The weekend sky was a clear, crisp blue, with the early spring air carrying a slight chill but enough warmth to be pleasant. Kim Hajin, however, couldn’t enjoy the beauty of the day. He had been summoned to Seoul’s Association Tower for a reward ceremony—his involvement in subjugating a Djinn apparently warranted public recognition.

Really, can’t they just deliver it?

Annoyance crept into his thoughts as he walked toward the garden adjacent to the Hero Association Tower. This time could be better spent sharpening his sharpshooting skills, but here he was, about to endure a long, boring ceremony. Of course, he knew he had no room to complain. He’d been a guest at the Noble Society before, so he understood the political importance of participating in these events, even if they felt like a waste of time.

"It’s not like training is helping me either," he muttered to himself. As someone who relied on SP and items to grow stronger, hours of rigorous practice didn’t yield the same results as it did for others. Maybe it was just the inconvenience of it all that grated on him.

By the time Hajin arrived at the garden, a crowd had already gathered, but the ceremony was nowhere near starting. He spotted Kim Suho and Chae Nayun among the gathering crowd. The three of them were called for a rehearsal, going through the motions of receiving their commendations from a dignitary who, annoyingly, was running late.

Hajin sighed in frustration. Waiting here felt like sitting on a bed of needles. Even more uncomfortable was Chae Nayun sitting right next to him—too close, in fact. Her proximity reminded him of the last time she invaded his personal space back at the café during their gathering.

“Hey,” Suho leaned over and whispered with a teasing grin, “Yeonha might get jealous…”

Hajin grimaced as the memory of yesterday’s gathering flashed through his mind. Before he could reply, Nayun turned her attention to Suho, an irritated scowl forming on her face.

“Don’t get me started, Kim. Suho,” she said sharply, glaring at him.

“It’s a misunderstanding,” Hajin tried to defend himself.

Suho just grinned wider, clearly enjoying himself. “Yes, yes. It is…” His teasing smirk remained plastered on his face, and Hajin could only roll his eyes as Suho shot him a mischievous look.

Finally, Hyon Hyung strolled into the venue, oblivious to the earlier tension. “Hey, what am I missing?” he asked with an almost too-casual tone.

“You’re late,” Hajin snapped, eager to change the subject before Hyon could catch on and join in on Suho’s teasing.

Hyon, however, wasn’t about to let that slide. “So, why are you so tense?” he asked, smirking. “Why do you care about me being late?”

Hajin rubbed his forehead in frustration. “Just get in line,” he muttered, hoping to get through the rehearsal—and the ceremony—without more embarrassment.

“Hey, hey…” Suho approached Hyon with an excited glint in his eyes. “Do you know—”

Before he could finish his thought, Chae Nayun swiftly wrapped her arm around Suho’s neck, pulling him into a chokehold from behind. The suddenness of the move caught Hajin off guard, and he couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene unfolding before him.

“Kids, riiight…” Hajin whispered to himself, disappointment lacing his voice. He couldn't believe he was mingling with what felt like a bunch of children. Inside, he was an adult with the wisdom of his past life, yet here he was, trapped in the body of a 17-year-old. It made him acutely aware of his situation, and he found it increasingly hard to suppress the irritation gnawing at him.

Hajin sighed, shaking his head as he watched Nayun apply a suplex maneuver that would have made a professional wrestler proud. “That’s brutal…” he muttered, a mixture of amusement and disbelief playing across his features. Suho squirmed in her grasp, and for a moment, it looked as though he might actually lose consciousness.

“Alright, alright! I won’t say anything!” Suho wheezed, flailing his arms in a futile attempt to escape.

Nayun released him with a satisfied smirk, clearly enjoying her moment of triumph. “Maybe you’ll think twice before trying to tease Hajin again,” she said, crossing her arms with an air of victory.

Just then, Hyon Hyung stepped closer, clearly amused by the spectacle. “I have to admit, that was pretty impressive, Nayun. But next time, maybe try to keep it less… violent? I don’t want to be associated… with orcs.”

“Violent? Please, this is just a gentle reminder,” she replied, her tone light and teasing. “You should see me getting violent.”

“No thank you,” Hyon stepped away, acting like a sane man for once.

Sitting in Chae Nayun’s seat was a familiar figure—Yoo Yeonha. She turned to Kim Hajin, her expression serious. “Do not misunderstand,” she quickly explained. “I just want to tell you that you should not worry about what happened yesterday.”

“But I am not,” Hajin responded without missing a beat. “Oh, I will return the clothes to you this Monday.”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

Yeonha wrinkled her nose in disgust, which was understandable given her reputation as a clean freak. “Go and burn it in the incinerator,” she shot back, rising from the seat and moving to one on the far side of the gathering, effectively distancing herself from Hajin. Moments later, the person in charge of coordinating the rehearsals called for her attention.

Hajin settled back into a state of waiting, observing the crowd around him. As time dragged on, an extraordinary magic power suddenly undulated through the area, a palpable force that demanded attention. The dignitary had finally arrived.

Today’s commendation conferrer was none other than the master rank hero known by his sobriquet, 'Wolf of Valhalla.' His shoulder-length hair had a slight wave, framing a well-trimmed beard that was somewhat rare for an Eastern man. His presence radiated regality, a kind of unapproachable air that stirred a slight tremor of magic power with each step he took. It was clear that his raw strength had reached a realm where even he struggled to fully contain it.

“Huu.”

Yoo Sihyuk scanned the gathered crowd with his wolf-like eyes, muttering under his breath, “These fuckers telling me what to do.”

The atmosphere became so quiet that even the wind seemed hesitant to stir, as if fearing to offend this powerful figure. With a blend of arrogance and indifference, Yoo Sihyuk pushed aside any guests who approached him, parting the crowd as he made his way toward the podium.

