Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: The Chaebol's Only Daughter Yu Ha-yul (2)
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'Fewer customers than usual today?'
It was a weekday afternoon, the time when the cafe should have been packed, but for some reason, it was dead quiet.
There were still plenty of regulars who'd become loyal thanks to the detox drinks, but hardly any new faces in sight.
"Hmm, what's going on? Did something happen?"
I was pondering what could have caused all these new customers to suddenly vanish when—
"Boss, all the cafes around here are acting weird!"
Su-hyun, who'd taken the morning off and just arrived for her shift, came rushing in to report.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, franchise cafes running discount events isn't unusual, right?"
"Sure. Coupons and promotions are their big selling point."
"But different franchises are all doing the exact same discount events?"
Huh? Normally, only one place does an event like that, doesn't it?
All of them running discounts?
"I checked it out because it seemed fishy, and the other branches aren't doing any discounts at all."
"So only the franchises around our cafe are running events?"
"Yeah. Even the regular independent cafes are all doing the same promotions."
"Su-hyun, watch the shop for me. I'll go check it out myself."
I headed straight outside to scout the neighboring cafes.
Just as Su-hyun said, every single one was running discounts on not just coffee, but desserts too.
'What the hell is this?'
Coffee for a flat thousand won?
Even franchises that run on thin margins couldn't possibly profit at that price.
And desserts at half off as standard?
'No way, are they all trying to go bankrupt or something!?'
If it was just one place, I could understand, but everywhere was the same.
Even the non-franchises, just like Su-hyun mentioned—it was enough to drive anyone insane.
'The other branches are fine, just this area...'
What the hell had happened?
The reason mattered, but right now, countermeasures were priority.
'Should we join in?'
Did we have to dive into this race to the bottom?
I didn't want to, but if we sat it out, we might lose all our regulars.
'Habits are a scary thing. Eventually, they'd forget all about our cafe.'
Sure, the first time they'd stray for the cheap prices, but over time it'd become habit, and even after the events ended, their feet would naturally carry them elsewhere.
'If only I'd made some coupons!'
They'd have come back here out of reluctance to waste them!
Too late for regrets now, though. It was way past the point where making coupons would help.
As I reluctantly spied on the competition, a familiar face caught my eye.
'Isn't that...?'
The spoiled bitch I'd hypnotized and chased off last time?
Why was she here?
She wasn't a customer—dressed in a suit, barking orders at the staff from behind the counter like she owned the place.
'Geumseong Corporation, right?'
I remembered the customers gossiping about her that day, so I looked her up.
A mega-conglomerate with fingers in hotels, weapons, mana stone processing, and logistics—but zero articles or info on cafes.
'Why is she here?'
The hypnosis I'd put on her should've cut off all interest in me and our cafe, so even if Geumseong jumped into the cafe business, there'd be no reason to set up shop around here.
Calling it a hilarious coincidence felt too convenient.
Right then, our eyes met through the glass window as she turned her head.
The spoiled bitch grinned, said something to the people around her, and came outside.
"We meet again?"
Hearing that made my heart sink.
Even if it was pure coincidence that she'd started a cafe business here, she shouldn't have any interest in me—greeting me like this meant the hypnosis had worn off, right?
'The hypnosis breaking isn't a big deal.'
It was only first-stage hypnosis anyway; anyone with strong enough willpower could shake it off.
What mattered was whether she'd felt any discomfort afterward and grown suspicious.
'She wouldn't suspect me, would she?'
I didn't want anyone finding out I had a hypnosis skill.
If they did, forget it being about some insane skill—would anyone even approach me?
They'd treat me like a walking nuke, and who knows, the government might kidnap me for experiments.
Not that I knew if they actually did stuff like that.
"Oh? Not even going to say hello?"
"Who are you?"
I played dumb, just in case.
Her smile deepened.
"Who else? The victim of your illegal actions."
"Illegal actions?"
"Artifact Possession Act, Article 7, Section 3: For Class 2 or higher artifacts capable of harming others, even with a possession permit, use on civilians is strictly prohibited except in life-threatening defensive situations."
"Huh?"
"Artifact Possession Act, Article 10, Section 1: Artifacts granting mental abilities are prohibited for possession by anyone except B-rank or higher hunters, heroes, or government employees."
She spoke softly, but I heard every word clearly.
From what she said, I realized her misunderstanding about me—and felt a wave of relief.
"How could you commit two illegal acts on a customer like that?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
She'd broken the hypnosis, whether through willpower or some trick, and felt the incongruity.
Luckily, she'd chalked it up to an artifact, not my skill.
"Is that bracelet an artifact? Or the ring? Either way, I won't forgive you a third time, so watch yourself."
The bracelet from Yu-ra noona and our matching rings only fueled her misconception.
"I really have no clue what you mean."
"Yeah, yeah, keep playing dumb. Anyway, if you're here for coffee, come on in."
"I have something to discuss first."
"We'll talk inside. We can't stand out here forever, right?"
No choice but to follow her lead and go in.
The coffee? Just standard franchise stuff—nothing special.
"So, what do you want to say?"
"...All this happening right now—is it your doing?"
"Uh, if you mean the discount events, yeah, it is. I'm investing in the cafe business this time. Acquiring existing cafes is way easier than opening new ones, so I pulled some strings."
"Why these cafes around here, of all places?"
"Great location, isn't it?"
