Ch.156Episode 33. The Evil Sky Begins to Move (1)

“You found what’s believed to be an executive’s hideout?”

I was on the phone with the Association President after returning to the dormitory from our meeting at the café.

[That’s right. While dismantling the drug distribution network, we discovered what appears to be Flo’s hideout.]

“…Where is it?”

[It’s in an agricultural storage warehouse in Hangjin Village, Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province.]

“Chungcheong…?”

Chungcheong Province—isn’t that near Taean where Yeonmu-hui’s mother lives?

Although the Association guarantees the safety of Special Class students’ parents, I couldn’t help feeling anxious.

[It’s not certain, but highly probable. We’re planning to begin operations within a few days, and I’d like you to join us. Forest Hero will also be participating.]

“Is he also enemies with Akcheon?”

[Not exactly. He just… can’t ignore villains when he sees them. He’s a man overflowing with a sense of justice.]

“I see.”

Regarding Forest, I had asked Bin Yoon-i about him on our way back to the academy. I figured she would know basic information about him.

According to what she told me:

His name is Lim Su-rim, he’s in his 30s, and he has the ability to utilize earth powers and harmonize with nature.

She only knew about his appearance—brown hair and green eyes—but had no information about his past or personal relationships.

It seemed I would need to meet him in person to learn more. Though even then, he might not share personal information.

[If you want to know about Forest, it would be faster to talk to him directly. The Association would be in trouble if we lost the trust of an S-class hero like Forest by carelessly sharing information.]

“…Yes, I understand. So where is Forest currently located?”

[It would be faster to ask the branch office in Asan, Chungcheong Province about Forest’s location, but I’ll inquire and text you the information.]

“Thank you.”

[And… one more thing.]

“Yes?”

[I’ve heard that a cult called ‘Anrak Church’ in the Hongseong area has been showing suspicious movements.]

In the original story, Moonlight had used Anrak Church to cause trouble, so when the topic of eX potion came up, I had already passed this information to the Association President.

“Can’t you arrest them all?”

[We can’t.]

Even for a cult, in South Korea where religious freedom is protected, they couldn’t be touched until there was a direct criminal report. That’s why I had only suggested assigning heroes to monitor them.

Are they starting to make their move?

The mastermind is probably Starlight, who inherited the eX potion development from Paris.

“Tsk. Keep a close eye on them, as the people associated with Anrak Church could be massacred if we’re not careful.”

[I don’t think you need to worry about that. I’ve entrusted it to Forest.]

Entrusted to an S-class hero…

That should be reliable enough.

But dealing with cult followers who have been essentially brainwashed will be tricky. If someone tries to destroy their building, they’ll resist even at the cost of their lives.

If they were under the influence of Paris’s inconsistent speech skill or drug addiction, there might have been ways to resolve it.

But religion isn’t formed through any supernatural power, making it particularly troublesome.

It was essentially no different from a mental illness, so there was nothing I could do preemptively. All I could do was monitor and prevent situations before they occurred.

For now, I’d leave that part to the Association and focus on learning more about this person called Forest.

“Please contact me when you find out Forest’s location.”

[Yes, sir.]

After finishing my call with the Association President, I sighed.

I looked at the pull-up bar and started stretching. I needed to complete my daily exercise quota.

“Hoo!”

I did pull-ups while maintaining steady breathing. If it felt too easy, I added a weight belt around my waist.

While exercising, I continued thinking.

I could feel the all-out war with Akcheon drawing closer.

I planned to capture all the remaining executives and bring down Akcheon before the Special Class students graduated. I hoped the Special Class would never have to encounter Akcheon.

After that, I didn’t plan to worry about any new villain organizations that might form.

If those kids remained strong as heroes, villains wouldn’t be able to run rampant in South Korea.

“Hoo! Hoo!”

My breathing became increasingly labored. My body was drenched in sweat, and as I focused on the contraction and relaxation of my muscles, distracting thoughts gradually disappeared.

Working out using only physical ability without using my powers made it quite intense.

After finishing my workout, I took out a change of clothes from the drawer. Just as I was about to enter the bathroom—

Knock, knock, knock.

Someone was knocking on the door.

I reflexively checked the time. It was around when Jeong I-yeon or Yu A-ri usually visited.

I roughly brushed my bangs up and opened the door.

“Who is—”

I opened the door expecting one of those two, but surprisingly, the person standing before me was a pink-haired woman.

“Hello… Oh, my…”

Bin Yoon-i, who was about to greet me, lowered her gaze from my face to my body.

It was an instinctive look, you could say.

For a moment, I caught a suggestive glint in her eyes.

“What is it?”

I asked while steadying my breathing. Bin Yoon-i, who had finally regained her composure, cleared her throat with her fist in front of her mouth.

“Ahem! W-were you working out?”

She smiled, trying to hide her agitation. Her attempt at maintaining a poker face was somewhat amusing.

