Only a very small number of authorized journalists were allowed to enter the assembly, so most reporters were just standing in front of the convention center without being able to go inside. After all the VIPs had entered, the journalists remained in their positions, hoping to be the first to write articles about the meeting’s results. Two reporters at the front glanced at a colleague who had just arrived and whispered to each other.

“That senior reporter is here too.”

“Why is he standing there looking so smug? I heard he completely blew it when the team leader asked him to cover the L Hotel event instead, because he lost the recording.”

“If rumors spread that much even between different companies, that says it all.”

Kwak Seong-gwan knew the two were deliberately speaking loudly enough for him to hear, but he didn’t particularly care. Previously, he would have chain-smoked cigarettes out of frustration, but today was different.

‘You have no idea. In fact, I’ll be the first to break a huge exclusive story.’

Seong-gwan wasn’t here just to casually fulfill his quota. He had been directly contacted by one of the most talked-about figures in South Korea right now.

‘Though I don’t know how he found me and reached out.’

With his shoulders squared confidently, Seong-gwan entered the center, fully aware of the other reporters’ gazes. He had already written a draft of his article, but what mattered most was having a legitimate reason to be there. An article published under his name without him being present? That would obviously look like a pre-arranged setup.

‘I won’t make such an amateur mistake.’

Seong-gwan sat in his designated seat. A short distance from the press section, he could see a round table where the dignitaries would sit. Though he hadn’t discovered the story himself, he had no doubt that his article would be an exclusive. He felt nervous knowing that no one could publish any articles until they left this place, as the internet connection had been cut off.

“It’s Yeo Myung-hwon.”

“Wow.”

Hearing the reporters’ murmurs, Seong-gwan, who had been looking down at his laptop, quickly raised his head. With his hair perfectly styled and wearing a suit that seemed tailored precisely to his muscular frame, Yeo Myung-hwon looked like someone about to do a solo photoshoot rather than attend an international assembly. Seong-gwan gulped at his overwhelming presence. Some reporters even let out audible gasps of admiration. Though he hadn’t noticed at first because he was focused on Myung-hwon, Congressman Yeo Ji-woong, Myung-hwon’s father, was also present beside him.

The journalists here had all gained entry through connections, so many of them knew the full schedule of the event. Because of this, information about today’s agenda circulated quickly among the reporters.

“I heard they’re also going to release a statement about the L Hotel incident at the end today.”

“That’s separate. I wonder why they’re doing it right after this?”

“Who knows? Maybe they want to respond differently depending on the outcome.”

After eavesdropping on the conversations around him, Seong-gwan realized he seemed to be the only one representing Myung-hwon’s side.

“Phew.”

Yeo Myung-hwon was the one who had given him entry to this place. Just a few days ago, Seong-gwan had been getting chewed out daily for losing his recorder containing the engagement ceremony content after getting caught up in the dungeon incident, with people saying he should have at least taken photos inside the dungeon.

‘All the civilians were unconscious, so why are they giving me such a hard time?’ That was his inner thought, but as a sad office worker who had to do what his boss said, he complied. Especially since he hadn’t produced any decent articles for several years and had fallen out of favor, his boss probably thought this was a good opportunity to put pressure on him.

‘If you went in place of your friend, you should have at least brought back one article.’

‘I’m sorry.’

His only hope had been to get an interview with Woo Ju-eon, who had lent him clothes, but he had forgotten to get his contact information. When he tried to find him through official channels, he was told no such person existed, which left Seong-gwan in despair. He was even considering quitting his job.

Until Yeo Myung-hwon came to find him.

‘Y-Y-Yeo Myung-hwon?’

If he had posted online that the S-class ability user Yeo Myung-hwon was standing in front of his house, people would have called him crazy and told him to wash his feet and go to bed—it was that unbelievable. Wasn’t he one of the busiest people these days? Why would such a person come all the way to his house?

‘May I come in?’

He had let him in somewhat dazedly, but once they were face to face inside his home, he suddenly remembered Myung-hwon’s intimidating presence when he had blocked Ju-eon’s path before. His legs trembled as he tried to figure out what he might have done wrong. While he was mentally reviewing his actions, Myung-hwon spoke.

‘Have you told anyone else about giving your invitation to Woo Ju-eon at the L Hotel?’

‘…No?’

It was an unexpected question, but Seong-gwan answered honestly. He hadn’t mentioned it because he wanted an exclusive interview with Ju-eon, and also because he knew he would be criticized if people found out he had transferred his invitation to someone else. After asking a few more questions, Myung-hwon made him a proposal.

‘I came to make you an offer.’

Though Seong-gwan couldn’t guess Myung-hwon’s true intentions, he couldn’t pass up this opportunity. Since Myung-hwon had come to his house in person, Seong-gwan’s deliberation was brief. He had to sign a confidentiality agreement that prevented him from bragging about it anywhere, but he wanted to tell everyone about Myung-hwon. Seong-gwan took a deep breath to calm his excitement.

