episode_0008

“Thank you for using our services!”

The morning passed by slowly.

Today, I already had two guests.

It was an ordinary day with no special expectations, but even I was surprised.

Moreover, both of them chose the 100,000 won course without hesitation.

First, a B-rank hero, followed by an A-rank hero,

Two high-ranking heroes visited my shop and enjoyed the services without hesitation.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Hmm?”

As the guest received their card back, they asked, “How did you find out about this healing center as soon as you arrived?”

“Oh,”

Perhaps still feeling the effects of the massage, the guest casually loosened their neck, looking content.

A-grade hero ‘Majesty,’ with his charming long hair swaying, let out a light sigh with a flushed face.

‘…I guess my popularity will only increase.’

Just tying his hair back with a band, there was something dizzying about him.

With a height and a distinctive mark under his lips similar to mine, his outfit was quite flashy, making it challenging to describe him as a man.

Majesty raised his drooping shoulder strap once and replied nonchalantly.

“My colleague Tomboy told me about it. He found a place where he could relieve stress and adjust his condition.”

“Oh! It was a recommendation.”

I thought so, it was a recommendation.

Gratefully, it seemed that B-rank hero ‘Tomboy’ Juri had recommended it to me as my second guest.

“I’ve been flying around Paris for a while, so thank you for using our services… Could you please thank Juri for me?”

“Of course. We are grateful if facilities like this are available.”

“Huh?”

Then, he took a deep breath and relaxed his neck even more.

“You were a hero too, right? You know how the association system works. Whether you’re sleeping or awake, you’re always ready to be called upon, without a mother to worry about.”

A sigh of frustration.

“It’s a volunteer job that only seeks popularity and honor, but there’s no shelter for us. Isn’t that right?”

“Y-yes…?”

Well, I’ve experienced that hardship too.

Listening and empathizing with Majesty as a service worker, he leaned over the counter with a much more pleasant expression.

Gently stroking my cheek with his soft silk gloves, he smiled.

“In that sense, we needed a quiet entertainment district away from the eyes of the world. Heroes also need privacy, and it wouldn’t be bad to have a shop for us, right?”

“Yes, you’re right…”

“You’re really good at understanding. Hehe♡”

He pinched my cheek as he leaned in closer.

And as he whispered in my ear, he breathed out.

“That thing that’s not on the menu? That’s the VIP policy, okay?”

“Uh…?”

I was about to ask what he meant, but he interpreted it as some kind of secret signal, and his red lips parted slightly.

“Great, I’m glad you like that special touch. I’ll leave the next step for you to enjoy♥”

“???”

With a meaningful whisper, he opened the door and disappeared.

I was too flustered to ask anything, but I couldn’t help but feel like he was thinking something strange.

‘Is that what he meant? …No, no! I shouldn’t jump to conclusions again.’

I removed the adult course from the menu with embarrassment and shame.

It was my perfect delusion and misunderstanding to assume that a female guest would want such an act after just one guest.

Still, I’m lucky that the only person who saw me was ‘Tomboy’ Kwak Juri.

I doubt Juri would have spread rumors about it already.

I choose to believe that.

“Come on, let’s clean up.”

I shake off my distractions and head out from behind the counter.

As I clean up, preparing to welcome the next customer in this unexpectedly bustling business, a moment of diligence─

『Eun Jiwoo, come out right now!』

The vibration that shakes the entire building.

“….”

I hold my breath at the familiar voice.

Should I stay hidden like a mouse and go back, hoping she won’t notice me? Ignoring the loud commotion in anticipation of that, I turn away.

But patience is not a virtue when faced with someone who immediately issues the next warning.

『If you don’t come out in 3 seconds, I’ll blow up this building!』

“Damn it!”

It’s not an empty threat.

For her, it’s as easy as picking a flower, and she’s probably prepared for the consequences of her words.

As a friend I’ve known since elementary school, I understand that much.

“Stop! Stop it! Stop it! This time, it’s not even my building!”

Clang! Clang!

I rush out of the door and down to the first floor.

There, a woman is standing in a stance ready to smash the building with her clenched fist.

The tightly clenched fist radiates a red aura. The next move after that stance is sure to bring destruction.

