Although Nada was the main culprit behind the opening of the Gate, her relentless efforts to close them while maintaining an unrecognizable appearance naturally drew people’s attention.
As Nada’s exploits increased, so did her fanbase, and the fan club grew quite large.
They even began producing and selling official merchandise.
Since no one knew her face or identity, the merchandise was designed with the image of the hooded girl.
Fans who played the hooded girl’s videos on loop and analyzed them down to the nanosecond created figures, dolls, and photo cards featuring her likeness and sold them.
Mark came to Korea specifically to buy that merchandise.
He also hoped to catch a glimpse of Nada in person and planned to mingle with fan club members.
In the end, Ban Eun-hyeol, who had given Mark a ride, rubbed his throbbing forehead.
“Once we get to Seoul, we’ll split up.”
“Okay, I have someone to meet in Seoul too.”
“You actually know someone in Korea? Then why are you sticking to me…?”
“Because you’re Rank 1. I thought maybe you might know Nada. Even though you don’t, it doesn’t matter. I like you anyway.”
Mark extended his hand with a smile, saying, “Let’s be good friends from now on.”
Reluctantly, Ban Eun-hyeol shook his hand, then fell silent, staring out the window.
But he couldn’t stay quiet for long with Mark chattering beside him.
Even when he tried to hush him, Mark would quickly start babbling again.
He was clearly not someone who could be silenced easily.
‘Might as well just sleep.’
Giving up on quieting Mark, Ban Eun-hyeol closed his eyes.
He planned not to open them until they arrived in Seoul.
‘I’m a bit uneasy.’
The Rank 1 Awakener from America had entered Korea.
Korea unusually had a Dimension Outsider, Dana, ranked as Zero, but in other countries, Rank 1 was the highest.
It was understandable to feel uneasy when the highest-ranked Awakener from America entered the country.
[Don’t go wandering around today. Stay home. I’ll stop by briefly later.]
He sent Dana a veiled warning message and closed his eyes again.
“What? A girlfriend?”
Mark’s single comment made him open his eyes immediately, though.
***
“Why should I stay home?”
Just as she was about to leave, Dana paused after seeing Ban Eun-hyeol’s message.
Saryeong, who had come to report the Gate’s location, looked at her phone and then stared at her in surprise as she stood up.
“I’ll let that one slide. Thanks for telling me.”
Ha, does he think I come and go whenever he says?
But whatever the matter, it was probably better not to go out.
She sent Saryeong away and plopped down on the sofa in the living room.
Her parents had gone out for a couples’ gathering and wouldn’t return until late, so she had planned to roam freely today.
But she had wasted this rare golden opportunity with just one text.
‘What could it be?’
She texted back asking what was going on but received no explanation.
Usually, she might have ignored it and gone out anyway, but now that Ban Eun-hyeol knew her identity and was cautioning her, she thought it best to listen.
She knew he wasn’t the type to tell her not to go out without good reason, so she decided to trust him this time.
She decided to enjoy a rare break, lying down and grabbing the remote.
About two hours passed like that.
She was deeply engrossed in binge-watching a drama when her phone vibrated.
Shortly after, Ban Eun-hyeol showed up at her place.
As soon as she opened the door, she asked, “What’s going on?”
“The Rank 1 Awakener from America just entered Korea.”
“Why is he here?”
“He’s your fan.”
“Huh?”
Only after hearing the full story did she understand why Ban Eun-hyeol had told her to stay home.
“Oh, because he’s Rank 1, you’re worried he might find out my identity.”
“If someone who’s itching to see you in person shows up, who knows what he might do? Don’t go near the Gate for a while. Only go when the Guild sends you.”
“Right. I’ve already been spotted by Doi-hyun and you, so who knows how I might be found out next.”
She would have to be careful for the time being.
No matter how much of a mask she wore, she didn’t know what powers that Awakener possessed.
‘If he’s a Tamer, the risk might be lower, though?’
She quickly dismissed the thought.
It wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.
It was only for a few days, so she’d just consider it a rest.
“I’ve said what I needed to. I’m off now.”
“Already leaving?”
“I have to get home soon. Got a schedule.”
Not long after he arrived, he left, gesturing behind him before the door closed.
“I left a gift there.”
The news of the Rank 1 Awakener from America’s arrival spread quickly.
The fact that he was simply here for tourism even made it to television.
‘It’s amazing that someone like that is my fan.’
With the new semester approaching, she visited the Hyunhyang Guild one last time to enjoy the winter vacation.
Everyone seemed to be lingering, reluctant for the break to end.
“Dana? Why didn’t you show up yesterday?”
“I got a new item from the dungeon this time. How is it? Totally badass, right?”