“Yeah.”

“Y-you have a really impressive physique.”

“Never mind that. Why are you here?”

“Um… C-can I come in?”

“…You don’t mind the sweat smell?”

I hadn’t dried off yet, so while it might not be too strong, it would probably feel unpleasant.

“I-it’s fine.”

“Really? Then come in.”

I readily let her in, but then suddenly wondered if I was letting students into my room too easily.

It was quite contradictory to be hesitant about letting in another woman when I was already involved with two.

“What brings you here?”

I asked while putting away the pull-up equipment and weight belt. I also opened the window for ventilation.

Bin Yoon-i came in and looked around, then suddenly straightened her posture as if startled and replied, “Ah, yes!”

“W-well… I realized we hadn’t set a date for our date. And I thought we should discuss what we should do.”

What’s the big deal about a date?

It’s just eating good food and going around having fun together.

I’ve become used to dating and physical contact with the Special Class students, but this would be Bin Yoon-i’s first time.

That’s probably why she seems so nervous.

She must be paying attention to every bit of information coming from my expression, attitude, tone, and responses. Trying not to cause any negative reactions.

“Couldn’t we do that over the phone?”

“I-I wanted to discuss it in person.”

“…I see.”

I thought about my schedule before responding.

“For the date… I think it would be better after I receive the eX potion sample from the Association President.”

I also need to get Forest’s location information and meet him.

“Is that so? Then since you said it would be in a week… how about next weekend?”

“Sounds good.”

“Then for the date course, how about focusing on good restaurants? Do you enjoy food—”

Knock, knock, knock.

Bin Yoon-i’s words were cut off by another knock. Both our gazes turned toward the door simultaneously.

“Are you expecting someone?”

Yes, I am. Those kids who’ve recently awakened to pleasure.

Instead of answering her, I grimaced and approached the door. As soon as I opened it, I saw a flash of pure white hair.

“Yahoo, oppa! I came to eat delicious hot pot… Huh? Why are you shirtless?”

Jeong I-yeon, holding a plastic bag marked with a grocery store logo, looked puzzled. I forgot to put on a shirt.

“Oh…? Yoon-i is here too? Hmm~ Are you already going for the ‘third’ one?”

“…I’m not.”

I denied it with a suppressed sigh in response to Jeong I-yeon’s comment.

“But you’re shirtless… Weren’t you about to do it?”

“I just finished working out. If I had been planning to do that, I wouldn’t have opened the door.”

The suggestive undertones in this conversation were becoming troublesome.

I glanced at Bin Yoon-i. She was tilting her head in confusion at our exchange.

“Ah~ So that’s why you’re exuding such masculine pheromones?”

“What pheromones are you talking about? Why are you here anyway?”

“To have dinner together, of course. Ta-da~ I bought hot pot ingredients. Senior Yu A-ri said she’d cook for us.”

“…If the instructor hadn’t told us to get along, I wouldn’t be doing this.”

She should speak honestly.

If I hadn’t agreed to satisfy her, she would have accused me of being more interested in other women.

I gave a bitter smile as I watched Yu A-ri brush back her black hair with a snort.

“But how many servings is that?”

“Four servings.”

“Should the four of us eat together then?”

“Oho~ Setting the stage already. Impressive. Are you planning to have a foursome later?”

“Could you please just shut up…?”

At first, I thought Jeong I-yeon was the most decent student, but now that our relationship had changed, she was definitely the most annoying.

“Hehe. Alright. Let’s have hot pot with four people. Oh, should I buy more and invite Yeonhwa or Senior Mu-hui? It wouldn’t be good to be accused of excluding them, and delicious food is best enjoyed together, right?”

“Do as you please…”

“Great~!”

At my response, Jeong I-yeon quickly made a call, while Yu A-ri snatched the bag from her hands and headed to the kitchen.

“Instructor.”

“Yes?”

“Should I expect praise if it tastes good?”

“Sure.”

I answered Yu A-ri as I entered the bathroom, leaving Bin Yoon-i alone, still looking around in confusion, unable to grasp the situation.

* @ *

“Damn it. To think that I, who once held my own in the hierarchy of Horizon, am now reduced to running such errands.”

A rough-looking man with blazing red eyes stared at the church building. Unlike typical churches, there was no cross at the top.

“Telling me to perform a divine possession ritual. That bastard has really lost his mind.”

Pagoon of the Big Dipper, who had come down on Starlight’s orders, sighed. The man shook his head in disgust.

“Hah…”

He took out a cigarette and lit the end. He took a long drag and exhaled the smoke. After smoking heavily, he spat and looked up at the church building.

“Fine, let’s see if there’s any such thing as divine possession.”

He muttered while fingering a plastic bottle in his pocket. Eventually, he dropped his cigarette, crushed it under his foot, and pressed the intercom attached to the large iron gate.