Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 077
Chapter Title: I Need You (1)
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Intent Discernment. The ability he’d received from the son of Min Writer, the one he’d shot his first drama with. It had even upgraded recently, under the guise of Kwon Sung-hyun’s teachings and his own mischief. The grade had jumped from B+ to A, expanding the range in which he could discern intentions. It was an acting-specialized skill, but one that was plenty useful in real life too. Truth. Or lies. The System’s judgment was no slouch compared to Yeonwoo’s own ‘gut feeling.’
But.
[‘Intent Discernment’ is impossible on this target.]
What the hell?
While Yeonwoo blinked in bewilderment, another window popped up in front of him.
[A new usable function is available.]
[Can be confirmed upon completing the request.]
“…….”
It sparkled insistently, flashing its presence like it was demanding attention.
At this point, there was no ignoring it.
‘So, you’re saying I should accept it?’
For some reason, Intent Discernment didn’t work on this man. A first.
‘Come to think of it, the ability had a grade attached…?’
He’d wondered if grades affected utility, applicability, and scope.
Who knew they applied even here…?
Yeonwoo’s gaze shifted to the man.
That left one fact: the man possessed something that blocked Yeonwoo’s Intent Discernment.
“You. You saw something in me, didn’t you?”
The strikingly handsome face right in front of him peered down at Yeonwoo, eyes locked on his as if peering straight into his soul.
“I couldn’t sleep at night.”
“……?”
The man’s abrupt words continued, heedless of Yeonwoo’s odd expression.
“Then they started seeing things.”
“…….”
“Then their body wasted away, health declining rapidly.”
It clearly wasn’t about him. He didn’t look like someone deprived of sleep, haunted by visions, or in poor health.
“They went to every hospital and psychiatrist, but all results came back normal. They even visited a shaman on someone’s advice. All scammers, every last one.”
The man drew so close his iris patterns were visible, his pupils burning like flames. No need to tell—the cold fury was plain.
“But you’re different. I knew it watching your broadcast.”
The words came out of nowhere. But the situation was easy enough to grasp.
‘Tch… of all things.’
Broadcast meant *TV in My Hand*, obviously.
“I checked all your radio appearances too.”
The man’s eyes gleamed.
“And now that you’re here, you definitely saw something in me. Right?”
“So what if I did? What if I didn’t? Gonna drag those people back and beat them?”
This was provocation.
Yeonwoo knew instinctively: if he didn’t shake this man off here, he’d be in for endless hassle.
The guy was playing nice now, but he was a top predator. And predators never let go of prey once they tasted blood.
So Yeonwoo provoked him, trampling the truthful apology the man had spat out.
But.
“Sorry, but you misjudged me. I don’t fall for cheap provocations like that.”
Unexpectedly, the man didn’t scowl—instead, he smirked, one corner of his mouth curling up. Warmth flickered across his icy features, but only for a moment.
“Looks like you really don’t like me. That’s how you’re acting. First button’s on wrong? Sigh… no helping it. Couldn’t get close. Had to rush when that guy stepped away. Couldn’t avoid being rude.”
“There were plenty of normal ways to do this.”
“Of course I tried them all. Got rejected every time.”
News to him. Probably blocked at the agency level.
他 knew who ‘that guy’ was too.
‘Well, I’d have refused anyway.’
Shaman-for-hire? Hard pass.
New function. Tempting, sure. But his answer was set.
Lifespan was coming in easy anyway. Enough with the System pulling strings.
“I need you.”
“No thanks.”
So Yeonwoo refused without hesitation.
“It’s not me asking.”
A firm rejection, no second thoughts…
“I want you to help my kids.”
“……Kids?”
……almost.
He faltered right at the finish line.
***
“Yeah. My kids. It’s not me who needs you—it’s them.”
Everyone has a weakness. Painful spots from all sorts of reasons.
And for Yeonwoo, the man had hit his dead-on.
‘Damn it. Of all things.’
Women around Lady Kang’s age. Especially worried mothers. Critical hit.
Who knew it applied to doting fathers too?
“……What’s wrong with your kids?”
Pure reflex. Logic screamed no—emotions urged him to at least hear it out.
Problem was, hearing it out meant getting hooked.
‘Guy surrounded by cursed ink aura talking about his kids…’
Already needling him. Sigh-worthy.
“Didn’t think much at first. My kids have always been a bit special.”
“Special how?”
“Like seeing things in empty spaces.”
“…….”
Yeonwoo’s jaw tightened.
“But their condition worsened day by day. Tests showed nothing wrong, so only one option left.”
