“How’s Yeonsu-sunbae doing?”

Kim Jun asked about Yeonsu’s condition the moment he set his bag down. Lee Yeonsu was still hospitalized.

“I spoke to him—his voice didn’t sound good today either.”

“He must’ve been really shocked, huh?”

“Seems like he’s not even checking the internet because of how unwell he is.”

Yeonsu’s voice had sounded even worse than the day before. And his throat was completely hoarse, like he’d caught a cold or something.

He was suffering like this, and people were just out there spewing hate because of some media manipulation. Jihee felt a deep disgust toward the world.

As soon as Yeonsu’s name came up, the atmosphere sank heavily again.

Jihee forced a smile and tried to change the subject.

“Jun’s here now, so should we start eating?”

“Yeah.”

“Let’s eat.”

“Sorry for making you wait because of me...”

“No worries. We only got here a few minutes ago.”

They were just about to get up when they heard someone at the next table loudly talking.

“That asshole Lee Yeonsu was such a fake.”

“Seriously. The way he kept trying to undermine Aaron was fucking disgusting.”

Jihee’s face twisted immediately.

Sure, the dominant opinion at ISA was to support Yeonsu, but there were still some who believed the crap about him being fake or setting Aaron up.

She was angry, but trying to respond to every trash-talking moron would be a waste of time.

She tried to ignore it and walk away—but then they kept going.

“Can’t wait to see that bastard get dumped by Joo Seunghyuk.”

“If he starts bawling, maybe I’ll take him for a ride.”

Watching that group of snickering Espers, Jihee’s patience finally snapped.

“Hey!”

Just as she shouted, Kim Jun lunged forward. He threw a punch straight at the Esper who had just sexually harassed Yeonsu.

“You fucking piece of shit!”

The Esper reeled back in fury and tried to hit Kim Jun—but Dongseok leapt in before he could.

The school cafeteria exploded into chaos.

***

Aaron lay stretched out on the hotel sofa, eating nachos while staring at his smartphone.

He was browsing the sites his assistant had tipped him off to, reading the posts about the latest scandal.

***

[Is Lee Yeonsu retiring now?

His public image is totally wrecked.

No way he can keep living in Korea—he’ll probably emigrate, right?]

– Why retire him? Who does that benefit?

– If he defects and gets naturalized somewhere else, we’re the ones losing out.

– Can’t they just lock him up like the old days and use him as a guiding machine?

└ LOL

└ Exactly. Don’t even pay him.

└ Why wouldn’t they pay him?

└ Why pay someone with trash character?

***

[Ability User Academy is done for.

The ISA student council sided with Yeonsu, saying Moon Seonwoo really did get Red Rage Shock.

If even the students act like this, what happens to Professor Oh?]

– Whoa

– Basically saying Professor Oh isn’t part of the cool-kid group

– Protect Professor Oh!

– Ability users really treat the public like pigs. How can they defend Yeonsu?

– Why is Yeonsu being coddled everywhere?

└ He treated Moon Seonwoo, now he’s sick too.

└ Why is he sick? Shouldn’t the one falsely accused—Aaron—be the one suffering?

└ Right? What a load of bullshit.

***

[I heard Yeonsu’s sick, so maybe we shouldn’t be too harsh...

Though honestly, this would be the perfect time for him to retire.

KN and the ISA student council backing him should vanish together.]

– Friendly fire! Cease fire!

– LOL

– Cease fire!

– Is KN still insisting Aaron used Dust, even now?

└ Not Dust. They’re saying their Esper was hit by Red Rage Shock.

└ Same thing, isn’t it?

– So disappointed in KN. Boycotting from now on.

└ 2

└ 3333

└ 4

└ Me too, 5555

– KN and ISA should both retire together.

└ Then who’s gonna raid the Gates?

└ There are plenty of others who can do it.

└ Guess we’re calling for Joo Seunghyuk to retire too?

└ LOL threatening like this isn’t even funny. If Yeonsu doesn’t get dumped, then Seunghyuk has to retire too.

└ Let’s see what happens when two S-ranks disappear.

– What, you think the world will end without Yeonsu and Seunghyuk? There are plenty of better ability users.

└ Like who?

└ Park Geonwoo.

└ And who else besides Park Geonwoo?

– If Yeonsu retires, who benefits? Doesn’t it just weaken our national force?

└ So what, let him keep raking in cash as a Guide?

