Chapter 43
Chapter 43
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Kindly Asking
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"The suit you made is pretty impressive. Bullets don't pierce it, and blades don't tear it. The defensive power is beyond anything I'd expect from ordinary technology. I really like it."
I changed my tone right away. This guy looked like a total rookie. At most mid-twenties, at least late teens—he had such a youthful face that I'd believe either.
Compared to him, I had way more experience... well, not quite everything under the sun, but still older. My plan was to pressure Peter with an overbearing attitude until he followed me.
"....."
Peter froze and didn't respond. Or rather, he couldn't.
"How on earth did you create such a masterpiece? Advanced technology? Special fabric? Or maybe... a superpower?"
"....."
"Exercising your right to remain silent? Whatever. I'm no cop or prosecutor, so no reason to answer a villain like me. Besides, that's your trade secret, right? I'm not evil enough to demand you spill it."
"If... if I just fix this suit, will you leave?"
Peter finally replied after a long pause. Leave? Fat chance!
"Didn't I tell you? I'm buying more clothes too. Got any other suits that fit me? Your stuff is comfy and tough—love it."
"Unfortunately, we don't have any suits like this one... I'll fix it right away, so please just go. Like I said, no charge."
"You're really trying to chase away a customer. Got a date with your girlfriend today or something?"
"I'm unmarried. No girlfriend either."
"Oh. My bad. Sorry about that."
The pointless back-and-forth dragged on. Time to get to the point?
"I'd like to scout you. How much money would it take?"
"I refuse. Don't need money. This tailor shop is plenty for me to live on alone."
"No way. People can live without laws, but not without money."
"You don't know much about the world. I can live without money."
"....."
Peter flatly refused my offer. Then he went further and started threatening me.
"I just reported you to the Hero Association. Heroes will be here soon to arrest you. You should run now."
"Didn't see you make a call."
"Phones have texting too—a great way to communicate."
Peter showed me his phone as he spoke. It displayed: [Report received.] I smirked at the sight.
"Not bad. Quick on your feet."
"Thank you."
"But you don't know much about me."
"Pardon?"
"When did online shopping sites become the Hero Association? Or is this some secret HQ I don't know about?"
"....."
Peter must've thought it was hidden, but I could clearly see [12th Street] on the blurry screen.
A Body Enhancer's eyesight is far superior to normal people's. And it doesn't degrade easily. No Body Enhancer wears glasses.
Especially not the strongest one like me. It was plain as day.
Heh heh heh... Cute little newbie.
"Anyway, with heroes dispatched, no choice. Guess I'll have to kidnap you right now."
"Haa..."
At the mention of outright kidnapping, Peter finally sighed.
"What do you want?"
"Scout you, like I said."
"Sorry, but I have zero interest in working for a villain."
"Fine. Then work for me."
"Why should I? And like I just said, I have no intention of working for you..."
"Oh dear. Can't be helped then."
"....!"
I sighed and stepped closer. Peter's eyes widened. He drew the pistol hidden at his waist and aimed it at me.
"Stop! If you don't..."
"Go ahead and shoot. It won't even scratch. My body's as tough as steel. Don't believe me? Give it a try."
"....."
Peter knew I wasn't bluffing and didn't pull the trigger. Body Enhancers rarely died from bullets.
"Up you go."
"What are you doing?"
I approached Peter, crossed my arms, looked down at him for a moment, then sat in the chair next to him. He stared at me in confusion.
"What else? Waiting for the repair. Thought I'd buy more suits, but nothing else catches my eye. I'll get a suit later—fix this one first."
"Re... pair?"
"Yeah. Repair. Oh! And make me a mask just like this one. Same type as the suit you're fixing, of course."
"....."
Peter gave me an incredulous look as I pointed at the mask.
I didn't know his backstory, but he clearly despised villains. All of them, maybe?
Either way, no point dragging someone who hates it. They'd never work properly.
Honestly, Peter wasn't essential to me. My body was far tougher and sturdier than his suits.
Still, I persistently scouted him for talent monopolization—and for the future.
Before long, my harem palace would be full. I couldn't stand seeing my women get hurt or killed by some bastard. Bullet- and blade-proof suits ensured basic safety.
"No clothes I like, so I'll have to come every day until something good shows up. And scout you daily. Eventually, you'll accept out of annoyance."
"....."
"Oh, and don't think about running. I'd have to 'kindly' ask the merchants around here 'where you went.'"
"....!"
Peter's eyes widened at my words. Rage filled his gaze. Rage?
"You coward! Fine! Come every day! But I won't accept your offer—not even a speck—so it'll be a waste of time. You said you'd leave after the repair? I'll do it now—just wait!"
