noveldrama
Chapter 157
Chapter 157
**Yu-jin’s request: To hold a festival to lure in Paimon.**
On the surface, it seemed like a harmless enough idea. If Paimon indeed had such inclinations, there was no harm in trying.
Plus, there was a solid pretext.
Unlike most ordinary universities, Pentagon Academy was highly exclusive. They’d never even held a festival. And while social media restrictions had been lifted this year, curiosity about the Academy remained high.
Hosting a festival under this pretense would be perfect, drawing in enough interest to mask any suspicion from Paimon.
Yu-jin’s proposal sounded like a clever strategy.
“It may be costly, but… it’s necessary for the special mission. Just please overlook the budget this once, Director.”
And after all, Paimon’s elimination was a “special mission,” a discretionary task entrusted to an S-class Awakener. As President of the Korean Awakener Association, Seol Ha-yeon wasn’t in a position to casually refuse.
*“Hmm… If Yu-jin really manages to beat Ninomiya, there’d be no downside for Korea, either.”*
Furthermore, the festival’s highlight—a duel between Yu-jin and Aika. While it was likely he’d lose, what if he actually won? Korea would solidify its standing as the strongest Awakener nation, finally shedding the blemish of an S-rank #1 held by a Japanese Awakener.
There were clear incentives… but despite them all, Seol Ha-yeon refused.
“No.”
“What? Why not?!”
Ignoring Yu-jin’s pleading look, she furrowed her brows.
“So you want to lure Paimon here?”
“Exactly. The goal is to defeat her.”
“To confront such a dangerous creature in the middle of Seoul?”
Paimon, as Yu-jin described, was a creature that could engulf an entire capital city in flames within days—one of the most catastrophic threats imaginable. And he wanted to draw her to a festival, teeming with people?
“What if something goes wrong? Even a single injury would be an international disgrace for Korea.”
Ha-yeon’s refusal came from careful risk assessment, prompting Yu-jin to redouble his efforts to persuade her.
“But she’s coming to Korea in three years, regardless. She’s planning to burn it to the ground anyway! We should face her while she’s still somewhat weaker…”
“No. I can’t allow civilians or students to be put at risk.”
“I’ll handle it! My master and I working together—she wouldn’t even lift a finger!”
“It’s out of the question. Special missions leave records. Even if you succeed, someone will scrutinize them and accuse you of recklessness.”
Her resolve was absolute.
“Besides, asking the cadets to duel is foolish. They have no experience with combat like this, nor would they ever need it.”
“We could use the illusion spell we used in the entrance exams! They could duel there without danger.”
“So you’re okay with showing them Awakeners killing each other? Paimon might like it, but what about everyone else? Think it through.”
“…”
Yu-jin fell silent. Her points were valid, but…
*“Ugh, she’s just finding excuses because she doesn’t want the extra work. What a miserly old hag.”*
*“I could manage it, but pulling it together in five weeks? Even I’d collapse from exhaustion.”*
Both knew none of these issues posed real barriers, but still. Now, with his official request denied, Yu-jin took a new approach.
“Just please do it.”
“…What?”
“Director, you could solve all this. Right? Right?”
The once-dignified young man practically begged, like a grandchild pleading for candy.
*“What is he, insane? He really thinks begging will work…”*
“…”
*“Sigh. But when such a handsome young man begs like this, it’s hard to be annoyed.”*
But for Seol Ha-yeon, it worked. To her, Yu-jin was practically like a grandson. A full forty years her junior.
How could she find fault in a little bit of whining? In fact, it was rather cute to see him acting his age for once, and the loneliness she’d felt earlier vanished entirely.
“You really think whining will make me give in?”
“Come on~ Please? I’ve brought so much revenue to the Association. This isn’t just for me. Just this once, look the other way~.”
“Tsk. Even if it’s risky…”
“I’ll make sure it’s not! You don’t trust me? I’m ranked 7th S-rank, soon to be #1!”
Yu-jin sensed her softening, her tone gentler, her posture shifting closer.
*Softly massaging her shoulders*
“…!!!?”
“If you trust me, I’ll make sure nothing goes wrong. Just this once, Ha-yeon noona, please trust me!”
Gently massaging her slim shoulders, just like a grandchild wheedling their grandmother for pocket money. It would’ve been an innocent sight, given their age difference.
*Startled*
*“This young man is so brazen, touching me like this… good heavens.”*
Seol Ha-yeon, unaccustomed to a man’s touch, found herself blushing, her body stiffening at the unexpected sensation.
*“Still… if Yu-jin’s asking so sincerely…”*
Her heart slowly began to sway, her stance shifting from “absolutely not” to something more positive.
“I’ll look into it. To see if it’s even feasible.”
