Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Contract
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"I burned through so much white concealer..."
"If you told me to do it again, I don't think I could..."
Wow.
Sitting in the makeup room in the PR department, I stared into the mirror.
To be honest, I had no clue what had changed.
"Everyone's gonna be shocked at this."
"Go on out. I can already picture the chairman and the foreign students' faces. Hehe."
"Ah, okay."
When they hype you up like that, it boosts your confidence. Did I turn out ridiculously handsome or something?
Is this some magic makeup that only looks good to women?
I checked the mirror one last time, straightened my clothes neatly, and stepped out of the dressing room.
A natural angel was lounging on the sofa in the PR sub-room.
No, not an angel— it was Elise.
I suddenly recalled the scene from the game where Elise first appeared.
[How to describe her ascending the stage at the entrance ceremony.] [Her neatly arranged golden blonde hair followed the graceful curves of her body, illuminating the surroundings as if glowing.] [Unrealistically snow-white skin and delicately refined features.] [The combination of her beautiful face and the cadet uniform symbolized pure innocence, yet her calm expression held a subtle hint of allure.] [Her figure, briefly visible as she climbed the three steps to the podium, was deeply etched into my mind.] "Staring like that is rude, you know."
"Ah, uh. Sorry."
I'd been staring holes into Elise's face without realizing it.
"Got something to say?"
"Uh... You look really pretty. It turned out great."
"...Thanks. But why do you look exactly the same as when you went in?"
Wait, aren't you all freaking out? Come on, noonas.
Or maybe not? Perhaps she's just embarrassed and hiding it.
"Ahem, well. That can happen."
"Hurry up and come out once you're done. The chairman's waiting outside."
Elise left those words and exited the PR sub-room first.
If that's acting, she could switch careers to actress.
Damn, the makeup took over an hour, and it was all for nothing.
"...Junior, you're seriously insanely hot. Like, completely nuts."
But Soo-rin noona, who'd been waiting outside, had a different reaction.
"Nah, I'm the same as always. What are you talking about?"
"I don't even know how to put it... You're just insane! Period."
So I really did turn out like this, huh?
Riding high on Soo-rin noona's praise and her sparkling eyes, my mood lifted again.
"Let's take one with the student council room as the backdrop first!"
The cheerful male photographer suggested.
I made a awkward face and threw up a V-sign with my left hand.
"Come on, the boy's too tense. What a waste of a face."
"S-Sorry."
Tap tap.
Someone tapped my side, so I turned to see Elise locking eyes with me.
"Copy me."
Elise crossed her arms and turned her body about 45 degrees, showing me her back.
Ah, that pose.
I turned my body 45 degrees too and pressed my back against hers.
"Ooh~ Great pose, perfect. Full of confidence!"
Click click.
"That came out amazing. On to the next spot!"
*
"Alright~ Shooting now."
Click click.
"Next up, moving to the academy library~."
I'd lost track of how many location changes this was.
Soo-rin noona had been watching from the student council room but dipped out saying she had stuff to do. Looked to me like she just got bored and bailed.
Elise looked a bit worn out too. Physically fine, but mentally drained, probably.
"Let's do a shot of you both holding books, sitting in chairs and reading!"
This guy's got real passion. Getting paid big time?
Click click.
"Okay, next... Oh man, time flew."
Finally over! The end of this three-hour marathon shoot...!
"Lunch break, then meet back at the central fountain in Victoria Academy at 1 PM sharp."
What the hell.
The crew left laughing heartily to grab food.
Elise and I stared at each other like abandoned ducklings in the library.
"Got any plans after this?"
"Not really."
"Wanna grab lunch together then?"
"...Sure."
Good, at least she'll eat with me.
Elise gave a curt reply and started walking ahead.
*
"..."
Elise led the way into what looked like a fancy restaurant.
I hurried after her.
The waiter came for orders, so I glanced at Elise. She sighed deeply and said, "Same as her."
Damn, classy. Should've said that.
Once the waiter left, I quietly scoped out the place.
It reminded me of that steakhouse I splurged on back in my twenties.
That place was nice back then, but this one's vibe is totally different.
The air itself feels premium—like they'd charge you just for breathing it.
Munch munch.
Elise across from me, clearly a regular, casually tore into the pre-meal bread without a care.
Hmm. Nothing else to do, might as well chat. Praise makes even whales dance. Let's try compliments.
"But seriously, that makeup suits you so well. I was shocked earlier."
"Why the sudden flattery?"
"Uh... Just saying what I thought... Sorry."
"No need to apologize... Sigh. Just eat quietly."
"Yeah..."
Why's she so prickly? Did I piss her off?
Awkward now, I quietly munched on bread too.
Food arrived soon after, and we finished eating.
I tossed in a few conversation starters now and then, probing her likes.
Luckily, talk about that classic movie that just hit theaters a few days ago clicked.
'Good thing I studied up on Elise's tastes.'
Never know when I'd run into her, so I memorized stuff like her favorite author's new release or classic performances.
We wrapped up lunch and left the restaurant somehow.
Took quite a bit, so it was almost time.
"Took longer than expected. It's already 12:50. Let's hurry."
"That's 'cause you kept yapping pointlessly. You focus on eating during meals—that's manners. Didn't you know?"
"Still fun though, right? Don't you wanna see Figaro and the Pirate?"
"Well, yeah... Sigh. I'm beat. Afternoon schedule's quick, so just follow. Let's wrap it fast."
Elise glanced around and strode forward.
"Hey, isn't that the wrong way?"
The central fountain's the opposite direction from the restaurant.
