Ch.151151. The Proliferation of False Heroes

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say things were going well. Damage from monsters had drastically decreased worldwide.

In just one week, monster-related incidents had dropped by 50%.

[What might the sudden appearance of multiple monsters mean? One thing is certain: humanity is grateful to them.]

The improved perception thanks to my activities, and these mysterious beings appearing as if in response.

People were clearly opening their hearts to them. But I felt uneasy.

February had arrived, and just as I was preparing for my advancement evaluation, a major concern emerged.

Who were they? What exactly were they? Were they my allies?

And what about those dismembered corpses that appeared after they fought us?

Void monsters don’t kill people that way. I couldn’t just sit around with all these questions.

I checked the Monster Daily again for the dates when these breakers appeared.

“It’s vacation anyway, so why don’t I just go investigate?”

These unidentified monsters seemed to know their targets in advance, just like the Monster Daily.

Like me? Or how else do they know where to go?

Come to think of it, isn’t that strange? I know the future because I’ve regressed, but what about those monsters?

Do they have the same power as me? Or is this some enemy’s scheme?

I need to monitor them, but I’m under surveillance by the Security Division until at least February.

Still, I can’t just do nothing. I need to uncover the identity of those creatures somehow.

I examined numerous breaker incidents in the Monster Daily and looked for locations that were either close to me or where I could easily make an excuse to visit.

“But I can’t go.”

When an incident occurs, I can’t stay transformed for long periods.

That’s because the Security Division would come looking for me.

Should I trust that crime rates are decreasing and wait until the Security Division surveillance is lifted?

They’ll continue monitoring me throughout the vacation period.

But there’s no easy way to investigate without raising suspicions.

“Geez… Don’t I have any good cards for this situation?”

Think. I not only have monster powers themselves but also sub-cards to supplement them.

This is when I need the power of cards. At least they’re just monitoring from outside, not entering my house.

Come to think of it, not all sub-cards are for combat.

They must have various effects.

There must be some with stealth functions. The problem is that adult-stage monsters are all huge, making disguise difficult.

But a semi-adult like the Half-Dragon is only slightly larger than me, so it could benefit from such effects.

If only I had appropriate cards among my sub-cards.

“Sigh. If it doesn’t work, make it work. That’s it.”

In the end, I converted my existing DNA points to M points.

-Monster Points: 14

-DNA Points: 13,400

-M Points: 2,500

I convert about 3,000 DNA points. That’s about 30,000 M points, which means I can draw premium cards 10 times.

So I went ahead and converted an additional 6,000 points.

Total M points: 90,000. I can draw at least 30 cards. I hope I get some good ones.

Obviously, I need to draw the 3,000 M point cards.

As I drew all 30 cards at once, they began rotating before my eyes like rolling dice.

Numerous cards lined up in a row, each displaying its color.

The lowest white cards didn’t appear, but more than 10 yellow cards instantly appeared, causing disappointment.

But soon, green and blue cards started appearing one by one.

“Come on. Give me something good.”

And finally, on the 28th card, a silver-grade card appeared—something I hadn’t seen before.

“There it is!”

It was like pulling a super rare from a gacha.

I sorted through the 30 cards. Excluding similar cards that just changed species, there were about 6 decent ones. Then I recombined the useless cards.

That resulted in a green card. Not bad.

But more important than the other cards was the silver card that finally appeared. The highest grade among sub-cards.

What content does it have? What capabilities?

[Silver Grade]

-Material card for creating Gold Grade cards

-5 Silver cards are needed to reach a Gold card.

“…Oh, for fuck’s sake!”

I cursed out loud. After spending so much to get it?

“It’s just a material card for making Gold Grade cards? Not something with better functions?”

I felt a wave of emptiness, but I had to endure it. After all, collecting these to make a Gold card would be worth it in the end.

Better to look at the other cards.

[Acquired Cards]

-Energy Incinerator Cannon (Yellow, Insect and Machine): Fires powerful energy in response to energy levels.

-Optical Camouflage (Blue, Common): Card that enables disguise using mechanical parts.

