Front-Row Fangirling Under National Spotlight

In that case, they wouldn't even be able to fight properly, and innocents would just get massacred for no reason.

'Considering civilian safety, a tanker would be better.' Yul suddenly thought of Lee Yu-na.

As the No. 6 ranked tanker, she often got requests for national-level security gigs, or so Yul vaguely recalled.

"Anyway, Ryu Shin, you know that too. That's why I turned down the last one."

"General, your name is a safety guarantee check. Sure, it'd be great if nothing happens, but even if it does, just knowing 'the Lee Sunjwa Killer' is there lets everyone relax and enjoy themselves—a total guarantee."

Ryu Shin-ah explained calmly.

"Don't worry about the outing... I've got a pretty solid public excuse lined up."

"Excuse?"

"Most folks are positive about this new Babel Tower phase, but plenty are still freaked out."

"……."

"Like you know, General, the guide didn't say how long this mess would last. People are buzzing that everyday life, which had finally calmed down a bit, might never come back."

Yul listened silently, already guessing where he was going.

Ryu Shin-ah grinned. Figured it out?

"They need a show of strength to calm the masses. Even at the government level."

"……Hmm."

"A concert drawing that huge crowd, with ironclad safety. You, the overwhelming powerhouse who steps up for the people and pulls off the near-impossible right in front of everyone."

They should be thanking you for letting them suggest it. Ryu Shin-ah shrugged as he added that.

It was a pretty convincing pitch. Yul let out a nasal hum and nodded slowly.

True enough.

"Alright. Let's go with that. Make it sound like the Management Bureau proposed it. We've got leverage from that impersonation fiasco last time—time to cash it in."

Ryu Shin-ah snapped his laptop shut with a click.

Yul stopped his hand as it reached for the communicator to call Jeon Se-han right away.

"Hold up. I'm still uneasy."

"What's there to worry about? Fangirling and work—one stone, two birds!"

"That's exactly the problem."

"Huh?"

Yul's face was more serious than ever.

Fine, security detail—sure. All good.

But fangirling and one stone two birds? That was the issue.

"……What if I get too busy watching the stage and slack on the job?"

"That's your problem?!"

"I can't guarantee I won't!"

"Just peek a little and stay vigilant! Isn't this the front-row standing you dreamed of?!"

"Insane!"

Bombarded by those tempting words, Yul faceplanted onto the desk.

Front-row standing. In reality, probably even closer.

And standing? She'd thrown money at it without remorse, yet never even scored a fan sign event, let alone a concert. Too much temptation for Yul.

Ryu Shin-ah looked down at her, head still buried.

"General. Just listen to me. This is the best way."

"……But."

"Suggest postponing the concert, and I'll handle any pop-up gates in the meantime. You just go there."

Postpone the concert. Agency and Management Bureau handle cleanup. Done.

She was almost sold—until that last bit. Yul snapped her head up.

"Don't talk nonsense. You handling gates? You got ten bodies?"

"I've got a plan. Not thrilled about it, but..."

Ryu Shin-ah muttered bitterly as he picked up the communicator.

If Yul was fighting there, they needed someone for civilian protection and manpower for gates.

He was A+ top-tier, but his trait meant zero direct attack power...

Time to toss bait to a diehard fanatic who'd charge in eyes blazing for anything involving Yul.

* * *

A few hours later.

The Hunter Management Bureau and Double Black Label's agency issued statements simultaneously.

The concert would be postponed a week under the Bureau's full safety guarantee—but still held as planned.

Shocking enough already, but eyes locked on the next line.

Lee Sunjwa Killer is coming! Where? To Jamsil Main Stadium!

The utterly unexpected name-drop crashed three servers flat.

Hunter boards, Lee Sunjwa fan cafe, and Double Black fan cafe.

The Lee Sunjwa cafe had calmed after Ryu Shin-ah's quick intervention, dousing member rage (Don't drag our sis/bro into political games!).

The hunter boards weren't so calm. But reality was the opposite, so Yul's conscience only stung a little.

'...But they started it first with that impersonation.'

Realizing the impersonation mess and this gig weren't bad for the government either, she zipped it.

Finally, Double Black Label fans (aka DeoLabel) expressed half-apology, half-gratitude to Yul.

One thing in common: Government efforts? Who cares. 'Lee Sunjwa, the big-hearted national hero who stepped up at the Bureau's request.'

Yul rolled her eyes awkwardly.

"......Feels like this blew up too big, Star? My idol concert turning into a top-ranker all-out national event?"

"I'm doing it 'cause I want to. Bureau chief's eating all the hate anyway. All profit for me."

"No, if I'm frail, everyone's paper dolls?"

World's acknowledged tankiest tank, yet.

Yul pocketed her phone with a baffled look.

Early night tonight. She rose from the sofa, flicked off the living room lights, and dove straight into the bedroom's white duvet.

'...Going to sleep, so quiet down.'

'Yeah. You too, Star.'

Yul mumbled half-heartedly, fluffed her pillow, and lay down.

Her constellation always respected privacy. Sleep, showers, etc.—especially solo time.

Eyes closed, time passed.

"......Hah."

Yul opened her eyes again.

Looked around—no status window anywhere.