A few days after contacting Kyu-seong, Seon-ah was sitting in a school café with her team members.
Thanks to Kyu-seong’s positive response, the interview would proceed without any issues.
“Hey, did you hear? Jae-seong’s team got an interview with Hanbyul Yu.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. How did they manage that? Did they contact the guild?”
“They probably had connections. No way would Oseong Guild agree to an interview just for a college project.”
Hearing the chatter, Seon-ah began to feel a creeping sense of anxiety. When she asked Kyu-seong for help, she felt resigned to whatever would happen, but now that the moment was here, she was getting nervous.
‘Well, at least my brother is from Ara Hongryeon Guild…’
While he wasn’t as famous as Hanbyul Yu, the guild he belonged to, Ara Hongryeon, had a much higher prestige.
Trying to think positively, she checked the time and saw that the meeting time was approaching.
At that moment, the café suddenly became noisy.
“What’s going on? Why is it so loud?”
“Looks like someone is outside. Who is it?”
Following their gaze, Seon-ah saw a crowd of people outside.
And at the center of the commotion was someone in a flashy outfit.
“No way… It’s Hanbyul Yu?”
“We were just talking about her, but who would’ve thought she’d come to our school!”
Hanbyul Yu was a prominent awakened from Oseong Guild.
Oseong Guild was a well-known mid-sized guild among those interested in awakened ones, and Hanbyul was the best output from such a guild.
She became a 5th rank awakened at the young age of 23.
Although she didn’t surpass Jeong So-yeon, who became the youngest 6th rank in Ara Hongryeon, she was still a remarkable awakened.
“I’m going to go get an autograph.”
“Me too, me too!”
Even Seon-ah was tempted.
For someone who was a fan of awakened individuals, meeting Hanbyul Yu was a big deal.
But she held back.
She was here for Kyu-seong. It would be rude to leave right when he was about to arrive, just because another awakened person showed up.
Anyone else might have left, but as his sister, she needed to stay.
“Seon-ah, I’ll get an autograph for you too.”
“Huh? Oh, thanks.”
Before she realized it, everyone had left. They were all fans of awakened ones and dungeons, which was why they were in this department, so they were all like Seon-ah.
Left alone, Seon-ah watched the scene outside until she felt a tap on her shoulder.
“Hi.”
“Oh, brother, you’re here.”
Seon-ah smiled at Kyu-seong’s familiar face.
“By the way, what’s going on outside? Why is there such a crowd?”
“Hanbyul Yu is here.”
“Oh? The rookie who became a 5th rank at such a young age?”
“Yeah. The students are going crazy since she’s here.”
“Is it because of the interview?”
“Seems like it.”
Kyu-seong looked towards where Hanbyul Yu was and then asked,
“Are your team members over there too?”
“Yeah.”
“What about the interview?”
“Could you wait a bit?”
“Hmm. We really shouldn’t make them wait…”
“Please, just be patient for a little while, kind brother.”
“I’m not joking, we really shouldn’t make them wait. I didn’t come alone.”
“What do you mean you didn’t come alone?”
Seeing Seon-ah’s wide-eyed expression, Kyu-seong gave a mischievous smile. Seon-ah, half-expecting and half-doubting, asked cautiously.
“…Did you call a guild member?”
“I invited a special guest for my dear sister.”
“Who?”
“You’ll see.”
As Kyu-seong continued to smirk, Seon-ah squinted her eyes but couldn’t say anything more and kept her mouth shut.
Just then, the commotion outside grew louder.
It seemed that Hanbyul Yu and her group were planning to use this café as well.
“Why are they coming to the café? It’s going to be crowded. Why don’t they book a separate interview space?”
Seon-ah grumbled to herself.
Kyu-seong, puzzled, asked,
“Didn’t your team secure a place for the interview?”
“Huh? Oh, well, no. We don’t draw that big of a crowd.”
“Ouch. That stings, little sister.”
“By the way, didn’t you bring Ara?”
“Yes, she’ll be here soon.”
“What?”
As they were talking, a crowd of people poured into the café.
Hanbyul Yu and the students who invited her took seats in the center, enjoying the attention.
When Seon-ah’s team members returned, they saw Kyu-seong and greeted him.
“Oh! Seon-ah’s brother is here! Hello, thank you for accepting our interview proposal.”
“Hello.”
“Shall we start the interview right away?”
“No, we still have some guests coming, so could you wait a bit?”
Kyu-seong’s words puzzled the team members, who looked at Seon-ah. She just shrugged, as she had no idea either.
“What?!”
A sudden high-pitched voice drew everyone’s attention.
The one who had stood up shouting was none other than Hanbyul Yu.
Already the center of attention, her sudden outburst made everyone look around.
They soon saw two people approaching the café. No, actually three.
“No way…”
“Could it be? No, that’s impossible…”
Unlike with Hanbyul Yu, no one dared to approach them. One of them had such an imposing presence that it overwhelmed everyone.
“The Predator!”
“No way, it’s Kang Hanul and Jeong So-yeon!”
“Who called them for an interview? This can’t be real!”
Everyone was in a state of confusion.
Some were pinching their cheeks and rubbing their eyes in disbelief at the sudden appearance of these figures.
