Chapter 159: Year-End Party (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 159: Year-End Party (4)
Exhausted from the endless socializing, Lee Yu-na retreated to a wall to catch her breath.
Dealing with people flocking to her to build connections with Square Garden—and those who harbored ill will toward the clan—was a massive drain on her mental energy.
It was irritating how these people, who couldn't utter a single word in front of her older sister, felt perfectly comfortable running their mouths to her.
‘It’s because I’m lacking...’
Yu-na blamed herself for having nothing extraordinary to offer compared to her sister.
Her Awakening had come much later than Lee Ru-da’s, and there was a stark difference in their talent and skills.
When she first Awakened, she had fantasized about being in the same party as the sister she admired, making a name for herself in dungeons. But those dreams were crushed the moment she learned the nature of her skill.
A support skill that strengthened a designated target.
In a world where powerful offensive skills were the only ones that mattered, Yu-na’s skill was a dud.
Furthermore, its value plummeted because she became completely incapacitated while using her guardian spirit to buff an ally.
A skill that empowered a teammate but effectively removed the caster from the fight—it was a net zero, providing no real advantage or disadvantage.
She had felt sick to her stomach when she first confirmed the skill's fatal flaw.
Because they were sisters, she had even endured mockery, with people saying her skill existed solely to make her older sister, Ru-da, shine brighter.
That particular insult had come from a woman who always dragged around a man dressed like a clown—some character from a strange movie called Piroe or something.
‘Oh my~ Yu-na, you must care for your sister so much to receive such a trash skill! How wonderful! You can just stay in the back while your sister does all the work.’
Yu-na, who always strove to maintain her composure, couldn't hold back that time.
Seeing her flare up in rage, the woman had only laughed harder.
‘Oh? Why are you so angry? I knew it—you were acting all innocent, but you were actually jealous of your sister. Do you hate seeing her succeed that much?’
Yu-na hadn't been able to refute the woman's mockery.
She liked being able to help her sister.
Since the skill’s effectiveness scaled with the target's strength, it was perfectly compatible with Lee Ru-da, who was stronger than anyone.
However, in a dungeon, every single party member was vital. A skill that forced a member out of combat could never be considered "good."
Perhaps it was from that moment on that Yu-na began trying to blend into the background, constantly adjusting herself to those around her.
She worked tirelessly, following her sister’s advice to develop abilities beyond just stats. She struggled to accumulate diverse knowledge and skills, fighting to stay relevant.
Knowing her skill had a clear ceiling, she realized it would be harder to find a party as she reached higher ranks. Yet, Yu-na ignored that inevitable future and fought to remain a Hero.
Then, she met Jeong Yeon-woo.
He shed new light on the skill she had considered a failure and established a whole new set of Supporter tactics.
Until he appeared, "Supporter" was just a polite term for a "has-been."
It wasn't just for those with support skills; it was a role volunteered for by heroes who couldn't adapt to high ranks or whose skills were declining—those who should have retired but were desperate to stay in a party.
Supporters were the ones who handled the dirty work and sometimes even acted as porters. Jeong Yeon-woo changed all of that.
Yu-na, who possessed a skill destined for obsolescence, was able to dream again after meeting him. Now, Black Unicorn was stronger than any other party.
Her party had so much potential that she sometimes wondered if they might be stronger than even B-rank parties, despite officially being C-rank.
Switching her weapon to a bow had been Yeon-woo’s advice, and she had begun to truly shine in dungeons based on his skill applications and Supporter tactics.
There was an incredible thrill in clearing a dungeon where no one relied solely on an Attacker, Defender, or Supporter, but where everyone shared the burden in perfect harmony.
Yu-na felt that the other members of Black Unicorn felt the same way.
One look at their faces, filled with ecstasy after taking down a dungeon boss, told her everything she needed to know.
‘He told me he’d make you an S-rank. The man talks absolute nonsense.’
Come to think of it, Jeong Yeon-woo had made a promise to Lee Ru-da to make Yu-na an S-rank.
Ru-da had mentioned it nonchalantly, followed by a small laugh.
‘Let’s enter a dungeon together someday. Standing tall at the same rank as me. I’ll be waiting.’
Yeon-woo’s actions, which never betrayed her sister’s trust, made Yu-na’s heart flutter.
She no longer felt depressed about her skill.
Just as he promised—no, as he prophesied—she would climb all the way to S-rank alongside Jeong Yeon-woo.
‘But he really is a busy man...’
