Chapter 136

But not everything went according to plan.

“Where did you go What did you do”

“What did you do”

“See I told you he was gonna pull some stunt”

Bombarded by questions, Roy shook them off and cut in with a single line

“Watch the broadcast”

Right now what mattered wasn’t how awesome his performance had been Roy’s gaze drifted up to Yeonwoo and Taeon’s heads Covered in grime they must really have rolled around in there Yet their status windows looked almost unchanged from before

“You guys really gave it your all”

“Of course If you’d seen me smash a Fiend’s head you’d have popped an eye You’d fill a truck”

“Enough bragging”

“Haha I worked hard too”

Seeing none of them denied it they must indeed have fought hard Then there was only one conclusion Unfortunately virtual Fiends didn’t count toward the conditions Even virtual Fiends were still Fiends

“So in the end we have to catch real Fiends then...” Roy thought bleakly when would these guys become S-Rank

✧

As staff guided them toward the waiting area Roy spotted Hojin sitting amid the production crew

“Huh” Why was he here Sitting side by side with Han-gyeol’s manager The manager was animatedly explaining something while Hojin glowered with contempt

‘Could First be up to something again‽’ Roy wondered with a fangirl’s suspicion because his brother was obviously handsome And almost no one knew Hojin had awakened The manager surely assumed Hojin was just a civilian

“Hyung go ahead” Roy broke off from the group and approached Hojin

“Roy...” Hojin, half-listening to the manager’s words, sprang up and ran toward him “Why are you here”

“Well...” Hojin couldn’t admit he’d been kicked out of the audience for causing a scene so he faltered Roy blamed it all on First’s manager

“Manager” “Roy-ssi Wow you were amazing back there Truly incredible” That was obvious Roy snorted and crossed his arms as if to say flattery wouldn’t work Then he spoke with a cool expression

“So you’re trying to recruit my brother this time” “Excuse me” “I saw everything from over there You were desperately trying to persuade him” “Ah that was just a misunderstanding—” At that moment Roy held up his hand to cut off the manager’s explanation a firm gesture that said he wouldn’t hear any more

“I’m not letting First join your agency” “...What do you mean” The manager was genuinely confused The sponsor misunderstanding still hadn’t been resolved and as Team One returned, Han-gyeol had suddenly stepped away So the manager who knew all the details was explaining on Han-gyeol’s behalf But Roy’s abrupt appearance had cut off the conversation

“I’m telling you my brother’s not going anywhere” Roy said firmly The manager finally realized what misunderstanding Roy harbored

“Ah no it’s not like that—” “Roy-ssi” Before the manager could continue, Han-gyeol—now free—ran up cheering

“Roy-ssi you were amazing Just now Why did you hide this until now You totally fooled us~” As Han-gyeol reached to hug him Hojin yanked Roy back behind his own back glaring at Han-gyeol

“?” Roy, hidden behind Hojin, was bewildered and Han-gyeol let out a stunned sigh

“Uh hey Kim Hojin” “My Roy is off-limits” “No that’s not what I— how many times do I have to say it” Thus began a three-way confrontation from hell

✧

“Even if I’m not a sponsor” “You said you’d take Roy and raise him If you pay enough and seal it with a contract you can do anything” “Me” The manager had indeed said something like that When he expressed concern about bad rumors, the manager had offered to pay and sign a contract Hojin—focused solely on ‘sponsor’—simply interpreted it differently

“Don’t people know how dirty that industry is” “What did you say You kept asking to meet me” Every field has its gossip but show business is especially notorious Sponsors are a favorite topic The glamorous façade hides a dark underbelly And Han-gyeol even had a history

“Especially when it’s a young guy... they like that...” Hojin’s voice trailed off Knowing both sides Roy could piece together the situation from these snippets Yet he decided to watch further ‘Because it’s entertaining’

Grrr-grrr-grrr Normally Han-gyeol would be the one sheltering Hojin but now it was Hojin shielding Han-gyeol Neither knew Roy’s amusement

“Wh-what did you say” Han-gyeol exploded Han-gyeol had never had a single scandal since debut Not even when a gorgeous announcer openly flirted or a popular idol dropped subtle hints Some even absurdly rumored he was gay But he’d just been meticulous about his private life What was more shocking was how many people actually believed those rumors just like now Pushing himself to stay silent about his image Han-gyeol finally burst

“Hey This mouth of yours... I like girls okay I really really do” “Ahahaha Roy-ssi I think only Roy-ssi can convince him” “Me” The manager clamped a hand over Han-gyeol’s mouth, silently begging for help Roy had also been considering stepping in before things got worse Good thing they’d moved out of the hall before this full-blown showdown Almost fell victim to a rumor that Han-gyeol was crazy for girls

“Sigh” These hyungs never grow up and leave the baby to clean up Roy sighed softly and patted Hojin’s shoulder

“Hyung I don’t know what you heard but it’s all a misunderstanding” “It’s not misunderstanding He actually said he’d buy you with money It’s true” At those words Roy glanced sideways Han-gyeol’s face was blazing red as if scratched by Hojin’s words

“No Hyung wanted to help first He asked to help me” “Hojin” In truth it was the opposite Hojin had merely refused to refuse Han-gyeol’s persistent pleas Roy had thought that was revenge enough

“Yeah He’s actually a decent guy He looked out for me a lot during filming” “He was just hitting on you” “Tsk” Roy’s sharp retort deflated Hojin instantly Hojin slumped in guilt while Han-gyeol and the manager stared at him in betrayal They hadn’t even listened when they claimed it was a misunderstanding but bowed at Roy’s word Worse still he’d apologized on the spot and Han-gyeol, speechless, couldn’t stay angry

“Seo Han-gyeol I’m sorry No matter how mad I was I shouldn’t have said that...” Hojin bowed first admitting his mistake With that Han-gyeol could no longer stay angry

“Yes I think you had good reason to misunderstand I’m sorry for yelling” Watching this, Roy nodded with satisfaction

“There You two get along from now on You might see each other often” “...Often Then Roy can I come too” “Where” “When you go to Han-gyeol’s house” Knowing his brother’s separation anxiety, Roy readily nodded

“Sure Han-gyeol sounds good to you” “Uh that’s a bit—” Han-gyeol wanted to refuse but fearing Roy would change his mind, he reluctantly agreed

“...Okay” “He’s fine See it worked out right” “Yeah” Han-gyeol scored a bodyguard Roy scored peace of mind Hojin got to keep his prized cat It was a win-win ending for the tense encounter And one person briefly forgotten

“Wow... what a total drama queen” Han-gyeol’s manager thought watching the two brothers Roy and Hojin It really is true that birds of a feather flock together

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[Title: Reflections on S-Hiro Third Survival СПОЙЛЕР]

Team One: Roy, Seo Hyunwoo, Kim Taeon, Park Yeonwoo, Anna, Dong Yoil In short Team One crushed the third round Naturally they were first to qualify for the finals But here’s the insane twist Roy was running around like he was going to steamroll some Fiend Everyone there—staff audience contestants—were completely blown away He made walls of flame poured lava from the floor even struck idol-style ending poses to charm peopleㅠㅠ Roy’s sudden explosive growth was shocking enough But toying with Fiends like that??? I thought he’d changed into someone else And what else was there...? I saw so much but all I can remember is the one-second Fiend massacreㅎ Ha... Roy you’re killing me sis