“Hyung, what are you thinking about so seriously?”
But Roy couldn’t continue with his complicated thoughts any longer.
Song Doyoon was thrusting a face full of bewilderment right in front of him.
“Thinking about the schedule we missed today?”
“Ugh. Yeah. The manager must have taken care of it, right?”
Kkoribyul had a radio schedule immediately after their debut stage.
“Guys!”
Just then, Hwang Guman was running over from afar.
The huge hammer clenched in his right hand swung threateningly with every stride.
Although his skills as a scout were undeniable, Hwang Guman’s hunter abilities weren’t particularly high. Even if he was with them, he probably wouldn’t have been much help in battle—he might have been more of a liability.
Still, Hwang Guman looked restless, as if feeling guilty for failing to protect the members.
He anxiously checked on Roy and the others’ condition.
“We’re fine. How about the other members?”
“They’re with Manager Gong. The association sent people over there as well. Let’s hurry. The association folks will handle the aftermath from now on.”
After bowing respectfully to the hunters from the association, Hwang Guman led the members to one side.
“Ah, we’ll just go greet them and be right back.”
Roy turned to greet Kim Taejin and Yoo Jaeri, who were talking seriously with the association members nearby.
Thanks to Kim Taejin, they had managed to defeat the mud monster much more smoothly.
“Senpais, we’ll head out first. Thank you for everything today.”
Roy politely greeted the High Cycle who helped with the situation. Berman, feeling playful, bowed lightly to the two from above Roy’s head.
“Ah, no, I didn’t do anything. It was our leader and rookie Roy who worked hard.”
Yoo Jaeri smiled brightly and waved her hand dismissively, though her gaze stayed fixed on Berman as if trying to drill into him.
“Spirits really are adorable.”
“Beep.” (Not adorable, but majestic, human.)
Berman puffed out his chest and lifted his chin. He was secretly pleased humans found him cute, yet he still clung to his dignified image.
“I’ll contact you soon, rookie.”
Roy exchanged farewells with Kim Taejin. At that moment, he took the “contact you soon” as a customary phrase said at parting.
***
“We’re going to film with the High Cycle senpais?”
“Yeah. That’s amazing, right? The video that spread on SNS caused quite a stir, and now this opportunity came up.”
The surprised voice of Lee Hajun filled the practice room.
Not just him—everyone else was equally stunned.
Even Roy and Lee Doha, who usually showed little emotion, had their eyes wide open in disbelief.
Recently, a normal person suddenly transformed into a monster with a level far exceeding 300.
The association actively tried to suppress the incident, but witness accounts and battle footage of Kkoribyul and High Cycle fighting the monster had spread quickly on SNS.
Thanks to that, Kkoribyul’s recognition soared even higher.
“Wow, this is insane! I’m going to film with the High Cycle senpais!”
Song Doyoon jumped up, stamping his feet excitedly.
Everyone had been at the practice room since early morning, focused on rehearsing the debut song and preparing the mini-album.
After three solid hours of practice, they took a short break when Gong Taecheon entered with important news.
Everyone seated in the resting area immediately turned their attention.
“What’s the program called?”
“It’s a pilot program that K Corporation is launching for the first time. The name is ‘Helping the Senior-Junior Relationship!’”
Since they had debuted through a program hosted by K Corporation, the company was actively supporting Kkoribyul’s activities.
They had expected some TV appearances soon, but never imagined it would be a joint shoot with High Cycle.
“But High Cycle agreed? They must be way busier than us.”
Han Jihoo expressed a natural concern. Kkoribyul was busy, but nothing compared to the top-tier High Cycle.
Until now, High Cycle had never filmed together with another hunter idol group.
In their early days, they appeared on group programs briefly, but that was it.
“They said High Cycle requested it first. I guess they really like you guys.”
High Cycle was one of the most difficult hunter idol groups to befriend in the entertainment industry.
They preferred spending leisure time only with their own members rather than mingling with others, and their schedules were packed.
“I never thought I’d be this successful…”
For some reason, Song Doyoon looked as happy as when they first debuted.
“There’s a meeting at the broadcast station the day after tomorrow. Just keep that in mind. Don’t stay up all night because you’re too excited.”
“Got it!”
As Gong Taecheon finished speaking, his eyes rested on Kim Chan, Lee Hajun, and Song Doyoon.
Seeing their faces filled with excitement, like kids the day before a field trip, he couldn’t help but smile too.
***
“Just pretend there’s no camera and speak comfortably.”
“Yes, yes…”
The PD said so, but Lee Hajun was already frozen stiff.
No wonder—sitting across from him was not an ordinary PD, but the star PD of K Corporation, known for hitting the jackpot with every project.
