episode_0152

152.

Prologue.

It signifies the beginning of a movie, novel, game, etc.

It can also be seen as the prelude that announces the start of the story.

So, when does the prologue end in the Romance Hero Academy?

It ends on Hero’s Day.

It’s a very important day when the peaceful daily life is shattered, and a decisive event occurs, leading to a confrontation with villains.

Because on Hero’s Day, a precious childhood friend, who will later become the worst villain in history, loses their life.

To avenge the brutally murdered childhood friend, Jin Soyeon embarks on a full-fledged activity.

Yes.

Hero’s Day is crucial in the story.

It’s the day when the world’s strongest villain gains proper notoriety and at the same time, becomes the catalyst for the birth of the world’s strongest hero.

Originally, I was supposed to meet my end on Hero’s Day.

Because that’s my role.

But.

The place where I am living and breathing right now is not a game but a clear reality.

A reality where the future can change infinitely based on actions.

That’s why I intend to change.

The tragedies that will happen today.

Yudahee’s atrocities.

My end.

I will change everything to make it all end as an epilogue, not a prologue of my story.

“Hyuk…”

With a slightly trembling voice, Soyeon gazes at me with a cautious expression.

She tightly holds onto my sleeve and looks at me with a slightly worried expression.

She seems worried in various ways.

“…Are you really okay?”

Soyeon shifts her gaze slightly and looks into the distance where people are enjoying the festival at Gwanghwamun in full swing.

Gwanghwamun is packed with people celebrating Hero’s Day.

Without knowing what might happen next.

“Is it okay not to evacuate people in advance?”

“…”

“Even if we confront Yudahee’s group like this, is it okay?”

“…”

“And also.”

Soyeon murmurs with a slightly anxious voice.

“…Can everyone safely welcome tomorrow?”

“Soyeon.”

I quietly call out to her.

Soyeon turns her gaze away shyly.

Her golden eyes meet mine.

Her eyes show various complex emotions.

I bite my lip between my teeth.

“It will be okay, for sure.”

“Jinhyuk…”

“Everyone may not come out unscathed, but I believe everyone will be okay. Believe in me and the others.”

“…Okay.”

The die has been cast.

Now all that’s left is to do our best.

For a happy ending.

“Let’s enjoy the Hero’s Day festival together next year.”

“…If it’s next year. Oh.”

This is a promise to each other to come out unharmed.

A promise to not get hurt, not die, and to finish today.

“Yeah, sure. Jinhyuk, it’s a promise.”

Soyeon smiles faintly and nods her head.

And then it happened.

“Oh my? Isn’t that some kind of flag?”

“Yuseolhyun.”

Yuseolhyun covers her mouth and giggles. Soyeon frowns, giving her a stern look.

“If we have to fight Yudahee’s group soon, is it okay to set up such a flag?”

“Don’t worry about it?”

“I’m just worried, and if you react like that, it’s disappointing, Soyeon.”

“What are you talking about?”

The two of them banter as usual.

Seeing their interaction, I secretly chuckle.

The tension and anxiety that had built up in me seemed to ease somewhat with Yuseolhyun’s sudden entrance.

“Oh, here is Aisha. Can everyone hear me?”

“Aisha?”

Suddenly, Aisha’s voice comes through the radio.

“B-4 Point MB Building rooftop, spotted Yoo Dahee and Rebellion members.”

“……”

“What should we do, Jinhyuk?”

“……Wait for a moment. When Yoo Dahee takes out the red leather pouch using the invisibility cloak, prioritize taking that first. Then proceed with the operation as planned.”

“Okay~ Got it.”

“Please keep your answers short.”

“Got it!”

Aisha, why is this woman’s personality like this?

Seriously, it’s quite a unique personality.

“Phew. Already here?”

I checked the map and turned on the radio.

“Everyone heard that? Get ready.”

The showdown with Yoo Dahee.

The full-fledged fight with Yoo Dahee, the worst enemy and archenemy of the romance hero academy, is about to begin soon.

I silently prayed in my heart, hoping to defeat Yoo Dahee without any trouble and for the operation to go smoothly.

***

“Good, good. Very good.”

Yoo Dahee, who had been watching the festival from the building rooftop for a while.

“In this great festive atmosphere… Now, shall we start the main event~?”

Yoo Dahee playfully laughed like a child and rummaged through his pockets.

“Let’s give people an unforgettable nightmare.”

Finally, he pulled out a dark leather pouch.

This leather pouch is a pocket dimension pouch owned by Yoo Dahee.

It is mainly used to store beads that summon monsters.

“Curious about what kind of monster will come out?”

Yoo Dahee opened the mouth of the leather pouch wide like a blooming flower and chuckled as he rummaged through it.

“Since I’ve gathered a lot of malice for this day, a powerful monster that you’ve never seen before might pop out…”

At that moment.

“……Huh?”

The leather pouch that Yoo Dahee was holding tightly disappeared in an instant.

Huh, what?

It happened in the blink of an eye.

The leather pouch disappeared right before his eyes.

It felt like a ghost’s trick. It was as if an invisible person had secretly approached and snatched it away in an instant.

Only the sensation of something touching his hand remained.

Could it be a psychic’s doing?

Someone who can make their body transparent?

But how?

How did they avoid Isabelle’s observation ability?

And how did they deceive Yoo Dahee’s keen senses?

