Ch.134Chapter 5. Do Ji-hwan’s Ambitious Project (11)

Heroes need personal time for themselves.

However, the world wants heroes to always exist as heroes, not as individuals.

“That’s the duty of those with abilities!”

Those born with the blessing of special abilities have a mission to sacrifice themselves for the vast majority of people.

But those with abilities are humans, not machines.

Even though they may seem to operate like machines, they are ultimately people, and people need adequate rest.

This is where the dilemma arises.

How much rest should those with abilities get?

If an incident occurs while they’re resting, should they immediately rush out to respond?

“Hey, if you have abilities, shouldn’t you cut off your shit mid-dump, wipe hastily, and rush out?”

Some speak in such extreme terms.

“While those with abilities are watching TV at home, villains kill an innocent citizen.”

Others spout such nonsense.

That’s right.

It’s unreasonable absurdity.

But those with abilities are still a minority in this world, and those who hold key positions in society have far more life experience than them. The world has been molding those with abilities into heroes from the moment they grew up.

Therefore.

Those with abilities must always address problems if they are capable, whenever situations arise that others cannot handle.

Special Ability Safety Act, Article 131 (2003.04.28. {TXN})

– Those who knowingly fail to respond to disturbances caused by villains or demons shall be punished by imprisonment for more than 5 years or a fine of more than 1 billion won.

This is a matter legally defined in this world.

Since the ordinary people who make up the majority of this world have already codified it into law, those with abilities—whose voting numbers are too small—cannot resist this absurd law.

Is it excessive?

Yes, it is excessive.

From the perspective of those with abilities, it’s an utterly ridiculous law, but it was already established when they were still learning the Korean alphabet in kindergarten.

In this era, after 2020, as those with abilities began to enter society as adults, some laws were revised to become more realistic, sensible, and considerate of their human rights.

But the expectation that “you must step forward” is spread throughout society for those with abilities.

However, many don’t step forward.

People say to punish such individuals, but if punishing them turns that person into a “fallen perpetrator”?

What if they get killed for offending someone with abilities?

No one dares to speak openly, so they can only grumble behind backs.

“While it’s technically illegal for those with abilities to not respond to every incident, in reality, everyone just looks the other way.”

With Ymir on my right and Baek Seol-hee on my left, I pointed at the people on the TV screen.

“Before Platinum Sun, the Gold Inspector, stepped in, there were many people on Ulleungdo who could subdue a B-class demon. Of course, excluding Ms. Seol-hee.”

Baek Seol-hee nodded slightly.

“It’s a double standard, but Ms. Seol-hee officially isn’t on Ulleungdo. She’s spending a day off from Sejong Island with official permission from the government and the association, so legally there’s no issue with her not responding.”

No company calls an employee about work when they’re on sick leave for health reasons.

No organization demands that a civil servant on annual or sick leave immediately fly back to handle complaints.

Unless that person has made a mess or the problem can only be solved by that specific person, another capable member of the organization should step in and handle the situation appropriately.

Moreover, Baek Seol-hee is a woman, and she’s on legitimate leave.

Therefore, Baek Seol-hee is innocent.

“So how many people could respond but aren’t? We don’t need to investigate. The internet detectives are already digging through social media and data.”

I displayed the Taegeuk Watch screen on the TV.

“See this? People are witch-hunting right now.”

– Hey, I think Ariadne is definitely in Ulleungdo. The cafe in her SNS photo is in Ulleungdo.

– Ah lol, leave them alone since they’re busy being patriots~ They think birthing one person with abilities is more important than ordinary people dying~

– Don’t they think it’s worth dying? Looking at how she’s with her boyfriend, they seem really into each other.

– She went to Ulleungdo with her boyfriend? Is marriage coming?

“A B-class female hero has been caught in Ulleungdo. See? People are truly frightening when they set their minds to investigating. Internet private investigators exist for a reason.”

“…All I did was post one photo of having tea at a cafe.”

“People can find everything with just a bit of information. Especially those with stalker-like obsessions are even more frightening. They investigate heroes’ every move using the smallest clues—room wallpaper color, structure, location, the sound of passing airplanes.”

