Chapter 167 – Stress and Calm
Right now, everyone’s favorite protagonist, Sohen, was sitting in front of his laptop, deliberately forcing himself to read the news.
(What’s going on here?... This is completely absurd. What’s this "three-step authentication" all about? It’s the first time I’ve heard of anything like this. Also, the rules for using "Trump Dollar" are pretty strange and impractical for frequent use...)
The crypto market hadn’t seen any major turbulence while Sohen was offline.
A few minor movements: a slight correction in "Zalutory" after an overnight drop, rumors that one of the major market makers had reduced their altcoin positions, and a few more brief notes related to the "Trump Dollar."
Nothing critical.
Just the usual background noise.
(Phew... It’s good that the drop is over, but it’s most likely just a short-term thing... Damn! Now I’ll have to adapt to the new changes. If I do the math, well... there’s actually a shitload of work lined up for the whole month, but luckily, it’s better this way than losing my hard-earned money. Nothing to be done about it. I’ll just have to work. Maybe there’s even a chance to make some decent money if luck is on my side.)
Some time passed.
- (Me). "..."
(Damn it!... Well, the moment has come. I’ve been dragging my feet for long enough, but I can’t put it off any longer.)
Sohen leaned back in his chair, stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, and then, with a certain inner tremor, reached for his phone.
He unlocked it.
He opened the app he needed.
The chat with Valkyrie.
- (Me). "Phew..."
That morning, she wrote a brief and reserved message:
- (Valkyrie). "We have something to discuss. Let me know when you’re free."
At that moment, Sohen was still in Phoebe’s room and replied that he was busy and would be able to talk after lunch.
(Please, just not what I’m thinking...)
Thanks to the President of the United States and her big news, Sohen had to "extend the lull" until late in the evening.
(The incident with Phoebe this morning and the thing in the kitchen with Karin... I hope she didn’t see that. As for the rest — she can’t have any complaints about me... I think.)
Now he sat there staring at the latest message.
The worst-case scenarios were already playing out in his head.
(In principle... those banned videos and photos can be deleted from every possible site as soon as a special AI finds the source code, but by that time, my reputation might already be seriously damaged, so...)
Sohen deleted the text he’d typed several times before sending a short message:
- (Me). "I’m free. We can talk."
(Now all that’s left is to wait for her reply...)
After that, he closed his eyes and braced himself for trouble.
The reply came very quickly.
(Phew... Phew...)
- (Valkyrie). "Sohen, you..."
- (Me). "..."
A few seconds later, the rest of the message arrived.
Sohen opened his eyes and saw...
- (Valkyrie). "Sohen, are you... free on Thursday?"
- (Me). "???"
Valkyrie’s message... wasn’t what he’d expected.
(Am I free on Thursday? I mean, in two days?... Is that all she wanted to write? Seriously? No "I saw what you did to your own sister or mother...," or even "You’re a damn cheater and a pervert! You’re finished!..."
He quickly typed a reply:
- (Me). "Yes. I should be free after lunch."
- (Valkyrie). "Okay. We need to meet in person. Set aside a few hours for me and wait for me near the ’Coral’ Shopping Center. Be there at 2 p.m. One more thing... You have to wear this outfit."
She attached a photo below.
Sohen opened the image and just stared at it for a few seconds.
(What the fuck?!)
The photo showed a man on stage in a stark, almost aggressive black outfit.
A short black patent leather jacket with a strong glossy sheen — it was left open, emphasizing his shoulders and exposing his entire chest.
Underneath was a thin, semi-transparent black mesh through which his body was clearly visible: his chest, abs, and waistline.
Several thin chains ran around his neck and across his chest.
On the bottom — tight-fitting black pants with patent leather inserts, belts, buckles, and decorative elements that hugged his hips tightly and gave the entire silhouette a daring, almost theatrical-fetishistic look.
Under the lights, the outfit shimmered and looked expensive, provocative, and very revealing.
This man looked like a popular Korean idol and he was... Sohen himself.
(Where the hell did she get this photo?! What the fuck?!)
According to Sohen’s recollections, he wore clothes like that only once — when Phoebe turned eighteen and she personally asked him to be her "idol" for the day.
The young man was categorically against it, but one half-tearful glance from the birthday girl was enough for him to give in and, in his own words, dress up like a "total faggot."
