* * *
“As you all know, this team’s mission is to capture Gaius Jung. But securing Gaius Jung is only the first step of our larger objective. The main reason we’re after him—”
“—is to find Seohwa,” Wolf interjected, shifting in his seat with interest.
“You believe his disappearance is connected to the Vow of Oaths?”
“Exactly.”
Wolf leaned forward, clearly intrigued.
“And the second reason… is to counter the D-Day Project.”
“Huh? Are we allowed to talk about that here?”
Wolf’s gaze subtly flicked to Lee Yuje as he asked the question.
“Hunter Lee Yuje needs to be informed too. We’re on the same team now,” Go Junyoung replied firmly.
He explained that the New Humanity Cult and Enterra, the two major terrorist organizations, had formed an alliance to carry out a large-scale terrorist operation known as the D-Day Project.
Seohwa, having already peeked at Go Junyoung’s report through Replica, feigned surprise with practiced ease.
“We’ve also confirmed that Gaius Jung is in possession of a critical item related to the D-Day Project. Please open File #1 on your tablets.”
[Incheon Port Dungeon]
“A maritime, long-term dungeon. You suspect Gaius Jung is hiding there?”
“It’s not suspicion—it’s confirmed intel. You’re all aware that the New Humanity Cult is hunting Gaius Jung, right?”
“Of course. I heard they issued an immediate execution order. Even the Association is watching closely.”
“On June 16th, their cult leader will personally lead synthetic human soldiers into the Incheon Port Dungeon. We’ll enter on the same day.”
Wolf let out a low whistle.
“Taking down a level-5 dungeon and the cult leader? Talk about ambitious. Should be fun.”
“Three birds with one stone, if we include Gaius Jung. Fun or not, that’s the plan. Now, please open File #2.”
[Love Effect Market: Key Information]
To enter the Incheon Port Dungeon, a forced gate-opening item is required.
That item can only be acquired from…
“…the Love Effect Market.”
The adults looked unfazed, but the younger members practically bounced in their seats.
“We’re going to the Market? That’s crazy!”
“Visiting the Market has been my dream!”
“But how do we get in? Don’t you need a non-Awakened partner to enter?”
The Love Effect Market.
A shopping center directly operated by the system, where items and skills were bought and sold.
Run by system-generated fake humans—NPCs—the quality of goods was guaranteed.
But there were strict rules to enter:
- You must form a team of one Awakened and one non-Awakened individual.
-
Each team undergoes a compatibility test to assess how well they know each other.
-
Only those who score 90 points or higher can enter.
In line with its name, Love Effect, the test measures whether the partners genuinely love each other.
It sounds simple, but it’s infamously difficult.
The system’s test delves into the deepest, most private parts of a person—the kind of secrets even spouses don’t always share.
Many longtime couples, both Awakened and non-Awakened, fail to clear the 90-point threshold.
“Terrorist groups will also attempt to infiltrate the Market to obtain the forced gate-opening item. We’ll split into two teams: Team 1 will monitor them, Team 2 will purchase the item. Anis and Cho Wookwon, you’re on Team 1.”
“Ugh, lame.”
“We wanna go to the Market too.”
“Vice Guild Leader Gam and your fiancé will handle Team 2.”
Cho Wookwon let out an exaggerated yell.
“Hyung, is that why you got engaged? To get into the Market? Damn… I figured there had to be a reason, no way you’d have forgotten about Seohwa.”
Seohwa looked over at Kang Yigeon with reluctant hope, thinking, ‘No way… but maybe…’
Kang Yigeon answered bluntly, “That’s not it. Youngin and I are genuinely in love.”
Another loud yell from Cho Wookwon and Anis followed.
“Totally soulless!”
“So cold and stiff!”
“Enough chatter. Deputy Director, you’ll enter with your spouse.”
Choi Jihyung’s eyes glinted dangerously.
“I’m not taking my baby into a place like that.”
“What do you mean? The Market may be dungeon-like, but it’s a peaceful shopping center. No time limits, no monsters.”
“But terrorist groups will be inside. I’m not exposing my baby to that.”
Go Junyoung tried to persuade him several more times, but Choi Jihyung was unmoved.
Known for his obsessive love, it was obvious to Seohwa that he wouldn’t change his mind.
