Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: [Achievement-893: Expansion of Manifestation]
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[Achievement-893: Expansion of Manifestation]
[You broke through the established framework and opened up new possibilities.]
[3 days have been added as a reward.]
[You've earned 20 SP for an unfolding full of anticipation.]
[A new function has been added to Manifestation as a reward.]
「Manifestation」
Description: A talent derived from Park Ha-yul's hallucinatory symptoms. It can materialize hallucinations, delusions, and imaginings. +Existing objects can be enhanced with Manifestation.
-The direction of enhancement aligns with the user's intent.
-A certain amount of SP must be paid as the cost, varying based on the degree of plausibility violation.
-The degree of enhancement is proportional to SP consumption.
[You have enhanced The Girl's Portrait.]
[10 SP has been deducted.]
[Remaining SP: 120]
[Added Effect: Increased Aesthetic Value (Beauty and Artistic Merit)]
Somehow.
I grinned like a kid who'd snuck a peek at the test answers.
To be honest, it didn't make sense.
Just like writing, every painting carries the artist's unique style and brushwork.
There wasn't a single trace of anyone else anywhere in the piece, as if another me had revised it.
"Enhancement, huh."
Anyway, I'd received an unexpected gift.
While painting, I'd unconsciously activated Manifestation, and my subconscious intent had led to this enhancement result.
The SP cost was a shame, but it was such a great ability that I could let it slide.
It could be used all-purpose, from armaments to ordinary objects like paintings—calling it overpowered wouldn't even be enough.
"Is something wrong?"
"No. It's just been a while, so it feels different."
I quickly wiped the lingering smile from my face.
"Can I take a closer look?"
"Of course~"
When I asked in a more composed tone than before, Jeong Ae-ri beamed.
I walked toward the piece she'd named—though I was satisfied with the name too—The Girl's Portrait.
To closely observe just how much the aesthetic and artistic merit had improved.
I approached until I could feel the texture of the pencil strokes and stopped.
"Hmm."
I let out another sigh of admiration.
At this level... yeah. The 10 SP was worth it.
With a solid base and this enhancement, it was no different from a masterpiece on display in some museum.
"It's a precious piece. The more you look, the more you're drawn in..."
Jeong Ae-ri must have felt the same, as she'd come up beside me at some point, gazing at it with a fond expression.
"But you know? For a great work not to be ignored, the people who recognize its value are just as important. So..."
After a brief pause, Jeong Ae-ri pulled an envelope from her bag and held it out to me.
"What's this?"
"A contract. An exclusive artist contract with the Trinity Art Gallery."
"Huh?"
"I've guaranteed the best terms in the industry, so take a look."
What the—.
I was so flabbergasted my head went blank for a second.
Ah, so that's...
Then it clicked. Why Jeong Ae-ri had texted me.
But best terms or whatever.
Painting for someone who couldn't even sleep because time was precious? Plus, my heart wasn't in it anymore anyway.
"You must be shocked. Well, Trinity is basically a dream gateway for new artists."
But Jeong Ae-ri, unaware of my circumstances, seemed to have badly misunderstood.
"Sorry, but that's not—"
I tried to refuse before the misunderstanding grew, but...
...
That's when the utility value of Jeong Ae-ri flashed through my mind.
Separate from any contract, this was a rare connection.
Definitely... it felt like a waste to let it end here.
If I hooked her right, she'd be a huge help.
I glanced back and forth between The Girl's Portrait and Jeong Ae-ri, then quickly continued.
"...Senior. How about an exclusive contract no—instead, just renting the artwork?"
* * *
In the original story, the Jeong family's aesthetic value was little more than a shiny paper tiger.
Even as a renowned family, their screen time was minimal.
If I had to compare, they were like a decorative screen at the back of a sixtieth birthday banquet.
Jeong Ae-ri's role was that limited.
She'd pop up now and then to support Ju A-rin in a pinch and then vanish—poof.
At best, a supporting side character.
However...
As a webtoon artist, I knew.
Screen time and power don't always correlate.
Jeong Ae-ri was the kind of connection that grew more helpful the closer you got.
As the next student council president, she had considerable influence within Taehak, and the exchange run by the Jeong family was world-class in scale.
Mainly art, but they dealt in other items too.
I'd already experienced that utility once.
The previous mana crystal had essentially been disposed of through her.
I'd need similar help often in the future, and I couldn't rely on Ju A-rin every time.
So, I needed to build a close relationship starting with this meeting.
That stepping stone would now be the full-fledged masterpiece that had captured her eye—The Girl's Portrait.
To make this plan work, I came up with a suitable excuse.
My family opposed it, so no activity plans for the foreseeable future—I'd decline the exclusive contract itself.
"No, why would they oppose? It's not like we're in the '80s."
Jeong Ae-ri immediately frowned, but she had no choice but to accept it.
The Brew Clan was still the Brew Clan.
Even if they'd lost some edge, their power remained top-tier among the Ten Great Families—not something to dismiss lightly.
"Still, I want to keep ties with Trinity. Lending you The Girl's Portrait is part of that."
I mentioned the name she'd given it herself and our connection to thaw the frozen atmosphere.
She responded.
"So that means... if you resume activities, you'll contract with our Trinity?"
"Of course. Everyone knows Trinity is the top in this industry."
Flattering her once more, her stiff expression began to soften.
Jeong Ae-ri toyed with her lips in thought for a moment, then extended her hand.
