Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Lie
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“Mm...”
The soft feel of fabric against my skin, the plush mattress cradling my body.
How long had it been since I'd slept so soundly?
I knew it was about time to get up, but I just didn't want to move.
Forcing myself upright, I glanced at the wall clock. The hour hand was already pointing at 11.
That meant I'd slept for over half a day.
'Starting off lazy like this isn't a good idea.'
With that thought, I pulled my legs out from under the covers, intending to get out of bed.
The bed was a bit high, so my feet didn't quite reach the floor. I gave my hips a little bounce to hop down.
I straightened the bedding and headed to the bathroom for a quick wash and brush of my teeth. Even then, the bed I'd just left seemed to beckon me back.
Maybe just a bit longer in here... That lazy notion vanished at the sound of knocking on the door.
“Ar~ You in there?”
I opened the front door to the now-familiar voice. There stood Seo-yoon, holding five or six shopping bags in one hand.
“Didn't you say you were in Busan? Still, it's good to see you.”
“I came right after finishing up my schedule. These are some clothes I bought for you, Ar. The ones I gave you last time were mine, so they didn't fit quite right... They were cute, though.”
Peering into the bags she handed me, I saw a variety of outfits in my size.
“I've only been receiving things from you all this time... All I can say is thank you for caring so much.”
“Don't feel burdened. You're part of the White Wolf Guild now, right? This is a gift from your senior.”
I set the gifted clothes aside for a moment, and Seo-yoon rummaged in her pocket, pulling something out.
“And this... is your phone, Ar!”
“Mm! Truly grateful. It was inconvenient not having one.”
Smiling, I took the phone and turned it over in my hands, examining it. From across the room came Seo-yoon's giggling.
“I've saved my number, Jeong-woo oppa's, Hyun-woo oppa's, and Director Gu Gi-wook's. You know how to make calls, right?”
“No need to worry; I remember that much. Have you eaten?”
“Not yet. Want to go together?”
I recalled the kimchi stew we'd shared the day before yesterday.
“Then I should change. Last time we ate what I wanted, so this time let's go for something you like, Seo-yoon.”
“Mm... It's raining, so how about some gukbap?”
I nodded, then reached into one of the shopping bags for some clothes to throw on. Seo-yoon stopped me.
“Can I pick your outfit...? There's something I want to see you wear...”
“Do as you like. I'm no good at choosing clothes anyway.”
Back in Elantara, I'd worn uniforms as a hero and stuck to comfortable attire afterward.
“Then this one~ and this. Try them on, and tell me if you don't like them.”
Seo-yoon held out a brown sweater-material hooded jacket and a flowing white long skirt.
I changed into them and stepped out. Seo-yoon let out a stream of admirations, snapping photos of me with her camera.
“Aww—! You're so cute... Wait, is 'cute' upsetting...?”
“Why would it be? It's a compliment.”
After taking shots from all sorts of angles, Seo-yoon confidently led me to a gukbap place she called a must-try.
The gukbap was tasty enough, but nothing extraordinary.
After a simple meal, Seo-yoon and I headed to the White Wolf building.
Without my robe, a few people recognized me and tried to approach, but they were blocked by the wary Seo-yoon, so no proper greetings were exchanged.
We arrived at Hyun-woo's office—where I'd spent the most time over the past two days.
Opening the smooth wooden door revealed Jeong-woo already seated and Hyun-woo at his desk.
“Oh, you're here? The article's about to go up soon. Have some of these cookies while you wait.”
Jeong-woo said it jitterily, leg bouncing as he pointed to a bowl of cookies on the table.
I nibbled on them one by one, and after about thirty minutes—the scheduled upload time—the moment arrived.
“It's up. Now we just watch the reactions. God, I hope this settles it...”
Seo-yoon muttered worriedly.
Checking beside her, the official statement focused on refuting the rumors about my recruitment timing that netizens had questioned.
Seo-yoon kept refreshing frantically, then looked at us with a grim expression.
“The reactions... They're not buying it...”
“We expected that. It's a hastily made-up backstory, so there are holes. It'll die down with time.”
“Oppa, how can you say that now?!”
Seo-yoon snapped at Hyun-woo, though her side glances at me seemed more worried than angry.
“Then shouldn't I just step forward and clarify?”
It was the simplest solution, really.
Hyun-woo had even suggested it yesterday.
At my words, everyone stared silently.
