Chapter 15. Baek A-Young

Chapter 15. Baek A-Young

“Ah, you stupid bastard.”

Just like realizing a drunken mistake the next morning, I only realized on Saturday morning what I had done.

I resented myself so much. To have fallen for a honey trap.

What can I do? It’s already over.

If I look on the bright side, I’ve formed a connection with the professor. I just have to do well. It only means I have more studying to do.

“Haah…”

There are no regular classes on weekends. Most students either rest, do extra training, or go out with friends, but I had a lot to do.

The first place to stop by was the black market, and then the orphanage.

Right. Now that I think about it, I also promised to meet Rumi on Sunday.

“I really have a lot to do.”

It’s complicated. At times like this, I need to organize things.

-------------------

Goals.

Must become stronger. (For my own safety)

Must seduce the heroines. (To avoid dying)

---

In the end, there are two goals. Seducing the heroines is important, but so is my own firepower.

For now, let’s focus on heroine strategy this weekend.

I’ve been training all last week, and there’s still quite some time before any life-threatening events occur.

“I need to earn money too, what should I do.”

Should I try selling information? But to whom? There’s a way to sell it to an information guild, but those meticulous guys wouldn’t trust my information since its source isn’t clear.

I could do it recklessly, but I don’t want to gamble.

“I’ll just work hard for a scholarship. First, I need to head out.”

Anyway, I have to do my best if I don’t want to be expelled.

After roughly finishing my thoughts, I went into the bathroom to get ready to go out.

*

The commercial district around the academy.

In contrast to the bright side with its enormous infrastructure, the alleys between buildings are dark and gloomy.

“It should be around here…”

I compiled the bits of information shown in the game.

Recalling the locations of large buildings, the positions and angles of shadows described in the game, and even each utility pole that ever appeared, I found a place that looked roughly similar.

Creak—

“Found it.”

The alley between Building No. 23 and Building No. 24.

Among the doors that don’t open, this is the only one that does. It’s disguised as a bar that only opens at night, but in reality, it’s where they sell black market entrance passes.

Even though it’s broad daylight, the bar felt like night inside. The dim space was lit by a single soft light.

Squeak squeak

Behind the bar, an elderly man with white hair was wiping a glass.

The old man glanced at me and let out a sigh.

“Huh, these days all sorts of brats come here. Hey, I don’t know where you heard about this place, but go back if you don’t want to see something bad.”

Ignoring the old man, I sat at the bar and ordered a cocktail.

“Never mind, just give me any cocktail. Make the alcohol content as high as possible.”

I placed the 1.5 million won in cash I’d prepared on the bar.

The old man saw the money, silently gave me a cocktail, took the money, and went into the kitchen.

Under the cocktail glass was a small coin.

“What a pointless method.”

I took the coin and went back out to the street.

The atmosphere outside was completely different—bright and lively.

At the center of that lively atmosphere was Samro Department Store. I headed toward its emergency staircase.

On the side door leading underground was a sign that said “No entry except for authorized personnel.” I ignored it, opened the door, and went downstairs.

Two bulky men were blocking the entrance to the underground arcade, but when I showed them the coin, they stepped aside.

In the musty underground arcade, shops stood with their doors open, waiting for customers to come in.

‘Let’s see, where’s the pharmacy?’

The place I was looking for is “Pharmacy.”

Of course, I’m not here to buy cold medicine.

“Found it.”

A run-down pharmacy sign that looked ready to fall off at any moment. I recall mumbling that this is the only shop using the name “Pharmacy” in the black market.

Clang. Biri-ring biri-ring—

As I pushed the glass door open and entered, a pharmacist in a white coat greeted me.

“It’s been a while since a customer came. Welcome. What are you looking for?”

“… Uh, I’m here for an aphrodisiac…”

“Ah, you came to the wrong place. We handle sleeping pills and drugs, but we don’t deal in aphrodisiacs. Even if we get by with other stuff, if we’re caught with aphrodisiacs, that’s really the end.”

“I know everything. I just came to see what you have in stock today.”

“We like making money too. We’d love to sell aphrodisiacs, but they’re really tough to distribute and there’s hardly any margin… We’re a drug specialist shop here.”

“I came on Park Hyun-seok’s recommendation. I just want to see what you have in stock today.”

“Aish, then you should’ve said so from the start. Damn brat. Ptuh.”

“...”

Sss. Sss.

The pharmacist spat on the floor, then pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, stuck it in his mouth, and lit it.

“Sss, hoo.”

That’s quite a perplexing reaction. For reference, Park Hyun-seok is an extra who later gets caught using an aphrodisiac.

“My apologies. The association often sends disguised customers, so I was rude. Here, take one of these.”