Elise either didn't hear or ignored me and kept going.
Can't she hear me?
*
"Alright, that's a wrap for today's shoot? Great work everyone!"
"Great work!"
"Good job!"
Afternoon shoot ended quick, as promised. Just two location swaps—pretty good.
Would've been faster without Elise's detour.
"If you didn't know the way, you could've just said so."
"...Could happen. Nobody's perfect all the time."
"True. Seeing your human side kinda cheers me up. Never imagined you'd hit the outer walls heading for the central fountain."
"..."
"Heh."
Elise's flustered face when she realized we'd looped to the outer walls was adorable.
She shot me a side-eye, blushed, then power-walked the other way—hilarious.
"...Lee Ho-yeon."
Elise called my name in a low voice.
Oh shit. She's mad.
She marched up and poked my chest with her index finger.
"Getting cocky 'cause you're handsome has its limits, you know."
Elise issued her not-quite-a-warning warning and bolted like she was fleeing.
"This is your fault, you brat..."
And she said I looked the same before and after makeup, but yeah, I did get hotter. Whatever.
*
"Ugh, don't wanna get up."
I blew my whole Saturday on the shoot, so Sunday should be rest day—but I've got stuff to do.
Shopping.
Not at a big mart, though. Black market shopping.
"Got a chance to make money—gotta seize it."
Normally, to check item info, you'd use [Appraisal] magic or an appraisal scroll.
But with my Equipment Status Window ability, just looking reveals everything.
This screams "pick up scam items from the black market," right?
I'd vowed to hit it this weekend, but getting out of bed's the hard part.
"Sigh. Better go early and crash after."
Procrastinate today for tomorrow? My motto, but I've delayed enough.
Classes start tomorrow—time'll get even tighter.
Forcing open my glued-shut eyes, I threw on casuals and headed to the academy shops.
Samro Department Store's emergency stairs. The black market access route underground.
Different goons from last time were guarding it.
Flashed my coins, they parted silently—slipped right in.
"First time since the pharmacy. Been a while."
Swing by the pharmacy too. Might score something.
Vendors hawked wares from stalls everywhere underground.
Monster byproducts, beakers full of mystery brews, even live fish for sale.
Seeing it in person is wild.
Sure, some folks score lucky breaks here, but mostly society's losers.
Everyone knows about black markets but hushes it up.
States and associations aren't idiots—with all kinds of ability users, how could they miss the money and goods flow?
This is just a "weak black market" for the relatively powerless.
The real "strong black markets" are hidden tight for VIPs only.
Those are packed with crossing lines: human trafficking, body experiments, rape, monster gladiator pits, you name it.
Even if locations leak, lobbying cash keeps eyes shut sometimes.
Anyway, this is a low-tier "weak black market."
But that's why hidden gems might lurk—these scrubs wouldn't spot treasure.
"Gotta be here somewhere."
[Booty & Antique]
Straight-up "antiques gathered here~" vibe.
Has an actual shop, not a stall—promising start.
Lifted the fabric curtain and entered.
That musty old-item smell. Smells like money.
"New face. Welcome."
An old man on a chair behind the counter grinned at me.
Shabby clothes, missing teeth—not the friendliest look.
"Looking for something specific? I can recommend."
I ignored him and browsed silently. He didn't push, just fanned himself with eyes closed.
'Junk. Junk. Tobacco recipe? Junk.'
A veritable junk feast.
Not quite needle in a haystack, more treasure in trash.
"Hmm..."
As I checked items one by one, the old man opened his eyes and watched me.
What's his deal? Senile creep?
Ignored the stare and kept hunting.
About 30 minutes of digging later, something popped.
🔥 EQUIPMENT STATUS 🔥 ────[Hell's Delinquent Summoning Contract]──── ▶ Grade: Supreme ▶ A summoning contract infused with hellish mana. Summons are low-quality, but the embedded magic is ultra-advanced, making it supreme-grade. ▶ Allows summoning and contracting hell's nuisance delinquents. -──────────── What the hell is this half-assed good-or-bad item?
Hell summoning something-or-other, so I snatched it—Delinquent Summoning Contract.
"Unbelievable."
So ridiculous I muttered aloud, forgetting the old man.
Luckily, he didn't care. Guess running this shop toughens your mental game against crazies.
'Ah, this tempts me.'
Delinquents. Nuisances. Words sting, but supreme-grade summon.
Stirs a man's heart.
'No, need something more solid now.'
Forcing my eyes off the [Hell's Delinquent Summoning Contract], I scanned other goods.
*
"Good choice. No clue what that scroll is, but I bought it from a robed guy ten years back. Hope it helps you."
"Yeah, thanks."
Damn. Bought it anyway.
[Hell's Delinquent Summoning Contract]!
Dunno what it is, but sounds cool!
Heart racing to try it, I bolted straight back to the dorm.
Click!
Locked the door, pulled out the contract I'd clutched to my chest.
Placed it on the floor, slowly infused mana.
Whoooosh—
Light poured from the contract, filling the room.
I shut my eyes against the glare, opened them—something was there.
🔥 HELL'S DELINQUENT SUMMONING CONTRACT 🔥 Are you the one who summoned Hell's delinquents? Choose one of the 4 delinquents. 1. Lucifer, the human-flesh-obsessed demon butcher shop owner 2. Golden Sun Incubus, Hell Academy's Ada Bomber 3. 20-year F-rank mercenary. Battle-tested but winless veteran Centaur 4. 50-year-old virgin spiderweb master Succubus "...What the fuck is this?"
A system-window-like selection popped up before my eyes.