Trapped in the Idol Universe

However, you must hear a Korean out to the very end.

“Even so, if you refuse, we will have no choice but to hold you accountable.”

So, to sum up: join the Bureau and all charges will be dropped. If not, things could get messy.

How cheap.

But there was no need to panic. He hadn’t killed anyone, and there were no casualties.

“Accountability? Fine—go ahead and hold me to account! I’ll hire a lawyer right now and notify my manager—”

As Roy’s mind raced, he suddenly realized that Junseo could no longer act as his guardian here.

“Oh. Then... should I call my parents?”

But even admitting his parents existed felt difficult—he hadn’t fully opened his heart to them yet. It would feel like a burden.

He usually consulted Junseo whenever trouble arose, but now he had no choice but to handle it himself.

“I didn’t set the fire on purpose. I was trying to catch the Blood Fiend.”

“I know.”

“If that’s still a problem, I’ll discuss compensation with my producer.”

He offered to pay for the damaged government vehicle and all fines for traffic violations. Having inherited so much wealth, he could afford to speak boldly.

Only one thing pricked his conscience: driving itself.

“I was wrong. But if your own mother were dying before your eyes, minister, I’m sure you’d act the same.”

Ho looked to Saeon as if he’d received no report on that matter. Saeon, ever the capable subordinate, briefly explained.

“So that happened. But the responsibility I mentioned was not about that.”

Then what was it?

Roy stared, and the minister cleared his throat uncomfortably.

“The report says the Fiend you dealt with was still capable of communication.”

Capable of communication?

If true, it meant it hadn’t fully become a Fiend.

Stunned, Roy could only part his lips.

“Moreover, you prevented Bureau agents from entering the area. Obstructing official duties is a grave crime that endangers national safety—and Awakened are no exception.”

Ho continued, but Roy heard none of it. He’d never imagined his reckless outburst would lead to this.

“I should’ve been more careful.”

Late regret left him biting his lip. Then Ho’s voice rang out.

“Yet such words are mere excuses. Let me ask you differently: do you have any guild you’re loyal to?”

Roy, who’d been staring at the floor, lifted his head.

“No.”

“Then I’d like to know why you hesitate.”

The Bureau’s offer was the best in the industry: they’d grant him anything he wanted, just come on board. Any ordinary Awakened would have signed immediately.

But this twisted worldview he half-understood made him reluctant. The one who should shine in the Wasteland was Roy of Shooting Star, not Roy of the Bureau.

Roy parted his lips and finally spoke.

“I’m going to form a guild.”

“A guild?”

“Yes.”

As you know, it’s called Shooting Star.

“May I ask why you want to establish one?”

“It’s just my preference. All the other S-rank Awakened have their own guilds.”

He meant Daehan and Earth.

Ho burst into incredulous laughter.

“Ha-ha. If you accept my offer, I’ll hand the Bureau over to you. How’s that?”

Ho himself was an S-rank Awakened. Once a titan on the front lines before being appointed minister, he still possessed formidable power. He was said to be considering retirement but struggling to find a successor. Yet that remark was perilous—this was the national Bureau, not his personal fief.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Half of that was sincere.”

A chill ran down Roy’s spine at the thought he might actually get his wish.

“I must decline.”

“That’s a shame. Is there another reason you’re so set on a guild?”

“I want to work with people who share my ideals.”

“Comrades. Indeed important.”

Nothing trumps teamwork on the field. Ho nodded in agreement.

“Then let’s change the terms. You may form your own team as you wish.”

This meant he could build his own squad—a far more generous condition than before.

When Roy still hesitated, Ho continued.

“Are you aware how strict the requirements are to establish a guild?”

No, he wasn’t. He’d thought being S-rank and rich would suffice, so he’d never looked into it. But ignorance was no excuse.

Roy nodded as if he’d known all along.

“Then you understand you can’t form one immediately.”

“Perhaps.”

Who could guarantee joining the Bureau was still the wisest choice? But Ho’s next words began to sway him.

“You may use the Bureau’s resources until you’re ready to go independent. We will support you wholeheartedly—if you wish, we’ll even grant your guild charter when you depart.”

Oh?

Use the Bureau’s support, and guild permission later? That sounded tempting. S-rank in name only, he still lacked knowledge and control.

‘If I can build my foundation slowly with Bureau backing, maybe it’s not so bad.’

