* * *
“There’s always that one-in-a-million chance. We’re just preparing a backup, that’s all.”
When Seohwa spoke with a sweet smile, Kang Yigeon’s eyes grew even harder.
“Ah, everyone’s here!”
Just then, Go Junyoung entered.
Under his command, the memorization session began.
First, Seohwa and Wolf exchanged profiles.
Wolf’s disguised identity as a non-Awakened—Wolf Thomas Watson—had an extensive profile.
No matter how far he scrolled, it didn’t end.
An American, 45 years old. Born in California.
A teacher for a father and an office worker for a mother.
A younger sister three years apart…
And it continued, listing his entire business history and dating record.
Divorced once, no children.
His latest hobbies: skydiving and wingsuit flying.
“Pretty dangerous hobbies for a non-Awakened.”
“Hm? Ah, you mean the wingsuit? Well, that’s boring for an S-rank Awakened like me. You have to enjoy it while posing as a non-Awakened.”
Wolf thought for a moment, then added:
“Pretty thrilling for a C-rank though. Interested in trying it together?”
Truthfully, Seohwa was very interested.
In the first timeline, Seohwa had enjoyed those extreme activities too.
‘Avoid risky hobbies like skydiving and wingsuit flying.’
‘They’re not that dangerous for an S-rank.’
‘Even S-ranks die if they fall from great heights. And with the Guild Leader of Danbaek showing interest, kids will try to copy. Set an example and stop those hobbies.’
‘Ah, bringing up the kids is cheating… Fine, I’ll stop. But what am I supposed to do for fun? I love those spine-tingling, cringe-inducing, tear-welling activities. Got any recommendations, Assistant Gam?’
‘…….’
‘Crying under Mr. Kang Yigeon doesn’t count as a dangerous hobby, right?’
Now that no one was stopping him, maybe he should actually try it?
Tempted, his thoughts were interrupted by a cold voice:
“Many young students want to mimic what Hunters do. Refrain from dangerous behavior.”
Wolf sneered, calling it typical agent-like rigidity, but Seohwa’s heart clenched, reminded of the past.
He wanted to jokingly say, ‘Crying under Mr. Kang Yigeon sounds safe enough,’ but here, no—now—he could never say such a thing again.
“Anyway, your fake identity’s profile is incredibly detailed. You’ve lived a full life, even while working as a Hunter.”
“To fool Market NPCs, you need this level of detail.”
“Means there’s so much to memorize.”
“Apologies for that. On the other hand, your profile…”
Unlike Seohwa’s lengthy one, Wolf’s screen showed just a single page.
“Ridiculously short. Lee Yuje, Korean, 32, C-rank. Such a dull profile.”
“Isn’t being a mage special enough?”
“More special is the fact you’re the Poison King. Why not add ‘King of Poisonous Mushrooms’ to your profile?”
“I’ll be teased about those mushrooms for life at this rate.”
“Be glad for the mushrooms—without them, you’d seem like the fake identity. Your profile’s so boring.”
Wolf probably meant it lightly, but Seohwa flinched.
Unlike the genuine couple, Kang Yigeon and Yoon Youngin, theirs was the meeting of two disguised identities.
Only, one side didn’t know the other was fake.
Seohwa had never set his [Stooge] profile in much detail. He couldn’t predict what kind of questions this test would throw at him.
While using [Stooge], the system recognizes you as ‘Lee Yuje.’
Since the system validated it this way, the next set of questions will clearly be about Yuje, not Seohwa…
If they ask, “What’s Yuje’s mother’s name?”—that’s fine. I’ve already set that detail.
But what if it’s something like, “What’s Yuje’s great-grandmother’s name?”
I never set that up—how am I supposed to answer correctly?
‘My cover identity is full of holes. There’s no way I’ll pass the test. I’ll just pretend to memorize it half-heartedly. Kang Yigeon and Yoon Youngin will pass anyway…’
But Seohwa soon realized how wrong that assumption was.
✳ ✳ ✳
On the third day, under Go Junyoung’s lead, they held a casual pop quiz.
Kang Yigeon and Yoon Youngin scored 20 points each. Seohwa got 50, Wolf got 30.
