Chapter 92
Chapter 92
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Butterfly from the Depths of Memory
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A butterfly from the edge of my memories alighted on the notebook.
Staring at the drawing that perfectly matched the image in my memory, I made a guess.
It couldn't be a meaningless tattoo. It had to be a symbol for some organization.
The way it glowed in tandem with the flow of mana was anything but ordinary.
Having reached that conclusion, I pondered deeply.
"Where could it be from?"
What kind of organization would use a butterfly as its symbol?
If I could figure this out, even if it was from a previous playthrough, it would bring me one step closer to the person I suspected was Yoo So-young.
The woman in the white coat. Holding back the surging anticipation, I reviewed all the related lore.
"Hmm."
But nothing came to mind.
It wasn't one of the direct combat units of the Ten Great Families, nor the Assassination Squad.
Not even the Ten Kings Castle, the representative group of demons that hadn't appeared in earnest yet, or the ambiguous terrorist organizations.
I'd gone through every famous organization's emblem, but none used a butterfly with one crooked wing.
"A newly formed group?"
One that Yoo So-young created after entering this world?
If so, it was only natural that I wouldn't know. There was nothing I could do about it right now.
But I couldn't give up just like that.
"I've got to try everything I can."
I had connections I'd built precisely for situations like this.
I snapped a photo of the drawn butterfly with my camera and sent it to Cheol-su.
I asked him to let me know anything related, no matter what it was.
Bzzz.
[OK, since it's a request from Ha-yul, I'll do my best.]
Cheol-su replied the moment he saw it.
Now all that was left was to return to my routine and wait patiently.
Peeking at this world's secrets wouldn't throw me off course.
If anything, I'd focus even more than before.
Raise my level and the protagonists' to the next tier.
If round 532 was roughly six years from now...
There was no guarantee that the mysterious disaster that swallowed the protagonists wouldn't happen in this round too.
"Let's see who wins."
I bared my teeth slightly at the empty air before returning to my usual self.
With an oddly refreshed mind, I flopped onto the bed and picked up my phone.
"What's this?"
That's when I belatedly noticed quite a few unread messages.
For someone who preferred being alone, it was pretty uncomfortable, but I couldn't just ignore them, so I decided to check them one by one.
The first message was from the Demon Hunt Net operations center.
[The auction you registered has ended.]
[Final bid prices are as follows.]
[Nameless Poet's Fountain Pen: 25 million won]
[Yangban Gusu's Necklace: 29 million won]
[The relay fee is 15%, and payment will be made after receiving the auction items at headquarters...]
While I was camping in the Diamond Mountains, the auction had concluded.
Heh.
I chuckled soundlessly, my lips twitching upward.
Where else could you find a side gig that turned a 5-minute investment into over ten times the return?
I'd reinforce some higher-value items next time. Moving on to the second message.
[Midterm Exam Results Notice]
1st: Ju A-rin 75P
2nd: Baek Sa-young 70P
3rd: Cheon Seo-yun 68P
4th: Reina 63P
Ju A-rin took 1st?
I remembered her placing 3rd in the original story.
Thanks to the capable supporter—me—taking care of her, she'd even surpassed Baek Sa-young.
Perfect timing, with everyone thirsty for good grades.
"Alright then..."
I scrolled down to check my ranking.
It was pretty low, so I kept scrolling until I finally found it.
28th: Park Ha-yul 35P
Decent enough ranking. I was satisfied.
As long as I avoided remedial classes over break.
But apparently, Ju A-rin wasn't thrilled about it.
[How's your body? I wanted to say thanks, but the situation...]
She must've sent it right after checking the results—the time gap was minimal.
I figured I should reply, so I pondered and sent something safe.
[I'll buy you food next time. Something really expensive.]
It'd make her uncomfortable if I left her indebted, so this was a fitting response.
[Ju A-rin's favorability has increased.]
[You have acquired 1 SP.]
...Huh?
An out-of-left-field message popped up right then.
"Oh. This must be..."
A flash of insight hit me, and my vision blurred for a moment.
[Aki Record first browse reward: SP acquisition paths have diversified.]
[You receive additional points when receiving attention or when significant changes occur in relationships with characters.]
Oh ho.
Back then, the shocking content overshadowed it, but now I realized it was a total jackpot.
SP sources, once limited to achievements, had multiplied beyond count.
[...What do you want to eat?]
Ju A-rin's reply came in.
I was about to say 'anything,' but...
No, wait.
To test the SP acquisition mechanic, I went for something more provocative.
[Spaghetti you make yourself]
It was half-joke, half-serious since it was actually something she liked.
...
But no reply came even after a long wait.
Did I go too far?
Too late for regrets now.
