LK Hotel.
Called the nation’s top hotel, this place is one of the works of LK Group, which started in distribution and diversely expanded its business.
According to what I’d researched beforehand, this rooftop space on the top floor of LK Hotel had everything.
A large swimming pool that could easily accommodate over a hundred people.
A spa with over 20 different types of themed baths.
One large performance hall and two small-scale performance halls.
Four ultra-luxury separate villas of three stories or more.
A truly ultra-luxurious luxury penthouse, practically a private club—it wouldn’t be wrong to call it a floating city in the heart of Seoul.
In terms of splendor, it was the best in the country, perhaps even world-class quality.
‘On the internet, it was used as a meme.’
Such a world-class splendid space on this small Korean peninsula. Perhaps because of that, the vast majority of citizens both ridiculed and yearned for LK Hotel.
‘Hey, honestly, even if LK is annoying, you’d stay there if you could stay for free, right?’
However, I can assert.
“Ooh, Gojun oppa~ Who’s that? New prey?”
“No. Not that kind of person.”
“Oh my! Then did oppa awaken to being a bottom? Kkahlkkahlkkahl!”
Prey or kkahlkkahlkkahl.
Vulgar words and laughter mixed together, hurting my ears.
“Gojun-ah. Who is this person? Did you bring them from an establishment?”
“They’re visiting for the first time, so I’m just giving them a tour.”
“You, Gojun? Hmm. Moderately good-looking.”
Some alphas, like military seniors would, tried to overwhelm me with their pheromones, so my nose and head all hurt.
“Hihiik, pretty. Hyung-ah……. Want something tasty?”
Young ones who appeared to be Baek Seolheon’s age, heavily intoxicated on something, staggered toward me like zombies offering suspicious liquids, making my heart ache.
‘Why would you stay in a place like this?’
The architecture is innocent. The people are guilty.
Nevertheless, just the fact that these humanity-loathing creatures frequently used this place as a party venue made me lose all affection for it.
‘This is…… the true face of Korea’s next-generation power elite.’
I’m sorry. King Taejo Yi Seong-gye, Wang Geon, Gung Ye, Kim Suro, Onjo, Park Hyeokgeose, Jumong, Dangun Wanggeom. I failed to protect this country…….
While I was despairing at the piercing powerlessness as a descendant, Yu Gojun, who had volunteered as a guide, said,
“Shall we finish the tour around here? If we go through everything, the sun might rise.”
Fortunately, the tour course ended after wandering around for roughly 10 minutes.
Coincidentally, if I’d wandered around any more than this, my face would have been sold to more people, so I was about to decline first.
“Was there any place you liked? Whichever bar you go to, the alcohol is decent.”
Don’t tell me this bastard is planning to spend time with me.
‘When the hell is Baek Jeongwoo coming?’
When I opened my phone and looked at the screen, exactly 1 minute ago, there was a reply from Baek Jeongwoo.
[Baek Jeongwoo: Go play on your own]
[Running a bit late lololol]
‘Should I kill him?’
I’m sorry, Seolheon. I’m a pathetic older brother, but please visit me sometimes at least……!
Just as the tendons in my hand gripping the phone were bulging, Yu Gojun asked again.
“If you’re waiting for your party, why don’t you stay with me until then?”
Did he peek at my phone screen? Or did he arbitrarily read my behavior?
Either way, he was a creepy bastard.
“It’s fine. Thank you for the tour, but I’m comfortable alone.”
“What? If you’re going to play alone, why did you come to the party? More than that, I still haven’t heard your identity?”
Yu Gojun asked me in an irritating tone, whether he was really curious or mocking me.
“Where are you planning to wait?”
At least it’s better to stick to an indoor corner than outside where it’s hard to breathe because of the pheromone smell.
I chose one of the four standalone villas, pointing to the relatively modest one.
Then.
“……Pfft! Uhahahahaha! Ah, you’re really an interesting person. Do you know what that place is for?”
Yu Gojun burst out laughing.
