Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Otherworld Cult (3)
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As I walked to the bar, I mulled things over.
This was probably the second time.
It had been since Cynthia that a main event had triggered for the first time.
In truth, even Cynthia had multiple main events lined up, and by the original story's standards, there were countless branching points.
But I had hijacked the first main event and veered completely off the original route.
I'd swiftly claimed Cynthia's virginity and written a new history that didn't exist in the original.
And after that, by thoroughly and consistently training her, I skipped several of those pathetic original branching points entirely.
'Meeting Ye-eun early was all thanks to that, too.'
The butterfly effect being this huge wasn't surprising.
Cynthia, Choi Si-hyeok, Yoo Harin, and me.
With all four of our positions completely different from the original erotic game, I felt a fresh wave of emotion facing this main event that had returned after so long.
'In the original, I'd have lost Sia by now and shown up to the reunion in a utterly wrecked state.'
Reflecting on my position and situation like that, I stepped into the bar.
Ding-dong!
A short chime bell greeted me first, followed by the sight of a rather upscale bar interior.
"Welcome~!"
Soon, a bubbly-looking part-timer, armed with a sales smile, guided me inside.
"How many in your party? Do you have companions joining you?"
At her question, I glanced around and replied.
"Yeah, yeah, I do. Isn't there a group table reserved for 7 p.m.?"
"Right you are. Ah, are you here for the Seongun Middle School Class of '20 reunion? Then this way...?"
The part-timer naturally turned to lead me when she suddenly trailed off, her eyes widening.
"Wait a sec, you're Kang Woojin, aren't you?"
"Huh?"
"It's me, Lee Ji-hye. Don't you remember?"
The woman pointing at herself flashed a big grin.
"Ah, yeah, I remember now. It was you, Ji-hye."
Of course, I had zero recollection.
There was no way I'd know her—she wasn't even mentioned once in the original game.
"But what are you doing here, Ji-hye?"
Still, I played it off like we were old pals with a friendly face.
"What else? Part-timing, as you can see."
"Ah, got it."
"That's why they picked this place. I can hook you guys up with some serious service."
"Won't you get fired?"
"Duh, I know how to be sly about it. Anyway, head up to the second floor first. Everyone else is pretty much here. I'll switch shifts soon and join."
Ji-hye smiled with her eyes again, straightened her apron with a pat, and headed to the kitchen.
She's kinda cute, in her own way.
I wonder if she has a boyfriend.
Murmur murmur.
As I climbed to the second floor, old friends catching up after ages filled the air.
"Heard you're super busy these days? How's a big shot like you gracing us peasants?"
"Screw you, backwards. Wanna die~?"
"This stock's guaranteed to moon. Don't blow your cash—invest early, guys."
"OMG, where'd you get that designer bag? Limited edition?"
"Saw your SNS. Europe trip recently?"
Some had just arrived and were still exchanging shiny greetings.
"Man, it's been forever. How do you all look exactly the same?"
"This takes me back, right?"
Others, with barely a few drinks in, were already hitting the reunion's true purpose.
"What do you do these days?"
"Me? Vlogging. Say hi to the viewers, everyone."
"What? You're an influencer? Subscriber count? Wanna mutual on X Star?"
As I scanned for an empty seat amid them, a guy approached.
"Woojin, right?"
He was the protagonist of this gathering, where everyone had come for their own reasons—not an exaggeration.
"Whoa, it really is Woojin. You look so different, almost didn't recognize you. Damn, you got handsome, dude."
Park Jung-hwan, who had set up this "reunion" that was anything but.
"Anyway, thanks for coming."
The groom-to-be, wedding right around the corner, clapped my shoulder familiarly and added.
"Grab any empty seat. I'm buying tonight—order whatever, eat your fill."
I nodded shortly and surveyed the long, straight table.
Excluding host Park Jung-hwan, three stood out.
One ignored everyone, flanked by girls, chattering away: Kim Taeyang.
