Morning – Global Newsfeed, South Korea Trending
> #AuroraEffect
"A silent billionaire continues to shift Korea's social landscape without revealing his face. Welfare, education, clean housing—who is behind Aurora Hills?"
> #PolarisCapital
"Rumors swirl that 'Polaris' is a young man under 30. Every media outlet wants the first photo, but not even drones can catch him."
---
Aurora Hills – Study Room
Sena scrolled through encrypted news feeds, her brow furrowed.
"Another three fake exposés today," she said, her tone neutral. "One even claimed you were a retired idol."
Jiwoo poured himself tea. "They'll keep guessing."
"Someone's offering ten billion won to anyone who gets a photo of you."
"That won't matter," Yoori said, sipping beside him. "This house shields what the world doesn't deserve to see."
Mirae leaned in from the music corner. "You still never told us why you don't show your face. Not even once."
Jiwoo looked out the window, sunlight touching his face but never fully revealing it.
"Because this story isn't about me. It's about what can exist when greed stops leading."
> [System Update: "Anonymity Path" reinforced. Media manipulation immunity at maximum.]
[Your presence now feels mythical to the outside world.]
---
Later That Day – Aurora HQ Lobby, Seoul
Jihye stood with Nayun as they welcomed a group of nervous high school students into the mentorship program. Their uniforms were worn. Their eyes, tired. But their hope? Fierce.
One girl clutched a folded paper in her fist.
Jihye gently asked, "What's that, sweetie?"
The girl opened it.
It was a photo of her and her little brother—drawn in pencil.
"Someday… I want to make books," she whispered.
Nayun knelt and held her hands. "You will. This place is where those dreams begin."
Behind the glass, Jiwoo watched silently.
He didn't need to interrupt.
He just needed to keep it going.
> [System: Ripple Expansion Active – Generation Impact Level 1 Achieved]
[Effect: 10,000+ lives now subtly touched by Inner Circle decisions]
---
Evening – Soyeon's Apartment
Soyeon sat in her living room, television off. She stared at the latest article:
> "Mysterious Patron of Aurora Declines Global Wealth Index Recognition"
She threw her phone across the room.
"He keeps growing… and I keep shrinking."
Her friend Minji texted:
> [Minji 💄]: "Forget him. You're still successful. You just… made the wrong bet."
> [Minji 💄]: "You could still fix it. Just play it smarter."
Soyeon typed.
Then deleted the message.
Then typed again.
> [Soyeon]: "You don't fix what you left to rot. You learn to live with the silence it leaves behind."
She turned off her phone.
And for the first time, she didn't cry.
She just sat in the dark and listened.
---
Midnight – Aurora Hills Rooftop Garden
Eunsol practiced a new piece on a portable keyboard while the others lounged on floor cushions nearby. Mirae scribbled lyrics. Noeun handed out herbal tea. Yoori gently combed Sena's tangled hair while reading aloud from a novel.
Jiwoo watched them all from the edge of the garden, standing barefoot on the wood.
He looked up at the moon, his heart calm.
Until—
> [System Alert: External Interruption Detected]
Name: Park Seojin
CEO, WorldTech Media Group
Status: Attempting Direct Contact via Anonymous Route
Offer: 200 Billion KRW for exclusive interview and global debut of your identity.
Jiwoo's eyes narrowed.
Yoori looked over. "Something wrong?"
He showed her the alert.
She read it. Slowly. Quietly.
Then smiled.
"Do you want me to respond?"
"No," Jiwoo said. "Silence is more expensive."
He tapped a single option:
> [Decline. Silence Maintained. Legacy Continues Unseen.]
> [System Confirmation: Your value increases as your presence decreases.]
The girls returned to their conversations, the wind whispering through the trees, the stars brighter than ever.
No need for revenge.
No need for cameras.
This was not a kingdom of gold.
This was a home made of healing.
---