episode_0213

I gave him an unpaid favor for one night. Fortunately, Stella was a person who knew shame.

She wanted to reward me financially. I flatly refused. I’m not interested in things like money, so why would I do that when I could be in debt to Stella for this?

“It’s really okay. I didn’t do it expecting something in return.”

“Still… .”

“Even if it’s okay. I don’t want my heart to be replaced by money.”

“Umm… .”

Is it because I was just betrayed by a friend? Stella was trembling with anxiety.

All I could do was offer a little comfort.

“That… I won’t ask you what the circumstances are. There must be a reason why you came here instead of going to the hospital.”

“… .”

“You can stay as long as you need.”

Stella left that way. But starting the next evening, I stopped by our flower shop every day.

There were times when I would buy small flowers, and since it was also a cafe, I would come and savor coffee before leaving. At the same time, he glanced at me, observed me, or had a casual conversation.

Stella did not reveal that she was the famous ‘Cheonwoong’. I didn’t even pretend to know.

In fact, this episode was better suited to hanging out with Stella. Shine Stella is a human being, not a hero.

rattle-.

“Mr. Evans.”

“Ah, Stella. You are here.”

“I would like a cup of Americano today as well.”

“Please wait a moment. I’ll get you on board soon.”

Of course, I also liked the hero Stella. To be exact, I liked everything about her.

So I went out myself.

“You look a little tired today. Dark circles under the eyes… .”

“Ahaha… Thank you for your concern. just… I couldn’t sleep a bit.”

lie. It’s not that I couldn’t sleep, it’s that I went to catch a villain who had appeared and disappeared.

joker.

He is a very famous villain. His identity is unknown, but numerous newspapers in the world have already published extensive reports claiming that he is Stella’s rival.

He was accused of numerous crimes, including murder, looting, arson, terrorism, and threats. Stella and many other heroes and police chased after him from door to door, but no one could even touch the Joker’s collar. On the contrary, there are numerous cases where one’s throat is cut and one becomes Joker’s ‘circus material’.

Only Shine Stella can chase Joker. The two fight at crime scenes and engage in chases in the middle of the city, giving people the perception that they are destined enemies.

And actually, that joker is me. Hi-Hi.

Hero Cheonwoong. Human Shine Stella.

It’s all mine.

“Ha… .”

“You are sighing deeply.”

“Just… Work at work is difficult.”

What’s the work like at work? He said it was difficult today because he had a chase with me during the day.

Stella would never know. That his cozy home, a small resting place, is actually a maw prepared by the devil.

People who are mentally lonely and struggling unconsciously look for a place to lean on. Heroes are also human.

This cafe is where the hero comes back and rests after a hard day.

“True… Mr. Evans seems like an exemplary person.”

Stella said, taking a sip of the bitter and hot Americano coffee.

“Yes?”

“The atmosphere you give off is also very intelligent… You’re the kind of person who would appear in a book. A gentle, bespectacled manager who runs a flower shop and cafe… .”

“Haha, I’m not that great of a person.”

“No. I don’t think so.”

Was he intoxicated by the scent of coffee?

Stella blushed a little and spoke in a whisper.

“A person like Mr. Evans is a really cool person.”

“… .”

“… .”

“… .”

“… By the way, Mr. Evans, what did you do before taking this job?”

Soon after, she spoke gibberish as if she was picking up her own words. I smiled, closed the book I was reading, and answered.

“I was originally a doctor. To be exact, he was a medical officer. Medical officer in the military.”

“Aha… .”

“I was drafted to war. It was scary. There was no end to what was coming, and the only injuries I encountered were endlessly critical. Soldiers who cry out for their parents because their limbs have been cut off, cripples who lose their will to live and become consumed by depression, and officers whose hearts fester after losing their comrades. Even though I was a military doctor, I had no courage. You are disqualified as a doctor.”

“I understand. Because the battlefield is hell on earth.”

“Although the war ended in victory, I couldn’t help but laugh, knowing the people who sacrificed their lives for this victory. So I gave up my promotion and left the military. I ran away and found a place to rest.”

