Ch.161Episode 33. The Evil Sky Begins to Move (6)

“Mom. This……”

As soon as I entered the yard, I coincidentally ran into Jin Subin, who was coming from the direction of the kitchen.

Subin’s condition looked surprisingly good. Except for being thin.

“Yes?”

Crack!

I sparked electricity and quickly blocked Jin Subin as she tried to rush into her room.

Even someone who hadn’t trained in a while was different if they had once been a hero. Her movements were so quick that I wouldn’t have been able to stop her without using my ability.

“Huh! P-please move aside…!”

When I blocked her way to the room, she naturally clenched her fists and became wary. Her stance was unusual, as if her body remembered its training.

“I didn’t come here to fight. Please calm down.”

“……Then move.”

Her voice grew increasingly agitated. Her voice cracked slightly, as if her mouth was dry.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”

“Why, why not?!”

I pointed to Yeon Muhui, who was still in the yard, and said:

“You should at least greet your daughter.”

“……”

Jin Subin’s gaze followed my finger to Muhui. Muhui and Subin made eye contact but remained silent for a while.

I had no choice but to give Muhui a signal. Only then did Muhui clear her throat and timidly wave her hand.

“I’m here, Mom.”

“Oh, welcome.”

I mouthed “Say more” to pressure her. Muhui glared at me but cleared her throat again and continued.

“Have you eaten?”

“I had lunch… but not dinner yet.”

“I haven’t had dinner either… Um… would you like to eat together?”

“……”

Jin Subin glanced at me.

Why was she looking at me when Muhui asked her a question?

Was she annoyed that I was blocking the entrance? But her expression hadn’t changed.

“Then you should eat together as a family. Why eat separately? I won’t cook for you later, so eat now.”

The elder lady jumped into the conversation with perfect timing. Making it impossible for Jin Subin to refuse.

“Ah, Mom…”

“Shush.”

I unconsciously looked at Muhui. She was also looking at me with her mouth open in a smile. Then she composed her expression and returned to her usual expressionless face.

Thanks to the elder lady, we were able to arrange a meal together with Jin Subin.

The atmosphere was tense since it was forced, but I appreciated that we could sit together and have a meal like this.

Just as I was about to smile contentedly at the warm atmosphere, the elder lady called me.

“By the way, Instructor.”

“Yes?”

“Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to enter a room with your shoes on?”

“…Oh! I’m sorry!”

Belatedly noticing my shoes, I hurriedly stepped down from the wooden floor. In my rush to stop Subin, I had forgotten to take off my shoes.

“I’ll scrub it clean, ma’am.”

“That would be appreciated.”

Should I call it shamelessness? Or experience?

There’s something overwhelming about the composure in her tone.

I cleaned the floor with a cloth, not just where I had stepped but other rooms as well. Meanwhile, the elder lady and Jin Subin prepared dinner.

A feast was laid out on the round wooden table with numerous side dishes.

Though the sight of galbi and gulbi made my mouth water, I decided to excuse myself. The family probably had a lot to talk about.

“Go ahead and eat. I’ll go eat somewhere else.”

“Eat here with us.”

As I tried to slip away, the elder lady spoke.

“Ah… is it really okay for me to join you?”

“Join us. Seeing how you come here with Muhui every time, I reckon you’re more than just an instructor and student.”

We are instructor and student. For now, at least.

“G-Grandma. Yujin and I are just instructor and student.”

“Honey drips from your eyes whenever you look at your instructor. Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Ah, what are you saying…!”

“Just eat. Stop talking nonsense.”

When the elder lady scolded her, Muhui pouted and made a sullen face. Seeing that scene, I laughed involuntarily.

There’s something about the unique warm atmosphere of visiting a family home that naturally brings out laughter.

“……I saw the video.”

Jin Subin, who had been picking at her food, spoke quietly.

“I see.”

“It was satisfying to see my husband getting beaten… but still, it feels strange.”

“……I apologize. It was necessary to protect Muhui.”

“I know. I heard about the circumstances from Muhui. And… I hope that man… reflects on what he did to me by getting beaten himself.”

Her hand holding the chopsticks trembled.

She was a mother who collapsed first, unable to protect Muhui from domestic violence.

Others might say Jin Subin doesn’t deserve to be called a mother, but I don’t think I could have endured it either.

She tried to intervene when her child was being subjected to abusive training, but each time she couldn’t avoid violence herself.

And that’s not all. She must have felt guilty every time she saw her daughter unable to keep up with the harsh training.

This was clearly the fault of Yeonhwaryong, who treated his daughter as a tool, intoxicated by honor.

If anyone thinks Yeonhwaryong might have had his reasons, I want to say in advance that’s not the case. At least in the original story I know, Yeonhwaryong was trash from beginning to end.

“You were right, ma’am.”

“……Pardon?”

Jin Subin responded sluggishly to my murmur.

“And Muhui has been desperately working to prove that. She’s been quietly working hard all this time.”

I stroked Muhui’s back as she sat sulking from the elder lady’s words. She flinched at the sudden touch and glared at me, but given the atmosphere, she let it pass without saying anything.

