Investigation Scene (1)


That night in Lee Hoyeon’s dormitory.

“Unnie, unnieeee! Look at this! Chicken! Chicken!”

“Don’t run away with my chicken!”

Crash— Nam Dahee, with pieces of chicken in hand, and Liliana were dashing around while Scarlett and Nam Daeun sat on the sofa, observing them. The scene felt like parents overseeing their kids at a play café.

“So, who’s Miss Liliana?” Daeun asked Scarlett with innocent eyes.

“She’s… my colleague.”

“Like a superior, like Hoyeon?”

Given Scarlett’s usual formality in calling Liliana “Miss,” the assumption made sense.

“Yes… that’s correct.” Scarlett’s cheeks tinted a shade of red.

Lee Hoyeon, Liliana, and Scarlett—she felt a newfound embarrassment that hadn’t been there when it was just the three of them. Before, she could lose herself in sexual pleasure to forget such awkwardness. But with Nam Dahee present, Liliana’s opportunities to play with Scarlett had all but vanished.

Feeling self-conscious, Scarlett was ashamed at Daeun’s question. She couldn’t break the contract, and she actually found this place more enjoyable than her first job. She had no complaints, only embarrassment.

“You seem to get along well at work.”

Scarlett watched Nam Daeun, who nodded expressionlessly. Then, she suddenly asked a question, “By the way, is it alright for you to skip classes?”

“Classes aren’t really meaningful for me.”

“Ah…” Scarlett sensed her own slip-up, aware of Daeun’s situation. Given that Daeun couldn’t secure the top spot in the practical exam and had received threats involving her younger sister, she must find the academy tedious.

“It’s okay, don’t worry about it,” Daeun reassured Scarlett, picking up on her discomfort.

“So, are you going to quit the academy?”

Daeun glanced at her younger sister, eyes misty. “For now, I’ll spend time with Dahee. And if the opportunity arises, I want to visit the Buyers Guild.”

“The Buyers Guild?”

“Thanks to Hoyeon, I’ve had time to think slowly. I’ve been wondering why I’ve been so foolish, allowing myself to be exploited.”

“…”

“I don’t know if ‘revenge’ is the right word. Either way, my goal is to repay what I’ve been through.”

The once-innocent girl now radiated darkness. Yet Scarlett remained silent, unaware of the hardships Daeun had long endured.

“I have a question. Do you know what Hoyeon likes?”

“Hoyeon?”

“I was thinking of getting a gift.”

Nam Daeun wanted to thank Hoyeon, who had saved both her and her sister, but couldn’t make a grand gesture just yet. She needed to know Hoyeon’s preferences for even a small token of appreciation.

“Um… something he likes, huh…”

Honestly, Scarlett didn’t know Hoyeon’s tastes either. She wasn’t even sure if he had any hobbies.

As she pondered, a single thought crossed her mind.

Flirting with women.

That was the only idea that came up, but she chose not to share it with Nam Daeun.

Liliana suddenly blurted out, “What does he like? Obviously, he likes sex—”

“Ah, yes color!” Scarlett hurriedly covered Liliana’s mouth.

“Color?” Daeun questioned, puzzled by Liliana’s comment. Sex wasn’t on her mind; the word simply doesn’t exist in her vocabulary.

Having already adapted to Liliana’s unpredictability, Scarlett improvised, “Yes, flowers… He likes flowers with pretty colors.”

“Flowers with pretty colors…” Nodding her head, Daeun decided to buy some colorful flowers for her next visit.

[Translator’s Note: What Daeun heard was “색” (saek), which means “color,” while Liliana was about to say “섹스” (segseu) which means “sex.”]

***

Wednesday, the third day of my hospital stay.

I asked Baek Ahyeong, who comes by once a day to check on me, if I could go out.

“Go out? What’s going on?” She looked puzzled as she met my eyes.

I explained, “I’ve heard they’re still investigating the social gathering terrorist attack. They haven’t finished questioning everyone involved… I thought maybe I should help, considering I’m also a victim.”

