The theme for this episode was simple:
Tag.
It’s a classic game that no entertainment show can do without.
Of course, this wasn’t an ordinary game of tag.
Given that both Awakeners and regular people were part of the show, teamwork was a must, and the rules were particularly tough.
And now…
Thanks to Seo Ye-eun’s impressive performance, Ara had managed to break free from the restrictions of the rules and was wreaking havoc.
“Ara! Get them all!”
“Yes! That’s the way!”
The cheers from her teammates only fired up Ara more.
Soon, the opposing team members started getting caught one by one.
However, Ara’s team had overlooked something…
On the other side stood Kim Tae-yang.
Not only that, though it hadn’t been revealed, Emily, who was also an Level 8 Awakener, was part of the opposition.
Smack, smack.
A flurry of exchanges unfolded in the blink of an eye.
Everyone’s eyes widened as they overreacted for the cameras.
“What is that? Is that even possible?”
“Ara’s catching Kim Tae-yang!”
“Wow, incredible.”
Yet, their reactions weren’t entirely feigned.
Ara’s dazzling and dynamic efforts were truly spectacular, leaving them half-genuinely impressed.
However, no one thought Kim Tae-yang was genuinely trying his best against Ara.
After all, how could one of the top three Awakener in Korea go all out against a mere child?
‘Why… why is she so strong?!’
Kim Tae-yang, on the other hand, was moving desperately.
Initially, he planned to go easy on her, but Ara’s unexpected speed had left him utterly stunned.
Before he knew it, he found himself in a dangerous predicament.
“Well done, Ara!”
“Just a little more!”
The spectators believed Kim Tae-yang was deliberately letting Ara win and enjoyed the show.
For Kim Tae-yang, though, it was far from fun.
“Uncle Tae-yang!”
Suddenly, Emily appeared.
In a flash, she got behind Ara.
As the “it” player, Ara would face penalties if tagged from behind, leaving her no choice but to abandon Kim Tae-yang and retreat.
“You’re lucky this time, Kim Tae-yang! But I will catch you again soon!”
Ara stepped back with a mischievous grin, and Kim Tae-yang broke out in a cold sweat.
He knew Ara wasn’t just an ordinary child, but he never imagined her strength would be this overwhelming.
‘Isn’t she just a familiar of Kyu-seong’s? A Level 1 Awakener controlling such a powerful familiar?’
What’s more, there was another surprise: Emily.
Her movements, too, were anything but ordinary.
Her boldness in exploiting Ara’s blind spot was something no typical Awakener could pull off.
“Who are these kids, really?”
The game continued, and in the end, Ara’s team claimed victory.
“Ah, so close!”
Emily expressed her regret but seemed at ease.
Having witnessed Ara’s abilities, she knew from the start that, barring unexpected circumstances, there was no way to beat her.
Though she had hoped the game’s rules might create an opening, Ara was simply Ara.
“Wow, the stars of today’s game are practically those two guest players!”
“It was so dazzling. I couldn’t believe I was playing the same game—they were on a whole other level.”
The production staff were thrilled, delighted with the abundance of highlight moments thanks to the young girls’ unexpected performances.
“This week’s hot topic is definitely going to be our show.”
“A surprise appearance by Kim Tae-yang, plus all these unexpected scenes. It’s a total hit.”
Amid the celebratory mood, Ara, holding her trophy and medal from the staff, came running over excitedly.
“Look at this!”
“Wow, Ara won! I was watching from here. You were amazing!”
Kyu-seong had initially thought it might be a close call, considering there were two Level 8 Awakeners on the opposing team.
However, contrary to his expectations, Ara only struggled briefly in the beginning.
She quickly adapted, moving freely across the battlefield and leading her team to victory.
“Great job, everyone, on today’s shoot!”
“Well done, everyone!”
“Are we going for dinner now?”
Dinner outing!
Kyu-seong perked up.
He had been a passive observer so far, but the idea of a dinner outing was a game-changer.
As soon as the word “dinner” was mentioned, Kim Tae-yang and Seo Ye-eun immediately looked for Kyu-seong.
“Ahem! A dinner outing without me is impossible.”
“Ooh, Kyu-seong, are you going to show us something special?”
Kim Tae-yang’s enthusiastic reaction was unexpected, drawing surprised looks from those nearby.
“Just reserve the venue. I’ll cover the dinner.”
“I’ll make arrangements right away.”
Why not go all out and hire a private chef for the occasion?
Of course, that chef would be Jae-seong.
“Hm, no. My cooking skills are just as good.”
Though clearly inferior, Kyu-seong tried to convince himself otherwise.
In truth, he hesitated to call Jae-seong, knowing how busy he must be at the moment.
Still, he found himself wondering how the others were doing.
***
Kyu-seong wasn’t at the Dungeon of Gluttony.
Recently, Soo had been frequently absent, and Gomgom was stealthily tailing him out of suspicion.
-Grrr. (Suspicious.)
In the past, Soo and Gomgom were nearly inseparable.
But one day, Soo started spending more time alone.
-Grrr, grrr. (He’s hiding something.)
No matter how Gomgom thought about it, something felt off.
Certain that Soo was hiding something, Gomgom sniffed the ground, following Soo’s trail.
-What are you doing?
-Roar?!! (What was that?!!)
Startled, Gomgom flailed and flipped over when a voice suddenly called out from above.
Seeing Gomgom flounder on his back, Frey quickly apologized.
-Sorry, sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you!
-Roar! Roar! (I was so startled! I almost cried!)
Gomgom wailed indignantly, making Frey awkwardly scratch head head.