His name was Shimjun, also nicknamed “Simmani PD” because of his last name Shim.
“This is a pre-interview, but this part will be cut down in the broadcast. Also, it’s likely to focus more on High Cycle than Kkoribyul.”
Shimjun bluntly admitted who the main focus of the program would be.
Roy and the others had already guessed this, so they nodded in agreement.
“Shall we start the interview?”
Although they had debuted recently, the members were quite used to having cameras everywhere.
Only the people they met had changed. Kkoribyul had experienced similar situations while filming ‘Dangheon-a.’
Seeing the members’ relaxed expressions, Shimjun posed his first question.
“Among High Cycle, which member would you want to do a mission with, one-on-one? Please take turns answering.”
***
But that relaxed mood only lasted a moment.
When Shimjun’s question came, the members’ minds went blank.
Hwang Guman and Gong Taecheon had provided a list of anticipated questions, but none included a question about wanting to do a mission with a specific member.
Roy clenched his fists, trying not to let his expression freeze.
Who should he choose to give the safest answer? His mind was a mess.
“Hahaha. Choosing just one person isn’t easy.”
Han Jihoo broke the tense atmosphere with a hearty laugh, gently tapping Kim Chan and Min Junyoung on the backs beside him.
“Haha.”
“Ha ha, ha ha ha.”
One by one, the Kkoribyul members started laughing awkwardly, like malfunctioning machines.
It felt like being stranded in a maze with no way out.
“I asked that question thinking it might be fun to film with a member you respect, but I understand it might be hard for rookies to answer.”
Shimjun found the members’ helpless reactions to a simple question utterly adorable.
“That’s actually the motto of this program.”
Shimjun was a man in his 30s with thick-rimmed glasses and an ordinary appearance.
However, his eyes behind those lenses sparkled sharply, rivaling many hunters.
Everyone swallowed nervously, wondering what shocking statement might come next.
“Hard. Work.”
“Eh…?”
‘Could he have misheard?’ Lee Hajun’s hand trembled slightly as he rubbed his sore ear.
This was a program with High Cycle, a group any broadcast station would kill to book at least once.
“We’re not just filming ourselves, but with the High Cycle senpais… And it’s scheduled every two weeks, for a total of four episodes. Each three hours long. Filming will take at least two weeks.”
‘What kind of hard work could last two weeks?’
No matter how much hype Kkoribyul had from their debut, they were still rookies without a proper album out.
But High Cycle was different. Lee Hajun desperately wanted to open Shimjun’s head and see what he was thinking.
He couldn’t comprehend what he just said.
“Haha. Don’t be so scared. That’s just the motto. You can just take it lightly.”
No way. Roy and the members already recalled summaries of Shimjun’s hit programs flashing through their minds.
Roy’s smile deepened.
‘He’s not an ordinary person.’
Shimjun was not a hunter, but an ordinary human.
Meanwhile, Kkoribyul members were all top-tier hunters above level 300.
Though they tried to keep their energy under control, an unconscious aura of intimidation still leaked out.
Yet Shimjun wasn’t intimidated at all. He completely controlled the conversation’s atmosphere.
“I’m good friends with the PD who filmed ‘Dangheon-a.’ They didn’t give us scripts either, right? Same here. We barely have scripts.”
This was ominous.
Images of countless episodes while filming ‘Dangheon-a’ flickered through Roy’s mind.
If only they had been warned in advance so they could prepare mentally.
Like an eagle suddenly pushing its chick out of the nest, the ‘Dangheon-a’ PD loved capturing raw, unfiltered reactions on camera.
“Actually, I just called you all here to see your faces today. Also, to check how you respond to unexpected situations.”
Shimjun’s slender, curved eyes locked onto Han Jihoo.
Indeed, he didn’t seem to be the type to have become a leader behind the scenes.
“I asked High Cycle the same question, and they immediately named the member they wanted to get closer to. It was as if they’d prepared their answers.”
Curiosity bloomed on the frozen members’ faces.
The name that immediately popped into Roy’s mind was Kim Taejin.
For some reason, he had a feeling Kim Taejin might have mentioned Roy’s name.
“Since we met like this by fate, how about we go eat some Korean beef? Of course, it’s on us.”
Just as the members began guessing which High Cycle member had called out their names, Shimjun’s calm voice rang in their ears.
Chiiik—
“Eat a lot, everyone. You’ve just debuted, so you probably can’t afford Korean beef on your own yet.”
Roy and the spirits were already busily moving their utensils.
Before they knew it, not only Roy but the spirits, in their own ways, eagerly brought perfectly cooked pieces of meat to their mouths.