Chapter 34
Chapter 34
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Famous Cheerleader (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Is it really okay to go there?"
"Pardon?"
"I just thought Ji-ah would prefer somewhere like Apgujeong or Seongsu-dong, but the hotel's in Hannam-dong."
"No, Hannam-dong is great."
"I was thinking Apgujeong or maybe Banpo originally, but those places are packed with young crowds. Didn't want you getting recognized left and right and feeling uncomfortable."
"Ah..."
"Next time, I'll look into a private room or something. Can't keep meeting in Jongno or Yongsan all the time."
"Thank you."
Lee Ji-ah flashed a bright smile from the passenger seat of Park Won-jun's car.
She almost reflexively said, I'm not that big a deal, but there was no need when he was treating her like a celebrity. She knew exactly when playing humble paid off.
She wandered around just fine without anyone recognizing her most days, so what was she supposed to do? If he wanted to treat her like a star, fine by her.
He's a bit innocent, huh?
A Special Hunter raking in big money and full of promise.
But he seemed clueless about women and celebrities.
No shrinking violet or timid vibes around women, but he was thoughtful and attentive in spades.
Ji-ah felt lucky she'd met Won-jun so quickly.
A guy who undervalued himself but overhyped the woman. From her perspective, could there be a better catch?
"I don't have a separate Insta account, so I couldn't check it out, but you seem amazing."
"Nah."
"400k followers—that's like one in every hundred Koreans."
"Baseball's just so popular here."
This time, Ji-ah played modest.
Not all 400k were even Korean to begin with.
Taiwanese, Japanese, Westerners too.
Most were just guys mindlessly following any pretty girl posting revealing pics and dance videos.
Ji-ah made it look like she was being humble, but she kept the real truth to herself.
"If only the parking here were a bit easier, it'd be perfect."
"Hahaha."
The two arrived.
They parked in the outdoor lot of a five-star hotel in Hannam-dong and strolled in slowly.
Wow.
Ji-ah was awed by the grandeur of one of Seoul's most famous hotels.
Not her first five-star, but this one stood apart from residential areas with a distinctly classic vibe.
Known historically as the go-to for VIP dignitaries, it boasted prime views of the Han River and downtown Seoul.
A guy who picked her up at home and brought her here—she was finally reaping the rewards of her hard work and natural looks.
"So modeling's basically your main gig now?"
"Hmm... just one of my jobs?"
"Ah."
Won-jun and Ji-ah settled into the hotel cafe to chat.
Uncommon for a first date—especially in a hotel cafe away from residential or bustling areas—but Ji-ah chalked it up to his thoughtfulness and unique job.
Special Hunters either got super public or went full ghost, from what she'd heard.
"Basketball games, volleyball too—you're incredible."
"Cheerleaders don't stick to just one sport anyway."
"Still."
Won-jun gazed at Ji-ah with sparkling, curious eyes.
Pure admiration, like she was some wonder.
Ji-ah sipped her coffee with dainty gestures, a subtle smugness playing on her face.
"What do you do when you're alone? Hang with friends?"
"I'm a total homebody."
"Really? That's surprising."
"Huh? Why surprising?"
Ji-ah knew full well but let out a playful huff.
"You look like you'd be a party girl."
"Nah, but I figured I'd have tons of fans."
"I tend to be selective about who I meet."
Far from your typical homebody, Ji-ah.
But she wasn't always out and about, so homebody fit... ish.
"No other Awakeners around me, so I spend a lot of time solo. Sometimes I hit a nice lounge bar for solo drinks."
"Romantic!"
"Is it? Kinda lame, no?"
"Wandering solo like that is cool."
Ji-ah effortlessly hyped Won-jun.
She had a knack for making guys feel good with words.
"Talk casually, oppa."
"Huh? Should I?"
"Makes me comfy too."
Now she was dropping the formal speech first, as the younger one.
Most guys would've been picturing newlywed loans at "oppa."
"You're weirdly pretty, Ji-ah."
"Weirdly? Sounds bad."
"Nah, like... Hollywood actress vibes."
"That's why trolls say I got my nose done."
Ji-ah, who took "pretty" as breathing air, pointed to her nose.
No need to correct them that it was her lips, of course.
"Dunno, I just think you're flashy pretty."
"Yeah? You're sweet."
Won-jun still spoke with those innocent eyes.
Ji-ah thought he was a real catch again.
Some hotshot guys subtly trashed their dates.
Won-jun definitely wasn't that type.
Nice.
No ego battles of who's better—just comfy vibes.
A guy with killer background making the mood this chill too.
"That much okay?"
"This is normal for me."
"For real? Thought you'd eat tons with all that activity."
"Gotta manage the figure."
"Impressive."
The two hit the hotel buffet for an early dinner.
But Ji-ah's portions were surprisingly light.
Won-jun first thought she was low-blood-sugar picky when she skipped the heavy stuff, but she stuck to low-cal picks consistently. Fascinating.
Of course, she was eating less than usual.
Better to seem mysterious than gorge at a pricey buffet.
"Enjoy your meal?"
"Yes, thank you. Huh? When'd the miles stack up like this?"
Won-jun smiled at the hotel-only mileage.
"Payment complete."
"Thanks!"
Thus ended their 300k-plus-for-two dinner.
