Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Change
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A few days passed.
"Huff! Ha!"
From early morning, I'd been running through Han River Park, putting the saying "national strength comes from physical strength" into practice, when I suddenly felt my phone vibrate and came to a stop.
Bzzz.
The caller ID showed Park Taesoo.
I sat down on a bench and answered, and his irritated voice came through.
[Fuck, why'd you take so damn long to pick up?]
"I was exercising."
[Exercising?]
"Yeah. So I can beat you guys up even better next time."
[......]
"Kidding. Why'd you call?"
[Meeting Choi Si-hyeok today.]
"Just you two?"
[Nah, gonna hang with his crew tonight.]
"Perfect."
I nodded briefly and wiped the sweat from my forehead before adding,
"When you go, dig up as much as you can. His daily routine, family situation, who hangs around him, all that."
[......Fuck, got it.]
"Ease up on the swearing."
[I said got it. You our class gramps or what?]
A short sigh came through the smartphone.
[But Woo-chin—no, Woojin—you gonna keep your promise?]
"Promise?"
[Fuck, we made a deal! You look into Choi Si-hyeok, and in return...!]
"Oh, right. I'll keep quiet about you and your buddies getting your asses handed to you by me."
[There's one more.]
"Don't sweat it. I won't report all the bullying and the money you extorted from me either."
[......Yeah.]
Park Taesoo let out another sigh.
Well, if you're gonna extort someone, stick to cash—why take bank transfers?
Leaves evidence, and now you're getting blackmailed instead, Taesoo.
'Guess they figured I'd stay a loser forever. And in the original story, I did.'
Delinquents or bullies or whatever, Park Taesoo and his crew were just idiots who'd barely hit adulthood.
Once I threw some laws at them and scared 'em straight, they fell in line quick enough.
Of course, it helped that my fist got there first.
"Hanging up. Call me later. And don't even think about cozying up to Choi's group. Do that, and I'll beat you one by one."
[......Got it, fucker.]
With that, Park Taesoo hung up.
Snicker.
I chuckled and shoved my smartphone into my pocket before taking off running through the Han River area again.
Truth be told, I didn't hold any real grudge against Park Taesoo.
He'd tormented the old Kang Woojin, not me.
Unlike Choi Si-hyeok, who'd bullied me in the past and had more lined up in the future.
No need to go overboard with revenge here.
Since he'd never indirectly screwed over me as a player, I was content to just use him moderately.
"Hoo."
After finishing my run, I headed to the gym.
Like I'd felt when I beat down Park Taesoo and those other three idiots before, I needed to train my body more.
Muscles I never used were sore all over the next day.
On top of that, having felt the power of weight classes firsthand, I'd signed up for the gym the moment break started.
'Next chance I get, maybe learn boxing or jiu-jitsu.'
Having more ways to protect myself couldn't hurt.
'Might help with hunter work too.'
No room for strikes or joint locks against brutal monsters, but it'd build basic body control and flexibility.
Clunk!
At the gym, I hit the weights and stole glances at the fit women members now and then, enjoying my modest routine.
After a shower, I headed to the hospital on the floor below the fitness center.
"Welcome. Woojin, here for your checkup and meds today?"
The urology reception nurse greeted me warmly, like we were old pals.
"Yeah, that's right."
"Have a seat over there, we'll call you."
After checking in, the thirty-something nurse aide subtly thrust her chest forward with a coy smile.
She was always a horny one.
Rumors at the gym said she had affairs with a bunch of married guys.
'Gotta hit that sometime~.'
I went into the exam room and showed my privates to the middle-aged female director.
My dick poked its head up proudly over the sheet, way healthier than before.
A bit embarrassing at first, but I was used to it now.
"The correction went well, but recovery's slower than expected. I told you no intense workouts till it's fully healed."
The director frowned slightly as she spoke.
"Sorry."
"Not sorry to me—to your own body."
"Doesn't hurt or anything..."
"Fine now, but it could get inflamed."
"Thought this was the last one. Do I need to come back more?"
"No need. Just apply the ointment carefully at home."
The director added her explanation in a strictly professional tone.
"Take the prescribed meds on schedule too. They'll help blood and mana circulation, stabilize the size."
"So, can I hit the sauna with pride now?"
"......From the looks, yeah, in about 2 or 3 days."
"Thank you so much. You're my lifesaver, Doc."
I meant it sincerely.
We'd just exchanged legitimate services (?), but I was truly grateful to her for improving my life—and my nights.
The slogan at the clinic entrance, "Improving your nights," wasn't false advertising.
"Wait, 250,000 won?"
That said, the price was fucking steep.
Made me wanna take back the thanks.
"Yes, Mr. Kang Woojin. Total 250,000 won. Card?"
I paid at the billing window and headed home.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
My house came into view in the distance.
A luxury home, three stories including the basement.
Left to me in my name by my biological father, the notorious womanizer.
'Speaking of, living expenses are running low. Maybe call the stepmom...'
I thought about my bank balance as I went inside.
