Chapter 182

“So, you’re saying…”

After hearing Woo Seo-heun’s conversation, I had a lot to think about.

The fact that their strategy was actually a honey trap was hard to grasp, but when I thought about it, it wasn’t that strange.

Looking back at Earth’s history, the honey trap method has been a pretty proven way to extract information and get things done.

No wonder it holds a place among the 36 Stratagems.

“Ha, I never thought I’d fall for a honey trap. Well, you live and learn.”

One thing was clear—their target was me, and Eternity.

I wasn’t sure about Eternity, but they were definitely after me.

“It’s puzzling. What do they gain by targeting me? Or are they planning to use me as a hostage for some other benefit?”

It would’ve been great if I could’ve figured out their leader’s thoughts from the conversation, but even Woo Seo-heun didn’t seem to know the details.

“…Or maybe it’s just plain revenge.”

******

Lately, I’ve been asking other clan members about Woo Seo-heun. Just in case I missed something.

So, during a conversation with Hyeon-jin, I naturally brought her up.

“Ah… Seo-heun noona?”

“…Seo-heun noona?”

“Yeah, she said it’s fine to call her that casually…”

‘She must be a great actress. She’s already blended in this well?’

“Really? Anyway, how is she? Seems like a decent person?”

“Yeah, she’s really considerate. Honestly, it feels like the roles are reversed.”

“Roles reversed? How so?”

“Well, normally, I should be the one explaining things or taking care of her, right? Since Eternity is still new to her.”

“Ah…”

“But instead, I’m the one being taken care of, so it feels a bit weird.”

“Hmm… Anything else that stood out?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Just anything, even small things.”

After some thought, Hyeon-jin cautiously started speaking.

He even glanced at Wi Ho-yeon, who was standing guard beside me.

“Um… Hyung, I’m telling you this because you’re my hyung.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

I was pretty excited. Maybe Hyeon-jin had caught something I missed.

Plus, his expression and tone were so cautious that I couldn’t help but get my hopes up.

“So… do you think there’s a chance with Seo-heun noona?”

“…What?”

For a moment, I didn’t understand his question.

“I think Seo-heun noona might have a thing for me. What do you think, hyung? I want your opinion!”

‘What the hell is this kid talking about?’

It was a question that made me wonder if he’d been hit in the head.

“Hyung, can you guide me a bit?”

Seeing his sparkling eyes, I barely held back the urge to smack him.

‘Ha, this kid needs to find a good girl. If he doesn’t, he might end up ruined.’

“…Hyeon-jin.”

“Yes, hyung!”

“What exactly makes you think Woo Seo-heun… has a thing for you?”

“Well, she smiles at me when she greets me!”

“Kid, do you expect her to frown at fellow clan members?”

“No, she really smiles at me! When a girl smiles at a guy, isn’t that a signal?”

‘What am I supposed to do with this kid?’

“…Hyeon-jin, she’s just being polite to a fellow clan member.”

Hyeon-jin waved his hands, disagreeing.

“Come on, hyung. It’s different from how she greets others. She smiles especially at me…”

I couldn’t help but facepalm.

“…Okay? Let’s say that’s true. What else?”

“Huh?”

“Come on, there must be other reasons. What else makes you think that?”

“Well, she told me it’s okay to be casual with her, and she asked about my job and stats…”

“What?”

“Yeah, she even said I was amazing. Asked how I grew so fast in just a year…”

“Wait, hold on. She asked about your job and stats? What are you talking about?”

‘This idiot, seriously?’

“Well, not directly. It just came up in conversation, so I answered…”

‘This dumb kid…!’

It seems like this idiot got interrogated, Earth-style.

I didn’t even need to hear more—it was all clear in my head.

From Woo Seo-heun’s perspective, a few smiles and friendly gestures were enough to lower his guard, and she naturally steered the conversation.

This idiot probably answered happily, just thrilled that Woo Seo-heun was talking to him.

Whether on Earth or here, whether male or female, when someone way out of your league is being nice, you always need to be careful.

“Damn it, Hyeon-jin.”

“Yes?”

My sudden swearing caught him off guard.

“Didn’t I tell you repeatedly? Never share your info. Didn’t they teach you that at the training facility?”

“Come on, hyung. Of course, I didn’t tell her everything. I’m not that dumb…”

“Hey, kid. Of course, you didn’t tell her everything, but you must’ve said enough for her to piece things together, right?”

“Well… but Seo-heun noona wouldn’t harm me. She’s a fellow clan member…”

“Hyeon-jin, would you tell me your status window if I asked?”

“Of course.”

‘Oh my god, this kid’s insane.’

I get that he trusts me, but his attitude was driving me crazy.

Even Wi Ho-yeon, who was listening, couldn’t hold back.

“…Cha Hyeon-jin, you should never share your status window, no matter how close you are. They definitely taught you that at the training facility.”

“Ah…”





It seems like he realized he did something wrong.

