Paying Off the Debt First (4)
After that, it was nothing but a nonstop stream of flattery tailored to what he wanted to hear. Just as Eomo had taught me, I made sure to brush my thigh against his naturally, pour his drinks right to the brim without spilling a drop, and kept the compliments flowing without a single pause.
Jun Cheong-jin seemed keen on maintaining his dignity, so he never reached out first—I had to make it easy for him by positioning myself just right.
This kind of conversation isn't what Eomo taught me...
"Oppa, come on, why do you keep calling it flattery? You're making my heart hurt... You're really charming, you know."
"Ga-eun, you think this oppa's gonna buy that empty praise? That's too much of a stretch, kid... I'm letting it slide 'cause you're new."
"Hiiing... But oppa, you're way more 'oppa-like' than those pathetic seniors at the academy..."
Maybe he really did have feelings for me, because even with such transparent lines, I could see his mood swing wildly while pretending otherwise. He looked genuinely flustered by how much his own heart was stirring at a hostess's words.
Hit him hard while he's like this. This kind of talk is still easier for me anyway.
I'd trained my hardest so far, but honestly, I still lacked confidence in pulling off one-on-one aegyo that would fully satisfy a customer.
"You know it too, oppa~ Those academy guys act all senior-like, but they're total jokes in real raids..."
"Pfft... Yeah, right? Losers like that don't deserve any confidence. Hearing that takes me back to my academy days. You kids these days know about our generation, right? We were pretty famous."
Here comes that pattern again... Responding to stories I don't even know is tough. Guess I'll just lean in closer...
"Back then, y'know? Oh man, this sounds like bragging, so I don't usually bring it up, but..."
The story he launched into didn't show signs of ending until we'd emptied a full bottle of liquor.
"—Huh? So up to that point, I was still in the top 10 of my year... But hey, top 10 wasn't low—not when you consider how many high-rank hunters came out of our class. Double digits? That's rare even in academy history. The media hyped us as the golden generation while I was there... I was embarrassed, honestly. But that's how I got famous among them—"
He's drunk now... Good, I don't have to respond as hard.
"—So right then, bam! And this story's still famous today, right?"
You just told it...
"Aigoo, oppa, what academy student doesn't know that~? You're talking about the final exam raid incident, right?"
"Heh, yeah? Even you young ones know it. It's a secret from the wife, but after that, I got so popular with my classmates it was a problem—"
But listening more, it's kinda fun. No wonder he has a good rep even at First.
At first, his apparent affection and over-the-top dignity came off as creepy, but Jun Cheong-jin turned out to be the kind of hunter famous for his good personality, for good reason.
Makes sense—if he's this dignified even in a place like this, he must be a decent guy at heart. A bit lecherous, sure... but who comes here otherwise?
Honestly, my past self would eye the current me with the same lustful gaze.
"—That's when I got official recognition and shot straight into the top 5. Everyone was so jealous, saying I'd never hold the spot... But I kept it through graduation, heh... Their faces back then—"
"Eek! Top 5? I didn't know you were top 5, oppa! Top 5 in that golden generation? Textbook hunters really are different~"
"And that's not all. After graduation, I joined the Ilwol Guild—"
Triggered again... But at least drunk, he just rambles nonstop. Nice.
For some reason, my academy student status seemed to hit his nostalgia button hard.
Graduating top 5 in a golden generation that produced over ten high-rank hunters—and still only B-rank now... That must've been the peak of his life.
"—They treasured me so much after my exploits. Oh, speaking of which, next time I should bring the guild master from back then. You'll keep working till then, right, Ga-eun?"
"Of course~ Drinking with you doesn't even feel like work! You're so fun and informative—way better than with academy seniors!"
"Obviously, kid—different level of life experience. Wait, where was I...?"
Listening to his heroic tales dragged on until my butt was starting to ache.
Ugh, leaning to one side this whole time is killing me. Maybe cut back on Coupang shifts?
"—That's when I realized my baby face worked for me. Wonder why it didn't back in my youth. Come to think of it, you really know how to pick 'em, Ga-eun."
Once the money started rolling in, marriageable women must've swarmed him...
"From the moment I saw you, oppa, that charisma... Whew, first high-rank hunter I've met—felt so sexy. Like, no matter the danger, I'd be safe by your side..."
"Think all high-rank hunters are like that? It's all about self-management. Plenty of them are balding old dudes."
At first, he hid his joy at my blatant looks-based praise, but now with confidence surging, he started bragging outright.
"Really? I thought it was 'cause high-rank hunters have mana overflowing their bodies, since you look so youthful."
"Academy student, huh? And you don't know this? Yeah, even academy teachers barely have high-rankers. Being high-rank isn't about having tons of mana—it's utilization. Big difference. Looks like lots of mana to others? Nah. But Awakening is different—I saw some in person, and whoa—"
I've seen five Awakened hunters, mister...
Knock knock.
"—But I got recognition from that guy too... Huh?"
"President Jun? Time's up."
"What? Come in, Madam."
The door swung open, and the madam entered with a bright smile.
Phew... Finally over.
"Oppa, aren't you keeping our maknae too long? Even if she's cute, four hours straight?"
"Whoa... Already that late?"
"Yeah, oppa. Gotta go before the wife notices. If I hadn't stopped you, you'd have stayed all night?"
She teased playfully with a grin, and Jun Cheong-jin replied with an awkward chuckle.
"Might've... Ga-eun? Looking forward to next time?"
The madam looked genuinely surprised at that.
"Oppa, our maknae's really caught your eye today?"
"Yup. Think I'll request her from now on."
With that, he plunked two thick envelopes on the table.
"Didn't plan to give this much... Madam? Extra sincerity for taking good care of our Ga-eun. You get it?"
"When did she become our Ga-eun? We don't touch tips—tell her yourself. She's still pure, so don't worry her."
I've already given birth...
"I'll be waiting, oppa! See you next time!"
"Heh... Whoa, feeling the booze now. Gotta head out—no send-off needed."
I watched his cool exit with a polite bow, my anticipation building for those fat envelopes.
"Let's see... One, two... Wow~ Our maknae's totally on fire today?"
If even the madam says that!
"You know the split, right? One-on-one 'tab' is base 500, and this is 9:1 division."
"Pardon? 5 million won? In one day? Uh..."
"Oh right, Ga-eun hasn't signed the contract yet? Hmm~ Guess I can divvy this up however?"
"W-what? S-sorry... Um... Yes..."
"Pfft... Why so flustered? Think I'd skim this chump change?"
Chump change to you—lifeline to me...
"You're killing me, kid. Take it all today—consider it apology money?"
"Gasp! Yes! No, I mean no! I couldn't! I'm not mad, Madam... Heehee..."
"At least drop the grin first, Ga-eun. This was unscheduled, so take it all. Others do sometimes."
"Heok... I'll work super hard. Thank you!"
"Whoa? I haven't said the amount yet? Check it."
Peeking into the envelope from the madam, I couldn't hide my shock.
Huh? Oh! Right, this world has 100,000-won bills. Wait, then how much is this?
"Can't even guess? One envelope's a hundred bills each. Impressed? Motivated?"
"Eh? No way... So total 20 million won..."
"Not bad even for a B-rank hunter. President's splashing cash after ages."
"Gasp... With this... Ah! Um... When can I sign the contract? I know I can do even better than today!"
"Well, our Ga-eun's got talent... Gonna collapse now?"
"Yes! I'll give my all from now on!"
In one day, including hunter incentives, I'd earned what would've taken over 130 Coupang shifts. The path ahead felt clear at last.