The corners of her mouth stretched wide.
Paired with her fierce eyes, she exuded a wild, beastly beauty—but to me, she just looked obnoxious.
"For real?"
"Or do you think I'm doing this to get your attention? Talk about self-obsessed."
It was the truth.
The emotion in her eyes confirmed her words were genuine.
"How long do you plan to keep these events going?"
"No set end date. All the cafes around here are mine now anyway, so no one's getting hurt if I keep it up."
This fucking bitch?
In other words, she'd keep it going until our cafe went under?
I was so pissed my hands started shaking.
'Hypnosis—try again?'
Since it might wear off like last time, I planned to start with first-stage to make contact, then escalate to second-stage.
"Whoops, told you it won't work. People always try to exploit any useful tool they get."
But it didn't take.
"It's an artifact that blocks mental skills. Super hard to get, but for me? Piece of cake."
A necklace with a small mana stone dangled from her fingers. As if to prove it blocked my hypnosis, a faint light flickered in the red stone and faded.
First-stage was useless. Second-stage might work—at best.
'This is when I really miss that final boss being gone!'
With the original hypnosis skill, I'd have ignored that junk and hypnotized her on the spot!
'She wants something from me.'
Yu Ha-yul wasn't just some spoiled brat.
The emotion in her eyes since earlier was attachment—directed at me.
'It feels gross and clingy.'
Not the loving affection from Seo-yeon or Yu-ra noona.
This was the nasty kind, like she wanted to possess me as an object.
"So, what do you want?"
"Heh, quick on the uptake."
Asking Yu-ra noona or Seo-yeon for help was out.
If Yu-ra noona stepped in, the media could spin it as a hunter meddling in business and wielding power.
Seo-yeon's hacking was impressive, but if my hypnosis got blocked by an artifact, their corporate security would be airtight too.
So, I had to handle this myself.
"Business talk like this isn't great out in the open, huh?"
I'd use contact for second-stage hypnosis and change her mind.
If even that failed...
"I'll send a car to your cafe by 10 p.m. tonight. We'll talk at our hotel."
I'd figure it out then.
＊＊＊
'Ugh, I really shouldn't keep doing this...'
Around 8 p.m., just before clocking out.
Choi Yu-ra stretched her shoulders after returning to the guild from supporting another team's gate clear.
Every day was hectic, but knowing her pitching in meant fewer losses for her guild family made her happy—though lately, it had caused her another problem.
'Still gotta do it tonight, right?'
Her nightly ritual: calling Yoo Jun-hyuk before bed.
A simple call between lovers? No issue there.
The problem was masturbating during the call—every time.
"Ngh...!"
It was all for curing premature ejaculation and controlling her power in aroused states.
Even now, she trembled from the vibrator's buzz. It was perverted, sure, but framing it as treatment helped her endure the shame.
"Hoo... How long do I have to keep this up?"
But masturbating secretly during calls with Jun-hyuk felt different.
Hiding it from her boyfriend and sneaking off during calls?
It felt more shameful and twisted than using toys in public.
"It's working, so just a bit longer."
She could've just gone to a doctor.
Never fear hospitals, folks.
Just then, a message from Yoo Jun-hyuk popped up.
[Sis, probably can't call tonight. Got a 10 p.m. meeting at a hotel for work.]
[Who're you meeting that you have to go to a hotel?]
[Yu Ha-yul, heiress to Geumseong Corporation. You know Stardust Hotel? The one we've been to a few times. She's the owner. Meeting her there.]
What kind of "work" required meeting a chaebol heiress like that?
Choi Yu-ra knew the name, even if she'd never met her. Nag too much, and he'd feel smothered, so she replied that she understood.
'Yu Ha-yul? Where have I heard that...?'
Not her existence, but a rumor about her.
She didn't chase gossip, but she'd overheard guildmates chatting, and something about Yu Ha-yul stuck out.
'What was it again?'
She couldn't quite recall.
Heading out, she found her teammate Choi A-rang, about to leave.
"Yu Ha-yul? Oh, that super spoiled bitch?"
"Yeah, didn't we talk about her before?"
"We did. It's just rumors, though. Why the sudden interest?"
"Tell me about it."
"So, the word on her is..."
Choi A-rang dredged up her memory.
"NTR master? Loves stealing guys with girlfriends."
Choi Yu-ra tensed up.
"Not just stealing—she plays with them and dumps them. Rumors, yeah, but tons of witnesses and jilted guys backing it up, so it's half-true at least. Her company settles with victims, buys off the press, so it doesn't blow up. But anyone in the know? They know."
The secret toy couldn't handle her grip and crumbled to powder.
"Huh? What was that? Sounded like something broke..."
"Nothing. Thanks for the info."
After Choi Yu-ra left, tiny plastic shards littered the spot like breadcrumbs.
"What the...? What's this?"
Choi A-rang squatted to check.
The slightly damp powder sparked a lewd thought out of nowhere.
"No way she was walking around with a dildo in and clenched so hard it powdered?"
She shook her head with a smirk.
As if Korea's hero, Choi Yu-ra, would do something that pervy?
A top-10 global hero wearing a dildo on the job?
Only a total freak would.
Probably just bad cleaning.
'Watched too much outdoor play porn lately—my brain's filthy.'
For mental health, no fapping for a week.
'...A week's too long. Three days.'
Of course, that resolve lasted all of three hours.