LONG STORY short: When Viki and her alien babies returned to Earth almost a year ago, they fell into a Sinkhole.
[I'll bring you to the people who could help you once you're back in your world.]
That was one of Stello's "last words" for Viki before sending her back to Earth with the children.
And guess what?
It just so happened that Oh Sion and Choi Eunbi were there because they had fallen into the Sinkhole before Viki and her alien babies' arrival. As a result, the two saw Nam Juno, Han Nora, Chae Baam, Do Eunwoo, and Yu Gamin's real appearances as white little birds.
I would have erased their memories had they not possessed the abilities and authority to help me and my alien babies adjust to this world quietly.
"Noona, why did you have to erase their memories?" Oh Sion asked while checking the unconscious Hunters inside the huge Glass Jar. And then the curious boy turned to Viki with sparkling eyes. "Did they find out that you're an alien?"
Riiight.
Oh Sion and Choi Eunbi don't know that I'm Ahn Navi— they just believe that I'm an alien from another planet.
Well, that was kind of true anyway, so Viki let the kids believe that.
It wasn't that she trusted the two completely.
Actually, I made Oh Sion and Choi Eunbi take an Oath of Silence with me— they'll die as soon as they reveal our secret to anyone, in any way.
"No, I'm not the one who got caught," Viki said, and then she pointed at her alien babies who where busy eating their pyongyang naengmyeon. "They found out that my kids aren't Civilians."
"I see~" Oh Sion said cheerfully, and then he turned to the alien babies. "Kids, don't cause trouble for your mother."
The alien babies answered all at the same time: "Yes, Sion Hyung~"
Aigoo.
Viki couldn't believe the nosy kid she met many years ago was now a 'hyung' to younger boys.
Who would have thought that he'd become an accomplished Hunter at a young age?
"Noona, don't worry— I'll take care of these Hunters so they won't bother you and the kids again," Oh Sion said, looking at Viki with that signature boyish smile of his. "The Blue Morpho Guild will make sure nothing like this will happen again."
Ah.
Viki suddenly felt sad after hearing the 'Blue Morpho Guild.'
It reminds me of the risk Oh Sion is taking for me and my alien babies.
"Noona, are you worried about me?" Oh Sion asked casually as if none of it was a big thing. "Are you worried that I'm keeping your identity a secret when I'm a part of the Won Yiwon Faction?"
"You're not just a part of the Won Yiwon Faction, kid— you're the Guildmaster of Blue Morpho Guild, one of the ten guilds that fall under Won Yiwon's direct command."
It was something that Viki learned recently, of course.
"Noona, you were so shocked when you first found out that Hunter Won Yiwon-nim declared Martial Law after Hunter Ahn Navi-nim died. But, now, you're speaking like you know the politics in this country very well," Oh Sion said teasingly. "Did you do your homework?"
"Well, I need to study the Won Yiwon Faction so I'd know how to avoid trouble as an alien," Viki lied with a straight face. "According to my research, after Won Yiwon lifted the Martial Law five years ago, he established ten factions. He placed one in Seoul, and one in each province in the entire country."
"That's right, Noona," Oh Sion confirmed while nodding. "We have my guild, the Blue Morpho Guild, here in North Jeolla Province— aka the Jeonbuk State, the Red Admiral Guild in South Jeolla Province— also known as Jeonnam, the Queen Alexandra Guild in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, the Tiger Swallowtail Guild in North Chungcheong, the Zebra Swallowtail Guild in North Chungcheong, the Hackberry Emperor Guild in Gangwon State, the Starry Night Cracker Guild in Gyeonggi, the Glasswing Guild in North Gyeonsang, and the Leafwing Guild in South Gyeonsang. And, finally, we have the Monarch Guild in Seoul. It's in the city, but the Monarch Guild is considered the main branch of the Won Yiwon Faction."
Heh.
Hearing the names of the guilds that Won Yiwon built never failed to bring an arrogant smirk on Viki's face.
Won Yiwon, really…
"Noona, do you know why I never get tired of mentioning the names of the guilds under the Won Yiwon Faction even though you're already familiar with them?"
"No, why?"
Oh Sion grinned and pointed at Viki's face with both hands, very politely. "Because whenever I mention the guilds' names, you always have this silly smile on your face, Noona."
Aigoo.
I'm being too obvious, huh?
"Sion-ah, do you know what those guilds are named after?"
"Butterflies," Oh Sion answered confidently. "That's why, globally— especially in English-speaking countries— the Won Yiwon Faction is known as the Butterfly Faction."
"And do you know why Won Yiwon named those guilds after butterflies?"
"Because Hunter Won Yiwon-nim likes butterflies?"
"And why do you think Won Yiwon likes butterflies?"
Oh Sion shrugged. "Maybe Hunter Won Yiwon just likes insects? It fits his personality."
Pfft.
Viki just smiled while shaking her head.
Navi, my old name, means 'butterfly.'
"Noona, your smile is starting to creep me out."
