Chapter 107
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Entangled (2)
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That was quite a display of skill. Haha.
Kang Seoyul stammered at Unknown's pleasantry.
Th-thank you.
Unknown observed the boy before him, thinking to himself.
Kang Seoyul. A cadet acquainted with Yuhwa and Shin Jia, the ones who trapped Jace.
A first-year at the Korean Superhuman Academy. He was famous as an F-rank failure upon admission but began to show rapid growth in just half a semester.
He is now widely known as one of the top prospects.
He was also the main reason Geomryeong and Gwuiryeongs work was obstructed.
The probability of this man being the mastermind is, at best, less than 0.1%.
But that was all.
The timing of his acquaintance with Shin Jia and Yuhwa coincided with the period he began to stand out.
It was highly probable that the Shinhwa Group and the Bihon Guild had approached him for scouting purposes.
It was a bit strange that a mere cadet could interfere with Geomryeong and Gwuiryeong, but
Seeing him fight in person today, I understand.
With that level of skill, it would have been possible for him to buy enough time against Geomryeong and Gwuiryeong until Yuhwa arrived on the scene.
Maestro's report did say he seems to possess a temporary doping-type skill.
Still, one could never be too sure.
A 0.1% sliver of doubt remained. However, todays meeting had erased even that 0.1% possibility.
Kang Seoyul is not hiding his power.
Unknown smirked inwardly, looking at Kang Seoyul trembling before him.
Hed only released a sliver of his aura as a test. Yet the boy's body had frozen solid from it.
Like an injured baby bird.
Kang Seoyul had completely submitted to his aura.
If he were hiding his true strength, he would never react like that to this sudden pressure.
That was definitely not an act.
In the first place, I cant sense the unique aura of a powerful individual from him at all. Hes still a fledgling.
Unknown let out a soft chuckle and withdrew his aura.
You're drenched in a cold sweat. Are you not feeling well?
He then offered a kind smile and spoke in a tone full of concern.
He didnt forget to retract his aura in the process.
Ah, no. Im just not in the best condition today.
Ah. So thats why your movements were sluggish at the start.
Yes, yes.
The more he observed, the more certain he became.
I dont need to worry about this man.
Unknown completely lost interest in Kang Seoyul.
It was then.
Sir. It's time for your meeting.
A woman approached with elegant steps. She was dressed in a neat business suit.
Ah. Has it gotten that late already?
Unknown checked the time, then turned to Kang Seoyul with a bright smile.
Well then, I must be going. I have an appointment.
He turned and walked away. The woman followed behind him.
Boss. Did you get a look at that fox?
The expression of the woman walking alongside Unknown changed in an instant. Her demureness vanished, replaced by a seductive smile.
Ai. Have I not told you not to call me Boss outside? I believe I told you to be especially careful when were undercover using false identities.
Shirakawa Ai.
The real name of one of the seven executives of the Seekers of Truth. Her codename was Lust.
Aw, come on. There's no one around. What's the big deal? Anyway, how was that Yuhwa bitch? Was she black?
Lust said playfully.
Who knows. I only saw her from a distance, so I cant be sure.
Unknowns lips twisted into a smirk.
Aww. Whats that supposed to mean?
Has the VIP arrived?
Unknowns reason for entering the Superhuman Academy today was not to observe or deal with Yuhwa.
He had another purpose.
Watching the ranking match was just something he did to kill time.
Yep. Already here. Its about a three-minute walk.
They walked for about three minutes.
Upon reaching a quiet park, the man and woman came to a stop.
See that limousine up ahead? Get in. I have other business to attend to, so I'm off.
The woman undid her neatly tied hair, letting it fall as she gave a bewitching eye-smile.
Behave yourself.
You mean don't take his life, right? I know~ I'll just drain a little of his essence and be back, so don't you worry~
Unknown gave a casual wave, glancing at the receding figure of Lust before heading toward the waiting VIP. A limousine was visible in the distance.
He opened the door and stepped inside.
Y-youve come.
A middle-aged man was sitting inside the limousine. His forehead was beaded with cold sweat, his lips trembling.
Report.
Unknown crossed his legs.
Everything, without a single omission. If there is even the slightest inadequacy
He glared at the middle-aged man. A crimson light flared in his eyes.
You will die.
H-hiiik!
The middle-aged man, Presidential Chief of Staff Kim Hoohyeon, let out a shriek.
***
After Unknown disappeared.
I forced myself to calm my racing heart and took a deep breath.
My mind was blank.
My hands and feet were trembling, and my brain refused to function properly.
