“During the interview, the staff member suddenly collapsed and then convulsed.

Their revealed face was unmistakably that of a Blood Fiend.

A lingering cough and the abrupt seizure convinced Roi this person was tied to the Salvation Church. Without hesitation, he summoned a flame.

But before the fire could properly ignite, a transparent barrier enveloped the staff member’s body, then shattered with a sharp crack.

“Gahk!”

“Kyah!”

“Han-gyeol-ssi!”

Simultaneously, the assistant director and writer across from them screamed and rushed over.

‘Han-gyeol-ssi...?’

Frozen in shock, Roi realized something was off—not just Han-gyeol, but the state of the assistant director as well. Startled, Roi took a step back and the truth dawned on him.

‘It was a hidden camera prank...!’

He’d reacted for real. Fortunately, Han-gyeol was wearing his protective gear, but the impact must have been severe—he lay unmoving on the floor.

“This is the worst....”

The odd interview set. The uneasy vibe the instant he’d stepped in. The strangely pleasant scent—not blood-fiend like.

‘I overdid it.’

Embarrassment and apology flooded him, making his face flush. He groped at himself, muttering like he’d lost his mind.

“Y-you almost killed me....”

He couldn’t resist asking.

“What on earth are you doing here?”

He knew Han-gyeol couldn’t stand not knowing. Especially if it involved a fan quitting. Since his idol days, he’d always clung to reasons, blaming himself whenever fans drifted away.

Still, he’d expected only a few curious glances at the set, not an all-out ambush. He’d nearly sent Han-gyeol flying with his own hands.

Swallowing a sigh, Roi offered a hand. The footage was probably enough now—they needed to get Han-gyeol out of there.

“Are you okay? I’m sorry. I got carried away by surprise.”

Han-gyeol’s eyes trembled like leaves when he looked up at Roi. He could guess what Han-gyeol was thinking—he’d seen the assistant director and youngest writer glancing his way.

‘This guy must think I’m a complete F-rank...’

But for the sake of an even bigger twist and dopamine rush, they needed to preserve Han-gyeol’s F-rank image a little longer. Roi forced a sulky expression and played along.

“I’m really sorry. It’s not something I can control....”

They said extraordinary strength surfaced in emergencies. An Awakened could release explosive power in an instant. Thankfully, the staff seemed to understand.

“No, we’re the ones who should apologize.”

“Han-gyeol-ssi, maybe you should rest for now?”

“Ha-ha. Maybe you’re right...?”

Without protective gear, Han-gyeol clearly had no stomach for more of that. He laughed weakly and accepted the offer.

✧

Thus, the two of them left the interview room. Outside, waiting staff guided them to the coffee truck. Roi had wondered why the truck was there when they arrived—but then he remembered it was Han-gyeol’s doing, and felt flustered. This guy sure made a production out of everything.

Roi thought Han-gyeol would bolt the moment they stepped out—yet instead, he tagged quietly at his heels and spoke first.

“But didn’t you say I was F-rank? You really scared me back there.”

Roi had never admitted being trash to his own face—even if he’d accepted an F once in this place. But now it was time to manage his image. He had to parry deftly.

“They say when mice are cornered, they bite the cat. That’s what it felt like for me just now.”

“True~ The makeup was really realistic. Right?”

Han-gyeol held out his gloved hand proudly, showing off the prosthetics.

“I must admit, it was flawless.”

Encouraged by Roi’s response, Han-gyeol brightened further and pressed on.

“So why won’t you really tell me why you quit being a fan?”

“Why does it matter?”

“It matters~ I need to know what part of me disappointed you so I can fix it.”

Sure enough, even this version of Han-gyeol thought like his shooting-star self. Roi paused, then met his gaze.

“No one’s perfect. Every strength has its weakness.”

“Ha-ha! You talk like you’ve lived a hundred lives, Cat-ssi.”

“I said it before—my name isn’t Cat, it’s Roi.”

Han-gyeol froze, eyes wide at the obvious correction.

“Until the show ends, if you come see me every day, I might just tell you.”

“Every day? I’m Seo Han-gyeol, you know?”

“So what? I’m I-Roi.”

He couldn’t have given his name thinking Han-gyeol didn’t know it. Probably trying to show he was a big star—but Roi pretended ignorance.

“Cat, I mean Roi-ssi, I have a schedule, too.”

“Then live never knowing. I was totally shocked.”

With a haughty retort, Roi strode past him, leaving Han-gyeol with one last cryptic line to pique his curiosity.

“Wait—!”

Frustrated, Han-gyeol scrambled after him, trying to persuade.

“Every day’s tough... how about once a week?”

“So you’d only come on shooting days. All that talk about being friends was just fake? Good thing I quit being a fan.”

“No...!”

He kept saying “no” over and over. When Roi spun around, Han-gyeol tore at his hair, exasperated. Yet Roi, feeling oddly secure with Han-gyeol by his side, didn’t regret his next move.

“I only share such casual talk with friends. People who aren’t friends... not so much.”

