Chapter 182
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: Honey Trap (4)
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'So that's how it is...'
After listening to Woo Seo-hyeon's conversation, I had plenty to mull over.
I hadn't had the slightest inkling that their scheme was a genuine honey trap, but thinking about it, it wasn't all that strange.
Looking back at Earth's ancient history, seduction had proven to be a remarkably effective method for extracting information and achieving objectives.
It was so reliable that it even earned a spot among the Thirty-Six Stratagems.
'Ha, never thought I'd fall for a honey trap myself. Never imagined I'd have an experience like this in my lifetime.'
One thing was clear: their target was me, and Eternity.
I wasn't sure about Eternity yet, but they were definitely gunning for me.
'Strange. What do they stand to gain by targeting me? Or are they planning to use me as a hostage to get something else?'
It would have been great if I could have gleaned their leader's thoughts from the conversation, but Woo Seo-hyeon didn't seem to know the details.
'...Or it could just be simple revenge.'
Lately, I'd been asking the other clan members about Woo Seo-hyeon, just in case there was something I'd overlooked.
During a casual chat with Hyun-jin, I naturally brought her up.
"Ah... Sister Seo-hyeon?"
"...Sister Seo-hyeon?"
"Yeah, she told me it's okay to treat her casually..."
'She's really good at acting. She's already infiltrated this deeply?'
"I see. Anyway, what do you think of her? She seems like a decent person?"
"Yeah, she's super considerate about everything, and honestly, it feels like our positions are reversed."
"Reversed how?"
"Normally, I'd be the one teaching her things or looking out for her, right? Eternity must feel pretty foreign to her."
"Ah..."
"But instead, I'm the one being taken care of, so it feels kinda weird."
"Hmm... Nothing else that stands out or bothers you?"
"Huh? Stands out how?"
"Anything at all. Even small stuff."
Hyun-jin pondered my words for a moment before cautiously speaking up.
As a bonus, he glanced at Wi Ho-yeon, who was standing by my side as my guard.
"Um... Brother. I'm saying this because you're my brother."
"Yeah, what is it?"
I was pretty expectant. Maybe Hyun-jin had noticed something I'd missed.
Plus, his expression and tone were so hesitant that I couldn't help but get my hopes up.
"Well... Do you think I have a shot with Sister Seo-hyeon?"
"...What?"
For a second, I couldn't process Hyun-jin's question.
"Just my take, but I kinda feel like she might be into me. Right? Brother, what do you think?!"
'What the hell is this guy saying?'
It was the kind of question that made me suspect he'd taken a bullet to the head.
"Brother, can't you put in a good word for me?"
Seeing him ask with sparkling eyes, I barely restrained the urge to smack him.
'Ha, this kid needs to date someone soon. Otherwise, he's gonna get mixed up with the wrong woman and ruin his life.'
"...Hyun-jin."
"Yes, Brother!"
"What exactly makes you think Woo Seo-hyeon... likes you?"
"For starters, she smiles when she greets me!"
"You idiot, would she scowl at a fellow clan member?"
"No, she really smiles! When a woman smiles at a guy like that, isn't it a signal?"
'What am I supposed to do with this kid?'
"...Hyun-jin, she's just smiling and greeting you because you're in the same clan."
Hyun-jin waved his hand dismissively, as if I was talking nonsense.
"Nah, Brother. It's different from how she greets others. She smiles extra nicely just at me..."
I couldn't help but rub my forehead.
"...Alright, fine. What else?"
"Huh?"
"Come on, there must be other reasons you're thinking—or mistaking—this, right?"
"Well, she told me it's okay to be casual with her first, and she asked about my job and stats..."
"What?"
"Oh, she said I was amazing. Asked how a first-year could grow so fast..."
"Wait, hold up. She asked about your job and stats? What do you mean?"
'This idiot, don't tell me...'
"Not directly or anything. It just came up in conversation, so I answered. So..."
'This dumbass...!'
From what I could tell, this moron had basically undergone a full background check, Earth-style.
I didn't even need to hear more; the picture formed in my head automatically.
From Woo Seo-hyeon's perspective, a few smiles and friendly vibes would have lowered his guard instantly. Then she'd steer the conversation naturally to probe for info.
And this fool, oblivious, would grin and spill everything, thrilled just that she was talking to him.
Whether on Earth or here, the rule's the same: always be cautious when someone way out of your league treats you nicely.
"Damn it, Hyun-jin."
"Yes?"
Hyun-jin looked flustered at my sudden curse.
"Haven't I told you a million times? Never share your personal info. I taught you that back at the training facility."
"Come on, Brother. I didn't tell her everything exactly. I'm not that—"
"You idiot. Of course you didn't spill it all verbatim. But you said enough, right? You think it's hard to infer the rest?"
"B-But Sister Seo-hyeon wouldn't harm me, and she's a clan member..."