“Hyeon-jin. From what I can see, it doesn’t seem like Woo Seo-heun has any interest in you, and you should probably be more cautious from now on.”

“Huh?”

“You… from what I can tell, if you end up with the wrong woman, you’re the type to lose everything.”

At my words, Hyeon-jin looked hurt and asked again.

“Is… is that so?”

“Yeah, you punk. How much do you trust what I say? If I tell you to do something, will you do it?”

“…I believe everything you say, hyung.”

“Then do as I say. First of all, you absolutely cannot confess to Woo Seo-heun out of the blue.”

This was serious talk.

And for good reason. If Hyeon-jin were to confess and Woo Seo-heun were to react badly, it would put me in a very awkward position.

It probably won’t happen, but if Woo Seo-heun were to suddenly disappear after being confessed to, it would be a real headache for me.

“…I understand, hyung.”

‘Whew…’

At least I felt like I’d taken some minimal precautions, so that was a relief.

As I walked away from Hyeon-jin, Wi Ho-yeon quietly approached me.

“…Lee Yun-seong.”

“Ah, yes.”

“…Is it because I and the master are insufficient for you?”

I almost tripped over my own feet at Wi Ho-yeon’s words. Thankfully, she caught my arm, so I didn’t fall.

“…What are you talking about?”

“If it’s because we haven’t been able to satisfy you recently, just let me know anytime, and I’ll…”

“What kind of misunderstanding is this? What…”

“…It’s just that you seem to be paying a lot of attention to Woo Seo-heun lately…”

‘Ah, so that’s why she’s misunderstanding.’

From Wi Ho-yeon’s perspective, it was understandable that she would think this way.

Woo Seo-heun knew about my relationship with Seo Yoo-ju, so she didn’t approach me when Seo Yoo-ju was around.

In other words, Woo Seo-heun knew about my relationship with Seo Yoo-ju but didn’t know about my relationship with Wi Ho-yeon, so she had been showing interest in me when Wi Ho-yeon was around.

In that situation, since I had been asking around about Woo Seo-heun, it was natural for Wi Ho-yeon to misunderstand.

“If my words have made you uncomfortable, I apologize. It’s not my place to worry about such things…”

“Not at all. I was just a bit startled, that’s all.”

“…I’m glad to hear that.”

“To be honest, I am interested in Woo Seo-heun.”

At my words, Wi Ho-yeon’s eyes wavered. She tried to hide it, but I could see right through her.

‘Who would’ve thought our Sword Monarch could be this cute?’

“…I see.”

She tried to act nonchalant, but it was painful to watch.

I chuckled and whispered in her ear.

“…Don’t worry. It’s not romantic interest.”

Perhaps because I whispered in her ear, Wi Ho-yeon flinched. Her breathing became ragged.

“Ah… yes, if that’s the case…”

“It’s just curiosity. We have a new clan member, after all. Naturally, I’d be curious about what kind of person they are, what their tendencies are.”

“Ah…”

She seemed a bit disappointed when I stopped using informal speech.

I couldn’t tell Wi Ho-yeon everything about Woo Seo-heun. She was part of my growth plan, after all.

‘Though I am worried she might feel guilty if she thinks she couldn’t protect me…’

It’s a trashy solution, but… spending some intimate time with Wi Ho-yeon would probably resolve it.

To rid Wi Ho-yeon of her guilt, as strange as it sounds, this method is the best.

I didn’t know it before, but recently, I’ve gotten a better grasp of how to handle Wi Ho-yeon.

‘The problem is Seo Yoo-ju, but as long as I don’t actually die, I can manage her will.’

If it’s just pretending to die, not actually dying, I think I can handle it.

“Ho-yeon, what do you think about Woo Seo-heun? You can say anything.”

“…Really, can I say anything?”

‘Is she planning to curse her or something?’

“Yes, of course. Even if you curse her, it’s fine. It’s just the two of us here.”

What Wi Ho-yeon said next was completely different from what I expected.

“…I find her irritating.”

“Huh?”

‘What?’

“I feel like she’s deliberately approaching you whenever she gets the chance. Of course, as a woman, I understand that, but for someone who just joined the clan to act like that towards you… it’s too much.”

“Ah…”

“It feels like she’s trying to take you away from the master. Of course, I also feel like she’s trying to take you away from me…”

Wi Ho-yeon, with her head bowed and glancing up shyly, made me feel something ticklish rising inside.

Seeing her face turn red, it seemed she was also very embarrassed while saying this.

‘…Is she doing this on purpose?’

At this point, it felt like she was deliberately trying to provoke me.

Of course, I knew it wasn’t intentional. Wi Ho-yeon wouldn’t do that.

“Ho-yeon.”

“…Yes, Lee Yun-seong.”

“You’re not doing this on purpose, are you?”

“Huh?”

“…This is driving me crazy.”

“Ah…”

“…You’re not doing this on purpose, right?”

I cupped Wi Ho-yeon’s chin with one hand and asked, and she instantly held her breath.