Ch.102Episode 21. Issue (End)

After taking down the villain, I had no choice but to delay my flight due to cleanup issues and compensation matters for defeating the villain.

Arriving in Jeju Island two hours later than scheduled, I was greeted by Kang Sujin wearing a straw hat and a black t-shirt. As soon as she saw me, she started chattering away.

“Welcome. I heard you took down a villain on your way here. Impressive. Oh, look, it’s even on the news. There must have been reporters at the airport. Heh heh.”

Looking at the television Kang Sujin pointed to, I saw footage of the villain at Gimpo Airport flying backward from my punch.

Following that was condensed footage of my match with Yeonhwaryong, with commentators beginning to speculate whether this marked the birth of a new S-class hero.

Weren’t those videos supposed to be confiscated?!

I’m on the verge of tears at this completely unwanted situation.

I should have waited a bit longer. I just had to show off.

“Ah, yes…”

Now it’s impossible to avoid being officially recorded.

Someone will surely question my qualifications as a hero, but if Wolgang’s claim about killing a Jipyeong executive is true, there will be plenty of room for leniency.

However, since I was meant to be a villain character, I needed to be wary of any other potential skeletons in my closet.

“I’m looking forward to your activities here in Jeju as well.”

“Pardon?”

Kang Sujin smiled meaningfully at my dumbfounded response.

Activities here…?

Don’t tell me, the Association President…!

“I heard from the Association President. He said that since you’re traveling in Jeju, you might be asked to help out. There are other A-class heroes stationed in Jeju, but apparently they’re busy with other matters.”

Other matters…

Did he assign them to scout the situation and report back before I start my operation?

“Anyway, I’ve been briefed that a Chinese villain organization, Black Fang, is making a deal with Akcheon. Instructor Yoo Jin, I heard you’re supposed to wait until other heroes contact you?”

“…Yes, I heard that too.”

While I wanted to handle it immediately, the Association President ordered me to wait briefly so we could determine what Akcheon was planning with the Chinese villain organization and what the deal entailed.

I didn’t refuse the order since I also needed to confirm Akcheon’s intentions, especially with how much the story had changed.

However, I already had some specific ideas about the content of the deal.

It was likely a trade involving “Comfort,” a deadly poison that could be used to manipulate heroes by threatening civilian lives. Or perhaps the “eX” drug. If not those, then human trafficking or narcotics.

Either way, I believe “Comfort” is the most likely option.

It’s the drug that will appear soonest from the current timeline.

It would certainly attract a buyer’s interest.

From what I know, the development of Comfort was completed about four months after Bin Yoon-i joined Akcheon.

But since I have Bin Yoon-i with me, the development timeline would naturally be delayed, and the efficiency of the developed drug would inevitably be lower.

That’s why I’ve been able to take my time until now.

“I heard that heroes will contact me after I rest a bit at the accommodation.”

“That’s right.”

“But aren’t you on vacation with Yeon-i? Is it okay for me to intrude like this?”

“It’s fine. Villains don’t schedule their activities around my vacation, and if villains are running amok near me, I have no choice but to subdue them. That’s the fate of being a hero.”

“Even so, for a potential call… why did you come to meet me during your vacation? Other heroes could have done it. Did the Association President make you give up your vacation?”

If that’s the case, I’ll grab the Association President by the collar and shake him for you.

“Ah, no. I volunteered.”

She smiled and waved her hands from side to side. Surprisingly, her answer was negative. What a shame.

“What? Why?”

“Because I wanted to spar with you while you wait. Opportunities to spar with an S-class aren’t that common, you know?”

“…Is that okay when the operation might start today?”

“I won’t help until you request assistance anyway. I’ll continue enjoying my vacation leisurely, so don’t worry.”

“Aren’t you worried about me?”

“Come on. You’re the instructor who defeated S-class Yeonhwaryong. You won’t have any trouble with the operation because of me.”

Though it does hurt my pride a bit.

She muttered the last part quietly, then showed a friendly gummy smile.

“Besides, our Yeon-i really wants to travel with you, Instructor. As a mother, how could I refuse?”

“Ah…”

I didn’t mention it because I didn’t want to impose…

It seems impossible to quietly handle the job and escape. Looks like I’m stuck going on a Jeju vacation too.

“Let’s leave it at that for now and head out. I’ll guide you to our accommodation.”

Our accommodation? Don’t tell me I’m supposed to wait at the same place where Jeong Yeon’s family is staying?

This is such an imposition. They came for a family vacation.

This sly person—I’m confiscating a month’s worth of herbal medicine.

* * *

I hitched a ride in Kang Sujin’s rental car as we headed to the accommodation.

It was a pristine white mansion with a clear view of the blue-green beach. Even at a glance, it was large enough for an extended family to live comfortably.

“Thank you.”

As I got out of the car and looked at the mansion, I suddenly heard someone calling me.

“Instructor Yoo Jin!!”

Jeong Yeon came bounding out like a dog welcoming its owner to a countryside home after months away, her eyes shining. If she had a tail, it would surely be wagging.

“Why didn’t you tell me! That you were coming to Jeju for work.”

Grabbing my hand without hesitation and shaking it, Jeong Yeon wore a white t-shirt matching her hair color, paired with daring hot pants and sandals.