“Why would they go that far?”

“Various reasons. Some are paid for it, some lost family because heroes didn’t respond, or… some simply enjoy digging into heroes’ lives while hiding behind anonymity.”

If it’s for money or revenge, I can logically understand.

But the latter case is quite different.

“It could be stalking, villains trying to destroy heroes, or people feeling a sense of mission and achievement from uncovering the identity of a hero who hides their identity. There are all kinds of people in the world.”

“So teacher, are most people now looking for those with abilities who didn’t respond?”

“Not most, about 20%.”

I displayed the internet search rankings.

“Congratulations, Ymir. You’ve taken all spots from 1st to 10th.”

“…Wow.”

Ymir exclaimed as she saw the search rankings filled with “NEW” tags and terms referring to her from 1st to 10th place.

“Platinum Sun, Gold Inspector, demon purification, let there be light… I never imagined I’d become this popular.”

“People search for witch hunts because they’re upset, but anything about Platinum Sun is of national interest. Right, Ms. Seol-hee?”

“…An undisclosed S-class has appeared. Possibly an estimated S+ class, which means they could potentially rank in the top 10 worldwide. It’s natural people are interested. Both the government and the Hero Association have formed task forces focused on Platinum Sun. Even the National Intelligence Service.”

“Really? Wow, that feels kind of satisfying.”

Ymir smiled with satisfaction at Baek Seol-hee’s not-so-confidential disclosure.

“It feels even more thrilling than being chased by the CIA and FBI simultaneously. To think that South Korea would mobilize NIS agents to investigate me!”

“……”

Something feels off.

The sudden appearance of “kimchi premium” in this sticky worldview feels strange.

“…Well, intelligence agencies from various countries are investigating Platinum Sun, so you should be careful. After the demons Lilith, Ermina Sternfeld, Haftod, and now the current female demon, um…”

“Sirmilla.”

“Right. Thanks, Ms. Seol-hee. Officially named Sirmilla. You’ve already been involved in four demon incidents and purified three demons. With demon Lilith…”

“The Goblin stepped in and killed the demon.”

Baek Seol-hee shook her head with disapproval.

Ymir moistened her throat with a sip of honey-sweetened hot milk, and I responded to Baek Seol-hee’s words with a heavy nod.

“Ymir. Be careful of the Goblin. The government currently suspects you’ve established a cooperative relationship with him.”

“Cooperation? Me? With the Goblin? On what grounds?”

Ymir burst into laughter.

Her acting was like “What am I—”

“Why would I cooperate with trash like the Goblin?”

“That’s a relief then. Have you ever spoken with him?”

“Yes. He acts all high and mighty, and he’s really annoying. When I meet him, I want to punch him hard in the solar plexus. Come to think of it, Ms. Seol-hee, you landed a punch on the Goblin in Gangwon Province, right?”

“It felt like he let me hit him, but it was still somewhat satisfying.”

This is a conversation about the Goblin.

One person knows nothing, while the other is dissing the Goblin without showing any sign of smirking at me.

“The Goblin must be ugly, right? His face is probably really messed up.”

“That’s… not true.”

“What? Ms. Seol-hee?”

“The Goblin is handsome.”

“…Have you seen his face?”

I feel unnecessarily tense.

“Have you actually seen the Goblin’s face?”

“Really? Oh my, really…?”

“No! It’s just, well, a guess. Like, just from hearing his voice, I can kind of tell what kind of person he is…?”

Baek Seol-hee mumbled while twirling her hair with her finger.

“He must be handsome. That’s why he acts so freely around women. Although…”

Baek Seol-hee put her hand on my shoulder and grinned.

“In my opinion, Ji-hwan is much more handsome than some Goblin who hides his face behind a mask.”

“…I’m pleased by your surprisingly direct compliment. Thank you, Ms. Seol-hee.”

I met Baek Seol-hee’s gaze.

Beside us.

Ymir maintained a poker face while drinking her hot milk.

But I saw it.

Ymir’s eyes were trembling as if having a spasm.