If she hits, the building will crumble like a biscuit.

“I’m out! I’m out, so please stop! Let go of that fist right now!”

“….”

She stares at me with a fierce gaze as she holds her fist.

At my plea, she lowers her fist. But the red aura still surrounds her.

She is simply defined as a friend.

A girl I’ve known for a long time, a member of the S-rank national powerhouse, ranked 8th in the S-rank heroes, ‘Mugeok’ Yeoklin.

She wears a white dress with a red dragon on it.

The dress has a daring side slit that reveals her bare leg. From the red shoe on her bare foot to her angry face, the image is striking.

While most people have a neutral expression by default, Lin’s default expression is one of displeasure.

Her neatly tied bun is slightly off-center due to her hairpin being askew, and her hair is long and thin, reaching down to her hips. If she were to let it down, it would almost reach her ankles.

Apart from her S-rank status, she leaves a lasting impression.

Lin is a girl who crossed the sea with her family from a completely rural hometown. After wandering around and finally settling in the neighborhood where I lived, she built relationships and eventually started hero activities at my suggestion during high school, reaching the pinnacle as the 8th in the S-rank.

She was a phoenix compared to me, a mere B-rank.

“You know why I came, right?”

“Well, um?”

Thud! Thud!

She grabs my head and starts scolding me harshly, squeezing my neck like a noose.

“When did I ever encourage you to engage in hero activities and sneak out of the association to start a business?”

“….”

“And, and what’s with this business this time? What’s with that hideous sign…?!”

Finally, she smashed the exterior wall of the building to the point of it being covered in dust.

But from Lin’s perspective, it was fortunate that she had controlled her strength to such an extent.

I hadn’t informed my friend Lin about the opening of the .

A newly opened third store. And because of this appearance, it must have been talked about, so I’ve been hiding it thoroughly.

That’s the reason.

Because of that, the gaze was as sharp as twisting a chicken’s neck in response.

Thin and long, with blue eyes staring this way.

“You want to do hero activities on your own, retire on your own, have fun with your business on your own and neglect me…”

“Ah, ahaha… things turned out like that?”

“I’ve given you time, but I can’t stand it anymore…”

Besides a forced laugh and excuses, there was nothing else to say.

Everything Rine said was right. Just as she said, my retirement as a hero was purely my own decision and whim, and there was nothing to say to Rine, who hated the Hero Association.

But I’ve already started the business, and I must protect this store at all costs.

“R-Rine! Just calm down.”

“Eunjiwoo, you know my personality, right?

You have two choices. Either go back with me to the association and revoke your retirement, or come back with me against your will.”

Thud!

The concrete splits like tofu under my feet.

“Now, choose.”

“….”

Rine is right about everything.

I understand why she’s so angry.

Because it’s all my unilateral decision.

“I can’t choose both.”

But I can’t go back.

I can’t go back to the Hero Association for reasons other than starting the business.

Rine trembled even more at my firm answer.

The expression “furious” is apt as a red aura covers her whole body.

If she can’t hold back and release her power, a terrifying aura that could turn the entire city into dust envelops her.

“You brought me here so far that it’s hard to turn back, and you’re going to leave so irresponsibly?”

“….”

“What’s the reason!

Answer now! Even if it’s the reason you suddenly retired, say it clearly! You idiot!”

“Ah! I can answer that for you.”

“!?”

A sudden voice interjects.

Let me explain a bit more about the S-rank.

There are many powerful individuals in the S-rank who can even threaten national power.

Currently, there are up to 23 S-rank individuals, usually divided by their strength, sense of heroism, or internal opinions of the association.

Rine is special here.

Despite hating the association and the association hating her, she managed to rise to 8th place.

Ignoring the political relationships and guidelines within the association, she solely achieved 8th place through pure force.

So what if someone like Rine had everything, not just force?

If they had everything, including power, they could reach the top.

“It’s been a while, Eunjiwoo.”

“Y-You!”

That person, like the wind, suddenly appeared.

The number one in the S-rank.

At the top of the Hero Association pyramid, a man who truly deserves the title of the strongest.

“Seohan!”

Grin.

The pinnacle of all heroes, suddenly appeared here.

In front of my massage parlor.