Chapter 7. My First Interview
My personal info had already leaked to the press. It felt off to just chalk it up to them being quick on the uptake. A regular reporter—not even a hunter—having my contact details?
“What is it, Oppa?” Jeong Ye-na asked in a voice laced with curiosity.
Nothing to hide here.
“Nobel News wants an interview.”
“Oh. Really?”
Jeong Ye-na’s expression shifted subtly—her eyes cooling a touch. She must’ve thought it was Cheonsu Guild or some other guild reaching out.
“W-Who’s the reporter?”
“Let’s see… Han Bit-na. Ring any bells?”
“Oppa, that reporter. She writes up every scandalous bit she can find, so I’d say pass.”
Her worried look tugged a smile from me unbidden. Now that she mentioned it, the name did sound familiar. Han Bit-na, huh. Back before my regression, she’d been one of the hacks who penned vicious pieces about me. Not that it mattered—most reporters had piled on back then. I had no urge for petty revenge against randoms like that. But I didn’t want to get tangled up with them either.
Still…
“I’ll do the interview.”
“Huh? For real?”
Ye-na looked stunned, but my mind was made up. I was curious what a person who spun stories from others’ lives looked like up close. And who knew? She might even be useful to me.
“Whoa. Then, Oppa, got anything to wear? It’s your first interview—want me to help pick something out?”
“I’ll just throw something on. Appreciate the thought.”
I turned back to Ye-na, who suddenly looked a bit down. I worried she’d linger at Valdi Guild, stuck in limbo.
“I’m not joining Cheonsu myself. But for you, it’s a huge shot. Big guild, tons of growth potential. You’re too good for Valdi or some newbie outfit.”
“Yeah… Thanks, Oppa. I’ll think it over.”
She chewed on her thoughts, then speared a piece of meat from the plate and chomped down. After swallowing, her face hardened with resolve.
“Okay. I’ve decided.”
“Joining Cheonsu?”
“Hmph. It’s a secret!!”
“Sure, sure.”
Sauce smeared her lip. I tapped my own mouth, then slid her a tissue from the table—casual, no big deal.
“…?!”
Her eyes widened, cheeks flushing. Yeah, embarrassing, sure. But her reaction? Way off script.
She shot up from her chair, stomped over to me, and loomed. Her shadow dimmed my view a bit.
Mwah!
Before I could process, her lips brushed my cheek—soft, then gone. A pleasant shampoo scent wafted from her long black hair.
I sat there, dumbfounded. Staring blankly, I met her gaze—face red as she stared back.
What? How do I even…?
I grabbed the tissue; she tilted her head. Quick as I could, I dabbed the sauce from her lip.
“……”
“It’s fine. Easy to misread.”
Was it, though?
We both froze, words failing. Finally, she bolted—awkwardness overload.
“S-Sorryyy!!”
“Wait—Ye-na? Ye-na!!”
Too late to grab her; she was fast. Totally understandable. I gave up chasing and sank back into my seat.
“But Ye-na… Didn’t you say you were paying…?”
Oh well. For the leftovers’ sake, I’d polish it off. Sighing inwardly, I stabbed my fork into the remaining meat.
I texted back saying I’d do the interview, and a reply pinged almost instantly. Didn’t care about the date? Boom—tomorrow it was. Talk about efficient. No prep on my end, but whatever. It’d work out.
They’d sent sample questions ahead—vague as hell. I threw on some old black slacks and a decent shirt. Mirror check: not bad.
Heading out, I glanced at my phone. Messages from Ye-na.
Hit send, flagged a taxi. Lucky one idling right by the apartment road. Hopping straight in like some big shot—thrilling. Pre-regression? Unthinkable. Now, with my monthly stipend rolling in, it was comfy. Join a guild? Tens of times more cash.
Told the driver the spot, then zoned out the window. Bus-waiting crowds, zipping cars. Students in uniforms, suits heading to offices—everywhere. Sky was clear.
Stepped into the appointed café—two women already there. One had to be Han Bit-na.
“Hello? Nobel News, right?”
Kept my smile easy. The short-haired one blinked, surprised.
“Whoa~ Handsome guy.”
“Haha, thanks. Han Bit-na?”
“Yep! Thanks for doing this. Personality matches the face—gorgeous. Thought you were a celeb at first.”
Place was dead empty. Just us three—like they’d rented it out. Greetings led to chit-chat; I itched to wrap up and head home.
“Senior, maybe start now?”
The glasses girl spoke up; Han Bit-na shot her a glare. Rough relationship?
“I know, okay? Anyone’d think you’re the senior. Seojun, right? What’ll you have?”
Caffeine wrecked my sleep, so no coffee. Something fresh and sweet.
“Smoothie or ade—whatever. Not a coffee fan.”
“Hey, Ji-eun—hear that? Go quick.”
Han Bit-na snapped at the glasses girl, who trudged off looking drained.
“Sorry. She’s still clueless.”
The short-cut one cackled—probably the mentor.
“So, interview like this?”
“Yeah. Café owner’s a pal. Won’t take much of your time—super basic questions, like I said.”
“Everyone who needs to know already does, but can we keep my info private?”
Her smile flickered, then recovered—pro move.
“Of course, Seojun. World’s first S-rank healer—everyone’s obsessed. Exclusive with anonymity? Huge scoop.”
Lee Ji-eun returned with strawberry smoothie and two iced Americanos. Interview time.
Phone on the table, recording. Han Bit-na asked; Ji-eun scribbled.
“First question. World’s first S-rank healer—what sparked your awakening? The moment?”
Straight for the throat. No spilling the regression, obviously. Wing it.
“Shocked me too. Total miracle. I’d gone into a dungeon as a porter once—ability popped out of nowhere, got checked.”
“Porter? So D-rank to re-awakening? Rare as hell. And that claim—five heals per go?”
“Yeah, wild, right?”
Like I’d know the mechanics. Pure luck for me. No limits anyway, but she moved on smooth.
“Handsome guy like you—girlfriend?”
Oof. Brutal.
“Nope. Haha.”
“If someone approached?”
She leaned in with a coy smile, angling her figure. Meh.
“No plans.”
Straightened up, disappointed. Ji-eun shook her head beside her.
“Past job or gigs?”
“Lately, just porter work post-D-rank judgment. Dropped out of school—kinda embarrassing.”
Throat dry; sipped the strawberry smoothie. Tart-sweet fruit soothed it.
“Big one. Cheonsu scouted you, right? Other guilds? Future plans?”
And there it was. Prepared for this.
“Nothing set. Cheonsu offer’s real, but I passed. Pre-awakeners, tons died. My drafted dad too. So I don’t chase big names or deals. A guild matching my beliefs? I’m in.”
“…Ah.”
They finished notes and recording, faces ambiguous. Time flew; wrapping up.
“That’s it. Thanks for hanging in, Seojun.”
“You too. Appreciate it.”
Bowed out—no lingering. Not bad for a first interview. Kinda fun.
Vrr. Phone buzzed—an email.
Slowly unlocked the screen.
“Nice guy, huh? Lee Seojun.”
Lee Ji-eun adjusted her glasses, packing her laptop and notes. Han Bit-na directed.
“You—grab that, head to the office. Write it up, send to me.”
“Huh?”
“Move it, dummy. Why’re you spacing?”
“R-Right.”
Ji-eun slunk out, bag in tow. Han Bit-na watched through the window till she vanished, then dialed.
“Kang Ga-young Hunter? Han Bit-na here.”
“Done? Report.”
Han Bit-na’s lip curled up.