Ch.145Epilogue 6. There’s No Way I Could Raise a Hero’s Daughter (5)

Jung Ra-hee spent the rest of her lunch break walking around various places in the academy with Recter.

Recter examined everything meticulously, like some kind of civil servant. Ra-hee couldn’t help but snicker watching his serious attitude.

“Hey.”

“What?”

“Why did you get so angry earlier?”

“Because they were doing things that made me angry.”

“That’s funny. I just met you today, so why are you being so protective?”

“Is that how it seemed? Like I said, they were the ones who got angry.”

I think you’re the one who got angry. That’s the feeling Ra-hee got.

“What set you off?”

“Men who touch women out of lust without any sense of responsibility are trash.”

“So you’re Buddha or something?”

“Of course not. I just only touch women I properly love.”

Hearing those words, Ra-hee felt a strange sensation.

“You must have a girlfriend then?”

“Do I look like I don’t? I definitely do.”

For some reason, she felt irritated. Ra-hee hid that feeling from him.

“I-I see. So is it a long-distance relationship? What kind of person is she?”

At Ra-hee’s question, Recter’s eyes filled with melancholy. His deep eyes seemed to pull her in somehow.

“…We’re far apart right now.”

“…Oh.”

Seeing Recter’s reluctance to explain further, Ra-hee decided not to ask more details. The sight of him looking into the distance with his arms crossed seemed like a scene she had seen somewhere before.

“I didn’t mention this earlier.”

“Hmm?”

“I have a hobby.”

“Oh, what is it?”

“Don’t laugh, okay?”

Ra-hee carefully confessed a secret to Recter that she had never told anyone.

“…Reading fairy tales.”

Hearing those words, Recter smiled with great satisfaction, his lips curling up. A sense of warmth emanated from him.

“I thought you said you wouldn’t laugh.”

“It’s not funny. What kind of fairy tales do you like?”

“…I happened to have some at home.”

Ra-hee began telling Recter about the fairy tale books her mother and aunt used to read together.

***

Fortunately, Recter didn’t get into any trouble over what happened during lunch by the time afternoon classes ended. Ra-hee felt like she had worried for nothing.

As they were about to leave, a group of female students who always hung out together approached Ra-hee.

“Hey Ra-hee, are you going to that place today? You know, the one we heard rumors about.”

“That place? Hmm… I’m not sure.”

While Ra-hee was contemplating, Recter suddenly appeared beside her with his arms crossed and asked:

“Where is ‘that place’?”

“Is the transfer student interested too?”

“Well, he’s powerless, so he probably would be.”

“You’re already super strong. Do you really need it?”

The girls whispered among themselves. Recter pressed them again.

“What are you talking about?”

“There’s a merchant selling transformation items in bulk.”

“Transformation items? Are you talking about toys?”

“Hey, do you still play with things like that?”

One of the female students slapped Recter’s shoulder and laughed loudly. Seeing that, Ra-hee felt annoyed for some reason.

“Are you talking about real transformation items?”

“Of course. They say they’re genuine products from Vengeance.”

“They’re items that let even powerless people use abilities, right? We thought it might help Ra-hee, so we looked into it.”

Recter’s expression grew serious as he listened.

“If transformation items from Vengeance are being leaked to ordinary citizens, that’s a serious problem. Those items should be strictly controlled.”

“Come on, people probably just smuggle them out.”

“That’s impossible. Vengeance is extremely strict about managing items that could cause social chaos. Even if they’re distributed, it’s only among villains, not in civilian areas. Above all, transformation items aren’t something just anyone can make. If someone is making such things…”

Recter declared with sharp eyes:

“It must be a hero.”

“A hero.”

Ra-hee gulped at those words.

Heroes—those who live outside society’s rules, dispensing justice and committing evil acts.

Those who stand opposite to villains.

When Recter mentioned heroes, Ra-hee’s interest in the transformation items completely vanished. She had been curious about experiencing what having powers might feel like, but now she decided it was best not to get involved at all.

“If heroes are involved, I’m not going.”

Ra-hee declared firmly. The girl who had brought up the topic also looked uncomfortable.

“Really? Then let’s just go to a karaoke place. I wasn’t that into it either.”

Just then, Recter grabbed the friend’s arm. Seeing her friend blush in surprise, Ra-hee felt somewhat irritated.

“I’d like you to guide me there. Ra-hee, you go home first.”

“Huh? I thought we were going home together.”

“I need to check what’s going on.”

“Didn’t you say heroes might be involved? Isn’t that dangerous?”

“That’s exactly why I need to investigate and respond. I can’t just leave it alone.”

Recter’s attitude was firm. He tells me to go home but wants to go himself? What a hypocrite.

“Um… okay. Let’s go together.”

Since the female student agreed, Ra-hee clicked her tongue, gathered her bag, and stood up.

“Then I’m coming too.”

“Didn’t you hear me say it’s dangerous?”

“So I’m supposed to send just you two into danger? I’m coming whether you like it or not.”

“So stubborn.”

Recter chuckled.

***

“This is it.”

The three of us—including Ra-hee’s friend who was guiding us—stood in front of a building in a secluded alley.