It was daytime now, but by the time the meeting ended, it would be well into the evening. Seong-gwan opened a water bottle and moistened his throat.

**

The reason Myung-hwon hadn’t contacted him first was because he needed to focus on finalizing his preparations. If he heard his voice, he would want to see him, and he would want to see him so badly that nothing else would matter, so he didn’t reach out. Looking at his quiet phone that showed no incoming calls, he had considered initiating contact hundreds of times but ultimately didn’t.

‘Looks like you want to show off your cool side.’

Kang No-hun teased him from behind, but Myung-hwon didn’t deny it. It was childish, but not untrue. He thought that today would end that waiting. Yeo Myung-hwon barely maintained his composure. His expression was remarkably calm, but inside he was boiling. It was because of a message from Gu-young right before he entered.

He was about to enter an important meeting, and with Yeo Ji-woong nearby, he had intended to avoid taking calls. However, Gu-young was someone who knew Myung-hwon’s contact information but never called unless it was necessary. Checking his call log, he saw a missed call from the previous night. An ominous feeling crept up the back of his neck. Myung-hwon showed his phone to Seo Yun-jin, who was accompanying him, and went to a secluded corridor to take the call.

“Hello.”

As soon as he answered, Gu-young began speaking rapidly, seemingly waiting for this moment. His voice trembled terribly, suggesting he might have been crying.

—Hello? I’m sorry to bother you when you’re busy. I needed to tell you something… I reported it to the police, but they said they can’t start investigating until more time passes.

“Yeah. Go ahead.”

Police? Myung-hwon pressed his fingers against his forehead, waiting for Gu-young to continue as he heard his rough breathing.

—Last night after dinner… in an alley suddenly… no, they deliberately came looking for trouble… I tried to stop it somehow, but they were too strong… Ju-won hyung….

Though his explanation was disjointed, his message came through clearly enough.

“Any description of them?”

—They were wearing masks and hats, so I couldn’t see clearly.

“Any clues that might help?”

—When I said it’s illegal for ability users to harm civilians, they claimed they were civilians too….

Myung-hwon cursed and ran his hand roughly through his hair. For an esper who wasn’t registered as an ability user, there were three possibilities: either they had a powerful backer, they had awakened their ability and were hiding it, or they had gone down an illegal path. The second option was unlikely, so that left two possibilities.

Either they had a powerful backer, or they had gone down an illegal path. In either case, several people came to mind.

Footsteps.

Hearing movement from the end of the corridor, he looked up and met eyes with Seo Yun-jin, who had come looking for him.

“Myung-hwon?”

“Yes.”

“It’s about to start.”

“I’m coming.”

For now, all he could do was make the necessary calls and wait for a response. He wanted to take action directly, but he had put in too much effort to get to this point, and ruining it would be a bad move.

After finishing the call and returning to his place, Yeo Ji-woong clicked his tongue, openly furrowing his brow.

“Tsk. This is an important meeting.”

In response to Ji-woong’s criticism, Myung-hwon narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at him appraisingly. He was one of the prime suspects in Ju-eon’s kidnapping.

“It was an urgent call.”

Myung-hwon bowed his head slightly before taking his seat. He returned to the conference room in his perfect attire, showing no trace of his previous anger or dishevelment.

It was too direct to ask outright, as there was still a possibility that Ji-woong wasn’t involved. Whoever kidnapped Ju-eon would likely be connected to Myung-hwon and would surely approach him soon with their demands. Myung-hwon remained vigilant as he took his seat. Perhaps conscious of the recent L Hotel incident, Myung-hwon had been given a seat at the head of the table. He scanned the room, noticing several faces he wasn’t particularly fond of.

“If you’re a dog that can’t do anything without you, then such a dog is unnecessary.”

“I’ll remember your words.”

He could feel the aide behind Yeo Ji-woong eyeing Seo Yun-jin. Though Yun-jin openly displayed her displeasure, no one paid attention to her feelings.

“You should have brought the man I assigned to you as your aide.”

“I gave him another task.”

“Soon, Chairman Lee will assign people more suited to your level, so clean things up before you transfer.”

“Yes.”

“Watch what you say from now on.”

Throughout the meeting, everything would be recorded. To prevent external interference, internet access was restricted during the conference.

‘The outcome is already predetermined.’

Yun-jin shuddered as she remembered interviews with political figures claiming they would humbly accept whatever results emerged. If she hadn’t known better, it might not have bothered her, but knowing the truth made her skin crawl.

As the clock on the center wall struck exactly noon, the front doors that had been open were closed. Thus began the international assembly, with each participant harboring their own intentions.