Chapter 137

└ “But everyone at the School of Second Awakening thought he was trash.”

└ “Seen his Awakener license?”

└ “Yep, I’ve seen it.”

└ “What the hell...?”

[Title: Seems Like They Hired Paid Posters for S-Hero]

If you let the live audience in, you can’t stop spoilers. The producers know that—maybe they spread super-convincing fake reviews?

└ “How much per post?”

└ “20K each.”

└ “I’m in too.”

└ “Producer pick.”

└ “Gotta drive the ratings.”

└ “They’re all having a group fit because someone lower rank reawakened and left them jealous.”

[Title: 101 Proofs That I-Roi Is a Pro]

I’ll lay it out:

...

└ “Bark bark (means bullshit).”

[Title: Who’s Sweating More Than Anyone Right Now]

Park Junseo: “A pro in my own show...?”

[Title: When’s S-Hero Season 2?]

Next season, count me in!!

Let’s reawaken again~!

[Title: About ‘GJS’]

I went to the Round 3 audience taping and it made me cringe. Those who were there know what I mean. He’s acting like hot stuff just because people praise him—didn’t look good. Honestly, his life’s biggest achievement is knowing the one-second cat, right? ㅠ

└ “Right? Poor cat’s getting blamed for nothing.”

└ “Still, storming the set mid-take was over the line.”

└ “I’m not upset. Thanks for caring ㅠ”

└ “No, after the taping I saw him with the cat leaving. He was with other contestants too ㅠ”

└ “Whoa, really?”

└ “I just hope our cat is more careful who he meets ㅠ”

└ “I wish you’d type fewer ㅠs ㅠ”

Star Hero Round 3 is over.

Teams advancing to the Final Round: Team 1, Team 2, Team 5.

Not long now until I grab that trophy.

But more importantly...

‘What’s this post?’

Scrolling through the community, Roy found one that grated on him. It used initials, but no fool could mistake ‘GJS’ for anything but ‘Butler Kim.’

It was thinly veiled trash talk about Hojin.

‘Who are you? What do you get out of this?’

What was worse: some people were actually defending it.

‘Hyung seems pretty active on these forums too.’

Roy felt a knot in his stomach remembering Hojin’s tears and confession right after yesterday’s shoot. He’d admitted that he’d lost control in the Fiend cave and plunged into the set without realizing it.

Only then did Roy understand why Hojin was sitting among the crew instead of the audience. Normally someone would be ejected for that, but Junseo must have recognized him and let him stay.

Sigh. What should I do about this hyung?

He worried he’d damaged Hojin’s reputation with that one misused skill. The separation anxiety was already bad enough.

He considered gently distancing himself—but that could wait. First, he reported the post. Aside from that, there was little else truly offensive. The controversy would die once the Round 3 broadcast aired, and more crucially, people doubting he was a pro were beginning to surface.

“Heh heh. Everything’s going according to plan.”

Grinning like a dark-hearted middle schooler, Roy checked the time and bolted out of the room.

“Ugh! I’m late!”

Today was the day he’d promised to visit Han-gyeol’s house.

✧

Luckily he wasn’t late. It took about ten minutes on his e-scooter—and he discovered he lived nearby.

“So this is Seo Han-gyeol’s house...?”

“That’s right.”

Roy and Hojin stood before a luxury villa complex in Hannam-dong. It was famous as the epitome of upscale living, home to celebrities and top figures in politics and business—a symbol of wealth and success. Its security had never been breached, and property values set record highs each year. A recently sold 74-pyong villa went for 10.9 billion won.

In short, this was their world.

‘Seo Han-gyeol must have money coming out of his ears.’

And here he was, a pauper in comparison.

...Wait, that wasn’t right. Korea’s top conglomerate was Maru Group—of which he was the eldest heir. This largest estate here was his own home: 1,500 pyong of land, the most expensive private residence in Korea.

Roy paused, humbled, then cleared his throat and led Hojin forward.

“Let’s go in.”

“Huh? Okay!”

Hojin trailed behind Roy as he wheeled the e-scooter toward the gate. Two security guards stood at the entrance.

“What brings you here?”

“I’m here to see my friend. Building 117, Unit 1201.”

“One moment please.”

One guard made a call—no doubt to Han-gyeol. Rumors of ironclad security were true.

“He’s confirmed. Please fill out a visitor card. And you’re together?”

“Yes.”

“Then both of you please register.”

Even after verifying them, the guard asked for names and contact info. Overkill, Roy thought—reassuring for residents, but awkward for guests. Next time it’d be better to just have Han-gyeol come out.

“May we enter now?”

“Yes.”

At last they were allowed inside. The complex had a tranquil, refined atmosphere. Meticulously landscaped trees and manicured flowerbeds gave off an air of luxury—though still a notch below his own estate.

“Wow~”

Hojin marveled, his eyes wide.

“You like it?”

“Yeah. I’ve never been anywhere like this. Seo Han-gyeol really is rich... I wondered what people living here would be like.”

“Oh?”

Roy answered indifferently—he felt none of Hojin’s excitement. He wondered instead about Hojin’s state.

“But Hyung...”

“Hm?”

“Why are you still carrying that thing? Did your wheel break?”

Roy noticed Hojin clutching his suitcase the whole way.

“Doesn’t it hurt?”

“This? It’s not broken, but it squeaks when I roll it... guess it’s cheap.”

Already feeling out of place, the strict entry procedure had rattled him.

“A quieter suitcase exists.”

“Well...”

Hojin lowered his head and spoke in a tiny voice, too shy to admit eyeing the rich-people neighborhood.

“Why worry about that? Give it here.”

Roy handed his scooter to Hojin and grabbed the suitcase. It was surprisingly heavy—he nearly staggered.

“Whoa, what’s in here? You packed everything from home?”

“I thought I might need stuff... What about you, is that all you’ve got?”

Roy’s only luggage was the e-scooter and a backpack—both barely filled.

“Yeah.”

“I see... It’s fine! You can use mine too—take it all if you like.”

What a kind hyung. Roy patted Hojin’s shoulder sympathetically.

“Just hold onto it and follow me.”

“Swap carrying? No, I’ll just carry it myself, okay? Hey, it’s heavy.”

“Yeah—I’m higher rank than you.”

Drreee—the suitcase wheels squealed like a motorcycle. Roy was momentarily flustered, but pressed on brazenly.

✧

They arrived at Han-gyeol’s front door.

Ding-dong!

No sooner had Roy rung the bell than the door swung open and Han-gyeol appeared.

“Roy-ssi!”

His face lit up with joy—until he spotted Hojin standing right behind.

“Wow. You actually came.”