Reminiscing about a past that never happened, I muttered in a voice soaked in flowing water. Stella nodded several times and listened to me. He raised his hand to his mouth and sympathized with my disguised pain a few times.

“I pursued peace. So, I opened a flower shop and a cafe. Fortunately, there was a friend among my comrades who knew the barista job well, so I learned a bit from him. Even though that comrade is dead now… .”

“Ah… Such a story… .”

Stella became a little depressed. I guess my words made my heart heavy.

I spoke in a somewhat cheerful tone to bring attention to the topic. I adjusted the non-prescription glasses I was wearing.

“I’m happy now. It’s nice to live simply like this.”

“Aha… .”

“Above all… There is one regular customer who comes every day. Of course, it’s up to Stella what she thinks, but for me, I feel great comfort. That my work gives stability to someone… .”

He said while stirring the coffee in his cup. Neatly so that not a single drop splatters.

“It’s an honor. I’m happy.”

Stella was purely happy. There was a bright smile at the corner of her mouth.

“A little… It’s a question that doesn’t fit the mood.”

“Yes.”

“Can I ask what you think about the profession called ‘hero’?”

Stella asked in a more cautious tone.

What does it mean?

What do you think about heroes?

“These are people I am thankful for. For our society, you risk your lives to fight against dangerous people who follow the wrong path.”

“That… Let’s go.”

“These are people who fully shoulder the great responsibility that comes with great power. It’s reassuring, respectful, and cool.”

“Umm… .”

“But.”

Now, I am a warm-hearted young man. A good-natured owner who quit his job as a doctor because he wanted to treat sick people and opened a flower shop.

“I also think it’s a little sad.”

“… Yes?”

Usually people like to rely on heroes. They also prefer to feel superior by disparaging heroes and dragging them down.

That’s the nature of life. It’s not ugly, it’s completely natural.

But I am good. That’s it for now.

“Honestly, if you look at the people who are called heroes, they are all young. Like a soldier. Most people haven’t even lived half of their lives yet, but they become heroes and struggle because they had great power when they were young. There are many cases where people die.”

“… .”

“That’s why I feel sorry. I want to help you. This does not mean that I will fight and protect you by your side. I don’t have the strength to do that. But I hope they find peace through what I do. In a way, these are people who are sacrificing for us. I want to protect you, but I don’t have the power to do so, so I want you to at least feel comfortable.”

“… .”

Stella did not answer. I smiled silently, then went back to reading my book and glanced at her from the corner of my eye.

Whoop-.

Stella sat quietly on a chair and sipped coffee. There was a beautiful smile on her lips.

*****

Kwaang-!

At the same time, a huge explosion rang out and the whole place shook.

“Ha, ha… !”

Cheonwoong Stella moaned.

Now, she was cornered.

A god of great power who suddenly appears in the skies of the empire and is literally sweeping the city with a storm.

Anyone with even the slightest interest in demons would know that name.

King of the Male Duke of Demon World. The longest-living demon and an old monster that has accumulated nearly infinite demon energy.

Stella quickly ran out of the house and started confronting him. She unleashed a force she had never unleashed before, and King also unleashed a comparable level of magical energy, devastating the city.

The sky was filled with black darkness and brilliant golden light. It’s a close match. Neither side could easily subdue the other.

Quack-!

“Ho, such strength at that age… No, surprisingly, even at this moment, you are growing.”

“Pfft! Demons and such… !”

“As expected, I should cut the buds off right here in advance. Devils! Come out!”

Sssss-.

At the battlefield where the fight between Stella and King takes place, eight waves of magical energy rippling and eight strange-looking monsters appear. Although each one was not an absolute strongman, they had the power of a considerable dragon.

Stella’s eyes widened. A desperate crisis.

I watched the whole scene from hiding behind the half-collapsed building.

I decided on the right time to step forward.

Actually, the king and the monsters were sung by me.

Now I need to make progress with Stella.

Self-harm blackmail.

I haven’t seen a person who doesn’t fall for this. Either man or woman.