Chapter 09
Candidate 3: Seo I-Soo
Romantic Possibility = -10,000%
Until just a moment ago, the percentage under Seo I-Soo’s name in Kang Seung-eon’s deduction notebook was not just zero—it was plummeting into the negatives.
She had been sure he’d ignore her.
Especially because it was Seo I-Soo, of all people.
She figured he wouldn’t care even if she smashed her face on the rooftop floor. And yet—
The man who had been a few steps away was suddenly supporting her—faster than the speed of light.
His scent hit her nose, dizzying and sweet to the point of making her sway. Startled by the overwhelming sensation, Seung-eon quickly stood up straight.
“Ah,” she gasped, stepping back in a hurry. She saw Seo I-Soo quietly staring down at the palm of his hand that had just supported her.
“Th-thank you…”
Seung-eon’s voice trailed out. Seo I-Soo didn’t bother responding.
As always, he gave a slight nod and turned to leave—toward the exit.
“Wait!”
Before she realized, Seung-eon found herself calling out.
He looked back, surprise crossing his face.
Seung-eon noticed how his discomfort quickly replaced any prior concern. Whatever gratitude she had felt a moment ago quickly evaporated.
“Team Lead Seo,” she said with an awkward smile.
But Seo I-Soo visibly stepped back, avoiding her.
Annoyed, Seung-eon stepped forward.
And he, once again, backed away.
Huh?
This was turning into a game.
Fueled by stubbornness now, Seung-eon took two steps forward this time—
Thud.
“Ugh.”
Trying to flee, Seo I-Soo ended up colliding with the iron door behind him.
His brows knitted. His eyes—already small behind thick lenses—squeezed shut from the impact.
“D-Director, why…?”
Despite being much larger than her, he trembled like a timid deer.
That large man, helpless in the face of her approach, looked just like—
“Stop… it.”
“Do you really want me to stop?”
“……”
“Baby, do you really want me to stop?”
Just like that man in her dreams—his ears would turn red each time she teased him.
Even though she provoked him endlessly, the man in the fog had always tried to keep his composure, which only made her more determined to mess with him.
In the end, he broke—hungrily devouring her. She could still remember his lips, his breath, his eyes that only looked at her.
But what she couldn’t figure out was whose voice it had been. The words were crystal clear, yet she couldn’t place them with anyone in reality.
The vague face shrouded in mist—it frustrated her more than anything.
“It’s been a while, Team Lead Seo.”
Seung-eon whispered, smiling as she counted his shallow breaths up close.
The prey, unsure when the predator would pounce, swallowed nervously.
“L-long time no see.”
Strange.
They’d never been this close before.
So why did it feel so…
“Familiar.”
Feeling an odd sense of déjà vu, Seung-eon reconsidered.
Candidate 3: Seo I-Soo
Romantic Possibility = 2%
It only took a moment for that negative number to flip into the positives.
The number had been tunneling into the earth, yet now it was rocketing upward. And for some reason, her heart was racing as they locked eyes.
Thirty-two-year-old Seung-eon couldn’t have imagined this situation.
Seo I-Soo, of all people?
“D-Director?”
His black eyes—partially hidden behind his hair and glasses—were full of unmistakable fear.
Seung-eon placed her arm against the door beside him, narrowing the distance further and curling her eyes into a soft smile.
“W-why are you…”
“There’s something I’ve been dying to ask.”
“Y-yes?”
“Team Lead Seo…”
“……”
“Do you have a partner?”
“…Excuse me?”
“If not… wanna sleep with me?”
Pfffft!
Even she was horrified that those words actually left her mouth. Kang Seung-eon, have you finally lost your mind?
That question could’ve gotten her arrested. It was ridiculous.
But more ridiculous was his reaction—spitting directly on her.
“S-sorry! Cough! I’m really—cough, cough—sorry!”
If he’d had anything else in his mouth, she would’ve needed a full-on shower.
Cough, cough!
Turning away in embarrassment, the tall man gritted his teeth. Seung-eon just looked up at him.
Yup. I knew it.
She had hoped—briefly—that Seo I-Soo could’ve been the one who saved her. But no.
He was so flustered by such a question.
There was no way this was the same man who once—
“Tight, Seung-eon.”
No. No chance in hell he could say that so smoothly.
He could barely even meet her gaze now. There was no way he whispered sweet nothings with confidence.
Seung-eon stifled a laugh.
It’s not Seo I-Soo.
“What do you think of that line?”
With a smirk, she let the words drop. Seo I-Soo blinked, confused.
Seung-eon clarified, “I heard development on EC:FL was halted while I was out.”
“…Ah.”
“I spoke to Director Jung this morning. She told me to prepare for a relaunch. I thought that line might work for a passionate NPC.”
His silence made it clear that he found her excuse ridiculous. Still, she had to keep a straight face.
She took a step back, putting distance between them.
“What are you doing?”
“Huh?”
“I’m leaving.”
Startled, Seo I-Soo quickly stepped aside.
