Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: K District Deployment
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In the dim light of dawn, a car sped down the road. Thin mist droplets mixed with morning dew hung low over the quiet street, and the car glided silently above them with its headlights on.
A sign marking the end of W District gleamed briefly in the headlights before the car passed it by.
Han U-sol, leaning back in the passenger seat's leather, stared blankly at the fogged-up window. The scenery outside rushed past.
"Why the long face? You that unhappy about me being your boss?"
Ronel, gripping the wheel, shot him a sidelong glance and spoke up.
"No, it's not that... Just tired, that's all."
"Yeah? Well, we did head out early this morning. Makes sense. Oh, now that you mention it, I'm starting to feel sleepy too."
Ronel grabbed the gum container from the cup holder and pulled out a few pieces—chewing gum to fend off drowsiness.
She popped several into her mouth and handed the tin to Han U-sol.
"Here, have some too, Senior."
"Nah, I'm good."
"Take it. That's an order."
"……"
Han U-sol reluctantly took the gum from Ronel and tossed a piece into his mouth.
"Good boy."
Ronel giggled. She'd been like this the whole time—forcing pointless little things on him as "orders," then chuckling to herself like it was hilarious.
"Feels great having a subordinate who listens so well. Would be even better if you could drive for me too."
"Don't have a license."
"Ugh, what a useless minion."
Ronel grumbled playfully. Han U-sol ignored her and turned back to the window.
The familiar barren outskirts whipped by, giving way to new scenery.
"By the way, Senior. Heard the rumors?"
"...What rumors?"
He glanced her way only briefly before Ronel spoke up again. Han U-sol turned to look at her.
"Heard there's some funny talk going around among the refugees lately."
Word among the refugees was that if the last angel in the center died and humanity's numbers dropped below a certain threshold, the gods who left would return—and a few chosen humans could become angels.
"...What the hell?"
It was absurd. Hard to imagine anyone buying such nonsense.
"What do you think, Senior? Ever hear anything like that from Yeriel before?"
Ronel narrowed her eyes, probing him.
"No, nothing like that. Total bullshit."
Han U-sol shook his head. Yeriel had never said anything remotely similar, and common sense told him it was off.
When city moods soured, vague urban legends often spread. He figured this was more of the same.
"Hmm. I think it's crap too, but apparently some refugees are taking it seriously. Enough that a few are pushing to storm the center and kill the angel ourselves."
Ronel added.
"What the...?"
Han U-sol's face went slack in disbelief. And pity hit him too.
They had to know it was just a ghost story.
But in their desperate straits, they clung to any straw—even one leading to extremes like that.
Han U-sol fell silent, lost in thought.
He was heading to K District for discipline, sure—but also to quash the refugees' unrest. Suppress them somehow, and he could return to the front lines.
"……"
They were just thrashing to escape their misery. How to handle them? He felt conflicted.
Ronel dropped her playfulness too, focusing on the drive. Or maybe she was lost in thought like him.
Soon after, a sign for K District's entrance appeared ahead.
"Worried, Senior?"
Ronel said.
"Don't stress too much. It'll be fine."
"...Yeah."
The car passed the sign and entered K District.
By the time they arrived, the sun was up. Han U-sol and Ronel stepped out and took in their new building.
It was much smaller than their W District place. But it didn't feel rundown—just right-sized for the needed personnel.
"Hey! Over here!"
"Reisi!"
Inside, Reisi Hearts waved from afar. Han U-sol spotted her and approached.
They exchanged warm greetings, catching up. Seeing his old friend lifted his spirits, letting him set aside his worries for a smile.
"You're the captain, right, Reisi?"
"Uh, yeah. Hi."
Ronel, who'd waited for their chat to end, spoke up. Reisi replied curtly.
"...Captain?"
Han U-sol tilted his head at Ronel's word. Had he misheard? He glanced at her.
"What? You said she was a friend, but you didn't know she was K District's head?"
"...For real?"
Han U-sol's eyes widened as he stared at Reisi. She scratched her cheek awkwardly and nodded.
"Whoa, you're moving up in the world."
Captain brought Aselrika to mind first—stern, shouldering all responsibility. Hard to picture Reisi in that role. Thrilled by his classmate's surprise promotion, Han U-sol heaped on praise.
"It's not that big a deal...!"
