Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Hero Yoon Seol (5)
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Animals are said to double their combat power in their own territory.
(Of course, there are exceptions. Some baseball team got crushed by 23 runs at their home ground.)
It's called the home ground advantage... and this is my store—my home ground.
"It's about time to close up shop."
"G-Go... hic. I don't wanna..."
That means, no matter how famous a hero she might be, she's no match for me inside this store!
"You'll have to leave."
"Ughhh..."
At my firm declaration, Yoon Seol finally dragged herself up with a wobble.
"The biilll..."
She rummaged through her pockets and handed me a card.
...At least she had the awareness to pay.
After settling the bill, Yoon Seol took back the card I offered and gathered her things.
"Weeell then. Goodbyeee~"
'You're the one leaving.'
She gave me a little bow and turned toward the door.
But...
Stagger, stumble.
...Her head must be spinning, because she couldn't walk straight and was swaying all over the place.
She seemed to be having trouble even keeping her balance, bumping into the walls left and right on that short walk to the door.
"Thaanks for your hard workkk..."
Thank goodness the store's stuff stayed intact.
Somehow, she made it outside unscathed.
'Alright, time for me to finish cleaning up...'
'...Finally off work.'
The clock read around 4 a.m. At this point, I'd basically pulled an all-nighter.
After checking the locks one last time, I finally stepped out of the store.
"Ugh, I'm dying of sleepiness... What's this? It's raining?"
Drip, plop.
Not long after leaving the store, raindrops began falling from the sky, wetting the ground.
'Right, they said it would rain in the early morning...'
Even though it was summer, the dawn chill combined with the rain made it pretty cold.
"Kinda creepy out here..."
The alley outside was dark to begin with, and now the rain was blocking the moonlight, giving off total horror movie vibes.
In those movies, this is when a shady ghost figure lurks under the streetlamp...
'Ghosts my ass... Horizon coordinate system. Horizon coordinate system.'
As I chanted my magic spell and walked, that's when...
"..."
Under the lone streetlamp in the alley, I spotted what wasn't a ghost—but someone lying spread-eagled on the ground.
'...No way.'
I had a strong feeling it was someone I knew, but I had to check to be sure...
I slowly approached the soundly sleeping figure under the lamp.
Familiar silhouette, familiar hoodie, familiar blonde hair, familiar...
"Haa."
...I had a hunch, and sure enough, I was right.
The person sprawled out was her—Yoon Seol, who had just left my store.
"Hng... Snore..."
Rain was falling, but she was sleeping peacefully, even snoring.
'...She has ice-based abilities, right?'
Guess she doesn't feel the cold much. She could sleep on a street like this, no problem.
Her innocent sleeping face made me wonder if I really needed to wake her.
"Hey. Wake up."
...But of course, I couldn't just leave her. I gently tried to rouse her.
Someone else might spot her, and not everyone out there has good intentions.
Even if not, for her public image as a hero, this was the right call. What if someone called the cops?
It wouldn't be hard to imagine her face plastered on the front page of the news or papers.
...She's a famous hero, after all.
'Her anti-fan cafe would get a bunch of new members.'
I wanted to avoid that mess.
"More sleeeep..."
"This isn't your house, Yoon Seol."
"Mmm... stomach feels bad..."
Maybe my persistence worked, because she finally shifted from lying flat to sitting against the wall.
Her face looked pale even at a glance. Up close, the alcohol stench was overpowering.
She was completely out of it. No way she could get home alone.
Calling the police would expose her identity, but I couldn't just stand here in the rain with her either.
'I'm exhausted too...'
Honestly, I was tired enough to just leave her.
I'd served a ton of customers today, and it was way past bedtime already.
'So, what now?'
Leaning against the wall, Yoon Seol was starting to nod off again.
After watching her for a bit, I made up my mind.
"...Hey, Yoon Seol. Where's your house? I'll take you home."
"Hng...?"
I shook her awake as she was drifting off and asked for her address.
"Why my hooouse...? Manager said... hic. Keep it seeeecret."
'Not even trying to hide it anymore.'
"...Gotta know to get you home. Or should I call the police?"
It sounded a bit cold, but no choice. Couldn't leave her here forever.
"P-Police... nooo... My house is in XX District..."