Yu-na smiled bitterly, glancing at the closed doors of the party hall.
He had mentioned how he hadn't been able to enjoy the ship party because he was one of the "prizes," and he had been looking forward to this party with the pure excitement of a young boy.
Just as she was picturing Yeon-woo’s face—dependable yet occasionally boyish—the woman with the "clown" tucked under her arm approached.
"Why are you standing in the corner like a wallflower at such a happy year-end party?"
The vein on Yu-na’s forehead throbbed the moment the woman appeared, shattering her brief moment of happiness.
"I was just taking a rest."
"Hmm—you look so lonely without a partner. When is your partner ever coming? To stand a lady up like this... he needs a good thrashing to wake him up. You know what they say? If a woman doesn't keep a tight leash on her man, his mind starts to wander."
At the woman's words, the man tucked under her arm looked visibly uncomfortable.
The woman tightened her grip around his waist so he couldn't escape, pulling him flush against her side to flaunt their relationship.
"Your partner looks uncomfortable. Perhaps you shouldn't hold him so tightly?"
"Hah? You don't even have a partner, yet you talk like you understand a man's heart? Honey~ are you uncomfortable being with me?"
"No, not at all."
"See? You don't know men, which is why you get stood up. Or... was the story about having a partner just a lie?"
Yu-na stared at the woman as she patted the uncomfortable man’s backside. Just as Yu-na was about to snap back, a loud voice boomed from across the room.
"Hero Jeong Yeon-woo of Black Unicorn is entering!"
In a gathering of celebrities and high-profile figures, it wasn't common for someone's entrance to be announced so grandly.
Whether the staff member was a fan or if it was simply because he was the man of the hour, the announcement echoed through the hall, informing everyone of Jeong Yeon-woo’s arrival.
When Yu-na and the woman turned their heads, an angel stepped through the doors.
Jeong Yeon-woo usually preferred comfortable clothes and didn't care much for dressing up.
Of course, with his height and lean physique, he looked good in anything, but most photos of him online showed him either looking like a friendly neighbor or wearing his special forces costume.
The only time Yu-na had seen him in formal wear was the stiff tuxedo at the ship party, so seeing him in a slightly more relaxed suit was a first for her as well.
The fit of the suit, which exuded a neat yet youthful charm, perfectly complemented Yeon-woo’s confident expression.
He always carried an air of confidence, but the suit transformed that energy.
Looking like a successful young entrepreneur, Jeong Yeon-woo walked in, giving light nods to the people staring at him with interest.
"Uh... uh, huh?"
The woman standing next to Yu-na wore a stunned expression as she watched Yeon-woo approach them.
As if he were a model walking a runway, Yu-na’s heart began to race as he drew closer.
"Sorry I'm late. The Association wouldn't let me go."
Yeon-woo naturally linked his arm with Yu-na’s.
Knowing exactly how "womanly" he could be, Yu-na was momentarily flustered by the way he demurely tucked his arm into hers like a proper male partner.
Mwah—
There was no sound, but Yu-na felt as if she heard a phantom kiss as she stared blankly at Yeon-woo, who had just lightly kissed her temple.
With a bright smile, Yeon-woo whispered in a low, resonant voice that was just loud enough for those nearby to hear.
"I'm sorry. Please forgive me with this."
Seeing him play the role of a lover with a slight crinkle in his eyes, the quick-witted Yu-na immediately played along.
"It's okay. I'm already over it."
"Mmm—you shouldn't be over it so easily. You'll have to punish me later."
Yu-na flinched at the suggestive tone in his voice.
What kind of punishment?
The women eavesdropping nearby all swallowed hard.
Imagining Jeong Yeon-woo pinned under Yu-na, apologizing while licking her thighs, the women cleared their throats and looked away.
Internally, however, Yu-na was panicking at Yeon-woo’s sudden transformation into a seductive, masculine figure.
Even if he was doing this to boost her status, wasn't he taking it a bit too far?
If people started spreading strange rumors...
Yu-na, who had just imagined the exact same thing as the women around her, unconsciously squeezed her thighs together.
"Ah, is this a friend of yours? Please introduce me."
Seeing Yeon-woo lean his shoulder against hers while pulling on her arm, Yu-na hurriedly introduced the woman.
"A high school classmate of Yu-na’s? Wow—you two must be very close."
"Yes, ye-yes... Yu-na and I are inseparable..."