“You sure you'll be okay? The kid who was shaking like a leaf in front of the bureau last time.”
“Yeah...! No choice, but let's just let time fix it like oppa says.”
Having seen me scared at the bureau, Jeong-woo and Seo-yoon tried to dissuade me.
My cheeks warmed at the memory of my undignified state, but I pressed on without showing it.
“Won't that just hurt the guild's public image in the end? And like I said yesterday, I was just startled for a moment.”
“Still...”
“I've already received so much from you all. Can't you trust me and leave it to me?”
I spoke firmly.
Jeong-woo sighed in partial acceptance, while Seo-yoon still looked uneasy.
“You really okay?”
“Mm. Not a shred of doubt.”
“Then let's schedule a press conference for noon tomorrow. Just answer the reporters' questions.”
Hyun-woo said, calling in his secretary to arrange it.
“Oppa, no...!”
“Don't baby her. Like she said, Ar's no child. She has way more experience than us.”
Despite Seo-yoon's worried protests, Hyun-woo shut it down decisively.
Moments later, the secretary returned with available slots: noon, 3 p.m., and 6 p.m.
“Noon it is. Nights have been tiring lately.”
“Got it. I'll set it for then.”
The secretary nodded and left.
The next morning at 11 a.m., I rode with Hyun-woo to arrive on time for the press conference.
The night before, I'd crammed my profile info and anticipated questions under Seo-yoon's coaching.
“Not nervous?”
“Mm. Not at all. I've done this plenty.”
“...If you tense up like last time, just bail. Didn't say it, but that scared me.”
His eyes were sharp; Hyun-woo seemed more worried about the reporters than me.
“Mm. Will do. No need to fret.”
Half an hour from the guild by car, we reached the reserved auditorium.
We'd enter together, but Hyun-woo would stand back, supporting me silently.
I entered first, reviewing yesterday's lines. Reporters gradually filled the seats.
Soon the hall was packed, no empty spots.
Hyun-woo stepped forward, took the mic, and briefed to start the conference.
After the guild's statement, it was my turn. He yielded the spot and slid a step stool for me.
Stepping up with a wide stride, I could finally reach the mic.
“Mm, ah, ah. Can you hear me well?”
My unexpected manner of speech brought a hush over the auditorium.
Breaking the silence, a young female reporter raised her hand.
I signaled her, and she stood to ask.
“Yes, I can hear you fine. Is... that speech pattern from your awakening?”
“Mm. It is. I ask your understanding.”
It was how I'd spoken for nearly half my life.
No easy fix, nor did I wish to abandon my Elantara dignity.
As she sat, another reporter raised a hand.
“Many netizens are raising suspicions. Are you aware?”
“That White Wolf knew of my awakening in advance and hid it? Of course. Nonsense.”
Next question.
“You started hunter activities at just 13. No parental opposition?”
“Mm. I've been alone since birth. No one to oppose.”
The room sobered briefly, but questions continued.
Most were baseless rumors, so I brushed them off.
“Photos from one outlet show you two quite close. Was it really your first meeting at Gwanghwamun Gate?”
I started to say yes, but Hyun-woo appeared behind me, taking the mic.
“I assume everyone here knows my awakening story.”
It wasn't in the script.
“I lost my family in a gate, awakened, and escaped alone. That's when the grief hit.”
“Director Gu Gi-wook was there for me then—like a new family, a brother and father. That's why I could grow up proudly.”
“Seeing Ar in Gwanghwamun Gate reminded me of myself back then. That must be why we looked close.”
Finished speaking for me, Hyun-woo returned to his spot, silent.
After that, no more questions; the conference wrapped up.
In the car back to the guild, the air was as heavy as in the auditorium.
“Hyun-woo... Sorry. Made you say uncomfortable things because of me.”
“Ah, that last bit was mostly lies.”
“Mm...?”
His unexpected words made me forget what I'd been about to say.
“I did awaken in a gate, but no family lost, and Director Gu wasn't that reliable. Made it up. Well, it ended the conference quick—good.”
Looking up, Hyun-woo's face in the driver's seat held a faint mischievous glint.
Meanwhile, oblivious to the conversation, Seong-uk watched the conference alone at the bureau, wiping away secret tears.
Seo-yoon, briefly checking the gallery for public sentiment, let out a sigh of relief.
“It went well in the end... And the photos of Ar turned out great...”
One more photo was added to Seo-yoon's gallery folder titled 'Ar Collection'.