Ch.67Episode 14. Power Loss (1)

“It seems like it’s been a while since we last met.”

It was only after ten days had passed since I made my request to the Association President that I finally received a call. When he suggested meeting first, I immediately accepted.

And now, I was having a meeting with the Association President in his car after quite some time.

“Well, we’re not exactly the type to meet frequently.”

He hands me a paper envelope as I sit in the back seat. I could sense his impatience to finish the business quickly.

I opened it immediately after receiving it.

Inside the envelope were photographs of someone and papers with personal information about certain individuals.

“…Do you recognize who they are?”

“Roughly, yes.”

I nodded as soon as I saw the photos and profiles.

I had expected that those approaching Kim Soyang would be from Paradise (樂園). In the novel, it was people from Paradise who approached Kim Soyang and gave her the drug.

However, contrary to my expectations, the contents pointed to Night Shadow (夜影), Moonlight’s intelligence unit.

Looking at the proportion of photos, one gentleman in particular appeared frequently.

In the case of Maedo and Daepo, they seemed to only occasionally contact the gentleman for conversation, without direct intervention.

I thought that was fine so far.

The real problem was that the photos showed the gentleman frequently visiting Kim Soyang’s house. Even from just the photos, I could tell that Kim Soyang’s guard had completely crumbled.

Quite some time has passed, so perhaps they’ve already tampered with the drug?

“Were there any other people who contacted her besides these?”

“The woman there seems to be approaching Kim Soyang’s loan shark to extract information.”

I see. If Maedo has “Charm” and “Suggestion,” most people would move according to her will without resistance.

“…What is this?”

It was a photo of a building. Villains from Night Shadow were entering it. Looking at the back of the photo, there was an address written on it.

“Gojandong, Nam-gu, Incheon.”

“We followed them and discovered what appears to be their hideout. We couldn’t go inside, but it’s presumed to be their ‘real’ hideout.”

Having been properly fooled by the villains’ tricks last time, they seemed to have investigated thoroughly this time.

Whether this is real or not is something I’ll find out when I go there later.

I hope this newly discovered hideout isn’t just for regular members, but has connections all the way to Jeokwol.

That way, I could completely dismantle the Moonlight ‘force.’

“You’ve worked hard. Were there any other people who contacted Ms. Kim Soyang?”

“No. Unfortunately, there weren’t any.”

“I see. Well… this is sufficient.”

The fact that Night Shadow is moving means that Moonlight gave the order, and this could mean that Moonlight and Paris have joined hands.

In other words, I could conclude that they proceeded with the executive meeting as I had expected.

I couldn’t be certain whether other executives were involved in this matter, but currently, Akcheon is in a state of disharmony.

After all, the being who ‘forcibly’ harmonized them is now on the heroes’ side.

So I planned to use this unstable political situation to drive a wedge between them.

“Should we continue the surveillance?”

“Yes. Keep it in place for now. But make sure they don’t dig too deep. Also, please let me know if there are any unusual signs.”

“Yes. So when do you plan to start capturing the villains? It seems like we’ll need hero support.”

“I’ll think about the timing a bit more.”

“I hope you make a decision as soon as possible. If they sense something strange, they’ll flee immediately.”

“Don’t worry. And when I make my move, please assign just one person to me. I don’t need other heroes.”

“Who would you like me to assign?”

“Among the S-class heroes, there’s the ‘Space Distorter,’ right?”

Space distortion.

It was a power that only the highest tier of telekinesis users could wield. Simply put, it could be considered an upgraded version of Kang Chan’s ability.

“…How did you know about that? Most people just know them as a telekinesis user.”

“Well, intuition?”

“If you don’t want to tell me, just say so. How can we work together with such lack of trust?”

Seong Inhyeok snorted repeatedly, as if displeased.

“Don’t pretend to be sulking like a child, grown man that you are.”

“What?!”

“Association President, it’s enough for you to know that I’m on your ‘side.'”

I put the photos and papers back into the envelope and sealed it.

By the way, he handles tasks reliably when asked. I can probably trust him with Bin Yooni’s copyright issue too.

“It seems like there’s almost nothing you don’t know, Yujin.”

