ILLUSION OF CHOICE

LIM HOJIN.

This much-esteemed person was known for several things.

First, as the trust-worthy President of the Golden Tiger Bureau.

Second, as the blind S-Class Hunter who lost his eyesight during the Rift Day.

And third…

President Lim Hojin is known for his prophetic visions.

That made Gyubin wonder…

"President Lim, is it a prophecy? The fact that the "baby" in my womb will save the world?"

"That's right," President Lim Hojin said while nodding. "The egg that you swallowed is labeled by the System as an 'S-Grade Beast.'"

Gyubin gasped. "An S-Grade Beast? A beast is destined to save our world?"

"We don't know if you're going to give birth to a beast or not, Gyubin-ssi."

"You haven't seen it in your visions, sir?"

"My vision hasn't reached that far yet," President Lim Hojin said. "Perhaps, it's because you haven't made a decision yet, Gyubin-ssi."

"And yet you want me to carry on with this strange pregnancy, sir?"

"I don't know what the child is going to be, but it won't change the fact that the child is destined to save our world."

That again.

"What if I decide not to keep the baby? Hunter Han Wooju said he'd respect my decision," Gyubin said awkwardly. "Is there a way to extract the baby from my womb safely?"

"I wouldn't recommend that, Gyubin-ssi. If the process of extracting the S-Grade Beast from your body is safe, then I wouldn't ask you to carry on with your pregnancy. Unfortunately, there's a high chance that both you and the baby might die in the process."

Oh.

To be honest, Gyubin couldn't doubt President Lim Hojin's words because, well, the president was just that trustworthy.

And his visions have never been wrong so far.

So, Gyubin was going to die whether she kept the baby or not?

"That's why I'm here to convince you to keep the baby, Gyubin-ssi."

"President Lim—"

"100 billion won."

"Sir, do you think money can solve everything… well, yes. Money is the answer to 97% of my problem," Gyubin said, swallowing hard. She was born poor, and she still was. Hence, she was shaken by the thought of receiving 100 billion won. "Aigoo. You trigger my desire to become a new money so bad, sir."

If she had 100 billion won, she could use that to help her group members escape Hit Entertainment and find a better agency. Heck, she could even use that money to build her own company and re-debut Chaehyun, Yunha, Minha, and Fuko.

She wouldn't be able to re-debut with the girls anyway because if she accepted the 100 billion won offer, she would keep the baby. That also meant she had to give up her career as an idol.

It's okay since I'm going to die soon anyway, so I don't need to debut again.

On the other hand, her members were still young.

They have a bright future ahead of them, and I can use that money to help the girls fly.

After that, she'd use the remaining money to travel the world with her grandmother.

"Gyubin-ssi, if you decide to keep the baby, we understand it means you'll be giving up your career as an idol," President Lim Hojin said. "Hence, the Golden Tiger Bureau plans to support you from here on. You can ask us for anything, too. As long as it's within our power, and it won't hurt the country or the people, we will give it to you— no questions asked. You're free to make your own conditions, and then we'll make a contract."

Oh, dear.

This is so tempting.

Gyubin only had one year left to live.

All her life, she had been working hard to survive. Hence, a life without worries for the remaining time she had left really sounded tempting.

I want to live comfortably before I die.

She needed to retire as an idol anyway because she was dying soon…

Wait.

"Did the System choose me to be the S-Grade Beast's mother because I'm dying?"

Gyubin didn't mean to ask that out loud.

In fact, she only realized she had accidentally voiced out her thoughts when President Lim Hojin responded.

"All I can say is the System chose you for this role, Gyubin-ssi."

"Because I'm dying, right?" Gyubin said. She wasn't bitter. It was the truth anyway. "It seems like the System thinks that since I'm dying anyway, I might as well give birth to the baby that will save the world first."

President Lim Hojin smiled apologetically. "Gyubin-ssi, I'll give you time to think. But I'm looking forward to hearing your positive response." The president paused for a moment before he added his "closing remark." "And please trust the System— especially the skills the System granted to you."

Hmm?

Those are useless skills, though?

And did President Lin Hojin see Gyubin's skills through his prophetic visions?

***

"BINNIE!"

"Ahjussi," Gyubin said, surprised when the door suddenly opened and Hunter Park Dong-min entered the room in a hurry. "You're here. Did you bring my favorite snack?"

She had a scrumptious lunch an hour ago.

But she was already hungry again.

Is it because I'm pregnant? No. I've always been a glutton, so I shouldn't be blaming the innocent baby.

"I brought strawberry croissant from your favorite bakery," Hunter Park Dong-min said, handing her the paper bag where the delicious smell was coming from before he sat on the chair next to the bed. "I made sure that the bakery still gets their strawberries from Nami Island."

"Thank you, Ahjussi~"

Gyubin would only buy strawberries that came from Nami Island— her hometown.

