The Girl's Revenge (5)
Iron Blood Hospital room. I was chatting with Scarlett.
"Is that really the best way?"
"Yes. I'll edit it perfectly. If you go public first, it'll actually raise more suspicions."
The video of me going to that room with Park Min-gyu. Naturally, I'd planned to confess to the media first, but Scarlett shot it down.
"...You think so?"
"It's better to make the manager of that room—the one Park Min-gyu frequented as a regular—leak it herself. She can expose other guests while portraying you as the one pure soul in the mix. That spins a much nicer story."
"Still makes me uneasy. What if they lump me in with the same scum?"
Proclaiming my innocence before it blows up would at least prevent that.
"Aren't you basically the same?"
"...."
Getting close to Scarlett has its perks—she helps a ton with my work—but she slips in these daggers now and then. Fine, it's playful, but honestly, I'm still on edge.
Reading my anxious expression, Scarlett let out a deep sigh.
"Haa, you're under a huge misconception right now, Ho-yeon."
"Misconception?"
"People don't easily shake their first impressions. Once a good image sticks, everything you do gets spun positive. Bad image? Everything's negative."
"Hmm. Fair point."
I've been grinding on my image for ages, so maybe it's time for payback. Or maybe I'm underselling myself.
Me, Lee Ho-yeon. Terrorism-stopper, academy top student, genius mage. Is there anything I can't do?
"And..."
"Yeah?"
Something else important? I waited for her next words.
"If you just cry and apologize on camera, even if you're outed as a host bar ace, everyone will forgive you. You've got that face. Problem is, you only use it to seduce women. In a PR war, good looks are a massive blessing."
"...Fine. We'll do it your way."
I glanced at the mirror nearby. Even I had to admit, handsome face. The kind where an apology makes people go, 'No, it's okay—I'm sorry too.'
...Logic wins again.
"...Due to this incident, to all those who suffered and to the public outrage caused..."
I watched Park Min-gyu's apology interview and spoke up.
"He gives a good apology, though."
Of course, with the evidence I have, it's meaningless. But that apology alone? I'd buy it.
"Just pathetic thrashing. We have too many weapons."
"Hmm. Scarlett, what about asking Da-eun's opinion?"
"Da-eun?"
"Yeah. Once we leak the video, Park Min-gyu's socially done. But Da-eun's feelings matter too."
This whole push against Park Min-gyu started with Nam Da-eun. Might as well let her kick it off.
"...Makes sense. I'll ask her."
*
"No."
"Pardon?"
Scarlett, sent to gauge Nam Da-eun's wishes, blinked in surprise at the firm refusal. It was the first time Nam Da-eun had expressed herself so bluntly since they'd met.
"Sorry..."
Nam Da-eun apologized, flustered by her own curt response.
"No, it's fine, Da-eun. Ho-yeon said to go with whatever you want. Speak freely."
Nam Da-eun hesitated. But this was something she'd pondered since first plotting revenge, so she finally spoke.
"I want to talk to Uncle Min-gyu. Hear why he did it—why he hurt me and Da-hee. I need to know to find peace."
"...."
Talk to Park Min-gyu. Not impossible. Just a hassle. Especially for Scarlett.
The original plan was to slowly blackmail him into a corner, then deal with him in front of Nam Da-eun—or hand her the kill. That was the new scheme Ho-yeon and I cooked up.
Cornered people panic. They can't think straight, get riled easily. Makes them simple to control, simplifies everything.
But granting Da-eun's wish complicates it. Post-leak, with his life in ruins, no real talk happens. His life's over anyway.
Pre-leak? He still has resources to counter.
A nightmare for Scarlett.
"...Can't we?"
"No. I'll relay to Ho-yeon."
Haa. Scarlett swallowed a sigh. She wanted to just kill Park Min-gyu, but couldn't ignore Nam Da-eun's trembling eyes.
'I've gone soft.'
Lately, she wondered if she'd lost her edge.
"We'll arrange a meeting with Park Min-gyu in proper condition."
"...Thank you."
Nam Da-eun bowed deeply, knowing full well the trouble she was asking.
Staring at the back of her bowed head, Scarlett spoke.
"Thank Ho-yeon. I just follow orders."