-I said I’m sorry. Anyway, what are you doing? Are you looking for mushrooms here?
-Grrr. (No.)
Gomgom got back on his feet and mimicked Soo’s movements.
Frey, initially puzzled, soon realized who Gomgom was referring to.
-Soo! You mean Soo!
-Roooar! (Correct!)
Gomgom roared triumphantly to affirm Frey’s guess.
He then resumed sniffing the ground, tracking Soo’s scent.
-Soo hasn’t been around much lately. I’ll come along too.
Frey hopped onto Gomgom’s back.
And so, they traveled together for two hours.
Frey, who had started complaining out of boredom after just ten minutes, was now at her limit.
-How much farther do we have to go?!
-Grrr, grrr. (I’m following the scent.)
Unable to bear it any longer, Frey took flight, scanning the surroundings for signs of Soo.
Before long, she spotted a small figure moving in the distance.
-There’s something over there!
-Roar? (Something’s there?)
Frey quickly flapped her wings and flew toward the movement she had spotted.
Behind her, Gomgom waddled hastily, trying to keep up.
-What is this?!
Frey cried out in surprise as a writhing mass of something turned its gaze toward her.
Gomgom froze in place, startled by the sight of small moving plants in front of him.
-Grr, grrr? (What is all this?)
There were countless Soos.
No, they were much smaller than Soo.
If anything, their size was just a bit smaller than fairies—a negligible difference, really.
-Soooo?
-Kku kku?
Then, like a boss leading this miniature army, Soo appeared, tilting his head in confusion.
-Soooo? (How did you get here?)
-Roar! (It’s Soo!)
Gomgom spread his arms wide and gestured toward Soo as if demanding an explanation.
But Soo’s expression quickly changed.
-Sooo! Sooooo! (You discovered my secret! Attack!)
-Kku kku kku kku!
-Kuuuu!
At Soo’s command, the tiny plants rushed forward en masse.
Caught off guard by the herb army’s full-scale assault, Gomgom panicked.
-Roaaaar! (Save me!!)
Of course, the attack’s damage was zero.
The tiny plants crawling up Gomgom’s body could only tickle him.
However, to Frey, the scene looked terrifying.
-You cruel creature!! How could you tickle Gomgom, who’s like a brother to you?!
Frey resolved to correct Soo’s behavior once and for all.
-I am the queen of Alfheim! I will teach you, Soo, to be kind!
-Soooo! (Bring it on!)
The two collided.
Crash!
Literally.
Frey and Soo bumped into each other and ended up wobbling in a daze.
-Soooo!
-Kku?
Seeing their leader down, the small plants paused their tickling assault on Gomgom and tilted their heads.
Soon, they all gathered around Soo to check on him.
-Kku?
They gently prodded him.
When they realized Soo had fainted, they suddenly erupted into cheers.
-Kyuuu!
-Kkuuuu!
They looked like rebels celebrating a successful uprising.
Standing triumphantly on Soo’s body, they waved their stems like flags.
-Grr… grrr…
The shocking sight left Gomgom speechless, unable to form words.
Determined to rescue his comrade, Soo, Gomgom charged forward.
-Roar!
The tiny plants scattered in fear.
Gomgom carefully lifted the fallen Soo in his arms.
Soo slowly opened his eyes.
-Ssooo… sooo? (Are you forgiving me?)
-Grrr! (Of course!)
A touching moment of reconciliation.
Soo, with a faint smile, suddenly collapsed.
-Grrrooooar!! (Noooo!!)
-Hey, cut it out! What are you two doing?!
Frey, gently rubbing her bumped forehead, flicked both of them on the forehead in return.
-Alright, Soo. Explain what’s going on here!
-Sooos, soooo…
Faced with Frey’s scolding, who had now taken on the role of the scary older sister, Soo averted his gaze and mumbled hesitantly.
-Soooo. (I was trying to build a kingdom.)
-A kingdom? Were you trying to become a queen like me?!
-Kyuu!! (Exactly!)
At Soo’s confession, Frey stroked her chin with a serious expression.
-Do you understand how heavy the responsibility of being a queen is? It’s not something to take lightly.
-Grr? (Frey, you just play around?)
-What are you saying?! I don’t just play around! Even though I enjoy doing what I love every day, do you know how much stress I endure?!
Frey flapped her wings energetically as she began to explain her struggles.
-I have to decide the perfect consistency for today’s honey, schedule visits to the hot springs, and plan when to visit the others to play!
-Kyu…uuu.
Soo and Gomgom tilted their heads in confusion.
Frey, flustered, tried desperately to think of more examples.
-And… and! I also have to figure out when to take naps, how long to sleep, and whether soft or firm pillows are better!
Soo, listening intently, came to a conclusion.
He genuinely thought it was time to become a real king.
How could Frey keep all these good things to herself?
-Soooo! (From now on, I’m the king of the herbs!)
-Whaaat!! Don’t you understand the weight of the responsibility I carry? You can’t make such decisions so lightly!
-Soooo? (Then what should I do?)
Frey struggled to come up with a way to convince Soo.
But deep down, she didn’t want anyone else in the dungeon to take on the title of queen.
-Ugh! Alright! I’ve got it!
-Sooooo? (What is it?)
-Bring your herb friends and come to our village! Then, Soo, you’ll follow me around and experience firsthand how difficult a queen’s duties are!
-Sooooo!
Soo nodded earnestly in agreement.
Watching him, Frey resolved to put him through a grueling few days to show him the truth.
-Wait. Doesn’t that mean I’ll have to work hard too?
-Grr?
Frey suddenly felt as though she had fallen into a trap of her own making.
Cliche Novel 
Poor Frey
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