Baek Seolha (1)
It hadn’t been many months since the world had stabilized when I started hearing news about Eunah.
—She cleared another S-class Gate. She’s Korea’s pride!
—She’s been on fire lately….
—Hey, do you know Kim Eunah? Her looks are insane.
Whenever the media or people around me talked about her, I felt a surge of pride, as if the compliments were aimed at me.
And as Eunah continued to grow, gaining fame until she joined the 10 Strong, I finally understood.
I’m nothing but a hindrance to her now.
The title of one of the 10 Strong was never light. It was a name that carried the power to command countless enemies and fans alike. Compared to that, I was an awakener in name only—essentially no different from any ordinary person. We simply weren’t on the same level.
And honestly… Eunah probably forgot about someone like me ages ago.
It had been that way even before the Gates appeared. She was the designated successor to the Yukseong Group, while I was just the son of an average middle-class family. There was no comparison to begin with.
I need to know my place….
The admiration, the faint inferiority, and the feeling I could have called affection—all of it scattered on the wind like weathered dust. I let it go.
“What? Even the Yukseong Group’s intelligence network can’t find him?”
“We mobilized every available resource, but… yes, miss. We were unable to locate the ‘Lee Hanseong’ you are looking for.”
On the highest floor of the Yukseong Group, Kim Eunah sat in despair as she spoke with her secretary.
“It is… truly unfortunate. He is already…”
She didn’t finish the sentence, but the implication was clear enough.
“No… that can’t be. No, no, no….”
Her expression twisted further, and soon she turned her blame inward.
“I should have brought Hanseong with me back then… I should have….”
“I’ll take my leave now.”
The secretary slipped out alone, giving her space to collect herself.
“Everything I have—my fame, my power—it’s all because of Hanseong… hic.”
She cried endlessly, drowning in regret.
Once outside, the secretary dialed a number.
“How did it go?”
“Ah, yes. It was handled perfectly. We gave the job to a well-known group in that line of work. They’ll have disposed of an ordinary person—body and all—without a trace.”
“Good. You’d better watch your own back, too.”
“But… are you certain we should keep this from the young lady? If she ever learns the truth, we’ll…”
Despite the worry in the other voice, the secretary answered calmly.
“Any weakness that could hinder the young lady should be removed ahead of time.”
“Understood. Let’s grab a meal together sometime… Huh? Cough—what the….”
The call cut off with a choked gasp.
“Looks like the job was finished cleanly.”
The secretary’s tone remained indifferent.
“A secret is more useful the fewer people know it.”
In the underworld, there was an assassination organization known as Mumeong—literally “No Name.” It operated as a decentralized cell system designed so that its main base could never be traced. In the early days after the world stabilized, awakeners and powerful figures frequently employed its services.
The middle-aged leader of Mumeong sat in an antique formal posture, savoring his tea.
“Was Seolha satisfied?”
He had spoken to empty air, yet a reply soon rose from the shadow at his feet.
“Yes. The young lady said she would prefer an even more difficult request next time.”
“Haha, our little Seolha has grown so much. Still, killing someone isn’t as easy as people think. That’s why I gave her the simplest job.”
“But… at this level, won’t she lose her edge?”
“If she drops her guard and someone takes her out, that is simply her fate.”
So grow, my daughter. Grow until the day you can kill your own father.
Swallowing words a parent should never speak aloud, the man took another sip of tea.
When the moon rose, two silhouettes conversed beneath its light.
“So, what did Father say?”
“He was quite worried about you, young lady.”
“Hah. That man? After handing me a request like this?”
In her eyes, it felt like nothing more than her father looking down on her.
“Anyway, I’ll handle this one alone. You can head back.”
“But, young lady, it could still be dangerous…”
“How could someone who’s practically a civilian threaten me? Hmph. Are you underestimating me too?”
“That’s not what I meant… No. Then I wish you every success.”
With those words, one silhouette melted into the darkness and vanished.
The remaining figure began her preparations in silence.
Once the moon had fully risen, her face was briefly illuminated. She was a beauty perfectly suited to the title Moonlit Beauty.
Long silver hair flowed down her back, lending her an air of mystery. Clear blue eyes contrasted beautifully, only enhancing her allure.
She scanned her surroundings, then her eyes gleamed like a cat’s.
“Found you.”
Once the city was rebuilt and daily life returned, I began looking for work. Without connections it was difficult, but I eventually found a position at a quiet café favored by older patrons. The atmosphere was warm and comfortable, and I fit in easily by making full use of my charm ability.
Time to close up soon.
I had just finished the closing preparations when a customer walked in.
“Oh, welcome!”
It was a girl around my age. After so long without young customers, I was genuinely pleased to see her.
“…………”
She said nothing. Shy, maybe?
Oddly, her face looked slightly blurred to my eyes.
“Um… are you ready to order?”
“…Ah, y-yes! Yes!”
Startled by my question, she answered in a fluster.
She’s cute.
I smiled before I could stop myself.
“Ugh… don’t smile!”
“Haha, sorry. You’re just too adorable.”
“Eh…? M-me?”
“Yes. You’re incredibly cute and pretty.”
At my teasing reply her face flushed scarlet. She fidgeted for a moment, then asked,
“Do… do you have any recommendations?”
“Most of our regulars are older, so for someone young like you, a simple lemonade would be nice and refreshing. How does that sound?”
“Then… I’ll have that.”
While I prepared her drink, I felt her eyes on my back.
Hm…?
She was staring at me intently.
Does she want to add something else?
Ugh… why am I like this!
She was panicking.
I was supposed to assassinate the target the moment I walked in and clean everything up perfectly….
The problem was his face.
Why does he have to be so unreasonably handsome!
Raised on brutal training since childhood and surrounded only by rough, intimidating men, she had developed zero resistance to the opposite sex. That was why she had unconsciously stared at him.
It’s not like I’m desperate for men! Just kill him and be done.
While she wrestled with her inner turmoil, he spoke again and she answered in a fluster.
When he smiled, she felt her heart leap.
Idiot. Idiot! Why are you reacting like this….
“Ugh… don’t smile!”
“Haha, sorry. You’re just too cute.”
“Eh…? M-me?”
“Yes. You’re incredibly cute and pretty.”
He… he called me cute and pretty?!
It wasn’t that she had never received compliments, but they had always run in a completely different direction.
“Haha, with skills like yours, young lady, you’ll become an incredible assassin one day.”
“It’s rare to see someone your age as strong as you.”
“The way you throw those hidden weapons is truly remarkable. Just like sharp thorns!”
Every compliment had focused on her combat ability rather than her appeal as a woman. Deep down she had convinced herself she possessed no charm at all.
That was why his words struck her so deeply. Her heart pounded even harder.
Thump-thump-thump.
I need to change the subject right now… or I might actually fall for him.
“Um, do you have any recommendations?”
“Most of our regulars are older, so for someone young like you, a simple lemonade would be nice and refreshing. How does that sound?”
“Then… I’ll have that.”
Phew… I managed to say it.
Yet for some reason she couldn’t tear her eyes off him.
His back muscles are surprisingly well-developed… What would it feel like if I hugged him from behind…? Hot!
Stop thinking weird things! This is purely for observing the target….
She rationalized her embarrassing thoughts as “information gathering” and began studying every inch of him.
Those hands look like they’ve seen real hardship… If those rough, calloused hands wrapped around me….
His face still looks youthful… I wonder if he’s ever dated anyone?
He occasionally noticed her gaze and glanced back, but she continued her observation without shame, lost in one mortifying fantasy after another.