– This is such a “net-izen-only” opinion. Just a while ago, everyone was saying without Yeonsu and Seunghyuk, Korea would collapse from Gate breaks. Now suddenly they want them both to retire?

└ Exactly. Who’s gonna hold back the Gates? You?

└ Yeonsu stans need to stop using that as blackmail. Pathetic.

***

[Ju-Esper’s definitely gonna break up with Yeonsu, right?

I wish they’d announce it already.

I’m a Ju-Esper fan and this whole thing is stressing me out.]

– Of course he will. No way he knew what Yeonsu was like.

– If Seunghyuk stays with him just because of rank, I’m boycotting Sungan too.

– Hearing this from a Ju-Esper fan is hilarious. Seunghyuk’s made way more trouble than Yeonsu. Even if Yeonsu’s fake, he’s still a hundred times better.

└ Ju-Esper’s never falsely accused anyone like that though.

– Word is, Yeonsu’s in a Sungan hospital right now. Sungan’s protecting him, no way they’re breaking up LOL. Ju-fans keep pretending Sungan and the hospital aren’t the same—delusional.

– Joo Seunghyuk chose Yeonsu. Because their matching rate is high. End of story. Trash always sticks together.

– Even if they break up, who’s gonna take Yeonsu next? He’s trash but still S-rank. So annoying.

***

[Park Geonwoo must be thrilled that Yeonsu cheated.

He dodged a huge bullet.]

– Straight-up divine intervention.

– What if Geonwoo figured out what Yeonsu was like and escaped to Africa? LOL

– People who pretend to be all innocent like Yeonsu are usually the filthiest. Geonwoo almost got trapped.

– You don’t know shit. Online haters mean nothing. Geonwoo’s probably crying blood after losing Yeonsu.

– Seunghyuk’s probably gonna dump him soon too.

└ No chance. He’s an S-rank Guide.

└ If he doesn’t, female fans won’t stay quiet. People are already gearing up to boycott. Sungan’s not just a guild—they have to consider public opinion.

└ And if they break up? Gonna force Seunghyuk to retire too? People are so obsessed with hating Yeonsu they’ve lost their minds. If he goes, Seunghyuk goes too.

└ He can just find another Guide.

└ There’s Aaron. Just ditch Yeonsu.

***

“Of course he can ditch him. I’m right here.”

Aaron bit into a nacho with a satisfied smile.

Sometimes there were posts that sounded logical, maybe even written by ISA students. But all they got were strings of comments telling Yeonsu’s fans to get lost.

The tide had already turned. Even if someone told the truth now, the dumb masses wouldn’t listen.

“Seriously. Koreans are such idiots.”

Yeonsu’s image was ruined beyond recovery. Joo Seunghyuk would have no choice but to dump him too.

Aaron kept scrolling through the forums. Reading in Korean was tiring, but when it came to Yeonsu hate, it all went down easy.

***

[I feel so bad for Minho.

He must’ve been so excited to come to Korea.

He said something really good happened during his recent livestream. Said he had a surprise for his Korean fans.

Turns out, that surprise was coming to Korea.

But then he gets here and doesn’t even post a single photo on SNS. Guess this is what he’s been dealing with.]

– There, there

– Let’s all call him Minho more often

– I became a fan of Guide Minho because of this

– Our Minho loves bibimbap. I hope he eats lots and gets his strength back

***

“Bibimbap, bibimbap—fucking hell.”

The fun was gone. His mood had soured. As if it wasn’t annoying enough that his grandfather kept pestering him to post Korean food on social media, now this too?

He hated it when people called him “Minho.” The media play had been fine, but if this led to everyone using his tacky Korean name, he’d lose it.

Grimacing, he switched to another forum.

***

[Am I the only one rewatching the It’sPatch Yeonsu video?

That look of contempt on his face is amazing.

I never cared for him before—his face was pretty, but he seemed too nice.

But now that he’s got attitude, I’m seriously into it.]

– Me too

– Honestly, if Yeonsu looked at me with that contempt, I’d consider it an industry reward LOL

– His boldness is sexy

– That bite to his attitude is hot

– He looked so damn pretty in that clip. I’m jealous of Joo Seunghyuk

***

Jealous, my ass. Freaking perverts.

Aaron flinched and threw his phone aside. His mood took a sudden nosedive.

But he couldn’t let it end like this. Something still felt unsatisfying. He reached down and picked up the phone that had fallen into the corner of the sofa.

Then he opened the most Yeonsu-hostile forum he knew.