I left my village a long time ago, but I still support our produce.

"Is there anything you'd like to say to me, Binnie?"

"Ahjussi, Hawaiian shirts really look cool on you."

"Baek Gyubin."

Oops.

Gyubin bowed her head politely. "I'm sorry for using the Item to kill both a Civilian and a few Hunters, Ahjussi. And I'm really sorry for getting caught by Hunter Han Wooju. Did you get in trouble for giving a Civilian like me a high-grade Item that works on Civilians and Hunters?"

"I gave you that Item to protect yourself, and I'm glad that you used it on those scumbags. Don't worry about me getting in trouble with the higher-ups— that's my problem," Hunter Park Dong-min said. "That's not what I'm upset about, Binnie."

She slowly raised her head. "Then what did I do wrong, Ahjussi?"

"You didn't do anything wrong," the ahjussi said while shaking his head. "I'm just upset that you didn't call me when you were in trouble."

Oh.

Gyubin avoided Hunter Park Dong-min's gaze. "Ahjussi could have been an executive director in the Golden Tiger Bureau by now had you not helped me become an idol despite your bosses' opposition. Ahjussi will never be promoted at this rate if you get too involved in my business again."

"You were worried about my career? That's the reason you acted on your own when you could have just called me?"

"It's important to you, Ahjussi."

"My family is more important to me than my career— and you're a part of my family, Binnie."

Aww.

Gyubin found it harder to face Hunter Park Dong-min now.

She was afraid she might suddenly burst into tears.

"Binnie, be honest with me," Hunter Park Dong-min said carefully. "You acted reckless because you only have one year left to live, didn't you? Knowing you, I bet you thought it doesn't matter even if you end up in jail because you're dying soon anyway."

Gyubin flinched because it was true.

"Are you considering keeping the S-Grade Beast in your womb because "you're dying anyway?""

Ahjussi really knows me so well.

"Binnie, do you know what?"

Gyubin turned to the Hunter. "What, Ahjussi?"

"Once your contract with your current agency ends, my wife and I are actually planning to quit our jobs."

"But why?"

"We're planning to travel the world with you and your grandma," Hunter Park Dong-min said, smiling. "We're also planning to support your dream of designing your own bags. You said you want to make a collection of strawberry bags after you retire as an idol, didn't you?"

Okay, a lump formed in her throat.

I'm gonna cry…

"Binnie, don't throw your life away just because of your "time limit,"" Hunter Park Dong-min said. "So, if you don't want to keep the baby, then don't. I'll protect you."

Ah.

She shouldn't have been surprised.

Ahjussi already talked to Hunter Han Wooju, so they probably talked about my condition.

"Just choose yourself, Binnie— I'll take care of the rest."

Gyubin was really about to cry because she was touched when, suddenly, Hunter Park Dong-min's phone rang loudly.

That ringtone…

"It must be Aunt Yehwa," Gyubin said, referring to Hunter Park Dong-min's wife. "Auntie rarely calls you when it's office hours, so it must be important, Ahjussi."

Hunter Park Dong-min nodded in agreement, and then he picked up the call. "Yes, honey? Hmm? Really?" The Hunter's face beamed as he turned to Gyubin. "Yes, I'm with Binnie. I'll give her the phone now."

She was confused and curious when the Hunter suddenly handed the phone to her.

But she still accepted it and put the phone near her ear.

She thought she was going to talk to Aunt Yehwa, but she was wrong.

<"Gyuri, my precious baby.">

"Grandma!" Gyubin greeted her grandmother, who often didn't remember these days, in surprise. "You remember me…"

Well, her grandmother remembered her old name.

But she was still happy that her grandmother was talking clearly now.

<"Gyuri, I saw a beautiful, majestic dragon in my dream!">

Hmm?

A dragon?

<"The dragon says he'll be born as my grandson soon!">

Gyubin almost choked on her saliva. "Grandma…?"

<"Gyuri, you must be pregnant! When are you going to get married? I can't wait to see you in a wedding dress, my precious baby.">

Oh.

***

"GYURI! WHERE ARE YOU?! KIM GYURI!"

Everything was on fire.

Wooju looked down at the burning village under his feet— his big dragon wings keeping him suspended in the air.

He knew it was just a dream.

And he knew he wouldn't find her even there.

Yet, he kept looking for her.

"Kim Gyuri…"

"Han Wooju?"

Wooju flinched when he heard Kang Jaemoo call him, ending the dream he was having.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself in the backseat of the car that his manager was driving.

"Wooju-ya, are you alright?" Kang Jaemoo asked worriedly while glancing at him from the rearview mirror. "Did you have that dream again?"

"…"

Kang Jaemoo sighed while shaking his head. "Wooju-ya, that kid's death wasn't your fault."

Wooju just closed his eyes again, ignoring his manager's nagging.

It's my fault, though.

***

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