But such deference suggested ulterior motives. There had to be more conditions...

Ho’s next words confirmed Roy’s suspicion.

“How does ten years sound?”

Ten years?

What kind of daylight robbery was this? He hadn’t pegged the minister as such a glutton for favors.

“After that, do as you please: form your guild immediately or remain with us. We’ll revisit it then.”

But Roy liked cutting corners too. If he couldn’t set up a guild now, perhaps three years—until adulthood—would do.

And so Roy, unable to resist Ho’s enticement, began the negotiation.

“Three years.”

“Ten years.”

“Three.”

“Ten.”

“Three! Can we make it two?”

Their heated back-and-forth raged on a moment longer—

“Don’t worry about what Team Leader said. We’ll handle it.”

Ho emerged victorious. Roy, proud of his negotiating skills, found the minister no pushover. Damn it.

“Then over the next five years, I’ll milk the Bureau dry.”

“By all means.”

Ho smiled and turned to Saeon.

“Why haven’t you released him yet?”

“Well, this is—”

“You show no courtesy to family.”

When Roy finally asked to be freed, Saeon’d ignored him—but with the minister’s word, the cuffs clicked open in under five seconds.

‘But... did I make the right decision?’

Having grown up with no one to rely on, Roy’s habit was to solve everything himself. A nagging discomfort made him scowl, and Ho smiled as he stood.

“Rest well, and once your affairs are settled, we shall meet again. I hope this bond lasts long.”

Roy said nothing. The Bureau clearly believed holding him close would change his mind. But he’d use them thoroughly and then cast them aside.

✧

Freed, Roy bolted from the room at full speed.

He headed for Hojin’s room—

“Guildmaster!!!”

—but instead burst into the director’s office.

Having just finished his afternoon rounds and settled in for tea, Eunsung spat it all out.

“Pfft! How—? I thought he was restrained!”

“What’s with these arms of mine? Is a healer allowed to look like this?!”

Roy waved his battered arms like a teddy bear, and Eunsung’s lips quivered.

Laugh?

Enraged, Roy stomped to the desk.

“You did this on purpose!”

“You know me too well.”

So why would he? Neither of them made any sense.

“I used all my heals today.”

“Liar!”

If you’re going to lie, at least be convincing. His face was practically glowing—who’d believe it?

“It’s true. There were so many patients, I’m exhausted too.”

“Then get another healer.”

“I can’t. I’m your physician.”

“Then heal me properly! How am I supposed to go home like this?”

If he went home looking like this, his parents might faint. A prodigal son wanted to be filial.

But Eunsung tilted his head.

“I don’t recall saying you could be discharged.”

Then I’m still admitted?

That was even worse.

“I’m fine, really.”

“That’s my call. And I’ve already notified your guardian—they should arrive soon.”

“Damn it...!”

Roy glared. He’d begged not to contact his family—how could they?

“I treated you less than an hour ago, and you did this. Why would you think it’s any different this time?”

Then he reminded Roy that even S-rank healers didn’t have infinite power—and told him to wait.

“But at least I provided emergency care. Who knows? As an S-rank, maybe you’ll naturally recover before I see you again.”

“How—?!”

Roy’s eyes widened. Eunsung smiled slyly.

“If someone didn’t notice in the Bureau, they’d have to be a fool.”

The fool was him...! He recalled Eunsung was the fourth S-rank in Korea. The look on the doctor’s face told Roy he’d been threatened too.

“Could you be...?”

Roy asked tentatively. Eunsung’s eyes curved into half-moons.

“My mother is the hospital director. Lucky for me, I’ll inherit this place.”

Gold spoon, indeed...!

Despite deceiving people, he felt deceived himself.

“But the patient you brought, Roy—he’s an Awakened.”

Right—Kim Hojin! In the Bureau’s frenzy, Roy had forgotten the most important thing.

“Where is Hojin now? And Hyunwoo?”

“He’s in a double room with him.”

Roy, ready to rush off, paused and gave a final pitiful look, lower lip jutting in his greatest emotional weapon.

“My arms... really can’t wait?”

“No. They can’t.”

Damn it—cute theatrics for nothing.

Still, as the door closed, he heard Eunsung’s laughter.

“If you behave tonight, I’ll treat you first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Huh....”

But he was definitely laughing at him, right? An S-rank’s swagger is something else.