Chapter 36
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: The One Who Laughs Last... (3)
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It vanished quickly, but...
Anyone who was here would have seen that expression plain as day.
Just look at Go Min-cheol next to me, flailing around more dramatically than I was.
"Kid, kid, are you insane...? Do you even know how generous an offer the president just made you? At a time like this, you just nod and say yes..."
"Be quiet, Section Chief Go."
"...Yes, sir. Sorry, President."
Jeong Byeong-in's gaze, which had silenced Go Min-cheol with a single word, turned back to me.
Now that I looked closer, it felt like dozens of venomous snakes were writhing in his pupils.
Staring into them too long made my whole body itch for no reason.
"This is another unexpected situation, coming right after Wang Im-hwan."
"Is it?"
I decided to play the clueless fool who knew nothing of the world, just like when I'd first arrived here.
They say the most terrifying thing in the world is a fool who's read one book.
You can't reason with those types.
"...I never thought you'd be someone who couldn't handle social life."
Wrong.
I'm the guy they called a scrap-iron tormentor in the army.
...I held back from saying it.
"I'm sorry for not meeting your expectations, President. But I really want to succeed with the members."
"Do the members feel the same? There was that article recently. 'There's no such thing as family in the entertainment industry.' Especially in Ji-woo's case..."
From the way he deliberately brought up Han Ji-woo's name...
It was clear Jeong Byeong-in knew about her situation.
Han Ji-woo, who was obsessed with money, might have grabbed his hand without hesitation if this opportunity had come her way—instead of me.
However...
"It doesn't matter."
"Really?"
"Yes. Decisions are made when you're confident you won't regret them, no matter what happens afterward. That's what I learned in the tower, at least."
It was true.
In the tower, one wrong choice could cost not just your life, but the entire raid team's.
That's why we all made an unspoken pact: no regrets.
Regret only torments you.
"Choosing the hard path over the easy one... Personally, I can't understand it."
"That's what makes it more fun and rewarding."
"I hope that doesn't change."
Watching me stick to my parallel line to the end, Jeong Byeong-in finally gave up.
"Fine. The moment you walk out that door, this conversation never happened. You'll need to focus on Luminous from now on anyway."
"Yes, got it."
I showed no lingering attachment by standing up immediately.
And added one more thing.
"Call me for coffee runs or whatever sometime."
"...?"
"I don't hate people like you, President. Heh."
I wanted to leave a little opening, so I could devour him if the chance came...
"Haha, can't do that. Not to a precious talent who might become our company's star signboard. How could I send you on coffee errands? Go on."
"...Take care."
Ironically, Jeong Byeong-in didn't leave even that tiny gap.
"Then I'll get going too."
"No, Section Chief Go, stay a moment. This incident, and... let's talk."
"Ah, yes..."
His face had already screamed he was dying of tension just being with me.
Now, facing a one-on-one, Go Min-cheol's complexion turned ashen, like he was about to keel over.
'Farewell, Go Min-cheol.'
I offered him a silent prayer as I slipped out of the president's office.
"Hoo...!"
The moment I stepped out, I took a huge breath.
Damn, was there no ventilation in there? Felt like the oxygen was running low.
I thought I was gonna suffocate.
'That Jeong Byeong-in president... definitely no pushover.'
I'd vaguely sensed it from afar before.
But talking to him up close confirmed it.
'This level of pressure... first time in my life.'
Four years as a porter, I'd met every kind of person imaginable.
Some were truly dangerous psychos.
Yet none scared me like him.
'Is that guy a hunter too?'
If not, that was even creepier.
For a civilian to carry that weight meant he was genuinely terrifying.
And...
"Am I not appealing to him at all?"
I'd tried flirting in every way I could.
Crossing my legs.
Subtly showing cleavage.
Brushing my hair back to expose my nape.
Still inexperienced, but I'd pulled out all the stops as a woman...
Jeong Byeong-in didn't bat an eye.
His focus was solely on whether I'd accept his offer or not.
'Is that bastard impotent too?'
The more I thought about it, the more ridiculous and ego-bruising it got.
How could he look at me and feel no lust? I'm a succubus!
'Should I spam his email with my nude pics pretending they're from some ad?'
Even Go Min-cheol seemed turned on by something like that.
No helping it.
How many guys in the world were jerking off to my nudes right now?
"Ha, and that last bit was basically a veiled threat, right?"
Daring to reject my offer? You're gonna regret it.
Was that just me...?
'Tired. So damn tired.'
I'd started porter work right after high school, so no office experience.
But this must be what office life felt like every day.
'No wonder people quit good jobs with fat salaries and benefits to dive into the towers.'
This was mental fatigue no amount of money could fix.
A utterly shitty feeling.
'Better to fight monsters in the tower with a sword.'
Ding!
Lost in thought, the elevator reached the practice floor.
"..."
Of all the luck, I ran into Isabella and the Maximilian group right outside.
Today must be cursed.
Day of piled-up bad luck...
