episode_0019

020

Hero Association 6th floor conference room.

“The person above has not only subjugated monsters but also protected others from danger….”

A man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties was reciting the award ceremony speech on the podium.

The man’s name is Lee Cheol-young.

He was a high-ranking hero affiliated with the association, known as Indomitable, who had defeated numerous monsters and villains.

I discreetly turned my head.

Next to me, Jin So-yeon, who seemed quite tense, was nervously swallowing her saliva. She didn’t seem accustomed to such occasions.

Restlessly shifting her gaze, she soon met my eyes.

“Eek.”

Jin So-yeon flinched, her shoulders trembling.

She seemed slightly embarrassed to be caught in such a nervous state, like a fool.

Eventually, Jin So-yeon composed herself, straightened her posture, and looked up at the podium.

However, it still seemed unnatural.

“The others….”

This time, I shifted my gaze towards the children.

The other children seemed quite bored, listening to the presenter’s words with one ear and letting them out the other.

“Setting an example and becoming a model for society….”

I rolled my eyes.

Beyond the small podium, a large electronic screen was visible.

A single word was displayed prominently on the screen.

[Award Ceremony]

Presentation of awards.

That’s right. The six of us were being awarded for our efforts in subduing the monsters that appeared at the academy.

Of course, one could question why we were being awarded when we already held temporary hero licenses. It was natural for heroes to subdue monsters.

However, considering the fact that we were still students and the incident had taken place at Union Academy, it seemed that the decision to present us with awards took into account social issues.

In other words, it was the adults’ decision.

…This wasn’t mentioned in the game. Ugh. Just when I thought it was a hassle to rehearse the award ceremony in the morning.

I’m really dying of boredom.

“…The award is hereby presented to the recipient, Lee Si-woon.”

….

While lost in thought, Lee Si-woon gracefully accepted the award after bowing politely.

Suddenly, several cameras flashed from behind.

Representatives from the association, clans, and the media were observing the ceremony from a distance. This incident was receiving significant social attention.

It was even being broadcast.

“Yoo Seol-hyun. Hereinafter referred to as an alumna.”

Next.

Yoo Seol-hyun, Seo Nari, Yuriya, and Jin So-yeon received their awards in order.

Jin So-yeon received the award with a stiff expression, trembling as she held out her hand. Why was she so nervous?

Despite not having such experiences before.

Oh, come to think of it, she was like that in middle school too, probably?

“Lee Jin-hyuk. The content is the same as above.”

Finally, it was my turn.

I also accepted the award quietly.

Wow.

I’ve received all kinds of awards in this life.

I didn’t receive much of this in my past life.

“Then we will conclude the award ceremony.”

After a few more words from the presenter, the award ceremony came to an abrupt end.

The prize money was ten million won per person.

It was a substantial amount for students, judging by Jin So-yeon’s slightly excited expression.

“Phew. Is it all over?”

People began approaching us. Many of them. But none came to my side.

Well.

It seems like no one has much interest in me.

It’s understandable.

The others are famous for being part of the SL Group’s Lee Si-woon, Gaon Nuri’s Yoo Seol-hyun, the prodigious fighter Seo Nari, and the apprentice of a great mage, Yuriya, right?

It was natural for those involved to show more interest in them.

Reporters, clan officials, and others surrounded them, bombarding them with questions, and Ishiwoon and his companions were smoothly in the midst of an interview.

Hmm… it’s annoying.

“It feels like we’re just being used for show.”

I chuckled inwardly and quietly moved away from the crowd.

I was a bit worried that people might start paying attention to me, but thankfully no one did.

So, perhaps those who will be watching this scene broadcasted on TV today will be more interested in them than me.

I could feel a slight sense of relief in distancing myself from the attention of those psycho villains…

“Jinhyuk, come with me!”

“Huh?”

As we left the association building and headed towards the bus stop, Jin Soyeon’s voice caught up to me from behind.

Jin Soyeon seemed to have run all the way here, panting slightly.

“Hah, hah… Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

“Oh, sorry. I had it on silent.”

I had put it on silent for the commendation ceremony.

“But aren’t you doing any interviews?”

“Interviews? No way. Ugh, I almost died from nervousness. You know I have camera phobia.”

Was there such a setting?

“And from now on, there’s no point in showing my face for no reason. Do you know how many girls will be jealous of my looks and leave hate comments? Ugh, dealing with that is really tiring.”

Although Jin Soyeon was spouting words like a terminal case of princess syndrome, she had experienced receiving hate comments and text harassment from many girls who envied her looks when she was chosen as a school promotional ambassador in middle school.

“Being too pretty is also a flaw, right?”

“….”

