The Price of a Name

‘I’m doomed.’

My resentment toward the guy who cut me in line only grew deeper.

If I had possessed an extra, I wouldn’t have to worry about “how to survive.” Improving things with Lee Dohun and staying out of Jin Yeon-oh’s way was already overwhelming, but now I had a half-brother’s schemes to deal with.

But what could I do? Since I was stuck in Baek Seohan’s body, I only had one choice. I just let my anger toward the “line-cutter” pile up inside me.

“I called you here because I have some news for you.”

“News?”

The precarious atmosphere vanished in the blink of an eye. “Baek Seohan’s” face, smiling brightly as if he were hearing exactly what he’d been waiting for, played a huge role in that.

“You remember Uncle Hoseung, who used to adore you? His mother is turning ninety and is hosting a charity party. I’m quite busy, and since you love parties, I thought you could go in my place.”

“I’d love to.”

“I noticed you’ve grown distant from the friends you used to hang out with, so I put some thought into this. Use this chance to mend those relationships, okay?”

Regardless of the weight pressing down on me at the mention of a “party,” Baek Seohan accepted the offer instantly.

‘You’re not even the one going, so why are you accepting so fast…!’

I could already see the future. Soon enough, I would be standing at that party with an expression that screamed I’d rather be dead, having had no choice but to attend.

“Right, the party is tomorrow evening.”

……My “soon enough” was much closer than I thought. The only consolation was that, thanks to “Baek Seohan,” I didn’t have to struggle to manage my facial expressions. If I had been in control, I would’ve glared at him with pure annoyance written all over my face.

‘I am never meeting him again.’

My first encounter with Baek Jaehyun ended on the worst possible note.

I ended up at a charity party I had no business being at. From the moment the meeting with Baek Jaehyun ended and I regained control of my body, I couldn’t wipe the sour look off my face.

If not for the system, my mood—which had plummeted to rock bottom—might never have recovered.

[Upon reaching 25% Synchronization, you will obtain ‘Baek Seohan’s’ secret bank account and contact list (ㅅ´˘`)!]

My eyes sparkled at the word “account.”

‘Money!’

The more money, the better. Especially if it was Baek Seohan’s personal funds, entirely separate from the Baekyoung Group.

One of my biggest worries was solved in an instant. If I eventually clashed with Baek Jaehyun, the money I was currently spending so freely could be cut off at any moment. For my grand dream of surviving and living as a wealthy slacker, I needed a safety net.

Feeling slightly better, I flopped onto the bed and stared at the words “secret contact list.”

“Whose contact list is it?”

[Please raise the Synchronization Rate to 25% ♪(›◡‹)!]

It had no intention of telling me yet.

I slowly blinked. This sudden meeting had doubled the things I needed to worry about, but my immediate options were limited.

Judging by the system’s promise of rewards at 25%, it seemed that as I steadily increased the rate over time, I would gain access to more helpful tools.

Nothing had changed. I was still Baek Seohan, and I still needed to focus on raising the synchronization level for the time being.

There was no need to feel anxious or restless.

“Why? I haven’t even done anything scary yet.”

……Actually, maybe a little anxiety is necessary?

I reversed my stance on that within less than a day.

Since I had lived and died like a worker bee in my past life, I had never stepped foot in a place like a charity party. With Secretary Choi’s help, I managed to look the part. Baek Seohan had a naturally great frame, so he looked good in just about anything.

But despite looking the part, the discomfort of being in such a place was unavoidable.

‘They all look like high society.’

Everyone I passed in the lavish ballroom seemed extraordinary. Baek Seohan was the second son of the economy-ruling Baekyoung Group, but as the one inhabiting his body, I couldn’t help but feel out of place.

The most daunting part was the people.

“It’s been a long time.”

People I didn’t know at all walked up to greet me.

“I feel like it hasn’t been that long, but you’ve grown up so much. You’re at the perfect age for marriage, aren’t you?”

Others approached while subtly emphasizing the word “marriage.”

“My daughter is around your age, Seohan-gun. If you’re interested, why don’t you two meet?”

Some even went as far as suggesting a blind date directly.

Strangers kept coming up to say hello, ask how I was doing, and even try to set me up. Despite his terrible personality, Baek Seohan apparently had a wide social circle. It was likely because people were looking at his background rather than his character.

He was the second son of one of Korea’s top two conglomerates and incredibly handsome to boot. Like a swarm of bees to a flower, people crowded around him whether he wanted them to or not.

I tried my best to decline them politely. But apparently, Baek Seohan had never done that before.

“Did something happen recently? You’ve suddenly become so mature. Haha, I knew you’d grow up eventually, but seeing it for myself makes me quite proud.”

A middle-aged man I didn’t even know the name of beamed at me. Hearing him, I debated whether I should actually say “thank you” to that.

After being hounded for a long while, I was already mentally and physically exhausted, and the party hadn’t even officially begun.

‘How did Baek Seohan get rid of all these people?’ I wanted to learn his secret.

[Info | When attending parties, ‘Baek Seohan’ would mock people he disliked by saying their faces weren’t worth remembering, and he would reject marriage proposals by saying they weren’t on his level.(〃´o｀)=3]

……Yeah, that wasn’t going to work for me.

I only ended up confirming how trashy his personality was again. I gave up on trying to imitate him. I could now fully understand why the man earlier thought I had “matured.”

Once the crowd around me thinned out, I scanned the room. Not just to look around, but with a sharp eye for a quiet spot where I could be left alone.

‘A glass of champagne and a corner. That would be perfect.’

……Or so I thought.

“Seohan! Long time no see!”

Someone slapped my back.

It was actually a light tap, but having been surrounded by crowds and on edge, I couldn’t stop the sudden surge of annoyance. I turned around with a chilling gaze.

It was a face I didn’t recognize. He was around my age, but since he wasn’t as handsome as Jin Yeon-oh, he was clearly an extra who hadn’t even been mentioned in the novel. My gaze slid downward.

His suit looked like something he’d just picked up anywhere; the buttons on his protruding belly looked ready to pop at any second. Unaware of my cold look, the guy—who had a group of similar-looking cronies trailing behind him—spoke in a brazen voice.

“Why haven’t you called? I was hurt, thinking you’d lost interest. You’re the life of the party, man. What have you been up to?”

“……”

“Ah! These are the guys I wanted to introduce to you this time. Hey, what are you doing? Say hel—”

“Hey.”

He stopped mid-sentence. The guy who had been rambling loudly finally looked me in the eye. Seeing my gaze, which held not a single shred of warmth, his body began to tremble.

I gave a short, mocking laugh at his reaction. I wondered how a guy so cowardly that he’d shake from a single look had the nerve to act familiar with “Baek Seohan.”

[Info | ‘Baek Seohan’ frequently cycled through his social circle……(ﾟдﾟ；)!]

I had been worried about cutting off one of the few connections Baek Seohan had, but as soon as I saw the system’s info, I opened my mouth.

“Let’s act like we don’t know each other from now on.”

I thought that was a pretty toned-down way of saying it.

If it were the real Baek Seohan, he would have just said, “F*ck off.” I watched the man’s face turn white for a moment before turning away without hesitation. He wasn’t a face I’d ever need to see again.

Having successfully shaken off everyone trying to play the friend card, I walked toward the corner I had scouted earlier with a glass of champagne in hand. It was definitely better than the crowded center.

“This is actually good.”

The alcohol I sipped was quite tasty. I didn’t have enough experience with expensive liquor to critique it, but the fact that it suited “Baek Seohan’s” palate was a guarantee that it was top-shelf.