Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Interlude (1)
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"Have a safe trip, Oppa."
"I'll be back."
Even just exchanging greetings like this took over five minutes today, without fail. I had no idea why she wouldn't let me go during our goodbyes, but every time I tried to pull away, she'd cling even harder, so I just let her have her fill until she was satisfied.
On my way to the guild in the car, my face heated up as I recalled last night's events. Sure, I'd comforted Seo Ji-hyun while she cried, but when I woke up, there she was, glued to my side. What was I supposed to do? Well, we'd showered together already, so this much was nothing.
Or was it? Maybe soaking in the tub together naked was more embarrassing. We'd stripped down completely and gotten in side by side. But we're living together now, so that was par for the course. Sleeping together wasn't a big deal then, right? It's not like we'd had sex.
For some reason, a strange disconnect kept nagging at me, but since I'd entered a novel in the first place, I just shrugged it off. Fire was coming out of my hands right now—could anything top that? Even I had to laugh in disbelief at the thought.
To be honest, I'd fantasized about it once or twice in life—what I'd do with powers like these. But now that I had them, I wasn't doing much with it. In that sense, maybe getting isekai'd with cheats from the neighbor country would've been better. Of course, this setup was more comfortable for daily life.
Still, it wasn't all bad. There was someone precious waiting at home. I didn't know when she'd become so dear to me, but if I had the means to help and didn't, I'd just be trash.
Lost in these thoughts, I arrived at the guild before I knew it and ran into Lee Sun-young, who was wearing her school uniform instead of the guild attire.
"Vice Guild Master-nim!"
"Oh? Heading to school now?"
"Yes. You're in super early."
"Gotta be, as Vice Guild Master. Lots to handle. Anyway, have a good day at school. See you at the training grounds later."
"Eek..."
Her calm expression twisted openly at the mention of training grounds—my dear disciple. The harder it is, the more rewarding it gets, I say. With her sent off, I exchanged greetings with the fewer-than-usual early birds and headed to the Guild Master's office.
*knock knock.*
"It's Lee Seo-woo."
She was definitely awake, so I entered to find Yoo Soo-jung striking a pose—coffee brewed, hands neatly folded on the desk, chin resting on the back of her hand.
"...What are you doing?"
"Good work out there."
"What'd you watch before bed last night?"
"A detective drama."
"Be honest—that stern look doesn't suit your face at all, so just stop."
"That's harsh!"
I really wished she'd quit; it didn't suit her one bit. At least dye her hair or something. Complaining about "Professor Pingchang" or whatever, she beckoned me over anyway. When I approached, she stood from her chair, sat me down, and climbed onto my lap.
"Anyway! You really did great. Sun-young's mana has noticeably increased, thanks to you."
"Her growth rate is insane."
"Yeah, yeah. You brought in a real gem. Feels rewarding to raise her. Unlike some people."
"...Yeah."
My mood soured abruptly, my voice dropping lower than even I expected. Why did it bother me so much? When had Seo Ji-hyun become this important to me? Yoo Soo-jung didn't seem to notice, though.
"I told Dad, and he seemed satisfied too."
"The teacher, you mean."
"Yeah. He even asked me to have you give him a call earlier. Do it later."
"Got it."
"And..."
Wondering what she'd say next, she suddenly stood, turned to face me properly, and straddled me again. Lust poured from those pink eyes, and honestly, I nearly recoiled. Her fingers were already fumbling below.
"I just got here and I'm tired."
"Why? Didn't sleep?"
"Not that, but this early in the morning... Wait, when did you even take it out?"
"Just now!"
No wonder it felt cool yet warm—she'd pulled out my dick and was rubbing it against her crotch. Damn this uniform buckle design meant for all-day comfort. My head spun; I froze for a second, then stopped her as she tried to get me hard.
"Why? Not gonna do it?"
"No, seriously, not first thing in the morning."
A few days ago, I'd have gone along without a second thought. But after last night, I just wasn't in the mood today. I tucked my half-erect shaft away and zipped up.
"What? You really not into it? Ugh, what's with you young guys."
