Translator: Wan ED/PR: Personal Ghost
23. 50% attendance rate (4)
The national game wreck PMH was widely acclaimed for its delicate portrayal of characters’ expressions.
Among numerous characters, as the title hero, Ju Su-hyeok was on an expressively rich side, but exposed to the press, he showed nothing but a smiling on the outside face, worthy of the chaebol family’s child.
When a crisis approached, Ju Su-hyeok also didn’t lose his smile to reassure his colleagues.
There were times when even such Ju Su-hyeok couldn’t manage his expression.
It was in matters related to An Dain.
‘It is the stupidest expression which Ju Su-hyeok can make. Even when an otherworld conquest was starting, and Ju Su-hyeok’s and An Dain’s vicious dog fans were pulling out their hair and calling for PK on the Gwanghwamun Plaza, he had such an expression.’
Even that dull and muddled-looking face received passionate reviews among some fans like ‘lost in excellence[1]’ and ‘makes a part of my heart feel lonely’.
Of course, those words weren’t wrong.
Even those shameful comments were made true by the PMH’s title hero, the face genius[2] Ju Su-hyeok.
‘In any case, I should be right about Ju Su-hyeok worrying about a problem with An Dain right now.’
Bearing the conviction grounded in the mentality of the hypewreck’s rotten water[3], I approached Ju Su-hyeok.
“What are you doing? Classes will start in a moment.”
“Uh, Uisin.”
Ju Su-hyeok slowly responded after I spoke up.
Usually he would sense my approach before I spoke up and greet me first.
‘Is the situation more serious than I thought?’
Seeing Ju Su-hyeok’s expression and reaction, it seemed that even though it was something related to An Dain, there was a high chance it was a situation without a simple solution.
“It’s nothing. I was just getting some air.”
“Did you eat lunch?”
“… No.”
He didn’t even eat because of it?
No way, was he pathetically struggling here throughout the entire lunch break?
I tried to retrace conflict situations between Ju Su-hyeok and An Dain in my head.
Before I could form a hypothesis, Ju Su-hyeok opened his mouth.
“Uisin, that… are you going to the boat party?”
Looks like it’s a matter related to the boat party.
After I nodded, Ju Su-hyeok spoke while sighing.
“You may hear weird rumors about Hyeji noona and me.”
When I heard Ju Su-hyeok’s words, my mind flashed.
‘Right, that’s how it turned out, huh!’
Even in the game, the talks about engagement and promises of marriage between Ju and Oh families to stabilize the Ju-Oh Group appeared before.
The Ju-Oh Group started with the collaboration foundation of Ju and Oh families.
The role of the head was always taken by the Ju family, but the Oh family had not a small number of chairmans in affiliated companies and seats in the foundation directors board.
‘Then, the relationship between the two was twisted to the point where the group went into a disbandment crisis.’
During the two families’ fight, nicknamed as ‘Ju-Oh’s Split’, the stocks of Ju-Oh plummeted.
Because the stocks hit rock bottom, all kinds of superpowers were recklessly used on the general stockholder meeting, and the protest in front of the group’s headquarters couldn’t be stopped.
Even wild rumors appeared saying that the stockholders employed foreign Pro-Players specializing in assassination who will screw and kill those guys.
Ju and Oh families were almost knocked out[4].
Finally, thanks to the stockholders and public opinion’s harassment, they were forced to reconcile.
‘Ju-Oh’s Split became a chance for them to make up their mind about connecting through marriage to strengthen the relationship between the two houses.’
The selected victims were Ju Su-hyeok’s 2nd older cousin and Oh Hyeji’s older sister, Oh Hyejeong.
Nevertheless, Oh Hyejeong screwed with the engagement announcement and ran away that day, so it ended in smoke.
Among people in the direct descendant line from the heads, the men and women who were single and of similar age.
Those who matched all of those criteria were currently only Ju Su-hyeok and Oh Hyeji.