“Everyone’s more or less the same, but Vice Guild Master and Youngin… You two are hopeless!”
Go Junyoung waved the marked papers in frustration.
“Vice Guild Master, how can you not know whether your fiancé prefers jjamppong or jjajangmyeon? Have you two never even been to a Chinese restaurant together?”
“……”
“And Youngin—‘The most impactful movie your fiancé has ever seen’—you wrote ‘Love is Soft, Sweet, and Sour? Even a six-year-old could tell you that’s the wrong answer if the fiancé is Kang Yigeon!”
“I’m sorry… I’m honestly so embarrassed… But that movie is kinda fun though…”
Clearly, Kang Yigeon and Yoon Youngin barely knew each other.
‘How did they even get engaged? Just by looking at each other’s faces?’
That’s how ridiculous it seemed.
After a thorough scolding, both were locked away to memorize each other’s profiles until they had them down cold.
Left alone in the study room, Wolf spun his chair and muttered, “Suspicious. Very suspicious.”
“How can two engaged people know so little about each other? They’re practically strangers. Colder than strangers.”
Seohwa agreed but still wanted to defend Kang Yigeon a little.
“Half the married couples in the world probably know less about each other than strangers.”
“There might be couples like that, but half? Come on. Most people marry for love.”
“Love’s not such a big deal. It’s just a fleeting emotion that changes all the time.”
Just like how Kang Yigeon changed after swearing love to Seohwa.
“You don’t believe in love, do you?”
Wolf stopped spinning his chair, curious blue eyes fixed on him.
If Seohwa had noticed, he would’ve given the world’s dullest answer to kill the mood, but right now, he was too focused writing the quiz corrections to catch that look.
“Wolf Hunter, you don’t believe in love either.”
“And what makes you say that?”
One of Wolf’s nicknames was Rusty Wolf.
He had a reputation—man, woman, he didn’t care—total playboy.
He even posted videos like “Now recruiting five sex partners for Q3~” on his channel.
It’s been like that since his debut.
Alongside Gaius Jung, he was notorious for his wild lifestyle.
“You’re not seriously asking? Look at how you live. ‘Modesty’ isn’t exactly your motto.”
“Just because my body’s easy doesn’t mean my heart is.”
“Then have you ever loved someone, Wolf Hunter?”
“My heart’s too heavy for that. It hasn’t moved for anyone yet. When I give love, it’ll be to someone worthy.”
His voice dropped, unexpectedly cold.
Seohwa looked up.
Wolf, known for his carefree attitude and constant smile, now looked… blank, almost angry.
“I’ve never once told my partners ‘I love you.’ Love’s a heavy thing—hard to even say. Sure, I sleep around, but at least I don’t fake an engagement like those two. So, do you still think I don’t believe in love?”
‘What is this, Love Cult Recruitment? Why so intense?’
Seohwa hid his real thoughts and put on a regretful expression.
“My bad. I’m really sorry. I didn’t realize you took love so seriously.”
“Not a shred of sincerity in that.”
“What more can I say? All I have is ‘I’m sorry’…”
“Forget it. Honestly, I’m no different than you.”
“Huh?”
“I mean, I don’t believe in true love either.”
Wolf dropped the stern facade and grinned like a mischievous boy.
“Just teasing. Wanted to see how you’d react.”
Seohwa rolled his eyes, tempted to fake anger, but settled on a C-rank appropriate reaction.
He clutched his chest and slumped over the desk dramatically.
“Jeez, you scared me. When an S-rank hunter gets all serious, a poor C-rank like me feels like his life’s in danger. Please don’t mess with me like that.”
“Funny, your heart rate didn’t change.”
“Of course not. I’ve been terrified since the moment I walked in here.”
Seohwa pulled a bottle from his inventory, proudly displaying the label: Anti-Anxiety Medication.
“I’ve got social anxiety. Pretty much always on edge.”
“……You’ve got what?”
“Social anxiety. Diagnosed, certified, everything.”
“……”
Wolf looked stunned.
Most people would probably make that face if someone casually admitted, ‘Hey, chatting with you stresses me out so much I need psychiatric meds,’ after holding a perfectly normal conversation moments ago.
* * *
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Very like