“Shit.”
“I know you’re angry, but please refrain from cursing.”
“…Damn it.”
“That’s fine.”
Is this really okay?
Liu, who was watching Namgoong Min’s smile, let out a hollow laugh.
The absurdity of the recent exchange was comical, and the current situation deserved a laugh in itself.
“So… what should we do?”
Liu, sitting in the relatively spacious crew room with her legs crossed, let out a sigh.
Her head was throbbing, making her want to reach for some headache medicine.
Outside the crew room, the third-years were seated in a way that they were all keeping an eye on each other, making things even worse.
‘I really want to separate them.’
There were four third-years, and the remaining members were just three first-years.
Even if she and Namgoong Min each kept an eye on one, there would still be two left, and trusting that loser was out of the question from the start.
The best option was to let the third-years stick together so they could monitor each other.
Fortunately, the third-years were reliably suspicious of and vigilant towards one another.
But they couldn’t just let them be forever.
Somehow, they needed to find the culprit… but.
“…Hey, Fortuneteller.”
“What?”
“Should we just bail? It’s not impossible, right?”
“Hmm…”
To put it plainly, fleeing wasn’t impossible.
If they fell without parachutes, no matter how skilled they were, they would be shredded to pieces, but was she a typical skilled holder?
With just a few defensive artifacts activated, a safe descent wouldn’t be much of a worry.
And that was no different for Namgoong Min, who had received artifacts worth over 300 billion.
‘Wouldn’t it be great if there was an artifact that could read minds?’
But rather than defensive, if there had been an artifact capable of noticing lies or reading minds, this incident would’ve ended in an instant.
Of course, such artifacts didn’t exist, so it couldn’t be helped.
As far as Liu knew, the only ones capable of discerning lies were the Job Skill of the <Saint> or the special job <The Mediator> that existed in the Daehan Empire’s royal family.
Well, anyway, if it truly came down to ‘just the two of them’, they could escape.
“Let’s leave that as a last resort.”
“………”
“There’s still hope, isn’t there?”
“……Is there?”
I don’t see any.
Now, it was time to call each third-year in for questioning, but no matter how she thought about it, Liu wasn’t exactly skilled in such matters.
What she did best was intimidating and threatening with overwhelming capital, not exploiting the gaps in her opponent’s defenses.
Thus, Liu’s gaze naturally turned to Namgoong Min.
“…Hey, Fortuneteller.”
“I’ll handle it.”
“…I haven’t even said anything yet.”
“Come on, we’ve known each other for years! It’s obvious what you want to say. I’ll take care of talking to the third-years!”
“…………”
It had only been half a year, you jerk.
It had barely been six months. Namgoong Min had known Liu less than her closest aides, and even less than Wang Fei, who had tried to betray her.
Why was that?
There was something in his words… that made one trust him without realizing it.
And so, Liu merely nodded her head.
“…Okay.”
“Um… thinking about it, this is quite a good opportunity, isn’t it?”
“Huh?”
“Since it has come to this, why don’t we learn the Art of Conversation?”
“…Eh?”
*
“…Is this really the right thing?”
Rustle.
Inside the crew room’s restroom. Liu, who was huddled in that small space, straightened up while flipping through the paper Namgoong Min had given her.
Though she had been swept away by the atmosphere and agreed, was it really right to eavesdrop on a conversation like this?
Even more so, if she got caught hiding in the restroom to secretly listen…
‘…I’ll have to bury it all. Physically.’
Whether the opponent was a collateral royal or the son of an airline executive, she wouldn’t care. Such matters had to be taken to the grave.
But even as she thought that, Liu couldn’t help but let out a self-deprecating laugh.
She was complying with this embarrassing act… simply because it was a request from Namgoong Min.
‘At this rate, I might end up sacrificing everything.’
The feelings Liu Yan had towards Namgoong Min.
She had labeled it as a Desire for Ownership, yet there was something she was subconsciously avoiding.
That was…
Clack.
“Oh, you’ve arrived?”
“….Uh, yeah.”
Sigh.
…Anyway, keeping quiet and lying low was probably the best course of action right now.
From the sound of his voice, it seemed the one who entered the crew room was the blond tanning jerk.
Clenching her fist unconsciously, Liu soon turned her gaze to the paper Namgoong Min had written for her.
He had instructed her to read it once the conversation started.
‘…What’s this?’
<Very easy and straightforward conversation skills that even a Rich Tycoon can understand!>
Hmm, alright.
Once I go out, I’ll have to slap him once.
With that firm resolution, she began to read the next line.
<Conversation isn't really that difficult. As long as you know what the other person wants to say and what they want to hide, you can have smooth dialogue with anyone. It's quite easy, right?>
‘…Is this jerk mocking me?’
Just as she was about to focus her grip on the paper, the text entered her eyes properly.
<In that sense, the third-years make great teaching materials. They are a mix of three different cases.>
<It's technically in the form of an interrogation, but the third-years will dislike the fact that I, a first-year, am the one doing the interrogating.>
<So, even if it’s a hassle, it’s effective to obtain information a bit indirectly. Shall we start the conversation?>
“What… should I say?”