‘In the game, after the Jamsil Baseball Stadium incident in May, there was no mood to proceed with the engagement. Still, before Ju Su-hyeok became a 2nd year, Oh Hyeji died, so there couldn’t be talk about engagements.’
The Children’s Day Jamsil Stadium incident was completely blocked.
Because of it, the engagement talks would be progressing.
‘Ju Su-hyeok’s second older cousin and Oh Hyejeong were described to be in their mid 20s. They may be thinking of catching Oh Hyeji earlier, after seeing Oh Hyejeong flee like that.’
Ju Su-hyeok cared for no one besides An Dain.
And Oh Hyeji thought about Ju Su-hyeok only as a close younger brother.
After those two are forced together, they would only form an unhappy couple.
‘They are both my Playable Characters. I can’t let them be unhappy.’
In the worst case scenario, after screwing things beyond Oh Hyejeong’s degree, I’ll have to flee with those two, [5]
“Are you talking about the Guideline Club president senior-nim? Even if I hear rumors, I’ll let them in one ear and out the other.”
“Ok…”
Ju Su-hyeok didn’t have any energy.
He belonged to the best-looking guys in the PMH setting, but when it came to matters related to An Dain, he’d completely lose his confidence and fall into endlessly negative thoughts.
If he is uneasy like this, he should go to see An Dain’s face under the excuse of books again, but he was alone, lost in lonely worries like that.
As expected, my Playable Character’s pure love was extraordinary.
I hoped I could help change the mood of Ju Su-hyeok, who was digging in the ground.
“I’m going to skip classes now and go somewhere. Do you want to go with me?”
There was no way that the model student Ju Su-hyeok ever had an experience of skipping classes to play.
Ju Su-hyeok hesitated at first, but after Maeng Hyodon’s name came out, he nodded his head.
***
Around the end of lunch break, 1st year class 0’s classroom.
As all of the class kids moved to the classrooms of their next selective lectures, no one was here.
Swish—!
“Hey, vice president. The classes will start in a little bit, why did you call me?”
The classroom’s automatic door opened and Maeng Hyodon appeared.
I didn’t reply and inputted a password in the certain locker installed in the corner of the classroom.
“Uh, that’s my locker…”
Beeeeep—!
Inside of Maeng Hydon’s locker.
I saw roughly stacked school books and crumpled gym clothes.
On the pile of textbooks, verging on crumbling down, stood a carnation basket thickly covered in mathematical symbols decorations.
“Change your locker password, please. You were assigned a locker some time ago, but you still have the starting 0000 password.”
“Ah, why the fuck are you opening other people’s lockers?!”
I was familiar with Maeng Hyodon’s actions pattern.
He was a guy who wouldn’t change the password, even if it was annoying to know that I knew his locker password.
Maeng Hyodon won’t change his password from 0000 until he graduates.
“Let’s go.”
“Go where? Put that down and get out.”
If I truly put it down and get out, Maeng Hyodon will never give this carnation basket to his 3rd year middle school homeroom teacher.
I can’t believe you’re like that even after going around the flower market all night and almost losing your soul there.
“If you want that back, follow me.”
I proudly waved the carnation basket in front of him to see.
And.
Pat-pat—!
Those words finished, I kicked the classroom’s floor and started to run.
Maeng Hyodon couldn’t react quickly enough to the abrupt situation.
Belatedly, I heard Maneg Hyodon’s voice.
“What? Vice president, you crazy dog bastard! Are you an elementary student?!”
The prank or harassment which could be seen in elementary school classrooms.
Someone takes another person’s things and runs.
Currently, I am performing this act.
“Just try not to get caught!”
Maeng Hyodon, who started to run.
I clearly kicked off earlier, but he closed the distance in a moment.
‘This ignorant physical ability.’
In that case, I have a right to use an even more ignorant Gwangrim.
⟨Using Gwangrim ‘Player’s Trajectory’.⟩
The character I used was a developed version of Min Geurin.
There were very few Playable Characters possessing amazing leg strength better than Min Geurin.
