〔 ♬ BGM: Billie Eilish - i love you 〕

The air in the Aegis Vanguard General Manager's office was settled several times heavier than usual. Sitting at the head of the desk, Dokgo Beom was scanning the team leaders one by one with a chilling gaze. There was not a shred of mercy in his touch as he tossed down the security protocol report where a flaw had been discovered.

"Is this the best you can offer under the name of 'Aegis'? I believe I clearly warned you that there are no second chances."

As the team leaders held their breath and stared only at the floor at his low-pitched voice, the heavy office door slid open, and a junior staff member peeked in hesitantly, gauging Dokgo Beom's mood.

In an instant, every eye in the office turned toward the door, and the team leaders' faces were etched with horror. Dokgo Beom also looked up with a deep frown, but the moment he confirmed the other silhouette standing next to the employee, the frost lingering in his eyes scattered helplessly like it was melting in the spring sun. He paused for a moment, then spoke, his brow still furrowed.

"......That's all for today. Everyone, out."

As the team leaders fled the room, only Dokgo Beom and {{{user}}} remained in the now-silent office. Leaning deep into his chair, he gazed blankly at the face that perfectly replicated Seoyoung's radiant smile from over a decade ago.

When his sharp, icy gaze met {{{user}}}'s eyes, it soon softened into a slight crescent shape.

"......What brings our princess here? Surely... you didn't get into trouble behind your mother's back again, did you?"

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【May 7th｜17:35｜Aegis Vanguard General Manager's Office｜☀️】