Ch.106Episode 22. Comfort (4)

“The trade item between the Black Chamber and Akcheon appears to be some kind of drug. It’s called ‘Comfort,’ I’m told.”

Comfort, huh.

That works for me. Dealing with Comfort is more urgent than handling the eX potion right now.

If Comfort spreads among civilians, the Association will be vulnerable to blackmail from Akcheon and won’t be able to take action.

Of course, if I had Bin Yoon-i with me, I could make an antidote, but the death toll during that process would be at least tens of thousands.

Anyway, since the full-scale search in Gangwon Province has begun, if we can just find the underground laboratory, we can solve both the eX potion and Comfort problems.

However, the longer this drags on, the more disadvantageous our position becomes.

Akcheon must know that we’ve started a full-scale search, so we need to find their location as quickly as possible.

“But what they’re offering in this deal isn’t the finished product, just a sample.”

I snickered at the word “sample.”

Yang Myung-ho, who was briefing me, tilted his head in confusion. The Jung Yi-yeon family members listening nearby also cocked their heads.

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

It’s obviously not fully developed yet.

This really makes me realize how crucial Bin Yoon-i’s existence was.

“The exchange will take place here, in an old building across from Songuk Ranch in Jeju. Yujin, you’ll need to subdue everyone at the location and recover both the drug sample called Comfort and the money.”

“You want me to do this alone?”

“Yes. The Association Chairman said it would be better if no other heroes were involved so you could move freely.”

That old man must have completely started trusting my abilities after seeing me handle Wolkwang’s core forces alone, including Jeokwol and Ayoung.

Anyway, anyone watching would think I’m some veteran player who enjoys solo play.

“Well… that is more convenient. If any fellow heroes who came with me got subdued by villains, it would restrict my movement too.”

“I see. Anyway, while you’re handling the exchange site, we’ll be raiding Akcheon’s hideout.”

“A hideout… Then there must be someone in charge there.”

“The underlings call their boss ‘Nokjon.’ Unfortunately, I couldn’t see his face. He has long hair and wears a mask.”

That makes sense. He used to belong to Jipyeong, so if his face were revealed, it would give the Association information about how far Akcheon has absorbed Jipyeong.

Anyway, Nokjon…

Nokjon was one of the leaders of “Big Dipper,” an organization under Starlight.

In the novel, after absorbing Jipyeong, Starlight rapidly expanded and gathered six S-class individuals from Jipyeong’s remnants.

Including the one they already had, they appointed a total of seven leaders.

Their names were taken from the Big Dipper constellation. Nokjon was one of them.

I knew this because their names were mentioned when Yujin swept away Starlight.

“Do you know this person?”

Yang Myung-ho carefully asked, noticing my contemplative expression. I shook my head.

When you can’t explain your source of information, pretending ignorance is the best answer.

I’ll talk about Nokjon and the Big Dipper as if I learned about them after this operation.

“…No. I just feel like I’ve heard the name somewhere before.”

Nokjon’s ability is “Swift.”

It’s a speed-based power. Even most heroes can’t track his movements with their eyes. Not that it matters to me.

Still, I am curious. When I unleash my lightning and Nokjon uses his Swift ability, who would be faster?

I’ll find out at dawn today.

“The operation begins at 2 AM. While you’ll subdue everyone at the exchange site, we’ll position a few heroes to ensure no villains escape.”

“Sounds good.”

“Meanwhile, we’ll raid their hideout to gather information. When the operation starts, please wait near Songuk Ranch while concealing your presence. I’ll signal you when it begins.”

“Understood.”

After discussing other precautions and compensation, Yang Myung-ho finished by asking me to do my best and left.

“Need any help?”

Kang Su-jin casually offered. I shook my head in refusal.

“No, I’m fine. Stay here. There might be villains tracking Yang Myung-ho. You should protect Jung Woo-hyun and Yi-yeon if that happens.”

He probably used his invisibility skill, so the chances of being followed are slim, but we need to prepare for any situation.

Even someone with Yi-yeon’s strong mentality would be shaken if her parents died.

In the novel, she was so traumatized after her parents’ deaths that she couldn’t work as a hero for a while.

That shouldn’t happen now that I’m in this world.

* * *

Midnight.

I changed into an inconspicuous black shirt and put on a mask that covered my nose and mouth.