⟨Using active character’s skill ‘Sprinter’.⟩
In addition, after activating the ability which increased movement speed for a short moment, a skill that was also possessed by Kim Yuri, I was able to widen the distance between me and Maeng Hyodon considerably.
“Ah, nuts! Dog fast! You used a skill, right?!”
Even without using a skill, Maeng Hyodon, who was chasing me, didn’t lose his breath.
If not for the Gwangrim before, he would catch up to me.
While Sprinter skill was active, I gained some spare time, so I was able to check device messages.
Maeng Hyodon, who saw me checking messages even though I was escaping, shouted something as if he was exploding with frustration.
“Ah, really! When I catch you, you’re done!”
The first messages must have been from Mun Saeron.
[Mun Saeron] If it’s like you said, then I heard about it during the last interview and know about it!
[Mun Saeron] Coordinates sent! Good luck!
As expected from Mun Saeron.
Worthy of PMH’s best informant, she worked fast.
After I copied and sent the coordinates to Ju Su-hyeok, the response came straight away.
[Ju Su-hyeok] Confirmed. I’ll be waiting at the main gates!
Because our movement speed was too fast, we had reached the vicinity of the main gates in an instant.
After the white clock tower entered my vision, I released the Gwangrim and started to run with my own strength.
When the distance was gradually narrowing down.
I entered the vehicle, which was waiting in front of the main gates, through the main door.
Maeng Hyodon followed me inside and stretched his hand towards the handle of the carnation basket.
“Caught!”
I didn’t resist at all and passed the carnation basket to Maeng Hyodon.
Swish—.
Click.
“….uh?”
When Maeng Hyodon looked around, the door of the automatic air taxi already closed.
Only then he seemed to realize something was strange.
But it was already too late.
“Let’s depart.”
“Ok, Uisin, Hyodon, put on safety belts.”
“Hey, vice president, Ju Su-hyeok! What the hell!”
After Ju Su-hyeok, who was sitting inside beforehand, manipulated the buttons, the air taxi floated up into the sky.
Vrooom—!
Seeing the scenery outside changing, Maeng Hyodon was dumbfounded.
“Hey, what are you doing!? Aren’t you going to class!?”
“Yep! I decided to skip school together with Uisin today! It’s more fun than I thought! Do you want cream cheese and caramel pretzel? They automatically sell them in the air taxis, they’re delicious.”
“Ah, Ju Su-hyeok was corrupted by that bastard vice-president. And where are we going!?”
As if Ju Su-hyeok was happy for his first in the lifetime school skipping, he spoke brightly.
Even though Maeng Hyodon was bewildered, seeing us wear the safety belts, he reluctantly followed and put on the safety belt.
After confirming Maeng Hyodon was wearing a belt, I replied:
“To your middle school.”
The destination of the air taxi was set to the coordinates given to us by Mun Saeron, Maeng Hyodon’s alma mater ‘Tallae Middle School’.
***
Seoul Yangcheon district, Sinwol[6].
In the vicinity of West Seoul Lark Park[7], the team building owned by the Eternal Lake.
Highest floor overseeing the scene of West Seoul Lake.
Kiiiiiiiik— kik! Kiiik! Kiik!
In that palace, a sound like the screaming of a violin was ringing out.
The origin of the sound was the deep blue violin held by the Eternal Lake’s team master Kwon Jane.
“Jane, I’m sorry! Please don’t torment your noble and bright talent! That’s self-torture, the suicide of art!”
Behind Kwon Jane, Jared Lee was kneeling down and speaking in weird Korean.
Even Jared Lee’s pleas didn’t stop the grotesque sounds.
“Team sub-master, it’s because of you, so shut up!”
“Right, shut up. As Jane’s true fan, this, this… You have to accept even the sound that insults Jane’s musicality!”
“I hear the music filled with sorrow and sadness, so it can’t be bad. Our Kwon Jane-nim displays her genius talent expressing her feelings through music even today to our hearts’ content.”
“Performance and what’s not, shouldn’t Jane eat something before she collapses? Since coming back from Seokchon Lake, she hasn’t even had a sip of water.”
