episode_0062

062.

Yoo Dahee is the representative villain of the Romance Hero Academy.

Just like the anti-thesis of the female lead, Jin Soyeon, various settings and information about her are exposed through character profiles, fan comics, novels, game texts, etc.

Past history, relationships, hobbies, personality, preferences, likes, dislikes, skills, abilities, habits, bad habits, special abilities, and more.

Among them, there are many detailed descriptions of basic behavioral patterns.

For example…

When she decides to attack, she slightly raises her eyes, or before using the Illusionary Divine Fist, she slightly rolls her left foot back, or before using the Poisonous Carving Hand skill, there is a unique preparatory movement, and so on.

Additionally, there was a setting that she has a habit of using the Illusionary Divine Fist to deceive the enemy’s eyes and move to attack the vital point, the Mingmen Point, when launching a surprise attack on a seemingly weak opponent.

Thanks to this, Yoo Dahee was able to barely defend against the first surprise attack.

However.

“I didn’t see that coming.”

Teleportation, really?

It’s not easy to see.

No, she just blinked once, and she moved right behind Jin Soyeon.

“This is a big problem. I’m not confident I can defend against the next attack.”

Although she could somewhat deal with Yoo Dahee’s habits and preparatory movements, it was partly a behavior relying on luck.

Unlike games that repeat certain behavioral patterns, reality has many variables, so there was no confidence in defending against another attack.

Initially, she was able to defend against Yoo Dahee’s first surprise attack because she wasn’t serious and was caught off guard.

But now, she won’t let her guard down.

“…Ah, really. I had no choice but to step in because I was worried Soyeon might be in danger, but what do I do now? Is Yoo Dahee targeting me now?”

Indeed, Yoo Dahee was looking at Lee Jinhyuk with a strange gaze. Why is she looking at him like that? It’s scary.

“….”

Yoo Dahee wiped away a drop of blood trickling down her hand.

It was just a small scratch, but she was slightly intrigued by the fact that she had injured a hero trainee.

Was that man’s name Lee Jinhyuk?

He is quite famous these days as a hero aspirant.

However, he is incompetent and doesn’t pay much attention to his combat abilities.

She thought he was just a small fry.

Did he have hidden skills?

Or was he hiding his true abilities?

“…Hmm.”

Yoo Dahee glanced at the other trainees.

While they were frozen in fear and dread earlier, their expressions had relaxed considerably now.

Because Yoo Dahee’s first surprise attack had failed, and she had even been counterattacked by Lee Jinhyuk, causing blood to flow.

Although she had initially created a tense atmosphere with a powerful aura, ultimately, she had bled at the hands of a trainee like Lee Jinhyuk, so did she think he was worth a try?

Secretly, Yoo Dahee let out a short chuckle in her mind.

“Interesting.”

Did she really harbor hope with just that?

Sorry, but what you will feel from now on is not hope, but despair.

Yoo Dahee slowly began to gather her magic power.

As a considerable amount of magic power concentrated, the trainees swallowed nervously and tightly gripped their weapons.

As the ominous and dangerous magic power surged like a whirlwind, sweat formed on the palms of the children.

That white-haired woman.

Is she really going to make a move now?

The atmosphere is quite different from before.

Unlike the dry and casual movements earlier, it seems like she is planning to be a bit more serious now. As an unknown energy surged, the children shivered with goosebumps.

Suddenly, they bit down on their lower lips tightly, resisting the fear.

“Alright, you guys.”

Was Jinhyuk’s action just skill or luck?

Well, it doesn’t matter either way.

Unless you’re a high ranker, you can’t dare to threaten her. So Yudahee…

– Ring ring.

“Ah.”

Yudahee, who was about to make a move, stopped.

Her phone was ringing in her pocket.

Ah.

This is something.

Just when things were getting interesting.

But if it was a call instead of a message, it must be something important, so she couldn’t ignore it.

Yudahee hesitated for a moment before finally answering the phone with one hand.

The kids were momentarily dumbfounded.

Answering a call out of the blue during a fight.

But they didn’t dare to touch Yudahee.

It could lead to unnecessary trouble.

