A Shameless Reputation
Bukjin emerged from his room, his face a crumpled mess.
“Ugh, if I’d known I was paying, I wouldn’t have ordered so much…”
He glared at the food and liquor the waiter was packing up, then swayed drunkenly back towards the academy. Outside, the sun was already setting. As summer approached, the chirping of cicadas filled Unmong City with a soft hum. Bukjin’s shadow stretched long and thin as he entered the academy gates that evening.
Juk-won.
It was early evening. Bukjin had finished bathing, attended by two beautiful maids. Returning to his bedroom, he gazed out the window, lost in thought.
“I thought if I just had the chance, I’d definitely get things done properly. But…”
Bukjin began to scream internally.
‘Aargh! I know it all in theory! Why won’t my body respond?! Could there be a problem with my reproductive capabilities?’
Indeed, just moments ago during his bath, Bukjin’s heart had fluttered at the sight of the two lovely maids, Cheong-cheong and Cheon-cheon. Moreover, he had already perfectly mastered the art of making love to a woman through the Donghyeonja Bangjung-sul 36 Forms app.
Yet, he simply couldn’t bring himself to act on his thoughts.
‘Why is this happening?’ Bukjin wondered.
‘Ah, it must be because I’m too pure… Or perhaps, because I’m merely a transient passing through this world, I unconsciously don’t want to leave anything related to myself behind in it?’
Bukjin sighed deeply, dispelling the random thoughts that had surfaced. Then he lay down on the bed and started playing with his smartphone. Until now, every time Bukjin fought a major battle, his smartphone would get a system update and generate gifts. But this time, no matter how long he stared at it, there was no sign of a system update, even as night deepened.
Unbeknownst to him, Bukjin slowly drifted off to sleep.
During his time on Bukhwang Mountain, Bukjin had maintained a state of intense concentration. He had pushed himself, his mind like a tightly drawn bowstring. But any bowstring, if held taut for too long, would eventually snap.
After returning to the city, Bukjin had fortunately met Im Ji, and their conversation had resolved the doubts in his heart, easing some of his tension. Furthermore, after drinking alcohol, taking a warm bath, and receiving massages from the maids, his entire body couldn’t help but feel utterly relaxed.
Bukjin slept soundly until noon the next day.
He woke up naturally after a deep sleep. Getting up and stretching, Bukjin felt as light as if he had been reborn.
Knock! Knock!
Just then, a knock came at the door. His butler, Wang Chung, appeared at precisely the right moment, as if sensing Bukjin’s hunger, and spoke in a gentle voice.
“Young Master, your meal is ready. Cheong-cheong and Cheon-cheon are waiting for you downstairs.”
Bukjin pondered for a moment after hearing him, then replied, “Send those two back to their respective homes.”
Wang Chung was greatly flustered by Bukjin’s words.
‘As expected of Unmong City’s greatest scoundrel. He’s only seen them a few times, and he’s already tired of them.’
“Young Master. Are you saying you want to release them?” Wang Chung asked with a wry smile.
“Those two maids are elite girls I carefully selected for you, Young Master. They’ve even mastered various special techniques and skills for serving their master. And I spent a lot of money to bring them here…”
“What? Their prices are high?” Bukjin, who had been stroking his chin, suddenly seemed to have an idea and rushed out of the bedroom.
“Hmm…” Wang Chung instantly felt a bad premonition. Bukjin’s expression was exactly like when he had seen the Dragon Blood Carp last time. Tense, Wang Chung asked, “Young Master, you’re not thinking of selling them off for money, are you?”
Hearing him, Bukjin’s face lit up with joy. “My parents gave birth to me, but only you, Wang Chung, truly understand my heart!”
‘Wang Chung! I can’t tell you, but I’m broke after being scammed on Messenger! I can’t afford to live lavishly anymore!’
Although the two maids didn’t consume many resources, they still had mouths to feed. He couldn’t afford their meals, clothes, and various daily necessities. Wang Chung said with a wry smile, “But Young Master. Even if we tried to sell those two maids at a cheap price, they can no longer be sold.”
“Why is that?” Bukjin asked, bewildered.
Wang Chung hesitated for a long time before finally speaking. “Because… they have already served you, Young Master! If it were anyone else, perhaps… but you, Young Master, are different! Your reputation in this regard is too well-known! Therefore…”
Bukjin was momentarily flustered listening to Wang Chung, but soon understood his meaning.
‘What kind of person am I? The most lecherous man in Unmong City! In the eyes of others, I’m a man who cruelly plucks even the most beautiful flowers! In the past, I was someone who touched and toyed with many noble ladies. For beautiful maids like Cheong-cheong and Cheon-cheon to have served someone like me… then no one would want to take them, would they?’
That’s right. The value of all maids who had passed through Bukjin’s hands had plummeted. ‘Damn it!’