Yu-na’s gaze turned icy at the blatant lie coming from the woman's mouth.
The woman, however, ignored her and spoke to Yeon-woo.
"Yeon-woo... I can call you Yeon-woo, right? I've heard so much about you. Since we've met like this, it must be fate..."
As Yu-na glared at the woman, who was not only being shameless but was now trying to flirt with Yeon-woo, he gave a gentle smile and shook his head.
"I'm sorry, but I have to spend time with Yu-na today. It's been a while since it's just been the two of us."
As he spoke, pressing his cheek against hers like a lover, the woman stared at Yu-na with a dazed expression.
Yu-na trembled at the sensation of Yeon-woo’s skin against hers, but she maintained her composure and looked at the woman with pride.
Heh—
Yu-na gave the most mocking smirk she could muster, causing the woman to grit her teeth.
"Ah, a-ah... excuse me, that hurts..."
When the woman whipped her head around to glare, the man tucked under her arm shut his mouth and averted his eyes.
"It was nice meeting you. Until next time."
Yeon-woo gave a light farewell and moved away, clinging to Yu-na’s arm.
As they walked away, the man whimpered in pain beside the woman, who was staring daggers at their retreating backs.
I might not have much party experience, but I have plenty of knowledge thanks to my missions.
The first step of intelligence gathering is building a network, so parties like this are convenient for getting to know faces.
Well—Colonel Park saw my face and told me I didn't have the look for that kind of thing, so he always gave me roles like a homeless person that people would avoid.
That son of a bitch, Colonel Park.
Anyway, right now I've got top-tier looks as my only tool, so I might as well use that knowledge to the fullest.
In parties like this, there's a role called a "Wing."
By the way, it's an actual profession.
Depending on the gender, they're called Wingmen or Winggirls. Their job is to use their incredible looks to stay by a client's side and make them stand out.
Just imagine a successful businessman walking around with a drop-dead gorgeous woman on his arm.
It's not sex work; their role is simply to draw attention at a party and make people wonder, 'Who is that person to have such a sexy woman by their side?'
And today, I’m going to be Yu-na’s Wingman.
Since the genders are reversed here, I just have to act like a Winggirl, right?
That’s why I slipped the staff member at the entrance a million won to announce my arrival loudly.
He refused at first, but when I added another million on top, he nodded.
This isn't the Middle Ages, and most of these people are part-timers. Money solves most things.
I entered, drawing everyone's attention, and walked toward Yu-na, whom I had already located with Mana Detection.
Wow—that dress is insane.
The plunging neckline emphasizes Yu-na’s large, pale breasts.
The back is open too, and the slight curve of her lower back makes me want to spin her around and take her right then and there.
It’s not too flowery like an evening gown, yet it shows off plenty of back and cleavage—the designer who made this is a genius.
Since it’s a mini-dress, I can see Yu-na’s sleek legs from the mid-thigh down.
If I just hiked that dress up to her waist and hammered her...
Get a grip, Jeong Yeon-woo. Focus.
I’m the Winggirl here.
Let’s act like the kind of man women want.
I am gay. I am gay.
Clinging to Yu-na’s arm, I repeat the mantra in my head while acting cute and feminine.
Yu-na seemed flustered for a moment, but she’s quick-witted and played along immediately. I then started getting under the skin of that nasty-looking woman.
I’d already seen the tension between them as I approached, so she’s clearly Yu-na’s enemy.
I act like a "gay" best friend/lover clinging to Yu-na, making myself look as enviable and "delicious" as possible.
I am gay. I am gay.
"You can stop acting now."
Once we reached a secluded corner with few people, Yu-na looked up at me with a shy smile.
"Was it strange?"
"No... it was different... I guess I’m just not used to it... Thank you for pretending to be my lover."
"I’m your partner, after all. We are lovers."
At my words, Yu-na’s cheeks flushed, and she lowered her gaze.
Don't do that. When you make a face like that, I can barely contain myself.
It’s hard enough to keep it together with that massive cleavage right in front of me, but when you look like that, my crotch gets so stiff it’s hard to even walk.
I wrapped my arm around her exposed waist and led her back toward the party.
"Let’s go. I’m going to make you the star of this party, Yu-na."
Yu-na looked up at me and nodded with a bright smile.
For today, I am Lee Yu-na’s lover.
And for the record, that’ll probably be true even after the party ends. The day isn't over yet.
Stealing a glance at the breasts pressed against my side, I find myself eagerly waiting for the party to be over.