She resisted giving her address at first... but the police mention broke her, and she spilled it.
'Closer than I thought.'
There was a fancy housing complex in the neighboring district, and that's where she lived.
I'd seen it before when I had business over there.
I'd wondered what kind of people lived in places like that... and now I knew.
"...Get up. Time to go home."
"Hooome... don't wanna. It's looonely..."
"Police."
"Hiiing..."
Guess she has bad memories with cops. Mentioning them made her obey even more than expected.
'Gotta hail a taxi first... so out to the main street.'
"...Yoon Seol. Can you walk on your own?"
"Yesss!"
She answered energetically.
Surprisingly, though wobbling, she stood on her own two feet and toddled after me.
"Taxi!"
We somehow made it into a cab.
The driver eyed us—soaked to the bone—without a word, then tossed us towels from the passenger seat with a grumpy look.
"...Thanks. XX Complex, please. Hey, dry off. You're drenched."
"Nooo..."
"Police."
"Hiiing..."
Police really is a magic spell. Handy.
She finally took the towel and wiped herself off.
Somehow, it looked oddly alluring...
'...No, snap out of it. She's a drunk. Not human.'
Primes. Count primes. 2, 3, 5, 7...
"Hng... sticky... gotta take it off..."
"Wait!!!!!"
She was about to strip off her hoodie like the backseat was her bedroom!
"Customers! Quiet down!"
"...Sorry."
I barely stopped Yoon Seol and slumped against the seat, exhausted.
'Haa...'
Today felt endlessly long...
Screech.
After more twists and turns, the taxi finally pulled up in front of her house unscathed.
"...Here you are."
The driver looked seriously pissed.
I couldn't blame him—I'd be mad too—so I silently paid with my card.
...I'd bill her later.
'This is where Yoon Seol lives...'
It screamed luxury. Massive too.
More like a mansion. Guess you need to be a top hero for this.
Not jealous, just... worlds like this exist, huh.
"..."
Staring blankly at the building, I turned to Yoon Seol swaying beside me.
"Hee. World is spinninggg."
"That's the Earth rotating."
"Ohhh. Huh... this is my house! But I don't wanna goo..."
With that, she plopped down right there.
I got annoyed at first... but then I recalled what she'd mumbled before the taxi.
"Hooome... don't wanna. It's looonely..."
I gazed at her sitting there.
'She did say it was lonely.'
Lives alone? No wonder she doesn't want to go back.
...Coming home to no one waiting is lonelier than you'd think.
Even I feel that sometimes.
"Hic. Don't wanna gooo."
"Still gotta. It's raining. I'm cold."
"Riiight... but mister, who are yooou...?"
You're asking that now, you little punk?
I suddenly wanted to smack her back.
Though she'd probably counter and send me to the afterlife.
'One smack wouldn't hurt, right?'
"...Wanna go hooome."
Thankfully, she stood up before I could.
Maybe pity for my drenched, pitiful state like a wet dog.
She slowly staggered toward the entrance.
'...She gonna fall?'
Thud.
Sure enough, the booze hit harder, and she face-planted.
"Y-You okay?!"
"Boss... it's weird. Ground is moving. Earthquake, maybeee...!"
Didn't seem hurt... but she couldn't stand on her own, kept collapsing.
Even supporting her was impossible, so I decided.
'Haa...'
"Yoon Seol, excuse me for this."
"Y-Yes...?"
I took a deep breath and scooped her up in a princess carry.
"...Hic."
I expected some resistance, but she went along surprisingly well.
As expected, she wasn't heavy. Not that weight was the issue.
'Don't think about it... don't think...'
I tried ignoring the soft sensation through my arms and made it to the door.
Door lock, naturally. I woke Yoon Seol, half-asleep in my arms.
"Hey, punch in the code."
"Yess..."
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
She complied, and it unlocked with a click.
Creeak.
Hands full, I fumbled the door open and set her down by the shoe rack inside.
"Zzz... Zzz..."
She was out cold, breathing steadily, moments after lying down.
'What a journey...'
I watched her a moment, then left her house.
Store's closed tomorrow. For real.
The next day...
"Kyaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
...A scream mixed with regret and shame echoed from a certain famous hero's home.