Chapter 96 (2/2)

'I don't need to study everything.'

He told himself he didn't need to be intimidated since he only needed to learn the core concepts. Moreover, he thought of himself as a quick learner.

'It's been a while since I last studied, huh.'

After a brief chuckle, he began to display a frightening level of focus.

'If the human body and the meridians were to be compared to trees…. The Eight Extraordinary Meridians, the eight vessels connected to the extraordinary organs…. The 24 conception vessel acupoints consist of the Sauce Receptacle, Celestial Chimney, Chest Center, Turtledove Tail, Central Venter, Spirit Gate, Sea of Qi, Origin Pa.s.s, Meeting of Yin….'

On a desk illuminated by bright sunlight, a handsome youth was focused on studying with his sleeves rolled up. A heartwarming air naturally filled the atmosphere. Although it wasn't so important now, Seol Jihu was a graduate of Soyoung University, one of Korea's top four universities.

Other than going to the restroom once, Seol Jihu's b.u.t.t stayed on his chair the entire time. It wasn't until dinner time that he finally got up from his seat.

He quickly headed home. The book on acupuncture was a ch.o.r.e to get through, but the books about the javelin throw were easier than he expected. Of course, there was a limit to how much he could absorb just by reading. Thankfully, one of the books came with a DVD.

He was thinking about watching the DVD once he got home, but his eyes were glued to the book as he walked.

'I see…. Throwing doesn't mean I should only be using my hand. If I use a tool called the spear-thrower, I can propel the spear much faster than farther than throwing it by hand alone….'

“Excuse me.”

Seol Jihu was muttering to himself when he raised his head after hearing someone block his path.

“Are you Mister Seol Jihu?”

He was almost home, but there was a man standing in front of his apartment's main parking lot.

“Yes, I am….”

Immediately, he went, 'Ah, shoot!' A formally dressed man was waiting for him at this hour in front of his house?

He activated Nine Eyes.

'Colorless.'

After checking his color, he raised his guard and opened his mouth.

“Who are you?”

“Ah, this is who I am.”

The man took out a business card and handed it to Seol Jihu respectfully. The word 'Sinyoung' was clearly printed on the card.

“What business does Sinyoung have with me?”

“I know this may be sudden, but can you come with us?”

The man cut to the chase and pointed at his sedan. Seol Jihu only stared at him blankly.

“Why?”

“It's for the fake employment we will be handling, but….”

Seol Jihu shook his head.

“I don't think this is the right time. It's too sudden.”

“Please.”

“There's something I need to take care of urgently. I'd like to put this off to a later time.”

“It won't take long. I promise.”

Hearing this, Seol Jihu closed his book.

“That sounds like you'll take me no matter what.”

“I apologize if that's what it sounded like.”

“It doesn't look like the fake employment is the only reason.”

“I won't deny that. But, I promise, the meeting will be short.”

The man seemed strangely impatient. Seol Jihu asked bravely.

“If I say no, will you take me by force?”

“Not at all. I was told to treat you with the utmost respect. I have no intention of forcing you to do anything. But if possible, I would really like you to come.”

“And if I say no?”

“Then….”

The man blurred the end of his speech and let out a bitter smile.

“I will back off here, but our miss will be extremely sad.”

'Our miss?'

When Seol Jihu's eyes narrowed, the man bent his back.

“Please. It's fine if you only stay for a cup of tea, so….”

Seol Jihu clicked his tongue. He didn't want to go. To be exact, he didn't want to involve himself in this problem. But Kim Hannah advised him not to do anything that would create suspicion. If he declined here, there was a huge chance Sinyoung would not see him favorably.

'For the fake employment, huh…. d.a.m.n it.'

It was true that he needed to meet with them about it. The only problem was that Kim Hannah wasn't here.

'I don't want to burden her any more than this….'

After careful deliberation, Seol Jihu put his book away.

'If I only need to meet with them….'

Nine Eyes did not reveal the color of danger. As long as he stayed sharp, he figured he wouldn't be in any life-threatening situation. He would just need to hear them out and nod his head a couple of times.

“…Let's go.”

The man straightened his back as if he was waiting for these words.

“Thank you. This way, please.”

He guided Seol Jihu to his car. After personally opening the door for Seol Jihu, the man got in the driver's seat and said as he turned the engine on.

“Pardon me for being rude and thank you for being so understanding.”

Seol Jihu didn't say anything. The man continued as he stepped on the accelerator.

“In truth, Director Kim Hannah warned us not to approach you, Mister Seol Jihu, as you are having trouble due to a family matter. That's why our miss waited patiently….”

Vruaaaang-! He couldn't hear the rest of the man's sentence because of the engine sound.

“Come again?”

Seol Jihu meant to ask him to repeat what he said, but he seemed to have understood him differently as he nodded his head.

“I'm not lying. Because she's been having trouble sleeping, she's getting weaker and weaker by the day….”

What was that supposed to mean? Seol Jihu blinked repeatedly with a confused face.

Although he had never met Yun Seohui before, in his head, she was a mastermind hiding behind the curtains, dressed in black with crossed legs and a gla.s.s of wine in her hand. The vampire-like woman was smiling seductively while murmuring, 'Hoho, I wonder when I'll get my hands on that toy.'

But this person was having trouble sleeping at night because she couldn't wait to see him? Rather than a mastermind, she sounded like a maiden in love.

'He likes to exaggerate quite a bit, huh.'

Thinking that this might be a ploy to make him lower his guard, Seol Jihu reminded himself to stay sharp.

The man drove him to a high-cla.s.s Chinese restaurant.

'I thought I only needed to stay for a cup of tea?'

Seol Jihu wondered as he walked through the VIP area, but when he saw their menu hanging on the wall, he jumped in surprise.

They had tea, but….

'60 million won per cup?!'

He felt like he was in a completely different world. The man guided him to the top floor of the restaurant before carefully knocking on the traditional-style sliding door.

“I brought him, Miss.”

Next….

—Thank you.

A sweet, melodic voice rang out. The voice was high-pitched but light on the ears.

—You can take your leave now.

“But-”

—I'm fine.

The man glanced at the youth behind him before bowing respectfully and taking his leave.

'It feels like I'm here to meet the daughter of an esteemed family. Ah, well, I guess I'm not that far off.'

Seol Jihu muttered inwardly when… Drrrk!, the door shot open as if the person inside was sure that the man had left.

The person inside wasn't a vampire nor a maiden dressed in traditional Korean dress. When Seol Jihu met her bloodshot eyes, he couldn't help but drop his jaw.

Whish. The red-eyed ghost, no, woman ran up to Seol Jihu wearing only her pantyhose. Her bloodshot eyes glistened as they looked up at him.

“Ah….”

Her lips pursed as if she had much to say. She got on her tip-toes and grabbed his arms.

“Finally….”

Her voice was completely different than before. It now carried a hint of yearning that made Seol Jihu snap out of his daze. However, he couldn't hide his shock.

He expected to see Sinyoung's First Lady, but the woman s.h.i.+ning in a brilliant golden light wasn't Yun Seohui, but…

“I wanted to see you….”

Yun Seora.