Even though all it contained were brain-dead sheep echoing each other’s insults, it was addictive—like a drug he couldn’t quit.

***

[Why is the Student Council supporting Lee Yeonsu right now?

The Student Council and KN Guild are siding with Lee Yeonsu right now, and there are some people being swayed by it.

I saw this on YouTubeX and thought it might help to post it here.

TL;DR for those too lazy to watch the video:

The people who clashed with Esper Han Guncheol in the past are now the core of Korea’s leadership.

Han Guncheol was forced to leave Korea, practically driven out.

Since then, he’s longed for his homeland and tried to bring the advanced systems he learned abroad back to Korea.

But the people at the top blocked him.

Still, Han Guncheol truly loved Korea, so he couldn’t give up. That’s why he sent his grandson, Aaron, to try introducing the system again.

That’s why the top brass in the Ability User Department and the Center gave orders to the Student Council to attack Aaron.

It’s not about supporting Yeonsu—they’re rejecting Aaron. They have their own cartel, and now that Aaron’s here to tear it down, they’re afraid.]

– Lee Yeonsu is just a puppet they can control however they want. Of course they’d pick Aaron over him.

– Total corruption. Yeonsu should just get lost.

– Ugh, disgusting.

– I {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} wish Yeonsu would disappear and Aaron would become our Guide.

– He’s not Aaron, he’s Han Minho! Call him Han Minho! The Minho Guide wants to be called that!

– I hope everyone else disappears and Han Guncheol-nim and Minho Guide start their own guild.

└ Yeah. I want Minho to launch a new guild.

– Who even is that YouTuber? Looked him up—he’s a C-rank Esper who only spent a month in a guild. And people are trusting his word?

Foreigners can’t even found guilds. There are issues with treasure and mana stone exports, and all countries, not just ours, block that. And they think Aaron can start a guild?

└ He’s Han Minho, not Aaron.

└ Then change the damn law. Banning based on nationality in this day and age is pathetic.

└ It’s not just Korea—other countries do it too.

└ Who cares what other countries do.

– I never said anything until now, but this is too much. Letting a foreigner found a guild?

└ Y’all hate Yeonsu so much you’d sell out the country.

└ Minho’s a hundred times better than Yeonsu, that’s why.

– Must be Yeonsu stans swarming in from their little café. Since when was nationality a problem, lol? What is this, the 80s?

– Yeonsu stans, go back to your café.

– People crying about nationality are awful. What are you doing to someone who got kicked out of Korea and had no choice but to leave?

Nobody here loves Korea more than Minho’s family.

– Is this why KN insisted it was Dust? I’m boycotting KN forever now.

– The higher-ups are a joke. You really think they can compare to the real royal family? It’s a Korean disease—useless people gang up to drive out the competent ones.

– Include YL in the boycott too. Do Hyeokjin said Yeonsu did nothing wrong.

└ Seriously? I liked Do Hyeokjin... so disappointing.

└ YL’s doing well lately, but their guildmaster’s gonna ruin it.

– Kim Chaea just posted a message of support for Yeonsu on SNS.

└ Wow, even Kim Chaea. No one cares about public opinion anymore, huh. They really think the people are pigs.

└ At least this shows me who I need to cut out of my life.

– So now Do Hyeokjin and Kim Chaea are part of the cartel too? What a disappointment.

***

“Now I feel a little better.”

Aaron smiled again.

The truth was, Han Guncheol had naturalized not out of patriotism—but for money. While preparing to accept political asylum in Italy, he suffered a severe injury.

Once it became clear that he could no longer function as an active Esper, Italy tried to withdraw its asylum offer. Han Guncheol begged them not to abandon him now, so they agreed to help him defect and honor the original terms—only if he brought another S-rank Ability User with him.

Han Guncheol accepted, persuaded his colleagues, and succeeded in defecting with them.

That was the real truth behind the 1981 S-rank Esper Defection Incident.

And now, after all that, the only reason Han Guncheol wanted to return to Korea was because the Korean market and its treasures had grown massively since 1981.

There was never any noble ambition to introduce a so-called "advanced system from abroad."

But if idiots were willing to write fantasy novels and praise him for it, there was no reason to correct them.

“This is all going more smoothly than I expected.”

At first, Aaron had planned to use Yeonsu as a scapegoat to bury the Dust controversy.

Using his connection with media-friendly Professor Oh, they ran articles framing everything as Yeonsu’s scheme, then uploaded spliced videos of their conversations to mislead the public.