The moment I crossed the entryway, a delicious aroma wafted over.
"Back from your workout?"
Cynthia approached, wearing an apron.
Break had started, but she was taking care of me like always.
"Yeah."
"Haven't had lunch yet?"
"Nope."
Would've been better as a naked apron.
"Mom sent over sides, put 'em in the fridge. I'll whip up some rice quick—let's eat together~!"
"Your mom?"
"Made new ones this time. Look, portioned out so it's easy to eat."
Cynthia beamed innocently as she flung open the fridge and started setting the table.
Every time I saw her like this, I thought she'd make a perfect wife and mom.
Ah, but did this innocent girl know?
Separate from her kind care for me, my stepmom was paying her family a hefty sum to look after me.
"Why the look?"
She had no clue, from her pure expression.
"Nothing. Tell your mom thanks."
Come to think of it, our families' little arrangement didn't feel all that improper.
The word "fee" had a weird ring, sure.
But my stepmom had politely asked Cynthia's family to watch over me since I lived apart from relatives.
Proof our relationship wasn't bad.
'As per the setting, anyway.'
Unlike my half-sisters by blood or otherwise.
No, actually, bad sibling vibes meant stepmom paid me extra mind.
'Anyway.'
I looked at the colorful spread of side dishes Cynthia had laid out and said,
"Fancier than usual."
"Right? Put in some extra effort today!"
"For what? My birthday?"
"Dummy, that's in December."
She giggled and sat across from me.
The pleasant meal didn't last long.
"Starting tomorrow, I've got two weeks of mandatory training at the bureau."
Cynthia continued with a slightly gloomy look.
"Sorry... won't be able to look after you for a bit."
"That's why all this?"
"Yeah."
"And way more sides stocked up?"
"Yup. Don't skip meals, okay? Without me, you'd live on convenience store bentos and delivery."
If you're that worried, just don't go.
"I'll eat right. No worries."
I shook my head as I replied.
"Yeah. I'll call every night, without fail."
Cynthia followed up with some ominous wording.
Given the netorare game's nature, in about a week she'd probably be having wild sex with some random guy while on the phone with me—but luckily, Hunter Management Bureau training was notoriously strict.
Makes sense, since hunters' work involved lives on the line.
They even controlled personal lives to some extent, so no need to worry about her cheating (?) for now.
"They handle room and board the whole training?"
"Not really, but the bureau's too far from here, so I'll crash at a relative's for a while."
"Gotcha."
"Oh, but I can come home weekends!"
Hadn't even had our first real night together, and now we'd be a weekend couple.
'Was just starting to get attached, and now this.'
I felt a twinge of regret but played it cool and asked,
"Bit late to ask, but Sia—you really wanna be a hunter?"
"Not sure yet. Might go for an office job at the bureau or a guild. Anyway, hunter class next semester."
I nodded.
Just confirming—I already knew.
As per the original story, Cynthia would start seriously tangling with Choi Si-hyeok after switching to hunter class.
I knew it full well but didn't try to stop her.
Because my goal wasn't avoiding the NTR—it was smashing it.
I'd let Choi Si-hyeok's feelings for Cynthia grow until he was mad with desire for her. Only then would revenge click.
'Of course, making sure he never gets her, right up to the end.'
And Cynthia too—swimming through endless temptation and confusion, agonizing endlessly.
Throwing her into trial after trial to condition her was part of the revenge too. I'd run mental sims countless times, picturing the two suffering for their own reasons.
'Heh heh heh.'
Quite enjoyably.
"What're you thinking about?"
Suddenly, Cynthia set down her chopsticks and asked.
"Nothing at all?"
"Liar. Look in a mirror. Your face is super sleazy right now."
Her instincts had sharpened.
I hated sharp kids like that.
"Misunderstanding. Let's finish eating."
"I'm done."
"Yeah?"
"Anyway, I'm really worried. If you can handle things without me..."
"You my mom?"
I shot back curtly on purpose, and she puffed her cheeks.
"Not your mom... but I've basically been your guardian till now."
Keep overprotecting like that, might as well breastfeed me.
Damn, my dick's hurting anyway.
Post-procedure service, please.
"Yeah, yeah, got it, Mom."
"Meanie. For real."
"Huh? Oho? Keep it up and you'll curse?"
"What?"
Despite my inner thoughts, I kept teasing her, and she clamped her mouth shut, pouting with her whole body.
A bit sorry, but how could I resist such good reactions?
"You mad for real?"
I kept poking playfully.
"......"
No reply.
"Wanna touch my chest?"
"Wh-what?! Out of nowhere!"
I'd finally cracked her open, grinning as I said,
"Go on. Just started working out, but pumped and firm. Thanks to your balanced meals too."
"N-no way. Why would I?"
Her words said no, but her body was honest.
Head turned, but side-eyeing my chest nonstop.
"Kiss then?"
"......"
"That no too?"
"......No, I like. But after we finish eating and brush."
It was a peaceful summer lunch.