The Tough Guy Hides the Villainess

“Look over here! There’s a mini car! Wow, it’s a gold motor!”

“Isn’t this the ‘Survival Series’? I haven’t seen this in ages.”

“……”

Chang-sik, Tae-sung, and Deok-soon were busy exploring my house, looking at all the various things scattered around.

Although I had been back in this house for a few days, I still hadn’t fully recalled what was in here, so all the random items they found were quite nostalgic.

While we were all exploring the house, Baek Yeoul circled around me like a malfunctioning robot, making awkward movements.

She seemed like she wanted to say something but couldn’t quite get the words out, as if they were stuck between her palate and front teeth.

How annoying.

As the smartest guy among middle school dropouts, I decided to show a bit of tact.

“If you need to use the restroom, it’s that way. There’s even a bidet.”

“…No, thanks!”

Like a raccoon drenched in cold water, Baek Yeoul puffed up her hair in frustration.

Just as I wondered how she managed to control her hair, she cautiously opened her mouth.

“…I already told you earlier. You shouldn’t go to the party at the ‘company building’. It’s a trap. You don’t have any questions about that?”

So that’s what she wanted to say.

From her constant fidgeting, I thought she was just in need of a bathroom.

After tasting my cooking earlier and being impressed, Baek Yeoul had spilled all sorts of information about Seo Ga-eul.

According to her, Seo Ga-eul’s party was some sort of ‘trap’ and should be avoided at all costs.

“If you go, you’ll just… be humiliated. So, it’s better not to go. Everyone tries to see the good in Seo Ga-eul, but I know what kind of person she is, how cruel she can be….”

Baek Yeoul mumbled to herself and then fell silent, leaving a calm quiet between us.

Taking that moment, I thought about what I needed to do next.

The answer was simple.

I didn’t exactly know why the party at the company building was a trap, but I had to go.

Seo Ga-eul said she’d give me her answer to my date proposal there.

And she even kindly offered to give me an invitation!

This was a chance to explore Seo Ga-eul’s house.

It would definitely help with my ‘kidnapping’ plan.

“I’m going.”

“You know it’s a trap, and you’re still going? Are you an idiot?”

Failing to convince me, Baek Yeoul started pacing and sighing, clearly unsure of what to do next.

I wondered if she still needed the restroom.

“…Then, I’ll go too.”

“You?”

“You don’t even know where the company building is, or what kind of party it is. But I do. I’ve… been there a few times. Not the kind of memories I want to recall, though…. I still have an extra invitation….”

“That’s perfect. You can guide me there, Baek Yeoul.”

“And we made a deal, remember? In exchange, you have to stick with me so we can earn points together! I need to rack up points to take the special class! I want to control my ability!”

“Sounds like our interests align.”

I reached out my hand to Baek Yeoul.

She seemed a bit startled by my gesture but quickly wiped the sweat from her hand on her skirt and then grabbed mine.

Her hand was delicate.

It was small, not what you’d expect from someone who carried around all that bad luck.

# # #

“It’s a shame. My shift’s over, so I’ve got to go. I was really enjoying reading the Survival Series again.”

It was around 8 PM, a little late in the afternoon.

Geum Tae-sung, who had been lounging on the old sofa reading a book, stretched and stood up with a yawn.

I handed him a few more volumes of the Survival Series.

“Take these home, finish them, and return them later. They’ll really help.”

“You’re lending them to me?”

No joke, I managed to survive in the post-apocalyptic world, however clumsily, thanks to that ‘Survival Series’.

It’s packed with useful information, from purifying dirty water to building shelters.

It’s practically a survival bible.

Forget discussion classes or practical training at Yeongsa High School—turning that series into a textbook would be way more useful.

But the fact that this world was headed for ruin was something only I knew.

I couldn’t just openly reveal that, especially when we didn’t know who ‘humanity’s traitor’ was.

‘I’m guessing it’s someone close to Seo Ga-eul.’

The fact that they managed to stab her and cause a fatal injury meant the traitor was likely someone in Seo Ga-eul’s inner circle.

If I’m lucky, I might meet the traitor at this “company building party”.

“Hey, could I borrow this mini car too? I’ve got a track at home, and I’d love to race it just once before giving it back.”

After lending the books to Geum Tae-sung, the shameless Chang-sik, holding my prized mini car, looked at me with hopeful eyes.

That mini car was a Christmas gift from my childhood and held significant meaning—but…

“Take it, Chang-sik!”

My childhood memories vs. unlimited candy.

The choice was obvious.

I had to stay in Chang-sik’s good graces, no matter what.

“Really? You’re just giving it to me? I feel kind of guilty now…. Well, in that case, how about coming over to my place next time?”

Chang-sik blushed, shouting as if he were making some grand confession.

Candy-maker Chang-sik’s house?

If it means earning more points, of course I’ll go.

The only quiet one left was Deok-soon.

She had been pretty silent all day, though her eyes, hidden by her bangs, occasionally glanced at Geum Tae-sung.

Why was Deok-soon sneaking looks at Geum Tae-sung?

As the smartest middle school dropout, I knew the answer right away.

She couldn’t fool my 《Emotion》.

The reason was simple—she wanted to read that “Survival Series” right away, but Geum Tae-sung was taking too long.

“Tae-sung, once you’re done with the Survival book, hand it to Deok-soon. You two can take turns.”

“Huh? Oh… okay…”

Deok-soon seemed shocked that I had spoken the words she couldn’t bring herself to say.

