Chapter 41

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Translator: True Detective

Chapter: 40

Chapter Title: Amplifying the Intern's Desires

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'Her obsession faded, and her mental stats recovered a bit.'

Without hesitation, Hyunwoo amplified her favorability right away. He'd felt it while targeting Eun Seol, but gaining favorability was more powerful than expected. As he'd confirmed with her, once amplification kicked in, the game was basically won.

If someone held favorability toward you, it became a weapon to seize the upper hand in any relationship. That was how Kim Hye-ri had played it until now. Meals, expensive luxury gifts, pickup services—no doubt guys desperate to impress her showered her with affection.

Fish trapped in a pond know their fate but get excited again by the bait tossed in just as they give up. It starts with pure favorability from one person, but those who monopolize it weaponize that affection to dominate them.

'Sad reality.'

Hyunwoo, who had once been a sucker himself, knew that pity all too well. That was why he'd sworn off dating. Having interest or favorability in someone was natural between men and women, but if it was one-sided, the giver ended up suffering.

But now the tables had turned completely. The one fretting, agonizing, and fluttering at the slightest attention would be Kim Hye-ri.

'Well, sleeping with her is a given at this point.'

Just doing it felt boring somehow. Sex without dramatic storytelling was like red bean paste-less steamed buns—bland.

'I must've been a writer in my past life.'

Without storytelling, it felt empty, like loveless dating. Sure, men were most sensitive to visual stimuli, but for Hyunwoo, the thrill of tantalizing situations was just as delicious.

"Hmm..."

All through work hours, Hyunwoo seriously pondered how to "cook" Kim Hye-ri. Thanks to dumping his tasks on others earlier, he had plenty of leisure time, spinning in his chair with idle thoughts.

"Deputy Manager Lee, what are you pondering so deeply?"

Hye-ri, who had been watching him from ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the next desk, was now glued right beside him.

"Huh? Just checking this week's task list?"

'Planning how to devour ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you.'

"Pfft, liar. You seem totally free lately."

"Shh... what are you saying? Do I look free when I'm this busy?"

'I've dumped all my work and am living the dream.'

Hyunwoo bantered lightly with Hye-ri. He knew she was cunning as a fox inside, but outwardly, she was a bubbly college girl. And he didn't hate chatting with pretty, young women. Who would?

- Vrrr vrrr

"Your phone's been buzzing nonstop. Aren't you gonna check?"

"Oh... it's fine. Anyway, my evening plans got canceled, so I'm free tonight..."

"And?"

"Come on, Deputy Manager, don't you get it? Like I said before, let me buy you dinner..."

- Vrrr vrrr

Even mid-conversation, her phone kept vibrating. Hyunwoo glanced at the screen.

- Choi Hyun-min, Assistant Manager

The guy who'd coldly pushed Kim Hye-ri away was now itching and reaching out first. After securing her favorability, Hyunwoo had reduced the dislike he'd amplified toward Choi Hyun-min.

Incredibly, just days later, Hyun-min was showing favorability toward her again. Before the system manipulation, he'd already been head over heels for Hye-ri; now his original feelings had returned.

'Yeah, no guy can resist NTR.'

A brilliant idea sparked, and Hyunwoo amplified Hyun-min's favorability further. The man who'd shoved her away would soon be desperate for her. A misfired Cupid's arrow. Extras dancing in Hyunwoo's palm.

Preparations complete—it was time for the protagonist to take the stage.

"Sure, let's grab drinks after work."

"Yay, awesome~"

Thrilled by Hyunwoo's crisp reply, Hye-ri started humming at her desk.

After work, Hyunwoo and Hye-ri headed to a pub near the office.

"Nooo... I mean, Deputy Manager..."

A few rounds of sake exchanged. Lower proof than soju, but Hyunwoo's fast pace had her slightly tipsy.

"Yeah, I'm listening. Go on."

"I... um..."

Blame the sake—her pale nape flushed red. In contrast, her face held a milky white glow from makeup. The color clash oddly aroused Hyunwoo.

"Um... I... I like you, Deputy Manager."

"Pfft!"

'A confession this quick?'

Not long after redirecting her favorability via the work system, Hye-ri threw a straight fastball at him. Was it her personality, the amplification, or both?

Large eyes, pert nose. Flawless, transparent skin and see-through bang style—anyone could see the fresh, tangy appeal of a college girl. Top-tier looks anywhere.

That Kim Hye-ri bowed her head deeply, wringing her hands nonstop. Bold confession aside, she seemed shy and tense too.

"..."

"W-Will you... say something?"

Hyunwoo stared silently, making her anxious enough to prompt him.

"I don't hate it either."

"Eek! Really?!"

"But."

"..."