Dyed blondish hair, tanned skin.
I recalled his setting—soccer star since middle school, always popular.
The second was unexpectedly familiar.
"You, you bastard!"
The tattooed pig shot up, one arm in a cast, pointing at me with the other.
"You're..."
Jeong Yong-uk, I think that was his name.
The guy from the theater before trembled all over, glaring daggers.
'No wonder he seemed vaguely familiar from the start.'
His name had rung a bell, too.
That movie theater villain was none other than a classmate.
Not same class, but I nodded at the tattooed pig sorcerer known by name since middle school.
"What's up with you two?"
Finally, Kim Taeyang glanced over.
"Yong-uk, why you acting up?"
He alternated looks between me and Jeong Yong-uk, showing interest.
"Dunno what it is, but behave at someone else's class party. Yong-uk."
Of course, it didn't last.
Girl-obsessed Kim Taeyang lived up to his name, soon flirting with his two dates again.
Grind.
Cut off by Taeyang, Jeong Yong-uk ground his teeth helplessly.
Couldn't go berserk like before in this setting.
Especially after I'd wrecked him once—and with buff Taeyang as potential enemy, no-go.
He slumped back, muttering low like chewed gravel.
"You... we'll talk later..."
Despite one arm out, his thug grit shone as he threatened me.
"Fuck, that day because of you, me and Ji-yoon..."
Looked like he'd broken up with his girlfriend.
Whoever Ji-yoon was, smart girl.
But whatever.
"You gonna be okay? Can't even form the 'endurance' seal with one hand."
Uninterested in his love life, I shrugged nonchalantly.
"What bullshit?!"
Unable to rage freely, Jeong Yong-uk flared up again, spitting as he fumed.
Fuck, gross.
Showing off his top-tier dulling spell as always, he glared murderously.
"Calm down, Yong-uk."
Finally, host Park Jung-hwan stepped in.
"Good day today—don't make it awkward, let's have fun. Yeah? Got it?"
True to class rep roots, he handled thugs like Jeong Yong-uk well.
"Hah, fuck really. I'll hold back for your sake, Jung-hwan."
Now with an excuse to swallow his anger, Jeong Yong-uk sighed deeply and locked eyes with nearby guys.
"What're you staring at?"
Forcing their gazes down, he stabbed his fork aggressively.
Stab! Stab!
Not losing his edge to the end, he shoveled food furiously to fill up fast.
Leaving him behind, I approached the last standout and sat beside her.
"Seat free? Mind if I sit?"
It was Han Ye-eun.
"Huh? Oh, that's Dasom's spot."
She, who'd once hypnotized me, couldn't hide her awkwardness, faking our reunion after years.
"I'll apologize later then. Her fault for not being here."
"Were you always like this...?"
"Changed a bit. Anyway, long time no see, Ye-eun."
"Y-yeah, been a while. From outside, you look totally different, Woojin..."
Not actually hypnotized, I played along with her act seamlessly.
"You've gotten even prettier yourself, Ye-eun."
"Th-thanks... You too, Woojin. You look way cooler now."
Leaning in to whisper.
"Not just saying that."
"What do you..."
"You're the prettiest here, Ye-eun."
"Wh-what?!"
"Look at the others. They're all sneaking peeks at you."
Among the dozen or so girls at the reunion, Han Ye-eun stood out unmatched.
"I-I don't know about that..."
But lacking boldness to match her looks, she blushed and bowed her head.
"And judging people by looks is bad. You shouldn't..."
Wondered how she'd proselytize with that personality, but aside from weakness to sincere praise, she wasn't that timid—she fidgeted shyly.
"Anyway, what've you been up to, Ye-eun?"
"Just going to academy. Deneb Academy..."
A peaceful reunion, for now.
At least.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Exchanging formal greetings and small talk, Kang Woojin and Han Ye-eun relived old times.
"So you're still living in Gyeongseong-dong, Woojin?"
