Chapter 94: The Comet’s Birth

“Thanks to Roy hyung, I quickly got close with Chan hyung and Doha hyung too.”

Lee Hajun burst into a shy smile as he finished speaking.

Kim Hyunji’s face softened with a fond smile, touched by the youthful energy still lingering in his expression.

“According to the intel I’ve heard, Roy has an especially high popularity among the other participants.”

“That’s too kind of you.”

Not sure if it was praise, Roy decided to take it as one anyway.

“Next, could Roy please introduce himself?”

“Hello. I’m Hwang Roy, the eldest member of the team.”

Since the team positions hadn’t been fully established yet, Roy kept his introduction brief.

“Short and sweet. Fans are really curious about Roy, but there are also some irreplaceable figures that come to mind when we think of him, right?”

Here it comes.

Roy’s gaze shifted to the spirits clustered beside Ki Yonghyeon.

The spirits were devouring desserts and drinks in front of them with wild enthusiasm.

‘Who do they take after to be so gluttonous?’

They looked as if they hadn’t eaten for at least three days, and Roy barely managed to suppress a growing sigh.

“The question is about the spirits. No other Spirit Summoner worldwide has summoned all the Sa Wonso Spirit Kings. It’s truly an incredible feat.”

That was also why Roy was able to win the final mission.

The title of a Spirit Summoner commanding the Sa Wonso Spirit Kings brought him significant attention even overseas.

“So, we’ve chosen special questions about the spirits for Roy.”

Roy hoped that Kim Hyunji wasn’t about to ask one of those predictable questions he had seen on the question sheet.

“The question is, which spirit among them is the dearest to you?”

Dearest? All the spirits were like Roy’s own heart.

Though each had their own personality, imagining being separated from even one was painful enough.

“Pii!” (Obviously me!)

“Por?” (What kind of confidence is that?)

“Hmm…” (The contractor likes me the most…)

“Piiii!” (No! It’s me!)

The voices echoed simultaneously in his ears and mind, causing Roy to squeeze his eyes shut.

As the spirits were already wriggling as if about to pounce on Roy, Ki Yonghyeon hurriedly gathered and hugged them.

“This is my first time seeing spirits too, and honestly, they’re all so cute…”

Since Solum was still in his baby leopard form, the four spirits were small enough to fit comfortably in Ki Yonghyeon’s arms all at once.

Kim Hyunji blushed unknowingly as she glanced at the spirits.

“To me, they’re all like my heart. It’s hard to pick just one.”

“Huh, I should’ve answered like that too…”

Roy chose to answer by including them all.

Lee Hajun, who had been hesitating to mention Roy’s name for fear of upsetting the other hyungs, spoke in admiration.

“I see. That’s an answer the spirits would like more than the fans probably wanted.”

***

After Roy explained that he treasured them all equally, the noisy cries from the spirits suddenly stopped.

Kim Hyunji moved on to ask similar questions to the other members and then wrapped up the interview.

“I hope the group name gets decided soon. I already voted too.”

The interview had lasted nearly three hours, and when the cameras finally turned off, all the members stretched their tired bodies.

“We’re looking forward to it too.”

While Han Jihoo made small talk with Kim Hyunji, a photoshoot was being prepared nearby.

“Roy looks best right in the center.”

The photographer experimented with various formations before finally deciding to place Roy at the center and begin shooting.

‘Honestly, hunting monsters would be easier.’

Although Roy’s level-up dulled his sensitivity to temperature changes, the lighting pouring down from above was difficult to ignore.

Outside, the heatwave was intense enough that an ordinary person would sweat through their clothes after just a few steps.

The spacious cafe had the air conditioner running cold, but combined with the lighting, it felt like being stranded in the middle of a desert.

“Your expression is too stiff.”

Roy tried his best to keep a smile on his lips but couldn’t avoid the sharp eyes of the photographer.

“Sorry.”

When all attention focused on him, Roy hastily bowed.

If even one person made a mistake, it wouldn’t just affect the members but dozens of people here as well.

He desperately recalled the photoshoots of other Hunter Idols he had seen.

“Oh, much better now! Keep it like that. Lower your eyes slightly. That’s it. Jihoo, your pose is excellent.”

As Roy finally struck a proper Hunter Idol expression in the center, the photoshoot went smoothly.

“Great work, everyone!”

The magazine cover shoot was even more exhausting than the interview.

The members showed no signs of fatigue as they bowed respectfully to the hardworking staff.

“Being a rookie, he’s really bright and polite. Keep it up from now on.”

The photographer smiled warmly at the loud greetings and started packing up the equipment.

“I’m hungry…”

“Me too. It feels like my stomach is stuck to my back.”

Lee Hajun rubbed his growling stomach, and Kim Chan weakly hugged Hajun’s shoulder.