"You're too young to understand, kid," Viki said while patting Oh Sion's shoulders. "Just get those Hunters out of my sight. I erased their memories from the moment they brought my kids to some stupid warehouse. So, let's just say that I called you and asked for your help. You can just make an excuse as to how they lost their memories after you rescued the victims."
"Okay, Noona. Leave it to me," Oh Sion said, giving Viki a double thumbs up. "No one will question my report since I'm the Guildmaster of Blue Morpho Guild."
Right?
And it was Oh Sion's authority that helped me register as an F-Class Hunter.
***
"MAMA, is Hunter Won Yiwon our Papa?"
Pfft.
Viki, who was washing the dishes with Nam Juno, smiled because of the kid's question. "When I was still Ahn Navi, there was a time when I truly believed that Won Yiwon and I would be endgame. I admit that I still like him, but I'm probably just chasing my old feelings to remind myself that I'm human. But I'm no longer delusional."
"Why not, Mama?" Nam Juno asked curiously while drying the bowls and chopsticks that Viki was washing— by simply using his ability to control water. "He's the strongest Hunter here, excluding us. If we're going to accept someone as our father, he's the only okay-ish one."
"Won Yiwon loves the world more than he likes me. So, if I'm going to find a father for you, I'll find someone who'll burn the world for us instead of sacrificing us to save it."
"Oh, that makes sense."
"Do you need a father?"
"No, we don't need a Papa!"
The answer didn't come from Nam Juno— it came from Han Nora, Chae Baam, Do Eunwoo, and Yu Gamin, who were busy cleaning the restaurant.
Aigoo.
The other kids are really against the idea, huh?
"Juno-ya, why are you asking Mama to get a Papa for us when we don't need one?" Han Nora, who was "sweeping" the floor by using his psychokinesis ability to move the broom, complained. "And Won Yiwon is weaker than us. How can someone like that be our Papa?"
Pfft.
Won Yiwon would be so pissed if he heard that.
"I was just asking Mama," Nam Juno said defensively. "Mama has been taking care of us for almost a century now. I won't complain if Mama wants to find a spouse and enjoy her life as a woman and not just as a mother."
Aigoo.
Because of Nam Juno's logic, the other kids couldn't say anything.
"I'm not looking for a husband, and I'm not even interested in dating at the moment," Viki said while drying her hands by wiping them on a hand towel. She didn't need Nam Juno's ability for that. "Let's drop the subject— Choi Eunbi is already back."
Choi Eunbi had to step out earlier because she had errands to run— errands for Viki and the alien babies, to be precise.
"Welcome back, Eunbi Noona!"
The maknaes— Do Eunwoo and Yu Gamin— welcomed Choi Eunbi energetically.
"Thank you for the warm welcome, kids," Choi Eunbi said, giving the kids a head pat one by one while walking towards Viki. "Unnie, everything is set," she said while patting Nam Juno's head after the blue-haired lowered his head for easier access. "You can finally move to Seoul next week!"
Oh, that was good news, indeed.
The kids cheered.
"Unnie, you really succeeded in saving up three billion won in less than a year to buy a house in Seoul," Choi Eunbi said while clapping her hands. "I'm so proud of you."
There was no way Viki could have saved up three billion won in less than a year just by delivering food to Hunters in the E-ZONE areas.
I had to sell some precious stuff in the Incognito Market.
Aka the market where anyone could buy and sell Hunters' Items illegally.
Of course, I only sold not-so-rare yet expensive Items that won't be traced back to the 'dead' Ahn Navi.
That was how she was able to afford buying a house in Yeongsan Village, as well as to open a small restaurant there.
"Thank you, Eunbi-ya," Viki said sincerely. "Without you, we wouldn't be here."
Choi Eunbi blushed. "Unnie, I'm glad to help. Plus, it's my job as a social worker to help victims of dungeons, Sinkholes, and monsters' attack to improve their well-being. One of my duties is to help the victims recover the important IDs and documents that they've lost so they can start all over again."
Right.
That was Choi Eunbin's duty as a Social Welfare Officer from the Department of Civilians' Welfare and Development (a government agency).
Choi Eunbi is a pretty high-ranking officer in the Jeonbuk State branch.
"Eunbi-ya, it was you who gave an alien like me an identity from scratch," Viki said while holding Choi Eunbi's hands. "You fabricated everything— from my birth certificate up to my college degree. Not only that, you also did the same for my kids."
The alien babies, who were silently listening to the conversation, all nodded their heads eagerly.
"Thanks to you, I was able to adopt them as my foster siblings legally."
Viki actually wanted to adopt the alien babies as her legal children.
But the process was complicated, and interviews with other social workers couldn't have been avoided had she chosen that path. Hence, Choi Eunbi suggested to Viki that she should just foster the kids as her siblings until the kids reached legal age.
It's possible because the laws of our small country have been adjusted since the apocalypse started. There are specific laws created so that orphans will be easily fostered or adopted, especially at a time when dungeons and monsters keep breaking families apart.
