To dwindle upon an impossible task lied along the borderline of foolishness and fathomless faith. Woohyun was aware he should not have made promises hardly possible to follow through. Yet, in that spur moment when the woman placed her entire faith in him, he could not bear the weight of guilt following the loss of hope in her soulful eyes.   All night, he exerted his creativity and logic into formulating a scheme. It was rather brilliant, if he said so himself, and he hardly found a flaw that could plummet it to failure. This brilliance never found its place between Kim Sunggyu’s recognition—the man’s arrogance blinded him to the talented individuals surrounding him.   “We need two men who are of age to enter a brothel,” he told Hyunmi first thing in the morning when they were, once again, the earliest to rise. He had suspected to find her alone in the kitchen before sunrise, but her agitated movements presumed she had been as eager to meet him.   “One being yourself—”   “My apologies, I meant two people aside from myself. My familiar presence would only obstruct this plan from succeeding.”   Hyunmi nearly choked on his words, refusing to accept he frequented such a sinful place to the point of inviting familiarity. She had come to believe he was a man as noble in his moral values as his speech made him out to be. However, this revelation burdened her heart with the heaviness of disappointment, an emotion she could not conceal behind her parted lips and devastated eyes.   “Oh, no, not in that sense, dear,” Woohyun quickly corrected, chuckling at her face of aghast. Deep frowns painted her forehead, and he wondered whether they were a result of her misconception, or a reaction towards the term of endearment he chose to test.   “Then why should you be familiar?” She questioned, and he noted the absence of protest towards the endearing term. It made his lips slip into a quick smile.   “Why, because I am handsome and wealthy. For those two notions, I have become well known throughout town.”   Hyunmi’s stifled a small chuckle against her will, a feathery relief springing her heart. The statement was as arrogant as it was true. During his persistence to invite her to Mrs. Kim Seulyi’s party, Rika recognized his name as that of a wealthy aristocrat. Perhaps the entire world had been aware of his presence before she came to learn of him, and yet, she selfishly coveted his time for herself in dire moments of need.   “Daeyeol,” she offered the name of an orphan who would aid them. The remaining orphans were too young to permit access. Dongwoo was the only other person of age, but his mental condition obstructed him from partaking in the dangerous activity.   When the sun rose, they barged into Daeyeol’s room using stealth that kept a wealthy man fast asleep during a time of robbery. After a brief explanation, he was inclined to join. Despite being one of the older ones tasked as a protector, in him lied an adventurous spirit waiting to be released into the wilderness.   “I have to dress you as a noble man,” Woohyun said, taking some of his luxurious outfits to try on the lad. Daeyeol was much taller than he was, and aside from the trousers that barely covered the entirety of his tall legs, the clothes transformed him into a wealthy individual.   Hyunmi stood mesmerized, staring at him with the pride of a mother. His appearance reminded her of the day she had discovered him, clothed in loneliness and tears, yet dressed as a spoiled rich boy. For a moment her thoughts drifted to the world of possibilities, wondering whether the luxurious outfit would define Daeyeol’s daily life had he not ended up at their home. Wondering whether a family member would come had they recognized the golden robin emblem on his vest. What if she had actually obstructed him from a better future?   “Although I commence you both for this gallant pursuit, how will I know I am to rescue the correct girl? What if I took a maiden who had chosen to earn money in such a place? I would be convicted for abducting her,” Daeyeol raised an excellent concern, discovering a flaw in Woohyun’s overnight plan.   “Perhaps you should forgo your fame,” Hyunmi suggested to Woohyun, a grim line tilting the corner of her lips. She suggested him to take the role up himself, though a part of her knew and expected a resistance.   Woohyun could hardly tell whether she jested using her usual derision, or believed him to be the type to wander into such places. The thought itself offended him. “I may have done wrong and am no saint, but never will I ever set foot at a brothel. The entirety of me shall eventually belong to one woman only.”   “And would you treat your lovely wife as a property under your ownership, Mr. Nam?” She continued asking, again stating her perspective of the rich. The coldness of her tone distanced last night’s conversation into a foreign memory; the gallant beating of her heart nearly fictional.   To Woohyun who was skilled with his sweet words, he only saw an opportunity to attack. With confidence, he charmingly replied, “If I told you the manner with which I shall pamper my future wife, I fear you shall want me all for yourself.”   Prior to her change of opinion regarding the rich man, she would easily deflect him without humor, but now she laughed. “Your words would bear more believability had I been convinced of the goodness of a marriage.”   “It is for that reason I am here. One matter at a time, dear Hyunmi.”   “It’s Miss Hyunmi,” she corrected sternly. She fought her urge to smile, but Daeyeol caught the faintest hint of a smile appearing as quick as it departed.   “Um,” Daeyeol quickly interrupted after having to listen to their barter of coquettish words, “I have yet to obtain knowledge of the girl’s appearance.”   “Ah! There is one other person who has sighted that girl other than myself,” Woohyun said, though he was certain the other would refuse a helping hand. “Lee Sungjong.”   And thus he learned of Hyunmi’s persistence, who without a word strode to the front door. Her sense for justice and equality drove her unfledged actions, only coming to regret it later. In a way, it was a quality he came to admire, and the growing smile on his face reflected it all.   ***   “I refuse to participate in such petulance behavior. Why should we rescue a person who does not have kind words to spare?”   As expected, Sungjong keenly rejected the idea despite not having heard the entire proposal. His status as a scholar and the subject of theology did not soften his heart to the pariahs. His eyes of condemnation watched their every move, falling upon Daeyeol whom he had never met before.   “And who may you be?” He questioned harshly, squinting his eyes into a glare. He would not extend his hand until confirming the other’s social class.   “My name is Daeyeol, sir,” the tall lad answered nervously.   Sungjong raised his eyebrows, detecting clues of his status through his speech. The dress of a nobleman could not hide the behavior of a servant. “What is your family name, Mr. Daeyeol?”   “I am an orp—”   “Ah! Perhaps the girl was upset regarding the collision!” Woohyun quickly interrupted, knowing Sungjong would shut the door once he learned of Daeyeol’s status as an orphan. “With her line of occupation, it is normal to get upset.”   “Hah! Spare me the sympathy. That shameful harlot chose a morose occupation for herself. Such a disgrace is not deserving of our mercy,” Sungjong continued speaking, harsher and filled with malign. He even tugged a smirk, averting his gaze from them.   “And yet you claim to study theology? Please do enlighten us regarding the course of your studies when you can’t perform the basic act of kindness,” Hyunmi now spoke, losing her patience, gritting her teeth on a forced smile. “Were you not taught to help the needy? Did you suppose the needy came in the form of fancy upperclass women who bedazzle you with their fine speech? Or do you choose the audience God has set before you, selecting whom to help and reject for the benefit of your own gain?”   Sungjong’s mouth fell open, appalled at her blatant accusations. His fingers pressed firmer around the doorknob, feeling the heat of anger rising to his head. He turned to Woohyun who shrugged, as if to say he had also been on the receiving end of her lashing. Oh, he certainly had, multiple times.   “You must remember, it is not they who are healthy that need a physician, but those who are sick. If you truly wish to help, you ought to start with those who require it the most,” Hyunmi continued, eyes hard.   Sungjong squinted at the woman in front, then turned to Woohyun. “I detest her as much as I detest you, Mr. Woohyun. She is as equally impertinent as you are. What a wonderful pair you two make,” he spoke sarcastically.   “Why thank you, it is for that reason I think she is quite beguiling,” Woohyun said. And when he watched Sungjong reluctantly step out of his house and lock the door behind him, Woohyun stared at Hyunmi with ardour. She would’ve made a wonderful partner; in the way he used his charm to appeal to women, she possessed the gift to persuade men into agreement. Yet, something about the thought did not appeal to him, and he would rather keep her talent hidden from Kim Sunggyu.   “Thank you, Mr. Lee. You shall be rewarded for your kindness,” Hyunmi spoke with a friendliness that juxtaposed her earlier lecture, earning a grunt in response.   “I do not wish for you to speak any more. And I insist you call me Mr. Sungjong instead; no one addresses me by my family name.”   Woohyun laughed at his foolish request. “She would never call men by their given na—”   “If it pleases you, Mr. Sungjong,” Hyunmi interjected, nullifying Woohyun’s entire statement. She flashed him a playful smirk, emphasizing the jesting was truly a dedication to him. The look of shock on his face, as she had come to expect, was worth the small mischief.   ***   Heading towards their destination, Woohyun briefed the rest of the plan. The entire street contained rows and rows of brothels, adding an impossibility to their rescue mission. ion was a popular occupation, calling out to single and married man alike to indulge themselves in the pleasure of sin. Many women chose to neglect shame and pride in order to earn wealth. Young girls were abducted; their free will and body stripped off of them.   “How many women do you suppose are held captive against their will?” Hyunmi asked, eyeing each building with remorse. Such was the hardship faced by the poor: unethical working condition and inhumane treatments, simply for the merit of earning a living. And if by some sort of miracle they manage to get wed, the hard earned effort becomes currency of the husband.   “Perhaps many, but it is impossible to save them all. The size of your house makes it illogical to contain them, and the street has a higher chance of welcoming them,” Woohyun commented, eyes still searching around. When they rested on Hyunmi, he noticed the fall in her expression. How he hated being the reason for her dejection, but with a mind as determined as hers, she was bound to face hindrances of reality.   “Don’t be mistaken, H