Not understanding, I opened my eyes slightly wider, and Yu Gojun wiped away tears as he began to explain.
“Haha, ahem. That’s a place for having private conversations.”
“Private? Is it a conference room or something?”
“Conference? Ahahaha! You really didn’t know. This is something.”
He continued speaking with difficulty while holding back laughter again.
“So. It’s a bit. Private and also embarrassing, you know? That place is tacitly designated for that kind of purpose. Among us.”
“…….”
“There are many interesting devices in the room. Like moving beds. That thing as thick as a forearm. Yes.”
……Ah, so.
The ‘room’ those people who approached me earlier were talking about sleeping in, was that room. That was really information I wanted to know…….
When I scrunched up my face as much as possible, Yu Gojun burst out laughing again.
“Ah, what should I really do? You’re so interesting that I don’t want to let you go.”
I wish you would let me go.
“Just play with me and then leave? Maybe it’s because I like novels. I can’t stand things that make me curious or that are interesting.”
I’m not interesting. Leave.
“Ah. If you don’t like noisy places, there’s a suitable location. There’s a room where my friends are waiting.”
“…….”
“No, no. Not that building. It’s a proper place.”
When I sent him a suspicious look, Yu Gojun waved his hand.
“They’re all good friends, so come comfortably. Everyone will welcome you.”
As expected, how about just waiting outside the hotel until Baek Jeongwoo comes?
As soon as I made that judgment, Yu Gojun said this.
“At least it’ll be much quieter with me by your side than you wandering around alone.”
Following his gaze, I looked around.
Around Yu Gojun and me, eyes that would jump into the conversation given the chance were glancing at us with eager gazes.
Seeing those burning eyes reminiscent of Baek Jeongwoo A, B, C, D…… they looked ready to follow me even if I left the hotel. I felt like a lamb surrounded by a pack of wolves.
A mysteriously irritating third-generation chaebol, and a group of alphas and omegas roughly emitting pheromones.
A difficult multiple choice.
“You’ll come, right?”
While Yu Gojun seemed to be asking my intention, he moved his feet first as if he hadn’t even considered the option to refuse.
When I reluctantly followed, he smiled.
“You’re unexpectedly quite shy?”
Everything’s fine, so I wish he’d just shut his mouth.
* * *
“Lee Yeongwoo? Don’t tell me that’s Yeongwoo?”
At the murmuring sound, Lee Yeongwoo stopped walking.
Two men wearing thin shower gowns over their swimsuits approached Lee Yeongwoo.
They were as short as Lee Yeongwoo, with slender bodies and pretty faces, making them look closer to boys than adults.
“You said you’d never come to a place like this even if you died, but you finally showed your face?”
“……Someone called me, so I had no choice but to come.”
At Lee Yeongwoo’s answer, the two men chuckled.
“Really? To order Lee Yeongwoo around. Who is it?”
“……Someone I know.”
“Must be a very close person? You absolutely wouldn’t come when we called.”
“I don’t like bustling things. You know that.”
“I know. Our Princess Yeongwoo.”
“I told you not to call me that.”
“Ahaha! Taking it so seriously. We’re fellow students with the same coordinator teacher, cut us some slack.”
The two laughed good-naturedly, but Lee Yeongwoo couldn’t smile.
The subtle emotion mixed in the smile. The dark gaze looking at him.
At times like this, Lee Yeongwoo resented his keen observation skills.
“I’m going.”
“Check your messages promptly. It’s not like you’re ignoring them on purpose.”
“Yeah…….”
Lee Yeongwoo made a promise he couldn’t keep and turned around.
Not many steps away, he heard whispering from behind.
“That Yeongwoo, pretends not to be, but if you look closely, he’s an attention seeker.”
Lee Yeongwoo almost stopped walking, but barely managed to step forward.
“Did you follow Yeongwoo’s art SNS too? Want to see?”
“What? He draws too? Wow, that really doesn’t suit him. What kind of drawing is this?”
