Ch.100Now the End? (2)

Everything was strange.

“Um, Mom…? Is it really you?”

“Yes, my precious daughter.”

Marna asked with a trembling voice, and Councilor Blamashu answered with a gentle smile.

Until recently, there had been shocking incidents of A-rank heroes being murdered one after another, and simultaneously, Blamashu, who was known as a notoriously cruel stepmother, had suddenly transformed into a loving mother.

It was confusing.

However, Marna seemed to have no time to feel such dissonance.

The sense of liberation from escaping her hellish abuse seemed to have covered all doubts.

As evidence, she was now tightly embracing Blamashu and sobbing uncontrollably.

Like an overwhelming wave of emotions.

I silently watched the scene and thought.

…By the way, what would happen to the exam in the midst of such a commotion?

The Hero Exam was one of the most significant events held in Hero City.

It was something that couldn’t be postponed even at a national level.

I knew that even if murder cases occurred, the exam would ultimately proceed.

But it wasn’t just one or two A-rank heroes who had been killed, but several.

Could the exam properly continue amidst such a catastrophe?

Just as my thoughts were becoming complicated.

“Hmm! So here are the main participants of the second exam.”

A woman approaching while clapping her hands caught my eye.

She was none other than the person who was reportedly attacked in the VIP room recently.

It was Councilor Avanka, still maintaining her relaxed smile.

“Councilor Avanka?”

“…We heard you were attacked?”

When Zero asked with surprised eyes, Councilor Avanka shrugged.

Looking at her, I felt it again.

No matter how much influence she had within Hero City, she was essentially an “ordinary person.”

Yet, even in this situation, she could maintain such composure.

Honestly, it was uncomfortable even to face her.

But whether she knew about my discomfort or not, Councilor Avanka suddenly began to sob while wiping her eyes.

“Hic… huu…”

“!”

We all froze momentarily.

“Suddenly, a strange attacker burst into the VIP room.”

“An attacker…”

Zero muttered in disbelief.

“Yes. Of course, I was in a position to be threatened… but I didn’t expect them to barge in so blatantly. As a result… several A-rank heroes who were guarding me lost their lives instead of me.”

Councilor Avanka continued her story with genuine sadness.

Those tears, at least on the surface, seemed real.

‘It’s not… an act.’

I muttered inwardly.

She was clearly grieving.

Like a human being sincerely mourning those who had sacrificed themselves for her.

But that sadness was brief.

Councilor Avanka soon wiped away her tears and spoke again with a calm face.

“Anyway, there’s another reason I came to find you all. It’s because of the upcoming ‘announcement of successful candidates.'”

“Successful candidates…”

“Announcement?!”

We all asked in surprise.

Announcement of successful candidates?

The Hero Exam typically had a structure that progressed from the first, second, to third rounds.

And the third exam was literally the ‘final’ test, notorious for being the most difficult stage.

But this time…?

Councilor Avanka smiled at our reaction and looked behind her.

“Ah, you’ve arrived just in time. The person who will directly notify you of your acceptance.”

We turned our heads following her gaze.

“So the examinees who were tested by Hero Hoshino are gathered here.”

A familiar, composed voice was heard.

“Arcana Spear…?”

Someone murmured softly.

“…! So that’s the legendary, currently strongest S-rank No. 1…”

The figure walking from a distance was dressed in a neat uniform and wore a symbolic magical hat.

Arcana Spear.

She was the absolute ruler who reigned as the strongest in the hero world.

The mere fact that she had come here in person made it hard to breathe.

Meanwhile, Eclipse, feeling her pressure, instinctively gulped.

Similarly, Deep Sea, following its dense monster instincts, quickly hid behind me. As if trying to use me as a shield.

Arcana Spear looked around lightly, then said quietly.

“Everyone gathered here has achieved excellent results in the second exam. Most of you have sufficiently proven your potential of at least E-rank.”

And then she continued.

“All of you will be considered ‘passed’ from this moment on.”

“W-what?!”

“That easily…?”

We were all astonished.

We never expected to receive final acceptance without taking the third exam.

