The Infiltration of Moon Force
The drug team leader sensed something off in Seong-a's expression. "Is there a problem?"
"…No. Just hypothetically—if a scandal broke out involving me, would the contract be terminated?"
"Of course. Our brand doesn't work with models involved in controversies."
"Rowoon would be the same, right?"
"……."
The team leader rested his chin on his hand, thinking differently from her. But the pause was brief. "Yes, our stance remains unchanged. There are plenty of celebrities who could replace him."
Seong-a's lips curved upward. "I like that. By the way, have you gone public with this yet?"
"No. We're planning to announce it in three days."
Three days. Time was tight. Since the meeting seemed over, she grabbed the contract on the desk and signed it with a flourish. "Even if something happens in three days, don't be surprised."
"Pardon?"
"Hehe, just kidding."
Seong-a smiled and left the conference room. Ha-yul, waiting outside, followed her. "Did the meeting go well?"
"Yeah. Ha-yul, just out of curiosity—do you need money?"
"All of a sudden?"
Ha-yul hesitated briefly, but like the Enel team leader, not for long. "More money is always better."
"Then let's do a job together."
"A job?"
Seong-a quickly pulled out her phone and called Rona. The line connected in less than a second. After a quick greeting, she got straight to the point.
"There's a guy named Rowoon in your guild, right?"
"That womanizer?"
The word "womanizer" came out so naturally—it was obvious the guy had lived wrong. "You don't like him, do you?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
Rona's tone carried the clear implication of why are you even asking something so obvious? Perfect.
"In three days, a scandal's going to hit that bastard."
"What? What do you mean—!"
"I know." Seong-a hung up before Rona could finish. Explaining everything would be a pain.
They headed to the Association and borrowed a conference room for a while.
"Why did we suddenly come to the Association? Did the team leader call?"
"No. Home isn't the right place for this. Did you bring what I asked for?"
"Yes! Here!"
Ha-yul had prepared a small notebook and pen just as instructed. This would be enough.
Think.
Seong-a closed her eyes and cast a divination. Who were the people connected to the club Rowoon ran?
Names and information flooded her mind instantly, and her hand moved on its own. When she opened her eyes, she tore out the page and handed it to Ha-yul. Ha-yul gasped at the names and details written there.
"Wow… They're all famous people. From famous directors to political figures…"
"Yeah. This is going to be bigger than I thought."
She'd assumed it was just some reckless kids doing drugs at a club, but the scale was much larger.
"Do we really have to do this? Can't we just report the drugs?"
"I want to, but I already signed the contract."
If this drug scandal broke while the ad campaign was running, the fallout would be unimaginable. Enel's premium brand image would crash, and as a fellow model, Seong-a would inevitably be suspected of drug use too. A negative drug test would clear her name, but wounds like that didn't heal easily. So she had to stop it before it happened.
"First, we need evidence. Ha-yul, go to the club and bring back proof."
"Me? That's a bit…"
Ha-yul subtly avoided her gaze. Her reaction was understandable. The club even had a congressman's daughter. One wrong move and she could end up in a drum.
But there was a way. "Stocks or lottery—which do you want?"
"…What?"
Ha-yul's ears twitched slightly. Time to drive the point home.
"Never mind, I'll just give you both. China's D company is about to do well…"
"……."
Seong-a wrote down the stocks that would rise soon and the winning lottery numbers, then tore out the page. "With this, you could easily make a billion won."
"……."
Strangely, no response. Hmm, should I test her?
"Don't tell me you don't want it? Then I'll just throw it away—"
"Ah, no! It's not that I don't want it! I mean…"
Ha-yul looked extremely conflicted. Seong-a wished she'd just decide already—reject or accept.
"If you don't answer soon, I'm selling it to Ji-woo or the team leader."
"You can't do that!"
Ha-yul lunged for the paper, but Seong-a held it high. A laugh escaped her. "I'll take that as acceptance."
"…Fine."
Ha-yul's shoulders slumped. Worry is a luxury. As long as Seong-a was around, nothing dangerous would happen.
"But how do I even get into the club?"
"Don't worry. This will get you through."
Seong-a handed her a business card. Ha-yul's eyes widened as she read it.
"This is…!"
"Yeah. It's the club's business card."
It was the one Rowoon had given her when they'd run into each other at the soup restaurant while eating with Rona. She hadn't expected keeping it out of laziness would come in handy. Since Rowoon's name was on it as the owner, it should grant free access.
Meanwhile, Ha-yul trembled as she held the card. "C-can I really do this? Th-there are definitely at least B-class Awakeners guarding the place…"
"Just trust me. Nothing bad will happen to you."
Seong-a patted Ha-yul's head. She'd served as an imperial soldier during the continental unification. Securing evidence was nothing.
"So when do I infiltrate?"
Seong-a smiled. They only had three days.
"Tonight."
***
Moon Force.
