I Woke Up as the Villain

Chapter 13

After exiting the elevator, Yu-Seong walked slowly; it wasn’t just to show composure. Since there were a lot of journalists present, this meant he could gain a lot of information. As he walked slowly, he listened carefully and was able to realize what happened without encountering Choi Min-Seok.

‘The Irregular, Lee Jin-Wook.’

He glanced at the young man next to Min-Seok. Unlike Yu-Seong, this guy disclosed that he was an Irregular from the start.

He was plain looking. But oddly enough, he seemed to resemble Min-Seok, who was objectively ugly.

Yu-Seong couldn’t help but wonder why. As he looked away from Jin-Wook, he made eye contact with Min-Seok.

‘Ah, they both have annoying eyes.’

For some reason, Yu-Seong also felt the same arrogance from Jin-Wook—a condescending stare that looked down on people.

“Ah, there’s my brother, Yu-Seong!”

Shouting, Min-Seok took advantage of the small opportunity their eyes met and waved.

“He’s being so childish; it’s so clear what he wants to do,” Jin-Yuri muttered to herself as she pouted, slightly annoyed.

“Well, I can’t ignore him now. Let’s go.”

Between the encounter of the Choi brothers and the Irregular between them, the journalists’ eyes sparkled as a juicy story was happening in front of them.

‘I have an idea of what he’s up to…’

Yu-Seong walked towards Min-Seok and Jin-Wook. Naturally, the journalists made way for him like the Red Sea parting in the story of Moses. Min-Seok was waiting for him in the middle with his arms spread open. If there was a red carpet leading him to Min-Seok, then one could mistake this as some sort of film award show.

‘Is this staged or something?’

If that’s what Min-Seok wanted, then that’s what he would get.

“My brother, Choi Yu-Seong,” Min-Seok spoke loudly as soon as Yu-Seong got to the middle of the crowd, and hugged Yu-Seong as if he was waiting for him.

“What the hell are you up to?” Yu-Seong whispered, as opposed to Min-Seok’s yelling, in Min-Seok's ears.

Although Min-Seok’s face stiffened as his composure broke, he soon regained it and smiled while patting Yu-Seong’s back.

“Good luck.”

Leaving Yu-Seong with those ambiguous words, Min-Seok stepped away from Yu-Seong and beamed at the press corps as he continued to speak.

“Today is truly an exciting day. Today is the day when my cherished friend and my beloved brother are applying for the hunter exam together.”

“You must be really looking forward to seeing how Lee Jin-Wook does since he’s an Irregular!” A reporter asked Min-Seok.

“It’s only been two weeks since I’ve gotten to know Jin-Wook, but I am confident that this guy will achieve a high score and meet everybody’s expectations,” Min-Seok responded to the reporter.

“Do you have anything to say about your brother?” Another reporter asked Min-Seok.

“Why would I not? Yu-Seong is also a member of the Choi family. Many of my siblings took the hunter exam, and no one has failed.”

“So are you saying that Mr. Choi Yu-Seong will pass the exam?” a reporter questioned.

“...”

Without answering, Min-Seok showed the brightest smile he could. For someone who didn’t know about Min-Seok and Yu-Seong’s relationship, it seemed like Min-Seok thought positively about his brother.

Yu-Seong was dumbfounded as he looked at Min-Seok and the press corps’ interaction.

‘It’s so obvious they’re speaking from a script.’

He wasn’t surprised Min-Seok knew that he applied for today’s exam. After all, Min-Seok was capable of many highly illegal things.

After Min-Seok’s short speech, the reporters continued asking questions. Interestingly, no one asked Yu-Seong any questions. The focus was on Min-Seok and Jin-Wook.

Although some people occasionally asked Yu-Seong questions, the reporters who asked were soon overshadowed by follow-up questions that took the attention away from him. During the Q&A session, neither Min-Seok nor Jin-Wook looked at Yu-Seong. Even though Yu-Seong was brought into this situation whether he wanted to be or not, Jin-Wook and Min-Seok treated Yu-Seong as if he was only to be seen and not heard.

Of course, Yu-Seong didn’t plan on being humiliated like this. For his Star-Factor skill to work, he had to be the main focus today. The easiest way would be to reveal that he was also an Irregular. If he announced that he, the rascal of the Choi family, was also an Irregular, then he would certainly receive all the attention.