“I don’t know. Landscape painting?”
“What, he draws decently.”
“You’re so naive. Like this would really be his own drawing.”
Nevertheless, their voices kept stabbing into his ears.
Even though they should have been drowned out by the music playing everywhere, mysteriously they came through clearly.
“A dominant omega, and his family is LK too. Just by breathing, alphas would swarm and life would be fun, so why art?”
“It’s obvious, what. Like flower shops, galleries, branding. There are tons of omegas doing that kind of thing.”
“Ah, they call that bride lessons these days, right? The greed is no joke. For a dominant to show off to alphas like that, making a fuss.”
“Honestly, isn’t what he’s doing…… kind of cringey?”
“For real! Ahaha!”
Lee Yeongwoo’s steps gradually slowed.
‘……That’s not it.’
He wanted to turn around and protest, but he couldn’t.
That was the virtue. The virtue befitting a dominant omega born into LK Group.
An omega must smile in front of others, not say unpleasant things. Pretend not to know even when knowing. Like a single flower that knows nothing, just bloom brightly.
Even when others bad-mouth you, even when grandmother pours out verbal abuse, even when your parents won’t allow you to apply to art school, even when your alpha siblings take away all your management rights while saying ‘you’re lucky as an omega because you don’t have to worry about anything and it’s convenient’…….
You must keep your mouth tightly shut and nod your head.
That was the family’s teaching.
There was one thing Lee Yeongwoo realized on his own within such education.
Violent and coercive people are alphas. Weak-willed yet cunning are omegas.
That was the truth Lee Yeongwoo felt in his 24 years of life.
‘I hate alphas and omegas.’
And, more than anything, he loathed himself for being born an omega.
Lee Yeongwoo, who had been looking around at his surroundings full of alphas and omegas, lowered his head deeply.
When he opened his phone, there was a message from someone.
[Idiot: You’re already there?]
[You must’ve really wanted to see your first love lololol]
This was the very person who called him here.
[Me: Shut up, where are you]
[Idiot: On my way. Play somewhere else]
[Me: Stop fucking around and come now!!!]
[Idiot: Bosses are supposed to arrive last]
[Don’t worry, your friend will definitely come today lololololol Would I lie at this point]
“Idiot…….”
Baek Jeongwoo is an idiot in every way, but he’s annoyingly good at spotting and exploiting others’ weaknesses.
Baek Gunho was also likely caught by Baek Jeongwoo’s weakness.
‘I…… have to somehow help Gunho at least.’
Of course, he didn’t know what situation Baek Gunho was in or how he was living.
Nevertheless, the fact that that Baek Gunho was friends with Baek Jeongwoo was hard to believe at face value.
‘Is Gunho already here?’
He concentrated for a moment and tried to follow the scent that had been faint in his memory.
But all he could sense were disgusting and promiscuous pheromones of unknown owners, mixed together like a stew.
‘There’s no way I could find him.’
Finding one person’s pheromone in a place like this. If such a thing were possible, you’d be a god or a supercomputer, not human.
He was smiling to himself while continuing such thoughts.
“Fuck. I fell for……it.”
Profanity was heard nearby.
The place where the voice came from was the first floor of a building with private spaces, a veranda area connected to the outdoor spa.
It was blocked by thin glass windows so he couldn’t hear well, but the atmosphere was hostile.
Fights breaking out at this party, which was mostly full of drunk people, were commonplace.
Lee Yeongwoo tried to go on his way with an indifferent face, but…….
“This…… Changnom bastard…… isn’t it?”
At one face visible beyond the veranda he’d casually glanced at, Lee Yeongwoo’s eyes widened greatly.
“Gunho?”
At the pale scent he’d forgotten after smelling it over 10 years ago, Lee Yeongwoo’s eyes came to life.
Then the moment the owner of that scent was surrounded by several men and grabbed by the collar.
Lee Yeongwoo jumped over the balcony railing and flung open the veranda door.
Unlike an omega.
