I Became a Fortune Teller in the Game My Little Sister Made – Chapter 41

Liu Yan couldn’t bring herself to take a step forward.

She had called out to him once but couldn’t muster the words again.

‘…Namgoong Min.’

Liu Yan always had her doubts, putting in the effort to investigate while being left with an unsettling feeling, all while he sauntered around with an unbothered smile, keeping his thoughts hidden from her but somehow knowing hers all too well.

Every day, she observed, taking note of his actions, mannerisms, and personality, all while being suspicious of the fortuneteller.

She was deep in thought, wrapping her head around it all.

…This was the first time Liu Yan had ever seen him look like this.

‘Why? What does that mean?’

The strange words from that Mandrick fellow had reached even Liu, who was secretly hiding outside the fortune teller’s shop.

They sounded like they came from someone who knew Namgoong Min well.

‘As far as I know, before entering the Academy, Namgoong Min had no friends.’

No friends, and not even an acquaintance to speak of.

His parents had died long ago, and he had lived alone as an only child before coming to this Academy.

Still, it was odd that he walked around with that smile.

‘There’s something I don’t know…’

The “Rich Tycoon” job wasn’t just a flashy title. The money she had spent on investigating Namgoong Min alone was in the billions.

She had hired all sorts of errand services, bribed various information agencies, and coaxed and lured countless people.

The result was a dossier that could represent an entire life.

‘You smiled even in front of that.’

Initially flustered, she had intensified her investigation.

And Liu Yan was convinced.

It was just a show.

No matter how much she pried, nothing came out.

It must have been after that day.

When Liu Yan had deliberately approached Namgoong Min.

‘I intentionally cooperated with you, talked a lot, and got close to you.’

Even if it was all a facade, just in case, Liu Yan herself tried to get close to Namgoong Min to find out everything.

Her suspicions were running deeper, and apart from his facade, Namgoong Min’s skills were superior to anyone she had encountered.

His boldness and decisiveness in the moment, his persuasive charm, and most importantly, his self-confidence.

Namgoong Min was a worthy target for Liu Yan to approach.

‘Just like up in that mountain.’

That moment Liu Yan had caught a hint. A clue about Namgoong Min’s fortune-telling, even if it could be called a prophecy.

Without any tools for fortune-telling, without performing any rituals, she had simply realized it out of nowhere.

The fortune-telling was just an excuse; it was clear he was using some other method.

So she had pressed on.

‘I overturned that myself.’

What was I thinking? Why did I do that?

Why did I stop Namgoong Min from revealing his secrets?

Why did I… intentionally keep my suspicions alive?

I know it myself. I was tired of being suspicious. Worrying is exhausting, bothersome, and disgusting.

That’s why I wanted to clear my doubts about Namgoong Min. That’s why I wanted to get involved.

But why?

‘…Ah, I see.’

In that maze during the entrance ceremony.

At the moment I learned about the real Namgoong Min, not the one from the investigation, I found it enjoyable to doubt him.

The suspicion that should have been filled with annoyance and questions felt delightful.

It felt like I was the only one to uncover his essence, realizing he, who had no equal in skill and character, was just an ordinary person.

And the joy of being the only one to know that.

Thus, I decided to halt all investigations. I would exclusively keep the knowledge of Namgoong Min to myself.

The truth I had been recognizing deep down, yet had been trying to deny.

Liu Yan came to realize it at last.

‘…Namgoong Min.’

Liu Yan stopped her thoughts and turned her gaze.

Namgoong Min was still in distress. He was suffering for reasons Liu Yan herself didn’t understand.

To suspect and uncover his secrets, the truths he hid was—

‘Ah…’

—How enjoyable would that be?

With this, she couldn’t even label him as a villain.

Maybe living a life filled with suspicion made her obsessed with uncovering secrets.

…Or was it just because it was Namgoong Min?

‘I don’t know.’

Liu Yan was alone and lonely. Her profession and nature made it so.

The overflowing money could be earned without anyone’s help, and her paranoia kept others from approaching her.

But still, there had been a few people like Lucas who approached her with kindness.

So why did it only stir these thoughts when it came to Namgoong Min?

‘…No, maybe since the first time I met Namgoong Min—’

—This pocket? Hey, can you tell me what’s inside?

—It’s the Golden Toad, right?

From that moment when she had revealed her most secretive desire, Liu Yan couldn’t help but pay attention to Namgoong Min.

“Hey, Fortuneteller.”

“…Liu?”

Thus, Liu Yan finally approached Namgoong Min.

She had come to realize her feelings and desires she had tucked away.

‘Still the same.’

Liu’s job skill, <Eye of Fortune>, activated.

In an instant, the fortune teller’s shop was flooded with golden hues. Luxurious decorations and wooden tables gleamed in gold, boasting their monetary value.

But in this gold-cast space, there was one person who stood out—utterly colorless.

She gazed intently at Namgoong Min.

“Can you help me?”

“…”

Liu knew this fortuneteller had abilities surpassing her own, that of a villain, or even that of the Crown Princess.

Yet, the absence of golden light wasn’t because he lacked it—it must be that her eyes couldn’t grasp the entirety of his brilliance.

The brilliance was so radiant it didn’t register in her eyes, appearing colorless instead.

It symbolized Namgoong Min, a mystery with no end to uncover.

Liu Yan twisted her smile.

“Liu, I am…”

“So, will you help?”

“…Of course, of course.”