‘But I should keep this secret until the end.’

Technically, Min-Seok was like a speed bump on his way to achieving the goals that he had to overcome. He had a lot more to take care of than just Min-Seok: the other Choi siblings, Kim Do-Jin, and Choi Woo-Jae. Moreover, although it took some time, he remembered who Jin-Wook was.

.

“For today’s exam, Mr. Lee Jin-Wook has…”

“But the victim’s families would be heartbroken to hear about Mr. Lee Jin-Wook.”

As the questions continued to focus on Jin-Wook, Yu-Seong intentionally spoke loudly. Although Yu-Seong’s comment might not reach the press corps, it certainly caught Jin-Wook’s attention, who was standing close to him. Jin-Wook, who had been smiling calmly until now, quickly turned to Yu-Seong. Jin-Wook’s small eyes were wide as his brown eyes fluttered.

‘So easy.’

Jin-Wook was pretty simple. He was easier to handle than Min-Seok. Naturally, the press corps that was looking at Jin-Wook also turned to look at Yu-Seong.

“Mr. Choi Yu-Seong, we couldn’t hear properly what you just said. Could you please repeat that?!”

Jin-Hwan shouted at Yu-Seung at the top of his lungs. He had been waiting all day for this opportunity as his previous questions had all been ignored by the other press corps members.

“I was really touched today. I never imagined that Min-Seok hyung-nim would set up an event like this. I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart.”

Min-Seok stared at Yu-Seong, baffled.

‘When did I ever say this event was for you?’

The star of today’s exam was Jin-Wook. But the moment Min-Seok licked his lips with bewilderment, Yu-Seong continued.

“You asked me to repeat what I said just before, correct?”

“I think I heard something about the families of the victims.” Remembering Yu-Seong’s previous comments, a reporter who had good hearing asked.

Although some reporters who were bribed by Min-Seok were flustered and tried to divert their attention by throwing different questions, the majority of the reporters were starving for a scoop and stared at Yu-Seong, waiting for an answer.

“I’m somewhat reluctant to talk about a friend of my brother, but…”

“Wait, I don’t think this is something to discuss here.” Jin-Wook hurriedly cut Yu-Seong’s response.

‘He really is a noob. A guilty conscience needs no accusation.’

Looking like a pack of starved hyenas, the journalists’ eyes became more fierce.

“What do you mean by victims’ families?!”

“Mr. Lee Jin-Wook, the public has the right to know the truth.”

“Mr. Choi Yu-Seong, how did you know about that ?!”

“Please! We need your answer, Mr. Choi Yu-Seong!”

Jin-Wook’s forehead and back began dripping in sweat as he was bombarded with questions. Even if Yu-Seong didn’t say anything more, the reporters would be relentless and find out what Jin-Wook wanted to keep quiet.

“He seems to need time to think since he also has my hyung-nim’s position to consider.”

Instead of answering the reporters’ questions, Yu-Seong looked at Min-Seok with eyes full of concern. Min-Seok awkwardly smiled and nodded slightly.

“I hope it’s nothing serious.”

Beaming, Yu-Seong turned to the reporters that were peppering him with questions.

“Oh, and regarding today’s exam, I don't have much confidence.”

It was an odd answer but it still aroused curiosity in the reporters. Shutters clicked as they shoved recorders at him with confused eyes. “I don’t have any confidence in failing. Of course, a high grade is as good as mine.”

Quoting a famous Go player in his original Earth, Yu-Seong turned his back. The reporters couldn’t help but comment on Yu-Seong’s overflowing confidence.

“Wow…”

“What did I just hear?”

Hearing admiration behind him, Yu-Seong walked past Min-Seok slowly.

“You should’ve made better friends, hyung-nim.”

Min-Seok trembled after hearing Yu-Seong’s whisper. While walking past Min-Seok with Yu-Seong, Jin Yu-Ri snickered, which was meant for only Min-Seok to hear.

The snapping sound of rapidly clicking shutters was directed at Yu-Seong’s back, as he walked to the main entrance of the association building that held the exam. Some even commented that Yu-Seong's neat black suit enhanced his good looks.

On the other hand, Min-Seok felt a surge of anger reddening his face. His cowardly little brother was now belittling him.

