Chapter 33
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Jackpot Luck
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The heavy atmosphere, briefly weighed down by my outburst, softened thanks to Kim Ha-woon's words and the food that soon arrived.
I'd thought I had no appetite at all, but somehow, it went down.
With my stomach full, a bit of leeway finally crept into my anxious mind. Yep, when the pressure's low like this, you gotta head straight for the meat.
Yeah, it's not time to give up yet.
I hadn't been completely buried, and no verdict had come down ending my entertainment career.
I had to push as far as I could, somehow.
Of course, lying low quietly and waiting for time to pass was one option.
But in the end, that choice would leave a scar on my image.
People mostly remember the buzz, not how things wrapped up.
Half-baked stopgaps wouldn't cut it. I had no intention of enduring "assault idol" mockery until retirement.
...Might as well get super canceled.
To turn this around, the narrative has to shift from me at the center to GH being the ones who spread the rumor.
Right now, every spotlight was on me. Lee Do-jun's assault. Lee Do-jun's denial.
But if it blew up that GH started the whole rumor, the focus would swing their way. I could clear my name for good.
The problem was, there was no evidence proving GH did it.
Isn't there some way?
I was half-watching the TV, lost in those thoughts, when—
You've reached #1 on real-time search trends!
Infamy is fame in the end! Achieving #1 on real-time search trends boosts the rank of a random talent.
A hollow laugh escaped at the System alert.
You call this a joke? Who's it messing with right now? Huh?
But the System, unconcerned with such things, kept popping notifications.
Talent: <Clover> has been upgraded to <Four-Leaf Clover>.
Your luck will now trigger at an even higher rate!
'Higher rate of luck triggering'? Yeah, right.
My debut image was exploding like fireworks—legendary.
Truly bursting at the seams. If the goal was to make my insides explode, mission accomplished.
Bzzzzt—
What now?
Not content with the System alert, now my phone buzzed. The short ring and cutoff meant a text.
Probably another unknown number. There were still some unblocked ones...
"...Huh?"
I doubted my eyes the moment I checked the message. No way. Really?
No. Just verify it.
I stopped thinking and shot up from my seat.
"I'll be right back!"
"Huh?"
"Bro, where you going?"
"Be quick!"
"Chicken's getting cold!"
"Pizza too!"
Kim Ha-woon and Park Tae-hoo's shouts rang out, but I didn't look back.
I'd already crammed on my shoes and bolted out the door.
The streets were turning red as the sun dipped low. After finishing the call with the texter—a GH employee—I hit the main road and grabbed a taxi.
"As fast as you can, please!"
"Sure thing."
Something I'd never do normally, but now I had no choice. Even so, the taxi felt agonizingly slow.
I swallowed the urge to yell "Floor it!" a dozen times. Every red light made my body twitch.
Is this for real?
That unbelievable call looped in my head. It felt like running in a dream.
Stay calm.
I placed my right hand on my chest, breathing deeply. Excitement ruins everything.
But I couldn't stop my feet from hurrying. The second I hopped out, I sprinted to the meetup spot.
"Do-jun. Over here."
Arriving, I spotted the GH employee who'd texted waving from afar.
"Huff... huff. Bro, for real?"
I panted, cutting straight to it—and immediately regretted it.
Ah, shoulda greeted first. Priorities, even in a rush.
But the employee, face far wearier than I remembered, nodded like it was no big deal.
"Yeah. I'll help. Interviews too. Sorry I couldn't reach out sooner."
"No, it's fine. Makes sense from your position."
I waved it off. He was volunteering as a whistleblower—what was there to apologize for?
If anything, I owed him endless thanks.
"That bastard Moon Dae-chan's always like this, but he crossed the line hard this time."
The employee crossed his legs, speaking calmly.
His shadowed face was expressionless, ironically making his exhaustion crystal clear.
Should I apologize? Be grateful? I had no idea what face to make.
After agonizing, I finally spoke.
"Bro, I'm really thankful, but you sure you're okay?"
"With what?"
"Staying at the company?"
Even if Moon Dae-chan got booted over this, sticking around as the whistleblower would be tough. No company welcomes that.
But he smiled faintly, reassuring me instead.
