Pay Off the Debt First (5)
"It's not like you're doing anything amazing, so no need to be so tense."
The Madam looked at me with a hint of pity as I pored over the contract like my eyes might fall out.
Come to think of it, does a contract even mean anything against the Madam?
It was so absurd that I'd almost forgotten for a moment, but the Madam was an A-rank hunter—the younger sister of Korea's strongest. In reality, if she just said, "I don't remember," this contract would be worthless.
Does that mean I need the contract even more? Or does it mean I don't need it at all?
I couldn't hide my confusion, so the Madam sighed and spoke up.
"Instead of messing around with that contract, why not hunt one more monster in a gate?"
It was a true A-rank hunter's way of thinking.
Isn't a contract supposed to protect the weak? This damn world...
"Oh no, it's not that I don't trust you at all, Madam~ I was just checking how much I could earn!"
"You've gotten a lot cuter with that aegyo in just a few days, huh?"
"Heehee... Am I doing well now?"
"Yeah, with your looks, you'll pull in at least 150 on a slow day. We're treating you like an ace from the start, so if a customer blocks your rotation, it's 300 that day."
First operates on a system where every girl rotates through five tables, 20 minutes each. Blocking the rotation means she stays at that one table until the end. The customer might try for deeper skinship, but... if I couldn't handle that, I wouldn't have come here in the first place.
"By the way, Eomo said your body is overly sensitive. You know you need to get used to it ahead of time, right?"
"Eep, yes... Is there any good way to do that..."
This is the biggest problem... At first, I thought it was just my breasts from the pregnancy, but my whole body is sensitive by nature.
Of course, during training with Eomo, they check your tolerance for skinship... and no matter the spot, the results were always hopeless.
"What method? But do you really feel that much pleasure even from someone with zero emotional connection? We get hot guys here who make your eyes pop—think you can handle it?"
Gasp... Eomo is too pretty. Is that why? But with Jeong Ga-eun's body, I don't feel desire for women that way...
"Hmm... Wait, do you like girls, our little maknae?"
"Eek... N-no? No, no, that's not it! No!"
"Pfft, so it is true? It's not that rare in this industry—why so flustered?"
"Huh? Are there really that many girls like that?"
"Well, even without that orientation, tons of them have hot nights together."
"Gasp... But I'm really not a lesbian, Madam."
Lesbian... No, if I like women, does that count as lesbian? But more than that, do I even like women right now?
Jeong Ga-eun's life had been such a rollercoaster the last few years that she definitely hated men. Especially after getting hit with that deadbeat scam, her aversion to sex was even stronger than mine. I was a little curious about what it felt like to get penetrated... though if it meant experiencing it with a real dick, I'd choose death instead. Anyway, after possession, I was barely influenced by Jeong Ga-eun's tendencies—men's hatred was one of the rare exceptions.
So I definitely hated men, just like her original personality, but whether I saw women romantically? Honestly, no idea. Sexual orientation seems influenced by the body as much as the mind.
"That wronged puppy face says it's true. So what'll you do when a handsome guy touches you? You said no seconds round, but you look like you'd tempt them..."
"No, Madam. But thinking back, when that guy touched me earlier, I just thought of it as work."
The Madam's expression turned sly the moment she heard that.
"What? So you do like girls, our maknae? Heh..."
The Madam has a cute side too...
For some reason, after I seemed like a lesbian, her expression softened. She'd been the epitome of a prickly career woman just moments ago...
"Hmm, honestly, I'm not sure. But I do hate men, so sensitivity won't cause issues, right?"
"Not quite. No guy likes a girl who's too wooden. But you can fake it, and it'll get easier with practice. Anyway, can you stop staring at that contract now?"
"Yes, I get the split. Base pay 9:1, tips all mine, right?"
Base pay is 300 if someone blocks rotation, 30 per table otherwise. On special days like today, 500. Normally, a girl does five tables twice—200 minutes total. That's 1.35 million won a day without tips.
"Right. But non-VIPs rarely tip, so don't get your hopes up."
"What more could I want than this, Madam? I'm so happy right now!"
1.35 million a day... Do hostess girls pay taxes? Of course. So interest might still be tight...
"Your face screams 'full of worries,' but your mouth sure talks smooth... No need to overthink. With your looks, you'll sweep up the VIPs."
"Heehee... Right? But VIPs won't all be as gentle as today's, huh?"
"True enough. But don't worry too much. No one dares cross the line with my girls in my place."
But why does a woman like her do this job? Asking directly would be rude...
"Oh, there's one exception."
"One person? Against you, Madam?"
"Yeah, my oppa. Whatever he orders, just take it. No one in Korea can stop him."
What the hell... That deadbeat's dad comes here? He knows all about me and Heo Jin-woo...
"Pfft, kid. Why take a joke so seriously? You know he has zero interest in anything unrelated to his guild."
"Uh... What about family matters?"
"Huh? That curious?"
"Ah... Sorry if that's rude. I'm just a huge fan..."
"Lying through your teeth again. With acting like that, you won't make it big here."
She gave sincere advice with a serious look, like she wanted me around long-term.
"Well, it's only been a week. What was your real question?"
"Um, how do you feel about family..."
"Oh, right. His family's all key guild members, so he treats them well. Not because they're family—just his way."
Phew, that's a relief? But Heo Jin-woo was famous for surpassing his dad at the same age... He'd treasure him insanely—might be worse.
"Enough of that. Before you clock out, go see Eomo. Report how today went and get feedback."
Hearing her dismissal, I bowed politely and prepared to leave.
"Yes, I'll head out now, Madam. See you tomorrow."
"Yeah. So young and full of energy—or is it the hunter thing? Was gonna let you off easy on your first day."
Earned two million today—Coupang can wait. Breathing room starting tomorrow.
"No, Madam. Gotta keep training."
"Go already. No need for double bows. Hurry, or you'll be late."
I finished my goodbye to the Madam and headed straight to Eomo's room next door.
Madam softens the more you see her, but Eomo is still terrifying...
Probably keeping up the intimidation for training. You'd trip over worse creeps on the job anyway.
Knock knock—
"Eomo, it's me. Ga-eun."
"Come in."
The moment I opened the door, Eomo's expression triggered my primal fear, as always.
She's extra scary today...
"What took so long? Did the Madam serve you octopus or something?"
Not my imagination—her aura was intense.
Wait... what?
"What?! Eomo! Madam's right next door—how could you say that..."
For once, I forgot my fear and yelled. Serving octopus? Not something someone of her caliber should say, especially about the Madam.
It's basically asking if she got eaten out—super vulgar!
"I can say it, so quit fussing and answer."
Her vibe demanded an answer, so I opened up.
"Absolutely not... We just talked about this and that—"
"This and that what? What took so long?"
"Uh... well... the contract, and... sensitivity? And... sexual preferences too—"
"What? What did you just say?"
"Eep... Sexual preferences..."
"Why tell the Madam your sexual preferences?"
Eomo was practically furious now.
"Y-you're making it sound weird... She asked if my body was too sensitive, what if a hot guy touches me, so I said guys do nothing for me—"
"So! You like women?!"
"No... More like, I definitely hate men, but women? Not sure..."
Eomo's face then was scarier than ever.
"You—try flirting with unnie one more time."