“Choi Yu-Seong seemed a little arrogant, but he’s cool.”

“Is it true that he’s a changed man?”

“He also speaks quite well.”

“He still says the same cheeky things, but it’s kinda different.”

“But what was that with Lee Jin-Wook? Anyone heard of what he was talking about?”

“It didn’t seem like Choi Yu-Seong and Lee Jin-Wook were that close…”

The reporters were even talking about Yu-Seong with fondness.

“Mr. Choi Min-Seok, do you know anything about this?!”

“Please give us an answer, Mr. Lee Jin-Wook!”

“What did he mean about victims’ families?”

“Do you have a criminal record?!”

“I wouldn’t recommend trying to fool the public.”

In contrast, the reporters sharply closed in around Min-Seok and Jin-Wook.

‘Choi Yu-Seong, Choi Yu-Seong!’

Gritting his teeth, Min-Seok controlled his emotions as best as possible and turned away.

“Let’s go, Lee Jin-Wook.”

Barely restraining his urge to curse which would only harm his reputation, Min-Seok took Jin-Wook into the facility that Yu-Seong had just entered.

* * *

Jin-Hwan was not frowning deeply and wrinkling his nose as before. Instead, he had a crooked grin on his face now.

“Reporter Park, don’t you think Choi Yu-Seong was outstanding?”

Excited, a fellow reporter spoke to Jin-Hwan after he finished calling his headquarters.

“Huh? That was nothing.”

“What? Didn’t you see the crowd change their attitude toward Choi Yu-Seong in an instant?”

“Yes, I saw that.”

“He’s also damn photogenic. Did you see the pictures? There’s nothing to throw away: the press corps parting like the Red Sea when Choi Yu-Seong walked in and when he left to enter the examination office. He’s better-looking than most actors. Look at everybody admiring their pictures. How about you be honest and show some more excitement?’

It was a good outcome in many ways. Yu-Seong stole the spotlight Min-Seok was basking in with Jin-Wook. Also, Jin-Wook's reputation wasn’t positive after Yu-Seong’s bombshell.

‘He seems to have committed some sort of crime.’

Although the reporter’s headquarters were looking into it, the information wasn’t readily available. It meant that someone intentionally hid the information before this event.

‘It has to be Choi Min-Seok.’

It was obvious. Revealing the truth would take several days. So in the end, Yu-Seong had just overcome his speed bump.

‘If he doesn’t perform well on the test, everything he did just now will have been for nothing.’

From Jin-Hwan’s point of view, it was clear that Min-Seok prepared today’s event to mess with Yu-Seong.

Was Jin-Wook the only thing Min-Seok prepared to achieve his goal? And what if Yu-Seong, unfortunately, failed the exam?

‘He would be called the pretentious rascal again.’

People’s opinions towards Yu-Seong were changing. Every single word Yu-Seong spoke swayed people; it was as if his words were exerting a certain influence on them.

In the end, Yu-Seong would have to answer for everything he did to draw attention to himself.

‘It’s none of my business. Why would I be concerned for Choi Yu-Seong?’

Jin-Hwan cleared his head of all distracting thoughts. After all, he and Yu-Seong were complete strangers to each other. It didn’t matter if Yu-Seong got mocked, fell down, or even got injured.

‘I am a reporter.’

He would be satisfied if Yu-Seong simply provided him with stories that would get a lot of views. After getting back to his job, Jin-Hwan took his equipment and headed to the examination office.

‘I should be moving to secure a good spot.’

Unlike the entrance, only a few of the reporters were allowed to go inside the examination office. Jin-Hwan was one of those lucky few that could enter.

“While you’re in, text me if you get a scoop!”

Giving a small wave to his fellow reporter, Jin-Hwan entered the facility. But after he entered….

Vrooom-!

An expensive-looking sports car made a loud noise as it entered the main gate of the Korea Player Association and then headed towards the underground parking lot. Stopping to see what was causing the noise, the reporters that were in the middle of packing up stopped as their eyes widened at the person driving the car. The reporter who asked for information about what happened in the examination office picked up his phone quickly and sent a message. He couldn’t help it.

‘Hey, Kim Do-Jin’s here!’

Korea’s rising star was at the hunter exam.