Ch.48Red Yellow Red – 2

I just want to run away. If that’s not possible, I just want to faint.

Rina Lee’s secretary’s wish was extremely simple.

“What did you just say?”

But that woman wouldn’t allow him to run away or faint.

He couldn’t do either. He couldn’t lose consciousness or move from his spot.

Facing that terrifying gaze, he simply couldn’t do anything.

He’d rather she hit him like she beats up villains.

His body would hurt, but at least his mind would be at ease.

“I asked what you said.”

Rina Lee stood up and approached with large strides.

His heart froze. Fear etched deep into his bones.

It felt as if death itself had approached right before him.

“Last time. I’ll ask, again. I’ll ask again, sir.”

At Rina’s words, the secretary’s face turned completely pale.

The most dangerous moment for the woman he served.

It was when she switched from casual speech to formal speech with someone.

“What did you just say, sir?”

He had to answer. Yes, he needed to answer, but fear kept his mouth shut.

What if his body exploded while still alive if he spoke? Or what if he disappeared without a trace?

All sorts of terrible possibilities gripped the secretary, keeping his lips tightly sealed.

Surely a superpower user wouldn’t do that? A normal superpower user wouldn’t.

But the woman standing before him now was Rina Lee. The Yellow Madwoman.

She was a woman barely kept in check by the Association’s desperate pleas.

Without those efforts, she would have been tearing villains to shreds.

And if something irritated her, anyone could become her target, villain or not.

Her recent trampling of the Jinhan Group was part of that.

He should have stopped her when she suddenly said she was going to infiltrate the back alleys.

When she went there, she suddenly grabbed some strange men and was fuming.

Then the very next day, she stormed into the Jinhan Group and caused havoc.

Even he, as her secretary, didn’t know what had displeased her.

Though called a secretary, he was essentially just a messenger reporting to the Association when Rina moved somewhere.

Or someone who kept her somewhat rational by playing along with her.

Those were the duties of the secretary.

One thing was certain: the well-established Jinhan Group had nearly disappeared.

This wasn’t about forced acquisition, merger, or sudden sale.

Truly, literally. Just physically, without leaving a trace in this world!

“Well, um… villains… they caused trouble in the middle of the city.”

“And. Don’t interrupt me.”

“Ah, yes. Soohyun Kim, Minseong Kang’s granddaughter, was there…”

“When did I ask about that part? I don’t care if the old man’s granddaughter lives or dies, not that.”

Hissss—

Perhaps due to her uncontrolled superpower, the area around Rina began to burn.

Or maybe she had long given up trying to control it.

That immense pressure began to weigh down on the secretary’s entire body.

The primal fear of standing before an absolute power.

He needed to answer quickly, but words simply wouldn’t come out.

“Um, that examiner Seojin Baek we met before was also there.”

With a desperate will to survive, the secretary suppressed his fear and barely finished speaking.

“…”

Rina said nothing. Truly, not a single word.

Considering she usually blurted out whatever came to mind, this was astonishing.

So much so that there was a saying in the Association: “A silent Rina is a dead Rina.”

What was happening before the secretary’s eyes was that shocking.

“…They touched him. My handsome oppa.”

How much time had passed?

Finally, Rina’s lips opened, and a faint murmur flowed out.

“They touched what I had my eye on.”

“R-Rina-nim?”

“It was bad enough that some weird bastards tried to damage him… now even villain bugs are swarming?”

With a “Ha!” of exasperation, Rina suddenly turned around.

Then, with heavy steps, she began to move somewhere.

“Rina-nim! W-where are you going?!”

“To destroy the bastards who damaged what’s mine.”

“What? N-no! Wait! If you suddenly leave now, this place…”

This isn’t South Korea. They are currently at a port in Russia.

Recently, intelligence revealed that Russian ships were cleverly smuggling drugs.

The leadership of both countries planned a joint investigation through close communication and cooperation.

Normally, this would be a matter for the investigative agencies of South Korea and Russia.

But several issues arose during the investigation.

Intelligence revealed that some of the drug organizations consisted of villains.

And coincidentally, the nearby area was unofficially the territory of one of the Elders.

This was impossible for non-powered individuals. It could lead to disaster.

On top of that, there were internal complications on the Russian side.

“Currently, most of our country’s S-rank superpower users have been dispatched to St. Petersburg due to a large-scale gate situation. We only have one available person, so if South Korea could send support, our country would be deeply grateful.”

It meant they would repay the favor somehow if South Korea sent an S-rank superpower user.

The South Korean side accepted the condition and decided to dispatch an S-rank superpower user.

So, as an escort for the South Korean personnel dispatched from the Superpower Association.

None other than Rina Lee was assigned.

Of course, this escort mission was realized because Rina volunteered.

She said it could be fun if she might clash with an Elder.

She, who usually detested escort duties, gladly joined.