“Ah…”

This is also the time I need to meet Moon Soorin… I have to go back to the dorm; there are many people to see.

After giving me a once-over, she cautiously said, “Physically, you’re probably okay to go out now. You’re past the critical stage. The concern is that you don’t have a way to protect yourself… Are you sure?”

“Soorin Noona will be there, and Min Yeji too. Shouldn’t that make it alright?”

“Hmm… I suppose they’re trustworthy… But, darling, why are they all women?”

“…”

I averted my gaze from her probing eyes.

What can I say? It’s an adult game world where all the capable people are women. The issue isn’t with me.

“Sigh… Even so, you can’t go out. You’re not equipped to handle a dangerous situation right now.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be cautious.” I smirked slightly. Her concern was so palpable, it was cute.

“Don’t give me that look. It’s genuinely risky, you know?” Ahyeong shot me a glare, her face tinged with red.

★ Heroine Status Window

[Baek Ahyeong]

[Affection: 100] (+1.0)

[Lust: 85]

[Appetite: 42]

[Fatigue: 29]

Current Status: If he just stays put… He’ll be fine, and we can…

It’s evident just by looking at her.

“Heh… Is that really the only reason?”

“You little…!”

Smack, Smack—

Unable to contain my laughter, Ahyeong bit her lip and began lightly hitting me.

“Hold on a second… Miss Ahyeong, it hurts. I’m a patient, you know.”

As her fists made contact with my chest, I enveloped her in my arms, “Thank you, darling…”

“Ugh… Darling…”

Luckily, within the confines of my embrace, she refrained from throwing any punches.

***

Wednesday, Lee Hoyeon’s third day in the hospital. In a brightly lit room within a lavish mansion.

“Hmm…” Alice lay on the bed, lost in thought. She’d thought about visiting Lee Hoyeon but couldn’t muster a reason to go.

Sure, she could’ve gone under the guise of friendship—that’s what friends do. But Alice wasn’t one for pretenses. If she were being honest, her relationship with Lee Hoyeon was purely business.

“Maybe I don’t need to go… But I’m curious about his condition,” she mused unnecessarily.

Knock, knock— The sound of knocking broke her reverie. The rhythmic taps were unmistakably Sebastian’s.

“Miss, may I come in?”

“Yes, come in.” Alice rose from the bed and took a seat in the chair.

Sebastian approached, offering a slight bow before speaking. “The guildmaster has granted me leave. He mentioned you’d requested it…”

Internally, Alice clenched her fist. Her persistent appeals to her father had finally yielded results.

Can Lee Hoyeon even perform a massage? I’ve heard his injuries were severe. Scarlett downplayed it, but he’s likely not fit for any physical exertion.

“How long will you be away?”

“A week. If you prefer less, that’s fine.”

“Alright, even a month works.”

A week? That’s too short. Who knows how long Lee Hoyeon will need to recover?

“Am I being an inconvenience, Miss?”

“It’s just a token of gratitude for your hard work. Go enjoy your break. You’ve finished handing things over to Scarlett, right?”

Sebastian seemed slightly hurt, but Alice wasn’t concerned. She just wanted him to start his vacation.

“Yes. Scarlett has her own tasks, so she won’t be glued to your side. But she’s briefed and capable.”

“Thanks.”

Being this sheltered at 20 is frustrating. I don’t even need an escort.

“Then, I’ll leave you be.” With another slight bow, Sebastian exited, leaving Alice alone. For the next week, Scarlett would serve as her assistant.

Ping— Almost immediately after Sebastian’s departure, a message arrived from Scarlett.

[Scarlett: Miss Alice, I’ll proceed as instructed.]

[Me: Okay. Keep up the good work, Scarlett.]

Alice had briefed Scarlett in advance: continue what you’re doing and don’t bother her.

“Freedom at last…” Alice licked her lips before activating her smartwatch.

A new two-hour video report from Scarlett popped up. The subject was the same alluring woman from the previous footage.

My decision to install a hidden camera in his hospital room was spot-on. How long can this entertainment last?

Gulp— Alice slowly brought her hand to her crotch.


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