“Come on, Andrew senior. There’s no need to be so nervous. I’m just a freshman.”
“Uh… Wait, how do you know my name?”
“Of course, I know Liam Andrew, the capable third-year senior! I couldn’t speak to you because of Crown Princess Kim Ha-neul, but I have great respect for you.”
“Haha! I see! I must have been rude since it’s our first meeting!”
“What are you talking about? Look at your biceps, senior! With such solid muscles, someone as scrawny as me would definitely stand out! It’s obvious.”
“That’s true! Haha!”
<The blond tanning student, Liam Andrew, is basically a simple-minded guy. He thinks everything revolves around himself. Conversations with this type of person can be exhausting, but adapting to him is easy.>
<Do you remember what I said about being last in the theory exam? That doesn’t mean he’s dumb. He simply has a quite straightforward thinking process. He easily gets swept up in the atmosphere and has a clear stance, pushing his point even if it's disputed.>
<When conversing with someone like this, it’s necessary to raise the other person and lower oneself in the way one speaks.>
<Since he reacted sensitively to being last in the theory exam, avoid mentioning that and highlight only his strengths.>
“More importantly, I was surprised. So, you’re 10th in practical training, Andrew senior… there are that many people stronger than you?”
“Ah, come on, junior! Don’t underestimate me! Right now, I’m just warming up! I’ll definitely take first place this semester!”
“Of course! Other seniors were slandering you, so I almost got confused too.”
“Really? You picked up on that? You’ve got a good eye!”
<Overall, he’s the easiest type to deal with. If you play along gently, you can squeeze out all sorts of information.>
<This is close to a tutorial, so shall we move on to the next one?>
*
“…Here they come.”
“Senior Kim Chun-deok, greetings. Please have a seat here.”
“Well-mannered. Not bad.”
“Is it just you? Other seniors seem to fight all the time, and you always act as a Mediator between them. That’s real courtesy.”
“Hmph, hum! I’m glad to have someone who sees that.”
<The portly male student, Kim Chun-deok, is a bit of a picky fellow. He usually stays quiet, doesn’t actively push his opinions, but is quick to agree with others.>
<However, there’s something he reacts sensitively to.>
<What could it be? Obviously, it’s that jiggly belly of his.>
<Unlike Andrew, I’ll use this complex to my advantage.>
“But, senior, about your belly….”
“…Hey, are you looking for a fight—”
“Is it because of medication?”
“—Um, huh?”
“I don’t see you as someone who would eat excessively or skip workouts, considering how patient you are. Therefore… it must be mostly due to medication.”
“How do you know that!”
“I have some knowledge in medicine.”
<At this point, mixing in a white lie would be effective. Still, Kim Chun-deok’s belly is indeed probably due to medication, so there shouldn’t be a big issue.>
<He’s stuck with a belly he can’t help, so it’s only natural he’d get angry when you provoke that. Moreover, since he’s not admitting it, the stress he’s under must be extraordinary.>
<That’s where I’ll strike.>
“Are you… sick?”
“……Yeah.”
“I’ve heard that there are drugs that increase weight with allergy treatments. Is that it?”
“Y-Yeah. I’ve had severe allergies since I was little.”
“But normally, people would shy away from those with illnesses. Isn’t it true you told yourself you just gained weight?”
“…………”
“Honestly… you’ve been through a lot. It’s hard to see others call you a fatty or pig when it’s not something you decided.”
“…Thanks.”
“There’s no need to thank me. I only respect your willpower.”
“……Really, thank you….”
<Kim Chun-deok is a typical tough exterior with soft interior type. He seems to behave indifferently and uses strange expressions, but inside he’s dealing with an immense amount of stress and resentment.>
<It’s usually very hard to delve into someone’s internal struggles that they keep hidden.>
<If you succeed, the impact will definitely be significant.>
<Simply building rapport would be enough, but we need to find the culprit, so let’s dig a little deeper.>
“In that regard, this culprit is truly… dreadful.”
“Uh, uh?”
“When I first checked the medicine cabinet in the crew room, there was an allergy trigger substance.”
“Wh-What!? Is that true!”
“It is. I passed it over without a second thought, but after the commotion, when I checked again, it was gone. Since the crew room is right in front of the cockpit… I think someone took it secretly.”
“What kind of bastard…! Oh, no way!”
“Do you have someone in mind?”
“That Andrew bastard! It’s definitely him! When we first boarded the plane and got slapped by that rich tyrant, he ran off to the crew room to get treated, right?! He had no visible wounds, but he must’ve gone on purpose!”
“This is bad.”
“You bastard! We need to catch him right now—”
“Senior Chun-deok, calm down. Even if Andrew’s a bit of a fool, he’s definitely capable. Wouldn’t it be better to have more people on our side? Just hold on a little longer.”
“Urgh, uh…!”
“But instead, I need you to keep a tight watch. Everything depends on you, senior.”
“Then! Of course! Just trust me, junior!”
<This type is much easier to deal with than Andrew for a different reason. If you can root deep into his inside, you can make him move like a puppet.>
<He probably won’t doubt what I say, as I’ve 'shared' memories with him. Even if I can’t prove it, he’ll believe it.>
<By tying in his sensitive spots and throwing a lie, things will resolve themselves.>
*
“…….”
