[Constellation, 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' Thrilled at the Hope That Everyone on the Street Recognizes Our Yul]
"As if that'd work."
Yul's bandages interfered with others' perception. In simple terms, they induced a kind of face blindness. The one blind spot was that it didn't affect people who already knew her original face—like those who'd witnessed her "transformation" from the start.
To them, she just registered as "Kwon Yul with bandages over her eyes." And so far, the only person in that category who knew Yul and Lee Seonjwa were the same was Ryu Shin-ah.
...Though there was a chance that number might grow by one today.
Most of the people in the PC bang had evacuated, and those who remained had only caught glimpses of her from behind.
The ajusshi might be iffy, though.
Yul recalled the PC bang owner. The guy who'd gotten emotional watching the news broadcast of the top-rank return prayer event and even hung up a banner, boasting the most fervent fan heart imaginable.
For some reason, she was starting to worry about the future.
The ajusshi's not the type to go blabbing... I'll keep an eye on it for now.
By now, the Hunter Management Bureau's post-incident response team or whatever was probably handling the investigation and cleanup.
Worst case, she could ask Ryu Shin-ah to step in. He wasn't here right now, but once he got back, he'd smooth things over with one of his situation-specific skills.
"...News travels fast."
Or maybe it was slow by his usual standards. Yul picked up the string of missed calls.
"Yeah, what's up."
-You see the news? Things were already a mess with the impersonation blowing up, and now it's total chaos.
"Didn't watch, but it's obvious."
-Anyway, glad it's getting sorted quick.
"They're just gonna cut off the tail, obviously. Right? Both the guild master and the bureau. Claim it was that one hunter's personal stunt."
-You think I'd let that slide? Hold on, I'm in the middle of raising hell right now.
"Huh?"
Ryu Shin-ah cackled.
-Whatever. You go find that conscientious confessor. Sending you a link.
She pulled the phone from her ear and checked the screen. A link had arrived.
Constellation, 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' furrows its brow, wondering what kind of "conscientious declaration" this is.
Yul tilted her head and tapped the link. Her black eyes widened slightly at the feast of text that popped up.
After a long silence, she spoke.
"...You know where this person lives?"
Ryu Shin-ah snorted.
-Sending you the guild building address.
The top ranker's return—a story that had dominated every major outlet just two days ago—was now buried under new headlines.
The common theme? Impersonation, of course.
Articles delved into why such a thing was even possible in the first place.
Suspicions swirled around the witness hunters who'd knowingly given false testimony. And naturally, praise for Yul—the real Lee Seonjwa—who'd appeared at that critical moment and demonstrated her prowess without fail.
Countless people buzzed across fan cafes and hunter forums in heated debates.
"...Impersonation?"
Among those "countless people" were the members of Double Black.
Park Sa-ha frowned reflexively. After spending the whole day in the practice room and dragging himself back to the dorm at bedtime, this was the news that greeted him.
He pressed, "So the one from two days ago was an impersonator? Not the real deal?"
"Yeah. The real one showed up this afternoon."
The blond on the sofa, Han Jun-yeol, answered. Park Ho-young, the maknae lying with his head on Han Jun-yeol's lap, let out an incredulous chuckle.
"Not just that it was possible, but who would even think to try? Aren't you scared?"
"Right? Even I..."
"She's not the type to retaliate."
Park Sa-ha grumbled a bit curtly. His face was stiff, clearly displeased with the situation. Han Jun-yeol grinned at him oddly.
"Hyung's sulking."
"Am not."
"You are."
"Said I'm not."
"Then you're mad?"
Park Sa-ha chucked a cushion at Han Jun-yeol. His straw-like blond hair flew everywhere.
"Wonder how it'll get resolved, anyway."
Kim Yu-jun, the leader sitting on the floor, muttered. Fresh out of the shower, water dripped from his black hair.
"Yu-jun-ah, you're getting the floor wet."
"Ah, hyung. Sorry."
Kim Yu-jun startled and draped a towel over his shoulders. The man lying next to him on the floor sat up groggily—Seo In-ah, the team's eldest, official old soul (third life).
He shook water from his face and stared at the TV. His expression shifted strangely at the sight of Yul standing amid the wrecked road.
"...#1? Back from hiding already?"
"Precisely, today's appearance was the real one. Two days ago was someone else. Yesterday... no one knows. They're arguing over merit distribution between real and fake."
"That'll sort itself out... But man, already? Fast."
"Yeah, right? Less than a year off, seems short compared to her usual exploits."
Kim Yu-jun chimed in. Seo In-ah nodded vaguely, rubbing the back of his neck.
That was her call. Nothing to do with him.
"I'm off to bed. Sa-ha, Jun-yeol, Ho-young—you too, get some early rest. No all-nighters gaming."
"...Yeah, hyung."
"We know how to manage our condition!"
"Right!"
"Sure, sure."
The three replied in turn. Seo In-ah chuckled softly and headed upstairs.
"Alright, like hyung said—bedtime. Wake up proper tomorrow when I call!"
Kim Yu-jun wrapped things up. He warmly watched his grumbling dongsaengs scatter with tomorrow's promises, then flicked off the living room lights.
The dorm fell dark.
All except Park Sa-ha's room.
"...Impersonation? Does that even make sense?"
Park Sa-ha perched on his bed, fidgeting as he scoured the fan cafe. Sure enough, it was on fire—server meltdown imminent.
Even though the incident hit early afternoon, it was still raging near midnight.
Of course it'd blow up like this.
Park Sa-ha had been in peak excitement since hearing she'd gone dark. Despite never usually posting...
Timid as it was. Park Sa-ha groaned into his pillow, mashing his face into it.
Ah, what would it feel like to meet her for real?
This was the hunter era. Domestic S-rank hunters numbered fingers on one hand; A-ranks barely hit double digits. Internationally, A+ and above were elite, rivaling idols and chaebol heirs in fame.
Not quite public figures unless bureau-affiliated, but...
"...Think she'll ever do a fanmeet?"
If she did, the crowds would dwarf ours! Park Sa-ha seriously pondered if he'd score a signed something from Lee Seonjwa-nim that day—or if a hypothetical fanmeet would overflow Gocheok Dome—before drifting off.
Meanwhile, Yul's take on the impersonation scandal—even covered in overseas news?
"...Has our media always been this generous with praise?"
That was it. After ghosting for nearly 300 days without warning, this much positivity felt off. She could've been roasted with "You ignore us when we beg, but show up once fakes appear?"
Such gripes had popped up during her absence. Though counterarguments outnumbered them.
Hunter civilian protection wasn't mandatory, and Yul's achievements overflowed. She'd saved two nations from doom (one her own homeland), actively for two years straight.
Public opinion? Yul didn't sweat it.
Constellation, 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' declares it's only natural for our Yul and stands tall.
Constellation, 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' vows to bankrupt any broadcasting station that badmouths our Yul that very day.
Asking her own constellation had been a mistake. Yul shook her head and closed her phone.
"Inventory."
She murmured, and a familiar window materialized in the air.