He planned to monitor the reactions and then hire comment trolls to steer public opinion.

But there was no need.

Just one short video had driven people into a frenzy. They covered their ears and eyes, lost all reason, and began tearing Yeonsu apart.

Along the way, Aaron and his family were re-evaluated in a positive light. Cable networks started rerunning S-Rank Royal Family from Season 1, and online, posts praising them flooded in.

[Why Guide Han Minho Is So Damn Cool]

[Look at That Royal Family Class—Yeonsu Can’t Even Compare]

[Every Korean Meal Minho Has Posted So Far]

[Watching Royal Family—Minho Is So Cute LOL]

[Compilation of the Han Guncheol Family’s Love for Korea]

Aaron scrolled through the titles.

Aside from a few dumbasses obsessed with looks, the rest of the crowd seemed quite sane.

Not just fringe internet communities—even major portals, video platforms, and social media were plastered with praise for him.

This had gone beyond simple online buzz. Even his assistant said people in cafés and restaurants were talking about it.

Not only were people praising Aaron and his family—they now wanted to help him start a guild.

And he hadn’t even done anything yet.

If this was the current reaction, once he mobilized people to deliberately shape public opinion, he might not even need Professor Oh—he could build a guild himself.

Just as he dipped a nacho in cheese, his phone rang.

It was his grandfather, Han Guncheol.

“Grandpa.”

— My youngest. Are you doing well?

“Of course. Did you see the articles?”

— I did. Oh Seokgwang handled it well.

“Yeah, he’s surprisingly useful. People are all over this. They’re screaming for us to found a guild, saying nationality shouldn’t matter.”

— Really?

“Yeah. They’re all so dumb. I mean, it’s not like shouting from the bottom will change the law, but this might be the perfect time to stir public opinion.”

— Understood. I’ll contact the right people. Might be good to nudge them toward filing a national petition.

“Yes, Grandpa. Also—I think we should push for a boycott of Sungan until Joo Seunghyuk breaks up with Yeonsu.”

— That’s a good idea. My clever boy.

Aaron’s lips curled upward.

Everything was finally falling into place.

He wondered what Yeonsu was doing right now. Was he going crazy from the injustice? Feeling betrayed by the public? Or trembling in fear from the storm of insults?

But this wasn’t the end.

Yeonsu would pay dearly for the humiliation he had caused.

But contrary to Aaron’s expectations, Lee Yeonsu had no idea what was happening around him.

***

— Yeonsu, how are you feeling?

“I’m okay.”

— You sound worse than yesterday. Are you sure you're okay?

Jihee noona’s voice was full of concern. I didn’t want to worry her, but my hand was shaking, and my voice cracked as I spoke.

“Y-yeah. I’m really okay.”

— Did you catch a cold?

“It’s not that.”

It really wasn’t a cold. My throat was just ruined after a few days of moaning...

But I couldn’t tell anyone that.

“Just a bit hoarse, that’s all.”

— Did I wake you?

“No. I just got up.”

The truth was, I hadn’t slept at all.

— That’s good. Yeonsu, about the internet...

“The internet?”

— You haven’t checked it?

I wasn’t the type to be glued to my phone anyway, but since I got hospitalized, I hadn’t been able to check anything.

“No. They don’t allow it in the hospital... Why, is something going on?”

— Nothing, really! Just that Sunwoo-sunbae woke up early this morning, so don’t worry.

“Really? That’s a relief.”

— Yup. So don’t stress yourself. Looking at your phone’s just going to strain your eyes anyway.

“Got it.”

— You sound tired. I’ll let you go now.

“Okay... You too.”

As soon as the call ended, Joo Seunghyuk took my phone.

Ever since I was admitted, he’d stayed by my side, watching my every move.

Unless I was making a call, I wasn’t even allowed to touch the phone—and even then, he was always listening, so I couldn’t say what I really felt.

Like: “I’m locked in the VIP room of Sungan Hospital in Daejeon. Please come get me.”

After the field training incident, Seunghyuk told me to rest, saying he wouldn’t leave me alone starting tomorrow.

I thought it was a half-joke filled with concern.

It wasn’t.

Starting the next day, he really didn’t leave me alone.

Even now, the moment I set my phone down on the table, he yanked me into his arms.

“S-Seunghyuk!”

“What is it?”

“I—I’m too exhausted.”

“Exhausted?”

“Yeah.”

I nodded frantically. At this rate, I might die not from mana depletion—but from sheer physical exhaustion.