It might be better to let her answer the call and buy more time.

“It was a crucial moment. What’s the matter?”

“Hong Daye and several security teams are approaching your location.”

“Oh, already? Why here of all places?”

“Given their speed, it would be best to leave immediately, don’t you think?”

“Fine, I got it.”

Yudahee sighed and hung up the phone.

Hong Daye, Hong Daye… sigh.

She was quite a formidable opponent for Yudahee at the moment. Despite suffering from severe trauma from past events, Hong Daye was a former top 10 candidate and a high ranker.

That’s why during the test, they released powerful monsters to attack Hong Daye. But would the trainees be able to defeat the Black-Handed Long-Armed Monkey?

It was them, right.

Defeating the Black-Handed Long-Armed Monkey.

At the time, it seemed like luck, but was it really?

“…It’s a bit boring to just retreat like this. Should I give it a shot before leaving?”

Yudahee was about to use a welcoming attack and retreat.

“Huh? What’s this?”

In the moment of hesitation, Yudahee and Jinhyuk locked eyes.

What’s this?

Did he notice my intention to attack? How?

“…”

“…”

Yudahee and Jinhyuk stared at each other for a moment.

Their gazes met for a split second, and Yudahee soon chuckled and shrugged her shoulders.

No, forget it. Let’s leave it for next time.

“Seems like today is not the day.”

It was a bit disappointing, but it couldn’t be helped.

There’s no need to push too hard.

Besides, opportunities are not limited to today.

Since this was her debut match, let’s leave it at that.

She had achieved her goal in her own way.

“Alright, that’s it for today. Goodbye, young heroes. Oh, don’t get too excited. You’ll meet me again if you continue to operate in this area.”

“…”

Yudahee glanced at Jinhyuk and then suddenly disappeared.

The kids, still tense, looked in the direction where Yudahee had vanished, and only then did they relax when they saw Hong Daye and the security team approaching from afar.

“Phew, we’re alive.”

“I really thought we were going to die.”

“Who is that girl, is she our age?”

“These damn villains. They’re causing us so much trouble!”

While the kids sighed in relief, Jinhyuk rubbed his forehead, wearing a troubled expression.

…Did she really take a liking to me?

Perhaps she piqued Yudahee’s interest.

Of course, she wouldn’t do anything special to Jinhyuk, but just the fact that she found him interesting was quite daunting.

If they meet again, he would probably be the first target of her attack.

“…Jinhyuk. I was surprised that you blocked that attack.”

“Huh?”

“…As expected, you.”

“Isiwoon, why are you suddenly saying such things? It’s just a coincidence, right?”

“…Yeah, it must be a coincidence. Don’t worry, I won’t say anything unnecessary.”

He seemed quite surprised that he had read the movement path of the illusionary god of war in advance and even prevented an ambush.

But isn’t that partly a coincidence?

Why is he suddenly being so aggressive? Could it be because of using the Sword of the Demon King earlier, making them think I’m a ‘master hiding my skills’ without any suspicion?

“…Hoo. Anyway, Yudahee and the Rebellion members are already planning to attack the Union.”

It’s happening faster than expected.

The situation is not ready for deployment yet.

“I and Soyeon need to get stronger quickly.”

When I was just starting to take an interest in Yudahee, it’s not the time to nitpick.

I wanted to grow a little more safely, but since the situation is unfavorable, I have no choice but to quickly become stronger.

***

“…There was an incident. I thought it was a pyrami, but it was quite interesting, right?”

In the vast reception room of the mansion.

Seong Yura and Yudahee were sitting facing each other, chatting.

“I achieved my goal, but how about you, Seong Yura?”

“Hmm.”

“Did you achieve your goal too?”

“Well…”

Seong Yura put down her teacup with a thud.

“I think that’s something to consider.”

“Huh? Really?”

“I tried to find out if there might be any hidden background behind Roksanne and his surroundings, but for now, nothing…”

“Because your subordinates retreated in the middle? Oh, sorry, sorry. Don’t say anything to them because it’s because of me.”

“Well, not just because of that.”

Seong Yura casually sipped her tea.

