Just then, the person who answered the phone spoke with a voice barely suppressing hysteria. It was the person in charge of communicating with other guilds. It was obvious what they had heard.

[(Breaking News) Cheon Shin Woo of Jeokcheon, Meeting an Ordinary Person?

Cheon Shin Woo, famous for being ranked 1st domestically, reportedly meeting with an ordinary person…]

Yes, such an article was published. Someone had written this article with a photo of me and Cheon Shin Woo, taken from who knows where.

Surprisingly! The content about Cheon Shin Woo’s bad behavior was completely buried! Instead, a flood of articles about this private life matter appeared!

Just thinking about it gives me a headache. Even when I first saw that article yesterday, I really didn’t think much of it. I just clicked on the article thinking, ‘Who is Cheon Shin Woo meeting? It’s impressive. The person who managed to entice the rank 1.’

Even as I read the contents of the article, I didn’t think deeply. Even when it continued with things like ‘Cheon Shin Woo gently stroked the other person’s head, expressing affection…’, I only thought, ‘Cheon Shin Woo’s hands are indeed big.’

And then the photo provided by the informant. The moment I saw that the woman in that photo was wearing the same clothes as me, had the same hairstyle as me, and Cheon Shin Woo in front of her was stroking her head…

Only then did I understand the whole situation.

For about 3 seconds, I couldn’t think of anything. What kind of ridiculous, preposterous article was this? And when was that photo taken? The quality was terrible, as if it had been stolen like a thief.

Thanks to that terrible quality, my face wasn’t exposed. But unfortunately, that was the end of the good news.

[(Comment) The Cheon Shin Woo fanatics must all be crying their eyes outㅋㅋㅋㅋ Your oppa is dating an ordinary personㅇㅇ I knew it when you were defending that psycho murdererㅋ Congrats congrats]

The comments on the article, and the posts and other articles derived from it, were quite a sight.

Me? An ordinary person dating Cheon Shin Woo?

It would be more convincing to say that a passing dog was playing a leaf flute while doing the twist.

I was curious about when that photo was taken, who the informant was, and where the thoughtlessness of publishing an article without fact-checking came from, but there was nothing I could do.

Even if I said, ‘Excuse me, I’m the protagonist in that photo, and I’m not in any relationship with Cheon Shin Woo,’ how many people would believe me?

The internet sites were already in chaos.

For example.

[(Title) I know JG Con personally

I’ve actually seen that girl in personㅇㅇ. She’s surprisingly small and petite? Looks are just so-so. Why? I don’t think she’s up to JG Con’s standards.

(Comment) Stop lyingㅋㅋ Why would Cheon Shin Woo know you? Anyway, look at these empty-headed X’s rushing in excitedly about Cheon Shin Woo’s business when it’s not even their own ㅉㅉ;; Study more instead of doing thisㅋ

└Why are you raging alone? Are you an air conditioner fan?

(Comment) But the other person is Electric Conㅋㅋ Is it possible for that psycho to date anyone? His mother?

(Comment) Huh? I’m from Cheonrang and I think I know who it is. But her height wasn’t that short?

└What?

└└(This comment has been deleted.)

└└└Wow, really?

└└└└Yeah, I deleted the comment because it could identify her.

Like that.

Cheon Shin Woo’s search prevention words and nicknames were spread here and there as if it were natural.

More than that, someone who says they might know who I am because I attend Cheonrang, who on earth are you…

So now, I was overwhelmed with anxiety that someone might be watching me.

The thought that someone I don’t know might be writing anonymous posts claiming to know me while hiding their malice.

Even though I thought they wouldn’t go that far, the idea that someone among them might be watching me was stressful in itself.

Secondly, I couldn’t focus on work due to these anxious feelings, and all sorts of random thoughts came to mind.

Why on earth does Cheon Shin Woo’s bullying of the host have no repercussions, while I have to go through this ordeal?

‘Is he an idol or something?’

Even if an idol’s secret relationship was discovered, it would be quieter than this.

Honestly, I felt wronged. Why would Cheon Shin Woo be crazy enough to date an ordinary person? Someone like me, of all people.

I thought this controversy would die down over time since the information wasn’t certain and there was no new gossip, but it was getting worse.

On the fourth day after the article was published, I suddenly checked an anonymous site while working and saw.

[(Anonymous) Honestly, what’s so great about JG Con that he’s dating an ordinary person… If I were the other person, I would have prostrated myself and said, “I’m honored.” They must be really confident? ㅋㅋ;; Looking at the photo makes me more embarrassed.

(Anonymous) Reallyㅇㅇ Those are truly eyes of love. Hya~ I’m jealous. I wish I could be loved so deeply by ㅇㅇCon too.

(Anonymous) What the f**k does she think she is to date our oppa? I’m going to kill her, don’t stop me. I’m really going to find her with a knifeㅋ I’m A-grade too, you know? An ordinary person? I’m really going to kill that b**ch and go to heavenㅋ

(Anonymous) ? You’ll probably die by Cheon Shin Woo’s hand first?]

Looking at the comment with the death threat, I thought for a moment. If I report this to the police… No, I can’t. It would identify who I am.

A week after the article was published, there was no contact from Cheon Shin Woo, and Cheonrang made no response to the dating rumors.

