How to get on the protagonist's flower path - Chapter 118

I felt a chill.

Normally, I would have punched him in the gut and told him to stop, but because of that guy’s acting concept, I couldn’t do anything.

I couldn’t bring myself to curse at the fox’s face, which was beaming with delight, so I just smiled back at him. It’s the sad reality of the service industry.

“Respect? How embarrassing.”

“Haha. A sister being embarrassed? Now that’s a rare sight.”

Ahahaha, hahahaha.

We laughed cheerfully. On the surface.

I held the fox’s hand as if we were close and squeezed it tightly as a warning.

The fox still had that annoying grin on his face.

“Don’t overdo it, okay?”

“Hmm?”

I won’t say I won’t. You brat.

I secretly stepped on the fox’s foot from behind, but he continued to smile widely.

Look at that thick face.

“So, how have you been lately?”

“I’ve been busy with my religious activities and work.”

“Religious activities… that aside, work?”

“Yeah. I’m the secretary for the master.”

In the original novel, Nika Valder didn’t have a secretary because she only surrounded herself with incompetent people.

If I assume that the progression has changed because of ‘me,’ the irregular, is that a bit self-conscious of me?

“Sounds like you’ve had a tough time. Isn’t it hard to manage your religious activities too?”

“Not at all. If it’s to save everyone, then this kind of hardship is nothing. This is my last chance, so I have to hang in there.”

What is he talking about?

“So, I hope you’ll join our Top Church—”

“I’ll pass!”

“To think a kind sister would reject me so coldly… I’m so sad.”

This brat.

I gritted my teeth inside as I watched the fox feign crying.

The fox, who had been teasing me thoroughly, finally let me go when we arrived at the teleport zone.

What a bad guy.

As soon as we got off the bus, Nayu Han quietly approached me. Nayu Ri did the same.

How cute.

I ditched the fox and took the hands of Nayu Han and Nayu Ri.

Nayu Ri’s face instantly lit up with joy, while Nayu Han seemed surprised, stiffened for a moment, then began to move rigidly.

“That’s too much~”

I can’t hear you, you brat. I ignored the fox’s whining.

We walked into the teleport zone.

Even after being rejected, the fox didn’t mind and eagerly greeted our group.

“Oh, hello, Sujeong-senpai? Hm…”

“Just hearing you call me senpai gives me chills. Get lost!”

“Then, Sujeong-senpai, Hahana-senpai. Are you still not interested in the Top Church?”

“…Neither of us is interested in cults. Please stop preaching.”

“In that case, how about we strengthen our ties as kin?”

Sujeong replied coldly to him.

“It’s funny that you would say that. I have no interest in becoming friends with you, a mere pawn of the Valder family.”

From the conversation, it seemed like they had some familiarity with each other.

While Sujeong was indirectly connected to the Valder family through their ties, what kind of relationship did he have with Hahana?

“Do you know each other?”

“We met on a trip during the vacation. I punched him for trying to spread his cult. Junior, don’t get close to guys like this. They’re contagious~”

Sujeong playfully finished her sentence, but it seemed somewhat sincere.

There was even a hint of hostility in her gaze toward the fox.

Now that I think about it…

Sujeong:
We met a weird cult~ It’s so annoying~
Because he kept blabbering about kinship, I kicked him.

…She mentioned that in the previous message.

It seems that he carelessly annoyed Sujeong while trying to preach, hitting one of her landmines.

Given that it’s the Valder family, the fox must seem uncomfortable to Sujeong in many ways.

By the way, what kind of church is that, to have enchanted the fox so? Should I somehow come up with a plan to get him out? My head is starting to ache.

What on earth is that religion that wasn’t even mentioned in the novel?

“Alright, we’ve arrived.”

The fox was relentlessly chatting with Choi Sujeong, who was responding irritably, and before we knew it, we had arrived at the teleport zone.

As we stood quietly inside the zone, the principal began to operate some kind of device.

Kiiing— thud.

Various intricate magical devices crossed each other, drawing detailed magic circles for a few minutes.

Teleportation is indeed a high-level ability that requires such a complex procedure.

That’s why teleportation items are considered precious.

