ONE THING about Viki's alien babies was…
Four of them are judgmental— and they don't hide it.
So, she felt like she was going to have indigestion while Nam Juno, Han Nora, Chae Baam, and Yu Gamin were looking at her as if they were questioning her intellect.
Only Do Eunwoo was all smiles.
But, to be fair, Do Eunwoo is always spacing out— I bet he didn't even understand what's going on.
"Mama, first of all, thank you for teaching those mean kids a lesson for us," Nam Juno, the responsible leader, said politely. But even Nam Juno couldn't hide the judgment in his eyes. "But, Mama, are you sure you acted like an F-Class Hunter in front of Hunter Won Yiwon?"
Ouch.
Viki avoided Nam Juno's judgmental eyes because that part actually made her feel guilty. "I've lived all my life as a natural S-Class Hunter, and I have an ability that naturally conceals my presence. So, I never had a problem when dealing with Civilians and low-ranking Hunters. Plus, it only happens to Won Yiwon."
The other natural S-Class Hunters didn't have that kind of problem either.
I think it's because of Won Yiwon's negative skills…
She just kept her mouth shut because she was sure that everything she'd say would only sound like an excuse.
"Alright. We can't cry over spilled milk, so let's just talk about what we'll do next," Han Nora said, acting like a proper adult in a while. "Mama, just continue playing dumb. Even if Hunter Won Yiwon asks you to take the Hunters' exam again, it won't be a problem. The technology that they use on this planet to determine a Hunter's rank is outdated. Our 'Stello System' remains more advanced."
At the mention of 'Stello System,' everyone at the table turned to Stello's successor— the one who inherited the Fallen Constellation's unique ability.
"I can hack their system, so don't worry, Mama," Yu Gamin said calmly as if hacking a country's entire Hunter Database was a piece of cake. Well, it was for the black-haired kid. "Let's just continue using the 'Lucky Viki' excuse. An S-Grade skill that boosts your luck and chances of survival is believable."
Right?
"If all else fails, let's just gun them down," Chae Baam said bluntly. "That's more of our style anyway."
"Aigoo," Do Eunwoo complained, clicking his tongue at Chae Baam. "Mama, I already told you. Baam Hyung can't act like a decent human being—"
CLICK.
That was the sound of Chae Baam pulling the trigger of his gun— a fancy steampunk pistol that didn't make a loud noise— before shooting Do Eunwoo.
Aigoo, these kids…
Do Eunwoo just laughed and caught the bullet with his right hand engulfed in red flame— immediately melting the bullet just like that.
Oh, nice.
Viki was impressed by how Chae Baam was so precise at shooting now, and by how Do Eunwoo reacted faster than the bullet.
However…
"Who told you to play in front of food?" Viki asked coldly. Even though she would often act like a friend to her kids, that didn't mean she'd allow them to forget that she was still their mother. "How many times do I have to remind you that having a meal together is a sacred thing to our family?"
Her alien babies immediately bowed their heads and apologized at the same time, their voices meek.
"We're sorry, Mama…"
"As long as you understand," Viki said, clapping her hands once. "Now, let's enjoy our breakfast in peace."
***
VIKI knew her uninvited guests would arrive soon.
Hence, she went home immediately after dropping off her alien babies at their new training center called 'Dream, Believe, Survive' (aka DBS Academy).
It was a training center in Seoul that was owned by Cha Eunha's sunbae[1].
My alien babies need to continue their vocal and dance lessons, so I'm glad Eunha Unnie has connections here.
Anyway, after sending the kids to DBS Academy, Viki changed into a pretty dress since she knew Won Yiwon would summon her to his guild. And, yes, she'd wear a dress even if it was freezing cold.
I waited my entire life to get this tall— I'm not missing a chance to show off my long legs.
So, Viki wore a strapless plaid tweed mini dress over a black long-sleeve turtleneck shirt. She completed her outfit with a pair of chic black boots.
She just let her hair flow on her back, giving her the messy yet cool vibes.
Since she was feeling fierce today, she skipped her favorite "no make-up" makeup look.
Viki defined her eyes with a bold cat eye with a matte black eyeliner. But that didn't mean she was going for the heavy makeup look.
Hence, she paired her bold cat eye with her usual doll-like blush and glossy lips.
As a result, her overall makeup maintained the dainty effect of her signature style.
After that, she sprayed her favorite perfume.
Now I'm ready to face Won Yiwon again.
Viki had just finished wearing her small sling bag— which could only fit her cards and lip gloss— when the doorbell rang.
They're finally here.
"Good day, Miss Young."
When Viki opened the door, a young woman— dressed in a chic black uniform with the Kaleidoscope Guild's emblem— greeted her politely.
Oh, only one appeared before me?
She could tell that there were other Hunters from the Kaleidoscope Guild around.
"I'm Bianca from the Kaleidoscope Guild."
After introducing herself, the young Hunter with a short bob and hazel eyes handed Viki a business card.
The norm these days among Hunters is the use of their 'stage name' instead of their birth or legal name. So, more Hunters don't use last names when introducing themselves anymore. It's not considered rude, and even Civilians have gotten used to it by now.
Moreover, more and more Korean Hunters were opting to use English names since their country was marketing their Hunters like they would idols.
In short, the Korean government wants our Hunters to appeal globally.
Whatever that meant.
"Miss Young, I was sent here by Guildmaster Won Yiwon-nim to fetch you," Bianca said politely. "I was told Miss Young already knows why you're being summoned by the Guildmaster."
"Yes, I know that I'm being picked on by your Guildmaster," Viki joked with a straight face, causing the poor Hunter to get nervous. Hence, she quickly changed the topic. "Let's go, Miss Bianca."
