Reincarnation (2)

It took her roughly half an hour before she was calm enough to take in information. The system assaulted her with the typical info of what it means to be an Alpha. But it is different from what she's read. She's thankful for it.

At the very least, all genders had the same start, just little bits of differences. It had the familiarity of give and take. After all, even the hero Achilles had a fatal flaw.

Ae-Rin listened to all of it attentively.

"So do I have an ability?" She asks after hearing there was the capability of magic in this era.

[Possibly.]

Ae-Rin was curious. This was the second question in which the system has subtlety denied her the answer. But she didn't ask. Partly because they arrived in their destination and partly because all answers will cater themselves.

The cab opened up and Ae-Rin got out. She was in the plaza, the main hub before the whole city started out its maze-like sprawl. There were many streets and each were crowded. It was dominated more with people than with vehicles but Ae-Rin could catch sight of a few cabs landing like hers and leaving as soon as the passengers stepped down.

The floor beneath her feet was a stunning cobblestone with intricate designs in the way they are placed to come off with a pattern.

In the middle is a stunning fountain.

"Ahh! Pretty lady!" Ae-Rin flinched at the call-out, looking behind to see a person running up to her with a gentle smile before abruptly stopping when finally in front of her.

Their eyes were wide.

"I---" Ae-Rin watch them pause, their breathing briefly labored as they stared down at her. She hears the system scoff in her head.

[They are enamored.]

The person coughs. "Hello! I am Rang, and I go by he. I noticed you were still using the old version of our light assistants!"

Light... assistants? Ae-Rin frowned until she realized it must've been what her watch was called. The one that had features for the so called 'interweb' and cab options. The so-called 'prehistoric technology'.

Ae-Rin smiled in response and gave a nod.

He pauses once again and she watches his cheeks flush.

"We have a store up there selling the latest light assistants! Different versions with different capabilities, would you like to check it out pretty lady?" Rang comments before suddenly digging into his pockets. He takes out a piece of paper and pen, quickly scribbling something on it. "If you're busy and can't get it right now, here is the address and my phone number to contact!"

Ae-Rin took it in with a smile, and internally talked to the system inside her head.

'Should I?' She questioned.

[It would be best to. If a future idol is caught using such old technology... Yes, definitely buy one.]

Ae-Rin frowns at the demeaning way her system looks at her watch. The person Rang anxiously shifts on his feet. Ae-Rin's brows were fragile, thin and sharp---and yet carefully curved. When it scrunches up to a frown, her face contorts to seeming worry than disgust.

'I don't have money.'

[You have startup funds. Go and get one.]

At that, the system no longer talked to her. Ae-Rin scoffs and only then notices that the person called Rang was still waiting for her reply.

She has to be careful next time not to show any emotions when talking to the system.

She restored her smile and nods for the other to lead her away for the new 'light assistant' as she pockets the paper.

---

Once again, Ae-Rin was astounded by the store. As said by Rang, there were many light assistants disguised into daily accessories. There were assistants that helped in life matters and tracking heartbeats, or reminders.

Shelves were stacked at the left and right were walls. They were filled with seeming things called chips and 'extras' for all kinds of assistants. In the middle of the spacial space around the shop were glass-encased light assistants. Watches, necklaces---earrings. If Ae-Rin didn't know, she'd think it's a mysterious shop filled with simple ti extravegant daily trinkets.

As Ae-Rin browse among the glass encased ones. After a moment, just as she picks a white stud, simply and befitting her appearance, she overhears low and hushed tones. She doesn't mean to eavesdrop but it sounds conspiratory. At her past life, she was used to hearing gossip rather than reading it. Ever since her parents downfall, they did not allow her to buy magazines. Anything that involved the entertainment industry was a no.

Ae-Rin turns lightly, making sure she looks casual. She first eyes Rang who was on the counter, then she catches sight to whom the whispers beloned to. It was from two highschool girls. She only assumes this however. They wore highschool uniforms that were similar to what she wore at her own time. Except theirs had small customizations, flairs. Also, it was simpler and sleek.

