. I waited patiently. I'd said my piece; now her call.
"...I want revenge."
"..."
"Uncle Min-gyu—no, Park Min-gyu. I want to see him ruined with my own eyes. Not just socially buried... I don't want him going easy."
She bit her lip till it bled, spilling pent-up words. Trembling body, reddened eyes. Hatred in every syllable. For the first time, she poured out her pain. I couldn't imagine the resolve it took.
"Yeah. Don't worry. It's all ready."
I gave a faint smile, gently taking her hand. Her cold, shaking fingers paused—but didn't pull away.
"Scarlett."
"Yes, Ho-yeon."
After sending Nam Da-eun off to calm down, I called the hidden Scarlett. She peeled from the ceiling, expression more drained than usual.
"Were you crying?"
"...No."
Joking, but her reaction was intense. Surprised me.
"Anyway... you heard everything?"
I handed her the pre-written letter.
"Yes. Proceed as you said last time?"
"Hold on. Scarlett."
Leak rumors to info brokers that I have Da-eun and Da-hee. Blackmail the Buyer Guild leader privately about the intel. That was the plan.
But things shifted. The Buyer leader was going public—whistleblower on Shin Young Guild, popping up on TV.
New plan. "The higher they climb, the harder they fall."
Ruin him at his peak. That's true revenge.
"Start with something light first."
Drop small bombs, then the big ones one by one.
"How about this instead?"
Scarlett grinned meaningfully.
"What?"
"Use your image, Ho-yeon. Hype the Buyer leader to the skies, then you blow the whistle."
Whoa, sinister. Too sinister.
But perfect.
"...Genius?"
"I'm used to this stuff. The public doesn't know your womanizing side, so your genius mage image works great."
"Would've seriously considered voiding the contract if you hadn't added that."
Shadow work was her expertise. I'd ask more later.
"Guess we call that reporter acquaintance first."
All that networking at the association party was for today. I scrolled my smartwatch for contacts.