“There was also Jared matter, but because that damned butterfly’s nonsense…!”
“The team doctor is prepared for the moment when Jane collapses, so she is waiting with recovery items and a moveable bed ready.”
The executive rank members of the Eternal Lake were stomping their feet behind Kwon Jane.
Kwon Jane halted her performance and turned to look at Jared Lee with a bloodless face.
Her blue eyes were filled with pain.
“Jared…”
“Jane, I’m sorry! I did wrong!”
After the entire situation was revealed, Jared didn’t hold any kind of secret and was only apologizing.
However, Kwon Jane didn’t scold Jared Lee even a little bit over this matter.
The one Kwon Jane couldn’t forgive was herself.
“No, Jared, you did nothing wrong. All of it is because of me. I shouldn’t have left all of it to you and took care of it personally. I got you involved in this, so I’m sorry.”
“Janeeeeeee! Please, don’t apologize!”
Kwon Jane’s attitude tortured Jared Lee’s conscience even more.
“Sorry, I want to be alone.”
“Kwon Jane-nim, at least promise us that you will eat a meal and we will leave.”
The one to speak was the shortest among the Eternal Lake’s team executives, but who was at her side for the longest time next to Jared Lee.
At those words, all executives starting with Jared Lee expressed approval.
With the thought that she was worrying her team members, Kwon Jane felt a sense of guilt again as she nodded her head.
“Will do.”
At Kwon Jane’s words, the team executives relaxed and went outside.
After Jared Lee, who couldn’t move because of cramps in his legs, was dragged away, the practice room became quiet at last.
Kwon Jane put the blue violin down on a table, and then she called a contact secretly hidden in her device, the call connected.
The other party accepted the call straight away, before even two beeps ended.
“Among Eungwang School’s 1st year class 0 students, there is a student I wish to investigate. One… no, two. Their names…”
Kwon Jane said the names of her two juniors and then the communication ended.
“I’ll request that. Cunning-ssi.”
*~*~*
[1] lost in excellence – ‘excellence’ could also be melancholy/gloom.
[2] face genius – a slang for a person with a terribly pretty face. Usually referring to celebrities.
[3] rotten water – while stagnant water could be called a veteran of the game, rotten water is a more derogatory term for that veteran turning into an addict.
[4] Ju and Oh families were almost knocked out – in raws: ‘they were driven into a groggy state’… It’s a bit hard to explain, but it basically means they were on the verge of collapse.
[5] In the worst case scenario, after screwing things beyond Oh Hyejeong’s degree, I’ll have to flee with those two, – before you ask, yes, there is a coma in the raws. It looks like a typo, but we can’t be sure.
[6] Sinwol – it’s an official neighborhood in Seoul, but here is an interesting fact, sinwol means ‘new moon’ in korean.
[7] West Seoul Lark Park – It’s just called West Seoul Lake Park in Korea. I don’t know where the Lark popped out from in English.
Translator’s note: Jo Uisin… the destroyer of good model students, the savior of all rascals…
Corrections note:
Ordinance → start-day meeting (yes, it’s like a homeroom time, it would be okay to call it that, but as Korean schools have both homeroom classes at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day, which I was calling end-day meeting/class, for the consistency (which clearly didn’t dare to exist before) it will be start-day meeting)
(Also, is there anyone out here doing research about words and its meanings in society? I really want to know why the belief that ordinance means ‘gathering’ of sorts is so popular.)
Wings Club → Wings Council (because it was bothering me a lot. I won’t be changing it in the earlier chapters as I usually do, because I know there are a few people catching up right now, and I don’t want to confuse them with the sudden appearance of the WINGS COUNCIL, but yeah, it will be a council from now on.)
Silver Building → Silver Light Building (Because I’m stupid and couldn’t do hanja properly when I started to translate this novel.)
Aceso → Acea (Because the author just loves to confuse me about their hangualization (??) of roman names, and also my memory of early chapters is the worst.)
That’s all, I’m sorry and thank you.
Did you see a mistake? 🐞
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