Chapter 181
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 181
Chapter Title: Honey Trap (3)
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Woo Seohyun had adapted to the clan remarkably quickly in just a week.
If no one knew she was an executive of the Execution Society, she would have looked like the perfect polite new recruit.
I had no idea what her real personality was like, but on the surface, her behavior inside the clan was incredibly friendly.
That was why her reputation within the clan was already quite good.
She managed her image exceptionally well—even the picky Kang I-seo had a positive opinion of her.
"Ah, Yun-seong! Hello!"
"Ah, Woo Seohyun. How are you settling in?"
"Yes. Everyone's been so kind to me; it's incredibly comfortable."
Her bright smile made it impossible to think she was lying.
'Really? It's an honor beyond words that an executive of the Execution Society finds it comfortable here.'
"Haha, glad to hear it. If there's anything inconvenient, please let me know anytime."
'Showing too much interest here would be overkill. Better to play it natural.'
It had only been a week since Woo Seohyun joined.
If I chatted her up too much or showed excessive interest, she might sense something off.
Someone capable of this level of acting would likely notice if I clumsily tried to pry for info.
Anyway, we'd exchanged polite greetings, and I was about to leave when—
"Ah! Wait!"
Woo Seohyun grabbed my sleeve and stopped me.
"...Yes? Something wrong?"
"Ahaha... Um, do you have some time?"
'...Do I have time?'
If an executive of the Execution Society wanted it, I'd make time out of thin air.
"Sure, I do."
"I, uh, ran into something confusing while working... Could you explain it to me?"
'What?'
I froze for a second as she suddenly pressed close to me.
It wasn't overly intimate, but just close enough for a man to notice.
If this was intentional, it was impressively done.
"I thought you'd explain it best, Yun-seong. Hehe..."
"....."
'This woman...'
It might've been my imagination, but Woo Seohyun was deliberately coming on to me.
Any regular guy would've felt his heart race at her actions. Objectively, she was a stunning beauty.
I instantly schooled my expression and reacted.
'She's putting on that good a show; I should respond in kind.'
"Ah, sure. I have plenty of time to help, so I'll explain whatever I can."
"Thank you so much. I hope I'm not being too forward..."
"Haha, no. It's only natural to help a beauty like you, Seohyun."
Pretending to be a womanizer was right in my wheelhouse.
'...Lately, the situation makes it feel like I'm actually one.'
Even after that day, she started asking me personal questions or striking up conversations more and more frequently.
If I were clueless, I'd think Woo Seohyun had a crush on me.
At this point, I could guess why the Execution Society sent her.
'They sent her to seduce me, huh?'
Of course, she didn't only approach me—she treated others differently too, but subtly so with me.
It felt like she knew exactly how to charm a man.
But there was one thing Woo Seohyun hadn't accounted for: my relationship with Seo Yu-ju.
She might not have known before joining, but she'd have figured it out soon enough.
That was why she never approached me when Seo Yu-ju was around.
'Playing it safe, huh. Makes sense; it'd cause a scene in front of Yu-ju.'
Seo Yu-ju's near-obsessive reaction to me was something even Woo Seohyun couldn't ignore now.
I'd bet anything: if Woo Seohyun tried that in front of Seo Yu-ju, she'd be out of the clan in a heartbeat.
And while I didn't know how big a role they expected her to play, I needed to give them the impression their plan was working.
'Problem is on my end—I have to watch out for Seo Yu-ju and Wi Hoyeon.'
I didn't want pointless misunderstandings between those two.
But telling them Woo Seohyun's true identity was tricky. I planned to use the Execution Society to help Seo Yu-ju grow this time.
'...Somehow, I feel like the cheating boyfriend now.'
I had to develop things with Woo Seohyun while avoiding Seo Yu-ju and Wi Hoyeon's eyes as much as possible.
- Report?
"...It's complicated."
- ...Woo Seohyun, give a detailed report, not one-liners.
Woo Seohyun bristled at those words.
"Ha... Why do you talk like that? I'm not your subordinate."
- ...We have to report to the boss. We need progress on her, Eternity's forces, etc., so we can plan our next move.
"Report? Hey, you bow-wielding bitch. Why do I have to take on this annoying role? Why the hell am I seducing some guy? Am I a whore or something?"
