Idols Witness the Beatdown
Ryu Shin-ah glanced back at the impersonator with a distinctly unenthused expression before following her lead, his footsteps falling in sync.
"So, who's this guy exactly?"
As they entered the bustling shopping district, Yul asked.
"Real name: Kim Jae-won. C-rank Hunter. Newbie in the Daewhanjang Guild, specializes in illusions and disruption."
"C-rank? I figured at least B."
"To you, they're all the same anyway."
Yul snorted at Ryu Shin-ah's words.
Fair enough.
Hunter ranks were measured by a uniform global standard. And when all hunters worldwide were lined up by rank, the top thousand were considered "upper ranks." Most were A+, with the very top hundred sporting an S-prefix. Even then, pure S-ranks were rare—most were the tier just below, S-. At present, only about ten hunters worldwide held a solid S-rank certification. Yul, presumed to exceed that, was the exception among exceptions.
Korea didn't even have fingers enough to count its A-ranks. Some argued it wasn't bad considering the population, but compared to traditional "advanced nations," it was undeniably low. And yet, the country boasted the bizarre record of producing the world's first S-rank dungeon and its strongest hunter.
It was like an extension of the old joke—"small land, but punches above its weight"—now globally acknowledged.
They walked amid near-constant gasps of "Holy crap, it's Lee Sunjwa!" every two seconds or so before finally reaching the store.
"Welcome... welc...!"
The clerk finally fumbled his greeting.
The Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' is extremely pleased with the envious gazes directed at our Yul.
It's cheering that a comeback feels this good.
Ryu Shin-ah stifled a snort, barely containing his laughter. Yul jabbed his side and stepped up to the display counter.
"Uh, I'd like to upgrade my phone."
"Y-yes, right away! C-can I ask what model you're looking for...?!"
"What's the latest? Galaxy series."
The Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' chuckles warmly, saying that brand name really hits the spot.
I'm not killing anyone here...
Yul clamped her mouth shut upon seeing the clerk's earthquake-level tremors.
"The highest storage capacity you've got."
"Th-these days, some dungeon models even have signal boosters built in... What are you looking for?"
"Need it, Your Majesty?"
The nickname had slipped in naturally. Whenever Yul stepped up as a hunter, she called him Ryu Shin or Hamsu. He called her General or Queen. He'd only called her "Lee Sunjwa-nim" once, after genuinely fearing for his life—then compromised on "Queen" with a muttered "She's a tyrant, total tyrant..." It was their little secret.
Ryu Shin-ah turned to her. The feature was useless for them, but Yul's mom was a civilian. After a moment's thought, Yul nodded.
Mom might call. Or I might need to call her.
"Just that model for now. I'll handle the data transfer and activation myself."
"O-okay. Then, p-payment..."
"Here."
Yul handed over her hunter-exclusive card, linked to her hunter account. While the clerk prepped the new device, Yul sipped the coffee the branch manager had offered up.
"By the way, Hamsu. You did clear it with the Management Bureau properly, right?"
"Your Majesty, what do you take me for?"
"The guy who quit on two days' notice and flew back to Korea."
Ryu Shin-ah shrugged.
"Was wrapping things up anyway. Stayed too long as it was."
"Perfect timing."
"Lucky break. Raced to the Bureau after your thing blew up, and they approved it on the spot. Perks of being buddies."
He grinned, "Friend buff OP."
Yul clicked her tongue and took the newly set-up phone.
"Thank you, come again!"
"Yeah."
Ding-a-ling.
As the pair exited amid the staff's bows, the crowd clustered by the glass windows scattered in a panic.
"...Wonder if celebrities feel like this."
Yul sighed. Ryu Shin-ah shrugged.
"Speaking of, ticketing bombed again?"
"..."
"Seriously nuts. With reflexes like yours, how do you keep bombing?"
At this point, it was just bad luck, he roared with laughter.
The Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' glares, outraged that this lowly creature dares mock Yul.
It's urging you to smack him upside the head.
Good idea.
Whack!
Yul faithfully obeyed her Constellation. And a rank-1 backhander packed with fury hit like a truck.
"Ack...!"
Thud.
Ryu Shin-ah crumpled to his knees.
