“When is Choi Yoon coming?”

The Minister of Supernatural Affairs frowned.

The Chief of Staff hastily replied.

“The photo shoot just ended. He’s on his way right now.”

At a traditional Korean restaurant in Seoul.

A dinner for high-ranking government officials was in full swing.

However, they had not yet gotten to the main point.

Because the most important person, top star Choi Yoon, had not arrived yet.

The minister muttered.

“This policy must succeed. Choi Yoon, you confirmed he’s clean, right?”

“He’s not just any celebrity. Choi Yoon is like a trump card. If we can use him, we should.”

As soon as the Chief of Staff finished speaking, the PR Director added.

“Lee Kang Woo is personally handling him. You can rest assured as there’s not a single flaw to be found.”

“Lee Kang Woo?”

A look of slight relief crossed the minister’s face.

He glanced at the report in front of him.

Choi Yoon’s profile was briefly summarized.

#1 Celebrity Preferred by Advertisers
#1 in Actor Brand Reputation for 10 Consecutive Years
#1 Overall Favorite Celebrity Among Koreans

A congressman sitting across from him snorted.

“He’s still just an entertainer. Even the biggest stars can be bought for the right price, can’t they?”

Laughter spread among the group.

That’s when it happened.

A man strode into the room.

Tall and well-built, with a simple appearance. His face was dazzling enough to overwhelm those who saw it.

“I’m a bit late.”

Choi Yoon smiled brightly and pulled out a chair with a loud noise. He plopped down, crossed his legs, and waved off an approaching staff member.

“I’ve already eaten.”

In the uncomfortable atmosphere, the Chief of Staff urgently urged.

“Have a little. The talk will be long.”

“Sitting among such important people makes me nervous, killing my appetite. I wonder if I should be taking up the time of such esteemed individuals.”

However, there wasn’t a trace of nervousness on his face as he spoke.

Choi Yoon took a big gulp of water and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand holding the cup.

He said, as if annoyed.

“I’m already serving as the promotional ambassador for the full survey. I’m lending my face as a talent donation to avoid unnecessary noise. So what more do you want me to do?”

Faced with Choi Yoon’s arrogant attitude, yet perfect aura that bizarrely turned their displeasure into a strange pleasure, everyone struggled to respond.

Choi Yoon frowned.

He put down the cup he was holding with irritation.

“Who should I be talking to?”

The minister, who was the first to come to his senses, held out his business card.

“I’m Ki Jae Hyun, Minister of Supernatural Affairs. If you take on this task, we’ll compensate you generously.”

Choi Yoon took the card with one hand and shoved it into his pants pocket without looking at it.

“Minister, I’m a patriot. How could I take money for serving my country?”

The tense atmosphere relaxed somewhat.

But the next moment, Choi Yoon’s gaze smoothly fixed on the congressman.

“And I don’t need money. I’m quite a wealthy entertainer.”

The congressman’s face turned bright red. As he was about to say something, Minister Ki Jae Hyun hurriedly intercepted.

“We didn’t just want a simple promotional ambassador from the beginning. This policy needs to be handled carefully. We’re talking about drawing blood from the arms of every citizen. It’s bound to be sensitive.”

“I know. So?”

“The backlash is more severe than expected.”

Choi Yoon tilted his head. Ki Jae Hyun added.

“Not from humans, but from the supernatural side.”

Others started to chime in.

“Protests are already breaking out everywhere. Even media control has its limits. We need an incident that can quell this.”

“Humans seem willing to endure a blood test if it means identifying disguised supernaturals. The problem is the supernaturals.”

“They may just be waving candles now, but… you know how supernaturals become violent when cornered.”

“Protests are flaring up centered around the supernatural districts.”

‘Supernatural districts’. Areas where supernaturals make up over 50% of the population.

“Especially Jangcheon is in an uproar.”

Choi Yoon’s fingertips, which had been tapping the table as if bored, suddenly stopped.

Haewon-eup, Jangcheon-gun.

Choi Yoon’s hometown.

“Jangcheon? Where’s that backwater?”

“It’s a county in North Gyeongsang Province. It’s particularly bad there. Apparently they’re banging gongs day and night in front of the county office without getting tired. It’s paralyzing operations to the point that the governor came yesterday asking for intervention at the central level.”

