It was exactly one hour later when Seohyeonji turned off her vlog.
Completely exhausted, she couldn’t even deliver her closing remarks properly before shutting off her phone.
“Oh, you should have said something. I didn’t realize you were broadcasting.”
“I tried to tell you…” Seohyeonji murmured weakly, slumped in her chair.
“Well, seeing you train so hard will probably get a good reaction for being professional.”
“Ah, you think so?” Seohyeonji’s ears perked up at Lee Hyunbin’s words.
“Well, in that spirit, shall we do some more?”
“What?”
“Training.”
“We just—we already did it.”
Lee Hyunbin’s mouth and eyes curled into a smile at her words. “That was just a warm-up.”
“Warm-up? You’re calling that a warm-up?”
“Come on, let’s go.”
“I… I’m not going.”
“Ayy. Get up here. Once you get a taste of this, you won’t be able to forget it.”
Seohyeonji was forced back into her gloves and headgear. Lee Hyunbin handed her a mouthpiece.
“Open up. Say ‘ah.’ You have to keep a firm grip on this. If you don’t, you might lose some teeth.”
“Ar-Are you really going to hit an actress’s face? My face is a national treasure!”
“A national treasure? Ah… it’s looking a bit spoiled lately. Have you been eating a lot before bed?”
“What did you say?”
“The enemy isn’t going to stop hitting you just because you’re an actress. Now, let’s check your Magic Power control first. You were casting while running earlier, right? We’re going to use that. I’m going to attack now. You need the concentration to keep your Skill active until the end, even while being hit. Understand?”
Seohyeonji was about to ask if she had heard him correctly.
“We’ll start at this level for now, and later you’ll have to cast Skills while dodging. Here I come, so brace your core. Tight!”
“Eek!”
“Not ‘eek,’ stay tight!”
He was a madman.
Seohyeonji finally began to understand how Kim Taeyang felt. She looked over at him. Kim Taeyang looked away, avoiding her gaze.
She looked at Kim Inho. He suddenly hurried out, claiming he needed water. She looked toward the foreigners. They were already sprawled out below the ring, unable to get back up.
“I-Igni…”
“Ayy, don’t just say it with your mouth. Look, the casting broke because you’re too focused on the pain. Focus. A mountain is a mountain; water is water. What are we doing right now? Summoning. Come on, Summon. Smack. Summon. Smack.”
That day, Seohyeonji received treatment from Lee Seoyeon for the first time.
Watching her slumped on the floor, Lee Hyunbin gave a bitter smile. “Oh dear, was I too hard on you today?”
‘Of course it was hard!’
She knew he had gone easier on her compared to Taeyang or Inho, but she still couldn’t find the strength to speak. She just lay there on the mat in silence.
“I’m only training you like this because I’m worried about you. You must have felt it while fighting those Villains. If you don’t have proper power, you can’t protect your comrades.”
“…”
His words felt like a dagger to her heart.
Kim Yeo-jin, one of the three major Awakeners of the Hardline Faction—Seohyeonji had seen her at meetings before. For some reason, the woman had always disliked her and stayed on guard.
From what Seohyeonji knew, Kim Yeo-jin possessed power equivalent to an S-rank. When Kim Yeo-jin was running rampant, Seohyeonji should have been the one to stop her, being an S-class Awakener herself. But in the decisive moment, she had been unable to do anything.
Instead, she had been overwhelmed by the enemy. If Team Leader Lee Hyunbin hadn’t prepared safety measures in advance, everyone surely would have been killed.
“It’s not like you were able to protect your comrades either.”
“…”
‘Ah. I messed up.’
She was in a foul mood because of the harsh treatment today. The words had slipped out before she could think. Seohyeonji stole a glance at Lee Hyunbin.
“…”
She saw his face stiffen for a split second. The wicked man who always wore a smile that hid his thoughts—she never knew he could make such an expression.
“That’s why I became strong.”
As if nothing had happened, Lee Hyunbin laughed playfully.
She had heard stories from the people of her tribe. Lee Hyunbin, the Hero. The owner of the Holy Sword Laevateinn wrapped in the Flame of the Covenant. The man who defeated the Demon King and brought an end to the war on the Continent.
She hadn’t thought he was that great before, but whenever the people of her tribe spoke of the Hero, they talked with excitement. To Seohyeonji, that was a very strange experience.
The Hero had more enemies than allies. Many of his comrades died because of the convictions he chose to follow. As the number of Knights in his order dwindled one by one, it became impossible to stop the war.
He had to keep going so that the lives of his fallen comrades wouldn’t be in vain.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that…” Seohyeonji apologized sincerely. For the first time, she had seen the face of a man who had been hurt.
