5 – 5. Slot (1)
[You have diverged from the protagonist]
Huh?
What is this?
Wasn’t it a green light?
As the out-of-place message suddenly flickered in front of my eyes, my brain momentarily halted.
Before I could even interpret the meaning of the dialogue box, more phrases continued to pop up, dizzying my eyes.
[Due to your actions, the protagonist has taken an unexpected route]
[Unable to follow the route they had in mind, the protagonist was engulfed in anger]
[The protagonist harbored enmity towards the decision-maker (you, if exposed)]
Huh?
Anger? Enmity?
This feels ominous…
And the dialogue boxes kept coming.
The protagonist still hasn’t grasped your identity. Be careful not to be detected.
If discovered, you will find yourself in an adversarial relationship with the protagonist.
If discovered, the adversarial index between you and the protagonist will be 7.2%.
Why are there only negative words popping up?
Staring at the conversation window, I can predict why such comments appear, even though they are filled with unpleasant words…
But what does it mean?
Adversarial index?
7.2%??
Amidst all the bad news, a piece of good news echoed like a blessing.
Even though you haven’t been detected yet, since you have entered into a ‘temporary’ or ‘partial’ adversarial relationship with the protagonist, you are granted the ability to confront the protagonist.
Oh?
Ability granted?
Suddenly, instead of a conversation window filled with paragraphs like now, a status window was created, listing specific words.
And at the top of the status window was the word [Slot].
Huh? A slot for me??
The slot was nothing else but a screen containing various information about the girls you should approach when playing the game.
In simple terms, it’s like a personal ID card?
[You are granted ‘Character Slot’ authority. (Hereinafter referred to as ‘Slot’)]
[You currently have 3 slots available.]
[Characters registered in the slot cannot be changed.]
[‘Temporary’ or ‘partial’ contrasting state, the slots are in an unstable condition]
[Slot stabilization is required. If stabilized, more character information can be obtained]
How do I stabilize it?
Aside from that, why me?
In that moment,
“Why are you spacing out?”
“Because you’re pretty.”
“Pardon?”
A sudden question from Pyeonsoon to cover up the situation with nonsense, but the returning expression was one of confusion.
Were we on such terms to joke around?
Even so, it would be impolite to make that face to the rescuer from hell.
But then, in an instant, the [slot] flickered and a dialogue box appeared next to it.
[By registering the target as a ‘slot’, you can gauge their likability]
Oh?
But how do I register them in the slot?
[Would you like to register ‘Yooniseo’ in the slot?]
[Yes / No]
It’s taking care of things smoothly.
But Yooniseo?
Is that the name of a convenience store part-timer?
“You seem lost in thought again.”
She raised her voice once more.
The expression of frustration had suddenly disappeared.
Instead, she looked at me with eyes as clear as they were in the beginning.
Hmm.
What should I say about this?
A gaze that says, “Say anything, it doesn’t matter”?
But now that I was about to speak, I couldn’t decide whether to register in the slot and speak, or just speak without registration.
Why, you ask?
Because I haven’t figured out how to use this [slot] system, it’s a bit risky to just register without knowing.
They said once a character is registered in the slot, it cannot be changed.
It’s better to be cautious, considering the possible aftermath of rash decisions, right?
While I was lost in my thoughts, she opened her mouth again.
“Am I really so beautiful that I make you lose track of your thoughts?”
Cough.
That was quite a cheesy line, but I tried to remain composed as much as possible.
She seemed quite flustered by her own words too.
If I were to make a dumbfounded expression in this situation, our already awkward relationship would be completely ruined, wouldn’t it?
But upon further reflection, her words aren’t entirely wrong.
Looking at her transparent skin, my heart flutters uncontrollably.
It’s a job that I can’t nod my head like a dog receiving a chew toy.
I tried to answer as nonchalantly as possible.
“Honestly, if I didn’t find you attractive, I wouldn’t have saved you, right?”
This time, she slightly averted her eyes.
I was worried she might make another absurd expression, but thankfully she didn’t.
Is she going to pick a fight again if I say that?
She abruptly changed the subject.
“But why are you so good at swearing? Did you attend an academy?”
“I don’t have money to attend an academy.”
“The thing you threw earlier wasn’t money?”
I gestured with my Boston bag.
“What kind of crazy person would carry money like this? I’d get robbed right away.”
Actually, that crazy person is me.
She seemed to understand the bundle of money I was holding as a prop used in a play, so she nodded immediately.
“Exactly, right? I thought you were a real chaebol.”
Oh.
This is a bit regrettable.