"Hyun-jin, if I asked for your status window, would you show it?"
"Huh? Of course."
'Oh man, this guy's lost it.'
It showed how much he trusted me, sure, but his attitude still made my stomach turn.
Even Wi Ho-yeon, who'd been listening, seemed exasperated and spoke up to him.
"...Mr. Cha Hyun-jin, you should never share your status window, no matter how close you are. They taught that at the training facility."
"Ah..."
With Wi Ho-yeon chiming in, he finally seemed to realize he'd messed up.
"Hyun-jin. From what I see, Woo Seo-hyeon doesn't like you like that. You need to start being more cautious from now on."
"Huh?"
"You... You're the type who could end up ruined if you date the wrong woman."
Hyun-jin looked hurt as he asked back.
"R-Really?"
"Yes, you idiot. How much do you trust me? If I tell you to do something, will you?"
"...I trust everything you say, Brother."
"Then do as I say. Don't suddenly confess to Woo Seo-hyeon or anything."
I was dead serious.
If Hyun-jin went and confessed, putting her on the spot, it'd put me in a tough position.
Unlikely, but if she vanished after rejecting him, I'd be the one in a bind.
"...Got it, Brother."
'Whew...'
At least it felt like I'd taken some minimal precautions.
As I started walking away from Hyun-jin, Wi Ho-yeon quietly approached me.
"...Mr. Lee Yun-seong."
"Ah, yes."
"...Am I and the Master not enough for you?"
Her words nearly made me trip. She grabbed my arm just in time, steadying me.
"...What do you mean by that?"
"If it's because I haven't been available lately, just say the word, and I can..."
"What kind of misunderstanding is this? What..."
"...You've been paying a lot of attention to Ms. Woo Seo-hyeon lately..."
'Ah, so that's the misunderstanding.'
It made sense from Wi Ho-yeon's perspective.
Woo Seo-hyeon knew about Seo Yu-ju and me, so she avoided approaching when Yu-ju was around.
In other words, she didn't know about Wi Ho-yeon and me, so she'd shown interest around Wi Ho-yeon.
And here I was, asking everyone about Woo Seo-hyeon, so yeah, easy to misread.
"I-If I've upset you, Mr. Lee Yun-seong, I'm sorry. It wasn't my place to..."
"Not upsetting at all, so don't say that. I was just caught off guard for a second."
"...That's a relief."
"I am interested in Woo Seo-hyeon, yes."
Wi Ho-yeon's eyes wavered at my words. She tried to hide it, but she couldn't fool me.
'Who knew our Sword Empress had such a cute side?'
"...I see."
Her face stayed composed, pretending it was nothing, but it hurt to watch.
I chuckled softly and whispered in her ear.
"...Don't worry. It's not romantic interest."
Whispering casually in her ear made her tremble. Her breathing grew ragged too.
"Ah... Yes, if that's the case..."
"She's just on my mind. New clan member and all. Naturally, I'd want to know what kind of person she is, her tendencies."
"Ah..."
She looked a bit disappointed when I switched back to polite speech.
I couldn't tell Wi Ho-yeon everything about Woo Seo-hyeon. My growth plans included her too.
'The worry is that she might blame herself if she feels she failed to protect me unnecessarily...'
It was a crappy fix, but a few intimate sessions with Wi Ho-yeon would sort out her guilt.
Odd as it sounds, that's the most effective way to ease her sense of responsibility.
I hadn't known before, but lately I'd gotten the hang of handling her.
'The issue is Seo Yu-ju, but as long as I'm not actually dying, she'll hold firm.'
If it was just acting dead, not really dead, I figured I could smooth things over.
"What do you think of Woo Seo-hyeon, Ms. Ho-yeon? Say anything; it's fine."
"...R-Really, anything?"
'What, planning to curse her out?'
"Yes, of course. Even curses are okay. We're alone, right?"
Wi Ho-yeon's response was nothing like I'd expected.
"...She's brazen."
"Pardon?"
'What?'
"I can feel her deliberately approaching you whenever she gets the chance. I get that a woman might do that, but for someone who just joined the clan to act that way toward you... It's too brazen."
"Uh..."
"It doesn't sit well, like she's trying to steal you from the Master. Of course, from me too..."
Her shy downward glance and peek up at me tickled something inside.
Her flushed face showed she was embarrassed saying it.
'...She's not doing this on purpose, is she?'
It was tempting to think she was teasing me deliberately.
Of course, I knew it wasn't intentional. Wi Ho-yeon wasn't the type.
"Ms. Ho-yeon."
"...Yes, Mr. Lee Yun-seong."
"You're not doing this on purpose, right?"
"Pardon?"
"...You're driving me crazy."
"Ah..."
"...Not on purpose, right?"
I lifted her chin with one hand and asked. She froze, holding her breath for a moment.