Adjusting the Gangster Male Lead’s Intensity [Novel] Chapter 3

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 3

Chapter Title: The Pesky Little Brother

-----------------------------------------------------------------

“We're here. This is your room.”

Raising her head at Do-gyeom Seo's words as he rubbed his nose...

There weren't many rooms on the third floor compared to the first. But that meant each one had to be enormous.

Yi-hae Baek peered inside, genuinely awed by Do-gyeom Seo's courtesy in opening the door for her.

Should I just ditch the escape plan and settle in here?

It was spacious and luxurious enough to change her mind from just moments ago. Like a hotel suite, the room had a small living area and bathroom separate from the bedroom.

Leaving Yi-hae Baek to gawk with her mouth agape, there came the sound of footsteps moving away.

“Wait!”

Yi-hae Baek urgently called out to Do-gyeom Seo as he headed to his own room.

She worried he might ignore her, but surprisingly, he stopped and turned back. No questions asked, but that alone was enough to make her grateful.

“Is there anything I need to watch out for while living here? Like... there were a lot of scary-looking guys downstairs. I don't want to accidentally piss anyone off.”

“Scary?”

Do-gyeom Seo just blinked. His tone suggested he didn't get it.

“The ones you need to watch out for aren't those guys.”

“Then who?”

“The guy you just met downstairs.”

“...The handsome uncle?”

Do-gyeom Seo nodded. There was only one person she'd called “uncle,” so he knew exactly who she meant.

She'd figured he held some high position, but he hadn't seemed that dangerous.

Maybe because he's just the dad? Yi-hae Baek brushed it off lightly with a grin.

“Got it! I'll watch out for the uncle. What else?”

“Noise.”

“Ah, don't worry, I won't blast music or anything!”

“Your voice is high-pitched. It's annoying.”

...What am I supposed to do about something I'm born with?

Yi-hae Baek seriously contemplated a kick to that pretty chin of his.

Of course, it was just imagination.

“Alriiiight. I'll be careful, super careful. Maybe I'll reincarnate with a husky voice next time.”

She dropped her voice as low as possible, turning it into a total gag. But if that's what he liked, she couldn't afford to irk the son of the house owner.

This is why people with nothing feel so down!

“And.”

Yi-hae Baek's eyes sparkled, thinking this was the last warning.

She'd been relieved there wasn't much to worry about.

“Don't do anything annoying.”

“...Huh?”

Do-gyeom Seo turned and walked off after saying his piece. He moved so ruthlessly she missed her chance to grab him.

Isn't that way too vague? Just what counts as annoying from start to finish?

Yi-hae Baek blinked. Since he'd mentioned her voice, maybe it meant staying out of sight too.

That suited her fine anyway.

If he provides a nice place and we ignore each other, it'd be perfect.

As soon as she entered, she double-checked the lock and leaped onto the bed with a light hop.

The room felt stark with few belongings since no one had lived there, but it wasn't bad.

Good. I can take my time finding a reliable adult. This bed's comfier than expected.

She grinned and blinked up at the pristine ceiling, then frowned. There was a small mark.

What’s that?

Standing on the bed to look closer, Yi-hae Baek realized it was a dark red stain like dried blood.

Once she thought that, the splatter even looked like blood.

Time to escape ASAP.

Life's comfort trumped the bed's.

So much to figure out. First, why did I suddenly possess into this game world? And how to escape it.

She opened her status window.

It only showed the Yi-hae Baek info from before—no quests or anything else.

No way do I have to seduce Do-gyeom Seo instead of the heroine for a happy ending to return to my world, right?

It was plausible. Objectively, Yi-hae Baek was too attractive for a side character.

Or maybe she had to play the villainess? She pondered.

For now, until I get solid info, keeping things smooth with Do-gyeom Seo is best.

The status updating might mean she needed certain info.

Yi-hae Baek was racking her stubborn brain when—

Bang!

“...?”

She was alone in the room, yet a strange noise.

Yi-hae Baek quickly sat up and scanned around. No one in sight.

Ghost?

Better than a Yakuza intruder lying in wait.

Face tense, she searched for a weapon—nothing. Even with one, could she take a burly guy?

Handle the first properly, or others'll get ideas.

She undid her hair tie, stretching it like a slingshot, poised to strike.

Targets: groin or throat.

Won't let you off, pervert.

The sound came from the dressing room.

Yi-hae Baek crept closer silently, tension high. No more sounds inside.

Opponent must be holding breath too. Before she could plan, she flung the door open.

Eyes wide, staring ahead—

What? Why's nothing there?

Just something falling? She scowled, then—someone stomped hard on her foot.

“Aaaack!”

It was so precise she screamed involuntarily.

Targeting her pinky toe intelligently, Yi-hae Baek flailed in shock, and the hair tie snapped forward.

It sliced air and hit something—instantly.

“...”

“...”

Yi-hae Baek finally noticed the person below, not above.

The kid's forehead flushed red from the hair tie hit, tears welling in furious eyes.

No need to ask who—

Total copy of Do-gyeom Seo.

If anything, this one showed more emotions.

Instinct told her: Do-gyeom Seo's little brother, Yeol Seo. Yi-hae Baek gaped.

Questions piled up—why here, why stomp her foot?—but his forehead dominated her view.

Ouch. My fault with the hair tie.

Reaching to check, the kid gaped and lunged to bite her hand.

“Hey! What're you doing? Why bite?!”

“I hate you!”

Yi-hae Baek yanked back, dumbfounded. Instant reply.

His glare was pure venom, like she murdered his family. She laughed in disbelief.

Not a beast, yet lunging to bite.

“Who says I like you? I hate you too.”

Sorry for the hair tie, but sorry ≠ like.

Even against a kid, Yi-hae Baek wouldn't lose at pettiness. Firm words—shocked face followed.

Wait, why's he shocked? I said I hate him—did he think I'd like him anyway?

How spoiled was this kid?

Yi-hae Baek tsked and shut the door. Trapped in the dressing room, the kid pounded.

“Open up, you thug!”

“Yakuza brat calling who thug? If you liked it there from the start, stay.”

“Who liked it?! You're doing this to mess with me! Clueless pumpkin-head!”

Pumpkin, huh.

A vanity nearby showed Yi-hae Baek's reflection clearly.

Not flashy, but fresh and cute. Objectively pretty.

“Yeah, I'm clueless, so stay there forever, pumpkin brat.”

“Pumpkin?! You got eyes for decoration? Where's my face pumpkin-shaped?!”

Do-gyeom Seo's shameless mini-version.

Novelty made her tease a bit longer on purpose.

“You, you...! I'll tell Dad!”

“Whoa, shoot.”

Didn't expect him to crack so fast, tears brimming like a chick.

Opening the door rushed light in—she realized.

Door closes, lights auto-off.

Blatantly her fault.