“Anyway, I’m showing Mateo the videos you shot and the ones I shot. The opponent who fought at Yookseongsan may have hidden his identity and joined as a guard.”

“Oh. Has that gentleman woken up? That’s good.”

“He might suffer from aftereffects for a while.”

“But where is he now?”

“He probably finished watching the video by now.”

When Seong Yura subtly hinted, Yudahee chewed on the snack and got up from her seat.

“Okay, okay. Stop giving me hints. I’ll leave now.”

“Okay. See you next time, Yudahee.”

“Oh, Seong Yura, you.”

“Huh? What?”

As Yudahee was about to leave, she turned around and spoke.

“Don’t try to handle everything alone even if you find out about the opponent or background. You might not be able to handle it.”

“…Mind your own business.”

“Anyway, that damn pride of yours.”

“…I’ll handle my own affairs, Yudahee.”

“Okay, whatever.”

Yudahee finally closed the door and walked away.

Seong Yura clicked her tongue.

Might not be able to handle it?

How has Seong Yura lived until now?

Daring to say such things.

“If I lose my footing in this world, I won’t be able to do business. I can’t ask for help from others when there are rumors that Mateo was trampled on. I have to thoroughly trample them from my side.”

Seong Yura slowly moved her feet.

She moved to the hospital room in the mansion.

Mateo was there.

His injuries were serious, and he had to focus on recovery for a while.

If it weren’t for the recovery-related ability users, he might have lived with a disability for the rest of his life or might not have been able to get up.

Mateo, who had finished watching the video, raised his head slightly.

“So, Mateo, did you find out anything?”

“…Villante.”

“What?”

“…There seems to be a person in the video who is suspected to be Villante.”

“Villante? The one from the rumors?”

Seong Yura also remembered hearing about him.

A person who had been cleaning up several villains for the past few years.

Originally, the person who completely destroyed the organization that Mateo was first affiliated with was a figure named Vizillante.

…I heard that he was at least a high-ranking or top-ranking hero.

“Who is it?”

“That man over there.”

Mateo looked at the man he was pointing at.

It was Lee Jinhyuk.

“…Him, really?”

“Yes. The bow and sword he used during the attack on Loxan… that man is wearing them.”

“Oh, now that you mention it, that’s not training gear, is it? How did he bring it into the test site?”

For a moment, Seong Yura looked at the image of Lee Jinhyuk.

Is this man Vizillante?

I heard that Vizillante has been active for at least two years.

If that’s the case, he must have been secretly beating up villains since middle school…

“Well, whatever. There are cases like Yudahee, after all.”

If you call Yudahee a mutant, it’s not hard to believe.

“You can deceive your physique and voice with various items.”

For a moment, Seong Yura was lost in thought.

Come to think of it, the trainee named Lee Jinhyuk blocked Yudahee’s attack.

Even Seong Yura found it difficult to read the movements of the Welcoming Spirit, but a mere academy trainee read it?

Moreover, he even pierced through Yudahee’s defense.

Although it was just a scratch, the fact that he managed to injure Yudahee itself was evidence that he surpassed the level of an ordinary trainee.

…Yudahee was quite surprised and made a fuss about it.

“What should we do?”

“Do you not know, so you’re asking?”

Seong Yura gave a cold smile.

“You have to show your true colors.”

As I thought earlier, if you show weakness on this floor, you won’t do well in business. How dare you ask for water? How dare you ask me?

“…If he’s someone like Vizillante, we can’t just attack him. Maybe we need a bait after all?”

“…”

“Hey, you guys over there. I’ll give you three days to find out everything about Lee Jinhyuk. Every little detail!”

“Yes!”

Some attendants waiting nearby bowed their heads and left the room.

“No matter how strong a person is, they have weaknesses. You must know that too, which is why you operated in secret.”

Seong Yura brushed her hair back thoughtfully.

“He might be affiliated with an organization, so it’s better to capture him alive if possible.”

Oh, of course, if the resistance is too strong, there’s no choice.

You have to kill.

Well…

Whether it’s capturing alive or killing, in the end, it’s all about killing.