Girl's Revenge (2)
Nam Daeun arrived at the hospital, enveloped in Scarlett's mana.
"Are we here to see Hoyeon?"
"Yes, didn't you ntion last ti that you wanted revenge on the Buyers Guild?"
"Did you… tell Hoyeon about it?" Daeun narrowed her eyes slightly. She felt indebted to Lee Hoyeon. She didn't want to receive anything more from him, especially since she still viewed their relationship as one-sided.
"No, he had planned it himself even before you told . He's been gathering information on the Buyers Guild and wants to help you with your revenge."
"But why?"
She realized she had heard from the man himself about his information gathering. How did he know her intentions? She hadn't told anyone except Scarlett about her desire for revenge. If Scarlett hadn't told him, he wouldn't have known.
"I'm not sure myself. He always has his own plans."
"Why does he keep trying to help ? I have nothing to offer him…"
Scarlett looked at the despondent Nam Daeun with a bitter expression. There were people in the world who didn't receive kindness.
She used to live solely for herself, indifferent to others, but felt she had changed after getting to know Lee Hoyeon. She wished the best for Nam Daeun, as she had grown fond of both Daeun and her younger sister.
Slowly, Scarlett spoke up, "But do you really need to repay him?"
"What?"
"Hoyeon probably doesn't want that. He just… likes helping people. So, it might be okay to just be thankful."
Scarlett hoped that Daeun could beco soone deserving of kindness. She also added a few words to give Hoyeon a good impression.
Though Scarlett's initial eting with Hoyeon had been less than pleasant, she now recognized him as quite an interesting person. Frankly, in her view, he was like a guaranteed winning lottery ticket; there was no reason not to stand by him.
Life in a major guild, where one could be cut off at any mont, was more challenging than it seed. Scarlett had to be ready to switch allegiances at any ti.
"…"
Listening to Scarlett, Nam Daeun fell silent and began contemplating. At this point, Scarlett's words wouldn't make much of a difference to her.
"We're here. Hoyeon is waiting inside."
"Yes, thank you, Miss Scarlett."
Watching Daeun enter the hospital room, Scarlett nodded. Earlier, Daeun had seed drained, like a defeated herbivore, quite unlike her usual self when her younger sister was around. But now, it seed she had regained so of her strength.
***
Creak—
As I ditated on the bed, the hospital room door suddenly swung open.
"Is it Ahyeong?"
Cracking open my eyes, I turned to find Nam Daeun standing there.
"Daeun?"
So Scarlett had already brought her in. I'd expected them to enter through the window, but they ca in quite normally.
Clean.
Wiping away the sweat from my ditation, I prepared to speak. Using a bit of mana now posed no strain on my body.
"I ca because you said you were looking for ."
"Right, I have sothing to discuss. Please, have a seat."
Once I saw her seated, I adjusted my posture as well.
Why does it feel so awkward today? She's there, expressionless as usual, yet the atmosphere feels different—more serious.
Starting with my prepared topic, I said, "I ntioned before that I was gathering information on the Buyers Guild."
"Yes."
"I've completed it. I'm about to take action, but before I do, I'd like to hear your thoughts."
In reality, I'd finished gathering the information so ti ago, and now was the ti for action. Studying her expression, I found her blinking eyes as unreadable as ever. But I sensed she was contemplating.
"The mont this information cos out, Park Mingyu is finished. Then you and Dahee can finally relax."
"Yes…"
"But I don't want to end it so easily. I don't want to simply bring down Park Mingyu, the man who caused both of you so much pain."
"…"
Why no reaction? Even after ntioning Park Mingyu directly, she remained silent.
eting my gaze, Daeun slightly closed her eyes before asking, "Why?"
"Huh?"
"Why do you hate Park Mingyu? Why are you helping
so much?"
"Um…"
Her eyes were more serious than ever. She had a point. The excuse I gave when I first saved them was re ‘coincidence.'
I was investigating the Shin Young Guild and happened to also look into the Buyers Guild, coincidentally saving you.
But this situation was different. There's no need to investigate the Buyers Guild now that the Shin Young Guild had collapsed, yet I continued for her sake. I acted solely for her. Still, I could co up with excuses.