The man skirted direct terms, but it was obvious. Explained calling them scammers.
‘They have spiritual power.’
Weak spot pressed, plus bonus. He was getting shoved hard.
“Please help my kids. They’re innocent, aren’t they?”
No lie in the man’s eyes, putting his children forward.
‘……Eyes don’t lie.’
Problem when Intent Discernment failed—his gut still worked.
The man spoke truth. Not sure how much, but the kids were real trouble.
And that struck Yeonwoo’s zone—hard, repeatedly.
“Sigh… Fine, let’s hear it…”
As Yeonwoo’s mouth slowly opened.
“……!”
“……!”
Commotion outside the thick door.
Then it burst open.
“Yeonwoo-ssi.”
Through the chaos of scrambling people walked someone poised: Kwon Sung-hyun, smiling brightly at Yeonwoo.
***
“Thought I lost you… here you were. You okay?”
“……Pardon?”
*Why are you here?*
“No injuries? You look pale… Did this guy do something to you?”
Kwon Sung-hyun strode over, gripping Yeonwoo’s shoulder, spinning him this way and that to check. Relief finally settled on his face.
“Heard from Dongja-ssi—scared me half to death.”
Still, wasn’t this *too* fast?
“I’m fine for now. More worried about the dorm guards…”
“They’re handled. Sent them all to the hospital just in case. But…”
Kwon Sung-hyun tilted his head.
“Whoever this bastard is, barging into others’ turf? No manners, no judgment.”
His lips curved smoothly, but his eyes on the man were feral.
“Let’s go, Yeonwoo-ssi.”
Eyes blazing, but his push gentle.
The man’s grip on Yeonwoo’s other wrist turned it into a tense standoff.
“Feeling’s mutual. You intruded too, didn’t you?”
“Shouldn’t we check who came first? Ever hear of self-defense?”
“We’ve got plenty to say too. Mitigating circumstances? You forced our hand by rejecting every request.”
“Just don’t approach unnecessarily.”
“We were desperate. Desperation blinds, no?”
“Fits your rabid dog rep. Woo Do-gyeon—no, Woo Do-gyeom-ssi. Didn’t expect this thug act.”
“I didn’t know Chairman Woo’s youngest worked as a guard dog. Impressed at how thoroughly he blocked my contacts.”
***
A calm exchange. But the air felt thick with whirling blades—was that just imagination?
Yeonwoo’s focus was elsewhere.
- Name: Woo Do-gyeom (35/Male)
- Job: Corporate Hunter that Devours Anything
- Tendency: Chaotic Neutral
- Specialties: Corporate Acquisition [S], Flawless Investment [A+], Poker Face [S+], Raising Stakes [A+], Shooting [A+], Comprehensive Martial Arts [S]
- Favorability: Moderately High
- Current Physical State: Healthy
- Current Emotional State: Calm
***Currently unavailable items.
***Detailed info on this person hidden.
***Additional Harvestable Ability: Poker Face [S+]
***New usable function available.
The status window popped up thanks to the man’s grip on his wrist.
‘……?’
Yeonwoo doubted his eyes.
Woo Do-gyeom, chairman-type in a penthouse of a prime Gangnam building. Some underlings screamed industry, but the job and early specialties made sense.
But.
‘Shooting? Comprehensive Martial Arts…?’
What? For a chairman?
And older than expected. Mid-thirties on *that* face?
No, more importantly.
[New usable function available.]
Linked to Woo Do-gyeom. And why Intent Discernment failed.
He had a hunch.
‘Poker Face…’
S+ additional ability.
Not his first S+. But this alert screamed connection.
‘Tempting.’
S+ ability a draw, plus the mystery new function.
At this point, it was like a nudge to check him out.
“Only natural with dangerous types like you.”
Yeonwoo glanced at the window while the grating exchange continued.
Something key slipped in?
“Wait. So… you’re saying this wasn’t a straight-up kidnapping?”
Kwon Sung-hyun and Woo Do-gyeom turned to Yeonwoo.
“Yeonwoo-ssi, don’t listen to him.”
“Yeah. Contacted you daily for weeks. If not for that youngest punk… Had to get rough, unwillingly.”
“Obviously. Can’t let a mad dog near Yeonwoo-ssi. Who knows what dirty tricks.”
“Dirty tricks…”
Woo Do-gyeom’s eyes turned to Yeonwoo.
“Not my taste, but tastes change. Preference is fluid.”
“Yeonwoo-ssi, no need to hear this crap. Let’s go.”
Impossible not to catch on now.
“Enough pointless bickering?”
This was a pissing contest.