Free Web NovelThe back door to the classroom flew open and Roy appeared.
Yesterday he’d worn a deathly serious look all day, but today the corners of his mouth were practically at his ears.
His classmates whispered among themselves.
“What's he scheming this time?”
“I saw him checking the Star Hero announcement yesterday.”
“Star Hero? No rank limit’s fine, but F-rank? Isn’t that overkill?”
“Let him be. It’s more fun when someone like him goes.”
How did they know?
That if I go on Star Hero, I’ll be the villain.
Speaking of which, I really need to reach Junseo soon—this is bad. But at least I got to meet Hojin-hyung yesterday; maybe I can slack off for one more day?
“Ehyahhyah!”
Roy’s unique laugh echoed through the classroom. He’d promised to meet Hojin again tonight and felt like he might float away.
Meeting Hojin yesterday had made one thing perfectly clear.
I need to find clues where the other members are.
Actually, if I could just unlock my Skill Lock, appearing on Junseo’s program wouldn’t be a problem anymore. Star Hero’s shooting is scheduled for late July. Junseo said ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ he’d work around our school schedules—probably timed for summer break since we’re minors in dorms.
Okay, let’s see...
Roy flipped open his notebook, clicked his pen, and summoned memories.
Kim Hojin: Cat guy, Met him feeding strays
Hojin-hyung had first been written as “cat guy” and they’d actually met near where real cats gathered. Technically Roy had later corrected it to “cat-lover,” but it was the same in his eyes.
Hojin was currently enrolled at an arts high school in Sangam-dong, preparing for art college entrance—fulfilling his childhood dream of studying painting.
Hojin-hyung was really good at drawing.
He was the only one who painted like a real person among us. No wonder at fan signs everyone asked Hojin to draw for them. His aesthetic sense also got him involved in album design.
The tag said “unawakened,” so he’ll awaken someday too.
I’ll think about that later. Roy refocused on recalling the others’ profiles. ƒreewebɳovel.com
Taeeon-hyung wrote “café owner,” didn’t he?
Kim Taeeon: High chance at a café ↑
He remembered teasing Taeeon for writing such a doomed business idea—“What if you go bankrupt?”—but the rest escaped him. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
He said no franchises. So a private café?
Roy jotted “private café” in his notes, then frowned.
How many cafés are there in the country? Am I supposed to search all of them?
Finding Hojin so quickly felt like a miracle.
Taeeon-hyung can wait—next.
Yeonwoo had written “Jay-Dragon” and Hangyeol “Jay-Dragon’s dog,” causing a big fuss, then they’d both changed to normal profiles. The originals had been so outrageous they didn’t stick.
Roy thought hard and recalled Yeonwoo’s revised setting.
Park Yeonwoo: Archer
Yeonwoo had shocked everyone at the Idol Sports Festival by discovering an unknown talent, defeating the two-time gold-medal-winning archery ace in his first appearance. He likely attended a sports high school with an archery team.
So I should look up sports high schools with archery programs.
That left Hangyeol... I really have no clue. He never showed the “dog” profile again—must have been too embarrassed.
Why did you write “dog,” anyway?
Roy decided to track down the two he had leads on first.
✧
With a bounce! The “human cat” clambered over the wall again today. Hojin had joked a hood looked suspicious, so Roy wore a baseball cap instead.
After first arriving in the Wilderness he’d felt heavy, but rigorous self-care lately made his body lighter by the day. At this rate he’d be back to peak form soon.
Roy stretched, then called Hojin. His phone still rang when Hojin’s voice came from right behind him.
“Roy.”
Roy turned to see Hojin crouched behind a tree.
“Hyung. Why are you hiding there?”
“You said you were sneaking out. Felt like I needed to hide too.”
Hojin grinned as if begging for praise—cute yet endearingly clumsy.
“You didn’t have to. I said meet me at Sangam.”
“You live so far away. I’ve got time, though.”