“It’s fine. I suppose you heard stories about my past from your tribe.”
“Well, that’s…”
“Many people died for my convictions. If I had to make those choices again, I would do the same thing.”
Seohyeonji went quiet.
“I’m trying to train everyone so they don’t die, so the training might be a bit tough.”
“Excuse me…”
“I’m sorry. I suppose I was afraid. If things had gone wrong this time, I might have lost my comrades again. You were in danger too…”
“Ah, well…” Seohyeonji didn’t know what to do.
“If it’s to protect my people, I don’t care if I’m called a devil.”
“I-I’ll do it! I said I’ll do it!”
In the end, Seohyeonji stood up. Her muscles felt like they were screaming, but she bit her lip. She felt uneasy, as if she had touched a painful scar she shouldn’t have.
As Seohyeonji went back to training, Lee Hyunbin grinned widely, his smile stretching almost to his ears. Watching the scene, Lee Seoyeon shook her head with a sigh.
Another victim had been claimed.
—
Seohyeonji felt like a limp noodle on her way home after training. The physical exertion was part of it, but she also felt guilty for digging into the Team Leader’s trauma with her reckless words.
“Good work today.”
Despite everything, the Team Leader was treating her with his usual smile, as if nothing had happened. Seohyeonji felt ashamed for thinking of him as a devil. He was actually quite a big-hearted person.
“Um, Team Leader…”
“Yes?”
Seohyeonji spoke up awkwardly. “What I said earlier… I didn’t mean it.”
“It’s okay.”
“Actually, today the viewers kept calling me a fashion terrorist, so… I guess I was just on edge.”
“A fashion terrorist?”
Lee Hyunbin scanned Seohyeonji’s outfit. A batwing V-neck and harem pants.
“Team Leader, is it weird?”
At her question, Lee Hyunbin stroked his chin. “Hmm, how should I put it? It’s very unbalanced.”
‘I knew it.’
Seohyeonji let out a soft sigh.
“Those pants… you didn’t actually have an accident in them, right?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m just saying they look that bad. I thought you were wearing them because of some kind of penalty game.”
“Actually, I usually wear what my stylist picks for me, but she’s away on her honeymoon…”
“Ah, I see.”
The misunderstanding seemed cleared up. Seohyeonji was about to say goodbye and head home when Lee Hyunbin stopped her.
“If you’d like, should I take a look?”
“What?” Seohyeonji blinked in surprise at his offer.
“I’ll give you some styling advice via text. We’re on the same team; the least I can do is help you out when you’re struggling.”
“Oh, it’s fine.”
“Contact me whenever you’re having a hard time.”
She didn’t really want to get help from the Team Leader for something like this. However, once she got home, Seohyeonji began to worry about what to wear the next day.
‘I have to turn on the vlog tomorrow too.’
Doing the vlog was more fun than she expected, but she didn’t want to earn a reputation as a fashion disaster.
‘The Team Leader seems to dress well enough.’
She walked into her dressing room. As expected of an actress, it was packed with clothes. Each piece was beautiful on its own, but whenever she combined them, they turned into something strange.
“Ugh.”
After some deliberation, Seohyeonji reluctantly sent a text to Lee Hyunbin.
-Lee Hyunbin: I’ll help you so you won’t be called a fashion disaster. Now, let’s see…
She was skeptical about whether he could choose women’s clothing well. However, seeing his confidence, it didn’t seem like he was just talking nonsense.
-Lee Hyunbin: That outfit is good. Combine that with the one at the end of the second row, and you’ll be set.
Seohyeonji held the items he selected against her body.
-Lee Hyunbin: Exactly. That’s much better. Since you’re such a great model to begin with, a little styling goes a long way. You look like a real actress.
Seohyeonji let out a small snort, her mood improving. Listening to him, it actually did seem pretty good.
-Lee Hyunbin: I’m telling you, an oversized fit triggers a protective instinct. Most importantly, it makes you look thinner, which is great. It’s the perfect ‘girlfriend look.’
It sounded plausible.
-Lee Hyunbin: Power shoulders project your inner maturity outward, adding a certain edge. Pair that with high boots to create synergy with elegance and deliver a revolutionary feeling.
-Lee Hyunbin: The attire of the Wodaabe tribe is perfect for expressing a wild beauty that dominates the plains. It’s very flashy, very active, and the ‘fantastic’ vibe is perfect for evoking a girlish sensibility.
Something felt slightly off, but Seohyeonji decided to trust Lee Hyunbin’s confidence. So far, she hadn’t lost anything by following his lead.
“Thank you.”
