Just as someone was taking a call, they managed to suppress their hysteria and spoke in a restrained voice. It was the person responsible for communicating with other guilds. It was clear what kind of news they had received.

[(Breaking News) Cheon Shinwoo of Cheonrang, Spotted with a Civilian?

Cheon Shinwoo, known as the top-ranking hunter in Korea, is reportedly seen with a civilian…]

Yes, such articles had been published. Someone had written this piece using a photo of Cheon Shinwoo and me, taken from who knows where.

Surprisingly, the articles about Cheon Shinwoo’s misconduct were completely buried, and instead, these pieces about his personal life were everywhere!

Just thinking about it gave me a headache. When I first saw those articles, I really didn’t think much of it. I thought, ‘Who is Cheon Shinwoo meeting? Impressive. Someone has managed to snag the number one ranking hunter.’

Even as I read the contents of the article, I didn’t give it much thought. The article mentioned, ‘Cheon Shinwoo affectionately stroking the other person’s head…’ and all I could think was, ‘Cheon Shinwoo’s hands are really big.’

Then, the picture provided by the informant. In that photo, the woman, wearing the same clothes and having the same hairstyle as me, was seen with Cheon Shinwoo stroking her head…

It was then that I understood the whole situation.

For about three seconds, I was utterly thoughtless. How could such an absurd and bizarre article exist? When was this photo even taken? And it seemed like it was sneakily captured as the quality was terrible.

Thankfully, due to the poor quality, my face wasn’t exposed. Unfortunately, that was the only silver lining.

[(Comment) The fans of ㅊㅅㅇ must be crying in their sleep now, lol. Your oppa is dating a civilian, yes yes. I knew it when he was being defended despite being a personality-disordered murderer, lol lol.]

The comments on the article and the ensuing posts and other articles were outrageous.

Me? In a relationship with Cheon Shinwoo?

It would be more believable to say a passing dog played a flute made of leaves while doing the twist.

Who took that photo, who was the informant, and how did such an article get published without any fact-checking? I wondered, but there was nothing I could do.

‘Excuse me, I am the woman in that photo, and I have no relationship with Cheon Shinwoo.’ But who would believe that?

By then, the internet was already ablaze with the news.

For instance.

[(Title) I know someone who knows ㅈㄱ컨

I’ve actually seen that girl before, she’s smaller and more petite than I thought. Her looks are soso. Really? She’s dating ㅈㄱ컨?

(Comment) Don’t lie lol. Why would ㅊㅅㅇ know you? As usual, brainless people rush in whenever it’s about ㅊㅅㅇ lol. Instead of meddling in others’ business, study more lol.

└Why are you freaking out alone? Are you an air conditioner fan?

(Comment) But the partner is the electric controller lol. How is it possible for that personality-disordered person to date someone? Even his mother?

(Comment) Huh? I’m from ㅊㄹ, and I think I know who it is. She’s not that short, though?

└Nonsense?

└└(Comment deleted.)

└└└Wow, really?

└└└└Yeah, deleted it because it could be identified.

And so on.

The internet was littered with search avoidance terms and nicknames for Cheon Shinwoo, as if it were the most natural thing.

But who from Cheonrang said they think they know who I am…?

So now, I am engulfed in anxiety, wondering if someone is watching me.

The thought of someone anonymously writing that they know me, hiding their malice, is terrifying.

The mere idea that one of them could be observing me was in itself a tremendous source of stress.

Distracted by my uneasy feelings, I couldn’t concentrate on work, and all sorts of stray thoughts kept coming to me.
Why on earth is it that Cheon Shinwoo’s assault on the host has no repercussions, yet I, an innocent bystander, have to endure such trials?

“It’s like I’m an idol or something.”

Even if idols get caught in secret relationships, it would still be quieter than this.

Honestly, I felt wronged. Cheon Shinwoo is crazy enough to date a civilian? And of all people, me?

It was uncertain information without any new fodder, so I hoped the controversy would die down over time, but it only got worse.

On the fourth day after the article was published, while working, I impulsively checked an anonymous site.

[(Anonymous) Honestly, why would ㅈㄱㅋ bother with a civilian… If I were the other person, I’d be prostrating myself in gratitude. ㅈㄴ seems really powerful, lol;; Watching the photo, I felt more embarrassed, ugh.

(Anonymous) Seriously;; those were true loving eyes. Wow~ I’m jealous. Wish I could be genuinely loved by ㅇㅇㅋ.

(Anonymous) What the hell is she doing dating our oppa? I’m going to kill her, don’t stop me. Seriously, I’ll take a knife and go, I’m A-grade too. A mere civilian? I’ll kill her and go to heaven, lol.

(Anonymous) ? You’ll probably die by ㅊㅅㅇ first?]