In the midst of the commotion, Hanbyul hurriedly got up and ran outside. She then bent over deeply and greeted them respectfully.
“Hello, seniors!”
“Huh? Who’s this?”
“Who is this?”
The intimidating presence of Kang Hanul melted away as he reverted to his usual goofy self, asking Jeong So-yeon. Ara, riding on Kang Hanul’s shoulders, cutely repeated his words.
“It’s Hanbyul Yu from Oseong Guild. It’s been a while, Hanbyul.”
“Oh, it’s been a while! I never expected to see you two seniors here!”
As people began to realize the reality of the situation, the fact that Ara Hongryeon’s top awakened members were visiting Korea University began to sink in.
“Wow, this is insane!”
“Can we get autographs?”
“But who invited them? Did they come here just for an interview, or did they have other business at the university?”
Watching the chaos unfold, Seon-ah glared at Kyu-seong. He waved back nonchalantly, ignoring her piercing gaze.
“Over here!”
“Oh! Kyu-seong! There you are!”
Kang Hanul, having spotted Kyu-seong, walked over with a broad smile. The students who were hesitating about whether to approach looked at Kyu-seong curiously.
“Is he the one who invited them?”
“Is he a student here?”
“Who is he? How does he know the executives of Ara Hongryeon?”
Seon-ah’s team members, who had never expected this, stared in awe at the scene.
“Wh-which guild did you say Seon-ah’s brother was in?”
“I’ve never heard… Could it really be Ara Hongryeon?”
Confusion and surprise mingled together.
Kang Hanul, having reached the table, grabbed a chair and sat down with a cheerful grin.
“Hahaha! It’s been a while, Kyu-seong!”
“It’s been a while!”
“Yes, it has. Thank you for coming today.”
“If it’s for you, Kyu-seong, I’d drop everything and come running!”
“Come running!”
The limitless goodwill Kang Hanul showed toward Kyu-seong made people wonder, ‘Who is this guy?’
Meanwhile, Jeong So-yeon approached and greeted them.
“Kyu-seong, it’s been a while.”
“It’s been a while. Thank you for coming.”
“No problem. Ah, this must be your sister?”
“Oh? You recognize her?”
“Yes, you two look alike. Especially the eyes.”
“They look alike! Lee Seon-ah and Lee Kyu-seong are siblings!”
For a moment, Kyu-seong and Seon-ah glared at each other. Their serious expressions upon being told they looked alike confirmed their sibling relationship.
In the meantime, Seon-ah’s team members, along with the people who had gathered around, quickly greeted Kang Hanul and Jeong So-yeon.
“Kang Hanul! I’m a big fan!”
“Wow, I can’t believe I’m seeing Jeong So-yeon in person! Are you here for an interview? This is amazing.”
The excitement was even more intense than it had been for Hanbyul. While Hanbyul was indeed a famous awakened, she was still a rookie who had debuted recently.
However, Jeong So-yeon, with her reputation as the youngest 6th rank awakened, and Kang Hanul, who was considered a living history of awakened beings due to his long career, were on another level.
“We really should find another location for this, don’t you think?”
Feeling the heat of the excitement, Kyu-seong scratched his head awkwardly, while Seon-ah pouted her lips.
“You should have told me beforehand.”
“I wanted to surprise you.”
She gave him a playful glare, but deep down, she was grateful.
After all, both Kang Hanul and Jeong So-yeon were very busy people. To get them to come for a mere college project was unbelievable.
‘This is suddenly so overwhelming…’
Feeling a bit nauseous from the pressure, Seon-ah thought about finding a proper place for the interview when Kang Hanul laughed loudly and spoke.
“Hahaha! Let’s start the interview right away! Ask anything you want! But before that…”
“Before that!”
Kang Hanul, smiling slyly, gestured towards Kyu-seong.
Ara, perched on Kang Hanul’s shoulders, also smiled and gestured.
Seeing this, Kyu-seong chuckled and took something out of his bag.
“Since you might get a bit peckish during the interview, how about having some snacks?”
“Hahaha! Great, great!”
“Hehehe! This is good!”
Though she didn’t say anything, Jeong So-yeon looked at Kyu-seong with eyes full of anticipation. The team members, who were hastily reviewing their prepared questions, glanced over curiously.
“Sweet Potato Candies. Sound good?”
“Sweet Potato Candies! Sweet Potato Candies!”
At that moment, Hanbyul Yu, who had been awkwardly standing nearby, lit up. She exclaimed as she saw the Sweet Potato Candies Kyu-seong took out.
“This, this…!”
“Hehehe. You recognize it! Well, it has become a bit famous recently.”
“It has become famous!”
Hanbyul looked at Kang Hanul and Jeong So-yeon with a face that seemed to ask, ‘Is this for real?’ Her gaze kept being drawn to Ara as a bonus.
“That’s right! Your guess is correct! Our Kyu-seong is indeed the best awakened that Ara Hongryeon Guild is proud of! Hahaha!”
“Lee Kyu-seong is the best! Hehehe!”
In the awakened community, the identity of the mysterious food items had been gradually becoming known.
And now, the owner of those items was revealed.
Cliche Novel 