Eye for an Eye
The moment I resolve on an eye for an eye, a quest pops up like it was waiting for just that. I decide to just check it for now and focus on the music festival.
Today's stage is Dive in Love with Ria. We nail the performance and come offstage, and Ria—having heard the rumors—asks me with a worried look.
"Something happened in the waiting room hallway? With those Solaris guys?"
"Oh, that? It got sorted out nicely. Nicely."
I shrug it off like it's no big deal.
"Really?"
She steps closer, her eyes full of genuine concern, searching mine as if to confirm I'm truly okay.
"Nah, not really."
Thinking back on it, irritation bubbles up again. Ria sighs at my answer and tucks her hair behind her ear.
Daring to lay a hand on my woman?
It might be hypocritical, but I can tolerate NTL—no problem there—but NTR? Absolutely not. That's why I blew a whopping 1,000 IP into thin air just to warn those bastards.
It's not that precious, honestly... fuck, it is precious as hell.
1,000 IP is enough for a brand-new F-rank skill. Sure, the quest reward from the third episode of Overnight Dinner Table airing soon will net me 5,000 IP, but precious is precious.
"Someone from their side was hitting on Nayun, right?"
"Yeah. Something about a trophy or whatever."
"Knew it. Shine Candy's blowing up lately, so I figured the vultures would start circling soon."
Ria lets out a small sigh at my words.
"You know something about it? Of course you do."
She's been around the block way longer than me—she'd have to know.
"You been through it too?"
"Eh, a little? Got flirted with a few times."
She didn't fall for it, obviously. Otherwise, she wouldn't still be a virgin. I give her a trusting look, and she flashes a sly smile before speaking.
"What? You look even more pissed now."
"Yeah. Whoever it is, I wanna smash their face in."
"Don't. If you hit 'em, you might actually kill someone."
Am I a monster or what? Nah, not quite that bad... Turns out she's heard the rumor about me smashing that metal support beam in the waiting room with my bare hands. Maybe that's why, as we walk together, I feel all sorts of eyes on me—curious stares ranging from intrigued to straight-up monstrous fascination. But they're all laced with intense curiosity.
In contrast...
"Solaris guys."
On our way back to the waiting room, Ria spots some boys prepping their stage. Because of what happened earlier, I just stand there glaring, and the ones who notice me quickly avert their eyes.
See? Males need power. That's the universal truth.
Back in the waiting room, Ria sits in a chair and says,
"You know what trophy culture is, right?"
"Roughly. Guys using girls' feelings to toy with them and brag about sleeping with popular idols like trophies, waving their dicks around?"
By my logic, no idiot would fall for that crap... but this is a gender-reversed world. Girls here bet their lives on just dating a guy once. And idols are no different. Plenty of successful ones dream of being good wives and mothers. Female idols dating? Fans celebrate like it's a holiday. Marriage? Total chaos.
The problem is the scumbags exploiting that psychology. I'd look the other way if they kept it in-house, but they touched Nayun. That's the issue.
"So, what're you gonna do?"
"Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. Revenge."
"...Revenge?"
She blinks, not getting it. I flash her a meaningful smile.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The KBC Music Festival wraps up without a hitch. Now I'm waiting for Girls Minute members at a private room cafe in Gangnam.
It's a space for privacy, so no prying female eyes—just me sipping coffee comfortably. Then comes a knock, and the door opens.
A moment later, a slender, delicate girl bows deeply toward me.
"H-Hi!"
Girls Minute's leader, Choi Yeji. A puppy-like beauty with subtle makeup, but her demeanor carries a timid hesitation.
"Hey, good to see you again since that time."
She's three years older, but this is a meeting between a composer and idols, so I keep it casual.
"Y-Yes!"
She takes it in stride, naturally.
"Hello."
Next, a sharp-featured girl with long black hair and striking features bows. Jo Hasl—the one I chatted with briefly in the waiting room hallway. Maybe it's the bold makeup, but she exudes an aura that wouldn't back down from anyone. Looks like she came straight from some event.
"Hope you have a good talk. Fighting, Yeji and Hasl!"
"Fighting!"
"Yes."
The manager who brought them bows to me and quietly closes the door as she leaves.
"You had a schedule?"