Just when I thought it might be forgotten, someone would post something and news would come up. Most of it was insults directed at me. Juicy insults towards the ordinary person who dared to snag Cheon Shin Woo.

As I kept receiving insults I never asked for, I started to feel dizzy with frustration. I don’t know why I keep looking for reactions when I could just ignore them.

When the team leader finally asked with a worried face, “Do you want to take sick leave if it’s hard?”, I had to acknowledge my condition.

“I’m fine. I’m sorry, I’ll do it without any mistakes.”

“No, more than anything else… Ha Young, it hasn’t been long since you went through the gate, right? Even hunters who start work for the first time sometimes take a few days off and go for counseling due to aftereffects after going through a gate once. I’m wondering if you’re okay. If it’s really hard, take a rest. Should I recommend a good counseling place?”

At that moment, something welled up inside me. The kindness that some might consider meddling felt warm. My problem isn’t gate aftereffects, but I was still grateful.

“Thank you, but I’m really okay. I’ll make sure not to worry you.”

“…Alright for now. But if it gets hard, you must tell me, okay?”

“Yes.”

The team leader went back with a concerned expression. I tried to pretend I was fine and continued with my work.

‘It’s been a few days without any incidents, so it should be fine.’

Maybe I’m just being overly sensitive.

I let out a brief sigh.

As I calmed down a bit, another question came to mind.

Come to think of it, it was strange. I heard that even fairly capable hunters suffer severe aftereffects from gates unless they have mental-type skills, so why am I not affected at all?

Zing.

As I was lost in thought instead of working, my phone rang. Looking at the screen, I saw the name of someone who had been consistently checking on me despite my lack of replies.

[BYH: I heard from elder sister Min Young. You got caught up in a gate recently? Are you okay?]

This guy was persistent, even though I barely replied once every three or four times.

‘…Hmm.’

For a brief moment, I hesitated. If I asked to meet, he would probably make time. Given my limited social circle, there weren’t many people I could meet.

Should I call him out and vent a little?

‘Nah, I have my pride. Not Baek Yi Hyun.’

Just as I was about to dismiss the idea.

[BYH: If you’re free, want to meet today? I’ll treat you to a meal.] [Me: OK. Buy me chicken and beer.] [BYH: ?] [BYH: Who is this?]

After I replied, I got a “Who is this?” in return.

“This guy…”

After I finally replied, this is how he responds. I felt like getting angry, but then I thought it was my karma, and no words came out. I silently typed.

[Me: I ate Park Ha Young. If you want her back, bring half and half boneless chicken and 900cc of beer to KKCK.] [BYH: Haha, you scared me. Alright. Should I wait at our usual place?] [Me: Yeah, I’ll be there around 7:30 after work.] [BYH: I’ll be waiting.]

He’s a returnee just like me and surely received the same education, but I don’t know why only he uses such a polite way of speaking. Am I just cheap?

Still, making plans to meet someone made me feel better. Although he’s someone I’m uncomfortable with, it’s better than festering alone inside.

Since I’m not paying, I should ask for something expensive.

[This is the timeline separator]

During the bustling rush hour, I arrived at our meeting place filled with all sorts of noise, and in the distance, I saw a white head of hair.

A decently tall figure with a well-built physique, snow-white hair, and sky-blue eyes. That exotic appearance is Baek Yi Hyun’s trademark.

It’s fascinating, really. They say your appearance changes to some extent when you awaken, but there probably aren’t many people who changed so unrealistically.

Baek Yi Hyun was a mysterious boy with white hair and blue eyes from the time he returned. He received a lot of affection for his cute looks that seemed to blend Eastern and Western features.

He seemed to be waiting for me while looking at his phone. Except for his clothes, he looked exactly the same as when I last saw him, which suddenly made me feel mischievous.

I should tease him.

I hid myself among the mixed crowd and erased my presence. Trying to approach as quietly as possible, just as I was about to shout ‘Boo!’ at him.

“Long time no see, Ha Young. Have you been well?”

Baek Yi Hyun turned his body and looked at me as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

“…No fun.”

“Haha, I thought I’d pretend to be surprised once since it’s you, but it’s so obvious.”

Baek Yi Hyun, with his literally angelic appearance, said with a kind smile.

Of course, he wouldn’t fall for it. After all, he was a high-ranked awakened one with good instincts.

Still, it’s no fun when it’s no fun. Of course, I would have been more upset if he had pretended to be surprised.

“I’ll react properly next time. More importantly, it’s been a while. Almost a year?”

“It’s been 4 months, actually.”

“No, it’s been half a year. You haven’t changed at all.”

“You knew that? You haven’t changed either.”

“Hehe, is that so?”

Baek Yi Hyun let out a laugh that sounded like deflating air and slowly started walking. As if there wasn’t any awkwardness in meeting after a long time, he just seemed happy.

“How have you been lately?”

“Me? Well, same as always. The only new thing is that I entered an A-rank gate for the first time recently.”

“Wow… that’s amazing.”

“What about you?”

“Me? Well, so-so. Just living well.”

I’ve experienced an S-rank gate that even you haven’t been to. I couldn’t bring myself to say such a thing, so I just gave a vague answer. Baek Yi Hyun’s expression was still just a kind smile.

“I heard you joined Cheonrang. Congratulations.”

“That’s old news, it’s been quite a while since I joined.”

“Well, you hardly ever answer my calls.”

“…”