Chapter 97: Did Someone Follow You?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 97: Did Someone Follow You?
I looked at the 14 million won I received after finishing Young-eun’s massage.
[Official Member Yoo Young-eun Satisfaction: 140/100]
[Excess Satisfaction: 40, Affection: High (7)]
An excess satisfaction of a whopping 40.
I couldn't understand why her satisfaction was so high. Because the value had soared so far beyond the target of 100, the money I received amounted to 14 million won.
At first, I wondered if it was high because of the acting assistance. However, that had nothing to do with the PT program. The system wouldn't be so lax as to let something like that raise the score.
‘I didn't even act like I liked her.’
For comparison, Miju’s excess satisfaction after receiving the same massage was 15. She had climaxed multiple times and we had even had sex. That was the satisfaction gained from spending a night together.
If Miju was a 15, I couldn't even fathom how much Young-eun must have felt.
‘With a 40, she should have climaxed dozens of times, not just once.’
Perhaps it wasn't sexual arousal. I began to think she might have been genuinely satisfied with the massage itself.
‘If it’s Young-eun, that’s possible.’
She was a meritocrat. As long as the skill was undeniable, she was the type to express her feelings and treat others accordingly without falsehood. It made sense.
Then, the high affection level caught my eye. The number 7 written next to Affection.
Miju’s was definitely a 9. I didn't know what the maximum value was, but if Miju was a 9, then Young-eun’s affection level of 7 was clearly not a small number.
I recalled the hypnosis I had layered on her—the one that dictated her affection would rise the more she doubted me.
‘I guess she’s still doubting me.’
She must be constantly sensing a dissonance. At least when she’s here at the gym. Of course, because she’s under hypnosis, that dissonance wouldn't reach the level of deep suspicion, but the fact that her affection is this high means...
‘That dissonance might be reaching its breaking point...’
A situation might come where I’ll have to settle things once and for all. I’d have to think about how to persuade Young-eun, but for now, it was better to focus on how to use the rewards I’d just earned.
‘14 million won... What should I do with this?’
I thought about buying gym equipment, but I could afford that without using this specific money. I had already pocketed a lot of money from the monthly membership fees paid by Young-eun, Ye-seul, and Hyun-kyung.
Especially Young-eun.
“The person in charge of me must be the best, but at the same time, they must be treated as such,” she had said while handing over the money.
The amount was substantial. I received an amount that easily exceeded the 14 million won I just got, all under the guise of a "monthly management fee." Thanks to that, I was able to buy several new machines for the newly opened chain branch. The gym equipment manager, whom the owner of the meat house I used to work at had introduced to me, was absolutely thrilled.
‘So there’s no need to use this money for equipment.’
I recalled the prompt saying I could use this money to raise a member’s level. It cost 2.5 million won to go from Level 2 to Level 3. Raising levels required a significant amount of money.
“Member Level, huh...”
The system’s words felt like a forced suggestion to use this to raise levels. Certainly, after her level went up by one stage, Miju seemed strangely more beautiful. Even though she was already considered a beauty, she began to exude a deeper aura that constantly drew the eye.
Was there any benefit for me in raising a member’s level? A small doubt surfaced. I checked the member information.
[Kang Mi-ju – Member Level 3] ☆
[Hwang Ye-seul – Member Level 5]
[Yoo Young-eun – Member Level 7]
[Im Hyun-kyung – Member Level 7]
[Heo Da-young – Member Level 3]
...
Why was there a star next to Miju?
[Kang Mi-ju – Member Level 3 – Currently considering a trainer position.]
[The higher the level of the affiliated trainers, the higher the level of the chain branch can rise.]
Ah, so that’s what it meant. Investing in a trainer was an investment in the gym.
‘In that case, let’s postpone it for a bit.’
It wasn't certain yet if Miju would actually become a trainer. There was no reason to raise it beforehand.
‘I don't think Miju will refuse, but...’
Just in case. I took this opportunity to check my points. I hadn't been able to check them recently due to the back-to-back conquests.
[Held HP: 11,300]
[Held SP: 2,400]
It wasn't a small amount. From making the famous Hyun-kyung a member and successfully completing her rehabilitation, to the massage and sex with Miju, and Young-eun’s care—the points had piled up steadily.
What was I going to do with these? I needed to open the numerous rooms that could be installed in the Medic Care Place.
Sauna Room, Tanning Room, Waxing Room, Powder Room, and so on. There were many options, but the one I liked most was, of course, the Tanning Room.
[Tanning Room – Skin care including general tanning and white tanning]
The members' skin care was one thing, but what I liked more was the bonus.
[Trainer Effect upon Tanning Room installation]
[Skin becomes flawless. Waste products are easily discharged from the skin. A designated trait is granted.]
It was the additional effect granted upon installing the room. As if the gym was now entering full-scale operation, new effects were being tacked on everywhere. Not just the Tanning Room, but other rooms also had additional effects.
[Sauna Room – Fatigue recovery and vitality enhancement possible]
[Trainer Effect – Basic stamina and stamina are increased. Designated trait granted.]
[Waxing Room – Body hair removal]
[Trainer Effect – The trainer can control their own body hair. Designated trait granted.]
[Powder Room – Possible to produce protein and cosmetics using trainer’s semen]
[Trainer Effect – Can grant a specific taste to semen. Designated trait granted.]
[Healing Room – Can take a rest(?) in various senses]
[Trainer Effect – Stamina recovery speed increases during rest. Designated trait granted.]