“Yeah, it’s pretty badass.”
She answered vaguely and plopped down anywhere on the lounge floor.
Everyone else huddled together, playing various games.
She joined in, mingling with the guild members.
“But I heard the Rank 1 Awakener from America came to Korea because he’s a Nada fan? He’s buying up all the merchandise. My friend works part-time selling that stuff at the fan club.”
“In that case, maybe he’ll get to meet Nada in person? High-ranked Awakeners usually get along well with each other.”
“But Ban Eun-hyeol and the boss aren’t close to the Rank 1 from America.”
“That’s true.”
Compared to overseas Awakeners who had more exchanges, Korean Awakeners rarely interacted much.
The Rank 1s weren’t the type to socialize widely either, which made it even less common.
“Oh? Boss!”
Yeon Ha-yeon, who had been busy with organizational work lately, entered the lounge.
Greeting the guild members, she walked straight over and sat beside Dana.
“Someone came from America, right?”
She immediately brought up the same topic.
The chat window was buzzing with talk of the Rank 1 from America, showing how much interest there was.
“They say Rank 1 came. He’s buying up all the Nada merchandise.”
“He’s even planning to see Nada in person. Seems impossible, though.”
When Yeon Ha-yeon mentioned the same thing she’d been talking about, the guild members excitedly chattered.
“I want to see her in person too. Somehow, I feel she’s around our age.”
“Huh? Why?”
Her amazing deductive skills made Dana’s heart drop.
Trying to sound calm, she asked, and Yeon Ha-yeon replied casually,
“Isn’t it her style of dress? I just have a feeling. It’s a hunch.”
Her intuition was incredibly sharp.
Aren’t hoodies and sweatpants common even among adults?
Yet, from that, she guessed Nada was their age.
Why?
Adults can wear hoodies and sweatpants too! She should doubt others a little more!
‘I’ll have to be especially careful around her.’
When Ban Eun-hyeol found out, Dana had the sudden urge to tell all her friends, but she held back, thinking it wasn’t the right time yet.
She would have to watch out for those with sharp intuition until she could reveal herself on her own terms.
“But seriously, who would win if Nada and the Rank 1 from America fought?”
Yeon Ha-yeon asked with genuine curiosity.
She seemed ready to pit Nada against the American Rank 1 in a fight just to find out.
“The Dimension Outsider would win hands down.”
“Definitely. She’s a Dimension Outsider for a reason, right? Maybe she has some special power we don’t know about.”
“Wow, now that you mention it, not being recognized by face ID is also one of Nada’s unique skills. I’ve never seen a skill like that.”
The conversation was leaning heavily towards Nada winning no matter what.
‘You can’t really know until you see it for yourself.’
Dana wasn’t sure who would win, but subtly sided with herself.
“Maybe Nada would be a little stronger?”
After saying just that, she quietly sat back and listened to the conversation alone.
***
Mark, having bought up all the Nada merchandise he could find, smiled brightly at the person who handed him the card.
“Thank you. I never expected such a warm welcome in Korea.”
Taking the card from Ihwan, Mark happily completed his purchase at the register.
After Ban Eun-hyeol dropped him off in the heart of Seoul and left in a hurry, some unknown men approached him.
Mark, who had been deeply engrossed in a crime thriller film, almost found himself caught up in shooting an intense movie right in the city using his powers.
He only calmed down after receiving a business card.
It was Ihwan’s card, a government official from the Dungeon Administration Bureau.
Mark wondered what the Dungeon Administration wanted from a mere tourist like himself, but he decided to follow Ihwan anyway.
He was brought to Nada’s merchandise shop with a promise of assistance for his sightseeing.
Though he wanted to empty his wallet, he had held back.
“So, what’s the deal? This isn’t free, right?”
Mark got straight to the point, which briefly surprised Ihwan, who calmly led him to the car.
Mark got in willingly, swinging his legs back and forth like an excited child as he watched the scenery outside.
“You can hear the details from the Director.”
Without further explanation, Ihwan brought Mark inside the Dungeon Administration building.
“Oh! Mark? Glad you’re here. Was your trip uncomfortable at all?”
The Director came running out to greet Mark.
Usually, he hardly ever left his office, but he couldn’t just wait inside after inviting the Rank 1 Awakener from America.
“Hi! Nice to see you.”
Mark proudly showed off the Korean he had practiced.
After smiling with pride, he switched to English to say what he wanted.
“I never imagined my liking Nada would be so famous in Korea. I’m really thankful for everyone buying all that stuff. So, why did you call me here?”
The Director frowned and whispered something so only Ihwan could hear.
“What is he saying?”
“I’ll translate for you.”
From then on, with Ihwan’s translation, a proper conversation ensued.
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