"Moreover, since my kids are properly documented, they were able to take the GED exam without a hitch."
Yes, Viki made the kids take the GED exam a few months ago.
It's not like I can't afford to send them to high school— we just don't have the time for that since my alien babies need to debut as idols the soonest. Fortunately, my kids are smart. Plus, they've been learning about this world while we were climbing the Glass Tower, so it didn't take long for them to blend in properly.
"And, thanks to that, we were able to focus on the kids' dream to become idols," Viki continued thanking Choi Eunbi. "I was able to enroll them in a proper vocal and dance academy. Now, my kids are headed to a bigger stage."
"Unnie, you're making me blush," Choi Eunbi said shyly, and then she turned to the kids. "I'm only an instrument to this success— it's the kids' hard work paying off."
Right?
***
THE WORLD is really small.
That was Viki's thought while watching her alien babies bow their heads towards Choi Eunha and Park Hajoon.
Choi Eunha was the kids' vocal coach while Park Hajoon was the dance instructor.
Did the names sound familiar?
They should be.
Choi Eunha is Choi Eunbi's older sister, while Park Hajoon is Cha Eunha's husband.
Viki had witnessed Park Hajoon proposing to Choi Eunha because it happened before she fought the Second Calamity many years ago.
When the entertainment industry was revived a few years ago, the two built an academy for trainees who are aiming to be idols. But since Seoul is expensive, they moved to Namwon City. Thanks to that decision, me and the kids were able to meet them.
Stello really connected Viki and her alien babies to the right people on Earth.
"Teacher Eunha, Teacher Hajoon, thank you for everything you've taught us!"
Nam Juno, Han Nora, Chae Baam, Do Eunwoo, and Yu Gamin said cheerfully at the same time.
Then, Do Eunwoo handed each of the teachers a bouquet of flowers.
On the other hand, Yu Gamin held the small round cake for the two teachers.
"It's all you, kids— you all worked hard during the last six months," Park Hajoon said, his voice cracking up a bit. "I'm very proud of the five of you, but let me say that Nam Juno and Do Eunwoo make me the proudest. I thought you two were hopeless, but you proved me wrong."
Nam Juno and Do Eunwoo's faces brightened as they thanked the dance instructor.
Pfft.
Viki had to stifle her laughter, but she actually agreed with Park Hajoon's assessment.
I wouldn't say that Nam Juno and Do Eunwoo became main dancer material in just six months, but they improved a lot in that short time— they can synchronize with their siblings now, even if their movements aren't as smooth as the other kids.
"To be honest, I'm not sure if I've done enough as your vocal coach," Cha Eunha said when she started her speech. "After all, the five of you already sing better than most idols these days. All I did was guide you and help you find the right color of your voice."
"And that means a lot to us, Teacher," Han Nora, the oldest among the siblings, said politely. "Teacher helped us polish our singing prowess. For that, we'll be eternally grateful to you and your lessons. Thank you for helping us go on a bigger stage."
***
"HAVE YOU calmed down, Eunha Unnie?" Viki asked Choi Eunha teasingly. "I feel bad that my kids made you cry."
Those are tears of happiness, but yeah.
Choi Eunha laughed softly while wiping her tears with a tissue.
Right now, Viki and Choi Eunha were alone in the vocal coach's private office.
Park Hajoon and the kids are in the studio, dancing together one last time.
"Viki-ya, the children will make it big in Seoul."
"If that happens, I'll send Unnie and Hajoon Oppa red ginseng every month," Viki said, smiling. "After all, it was you and your husband who introduced my kids to the producer of Idol Chemistry."
Idol Chemistry was the newest audition program of anTV— a cable channel famous for its audition programs.
Unlike other audition programs with a goal to create a group among the contestants, Idol Chemistry is an upcoming show for idol trainees who have already formed a group. Idol Chemistry is named that way because the program's goal is to "sell" each group's chemistry to the public.
"Our producer friend reached out to us because they need one more group to fill the spot for their audition program. PD Lim knows we're running an academy, so he asked us to recommend a talented group of trainees," Choi Eunha said. "But all I did was introduce the kids to PD Lim. Han Nora, Nam Juno, Chae Baam, Do Eunwoo, and Yu Gamin still passed the audition on their own. I'm not surprised since the kids aren't just talented— they also have good chemistry."
Viki's cheeks were threatening to burst because she couldn't stop smiling.
I love it when people praise my kids.
"And, I don't really want to say this about minors, but I can't help it," Choi Eunha said, smiling apologetically at Viki. "I mean this in the most wholesome way possible— your kids are all handsome. I know it's shallow, but their face cards are enough to get them famous. But I'm not saying they only have their good looks going for them, okay? The kids are talented, period."
"I know what you mean, Unnie," Viki said, grinning. "That's why I'm glad my kids have both the looks and the talent to become successful idols."
Or so she thought.
Viki had forgotten one vital thing: Networking is everything in the cruel world of showbiz, and I'm nothing but a country bumpkin alien mom now!
***
Please ADD