Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Black Card, Model's Struggles
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Vrooom!
Ha Young's car sped toward White Night Castle.
Humans really were animals that evolved through repetition—after a solid week of driving to and from work five days a week, Ha Young's skills behind the wheel had noticeably improved.
Bump!
...Or maybe not?
It might just look that way because the roads were clogged with cars, forcing her to crawl along.
"Ugh... People in this country drive like total idiots, don't they? You think anyone wants to go slow?"
Ha Young tapped the steering wheel with her fingers, venting her frustration.
It was a rare emotional display from her usual composed self.
Driving was said to be a mirror reflecting one's inner nature.
Driving and drinking.
Nothing revealed a person's true colors quite like those two.
Honk honk!
"Ow... seriously!"
Of course, this didn't mean it was her true nature, but gripping the wheel definitely made anyone more prone to anger.
"Why is this guy hugging the left lane at a constant speed...?"
"Just pass him?"
"I want to, but that truck in the next lane's got me scared."
As Ha Young said, a massive truck loaded with enormous coils rumbled along beside them.
Those coils were seriously heavy, right?
They were supposedly one of the vehicles drivers dreaded most on the road.
"Anyway, there's way more traffic today... It's not usually like this."
"Yeah. Some event going on or something?"
It wasn't even 9 a.m. yet.
Were all these people heading to Seoul for a day trip?
Whatever the reason, at this pace, it'd take longer than expected.
The navigation showed over 30 minutes until arrival.
Might as well catch a nap.
Jolt!
...Or stay awake?
**
We arrived at White Night Castle without any real incidents. Well, there was almost a minor one.
Screech!
She drove safely enough on the road, but trouble hit during parking.
"...Looks kinda tight. What about somewhere else?"
"It's fine. I've done this plenty."
White Night Castle only had underground parking, and Ha Young had picked a spot right next to a pillar.
Screech!
Whoa. Nearly scraped it bad.
Without the side sensors, we'd have had an intimate pillar hug.
"You sure it's okay?"
"...Yeah."
Screech!
"Done. Hop out."
Thanks to the parking assist system—a pinnacle of modern tech—we parked perfectly.
The only minor issue: the pillar meant I had to climb out backward.
"But Dawn, why'd you wanna come here all of a sudden? Shopping at the department store?"
"Well... you'll see when we get there."
Ha Young prodded, but I brushed it off.
No fun in spoiling surprises.
"Whoa... so many people?"
Up on the first floor, crowds packed the place shoulder-to-shoulder.
Even more than during that popup store last time. Was there really an event?
"Dawn, where to?"
"Up to the department store floors first."
White Night Castle's department store spanned floors 60 to 77. Three ways to get there:
Escalator or elevator, or climbing the endless emergency stairs like a maniac.
Escalator wasn't great either— it'd take at least an hour to floor 60.
So most folks chose elevators.
"...The line's long. We good waiting there?"
Ha Young grimaced in disgust.
Five elevators total. The display overhead flashed a 30-minute wait.
"No way I'm waiting."
How could anyone?
I hated long waits even at trendy restaurants—30 minutes for an elevator? Pass.
"This way."
I led Ha Young to a quieter, less crowded area.
It wasn't shady, though—it was fancier than the main lobby. Sparkling jewels embedded in the walls.
"...Dawn? We probably shouldn't be here."
Her concern made sense. These upscale spots had an aura that made your heart shrink.
Honestly, I felt it too.
"It's fine. Hurry up."
But I pressed on.
Our footsteps echoed in the elegant hallway until a new elevator appeared.
Two burly guards stood in front. I flashed them a card.
A sleek black card gleaming mysteriously.
[White Night VIP Card]
Joo Ha-neul had delivered it personally.
A black card reserved for the elite of VIPs.
Fewer than 500 people owned one, they said.
And I was probably the only anonymous holder.
The guard scanned it.
Beep!
No issues. He escorted us inside.
Their training shone through—no stares at a kid with a black card. Just professional blankness behind sunglasses.
I liked that.
"What floor?"
"Uh... 70."
Ding!
He pressed 70, and we shot up express-style.
"......"
The walls were all glass. Floor too.
Seoul's skyline unfolded below...