He took out some Cheongsimhwan from the pocket opposite the one holding the cigarettes and handed it to me. Maybe he wants me to take it and relax.

“It’s a trial version. About level 3 out of 10, so give it a try and come back.”

I feel like I don’t even need to ask what that level refers to.

“…What’s the price?”

“That one’s 300,000 won per pill. The better ones are more expensive, but once you try it, you won’t think it’s a waste of money.”

Since it’s a trial version, I may as well take it. Free stuff is always good.

“We have forms like powder that don’t raise suspicion, and others… but looking at your face, it doesn’t seem like you need non-consensual sex, so I gave you that one. Should I change it?”

“No. I’ll just take this.”

“I thought you’d be some rude punk, but you’re surprisingly polite. Now I feel bad about swearing earlier.”

“Huh?”

What the hell is he suddenly talking about? Does he have anger management issues?

“Here, take this too.”

“Wait, even though it’s a trial version, you’re giving me a whole bottle?”

“That’s actually Cheongsimhwan. It helps you relax and calm your mind.”

“...”

“Heh heh heh…”

He seems like a crazy old man.

Well, whether it’s Cheongsimhwan or the trial version, I don’t know when I might need them, but taking them won’t hurt.

“Come again. After they try the trial version once, customers always come back.”

Leaving the eerie pharmacist behind, I made my way out of the black market.

“…Something feels off.”

I don’t want to come back here, but you never know. It might be good to stay on good terms with the pharmacist.

Next up is the orphanage.

I’m genuinely going to do volunteer work at the orphanage.

A gate that appeared in the middle of Gangnam, Seoul caused huge casualties and property damage and then disappeared. The city center became a desolate field, and Victoria Academy was built on that land.

Being right in the middle of Seoul, the surrounding commercial district was already developed, and if you go farther out, you’ll find many orphanages and shantytowns.

The place I’m heading to is “Sunlight Orphanage.”

It’s an orphanage that cares for children who lost their parents to gates or dungeons while working as hunters.

And the heroine “Baek A-Young” volunteers there every weekend.

On the way, I stopped by a convenience store to buy some snacks the kids would like and called to inform them of my visit.

I also changed out of the casual clothes I had worn to the black market and into my academy uniform.

The building was surrounded by a white fence. I opened the front gate and rang the doorbell at the entrance.

“What brings you here?”

A woman who seemed to be a childcare worker came out. Since I was wearing the Victoria Academy uniform, she showed no signs of suspicion.

“Hello. I’m the one who called earlier. Um, I wanted to personally offer some support.”

“Oh! You must be Lee Hoyeon. Please, come in.”

The orphanage was neatly organized. Though it wasn’t large, seeing the bright expressions of the children and the childcare workers suggested it had a good atmosphere.

“This is the director’s office. You can go inside and talk.”

“Alright.”

Knock, knock.

“Come in~.”

When I opened the door and entered, a kind-looking middle-aged man was sitting in the director’s office.

“Welcome. Oh my, Hoyeon. You sounded young over the phone, and it turns out you’re a Victoria Academy cadet?”

“Yes, as I mentioned on the phone, even if it’s not a large amount, I want to personally support the orphanage. I also plan to volunteer whenever I have time.”

“We would be grateful for that. Honestly, donations have been decreasing lately, so this really means a lot. Thank you so much. By the way, would you like some tea?”

“No, that’s alright. Would it be possible to see the children right away? I’d like to know who I’m supporting.”

“Hm, normally we don’t let outsiders take care of the children… But since we happen to have someone else here today, and you’re a cadet from the academy, I’ll trust you. Follow me.”

“Thank you.”

Volunteering to care for children at an orphanage isn’t easy.

If someone starts looking after the kids but quits because it’s too tough, the emotional wounds the children suffer are immense. There’s also the risk of crimes targeting them.

After all, it’s not easy to immediately judge whether a person is trustworthy.

This time, I got lucky since my academy uniform helped me pass without issue.

“There’s actually a well-known Hunter volunteering here today. Kids! You have a new big brother here!”

The children playing in the orphanage yard all turned to look at me.

Among them, Baek A-Young was also looking at me with an expression that said, “Who is that?” Judging by how she was surrounded by children, she seemed quite popular.

“Hey, kids. Hello?”

I mustered up the courage to greet them, but their response was lukewarm. Maybe they’re not old enough to be impressed by an academy uniform.

----------------------

『A side quest has been transmitted.』

[Diligent Volunteer Spirit!]

Baek A-Young wants someone who finds joy in helping others just as she does!

Complete the volunteer work successfully with Baek A-Young and gain her favor!

- Reward: +2 random attributes

----------------------

But I came prepared for this situation.

“Haha, it seems the kids still feel awkward around you, Hoyeon. This happens at first.”

