Perfect Counter-Snipe

The problem was that the majority of the gallery users suspected Han Yujin. In other words, it was a one-against-many battle. How do I win this? After pondering for a moment, Han Yujin came up with a scheme and grinned. First things first—build it up step by step.

As expected, no one believed it. And in this kind of atmosphere, there's always one thing that pops up.

That would be...

"It's here."

Han Yujin's eyes lit up. The perfect sniping post, already bumped to the top. The comments were filled with mockery of .

The gallery's opinion had perfectly shifted to 'Han Yujin = lying attention whore'. A few shielders existed, but they gained no traction. Any normal person would be shaking in their boots.

Han Yujin's hands and feet were shaking too.

"Ahh. Aggro tastes so good."

Just... in a totally different way. Like a gourmet savoring a Michelin-starred dish, Han Yujin chewed over each post, etching them into her eyes.

She waited silently until the post hit the top and comments surpassed 100. The board was perfectly set. The trolls had climbed to the highest perch and hanged themselves. Now, time to kick away the scaffold.

Han Yujin pulled up the notification from clearing the Lost & Found Child Center (F-12031).

"Heh heh heh."

The core logic of their suppression of Han Yujin was 'fake'. Her feats were too unbelievable, so they called it manipulated. And smashing that was simple.

With hands trembling in ecstasy, Han Yujin hit [Y].

And shortly after...

Ten seconds of silence. FactBomber's post was frozen at the top.

Then, the storm hit.

The guys mocking Han Yujin earlier had vanished. Instead, posts of shock and confusion poured in real-time.

The shielders' massive counterattack! With perfect clear proof, the gallery's opinion would naturally swing her way without lifting a finger.

"I win."

Perfect victory. Her whole body trembled like she'd chugged a soda, head tingling coolly.

"Tastes good."

And the dopamine didn't stop there. If entering and exiting the horror was real, the events inside probably were too.

A dumb laugh escaped Han Yujin's lips.

"Heh he... heh heh heh..."

Users dropping burgers just to read her post! Maybe it was good that horrors were real after all? With that crazy thought, she suppressed her grinning lips, acting serious, solemn, cool as she typed her post.

The emphasized word disposed. Survivors instantly grasped its meaning, tying into the Lost & Found Child Center rules.

Comments kept piling up below.

"Heh heuk."

Han Yujin's upturned lips showed no sign of dropping. Endless attention. This was why she galleried. It filled the empty void inside like nothing else. The most precious feeling, irreplaceable.

Her sparkling eyes, shining like stars, slowly closed.

"Haa...."

A sweet sigh escaped. She wanted more praise. More attention! Han Yujin barely calmed her pounding heart.

Galleries got dangerous when you got this ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hyped. She'd seen tons over 10 years—guys who grabbed spotlight then vanished from overexcitement.

Slowly. Bit by bit. Inch by inch.

'Until the whole gallery's in my palm.'

The puppetmaster pulling strings from behind. No—the tyrant openly toying with the gallery at will!

As Han Yujin's eyes flickered menacingly with that vow...

".......?"

Jeong Gongbeop, resting at home, shivered suddenly and looked around.

◆ Next morning.

Maybe from all the brainpower used...

"...Ah. Craving dessert."

Han Yujin wanted something sweet. And she had over ten million won in cash now. No reason to hold back.

"Ice cream?"

But money-spenders knew: Han Yujin's luxury was just grabbing Haagen-Dazs from the convenience store. She ignored buy-one-get-one events—total baller.

"Ah, but card's empty."

Problem: she only had cash. Modern society's BS: spend from account via card anytime, but deposit? Bank or ATM mandatory! And with this amount, in-person required.

"...Such a pain."

Grumbling, Han Yujin headed straight to the bank. Inside was quiet. Pulled a number ticket, waited briefly—her turn came quick.

"How can I help?"

The bespectacled male banker asked kindly.

"Deposit, please."

Han Yujin handed over 2 million won cash, passbook, and ID.

The banker fed the machine routinely and started paperwork.

"Ma'am, per financial transaction laws, cash deposits over a certain amount require some checks. Spare a moment?"

"Sure, fine."

Han Yujin swallowed. Expected, but dealing with real people was high difficulty.

"Thanks. First, source of funds? Salary, business income, gift, etc."

"Part-time job. Labor income."

Banker nodded, typing. Tap tap. It echoed loud in the quiet bank.

"Yes, labor income. Noted. If I may, is the payer currently operating normally?"

"......Pardon?"

'Operating normally' felt off. Do they usually ask that?

"No big deal. Lots of shady outfits lately. Just protecting your assets—bear with me."

Banker smiled softly. Too sensitive?

"Yeah. Totally normal place."

"Good."

He smiled relieved, moved on.

"Main use of funds? Living expenses, savings, investment... usual stuff."

"Living expenses."

"Ah, living expenses. Makes sense. Maintaining status quo needs steady management. Wise choice."

'Maintaining status quo.' Word choice grated again. Too sensitive? Han Yujin swallowed, glancing around. Bolt?

...Reality's tough.

"Last check."

Banker leaned forward.

"This is a normal transaction complying with all laws and bank terms, right? No... unagreed 'conditions' fulfilled for this reward?"

That instant, Jeong Gongbeop's words flashed.

Bam! Han Yujin shot up.

"Ah, uh....... Think I'm good. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Urgent thing came up. Gotta go."

Banker ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠smiled brightly at her reply.

"Too late. At least take your money."

As if nothing, he sat straight and finished. Moments later, handed back the deposited passbook and ID.

Han Yujin took them with trembling hands. Casually checking the ID photo, she froze.

The face wasn't hers. A terrified stranger, mid-scream.

That moment.

Click— Every light in the bank went out.