The S-Rank Character Is My Alt

Chapter 21: Absolute Proposition (2)

When Ihyun slowly looked back and then stepped into the dimensional rift, Lude crouched down in the alley.

“Sigh. Seriously, why do I have to go this far.”

Letting out a deep sigh, Lude rested his chin on his knee. It was not that there was anywhere else he needed to stop by, but it was simply easier to enter the guild with a bit of a gap after Kang Ihyun.

[The Lord of Chaos asks how it feels, now that it has already been a week since you joined the guild.]

“It’s better than before, but people are still annoying. Even if the PR department tries to keep things under control, being filmed is still irritating.”

What bothered him most was that he had to constantly keep the Lude avatar on. The Lude avatar required a dense amount of spirit energy.

It was the high-level Illusionist class skill, “Persona.” Among the skills an Illusionist could acquire, it was one of the highest tier.

Normally, it was a skill to alter the personality or character others perceived in you, but Nari had modified the skill to create avatars that could completely change her outward appearance.

It demanded an exceptionally high level and an enormous amount of spirit energy. Because of that, the maximum she could clear with the Lude avatar was only a class 3 gate.

“Still, there are good points too. The salary comes in on time, there are incentives if I perform well, and I can sell all the items I’ve been hoarding.”

Now, Nari finally understood why everyone clenched their teeth and tried so hard to get a job. Of course, the guild took a commission when selling high-level items, but since they even took care of the tax issues, it was worth it.

Whenever she felt uneasy, she would look at the inventory packed full of cash, and that alone would put her mind at ease.

‘The guild leader’s face when I dumped all the items I’d been saving… that was priceless.’

Lude smirked again as he recalled the receptionist’s wide eyes and the face of Kang Sujin, the guild leader who rushed over after receiving the call.

Since the guild’s item sales had to be reported to the National Tax Service, news of what was sold spread quickly, and the guild’s stock price soared the moment Sanctuary sold Nari’s items. Considering they were all boss monster items, that was only natural.

“The company cafeteria is good, and the coffee at the café is nice too.”

[The Lord of Chaos asks if that means your coworkers are the problem, then.]

“Yeah. Anyway, I should head in now. Running into people again would just be a headache.”

After confirming that no one was around, Lude opened a dimensional rift. Beyond the portal, the lobby of Sanctuary came into view. Clicking his tongue, he stepped inside.

Luxurious classical music filled the air, marble floors gleamed, and chandeliers reflected the light.

“Thankfully, it’s not too crowded.”

A few employees passing by gave him a quick glance at his sudden appearance in the middle of the lobby, but they were already used to it and simply bowed slightly as they walked past.

[The Lord of Chaos urges you to hurry into your office before he shows up!]

“Wait a second.”

Like a sparrow unable to pass by a mill without stopping, Lude gave in to the irresistible temptation of a thousand-won Americano and stopped at the company café. One thousand won for an Americano, convenience store coffee cost more than that.

“Welcome~”

The part-time worker in a cap greeted him politely. Nodding, Lude glanced up at the menu. After a moment of thought, he pulled out cash from his worn rabbit-print wallet.

“One iced Americano and one iced oat latte, please.”

[Why are you buying two? The Lord of Chaos looks at you with narrowed eyes.]

“…”

[Who are you planning to give it to? The Lord of Chaos stares at you suspiciously!]

“I should apologize. He looked upset.”

“Sorry?”

“N-Nothing. Just ring it up, and uh… put them on a tray please.”

“Yes, please wait just a moment!”

Sensing he was talking to a Constellation, the employee gave a service smile. Lude’s ears turned a little red.

After all, this Constellation was so rare in Korea that only a handful had contracted with it, and to ordinary people it just looked like Lude was talking to himself.

[Woah~ Nari’s actually showing some social skills now, the Lord of Chaos snickers.]

‘He’s my partner, so I should take care of him. He was clearly upset, and if he gets even more annoyed, it’ll bother me too.’

Lude let out a deep sigh. As the staff began grinding beans and preparing the drinks with quick hands, Lude scratched his head with a click of his tongue.

All of this was because of that guy.

A week after joining Sanctuary, Kang Ihyun had immediately switched partners after Lude came on board.

At first, the partner system had felt awkward, but as time went on, it turned out to be quite nice not having to handle everything alone.

Most of all, even after Kang Ihyun shifted from being the vanguard to the supporting role while Lude took the lead, he had never once complained and continued to do well.

Both inside and outside of Sanctuary, people seemed pleased that the number one and number two were partnered. Everything seemed to be going smoothly…

“Well, well, look who’s here. Number One himself.”

A mocking voice came from the hall just before the lounge. Lude turned and saw a middle-aged man with slicked-back white hair and horn-rimmed glasses waving at him.

“Still not walking around with our young master? He seemed hurt.”

Lude sighed inwardly. Above him, black text appeared.

[The Lord of Chaos shrugs, saying human relationships are always the problem no matter where you go.]

“Well, it’s hard to want to hang around when someone keeps sneering.”

“Haha, our young master of Sanctuary can’t just be taken by anyone. Only someone trusted by most of the guild could be his partner. Like, say, a founding member.”