He climbed the stage with an overbearing presence, an attendant rushing to his side to hand him a paper listing the order of the ceremony. With a disdainful click of his tongue, Sihyuk glanced at the document before discarding it carelessly. The attendant hurried off to retrieve the paper, resembling an obedient dog.

“Now, the conferment ceremony will begin,” the host announced, breaking the tense silence.

“The commendation will be conferred by rank 37 master rank hero, Sir Yoo Sihyuk.”

With that declaration, the ceremony officially commenced. Photographers and journalists erupted into a flurry of activity, their voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony as they clamored for the best shots. The flashes from cameras and the murmurs of the crowd created an orderly chaos, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the event.

It was crucial to celebrate the presence of heroes, especially when a Master Rank Hero like Yoo Sihyuk graced the occasion. Many journalists had gathered not merely for the ceremony itself but for the opportunity to capture the essence of a living legend. Sihyuk, as the most renowned swordsman in the world at that moment, boasted a fame that rivaled the Nine Stars—humanity's ultimate guardians.

***

Kim Suho, Chae Nayun, Kim Hajin, Yoo Yeonha, and I walked up to the podium according to our rehearsal. As we approached, Yoo Sihyuk smirked when he caught sight of Suho.

“Are you Kim Suho?” he asked, his tone casual yet probing.

“Yes,” Suho replied, meeting his gaze head-on.

“Mmm. I can see why those guys want you,” Sihyuk remarked, his interest in Suho intensifying.

To my surprise, he offered Kim Suho some unusual kindness. “Don’t join the association. It might be better to join the Vast Expanse and become a hunter. Being a hero is nothing but a baggage of responsibility and no fun.”

At least that was what Sihyuk considered kind advice.

“Still, a hero fits my personality best,” Suho countered, smiling confidently.

The corner of Sihyuk’s mouth twisted up into a knowing grin. “You’re a boring guy. Fine…”

Then, he turned his attention to Chae Nayun, whose expression quickly shifted to boredom as their eyes met. Their dynamic seemed tense yet familiar. In the past timeline, this conferment had unfolded very differently. Back then, Nayun had struggled to even look Sihyuk in the eye.

“Are you still a bachelor, master?” she teased.

“Aigoo… Kids these days have no respect for their elders,” he replied, feigning indignation.

I recalled how hard-headed Nayun had been back then, determined to master the bow. Sihyuk had felt nothing but disappointment at her stubbornness. But today was a different story; their banter resembled that of old friends.

“At least you are honest, master. So, how is being a senior citizen treating you? I hear they receive a lot of discounts.”

“You will grow into an old hag without a husband with that personality of yours,” Sihyuk shot back, a smirk dancing on his lips.

“Nah, that is still uncertain. I’m just saying, you are already a lost cause,” she retorted with a mischievous glint in her eye.

“Wait, is being a dumbass a personality? No. It’s a defect.”

“Hah~! Surely, there will be someone who will love me for who I am.”

“Huh? Really?”

“…”

“Are you suggesting… hmmm… doesn’t choosing you mean your future husband would be making a dumb choice? That makes him an idiot of equivalent brain wavelengths.”

“…”

The exchange was intense. Nayun’s ability to hold her ground against a Master Rank Hero spoke volumes about her character. Meanwhile, Sihyuk’s patience demonstrated the wisdom accumulated from years of experience in the Hero Association.

The journalists scribbled furiously in their notebooks, while photographers clicked away, capturing every moment. This was prime tabloid material, no doubt.

“I am only middle-aged…” Yoo Sihyuk added, his tone unexpectedly soft, as if lamenting his youth while leaving Nayun to her playful jabs. He moved on, approaching Kim Hajin next.

“Oh, you are the guy with the gun. I saw the trailer and watched the whole video. No. 1 Gunner, huh? It’s good to be ambitious. I’m looking forward to your future. Don’t lose, okay? Those gun-loving mercs will be crying!”

To Hajin’s surprise, he was met with genuine warmth from Yoo Sihyuk. The praise was almost too much for him, and I could see Hajin blush beneath his cool demeanor. Sihyuk left him and made his way toward me.

I felt nervous energy coursing through me, tapping the floor with my shoe as Sihyuk approached. It was surreal to be in the presence of such raw power. He passed by me, heading straight for Yeonha, leaving me feeling awestruck and somewhat overlooked. Maybe it was my Gift at play, but the moment felt painfully awkward.

“Yoo Yeonha, nice to meet you. Your father will be master rank in the future soon. I just know it. Give him my regards!” he said, shaking her hand.

Yeonha looked at me and Sihyuk alternately, visibly sweating in the awkwardness of the moment. Sihyuk, oblivious, continued to engage with her. I tried to signal my disapproval, shaking my head, hoping she wouldn’t push for my attention.

“Miss Yeonha, is there a problem? Are you ill?” Sihyuk asked, a concerned expression crossing his face.

Oh my! Yeonha! Stop that! Leave him be! My mind raced as I desperately tried to signal her again. Finally, Yoo Sihyuk turned his gaze back toward me. “Ah~ who is this?”

“Hyon Hyung, sir… My name is Hyon Hyung,” I stammered.

“Oh. Okay.”

I fell into silence, feeling a mix of humiliation and irritation. I wasn’t here for fame or recognition; I was here for the money. Humiliation? I could shove that emotion aside. But the world had a cruel way of serving up the unexpected.

Yoo Sihyuk leaned in closer, whispering with a playful tone, “Hyon Hyung, is it? Do you know? The Hero Association is actually suspecting you as a Djinn…”

My heart dropped, and I could only shudder at the implication.

Motherfucker.