“I figured that’d happen. Oh well. Vice Guild Leader Gam, we’ll be counting on you. Study up on your fiancé and stick together in there.”
Kang Yigeon studying Yoon Youngin.
Yoon Youngin studying Kang Yigeon…
Seohwa felt slightly confused, unsure whether he should hope the two would pass the test or fail it.
“But, no matter how loving the couple, most of them fail the Market’s Love Test. So, I’d like to prepare one more couple. Director Wolf, would that be possible?”
A man with short curly gray hair and blue eyes grinned broadly.
“Possible? Hah, even being asked that hurts my pride. I’m a master of disguise. I can pass off as a non-Awakened flawlessly. I’ve even entered the Market like that before.”
“Did you have a partner at the time?”
“I had someone I was with briefly.”
“And now?”
“Now I’m single.”
Wolf waved his hand, showing his empty ring finger.
“Then let’s have Director Wolf and the Deputy Director go in together, pretending to be lovers.”
“This stays an absolute secret from my baby. No one says a word.”
“I don’t even have your baby’s number, so no worries.”
It seemed the second couple was about to be decided, but Wolf crossed his arms with a pout.
“I refuse. I have my preferences, you know. That potato type isn’t my style.”
“Does your preference matter right now? What matters is getting into the Market.”
“It matters a lot. More than entering the Market. More than saving the world!”
“Good grief…”
Wolf’s eyes swept across the room, scanning Anis and Cho Wookwon with an unsettling gaze.
Deputy Director Choi Jihyung frowned.
“Eyes off the kids, Director Wolf.”
“Just looking is a crime now?”
“It is for you. Absolutely off-limits.”
Despite his outward appearance of a handsome man in his mid-to-late 30s, this blue-eyed man had been claiming to be 45 for the past 36 years, ever since the Soul Transfer System emerged.
In reality, he was at least in his 50s—a middle-aged man harboring ill intent toward kids barely 22 or 23?
He’d deserve to have his head chopped off immediately.
‘Wait. How old am I again?’
Seohwa hastily did the math.
“My partner will be this one.”
‘Wait… Huh…? 50…? I’m fifty?’
“Be my lover, Hunter Lee Yuje.”
Seohwa, lost in thought, snapped his head up in shock.
And at that exact moment—
Crack.
The tablet shattered in Kang Yigeon’s hand.
∗ ∗ ∗
The Love Effect Market opens once a month, and this month’s opening is just five days away—on Saturday.
Until then, they had to memorize every detail of their partner’s background.
The study room was set up in Danbaek’s headquarters, in the Camellia Team’s conference room.
When Seohwa, weighed down with nerves after taking his anti-anxiety meds, arrived for work, Kang Yigeon, Yoon Youngin, and Wolf were already there.
“My partner is here.”
Wolf winked. Seohwa smiled faintly in return.
“I still can’t believe I get to partner with Hunter Wolf, even if just briefly. Something to brag about for generations.”
Wolf burst out laughing.
“Not a shred of sincerity in that, but I’ll take the compliment. Sit down.”
Wolf politely pulled out a chair.
As Seohwa sat, Yoon Youngin greeted him shyly.
“Yuje, long time no see… It’s really nice to see a familiar face here. How have you been?”
“I’ve been well. You must be busy preparing for your engagement ceremony, and yet you’re caught up in dangerous work.”
“I’m still a government officer with the Bureau… I can’t refuse missions just because they’re dangerous if they serve the public good…”
The more Seohwa looked at her, the more admirable she seemed.
The ring on her fourth finger sparkled beautifully—she definitely deserved to wear it.
Next, Seohwa greeted the man with the stone-cold expression.
“Mr. Kang Yigeon, we barely escaped trainee status, and now we’re back to being students. Seems like learning truly never ends.”
“We’ll pass the test just fine with the two of us. Hunter Lee Yuje and Hunter Wolf don’t need to pretend to be lovers.”
Kang Yigeon’s tone was icier than ever.
Since the moment Seohwa partnered with Wolf, a cold wind had been blowing from him.
‘Did he feel insulted, thinking I don’t trust their couple?’
That was the only conclusion Seohwa could draw.
* * *
Thank you for your hard work translate ❤️❤️❤️