Contract (2)
The day after the PR departments activities. Alice, who had been out, got into a luxury sedan to return to the academy.
Ah, Im really exhausted.
Youve worked hard, miss.
Yeah.
She casually put down her clutch bag and poured herself a glass of preserved magic wine to savor the aroma. The sweet and rich wine, Chteau Dcime, was Alices favorite.
Victoria Academy sure moves fast. The article about the shoot is already out.
What are you talking about?
Arent you a promo model for Victoria Academy?
They already posted it? We just finished shooting yesterday.
Yes.
Alice checked her smartwatch and saw the post titled [Victoria Academy PR Department Models Photos.jpg] trending at the top.
Its true
Would I lie? Hehe
They mentioned publishing the photos all over Victoria Academys official website and other platforms. I guess it doesnt make much of a difference whether the article shows up fast or not.
But they actually began promoting it today, right after the shoot yesterday?
With doubt, she clicked on [Victoria Academy PR Department Models Photos.jpg].
[Victoria Academy PR Department Models Ad Photos Revealed.jpg]
[Photo]
When asked about Victoria Academys future, the answer lies with the PR department.
Likes: 1300 Dislikes: 34
Whats the meaning of this?
There was only one photo. They only posted the picture taken at the student council.
Why did the shoot take so long if they were going to post only the first one anyway?!
Alice trembled with anger but held it in and glanced at the comments.
[Wait, are these new faces of this years freshmen for real?]
[Poor new freshmen, having to compete with them, lol.]
[Haha, seriously, whod wanna date squids when theyre at the academy with these two?]
[Hey, bastard. Im a freshman. Cut it out.]
[To be honest, Im a freshman too, lololol.]
[Alice is so pretty. Shes prettier than me, so shes gotta be my big sis.]
[Big sis Alice, pick me. Please pick me.]
[These trash can dwellers]
Despite all the compliments flooding in, Alice felt unfazed. She had heard it all her life.
[New photos released! They say each ones gonna be legendary. Theyre releasing them one pic at a time.]
[Wow, good-looking guys sure still look good-looking even when reading books.]
Sigh Im relieved that the photos we worked so hard on didnt go to waste.
[But Alice is really beautiful too, and Hoyeon is unbelievably handsome. If Alice is top-tier among celebrities, then evaluating Hoyeons face becomes difficult. It feels impolite just saying this.]
Ugh, is this person serious?
He may be good-looking, but not to that extent!
Seeing comments that not only praised Hoyeons looks but almost worshipped him, Alice felt annoyed for no apparent reason.
Alice, if you didnt know the way, you should have said something.
I guess thats true. But people cant always be perfect.
Oh, I actually find your imperfections kinda amusing. Who wouldve thought wed end up wandering around the outer walls of the academy while trying to reach the central fountain, haha
.
Oops.
The conversation with Hoyeon replayed in her mind. It had been a long time since Alice felt this strange irritation.
When she was little and her older sister took away her toys, or her closest friend from kindergarten became closer to her sister, she got annoyed, but it wasnt like this.
Alice had never experienced being mocked.
If she were to count the times she faced ridicule since she was young, there were many already
That slut. Ignoring everyone just because shes a bit talented.
Shes probably treating everyone like lapdogs.
Her father is a thief from the start, so whats so different about his daughter?
She had only received criticism out of jealousy and envy. Thats why she felt the strange irritation towards Hoyeons mockery.
She learned how to let go of unfounded criticism when she was young.
Those without talent didnt make her angry when they insulted or criticized her. Instead, she felt sympathy for them. But Hoyeon, he lacked nothing compared to Alice. So, she couldnt sympathize with his mockery. Instead, she felt this strange irritation.
Ultimately, Alices evaluation of Hoyeon was: a weirdo.
Its strangely insulting, but hes not entirely wrong.
As their conversation continued, the irritation grew, but she didnt want to end the conversation.
Alice wouldnt deny that his looks played a role. But the emotions she was experiencing for the first time in her life, they sincerely shaped Alice.
Mom~ If youre not busy, can you whip up something yummy? Im starving
Liliana! You ruined another matchmaking meeting!
Ah, come on, I got dizzy from playing the game for too long.
I worked overtime and came home, and youve been holed up in your room all day doing what?!
Mom, didnt you say you were going to buy some meat today? Why did you come back empty-handed?
Bam!
Forget the meat! That matchmaking was such a golden opportunity, you know!
Oh, what a surprise. Why did she have to slam the desk? Oh, here comes the nagging parade once again.
Ignoring the sounds coming from behind me, I returned to my room.
Im hungry, but Id rather endure the nagging and then play some games.
Life is tough. Really tough.
As I closed the door, the sounds got a bit quieter. I logged back into the game.
My party members are pissing me off, so theres no way Im teaming up with them.
I guess Ill go for a raid or something.
Bam!
However, just when I was about to enter the raid, my mom barged into my room.
You Youre unbelievable!
Her reaction was fiercer than usual. She followed me all the way into my room.
Whats gotten into her now?
Listen to your mother! Why did you do that? That was your last chance! Youre already 50! Whats a 50-year-old succubus doing unmarried in Hell?!
Ah, leave me alone! Why would I marry some broke and ugly orc? Im only 50, for hells sake!
You idiot! You shouldve gotten married earlier! Instead, you wasted 15 years fooling around and playing games since adulthood, and now youre talking like this?
Mom, we live up to a thousand years, and I still have 950 years left. Anyway, I wanna play game, so leave me alone.
Even though were succubi
Okay, okay, hold on. Ill have to get some potions and play~
Having conveyed my intention to play the game, I turned my eyes back to the monitor.
Those damn merchants are hoarding potions, making them insanely expensive. I should report them all!
Ah, Im seriously going crazy! Liliana, how old are you What am I supposed to do with you?!
Yes, yes, Im on my way.
The guild is waiting for me. I need to join
Click.
[No internet connection. Please check your connection]
Just before entering the raid, the internet suddenly went out.
Huh? Whats going on?
If its gonna be like this, you better get out and socialize with people.
My mom was holding the internet cable in her hand.
No, why Im about to join the raid!
Mom, hold on. Ill really be done in an hour and well talk. Im playing with people online too.
How long are you gonna keep doing this? Its really hard for me, too
No, I get it Mom! I promise Ill listen to you from now on. Just connect it back for now
Liliana, please Stop this now. Dont you care about me Im your mother
Mom, Im socializing right now by playing the game. There are people in the game too!
Sob, sob
Seriously
My mom was sobbing while holding onto the internet cable.
If she gets water on the cable, then
Bang!
What in the world?
Strange characters appeared in front of me.
[Congratulations. You have been selected as one of the four Hells Rascals.]
[Hell Welfare Team provides automatic employment service.]
Hells Rascal? What the heck is that? I can sense that its not something good.
[Congratulations! The owner of the Hells Rascals Summoning Contract is requesting a contract with you. We will provide automatic employment service.]
Huh? Whats an automatic employment service?
Swoosh!
Liliana! Where did you run off to again?!
Liliana, webtoon version.
***
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