Following Friends to the Club – The Huckster's Hustle Begins
Friends follow to the club, blah blah blah—the huckster's time had officially kicked off. Just look at this Jongno street vibe; if you plopped down a fat stack here, every con artist in the vicinity would come drooling. I'd zeroed in on one prime mark who looked perfectly gullible and newbie-ish, unleashing a full-blown sales pitch.
"……So, wanna join us?"
"Uh, wha?"
Lily still hadn't quite caught on, staring at me with a blank expression. Yeah, what was there even to think about? We hadn't known each other long, but we'd been battle buddies enduring this narrow-minded world's harsh bullying together. When everyone else was mocking her, this was the only one who'd backed her up by trash-talking that unicorn she loved so much….
Sharing a good opportunity like this was just common sense. Me, Seojun; her, Lily. With all the sincerity I could muster, I pitched the idea of joining the club to this timid kid.
Uli!
"…U, uli!"
"Louder!! Come on! Uli!!!!"
"Uli!!!"
Lily shouted it out reluctantly but with all her might, then sneaked a glance around for reactions.
"B-but, I already promised Jane we'd join a club together…."
"Jane?"
"Y-yeah."
Jane, huh…… Jane? Oh, that Hermione wannabe?
"Just bring her along too. Or did you guys already pick another club?"
"No, not yet. We haven't decided."
"Then ask Jane about it. This place seems pretty good."
I handed Lily the flashy poster Rupert had brought.
"They even throw in free overseas trips. You ever been to Egypt?"
"N-no."
"Me neither. But it's on their schedule. Wouldn't it be cool to check it out?"
Riding a camel in front of the pyramids? Ankh whatever!
I was drumming up hype solo—beating the drum, playing the janggu, even slurping down a bowl of kimchi soup—when Jayden, who'd been watching, snorted derisively.
"The Mythical Artifact Exploration Club gets top-tier funding among all academy clubs. Naturally, entry requirements are strict. They check not just basic magic skills but a certain level of artifact knowledge too."
Jayden clicked his tongue in pity and continued.
"It's not entirely wrong to call it a tourist trip. But that's only tolerated because it's a social club for qualified folks. It's not some playground for just anyone."
Artifact appraisal? Whatever. You learn that stuff gradually once you're in—why demand prior knowledge from kids?
I scratched my cheek at Jayden's buzzkill explanation. I'd figured a world-travel club would be an easy in. Of course it wasn't.
Just as disappointment started creeping onto my face, Rupert stepped forward with an awkward grin.
"Ahaha, Jayden's not totally off, but don't worry too much. My brother's the Exploration Club vice president. He could probably squeeze in, like, five people no problem."
"……Your brother’s the VP? Then what was the point of my explanation? Pointless meddling."
Jayden facepalmed in disbelief, but Rupert just kept beaming like an idiot.
Ooh—thank you! You're a hero, Rupert! I knew I could count on you!!!
Yeah, who needs exams in this world? Good spots have always gone to blood ties, regional connections, networks, and backers, era after era.
I turned to Lily, who was fidgeting quietly beside me.
"Hear that? Don't go blabbing everywhere, just explain it well to Jane. No pressure on you."
"Yeah. Thanks for looking out."
Lily hesitated a moment, then nodded faintly and headed toward Jane.
Jayden sidled up as he watched her go. The intimidating pressure from his Mike Tyson-esque bulk bumped my side. He stared down at me with those sharp eyes and rumbled in a low bass,
"Unexpected. Didn't think you'd care about someone else's schedule."
"……What?"
Jayden's face was its usual deadpan, but a hint of surprise laced his voice. Was he already in club mode? His gaze clung to me like an appraiser re-evaluating an artifact.
"You didn't seem like the type to give a damn about others."
"What're you on about, you octopus-head."
Ugh, this squid-brain sticking to stereotypes. I tried slapping his shoulder…… but could only smack his back instead.
Befriend the nation! Uli!!!
* * *
"So you want us to join this one together?"
Jane eyed the poster cautiously before asking. Lily gripped the hem of her uniform skirt with slightly trembling hands.
"Yeah. I thought it'd be fun with friends…… It's got trips and stuff—sounds kinda exciting."
Lily's voice was still soft, but it carried an uncharacteristic firmness.
This was the first time they'd been out together and Lily had suggested something first. Jane eyed her curiously, finding it a bit novel.
"Sure, let's do it. I'll join too."
Jane agreed readily, and Seojun's name popped into her head. Seojun, huh…… Seojun? Oh, that loose-screw kid?
It was odd for someone usually without opinions to pipe up like this. To outsiders, it might look like Lily being pushed into it by a friend, but Lily had surprising backbone. If she really hated it, she'd never go along.
Which meant this suggestion came from Lily's genuine desire—a bold move on her part.
Jane stared blankly at Lily for a second, then shrugged with a grin.
"Can't block my friend from joining a club with her boyfriend, right?"
"Wh-what? No, you're an important friend too. If you don't like it, we can go somewhere else."
Lily tilted her head like what the heck? and Jane's mouth twitched awkwardly.
She truly couldn't grasp why "boyfriend" had slipped out here—her face said it all. And from the look, she was sincerely worried about hurting her friend's feelings.
Facing those clear, innocent eyes head-on made Jane feel like the jerk for teasing.
"Haha, no no! I like it. Totally like it! Just bored and talking nonsense."
Jane waved her hands frantically, afraid Lily might actually suggest leaving.
"So we're doing this together? Decided?"
"Yeah, decided! Exploration Club sounds great. Super fun!"
Lily beamed and nodded vigorously, thrilled it had worked out. Jane finally let out a secret sigh of relief.
Whew, what was I even saying to this girl.
Lily was still too pure for that stuff. No payoff for Jane, who inwardly facepalmed while watching her innocent friend smile.
Our Lily's still a baby!
But when did she get so chummy with that guy?
Jane recalled Seojun's face from before. Perpetual sourpuss with what seemed like half his screws missing. Half-zoned out every day, soul probably wandering off constantly—eyes all flickery and vacant, like he was live-streaming his own runaway episodes.
But show him food, and bam—ghost senses kicked in. Lights on in those eyes, cheeks ballooning as he scarfed down steak like a champ.
……Seriously, only when eating does it feel like not just the screws but the whole machine revs full throttle.
Puppet without a soul turning hyper-vivid at the chow bowl. Jane shook her head at the bizarre contrast.
How had directionless Lily formed that kind of vibe with such a weirdo? No clue.
Jane shot a suspicious side-eye at Lily's sunny profile.
It's the face, isn't it?
Through her softly cascading auburn hair, Lily's face shone—unrealistically pretty, even to friend Jane. Fragile vibe like she'd shatter if poked, those clear eyes. Especially the faint freckles dusting her nose like stardust on translucent skin, like watercolor accents completing her dreamy aura.
Just standing there softened the air around her, making you want to shield her from the whole world. That was Jane's friend, Lily.
"Feeling okay lately?"
At Jane's worried question, Lily flashed an awkward smile.
"Huh? Me? Always good. Why?"
"Just…… Sucks we're in different dorms."
Jane added casually, and Lily blushed a bit before grinning brightly.
"Ah! I miss it too. If we were together, we'd talk all night, right?"
Her standout looks drew unwanted attention, and lately some nasty bullying too. Jane had tried her best to shield her like it was her own problem, but different dorms meant limits.
Imagining Lily distressed somewhere out of reach always left a nagging unease.
At least she's making more friends now…… that's something.
Jane swallowed her regret that it couldn't be better kids.
Why him of all people?
The girl side-eyed her friend's sunny profile with a dubious glance.
Definitely the face.