...Why was I scared of this?
My skinny knees trembled uncontrollably. My hand clutched Ha Young's sleeve.
"......!"
Was the building swaying in the wind, or was I hyper-aware of the vibrations?
Past floor 40, I squeezed my eyes shut.
Ding!
Luckily, we arrived before I passed out.
"You okay, Dawn? Didn't know you had vertigo."
"......"
"Surprising. Thought you liked heights since you love rooftops."
Not exactly vertigo.
Just the see-through floor freaking me out.
For real.
"Whew... look at you sweating."
Ha Young dabbed my forehead with a handkerchief.
But it wasn't enough.
My back was soaked too.
Even with Molrang—the ultimate temperature regulator—in my backpack.
"Wanna grab a drink?"
I nodded vigorously, brain rattling.
Work was great, but recharge first.
Gulp.
Straight to the cafe kiosk for a mint choco frappe.
Rare here before, but they'd updated the menu after my suggestion. Nice.
Seeing mint choco reigning as top seller proved my taste spot-on.
Slurrrp!
Ahh, refreshing. Finally alive.
Sipping the cool, sweet mint choco bliss, we headed to floor 75.
Roar!
Near the nation's largest indoor waterfall—where the popup had been—
Whirrrr!
Interior work buzzed.
A massive project by eye. The honored new store:
[Molrang Mol]
"...What? Not selling on the hunter forums anymore?"
"Nope. That's HQ. Just a portion of production here."
Fastest timeline: mid-December, 10% of output.
Beyond Molrang tori, all the Molrang Mol merch too.
That's why we came today.
"Let's go."
"Huh? Wasn't this the spot?"
"This was on the way."
I led Ha Young onward.
Past the department store end at 77, into White Night's office zone at 80.
Final stop: floor 85.
Joo Ha-neul stood there. Spotting me, her eyes widened—remembering our chance first meeting.
"...Huh? You're that girl from before..."
"Hi. I'm Han Sae-byeok, here for modeling today."
"...What? You're the creator she mentioned? What a coincidence. And her...?"
"My cousin. She's my guardian."
We hadn't rehearsed, but Ha Young greeted smoothly.
"...Hello."
"Yes. Nice to work with you. Dawn, right? You found it easy."
"Got this."
I showed the VIP card.
"Ah... I see."
Ha-neul smiled bittersweetly.
Disappointed the "creator" wasn't here.
If only she knew.
I nearly burst out laughing.
"Anyway, follow me? Ready to start?"
"Yes. Good to go."
She led us into an inner office.
A huge studio.
'...Kinda nervous?'
Bright lights and cameras stared me down, heart pounding.
"Just you? Heard the pudding slime was coming too..."
Molrang!
It leaped from the backpack mid-sentence.
"Good. Both here. Perfect."
"Ha-neul... sis? What do I do?"
"Feel it out first. We don't know your look yet, so sample shots to set the vibe."
Made sense.
"Dawn? This way?"
A coordinator-looking person whisked me off right after.
To the changing room.
"Try this outfit first?"
She handed over a set and shut the door.
...Skirt?
White stockings too.
I'd braced myself, but still tough.
What could I do?
Work. For Molrang Mol...!
Eyes shut, I changed.
Not my first rodeo, so it went smooth.
'...Not bad.'
Mirror boost to my ego, then out.
"Adorable~ Perfect model material."
Ignored the praise, sat per her lead.
After 30 minutes of first-time makeup, faced the cameras again.
"Yeah. Stand there."
Center of the studio, on green chroma key, standing blankly.
Small elite crew.
"......"
Weird feeling.
...Kinda embarrassing?
"Dawn, tense? Smile. Smile."
Tried per Ha Young's nudge, but my face felt robotic.
"Good. Dawn, finger heart? Just for pose, then real shoot."
Ha-neul's direction next. Classic finger heart.
"No, the index-middle finger one."
...Detailed. Modeling tougher than thought.
Assumed cute was enough—underestimated it.
"Good, that's it. Hold it."
Satisfied? I held breath, froze.
Flash!
Camera popped, my pic on the big screen.
"Nice. We can roll with this."
Smiles all around. Looked like hours ahead.
Phew...
Already grueling.
Should I bail?