"Can't be helped. Our policy avoids rentals, but to keep you, junior, this is the way."
"Thank you."
"I'll redraw the contract later and send it over. That okay?"
"Yes? I was planning to lend it for free."
"I appreciate the sentiment, but we can't. Paying the value befitting is the Jeong family principle."
Really? Even better for me.
I didn't know how much, but given Jeong Ae-ri's spending habits, it wouldn't be a small sum.
I also asked her to keep this contract confidential.
"That's what I want too. I don't want competitors popping up from rumors."
"...Thank you."
"Let's meet at a nice place next time. Dinner together. Anytime you need something, just ask~"
I smiled as I shook her outstretched hand. That's when things were flowing satisfyingly.
"Last thing—one question."
"Yes?"
"I'm really curious, so... why join Dodam if you're not planning to paint for a while?"
...
It was such an unexpected question that I was at a loss for words.
But.
"Oh, sorry if that's rude. Thanks to it, we met today, so no worries."
"Well..."
"Come on, orientation's starting soon, so head down first. I need to prep too."
Jeong Ae-ri smiled brightly and pointed to the dress hanging in one corner of the council room.
She said it was fine over there, so it probably was...
Better to slip out quietly than drag it out, so I headed outside.
* * *
Orientation was held in the painting room right below the club council office.
As I descended the stairs, the faint strains of classical music reached my ears.
"Welcome. Nice to meet you."
"You're the new member, right? Find your name and sign here."
At the entrance, two seniors handling greetings spoke up.
After a quick hello, I flipped through the sign-in sheet.
Twenty new members total.
Alphabetical order, so I scanned down for my name.
Then my eyes paused on a familiar one.
Not just Ju A-rin on the list—the one right above her.
Min Young-ji's name was there too.
What a coincidence.
Of course, it could be just a fragment filling the setting's gaps, someone I happened to know.
But with the diagnostic eval, the occupation war, and now the club.
Too many overlaps to dismiss as mere coincidence.
Well, no direct tie to the main episode, so probably won't cross paths more...
Anyway, stepping inside, the atmosphere was distinctly different from other clubs.
The interior evoked a luxury hotel lobby, complete with expensive-looking refreshments, drinks, and even light wines for added elegance.
Impossible on just Taehak funding, so naturally, it screamed Jeong Ae-ri.
Her other nickname was Queen of High Society, after all.
Art and socializing were inseparable, weren't they?
I grabbed a glass of wine to wet my throat and took a seat in the back.
Sipping alcohol after so long while waiting, soon a familiar voice rang out.
"Pretty relaxed for such a reckless choice?"
Turning, I saw Ju A-rin in a neat black dress.
With subtle makeup, her already striking face shone even more today.
But why was she so casual?
She shouldn't know I joined Dodam, right?
As I eyed her questioningly, Ju A-rin continued.
"I just found out from Ae-ri senior. Mind if I sit?"
Then she sat beside me before I could answer.
Her expression was lighter than before—maybe her worries about Cheon Seo-yun had eased a bit.
"But why plain clothes?"
"Didn't you know? Flashy starts are Dodam's long tradition. Dress code was on the invite."
Was it?
Now that I thought, I was the only one in uniform.
Ju A-rin sipped her juice and picked up the earlier topic.
"Anyway, I was shocked. Fighting with a sword instead of spells, and provoking Seo-yun like that—I didn't expect it."
"What can I say, it just happened."
"You did it on purpose, right?"
It felt like a loaded question, so I smirked instead of answering.
"I get the intent, and it worked, but be careful. When she gets mad, she doesn't care about consequences. Plus, public opinion's against you."
"Public opinion?"
"Yeah. Rumors are flying that you dragged out a sick girl and used her."
Ju A-rin spoke carefully.
Already rumors? It must be quite the hot topic.
But whatever.
No need to worry about others' gazes, so I just chuckled.
The conversation paused as the podium light illuminated a familiar face.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Jeong Ae-ri, president of Dodam."
Dressed to the nines, Jeong Ae-ri gave a brief greeting to kick off orientation.
The rest followed the usual program.
Dodam's long history unfolded in a magical panorama around us.
Unlike my apathy, Ju A-rin seemed engrossed.
She murmured "Ah," "Oh," "Hmm~" in a small voice.
Uncharacteristic for her usual self, but I got it.
Painting was her one indulgence and hobby in her otherwise bleak life.
The grand but brief event ended, leading to the main stage.
"We've invited a special instructor. Affiliated with Trinity Art Gallery and guiding you all for the next month—artist Roberto."
As Jeong Ae-ri introduced him, cheers erupted.
"Whoa, that's Roberto, right? The reincarnation of Klimt..."
"Jackpot, he's top pick for hires lately."
The handsome, languid man ascended the stage, everyone standing and pulling out phones.
Only Ju A-rin and I stayed seated steadfastly.
"Everyone's over the top."
Ju A-rin kept her cool demeanor surprisingly.
But only for a moment.
She subtly shifted, cleared her throat repeatedly, and at a clever timing—click.
...
She wanted a photo, apparently.
I pretended not to notice.
Instead, I sat firm alone, glaring at the guy.
Roberto.
He was a demon.
The main antagonist of this episode, a Demon Subjugation Society executive infiltrating targeting Ju A-rin.
Disguised as an artist, he was one of the Nine Demons, called Eight Demons.