Morning – Aurora Hills, Front Gate
The estate was unusually quiet. The breeze carried the soft scent of blooming jasmine across the lawns.
Then the chime rang.
An unexpected guest stood at the gate.
He wore a simple navy suit, no tie, no smile. Gray streaks through his hair, a cane in one hand, and a briefcase in the other.
His name tag read:
> "Choi Daejin – Private Diplomatic Advisor, United Nations (Retired)"
Sena reviewed the security feed. "He arrived alone. No escort. No drone surveillance. He didn't even call ahead."
Jihye frowned. "He's not on any blacklist, but… this man is no amateur."
Jiwoo, already walking toward the door, calmly said,
"Let him in."
---
Courtyard – Moments Later
Choi Daejin sat across from Jiwoo beneath the shade of the silver magnolia tree. Tea was poured. Silence lingered.
Then, without any formalities, Choi spoke:
> "I've spent 40 years working behind curtains, negotiating between governments, militaries, and corporations. I know what power looks like. I know what fear looks like. And I know what you are doing, Jiwoo."
The air stilled.
Jiwoo didn't flinch.
"I don't need your name. I don't need proof. But I've tracked 37 independent cases of unexplained societal change. Mental health recoveries. Crime drops. Economic stabilization—all traced back to unclaimed, unnamed funding."
Choi leaned closer.
"You are changing the world, without asking for permission. And that scares the people I used to work for."
---
Inside – Circle Strategy Room
The girls listened silently to the live feed.
Eunsol: "He knows. Not everything… but enough."
Nayun: "Should we cut the feed? Hide Jiwoo?"
Jihye shook her head. "No. Let Jiwoo decide."
---
Back in the Courtyard
Choi gently placed a sealed envelope on the table.
"This," he said, "is a request. From former officials. From silent watchers. From people who want to help you… or stop you."
> "Come speak with us in Geneva. In secret. One time.
You choose what to reveal.
Or choose not to come—and risk being labeled a threat."
Jiwoo took the envelope without opening it.
Choi stood.
"I'm not your enemy. But the world has never been kind to invisible power."
Before he left, he paused and turned back.
"…But I've never seen anything more hopeful than what you're building."
And with that, he disappeared down the road.
---
Evening – Aurora Hills, Circle Chamber
The group gathered around the sealed envelope, untouched in Jiwoo's hand.
Noeun: "It could be a trap."
Mirae: "Or an opportunity."
Sena: "If they fear us… that means we've already succeeded."
Yoori: "But what happens if they try to own peace?"
Jiwoo stared at the letter.
Then calmly tore it in half.
"I don't need an audience. Not theirs."
> [System Update: External Negotiation Request Declined]
[Effect: Increased Monitoring from Global Entities – But Public Narrative Remains Silent]
[New Trait Gained: "Peace Deflector" – Threats against your identity now dissolve before reaching you.]
Jihye smiled. "That's the Jiwoo I know."
---
Late Night – Roof of Aurora Hills
Jiwoo sat alone under the stars, golden notebook open.
He didn't write today.
He just stared at the sky… and smiled.
Because he knew now, more than ever:
> "They could watch. They could whisper. They could wonder."
But they would never understand—
That true peace doesn't come from control.
It comes from trusting silence.
---
System Notification – Midnight
> [Congratulations. You have passed the "Test of Influence."]
[Your next phase begins: World Without You]
[Objective: Can your mission survive… if you were gone tomorrow?]
Jiwoo closed the notebook gently.
And whispered to the wind,
"…Let's find out."
--