Knowing the atrocities committed by the body’s original owner, Bukjin fully understood that the maids could not be sold. ‘That’s it! I give up!’
Resigning himself, Bukjin headed to the dining room. The two beautiful maids, dressed in tight-fitting clothes that revealed their long legs, slender waists, and shapely hips, attended to Bukjin’s meal.
After finishing his meal, Bukjin changed his clothes, had Wang Chung arrange a carriage, and headed to the Temple of the Lord of Swords in the central city square. As he left the academy gates, Bukjin met Ak Hong-hyang, who had been waiting for him. The two had promised to visit Han Bul-bu, Cho Heun, and Ban Oemin, who were currently receiving treatment at the temple.
Ak Hong-hyang was wearing a blue swordsman’s uniform, and her posture was very elegant. She wore a round hat with a long brim, and a black veil hung down from it, covering her entire face. It was a distinctly different look from before, an outfit that even exuded a sense of mystery.
Bukjin got into the carriage and asked with curiosity, “Did you make that hat yourself? It’s very pretty.”
Ak Hong-hyang smiled faintly. “My mother made it for me.”
Bukjin nodded. Then, as if something occurred to him, he asked, “Oh, right. Did your younger brother return safely from his trip?”
Ak Hong-hyang replied, “Hongseol returned home safely three days ago.”
Only then did Bukjin feel relieved. It seemed that the thug-like Jo Muyang had kept his promise after all. ‘He’s a smart one.’
Ak Hong-hyang knew nothing about the matters of Chwihyeonjang and the Gale Brotherhood. Bukjin had no intention of telling her. Past events were best left in the past. Bukjin planned to find Jin Ju-je at the temple today and ask if Ak Hong-hyang’s face could be treated.
About two gak later, the carriage stopped in front of the temple. Bukjin and Ak Hong-hyang alighted and walked into the square. As before, the square was filled with devout worshipers kneeling in prayer. A majestic aura permeated the entire square.
“Oh? You’re…?”
A joyful voice came from somewhere. Bukjin turned his head in the direction of the voice. There stood a priestess, about 16 years old, with a bright expression. Her large eyes sparkled with vitality, and she looked at Bukjin with joy.
“I know you. You came to the temple last time and awakened your Mystic Energy attribute, didn’t you?” The young priestess’s eyes shone as she looked at Bukjin. “What brings you here this time? If there’s anything I can help you with, please tell me anytime. My name is Ya Mi-ang. I’m the duty priestess today.”
A smile appeared on Ak Hong-hyang’s face, hidden by her black veil. ‘This is Senior Brother Im. He really does win over women so easily!’
Hearing Ya Mi-ang’s words, Bukjin immediately smiled. A warm smile, like the afternoon sun, bloomed on Bukjin’s handsome face, creating an atmosphere like a gentle spring day. Everyone who looked at Bukjin was captivated.
“I’ve come to visit Chief Cho Heun and the others from the academy today,” Bukjin said.
“Ah! I know. The people from the 3rd Academy, right?” Ya Mi-ang said with a sweet smile. “Please follow me.”
She actively led Bukjin and Ak Hong-hyang into the Temple of the Lord of Swords.
“According to the temple rules, if you wish to visit the injured in the grand hall behind the temple, you must first offer prayers and contributions beneath the statue of the Lord of Swords. Only then can the injured you care about receive better healing effects.” Ya Mi-ang explained the rules to Bukjin and Ak Hong-hyang.
‘Huh? There’s a rule like that?’ Bukjin was surprised. He turned his head to see Ak Hong-hyang already kneeling before the statue, as if accustomed to it, offering 20 silver coins and clasping her hands in prayer.
‘Alright.’ Bukjin had no choice but to show that he, too, could follow the rules. Bukjin also went to the statue of the Lord of Swords and knelt.
“Young Master Im. Did you not bring a contribution?” Ya Mi-ang asked, surprised. “You must pray with a sincere heart and utmost devotion for the Lord of Swords to grant protection. Only then will the injured receive better healing.”
Hearing her words, Bukjin opened his Storage app and began searching for something suitable to offer as a contribution. Soon, Bukjin downloaded an item. It was a black, lustrous stone—a Mysterious Stone. It was an item he had obtained from the Great Alliance Leader of Bukhwang Mountain.
‘Last time, when Chief Cho brought me here, I offered a Mysterious Stone as a contribution. And only then was I able to awaken my Mystic Energy attribute. If divine beings truly exist in this world, then their healing power must also be real. Since it’s come to this, I hope this Mysterious Stone will move the divine being and help Chief Cho and the others heal well.’
Bukjin made up his mind. It was his principle to repay kindness. Although the Mysterious Stone was quite valuable, the help and kindness Cho Heun and the others had given Bukjin were priceless. Bukjin placed the Mysterious Stone on the altar and began to pray to the divine being with a focused mind.