-Targeting System (Green, Dinosaur and Machine): When attacking, designates targets and nullifies enemy buffs for one turn.

-Flexibility (Blue, Common): Makes the body as flexible as rubber.

-Noise (Blue, Insect and Bird): Creates confusion in enemies with noise.

-Location Tracker (Yellow, Common): Tracks the location of a target when attached.

That’s roughly what I got. And while the silver card was a bust, the Optical Camouflage and Location Tracker would definitely be useful in the current situation.

After organizing the cards, I just needed to wait for the break date.

Just then, my phone rang.

“Yuhwa. What’s up?”

[Jonghyun. You said you’d treat me for helping you last time, right?]

“Ah, that? I was planning to do it when I felt better. When are you free?”

[Since it’s vacation, anytime is fine. Even today works.]

“Today?”

I checked the Monster Daily. There were no breaks scheduled for today.

“Alright. Since we’re doing this, shall we meet today?”

Why not? I owe Seol Yuhwa for her help last time, so I should repay her.

“It’s a date, so I should dress properly.”

While I was getting ready, another message arrived.

-Aerial: Do Jonghyun. Been quiet lately?

Aerial sent a message with uncanny timing. I cautiously asked:

-Do Jonghyun: Are you still mad?

-Aerial: Yes?

-Do Jonghyun: Then I’ll escort you another time, customer.

-Aerial: Don’t joke around! If you want, I’ll give you a chance to escort me today.

Aerial seems to have calmed down somewhat since getting angry last time.

But I already have plans with Yuhwa, so it’ll have to be later.

-Do Jonghyun: I already have a reservation today, customer. How about tomorrow? Or next week?

-Aerial: Do Jonghyun, you’re getting cocky! Forget it.

Aerial didn’t send any more messages after that. Given her personality, her pride was probably hurt. Next time, I’ll have to be the one to suggest meeting.

Regardless of our improved relationship, I wonder how to handle things with Seol Yuhwa. It would be great if these two could fight together.

Anyway, just as I was about to leave all dressed up, Seol Yuhwa called again.

[Jonghyun, I’m really sorry. I forgot I had plans with the kids today.]

“Oh, is that so? Well, it can’t be helped. We can meet tomorrow.”

[Sorry, is tomorrow okay?]

Unfortunately, my meeting with Seol Yuhwa fell through. But I was already on my way out.

“Since I’m already out, it feels weird to just go back home.”

I entered the lower-class group chat.

Do Jonghyun: A handsome man has free time today. Accepting applications for the honor of being escorted. 🙂

Jinsu: Get lost

Hyunjun: I’d rather watch porn at home than hang out with you.

Hyungseok: Dick

Minhyuk: Date with girlfriend vs. date with a dangling dick. I’m already taken, so I’m out.

These bastards don’t care that their friend is bored? After getting rejected there too, I wandered aimlessly.

“This is seriously ridiculous. Seriously.”

And to make matters worse, I’d like to track those monsters with my new cards, but there’s no monster break scheduled for today.

“Ah… what should I do?”

As soon as my phone rings, I can hear the Security Division noona’s mockery.

“‘How long do you think you’ll last with your boyfriend, noona…’ That would be disastrous, wouldn’t it?”

I was about to move my fingers in anger, but then realized I wouldn’t be able to handle the consequences.

In the end, I spent time at an internet café and bought ramen at a convenience store while wearing my nice clothes.

“At this point, I might as well go all out at the convenience store.”

It was 1 PM. Time was dragging.

So I wandered around aimlessly. Maybe I could do some window shopping.

My eye caught a bookstore. I realized I hadn’t bought any sports magazines recently.

I used to occasionally buy and collect football magazines.

Of course, I don’t just look at what I came for. I was browsing through the bestsellers and new arrivals when:

“Oh, it’s oppa!”

I heard a small voice. And it was a voice I definitely recognized.

Wait, there aren’t many people who would call me “oppa”?

And it’s a child’s voice.

“Oh my.”