Woo Seohyun couldn't wrap her head around any of these orders.
From seducing Lee Yun-seong to infiltrating Eternity as a spy.
Of course, she knew about Lee Yun-seong from rumors.
The guy who exposed spy Shin Ju-tae. And achievements unbelievable for a first-year player.
'...Still, just a guy with a dick at the end of the day.'
- It's all the boss's orders. Don't question it.
"Hoo... You and that mute sidekick of yours piss me off just the same. You two act all high and mighty just because you know the boss's face?"
- You know that's not it.
"Then what? Your tone's trash, and why aren't you two on the front lines? Why am I taking all the risks?"
- .... I'm not slacking. I'm carrying out the boss's separate orders.
'Damn bitch.'
Shin Ju-tae's execution after being exposed as a spy in Myth Clan was infamous.
There was no guarantee she wouldn't follow in his footsteps.
'...Fuck, and what's with the levels in Eternity? Aren't they supposed to be 1-2 year rookies?'
The guardian priest or the deadeye archer were understandable.
Impressive for their experience, sure, but not beyond reason.
The real issue was Eternity's master, Seo Yu-ju.
At first, hearing a first-year newbie got a ranker spot made her scoff.
She'd thought the idiots had finally lost it en masse.
But meeting her in person left her dumbfounded.
'...I can't beat her. If we fight, I lose for sure.'
During the interview, she couldn't believe her eyes.
Seo Yu-ju's aura was no joke.
'...Almost on par with the three major clan masters.'
She'd dismissed the rumors as exaggerated.
Clearing the tutorial in record time, matching instructors at the training facility demo, soloing rare and hero dungeons fast.
Even dominating the last major expedition and overwhelming Plum Blossom Clan's master.
All absurd feats for a first-year.
But seeing Seo Yu-ju with her own eyes convinced her the rumors were true, not hype.
'And she's not the only problem.'
Lee Yun-seong, the target, was a non-issue. The women around him were.
'I knew about the Sword Empress already, but who's this Shalis?'
Obvious at a glance: a powerhouse on her level.
Her take since joining Eternity: small numbers, but every member was freakishly strong.
People who should be clan masters were just regular members here.
"...If you're thinking of hitting Eternity, rethink it. That's my report."
A questioning voice came from the crystal orb.
- ...Why?
"Because their known forces are way off."
- ......
"Mark my words: if you move assuming Eternity's master has newbie-level power, you're screwed."
- We know Eternity's master is better than expected. Rumors aren't all true, but we figured she's strong to some degree—
"Ha, sorry, but you're mistaken."
'Stupid bow bitch. Or is it obvious?'
Makes sense, really—Woo Seohyun had thought the same until meeting Seo Yu-ju.
- Mistaken how?
"Seo Yu-ju's not just strong. She's on the level of the three major clan masters."
- ...Deep Priestess. Even if Seo Yu-ju's a ranker, you think a barely first-year player matches them?
"Believe me or not, that's your call. I'm the one risking my neck infiltrating Eternity. If you're ignoring my input, I'm done."
- ...Got it for now. Anyone else to watch?
"Obviously. The two guards on Lee Yun-seong are problems too."
- .... One's the Sword Empress, so who's the other?
"Yeah. A woman named Shalis—looks like a native. No clue why a native's in Eternity."
- I'll look into her. Anything else?
"Lee Jae-hyo, original member. Lost an eye, but not ignorable. Among the rest... archer and priest. Oh, and Kim Ho-won the tank."
- Noted.
"And you told me to seduce Lee Yun-seong, but there's an issue."
- What now?
"...He's dating Seo Yu-ju. That's fine, but her looks are insane. You think stealing a guy from her is easy?"
- They're dating?
"Seo Yu-ju's feelings for him are borderline obsessive. Gotta seduce him behind her back."
- .....
"Why so quiet? Still going ahead?"
- No changes to the plan for now. Might even be better. If that's true, we could take out Seo Yu-ju through him too.
"Easy for you to say. Joke's on you? Why not do it yourself, hot stuff?"
- I'll take that as a compliment.
"Ha... Hanging up."
Woo Seohyun cut off without waiting for a reply and spat curses.
"Fuckin' bitch. Makes me wanna quit everything."
She had no idea something in her shadow was listening to every word.