It was the back door of a bar. While villains often gathered in such places, making it not completely disreputable…

It was still too early for students.

“Suspicious. Looks like an illegal business.”

I checked the license expiration date on the door, which had already passed.

“Places like this are everywhere. Let’s go in.”

When the female student knocked on the door, a nearby CCTV camera moved busily to check our appearance. It seemed to be checking for a sting operation.

Soon the lock was released.

“Are you academy students?”

A woman’s voice came through the slightly opened gap.

“Yes. We came to see the transformation items.”

“Come in.”

The door opened, and a black-haired hostess with a decadent aura appeared.

Hmm.

“Sis, show these kids the transformation items.”

“Got it.”

A white-haired female bartender in a suit who had been wiping glasses brought out a case from inside. Click, she unlocked it.

The black-haired hostess put a cigarette in her mouth. She looked at me and gently caressed her cheek.

That’s a bit funny.

“How old are you, kid? You’re handsome. You look like my ex-boyfriend. Is that your girlfriend next to you?”

“N-no, we’re not.”

“Hehe. Don’t worry, I won’t steal him.”

The hostess looked at Ra-hee and began speaking seductively.

“Do you kids know any legendary villains?”

The female friend jumped in to answer before Ra-hee could.

“Of course we do! Everyone knows Lord Gerogius, and all the villains who participated in the Incursion are famous too.”

“Look here. These are all powers used by those famous villains.”

The bartender opened the case.

Inside were several transformation devices and switches.

“Ooh.”

The hostess picked up a switch and showed it to us.

“This one? It’s Biturn’s rapid movement ability. This switch is Sigma’s invisibility, and this one is Cloud’s cloud generation ability. Want to see a demonstration?”

“Really? If we have these, we can use those villains’ abilities?”

“Of course. But even looking isn’t free… What do you think?”

The hostess grinned and licked her lips. As the female friend was about to take out her wallet, Ra-hee grabbed her arm.

“Don’t be fooled. This is a scam.”

“A scam?”

The hostess glared at Ra-hee, clearly displeased.

“Biturn’s ability isn’t rapid movement. It’s coordinate system conversion. Movement is just a side effect. Sigma can turn his body into photons, which only makes him appear invisible.”

The hostess frowned deeply.

“That’s basically the same thing. You seem to know a lot, kid? But calling it a scam hurts my feelings. These switches are all real, you know?”

“Then show me. Show Sigma’s photon conversion ability, not just invisibility. Then I’ll pay whatever you want.”

“…Ugh.”

When Ra-hee spoke firmly, the hostess couldn’t refute and furrowed her brow.

That was an excellent point. If Ra-hee hadn’t spoken up, I was about to pick a fight myself. I couldn’t help but smile.

“What a bunch of know-it-alls. If you’re not buying, then leave.”

“That’s as far as this goes. Let’s leave.”

I grabbed Ra-hee’s wrist and walked out. The hostess watched us with displeasure.

When we reached the door, I whispered to Ra-hee.

“Go home first.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

I pushed Ra-hee and the female student out the door. Bang, I closed the door and locked it.

I turned to look inside the bar. The hostess looked at me with an amused expression. The bartender still had an emotionless face.

“What’s up, kid? Did you want to play with this noona? Well, I am quite charming, aren’t I?”

The hostess subtly raised her leg, exposing her thigh through her dress. I walked steadily toward her.

And while casually stretching my neck, I called her by name.

“What nonsense are you up to, Ji Se-hwa?”

“Hmm, what?!”

The hostess, Ji Se-hwa, was so startled she almost slipped off her chair.

“The same goes for you, Shin Yukyong. It’s been over 10 years since the Sea Lord Sentai. You don’t think you’ll get away with selling illegal switches, do you?”

“So it was you, Gerogius.”

Shin Yukyong nodded slightly and looked down at me. Se-hwa seemed quite flustered, running both hands through her hair and shouting loudly.

“What?! Is that you, Ui-seok oppa?! What’s with that appearance?! Was this a sting operation?! We’re screwed…! Yukyong unni, let’s run!”

I immediately pushed off the floor and lunged at Se-hwa. I subdued her and twisted her left arm.

“Ow, ow, ow! It hurts! I’m not transformed! I’m a civilian! Is it okay for a villain to do this to an innocent citizen?!”

“A former hero talking about innocence. Selling switches to middle school kids and saying what? You’re both caught. Get ready to go to prison, both of you.”

While pinning her to the floor, I grabbed her black hair from behind. I had my doubts because of the black hair, but it was really her own hair. It looks a bit awkward.

“Ui-seok oppa! I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

“Why am I your oppa? Didn’t I tell you not to call me by that name?”

“Lord Gerogius!”

“That’s better.”

“It’s a misunderstanding! This isn’t really illegal! It’s just a side job to make a living!”

“You said they were villains’ abilities?”

“W-well, I mixed in a little lie! But I can prove it!”

She was whimpering so pitifully that I let her go for now.

Yukyong also kept wiping glasses, not seeming particularly tense.

Well, we’re all way past the age for this kind of nonsense.

“Explain.”

“Sheesh… grabbing a woman’s hair like that.”

Se-hwa grumbled as she knelt in front of me.