#230 Evil Boss Steel Armor

"This is where Rachel was born, after all. It's a bit rundown, but... I don't want to leave here."

"...I see. Well, can't be helped then."

Unfortunately, Emily had no intention of leaving this place. What a shame. If she wasn't planning ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to move...

Well, no choice. Guess we'll develop this area too.

Since we're going big with the business anyway, let's go even bigger. My pockets are stuffed full.

Ah, but first, there's one thing I need to check.

"By the way, Emily."

"Yes?"

"This house—is it under your name?"

"Yes, it is. But why do you ask?"

"No reason."

I flashed a grin at the puzzled Emily, telling her it was nothing. Our dear Emily's about to make some serious cash, huh? A wife's support is her husband's job, after all.

"What? What are they building?"

"....."

Valencia, the Hero Association president, was at a loss for words upon hearing Memory Hunter's report. What? Building a school and houses?

Pure souls who see the world as beautiful inevitably change once they taste society's bitterness.

No way?

Valencia suspected Steel Armor's intentions and had one thought.

"Sowing seeds in advance?"

"...No. Anyway, keep investigating Steel Armor for me."

They might act like brothers in private, but they were strict about separating work and personal matters. Once the somewhat stiff conversation ended, Valencia sank back into thought.

He couldn't shake the idea that Steel Armor was connected to the monster hunters. The monster hunters hadn't done anything notable in Dark City. In fact, they'd been completely inactive—which made it all the more suspicious. Even if they'd adapted to the wild, they could still trade for necessities. But they had never initiated contact before the airplane escort request.

He recalled the day he met Steel Armor at the sushi restaurant.

'Brother. This is just my personal opinion, but I don't think Steel Armor takes orders from the monster hunters.'

'Why not?'

'He's too arrogant.'

'Arrogant?'

'Yes. And his ego is off the charts—he thinks he's the strongest in Dark City. Of course, he has the power to back it up. A guy like that wouldn't take orders from anyone.'

'Hmm...'

'Just my personal take. And... ahem! I'm not close to the guy or anything, but that's what I think.'

"Mikhail. Looks like I have to hope your instincts are right again this time."

[Mikhail Regnes], Memory Hunter's real name.

Memory Hunter was one of the few people in the Hero Association whom Valencia trusted 100%. His abilities, skills, and instincts were exceptional, even by Valencia's own admission. If such a man assessed Steel Armor that way, there was a high chance Steel Armor had no ties to the monster hunters.

But Valencia was the Hero Association president, with the futures of many resting on his shoulders. He couldn't let go of his suspicions, no matter what his trusted ally said.

Let's assume Steel Armor really is connected to the monster hunters.

Then there was only one reason for him to build schools and houses: infiltration. Slowly, over a long time, expand his influence in Dark ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠City and eventually bring the monster hunters in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠without public backlash. It required time, but minimized damage.

The second scenario: Steel Armor had no connection to the monster hunters, as Memory Hunter said.

"...Raising his own legion?"

No matter how he thought about it, that seemed the most likely reason.

"Complicated."

With a sigh, Valencia closed his eyes. He never once considered that Steel Armor's school and houses were just welfare policies to properly manage his subordinates.

Three days passed.

"Okay."

Confirming the system messages, I stood up and headed to the hospital where Sujeong-i worked.

"Ugh... something feels off."

"What does?"

"Just... you look different from the face I know, so it's awkward."

"Heh heh heh. My real face is handsomer, right?"

"Hmm... not really."

"....."

Unexpectedly cold. After a quick chat with Sujeong-i, I headed straight to the VIP room. Inside were Jungbo and his mother.

"B... no, Mr. Stang, you've come?"

"I'm here."

"Yes, ma'am, it's me. Everything okay?"

"....."

Hm?

Jungbo bit his lip at my casual "everything okay?" Something must have happened.

"Mom, ta-da~! How's this? Looks delicious, right?"

"Why'd you buy something like this? You could've just come empty-handed."

"Ehehe~ You don't visit a hospital empty-handed. And this is for you and our little Green to enjoy together? Hospital food tastes awful, honestly."

"Does it? Come, sit."

"Yes... hm?"

As I sat next to Jungbo, I noticed a small bloodstain on the side table. That's why his face looked off.

"Mom, have some juice first. It's sweet, cool, and it'll make you feel like you're flying."

"Thank you."

I chatted energetically with Jungbo's mother. After about 10 minutes, she started dozing off.

"Mom must be sleepy. Green, help her lie down."

"Yes."

Jungbo helped his mother lie down. Soon, she was fast asleep. I'd spiked the juice with sleeping pills before entering.

"Phew..."

"What happened while I was gone?"

"Pardon? Oh, yes..."

Jungbo gave a wry smile.

