Chapter 16: A Disguise

Ryu Seo-woo lay on the cold, hard floor, the weight of his body pressing into the ground as the overwhelming heat surrounded him. Flames licked the air, their orange tongues reaching high, licking at the walls, burning everything in sight. The fire roared around him, its ferocity growing with each passing second. He could hear the crackling sound of wood breaking, the desperate wails of people, but his focus was solely on the door.

He wanted to escape, to find a way out, but his body felt paralyzed. The door, the one escape route, was just in front of him—but his limbs refused to obey. His chest was tight, his heart pounding. What if he couldn't get out in time? What if this was it?

Where were his sons?

"Seo-jun! Seo-min! Seo-jin!" he screamed, his voice hoarse as the flames threatened to consume everything.

But his calls were drowned out by the fire's fury. His breath grew shallow, panic rising as he struggled to move, to make it to the window. The heat was unbearable, but just as he reached for it, something heavy fell onto his back—a massive charred beam of wood. He collapsed under its weight, unable to move, his mind racing, the pain blurring his senses.

And then—nothing.

The world around him blurred into blackness, and his world went silent.

Seo-woo's eyes snapped open, his body jerking upright as he gasped for air. His heart raced in his chest, and his body was covered in a cold sweat. He was no longer lying in the midst of flames but back in his familiar room. His surroundings were peaceful, calm—nothing like the fire-ravaged nightmare he had just experienced.

It was just a dream.

Seo-woo took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. His body still felt heavy, the echoes of his dream lingering, but he couldn't shake the unsettling feeling. The original Seo-woo—the one from the story—was supposed to die in a fire accident, though the novel didn't specify when or where it would happen. All he knew was that it was part of the story, a tragic end for the character that was meant to build up to his eventual rebirth.

He shook his head, trying to push the thoughts away. That's not going to happen. Not to me, he thought firmly. He needed to focus on the present, on his new family.

But the dream still lingered.

Looking at the clock, Seo-woo realized it was already 5 a.m. The morning sun was beginning to rise, but his mind was too restless to sleep. He needed to clear his head, so he decided to go for a jog outside. He slowly got out of bed, taking one last glance at the peaceful room before heading out.

As the morning light filtered through the windows, the triplets slowly stirred from their slumber. The soft rustling of blankets and groggy yawns filled the air. But something felt... off.

They were used to their father's voice calling them to wake up every morning, but today was different. Seo-woo hadn't come in to wake them up. He wasn't in the kitchen, nor the bathroom. His absence was unusual—too unusual.

Seo-jun, always the responsible one, furrowed his brows and immediately felt a sense of dread fill his chest. Where was his father? Was something wrong? He rushed through the house, checking every room.

Did he leave?

The thought felt like a punch in his stomach. His heart raced, and a lump formed in his throat. He called out his father's name, but there was no answer. He ran to his younger siblings, his worry evident in his voice.

"Seo-min! Seo-jin!" he called, his eyes wide with panic. What if something happened? What if Dad really left us?

Seo-min and Seo-jin were confused, seeing the panic in Seo-jun's face. They hadn't realized anything was wrong. They hadn't yet seen the absence of their father the way Seo-jun had.

Seo-jun's face twisted as he became more upset. He looked like he was on the verge of tears. "Where did he go? I thought he left us!"

His words broke Seo-min's heart. He and Seo-jin exchanged glances, both feeling a deep worry that they didn't know how to express. But before they could speak, the door suddenly creaked open.

And there he was.

Seo-woo stood in the doorway, a soft smile on his face, as if he had been away for just a moment. The early morning sunlight illuminated his features, casting a glow on his tired but content face.

Seo-min and Seo-jin's eyes lit up with joy. They ran to him immediately, their small arms wrapping around his waist in relief. "Dad! Where have you been?" they asked, their voices full of concern.

Seo-woo blinked in surprise, still caught off guard by their sudden embrace. Then, his gaze fell on Seo-jun. The eldest was standing off to the side, pouting, his eyes slightly red from his pent-up emotions.