“You’re a third-year. College entrance is no joke, right?”
“Sometimes it’s okay.”
At least he knew he was a senior. Roy led the way and Hojin followed eagerly—still a little clingy after Roy overused his skill yesterday.
“Roy, you sleep okay? Eat? Have fun with friends?”
“Friends? I don’t have any. Didn’t I say I’m a loner?”
“No friends? Why?”
Surprised, Hojin looked genuinely shaken.
“But someone to eat with, at least....”
“Of course I eat alone. What do you think being a loner is? You’re the only one who hangs out with me.”
【Casting skill “God’slighting.”】
“Kyaaak!”
The moment the status window popped, Roy hissed into the air. His uncontrollable skill seemed to worsen Hojin’s state.
Only me as a friend...
Muttering seriously, Hojin’s voice wavered like he was making a vow.
“Okay. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you for life.”
“No, don’t take responsibility. I never asked.”
“No. I’ll protect you. If you need hyung’s help, just say so, okay?”
Hojin clenched both fists, resolute. Looking at that harmless face made Roy’s conscience ache—as if cut by a knife. But Hojin was right: he did need help.
“Hyung! I need your help.”
“Yeah! Just tell me, Roy.”
“Do you use SNS?”
“I have an account, but just to browse. Why? Want me as a follower?”
“...”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Roy scratched his head.
“No! We’re not following cafés—we’re finding a café.”
“A café? You have one in mind?”
“Yes. Friendly service and tasty owner café.”
Roy’s smile curled. That face would go viral on SNS for sure.
✧
└ Sokcho Coffee King<<< You must go!! They roast their own beans and above all, the owner’s face is delicious ㅎㅎ
└ Facts
└ Chill, he’s in school. I heard he only comes out on weekends after returning to campus
└ ??? What’s his birth year?
└ ’01
His name was Kim Taeeon.
Now twenty-one, he was a sophomore in Business Administration at Korea University. Born into a well-off family, with striking looks and a brilliant mind, he was already famous on campus.
Last summer, he suddenly took leave of absence. Rumors swirled—desertion, study abroad—but six months later he reappeared as the famous café owner.
“Wow~ Gangwon landmark!”
“Sokcho’s son!”
“King! Do you serve coffee when we come? Heard the wait line reaches Seoraksan’s peak.”
“Haha. It’s not that crazy.”
Unlike the loner, Taeeon was always surrounded by people. He’d loved plants since childhood and had a knack for nurturing them—anything he touched revived. At one point everyone expected him to awaken as a healer Awakener.
After turning adult, Awakening tests were optional, but minors had to test annually. In twelve tests through elementary, middle, and high school, Taeeon never once tested positive.
“You wanna come this weekend? I’m a bit short-handed.”
“What? You’re not calling me to serve coffee but to make me your slave staff?”
“Look at that scheming head of yours.”
“Ahaha! Just kidding.”
He head-locked Taeeon and mussed his hair; Taeeon laughed and slipped free.
“How can he be handsome even with messy hair?”
“Foolish mortal. Dare not compare yourself to the King.”
Taeeon slapped his friends on the shoulder, laughing heartily.
“Haha! I’m done with classes—see you later.”
“Skipping finance class to head to Sokcho. Perfect schedule.”
“Seriously, come visit~ But call first!”
Taeeon waved and left the lecture hall. He’d handed weekday café ops to staff after returning to school, but still managed the coffee farm himself. Every Thursday after class he headed to Sokcho; dorm life on weekdays left no time for trees.
This weekend I’ll roast the beans.
Despite worries whether the trees could thrive in Gangwon, they’d grown vigorously. He’d even had a first harvest recently. Well-grown coffee trees were Taeeon’s pride.
Looking forward to roasting this weekend, Taeeon’s phone buzzed on his desk.
[Manager: Sir, a customer collapsed in the café. Their party is looking for you...]
