Chapter 57 : Fake Human (3)

An round table that only S-rank heroes are allowed to sit at.

It was located on the highest floor within the Hero Association building.

Even until the 5th anniversary of me putting down , it was a place only mentioned, never one I got to visit directly.

I wonder when that breadcrumb will be unraveled.

I remember feeling disappointed as I deleted the game, eagerly awaiting that moment, but I never imagined I would be entering this place so soon.

I never thought it would happen as a regular college student.

[No, a civilian… let alone a man being here, this doesn’t make sense.]

At the round table made of pure white marble in the dark space, should I say it was expected?

Before the meeting, the high-ranking officials of the association, displayed as holograms around me, were in a furious mood.

In a world where women do great things, there were many patriarchal views, especially from the elderly.

The higher-ups were urging me to leave quickly.

Honestly, I felt uncomfortable too, and I was about to leave the seat.

Slit.

[Oh, oh?!]

[Th-th-th-this…?]

[Makoto-sama…?]

“Enough.”

As if a child had been disrespected.

Makoto-sama, instead of speaking, drew her sword first toward the high-ranking officials of the association.

“This child is like family to me.”

[Makoto-sama personally brought him…?]

[Even so, having a man in such an important position is a bit…]

[Cough, I should say it’s against tradition…]

“If something happens, I will take responsibility.”

Indeed, third in rank among S-ranks.

For a moment, I was nervous about what would happen, but the brief words from Makoto-sama seemed to make even the high-ranking officials of the association tremble and fall silent.

Whispering.

“But is it okay to do that?”

“Heh. Well, what’s it to you? Anyway, with Janghoon here, it doesn’t really matter, does it?”

It was refreshing.

But on the other hand, I was worried about Makoto-sama.

So I cautiously asked Yoon Ha-eun, sitting next to me, but she just shrugged her shoulders as if it was fine.

‘Is it really okay for everyone, even though I’m here?’

The two people from the Okami family who treat me like family, and Yoon Ha-eun, who I know personally, I can understand why.

But currently, the 4th ranked S-class hero, who is looking at me intently from the front.

Roselia, from a conservative noble family, seemed like someone who might make a comment.

But then…

“Well, young master, you seem to have missed your chance to leave, so just sit quietly.”

“Huh?”

Surprisingly, she kindly cared for me.

‘Is it because I’m from the Okami family?’

In the original work, Roselia had a tendency to subtly disregard men, but perhaps it was because she was backed by Makoto-sama.

Even the 4th rank in the world seemed to lower her tail in front of the 3rd rank.

“…So, enough of the small talk. Why did you call all the S-class heroes here?”

[Cough! As for that, uh… there’s someone else who will explain.]

“…? Wait, are the high-ranking members of the association here and don’t even know the content of the meeting before attending?!”

A typical trope of monster stories.

The strange incompetence of most high-ranking members.

As expected, they called the meeting and then fell silent, as if they just came to fill a seat.

Angered, Makoto-sama tried to wake the old fools from their slumber by glaring at each individual hologram around.

But unfortunately, the timing was off.

“Now, shall we get to the point? Makoto-sama?”

“?! You are…?”

“Huh?”

“Oh?”

“!!”

A real-life member of parliament, not a hologram, walked toward the round table in the dark space.

Her hair as white as snow.

She lifted her glasses for a moment and glanced at all of us through her pale white eyes.

She was Avanka, the leader of the progressive party, known to make even the high-ranking officials of the Hero Association bow their heads in fear.

“Ah, Avanka, the member of parliament?”

“Long time no see, Makoto-sama. I hope everything has been well.”

“Ah, yes… thanks to you…”

“Thanks to you, I’m still alive in this city, which hasn’t been destroyed.”

Wait, why is a member of parliament here in the Hero Association headquarters?

Shouldn’t she be at the National Assembly, doing political work? Yet, here she is, shaking hands with Makoto-sama and greeting her.

Even Makoto-sama, the great, seemed surprised by the situation.

Then, leaving the stunned Makoto-sama behind, Avanka looked at the four of us who were just as surprised.

Among us, it seems I stood out the most.

“…A man?”

“Ah, haha… hello?”

An unexpected male college student mixed in the S-class meeting.

The member of parliament’s gaze was fixed on me, clearly out of place.

I thought I’d get an earful, but…

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

“…?”

Even the high-ranking officials of the association behind the holograms were dumbfounded by Avanka’s applause.

