Despite her situation, Eun-ji had insisted on one condition: that they both bring their players to their meeting.
Si-woo didn't know whether she wanted protection or leverage by discovering the identity of his "protégé." Either way, her request worked in his favor. Better to show her the problem right away.
The "problem" in question was strutting around the classroom in a new outfit. A growing crowd had gathered around him, hanging on his every word.
— Yesterday, some punching bag begged me to walk him home. Apparently, the guy bullying him wanted him to steal for him. I told my price, and he couldn't afford it. Poor guy went home alone.
His little gang burst out laughing as if he'd just delivered the joke of the year. Si-woo clenched his fists. Il-seong must have discovered more badges. It was frustrating not to remember the rewards he had created, or even to track his player's progress. All Si-woo could do was watch from the back of the class.
They hadn't spoken since their little "altercation." Il-seong had skipped classes, and Si-woo hadn't bothered to call him. Even after returning to school, his "friend" made a point of ignoring him.
Mi-cha arched an eyebrow at him.
— If you keep air-quoting in your head, you'll end up with premature wrinkles.
— Air-quoting what?
Mi-cha rolled her eyes. Her favorite answer whenever Si-woo pretended to be clueless. She'd made the same face when, after his fight, she asked why he was so cold. Si-woo had only managed to say, "I got caught in the rain," even though he was completely dry. During the dry season.
— I'm worried about Il-seong," Si-woo admitted. Ever since Jeunk left, he's completely lost it.
They both turned to Il-seong, who was still ranting about the miserable lives of lackeys, conveniently forgetting he used to be one himself.
— They have no self-respect. If they waste their lives obeying bullies, they've got no one to blame but themselves.
Si-woo didn't need his Master powers to feel Il-seong's charismatic aura pouring out of him and spreading to the small crowd. Every student smiled and clapped at his nonsense.
Mi-cha grimaced.
— He's defending a system that benefits him. He charges for his rescues, after all…
— Since when he became such a d—
Si-woo trailed off when his eyes met Il-seong's. The latter gave him a quick nod toward the door, then casually announced he was heading to the restroom before class.
— Smooth, Mi-cha muttered.
Si-woo grinned at her before darting into the hallway. Il-seong's shadow was already disappearing around the corner. Using his super speed, Si-woo caught up in a flash.
— We need to talk.
His voice came out sharper than intended, but he didn't bother softening it. Il-seong didn't seem to care about it anyway. Something else was in his mind.
— When did you get your powers? And how?
Si-woo stepped around to face him.
— I could ask you the same thing.
The look Il-seong gave him was filled with a ferocity Si-woo had never seen before.
— You can't tell me, can you? Just like Jeunk. Was it Dr. Kim who did this to you?
Si-woo froze, taken aback by how sharp Il-seong's deduction was. He was right—Dr. Kim was involved… just not in the way he thought.
— Why should I answer you?
After all, Si-woo was still bound by those damn Master rules. Even though the system had paused during his punishment, he could feel it lurking, ready to strike if he broke another one. Il-seong, however, had no such restrictions. He could talk about his player status, the system, his worries—everything weighing on his chest. He simply refused to. Again.
Il-seong shrugged and started walking again. Si-woo followed silently. He had to convince him to come along for his meeting with Eun-ji, but given how this conversation was going, things didn't look promising.
Suddenly, a first-year girl from another class appeared. She stepped out of a club room—reading club, if Si-woo remembered right. She was cute, with glasses and long black hair cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes, however, were bloodshot. The girl rubbed them with the stubbornness of someone possessed. Il-seong stopped to watch her. When she finally looked up, she saw him.
— How could you?
Si-woo looked from one to the other, hoping someone would explain what was going on.
Dream on !
Il-seong approached the girl, leaning down until their faces were level. He'd grown taller again, the bastard. And bulkier. He looked like one of those action-movie heartthrobs—the undercover agent sent to protect the local celebrity at a high school. Except this one wasn't charming. His smile was cruel.
— I never hid the fact that you weren't the only one. Everyone knows I've got multiple girlfriends.
Oh, thought Si-woo. Oh.
The urge to punch his friend returned, but a sudden idea smothered it.
The girl, meanwhile, burst into tears.
— You're the one who wanted us to date! You flirted with me and asked me out. I thought… I believed…
— You thought you were special, huh?
Il-seong's expression hardened even more. The girl stepped back, stunned by his harsh tone.
— I broke up with my boyfriend for you, she pleaded.
Il-seong didn't flinch. Worse, he grabbed the knot of her uniform and slammed her against the window. The girl blushed beneath her glasses. Despite her hopeful look, Il-seong offered no tenderness—just a bitter laugh.
— Remember a few months ago when you asked me out? I was just a pathetic tool to make your boyfriend jealous. He beat the crap out of me after making me pay for your dinner. You fell right back into his arms without even glancing at the sucker you'd used. And now you dare complain? You're pathetic. Call it karma. You've only got yourself to blame.
Si-woo remembered that story. Looking more closely, he recognized Ri-gia from class 1C. The revelation left her speechless. Il-seong walked off down the hallway as if nothing had happened. Si-woo followed, though he couldn't help glancing worriedly back at Riri—her nickname.
— Don't you think you went a little too far? he muttered.
— They all deserve to pay for what they've done to me. To us.
Il-seong's voice rumbled like a storm about to break over the school. Si-woo didn't agree, but he bit his tongue. He must stay quiet until he figured out how to fix his friend's twisted mindset. Or bring him into the four eyes date.
Taking a deep breath, he tried to sound casual.
— So, you're short one girl for your harem, then.
Il-seong shot him an annoyed look but said nothing. Si-woo pressed on.
— I went with Mi-cha to her trainee practice. Met an amazing girl there. We decided to hang out again.
Technically, that was true.
— Aren't you with Mi-cha? Il-seong grumbled.
— Not really… Nothing official, anyway.
A pang of guilt twisted in Si-woo's chest. He'd apologize to Mi-cha later, even if she would never found out. He kept talking, hoping his unease didn't show.
— Eun-ji is pretty shy, so she'd like us to have a double date. She'll bring a friend, and I'd like you to come.
Il-seong froze at the mention of Eun-ji's name.
— Isn't she always hanging around with Magical Smile?
Bingo.
Il-seong was a big fan of that YouTuber—like most teenagers, really.
— Exactly! Si-woo said with his most victorious grin. She's the one Eun-ji is bringing. So? If you like her, maybe you can finally get a real girlfriend and stop breaking hearts.
And if I can figure out how the system really works, maybe I can bring you back—the real you. The one from before. The one who didn't crush people with his powers.
Il-seong stared at him for a long moment before answering:
— If I agree, will you tell me about your connection to Dr. Kim?
— Deal!
They shook hands. Something in that handshake felt colder to Si-woo than the ice Eun-ji had summoned during their fight.