It’s not for nothing that the Wild Hunters are treated as dangerous beings when they use teleportation so recklessly…

Well, that might apply to me too since I can buy teleportation items through the meta system.

The principal stepped into the magic circle, and the operator outside shouted.

“We’re about to teleport! Please wait!”

Hearing that made us a bit tense as we scanned our surroundings to ensure we didn’t step outside the magic circle and stood in line properly.

Soon, the magic circle shone brightly, transporting us.

The movement was instantaneous.

When I opened my eyes, a space similar yet oddly different from before awaited us.

“Now, let’s head to our final destination. Don’t worry; it’s very close,” the principal chuckled as he naturally led us onward.

I grabbed the hands of Nayu Ri and Nayu Han with both of mine and followed behind.

The fox, having seemingly given up on teasing Choi Sujeong, was now slowly approaching me.

I looked over to see if Sujeong was alright, and she had entrusted her puffed-up tail to Lee Hana, who was grooming it.

…Seems like she had quite the argument…

I wanted to strongly advise the fox not to bother my seniors too much, but with Nayu Han around, sadly, I still had to play the innocent sunshine character.

I cautiously stepped away from the fox and walked toward Park Siwoo, who was up ahead.

Siwoo glanced back at me and silently broke the connection between my hand and Nayu Han’s, moving behind me.

Thanks, Siwoo.

“Hmm?”

I could hear the fox’s nasal voice, obscured by Siwoo, but I ignored it and held onto the hand of the somewhat flustered Nayu Han again.

I was trying to hurry along while keeping an eye on everything when the principal suddenly looked around at us and spoke.

“By the way, you guys were involved in the ‘Dream Letter’ case, weren’t you? I have some questions about it.”

“Dream Letter… Are you referring to the Lucky Letter?”

“Exactly.”

Nayu Han promptly responded to her.

“There was quite an uproar at school, right? It’s said to be settled, but just in case, the teacher also looked into it in detail. It turns out that it was a personal possession of Eren Toth. How it ended up at the academy is still unclear.”

“Unclear…”

“Even trying to trace the path backward from when the curse occurred reveals many missing links, like ‘someone put it in their bag’ or ‘it was suddenly on the desk.’ If you happen to know who was the first to bring the letter to the academy, please report it anytime.”

She smiled softly, revealing her fangs.

“I’ll make sure to compliment you.”

“Understood.”

“Yes!”

…Damn it, seeing the principal being so gentle with Nayu Han reminded me too much of his portrayal in the original novel! Stop complimenting her!

As the image of ‘that scene’ from the novel vividly resurfaced in my mind, I desperately spread my hands apart to suppress my embarrassment and smiled.

It was painfully nostalgic to feel that masculine aura after such a long time.

According to the principal, the Awakener Management Headquarters was quite close.

We cautiously entered the building where the medal award ceremony was taking place.

Indeed, it was fitting to call it a medal award ceremony.

There were many people overflowing with presence, and hunters frequently appearing in the media were seated or walking around the round tables, chatting with one another.

“Wow…”

I couldn’t help but gasp in amazement at the glamorous participants, and the principal chuckled softly.

“No need to be too nervous. They’re just seniors. Just show a little respect.”

“Just seniors…?”

At that moment, a couple of hunters approached us—famous faces often seen in TV commercials.

“It’s been a while, Principal!”

“Yeah, it’s been a long time!”

How are those people just seniors…?

They’re a whole different league.

I stepped away from the prominent figures gathering around the principal and headed toward a corner.

But was I the only one feeling this sense of unease?

Most of our group, hailing from the Awakened society, seemed to be somewhat familiar with the people in this venue, engaging in conversations quite comfortably.

Especially around Park Siwoo, Nayu Ri, and Shin Baran, a diverse group of people gathered.

Even the introverted Min Jae-yoon appeared to have someone he knew among them.

Choi Sujeong, given her background, probably wouldn’t know anyone, but she seemed intent on sticking with Lee Hana.

Ah, I just caught a glimpse of Shin Baran quickly making his way toward Baran.

Looks like that Siscom is quite anxious.

I quietly observed this natural social gathering.

The Awakened society cartel.

Honestly, I had only heard about it but never felt it firsthand, but seeing it right in front of me made it feel a bit more… real.