“The doctor said you needed complete rest.”

“Don’t worry. As long as you don’t use mana, vigorous exercise is fine.”

What the hell did you ask the doctor, you lunatic?!

He couldn’t have known this was the kind of exercise Seunghyuk meant!

I was about to snap—but I couldn’t yell at this obsessive freak.

If I resisted here, it might not just be "light" captivity anymore.

“...Can I rest for just 3 hours?”

I asked politely, but Seunghyuk shot me a frosty glare.

“Two hours?”

“......”

“Even just one...?”

“......”

“Sorry...”

Unable to meet his gaze, I bowed my head. His cold voice came next.

“Sorry for what?”

His tone was clipped. He must be pissed. I hung my head like a sad puppy.

If “I’m tired” didn’t work, I’d have to play the pity card.

“We can do it now...”

“Of course we’re doing it now.”

But that didn’t work either.

“A-are you really gonna do it again?”

“Did you just glare at me?”

Shit. Without realizing it, I’d shot him a resentful look.

I shook my head furiously.

“N-no!”

“I don’t get it. Isn’t Lee Yeonsu the kind of person who doesn’t know when to stop? That’s why you threw yourself at me, right?”

“I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

Seunghyuk walked to the sofa without a word and retrieved a black briefcase.

I thought it was his usual bag, but the design was completely different.

When did he bring that in? Was it while I was asleep?

He pulled out a stack of documents.

“Sign this.”

“Sign...?”

“Yes. It’s paperwork transferring your legal rights to me.”

Legal rights? Was he trying to make me sign away my body or erase my existence?

I stared at him in fear. Then he added:

“I’m filing lawsuits.”

“Lawsuits?”

“Yes. Against all the online defamation and slander about you.”

“Why all of a sudden...? Did something happen?”

Jihee noona had mentioned something about the internet.

Was something going on while I was in here?

“No. Just... Ever since we ‘got together,’ filthy people started saying disgusting things.”

“Ah...”

Yeah, that tracks.

Any time dating rumors surfaced, there were always assholes making crude jokes—“They probably fucked already. How many times?”

They’d mention Park Geonwoo, twist it, and throw hate at both of us.

I read over the papers.

It was full of legalese, but mostly about slander, hate comments, and legal representation. Nothing suspicious.

“Once you sign, our lawyers will handle everything involving you.”

“No. I can’t trouble you that much.”

If it was Seunghyuk, he’d be hiring Korea’s top lawyers. That would cost a fortune.

“Don’t think of it as trouble.”

“But it’s my responsibility...”

“You tried suing for hate comments before, right?”

“Yeah...”

I had lots of supporters—but just as many haters. I avoided the internet because of it and didn’t even read comments anymore.

Eventually, I snapped and pressed charges—only to forgive them when they apologized with tears and brought their families along.

“You let them all off, didn’t you?”

“Yeah...”

He knew that too...

“That’s not okay. If you let them go, it wastes the time of lawyers, cops, and prosecutors who worked to catch them.”

“You’re not wrong...”

What he said made sense—but somehow, coming from him, it felt off.

Was Seunghyuk always this considerate...?

“So leave it to me. I’ll take care of it all.”

“Okay...”

I nodded. He’d already prepared the documents—his mind was made up.

And if the slander was about both of us, it made sense for one legal team to handle it.

Once I signed, he checked the papers and packed them up, then walked out.

Maybe to meet with the lawyer? That would take a while, right?

Should I try to get some sleep?

No matter how obsessive Seunghyuk was, he never woke me up once I fell asleep. If I could nod off, I might get a few hours of peace.

I lay down and pulled the blanket over me—only for the door to fly open again moments later.

Seunghyuk came in. The bag was gone—must’ve already handed it off.

Did he have someone waiting outside the whole time?

He strode over and yanked the blanket off me.

“What? Why?”

“We’re doing it.”

“Seunghyuk...”

You tireless beast of a man—don’t you ever get exhausted?!

“What?”

“I, um...”

“If you have something to say, say it.”

“Just curious... Are you in rut?”

Even for a hyper-libidoed alpha, this was too much. If he wasn’t in rut, then what even was this?

“No. If I were, this wouldn’t end here.”

“What?”

...So it would be worse than this? Is that even possible?

I was too shocked to respond.

Seunghyuk chuckled low and pulled me close, kissing the nape of my neck.

His kiss was full of hunger.

It looked like he had no intention of letting me go tonight either.