Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Settling Scores
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An Ye-in stood there blankly, just staring into space.
Of course, her pants were still turning yellow.
Leaving the girl with the blank pupils behind, I headed home.
Who knew there was such a clean and effective method.
I should use it wisely in the future.
Since I hadn't inflicted any physical harm, I had no intention of entertaining any compensation claims she might make later. All I did was look at her.
Everything she claimed would turn out to be a lie.
Let's see how she likes living as a lying psychopath.
People who make others shed bloody tears never think about the blood they'll see themselves.
Time to reflect on why karma exists, An Ye-in.
When I got home, my little sister was leisurely scrolling through her smartphone.
"I'm back."
"You're home? You're early today."
"How is 4 PM early, you punk?"
"But you're grinning like an idiot. What's got you so happy?"
"Oh, I settled an old grudge."
"What? Old grudge?"
"You know that bitch. An Ye-in."
"Oh, that fucking bitch?"
A curse slipped naturally from my sister's mouth. Good girl, that's my sister.
Just defending me and calling that bitch a bitch properly puts her in the top 0.1% of sisters in Korea.
"What about her?"
"Ran into her today. She's going to college all leisurely like, after trying to ruin my life."
"So, you just left?"
"If I did, would I be smiling like this?"
"Yeah, true. Back then, I really thought we were screwed. Watching her insist without evidence made me want to yank her hair out."
"Yeah, that happened. Anyway, I gave that fucking bitch a proper lesson."
"How? Did you hit her?"
"You think I'm crazy? If I did, she'd be a bloody pulp. Not exaggerating—she'd turn into ground meat and die. I wanted to, but there's a better way."
"What way?"
"Threat... I guess? One of my abilities."
"Threat as an ability?"
Come to think of it, she doesn't read fantasy novels or anything. This'll be hard to explain.
"Imagine a tiger right in front of you. How would that feel?"
"Scary?"
"Exactly that. Amplifying that fear to the max. So... her daily life will be tough from now on."
"Wow... you have an ability like that?"
"Yeah. Convenient. I can retaliate without physical violence. I held back, though. If not, she might've had a heart attack."
"Impressive... but kinda scary."
"It's fine, it's fine. I don't wanna be a murderer. But since she nearly ruined my life, I gave her a taste of the same."
"No wonder you're beaming. Hungry?"
"Not really... why?"
"Gotta go tutor soon, so grabbing something."
"Then let's eat together. What?"
"Chicken?"
"Sure."
"Beer... nah, cola it is."
"Zero for me."
"Me too."
* * *
Friday came faster than expected. And on Friday? Can't skip the opening general meeting.
Sure, third-year and all, but I promised the kids, so I'd go.
Plus, my classmates in the group chat said:
[Han Tae-hoon: Hey hey hey Yoon Seo-hyun, you're really coming, right?]
[Yoon Seo-hyun: Yeah, told you. Why?]
[Han Tae-hoon: Student council president's been nagging if you can make it.]
[Yoon Seo-hyun: Why's the president care?]
[Han Tae-hoon: Seems like she wants to get friendly.]
[Yoo Han-gyeol: Honestly, tons of people in the department wanna talk to you lol]
[Yoon Seo-hyun: Fr?]
[Yoo Han-gyeol: Yeah, now everyone knows you're not some mutant who messes with people randomly.]
[Yoon Seo-hyun: ;; Should I do a fire show or something? Feels like I became popular overnight.]
[Heo Ji-hoon: Fire show? Lol can't miss that yeah I'm coming]
[Jo Min-hyuk: This opening meeting's gonna be fun for once lol]
[Han Tae-hoon: Those kids you met in the lounge last time spread the word. Especially Nam Soo-yeon, she's got connections...]
[Yoon Seo-hyun: Got it lol understood]
Meeting at 6 PM.
Agenda: department events.
Probably academic trips and the literature club's year-end event.
Then hit a restaurant for drinks.
Uni events always start fancy and end boozy.
Just in case, texted my sister ahead.
