Chapter 65
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: I'm Never Drinking With You Again
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"Trainee Lee Yun-seong?"
'Shit...'
Seo Yu-ju looked flustered, probably because she hadn't known Ha Yu-ri was here. The sudden appearance of Ha Yu-ri approaching them had caught her off guard.
"And... Trainee Seo Yu-ju is here too? Ah... you're not a trainee anymore, are you? Sorry about that."
I managed my expression and greeted Ha Yu-ri.
"Hello, Ms. Ha Yu-ri. I didn't expect to see you here..."
"Ms. Seo Yu-ju, what brings you here with Mr. Lee Yun-seong?"
She cut off my greeting and spoke, making my temple throb for a moment, but I calmed myself and answered evenly.
"We're just here for a meal, Ms. Ha Yu-ri."
"Did I ask you? I asked Ms. Seo Yu-ju."
'That bitch...'
The good atmosphere we'd built up was naturally ruined by Ha Yu-ri. Seo Yu-ju's face had gone from cold to icy.
I worried for a second that Seo Yu-ju might snap, but she seemed aware enough not to cause a scene here. She answered Ha Yu-ri quietly.
"...I'm just having a quick meal with Yun-seong."
"Hmm, is that so? Oh, right—about that offer I made to the Incarnation Clan folks. You really haven't given it any thought?"
She was probably referring to the recruitment offer she'd made after our clan fell from grace.
Obviously, I hadn't been included in it. I could still vividly recall Seo Yu-ju ripping up the recruitment letter the moment it arrived at the clan house.
"...Sorry. I'm not interested."
"Hmph..."
Ha Yu-ri seemed dissatisfied with Seo Yu-ju's response. She glanced at me sidelong and spoke up.
"Is it because of Mr. Lee Yun-seong?"
'Crazy bitch.'
"...Pardon?"
"If you're turning it down because of him, think it over. It's a shame. A talent like you tied down to that guy."
She was even crazier than I'd expected. Who says something like that right in front of the person?
Her attitude completely ignored me.
'Unbelievable.'
More than annoyed, I was impressed by Ha Yu-ri. Unless she'd taken a bullet to the head, how could she act like this?
I caught sight of Seo Yu-ju trembling with her head down, so I quickly grabbed her hand on the table.
She looked at me, and I shook my head slightly to convey my intent.
'Don't.'
My heart started pounding with tension. If she pulled out her spear, it would be a disaster.
'Please don't.'
I hoped Seo Yu-ju would understand.
Ha Yu-ri continued as if she'd only taken one bullet to the head.
"You know our clan just got promoted to one of the top three, right, Ms. Seo Yu-ju? Think about it. Ruining your life over one guy..."
"...Get lost."
"...W-what did you say?"
'Shit...! Shit...!'
At least she hadn't drawn her spear—that was fortunate—but this seemed to be her limit in holding back.
"I said get lost."
In the end, my worst fear came true.
"Haha... Ms. Ha Yu-ri, Yu-ju's had a lot to drink, so maybe next time..."
"Shut up. Ms. Seo Yu-ju, what did you just say to me? Are you in your right mind?"
"Are you in your right mind? How can someone be this rude?"
"What?"
People around us started staring as voices rose at our table.
"Yun-seong is a precious clanmate and party member to me. Is it normal to talk like that right in front of him?"
In truth, our social standing was low, but Ha Yu-ri had crossed the line big time.
No matter that I was a newbie and she was a major clan master, nobody treats a rookie like that in public.
"...Hah."
Ha Yu-ri couldn't immediately counter Seo Yu-ju's words, especially with all eyes on them. She couldn't afford to act too aggressively.
"...I didn't realize that guy meant so much to you... enough to make such a stupid choice."
"We're done talking. Please leave."
"This...!"
As Ha Yu-ri started to flare her mana in anger, a Japanese man approached.
"What's going on, Ms. Ha Yu-ri?"
Her mana fizzled out immediately.
"...Nothing, Mr. Kanda."
She seemed eager to impress him and quickly composed herself, linking arms with him and flashing a smile. It was pathetic.
"Hah..."
Seo Yu-ju looked at her with utter disdain.
"Mr. Kanda, let's go somewhere else. I know a great place."
"Is that so? But did you have business with these people...?"
"No, let's go."
"Understood."
'What a pathetic bitch.'
Her attitude flipped like a coin, leaving me speechless.
As Ha Yu-ri left with the man, she muttered to Seo Yu-ju in a low voice.
"...You'll regret this, Ms. Seo Yu-ju."
'You're done for.'
I knew I couldn't let Ha Yu-ri off the hook. As someone hostile to me, I needed to prepare for her now.
'You shouldn't have said you'd make her regret it.'
If she'd just left quietly, maybe, but after that line, I couldn't stay silent.
"Hah... That bitch I could rip apart... Yun-seong, are you okay?"
Seo Yu-ju asked shakily.
She must have been rattled by Ha Yu-ri almost unleashing her mana.
"I'm fine, Yu-ju."
Honestly, I'd broken into a cold sweat when Ha Yu-ri's mana surged, but I said I was okay.
'...Mana stat of 94.'
Indeed, a mana stat of 94 was overwhelming. My body had trembled involuntarily when she flared it—no further explanation needed.
'Can't take her down with raw power.'
"Yun-seong, don't let what that woman said get to you. I do, and the party members do too—we all value you."
"I haven't given it a second thought, so no need to worry. More importantly, sorry. I picked this place and ruined the mood..."