“How about you? Do you feel a sense of distance?”

“Maybe.”

I replied with a bitter smile to the fox’s offhand question.

Well, I was raised at the very bottom among regular people and I’m a government-supported Awakened.

“But don’t you know anyone? The Valder family, right? It’s a famous family, isn’t it?”

“I’ve only worked in the shadows until now. I’m not well-known yet, as I’ll be publicly introduced at this medal award ceremony. That’s why I can be here with you. Aren’t you thrilled?”

“…Yeah. Thanks a lot.”

“If you’re grateful, join our top church—”

“I’ll pass on that.”

“If you come, you could immediately become a savior. What a shame.”

“Why are you babbling nonsense again? What’s a savior?”

“I’ll let you know once you join.”

What am I supposed to do with this guy?

I snorted in amusement as I watched Nayu Han skillfully handle conversations with strangers, then turned my gaze out the window.

Why is time moving so slowly?

Still, having the fox beside me kept me from feeling too lonely.

At that moment, the fox’s device vibrated. After glancing at the screen, he wore a subtle expression.

“What’s up?”

“Nothing, but it seems our troublesome friend is about to arrive.”

If it’s someone the fox is messaging… could it be Nika Valder?

I recalled my plan to approach Nika Valder by revealing my ‘meta system.’

—Meta system.

A power I didn’t even fully understand.

She would probably want to delve deep into this ability.

I needed to keep my secrets well hidden while maximizing my benefits. I steeled myself once again.

Just then, I spotted Nayu Han making his way toward me.

He came close but hesitated when our eyes met.

Had he done everything he needed to?

I smiled gently at him, and his hesitant feet began to move toward me again.

At that moment, the enormous doors of the dining hall swung open violently.

The fox muttered, looking flustered.

“Ugh…”

“I have arrived—!”

Boom—!

A slightly curly, dazzling platinum hair was swept by the wind from the door. Her confident eyes, illuminated by the chandelier’s light, sparkled with a beautiful amethyst hue.

Matching her hair color, her gorgeous platinum ears and fluffy fox tail swayed and shimmered.

“Where is my fiancé?”

It was the head of the Valder family, Nika Valder, Nayu Han’s fiancée.

Her sudden appearance stirred the hall into a commotion.

“Nika Valder?!”

“The new head of the Valder family? Why is she here…?”

…She definitely seemed to be an uninvited guest, or at least someone who was secretly invited.

Nevertheless, she showed no concern whatsoever. Her naturally confident demeanor, stemming from her inherent status, was almost enviable.

Confidence radiated from her, making it clear that no one could refuse her.

Ignoring the surrounding commotion, Nika scanned the hall until she quickly spotted Nayu Han.

People parted like the Red Sea as Nika boldly approached Nayu Han.

Standing confidently in front of the awkwardly halted Nayu Han, Nika crossed her arms and said,

“I came to see my fiancé because I heard he achieved great merit. Michael!”

“Yes, yes.”

The fox beside me let out a deep sigh and strode toward Nika.

“This is my secretary, Michael. You can leave the trivial matters to him.”

“…Okay.”

Though she spoke to Nayu Han, her loud voice was directed at everyone around, seemingly declaring the fox as her subordinate in front of the crowd.

Nayu Han looked down at Nika, who was crossing her arms around him, with a reluctant expression, but he didn’t uncross his arms.

After all, he had to look like a proper fiancé to the public.

I decided to put on a shocked expression, just like a ‘Kang Na-hyun who secretly loves Nayu Han.’

A face twisted as if about to cry… a heartbroken expression… method acting that seemed to suffer despite knowing it was fake…!

Alright, this is it!

I felt like I was making a striking expression even by my own standards. I could sense Nayu Han glancing at me, responding silently.

Good. With this, I’ve made a solid character appeal; it’s time to back off slowly.

I should wait until after the medal ceremony to make contact with Nika—

“Oh.”

…But why does she keep approaching me…?

Every time I cautiously took a step back, Nika took two steps closer.

Oh no, I was trying to blend in with the crowd, but Nika’s presence scattered everyone!

W-What’s going on?

“W-What brings you here…?”

In my fluster, I tried to present myself as trembling and confused.