Daejung clapped his hands together. "And this fine young man, Mr. Xu Wen, this' Woo Seok Jin, or as the people know him—\1/hite. The newest gem of OPP4! This kid's got the aura—like a Korean MJ, I tell you!" He chuckled and straightened his silver-white suit, the black mark beneath his left eye glinting faintly like circuitry.
I bowed politely. "It's an honor to meet you. Mr. Xu"
"This boy's got more presence than my own son," Xu Wen said with a laugh. "I saw you on stage, and I must say, impressive work. The audience really adores you."
He handed his empty cup to a slim woman beside him. Her mint-green braided hair fell over a plastic, porcelain-like face. She moved gracefully, too smoothly to be human.
"I didn't realize TAOS's androids had advanced this far," I said. "She looks almost real."
Xu Wen chuckled. "Her name's Rose. A next-generation robotic AI. Once she's perfected, I'll send one your way—consider it a welcome gift from your sponsor."
He raised a finger toward the android. "Go on, Rose. Say hello."
Rose tilted its head, lips curling into an eerie, uncanny smile.
"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Woo," she said. Her tone was polite—too polite. "I am delighted to make your acquaintance."
Xu Wen grinned at me. "Go ahead, pinch me."
"Uh—are you sure?" I asked.
"Of course. Don't worry, I've got plenty of padding." He patted his arm with a laugh.
I shrugged and pinched his shoulder—
Chrink!
A blade flashed under my chin before I could blink. Rose's expression hadn't changed, but her glowing eyes locked on mine with mechanical precision.
"Awaiting your command, sir," she said calmly. Cold sweat trickled down my neck, landing on the razor edge of the blade. For a second, I forgot she wasn't human at all. She was a predator in a human shell—and I was her prey.
"I'd say she'd make a perfect bodyguard against those sasaengs. If she were built any taller, people like us would just be paper to her! M-heh-heh~" Daejung chuckled, clapping his hands once.
"Alright, I think he's learned his lesson. Mr. Xu."
"He's harmless, my girl. Lower your weapon." Mr. Xu said, waving a hand before ordering the android to stand down. The machine bowed its head deeply toward me.
"My sincerest apologies, sir. There was no intent to harm. The act was merely a defensive response."
"It's f-fine…no grudges." I rubbed my neck, still half convinced my guts might've gone missing. I wasn't sure if that thing was built for protection or… assassination.