A club run by Rowoon, a famous idol and member of Monstoo. On the surface, it looked like a clean social gathering spot, but the reality was far different. A place overflowing with drugs and gambling, backed by a congressman's daughter who was both his fan and lover. Packed with celebrities and political figures. Even the police who knew the truth couldn't easily touch it.
On a cold, bitter night, a woman visited the club.
"Business card confirmed. Please enjoy your time."
After the guard checked the card, Ha-yul was let inside.
"I made it in without any issues."
"Good job."
Thanks to the tiny earpiece, communication wasn't a problem.
"Don't be nervous. Just follow the divination and nothing will go wrong."
"Even if you say that…"
It had only been a few months since she'd lost her memories. She wasn't sure she could pull this off. Following Seong-a's instructions, Ha-yul took the elevator down to the basement.
[Basement Level 5, Basement Level 5.]
The club was below the underground parking lot. Their effort to stay hidden was impressive. When the elevator doors opened, a roar of voices hit her.
Waaaaah!!!
Ha-yul couldn't help but be amazed. Every single person here was someone she'd seen on TV. And the most eye-catching one was the man singing on stage.
"Th-that person… he's a singer I listen to all the time. Don't tell me…"
"Yeah. High chance he's a druggie."
It was shocking. Her favorite singer was actually a drug addict. So this was what people meant by "appearances can be deceiving."
"No time to be surprised. Start taking pictures."
"Right."
Ha-yul pulled out her phone, pretending to take selfies while snapping shots in the directions Seong-a had specified. The congressman's only daughter in the corner on the second floor, a first-generation idol pulling hair in a fight, a famous director hitting on an unknown actress, the "nation's boyfriend" actor abusing the bartender with a broken bottle—photos of all the celebrities were secured. With Korea's entertainment and political heavyweights gathered in one place, it was a sight ordinary citizens never got to see.
In seconds, countless photos arrived in Seong-a's messages.
"This should be enough, right?"
"Yeah, we've got the key figures. Now we need drug evidence…"
Seong-a cast another divination. Got it. You're the one.
"Knock out the waiter at the right table and transform into him."
"Knock him out? How am I supposed to…"
"Lure him to the bathroom."
"Lure him?!"
Ha-yul blurted it out loud without thinking.
"Keep your voice down. You'll get caught."
"No, how am I supposed to lure anyone?!"
Ha-yul protested. You never said anything about this. I'm a kissless virgin, she wanted to add, but Seong-a wasn't interested in listening.
"Fighting!"
"Wait a second—!"
Beep! Beep!
The call cut off abruptly. Ha-yul swallowed her rising irritation and tried self-hypnosis. I can do this…! I'm the greatest courtesan of the Joseon era…!
After banging her head against the wall a few times, she felt a little better. Finally gathering her courage, she approached the waiter pouring drinks and spoke first.
"Um, excuse me, could I talk to you for a moment?!"
AAAAAARGH!
She screamed internally. She had no idea why she had to do something this ridiculous. It's not gonna work anyway…
Convinced no one would be interested in someone like her, she turned to leave—only to hear an unexpected reply.
"Sure."
"……!"
Sure? Sure what?
"Just give me a minute."
"……?"
She had no idea what was happening, but she waited until the waiter finished his shift. This is my chance! Ha-yul thought. The moment his work ended, she boldly grabbed his wrist and dragged him straight into the men's bathroom.
"Uh, isn't this moving a little fast?"
"……."
Too embarrassed to speak, afraid she'd mess up, Ha-yul stayed silent. They entered the farthest stall in the men's restroom.
"Wow, you're pretty aggressive—ack!"
After locking the door, Ha-yul vented all the frustration she'd gotten from Seong-a by choking the male employee.
"What the hell are you—ghk!"
The employee passed out. As soon as preparations were done, her phone rang from the bag. Ha-yul frowned and answered.
"You succeeded."
"Don't make me do stuff like this again."
"Haha, sorry. But it worked out, didn't it?"
Seong-a hadn't told her to seduce him for no reason. She'd divined exactly who would fall for it easily. So even without any special effort from Ha-yul, the man was bound to follow her.
Ha-yul sighed and touched the man's cheek with her right hand—the minimum requirement to transform someone else. Once the transformation into the waiter was complete, she stripped him and pulled out the rope she'd prepared in her bag. To avoid being discovered, she tied him so tightly to the toilet that they practically became one.
This should be good…?
The prep work was done. Now wearing the waiter's clothes, Ha-yul stepped out of the stall naturally.
"Wait, if you go out now—!"
"Huh?"
Too late—she'd already left the stall. Turning her head, she saw a man washing his hands at the sink.
"……."
Ha-yul was speechless.
He went by many names. The main vocalist of the top idol group Monstoo. An A-class hunter from the Hae-yeon Guild. And the owner of Club Moon Force.
The man washing his hands at the sink was none other than the root of this entire incident.
Rowoon.