Seo-woo's heart swelled. Seeing the worry in his sons' faces made him feel guilty, but at the same time, it was a relief. They cared so much.

Seo-woo couldn't help but chuckle softly. "I went out for a jog this morning. I thought I could clear my head." His voice was gentle, yet a little embarrassed. "And I bought something for breakfast."

Seo-jun's face softened, his pout turning into a slight frown. "Why didn't you ask us to come? We could've gone together," he said, the hurt still in his voice.

Seo-woo crouched down, lifting his sons up into a tight embrace. "I'm sorry. I just thought I'd go out for a bit. But I'm glad you guys care so much about me." He patted their heads, feeling the warmth of their concern wrap around his heart.

Seo-jun looked at him with teary eyes, and then a small smile crept onto his face. "We can jog together next time, okay?"

Seo-woo smiled, his heart full. "Of course."

With all three of them hugging him tightly, Seo-woo felt like he had everything he needed in the world. Despite the uncertainties, the struggles, and the challenges ahead, his sons' love was all that mattered.

They were his reason to keep moving forward.

And as they broke apart from the hug, Seo-woo's heart felt lighter. The triplets, his precious children, had helped him find peace. The darkness of his nightmare seemed to melt away, replaced by the warmth of his family's love.

"Let's go have breakfast," Seo-woo said with a grin, and the triplets cheered happily in response.

As Seo-woo finished washing the last dish, his mind was still buzzing with the events of the morning. His triplets' worried faces and their affectionate gestures kept replaying in his head. He wasn't sure if he could ever truly express how much they meant to him. But there was no time to dwell on that now. His phone buzzed on the countertop, breaking him from his thoughts.

It was a message from Hye-sung:

"Hey, Seo-woo, sorry for the short notice, but we'll be recording today. The schedule's been crazy with the vocal duo, Lighthouse. I hope that works for you. Let me know."

Seo-woo paused, reading the message carefully. His heart skipped a beat—he'd been waiting for the opportunity to record, and with his temporary privilege almost running out, he didn't want to miss it. He typed back quickly:

"Sounds good! I can make it today. Let me know the time and place."

The response came in almost immediately:

"We'll be recording at my studio, at my place. I'll send you the address."

Seo-woo smiled, feeling a sense of urgency. This was his chance. He quickly checked his phone again when a second message popped up from Hye-sung, detailing the full address of the studio.

Seo-woo sighed in relief. He'd been waiting for something like this, but he couldn't afford to look too familiar. His singing skills were temporary, and he didn't want anyone connecting him to the original story he was trying to escape. He quickly prepared his things—his phone, a few essentials for the recording, and most importantly, a prosthetic nose, makeup to darken his skin, and a few tools to create freckles. He didn't want to be recognized; he needed to stay incognito for as long as possible.

Before he left, he called Auntie Song, who had always been a supportive figure to the triplets.

"Auntie Song, can you look after the kids for me for a little while? I have a meeting with a client," he said, his voice apologetic but steady.

Auntie Song was delighted to help, knowing that the triplets' business was flourishing and that Seo-woo had finally found some stability.

"Of course! I'll make sure they're well taken care of. Don't worry!" Auntie Song's cheerful voice was a source of comfort.

Seo-woo glanced over at his triplets, who were sitting at the table with their arms crossed, their pouting faces turned away from him. They were clearly upset that he was leaving, but it didn't matter how old they were—they always wanted to be with him.

"I'm sorry, you guys," he said softly, walking over to them. "I'll be back soon. I promise I'll bring back lots of toys and food."

He knelt down to their level and, despite their pouty faces, pulled them into a tight hug. He kissed each of their foreheads—Seo-jun, Seo-min, and Seo-jin. His heart ached as he held them close, but he knew that he had to go.

With a final wave, Seo-woo stood up, ready to leave. But as he reached the door, he heard a soft voice calling out from behind him. He turned to see his three children standing in the doorway, waving their little hands.

"Be careful, Dad!" Seo-jun called out, his voice full of concern.

