Chapter 135
Translator: uly
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: The Importance of Maintenance (3)
Yeonwoo meant it sincerely.
[Why? Because you never talk about yourself, Yeonwoo—it’s frustrating!]
“I just don’t feel the need to.”
He wasn’t some kid who couldn’t do anything without Kwon Seonghyeon. He was a full-grown adult, wasn’t he?
[That’s exactly why our actor is going crazy. Sigh.]
The Child Spirit let out a deep sigh.
He knew every little detail of how Yeonwoo had grown up, so he couldn’t bring himself to say more.
[Fine. Then I won’t talk about your personal stuff! But if any problems come up, I’ll tell our actor. That’s standard care—every agency does it! If something happens to their actor and the agency doesn’t know, how are they supposed to fix it?]
The Child Spirit offered his own compromise.
[You’ve been around long enough to get it, Yeonwoo. Being an entertainer is a tough job. Miss a tiny chance to fix something with a sickle, and you end up needing a shovel—this industry’s like that. You know how advanced science is these days? How fast the internet is? We’re not an IT powerhouse for nothing. One thing pops up, and it spreads exponentially. You can’t catch it all. The internet’s dozens of times faster than a rumor without legs, right?]
A ghost talking about science.
Somehow, it felt utterly contradictory.
Honestly, though, not a word of what the Child Spirit said was wrong.
But.
‘This feels like I’m getting dragged in somehow.’
Was it just his imagination?
Still, having experienced it firsthand like the Child Spirit said, it was hard to flat-out deny.
“Then personal stuff is off-limits. Deal?”
[Deal!]
“Oh. And if you say ‘mongdal’ one more time, contract’s void.”
[Why that too?!]
“Take it or leave it.”
[Argh…… Fine!]
Leaving the Child Spirit pouting like he’d lost something precious, Yeonwoo stepped out of the changing room.
[This place is a maze every time we come.]
“Agreed.”
[Not many visits left—can we memorize the paths by then?]
“Who knows.”
Yeonwoo probably could.
He had the S-rank Survival Expert stat, after all.
The interior was finished in luxurious decor.
Nodding as he walked the inner hallway in the middle, Yeonwoo thought.
This place in Cheongdam was a members-only management shop that Kwon Seonghyeon had personally recommended.
He hadn’t known, but it was hugely famous, frequented by top celebrities, renowned for its skills, with a six-month waitlist.
So backed up they didn’t even take reservations after that.
It was that hard to book.
- Isn’t that a place I shouldn’t go to?
He’d been stunned when he first heard and asked that.
- Why?
Kwon Seonghyeon’s puzzled reply had thrown him.
- Well, you said it’s famous…… I don’t think it’s for me. The one I went to before was fine.
Recalling the quick session before the movie’s crank-in, Kwon Seonghyeon shook his head.
- What’s wrong with you, Yeonwoo-ssi? The best should go to the best—it’s only natural. That time was rushed, but now it’s different. You’ve got time, right?
- ……Pardon?
He hadn’t understood.
- Come on, we’re late. Let’s go.
Regardless, Kwon Seonghyeon had smiled and urged him on.
He’d ended up coming in a daze like that……
But he couldn’t help feeling out of place every time.
‘They say celebrities flock here because of the strict privacy, but this is beyond strict—it’s a fortress…….’
Early on, he’d nearly gotten lost before even starting treatment—not just once or twice.
Good thing the Survival Expert’s ‘Pathfinding Without a Compass’ kicked in quick.
Otherwise, he’d have wandered the vast shop until Lee Gyu-han came looking.
- Huh? Yeonwoo-ssi, how’d you find it?
I was coming to get you.
- I’ve got a good sense of direction.
- Wow…… I thought Seonghyeon wasn’t overprotecting this time, but you really are at the top of his head.
Lee Gyu-han’s thumb stuck straight up rigidly toward the sky.
Anyway, just like the Child Spirit said, the interior was maze-like.
Probably deliberately twisted paths so guests wouldn’t run into each other.
‘Doesn’t mean I’m used to coming here, though.’
When had Yeonwoo ever gotten full-body treatments like this?
Washing his face and slapping on lotion had been doing well before……
Since entering this world, he’d tried makeup, skincare, everything.
“Welcome.”
He reached the assigned room smoothly, greeted by the now-familiar esthetician.
“Please lie down comfortably. Temperature okay?”
“Yes.”
Still, loosening his face, neck, shoulders, whole body—it didn’t feel bad.