The mocking man was Kang Ihyun’s former partner, Min Jaewon. He was a proud A-rank Hunter and an Inquisitor. He was also the one desperately searching for Kang Ihyun during that class 2 gate incident.

Being one of Sanctuary’s early members, what he meant was obvious…

‘How dare you try to replace me as Kang Ihyun’s partner? I don’t know how you tricked him, but I won’t accept some nobody like you stealing my place!’

It was a high-level, middle-aged man’s way of saying he would never acknowledge Lude as Ihyun’s partner. His opposition had been constant ever since Ihyun and Lude began working well together.

Lude rubbed his forehead and frowned.

‘I didn’t take into account that Kang Ihyun was basically Sanctuary’s top idol…’

[The Lord of Chaos sticks out its tongue, saying nothing riles people up more than seeing someone they dislike standing next to the person they adore.]

Nari had long since grown used to being disliked, but few ever showed such blatant hostility in public. That made Min Jaewon’s behavior all the more jarring.

“A dark type Illusionist trying to take our young master? That’s even more absurd isn’t it.”

“…”

“Those that are dark type are all bad people, so such a thing can’t be left alone. Our young master is so good even the Four Archangels chose him. What happens if corruption taints his holy power…”

‘If my presence was enough to corrupt his power, he wouldn’t even be A-rank in the first place. Also this speech… I’ve definitely heard something like it before.’

[The Lord of Chaos explodes, shouting, You dragged me into this marriage and now you say this?! You’re responsible for my life!!]

‘Exactly that. At this rate, I’m basically suffering like a daughter-in-law in her in-laws’ house…!’

Never had Nari imagined Sanctuary would have a Kang Ihyun fanatic like this!

Realizing Min Jaewon’s harassment was basically the same as in-law bullying, Nari ground her teeth.

As expected, the world wasn’t easy!

Holding the tray with the drinks, Lude let out a long sigh.

“Hah…”

‘I didn’t expect him to pull this stunt in the lobby too. Until now he just threw shade in the lounge or hallways.’

Knowing full well how troublesome it was dealing with people who justified aggression with their own sense of righteousness, Lude pressed his fingers hard against his brow.

‘He was the one who took care of Kang Ihyun as a child, I think…’

Ihyun had told him that since both his parents had been busy, Min Jaewon had taught him many things in their stead.

[The Lord of Chaos nods, saying Ihyun once said that man had taught him everything about using skills from beginning to end.]

‘That’s basically half a foster father.’

If he had been the one to watch over Ihyun’s childhood and even supported him as his partner in the guild… then of course he would hate to see a new partner swoop in.

But that didn’t mean Nari had to put up with his hostility. People always said if the in-laws were terrible, you should annul the marriage. Seeing Min Jaewon’s gaze, Lude scratched his neck and spoke.

“So what?”

From long ago, Nari’s policy had been to respond to insults with silence. But she wasn’t patient enough to ignore someone starting a fight right in front of her, in public.

“I mean, you should be nagging him instead of me. He’s the one who insists on following me around. What do you want me to do about it? And do you really think telling someone in their twenties not to hang out with me because of my so-called dark type would work? Of course, it won't, which is why you’re here complaining about it to me.”

Lude’s tone turned mocking as he stared at Min Jaewon. His polite speech was shifting toward casual, a sign his irritation was rising.

“That’s…!”

“In dramas, isn’t this the point where you hand me some money to break up with your son or whatever? Guess you couldn’t even manage that. Talk about pathetic.”

“H-How dare you say such nonsense…! He is incomparable to the likes of you, he holds the Key of Sephirot…!”

“You really don’t get it, do you. Hey.”

Lude sighed and walked closer. Just that much was enough to make all the surrounding holy power vanish. It was an absolute evil presence that made even light avert its gaze.

Even though Lude was shorter than him, Min Jaewon felt as if Lude’s shadow completely covered him.

“You said you were his partner for a long time, right? And you kept trying to stop him from basically self-destructing, but you couldn’t control him, could you? Ever wonder why?”

In his black eyes, Min Jaewon saw the depths of a red hell. It was as if a great demon stood before him, paralyzing him with fear.

After a long silence, Lude finally spoke slowly.

“Face it. You were never capable of handling him.”

“That’s…”

“Sigh, now you’re openly harassing me in front of everyone. How many times has this been now?!”

His shout rang out across the lobby. The employees watching their confrontation froze. Lude stared at him for a long time, then scowled deeply and turned away.

“Cut it out before I report this as workplace harassment. My patience has limits too.”

Min Jaewon’s lips finally moved only after Lude distanced himself and the murderous aura faded, letting holy power seep back into the hall. He was finally able to breathe again.

Watching Lude walk farther away, Min Jaewon shouted after him.

“What are you planning to do to the young master! He must never be near evil! Never!”

Lude raised his middle finger high without looking back and walked away.

Furious, Min Jaewon yelled.

“Kang Ihyun must always remain righteous! Only then will he lead Sanctuary far better than his parents ever could! He will show it to the world! But that won’t happen if someone like you, with an evil tendency, stays near him!”

“…What?”

Lude stopped walking and reacted the moment Min Jaewon’s last words left his mouth.