"Last night, her coughing wouldn't stop. She spat up blood too."

"I see."

"B-boss."

"Yeah?"

"My mother... you can really save her, right? Please, I beg you."

Jungbo bowed deeply to me.

"Don't bow from now on."

"Pardon?"

"No kneeling, no bowing your head. Ah, you can do it to me, of course. But never to other guys—especially from rival organizations."

"....."

"You're the Skull Head Group's number two. If you act submissive to tough guys out there, you'll die by my hand. Got it?"

"Boss..."

Jungbo's eyes welled up. What a crybaby this guy is.

"Save those tears."

"Pardon? Oh, sorry."

"Your mom's about to recover fully. What'll you do when she wakes up if you cry now?"

"Pardon? You don't mean...?"

"Yeah, that miracle. I told you—I can save your mom in three days."

"B-boss!"

"But there's a condition."

Even hearing about the condition, Jungbo pleaded desperately.

"Yes! Anything! I'll accept any condition! As long as you save my mom...!"

"Don't tell anyone I saved your mom."

"Yes! I swear I'll keep it secret!"

"Good."

"....."

"What?"

"Uh... is that it?"

"Huh? Yeah, that's it. Just don't tell anyone."

I patted Jungbo's shoulder and stood by his mother. I grasped her thin arm—barely a handful even with index and middle finger.

Miracle.

Activating the Miracle skill brought up a list of miracles I could perform. I selected [Disease Treatment].

Green light flowed from my body and enveloped ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Jungbo's mother. The cancer had spread quite a bit, so the light lingered from head to toe for a long time. When it faded, her face looked peaceful.

"Done."

"R-really? Then...!"

"Hey, hey, calm down."

He looked ready to bolt to the doctors, so I grabbed him quick.

"No detailed scans—or any scans at all. A full-body cancer mass just vanished. It's a miracle. The doctors will torment her trying to figure it out."

"Then what should I do?"

"Prepare to go home."

"Home?"

"Yeah. She's cured, so discharge her. She won't want to stay in the hospital anyway. Make excuses and get her out. Oh, almost forgot."

I pulled keys from my pocket and handed them to Jungbo.

"Keys? Boss, why give these to me...?"

"Didn't I tell you? Your house is under reconstruction—I demolished it all."

"Pardon? Our house?"

"Yeah. Got you an officetel. Stay there till the new house is built. Or keep it if you like it. Here's the address. Tell your mom the company provided it for you."

"Boss..."

Jungbo's eyes welled up again.

"Ah! I hate tears. Especially from men. Cry after I leave. Anyway, I'm done here. And if the doctors block discharge, call me. I'll send the boys."

"Truly... thank you so much, boss."

"Don't say that anymore. It's getting old. See ya."

"I'll walk you to the first floor..."

"You gonna leave your mom? Stay put."

"...Yes."

I stopped Jungbo from following and headed out. With his family worry gone, he'll work even harder now, right? Can't wait for him to build that school. One annoying task down!

"Kkh!"

The moment Steel Armor left, Jungbo clamped his mouth shut. Steel Armor said his mother was cured, but without tests, who knew? Maybe the capricious villain was pranking him.

But Jungbo trusted Steel Armor. Because once he said something, he always followed through. He'd crushed Kane, who ruled the underworld, and even S-rank villain Jet Stream. What everyone called impossible, Steel Armor did boldly.

"Boss...!"

If such a man said his mother was cured, then she was. No room for doubt.

"Thank you...! Truly, thank you, boss...!"

Tears streaming, Jungbo vowed lifelong loyalty to Steel Armor.

And 10 years later—

While checking news on my phone, I spotted Yuna emerging with her family, arms full of suitcases. After a brief chat, she parted ways with them. Confirming they'd gone inside, she spun around and hurried to my car.

"Master!"

"Yuna! Hop in!"

"Yes!"

Yuna loaded her suitcase in the trunk and slid into the passenger seat. She hugged me tight. I returned my cute slave's affection.

We shared a deep kiss.

"Shall we go?"

"Yes."

Today was Yuna's moving-out day—which meant moving in with me. From now on, Jina, Elis, Yuna, and I would live together.

Foursome! Foursome! Foursome!

No more booking hotels for fun. Now we could do it at home. And my grand plan didn't end there.

Bring in Sujeong-i for a fivesome, Succubus and her sisters for... elevensome!

At that point, who needs "-some"? Just an orgy party. A very fun orgy with me as the only guy.

*Slurp-!*

Having been with me so long, Yuna knew exactly what I wanted without asking. As I drove, she naturally unzipped my pants and started sucking my cock.

"That's it... Yuna, deepthroat it."

"Khk! Ahk!"

Receiving Yuna's fellatio, I headed home.