The Girl's Revenge (4)
Magic Tower, second floor. Im Sol's lab. Her research on core formulas was nearing its end. Needing a perfect finish, Im Sol focused even harder. But progress had stalled, as if blocked somewhere. Just a little more. So close to completion. Frustration gnawed at her over this inexplicably unfinished work.
"If only Ho-yeon were here…"
Since the basic concept had come from Lee Ho-yeon, he could've wrapped it up in no time. But one thing after another kept popping up, preventing proper help.
"I'm doing all the research, yet putting his name on the paper with mine. What kind of mentor am I? Heh."
Praising her own generosity as a true teacher, Im Sol stepped out of the lab. Her smartwatch, set aside to focus on the paper, was piled with messages. She deleted the unimportant ones and checked those from close contacts.
"Interview?"
Lee Ho-yeon's interview. She hadn't seen it yet, but Min Ye-ji's message sparked curiosity. First, though, reply to Ho-yeon.
The magic expo. Annoying, but I should make the effort. A date with my disciple? Not bad at all.
After messaging Ho-yeon, Im Sol checked the interview video Min Ye-ji sent. The reporter was Ha Young-noona, the famous one.
Im Sol smiled faintly watching the interview.
"Help... I'm the one who got the help."
It started with her mistake. Then she discovered his shining magical talent. Of course, she fell for it and wanted him working with her no matter what. But if not for her error dragging him into danger, she wouldn't have allowed such naughty things. Their relationship formed from guilt too. Now, she was grateful. It benefited her greatly. Meeting him was a turning point in her life.
She'd studied his novel mana operation, turned his new concepts into papers. Sweeter than chocolate for relieving mana research stress. Now his fame reached even her doorstep.
Im Sol had no one to discuss magic with lifelong. Too advanced for peers, elders who understood shunned young her. Ho-yeon was a blessing. Younger, yet able to talk magic. Friends like Baek Ayoung or Min Ye-ji didn't quench her magic thirst. That's why he was precious.
"...Guess I should look up the magic expo."
Magic expo. No idea what fun it'd be with a magic-obsessed woman like her, but he wanted it.
Im Sol set aside research and browsed the expo.
*
"It's dark..."
The address Park Min-gyu sent was deep in an alley. Red lights increased inward, scantily clad women appeared. Seeing women pile out of a van into a building, a voice came from my shadow.
"Sure is."
"Shh."
"Only you hear my voice, Ho-yeon."
"..."
Mana infused her voice, explaining that. I nodded slightly and went deeper. Among buildings, the largest was Park's spot.
Selling bodies in a place this bold?
Too brazen, almost disorienting. Anyway, with perception interference magic, I entered confidently.
A manager-looking man approached from a fancy counter.
"Welcome. Reservation?"
"Park Min-gyu's group. Inside?"
"Got it. Hey, take him to Min-gyu hyung's room."
The manager rubbed hands smiling, ordered a staffer.
"Yes, sir. This way."
Guided to a room, the kindly uncle from before sat. Buyer Guild leader Park Min-gyu.
"Cadet Lee Ho-yeon. Long time."
"First since the party."
First time here, though. Not nervous, but I feigned tension sitting. He took the head seat casually, despite recruiting me. Kind face wasted on bad posture.
Knock knock.
Mid-greeting, the manager peeked in.
"Hello."
"Yeah, Manager Kim. My precious dongsaeng here—bring top-shelf girls."
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
Minding Scarlett filming, I started acting.
"Hey, Cadet Lee Ho-yeon, just sit tight."
"Full course as usual, then."
"Yep."
Manager bowed out. I feigned shock, eyed my shadow. Couldn't see, but felt her mana. Scarlett'd handle it. Kept acting.
"P-Park Min-gyu Guild Leader. What's this?"
"Huh? First time here?"
"I came to talk contract..."
I trembled like aspen, anxious act.
Too much of a pushover?
Even I cringed, but fine. People like pure images, especially handsome ones. Nerdy virgin vibes work.
Knock.
"Everyone starts that way. Funny thing? Later, the shy ones get hooked hardest. Oh, Manager Kim. Girls here?"
"Brought 'em. Sit by the bosses."
Roomwear women and waiter men followed.
"Hi, oppa."
"Hyungnim, dongsaeng brought peach liquor."
"Wh-what? Why?"
Crazy bastards. Girls clung, men poured calling hyungnim. Tip-only waiters buttered up even younger me. I played dumb.
