episode_0009

*****

“Now, this is Min’s ID card, and this is not Ha Min──, but an account card in Ami’s name. And this is the cell phone that came out for Miss Ami. The call fee should be deducted from Mr. Si’s account… . Miss Ami? Are you listening?”

“Oh, sorry, what? Can you say it one more time?”

“Really… . Please listen carefully.”

The doctor sighed and explained once more. But I can’t help it. That’s right, if an item you miss is suddenly thrust in front of your eyes, anyone’s eyes will go there.

It’s a smartphone, I have a smartphone!

This world was almost the same as the previous world until 2000, but many things have changed since the Awakening appeared. The development of science was also one of them.

In the original world, smartphones would have been distributed worldwide in the early 2010s. But here, even in 2020 when I fought the dragon, there was only a flip phone. This is because after the appearance of monsters, especially during the period of great chaos, technology regressed rather than advanced.

Of course, there are more advanced weapons, and there are also fantasy technologies such as magic engineering, so a simple comparison is impossible. As expected, I feel a strange emotion when I see objects from the original world.

“It’s quite expensive, so be careful not to break it. It’s packed with the latest technology, such as personal recognition through magical power.”

“Oh… !”

“… You are listening correctly, right? Because it’s really expensive, right?”

Plus, that fantasy technology was actually applied. Truly the future! I’m excited because I feel the same way. Men, no matter how old they are, are weak at things like this.

At first glance, the basic usage method was not much different from the smartphone I used in my previous life. If you really want to ask, is it possible to use horsepower instead of batteries, or is it possible to use horsepower recognition instead of fingerprint recognition?

There are even messaging apps like OTalk. Would it be too exaggerated to say that it feels like a world line procedure? In reality, it may be the result of optimization and development.

“I know it’s strange because it’s my first time seeing this device, but please let go of it for a moment and come here. It’s time for inspection.”

“Okay, 3 minutes, no, 5 minutes… . Oh, wait! Doctor!”

“No. Confiscate this for a moment. I’ll give it to you later, so the inspection is priority for now.”

It’s the opposite! It’s not because it’s my first time seeing it, but because I’m used to it, so I can’t come to my senses!

… Because it is something that cannot be said. While I hesitated, the doctor mercilessly confiscated the items of memory.

Simply holding the phone above my head made it out of reach. It’s not because the doctor is big, but because I’m too small.

Really, why is this body so small? It will be inconvenient.

Plus, I’ve just realized that the Doctor’s treatment feels strangely like he’s treating a young child. It’s not particularly unpleasant, and considering how I look right now, it’s completely understandable. I feel itchy from the treatment I haven’t received in a very long time.

If I drag this on for too long, the uncomfortable feeling will only increase. I quietly handed over my phone and changed into my lab coat.

“Hmm… . Overall, it’s not that different from yesterday.”

As I sat there with electrodes attached to various parts of my body and several horns, the doctor brought up the topic first.

I took a quick peek at the monitor, and there were a lot of different numbers and graphs displayed. Of course, I have no idea what it means. Neither in my previous life nor in this life did I have much to do with studying.

“Are you saying it’s good or bad?”

“Both. Would you like to try using your magic power?”

That’s easy. I tried using my magic as the doctor told me to do.

… Yeah, it doesn’t work out well either.

First of all, it is too big that the axis of magic has completely disappeared. According to martial arts novels, it’s like I’ve lost my dantian now. No, there is no need to compare it to a martial arts novel. Because martial arts exist in this world too.

In addition, even excluding the axis of magical power, the strengthening of the body, which was supposed to have original potential, was not properly achieved. Total amount of horsepower, flow amount, usage efficiency, and effect. Everything is so shabby that it can’t even be compared to before.

If I were to start the second round, I wanted to inherit the abilities.

“Horsepower flow rate 170 per second… . Wow, that’s harsh. Of course, it is better than before.”

“How much was it in the past?”

“In the past, it was impossible to measure with regular equipment. However, I heard from KSC that the amount of magic flow during the attack, as predicted through Asura’s engagement records, exceeded 1 million.”