“Hey, hey! Jinhyuk, come with me!”

Giving Jin Soyeon a blank look, I soon moved on, and she quickly caught up with me.

“Where are you going without acknowledging me?”

“I feel like I’ve been talking nonsense today.”

Jin Soyeon pouted her lips and stuck close to me.

“Nonsense? It was all true.”

“Yes, yes.”

Although I responded half-heartedly, Jin Soyeon’s face was beaming with joy.

Judging from how tightly she was holding the commendation certificate, she seemed to be in a good mood because of it.

She kept smiling even when she was silent, so I had no choice but to ask her a question.

“Are you that happy to receive the commendation?”

“Oh, well…”

Jin Soyeon momentarily controlled her expression.

Perhaps feeling a bit embarrassed, her cheeks were slightly flushed.

“No, well… It’s not just because I received the commendation…”

Glancing at my face, Jin Soyeon suddenly burst into a bright smile.

“…It feels like I’m one step closer to our dream.”

“Our dream? Ah, to become the greatest hero?”

She nodded vigorously, clutching the commendation certificate tightly.

“Exactly. Isn’t it our dream…?”

“Our dream?”

Confused by my question, Jin Soyeon furrowed her brows and mumbled.

“What? Didn’t we promise to become the greatest and most outstanding heroes together? This commendation can be seen as the first step, right?”

“I’m not so sure.”

To become outstanding heroes…

I felt more than anyone else that it was a futile delusion, so I could only respond with a bitter smile.

“Have you forgotten that I’m the Union’s bottom rank? I’ll be satisfied if I can graduate and work a simple job…”

“Haha, don’t worry. If I succeed, I’ll hire you as my sidekick.”

Jin Soyeon’s sidekick?

Well, Jin Soyeon will become the greatest hero representing South Korea in the future, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to work as her sidekick.

Of course, under the condition that there are no other male protagonists by her side.

“Jinhyuk, Jinhyuk.”

“What?”

“Thank you.”

“Why out of the blue?”

Suddenly, Jin Soyeon stopped in her tracks.

I, too, stopped walking and looked at her.

Jin Soyeon raised her head with clear eyes and met my gaze.

“…I lost my mind for a moment back then. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to regain my composure.”

The fear that had gripped Jin Soyeon when faced with the monstrous presence had passed through my mind.

It was her first time experiencing such a sticky and ominous aura, and all she could do was tremble.

Of course, it wasn’t just Jin Soyeon.

The other kids were also struggling to catch their breath, unable to shake off their fear. So it was quite awkward, but it was a relief that they quickly regained their composure.

“Honestly, when the monster appeared at the academy, I thought I was going to die of fear. I had never seen such a strong monster before, and it was like my first real battle.”

Given the possibility of death with one wrong move, Jin Soyeon’s reaction was a natural course of action.

“In the future, as we work as heroes, we’ll probably experience similar situations to this one several times, right?”

Jin Soyeon forced a bitter smile.

It was clear that she was still troubled by what had happened.

Whether she liked it or not, it was a fight for her life, so the memory would remain vivid.

“But.”

Suddenly, Jin Soyeon looked at me and said, “I still want to become a hero.”

Her clear eyes were fixed on her goal.

“Becoming a hero… is my dream.”

“Yes.”

The enemies she would face in the future would be even stronger and more threatening than this time.

She would probably have to repeat experiences where she could lose her life.

She would waver, hesitate, and suffer each time, but… despite everything, Jin Soyeon would never give up, just like today.

Yes.

Jin Soyeon was the protagonist.

The heroine chosen by this world.

She was the one and only protagonist, the hero among heroes who would defeat countless villains alone, Jin Soyeon, her destiny and future.

***

Night.

It was a dark night.

“I hate being a hero.”

Under the dark night sky where only the moonlight descended.

The back alley filled with a nauseating smell and an eerie silence was only occupied by dark shadows.

As the faint moonlight shone on the back alley when the dim clouds drifted far away.

The dirty ground of the gloomy alley was littered with glass shards, cigarette butts, used condoms, food scraps, and more.

And there was a girl there.

“Why do I hate being a hero?”

The girl, reminiscent of the moon, eventually lowered her gaze.

“Aren’t you curious?”

Jin Soyeon’s black hair contrasting with the girl’s white hair.

Jin Soyeon’s bright eyes contrasting with the girl’s eyes that sank softly like the moon.

“Huh? Why no answer?”

“Grr, ugh, ugh, ack.”

The white-haired girl laughed gleefully as she trampled on the bloodied hero’s head. It seemed like she was truly enjoying it. This situation seemed quite amusing to her.

And it was as if… she enjoyed stepping on heroes like a villain.