"Yeah, that's right."
But that didn't last.
"Hah, fuck. Finally off shift. Took her 10 minutes late. Annoying."
Off-duty Lee Ji-hye plopped into the seat beside Kang Woojin, grumbling.
The bubbly server face was gone.
"Why's there so little food? No one ate dinner yet. Let's order more. Oh, pour me one, Woojin. Somac."
Years of part-timing made her bold—she ordered dishes briskly.
And then.
"Alright, everyone seems here—glasses up, cheers!"
Park Jung-hwan stood at the table's end, glass raised.
"You all busy, thanks for making time."
His toast words barely out, playful boos and cheers erupted everywhere.
"Boo! Bring your fiancée instead!"
"Looking good, groom!"
"Congrats for real."
"Why's he marrying right at 20?"
"Yeah, way too fast."
"Hey hey! Spill it, Jung-hwan—you knock her up?"
"What? Speeding for real?"
"Not groom, baby daddy!"
Giggles mixed with the rowdy vibe as glasses clinked.
"Oh right, anyone drive? Speak up—I'll get parking validated."
Dodging teasing questions, Park Jung-hwan segued.
"Parking? What are we, kids?"
"Wait, didn't Taeyang say he has a car?"
"Yeah, but small one. Dad gave it for commuting."
"Impressive. Own car at 20."
His words sparked car talk; a friend jumped in eagerly.
"Lots have cars now. Academy kids get auto tax breaks, monthly gas cards too."
He was right.
Academy's two-year program was mandatory, but facilities were woefully short.
Couldn't house all high school grads nationwide.
Some subbed online/classes legally skipping academy.
Many commuted long distances.
Public transit for some, personal cars for plenty.
Perks included tax cuts and gas cards.
"Which is why—anyone thinking of buying?"
Detailing benefits, he slid his business card across the table.
"Cars are basically essential here now."
Not a salesman? Used car dealer.
"Not U.S. level, but buy early as student—insurance discounts later."
Scanning, he targeted Ji-hye next to Woojin.
"Whaddya think, Ji-hye?"
"Me? Where'd I get car money?"
"You part-time hard."
"Part-time cash is part-time. And cars cost more to maintain than buy?"
"Nah, not that bad. Good used one, extras minimal. Carpool with friends, save easy. Interested? Hit me up—good deal."
Sprinkling cards, he turned to Woojin.
"Speaking of, Woojin, didn't your family use to be loaded?"
"Huh? Me?"
"Yeah, you. Grab a used one? Less burden than new."
"Already have one."
"Huh? You do? What is it?"
"Bolt's VX90? Something like that?"
"What?! That's over 200 million!"
Way beyond student level—the nameless classmate's eyes bulged.
Not just him.
His loud voice rippled through the buzzing second floor.
"Wh-what's your monthly?"
"Monthly? None."
"Cash buy? Crazy, you're loaded! Where's it parked? Quick peek!"
"Home, obviously. Why bring it drinking?"
Dismissing the dealer, questions poured at Woojin from all sides.
Academy student?
Real job?
Interrogation-level barrage.
'Reunions gonna reunion.'
Calmly replying, Woojin inwardly clicked his tongue.
No pure nostalgia after years.
'These guys really 20? All so materialistic?'
Brief nostalgia aside, friends revealed ulterior motives, heating the mood.
"Glass empty, Ye-eun."
Even Woojin, who'd twisted the original main event, narrowed distance to Han Ye-eun for his goals.
To dismantle Peach Blossom Truth Church.
To "save" future-victims Han Ye-eun and Lee Yeon-hee—and settle personal scores.
"Another? Somac?"
He targeted her first—daughter of leader Han Jong-hoe, NTR victim herself.
"Yeah, thanks, Woojin. I'll pour too."
A few guys eyed the pair unhappily.
"...Fucking annoying."
Suddenly, Kim Taeyang muttered.