I'd just say it was a joke when we met later.
With a wry smile, I moved to the next message.
[From: Jung Ae-ri]
[Junior. Can we meet briefly tomorrow?]
But why this woman?
* * *
A bright Saturday.
Dressed in a relatively plain white blouse and beige slacks that looked casually styled yet intentional, Jung Ae-ri headed to a cafe inside the Taehak campus.
She arrived just as the sunlight started feeling harsh and pushed open the door.
The cafe was quiet, making it easy to spot the man she'd arranged to meet today.
He wore a black coat that didn't suit the weather, but it somehow didn't look out of place on Park Ha-yul.
"Junior..."
Jung Ae-ri reflexively raised her hand, then silently lowered it.
What was it?
She just wanted to savor the sight a bit longer.
The combination of the cozy cafe and the man with his decadent charm felt like bringing a wolf into her home—it satisfied her aesthetic senses.
"Hmm~"
Honestly, he was a guy she coveted.
With that appearance, from a prestigious family, and artistic talent worthy of being called genius.
From the Trinity chairman's perspective, rankings at Taehak meant nothing. He was flawless talent.
Which made it all the more regrettable.
If he got serious, his popularity would rival a top star.
She had more than enough resources to support him.
With real intent to push, making him a star would be effortless. But his will was firm, leaving her wistful.
Not that she'd completely given up...
Jung Ae-ri approached with the business smile unique to chairmen.
"You're early."
"...Ah, yes. My schedule's tight, so I rushed out. I can't stay long, but have a seat first."
Park Ha-yul gestured to the chair across from him with a flat expression.
Jung Ae-ri smiled brightly inwardly.
That cynicism was a rare charm, premium wrapping paper fitting Park Ha-yul's image...
And understandably so.
Most people blushed in her presence or fidgeted nervously.
They'd spout flattery to cling longer.
But Park Ha-yul showed none of that.
So impassive it bordered on apathy—it pricked her pride at times, but that's why she was drawn.
"Take this first."
So, she pulled out the prepared gift.
It was to build rapport alongside a simple request.
She placed the palm-sized box on the table, and Park Ha-yul asked.
"What's this?"
"A performance bonus."
"Performance bonus?"
"'Girl's Portrait' blew up beyond expectations, keeping Trinity busy lately. Didn't you know?"
"No, not really."
"Well, you don't do SNS, so maybe not. Hang on."
Jung Ae-ri pulled out her phone and showed posts related to Girl's Portrait.
Park Ha-yul glanced at the insane likes and comments, then nodded.
"Good for you."
That was it.
As if he'd known it would happen from the start.
"I'll gladly accept the gift. Refusing would be rude. Can I open it?"
"Of course."
But Jung Ae-ri was certain.
Even Park Ha-yul wouldn't stay composed upon seeing it.
That's how much money and effort she'd invested.
"Hmm."
Park Ha-yul's reaction upon opening the box wasn't much different at first.
Understandably.
To the untrained eye, it looked like a fashion metal watch.
"A limited-edition watch from Ha Clan of Iron Blood, famous for mana-forged gear. Take a good look."
But after demonstrating by wearing it and pressing the protruding part on the right side of the screen.
Click— With a sound, the screen split, and a small flying device popped out.
As it whirred into the air, a small exclamation finally escaped Park Ha-yul's lips.
"Oh."
"It has four micro-drones built in. Specially made for long-range awakeners."
Jung Ae-ri felt a thrill at surprising him and continued explaining.
Max flight time: 24 hours.
Controllable with your mind, no separate controller. Footage viewable live on the watch screen.
Built-in biometric detection warns if anyone approaches within 500m. Essential for long-range types vulnerable to ambushes...
She rambled on like a door-to-door salesman.
"Looks expensive... Thanks. I'll put it to good use."
Taking the watch, Park Ha-yul grinned like a kid for a moment.
Jung Ae-ri felt a strange sense of accomplishment at the smile but pressed on casually.
"Ah, mind signing something?"
"Sign?"
"Yes. A pretty acquaintance of mine loved Girl's Portrait. Hard to refuse, and it's not bad for you either..."
Jung Ae-ri smiled, imagining fidgety Ju A-rin.
When Park Ha-yul nodded nonchalantly, she handed over the prepared pen and paper.
Scribble—
He was surprisingly skilled.
Like someone who'd signed plenty, he toyed with the pen fluidly before suddenly asking.
"The name..."
"Name?"
"Ah, the recipient's name. Or just blank if it's awkward."
"Oh, that name."
Jung Ae-ri paused as if thinking, then flashed an intrigued smile.
"It's Seol-hwa. Ju Seol-hwa."
"Ju Seol-hwa. Ju... Yes?"