Seung-eon noticed the sweaty imprint he had left on the door. Glancing at him again, she said—
“Take good care of <Echo> from now on, Team Lead Seo.”
He didn’t respond. Not that she expected him to.
She reached for the doorknob—
“L-laundry.”
…What?
“You’ll need to wash that.”
He was pointing at the stain on her suit—left by his unfortunate spit-take.
“It’s fine.”
She was rich. Not like he was the one paying for it.
She scoffed, ready to leave, but then—
‘…!’
Seo I-Soo reached out and grabbed her wrist.
Startled, Seung-eon turned her head—his black eyes were wide behind his glasses.
“Please… get it cleaned.”
Then, he handed her a crisp 50,000 won bill.
She could barely process what had just happened.
He gave her laundry money? To the CEO?
By the time she regained her senses, he was already gone. The door slammed shut.
You gave ME money?
Seo I-Soo?
Seriously?!
She was about to storm out after him when—
Thump.
“……”
Thump thump.
Just for a moment, the feel of his cold, large hand on her wrist spread through her body like wildfire.
Why…
Why is it so hot?
“Just kill me now.”
Leaning her head against a comfy chair, Seung-eon groaned.
She never imagined something could be harder than going back to work.
“Any progress?”
Secretary Chu, sipping a milkshake by the window, didn’t even look away from the darkened city below.
Slurp.
Her eyes sparkled as she drank. Seung-eon stared at her and sighed.
“You really found those three as candidates?”
“Of course. I’m Chu Young-eun.”
“Huh?”
“My name’s Chu Young-eun, Director.”
Her confident answer left Seung-eon speechless.
Well… I guess only she could pull that off.
She was a management expert—but Chu handled everything else better than anyone.
When Chu asked, “Can I have yours too?” about her milkshake, Seung-eon just sighed and nodded.
“Yeah. Go ahead.”
“Thanks.”
“…Ugh.”
Her head felt like it might explode.
Three men. Not one, not two—three possible lovers.
Chu really had a gift.
Seung-eon hated her past self for ever thinking this was overkill.
“I’m losing it. Seriously.”
“……”
“You still can’t find my second phone?”
“No. You should give up on it.”
Sigh.
Just how well were you hiding your secret relationship, Kang Seung-eon?
“And that guy—my boyfriend or whatever. Is it even possible he didn’t show up for six months while I was in the hospital?”
If they were together for two years, shouldn’t he have been at her side?
That’s not love!
“Did I even date someone?”
“…Pardon?”
“That guy—did he actually love me?”
Chu stopped drinking to answer.
“He did say something odd.”
What?
“That your bunny boyfriend was acting strange lately.”
“How?”
“I don’t know. Just… suspicious all around. Maybe he was trying to break up?”
“Hey! Chu Young-eun!”
Seung-eon snapped.
“I’m Kang Seung-eon!”
Fuming.
“I didn’t date anyone before I lost my memory, but I’m still me!”
She may have been inexperienced in love, but she had countless admirers.
And now someone’s trying to DUMP her? After sleeping with her?!
“I’m going to murder that bastard.”
“……”
“What?!”
“I thought you said you wanted to find him and marry him… and have an heir.”
“That’s beside the point! I’m still gonna punch him!”
“……”
“A lover who disappears for six months when you’re in critical condition? Who the hell does that? Is he even human?!”
“Well… true.”
Chu agreed with her.
Seung-eon pouted and mumbled again.
“Any clues…?”
“……”
“If I could just remember something—maybe I’d recall who he was.”
Her voice was uncharacteristically whiny. Chu gave her a strange look.
“What?”
“I told you already.”
“Huh?”
“The beta test.”
Seung-eon blinked.
✓ Beta Test Participant.
She vaguely remembered that message.
But it was normal at LUKIN. Employees often tested new games.
Jung Hee-do, Yoo Hyun-joon—even Seo I-Soo wasn’t an exception.
Still—
That was a clue?
Surprised, Seung-eon stared at Chu as she explained.
“You suddenly took interest in dating during that beta test.”
Chu continued.
“You changed your perfume, hairstyle, fashion… You even started buying men’s gifts.”
“…I did?”
Chu nodded.
“That’s when I first suspected you were dating.”
“Wha…?”
“And later I confirmed it. You started dating during the test. At first, you thought he was an NPC, but he turned out to be an actual employee.”
What the hell?!
Chu kept talking, unfazed by Seung-eon’s stunned expression.
“It’s one of those three. Only three people logged into the test server during the time you were playing. So your boyfriend must be—”
“Wait, wait.”
She had to stop Chu’s monotone ramble.
“What game are you even talking about?”
LUKIN had launched many titles and ran plenty of beta tests. Seung-eon had no idea which one Chu meant.
Chu, calmly, answered—
“Echo.”
“Echo?”
Her flat voice rang in Seung-eon’s ears.
“Also known as ‘Echo.’ The one that got shelved just before release due to your accident.”