No matter how I looked at it, the Tanning Room was the one with the most immediate benefits. Stamina was something I could cover through exercise, and controlling body hair wasn't something I needed right now. For now, it was important to gain effects related to charm.
So, I installed the Tanning Room. The total installation cost was 15,000 HP. It was an amount I could afford if I converted all my SP. I used all my Health Points to install the Tanning Room.
[Installing Tanning Room.]
[Acquiring Trait: Flawless Skin (A).]
[Skin that glows just by looking at it! If you want to be the envy of others, why not get one?]
[Synergy trait Attractive Aura (B) receives a grade correction. (B) -> (A)]
“Oh.”
Not only did I get a new trait, but an existing trait’s grade was also improved.
“I made the right choice.”
It was quite satisfying. If other rooms gave rewards like this in the future, there was no reason not to install them.
“Nice.”
While looking at the satisfying trait upgrade, I turned on the TV. I remembered the text message I received from Hyun-kyung yesterday. It was a photo of her in her workout clothes in front of a full-length mirror, sent along with a message.
I sent my support along with an emoticon of a bear blowing a fanfare.
It was a short and concise text, but I believed my sincerity would be conveyed.
Hyun-kyung sent an emoticon of a rabbit wearing a headband with its fists clenched.
The qualifying tournament. It was the start of a competition that would unfold over the next two weeks.
The commentary and the play-by-play announcer went back and forth. Im Hyun-kyung, dressed in her tennis outfit, waved at the camera.
As soon as the announcers finished speaking, she drew a heart with her fingers and shot it toward the camera.
I knew. I knew who that heart was for.
“This is embarrassing. Ahem.”
And not long after.
Whack!
“Ooh.”
Every time she swung her racket, the ball landed right in the corner. The opposing player could only react, losing the set without being able to do anything about it.
“She’s definitely good.”
It was an overwhelming difference in skill. The opposing player lost all six games without being able to lift a finger.
‘Now she just needs to win one more set.’
While I was admiring Hyun-kyung’s skill...
Vrrr!
A call came from Young-eun.
“Right now?”
I looked at Hyun-kyung’s match, which was still in progress. She would probably win. I believed in her skill. I didn't think for a second that she would lose. I was just worried she might be disappointed that I couldn't watch.
‘It’ll be fine, right...?’
It would be fine.
“Understood. I’ll be right out.”
I went down, licking my lips in regret at not being able to watch the live broadcast.
Whack!
I turned off the TV just as the sound of the first serve of the second set rang out.
*
“I look forward to working with you.”
“Me too.”
Arriving at the practice room located in Young-eun’s agency, we finished preparations for her full-scale acting practice. Well, calling it practice was a bit much; it mostly consisted of me just standing blankly in front of her. But she said that alone was enough for her to practice.
“Hosu, let’s go back together!”
Young-eun, immersed in her role as the protagonist, called out in a clear voice. Even though I didn't respond with a line, she naturally continued with the next one.
“How was the exam today? It was so hard for me that I think I left half of it blank.”
A natural adjustment of tempo. As she spoke, she softly took my hand. She portrayed the female lead subtly appealing her interest. All I could do was follow Young-eun’s lead while feeling nervous. Young-eun had said that such a reaction was the best, so I simply followed suit.
Completely immersed, Young-eun continued her lines. For the lines that were truly necessary, I also took part in the acting as seriously as possible. After finishing one round of the intense acting practice...
“...”
Young-eun, who was wetting her lips as if she wanted to say something while drinking water, spoke to me.
“By any chance, have you felt like someone has been following you lately?”
“Eh? No, nothing like that.”
The sensation of someone following me? I had none.
“Really? Hmm... If you ever feel like someone is following you, please tell me.”
“Did you send someone to watch me like last time?”
“Haha, that was just to verify things. It’s not like that now.”
“So it’s not someone you sent?”
After a moment of choosing her words, Young-eun spoke.
“My grandfather might have sent someone.”
“Your grandfather...?”
Could it be Chairman Yoo Taek-soo of Jeil Group? Why would such a giant be interested in me?
“I’m sorry.”
“Pardon?”
“I think we’ve been caught.”
“Caught with what?”
What was caught? I had so many things to be guilty about that I was worried. From the fact that I had hypnotized Yoo Young-eun, a daughter of a chaebol family and a movie star, to the fact that I was running an unusual gym...
Could they have even found out that I use hypnosis? No matter how powerful a chaebol was, surely they couldn't know that. No. That was impossible.
“The fact that you are in charge of my PT.”
“Is that a problem?”
“My grandfather dotes on me quite a bit.”
“I see, so you’re telling me because you’re worried it might cause trouble.”
“Y-yes, exactly!”
“I understand.”
I nodded. I didn't think much of Young-eun’s reaction, which seemed a bit different from usual.
*
Young-eun couldn't bring herself to say it. She couldn't say that he was watching him because of talk about a potential grandson-in-law.
“Shall we start then?”
It was strange. Truly strange. Why did his face seem to glow even more today? Could it be that she was becoming conscious of this man?
‘No, absolutely not.’
She just hadn't snapped out of her immersion yet. It must be because she was deeply lost in the emotions she felt while acting as the first love, the protagonist of the movie.
‘There’s no way I’ve fallen for him.’
Young-eun bit her lip and immersed herself once more for the acting practice.
“Good.”