Feigned Serendipity: The Omega Queen's Sparring Test
Don't let your guard down just because things are starting off smoothly by pretending it's all coincidence. As the protagonist, crises will keep coming. And each time, opportunities for awakening will arise.
First things first: gather intel.
The modern world has the internet. Only a fool wouldn't use it. Top hero Choi Rin. As the top dog, there had to be tons of info about her online. Sure, plenty of it would be bogus, but sifting through the crap was a skill in itself.
Alright, let's get started.
The internet truly was an ocean of information. Every kind of rumor under the sun. This sounds like bullshit... but this seems usable?
From "She's tight with this hero" to "She's got a mole on her chest," the details ranged far and wide. I focused mainly on her relationships and preferences.
Most of her close hero buddies are melee types, huh?
That led to jokes floating around that she hated ranged fighters. Piecing it all together, I learned she frequented a certain cafe, hung out with specific heroes, ran the Hero Office, and loved cute things.
Her activity range is way too broad...
With flight abilities, her turf was massive. Bumping into her during hero work was impossible. So the cafe she often visited seemed like the best bet—high odds, and a "coincidental" meeting would look natural.
If I can prep some props, that'd be ideal.
To chat her up after staging the meet-cute, I'd need common ground. I fired up the second-hand marketplace app right away to hunt for supplies.
Lucky break.
I scored the prop there—a limited edition one, no less.
Hmm... she likes this stuff?
The doll she'd gushed about in an interview. I snagged its keychain version. Hung it on my phone, and headed out to meet her.
I waited days for Choi Rin. Sometimes outside, sometimes inside the cafe. But she never showed.
Bad intel?
Hardly—there were plenty of pics of her visiting. Even shots of her chatting warmly with the owner.
Just busy?
Probably. Recent news was buzzing about a villain surge. She'd be swamped.
If she doesn't show today, time for a new plan.
Can't waste time forever. Final visit.
*Ding-a-ling—!*
I pushed open the cafe door, and there she was: Choi Rin, right in front of me.
"Welcome to Cafe 25."
The owner greeting a customer. Choi Rin, mid-chat with her, turned my way.
"Huh? You're..."
Days had passed, but she remembered my face.
"Thanks again for back then."
She bowed once more.
"Like I said, just doing what any hero would."
"Still doesn't change that you helped us."
She insisted on buying my coffee as thanks.
"No need to go that far."
"It'll bug me if you don't."
I refused, but she refused my refusal.
"How about a photo instead of coffee? Big fan of yours."
"Photo and coffee, on me."
She was dead set on treating. I pulled out my phone—and her eyes lit up.
"No way... Pandaring? The limited edition?"
Pandaring. The panda character she'd called her favorite in that interview. The limited keychain—Pandaring in hanbok and gat hat—had her hooked.
"Whoa... where'd you find this? It was gone when I looked."
Guess I really got lucky.
Thanks, old man who sold it... you shine like a star.
He'd teared up handing it over.
"Snagged it off the second-hand site by sheer luck."
"Man... lucky you..."
She eyed it enviously. I wanted to give it to her right then, but...
Ruins the authenticity.
Plan was to bond over loving Pandaring. Handing over a limited edition for free? She'd question if I was a real fan.
"Um... can I take the pic and touch it?"
"Go for it. Oh, and drop the formal talk."
"Yeah? Cool, 'cause being polite is a pain anyway..."
*Hahaha.* She laughed awkwardly, switching to casual.
"You too—drop it!"
She slapped my back, insisting we go informal.
"Sure thing?"
And just like that, we were bantering casually.
"Phew... Hyeok's always chewing me out for my manners... Oh, Hyeok's the kid you saved last time."
Her bubbly personality made formalities tough. Kang Hyeok must've kept her in check.
"C'mon, photo time!"
She snatched my phone, dying to touch Pandaring.
*Click—!*
Shot taken, she reached for it—but the owner cleared his throat.
"You two ordering or what?"
His annoyed look made us order first. She ended up paying for both coffees anyway. We grabbed a table.
"Whoa... so squishy!"
I handed over the keychain; she fiddled with it, beaming happily.
"Rin! Coffee's up."
Owner called. She looked so blissful.
"I'll grab it."
I decided to let her joy linger a bit longer.
****
"Man, been so slammed lately."
"Yeah, villains running wild."
*Slurp slurp—!*
Choi Rin gulped her coffee, exhaustion etched on her face.
"Maybe expand the office staff...?"
She muttered to herself.
Opportunity?
"What about me?"
"Huh? You?"
"Hero hunting's trending lately."
Good thing I'd kept up with the news.
"Freelancers are prime targets."
Perfect—I'm a freelancer too.
"I'm freelance. Been looking for a guild. If you're hiring, I'd love to apply?"
She pondered, slurping silently.
*Slurp slurp—!*
"Alright! Wanna do the test now?"
No scheduling—just jump in immediately.
"So... you brought him here?"
"Yup!"
Kang Hyeok sighed, rubbing his temples. Choi Rin grinned innocently. I stood awkwardly.
This was the basement of her Hero Office—the sparring arena for heroes.
"Well, we do need bodies... but why this guy?"
He asked about special powers. C-rank wasn't elite.
"Oh, forgot to mention?"
She tilted her head.
"This is the guy who saved us back then."
"You lead with that, dummy!"
He snapped at her, then bowed to me.
"Thanks for saving me and Rin!"
Gratitude done, he switched gears.
"But that's separate. Test first."
"Got it."
"Personality test: passed."
Stepping up against top-dog Choi Rin losing? Tough for a C-rank. Moving anyway? Character cleared.
"Next: combat. Rin?"
"Guess it's me."
She cracked her knuckles, stretching.
"Don't worry—I'll go easy."
Probably. That protagonist prick spoke casually, like it wasn't his fight.
"Hurry up!"
Warm-up done, she beckoned.
"Sigh... no choice."
I pulled Brun from my Inventory and equipped it. It shifted to a longcoat per my will.
"Ho, support gear? Neat item."
Kang Hyeok analyzed it.
"Signal ends, fight starts."
He worked the machine.
*Beep—!*
First signal. I gripped my sword tight.
*Beep—!*
Second: crouched for dash prep.
*Beep—!*
Third: powered legs to launch—but a chill hit. Like first seeing Brynhildr. Death approaching.
I bent at the waist. Her leg whistled overhead.
"Oho! Quick reflexes!"
She grinned, slamming her heel down. I rolled aside, barely. Stood and posed—but she vanished.
"Behind you!"
She announced on purpose. I spun, slashing—missed. She was above, handstand on my head.
"Not bad for C-rank."
She yanked, slamming me down.
*Thud—!*
Embedded in the floor, but damage minimal.
Brun's better than expected.
Braced for follow-up, but she just stood there. As I rose, she appraised me.
"Reflexes too good for C-rank. Good instincts?"
She wagged her hand, taunting.
"Now, offense!"
"You'll get hurt."
*Snicker—!*
She laughed.
"Hahaha! No sweat."
Kang Hyeok chimed in.
"C-rank won't scratch Rin. Go all out."
"..."
Their baiting stung my pride.
Fine. Time to test Holy Sword Gram's max anyway.
No backing down now—not manly. Activated Holy Sword Gram. Blade shifted form.
"That's your power? Body enhancement? You look different."
Top hero poise: calm analysis. But no reaction—figured it couldn't hurt her.
Gripped with both hands, raised high. Strongest move I'd seen: Sieg's ultimate slash, solar-powered. Unleashed it at Choi Rin.