Jeunk slammed 100 gold coins into a glowing window and activated what looked like a slot machine. Shapes flashed before his eyes. He giggled and bounced on one leg. The students recoiled, uneasy at his manic joy—everyone knew this was the prelude to his next victim. With Il‑seong taken down yesterday and Si‑woo ignoring him flagrantly, Jeunk would have to target new underlings. At least, that was the consensus. But no one noticed the three stars icons aligning in Jeunk's view.
— We're rich, baby! he shouted at Mi‑cha.
— I'm not your — she began, but he wasn't listening, too absorbed in reading his rewards list:
Bronze Reward: 1 Healing Potion
Gold Reward: double future quest gold income
One of his lackeys dared to speak up.
— What's gotten into you, man?"
Jeunk pulled out a thick wad of bills and flashed it.
— See this? I made this money this morning. Just you wait—I'll be richer than a chaebol!
— But… where did it come from?
Jeunk grabbed him by the collar and shook him like a rag doll.
—You think I stole it? No! I earned every last coin with sweat on my brow!
— How?
This time, Il‑seong stepped forward, curiosity sparking in his gaze, turning to concern. Jeunk froze, then sneered.
—None of your business, he muttered.
Shoulders slumped, he dropped the kid and returned to spinning coins. Si‑woo watched, exultant.
Jeunk's system was simple: trigger emotional reactions in onlookers through quests—joy, disgust, sadness, anger. Success yielded coins, which he could gamble for bronze-to-platinum rewards—or convert to real money.
As Jeunk collected three skulls on the machine, Si‑woo smiled with glee.
—Here comes the punishment, Jeunk sighed.
Punishment: Obtain the pardon of Il‑seong for yesterday's fight.
The giant tensed, a vein throbbing on his jaw. He glanced at Il‑seong.
—Hey, Il‑seong.
—Uh… yeah?
The prompt cut through Il‑seong's thoughts; he'd been checking his meager badges for something to find another player. Jeunk hadn't said anything, but his system was obvious. Any manhwa‑savvy person would know.
Il‑seong swallowed and said:
—I… I'm sorry about yesterday.
Shock hit Il-song like a punch. Jeunk only apologized to Mi‑cha—if at all.
—Forgive me, chicken. That's all I ask.
—First, stop calling me chicken. That'd help.
Jeunk balled his fists and stepped toward him menacingly.
—You got lucky yesterday. Don't act smart.
—Well, that's twice. Want to make it three?
—Don't push it! You and Si‑woo are all talk. Just wait 'til tonight with my dad. Accept my apologize nicely.
—Dream on.
Jeunk snapped. He slapped Il‑seong with gauntlet-like force. Il‑seong flew several meters and crashed into the lockers. The class gasped; the teacher who was just entering, sensing a fight, turned on his heel.
Suddenly:
[ALERT! Player attempted quest completion by force]
Penalty: Kneel before Il‑seong and apologize to earn forgiveness.
Jeunk froze. His smug smirk vanished as the notification hit.
— Damn machine…! he growled, punching a desk. Si‑woo's smug grin ddidn't faded.
As long as Jeunk obeyed the system, Si‑woo would exploit it to neutralize his harm. Sensing Jeunk's hesitation, he ramped up the pressure:
[WARNING! If penalty isn't fulfilled, the system will shut down]
Time remaining: 60 seconds
59… 58… 57…
Jeunk balled up the money again in his fist.
54… 53… 52… 51…
He'd swallowed his pride before Mi‑cha. He could do it again.
50… 49… 48… 47…
Soon, he'd be the richest man alive. Reputation didn't matter when he could buy everyone's silence. There'd be time later to make Il‑seong pay.
46… 45… 44… 43…
Jeunk finally knelt. He dropped to his knees and pressed his forehead to the classroom floor.
—Forgive me, Il‑seong.
Groans erupted from his gang. Other classmates glared at each other in stunned disbelief—jeung had fully lost it.
Il‑seong got up, rubbing his cheek, eyes sharp with resolve. He now knew a malicious master had been manipulating his former tormentor. For a near to be hero, that was utterly unacceptable.