“Good. I thought the Hero Association still focused on outdated traditions, but it seems you’re slowly becoming aware of the glass ceiling based on gender.”

“Y-yes?”

[Ha, haha…]

[Right, right…]

“Bravo. Excellent. Humanity has always ‘progressed.’ We’ve always evolved to survive, moving past our past failures. In that sense, this moment, where we are relying on the strength of both women and men to survive, is truly historic!”

Uh…

Did I just stumble into the wrong place?

Whispering.

“Hey, Jang Hoon.”

“Ah, yes. Miss.”

“That congressman… Don’t you think she’s surprisingly a good person?”

“Uh… Well, she’s the leader of a political party, so she shouldn’t be a bad person, right?”

“That’s true!”

From the very first appearance, it was clear she was a politician.

With words and actions that naturally drew people’s attention, Congressman Avanka fully showcased her presence.

But that atmosphere lasted only for a brief moment.

“But why is Congressman Avanka here?”

Makoto, the clan head, voiced the question I wanted to ask.

At that, the other heroes seated at the round table naturally turned their gazes toward her.

Then came the response.

“Oh, it’s nothing much. There’s a document related to a hero bill that’s about to pass in the National Assembly.”

“A document related to heroes?”

At those words, Hoshino, a rookie hero, and I didn’t show much of a reaction.

“Hmm~.”

“Why would politicians, who should be focusing on politics, suddenly take an interest in this place?”

“Wasn’t it an unspoken rule in Hero City that corporations and heroes should stay out of politics?”

The three S-class heroes seated at the round table.

Even Roselia, who usually maintained a sweet and lovely demeanor with her smile, was not smiling now.

They were looking at her as if she were a rogue crossing a line that shouldn’t be crossed.

“Since when did we heroes become ‘pawns’ who blindly follow politicians’ words?”

“Hahaha… Pawns, you say. That’s a misunderstanding, Clan Head Makoto.”

“‘Misunderstanding,’ huh… For a misunderstanding, the leader of the most highly supported progressive party in Hero City is standing right here. So, are you saying…

“Hmm… That it was all a lie?”

Following Makoto, Roselia attacked Congressman Avanka with a cold gaze.

With her aristocratic poise, her ruby-colored eyes looked down at her as if she were a lowly commoner.

And then, even Yoon Ha-eun, who usually maintained a calm demeanor, added to the pressure.

“Just go back, Congressman Avanka.”

“Hero Yoon Ha-eun…”

“Politics and the Hero Association are fundamentally incompatible. If divisive politics starts interfering with the work of saving lives, what do you think will happen?”

“I expected this, but the meeting hasn’t even properly started, and my head already hurts.” Sigh…

“Yes, so if you have an official request, it would be better to go through the proper channels instead of making such sudden announcements. That would be more respectful.”

The round table was frozen even before the meeting began.

The executives beyond the hologram—whether they had fled or were just keeping quiet like mice—remained silent.

Only a heavy silence lingered for a few seconds.

But, as expected from a politician who couldn’t let go of his own intentions—

“Understood. I apologize if I was rude.”

“Then, if you’ll excuse us—”

“For the sake of Hero City! No, for the future of humanity, I must say this bill right here and now!”

“What the…?!”

“Didn’t you hear us? We said to leave!”

“Just one word! Let me say just one thing!”

“Do you want to be thrown out?”

Desperate to avoid being kicked out, Congressman Avanka clung to the round table.

“Hey, we told you to leave already!”

“Don’t touch me! Where do you think you’re touching?!”

Unable to stand it anymore, Yoon Ha-eun stood up and tried to drag her out without hurting her, but like a leech, she stubbornly refused to let go.

Then, to all of us, who were already exhausted—

“As of this moment! The number of S-class heroes in the Hero Association will increase from 5 to 15!”

“Huh?”

“What?”

“What… the hell?”

The bill that the National Assembly had been trying to pass quietly through Hero City’s executive board—

Congressman Avanka had just announced to all of us an unprecedented increase in the number of S-class heroes.

“Huh? Then does that mean I’m going to be an S-class hero too?”

“Yes~. Of course. From now on, you’re S-class hero Okami Hoshino!”

“Ohhh! Mom, that means I’m finally on the same level as you…!”

“Hoshino, be quiet. If you don’t, I’ll make sure you’re never allowed near Jang Hoon during your mating season.”

“?! Y-Yes, ma’am!”