“…In short, you’re saying that fat bastard is scary.”

“Pardon?”

“What’s so scary about a guy who just gropes women’s breasts? So, if I keep him from coming near here, my job is done? After that, there’s no problem if I do whatever I want?”

At Rina’s question, the secretary found himself nodding without realizing.

If a future secretary had seen that scene, he would have cried out:

You shouldn’t have done that. You shouldn’t have said that.

“Rina-nim? W-where are you going?”

“To eliminate the problem.”

After saying that, Rina turned around and lightly stomped on the ground.

In an instant, she became a golden flash and disappeared beyond the sky.

And not long after, a massive explosion erupted in the distance.

S-rank superpower user, Rina Lee. And the Elder, Alexei.

The battle between those called demigods or half-gods had begun.

“Why is this crazy woman picking a fight suddenly!”

From the Elder’s perspective, he had no intention of getting involved, but it was like being struck by lightning.

*

[Next news. After conducting a joint investigation with Russia, the government successfully eradicated a foreign organization involved in drug smuggling. The Russian government has expressed to our government…]

Trash bastards. If they want to do drugs, they should do it in their own country.

Why crawl into someone else’s country and spread drugs?

“They’re really bad people. How dare they bring drugs into South Korea, a drug-free country.”

The one who had been chatting about various things was none other than Hana Kang.

To the point where I wondered why the student council president was suddenly acting this way.

She was having a lively conversation right next to me, a civil servant, not even a student.

“Because of people like this, civil servants just have more work to do.”

“That may be true, but it’s a completely separate issue from me. They’ll handle it on their own.”

Unfortunately, I’m not in a position to worry about the police or drug monitoring.

Rather, isn’t it beneficial that we’ve earned a favor from Russia because of this incident?

“By the way, Hana Kang. Aren’t you going to class?”

“I have no classes today. You don’t need to worry.”

“Then what about student council work?”

“I finished everything this morning. There weren’t any particularly important agenda items.”

I was trying to hint that her constant presence was burdensome and she should leave.

But whether she didn’t understand or was pretending not to, Hana Kang remained unmoved.

“I saw an article a few days ago. A civil servant who prevented a gate crisis, now engaged in a fierce battle with villains.”

“It wasn’t that fierce. We just exchanged some blows, that’s all.”

“But witnesses say differently. That Examiner Seojin Baek did everything.”

Even if I try not to see it, I can’t help but notice.

Hana Kang’s sparkling eyes and the burdensome gaze pouring out.

She seems to want something. It seems she has something to say.

But she’s not revealing it directly, just carefully watching my reaction.

‘Perhaps she wants to say something about the Silver rank examination?’

No matter how I think about it, that seems most likely.

First, Hakjun Ma’s support and my eloquent speech about the Silver students.

Those things are creating synergy and bringing about somewhat positive changes.

But there are definitely negative views and opinions too.

It can’t be helped. It’s not something that can only have positive responses.

The student council is where those students’ complaints are received most quickly and in the greatest number.

They can’t overturn the current situation immediately, but they can raise objections.

Are they planning some kind of collective action?

Are they trying to find a compromise by giving notice?

I remember thinking about this several times.

“You really are an amazing person every time I see you.”

But Hana Kang showed no signs of such intentions.

At this point, I’m wondering if she really just came because she had nothing to do and was bored.

“Examiner!”

From a distance, Soohyun Kim comes running with a bright smile.

Having shed the “Inferiority-Driven Genius” trait and finally bloomed into “The Crimson Witch.”

It’s fortunate that the trait with severe penalties has disappeared.

The Crimson Witch trait, at least for now, wasn’t created by a villain, so that’s somewhat reassuring.

‘Of course, I’m still anxious, very anxious.’

What’s done is done. I have to accept it as it is.

Perhaps blooming into the Crimson Witch was Soohyun Kim’s destiny.

The important thing is how that catalyst was created.

“Oh, Soohyun!”

Hana Kang, who was beside me, waves at Soohyun Kim.

I learned earlier during our chat that they know each other.

They used to call each other “unnie” and “dongsaeng,” so they were definitely close.

“Senior, why are you here…?”

“I was just having a chat with the examiner. Are you feeling better now?”

“Ah… yes. Thank you for your concern.”

For reference, Soohyun Kim was forced to take two days of rest by Minseong Kang.

Saying she must have been very shocked and needed to calm her mind and body.

When Hakjun Ma heard about it, he grumbled, “Why is he making such a fuss when the doctor says she’s fine? Anyway, I wish he’d just drop that ‘hero’ title.”

“I’m glad. Really glad.”

Hana Kang hugs Soohyun Kim lightly while smiling brightly.

Up to that point, they look like very affectionate sisters…

Why is her face suddenly hardening?

Soohyun, smile a little. You’re scary.