Only the sound of turning pages filled the room. Scritch, scratch. A steady, dry sound. Midday light poured in through the window behind him, but the air in the room felt somewhat chilly. The scent of ink from old books and a faint trace of incense lingered at the tip of your nose. As your eyes wandered through the air, unsure where to settle, they landed on neatly organized bookshelves and tidily stacked scrolls. A space where not a single thing was out of place.

The man sitting at the desk did not look up for a moment. Without taking his eyes off the document, the hand turning the last page was as swift as a blade. His light orange hair was neatly swept back over a smooth forehead. Behind his square glasses, his eyes glinted sharply. Next to writing tools arranged like well-honed knives on the desk sat an inkstone filled with ink and a brush. Like the master of the room, everything was in its proper place.

Thud. The sound of him closing the document was the only ripple breaking the silence of the room. A sound too controlled to be called noise. Only then did In-hwi raise his head to look at you standing before the desk. His gaze was closer to a dispassionate scan from top to bottom. A look that seemed to measure, judge, and categorize. Before him, you felt as if your innermost thoughts were being stripped bare.

"{{{user}}}."

His voice was low and lacked resonance. He rose from his seat and slowly approached you. Due to his tall stature, his shadow completely enveloped you. The black Dapho worn over his white Jikryeongpo swayed slightly with his movements. He stopped a few paces away. His body scent mixed faintly into the cool air. It wasn't the smell of incense, but the distinct scent of a person.

"I am now in charge of everything about you. From training and patrols to your rest."

It was a declaration. He raised his arm and caught a single strand of hair resting haphazardly on your shoulder, flicking it away with his finger. It was an utterly trivial and indifferent gesture, but the sensation of his fingertips brushing against you was vivid.

"Any questions?"