From Fan to Bodyguard
Thud. Yul's fist slammed down on the desk.
Ryu Shin-ah, sitting across from her, flinched hard. This was an aura that rivaled the murderous tension she'd exuded just two days ago, before he'd double-checked Kang Young-hwa's safety in the shelter.
"Does that even make sense? Concert canceled? Why?!"
"Well... the aftermath of the tower means sudden gates are spiking for a while. They're popping up everywhere right now. A massive crowd like that is just too risky."
"That's why they hire hunters."
One of the changes since the hunter era began was this. Sure, the tower had been added to the mix, but aside from dungeon raids, hunters weren't obligated to do much. Sudden gates appearing at events or gatherings with huge crowds, though? That was a massive liability. Idol fan meetings and concerts with popular stars, national events packed with politicians and business bigwigs—anywhere from hundreds to thousands, even tens of thousands of people. If a gate popped up there? Catastrophe.
So major entertainment agencies made hiring hunters standard practice, and for the latter, the government handled it on a national scale.
That made sense. Ryu Shin-ah nodded—then froze.
Wait a sec.
"General. You failed ticketting anyway, right? You're not even going, so why...?"
"Think of all the prep they did for that concert! And now it's scrapped with less than a week to go?"
"Hey, why are you mad at me..."
"The fans were looking forward to it so much—how heartbreaking is that!"
Bam. The desk shook again.
Yeah. No talking sense into her like this. Ryu Shin-ah switched to 'shut up and figure out how to calm the general' mode.
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' is pacing anxiously, insisting our Yul can't be stressed out.
They suggest tracking down that agency chairman insect and threatening to judge him unless the concert goes ahead.
"Byeolnim, threats like that won't solve anything."
Yul chugged a fresh banana milk like it was liquor. Five empty cartons were already scattered by the table.
Bzzz. Then both Yul's and Ryu Shin-ah's terminals vibrated.
No need to check—it was Jeon Se-han.
Jeon Se-han had seen Ryu Shin-ah poking around the tower that day. He figured they'd gotten something, even if just a scrap. Yul, who'd gone inside and come out, went without saying.
His guess wasn't far off, actually. Yul hadn't just heard her star's voice in there, and Ryu had pushed his body to the limit for even a faint clue.
But who'd believe that enough to tell the government?
They both played dumb and went radio silent again.
"Ah, General. The director's calling again..."
Crash. Yul hurled her terminal across the living room without even looking.
The floor where it smashed cratered like a meteor strike.
"......"
Homeowner Ryu Shin-ah had a lot he wanted to say, but for the sake of his neck, he chose silence.
Touch that, and it might be me next.
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' claps, saying she did great.
They cheer her on, saying if it relieves stress like this, go ahead and wreck the whole place of that insect.
Yul sighed and slumped over the table.
Logically, she knew Ryu Shin-ah was right. Just like how the system had frozen, the tower's activation had sudden gates exploding everywhere. Even precursor gates were jumping ranks wildly.
With major events canceling worldwide, no way a popular idol concert was happening.
...But heart and head don't always agree.
Knowing didn't stop the hurt.
As Yul rolled an empty banana milk carton with her finger, Ryu Shin-ah stared holes into his laptop screen. His face lit up, turned worried, then set resolute.
"...General."
"What."
"There's... one way."
"What is it?!"
Yul snapped her head up. Her eyes—rarely—sparkled with motivation.
...No one has a friend like me. Ryu shook his head wistfully.
"So, the issue boils down to 'gates might pop, too dangerous,' right...?"
"Get to the point."
"Block that cause, and we're good."
No gates opening. Or if one did nearby, a hunter with the firepower to neutralize it. Total safety guaranteed for fans and artists, no matter what.
One possibility fulfilled all that.
Lots of extra prep, sure—but I'll handle it... pull in other hunters...
But the key condition was one.
Ryu took a breath and spoke gravely.
"General. Let's do some bodyguard work."
Just the world's strongest volunteering as security.
* * *
"...Pardon?"
Kim Yu-jun blinked blankly. The other members, summoned to the rep's office, wore the same dubious expressions. Even the unflappable Seo In-ah.
"Exactly that. The canceled concert—we're postponing a week and going ahead."
"Postpone?"
"Wait, really not canceling? Is that even possible?"
"Yes."
Seo In-ah and Park Sa-ha pressed in disbelief. The rep nodded firmly.
Is this a dream? All of Double Black thought it.
The cancellation had been official just yesterday. Tower appeared, agency met next day and pulled the plug. Everyone was bummed, blaming the world unfairly.
Kim Yu-jun accepted fast, consoling the team—especially the teary maknae.
They'd all resigned themselves. Then Han Jun-yeol gasped in awe.
"Whoa, insane."
"B-but can you postpone that easily?"
"More importantly, safety? We canceled over gates."
Park Ho-young followed up late; Seo In-ah piled on. The rep averted his eyes awkwardly.
It was... solved too perfectly.
"Safety's covered... Cost's no issue. Biggest hurdle's gone."
Seo In-ah frowned at the overly sunny reply.
"Rep, be straight. How with the situation? Without an S- hunter, impossible—and they're all...?"
"Someone even bigger reached out."
"Huh?"
Seo In-ah's eyes widened. The rep cautiously held up his tablet. The other four gasped at the email and sender.
Sender: Jeon Se-han.
"...Hunter 'Lee Seonjwa the Gate-Killer' will handle main stadium security that day."
The rep's bombshell filled the office with screams—of joy.
Woooaaah!
As everyone lost it in excitement, one person alone.
...No way.
Seo In-ah couldn't rejoice. Half baffled, half terrified, his hands shook.
This couldn't happen. No precedent.
In this shifting situation, he didn't know whether to be thrilled or afraid.
* * *
Lately, two thoughts dominated Yul's mind.
One: that pitch-black tower and the beggars pleading she lead the charge. Humans itched to conquer tall things? Everest had them desperate too.
Some said mountains were there to be climbed. Yul seriously thought she'd rather nap at the sight.
Two: Ryu Shin-ah's 'Double Black bodyguard' gig.
The tower stuff was shoved aside long ago—this was the real worry.
"Bodyguard? Bodyguard? You're kidding."
"Why not? Bluntly, you're the top talent money can't buy. You blew off the president last time."
"Fair point."
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' is furious—how dare they use our Yul for protecting someone?
They rage that the insect with one useful trait has become obsolete.
Yul swiped away the annoyingly rhyming status window.
"I like fighting solo. Protecting? Not my thing."
Yul was strong. But strong alone.
Allies who were hunters could cover somewhat, but civilians? Different story. One AOE might wipe them before the monsters.