"That face pulling that off is just too jarring, so stop..."
"Fine, then just hug me tight. I'll handle the rest."
"What, you in heat or something?"
"Maybe? Hurry!"
Figuring she'd whine endlessly if I didn't, I hugged her tight. One hand went below, the other to her chest, and she started rubbing herself off.
"Haah... This pressure feels so good..."
I had no idea when she'd developed this kink, but it seemed harmless enough, so I held her as she fingered herself to multiple squirting orgasms.
"Hee... Hee..."
"Satisfied now?"
"Uhee..."
I'd talk to her later. Her tongue lolling out as she came was hot and all, but this wasn't the look for a woman. I tucked her tongue back in, laid her on the chair, and stood. Her clothes soaked in fluids needed washing, so I tossed them in the hamper and changed into my guild uniform from the cabinet in the corner of the Guild Master's office.
Oh, right—Yoo Ji-hyeok wanted a call. Better do it now while I remembered. I looked up his number and dialed.
After a few rings, his voice came through.
-[Hey, Seo-woo. Long time no chat.]
"It's been a while since I called, sir."
-[Good work, first off.]
"You're too kind."
His voice matched what I'd imagined from the novel—low and resonant, fitting the character archetype. It was close enough, and thankfully quite friendly.
-[As I heard from my staff yesterday, the reward payout will be formalized soon. I hear you took on a disciple.]
"Just a student I ran into while visiting schools."
-[Schools, huh... You suddenly taking on something new.]
He zeroed in on that, as expected. I scrambled to organize an excuse in my head when an unexpected response came.
-[Doesn't matter what you're up to. Just don't forget how this guild grew.]
"...Yes, sir."
-[You're smart; you know what I mean.]
"......"
-[You and Soo-jung have your plans, I'm sure. I won't interfere much—handle it yourselves. I'll be watching. But cross the line, and you know what happens.]
"Understood."
-[Let's grab a meal soon.]
"Yes. Good night, sir."
-[Alright. Hanging up.]
The good mood from the past few days soured again. It felt similar when facing Yoo Soo-jung earlier. Bipolar much? Though this was on a whole other level of shit.
Right—that's exactly why I'd hustled right after possessing this body. The guild had used people up and discarded them without proper respect. Seo Ji-hyun was one of them. If she'd stayed buried, fine, but she'd survived, gained power, and come for revenge.
Of course, I'd twisted the original story, so that wouldn't happen now—but as a person, hearing this stuff didn't sit right. Suddenly concerned, my eyes met Yoo Soo-jung's; she was still sprawled on the chair.
"What?"
"...Feeling better now?"
"Lost all my strength, but yeah, mood's great?"
With our bodies no longer pressed together, I switched to polite speech, but she grinned without a care, leaving me conflicted. Come to think of it, from Seo Ji-hyun's perspective, this woman was an enemy too. Seo Ji-hyun was tame now—no dismemberment like in the original—but she'd still be hard-pressed to forgive.
So what stance should I take? Last time we talked, Seo Ji-hyun knew about my relationship with the Guild Master. To her, I must look like a villain buddying up with the foe, yet she showed no hostility—just dependence on me.
Maybe I should ask her outright how to handle it. I planned to have them meet after purging the guild anyway. No idea how long that'd take.
As I pondered leaving the judgment to Seo Ji-hyun, Yoo Soo-jung dropped a total bombshell.
"By the way, mind if I come to your place tonight?"
"Out of nowhere?"
"It's Friday, and I miss the night sea. The view from your rooftop is so pretty."
"Uh..."
"What? Got plans?"
"Not really."
"Don't worry—I won't stay over. Got stuff tomorrow anyway."
"The place is kinda messy."
"Since when do we care about that between us?"
No matter how I racked my brain, I couldn't find a reason to refuse. This was a real pickle.
"What, got a secret girlfriend stashed there?"
"No way."
"Then it's fine, right? See you after work."
For now, I'd brainstorm excuses later and text Seo Ji-hyun. Tell her to hide just in case. My head was already starting to ache.