“…From now on, I won’t know.”

“?”

He tilts his head and checks my expression in the rearview mirror. I spoke even more enigmatically, as if posing a riddle.

“No, I shouldn’t know.”

A plot you’ve already seen once doesn’t provide the same thrill as when you first saw it. That wouldn’t be fun.

“Please inform the Space Distorter in advance. Ask them to contact me at my number.”

“Ah, but…”

He hesitated to answer.

“They might not contact you. The Association can’t pressure S-class heroes, and we’re always in the position of asking favors.”

“…Even you, Association President?”

He let out a disgruntled groan and expressed reluctance.

“Yes.”

Well, thinking about it, it makes sense.

They’re S-class heroes representing South Korea. Each one possesses power on the level of a disaster, so it wouldn’t be easy for the Association to control them.

“Although the Association is often in the superior position because we pay compensation to all heroes, S-class and upper A-class heroes are exceptions.”

In a way, that seems to prove the Association’s incompetence.

I understand that there’s nothing to be done in the face of overwhelming power.

This world displays the survival of the fittest more prominently than the world I used to live in.

Still, when the Special Class kids eventually reach the ranks of S-class, I’d feel more at ease if they were properly controlled.

Otherwise, as an extension of my role as an Academy instructor, I’d have to control those kids myself.

I didn’t like that idea.

I want to see those kids living as heroes, not act as their lifelong nanny.

“Moreover, the Space Distorter, ‘Hirak,’ is particularly avoided by people because of their unique way of speaking. It’s not even easy to approach them.”

I know.

Because of her sharp personality that criticizes others if they fall even slightly below her standards, many people shake their heads at her.

But the public and the Association couldn’t directly criticize her.

After all, it’s thanks to her that security in Gyeongsang Province is maintained. It’s an unavoidable reality that must be accepted.

Yeonhwaryong is like that too, and so is she.

Looking at it this way, the hero industry is truly dark.

I wonder what would have happened without me.

“Well… just try asking. Since she recently defeated Yeonhwaryong, she might be somewhat interested?”

“Understood.”

“Good. Then let’s end our conversation here.”

“Ah, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask.”

As I was about to wrap up the conversation cleanly and place my hand on the car door, he spoke. I look at Seong Inhyeok, who had completely turned toward me.

“What is it?”

“I recently heard a strange rumor.”

“A rumor?”

“A rumor that Instructor Yujin is getting involved with the Special Class students.”

“Ah…”

I let out a short sigh.

Is this where my actions to care for those kids have led?

I wasn’t surprised because I had somewhat expected it, but I found it a bit ridiculous that I couldn’t deny it.

“That reaction… so it’s true.”

“Don’t worry—”

“Yujin.”

“Yes?”

He calls me in a serious tone, as if admonishing me.

“You know those children have special talents, right?”

“…Yes, I know. Why else would they be in the Special Class?”

“That’s not what Special Class means, but… anyway… I know you’re in your prime, Instructor Yujin. But those children are at a time when they need to grow.”

What is he trying to say with such a long preamble?

“Please make sure to use contraception. If there’s a pregnancy—”

“…Are you insane?”

* * *

After exchanging regular communications with the Association President and waiting for Hirak’s contact for three days, my phone remained silent. The Association President said he was continuously contacting Hirak, but my phone stayed quiet.

On a weekday morning during assembly time.

Just as I was about to finish after discussing the announcements as usual, an unexpected visitor arrived.

Rare mint-colored hair and a small frame that seemed less than 160 centimeters tall.

She looked youthful, but her upturned eyes gave her a fierce impression.

And I knew the person with this appearance.

Although she only appeared as an extra-level character in the original work, she was a hero who fought with skills comparable to Gu Yeonhwa, who had become a villain.

“Which one of you is Instructor Yujin?”

“That would be me. Who are—”

“Hirak.”

It was a remarkably brief answer.

She looks at me with displeasure, arms crossed.

I was going to ask out of courtesy even though I knew, but I couldn’t finish my sentence. She’s certainly impatient.

But isn’t the Academy off-limits to outsiders?

“Is it you? The one who kept pushing the Association President to contact me?”