"If you're getting off, hurry up. We need to get in."
"Ah, sorry..."
As Hong Yu-jeong said.
With Luminous passing, any lingering hopes were dashed.
Even Isabella members who'd had no beef with me glared coldly.
"Congrats on passing. You got really lucky."
"...Pardon?"
"Some of us rot here for nearly three years without passing, but you make it in a week."
Her barbed words hung in the air as the doors closed before I could reply, heading up to the first floor.
Probably off to songwriting or composing lessons.
Even as the doors shut, their piercing stares stung.
"..."
This place was too uncomfortable to live in. I might not die of old age here.
'Feels less like a company, more like a dangerous dungeon.'
Treating everyone as monsters in human skins might make company life bearable.
"Guys, I'm back..."
"Waaah! Unnie! Here's your coffee! I put it in the fridge!"
"What'd the president want? Why'd he call you alone?"
"You look pale. You okay, unnie?"
Golden retriever, bulldog, border collie all charging at once—must feel like this.
Feeling my weary body and mind recover a bit, I hugged Kang Chae-rin back.
"Waaah, unnie hugged me first! Squeeze too tight!"
"Phew, smelling Chae-rin's hair makes me feel alive."
"I'm recharging off unnie's chest scent too..."
No wonder she'd buried her face in my breasts.
'Felt it in the bathhouse too, but she's sneakily lewd.'
With the purest, most innocent face, Kang Chae-rin was the one who did the most naughty things to me.
"Did he say anything about our debut?"
"No."
"Oh... okay?"
I chuckled at Seol Su-bin's instant disappointment.
"Nothing much. Just that I'm reported to have PTSD from a tower accident. Asked if I could handle idol work in that state. Idols cost a fortune once they commit, so he was worried as president."
"Ah..."
"But if I'm fine, he said we could leverage the buzz for higher debut odds. Seemed pleased."
"Yeah, that makes sense! Ji-woo unnie said the same."
"Yeah."
The lies flowed smoothly from my mouth—no reaction, but I was a little startled inside.
Was I always this good at lying?
Felt like one of those venomous snakes from his eyes had slithered into me.
Coiled up most unpleasantly.
"Oh, right. Where'd you go this morning?"
Han Ji-woo asked cautiously.
I pondered briefly.
Should I be honest?
"...Met Choreographer Wang Im-hwan."
"The choreographer?"
"Yeah, like you mentioned before. He couldn't take his eyes off me. Said inspiration flows when he sees me. First time handling a girl group, so he's tense—asked for lots of help. I said sure, so I'll drop by often."
"Hmm, if you're okay with it, we don't mind..."
Trailing off, Han Ji-woo took my hand.
"...I'm staking my life here, but that doesn't mean I'll trample someone's sacrifice blindly. If it's ever too much or uncomfortable, don't push yourself, unnie."
That hit me right in the chest.
Whether from becoming a woman or her sincerity touching me, I wasn't sure.
But it reaffirmed my decision from the president's office.
I was confident: no regrets, whatever came.
"Don't worry. Nothing's hard about it."
Truly.
Might be humiliating or mortifying for a normal person.
For a succubus like me... mutual benefit, or killing two birds with one stone.
What bugged me more was President Jeong Byeong-in.
Didn't seem like he'd let it slide...
What scheme was he plotting?
"Women are such a pain. Treat 'em nice, and they think they're hot shit."
"...Well said, sir."
Go Min-cheol bowed his head like he wanted to drill into the floor.
And thought.
'A guy who'd normally knock anyone flat... why so passive with Kim Hyun-ah?'
That moment.
"Something feels off, though."
"Pardon?"
"About Kim Hyun-ah."
"That bitch... er, that one. Always been weird. Looks, actions, everything..."
"Her behavior and choices just don't match, y'know?"
"Huh? What do you..."
To Go Min-cheol's confusion, Jeong Byeong-in tapped his desk impassively.
"Looks like she's begging anyone to jump her bones, but her choices say otherwise."
"...!!"
"Feels off, right? So I tested: hates the industry, but okay with getting jumped...?"
Jeong Byeong-in finally smirked.
"Mess with a girl like that, and your life's hell."
"...!"
Go Min-cheol admired silently.
'Sharp bastard...'
At the same time, he thought.
President's not just anyone.
Why he'd lingered in this spot...
"But too valuable to ditch. Giving her away would sting."
"..."
"So, I'd like a collar around her neck. Can't have her acting on her own in my company."
"Co... collar?"
"Yeah. Dog collar."
"...!"
Shocked at the idea of collaring a person like a dog.
Jeong Byeong-in patted his shoulder.
"Think you can handle it, Section Chief Go?"
Gulp.
Heart skipped, but...
Go Min-cheol pictured that annoying Kim Hyun-ah's face and nodded firmly.
"Just leave it to me! I'll slap a proper collar on that stubborn bitch!"
Jeong Byeong-in's lips curved in satisfaction.