We were investigating together back then, so why not? I started the investigation before eting you, and luckily, it's just concluded now.
There were ways to justify it. Yet, Nam Daeun looked
squarely in the eyes, laying bare all her emotions.
★ Heroine Status Window
[Nam Daeun]
[Affection: 94] ( 0.1)
[Lust: 75]
[Appetite: 35]
[Fatigue: 40]
Current State: Why… Why does he help ?
Nam Daeun is innocent.
Even in the dire situation where her younger sister was held captive and she was exploited by Park Mingyu, she managed to find joy and sorrow over a few hundred won. Whenever she visited her sister, her deanor shifted to that of a pure-hearted child.
She learned about sex to repay
and never questioned the oddities, whether it was a succubus or a suspicious blonde beauty in the n's dormitory. After all, everyone involved is my friend who had helped her. But her innocence doesn't equate to naivety.
I halted my thoughts and gazed into her eyes. Her face was expressionless, but her eyes brimd with affection. These weren't the eyes of suspicion, but rather, simple curiosity.
Even if I were to offer a vague excuse, her level of curiosity wouldn't escalate to anything harmful. Her affectionate feelings wouldn't wane either. However, for an impeccable strategy, lying at this mont wasn't advisable. My instincts, sharpened from wooing heroines, were clear on that.
So, I abandoned the deceptive thoughts I had entertained. After a deep breath, I locked eyes with her.
"Affection."
"Affection?"
"Would that be the right term? I simply want to help you. Because… I like you, Nam Daeun."
"…"
"That's the truth. Now, be honest with . What needs to be done about Park Mingyu for you to feel at peace?"
It deviated slightly from my initial thoughts, but it was effective. Daeun hesitated, seemingly grappling with how to articulate her thoughts.
I waited, having said my part.
"I… want revenge."
"…"
"I want to witness Uncle, no, Park Mingyu, destroyed before my eyes. I don't want to let him off easily, rely becoming a societal outcast." Daeun spoke, biting her lip until it bled, releasing her bottled-up feelings.
Her trembling body and reddened eyes revealed the depth of her emotions. For the first ti, she expressed everything about what happened to her. The courage she displayed was beyond my comprehension.
"Don't worry. Everything's prepared." With a faint smile, I gently grasped her cold, trembling hand. She hesitated montarily but didn't pull away.
***
"Scarlett."
"Yes, Hoyeon."
After briefly sending away Nam Daeun, whose emotions had settled, I summoned the hidden Scarlett. She, who was stuck to the ceiling, seed less energetic than usual.
"Did you… cry?"
"Absolutely not."
My jesting inquiry was t with a stronger reaction than I'd anticipated.
"Very well… You heard everything, right?" I handed her the letter I had prepared in advance.
"Yes. Shall we proceed as discussed last ti?"
"Hmm, hold on, Scarlett."
The original plan was to spread rumors to informants that I was with Nam Daeun and Nam Daehee. Simultaneously, I would threaten Park Mingyu's with personal contact claiming to possess information.
That was the initial plan. However, circumstances had shifted a bit. Park Mingyu had started to gain prominence, frequently appearing on TV as a whistleblower against the Shin Young Guild.
I devised a new plan.
"People who rise high are bound to fall even harder."
Taking him down at his peak—that's true revenge.
"First, we should take care of the smaller things."
We'll start with the minor issues and then take down the bigger ones step by step.
"How about this…" At that mont, Scarlett looked at
with a aningful smile.
"What?"
"Using your image, Hoyeon. We'll elevate the Buyers Guild's leader to the highest heights and then you expose him."
It's cunning. The plan is quite devious. But that's what makes it great.
"Are you a genius?"
"I'm accustod to such matters. Since the public doesn't know the true face of the womanizing Hoyeon, we can effectively utilize the image of a genius mage."
"If you hadn't added that last part, I might have seriously considered releasing you from our contract."
In any case, Scarlett is a pro at these things. I should ask her opinion more often.
"Then should we start by contacting so known journalists?"
All that networking at the association's social gathering was for today. I scanned my smartwatch, searching for contacts to reach out to.
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