Il-seong waited until noon to act.
Jeunk's erratic behavior, his exaggerated mannerisms, the way he kept begging Il-seong for forgiveness after yesterday's fight— crawling before a guy he used to treat like dirt...
It wasn't just humiliating. It was calculated.
Someone wanted to break the bully. Make him dig his own grave.
This reeked of the system. A sadistic Master, twisted quests, and money rewards to hook a Player like Jeunk into addiction.
Il-seong followed him behind the gym, where Jeunk usually had lunch with his gang. But today, the towering brute was unusually quiet. He ignored his friends and just stared blankly into space.
Stat screen.
Il-seong could tell at a glance.
He walked up without hesitation. Ever since his Physical Form hit 100%, his fear of guys like this had vanished.
— Move it, losers.
They glared at him.
— Jeunk told you to quit acting tough, Do-Yun spat. You asking for it?
— Maybe I am.
Do-Yun didn't like that answer. He stood up, dropping what was left of his sandwich, cracking his knuckles as he squared off.
Do-Yun was basically Jeunk's right-hand man. He handled the dirty work whenever his boss was too lazy. And today, Jeunk seemed fully focused on... whatever money he'd randomly gotten his hands on.
Il-seong sighed.
— Free EXP, he muttered.
— The hell'd you just say, you—
He never finished. Il-seong crossed the distance in a flash and struck his carotid with a knifehand blow. Do-Yun collapsed, gasping on the floor.
Il-seong stepped past him, grabbed Jeunk by the hair, and forced him to meet his gaze.
— We need to talk.
— If this is about the slap—I already said I was sorry, didn't I? Jeunk replied with a shrug.
— Not that. I want to know what's going on with you. You're acting like you're possessed.
— I've changed, okay?
Jeunk avoided eye contact.
He never used to do that.
Il-seong let out a laugh. Cold and bitter.
— You've changed? Trying to become a better person now, huh? You almost killed me yesterday. And today you tried again—until you dropped to your knees and started groveling. Explain yourself.
The goons said nothing.
They acted like they weren't listening, but everyone was paying attention while chewing their curry buns.
Jeunk bit his lip.
A red alert flashed at the edge of his vision:
[WARNING: Attempting to reveal the system will result in immediate deletion.]
He cursed under his breath.
He wanted to talk. Scream, even.
But he knew the cost.
The Coins.
The loot.
The chance to get rich.
The power he finally had—real power, not handed down from his dad.
He lowered his eyes.
— I said I've changed! Dammit! he shouted, slamming his fist on the gym steps.
Il-seong leaned in close, whispering low enough that only Jeunk could hear:
— You can't say anything, huh? The system won't let you.
Jeunk's eyes widened.
No way.
No way.
— You too? he whispered, stunned.
Then suddenly, he snapped.
A bitter grin twisted his face.
— You smug bastard... That's how you did it, isn't it? You'll pay for that—I swear !
— Not if your Master kills you first. These quests of yours… Jeunk, this isn't normal.
But Jeunk wasn't listening anymore.
He stood up, towering over Il-seong.
— You just wanna hog all the power for yourself, huh?! Too bad ! he bellowed, not caring who heard now. You're just jealous, chicken boy! Jealous 'cause you know you'll be crawling back into your hole real soon!
He wanted to hit Il-seong. Right now.
But the system's No-Violence Rule was still flashing at the corner of his sight.
Damn system.
At least it gave him cash.
Il-seong was about to press further when a golden window popped up in front of his eyes:
[Temporary Quest – Time-Limited]
Title:Condiment King
Objective: Collect 10 burgers before the cafeteria runs out
Reward:Badge – Condiment King (Lv.1):
Allows you to summon one food item or potion when HP drops below 10%
Il-seong let out an annoyed sigh.
Even his own Master was messing with him now.
It was like both Masters were working together to ruin Jeunk's life.
Suddenly, a gut feeling struck. He opened his interface while walking toward the cafeteria.
No point talking to Jeunk like this.
He searched his system logs—and froze.
His Master's name was listed as Rain.
Si-woo's online alias.
In every game. Every social media account.
— ...No way.
It couldn't be.
Not Si-woo.
They told each other everything.
Sure, Il-seong hadn't mentioned the system, but only because he wanted to protect Si-woo.
If Si-woo had been the one to find the system first, surely... he would've told him.
Right?
Il-seong stood frozen.
Breathing deeply.
Trying to calm his heart.
—It's just a coincidence. A common nickname. That Master probably isn't even human...
Si-woo watched everything from the cafeteria.
He'd finally used his Master powers to see through Il-seong's eyes.
It felt gross. Like he was spying on his own friend.
But he'd managed to distract him with a dumb quest before Jeunk could spill the truth.
Il-seong was no idiot.
And Jeunk? He wasn't exactly subtle.
If things kept going like this, Il-seong would figure everything out.
And the system wouldn't let that happen.
Si-woo glared at his interface.
[WARNING: The Player is close to discovering your identity.]
He wasn't allowed to reveal that he was a Master.
But what would happen if Il-seong figured it out on his own?
Before, Si-woo had assumed he'd just lose his powers.
And he'd been fine with that.
But not anymore.
Not now that he could finally get back at everyone who'd tormented him for so long.
Il-seong had his spotlight.
Why not him?
Si-woo exhaled and shoved his tray away.
He couldn't even enjoy his first real lunch in months.
A full Japanese bento !
No—he needed to deal with this.
Once and for all.