Many thoughts surfaced in a short period of time.

But while his mind was in turmoil, his body was moving on its own.

Instinctively reaching out his hand, Yoo Dahee.

He quickly extended his arm like a flash of light.

It was truly a reflex speed reminiscent of a beast. Of course, nothing was visible, but he felt a sensation as if something touched his fingers.

Yoo Dahee clenched his fist in the empty space.

And as he pulled with all his strength, tearing sounds echoed, and from within, a familiar face popped out – Inyeong.

Aisha, with a surprised expression, as the invisible cloak was torn apart.

How did she manage to grab onto this?

“Wait, wait! This cloak is valuable! It’s an artifact!”

“You?”

Aisha Nell Illeos.

Could it be that Aisha, one of the aquatic beings of Roxanne, had revealed herself?

Did this guy try to use the invisibility cloak that completely erases one’s presence to steal Yoo Dahee’s leather pouch?

Yoo Dahee quickly scanned Aisha. In Aisha’s left hand was the red leather pouch.

Oh, she dared?

“Ha. What’s this?”

With a cold smile, Yoo Dahee watched Aisha running away and suddenly decided to chase after her.

“Do you really think you can escape?”

Ridiculous.

But.

“Hey, wait! Just a moment!”

Isabel reached out her hand to stop Yudahee, didn’t she?

“What’s up, Isabel. I’m in a hurry right now.”

She’s running away with a leather pouch full of beads that can summon a monster.

Shouldn’t we catch her quickly?

“Calm down, Yudahee.”

“Calm down? I’m perfectly calm right now. I just want to catch her quickly.”

Aisha is really fast.

She’s already far ahead, isn’t she?

Well, even so, it doesn’t really matter.

Because as long as Isabel has lost her deceitful invisibility item, she can’t escape Yudahee’s observation ability.

Once Isabel decides to use her ability, she can easily track down someone like Aisha.

And Yudahee can locate the position of the beads she diverted with her supernatural ability.

In other words, there’s no point in running away with those beads.

“Yudahee, calm down and think for a moment.”

“What?”

“Why did Aisha specifically target your leather pouch?”

“Huh? Well… oh.”

Huh?

Yudahee tilted her head for a moment.

Come to think of it, that’s strange.

Why did Aisha steal Yudahee’s leather pouch as if she knew what was inside from the beginning?

“Could she be after my beads?”

“Most likely.”

“But how? Not many people would know that there are beads in a leather pouch.”

Could there have been a leak of information from within?

“Oh, did she overhear my muttering and make a wild guess?”

“Well, I’m not sure about that, but it felt like she knew we were going to attack in advance.”

“Ugh, annoying. Whatever the case, we need to retrieve the beads.”

“It’s likely to be dangerous if we chase after her recklessly. It’s probably a trap.”

“A trap, huh. Disgusting.”

Yudahee clicked her tongue.

“Yudahee, what are you going to do?”

“Hmm.”

“Should we stop the plan and focus on chasing Aisha? It’s probably safest for all of us to act together.”

“Well, I don’t really like that.”

Yudahee shook her head.

“It feels like we’re falling into the other party’s intentions. I don’t like being manipulated.”

“…So what will you do?”

“You know my personality.”

Yudahee smirked with a dark malice.

“In situations like this, it’s better to hit back even harder. Especially if the other party’s goal is to prevent terror.”

“Ugh, really. You…”

– Beep beep beep.

“Huh? What’s that sound?”

– This is a real situation. We have confirmed the intrusion of villains near Gwanghwamun Square. Citizens near that area, please evacuate quickly.

“Oh my. Evacuation broadcast already? That was fast. We haven’t done anything.”

Since Aisha is affiliated with the church, is this Rocksanu’s doing?

“Well, we can’t help it. Let’s quickly sort out the situation.”

Yudahee grinned and looked at Isabel and the Rebellion members.

“Isabel.”

“Yes.”

“Take the members and pursue Aisha. Be careful, as it could be a trap as you said. I’ll keep updating you on the location of the beads through the walkie-talkie.”

“What about you?”

“Me? I’ll go with Ryan and Sung Baeksan to stir up some trouble.”

She glanced towards the people.

“To distract their attention. Well, if it gets too dangerous, I’ll use that. I have a little extra.”

“If you’re with those two, it should be fine, but be careful, Yudahee.”

“What about you?”

Yudahee shrugged her shoulders.

“Alright then.”

Soon, Yoo Dahee looks at Ryan and Sung Baeksan and speaks.

“The two of you wait for a moment, and when I give the signal, come then. For now, I want to enjoy myself alone.”

“…Alright.”

“You too, Yoo Dahee.”

Ryan quietly responds, nodding, while Sung Baeksan smiles as if he can’t stop him.

“Alright, where should we go in style?”

With a swift leap from the rooftop of the building, Yoo Dahee uses the Gungsintan-yeong to soar high up, then suddenly drops right into the middle of Gwanghwamun where people are gathered.

With a loud crash and a cloud of dust, she lands.

People look at the dust with surprised expressions.

Beyond the slowly clearing dust, a pretty girl giggles and opens her mouth with a light voice.

“Ta-da~.”

Suddenly, she cheerfully utters a fresh word.

“Should I say, ‘The villain appears!’?”

Yoo Dahee, the worst villain in present-day South Korea.

On Hero’s Day, she once again reveals herself to the people.