And she sought help from Eileen, who had sprung up seemingly out of nowhere.

Now was the time to gather as much assistance as possible.

“So, what’s the plan?”

“I need to borrow some money. I’m going to hire people.”

“Hey, you haven’t forgotten you already borrowed 10 billion from me, right? Isn’t all this just debt? I have no clue how I’m supposed to spend it!”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“…Really? Well, it’s good for me.”

Even as the borrowed amount continued to rise, Liu smiled with delight. Was it pocket change for her?

“Sure, hiring people is a great idea, but what will they be doing? Since you’re helping, shouldn’t I know the goal?”

“I’m looking for a room.”

“…A room?”

“There’s a room I must find.”

Not searching for a person or treasure, but a room? Liu was momentarily perplexed by his words.

Namgoong Min was betting on a slim chance.

‘Honestly, I don’t even know if it exists, but I have to search.’

But that alone wasn’t enough.

Those hired with money could not enter the Romance Academy.

Thus, Academy students became necessary.

Then what should he do—

“There it is! Over there!”

“Is this where Namgoong Min’s fortune teller shop is?”

“Let’s charge forward! Forward!”

“…Haha.”

As Liu left the fortune teller’s shop with Eileen, there appeared to be nearly fifty students.

And they were all students searching for his fortune teller shop.

Normally, one would first feel astonished at such an overwhelming number.

—But not this time.

“I’m going to go first!”

“That artifact is mine!”

“Hey! Cutting in line isn’t cool!”

“Everyone, please be quiet.”

Among the chaotic students, Namgoong Min’s voice rang out softly.

Doubt crept in whether any of the eager crowd could hear it, yet—

“…”

“…”

“…”

“Nice.”

As if they had made a pact, the students fell silent.

It was a phrase already familiar with them.

During the entrance ceremony, when Namgoong Min had broken down walls leading the students.

His words carried sufficient leadership and persuasion for the fighter students who recalled that moment.

Just like before, amidst the now quiet crowd, Namgoong Min walked forth.

“Everyone, I know why you are here.”

“You know?”

“Didn’t Mandrick tell you?”

“He’s currently writing an apology letter.”

“And I know what you want as well.”

Clank.

Namgoong Min removed the necklace hanging around his neck and raised it high.

To the naked eye, it just looked like an old necklace, but none of the students were ignorant to the fact that it contained unusual power.

“That’s… an artifact.”

“The rumors were true!”

“Namgoong Min was indeed the start of the treasure hunt.”

“Artifact, you all want it, right?”

“Of course!”

“We definitely need it!”

“If I can have just one, I will surely repay you!”

It’s true. To the rich tycoons, Arthur family, or Crown Princess, maybe, but for most students, artifacts were extraordinarily expensive.

While they could earn some decent money jumping into the Gate after graduation, it’s an amount they couldn’t even dream of while attending the Academy.

The hope of obtaining one was the reason the treasure hunt had been all the rage among students.

“I can find artifacts through fortune-telling.”

The students flinched.

With Namgoong Min’s shocking declaration, their eyes widened. Many blinked as if they weren’t hearing correctly.

Though usually glad to chime in, this time, complete silence enveloped the crowd.

All thoughts were focused on Namgoong Min’s next words.

“Of course, since it’s just advice from fortune-telling, some may not find what they seek. Is that still okay with you?”

“Of course!”

“Do you think I can’t find it?”

“If Mandrick found it, then of course, I can find it too!”

“Great.”

The bait had been effectively cast, and the fish were flopping about.

Now it was time to reel them in.

“However, there are many of you here, and few artifacts. Therefore, I will first give fortune-telling to those who agree to my requests.”

“I’ll help! Let me handle it!”

“Leave it to me!”

“No way! I can handle this!”

“My request is simple.”

Wanting someone found? That’s inefficient.

Mandrick had discovered only the voice and note; he hadn’t actually seen Namgoong Jisoo.

What if she had changed her appearance? Or disappeared in an instant?

‘Of course, I can’t be sure of anything.’

But if Jisoo relayed a message, she would certainly expect that I would be looking for her.

So, naturally, she might be disguised or hiding somewhere untraceable.

‘So, I’ll look for the Developer’s Room.’

This game is a romance simulation game aimed at females.

And like most such games, after viewing the first playthrough’s ending, one can look back on collected CGs and character profiles.

In the <Romance Academy>, that was presented as the “Developer’s Room.”

‘The Developer’s Room must definitely be somewhere within the Academy’s settings.’

Of course, whether that would hold true here is uncertain. Given the nature of the game turning into reality, there’s doubt an actual Developer’s Room exists containing CGs and character information.

But that was the only potential possibility.

“If you help me find the secret room within the Academy.”

“A secret… room?”

“Does something like that even exist?”

There were no hints regarding the Developer’s Room. Just the concept that it existed somewhere within the Academy.

But being an important room, it was surely hidden in some manner.

“Any information is welcome. If it relates to the secret room, I will read your fortune immediately.”

“Oh….”

“An artifact…!”

I will do my utmost.

Money, artifacts, connections. I’ll use everything I can.

‘I’ll find you.’

Even if it means investing a tremendous amount of time and effort.

I’m your older brother and family.

I will definitely find you.

‘I’ll take you by the collar.’

Namgoong Min was inciting the fighter students with the bait of an artifact.

Watching him, Liu Yan couldn’t help but smile with an unknown joy.

“…”

Eileen gazed at Namgoong Min with her quivering eyes.