“Your acting is... remarkably convincing?” Samir stammered, unsure how to respond. Acting, huh—gasp. I recalled how Gyeol had behaved in front of Samir. And now Gyeol was claiming to be Seong Hyunjae. Acting, um, er... The most update n0vels are published on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹⟡𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⟡𝙣𝙚𝙩 ‘M-Mr. Seong Hyunjae, I’m so sorry!’ Oh no, I was mortified! My conscience as Gyeol’s guardian stabbed me. I wanted to reveal myself, but— Isabella gripped me and wouldn’t let go. It didn’t hurt, but I couldn’t move at all. If I dropped my skill under her hold, my body would suffer—Grace wouldn’t fully block the pressure. My throat would be crushed. “I don’t sense an S-rank here.” Isabella continued to knead me as she spoke. Please let go... My shoulders and neck felt nice, but enough already. “It’s a temporary side effect of taking child form.” Gyeol lowered his eyelids slightly and said. Wow—just like him. When he doubled for Seong Hyunjae at the party, it’d felt awkward; having toured together all day must’ve perfected his impression. “Maintaining child form perfectly is no easy task. You must match the stats and even behaviors. Yet you were quite a cute child.” He smiled effortlessly. Had he been human, I would’ve applauded. A genius! Shouldn’t we steer our kid toward acting? Perfect looks and talent—he’d sweep the world! At that plausible excuse, Samir tilted his head slightly. Hard to believe, yet impossible to dismiss any link to Seong Hyunjae. “Side effect? Why risk such a dangerous situation?” Of course, there was no reason. A simple phone call would suffice; why secretly visit and lose ability points? Gyeol fell silent. His glance at me pleaded for help. What to do? ‘...January 1st—wedding day.’ Seong Hyunjae wasn’t in right condition, and the announcement was a sudden breaking story—likely the Sesung Guild didn’t know. If it were his wedding, he’d’ve made a more dignified notice... or something far more scandalous. So it was certainly suspicious. Also... ‘Groom of the Crescent Moon—that’s unsettling too.’ A wedding of all things. Then... ‘Mr. Seong Hyunjae, if this wedding announcement is your doing, strike it down with lightning right now.’ I counted three seconds. 3, 2, 1—no lightning. Then I could legitimately cancel it. [Gyeol, say exactly what I tell you.] Gyeol sighed softly, then looked earnestly at Samir. “I imagine you’ve heard about my wedding announcement.” “...Yes. That’s why this situation is so bewildering.” “This is not a marriage I desire.” With an expression conveying deep complexity, Gyeol spoke perfectly. “That’s why I’ve come seeking help. Ah, I can offer more than even Han Yujin’s terms. First—do you want five years of information?” Isabella blurted out. Huh? “A large S-rank axe, forged in gold. That is my desired dowry. A master goldsmith could mold soft gold into an S-rank weapon.” “Why the golden axe?” Gyeol echoed my offhand words. “I simply want to possess it.” “...Any other conditions?” “I’ll handle the rest myself. But only one person in the world can forge S-rank weaponry. And this cat as well.” Gyeol replied quickly. Perhaps cats, especially ones accustomed to S-ranks, were popular pets. Many hunters liked animals. “Until this side effect ends and I regain my original powers, I cannot believe you are Guildmaster Seong Hyunjae.” Samir said calmly. It would be stranger to believe blindly here. “Then grant me one request.” “I have yet to announce my betrothed publicly. So release a photo with Miss Isabella. You don’t have to say it’s a wedding.” One friendly photo would spur endless rumors. Samir frowned a little at that. “A photo with a man you have no relation to—” “I’ll post it to social media.” Isabella pulled out her phone. Samir knitted his brows. “There’s already so much gossip.” “Only talk, nothing more.” “Still. If you post the photo, at least wear a hijab.” “Are you trying to force this marriage to be taken as fact?” “I’ll post it but not marry.” Samir sighed heavily. Though unrelated by blood, they looked like a friendly brother and sister. Isabella tossed her «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» phone to Samir, then stood beside Gyeol. “Just use the filter settings I’ve prepared.” “Now, lift the phone a bit, from this angle. I’ve told you a dozen times.” Isabella pestered him as she checked the preview. Samir retook the photo, and Isabella placed a hand on her hip, arching an eyebrow in dissatisfaction. “Again. Here. Get in fully. Guildmaster, look kindly at me. Not so stiffly—as if you were looking at that cat.” Isabella held me up next to Gyeol. Her golden eyes softened as she gazed at me. It was a fatherly look, not a lover’s, but it was loving enough. Samir captured the shot; he gave Isabella a concerned look. “If you post this, your marriage prospects... though you probably won’t return to Korea.” “If I find someone I like, I’ll divorce Hunter Han Yujin and marry them.” “...Fine, live as you please.” “It’s my life. And I’m S-rank.” “Good thing you awakened to S-rank.” “Yes. All the more reason to live as I please.” Isabella beamed and uploaded the photo. She then turned the phone to show Gyeol. The image was framed by a huge heart, the caption full of heart emojis. In the photo, Isabella wore a gentle smile, and Gyeol—as Seong Hyunjae—gazed at her with tender affection. Although he actually held a cat, it looked like a loving lover’s gaze. A twenty-something S-rank—anyone would assume the story was hers. Seconds after the post, Isabella’s phone vibrated. Messages and calls poured in, and the hovering helicopter lowered altitude as someone leapt downward. The veiled woman called in alarm. “Your post just went live!” “Let’s head to the villa. Land the chopper.” “But I must search for Hunter Han Yujin!” “They’ll look for the Guildmaster first. It’ll happen.” “And then other S-ranks will swarm in.” Samir and Isabella both looked at Gyeol. Gyeol feigned nonchalance. It’s fine, Gyeol—I whispered—once we reach the villa, revert to fairy dragon and hide together. ‘They’ll all come here, surely.’ And those announcing weddings with Seong Hyunjae would respond too. Isabella boarded the helicopter holding me; Gyeol and Samir followed. Morning sunlight pierced the villa lobby. Park Yerim yawned and rubbed her eyes. Moon Hyunah glanced back from her phone call. “I’m fine. Noah? No word yet.” “He’s in Europe; Riette and Noah have broad networks. Don’t worry too much.” “...Do you think he made it?” “Who knows. But he’s your brother—he could show up anytime.” Five days had passed with no word. Park Yerim lit up her phone and scrolled through articles. “I wish he were here with us.” Seong Hyunjae, too, had vanished with Han Yujin. The Sesung Guild, led by Evelyn, quietly searched for him. Yet within the guild, few were deeply worried; they assumed he’d vanished with a purpose. “Still, if they were together, it wouldn’t be so quiet.” “True. Something’s bound to crash—him alone, Sesung alone, together it’d be twice or five times the impact! ...But it’s oddly silent.” Park Yerim peered gloomily through the window. “I could search too. Back in Korea they keep telling me to return.” “Being in Korea wouldn’t be bad. Who knows—he could be somewhere nearby.” “But in Korea there are many looking for him: Haeyeon, Lion... Lion’s broadcasting diligently too.” Moon Hyunah stifled a laugh. “That broadcast was wild.” “Lion seems kinder than expected. Oh—Yuhyun’s here!” Park Yerim saw a familiar car pull up and dashed out of the empty café. The hotel elevator had been removed since that day. She hurried to the lobby where Han Yuhyun and Peace were arriving. “Any news about him?” If he were here, Yuhyun wouldn’t have come himself. He’d have gone straight to find Han Yujin, with Peace by his side. Peace materialized; his tail drooped. Park Yerim crouched to stroke him. “They’ll find him soon. He’s alive, after all.” “Let’s eat breakfast, young master.” Moon Hyunah beckoned the three to the lobby restaurant, also nearly empty since Chattersbox’s takeover left the hotel’s ownership in limbo. Though still on record, no one dared claim it; it operated only for the departing S-rank guests, most of whom had already left. Yuhyun and Hyunah headed to the kitchen. Park Yerim chose a table. Peace, glancing around as if searching for Han Yujin, settled on the chair beside Park Yerim. “Is Yuhyun sleeping okay? He needs rest to have strength to find him.” Soon a simple breakfast arrived. Park Yerim and Hyunah chatted, but Yuhyun was silent, as if speechless. Then heavy footsteps echoed. “Greetings, dear friends!” It was Hwang Rim, holding up a tablet. “Did you see the breaking news?” Park Yerim jumped up at the tablet. “What? Uncle Seong Hyunjae is getting married?!” “Huh? Seong Hyunjae?” Moon Hyunah also sprang to her feet, shocked. Only Yuhyun kept eating, unaware. “They said January 1st! It’s almost here!” “Is this real? Who on earth is he marrying?” “Yuhyun, look! Seong Hyunjae’s wedding news!” Yuhyun put down his spoon after the last bite. Still unreactive, Park Yerim shook her head. “That’s what this is, not the uncle’s whereabouts. Maybe he vanished for wedding preparations? I wonder if Song Sis will catch the bouquet? At least we have word of Seong Hyunjae... though it’s a shame they’re not together.” “He could be with Yujin.” Hwang Rim suggested cheerfully. “They vanished together—so maybe Yujin is the bride?” “Nonsense. Why would he marry Yujin?” “...Where’s the wedding venue?” Yuhyun’s voice cut through. He rose and stared at the tablet in Hwang Rim’s hand. Park Yerim gasped. “You believe that? It’s a joke.” “Brother’s popular as a political marriage candidate. Haeyeon declined them all.” “Easier to approach than an S-rank, yet he has S-rank power and connections. But Seong Hyunjae suddenly... well, if it’s him, I suppose.” “Still... but you refused? Yuhyun?” Park Yerim glared at him. “Could you do that for Uncle? He was clueless!” “As your brother, he’d accept it under the guise of caring.” “...True. If the terms are good, he’d say ‘So be it!’” Honestly, I didn’t want to bring someone new into our family circle. Yuhyun swallowed the words. His home was already more than enough. “Hey—she’s a woman in her twenties, that rogue Seong Hyunjae. But it’s not your brother.” Moon Hyunah waved off further speculation. Park Yerim muttered, “Nope.” Yuhyun lost interest too. “I heard Yujin’s power was shifting into the King of Phaeya. Maybe she became a woman in her twenties?” “That’s why Yujin hid, unable to face people. Would she just say ‘Hello, sis!’?” “N-No way! Even if he became my sister, he’d revert back.” “No matter how he changes, he’s still brother.” “Let’s look into it—if they’re marrying, it’d be interesting.” Hwang Rim left the restaurant first. Frowning, Yuhyun pulled out his phone. Hyunah answered a call. “Hello, Chief Song? We’re all here. Still no word of him.” “I see you got word? I’ll wait.” They planned to rendezvous with Song Taewon. Shortly after— Park Yerim, still staring at her phone, exclaimed. Her screen displayed a photo prominently: “It looks like Uncle Seong Hyunjae is getting married in the Middle East!”