*Sighing*
And with that, Seol Ha-yeon moved to her computer, slowly tapping the keys as she searched to determine whether a festival could be organized within five weeks. Smiling like a grandmother humoring a grandchild’s request…
*Ding*
“Hmm? From Bbo?”
But her smile vanished immediately as a notification popped up. Uneasy, she opened the email.
[Subject: Billing for Temporary Necromancer Deployment]
Dear Seol Ha-yeon,
Regarding the billing for the temporary deployment of Class-0 villain Necromancer terminated on the 3rd. Details are as follows…
Deployed Personnel: Class-0 villain Necromancer, S-rank Awakener Bbo, 17 certified A-rank Vietnamese Awakeners
Duration: 1 day
Total: [2.153 billion KRW]
Please remit payment by June 30th to the account listed…
“What the—”
The bombshell had dropped.
Bbo’s minimum fee, sent through official channels to keep things professional, had arrived, unaware that Yu-jin had arranged for the Necromancer to come on his own, keeping Seol Ha-yeon in the dark.
For if she knew…
“Yu-jin. You… you brought a Necromancer to Korea?!”
“…Uh, how’d you find—”
“Are you out of your mind?!”
Her eyes widened in fury.
“When you mentioned meeting someone connected to Paimon, I thought it was something else! A Necromancer?!”
“No, no, that’s not what I—”
“Dear god, I had a bad feeling on Sunday! That’s why Bbo came here?!”
“Wait, don’t tell me he actually sent you a bill…”
“Oh, heavens. I swear, I can’t take this! How could you not tell me, you reckless fool!”
Her blood pressure spiked, and she swayed, clutching her chest.
Her reaction wasn’t entirely uncalled for. Necromancers were some of the worst villains in history, capable of turning entire nations into zombie wastelands.
Learning that such a menace had entered and left Korea without her knowing… she was stunned.
“Oh no! Did Bbo really bill the Association? I can cover it myself, no worries!”
“Money is not the issue, you fool…! My heart, you… I swear…”
Her outburst shattered the atmosphere of the director’s office. Any goodwill she’d had toward Yu-jin vanished, and things were not looking good for him.
“Fine. I’ll cover it. Bbo didn’t overcharge; the expenses are legitimate for a special mission. I’ll handle it.”
“Um… I’m really sorry…”
“But the festival is off. Absolutely off.”
“Wait, what?!”
Yu-jin’s eyes widened, like a puppy whose treat had been taken away.
“But that’s a completely different issue! I understand I messed up with the Necromancer thing, but—”
“Enough, you insolent brat! How am I supposed to trust you?”
“Noona~ I’m really sorry, okay?”
“If you’re sorry, shut up!”
But Seol Ha-yeon’s expression was icy, her hands trembling.
*“If he weren’t a man, I’d tan his hide right here.”* She clenched her fists, wishing she could do just that.
Even Yu-jin dared not resist her rare display of anger.
*Kneeling*
“Yes, I’ve made countless mistakes, but please, at least consider the festival!”
“…?”
With that, Yu-jin played his final card.
The once-dignified young man prostrated himself, performing a deep, traditional bow—a gesture his mentor often used.
Seol Ha-yeon scoffed but…
“Hah. Go ahead, bow a hundred times… it won’t change my mind…”
“———I just want to be with my master!”
“…!!!!?”
His shameless confession shattered her defenses. Her face flushed instantly.
“S-stay with…?”
“Yes! I want to confess to my master, date her, and be with her!”
“Th-that’s absurd!”
“But you want that too, don’t you, noona?”
“…!!!!?”
But Yu-jin continued, head bowed low, his face hidden as
he blushed deeply.
“Why… Why me all of a sudden?”
Her cheeks turned an even brighter red.
“You’ve already approved my special operation. You even said marrying my master would benefit Korea.”
“……Oh.”
Realizing her own shameless thoughts, her head slowly lowered, unable to look him in the eyes.
“Fine… I’ll sign the documents. Just bring me the proposal…”
“Really? You’re serious?”
“Yes, I said so…”
“Yes! Noona, you’re the best!”
Yu-jin, oblivious to the effect his words had on her, beamed. Not that he’d care about the thoughts of someone forty years older, but still.
“Thank you, noona! I love you!”
“Eep?!”
“Now, I’ll be off! I’ll send the proposal today!”
*Dash*
Yu-jin quickly left the office before she could change her mind.
Alone, Seol Ha-yeon’s labored breathing filled the silence.
“Hah…”
*Trembling*
“What the heck are you thinking, you fool… Get a grip…”
She truly couldn’t be blamed for this.
---
**A little later…**
“Sia, want to come with me to visit Father after class?”
“Hmm. Well, if you insist…”
“Yu-jin, I’m coming too! No, I’m definitely coming!”
“…!!!?”
*“Taking another girl to meet my future father-in-law? This is going to be rough!”*
And with that, Yu-jin quickly found himself repaying his karma.