“When did you do that… . Speaking of attacks, kick! Same thing?”

“What is that naming sense? As far as I know, it was just an ordinary punch.”

What kind of balance destroyer is this? Somehow, there was no enemy from the North Korean purification operation. I shrug my shoulders at my own strength.

… Of course, in its current state, it is a bright apricot.

“More than that, when moving the magic power, the magic flow value in the horn was found to be quite large. Don’t you feel any special sensation in your horns?”

“Horn? … I’m not sure.”

If you say that, it may seem like you feel something, or it may seem like you don’t feel something? Uh–Um, I’m not sure.

What is this horn really? Considering that it doesn’t feel heavy even without using magical power, it seems like it has good physical weight balance. The doctor also seemed to be bothered by these horns and came towards me.

“Can I touch it for a moment?”

“Yeah, it doesn’t matter——but wait, doctor!?”

This distance is too close! Well, a boat or something! Like breasts!

“Umm. How does it feel when you touch me like this?”

“It feels like I’m just touching my head. Although there is no hair… . Rather, Doctor, please stay away!”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Stop focusing on the horns.”

Only after I protested did the doctor finally get away from me. Although he only followed the request to the extent possible and didn’t seem to be conscious of being attached.

Same with Sia, I feel like my personal space has been being invaded ridiculously since yesterday. Could it be that this is also due to a change in appearance?

“The senses of horns are not particularly sensitive or insensitive.”

“Maybe? To my senses, it feels close to an extension of the head.”

Because of the knowledge from my previous life, mostly of an unhealthy kind, I was like, ‘Just by touching the horn, I’m gone~!’ There were times when I thought I would feel the same way. If you think about it carefully, there is no way you can live your daily life properly if you give up your sensitive organs.

Because their senses are so dull, they often forget that they have horns. It was like that on the bus this morning. The only thing that made me conscious of the horns was that I felt uncomfortable when wearing a hoodie.

Of course, it’s only been a few days, so it may happen again later.

“That’s right, doctor. Is there a good hair salon around here?”

“A beauty salon? Are you going to get a haircut? Too bad… .”

Why do all women, including Sia, say that it would be a waste to cut their hair? Things like this are just annoying.

Fortunately, I was able to recommend a store in the nearby city center. Judging from the fact that the Doctor was very embarrassed when I asked him if he wanted to stop by before going to the host bar, his skills must have been clear.

Smiling at the thought of getting my head clean off, I cleared the tedious horsepower measurement test one by one.

***

“Huh? Senior, did you cut your hair?”

“ung. It’s annoying if it’s long.”

After the test was over and I cut my hair, the sun set quickly so I went home right away. Sia, who had been lying on the sofa in a half-corpse state until morning, had become a wonderful person and was preparing dinner.

“Ah, why did you do that? Too bad.”

“What is a waste? I just like it because it’s not cumbersome.”

“But the short cut also looks good. It’s cute, senior.”

“So don’t call a guy cute, kinda!”

Yeah, that was the problem. The reason I cut my hair was because the hair that touches the nape of my neck was bothersome. There was definitely an expectation that it would look more like a man.

However, the actual result of cutting it was not a ‘man with slightly long hair’ but a ‘boyish pretty girl’.

“I didn’t want to feel like this. Next time, I’ll go to a more proper place and cut it.”

“… Are you stupid, senior?”

I lamented this because I thought it was a hair salon problem. Immediately, a dagger-like word came back from Shia.

“Well, there’s no need to call me an idiot. Since I have small breasts, I thought I could look like a man if I just had shorter hair… .”

“There is no way you can look like a man just by changing your hairstyle. Senpai, right now, I am completely a girl from the bone. I didn’t even cut it randomly, I went to a proper hair salon.”

“Ugh… .”

“I’m saying this because I feel like I have no awareness. Senior, the pose you are holding the cup in is very girlish.”

A pose holding a cup? I don’t think there’s anything strange about holding it.

