Chapter 100: Party (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 100: Party (1)
“I’m going to die. Seriously.”
I collapsed onto the sofa in Maengju's lounge.
My body felt like it weighed a ton.
I was one of the lucky ones, relatively speaking.
Everyone except Kang A-rin had been beaten breathless by Jung Tae-gon.
Some of them couldn't even stand properly and were slumped over on the benches like recruits after a long march, their faces miserable.
“Haaah…”
I stared at the ceiling, catching my breath.
Just then.
My watch chimed softly.
– Ting.
[Kim Ha-eun]: Hae-in! Congratulations on passing the experience program in first place! You worked so hard today!
I sat up slightly to check the message.
Before the program ended, Kim Ha-eun had revealed the final scores, which were based on a variety of comprehensive data.
Combat ability, situational judgment, initiative, character evaluation… not a single criterion was flimsy.
In the end, not one student complained; they all quietly accepted the results.
The conclusion: I was number one.
I rolled my shoulders.
The spot where he’d hit me was still throbbing.
As soon as the program ended, she had winked at me and said:
‘Traditionally, the first-place student usually signs a contract with Maengju!’
I recalled the bright smile on her face.
But I didn’t feel particularly happy.
Through this experience, I had gotten a feel for Maengju’s system and the general flow of things.
From their training methods to the mindset of each hero.
It seemed there was a reason they were the number one guild in the world.
I learned quite a lot. I was glad I’d done it.
“You’re coming, riiight~?”
“No…”
Before I could even gather my thoughts, Kang A-rin was in front of me, squirming.
She’d been like this throughout the entire program.
Like a puppy wagging its tail.
“Why in the world would I go there…”
“Let’s gooo~”
It felt like she was making up for all the time she couldn't approach me at school by clinging to me now.
The reason she was being so persistent was simple.
The party being held tonight. The Strategy Exchange Meeting.
She wanted to take me there.
On the surface, it was a place for groups to share strategies and discuss cooperation against global threats…
But in reality, it was just a social gathering.
The problem was that it was an incredibly formal affair.
The venue, the dress code, the guest list.
I already knew about the party.
A few days ago, I think. Gwang-cheol had contacted me out of the blue.
‘Hae-in, are you free this Saturday evening?’
‘I have a guild experience program that day.’
‘…Experience? Where? Ah, Maengju’s. Okay, got it. Haaah… then I guess that won’t work.’
‘Why? What’s up?’
‘The Strategy Exchange Meeting. I was supposed to go, but a request came in suddenly, so I don’t think I can go with the old man.’
I’d told him I couldn’t go, so I wasn’t sure who ended up going in his place.
In any case, Kang A-rin was saying she wanted to take me there.
“You can just go with your uncle.”
“He left on a business trip today.”
“Ah.”
Damn it, why did that man have to pick today of all days?
In truth, if Kang A-rin didn't go with her uncle, there was no one else from Maengju's side for her to attend with.
Her brother, Kang Yu-sung, was already gone.
Kang A-rin herself seemed unbothered, her eyes wide and innocent.
But for some reason, a corner of my heart ached.
My resolve weakened, just a little.
“…I’m an outsider.”
“Should I just make you an insider starting today?”
Kang A-rin said, rummaging through her pocket.
She pulled out her watch and held the screen in front of my face.
[Experience Goal: Cultivate the abilities required of a team leader.]
"Look at this. The goal of the program is to cultivate the abilities of a team leader."
She spoke nonchalantly, but the corners of her lips crept upward.
"Things like diplomacy between groups are all part of a team leader's skillset."
She leaned in closer, adding in a small whisper.
"The person who got first place in the evaluation should learn this much. Receiving this kind of treatment… well, it's only natural."
She said it so casually, as if there wasn't a single thing wrong with her logic.
At her confident tone, I turned my head to look at her without thinking.
I watched her for a moment, then let out a quiet sigh.
“Hah…”
I’d already come all the way to the Maengju Guild and gone through all sorts of things under the pretext of cultivating my abilities as a team leader.
I’d even gotten beaten up by an active hero.
At this point…
I felt like it might be okay to see it through to the very end.
It was the most absurd experience I'd ever had, but paradoxically, it also felt the most ‘real.’
Let’s see it through.
I nodded.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
“Good thinking.”
Kang A-rin beamed.
I added, “Just think of me as your executive assistant or something.”
Kang A-rin’s eyes narrowed.
“Hmm… I don’t like the sound of that…”
I gave her a look of disbelief.
“It doesn’t matter if you like it or not.”
Fancy party, formalities, whatever—it didn’t matter.
I didn’t have any clothes that would fit in there.
Forget accessories, I didn’t even own a suit.
I’d probably have to rent something.
But even if I did, it would be obvious, and I might look ridiculous to people who didn’t know my situation.
“I don’t have anything that fits the dress code.”
I confessed honestly.
Kang A-rin tilted her head slightly and grinned.
“Dress code?”
Her eyes were playful.
But a subtle confidence shone through.
She took a step toward me, tilting her head up just a fraction to look me straight in the eye.
“If you’re by my side…”
She said confidently.
“That’ll be the best dress code, don’t you think?”
It seemed like a joke, but her gaze was completely serious.
Before I could even decide if she was kidding or not…
Honestly.
It was hard to argue with that.
*
I stopped in front of the door.