"Y-you look older."
"No, hyungnim..."
"Oppa, what do you do?"
Tip-hungry waiters, perception-blocked girls blind to me. I kept flustered act amid chaos.
"Uh, uh..."
Avoided touching girls to dodge rumors.
"Pour drinks."
Park thought booze'd fix it, ordered girls.
This enough?
Longer, suspicion. Girls poured on thighs.
Disgusting.
Paid trash touching me crawled skin. Then.
Tap tap.
Shadow finger nudged ankle. Scarlett's signal.
"Ex-excuse me. Bathroom."
Bolted out on cue. Manager called behind—ignore. Accelerated away, addressed shadow.
"How was it? Good take?"
"Yes. Total virgin nerd first-timer."
"...Thanks."
"You act well too, Ho-yeon."
"Right. All act. Yeah."
Not really tense, just embarrassed acting chump. Girls okay, but surrounded by beauties, averages invisible.
"Edit lightly and leak?"
"Nah. Start small. Something tail-cuttable."
They'd try scapegoats first, futile. Bigger bombs coming.
"Got it. Right away."
"Fast as possible."
Scarlett vanished into shadow.
Shadow travel? No ceiling crawling needed.
Post-leak, prep next. Headed hospital pondering pure act believability.
*
"Sigh, bathroom guy's not back?"
"Oppa, play with us. Another shot."
"Wait, unnie, call manager."
Park, drinking with girls, sensed odd after hour. Intercom for manager, who entered.
"You called?"
"Manager Kim. My guy's not back from bathroom. Check."
"He left the building..."
"What?"
Park shot up. Lured here, bolts?
First-time nerves?
Shy guys happen, but his loosened with booze, laughed.
Ding ding.
Smartwatch rang amid frown. Buyer Guild manager call.
"Told you entertaining. Why call?"
Strict no-business calls. Irritated ignoring, answered.
"G-Guild Leader! Big trouble. News... news broke!"
"News?"
Voice frantic. Park held call, searched web. Top: [Buyer Guild] [Park Min-gyu drugs] [Buyer Guild drug trafficking].
#1 Buyer Guild
#2 Park Min-gyu Drugs
#3 Buyer Guild Drug Trafficking
"What the—drugs?"
"Old trafficking partners exposed us! Surrendered with all evidence—no counter!"
"Fuck..."
Park gnashed teeth.
"Oppa, what's up?"
"Shut it. Tell manager I'll settle later."
"Oppa, the bill? Oppa!"
Park bolted to Buyer Guild.
Still salvageable. Cut tails.
Sacrifice drug-linked members. Image buys sympathy tears, public apology offsets. No abyss.
"Won't fall like this..."
Just emerging legit—can't end. Park planned entering guild building.
*
Click clack.
Heels echoed dark building.
"Huh? Boss call girls?"
"Why girls..."
Dozens working men puzzled at mystery blonde entering.
"Miss, wrong way? Coffee?"
"Sure, the kind you won't wake from."
Puhahaha!
Men jeered, worked on. Huge guy from corner approached Scarlett.
"No mana... real girl."
"Duk-gu. Subdue, drug her. Fuck post-job."
"Yes."
"...Selling drugs without knowing my face? Security's a joke."
Tsk. Scarlett shook head, mana stirred subtly—beyond lowlifes' sense.
"What'd you say, bitch?!"
Duk-gu raised fist; black claws oozed from shadows, eagle-like piercing necks.
Crunch—
Splat—
Bloodbath instant; Scarlett spared high-rank few.
"Ugh... A... Aaa..."
"Boss"-called man gaped at bleeding standing Duk-gu. Dozens down sudden—panic fair.
Scarlett calmly withdrew mana, questioned boss.
"Choose. Surrender to cops, or..."
"Surrender! Please, life!"
Thud—
Thud—
Begging head-butts bled forehead; Scarlett ignored. Routine sight.
"Buyer Guild... worked together before?"
"Y-yes. But know nothing. Minor trades. Really..."
"Don't care. Gather all Buyer Guild deal docs, surrender now. Fast."
"Yes... yes..."
Scarlett dusted clothes, exited.
"Sigh. Where else such talent?"
No-pay boss, yet slaving. Job done, Scarlett returned to Ho-yeon light-hearted.
Ten minutes later, net flooded: Drug offenders mass surrender at local station.