Honestly, Ha Yu-ri's words hadn't bothered me much. I knew what she was like.
But I felt terrible for Seo Yu-ju. I'd planned to treat her big today.
"Why are you sorry, Yun-seong? How could you have known she'd be here? No need to apologize at all, so don't."
"......"
"...If you feel that bad, can you do one thing for me?"
I was surprised Seo Yu-ju was asking me for a favor. She rarely did.
"Ah... sure. If it's something I can do, I'll help."
"Second round with me! Second round!"
"...Second round?"
"Yeah! It's awkward to keep drinking here—let's go somewhere else!"
"...Okay. Let's do second round."
"Hehe... Great!"
I felt bad for her and we still had time, so I agreed to second round.
'Shit...'
"Ugh... Yun-seong... drink more... more..."
I was supporting a completely wasted Seo Yu-ju as we headed back to the clan house.
'Damn it, I'm the idiot who agreed to second round.'
It hadn't ended there—we'd kept drinking for hours.
I'd had plenty myself, so struggling to stay upright while supporting her was exhausting.
"Hoo... Yu-ju, enough... what more? Don't talk nonsense."
"I'm not drunk...! Let's go somewhere else... drink more...!"
'Shit, never drink again... no way.'
"Your... speech is all slurred... if you say drink more, I'm leaving you."
"Nooo... don't... don't leave me...!"
Suddenly, she clung to my right arm with both of hers and started sobbing.
"Hic... don't disappear... Yun-seong... I like you..."
'Shit... why this? Damn it...!'
"...I won't leave. I won't disappear, so stop crying."
"Hic... promise? You won't disappear...?"
"Yes, I promise. So...!"
'Damn.'
Seo Yu-ju's antics had my face flushing red. Passersby were snickering at us.
'Never drinking alone with you again...!'
We'd walked quite a bit, but the clan house was still out of sight. As I sighed in frustration, someone called out.
"Mr. Lee Yun-seong."
"...Ho-yeon?"
'What's Wi Ho-yeon doing here?'
"Why are you out here, Ho-yeon?"
"...The clan master and you hadn't returned late at night, so I came looking."
"...What time is it?"
"2 a.m."
I must have been pretty drunk myself not to notice time passing.
"...The clan master is quite wasted."
"Ah, yeah... Ho-yeon, sorry, but can you help support Yu-ju?"
"Yes, of course. Then, just a moment..."
The problem was Seo Yu-ju refused to let go of me. When Wi Ho-yeon touched her, she flailed and spouted nonsense.
"Nooo...! Don't take Yun-seong away from meee!"
'...What?'
"Cl-clan master?"
Wi Ho-yeon looked hurt at being rejected.
I gave up and spoke.
"...I'll just keep supporting her."
"....."
We finally made it back to the clan house, where everyone was gathered on the first floor, still awake. They'd waited out of worry since we were so late.
"Oppa!"
"...Hey, Yu-rim..."
"Why are you back so late? And Yu-ju unnie..."
"...Yu-ju's really drunk. Can you help get her to her room?"
"Ah... sure!"
Yu-rim and Yu-hyeon took Seo Yu-ju to her room after hearing me.
"Aigoo... whew... looks like you two had a fun date?"
'...What's with her?'
Already exhausted, and now Kang I-seo started talking with a face full of displeasure.
"One of you even dolled up. Why not just stay overnight?"
".... What's your problem?"
"You went drinking alone with Wi Ho-yeon at a bar the other day, didn't you?"
"....."
"Kya~ Already with a girl you just met... and now even Seo Yu-ju."
"No, what are you talking about? It wasn't..."
"Playboy has arrived."
"Playboy? What..."
Suddenly being called a playboy was ridiculous. I could guess Kang I-seo's misunderstanding, but I swear today wasn't like that.
"Cha Hyun-jin told me everything. Don't play innocent..."
Hyun-jin must have seen me and Seo Yu-ju earlier and gotten the wrong idea, relaying it weirdly.
"...I get the misunderstanding, but it's not."
Even as I said it, I felt like trash. I wasn't oblivious to Seo Yu-ju's feelings while drinking.
"Dude, that sounds even worse, you know?"
"....."
"Trash bastard..."
"....."
Honestly, I had no choice. Pushing away a regressor like Seo Yu-ju felt wrong, but I couldn't reciprocate either.
'The best is... things staying just like this.'
Trashy thought, but it was my best option.
Avoiding Kang I-seo's gaze felt burdensome, but she kept pressing.
"Why avoid my eyes? Guilty?"
"I don't know what you're on about..."
"Hah... whatever. Hey, more importantly... you two just drank?"
"...Yeah, just drank. Oh, right."
At my answer, Kang I-seo spoke urgently.
"What?! Shit, something happened, huh? Spill it...!"
"No... we ran into Ha Yu-ri."
Everyone looked puzzled at the sudden mention of Ha Yu-ri.
"What? You ran into Instructor Ha Yu-ri?"
"Yeah. She was at the bar."
I wondered if I should've said anything, but it wasn't a big deal, so it was fine.
"...Nothing happened? That psycho didn't flip out?"
"A minor scuffle, but nothing serious, so don't worry."
"...Not serious?"
"No, really. Anyway, I'm beat—heading up. You all should sleep too; it's late. I'm going to my room."
I crashed into bed without even washing, too tired.
'Damn, exhausted...'
Whether from the booze or fatigue, sleep overtook me.