“I’m here for work, and you’re on vacation. I couldn’t intrude.”

“Intrude? Not at all!”

Her energy seemed twice as high as when she was at the academy, probably because she was on vacation.

“…Really?”

“Yes!”

She nodded her head exaggeratedly and affirmed enthusiastically.

“That’s enough greeting. Come inside. You’ll get sunburned.”

At Kang Sujin’s words, Jeong Yeon belatedly led me by the hand.

“Ah, yes! The sun is hot, so please come in.”

“Is it really okay for me to impose?”

“I told you several times in the car. It’s fine. My husband also wants to talk with you. Besides, the Association President is covering the accommodation and expenses, so please stay without worrying.”

“Then I’ll impose until the job is done.”

I scratched my head awkwardly as I entered the mansion.

The yard was as enormous as the mansion had appeared from a distance, spacious enough to run around in, and there was a private pool facing the sea.

The wide-open living room windows allowed easy movement between the house and yard, revealing a living room as spacious as Gu Yeonhwa’s house.

Just as I was admiring the structure that resembled a Western mansion, Jeong Woohyun approached wearing glasses.

“Instructor Yoo Jin, we meet again.”

“Good to see you, Mr. Jeong Woohyun.”

“I look forward to home-sharing with you for the next few days.”

He shook my hand and smiled. Feeling awkward, I let out an uncomfortable laugh.

“Hahaha… I’m sorry for the intrusion.”

“Not at all. There’s nothing to be sorry about. Our Yeon-i is always in your debt.”

“Debt? It’s just my duty as an instructor.”

“No, no. My wife mentioned a few days ago that Yeon-i’s skills have improved remarkably. That’s when Yeon-i said it was all thanks to Instructor Yoo Jin.”

“Not at all. The child has exceptional talent. I merely helped guide her proper growth.”

“Guiding proper growth isn’t an easy task either. Even with the academy’s excellent facilities and outstanding instructors, a closer look often reveals otherwise.”

He spoke seriously, wiping the smile from his face. His sharp criticism of the academy was utterly cold.

“But Instructor Yoo Jin, you not only have remarkable skills, but you also seem adept at maximizing students’ talents without letting them go to waste. Moreover, the Special Class is said to be a collection of problem children. Managing and teaching those children is no easy feat.”

“You flatter me.”

“I’ve told you many times how amazing Instructor Yoo Jin is, and you’re only praising her now? Dad, you still have a long way to go.”

Jeong Yeon exhaled forcefully through her nose and spoke with her arms crossed, looking incredibly smug.

What kind of way is that to speak to your father?

“Haha. You’re right. I still have a long way to go. By the way… you seem even stronger than when I last saw you?”

I flinched at his words.

It must be his Scouter ability. He seemed to notice my modest growth.

After my match with Yeonhwaryong, I had been helping with their training while also increasing my own stamina. My Breakthrough maintenance time had also increased, making me genuinely stronger than before.

“You were already strong, but to think you could become even stronger—your potential is tremendous, Instructor Yoo Jin. Is there no limit to it?”

“Of course there is.”

Though he was speaking jokingly, he was likely continuously using his ability to examine my true potential.

“Impressive. Truly.”

He grinned and released my hand. Jeong Yeon, who had been listening to our conversation from a step away, snorted.

“Hmph! Dad, you’ve seen her before, so why are you suddenly so impressed?”

“She was impressive before, but she’s even more impressive now.”

Jeong Woohyun spoke while repeatedly clenching and unclenching his fist. It wasn’t my imagination that he seemed to be gauging my strength.

“Really?! As expected of Instructor Yoo Jin!”

At this point, it was practically adulation. My face was starting to heat up from the sudden shower of praise.

“Oh, by the way, have you seen this?”

The kid suddenly pulled out her phone and showed it to me, with YouTube displayed on the screen, giving me a thumbs up.

“I heard you took down another villain before coming here!”

I couldn’t help but grimace as the screen showed an enlarged image of me throwing a punch at the villain who had used “Giant Form.” The information age is truly terrifying.

“The world is finally starting to recognize Instructor Yoo Jin’s true value! Actually, thinking about it, it’s quite late. Instructor Yoo Jin is too great to be contained by the academy! You’ll make tons of money, and your position as an instructor will be solidified!”

I stared incredulously at the kid rattling off words like a machine gun.

I never particularly wanted people’s attention.

I just wanted to see the Special Class students safely become heroes and protect the world.

But drawing attention like this would make it harder to quit being an instructor or hero activities later on.

To be fair, it’s my fault for not being patient and showing off before other heroes arrived.

I considered asking the Association President to calm this issue down, but knowing him, he would use this opportunity to elevate me even further.

The mere presence of an S-class hero serves as a significant deterrent to villains.

“Setting aside Yoo Jin becoming famous for now. Let’s have a match, shall we, Yoo Jin?”

Kang Sujin, who had already created a spear, looked at me as she spoke.

As I felt during the parent visit, I really don’t understand why heroes are so combative.

…Wait, that’s rich coming from me, isn’t it?

“Please go easy on me.”

I nodded with a suppressed sigh.

One way or another, I was going to be indebted to them, so refusing would be impolite.