"I love you!" Seo-min and Seo-jin chimed in unison, their faces lighting up with love.

Seo-woo felt his chest tighten. They're so grown up, he thought, almost choking on his emotions. He raised his hand to wave back, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall. "I love you too," he whispered under his breath before he walked out the door.

After hailing a taxi, Seo-woo settled into the back seat, trying to calm his racing thoughts. The drive to Hye-sung's apartment was uneventful, and in less than half an hour, the taxi pulled up in front of a large, sleek, three-floor apartment building. Seo-woo took a deep breath as he got out of the car, feeling a surge of anticipation mixed with nervous energy.

He walked up to the door and rang the doorbell once. The door opened almost immediately, revealing two young men grinning widely. They were both tall, with broad shoulders and friendly smiles that immediately made Seo-woo feel at ease.

"Bi-yong! You're here!" one of them said in a cheerful tone, using Seo-woo's stage name, just as he'd expected. They both stepped aside to let him in, shaking his hand warmly.

"Good to meet you, Bi-yong," the other man said with a wink, his demeanor laid-back and easygoing.

Seo-woo smiled politely, trying to shake off the nerves. These two men were part of Lighthouse, the vocal duo that Hye-sung had mentioned. They were well-known in the music industry for their harmonious vocals and electric stage presence. Seo-woo had heard their music, but meeting them in person was a different experience.

Before he could say much, a voice called from the hallway, and Hye-sung appeared, a mischievous glint in his eye. Without warning, he reached out and pinched the ears of the two men, who yelped in surprise.

"You two, always causing trouble," Hye-sung muttered with a teasing smile.

Seo-woo chuckled, finding the playful banter amusing.

Seo-woo turned to Hye-sung and asked if he could go to the bathroom.

Hye-sung then turned to Seo-woo, guiding him down the hallway. "I'll show you to the bathroom, but first, what's with the tan and the freckles?" he asked, a curious frown crossing his face. "You look completely different."

Seo-woo couldn't help but chuckle in return, his voice slightly raspy from the earlier tension. "You'll see later," he said with a wink, dodging Hye-sung's probing questions.

Hye-sung raised an eyebrow, clearly confused, but he didn't press further. He simply led Seo-woo to the bathroom before they continued with preparations for the recording. As Seo-woo stepped into the bathroom, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building inside him. This was his chance.

In the small bathroom, the warm light from the ceiling lamp cast a soft glow as Seo-woo carefully unwrapped the prosthetic nose from its protective casing. His hands were steady but his mind was racing. He had done this sort of disguise before, but today felt different. His heart beat a little faster as he applied the prosthetic with precision, blending it with makeup to match the dark tan his skin had taken on over the past few days. He meticulously applied the makeup, adjusting the hues to create a believable texture. When he was done, he stepped back to examine himself in the mirror. It was a close call, but the disguise was coming together nicely.

Just as he finished blending in the last bit of makeup, a sudden, loud noise from outside the bathroom made him jump. The brush he had been using slipped from his hand and clattered onto the tile floor. His heart skipped a beat. He quickly bent down to pick it up, wiping his hands in a panic. What had happened?

His pulse quickened as he slowly walked over to the door, careful to keep his movements quiet. He peered around the corner, just enough to catch a glimpse of the hallway. He saw a tall, strikingly cold-looking man standing facing Hye-sung. His jaw tightened instinctively. The man had an air of authority, his sharp features cutting through the room like a blade. This man was none other than Choi Min-ho, the CEO of Dawn Entertainment, and the main villain of the original story. The one who had caused endless turmoil for Seo-woo and others in the novel's twisted timeline.

Seo-woo's breath caught in his throat. He instinctively ducked back behind the bathroom wall, his heart thundering in his chest. Why was he here? He had been trying to avoid any kind of attention, but now, it seemed that fate had decided to throw him right into the lion's den.

