Hero Academy (4-26)
The Everyka headquarters had suddenly turned into a dungeon due to a core that took root out of nowhere.
The incident, plastered across news articles headlined "Building That Summons Disasters" all day long and causing utter chaos, came to an end in just one day.
The moment the core was destroyed, the dungeonization stopped expanding and automatically began reverting to its original state.
The flesh clumps stuck to the walls gradually evaporated and vanished, while the vast interior slowly contracted back to its normal size.
Internal communications normalized quickly, allowing the swift rescue of civilians.
Core destruction. Civilian rescue.
With those two tasks complete, the final procedure was straightforward.
As the beings involved in that procedure descended into the hole-riddled sewer, one muttered,
"Fuck... we're screwed."
"Who would've thought it'd end like this in just one day..."
The national disaster they'd predicted would last over a few days—no, weeks, maybe even months—wrapped up in half a day.
The culprits, cloaked and traversing the dark sewer in silence, were worried about the future awaiting them after this utter failure with zero achievements.
In the heavy silence, someone muttered as if to themselves,
"...Should we just bolt?"
At the suggestion, the others hesitated, glancing around.
But one shook his head.
"Where you gonna run to? Pandemonium? You'd just end up a fugitive for life. At least we've got an excuse."
"True... Who'd have thought the Tower's leader would show up."
The pretty little girl who appeared out of nowhere had completely derailed their plans.
The one silver lining was that the core was in another building, and while Yeriel was busy with rescues, they'd managed guerrilla tactics against her.
But they still failed.
"What the hell were those guys across the way doing? Couldn't protect the core, no contact..."
"They all dead or what?"
"...Dunno about the others, but that crazy bitch probably didn't bite it."
Moon Ju-a... A woman who'd earned recognition for her skills and results despite causing endless trouble.
But even her comrades shook their heads, recalling her fatal flaw.
"If there's someone as strong as the Tower leader in the core building, she'd have gone down first. That bitch always fucks up the plan if there's anyone stronger."
"Yeah... Once she hits berserk mode, it's game over."
Moon Ju-a... Even the underworld shook their heads at her hopelessness.
"Better if she's dead. We can pin it on her, and the bosses might forgive us."
"Sigh... Fuck, banging her was my lifelong dream."
"What a retarded dream... That bitch probably has a shredder or poison up her pussy."
"Kekeke... Yeah, sounds like her."
Crude words unfit for the dead flew around.
But that was their way.
Beings who could only vent by laughing like this in such a mess...
They didn't know this was their last taste of joy in the living world.
From beyond the tunnel they traversed, a silhouette appeared, accompanied by a girl's voice echoing off the walls and striking their eardrums.
"Right on the intel..."
"What!?"
"Who the hell's there!"
The panicked thugs raised weapons toward the dark silhouette, going on high alert.
The figure emerging from the shadows continued muttering to herself.
"Thanks to you idiots, my mood's totally ruined today."
"T-The... Tower leader!? H-How'd you get here..."
Ignoring their trembling, Yeriel stared blankly and said,
"Couldn't even meet my close friend, and because of you, I put my dear kids through hell."
"How'd you know about this place!!"
One thug cut her off and charged.
Slower than Cho Seo-hyun or Moon Ju-a, but his massive flail was intimidating enough.
But it depended on the opponent.
Suddenly, the arm holding the flail froze mid-swing, as if gripped by something in empty air.
"Fuck! Let go! Let me go!!"
Then his arm began to deform.
Krunch-crunch-crunch!!
"Kaaaaack!! Gaaahhh!!!"
His body stayed intact, but the flail arm crumpled like it was in a press, flesh bursting and blood soaking the floor.
With his arm pulverized beyond recognition, the thug collapsed unconscious. The others backed away, ready to flee.
But Yeriel's voice shattered their vain hopes.
"You lot... make up for my ruined day."
Screams fit for hell filled the underground, bringing the incident to a close.
..
..
The report of the thugs' escape routes was accurate.
Everything was over.
Core destroyed to halt dungeonization. Civilians rescued. Thugs eliminated.
The Everyka HQ interior was a wreck, but the exterior lights shone brightly, signaling it still stood.
As the sun set and the building's lights took over, Yeriel scanned the area and addressed the Tower support forces.
"Restrain the captured ones so they can't escape. Got the rest?"
"None appeared on other escape routes. Probably wiped out, couldn't use them."
"Mm..."
Yeriel nodded with a smile.
'Good thing I asked those two. But...'
Relief aside, guilt began seeping in.
'They seemed all dressed up for a fun outing, and because of me...'
No malice intended.
Yeriel hadn't wedged between Seong Su-ho and Seong Su-a just for her own amusement.
Their relationship...
'It's obvious. Instructor Su-a and Instructor Su-ho...'
