Ch.41Chapter 2. Artificial Demons and Natural Demons (4)

Hot pink is fine.

Heroes choosing their personal colors is a matter of individual taste, and taste is something that shouldn’t be carelessly interfered with.

“I want my costume in deep dark black.”

“What? Isn’t black more of a villain color?”

“What did you say? Did you just call my favorite color villainous? Grrrr, I’m going dark!”

“No, wait, are you crazy?”

Ability users are like delicate glass fragments—touch them carelessly and they all turn dark.

Therefore, when heroes decide on their ability suits, others shouldn’t casually criticize from the sidelines.

Hot pink.

It’s a color that deserves respect.

Some people prepare rainbow-colored hero costumes, so hot pink is actually quite dignified in comparison.

“Hot pink. Nice. The color is distinct, and even in darkness, dangerous people will immediately recognize you as a ‘hero’ by your outfit.”

“Right?”

“But not Doji Rider.”

“Why not?”

“Because that’s a villain.”

Hot pink is fine.

Light pink is fine too.

But Doji Rider is not acceptable.

“Whatever the design of Doji Rider, Goblin is a villain. What hero in the world would copy a villain’s costume?”

“I’m sorry to say, teacher, but people don’t think that way.”

“What?”

“Everyone thought Goblin’s design was ‘cool,’ and now everyone is creating new hero costumes based on Goblin’s design.”

“No way.”

What nonsense is this?

“Oh, you didn’t know? It’s been a hot issue for the past week.”

“Well, I’ve been busy working and reading books in the library basement, so I wasn’t interested in such things. It wasn’t even on the news much.”

“It’s been actively discussed in student-only communities. Especially among male students. Things like ‘No man can resist this.'”

I understand.

After all, he transformed with a design that evokes nostalgia while not looking outdated at all in 2025.

Did he add excessive variations to break away from the existing design? No.

Is it a design so simple yet makes people laugh to maintain a certain concept? No.

Does it give first-time viewers a sense of disgust like “Damn, what is that?” Also no.

Every man carries a transforming hero in his heart, and I actually transformed like that.

“Sejong Academy is turning into villain territory. Is this acceptable? How can people design and wear villain costumes in an educational setting?”

“It’s not a villain costume. It’s the costume of a hero who fights aliens from space and demons. With a slight mechanical feel mixed in.”

“Huh.”

I was dumbfounded by all the designs Yoon Yi-seon showed me.

“Isn’t this something that came out before we were even born?”

“Yes. It came out exactly in 2000, before the world underwent dramatic changes, and was the prototype of Korean heroes that gained explosive popularity.”

Almost no one would know this.

If you know this, you’re likely to hear “What are you talking about, old-timer?” from young people.

“Earth Warriors.”

“…Okay, I get that it’s a Korean special effects show. But is it really okay for everyone to go this route? Do these ability users have no sense of shame?”

“‘Coolness’ is more important than shame. Isn’t it more important for a hero to look cool? No matter how skilled a hero is, if their costume fails, they won’t be popular.”

That’s the truth.

“If your appearance fails, you can’t gain popularity as a hero, right?”

“That’s right.”

No matter how powerful a hero is, even if they’re one of the rare S-class heroes, if their appearance fails, their popularity fails too.

“Would you call me Mosquito Man?”

“How can you attach ‘mosquito’ to an S-class hero! There are more appropriate things like wolves or killer whales!”

“But because he’s obsessed with mosquitoes…”

I’ll say it again, ability users are like glass.

“What? You’re insulting mosquitoes? I can tolerate insults toward me, but I can’t tolerate insults toward mosquitoes! Apologize for that!”

“Damn it, anything but mosquitoes! No one in this world likes mosquitoes! If you made a cool concept based on cockroaches, that would at least be unique! But mosquitoes are unacceptable!”

“How dare you insult mosquitoes! Unforgivable! I’ll fix the rotten mindset of everyone in this world who hates mosquitoes until they love mosquitoes!”

“That’s because you’re crazy! S-class or not, I have to speak the truth!”

Such incidents happen frequently around the world.

Cases where other ability users, adults, or ordinary people can’t accept a hero’s preferred appearance.

“Make it! A cool Mosquito Man! If the design doesn’t please me, I’ll leave this country!”

“Where would you go?”

