We Are the White Rose
Ryu Sea-ah stared blankly at the wall-mounted TV hanging in her office. A voice she thought she'd never hear again—a savior's voice—was flowing from it.
Bae Deokjun. Just hearing the name made her teeth grind.
If Ryu Sea-ah had gathered women ostracized by society for various reasons, including family circumstances, to form the current Black Rose Guild...
Bae Deokjun was the wretched man who lured those social weaklings as bait and treated them like his slaves.
How many guild members in Black Rose had suffered at his hands? It wasn't just the aftermath of the illegal awakening drugs.
He had enticed beginner hunters with promises of all sorts of support, only to imprison them and commit all manner of atrocities.
In fact, among the current Black Rose members who were his victims, quite a few suffered from PTSD.
It had gotten to the point where Ryu Sea-ah had stationed professional counselors in the guild to provide them with regular mental health support.
"Master! Are you inside?"
"Yes, come in."
Like independence fighters watching the moment of liberation, Ryu Sea-ah had been staring endlessly at the TV when she reacted to the sudden voice.
Ching— The office door slid open, and Yun Ye-bin rushed in.
"Sorry to barge in like this. Master, have you seen the news? Bae Deokjun right now..."
"......"
Ryu Sea-ah gave a wry smile at her unusually excited tone, then silently pointed to the TV she had been watching.
Only then did Yun Ye-bin realize what was happening and let out a gasp.
"You're watching it."
"Yes. That person asked me to trust and wait for them."
"...That person?"
Was it her imagination? At the oddly formal honorific, Yun Ye-bin looked bewildered, but Ryu Sea-ah just smiled without further reply.
"Anyway, how are the guild members reacting?"
"It's chaos. The lobby's practically a sea of tears."
"...I figured. They've all been through so much."
It wasn't just victims of rape, murder, and other heinous crimes—or their loved ones—who shed tears upon learning the culprit had been caught and would finally face judgment.
Besides, many in this guild had their entire lives upended by Vendetta Guild's mere existence.
Some had been pointed at and shunned just for having been involved with Vendetta.
Others struggled with daily life due to the aftereffects of their illegal awakening drugs.
Some had lost comrades they dreamed with and joined Vendetta alongside.
Of course, it wouldn't heal all their wounds completely.
But the miraculous future they thought impossible—something others had given up on—had arrived. That alone would have everyone rejoicing as one.
"To think a day like this would come."
"Master..."
Realizing moisture was welling in Ryu Sea-ah's voice, Yun Ye-bin started to offer comfort but held back.
Right now, it was best to let Ryu Sea-ah vent the emotions and resentment she'd bottled up, as she wished.
"Hic...! Really, it's such a relief. Our guild members won't have to suffer because of that scum anymore..."
Fortunately, her tears didn't last long.
It was either her pride as guild master or her personal code against crying on a joyful day.
No one but the person herself could know.
But one thing was certain: occasions for her to shed tears like this were now mostly gone.
"Sorry. I must look pathetic."
"Pathetic? It just shows how much you care for the guild members."
Wiping away her tears with tissue and calming herself, Ryu Sea-ah regained her composure and spoke in her usual steady tone.
"Ye-bin, could you contact that person for me?"
"That person... You mean the Sword Empress?"
"Yes. More precisely, Yuseol and Hayang."
"Ah, I'll reach out right away."
She'd called her Hayang-ssi just moments ago, hadn't she? Wondering if her memory was faulty, Yun Ye-bin tilted her head but followed the master's orders regardless.
"Master, they say they're on their way. They're nearby."
"Really? Perfect. Could you prepare some hot chocolate and tea in advance?"
"Yes."
Hayang hadn't visited Black Rose Guild HQ many times, but in that short span, she'd earned the nickname "chocolate latte ghost" for her love of it—a fact well-known.
Thanks to that, Yun Ye-bin naturally headed to the pantry to prepare hot chocolate.
And until Hayang arrived, Ryu Sea-ah decided to tidy up the surroundings.
About ten minutes later, as she was fixing her smudged makeup from the tears...
Someone knocked on the office door again.
"Master, Hayang and the Sword Empress have arrived."
"Yes, let them in."
Jeong Yujin must not have come along. Being from Titan Guild originally, she probably returned after finishing her business.
Ryu Sea-ah wanted to repay them too, but she'd handle that separately.
"Sea-ah!"
"We're back."
"Welcome. You two must be exhausted from all your hard work. Please, have a seat."
Ryu Sea-ah suppressed her pounding heart and calmly guided them to their seats.
It felt like meeting a celebrity. As an S-grade hunter herself, she'd received admiring gazes before.
But sending such looks to someone else? This was a first for her.
Ha, how can she be so innocently cute after accomplishing something like that?