Reisi flushed, waving him off.
If the front was the army, this was like a neighborhood precinct by comparison. Being pitted against frontline heavy-hitter Aselrika embarrassed her.
"It's just a fancy title. Nothing impressive. Unlike the front, we don't have tons of heroes or grizzled vets here..."
Leading K District's heroes meant overseeing maybe thirty young ones at most. Kids with zero real combat experience.
Reisi had the most among them, so the Association shoved her into the spot by force.
Realistically, she was a placeholder till they found someone better—a puppet leader.
"Oh... okay?"
"Yeah. And that spot's going to her from now on anyway."
"...What?"
Reisi nodded toward Ronel. Han U-sol gaped at her, stunned.
Ronel met his eyes, expression saying why act surprised by the obvious?
It made sense, really. Reisi was the temp; Ronel was Association-sent. Once refugees calmed and Han U-sol left, she'd go too—but till then, handing her captaincy wasn't weird.
...So that's what it meant for Ronel to be my superior while we're in K District.
He'd thought it just meant obey her. Not that they'd slap her with captain too.
Even if honorary, it'd bruise Reisi's pride.
And the other heroes wouldn't love some outsider parachuting in over their classmate.
"Anyway, looking forward to working with you. Uh..."
"Ronel."
"Right, Ronel."
Reisi and Ronel exchanged names. Reisi eyed her unenthusiastically, but Ronel brushed it off.
"...Ronel. This for real? You're suddenly captain here out of nowhere?"
"Heh heh... Yes."
Ronel grinned slyly, confirming.
"As of today, I rule K District Branch!"
Han U-sol thought:
The Association's screwing around again.
"So, where do we bunk? Nah, let's meet the other heroes first! Gotta greet our new coworkers."
Ronel beamed. Reisi nodded reluctantly and led the way. Han U-sol and Ronel followed.
Suddenly, Reisi glanced back at Han U-sol.
"Oh, Daniel'll be thrilled to see you."
"Huh? Daniel?"
Han U-sol blinked at the nostalgic name. Reisi scoffed in exasperation.
"What, you really that out of the loop?"
"Uh, sorry..."
"I just said—we're full of green, inexperienced heroes. Know why? This is where academy freshmen get sent for long-term 'internships' to build real-world sense."
The academy dispatched near-students everywhere for seasoning. K District included.
"Daniel's here too."
"...Daniel's a hero now?"
"Yeah. Fergus tried stopping him, but the kid's stubborn as hell about it."
Reisi halted at a door. Han U-sol and Ronel stopped too.
"Said he had to honor Anis's parting words or whatever."
Reisi opened the door. Inside was a spacious office for thirty-plus.
Eyes turned their way—from young-looking heroes at their desks.
Daniel sat among them.
Camilla and Betty returned. I didn't care about Camilla, but I scrambled out of bed to greet Betty outside.
"Anis! We're back!"
"Yeah."
I hugged the incoming Betty tight. She looked flat-chested, but she had more than expected—soft and nice to squeeze.
After our quick embrace, I glanced at Camilla beside her.
She'd brought someone—a man wrapped head-to-toe, escorted politely.
"Mmph! Mmmph! Mmph!"
With a sack over his head, limbs flailing—it looked suffocating. I eyed the man Camilla had "escorted" so courteously.
No, that's not escorting. That's kidnapping.
Bloodstains and wounds on his clothes. I could guess what Camilla did to nab him—and what she'd do next.
Probably indulge her refined tastes. Revolting to me, though.
"What? Interested?"
"Nope. Betty, let's go."
"Okay."
I turned sharply from Camilla's eager question. She shrugged, unsurprised.
"Aw, can you spare a little blood then?"
"Tomorrow."
"Thanks!"
Lately, I'd been letting Camilla draw small amounts of my blood.
I'd never have agreed before, but her begging wore me down till I nodded.
...Truth was, she was busy out there while I lounged at home. Felt a twinge of guilt.
"Oh, and soon we'll meet some refugees. Come with—Han too."
"You and Betty go fine alone usually. Why now?"
"Big group this time. They're rough types—if they rush us, it'd be scary~ Betty and I can't fight."
I nodded without thinking. Camilla aside, Betty might be at risk. Had to go.
"...Sure. Okay."
"Thanks."
"Where to?"
Camilla smiled.
"K District."