She'd planned to play along lightly, then give them space for a rendezvous.
Seong Su-a: Yeriel had watched her since cadet days and grown close.
Initially to scout her for the Tower, but Su-a's innate kindness had melted into Yeriel too.
Like lubricant, it made even Yeriel's rusty heart beat and waver.
But things changed.
Short time for Yeriel, but Su-a transformed in a flash.
And Yeriel had a hunch why.
'Definitely Cho Kang-hyeon... that guy's fault.'
Su-a's fiancé, top hero watched by Tower and all guilds.
Even Tower leader Yeriel couldn't gauge his full strength.
Immeasurable depths, emotionless.
But an incident revealed his character.
Like other heroes, Su-a had faced danger multiple times.
Her search team, Tower-affiliated, always completed missions unscathed.
But...
(...Oppa.)
(...)
Her fiancé never once checked on her.
Pitying Su-a, Yeriel began seeing changes.
Not surface smiles, but genuine ones.
Not fake kindness, but true affection.
Not pretended worry, but familial gaze.
Directed at one man.
'...Obvious.'
Confident in Su-a and Su-ho's bond, Yeriel asked the support about Su-a.
"Seen Instructor Seong Su-a anywhere?"
Normally she'd ask about Su-ho too, but no.
'They're together anyway... Better not link Instructor Su-ho.'
She'd decided their relationship; avoid misunderstandings by watching her words, ask only about Su-a.
He explained briefly.
"She headed to the embassy earlier, seemed urgent."
"Hm... Got it. Keep cleaning up."
"Understood."
Yeriel nodded, activating her smart watch to call.
Signal connected quickly.
(Yeriel?)
"Su-a, what kept you so busy you rushed off?"
(Uh, well...)
Not seeking an answer. Just a pretext.
The biggest contributors today: Seong Su-ho and Seong Su-a.
Staying meant drawing all eyes.
"Su-a. He with you now?"
(Huh? Oh... no, I'm alone.)
'Touchy subject, huh? Good...'
Yeriel cut her hesitation with gentle advice.
"When I was little, I believed unquestioningly that those around me would always stay."
She shared her past selectively, only essentials.
"Friends, acquaintances, even family—I missed the moment to hold them, and they all left."
(...)
"In the end, only regrets stayed by my side."
(Yeriel...)
"I'll call tomorrow once things settle. Thanks so much today. Rest up."
Assuming Su-a got it, Yeriel hung up.
Staring at the ended call, she smiled bitterly.
"...Don't end up like me."
Muttering, she busied herself with cleanup.
"Timing..."
Arriving at the embassy, Seong Su-a ended the call with Yeriel and sank into thought.
Chewing over Yeriel's words, she walked slowly.
'Dizzy...'
Too many events at once.
Birthday, date, Yeriel, dungeonization, thugs, monstrosities...
But one dominated her mind.
'If I'd handled it right...'
Su-ho suddenly lunged, kissing her.
Caught off guard, her mind blanked; she took it all.
Rejection? Not in her head.
Corpses everywhere, walls reeking slime.
Yet fireworks exploded in white sparks, celebrating her kiss.
But it didn't end there.
(Haa... haa... Instructor Seong Su-a...)
Lips parting, Su-ho groped her body—not colleague affection.
Regaining senses, she understood why.
(Instructor Seong Su-ho. Calm down. I'll heal you!)
Not offended or refusing his touch.
Just wished he wouldn't mess up, so she stayed cool-headed.
But that became her mistake.
(S-Sorry!)
(Wait! Instructor Seong Su-ho!)
Guilt-stricken, he fled; flustered, she let him go.
Heart in hell, she spammed texts and calls, learning true desperation.
Over an hour later, his reply.
Staring endlessly, she headed to Magic Dept Class 7.
No clue his thoughts.
But human, she force-fit her pieces into the puzzle.
Messy, mismatched shards filling her with self-blame.
'If only I hadn't recovered from the status ailment...'
She guessed his affliction—same as hers hours ago.
Bad luck: misalignment.
Had they both lost reason together, his guilty hands would have canceled shame, comforting each other.
But her cool head fueled the fire.
Her guilt: dumping blame on him.
'Hurry and comfort him. Must be hurt bad.'
Resolved, to Magic Dept Class 7.
Familiar commute felt like first time.
Always welcoming sights now loomed darkly, judging her sin.
Each step in the dim hall: death row march.
Yearning execution's end, yet craving life.
Desperate to console Su-ho, yet dread arriving.
Heavy steps finally reached the door.
Familiar Magic Dept Class 7 door: now final gate to the gallows.
'...He's inside, right?'
Gripping the handle, deep sigh, then turn—vowing,
'All my fault. Take full blame. Somehow heal Instructor Su-ho's heart...'
Opening, his words shattered it all.
"I'm planning to submit my resignation tomorrow."