However, when I looked at it properly, it was definitely strange. Because my elbows were close to my waist. Also, the little finger is off the cup handle.

It’s a posture that would feel awkward if a man was doing it like this.

“It’s strange. Obviously, it’s strange if you think about it, but the posture itself is more comfortable this way. You can fold your little finger if you really want to, but… .”

“It’s no use, even if you try to force it to change. It’s a structural problem of the skeleton. Or would you like to use your magic power to use the Axial Ball?”

“You know it’s impossible now.”

Even if it were possible, you would have to keep using magical energy to maintain that state, so you would have no magical energy to use in battle. If you’re an agent, you might not know it, but it’s only in this way that a hero can attract customers.

Well, if it looks like it does now, it won’t look strange even if you look at it from the side. Let’s say that’s enough for now.

“By the way, your breasts aren’t that big, but your pelvis is wide, senior. How was this body made? Could it be that it is according to the senior’s taste? Senior, do you like this type of body line?”

“Wait a minute, hey! Don’t touch your waist line suddenly! How do I know? I was like this as soon as I opened my eyes.”

… what? Wasn’t it because you were drunk yesterday that the distance was close? Why are you sticking so close to me again today?

When I pointed out that part, Sia’s expression hardened. I don’t think I said anything that strange.

“… We told you, right? I feel like I have a younger sister.”

“So, please consider my age!”

Ahaha, Sia laughs. On the surface, it was a similar smile to usual, but somehow I could tell. Sia doesn’t really want to talk about this.

Still, if you ask, I might tell you, but I don’t think it’s necessary. A lot of things must have happened to Sia in the past 7 years.

There are so many motivations that are difficult for me to explain to others that I can’t even count them on both hands. Let’s wait for Sia to say something someday.

“But it’s been quite a while, something like this.”

“It’s been a while. What are you talking about? When you were a partner, did you sometimes come to my house?”

“No, not that one. Well, you’ve probably completely forgotten, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

That’s too much, it’s like someone is forgetful!

But in reality, that part exists, so it can’t be helped. No, I’m not saying he’s forgetful.

Active heroes are quite busy, and since their job is to save people, they often meet briefly with unspecified people. In my case, it’s even worse, so I tend not to care about meeting people.

In hero comics, there is a scene where he awakens in a crisis situation with the memories of the people who support him, but this story has nothing to do with me. In the first place, the reason I became a hero was entirely for myself.

Risking your life for others? I’m not sure about that. haha.

“Ah, senior. They said there was a clue about the senior’s abilities.”

“Oh, really!?”

As I was drinking cocoa and reading about self-harm material, Sia, who was fiddling with her cell phone, told me that. When I looked again, I saw a text message with similar content on my cell phone.

It’s a lot faster than I thought. I thought it would take over a month or I would have to figure it out myself.

“… ? But it says to come early in the morning because we are going to make a hero suit. What is this hero suit?”

“Hero suit? Ah, I see. It didn’t exist 7 years ago… , but my senior didn’t use it. It is a combat auxiliary equipment for awakened people that Flexible Company made popular a long time ago using SIM.”

“SIM? … Buy flexible?

“SIM refers to soul-sensitive metal, and flexible yarn… . Well, after the stabilization period, so many things came out that it’s hard to explain. Moreover, flexible yarn existed 7 years ago! It wasn’t a big company back then. It’s difficult to explain at length, so please look at this for now.”

Again, your lack of common sense has been revealed. However, ever since the 38 Defense War, we have been focusing on the operation to purify North Korea. In fact, it was like being in a remote country for over 8 years, so I don’t think there was anything we could do.

In the video Sia played on TV, two heroes were fighting. However, the clothes they were wearing were not the Hero Association uniforms I knew, but rather extremely unique clothes. Just like heroes in real comics.

“The red clothing on the right absorbs heat when operating the flame and serves to reduce the burden on the user. The left side expands when the body is transformed, preventing the person from being arrested for public indecency.”

“Oh, it’s okay. Things like that are important.”

