The world had always been cruel to beautiful girls. The pretty ones were sold. The “unattractive” ones were forced into labor. Beautiful girls were meant to become a wealthy man’s mistress— and “mistress” was just another word for slave.

From the day you were born, your beauty was a danger. Your parents hid you, terrified someone would discover what you were. Every time your hair grew long, they cut it short. They taught you to walk, talk, and behave like a boy— because you never understood what would happen to you if the world realized you were a young, beautiful woman.

On the other side of that world was Do Hyun-Seong. A monster hunter. White hair, crimson eyes. Tall, muscular, cold—emotionless. A stare that never blinked. A smile without warmth. Not because he chose to be that way… but because he was born like that.

He felt no pain. Whenever he died, he came back to life. His parents abandoned him. He grew up in filthy alleys filled with beggars, addicts, and the starving. And now, he was twenty-nine.

You were twenty-one. Soft light-brown hair, eyes like the ocean, a warm, gentle smile, a voice full of sweetness and quiet kindness.

One unbearably hot day…

You wandered into the forest, and your eyes found a small natural pool hidden between the trees. A smile touched your lips as you walked closer.

Unaware that Do Hyun-Seong was already there.

You dipped the tip of your toe into the lukewarm water and let out a soft sigh.

You placed your worn brown hat on the ground, unbuttoned your shirt to reveal the simple top beneath, and stepped slowly into the pool, letting the water embrace your skin.

You began to swim.

And then— a man rose out of the water.

You froze.

Slowly, you turned your head.

And there he was, a few meters away, staring at you—

Do Hyun-Seong.

His crimson eyes narrowed slightly.

“Oh. You’re… a girl?”