The onlookers couldn’t hide their shock, each reacting with varying degrees of alarm.

Seongho, meanwhile, casually demonstrated his weapon’s ability, lengthening and shortening the blade with ease while twirling it in his hand.

“She must’ve thought it was fascinating,” he said, his voice steady. “That’s why she tried to take it.”

In an instant, what had seemed like a flimsy excuse now carried a sense of legitimacy.

“I wasn’t looking for trouble at first—I tried to restrain her,” he continued. “But she completely lost it. She wouldn’t stop.”

His gaze locked onto Oh Jonghyuk’s.

“In that kind of situation, was …