"C-can't even joke...!"
"Shut it."
"H-hah, fair. With the comeback, you're doomed from here on... Ow!"
A spirited spanking session commenced.
"What's going on over there?"
"Dunno. Kinda noisy, huh."
Meanwhile, Park Sa-ha and Han Jun-yeol, passing nearby, tilted their heads.
They'd planned to grab drinks at a cafe before heading up for practice.
A crowd had gathered just dozens of meters away. Masks and sunglasses did nothing; no eyes turned their way.
"Let's head in quick, hyung. In-ah hyung'll chew us out for being late."
"Y-yeah. Coffee from over... there."
"Aaaah! Sorry, sorry!"
A man's scream cut Park Sa-ha off. Too heated for mere play, and raw sincerity laced it.
"Uh... assault?"
Han Jun-yeol muttered just as—
"Sorry! Ah, Lee Sunjwa-nim! Hitting like this is cheating!"
A name too iconic to ignore rang out.
"...Lee Sunjwa?"
"No way, the Lee Sunjwa?"
Park Sa-ha and Han Jun-yeol exchanged glances. Then, without a word, they edged toward the commotion.
They felt their manager fidgeting behind them, but suppressed pounding hearts took priority.
This could be it. A chance to become true fans!
No way she's actually here...?!
And as they blended into the crowd—
"Your mouth runs too much, Hamsu."
"People! People are watching, buddy! My image!"
"That image already in the gutter?"
"I'm still A+ rank...! Sorry, Lee Sunjwa-nim!"
"Don't call me that."
"No, Your Majesty! Highness! Emperor!"
There she was: "Lee Sunjwa Killer" pummeling the "Hamsu-kkun" famed for his A+ rank and handsome face.
Not in her usual tracksuit, but the signature black bob and bandaged eyes confirmed it.
Han Jun-yeol clapped a hand over his mouth on reflex.
"I-it's really Lee Sunjwa-nim...! Sa-ha hyung!"
"...Whoa."
He glanced over; Park Sa-ha was already zoned out, gaping at his idol.
Even the smacking motions were graceful. So fluid, such impact.
Anyone overhearing would've shaken their head at the rose-tinted glasses.
...Jun-yeol-ah.
Sa-ha hyung...
They locked eyes. An unspoken, obvious thought passed between them.
We made it.
We did it.
They were ultimate fans now. Tears welling, they spectated their idol thrashing Hamsu-kkun.
"Um, over there."
"...Huh?"
"Isn't that... Double Black...?"
The timid question from the crowd shattered the moment.
Freeze.
Lee Sunjwa—Yul—stiffened. Hamsu-kkun Ryu Shin-ah dropped his guard and turned.
Sunglasses and bandages alike fixed on Park Sa-ha and Han Jun-yeol.
"...!"
"Ah..."
And when Yul and Park Sa-ha's gazes met—
...Eye contact. She saw me. She looked at me.
Park Sa-ha.
...This is insane.
Their reactions diverged wildly.
Yul couldn't believe her eyes. Despite her superhuman stats, it felt unreal.
Running into the impersonator and her ultimate biases within hours? What a day.
Ryu Shin-ah groaned awkwardly.
Aigoo.
"Uh... Your Majesty? Snap out of it."
"Ah."
Yul sighed, withdrawing her hand and standing awkwardly straight.
Ryu Shin-ah straightened his rumpled clothes and flanked her. He flashed a quick, charming smile.
"Ah, whoops. Caught you in an embarrassing spot. Sorry about the noise, everyone."
"...Sorry for the disturbance."
They apologized in turn. It was just standard roughhousing, but the principals' notoriety elevated it.
Even idols had blended into the crowd. Not just any idols—Double Black, at the peak of popularity...
And above all, Yul's sole faves.
Oh god. This is bad. Really bad.
Cold sweat poured internally.
Park Sa-ha. And even Han Jun-yeol.
She hadn't even been to a concert, let alone a fansign. To see them in the flesh like this...
But why in this situation?
I'm gonna die of shame...
The Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' advises that our Yul always has every right to be confident.
It's cheering you on: shoulders back!
Not the time for that, Star-nim.
Yul groaned, rubbing her face.