"Weren't you into Assistant Manager Choi recently? Office rumors were flying."

"Oh, that's... all over now."

"Why? He wasn't into you? Did he dump you? Wait, are you rebounding on me?"

Offended, Hye-ri clenched her fists at Hyunwoo's words.

"No! Absolutely not. I was interested back then... but it's done. Now it's you, Deputy Manager..."

"Really? But earlier, I saw him blowing up your phone. You sure it's sorted?"

"Yeah... I said no, but he keeps messaging."

"Haa..."

"..."

At Hyunwoo's deep sigh, Hye-ri peeked up, gauging his mood. What if he rejected her over Choi Hyun-min?

"Then let's do this. Cut Assistant Manager Choi off completely. We'll think about dating after."

"I already did! He's the one being pushy..."

Ridiculous—her flipping from aggressively chasing him to playing victim. But for buildup, Hyunwoo held back and advised her.

"Then shock him to shake him off. First..."

Hye-ri listened intently, hanging on his every word.

- Ding

"Yeah, knew you'd come around, you little..."

Frustrated with work and love, Hyun-min pumped his fist at Hye-ri's awaited reply.

"Playing hard to get that much? Plenty already. Time for this magnanimous guy to forgive coolly."

Remembering how he'd coldly rebuffed her approach, a twinge of guilt lingered.

'Why did I do that? Work stress?'

Still a mystery. From their first meeting, he'd been smitten with Kim Hye-ri. Twenty years old—better than wild ginseng. Youthful freshness, flawless milky skin, big eyes, delicate features.

Used to sly vixens his age, Hyun-min fell hard ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for her bubbly, tangy charm.

Heart ablaze but haste makes waste—he'd slowly wooed her. Confident in his looks and wealth, never failing to land targets, he'd been inches from victory.

Then suddenly, his feelings iced over.

'Damn, I was crazy.'

No chasing back lost trains, but persistent effort snagged a second chance. Hyun-min vowed never to let her slip, pondering his date outfit.

- Vrooom

A throaty exhaust roar shook the quiet neighborhood. His freshly washed steed pulled up proudly before her house.

- Click clack

Finishing a smoke while waiting, Hyun-min heard heels on the alley and stubbed it out hastily.

"Wait long?"

"Nah, just got here."

Always well-made-up for work, but for a date? Extra effort shone. It reassured him inwardly.

No woman dresses up cute for a guy she doesn't like. Her makeup and outfit signaled green lights.

"So... wanna grab something tasty?"

"You know you owe me something really delicious tonight, right, Assistant Manager Choi?"

"Hahaha, name it. I'll buy whatever you want. Cheer up."

"Then let's go. I'm starving."

Sassy-faced, she hopped in. At "starving," he floored the accelerator harder than usual.

- Clink clink

Awkward air hung between them at the atmospheric restaurant. Fine dining splurge—pricey but worth it: ornate decor, pristine dishware, colorful cuisine.

But Hyun-min cared only about Hye-ri's mood across from him.

"How is it? Michelin three-star guide spot. Only takes five tables a day."

"Yeah. Tasty."

"Hahaha... good..."

"That's it?"

She glared sharply. Trying to set the mood, but to him, it was just cute.

"Uh... yeah... sorry first off..."

"Sorry for what?"

"Ghosting your texts..."

"And?"

"Being cold to you..."

Pickup to her door, top restaurant escort, sincere apology. Friends who knew cocky Choi Hyun-min would gape.

Mr. Playboy groveling this hard? But he craved Hye-ri desperately. Of course, Hyunwoo's amplified favorability via the system helped.

"... Since you put it that way, Assistant Manager Choi, I'll forget being upset."

"Hahaha, for real?"

"But!"

"I wanna see the ocean. Show me the sea this weekend."

"The sea?"

"Yeah. A wide-open view should blow away all my bad vibes."

"Sure, easy. Got a great hotel in Haeundae, Busan. Let's go there."

- Zap

"Hey, no funny thoughts, right?"

"Hotel" triggered her guard.

"No no, it's got insane ocean views. You'll be blown away."

"... I'll trust you. Send the address. Meet at the hotel."

"Huh? Why? Ride together. Easier."

"Wanna head out solo. That a problem?"

"No no, of course not. Address incoming. See you there."

To fully win her over, Hyun-min agreed without pushback. Her suggesting a trip? No way he'd miss this golden chance.

'Heh heh heh, after vacation, no more haughty act.'

Bedroom pro with his player creds—no roasting one college freshman? She'd moan into being his girl naturally.

Anticipation stiffened him under the table amid filthy fantasies, yet he kept a kind, gentle smile for Hye-ri.

Thus, the man and woman with mismatched minds finished their romantic restaurant dinner.