“We have to move right away for the live broadcast.”

Gong Taecheon wore an apologetic expression.

He wanted the hardworking kids to eat well but the schedule was packed.

“We’re doing the live broadcast when the group name is decided, right?”

“That’s right.”

Lee Hajun, who had been drooping from hunger moments ago, suddenly lit up.

“Please, let it be Kkoribyul, Kkoribyul…!”

He clasped his hands and pleaded earnestly.

“Kkoribyul is too old-fashioned. Shinez sounds better, don’t you think?”

“I prefer names in Korean.”

***

While Lee Hajun and Song Doyoon debated their favorite group names, Roy led Han Jihoo toward the counter.

“Can I help you order?”

“Can I order everything I want?”

“Of course.”

Roy had no intention of starving himself.

This was all about making a living.

Revenge also required stamina.

Though Gong Taecheon had the corporate card, Roy saw Han Jihoo as the financial backer.

“Give me all kinds of sandwiches. Four iced Americanos, and…”

Roy recalled the drinks the members had ordered and added them to the list.

“Please charge this.”

Han Jihoo handed the black card to the staff.

Both the staff and Roy’s eyes fixated on the unusual card.

“Do you know the credit limit?”

“Not really. I’ve never gone over the limit before.”

The card resembled the ones used by chaebols in dramas and movies.

“You could pay with the corporate card? Jihoo paid, huh.”

Gong Taecheon appeared late, holding the packaged drinks and sandwiches.

“I’ll carry these.”

“No, that’s the manager’s job. Focus on managing your condition.”

Roy tried to take some of the load but had to obediently head to the car after Gong Taecheon’s words.

‘I never get used to this kind of treatment.’

After becoming a war hero in the Continent of As, Roy always received VIP treatment wherever he went.

Nobles might disparage his origins behind his back, but they flattered him shamelessly in front of him.

Once everyone settled into the van, Kim Chan buckled his seatbelt and asked Gong Taecheon,

“Where will the live broadcast be?”

“It’s at the dorm. So you can rest immediately after the broadcast.”

Popularity inevitably came with downsides. Popular Hunter Idols were constantly harassed by sasaeng fans.

Seeing the worry on Kim Chan’s face, Gong Taecheon waved it off.

“The dorm’s security was the top priority when choosing it. You won’t have to worry. That floor requires a card key to enter, and the place is designed to make it hard to guess where the dorm is.”

Only then did Kim Chan relax and accept the sandwich Roy handed him.

***

“So many people have already joined.”

Having received hair and makeup before the interview, Roy and the members started the broadcast as soon as they arrived at the dorm.

On the large table, their faces appeared on the screen along with a chat window streaming live comments.

“We’re really looking forward to it too. Wonder what the group name will be.”

Lee Hajun, who had been frozen during the interview, chatted away easily now.

“Personally, I like Kkoribyul.”

Roy, Lee Doha, and Min Junyoung were more reserved and said little, so most of the conversation flowed between the other members.

When Kim Jaewoo spoke, Lee Hajun raised his right hand.

“Jaewoo hyung! High five!”

Hajun had thought he was the only one supporting ‘Kkoribyul,’ but it turned out Kim Jaewoo agreed with him.

[The kids are seriously too cute.]

[Looks like they’ve already gotten really close.]

[Where’s the broadcast happening?]

“We rented a studio. Oh? Only one minute left!”

When asked where the broadcast was happening, Han Jihoo answered confidently and then focused on the screen beside him.

Before Han Jihoo finished speaking, the chat window started a live countdown.

‘Please, let it be the most ordinary one.’

There were many group name candidates, but Roy hoped ‘Shine Boys’ wouldn’t get picked no matter what.

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1!”

With five seconds left, Roy and the members shouted the countdown together.

“Oh…?”

“Thank you so much! I really love the group name!”

The chosen name was decided by a narrow margin over second place, and Han Jihoo exclaimed in delight.

Lee Hajun stood up and clapped.

“Jaewoo hyung! High five again!”

***

After the second high five with Kim Jaewoo, Lee Hajun couldn’t stop grinning.

“Thank you all for choosing a name that suits us. We’ll work hard to live up to it.”

The final group name was ‘Kkoribyul.’

In an industry dominated by English group names, it stood out distinctively.

‘Kkoribyul’ means ‘comet,’ giving the word a meaningful nuance.

“It’s not over yet, right?”

Though the group name was decided, the live broadcast wasn’t finished.

A Hunter Idol could never exist alone.

They needed fans who loved them to shine brightly like a comet.

“How about each of us suggests a fandom name?”

At the chat’s suggestion, Han Jihoo nodded in agreement.

“Who wants to start?”

The first turn was always the most nerve-wracking.

Everyone subtly avoided Han Jihoo’s gaze.