Physical deformation is a relatively real life-or-death issue. The charge of obscenity during a performance is a joke, but I have seen quite a few situations where people are unable to use their abilities due to the protective gear they are wearing.

It depends on the potential, but guns generally work up to B rank.

But there was something like this in the original… , me?

Indeed, it is difficult to remember in detail a work I read more than 20 years ago. The data containing the settings was also destroyed in the accident. Still, from what I remember, I don’t think there was an artifact like this.

“With the development of SIM, Flexible Company has become a global company. Well, all sorts of problems are emerging as a result.”

“Hmm… . Do you know where this company’s headquarters is?”

“Head office? well. It’s currently located in Gangnam, but I’ll have to look into the old part. Would you like to find out?”

“Mmm. … No, it’s okay.”

Could it be that history changed because I prevented the Calamity Dragon from appearing? I just thought about that for a moment.

It would be pointless to think about it since we don’t know what it will actually be like.

“It’s a pretty major thing, so I’m wearing it too. Would you like to take a look?”

“Oh, I miss you, I miss you.”

“Now, like this. Transformation!”

Sia caught the mood and snapped her fingers in a playful tone, and her clothes instantly changed from casual clothes to the Hero Association uniform.

Since it was a hero suit, I imagined something flashy, but it was just something I normally wear. Sheesh. If the clothes were fluttering or had a small area, I was planning on making fun of them and calling them a bitch.

But regardless of the simple appearance of the clothes, the process seemed quite profound. The costume that appeared in an instant was fast-acting to be a summoning spell, and did not seem like it was a removal of invisibility. I can’t even guess what the principle is.

It’s no secret that I was a little excited because it really felt like a scene from a cartoon I saw in a past life.

“First of all, it looks like a very high-end product. In addition to reinforcing its own magical power, it has various functions, such as strengthening the maintenance time of its alter ego.”

“But why are those guys wearing such flashy suits? I think there are more people who dress like you, even if it’s embarrassing.”

“Ah… . These days, even heroes are in the era of self-promotion.”

Era of self-promotion? I wanted to ask what it meant, but the answer came from the TV, not Sia.

[It’s incredibly spicy! A fiery spicy flavor recognized by Firebird!]

A hero-looking person appeared in an advertisement, eating extremely spicy-looking ramen while sweating profusely. A huge amount of sparks are coming out of his entire body, so he’s probably a potential hero.

… Indeed, this is what it meant.

“Wow, it’s a difficult world to live in.”

“Not as bad as the period of great chaos, right?”

No, I guess you can’t compare it to that.

Still, I get it roughly. The heroes of the original I saw had a strong impression of being special forces run by the state, but the heroes of today’s era feel more similar to individual freelancers.

In fact, when I asked Sia, it seems that until recently, the Hero Association was treated more like a private organization that cooperated with the state. Although it seems to be a public enterprise now.

“That’s roughly it, but please ask Mr. Changhyuk for detailed information. He probably knows a lot better than me. Lately, I’ve been in a somewhat ambiguous state of being an active hero.”

“Okay, I’m not that curious. Rather, it is more ambiguous to say that he is active duty. What’s going on?”

“Hehe. You will soon find out. It’s no fun if you know in advance.”

In response to my question, Sia waved her index finger and slowly changed her stance. Looking at that attitude, it doesn’t seem like it’s a bad thing. Looking at his expression, I think he’s trying to make fun of me.

Still, most S-class heroes are human weapons that can easily destroy two or three cities, and some at the top have asymmetrical power by their very existence. As with the world’s nuclear bombs, it is best if there is no need to use them.

So, thinking that this was also proof that the world had become peaceful, I turned away from Sia, who was smiling heartily.

*

The hair cut as a bonus returned to its original length the next morning. Why?

“I think the dragon’s unique self-healing function is at work. Originally, the structure of body hair was almost similar to that of humans, but this time, after cutting the head, the newly sprouted part was much closer to the composition found in the dragon corpse──.”

“It looks like a lizard, senior.”

“I thought that too! I didn’t want you to say it!”

*****