"Ho-yeon... Yeah. I'll tell him."
Nam Da-eun truly felt grateful to Lee Ho-yeon. None of this would be possible without him.
Alone after Scarlett left, Nam Da-eun clenched her fists.
"...Uncle Min-gyu."
She wasn't forgiving him. Quite the opposite.
She remembered his initial warmth. That kind smile still lingered in her heart.
That's why she needed to cut him off cleanly.
*
The next day, in the Buyer Guild master's office.
"I'm sorry. It's all my failure for not managing the guild members properly. Some of you won't trust me anymore. But on this one thing, I swear: I, Park Min-gyu, have lived without a single shame in my heart. Hand on chest, I have no ties to the drug incident..."
"How's the reaction?"
Back at the guild, Park Min-gyu had mobilized every connection for interviews and apologies. He stuck to total denial, mixed with remorse to dodge suspicion. The public ate it up.
"Excellent. Your kind image sells it—everyone sees sincerity."
"Good... Let's ride this out."
His gentle reputation helped big time again.
"Yes. I'll handle comments."
"Yeah. Last hurdle before going legit—tough it out..."
Park Min-gyu pressed his still-racing heart. Then he spotted a letter on his desk.
"...What's this? Manager?"
But the manager was gone. Empty room, letter out of nowhere.
"...."
Must be seeing things. Fatigue making him miss it earlier. He closed his eyes, shook his head, then tore it open.
His face drained white reading it.
Photos of him boozing with women. Evidence of past crimes.
"W-what... I destroyed all this."
His favorite spots even had magic arrays alerting guards to mana use.
'Internal leak?'
He gulped. Flipping, he found the back page.
Today, 5 PM. Come alone to this address. Miss the time, evidence goes public. Bring others, same deal.
'Gotta go. Who the hell...'
Lips dry. If he were still under Shin Young Guild, fine—ask for help. Even tail-cutting, he was low enough to rebuild.
Not now.
"After climbing this far...!"
Over a decade at the bottom, finally tasting honor. No quitting.
"...."
Wanted to unleash everything to catch them, but no time. Unknown enemy strength.
Hope: they wanted something from him.
'Go alone? Too risky.'
Meeting spot, yes—but insurance first. He pulled a dark sword from the office safe.
"Haa..."
Last resort, used here. He pocketed it and headed out.
*
The next day, after Scarlett delivered the letter, we headed to the meeting spot. Honoring Nam Da-eun's request for a direct chat with Park Min-gyu.
"Don't tense up."
"...Okay."
Of course we brought her—the one who wanted to see him, today's star.
I kept talking to ease her nerves, but she just deep-breathed it away.
'Super tense.'
Best to leave her be. I turned to Scarlett opposite.
"Think Park Min-gyu'll come alone?"
"Watch the crowd."
"Crowd?"
I scanned per her words. Nothing off?
"People deliberately avoiding us. His guys, probably. Not cheap hires, but they're obvious—must be desperate."
"Oh..."
Now I saw it. Recognition hindrance barrier was light—hard to peg me as Lee Ho-yeon, but not invisible. Pro info guild indeed.
"Back door, so he won't spot us."
"Yeah. Let's go."
"...Okay."
We slipped into the warehouse.
'Never thought he'd come solo anyway.'
They don't know our power, so no mob. Too many? Bail.
We melted into the shadows, waiting.
Near time, rusty door creaked open.
His usual kindly face taut with tension.
Confirming him enter, I stepped from the dark.
"Hello, Mr. Park Min-gyu."
"...Cadet Lee Ho-yeon?"
He squinted at my sudden face, then gritted his teeth.
"You fucking trash... Planned this from the start."
Cursing me, eyes darted—scanning for others.
"Not really... Grasp the situation first?"
Sensing his mana rise, I pulled docs from my pocket. Buyer Guild's double ledger.
"Wait... Tell me what you want. You called me for something, right, Cadet?"
He reined his mana, waved dismissively.
"Got a client. Come out, Da-eun."
"Da-eun? Hold on—"
Footsteps.
Nam Da-eun stepped beside me from the dark.
"...Uncle Min-gyu. Long time."
Park Min-gyu's glare boiled with humiliation and outrage.