"I heard Wonder Entertainment is opening up auditions again for the Newcomer's Variety Show." Rather than in the wonder, one of them had an ugly frown on her face. She had simple brown hair with blonde highlights, a small face and full lips. She had a small nose and her form was slender compared to Ae-Rin's fitter form.

"I really worry for them, you know? Wonder Entertainment doesn't need the useless and cheap auditioning for such classy show." The same student continues. All Ae-Rin can say is that the other fit the concept of a spoiled princess.

The student beside her nods. Unlike the other, this one had a shorter stature and donned her hair with waves than any colors. Her face was simple and clear. Looking at her, Ae-Rin felt a sense of staring at a clear pond, surrounded by flowers and trees. A calm aura.

But she despises it.

These two girls had the appearance however...

"They should just choose one of us. We're already trainees and yet slots are wasted for those preparing for the auditions." The seemingly calm as a deep-pool responds in which the blonde purses her lips, her face in approval.

"I agree."

Ae-Rin's eyes flashed while hearing all of it. Cheap and useless... How very vain. They had the face but not the demeanor, that is, exceot the spoiled princess. She plays her part well. Ae-Rin sneers and feigns looking over. The two highschool girls were shifting aisles until they come to her side, walking to where Ae-Rin is.

'System,'

[Yes?]

'Can you check their informations?'

[Yes.]

The female voice had confidence and assurance whilst saying it.

'Check their details for me, please.'

It takes a moment before a ding is heard.

[One is Nana, a streamer who has many male fans and seem to debut soon in Wonder Entertainment. Information is tight, however, in one of her streams, she softly boasts her debut. The other is still a trainee, she is working hard. Her name is Byeol.]

Ae-Rin nods, digging into her pocket for a paper. Girls like that could be knocked down a peg or two. She earnestly shifts her position, changing her demeanor to an earnest fan as the two girls got closer.

Ae-Rin excitedly seems to walk to meet them.

They don't notice her until Ae-Rin abruptly and 'accidentally' bumps into one while trying to ask for something. The blonde girl trips whilst Ae-Rin remains standing, easily using the glass encasement behind the girl as her balance to settle her feet.

The spoiled princess lets out a yelp and the other immiedietly comes to her defense.

"Why don't you watch, bitch!" The one who fell turned to Ae-Rin. Ae-Rin flinches, acting the part of a fan who's surprised by their idol's behavior. She catches sight of their name, Nana, coincidentally the one Ae-Rin wanted to trip. The one who assists her helps her stand up. "Didn't you see we were walking by?!"

Ae-Rin composes herself quick, taking the pitiful one. Her height helps it, making her look weak. The paper in her hand shakes.

"I-I only wanted---" an autograph... But before Ae-Rin could finish her sentence, Nana sneers. The system says nothing as Ae-Rin completes her act of a feeble, shocked fan.

"You're the one acting victim, huh!" At that Nana lunges for her but the other student quickly holds her back with a comment.

"You're going to debut soon." She whispers while looking at her surroundings, at the people going close and whispering.

Nana pales. Ae-Rin backs away, fresh tears clouding her eyes. She sees the glare go her way before Nana quickly hurries out of the shop.

Ae-Rin watches her go, the paper in her hand falls and her eyes actively dims. The system seems to want to respond as Ae-Rin hears a ding, then a long pause.

[Was the scheming necessary?]

It takes a moment before Rang comes back and Ae-Rin continiously played a discouraged fan as she seems to just point to anything. While, in fact, she has already chosen what light assistant she wanted.

As expected, she sees Rang stares at the simple earring, and his brows furrow in confusion and worry. He seems to want to say something but Ae-Rin quickly passes by him, she briefly catches his discouraged expression but when she meets his eyes, there still is the genuine curiosity in them.

As they come to the encounter, that is only when Ae-Rin deigns a reply to the awaiting system.

After a moment, the system replies after her explanation.

[The scheming is definitely worth it, then.]