[Yoon Seo-hyun: Hey]
[Yoon Seo-ah: What]
[Yoon Seo-hyun: Got opening meeting today, home late]
[Yoon Seo-ah: Kk business major has one too, me too]
[Yoon Seo-hyun: Oh yeah?]
[Yoon Seo-ah: Have fun]
[Yoon Seo-hyun: Lol got it]
Humanities building room 104.
Time to spare, but classmates waiting in lounge since nothing else.
Guess I'll head to the lounge.
* * *
Opened the lounge door—packed. Eyes spinning instantly.
What is this overwhelming popular kid vibe.
Door creaks, all eyes turn my way.
"Oh, you made it?"
"Yeah, hi seniors!"
"Hi, hi. Han Tae-hoon, you too. Others?"
"Bathroom break."
"Ah."
"You're early."
"Time hanging... since going to meeting anyway, thought we'd snack."
"Introduce yourself then. Been ages since you saw her? First since orientation?"
"Who?"
"Hi, senior."
"Oh, Na-yeon junior. Hi."
"Haha... long time no see."
"Yeah. Feels like half a year."
"Longer."
"Anyway."
"Thanks for coming. Lots asking about you..."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. And 15th class kids wanna get close too."
Student council president Kim Na-yeon, smiling awkwardly at me. One year below, not super close.
First saw her when I quit department life, last at this semester's new student orientation.
Half-year gap. Awkward vibe.
"Anyway, killing the awkwardness—get friendly at the meeting. Hey, Seo-hyun."
"What."
"That group chat thing real?"
"What now."
"You said fire show."
"Oh."
"Can we expect it?"
"Hey, that was a joke..."
"Whoa, for real!?"
Familiar voice barges in. Nam Soo-yeon.
"Nah, just kidding..."
But juniors' eyes glued to me. That "fire show" sparked hype.
If I don't, I'll look like the bad guy.
"Come on, just once."
Heo Ji-hoon chimes in from beside. These guys planned this?
Fine. Not hard.
"Alright, alright. I'll do it. My mouth ran."
"Nice!"
"Our department's dragon breathes fire!"
"Heo Ji-hoon, Han Tae-hoon, you lunatics—quiet!"
Kim Na-yeon bursts laughing at our antics.
"Haha! What's that?"
"Hey Na-yeon. Told you, she's not scary at all."
"Heard... but..."
"What, even you feared me, Na-yeon?"
"No one wasn't scared then? Separate from wanting to get close."
"Fair, fair."
"That bad?"
"Hey, ask ten passersby then—all too scared to approach."
"Was I that scary-looking..."
"Nah, not anymore. Anyway, curious about other juniors' reactions. Today's hot spot's wherever Yoon Seo-hyun is."
"Seems so. Can I join?"
"Bring beer or fruit soju. Can't get drunk anymore, need tasty stuff."
"Yup!"
"Oh, time. Let's go, guys."
"Yes!"
* * *
Opening general meeting ended as expected—pointless.
Main event: post-meeting drinks.
There, swarmed by eager juniors, I broke a sweat.
Why so many questions?
Get it, but too many!
"Senior, seeing anyone?"
"No way. Was a guy till recently—how could I date one?"
"Oh."
"Any inconveniences as a girl?"
"Tons. Hair got long, washing's a pain..."
"Makeup?"
"Don't really."
"Ugh, scam!"
This is our student council president, Kim Na-yeon. Booze flips her vibe.
Fun to watch.
Then, someone slips beside me. Si-hyun. Smiling watching me chat with Na-yeon.
"Oh, Si-hyun! Here for sis? Here, drink, pour me one."
Si-hyun gets love from president too—greets warmly, downs a shot.
"Hi sis. You're hyped today?"
"Yeah. Legendary senior at opening after eons. Anyway, senior—no makeup? Shame, you're pretty."
"Yeah. Never learned, don't know how."
"Want me to teach?"
"No need...? Just lotion."
"Too wasteful. Bit of makeup—you'd be stunning."
"Maybe..."
"Let's try! Si-hyun, my pouch there?"
"This? Got it!"
Wait, girls—what's happening?