Like understanding why elders love massages.
“Then we’ll begin.”
With her soft voice, Yeonwoo closed his eyes.
The three-hour full-course treatment started.
*
“You’ve worked hard.”
“You’ve worked hard. Feels great again today.”
All treatments done.
Rubbing his relaxed trapezius, Yeonwoo said.
Facial still felt odd, but body was familiar now.
Thanks to her skilled fingertips.
“Hearing that every time makes it worthwhile.”
“Your hands are so precise.”
Indeed, this esthetician he always seemed to get had impressive specialties.
-Specialties: Pain-relieving acupressure [B+], Delicate fingertips sensing muscle knots [B+], Precise tender point detection [B+], Circulation-boosting presses [B+], Skincare [C+]
Five of them, no less.
All B+ except one.
A typical A-rank was expert-level in a field, so B+ was highly talented.
‘Why’s someone like that stuck here?’
Her skincare was only C+, but the rest more than compensated.
Even if this was a full-body shop, not just acupressure.
And she was young, too.
No way a talent like this should rot here lacking confidence.
But her reaction was unexpected.
“First time.”
“Pardon?”
“First one to say that. You’re the first client.”
“No way.”
“Really.”
[Truth]
The Intent Discernment popped up, sparkling assertively over her head as she awkwardly fiddled with her sideburns.
[Uh…… Something smells off.]
The Child Spirit, quiet thanks to their agreement, started splashing again.
“Be quiet. You’re distracting.”
Gaining Ventriloquism had been a godsend, a hundred times over.
Without it, he’d just suffer in silence here.
“Pardon? Did you say something……?”
“No. Nothing.”
“Ah…… Okay.”
She hesitated, like she had more to say.
[That one’s vibe is weird.]
The Child Spirit plopped onto her head.
Oblivious, she cautiously spoke.
“So…… if it’s okay with you…… could I be your dedicated esthetician……?”
“But I heard designations aren’t allowed……”
He’d heard that on his first visit.
Something about blocking personal ties to prevent leaks or drama.
Protected celebrities’ privacy, but also staff—made sense.
Entertainers could be demanding, with clear power dynamics.
‘Wouldn’t want them treated like personal servants.’
Leaked stories would be disastrous.
He’d thought that.
“Ah, well…… Clients can’t designate, but if the staff requests, it’s allowed.”
He hadn’t heard that part.
Sensing his confusion, she added.
“We don’t mention it upfront to avoid pressure tactics.”
“Ah, got it.”
“It’s up to you……”
She peeked nervously.
The Child Spirit tsked.
[She’s smitten, totally smitten……]
Useless, he smacked her forehead repeatedly.
[Hey, kid. Snap out of it. Falling for that guy’s no good. You held off fine before—why dive in now?]
It grated on him.
Imagine: someone in front of you, a small, colorful kid dangling from their head, smacking their forehead.
Hard to follow the conversation.
Of course, twenty years of discipline and Poker Face kept him straight-faced.
“If you’re okay with it, I’d love to be your dedicated. What do you think?”
“Hm. I’m fine with it, sure. But why suddenly……?”
“Ah, well……”
Her fingers, masterful at easing bodies to heaven, scratched her cheek shyly.
“You’re the only one among my clients who’s noticed.”
“Pardon?”
[Oh. I know this one. Classic.]
Before Yeonwoo could process, the Child Spirit jumped in.
Suddenly enlightened, he knelt on her head.
[You’re the first to smack my cheek! Like this!]
Arms up, he wailed grotesquely.
[To see this in the flesh! Wait. Feels familiar……? That creepy guy too……?]
Creepy guy meant Woo Do-gyeom, of the Earth Spirit Lineage.
[He looked better, sure…… No! Snap out! You’ve got our actor!]
The Child Spirit clutched his cheeks, voice full of anguish.
“……”
Playing all by himself.
Watching, Yeonwoo thought he had a knack for monodrama.
Amid the chaos, her story continued.
“My other clients care more about other things than my work.”
She bowed her head, embarrassed.
Only then did Yeonwoo really look her over.
He never paid much mind to appearances.
His world was too harsh to judge by looks.
Ghosts exploding everywhere, missing limbs or heads……
Looks just didn’t register.
Except extremes like Kwon Seonghyeon.
[But yeah…… she’s pretty cute.]
The Child Spirit, recovered, peered down.
[Petite and cute, but jawline’s sharp—total idol face. Small head, long limbs; bet she’s been cast a ton.]