The sight before me was utterly overwhelming.
To call it luxurious would be a gross understatement.
Gleaming mannequins were visible through the glass windows under the warm lighting.
Suits of high-quality material were arranged, each one displayed with meticulous care.
“…Is this the right place?”
So places like this really existed.
I’d just never had a reason to visit one…
“It is~”
Kang A-rin smiled brightly and casually linked her arm with mine.
I nudged her away and untangled my arm.
When I told her I didn’t have a suit, Kang A-rin had immediately brought me here.
"Don't you need a reservation to get into a place like this?"
Kang A-rin answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“I made one.”
“…How did you know my size?”
When I asked, Kang A-rin just grinned.
Her gaze slowly traveled down my body.
From head to toe.
Slooowly—
She blatantly scanned me.
For a moment, I felt a flash of irritation.
But Kang A-rin said nonchalantly, “Just, a rough guess~?”
Then she chuckled.
“Honestly, it’s because you have a great frame. Even if we just throw something from a mannequin on you…”
She twirled a finger, pointing at my torso.
“It’ll look like a completely custom-tailored suit, you know?”
Kang A-rin tilted her head.
“No, actually… the suit might not be able to keep up…”
She suddenly muttered, looking serious.
I just stared at her as she mumbled to herself.
“So don’t worry~ Today is just a day for me to dress you up.”
Kang A-rin linked her arms and led the way.
I followed her, a slightly skeptical look on my face.
As the door opened, the soft strains of classical music filled the air.
“Welcome.”
An employee in a black suit approached, bowing his head.
He glanced at Kang A-rin’s face and immediately smiled.
“Right this way, please.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Kang A-rin gave a little wave.
The employee guided us with a practiced hand.
I followed him into a room in the back.
Before us was a fitting room, set up just for me and Kang A-rin.
In the center, clothes of all shapes and colors were neatly hung, and on one side was a makeup table that looked like a vanity.
A black curtain hung on the left wall, and a red one on the right.
Separate spaces for each of us to change.
There were enormous full-length mirrors and measuring instruments.
And rows of empty hangers stood waiting.
"Alright, we'll start by taking the gentleman's measurements."
A female stylist approached, spoke politely, and began measuring my waist, shoulders, and arm length.
She meticulously placed the measuring tape.
“…Don’t get too close, okay?”
Kang A-rin muttered.
The stylist pulled back and said, “…The proportions are excellent.”
I remained silent.
“The shoulders should be defined, and the waist should be tight.”
Kang A-rin had approached at some point and was now giving the stylist detailed instructions.
“Don’t make the pants too baggy. We need to show off the fit.”
She seemed to be having more fun than I was.
Finally, the order for my suit was complete.
Apparently, Kang A-rin’s dress had already been ordered and was ready.
Once the clothes arrived, we decided to go behind our respective curtains to change.
I went behind the black curtain, and Kang A-rin went behind the red one.
Inside, the prepared suit and shoes were laid out neatly.
An employee offered to help me dress, but I declined.
It’s a perfect fit.
I carefully put on the shirt and then the jacket.
The pants fell cleanly along the line of my legs.
As I was putting on my shoes, I sensed a faint movement from behind the curtain opposite me.
The sound of soft fabric rustling as it slid down.
My hands suddenly felt awkward.
Now, all that was left was the tie…
“Don’t wear the tie!!!”
“You scared me.”
Kang A-rin’s voice burst out from the other side.
I took the tie in my hand and just draped it over my shoulder.
In the end, I had put everything on except for the tie.
Swish.
I slid the black curtain aside and stepped out.
Kang A-rin hadn’t come out yet.
I could only sense the faint, soft movements from behind her curtain.
Kang A-rin was changing into her dress.
I turned my head, trying my best not to think about it.
But just then.
“Hae-in, could you bring me my watch from the table?”
Kang A-rin’s voice came from behind the curtain.
I picked up her watch from the table.
Then I walked to the curtain, carefully reached my hand through the opening, and held out the watch.
“Here.”
Click, clack.
The sound of high heels.
I could feel her walking up to the curtain.
But she didn’t take the watch.
“What the…”
– Swish.
The next moment, Kang A-rin’s hand shot out like lightning.
And.
She yanked me inside the curtain.
“Hey, wait—!”
My body stumbled as I was pulled into the red-curtained space.
Red lighting.
A faint, sweet fragrance lingering in the air.
Before my eyes, I saw Kang A-rin in her dress.
A dazzling, pure white dress.
The back was cut deep, flowing down her form without a single flaw.
A thin layer of fabric flowed down her waist.
Below, only the elegant curve of her hips seemed to hold the dress’s shape.
Her hair was neatly pinned up, a red ornament providing a stark contrast to the pure white of her dress.
As she glanced back, her red eyes glinted.
“See? I was right, wasn’t I?”
She smiled, her back still to me.
“Being by my side.”
Then she slowly turned her head to face me.
“That’s the best dress code.”
My breath caught in my throat.
She walked over to me and smoothly unwrapped the tie from my shoulder.
And then.
Carefully.
And gently.
She began to tie it for me again.
Her fingertips hovered, almost but not quite touching.
“Tonight…”
Kang A-rin said as she tied the knot.
She looked up at me slightly.
“Take good care of me, okay?”
She whispered, giving the final knot a light tug.
And then, she smiled.