Choi Yoon abruptly asked.

“Why are they opposing?”

Silence fell.

Everyone looked bewildered. As if they had received an incomprehensible question.

Choi Yoon asked again.

“There must be a reason for their opposition.”

Ki Jae Hyun cleared his throat.

“They’re claiming the government is using the full survey as an excuse to discriminate against and control supernaturals.”

“But that’s not true.”

Choi Yoon frowned and continued.

“You’re not conducting the full survey to discriminate, are you? Isn’t it to identify disguised supernaturals?”

“It’s being perceived differently.”

“Why are people misunderstanding the government’s intentions? The citizens aren’t fools. Is it due to lack of publicity?”

“Who knows. Maybe supernaturals are trying to cover for each other.”

“That’s nonsense. Even among supernaturals, disguised ones are called traitors. Do you think other supernaturals would like those who pretend to be human just to live well on their own? No way.”

Ki Jae Hyun closed his mouth.

Choi Yoon spoke again.

“Why don’t you just announce to the public that the purpose is only to identify disguised supernaturals?”

“It’s not that simple.”

Choi Yoon narrowed his brows.

He slowly adjusted his posture.

“Is there some other inside story I don’t know? If so, you’ve been lying to me?”

Ki Jae Hyun tried to say something. But Choi Yoon didn’t give him a chance to explain.

“I lent my image believing the full survey was to identify disguised supernaturals. But what’s this situation now? You’re the ones who said you’d set the right justification to gain active support from both humans and supernaturals.”

“Politics changes day by day. Back then…”

“Back then?”

Choi Yoon interrupted, cutting off his words.

He sharply scanned the surroundings. After quickly checking the faces of those gathered, Choi Yoon exhaled.

“Ah, I see now that I’m sitting right in the middle of the ruling party. I came here splitting my time for the sake of the country, but this is just a half-baked…”

“Watch your words…!”

The Chief of Staff exclaimed in a low voice, but Choi Yoon didn’t hide his displeasure.

“Recently, there’s been a movement in the opposition party to restore voting rights to supernaturals. If it becomes reality, all supernaturals will vote for the opposition.”

Now there was no trace of a smile on Choi Yoon’s face.

“To prevent that, you’ve started attaching various discriminatory policies to the full survey, which already has sufficient justification for identifying disguised supernaturals, haven’t you? For example…”

Choi Yoon tilted his head, pretending to think.

“…With accurate data from the full survey, control becomes easier, right? Even if voting rights are granted, you could give them differentially, like only to third-generation supernaturals with diluted blood? That would drastically reduce votes going to the opposition. Did I guess correctly? This is just off the top of my head.”

No one opened their mouth.

Ki Jae Hyun broke the silence.

“Restrictions on supernatural entry, certifications for supernatural-free institutions, weren’t those all promoted by you?”

“That was when I was young and didn’t know better, just doing what the agency told me. As I grew up, I gradually sorted things out and now I’m not involved in anything. I understand you might think that way since the image is so ingrained, but.”

“But you took on the role of promotional ambassador for the full survey, and recently filmed a public service announcement for reporting disguised supernaturals, didn’t you?”

“Minister, that targets disguised supernaturals, not supernaturals in general.”

“You admit there’s no problem with the full survey itself, right?”

“If it stays true to the purpose of identifying disguised supernaturals, sure. But if you plan to use it as a foothold to deny voting rights to supernaturals, I’m out.”

“You don’t want the full survey to become meaningless because of those protests that hardly qualify as protests, and for disguised supernaturals to continue shamelessly walking around pretending to be human, do you?”

Choi Yoon didn’t answer. Ki Jae Hyun added.

“There should be no more victims like your father, right?”

Choi Yoon looked incredulous. He spat out.

“What exactly do you want from me? Let’s hear it.”

“Your childhood, you know. We’d like to highlight that. We’ll arrange the venue.”

“The whole nation knows I’m a terrible son who killed his father. What’s the point of bringing up something that’s already been milked dry?”

“I believe you’ve never personally mentioned it.”