***
"MISS YOUNG, you can sit in the backseat comfortably…"
"Oh, it's alright," Viki said while looking at her face in the side-view mirror. "Don't mind me and just focus on driving."
"But our Guildmaster asked me to treat you like a VIP, Miss Young."
"You're already doing that. Don't worry, Miss Bianca— I'll let Won Yiwon know that you treated me well."
Bianca looked relieved. "Thank you, Miss Young."
"No worries."
"Uhm, Miss Young, can I give you a few reminders before we arrive at the Kaleidoscope Guild Base?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"Our Guildmaster isn't particularly strict. But he's naturally scary, so we tend to follow all his unwritten and unspoken rules as if our lives depend on it."
Pfft.
Viki had to bite her lower lip to stop herself from laughing.
Won Yiwon, you've truly become a tyrant, huh?
"Despite being scary, our Guildmaster doesn't really get mad easily, even if we make mistakes— unless it's the 'Won Yiwon Law' we break."
"What's the 'Won Yiwon Law' we're talking about here?"
"Never speak ill of the late Hunter Ahn Navi-nim."
Oh.
"I'm sure Miss Young already knows about it since every single person in this country abides by that law— anyone who doesn't want to be punished, that is," Bianca said, smiling awkwardly. "But once in a while, there are daredevils who test our Guildmaster's patience. They purposely post hate comments online— insulting the late Hunter Ahn Navi-nim— thinking that our Guildmaster has no way of knowing about it. But they're wrong."
Of course, Viki already knew about the 'Won Yiwon Law' because it was one of the first things that Oh Sion and Choi Eunbi taught her and her alien babies.
But she still listened intently to Bianca.
It's different hearing it from someone who's personally working with Won Yiwon.
"Guildmaster Won Yiwon-nim has a skill that notifies him whenever someone posts a hate comment about the late Hunter Ahn Navi-nim. It doesn't matter even if you censor her name— our Guildmaster would still know," Bianca explained, and there was a hint of pride in her voice. "It's impossible for the Guildmaster to know when people are talking badly about the late Hunter Ahn Navi-nim in person, of course. So, there are still some idiots who run their mouths. But most of them regret it later, though."
"Because of the extreme punishment that Won Yiwon gives to people proven to have talked shit about Ahn Navi?"
"Yes, Miss Young. As expected, you're familiar with the Won Yiwon Law."
Viki smiled bitterly, and then she looked outside the window…
… and gasped at the "event" happening at the side of the road.
"Miss Bianca, please stop the car!"
***
IT WAS a marriage proposal— a flash mob proposal happening in front of a café, to be precise.
And the best part?
People were singing and dancing to the upbeat version of Jang Namgi's soft rock kind of ballad song titled 'Favorite Winter.'
I'm glad Appa's song is still a popular "proposal song."
Viki couldn't help but smile when the man proposing finally got down on one knee in front of the shocked lady— who probably thought they were only there for coffee.
"Yes, I will marry you, Oppa!"
And then the lady grabbed the ring from her partner, put it on her ring finger herself, then jumped into the arms of her now-fiancé.
Then the newly engaged couple kissed.
Everyone cheered, including Viki, who probably clapped louder than the couple's friends and family in the crowd.
I really love marriage proposals.
She wasn't a big fan of flashy public marriage proposals, but this one was pretty cute.
Probably because I can tell that the lady wasn't forced to say 'yes.'
"Do you like watching marriage proposals, too?"
Aigoo.
Viki hated to admit this, but she didn't notice Won Yiwon's presence until he stood next to her.
If it wasn't for the damned restriction....
Since no one was paying attention to them, Won Yiwon definitely used a skill to conceal his presence. Otherwise, what happened last time would have happened again, where Civilians and low-ranking Hunters nearby had fainted.
No news came out after that incident, so his guild's PR Team must be good at their jobs.
"You're asking if I like marriage proposals, too?" Viki asked without turning her head in Won Yiwon's direction. "Do you like them?"
"Not me," Won Yiwon said indifferently. "But I know an idiot who sacrificed her life not for world peace, but for some random couple's marriage proposal."
Oh, he's talking about Ahn Navi.
But…
"Why does it make her an idiot?" Viki asked defensively. "Just like not all villains need a sob story to justify their evil deeds, not all heroes need a noble reason to save the world."
"That sounds like something that idiot would say."
"What can I say? Great minds think alike. But…"
"But what?"
"Do you really call her 'idiot?' You must not be close then."
"She's my idiot."
"You mean, she was your idiot. According to you, she sacrificed her life. So, she must be dead."
Won Yiwon then shot Viki a cold look. "I can send you to the afterlife, too, if you don't stop getting smart with me, Miss Young."
"That's the price you have to pay for allowing me to speak comfortably with you," Viki complained lightly, and then she changed the topic. "Anyway, why did you come here?"
"Hunter Bianca-ssi said you suddenly asked to stop the car."
That happened not even five minutes ago.
Won Yiwon probably used his teleportation skill to get here discreetly.
But why?
"And you followed me here because…?"
"I thought you'd run away from me."
"Why would I run away from you?"
"Because you're guilty?"
"Guilty of what?"
"I don't know," Won Yiwon said casually, shrugging. "You tell me."
Aigoo.
"I'm not going to hide who I am, but I don't feel like telling you about myself either, Won Yiwon-ssi."
Viki may appear like she was being careless again, but that wasn't the case. It was just that she knew Won Yiwon all too well. The more she acted too carefully, the more he would suspect her. So, the right thing to do was to be herself.
I believe I'm different from the old me anyway.
"Is that a challenge?" Won Yiwon asked, raising an eyebrow. "Are you trying to tell me to get to know you better?"
Viki shrugged. "As long as you don't mistake me for someone else, you're free to do that."
***
Please ADD
[1] Upperclassman.