(This photo simply shouldn’t exist. No one except Phoebe, Karin, and Runo knows that I was... an "idol." Could the neighbors have taken the photo? Hardly. Miss and Mr. Bluison didn’t have smartphones or anything like that, and the photo is of pretty good quality, plus, I didn’t really interest them; we had a perfectly normal neighborly relationship. Could it have been another neighbor? Ryu Song? That bastard could very well have done it. He’s a rare pervert who repeatedly tried to drag me into the "Gay League," but he failed because my "diplomatic responses" made him run as far away as possible... so he wouldn’t die by accident. Ryu Song... No. He’s not an option either, since he was with his latest lover that day. We can rule him out, but the question still remains unanswered. Damn it!!)
- (Me). "I’d rather die than wear that again, and... where did you get this photo?"
- (Valkyrie). "That’s too bad..."
- (Me). "..."
(I never got an answer...)
- (Me). "Where did you get this photo?"
- (Valkyrie). "That’s... a secret."
- (Me). "..."
- (Valkyrie). "Okay... Make sure you show up on time, or you’ll... be in trouble."
- (Me). "Okay..."
- (Valkyrie). "Well then... good night, and see you soon."
- (Me). "Good night."
That was the end of the conversation.
- (Me). "..."
(Of course, it’s a shame about the photos, but overall... things are pretty positive. Nothing was said about the double blowjob from Karin and Phoebe, and today’s events remained unknown to her, which is very good... Does that mean the hidden cameras are only in my room, and I can fuck others anywhere else in the house?... I can’t say for sure, so it’s better not to take any chances and, if possible, not to fall for the provocations of those three sexy and perverted "slaves.")
- (Me). "Phew..."
Much to Sohen’s relief, the day ended on a very good note
(I’m saved. Hooray.)
For the first time in nearly 24 hours, the protagonist was holding his phone purely for his own enjoyment.
To take his mind off reality, he went to his favorite novel website for a while and read a few new Chapters.
(Oh, yeah. "The Arch with the Beach and Bikini" is starting. This is going to be fun, hehe.)
Then his attention turned to social media with entertaining video content, which, by the end of his visit, made him laugh genuinely for the first time that day.
(This is so funny... and crazy.)
Sohen’s mood improved, but at some point, drowsiness set in, prompting him to stop watching and go to bed.
(What a stressful day it turned out to be... Okay, time to go to bed. Good night.)
The young man was about to turn off his phone, but at the last moment, a news story caught his eye by chance.
- (Me). "???"
"Prominent businessman Hoi Kang and three members of his family were found dead on the outskirts of the city."
- (Me). "..."
Sohen frowned and opened the article.
The text was dry, written in the style of a crime report:
"Last night, the bodies of four men were discovered on the outskirts of an industrial zone in one of the major industrial cities. Among the deceased were prominent businessman Hoi Kang, his son Park Kang, and two close relatives — Ryu Oba and Ryu Zhao.
According to preliminary police reports, the bodies were found in an abandoned warehouse. All four were bound. The cause of death, according to preliminary data, was multiple gunshot wounds. No signs of robbery or theft of valuables were found at the scene.
Hoi Kang was known in business circles as a man with extensive connections across several industries, particularly in trade and investment projects. In recent years, his name has periodically surfaced in connection with corporate conflicts and legal disputes, though no official criminal charges have been brought against him.
The police have already launched an investigation. Several theories are currently being considered: a contract killing stemming from business disputes, a possible act of revenge, or a conflict within business circles. No official suspects have been named at this time. Investigators are refusing to comment on the details, citing the confidentiality of the investigation.
The families of the victims have not yet made any public statements. Representatives of the business community who were reached expressed shock and declined to comment.
Experts are already noting that the murder of four men from the same family in this manner is extremely unusual and indicates a high level of organization behind the crime. The police are urging anyone with any information to contact the hotline."
Sohen slowly scrolled to the bottom of the page.
No names of the perpetrators.
No clear motives.
Just dry facts, cautious wording, and the standard phrase about an "ongoing investigation."
- (Me). "..."
He stared at the screen for a few more seconds, then silently turned off his phone.
(Hoi Kang is dead?... Looks like he crossed paths with the wrong person. A fitting end. Whoever he was, he did... a good deed. That bastard got what he deserved. If that mysterious ’upstanding’ person hadn’t done it, then the one who killed him... would have been me. I don’t know why he was looking for information about me and my family, but if something had happened... his death wouldn’t have been so merciful.)
As soon as the phone landed on the table, Sohen quickly got up from his chair, found a change of clothes, went to the bathroom to take a shower, came back, and a few minutes later was in his soft bed.
(I hope I’ll have... a good dream tonight.)