"…What Do You Want."
"…What do you want."
Ahem… I shouldn't entertain any dirty thoughts, but damn, this situation really is one in a million.
A stunning beauty glaring at me with eyes full of fury and anxiety. And right in my grasp? A weakness that could shake her to her core. Not to mention she's way stronger than me physically…
Isn't this straight out of an NTR story's opening? Sure, no one's stealing anyone from me, and blackmail's the last thing on my mind…
Seeming to grasp how serious this was, Gwangnyeon-i's voice dropped low. Her tone and gaze were razor-sharp, but her body stayed frozen in place.
Unexpected that she's not even trying to intimidate me.
From her perspective, this was a precarious spot, yet she wasn't lashing out. It suggested her true personality was the polar opposite of the wild front she'd shown so far. No matter how much of an act it was, I'd figured her real self would at least somewhat match that aggressive facade…
Truth be told, if I vanished without a trace, only Lee Kangin and Blanc would give a damn. Everyone else? Crickets.
Good thing I wouldn't need the contingency I'd prepped for if she got physical.
"…I'm asking. What. Do you want."
Her voice trembled with unease. A pause… Beyond the fear of her secret being out, there was dread over what I might demand.
No way she's imagining something messed up, right? Like me using this leverage to demand her body or whatever.
Pfft, as if. Though apparently, that's exactly how little she trusted me…
Gwangnyeon-i twisted away, shielding her arms and shoulders with her body—like she was warding off my gaze.
…Ridiculous.
I hadn't even glanced at her figure during our whole exchange.
"…What the hell are you thinking?"
"Huh?"
"No… haa… You really see me as that kind of trash? Like I told you last night, I've always prided myself on having decent manners…"
I shot Gwangnyeon-i a pitiful look.
"Th-that…? Uh…?"
She flustered again under my stare, clearly realizing her wild imagination had run too far.
If I planned to force myself on her with this dirt, what would set me apart from Baek Hamin trying to roofie Go Dayeon? Nothing.
Besides, I had zero doubt I could score without resorting to sleazy tactics. Never claimed to be a saint, but a total scumbag? Hell no. Future's unpredictable—maybe I'll turn into one someday. But raping out of lust? Way too pathetic even for that.
"Ah… not that? …Uh… um… ahem! Fine, then what? Why'd you suddenly come spill this?"
"…Just keep it secret, and in return, hook me up with training support or perks like you do for Lee Kangin."
"Ah…"
Gwangnyeon-i's neck and earlobes flushed crimson.
Hmm… kinda cute.
Part of me itched to tease her, but that'd bite me in the ass later. No upside to poking the bear—even if it's an act—who doesn't hesitate on insane stunts.
Out of consideration, I cut straight to the chase.
"So, hear my requests first, then decide if you can swing 'em?"
"Ahem! Yeah. Sure. S-spit it out."
"First off, for the team training later, put me with Lee Kangin."
I needed to stick close to the novel's central protagonist for the key events. But teams were pure RNG… No way to force it just by asking.
Which made this golden opportunity a massive stroke of luck. I'd been racking my brain over it.
Not a tough ask either—high odds she'd agree.
"Brack must've tipped you off about team training… Hmm, funny timing though."
"Pardon?"
"Lee Kangin asked the exact same thing. Put you on his team. Already a done deal. That request, anyway."
As I figured.
Lee Kangin would want me nearby to squash any butterfly effects. Pure speculation, though—I couldn't straight-up ask him, so I'd been sweating it. Hence confirming it through her.
Sweet. One down…
Now just snag that, and we're golden.
"Nice. Any other instructor perks I might not know about?"
"…Yeah."
Name:Prum
Type: Consumable
Level: —
Effect: Boosts stat growth rate for a limited time.
Details: Fruit from the Prum tree, which only grows in areas of high mana density. Heightens bodily activity to accelerate growth. For 3 hours after consumption, proficiency gains for Strength, Agility, and Vitality stats increase by 33%.
She rummaged in a drawer as she spoke, then handed me something.
"Here."
It was a single fruit. Vibrant red and mouthwatering—I'd never seen one like it. Bigger than a cherry, smaller than a tangerine; an awkward in-between size.
"It's called Prum. Official name's a mouthful like Kettleptomasus or whatever, but we just say Prum."
