Episode 42: Lee Seo-ahI carefully scrutinized her face.
She resembled Isia. But their auras were completely different.
While Isia gave off a soft, rounded impression,
the woman before me radiated a sharp intensity.
"Who is this person?"
Her question came across as imperious.
"Someone who just joined our Guild."
"The one who defeated big sister recently?"
"Correct. We dueled with swords and I lost."
The clattering keyboard sounds stopped.
Listening employees gasped in shock.
The woman gave Seol-hwa a skeptical look upon hearing Sia's answer.
She approached us.
"I'm Lee Seo-ah."
She extended her hand with an introduction devoid of emotional inflection,
making her intentions impossible to read.
"Yoo Seol-hwa. Pleased to meet you."
Seol-hwa shook her hand as I studied Lee Seo-ah intently.
As expected of the Sword Empress' daughter, she possessed beauty distinct from Isia's charm.
"May I ask your age?"
"I just... recently became an adult."
"Ah, then we're the same age. Would you like to exchange contact information?"
"...Yes!"
They swapped numbers, Lee Seo-ah subtly vibrating with excitement.
"How much longer? We'd like to start shopping soon."
"Pardon? Oh, yes! We'll have it ready immediately."
The previously halted typing resumed.
"Here you go. Monthly minimum spending is required to maintain membership. Your first month is exempt, please note. Any excess payment doesn't carry over."
The clerk presented a dazzling gold card.
The endless explanations finally concluded.
"Phew, finally time to shop."
We left reception and waited for the elevator.
"Want to join us?"
"Yes. I was planning to anyway."
Lee Seo-ah clung to us. She'd clearly follow regardless of refusal.
"Got money?"
"Received my allowance yesterday."
She flashed her card. As the Sword Empress' daughter, she needed no minimum spending to retain membership.
Her casual purchases exceeding ₩100 million screamed golden spoon privilege.
Envy and absurdity washed over me. Some risked lives daily for mere hundreds of thousands.
I viscerally understood communism's origins.
Ding.
"First, defensive gear."
The elevator opened to a wonderland beyond imagination.
I expected a warehouse store, but this surpassed all expectations.
Clang. Clang. Clang.
Smithing hammers echoed through the forge built inside the showroom.
Blast furnace heat licked the ceiling as AC units labored to compensate.
Armored models stood throughout as living mannequins.
Exorbitant gear displayed as eye candy.
Seol-hwa froze at this dystopian wonderland.
Though the setup suggested oppression, the models' faces glowed with happiness.
Must be dream part-time jobs - earning fortunes just by standing still.
"Follow me."
While Seol-hwa hesitated, Isia and Lee Seo-ah moved confidently to the leather armor section.
"This suits you - Salamander Leather Armor. Boosts fire resistance and affinity. Your flame abilities will intensify."
Isia indicated the crimson-glowing armor.
Salamanders - rare spirit monsters. Undoubtedly premium gear.
Without appraisal skills, I couldn't verify stats directly.
"But isn't leather armor too weak defensively?"
"You're a damage dealer. No need for heavy plate."
Decision made. We summoned a clerk.
"That'll be ₩1.12 billion including tax. Receipt?"
"No."
Isia swiped her card without blinking at the ten-digit price.
"Custom orders require measurements."
The payment processed, they guided us to a fitting room.
Creak.
"Hnngh..."
I entered Seol-hwa's womb, already soaked without stimulation.
She stripped to her underwear as a tailor entered with measuring tape.
"168cm tall. 91-62-92 measurements."
They recorded every contour. "Done. You may dress."
"Production takes 1 week to 1 month. We'll deliver to your chosen location."
After requesting delivery to Myohaengseong Guild, we descended to the weapons floor.
"Next, secondary weapons. Dungeons are unpredictable."
Where the smithy rang above, leather workshops hummed below.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Tanning noises kept our ears company.
"Since you wield more than greatswords, try an arming sword secondary."
Isia presented a single-handed blade.
"Wouldn't this serrated blade be better? Rips wounds open."
Lee Seo-ah countered with a jagged-edged sword.
"Few monsters have troll-level regeneration."
Their morbid debate about killing efficiency continued as Seol-hwa watched silently.
"Fine. Buy both."
The golden spoon solution - purchase all options.
Shopping continued:
Personal canteen with purification magic.
Tomahawk doubling as multi-tool.
Survival dagger.
Miscellaneous but expensive essentials.
My previous artifacts seemed fake compared to these.
Now I understood why successful Hunters came here.
Even backpacks were revolutionary.
"Compression Backpack - lightweight magic, air expulsion, waterproof, volume reduction."
She demonstrated the sleek pack merging magic and technology.
Countless artifacts littered the area - including one to boost my Mucus skill level.
More motivation to earn money.
Purchases complete, everything shipped to Myohaengseong Guild.
"Thank you, big sister."
"Standard welcome package for new recruits."
Isia dismissed the ₩100+ million expenditure.
"Don't be late your first day."
She waved goodbye as Seol-hwa returned home alone.
"Gyu-ah already left."
The empty apartment felt desolate. Her absence left an ache.
No threesomes like this.
I considered summoning Gyu-ah but stopped myself.
Couldn't afford to support her long-term.
Her living here would raise suspicions with her family.
'I miss Arondra.'
Already nostalgic for our hotel threesome.
Wanted to ride the Bitch Candidate carriage again.
"Master? Master?"
Seol-hwa's voice snapped me back.
"What is it?"
"A message arrived..."
She showed Lee Seo-ah's text.
'Oh? This could work...'
A plan formed - train Lee Seo-ah as a new pet.
But complications existed.
As the Sword Empress' daughter - South Korea's royalty -
mistakes could doom Seol-hwa too.
Fear might make her betray us.
'Must confirm.'
I needed to verify Seol-hwa's loyalty.
Approaching boxes in the corner,
I retrieved items obtained through the hotel manager.
"Master."
Seol-hwa came immediately.
"I'll make Lee Seo-ah my pet."
She flinched - fear confirmed.
"Choose. Follow me or refuse."
I revealed the prepared item - a collar bell.
"Wear this if you obey. Refuse, and leave quietly for old times' sake."
I forced her choice - complete submission or departure.
"Of course... I'll follow. Don't you trust me?"
Seol-hwa spoke without hesitation.
"Hehe, don't worry. I'm already your slave."
She offered her neck. I fastened the bell with a Blood Shield ribbon.
Jingle.
"Order anything. I'll accomplish it even at the cost of my life."
Her smile promised absolute obedience.
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