I no longer hide my face with a mask. Yang Myung-ho said it was the Association Chairman’s instruction. To be a deterrent against villains, I needed to show my face during missions.

After checking my outfit, I put the wireless earpiece Yang Myung-ho had given me into my ear.

Apparently, it uses special frequencies that allow communication even when dozens of kilometers apart.

“Hello. Can you hear me?”

I asked, pressing the microphone button on the earpiece.

[I hear you clearly.]

Modern technology is impressive. Being able to hear someone’s voice from kilometers away.

“Instructor Yujin.”

“Yes?”

Jung Yi-yeon, who was sitting on the bed watching me, spoke up.

“Aren’t you nervous? You could die if you make a mistake.”

“What’s there to be nervous about?”

I’ve been beating up all sorts of villains and handing them over to the Association for months since my possession. It’s too late to be afraid now.

“So cool…!”

This girl reacts like this to everything I say. Is she really such a devoted fan?

“…Just stay put.”

I patted her head gently as she expressed her admiration with childlike innocence.

“Are you sure you don’t need my mother’s help?”

“I don’t need it. And I prefer working alone.”

I said confidently. As I clenched my fist, elegant blue sparks flew. Her head lowered slightly as she looked at me with shining eyes.

“Instructor, can I become a cool hero like you?”

Jung Yi-yeon asked slowly, as if savoring each word. Her timid and cautious tone prompted me to answer immediately.

“Absolutely. Without a doubt.”

I spoke with certainty.

She’ll make plenty of mistakes through her first three missions, but even those will improve quickly.

She’s the protagonist. Even the Special Class students who joined Akcheon couldn’t defeat Jung Yi-yeon. I don’t know how it will play out now that this has become reality, but among the five, Yi-yeon had the most potential.

That was an undeniable fact.

After all, she was the “second” hero to survive defying Yujin.

“Without a doubt…?”

Was my answer unexpected? She stared at me with wide eyes. I placed my hand on her shoulder to emphasize my point.

“The hero most admired by people in this world won’t be me, but you.”

Just because I came to this world doesn’t mean you’re no longer the protagonist.

“And don’t worry. I’ll be by your side watching over you until you get used to facing villains as a hero.”

“That would be… really reassuring.”

After meeting her blue eyes that curved into crescents, I turned away. I finished my final check by taping the earpiece to ensure it wouldn’t fall out.

“I should get going now.”

“Instructor.”

“Yes?”

“When this is over, would you like to go to… the a-aquarium or somewhere with me?”

“If you mean the aquarium, why say ‘or somewhere’?”

I asked with a light laugh.

Her intentions were too obvious. It was endearing to see her gathering courage to ask for a date.

“Well…”

“You want to go on a date?”

“Hic!”

She was startled by my directness and hiccupped. Jung Yi-yeon blinked rapidly and couldn’t speak for a while.

I couldn’t help but smile seeing her face turn red, contrasting with her snow-white hair.

Despite her words, her expressions are quite direct.

“D-do you have complicated relationships with women? No… with that face, you must. That’s why you can talk about this so casually.”

“Would you dislike me if I did, and like me if I didn’t?”

“No. Whether it’s complicated or not, I don’t think I could ever dislike you, Instructor Yujin.”

That’s love blindness.

I was about to say that but stopped myself. Once someone is blinded by love, they won’t realize it no matter what I say.

They’d even take insults as compliments. That’s what love blindness is.

“Is that so? Then shall we go together?”

While I have no intention of exploiting her romantic feelings, there was no reason to refuse her invitation. I wanted to tour Jeju anyway.

“Really?”

“Yes. But is that date your wish?”

“Are you going to keep ruining the mood like that?”

“Hehe. Alright. Since I’m in Jeju, I’d like to visit various places too.”

Her expression visibly brightened at my acceptance.

I left the room seeing her face full of joy. She followed me out. By the time I was putting on my shoes at the entrance, her entire family had gathered.

“Please be careful.”

Jung Woo-hyun said with a concerned voice.

“Beat them all up.”

Kang Su-jin said, clenching her fist so tightly it trembled. I smiled wryly and quipped.

“I wonder if that’s an appropriate statement for a hero.”

“So you’re not going to beat them up?”

“No, I will.”

“See~?”

I don’t think it’s my imagination that we’ve gotten quite close in just one day.

“Well then, I’ll be off.”