Soon, I met Seol Yuhwa’s family. Four kids, including Junhu, were waving at me.

Wasn’t it supposed to be a one-on-one meeting? Seol Yuhwa, dressed nicely, whispered:

“I’m sorry. There was no one to watch them at home. Junhu has vacation homework too…”

“Ah, I see. So you’re buying books for the kids too?”

So that’s why we couldn’t meet today.

“That’s good timing. Honestly, I was bored after you got mad at me.”

“Sorry.”

Seol Yuhwa still stays close, not pulling away like before.

“Then can I ask for your help?”

“Sure, why not.”

I naturally high-fived the other four.

“Oppa! It’s been a while!”

Seohyun grabs my leg energetically. She’s already showing signs that she’ll be as popular as Seol Yuhwa when she grows up.

“Yes, Seohyun. It’s been a while since then, right? Seokmin too.”

I greeted each one and did a finger handshake with the youngest, Jiyeon. Jiyeon smiled and then looked back and forth between me and Yuhwa.

“Are you and unnie dating?”

“Me?”

At this point, I looked at Seol Yuhwa. Normally, she would deny it, but should I match her timing?

But Seol Yuhwa is different from before.

“I wonder? What do you think?”

“I think this oppa is nice!”

“So I’ve passed the kids’ approval?”

Seol Yuhwa is actually asking me. She’s changed. I thought so before, but now it’s certain.

“So I’ve passed the first gate?”

“The first one, yes. And kids, we’re not dating yet, so don’t make things awkward.”

Seol Yuhwa says with a smile as she passes by. She seems more relaxed now.

Then Seokmin and I made eye contact.

“But hyung, I saw on TV that you and that red-haired noona… mmph!”

At that moment, Junhu quickly covered Seokmin’s mouth.

But the sudden mention of Aerial changed the atmosphere.

“Seokmin, it’s not true, so don’t worry.”

Seol Yuhwa talks to Seokmin with her back to me, but why does Seokmin’s expression seem to change to fear? Is it just my imagination?

Anyway, I quickly suggested changing locations to break the tension.

“Have you picked out all your books? Or should I recommend one? You guys are interested in soccer or baseball, right?”

“But we’ve never been to a stadium.”

Junhu responds immediately.

“Noona doesn’t have that kind of hobby. Let’s go together sometime.”

“Sure. Of course.”

“Promise!”

Junhu even holds out his pinky finger. It seems like an overreaction, but he’s a kid, so whatever.

As I naturally hook my pinky with his to make the promise, suddenly an alarm sounds.

“A monster?”

When I exclaim in surprise, Seol Yuhwa quickly tells the kids:

“Quiet.”

Amidst the murmuring crowd, we needed to calmly analyze the situation.

Wait a minute? The break in the Monster Daily wasn’t scheduled for today.

Has it changed?

[Monster Daily Update]

-Monster composition changed

-Date changed

-Comprehensive revision needed

Surprisingly, the Monster Daily was being updated in my status window.

Something that’s never happened before is occurring?

The break locations were newly marked. Not just near us, but nationwide.

I could understand if it was just one location, but nationwide?

Something is changing.

I felt uneasy. It means the enemies are changing something right now.

While rumbling sounds were coming from outside and Seol Yuhwa was scanning the surroundings with Brisingamen, I asked:

“Are they fighting?”

“Fighting?”

At that moment, the image of monsters helping people flashed in my mind.

Yes, this is a good time to be active. It would also dispel unnecessary suspicions.

Plus, the Security Division noona is on standby next to me.

It’s been a while since I’ve been protected like this.

After about 30 minutes of battle, Seol Yuhwa contacted me to say it was over.

When we went outside, applause was pouring down. People were thanking the monster that had dealt with another monster.

Even though there were some casualties, it prevented greater damage.

This humanoid monster fiddled with its mask and then left.

But at this moment, Junhu pulled on me.

“What?”

And Junhu told me one fact:

“The voice is warning me. It says they’re strange.”

That the humanoid monster is dangerous.