“By the time Muhui graduates from the academy, she’ll surpass her father’s level.”

She has mastered most of the Yeonhwa style.

All that remains is the final technique that could deliver a fatal blow to Yeonhwaryong.

“Yeonhwa Style – Yeonhwa Flash.”

That’s all she needs to master.

“If she wins that duel, she’ll be able to proudly tell Yeonhwaryong that harsh training isn’t the only path to becoming an excellent hero.”

“Is that so……”

“I’m carrying on your will, ma’am. So please don’t feel guilty, and just give Muhui a word of encouragement as she moves forward. That alone fulfills your role as a mother.”

None of Muhui’s family members spoke. Feeling awkward in the suddenly solemn atmosphere, I clapped my hands to lighten the mood.

“Ah~ I’ve ruined the atmosphere because of me. Let’s continue our meal.”

Just as I was about to pick up some galbi with my chopsticks, Jin Subin spoke.

“…Thank you.”

An honest expression of gratitude always feels good, no matter when you hear it.

“……It’s nothing. It’s just what I should do as an instructor.”

As we were about to continue eating, my pocket vibrated intensely. I bowed my head to excuse myself and went out to the porch to check my phone.

The caller was the Association President.

“Hello?”

[Yujin! Where are you right now?!]

His intonation was fierce and urgent. Even at a glance, I could tell the situation was serious.

“I’m in Taean for a moment. What’s happening?”

[Go to Hongseong immediately! Monsters have appeared at Anrak Church!]

“Monsters, you say?”

I frowned and tilted my head at the mention of monsters.

[They look similar to those creatures we saw when capturing Henry.]

What? Could it be that the eX potion has spread to Anrak Church according to the original storyline?

Why? Wasn’t Forest supposed to be watching Anrak Church?

“Shit.”

I cursed and bit my lower lip. What the hell is that Forest guy thinking?

All the conversations he had flashed through my mind, raising numerous questions, but dealing with the situation came first.

“I understand. I’ll head to Anrak Church.”

I ended the call and immediately turned to bow slightly to those inside.

“I’m sorry. Something’s come up, and I need to leave right away.”

“Huh? Now?”

“Yeah. I’ll be back soon.”

“I’m coming with you.”

Muhui jumped up, grabbed her sword, and stood in front of me. I shook my head.

“No. Stay here.”

Humans who drink the eX potion become different. The current Muhui could probably handle them, but she would have to risk her life.

Besides, it was illegal for her to use her powers without a license.

“It’s really dangerous.”

“I know. Hero work is always like that.”

“Stop talking nonsense and stay here quietly with your family. I’ll be fine.”

“But…!”

“Don’t be stubborn. Stay here.”

I firmly suppressed her will. I patted Muhui’s shoulder and turned around. As I was about to put on my shoes and leave through the gate, a concerned voice came from above.

“……Be careful.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

After closing the gate, I sparked electricity.

Crackle!

The sparks, reading my emotions, fluctuated violently.

“These bastards……”

The memory of being tricked by the disguise artist still seemed to linger.

I expected them to show themselves soon, but I didn’t think they would make the first move like this.

I closed my eyes tightly and opened them again. Clenching my fists, I kicked off the ground and headed toward Anrak Church.

Those trash villains playing with human lives—I’ll catch them all and throw them in prison. Without fail.

* * *

Befitting a cult church, Anrak Church was located in a remote area near mountains. The location was chosen to conceal what was happening inside.

As soon as I arrived at Anrak Church, I looked around and sensed a presence.

“Forest!!”

“Oh, we meet again as you said, Yujin.”

As soon as I spotted the brown-haired man hiding behind a tree, I strode over, grabbed him by the collar, and glared at him.

“Whoa? Why suddenly…?”

“You bastard…! What are you trying to do?”

“Pardon?”

He blinked his eyes wide as if he knew nothing, looking alternately at my face and the hand gripping his collar.

“……Why are there problems at Anrak Church when you’re supposed to be monitoring it?”

“I can’t monitor this 24/7, can I? I’m also doing my best to respond to this sudden problem.”

“Doing your best?”

“Don’t you realize that I’m the one keeping them from escaping right now?”

Now I noticed that the building’s windows were covered with soil.

“The monsters inside are beyond my ability to handle, so I requested support from the Association President, and you responded to that request.”

Beyond his ability to handle? An S-rank?

The Association President’s eye for talent is truly rotten. This guy is an S-rank?

I gritted my teeth as I glared at him, then roughly let go of his collar.

Let’s be rational for now. Letting emotions take over could hinder combat.

“Let’s deal with this first and talk later.”

“……As you wish.”

I don’t like his leisurely attitude. Despite the terrible sounds coming from inside, he hadn’t taken any action, yet he remained so composed.

I wanted to punch him in the face right then, but I held back. After all, someone needed to be held accountable for this mess.

I sighed and immediately jumped over the fence.

“I wish you success.”

Ignoring the voice coming from behind me.