“It’s fine. Hey kids, want to see something cool?”

Whoosh—

Three balls of fire ignited on my hand.

The children who had been hesitant to come close now focused all their attention on me.

“Alright, here we go.”

I tossed one fireball from my left hand into the air, then threw another from my right hand while catching the first. Then I repeated the process—throwing, catching, throwing.

In simple terms, I was juggling with fireballs.

“W… Woah!”

“What the heck! Big bro, that’s awesome!”

“Oppa! Can’t you do it with four?”

I practiced juggling for 30 minutes this morning just for this. In truth, it wasn’t that hard since I could control the mana slightly to make sure I caught them, but their reactions were great, so I felt pretty good.

“I also brought some snacks. Who wants some?”

*

The sun was already beginning to set.

The children were tired and resting inside the building.

“You worked hard today, Hoyeon.”

“No, A-Young, you worked even harder.”

“Pfft. I don’t think someone who juggled for over an hour has the right to say that.”

『Quest Complete!』

Baek A-Young and I were sitting on a couch inside the orphanage, resting. After playing with the kids together, we had naturally become closer.

“Hoyeon, why did you come to volunteer? I also heard you’re making donations, but do academy cadets even have money to spare?”

Baek A-Young is a fundamentally kind person. She does volunteer work purely because she wants to. That’s why she feels a connection with people who share her values.

“For now, I’m using part of my living expenses. I’ve always been interested in volunteering.”

“But the living expense stipend isn’t that much. And don’t you need time to study?”

“You sure ask a lot of questions. Haha. This feels weird. Why are you so interested in a student like me? Isn’t this a crime?”

“I only graduated from the academy not too long ago, you know? Hmph.”

“I was just joking, just joking.”

“You’re an interesting person, Hoyeon. Most volunteers I’ve met here quickly lose interest in the kids once they see me, but you were more focused on the children than on me.”

Of course, I planned this. I had seen it in the game, and the quest also hinted at it. Baek A-Young wants someone who truly enjoys volunteering and finds joy in it.

I may not actually be that kind of person, but if I know the conditions, I can act the part.

We were already getting along well, so now it was time for some emotional manipulation. I rubbed my dry eyes, making them red as if I were about to cry.

“Actually… I’m an orphan too. My parents died in a gate incident.”

“Oh… So that’s why you came to Sunlight Orphanage… I’m sorry, Hoyeon. That must be painful for you, and here I was, selfishly prying.”

“I barely even remember it.”

I spoke with the saddest expression I could muster.

“I grew up in an orphanage too. Somehow, I struggled my way into Victoria Academy. I thought everything would go smoothly once I got in, but that wasn’t the case.”

“...”

“It was tough financially, but even emotionally, it was really hard. I couldn’t laugh when others did, I had to check my balance every time I wanted to buy a drink at a café, and if I ever had a nice meal with friends, I’d have to survive on water for a while afterward. Haha, talking about it, it all comes back to money in the end. Anyway, I just don’t want these kids to feel the same way.”

Even I felt a lump in my throat while acting. Though, technically, Lee Hoyeon’s backstory was true—his parents did die in a gate incident, and he was an orphan. I just didn’t know exactly where.

“These kids didn’t do anything wrong.”

A faint smile accompanied my final line, tugging at the heartstrings.

Baek A-Young’s eyes started to glisten with moisture, and there was newfound warmth in her gaze toward me.

“Hoyeon… Don’t worry. Everything will be okay. I’ll definitely help you.”

Strike!

★ Heroine Status Window

[Baek A-Young]

- [ Affection: 50 ]

- [ Lust: 30 ]

- [ Appetite: 20 ]

- [ Fatigue: 70 ]

Current Status: Very happy to have formed a connection with an academy junior.

Damn, we just met today, and her affection is already at 50. This kind of acting is worth it.

“It’s getting late. A-Young, you look tired too. Should we call it a day?”

“Yes. By the way, Hoyeon, you said you’re a freshman, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then we’ll see each other soon. Hehe.”

“Huh? Where?”

“Oh, nothing~. See you next time!”

Tap, tap.

With an excited step, Baek A-Young left the orphanage.

I already know when we’ll meet again. Soon, there’ll be a dungeon training exercise, and Hunters from the association will be providing support. As a healer, Baek A-Young is bound to be one of them.

“I should get going too.”

I left the orphanage. Playing with kids was way more exhausting than I expected. Maybe I should just send money and skip the volunteering part.

“Big bro! Bye!”

“Oppa! Next time, do it with five!”

Looking back, two of the kids who had been following me the most eagerly were waving at me.

“Alright! See you next time!”

Well, I can’t have Baek A-Young getting suspicious, so I should probably come back a few more times.

Chapter end