From behind the wall, Seo-woo could feel a chill in the air. He could have sworn that Choi Min-ho's eyes briefly flicked toward the bathroom door, and for a moment, it felt like the man had seen right through him. Seo-woo froze. Had he noticed me?

"What an unlucky day," Seo-woo muttered under his breath, his hands trembling slightly as he tried to steady himself. He could hear Hye-sung's voice in the hallway, but it sounded muffled now as if he were talking to someone. He could barely make out the words. A few moments later, a knock came at the door, sharp and urgent.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Open the door," came a deep, commanding voice. It wasn't Hye-sung. The voice was colder, more demanding like the man outside already knew something was wrong. Seo-woo's heart sank into his stomach. It was him. Choi Min-ho.

A nervous sweat broke out on his forehead. What should I do? He hesitated, unsure whether to face Choi Min-ho or to stay hidden in the bathroom. But before he could decide, something unexpected happened.

A new prompt flashed before him on the system's status window:

[Special Quest: Confront Choi Min-ho]

Condition: If Choi Min-ho does not recognize you in your disguise, you will be rewarded with a glimpse of the future of Lighthouse after their comeback.

The temptation was almost too much to resist. Seo-woo had no idea what this reward could be, but the prospect of knowing Lighthouse's future was too intriguing. Lighthouse's success after their comeback was critical in shaping the events of the story, and knowing how things would unfold could give him an advantage. But the fear of being caught was still very real. Could he really go through with it?

I can do this, Seo-woo thought, forcing himself to take a deep breath. It's just a disguise, just a small risk. I'll be fine.

Slowly, he crept toward the door, his hands trembling as he reached for the handle. His heart raced as the knocks on the door grew louder. Knock, knock, knock. The voice came again, this time with more urgency.

"Open the door now, Bi-yong."

His body tensed. Choi Min-ho knew the name, but did he know who was behind the mask? Could the disguise fool him?

Seo-woo closed his eyes for a moment, taking one last deep breath before he turned the handle and opened the door.

There stood Choi Min-ho, his gaze piercing, eyes narrow and calculating. He stood tall, exuding an aura of power that made the air feel thick with tension. But as his eyes landed on Seo-woo, the CEO's expression faltered for just a second.

Seo-woo stood still, trying to maintain his composure, his heart racing. He didn't flinch, though inside, he was panicking. Please don't recognize me, he prayed silently.

Choi Min-ho stared at him for a long moment, his sharp eyes scanning him from head to toe. A flicker of confusion passed over his face, and Seo-woo couldn't help but feel a brief sense of relief. Maybe it was working.

After what felt like an eternity, Choi Min-ho spoke, his voice low and cold. "Who are you?" he asked, his tone filled with a mix of suspicion and curiosity.

Seo-woo swallowed, trying to steady his breathing. He didn't answer right away, just staring at the man. He knew that this was a critical moment. If Choi Min-ho couldn't see through the disguise, he would be rewarded—he would learn about the future of Lighthouse and their inevitable rise. But if he failed... things would go horribly wrong.

"I'm... just a helper who's here to help Hye-sung clean his house," Seo-woo said, his voice steady but hoarse, though it trembled slightly on the inside.

The CEO studied him for a few more seconds, his eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to uncover some hidden truth. Finally, Choi Min-ho let out a low grunt, stepping back with a dismissive wave. "Whatever. Just stay out of my way. I'm not here for you."

Seo-woo's heart skipped a beat. He had done it. Choi Min-ho hadn't recognized him. The tension that had gripped him for the last few minutes began to melt away, and he let out a quiet sigh of relief. Seo-woo tried to signal Hye-sung and the duo to keep quiet about the matter.

But as Choi Min-ho turned to leave, a prompt from the system appeared on Seo-woo's screen:

[Quest Completed]:

Choi Min-ho did not recognize you. You have earned the reward.

New information unlocked: The future of Lighthouse after their comeback.

Seo-woo stared at the screen, excitement bubbling inside him. He had succeeded.

Then the system reappeared, showing: "Do you want to unlock information about the future of Lighthouse after their comeback?"

[Yes] [No]