…So Gwangnyeon-i did know the full name of 'chicken' after all…
With her act blown in front of me, she'd dropped the psycho routine entirely. Her words and vibe felt subtly different from the Gwangnyeon-i I knew—refreshingly new.
Hmm… better inspect this fruit first.
As expected! Exactly what I'd been after. The classic EXP multiplier, growth booster you see in every game.
"Prum? What's this…?"
"Pop it in, and your training efficiency jumps for about three hours. Dunno why, but the trees keep bombing cultivation, so stock's low. One every three days max—got it?"
Prum trees flop at farming 'cause of mana density, obviously. No need to clue her in, though. Can't explain my source, and they couldn't detect high-mana zones anyway. I just predicted via the Sunryeong Ilil Bayno Wolwol activation cycle.
"Thanks. That's it?"
"What more you want? Nothing left. Lee Kangin wrapped with a Prum too. That's rarer than you think."
I knew damn well how precious it was. Instructors and full combatants couldn't stockpile them freely. Except me, now.
Shop's gotta have Prum listed now, right?
With enough karma, my stats would grow at 133% forevermore.
Snagging it quicker than planned had me in high spirits.
"But… you really won't blab to anyone? Gotta trust you here…"
"Feeling uneasy?"
"…Yeah. That leaks, this whole batch's combatant pipeline tanks."
She eyed me skeptically. Fair enough. Even with my promise, that knife in my hand wasn't ignorable.
She knew a mood swing could turn it on her anytime. Nobody cheers for that sword of Damocles.
"No bad blood between us, I'm no sleaze—why stir shit between trainees and instructors? Tomorrow like yesterday, no drama? I'm good."
Sincere as hell. She knew I was more rational than I looked— this mess proved I wasn't the reckless type.
Objectively, I sounded legit.
"…A-ahem! Alright. I'll buy it. Thanks for getting it."
"Sure. Careful next batch onward. Wild you flew under till now."
"You spotting it makes you the freak… Damn, Brack babying you always felt off…"
Seeming convinced, her face relaxed big-time.
Everything she did felt fresh. The 'Gwangnyeon-i' all the trainees knew wouldn't show tension like this.
Wonder what her real deal was? Curiosity piqued, but no way she'd spill if asked.
Mission accomplished—I bid her goodbye and bailed the training camp.
Cracked open the shop to check Prum's price tag.
[Consumable]
Name:Prum
Level: —
Effect: Boosts stat growth rate for a limited time.
Details: For 3 hours after consumption, proficiency gains for Strength, Agility, and Vitality stats increase by 33%.
Price:50 Karma [Purchase]
Prum clocked in at 50 karma. Surprisingly cheap, but it tracked—low-grade potions ran 100, and an EXP buff pricier than that? Nah. …Though stress-blocking tea at 10g for 1,000 karma? Shop logic's a black box.
Anyway, 50 was a steal. My karma inflow outpaced even nonstop munching.
Or close—system time meant baseline quests ramping difficulty and rewards. +35% extras should cover Prum fine.
Gotta hit Gwangnyeon-i every three days for my freebie.
Save that 50 karma where I can.
*
My routine stayed the grind.
One day spectating Baek Hamin's rep crater at uni.
One day drilling cheon-gwon-il-gak in the White Whale's Footsteps world.
One day grinding with Brack in Terraforming.
Slight diff now, though…
"Guhhh… Instructor… I messed up…"
"Kickikik! What'd you fuck up, huh? Say it, you little shit."
"Huuuh… please… not here…"
"SAY IT!! What'd you do?!"
"Uuuh… My… my panties… didn't change 'em over four days, so they stank…"
—Eugh…
—D-dirtier…
"Right! Your whole area's reeking, and you knew—ah!"
Lunch break, Brack and I stroll into training. Gwangnyeon-i's mid-roast on some poor trainee—then our eyes lock, and she cringes.
Nobody wants an audience for their peak psycho performance.
Flushed ears and all, she mouthed at me:
'What're you staring at, asshole.'
I replied by casually scanning the room.
Not just me—most trainees gawking.
Obviously. The show's for them.
My scan basically said: 'Everyone's watching—why single me out?'
"…You little shit…"
"Y-yes? S-sorry… I'll stay clean from now… guk!"
"Shut it, punk. Wasn't for you. Fuck…"
Prime entertainment. Not the roast itself like for other trainees.
For me? Watching Gwangnyeon-i squirm was the real show.