The man who was just in front of me was, without a doubt, Unknown.
I didn't know his face, but I was certain.
That gaze, that aura.
Only Unknown could exude such an intimidating presence.
I covered my mouth with a trembling hand and tried to compose myself.
Calm down.
Stay calm.
But my heart wouldn't stop pounding. Of course it wouldn't. This was Unknown.
The opponent who gave the overpowered protagonist of the original [S-Class Status Window], Kang Seoyul, his first real struggle, and the only opponent whose defeat was never guaranteed throughout the first and second parts of the story.
A monster like that had just appeared right before my eyes. If there was anyone who could maintain their composure, Id like to see them. Id let them fight in my place.
I continued to take deep breaths.
I had to calm down, no matter what.
...Hoo.
As time passed, the trembling began to subside.
Eventually, my mind returned to a somewhat rational state.
I immediately replayed my encounter with Unknown.
First, that unsettling aura.
Nine times out of ten, Unknown had emitted that aura intentionally.
To test me.
To observe how I would react when faced with it head-on.
I had been flustered upon receiving that aura. I was already more tense than usual, just knowing of Unknowns existence, so how could I not be flustered when I came face to face with a man who seemed to be him?
...I was lucky.
What must Unknown have thought upon seeing my panicked state?
He must have thought this:
Theres no chance this man is the mastermind.
If I had tried to resist his aura, or prepared for it half-heartedly, or even tried to act, his suspicion would have only grown.
I was truly lucky.
Hoo.
And next.
It was highly likely that Unknowns reason for watching my ranking match wasn't because of Yuhwa.
The woman who appeared after he withdrew his aura. A neat suit, her hair tied back tidily.
She looked like a secretary to anyone who saw her, but...
Lust.
That secretary was Lust.
The beauty mark by her lips, an unfailing feature in Lust's physical description, was present on this woman's face. It had to be her.
And the fact that she entered Korea with him meant that Unknown was using his fake identity as the CEO of JT Technologies.
Probably to make contact with the political world of South Korea.
To ensure the attack on the international tournament proceeded more smoothly.
The timing roughly matched up.
Besides, Unknown, who pathologically hated revealing his existence to the world, would never do something as bold as moving personally right before the terrorist attack on the tournament.
All this pointed to the fact that Unknowns observation of Yuhwa was merely incidental.
...Thankfully, it seemed there was no immediate danger.
Just as I was breathing a sigh of relief.
Hello.
Someone whispered sweetly into my ear, like candy.
Startled, I spun around.
A woman was smiling.
Would you like to have some tea with me?
A woman with an alluring mole by her lips.
Ah, I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Shirakawa Ai.
Lust was flashing a charming smile.
...I'm screwed.
I had forgotten.
Lust's unique trait is Essence Absorption.
A true 'succubus' of a woman who absorbs essence from the opposite sex and uses it as an energy source.
There's a setting for her character where she loses all patience when she sees a handsome man.
Something about the essence of a handsome man tasting better.
Its just that I find you very much to my liking. I do hope you wont refuse.
I broke into a cold sweat as I looked at Lust, who was beaming at me.
It seemed my crisis was not yet over.
***
I couldn't refuse Lusts offer.
There were several reasons why I couldn't.
This woman was obsessive.
She was the type to become even more fired up if rejected once.
How dare you reject me? Why? What's wrong with me? Is your self-control that good? Or am I just not looking my best today? That can't be right. Wow, so indifferent. Not even a second glance? Youve got my interest. You know how to play hard to get? Are you doing this on purpose? For some reason, it just makes you look even more handsome. What is this? What is this? Hahaha, I like it. Yes, youre cute. Youve got a certain vibe. Your whole atmosphere is just so charming.
Thats the kind of vibe she gave off.
She was not in her right mind.
How could I refuse an offer from a woman like that, not knowing what might happen?
It was also an opportunity to gather information on Lust.
Lust, Shirakawa Ai, was the executive who died the most anticlimactic death in the original story.
Thanks to that, there was no information revealed about her other than her Essence Absorption.
Couldnt I turn this crisis into an opportunity and extract information from Lust?
It could be dangerous.
But as long as Unknown was here, Lust wouldn't resort to forceful actions.
For all these reasons, I accepted Lusts proposal.
This caf has a great view. And the coffee is delightfully smooth, just perfect.
I agree.
What a liar.
Delightfully smooth, my ass.
You can't even taste coffee.
This woman couldn't taste anything. It was the price for her unique trait, or so it was said. The only way for her to experience taste was to absorb a mans essence.