"It's fine."
Not fine for me, I'm the guilty one...
"I've hated that bastard forever, and I was quitting anyway. Perfect chance to air it all out."
No, then you couldn't work in this industry again.
He gave a wry smile, reading my thoughts.
"Not staying in this biz. Wasn't for me."
"Bro..."
"Don't make that face, man. Be happy."
His expression lightened as he patted my shoulder.
"Felt bad I couldn't help when you got kicked out. This works out. Paying back an old favor."
"What favor?"
"Remember when I nearly got fired for trainee oversight? You saved me."
Years back, during GH trainee days. Some crazy kids snuck out drinking constantly and caused an accident.
Moon Dae-chan, then HR head, ignored the culprits and berated innocent staff.
"Treated us like dogs, hurled every insult. Never outright said 'get out,' but that's what he meant."
Moon Dae-chan's personality was scum then and now.
He yelled so loud, even I in the practice room heard. Couldn't stand it and intervened.
"You stood up for us—'They're the ones who messed up, why us?'—got me more time. Glad I can help you now."
"Bro..."
"What you said to Moon Dae-chan stuck with me, a real comfort. Knowing someone saw how tough it was. No pressure."
He smiled faintly, a mix of relief and bitterness.
That was just 'cause I hated those punks...
Honestly, I didn't want to debut with problem kids dragging me down. They all got cut eventually.
Yet he remembered something I'd long forgotten and insisted on repaying. Grateful but embarrassed.
Anyone knows going this far isn't easy, favor or not.
Too awkward to say thanks properly, I hesitated—then he changed the subject to lighten things.
"Oh, right. Heard Moon Dae-chan's meeting a reporter tonight."
"Reporter? The one who spread my rumor?"
"Probably. Met him right before your article dropped."
Listening to him gripe about "entertaining more than anyone," a great idea hit.
"Bro, where at?"
"Why?"
"Just in case. Gonna check it out."
What else would they discuss? Obviously me. With luck, I could snag proof.
I got the bar's location from him where Moon Dae-chan was meeting the reporter.
Despite the employee's warnings of danger, I arrived at the bar where they were meeting.
Danger? What danger? Worst case, if caught, I'd claim I came for solo drinks to soothe my stress. Done.
Though if it was pure coincidence, I'd have grabbed him by the hair first.
But not now. Better than yanking hair: solid evidence to shove a massive middle finger his way.
Alright.
Peeking inside carefully, no Moon Dae-chan yet. Deep breath, then in.
"Welcome!"
The moment I stepped in, I realized I'd overlooked the crucial part.
The modern, sleek bar wasn't huge but spacious enough.
Where to sit?
No clue where Moon Dae-chan would sit, hard to pre-position.
What if he takes the farthest spot? No recording, might not even hear.
Damn, overlooked this key bit. Shoulda come later? No, they might slip to a more private spot...
Standing dazed in panic, a staffer approached with a bright sales smile.
"Looking for someone?"
Quick think, then asked.
"Can I switch seats later?"
"Of course! Sit wherever's comfy."
Whew, small mercy.
I picked a decent spot: good view of the door, not too conspicuous.
Ordered a beer, then anxiously watched the entrance.
How much time passed?
Ding!
A bell chime, and a familiar face entered with a sleazy smirk.
Moon Dae-chan!
I quickly shifted to the corner. He hadn't spotted me, luckily.
Makes sense—dim lighting, no one scans faces on entry.
That guy next to him the reporter scum?
They really do flock together—looks punchable.
I carefully tracked where the two sat.
Heading to the back... they stopped at...
"Uh...?"
Moon Dae-chan took the corner seat directly opposite me.
And worst: the table next to his was already occupied.
This is insane.
Slipping to the adjacent seat unnoticed? Now impossible.
What to do?
Life's helper was nowhere—pure frustration.
Things not going to plan, I felt like exploding. Wanted to hurl a beer mug at that unlucky bastard's face.
Please, please...
I clasped my hands in desperate prayer. For the neighbors to leave soon.
No other way. Couldn't movie-style uniform-disguise as staff.
Talent 'Four-Leaf Clover' has activated!
Jackpot! Your luck has exploded!