She mentioned earlier that registering the target in the slot would allow you to gauge their favorability. If she concludes that I’m not a chaebol after thinking I was, will my favorability drop?
From Noble mtl dot com
I’m curious for some reason.
She extended her hand.
“Give me your phone.”
Eerily provocative, her transparent pupils.
Without questioning, I immediately handed her the phone.
Isn’t this too obvious?
Clearly, she’s asking for my number.
But it’s surprising.
To think I’d get hit on in my life.
No, wait. Is this not my life but a game scenario?
No, not really. It’s my life now, isn’t it, since I’ve taken over?
Puhahahahaha hehehehe.
After checking the vibration on her own phone, she extended it again.
“It’s Yoon Yiseo.”
Really, Yoon Yiseo.
If there were a contest to guess a girl’s name, I could win first place.
“I’m Seo Woojin.”
“Let’s chat.”
She swiftly turned around.
Pretty cool, huh?
But wow.
As expected, Yunisoo’s slender backside was perfect.
The artistic line that descended from her waist to her hips revealed a perfection reminiscent of the apple shape seen in retouched photos—.
Gasp.
Suddenly, Yunisoo turned around, facing my direction again.
At the same time, I aligned my gaze with her face.
If I hadn’t hesitated for a moment before she turned, I would have failed in handling the eye contact.
“Thank you.”
Yunisoo had turned her body to say those words.
Before I could respond, she turned again and went on her way.
Cool as always.
By the way, phew.
It’s a good thing the timing was right; otherwise, I would have been trash for continuously admiring her from behind.
But well.
With a backside like that, how can you not look?
It’s not just good; it’s seriously amazing.
Hmm.
Wait.
What am I even contemplating?
If you don’t put a woman with such a backside in the “slot,” then who else are you putting in there?
There’s an old saying that goes, “If you cherish something too much, it turns to poop.”
You’ve taken on the role in the night game, but what kind of dilemma are you facing now?
I stared at the choice window and silently shouted ‘Yes’ in my mind.
[Registering ‘Yooniseo’ in ‘Slot 1’]
Simultaneously, the empty slot was filled with various pieces of information.
[Slot 1]
[Name: Yooniseo]
[Age: 20]
[Height: 163.7cm]
[Weight: 44.6kg]
[Size: B34 W22 H35]
[Body: Slim fit that’s impossible to ignore]
[Occupation: Unemployed (Former part-time convenience store worker)]
[Personality: Super chill]
[Affection Level: +62]
Oh?
As expected of a night game, it even thoroughly discloses body measurements.
But something’s strange.
Although I haven’t tried playing the game, the slot items seem a bit lacking, don’t they?
Is it because it hasn’t stabilized yet?
Well, setting that aside, what’s with the description of the body?
A slim fit that’s hard to take your eyes off.
…Hm.
It’s poking at something.
By the way, why is the word “[Likability]” sparkling in the slot?
Ugh.
The sound of the phone vibrating interrupts my thoughts.
I checked my phone, wondering if Yooniseo had called again in the meantime, but a completely different name was displayed on the screen.
-Park Youngwoo, Executive Director-
Huh?
It seemed to be a call related to the incident of numerous chat windows popping up, so I immediately answered the phone.
And then, a voice comes through.
“Hello. Director Seo.”
A confident voice, for some reason?
Well, I should respond properly too, right?
“Yes, Director Park. You handled the instructions I gave well. Thank you for your hard work.”
As if he already knows everything, Director Park Youngwoo stammered in surprise.
“Uh… Yes. I handled what you mentioned well. But how did you know so soon…”
How did I know?
Isn’t it obvious? The chat window blatantly revealed that the protagonist struck a deal. After all, ignorance is foolishness.
Come to think of it, at the moment the chat window appeared, it seemed like the protagonist’s fate had been decided.
It would be convenient to think of it as a real-time information sharing program.
I’ll also tell you Yuniseo’s name.
But wouldn’t it be better to keep it mysterious?
“There are many ways to confirm. Still, I won’t forget that Director Park made an effort.”
“Oh. Yes, yes.”
Director Park hurriedly replied.
Were you really surprised?
But I’m curious which country they sent the protagonist to.
“I would like a detailed report from Director Park, is that possible?”
“Y-yes. I will mark and send each new employee’s country and field by email.”
After hanging up, I smiled with satisfaction.
Now that I’ve driven the protagonist out of the field, it’s time to prepare for the chaebol life.
hehehehe.
It feels good to contribute.
But why does that keep flickering?
I carefully looked at the floating window in the air.
The [Affection Level] word is still flickering.
It seems like it’s hoping for a choice,
Well, then I should definitely click it, right?