Choi Yoon’s eyes narrowed. Ki Jae Hyun repeated.

“Talk show, variety show, whatever program you want. Just say the word. We’ll set the stage, and all you have to do is say with your own mouth that you lost your father to a disguised supernatural when you were young. That will give new momentum to the full survey. Even supernaturals will turn to our side.”

“What if the protests continue?”

“If you sway public opinion first, even if we suppress the protests afterward, there won’t be much backlash. It’s important for the public to fear that hidden disguised supernaturals in those protests might harm someone else’s father.”

“Sounds like you’re planning to deploy special police.”

“The supernatural side was the first to use violence and break trust. We humans have the right to defend ourselves.”

“Aren’t these peaceful protests? You said they’re holding candles and gongs. Not all supernaturals are criminals just because they’re supernatural.”

“Their nature is dangerous. Supernatural crimes are increasing day by day.”

“What about hate crimes then? Supernaturals account for nearly 90% of victims in the four major violent crimes.”

“Reality isn’t statistics. The public feels an even greater threat. We need to address that.”

“What we need to address is prejudice. Not cater to that prejudice.”

“Who doesn’t know the ideal? If things were that simple…”

“We just need to filter out the disguised supernaturals. Anything beyond that is crossing the line. Just be honest and say you don’t want to give even a single vote to the opposition party.”

Choi Yoon and Ki Jae Hyun glared at each other for a moment.

The congressman broke the tense silence with a cough.

“I’m curious about something.”

When Choi Yoon turned his gaze, the congressman continued.

“I heard you can’t act if there’s a supernatural on set. That’s why none of your works so far have scenes where you face a supernatural.”

“You mean that stock market rumor? It’s true.”

“It’s true?”

“Yes. It’s not a rumor.”

“Then you must dislike supernaturals?”

“Congressman, I’m a survivor of the Gumiho mass murder case. I saw my father killed by a Gumiho right before my eyes when I was young. It would be stranger if I didn’t dislike supernaturals. I admit it. I have trauma.”

“Then if the full survey falls through, the opposition gives voting rights to all supernaturals, and they start running around freely in society and even crawling into the film industry, wouldn’t that narrow your position?”

Choi Yoon blinked. For a moment, he seemed completely convinced.

But the next instant, Choi Yoon burst out laughing.

After barely stopping his laughter, he said playfully.

“This is the first time I’ve heard someone worry about my position narrowing. I’d like to see that happen. Give me a break too.”

His eyes were cold.

Choi Yoon crossed his arms on the table. Just that, but Ki Jae Hyun felt as if the air was being pushed towards him.

Staring at the congressman, Choi Yoon said bitingly.

“This is a separate issue, Congressman.”

“If I were you, I’d consider us on the same side. That’s why I’m saying this.”

“It’s completely separate.”

“Even if supernaturals don’t get voting rights, you won’t lose anything. It’s actually to your advantage.”

“Let’s say you dislike dogs, Congressman. Would you then make a law banning dog walking? If people with power push everything according to their whims, what would become of the world?”

“I don’t understand. Why deliberately create a situation disadvantageous to yourself…”

“There’s no disadvantageous situation for me. The world changes naturally. If one day I’m not seen on screen, it’s not because the world has become unfavorable to me, but because I’ve become obsolete in the world.”

At the end of his words, Choi Yoon detached himself from the table. His face showed complete loss of interest.

“But isn’t it the same for you, Congressman? Both entertainers and politicians ultimately make a living off popularity votes.”

Choi Yoon stood up.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear anything today.”

Ki Jae Hyun said in a low voice.

“If you leave so rudely, I’ll meet with CEO Lee Kang Woo to discuss this.”

Choi Yoon, who was about to leave, stopped and turned around. His face was cold.

“Earlier, the congressman said entertainers would do anything for money, right? If you want to use my past and pressure my agency, I’ll reveal the list of which entertainers took your money. Shall we create a mess of tit for tat? And.”

With his eyes on Ki Jae Hyun, Choi Yoon jerked his chin towards the congressman.

“If you want to be loved by the people, tell him to throw away that tie. The taste is just…”

The door slammed shut with Choi Yoon’s irritated face as the final image.