Her hands moved awkwardly, almost like she was doing some weird dance.

Luckily, Geum Tae-sung was the second-coolest guy after me.

“Got it. Deok-hee, we should coordinate the borrowing schedule. Can you give me your number?”

“My… my number? My number… what was it…?”

Watching Geum Tae-sung and Deok-soon exchange phone numbers gave me a good idea.

“Hey, let’s all exchange numbers while we’re at it!”

Truthfully, I just wanted Candy-maker Chang-sik’s number, but asking him alone would’ve made it obvious, and people might start thinking, “Why’s he so special?” or “Is there something special about him?”

So, I decided to grab everyone’s number at once, like chopping down a forest to get to a single tree.

“I saved your number, Deok-hee.”

“Me… me too.”

“Looks like it’ll be easier to make a group chat.”

Everyone smiled without realizing my devious plan, which made me smile too.

“Muhaha!”

“Alright, see you all at school tomorrow!”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”

“B…bye.”

As everyone left for their homes and workplaces, the once noisy house became eerily quiet.

No sounds from the neighbors or from across the street either.

I suddenly recalled lying on the worn carpet, staring at the starry sky through the hole in the ceiling.

It was so quiet that I wished there was someone to talk to.

That’s probably why I had started talking to myself so much.

Ping!

That’s when my phone buzzed.

「Baek Yeoul: If you’re planning to sign up for the special class, do it before the day ends.」

「Baek Yeoul: Just letting you know since you might not realize.」

What?

A CocoaTalk from Baek Yeoul?

A special class, huh.

More importantly, the fact that the first message I ever received from a girl was from Baek Yeoul instead of Seo Ga-eul made me feel so frustrated that I could foam at the mouth.

Totally unlucky!

# # #

“Han Nam-jin, you signed up for the ‘special class’ this morning.”

“Yes, Captain.”

“It’s not ‘Captain.’ It’s ‘Teacher’. At least call me that. Now, Han Nam-jin and Baek Yeoul, head to the special class room. Move out─.”

Those who signed up for the special class would attend a unique lecture in a different room instead of the usual ‘theory class’ in the morning.

A 400,000-point lecture!

If we consider a packet of ramen costs 1,000 won, that’s about 400 packets. Even if you eat three meals a day, it would last around 170 days.

A three-hour lecture worth 170 days of food?

I was so excited to find out what they’d teach us that I could feel my tailbone tingle.

And above all, Seo Ga-eul always took the ‘special classes’.

With the company building party coming up, this was a great chance to score some points by chatting with her during the lecture.

I headed toward the room where the ‘special class’ would be held.

I had imagined a gym filled with dumbbells and barbells, or a boxing ring lined with sandbags, but instead, I found a lab filled with machines and monitors.

A lot of students were already sitting on cushy mats.

“Oh, Ja-hyun, look─.”

“Isn’t that the guy? The one who confessed to Ga-eul in the cafeteria?”

Some of the students recognized me, raising their eyebrows.

Being famous was such a hassle.

I didn’t know them, but they felt like they knew me, acting all familiar.

Good thing I had practiced my autograph for moments like these.

“What are you whispering about? If you want my autograph, just ask. Be a man about it.”

“What’s this guy saying?”

“He’s hilarious.”

At my words, the boys looked at each other in confusion, then burst into laughter.

The only one who wasn’t laughing was the tall, handsome guy who had been talking to a pretty girl—Seo Ga-eul, as I realized now.

How dare he talk to Seo Ga-eul without my permission?

I was starting to get a little angry when Baek Yeoul, who had been quiet all morning, tapped my back.

“That’s Wang Ja-hyun. He’s kind of a big deal in Class F, and his family is really influential. If you want to get close to Seo Ga-eul, it’s a good idea to stay on his good side. Whatever you do, don’t get on his bad side.”

Stay on his good side?

「Name: Wang Ja-hyun

Status: 《Two-Faced》 – He’s extremely angry at you for hitting on Seo Ga-eul, the girl he’s been eyeing.」

Doesn’t look like he’s planning to stay on my good side.

Wang Ja-hyun from Class F was pretending to ignore me, but inside, he was boiling with anger.

Being a popular guy sure was tough.

Just as I was thinking this, someone walked into the special class room.

“Alright, everyone take your seats. I see some new faces, so I’ll introduce myself first. I’m Instructor Wi Seon-ah. I’m ranked 44th out of 1,000 explorers, and I’m a level 4 conceptualist. Impressive, right? Top 10 percent.”

She was a woman wearing a lab coat and goggles, looking like some kind of engineering doctor.

“Today, we’ll be conducting a ‘special sparring session’. Sparring is especially effective for pushing your limits and strengthening your ‘concept’. So, who wants to be the first to spar?”

Sparring?

I guess special classes were about fighting each other.

Sounds fun.

More importantly, it was the perfect opportunity to show off in front of Seo Ga-eul.

“Me.”

I raised my hand and stood up.

Then I asked Instructor Wi Seon-ah a question.

“Instructor, can I choose who I want to spar against?”

“Choose? Well, usually in special sparring, you’re supposed to fight the instructor…. But I guess we could try it out. Who do you want to fight?”

Who do I want to fight?

Isn’t it obvious?

“Wang Ja-hyun. You, come out.”

“What?”

“Ja-hyun?”

“Wow─.”

In the midst of all the mixed reactions, only Baek Yeoul went pale, silently screaming.

What a troublesome kid.