"Feels good."
"You must come here tons, oppa. First time seeing miles like that."
"Great vibe. Can't travel much with my job, so hotels are my vibe reset."
Won-jun said it casually.
Ji-ah felt afresh how loaded he was.
These spots were rare treats, not breathing air.
She had 400k followers too, but influencer inflation meant her income lagged his big time.
"Like cocktails?"
"Not expert, but sip with friends sometimes."
"You'll love this."
"Really? Excited!"
Won-jun led her—grinning boyishly at 22—to the hotel bar.
So far, so good.
Won-jun was having fun chatting with Ji-ah today.
But he hadn't forgotten his goal.
Hotel room, bed, clothes off.
She wouldn't go easy. This is too much, let's not, right?
That's when to push—makes it count.
Face, body, guy-magnet level—perfect match for his type.
Worth the slow conquest to peel off her panties, even if tough.
If it flops...
Might fail someday.
But wouldn't any guy try?
"Kinda old-school, bear with it."
"I like it!"
A relatively private, retro bar in the hotel.
1920s America vibes some young women romanticized amid the vintage craze.
"Wow, so pretty."
Ji-ah snapped pics of Won-jun's cocktail rec.
Careful—no guy hints, just "at fancy Seoul five-star lounge."
"Whoa, cheese is next level."
"Tasty, right? Go pricey if you're clueless."
Ji-ah savored the cheese side, even squealing.
Ridiculously overpriced for a few slices.
Price meant zilch to Won-jun now.
"Not scared, oppa?"
"Of what?"
"Fighting monsters—you could get hurt."
"..."
"Why laugh?"
"Nothing."
Won-jun chuckled thinking of Park Min-ju saying the same.
Women all think alike?
Fair.
Could seem unique.
Even in the murim days, he'd heard it plenty from unorthodox sects and Demonic Cultists.
"Born dancing well, Ji-ah?"
"Me?"
"Yeah."
"Messed up tons."
"Same. Tower monsters tough at first. Later, like breathing."
Won-jun sipped his cocktail.
Fun.
Chatting with a top act in her field.
A blast.
Won-jun got hooked on standouts in unfamiliar realms.
Same in murim.
Started sword-focused but admired other paths, never dismissed.
That openness, fused with talent and grit, made him Supreme of Past and Present. Rare gift: prejudice-free grasp of martial flows.
Still true.
Respected Lee Ji-ah as cheerleader, model, influencer—for real.
Plus, he saw himself as sweetly attentive to women.
Just prioritized his fun first.
Can't wait.
Ji-ah glowed prettier under the lights.
Best body of any he'd met.
Wanted to fuck her now.
Legs spread wide, begging no—wanted that face ASAP.
"Mm..."
"Why stare?"
"You're really pretty."
"Pfft."
"Prettiest girl ever."
"Drunk already."
Ji-ah slurred faintly, fiddling her flushed face.
She was way drunker.
Higher-proof pick, and Won-jun's steady breathing method purged booze fine—even sans murim arts outside the tower.
A few more cocktails.
"Here."
"Ah..."
"Hm? What?"
"Nothing, oppa."
Ji-ah knew she should cut off, but words failed.
Too good a vibe.
Yum snacks, dreamy mood, rich promising young tall decent-looking guy.
Chats clicked, manners on point.
Brain said cut now—past limit, head home, next time. Tease him desperate.
Hard to act on.
Booze dulled judgment.
"So pretty."
"..."
Won-jun gazed into her eyes softly.
"With you, Ji-ah, it's so fun. We click."
"Same, oppa."
"Wanna drink somewhere quieter."
"Quieter?"
"Yeah. Saw a VVIP suite empty earlier. Drink in the room?"
"Huh?"
Even buzzed Ji-ah reeled at the bold line.
"Oppa."
"Room's better vibe."
"Um, that is..."
"Wanna talk deeper with you."
"No, uh."
Words escaped her; Ji-ah floundered.
"Bad idea? I just wanna be with you. Fine if you hate it."
"Not hate."
He'd boxed options to "hate"—no out.
Classic Won-jun move: when she seemed into it, tipsy visible.
Dozens of freshmen eaten on first meets this way.
"If early exit's best, time's fine—just peek and snap pics. VVIP suite fun even for that."
"Ah..."
Ji-ah hesitated.
But what did a VVIP room here look like? Curious.
What to do?
Didn't hate Won-jun either.
Worried seeming easy, or him just wanting body.
No matter manners or charm, post-sex dump terrified any non-brainless woman equally.
Worse, risk becoming fuck-only if they kept seeing each other.
How to play this?
Ji-ah's face darkened. Rejecting felt rude; calling him out on easy vibes? Nah.
Might be pure—just drinks alone.
Show interest now, but bounce and risk misunderstanding? Or another girl swoops?
"Uh, shall we check it out? I like quiet drinks too."
"Thanks—way better vibe."
Ji-ah caved for now.
Yeah.
Handle issues as they come. Bounce at peak tease timing.
Worst case—body-hunter on first meet—head home then.
"..."
Won-jun led with a relaxed grin.
Hook, line, sinker.
No way he'd usher her to a room then send her packing unscathed.
Plenty fixes if needed—he'd make it work.
Like a hunter bagging prey, Won-jun strode to the room, pumped.