“Greetings, Nanase-senpai.”
“…….”
“Nanase-senpai?”
“…Cut the nonsense and get to the point.”
“Um, understood.”
<The girl who frequently checks her phone, Nanase Huka, is the strongest adversary among the three. She generally speaks very little and is extremely self-centered.>
<It’s fundamentally challenging to get close to her, and having a conversation with someone she just met is even more difficult.>
<With such a person, it’s more effective to appeal to something else rather than to approach directly.>
<That ‘something’ is 'empathy'.>
“…Ah, Nanase-senpai. There’s something I want to say.”
“Cut out the irrelevant talk….”
“Wouldn’t it have been much better if someone other than that justice warrior had been elected as the president instead of Crown Princess Kim Ha-neul? That’s what I regret.”
“………What?”
“Isn’t that so? What the academy really needs right now isn’t just a pretty face, but a true leader. Personally, I was supporting Crown Princess Kim Ha-neul… it’s quite disappointing.”
“……….”
<Nanase Huka shows subservience to Crown Princess Kim Ha-neul even more than any of the other third-years. There are plenty of favorable search histories related to the Crown Princess on the phone she’s always looking at.>
<I briefly peered at her phone, and given that, she likely worships the Crown Princess.>
<So, if we share the same interest and empathize with her...?>
“…That’s quite an unexpected comment. Especially in a situation like this.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Usually, a freshmen like me wouldn’t even get the chance to talk to Crown Princess Kim Ha-neul… I’ve heard that you’re her nearest aide, Nanase-senpai.”
“…Nearest aide?”
“Yes. Uh, isn’t that right?”
“No, no, no. Of course I am! I fit far better beside Her Highness than those two idiots. That’s a given.”
“So I thought. It seems to me other seniors are trying to undermine you, Nanase-senpai…”
“You caught that too, huh? Those idiots are so dumb.”
<Nanase Huka has a tendency to view people bi-polarly when interacting with others.>
<To her, there are “friends” and “not friends.”>
<She hardly communicates with those she sees as outsiders, (often attacking aggressively) but treats those she considers friends with unlimited kindness. Though entering that circle of ‘friends’ is extremely tough.>
<Probably, by constantly singing praises about Crown Princess Kim Ha-neul, you could inch closer to her boundaries.>
“To your point, it’s really disappointing. How could that justice warrior decide to run in the first place, especially with that prince from the first-year…”
“I heard through the grapevine that that justice warrior deliberately approached a first-year who was close to the prince….”
“Surely… that damned justice warrior. She can’t beat me head-on, so she resorts to underhanded tactics like that…!”
“Still, I’m not worried. If it were Crown Princess Kim Ha-neul, she’d overcome such underhanded tactics without breaking a sweat.”
“Haha, of course! That’s a given! I had also planned on gathering proof this semester to demand her to resign from the student council. I need to act faster!”
<If you manage to build rapport even a little bit with that boundary you've gotten closer to,>
<You’ll likely gain much more detailed information than you would by simply asking.>
“What if this incident is also a scheme by that justice warrior to exclude Crown Princess Kim Ha-neul?”
“…True. While she probably wouldn’t have the brain to devise something like this, the vice president, Samuel Lipson, could definitely pull it off… now that I think about it…?”
“Is there something you’re suspecting?”
“That pig, Kim Chun-deok, was hanging around near the cockpit. He’s close friends with that greasy bastard who plays the role of the student council’s acting president. Could it be…!”
“…Be careful with your assumptions, for Crown Princess Kim Ha-neul’s sake. However, I will definitely interrogate Senior Kim Chun-deok more thoroughly.”
“Yeah. Once I ascertain the truth… I’ll have to take that pig down myself.”
<Ultimately, Nanase Huka is highly loyal but somewhat incompetent.>
<If she were capable, she would have taken a position as Crown Princess Kim Ha-neul's secretary a long time ago.>
<She’s also relatively easy to deceive with words!>
*
“…Shit.”
“Liu, I wouldn’t…”
“I have to right now. Ugh….”
Wait, I had conversations with this jerk trio until now? That’s a bit creepy.
Sure, I was a ‘difficult’ opponent compared to those fools, but.
In the end, the one who managed to break through my suspicion and grow closer to me was none other than Namgoong Min.
“….”
“Liu?”
“…No.”
…But that implies, in other words.
If a person like Namgoong Min, who possessed such conversational skills, didn’t appear, I would’ve lived a lonely life as a Rich Tycoon named Liu Yan.
And the fact.
The fact that Namgoong Min was the only one I could possibly forge such a relationship with from now on.
‘…That’s alright.’
I’m quite pleased with that.
Liu felt a wave of good emotions rise within her.
It seemed she could accelerate her plans to create a ‘showcase’.
A little bit sooner, to solidify this relationship──
“…Liu?”
“Just wait and see, you bastard.”
“…Uh?”
──I wanted to make it something unbreakable.
![[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return](https://i3.wp.com/novelhitam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/TS-Obsessed-Gamer-The-Ultimate-Return2.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return")
