Trapped in the Idol Universe
Chapter 130
‘A... a spy...!’
He wasn’t anything so grand. True, he had signed the Detention Bureau papers Roy handed him, but he had never formally started work, nor had he ever received such a mission.
As panic spun through Hojin’s mind, a cynical voice sounded from behind.
“Not a spy—just came out in the open.”
“Ah, using that excuse makes you sound less believable.”
Vella raised her hand before her face and waved it up and down, as if pointing out his features. Only then did Hojin realize her gaze was actually aimed just past him. He turned slowly—and saw a man in glasses, his features blurred, seated behind.
“Hah...”
The man sighed petulantly, clearly annoyed. Then, as if eager to end this charade, he forced out a curt reply.
“I came because I was bored.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“No.”
A subtle power play passed between them. Caught in the middle, Hojin felt suffocated by the tension. He didn’t know who sat behind him, but he certainly recognized the woman in front: Vella, head of the Information Guild Pluton, a heavyweight whose knowledge of Korea’s affairs was legendary. If she noticed him, the person behind him must be no ordinary figure either. Terrified, Hojin silently begged for the moment to pass.
‘Why on earth did I sit here...?’
Moments ago the seat had pleased him—now it felt like a bed of nails. He didn’t dare lift his head, keeping his eyes fixed on the floor, fearful that even a glance might draw trouble. But that only drew more attention. Vella’s gaze drifted over his head, and she raised her voice in surprise. She’d sensed something extraordinary in him, too.
“Hm?”
As Vella reached out to examine his face more closely—
Smack!
—the man behind caught her wrist and said coldly, “There are too many eyes watching. Better you return to your seat.”
Vella fell silent, staring at the hand holding her wrist.
“Sorry.”
He released her without apology, his firm gaze warning he would intervene again if needed.
“You came for fun, you said?”
“Personal matters.”
“This?”
Vella quietly nodded toward Hojin, as if shielding him. Seeing no answer, she pursed her lips in displeasure.
“Again? I don’t understand why government folks behave like this. Integrity, fairness—must be for the dogs.”
“I know you don’t care, anyway.”
The man knew Pluton wouldn’t covet a mere water-element Awakener like him. This was just petty spite for losing Roy. Finding the exchange dull, Vella abruptly lost interest.
“Fine, let’s leave it at that.”
But then—
“Kang Saeon.”
...!
Vella deliberately spoke the man’s name, knowing it would embarrass him. Sure enough, the moment his name fell, his face tightened. Kang Saeon. Anyone who binge-watched the Awakener survival show—and followed the audience tapings—would know the Detention Bureau’s famed Blood Fiend hunter.
“Well then, enjoy the show. If you get bored, feel free to come down. I can clear a seat for you.”
Before lightly leaping down from the railing, Vella slipped Hojin a Pluton business card.
“Hah...”
Saeon sighed, staring at the spot Vella had just occupied. His disguise—designed to obscure his identity—was blown.
“Kang Saeon?”
“That’s Kang Saeon?”
“But his face looks different.”
Murmurs floated around as people glanced at Hojin. Meanwhile, Hojin’s eyes darted anxiously.
‘A Pluton card?’
He couldn’t tell if Vella’s gesture was a mistake—or if she’d recognized him. And why was Kang Saeon here? He even intervened on Hojin’s behalf. When Hojin dared to glance back, their eyes met.
...!
Saeon snatched the card from Hojin’s hand.
“I’ll handle this.”
“Uh?”
“Look straight ahead.”
“O-okay!”
Hojin immediately lifted his chin and straightened his back. Though he looked painfully stiff, Saeon said nothing—his attention was elsewhere.
“Hah...”
Another sigh escaped him. Saeon hadn’t come as a mere spectator; he was here under orders from his superior: find out when an S-rank Awakener could officially start work—and do it as soon as possible. The added subtext was clear: if the show dragged on, interfere and eliminate the target. But Vella’s revelation had foiled any such plan—now Saeon was nothing more than an audience member. Damn it.
✧
[Title: “Kang Saeon Spotted at Star Hero Audience”]
Why is the Detention Bureau even here??
└ My family went to watch and said Kang Saeon was there?? He wore disguise items so no one recognized him, but Vella called out his name.
└ LOL OMG
└ My sis be beating only one guy... that’d be Kang Saeon
└ I’m a newbie but why’s there a spy?
└ Family
└ Vella’s Kang Saeon’s sis lol
└ At least she let him slide today—crowd was big
└ If he were B-rank, he’d get less beaten... but he’s A, so he deserved it haha
└ Special recruitment?
└ Bureau only hires publicly
└ We have special hires—only A-rank and above
[Title: “Detention Bureau Special Hires”]
Am I the only one learning this today?
└ A-rank and above
└ WTF what’s the difference from no special hires?
└ True...
└ OMG yes
The shoot began slightly behind schedule—because of Saeon. Upon learning a Bureau operative was here, production offered to move his seat. Now that his identity was out, staying among the audience was awkward. Saeon refused: Vella sat opposite him in the judges’ stand, waving a finger between her eyes and him in a psycho grin, as though to say she was watching.
“I’m fine, really.”
After thrice refusing, production gave up. Whispers about him continued until Team 1 entered—and Roy learned of Saeon’s presence as he waited outside the door.
‘Kang Saeon’s here?’
As a staffer held the door open wide, Han-gyeol’s hearty voice rang out:
“Team 1, please enter! Participants: Kim Tae-eon, Dong Yo-il, Park Yeon-woo, Seo Hyun-woo, Anna, I Roi.”
Cheers erupted as the audience spotted Roy at the front. Stepping onto the stage, he sensed a strange presence near the center of the seats. Turning slightly, he saw Hojin beaming and applauding.
“...?!”
He hadn’t been told Hojin would come. It must be a surprise. Roy’s eyes widened; Hojin rubbed his nose, shy. And just behind him sat another familiar face—Saeon, looking utterly nonplussed.
‘Glasses?’
His features seemed softer but still recognizable. Could that, too, be a disguise?
‘No wonder the rumors spread...’
Roy didn’t know that no ordinary item could fool an S-rank. Instead, Saeon’s reputation only took more hits. An ace of the Detention Bureau—he had much to prove.
“All teams have entered.”
By then, all eight teams had assembled inside. Before starting the third survival challenge, Han-gyeol briefly explained the rules.
“This third survival’s team formation was decided 100% by viewer votes.”
Votes earned by each contestant during the polling period were converted into points for drafting team members. Once drafted, members participated from the start; those not chosen would join only if a team member was eliminated.
Han-gyeol paused, looking at the participants. Though they already knew this, their faces were taut with tension. The longer she paused, the tighter the atmosphere grew. Then at last—amidst the focused stares—the theme for the third survival was revealed.
“The theme for Star Hero’s third survival is—”
Rustle!
A huge banner unfurled behind the contestants with a dramatic sound:
[Blood Fiend’s Lair]
“—the Blood Fiend’s Lair!”
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