The fact that she was a girl much younger than her—and to others, just a pretty little angel-like child—was astonishing.
"Hot chocolate and tea. Please enjoy while we talk."
"Ah, thank youuu."
"Thanks for this."
"Good work, Ye-bin. I'll finish up here, so head home for the day."
"Yes, Master."
As they sat, Hayang grabbed her hot chocolate cup, blew on it carefully, touched her tongue to it, then yelped "Hot!" and pulled back her lips. Watching her, Ryu Sea-ah just smiled warmly.
"First, on behalf of Black Rose Guild, I want to express my sincere gratitude for this. So many guild members have been able to release the grudges weighing on their hearts thanks to you."
"Ah, no biggie. We just did what needed doing. Hehe..."
"Yes. We didn't do it seeking thanks, so no need to worry."
At their humble responses, Ryu Sea-ah nodded as if she'd expected it, then spoke with conviction, having grasped Hayangne Guild's internal dynamics.
"It seems the famous strategy guide making waves was written by you, Hayang."
"Eek?! H-how did you...?"
"I have eyes too, you know."
Hayang jolted like she'd been burned, but the one truly shocked was Han Yuseol.
Ryu Sea-ah's reaction suggested she'd only just realized it through this incident—not that she'd known from the start.
"You didn't know from the beginning?"
"How could I? I thought it was you, Yuseol."
"...Ah."
Only then did Han Yuseol realize her massive misunderstanding.
She'd thought Ryu Sea-ah had noticed Hayang's talents and was trying to recruit her.
Turns out, her interest had been solely in Han Yuseol from the beginning.
But ironically, that target had shifted today.
"Y-you'll keep it a secret, right?"
Meanwhile, oblivious, Hayang clasped her hands tightly and pleaded with abandoned-kitten eyes.
Ryu Sea-ah felt her heart stop, but she forced an adult smile and nodded firmly.
"Of course. If that's what you want, Hayang, I have no intention of spreading it."
"Ehehe, thanks."
"The thanks should come from me."
Han Yuseol tilted her head slightly at the attitude.
Maybe it was her imagination, but Ryu Sea-ah seemed excessively deferential. Almost like how she herself treated Hayang.
"Anyway, how were you able to write such a strategy guide? I was truly impressed reading it."
"Mm... Thanks to my unique skill, I guess?"
"Ah...! Sorry. I was rude..."
"Eh? Oh, no, it's not that rude..."
Hayang panicked at Ryu Sea-ah suddenly bowing deeply, but Han Yuseol eyed her suspiciously.
Every action was too polite, too deferential.
Well, it's not a bad thing.
She didn't seem like someone who'd harm Hayang, so Han Yuseol decided to let it slide for now.
Hayang might feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but...
"In any case, Black Rose Guild hopes to maintain a strong alliance with Hayangne Guild going forward. If there's ever any discomfort or need for help, please don't hesitate to ask us."
"Yes! You got it. If you need help too, Sea-ah, just call us."
"Ahh...! Thank you. Truly, thank you."
Like the leader of a fanatic cult, Ryu Sea-ah reacted intensely to every word from Hayang, bowing repeatedly.
She must really be grateful. Hehe, good thing.
Hayang, seeing this, felt no incongruity—just that she'd done a good deed.
"Please don't forget that we will always be by your side for your happiness."
Thus, with resolute demeanor—like a knight pledging loyalty—she placed a hand over her left breast and bowed 90 degrees. Hayang just beamed happily.
After Hayang and Han Yuseol left, the once-empty office filled with women.
About 40, by her estimate. All familiar faces to Ryu Sea-ah.
They were the ones who had suffered the most direct harm from Vendetta Guild—the victims themselves.
"...Is everyone here?"
"Yes."
At Ryu Sea-ah's quiet question, they all answered with stern faces.
"From now on, our goal is to support the one who saved everyone here—body, mind, and soul. Any objections?"
"None!"
"What is our goal?"
"Hayang's happiness! Hayang's smile!"
Watching her guild members turn into fanatics in mere hours, Ryu Sea-ah smiled calmly.
She had no intention of showing this scene to the other guild members or suddenly changing guild policy.
It was simply a gathering to unite their wills for the angel who had saved their lives.
"From today, those gathered here shall be called the White Rose. You belong to Black Rose Guild, but please devote yourselves to that person's happiness. Never make it obvious or let her know. Understood?"
"Yes!"
"Good. Dismissed."
Pababak—! As the newly titled White Roses scattered in an instant, she formed a flower bud with her hands in satisfaction and gazed at the new picture frame on the table.
It held a warm two-shot photo she'd shyly requested like a fan asking a celebrity for an autograph, right before Hayang left.