"Y-Yeah, an event. B-But you're really gonna write a song for us?"
"Ahh..."
I nod at Choi Yeji's cautious question. Even as an entertainer myself, meeting girl group members isn't something that just happens. So I leveraged my aces.
The title of genius composer.
I've written eight originals so far—starting with Blush, six for Shine Candy, and the ones Ria and I sang. The kicker? Every single one charted in the top 5. Three even hit number one.
[Y-You want to write something that fits our girls?]
Their agency jumped at the chance the moment they hinted at a meeting. For a mid-tier label, nothing beats a killer track and marketing to launch their girls. And I deliver both.
That's how I easily summoned two members to a quiet spot like this.
"Yeah. We already settled on one single. This meeting's to chat about the song with you two."
"For real?"
"Hasl?!"
Jo Hasl sips her Americano and scoffs skeptically. She doesn't buy that I called them just for a song. Fair enough, after the festival incident. And I'm not planning to keep it secret anyway.
"Of course not."
"...Pardon?"
"Knew you'd say that."
"I'll give you the song, sure. But the quality depends on how this chat goes, yeah?"
Hand over the info I want, get a solid track. Hold out? You get trash. Image-wise, even trash from me hits top 100, but still.
Jo Hasl glances at me and asks,
"And that 'chat' means fucking, right?"
I freeze and stare. Is she nuts? I knew she was feisty, but...
Predictably, Choi Yeji's jaw drops as she gawks at her.
Didn't see that coming either, huh? Aren't you girls from a girl group?
"If not, what else is there to talk about? No connection between us and a composer like you..."
"...Song-related stuff?"
"If that was it, you'd have called the whole group. Or done it at the agency."
"......"
"And honestly? I don't mind. Guys as strong as you are my type. You're hot too."
What the...? I called them for Solaris intel, but this is veering off. I glance at Choi Yeji—she's beet red, head down. Leader's just gonna let her teammate spew nonsense?
Throat suddenly dry, I chug the water in front of me. Then, flashing back to first meeting Seoyeon, I look at the two and ask,
"This happens a lot, huh?"
"...S-Sometimes. Some guys like pretty girls."
"Other male composers besides me?"
"Female composers."
"Female?"
"Tool play's trending these days."
Choi Yeji's words. So she's in on the vibe too.
Wait, aren't these rookies? Head's spinning.
I down another glass. Rubbing my throbbing temples, I eye Choi Yeji and Jo Hasl. This spot must feel awkward as hell, but they're just sipping coffee, picking at cake, waiting quietly for my response.
Overcomplicating it?
I just wanted info, but if they offer themselves up in the process? Bon appétit. In this reversed world, that's how it flows—otherwise, absurd. Plus, it'd rack up achievement counts as a bonus.
"Jo Hasl."
I call her name, and she rises like she's been waiting, sauntering over in her stage outfit and leaning into me. Her hand slips under my shirt, caressing my arm and chest.
"...Whoa, rock hard. No wonder you snapped that beam."
She kneads my pecs, sounding impressed. Soon, she strips off my top and starts licking my chest.
Eyeing it, Choi Yeji edges closer cautiously.
"You two look pros at this."
"Lobbying's a thing in this industry... Mid-tier idols like us gotta do what it takes for good songs or airtime. Manager knows, that's why the 'fighting' cheer."
"......"
Scary world. Before long, Choi Yeji's wedged between my legs, nuzzling my crotch.
Enjoying the idols' body lobbying, I ask,
"Remember that hallway thing in the waiting room?"
Jo Hasl pauses her eager sucking on my chest and looks up.
"Pardon? Oh, yeah."
"I'm still pissed. Gotta get revenge."
"...How?"
"They touched mine, so they lose theirs too. What was that Solaris guy's name?"
"Kim Seongchan."
"Tell me about him. His trophies, any idols he's actually into—whatever."
"...Ah."
A gasp escapes Jo Hasl. She gets my angle immediately.
"I know just the person. Was one of his trophies for a bit."
Her gaze slides downward.
"Huh? What?"
Choi Yeji, nose buried in my dick, startles and looks between us. Guess she missed the convo, distracted by my cock. Explains why she ended up his trophy. Perfect.