Can I call you Oppa? I'm 20 too, but you just feel like an Oppa.
...Sure. Whatever you're comfortable with.
Yay! Okay! Oppa!
I snorted inwardly.
Oppa? You're 20 too?
Dont make me laugh.
Lust, Shirakawa Ai, is exactly 30 years old this year. A full tray of eggs.
They say ten years is enough to change mountains and rivers, yet here you are, shaving off a whole decade. Wheres your conscience?
...Well, I couldnt say that out loud, so I decided to wear a mask of my own.
By the way, that man from before
He's my boss. Im his secretary.
Ah, is your boss a superhuman, by any chance?
Yes, thats right.
I see. I thought the aura he gave off was extraordinary.
Ah. It seems the boss was testing another promising talent and was being rude again. I apologize.
No, no. It was a good experience for me. Haha.
We continued our conversation, each hiding our true intentions behind a mask.
By the way, to be a secretary for a company at the age of 20. You must be an elite.
Oh, please. Not as much as you, Oppa. The worlds greatest prospect, Kang Seoyul!
My back was drenched in cold sweat.
I was so nervous I didn't know if I was managing my expression properly.
Oppa. You can speak comfortably with me.
Really? Then you should speak comfortably too. You said were the same age.
Oh, no. Im more comfortable with polite speech.
Wow. What a fake.
This is a woman who speaks informally to her own boss, saying she's more comfortable with polite speech.
...Is that so?
Yes. So please, speak comfortably.
Her eye-smile was that of a nine-tailed fox. That face, that expression, that way of speaking, and that title. How many men could resist that?
Ah.
At that moment, Lust stood up from the seat across from me and moved to the one next to me.
She then casually leaned her body close to mine and brought her face near my own.
Oppa, what kind of cosmetics do you use? Your skin is so fair.
She gazed directly into my eyes and smiled delicately. It was a charming eye-smile that seemed to evoke a mans protective instincts.
I dont use any.
Too bad it doesn't work on me, who's used to seeing the face of the world's greatest beauty, the face-bully Jia.
At that moment, Lusts eyes widened like saucers. She seemed somewhat flustered.
R-really? Then you dont do any skincare at all?
But she quickly hid her surprise and returned to a bright smile.
Not really.
Wow. Thats amazing.
Now she was leaning her entire body against mine. Wasn't this getting a bit too blatant?
To think this is skin without any care
Lust suddenly reached out and touched my face.
A seductive touch.
For some reason, a shiver ran down my spine.
Oppa. Youre so handsome.
Leaning her full-figured body completely against mine, with her hand on my cheek, she looked straight into my eyes and smiled like a lily in bloom.
Was this some kind of ultimate 3-piece combo set for seducing men?
Ill take that as a compliment.
But it wasnt working on me.
And honestly, Lust wasn't my type.
But I think you're a little too close.
Oh
At my nonchalant reaction, Lust's expression went blank again.
Her pupils darted back and forth, a clear sign of her immense confusion.
Whats wrong?
Ah, n-no. Its nothing.
At my words, Lust pulled her body away from mine, her face blushing.
...What's with her?
***
An hour later.
The conversation had ended.
Kang Seoyul had left the caf long ago.
Left alone, Lust sat in her seat, staring blankly into space.
...So a man like that exists.
She was completely dumbfounded.
I never thought a man who feels no lust for me could exist.
Lusts trait was Essence Absorption.
A trait that steals a mans essence.
As a supplementary trait to use Essence Absorption more effectively, there existed a trait called Lust Amplification.
The effect was just as the name suggested: it stimulated and amplified the opponents lust.
It was an auto-activation trait that triggered through eye contact or physical touch.
Whether it was a monk or an impotent man, as long as a sesame seed's worth of lust existed, it would be instantly amplified to its maximum.
It was a power akin to a curse that worked unconditionally on any being recorded by the System as Gender: Male.
Until now, Lust had never met a man on whom this trait did not work.
That is, until she met Kang Seoyul.
Kang Seoyul
A strange heat emanated from Lusts eyes.
I finally found him. A man unaffected by my Essence Absorption!
Lust licked her lips with a seductive gaze and made a call to someone.
Honey~ It's me. Give me a month's vacation.
Maestros cold voice came through the speaker.
The rest of the work? I dunno~ Just tell the boss it's 'contract fulfillment' and he'll let it slide. Anyway, I'm taking a month off, okay? Bye~
Lust ended the call and stood up from her seat. A peculiar light gleamed in her eyes as she left the caf.