And directly from the highest authority in Hero City, no less.

My heart started racing at this unbelievable reality.

***

I really received it.

The Hero License.

The card-sized plastic certificate in my hand clearly showed my photo and name, and the grade ‘E-rank’ was distinctly engraved, proving that I had just become a hero.

“I passed the hero exam…”

I murmured, looking at the license.

“Indeed you did.”

Miss Hoshino, standing beside me, smiled gently as she looked down at my license with me.

It wasn’t just me.

The teammates who had formed a team with me in this exam were also holding their hero licenses, unable to hide their joy.

Normally, the Hero Association would have held a grand celebration party to welcome the new batch.

Various offices would have offered sidekick positions to the new heroes, and the entire city would have been filled with elaborate celebrations.

But now it was different.

Perhaps because of the unprecedented incident where many A-rank heroes who participated as examiners were murdered, all festivals and events were completely canceled.

As a result, the atmosphere was quiet.

It was unfortunate, but becoming a hero alone was satisfying enough.

“Congratulations, Janghoon.”

Miss Hoshino said with a sincere voice.

“Thank you, Miss.”

I smiled shyly and carefully put the license in my pocket.

Now it really seemed like everything was over.

“So… is it all over now?”

“Yes. I heard all celebratory events were canceled due to this attack incident. They said there will be an official announcement soon, so everyone can go home for now.”

Miss Hoshino answered with a shrug.

There was no reason to forcibly stay in this situation.

I nodded and naturally prepared to go home.

“Oh, what about Carmilla?”

“I’ll stay here.”

Carmilla answered quietly.

“I want to investigate the incident a bit more. And… I’m also concerned about Marna.”

“I guess you would be.”

Her gaze was distant.

There was Councilor Blamashu.

Sitting in a chair, she was singing a lullaby carefully to Marna, who had fallen asleep on her lap after crying herself out.

The scene was strange yet somehow heart-wrenching.

I could understand why Carmilla was worried about Marna.

Carmilla herself had experienced terrible abuse like Marna when she was young.

I approached, wondering if there was anything I could do to help.

“It’s okay.”

Carmilla shook her head.

“But…”

As I tried to continue with concern, she added with a smile.

“Even with all this happening, today is still a day to celebrate. Janghoon, just for today, fully enjoy your acceptance.”

Her consideration warmed my heart.

Normally, Miss Hoshino would have intervened at this point, glaring and saying, “Hey! Don’t talk to Janghoon anymore!”

But this time, she seemed to quietly respect Carmilla’s feelings.

“…See you next time.”

I said quietly.

“Yes, I’ll look forward to it.”

After exchanging brief but sincere greetings, we headed our separate ways.

Now it really seemed to be over.

“Can I come with you too?”

Eclipse raised her hand enthusiastically and tried to follow.

“Know when to butt in.”

“Heeeng…”

Eclipse backed away with teary eyes, and Silmyeong had already returned to my shadow.

Now there was only one left.

Deep Sea, who had hidden its monster identity and participated in the exam.

“That guy… he’s already gone?”

Looking around, Deep Sea was nowhere to be seen.

It was suspicious, but I didn’t bother to chase after him.

If it were a Level 1 monster-class being, it would have revealed its true nature when hunting A-rank heroes.

And if this incident had been the work of a monster, I would have known by now.

I decided to let Deep Sea go just this once.

But then.

“Congratulations on passing, Chanwoo.”

A familiar voice was heard.

“Ah, Councilor Avanka…”

Councilor Avanka approached me with Zero.

Miss Hoshino’s expression hardened momentarily at the sight.

However, it wasn’t a situation where she could chase them away.

I carefully took Miss Hoshino’s hand to calm her down, then turned my attention to Councilor Avanka.

She spoke with a gentle smile.

“Despite some unfortunate incidents, I had something I wanted to ask Janghoon personally.”

“What is it?”

I blinked at the unexpected proposal.

And then came the words from Councilor Avanka’s mouth.

“Would you consider becoming Hero City’s ‘ambassador’?”

“…Pardon?”

I froze on the spot.