-Lee Hyunbin: Don’t mention it. Now, go forth and escape your ‘fashion disaster’ label tomorrow.
After finishing the call with Lee Hyunbin, Seohyeonji couldn’t help but let out a little giggle. She remembered when she first met him. Back then, she had asked him if he wanted an autograph, thinking he was a fan. It had been so awkward. Now, she felt comfortable around him. It felt natural to have him around.
“Alright.”
Trusting him, Seohyeonji resolved to hit the streets in her new fashion. Soon, her name rose to the top of the search rankings on portal sites once again.
“Ma’am…”
“Mm-hmm…”
“You’re not some Namekian adult… what is with these power shoulders…”
“…”
Her stylist, back from her honeymoon, had seen the news on the portal sites and rushed to her house in shock.
“Ma’am, starting a vlog was a great idea…”
“Yeah…”
“But this… this isn’t it…”
“It’s not like that…” Seohyeonji felt wronged.
“Ma’am, I can overlook everything else. But you actually believed in this tribal outfit?”
“That was a bit much, I admit…”
“Then why did you wear it?”
The portal site news was filled with articles about Seohyeonji doing a model walk in tribal clothing and a power-shoulder jacket.
“This ‘Team Leader’ person is really strange. Is he trying to mess with you on purpose?” The stylist was furious. For a celebrity, image was everything, and treating someone like this was beyond rude.
“I don’t think he did it on purpose. He’s not that kind of person…”
“…?”
The stylist looked bewildered at Seohyeonji’s response. This was Seohyeonji, who was usually quite picky, yet she wasn’t angry even after being humiliated like this.
“That guy seems totally crazy. Who just hits a woman like that? I was so shocked watching the vlog.”
“Well, he hit me relatively lightly. If I don’t train like that, it’ll be dangerous in a real fight later…”
“Ma’am…” Noting the way Seohyeonji was subtly defending him, the stylist’s eyes sparkled as she adjusted her glasses. “Do you like that guy?”
“What?”
Seohyeonji was momentarily flustered. She quickly realized what she had heard and let out an incredulous laugh. “Me?”
“I mean, it’s just weird how you keep sticking up for him. You’re not usually like this.”
‘Was I?’ Seohyeonji was suddenly at a loss for words.
The result, however, was that she had become a fashion terrorist.
“Well, whatever. Starting tomorrow, I’ll turn you back into a fashionista, so don’t worry. I brought materials on fashion that’s trending overseas…” The stylist stopped mid-sentence as she saw something strange.
[Fashion Queen Miss Kalanin’s Latest Bold Fashion Move]
Miss Kalanin was a world-famous fashion model. She was someone said to lead global fashion trends. And she had just debuted an unconventional look.
“What is this…”
Bold power shoulders. Long boots that reached the knees. And the unique touch of wearing tribal-inspired clothing while using a spear like a walking stick. Overseas experts were raving about her revolutionary style.
-A Revolution with a Reason
-In the Historic Home of Fashion, True Fashion Has Appeared
-I Never Knew Fashion Until Today
Seohyeonji and her stylist blinked as they stared at the article.
“Uh, how should I put this… he must be someone who is way ahead of the curve.”
“I guess so…?”
To think someone would actually wear such ridiculous fashion. Seohyeonji’s name began to trend on portal sites again. This time, it wasn’t mockery, but articles praising her as a forward-thinking fashion leader.
“Mister.”
“Yeah.”
“Are you really going to work dressed like that?”
I tilted my head at Karin’s question. ‘Why? What’s wrong with it?’
“Mister, you really are a fashion disaster.”
“Me? That’s ridiculous. Hey, I’m the guy who styles celebrities. What are you talking about?”
Seohyeonji is a top-tier actress, and even she was happy when I styled her. But there was only one person—one single person—who called me a fashion disaster: Karin.
“Mister.” Karin firmly blocked the entrance as if she wouldn’t let me leave.
“Whew…”
She really won’t budge on this. I’ve tried to fix her perspective a few times, but it never works. I had no choice but to take off my blue dress shirt and blue capri jeans.
“That, too.”
‘Good grief.’ I reluctantly set down my clutch bag—the kind people often call a ‘debt collector’s bag’—on the floor.
“Mister, I’m throwing these Ugg boots away.”
“I have to wear those today…”
“I’m throwing them away.”
She really doesn’t understand fashion. But what could I do? Aside from eating, this was the one thing Karin was most stubborn about. She wouldn’t back down even if a sword was at her throat.
I put on the white slacks and shirt Karin had prepared. Only then did she smile and roll up my sleeves.
“Have a good day, Mister.”
‘I really need to give her a lecture on fashion one of these days.’