The back door to the classroom flew open and Roy appeared.
Yesterday he’d worn a deathly serious look all day, but today the corners of his mouth were practically at his ears.
His classmates whispered among themselves.
“What's he scheming this ti?”
“I saw him checking the Star Hero announcent yesterday.”
“Star Hero? No rank limit’s fine, but F-rank? Isn’t that overkill?”
“Let him be. It’s more fun when soone like him goes.”
How did they know?
That if I go on Star Hero, I’ll be the villain.
Speaking of which, I really need to reach Junseo soon—this is bad. But at least I got to et Hojin-hyung yesterday; maybe I can slack off for one more day?
“Ehyahhyah!”
Roy’s unique laugh echoed through the classroom. He’d promised to et Hojin again tonight and felt like he might float away.
eting Hojin yesterday had made one thing perfectly clear.
I need to find clues where the other mbers are.
Actually, if I could just unlock my Skill Lock, appearing on Junseo’s program wouldn’t be a problem anymore. Star Hero’s shooting is scheduled for late July. Junseo said ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ he’d work around our school schedules—probably tid for sumr break since we’re minors in dorms.
Okay, let’s see...
Roy flipped open his notebook, clicked his pen, and summoned mories.
Kim Hojin: Cat guy, t him feeding strays
Hojin-hyung had first been written as “cat guy” and they’d actually t near where real cats gathered. Technically Roy had later corrected it to “cat-lover,” but it was the sa in his eyes.
Hojin was currently enrolled at an arts high school in Sangam-dong, preparing for art college entrance—fulfilling his childhood dream of studying painting.
Hojin-hyung was really good at drawing.
He was the only one who painted like a real person among us. No wonder at fan signs everyone asked Hojin to draw for them. His aesthetic sense also got him involved in album design.
The tag said “unawakened,” so he’ll awaken soday too.
I’ll think about that later. Roy refocused on recalling the others’ profiles.
Taeeon-hyung wrote “café owner,” didn’t he?
Kim Taeeon: High chance at a café ↑
He rembered teasing Taeeon for writing such a dood business idea—“What if you go bankrupt?”—but the rest escaped him.
He said no franchises. So a private café?
Roy jotted “private café” in his notes, then frowned.
How many cafés are there in the country? Am I supposed to search all of them?
Finding Hojin so quickly felt like a miracle.
Taeeon-hyung can wait—next.
Yeonwoo had written “Jay-Dragon” and Hangyeol “Jay-Dragon’s dog,” causing a big fuss, then they’d both changed to normal profiles. The originals had been so outrageous they didn’t stick.
Roy thought hard and recalled Yeonwoo’s revised setting.
Park Yeonwoo: Archer
Yeonwoo had shocked everyone at the Idol Sports Festival by discovering an unknown talent, defeating the two-ti gold-dal-winning archery ace in his first appearance. He likely attended a sports high school with an archery team.
So I should look up sports high schools with archery programs.
That left Hangyeol... I really have no clue. He never showed the “dog” profile again—must have been too embarrassed.
Why did you write “dog,” anyway?
Roy decided to track down the two he had leads on first.
✧
With a bounce! The “human cat” clambered over the wall again today. Hojin had joked a hood looked suspicious, so Roy wore a baseball cap instead.
After first arriving in the Wilderness he’d felt heavy, but rigorous self-care lately made his body lighter by the day. At this rate he’d be back to peak form soon.
Roy stretched, then called Hojin. His phone still rang when Hojin’s voice ca from right behind him.
“Roy.”
Roy turned to see Hojin crouched behind a tree.
“Hyung. Why are you hiding there?”
“You said you were sneaking out. Felt like I needed to hide too.”
Hojin grinned as if begging for praise—cute yet endearingly clumsy.
“You didn’t have to. I said et at Sangam.”
“You live so far away. I’ve got ti, though.”
“You’re a third-year. College entrance is no joke, right?”
“Sotis it’s okay.”
At least he knew he was a senior. Roy led the way and Hojin followed eagerly—still a little clingy after Roy overused his skill yesterday.
“Roy, you sleep okay? Eat? Have fun with friends?”
“Friends? I don’t have any. Didn’t I say I’m a loner?”
“No friends? Why?”
Surprised, Hojin looked genuinely shaken.
“But soone to eat with, at least....”
“Of course I eat alone. What do you think being a loner is? You’re the only one who hangs out with .”
【Casting skill “God’slighting.”】
“Kyaaak!”
The mont the status window popped, Roy hissed into the air. His uncontrollable skill seed to worsen Hojin’s state.
Only as a friend...
Muttering seriously, Hojin’s voice wavered like he was making a vow.
“Okay. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you for life.”
“No, don’t take responsibility. I never asked.”
“No. I’ll protect you. If you need hyung’s help, just say so, okay?”
Hojin clenched both fists, resolute. Looking at that harmless face made Roy’s conscience ache—as if cut by a knife. But Hojin was right: he did need help.
“Hyung! I need your help.”
“Yeah! Just tell , Roy.”
“Do you use SNS?”
“I have an account, but just to browse. Why? Want as a follower?”
“...”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Roy scratched his head.
“No! We’re not following cafés—we’re finding a café.”
“A café? You have one in mind?”
“Yes. Friendly service and tasty owner café.”
Roy’s smile curled. That face would go viral on SNS for sure.
✧
Never been to Gangwon before... Anyone hot-place recs?
└ Sokcho Coffee KingCoffee King
User Comments
0 comments from readers