The 5 Billion Challenge
Kang Bora again. "If you get close to Seolhwa, teach her some acting. If she's got talent, show her to my teacher."
Ham Soyoung had succeeded as a model, but what she really wanted to do was act. She was still steadily attending an acting academy. Turns out her acting mentor was a veteran performer famous for luxury supporting roles. More than qualified to judge Seolhwa's talent.
"Huh? Making her an actress?"
"Not sure yet. Gotta check where her talents lie. She's been locked up at home for over ten years, so she doesn't even know what she's good at herself."
Singing could go to Mingyu hyung. He might lack commercial appeal, but his skills from his band days were legit—he'd figure out if she could make it as an idol.
Seolhwa finished packing her things, bowed politely, and followed Soyoung out. He sat in the now-quiet living room, trying to strike a pose and savor some solitude for the first time in ages, but
Doesn't the contract fulfillment speed seem to be slowing down bit by bit?
Asmodeus wouldn't leave him alone.
"Didn't I just do Seolhwa? Isn't that enough?"
That was just a favor for Lilith. I didn't contract her directly—I only got a taste.
He'd gotten sucked dry by Seolhwa and wanted a breather, but this damn demon wouldn't give him a moment's peace.
"Can't I sort out the company first? I'm the CEO—resigning's a hassle. It's not like I can just submit a letter and bounce."
Officially, a CEO resignation required board and shareholder approval. Both processes took time, and if factions clashed, it could drag on forever.
The board was stacked with Hyungpil's cronies, and he'd rig the shareholders too—no opposition there.
Still, the resignation filing review alone takes over a week. Asking me to bag another girl in that time is honestly brutal...
I'll extend the deadline. This one's no pushover—a week wouldn't cut it anyway.
"Who's the one making you whine already?"
Check your money first.
The status window popped up, and the possessed money figure changed below it.
"……"
That face says you've got a lot to say.
"Must be a glitch. Extra zero or something…."
Demons don't make mistakes like that.
"No way—what bitch costs 5 billion won to fuck? You messing with me?"
After seeing how you blow cash, figured this much would make you sweat.
"Even so, 5 billion's insane. To match that with sex points, I'd need a real estate slut. Don't crank the difficulty like this!"
Only way was finding a girl who got off on empty buildings. Good luck matching with that type.
Think positive? You'll need startup cash for independence anyway. Nail this, and 5 billion drops. Don't you wanna build the company fast?
Demon was a demon—tempting him even now.
"…So who the hell costs 5 billion to dump it on?"
You know her well. See for yourself.
A translucent screen materialized in the air. A video player window appeared, and footage began playing. Shot from afar, he didn't recognize her at first, but
…it was Bora nuna, sitting in a director's chair on set, flipping through her script.
* * *
How do you even describe fucking Bora nuna in this swapped body?
I thought it was something serious. Didn't expect you stressing over that dumb shit.
"Haa… don't read my thoughts when we're talking about nuna."
It's a choice for you too. You've been agonizing over your fuckbuddies before going full CEO, right? I set the board—use this to clean house properly. How long you gonna hide?
Leave it to the demon of lust to lay the trap with sex.
"Why Bora nuna over Seoah or Hwayoung?"
The girl group's my hookup—you already sampled her. Between reporter and actress, figured the actress helps your independence more, so I picked her first.
Media side had Hong's connections—no need for Hwayoung there. But Bora nuna as an actress? Irreplaceable. Asmodeus was right; time to sort relationships now.
Decision made, a rough plan formed for rolling Asmodeus's setup.
"About the space with Song Jinwoo's body."
What about it?
"You said you can do whatever there? Can you change the look too? Make it not the white room—some other place."
Yeah. I can materialize thoughts there.
"Then change it to this place I'm showing you."
He searched a location on his phone and showed Asmodeus.
* * *
"…Hello, President."
Perfect timing—Seoah returned to the dorm. As the saying went, strike while the iron's hot. With her girl group agency tie, routing through her would make approaching Bora nuna smoother.
"Sit. You feeling okay?"
"Thank you for covering my dorm exit and the broadcast no-show. From now on… sniff, sorry."
Only two months in, but the stress had melted the weight off her. Was she scared of him, or emotions overwhelming? She could barely speak. He wanted to hug her tight, but in Hong's body, no dice.
"I know why you did it, so don't beat yourself up. No word for over two months—who wouldn't worry? Ah… you did meet him once on video."
"Pardon? W-what…."
Had to be confusing. A CEO she saw once a year dropping this bombshell.
"It's because of Manager Song Jinho, right? Sneaking out of the dorm, skipping broadcasts…."
"No! I-I don't know anyone like that!"
"No need to hide. I got pretty close with Manager Song."
Bora nuna would've suspected immediately—no prior Hong CEO chatter. Song Jinho never hid from fuckbuddies he'd opened up to.
"You and darling are close?"
But brainless Seoah took it at face value.
"Yeah, darling. He said that's what you call Manager Song."
"He even told you that?"
"I know plenty more."
"Th-then…."
Emotions surged; she couldn't continue. On the verge of tears again… why was he making girls cry so much lately?
"President. Sniff… please, find our darling for me, waaah!"
She burst.
* * *
"Enough crying—hear me out."
"Sniff, sorry…."
Once Seoah calmed a bit, he spoke as steadily as possible.
"Besides you, there's one more dying to see Manager Song, right?"
"……"
"I know about you and actress Kang Bora too. I'm on your side—no need to agonize over what to say."
"But darling never mentioned you."
Suspicion finally dawned. Slow-ass fluorescent bulb.
"I told him to keep me secret. Couldn't casually reveal staff loyal to me."
Her face screamed confusion, but that wasn't the point now.
"Too much to chat here… here's the deal. Remember where you two first met Manager Song? I know it too. I'll tell you how to meet him there. Contact actress Kang Bora and set it up."
They couldn't refuse. Hope of seeing Song hung baited.
The next day, the three met again at the private bar from their three-way face-off.
* * *
"Seoah told me. You're close with our… Manager Song?"
Unlike trusting Seoah, Bora nuna came in hot, ready to grill him. Eyes scanning his face constantly. Felt like an interrogation.
"Heard a lot about you from Manager Song. Darling's familiar, but baby is unique, haha."
"He even told you that stuff? Why not me?"
"I told him not to. If we're close, you might get blowback from him."
"More blowback than this? Man's a fugitive now. If you're close, why no help?"
Thorns on every word. No room to soften.
"I did try. That's why I called you two here."
"What 'try'? Spill."
"Mind if we drink first? This'll take a while."
"Feeling drunk already? You're awfully chill."
"Really? It's the cocktail Manager Song ordered for you. Shame to waste."
One line flipped their vibes. Song Jinho's name weighed that heavy.
"Last time here, you both got smashed on Catharsis? That's high-proof—even boozers struggle. This is what Manager Song originally wanted. You like sweet, right?"
"…He ordered this blue one?"