【Skill “GodsLighting” activated.】

“Sigh... fine. I’ll try to adjust my schedule.”

“Do or don’t.”

“How about no? I’ll stay right here until you do.”

At last, Han-gyeol had crossed into Roi’s boundary.

✧

In the meantime, Episode 5 of Star Hero aired. Ratings rocketed past 15% in just five episodes, rewriting variety-show history. Securing special expanded airtime had become routine.

[Title: 1-Chonyang’s Haunted Special SP]

What I expected: 1-Chonyang crying in fear

What actually aired: 1-Chonyang cracking open a Fiend’s skull to start

1-Chonyang... tore the Fiend apart...

Even seeing it on screen was f***ing terrifying, and he showed no mercy

When did he even use fire??? Is his mouth a flame element or something?

Wheelchair Fiend, omg so scary 😭😭😭

I nearly pissed myself worrying for Kwak-hyeol (physically)

If I were the cameraman, I’d have fainted from filming ㅜㅜ The quality was insane

[Title: Park Yeon-woo’s Bully Coffee King Collection]

Park Yeon-woo: Should I just shoot them all?

Park Yeon-woo: Why aren’t you saying anything?

Coffee King: You can only fire two bullets. There are five Fiends.

Park Yeon-woo: ......

Park Yeon-woo: (startled by wind) Ah, sh!t!%^$@

Coffee King: Tell them we’re here, go live or something

Park Yeon-woo: ......

Park Yeon-woo: (praying) God, please help me just once

Coffee King: You’re not religious

Park Yeon-woo: ......

They must be close now lololol

I love Yeon-woo’s face when he’s speechless lol

Tae-eon gently roasting Yeon-woo while taking care of him, feeding then teasing him lol

[Title: Is this episode of SHERO scary? 😭]

It’s a three-hour haunted special so I skipped the live, is it scary? 😭😭😭

It is scary...

Lots of jump scares, but maybe mute the sound? You can follow with subtitles

A perfect Blood Fiend flick

I thought it was hilarious lol participants flipping out was too funny

[Title: 1-Chonyang doesn’t seem F-rank]

Kwak-hyeol’s F but so different, right? His reflexes and movement are leagues above. I’d say at least A.

222, he’s underrated

Nah, not A—more like C

He’s still mouth-flame class lol if he really had an element skill, why wouldn’t he show it? Yeon-woo and Tae-eon used theirs fine

└ He has trauma

Isn’t that average for an Awakened? Kwak-hyeol’s just below average

[Title: SHERO next week is insane]

Finally the first ranking ceremony!!!

But more importantly, the team-selection mission is random play dance???

Can’t wait to see 1-Chonyang dance..?

A dancing cat??? Are we allowed to see that? Really??

PD Park, please upload the unedited random-play dance for our Cat

But I don’t think Roi will dance ㅜㅜ Our Cat doesn’t seem to like that

Park Jun-seo really milks this cat thing for all it’s worth haha give him more pay... or I’ll set the station on fire

[Title: Seo Han-gyeol’s Eye Patch Selfie!!!]

(photo)

Wow, it’s legit crazy...

No way ㅁㅊㅠㅠㅠ

His face is so small the patch covers a third of it

Eye patch isn’t a nerf, it’s a buff

In the beginning was Seo Han-gyeol

I heard all shooting stopped because he injured his eye, posts like this are rough └ Wasn’t that just a concept? └ He was shooting an archery scene???

Suddenly.

Overnight.

Just as Han-gyeol, injured in the eye, appeared on the Star Hero set.

It was two days since his declaration to become friends.

“Roi-ssi! Did you sleep well?”

“Pffft!”

Roi was having breakfast with Yeon-woo, Tae-eon, and Hyun-woo in the cafeteria when a stranger approached, set down a tray, and sat beside him.

Han-gyeol, face wrapped in hat, mask, and eye patch.

“What are you doing here? I heard you stopped activities because of your injury.”

“You looked up my articles? Wow~ you still had feelings for me~”

‘Feelings, my ass.’

Roi had almost forgotten how full of crap Han-gyeol could be. Unwilling to dignify it, he resumed eating. Han-gyeol went on talking to himself.

“Hello~ I’m Seo Han-gyeol, about to be Roi-ssi’s friend. Enjoy your meal!”

He was shameless,

“PD-nim~ I hurt my eye during filming~”

“Are you okay? How bad is it...?”

“Not too bad. A few days’ rest should do it. Speaking of which, is there an empty room nearby? No lodging around here~ haha!”

“Here...?”

“The air’s good~”

He was brazen,

“Roi-ssi! Roi-ssi? I-Roi~ Roi!”

“Geez! Don’t you have anything better to do? Can’t you see I’m filming?”

“I know you finished training. The director said today’s shoot is over.”

“.......”

“Come on, have a coffee with ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) me~ We’ll get closer that way. Then you’ll want to talk to me.”

He was relentless. Thanks to him, strange rumors began swirling around the set.