Part 1 Chapter 9-2

“My name is Xiaolin.”

Xiaolin (小林).

The woman with the ordinary name had anything but an ordinary background or abilities.

“I am twenty-two years old.”

The public was surprised that Unjang, an S-rank Hero, was a young woman who had only recently passed her coming-of-age.

“I awakened as an ability user at thirteen and began my activities as a Hero with Jeokto.”

They were astonished that she had worn a red mask and hunted monsters before even reaching adulthood.

“Currently, I am a Hero affiliated with the Round Table.”

And the public was utterly flabbergasted that such a woman was one of the 12 Heroes of the Round Table, known as humanity’s strongest.

“Are there any questions?”

Xiaolin calmly asked the people, and one reporter, who had recovered quickly, urgently raised their hand.

“A-are you really Unjang?”

They didn’t state their affiliation or name, and even stumbled over their words, but people understood the reporter’s confusion. It was impressive enough that they had collected themselves enough to ask a question in that situation.

“Yes. I am Unjang. Since this is an official announcement from the Association, the Round Table’s profile will likely have been updated as of this moment.”

People hurriedly searched the Round Table’s official website. Among the profiles of the 12, now 13, Heroes of the Round Table, a woman with gray eyes, whose face was proudly displayed, wore a solemn expression.

Xiaolin.

Born 1998. 22 years old.

“When…?”

“It hasn’t been long since it was taken.”

Fifteen minutes ago. Xiaolin kept the thought to herself. And the reporter who had initially screamed that Xiaolin was a fake gasped in shock upon seeing the profile’s content.

“Two S-ranks…?”

“Yes.”

Xiaolin cleared her throat to draw attention. With her voice imbued with mana, the reporters’ eyes focused on Xiaolin’s lips. They instinctively knew. A massive scoop was about to break.

“I apologize for my temporary disappearance.”

Xiaolin offered a faint smile and greeted the citizens of the world once more.

“I have returned after completing my secluded training, now an SS-rank.”

Xiaolin told a lie to the entire world.

* * *