“Until I find a country that accepts Mosquito Man!”

“Damn it, fine! Let’s see! Let’s see how the world receives Mosquito Man!!”

Though I’ve given an extreme example, Doji Rider is similar to the Mosquito Man case.

“Student Yoon Yi-seon. I did say that even if something is known to the public as a demon or monster, if its actions are righteous, then it’s a hero.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s say, for example, that you transform into something like a gumiho. But instead of taking human livers, you extract villains’ magical power in a very special way and store it in something like an orb.”

“…Would you like to elaborate on that?”

Yoon Yi-seon’s eyes began to sparkle.

Since I was essentially spoiling the development direction of her ability—not just her future costume—Yoon Yi-seon showed considerable interest.

“For example, something like this. A gumiho wearing hanbok, carrying a spirit orb like a prophet’s crystal ball. You could emit fox fire from it, use magically created claws in close combat, wield nine tails like whips, and have fox fire shoot from each tail toward enemies.”

“…Wearing hanbok?”

“Yes. Later, you could even transform into a gumiho. Oh, maybe that’s a bit much.”

Yoon Yi-seon’s final form would be a tall beauty with adjusted body proportions.

“You could go with a concept of absorbing the enemy’s magical power. Wearing a hot pink hanbok.”

It’s better to leave some room for interpretation here rather than telling a hero to become some giant beast.

“But it’s not Goblin.”

Legendary heroes, Super Rangers, Power Squadron, Masked Riders—those concepts belong to gumiho, not to Yoon Yi-seon!

“Making something similar to Goblin’s appearance might be seen as supporting Goblin.”

“I am in favor of supporting Goblin.”

Damn it.

We’re going in circles again.

“Fine. Let’s say you become Pink Rider, similar to the hot pink Doji Rider. Would public opinion be favorable?”

“Yes. Teacher, you’re overlooking something—Goblin has fan clubs and is currently popular in Korea and worldwide.”

“Despite being a villain?”

“That’s the government’s perspective. Although he belongs to the Syndicate Yimemangryang, Goblin has never committed any crime except for executing villains.”

“……”

That’s true.

As a law-abiding citizen, I never used my abilities recklessly or revealed myself except when executing villains.

“When villains run wild, he steps in to handle them directly to prevent civilian casualties, and by executing villains—something heroes dare not do—he gives people vicarious satisfaction.”

I’m doomed.

Persuasion isn’t working at all.

“I know Goblin’s actions are criminal. Even Goblin fan club members don’t deny that his execution of villains is ‘not a crime.’ But everyone is excited about how his actions give people vicarious satisfaction, catharsis.”

“So basically…”

“People are captivated because he kills villains in a satisfying way. Did you know that Goblin was already trending when he first appeared wearing just a mask and a suit?”

“Is that true?”

“Yes. It was very brief, and people found the suit somewhat ordinary and were disappointed. But this time it’s different. With just a few modifications, color changes, and design adjustments, it could easily be called a ‘hero’ look.”

Public opinion about Goblin was already good, and now he’s appeared with a completely new, stylish appearance?

“Goblin made a mistake.”

“What did Goblin do wrong?”

“He transformed into a strange appearance and bewitched people.”

Who knew that my bold transformation would create such a Goblin craze among people.

“This is troublesome. Really.”

“Right? People are so enthusiastic…”

Suddenly.

Both of us froze.

“Yi-seon. It seems it’s not just students who are enthusiastic.”

“…That’s an insult to Goblin.”

The TV in the restaurant suddenly switched from a drama to a live broadcast.

[This is Saerogu Plaza! A monster resembling ‘Goblin’ is currently on a rampage! The villain is presumed to have transformed this way due to an explosive desire to imitate Goblin, and is currently being called by the code name ‘Doppelgänger’!]

“As expected.”

Yoon Yi-seon got up from her seat with a smirk.

“They say superstars drive both heroes and villains crazy.”

Is that the right context for that saying…?

“Teacher, I need to go somewhere for a moment.”

“You’re not going there, are you?”

“It’s close by, and your words have changed my thinking a bit.”

Pink flames flickered slightly from Yoon Yi-seon’s fingertips.

“Would you like to witness the student council president’s new transformation?”

“…It’s not a Rider, is it?”

“……”

Yoon Yi-seon just smiled with crescent-shaped eyes.