"....?"
Peter spat his anger at me, grabbed the suit bag, and stormed inside, slamming the door with a loud bang!.
I tilted my head watching him go.
"...Did I say something wrong? Why's he mad?"
I'd clearly said I'd ask the merchants kindly. They weren't criminals—what, like I'd torture them? I'm a gentleman schooled in Eastern etiquette!
A moment later, an ominous feeling crept in from the back room where Peter had vanished.
As I'd suspected, Peter Elaine was a superpowered individual.
"Next, Aqua Girl? Aqua Girl, come in."
"Yes."
Yuna Reyes, Aqua Girl, entered at the assistant's call.
Today was the day for heroes' superpower reevaluation assessments. Every six months, the Hero Association reevaluated heroes' powers and maintained or upgraded their ranks accordingly.
It happened to be that six-month reevaluation day, and after meeting Steel Armor, Aqua Girl's powers had surged. She participated in the assessment.
'B-rank would help Master more than C.'
Honestly, Aqua Girl had lost all interest in hero work. Her sole focus was Steel Armor—her Master.
But she'd applied for the reevaluation because B-rank heroes were more numerous and had access to more important information.
Master wanted intel from the Hero Association. As his loving slave, she had to obey that command faithfully.
'I'm a hero. I'm a hero.'
Aqua Girl hypnotized herself, worried she might unconsciously act un-heroic. She couldn't afford even a hint of suspicion from others.
In the room were A-rank hero [Ice Queen], along with B-rank heroes [Romantist], [Singing Simon], and [Jelly Master].
Aqua Girl greeted her senior heroes first.
"Hello! I'm C-rank hero Aqua Girl... Huh? S-Senior?"
After bowing 90 degrees and straightening up, Aqua Girl's eyes widened. At the far end, Jelly Master—the one she'd thought dead—was smiling and waving.
"Long time no see. You doing okay?"
"Senior, weren't you... half-shredded by that scorpion bastard... no, I thought you were gone?"
"Half-shredded? Scorpion bastard?"
She'd unconsciously used her Master's nickname for Scorpion King. Flustered, Aqua Girl quickly corrected herself.
"Ah, no, Scorpion King. But that day, you clearly..."
"Hahaha. Forgot my power?"
"Oh...? Ah...!"
Aqua Girl belatedly remembered Jelly Master's superpower at his words.
True to his hero name, Jelly Master could turn his body into jelly.
No matter how torn apart, it regenerated back to normal. The downside was it took quite a while to heal.
Jelly Master's combat and defense were sorely lacking compared to other heroes, but his survivability was top-tier.
"So you've been recovering at the Association this whole time?"
"Yeah. Woke up two days ago. I was actually worried sick about you. Heard you went missing on scorpion hunt day—freaked me out thinking something bad happened. Relieved to see you fine."
"Ooh, what's this?"
B-rank hero Simon squeezed between Aqua Girl and Jelly Master.
"What's going on? Pink vibes flowing between you two. World just turned all pink and rosy. No way you two...?"
"W-what are you saying, Simon?! I-I'm just a senior worrying about a junior..."
"....."
Flustered, Jelly Master hurriedly defended himself. But he clearly wasn't indifferent to Aqua Girl, stealing glances at her even as he spoke.
Her masked face turned ice-cold at the sight.
'Disgusting.'
How dare he look at me like that. Only Master can! Only Master owns me!
Aqua Girl wanted to rip out Jelly Master's peeking eyeballs right then.
If it dragged on even a bit longer, her anger would've turned to killing intent.
Thankfully, Ice Queen intervened at the right moment, preventing that.
"Okay, okay, save the chat for later. Let's do our job first. Aqua Girl?"
"....."
"Aqua Girl?"
"Y-yes?"
"What? Let's start."
"Ah, yes!"
"Ooh~ Aqua Girl's hot gaze heading Jelly Master's way? Ahh~ the world's all pink and rosy!"
"....."
Aqua Girl wanted to yank out Simon's chattering tongue.
Aqua Girl demonstrated her powers for the senior heroes. She activated her level 4 active skill [Water Protection] and could now generate even more water than before.
For reference, when Bal Jeong-nam had previously checked Aqua Girl's status window as a superpower analyst, her unconfirmed level 5 trait was [Water Increase (+300)].
The examiners nodded, comparing her past and current abilities.
"Definitely B-rank hero level. What do you all think?"
"I agree."
"Yep, B-rank. Wow, lots of talent this year."
"....."
Romantist and Singing Simon agreed with Ice Queen. But Jelly Master stayed silent.
"Jelly Master, why so quiet... Whoa~ he's gone. World pink pink~"
"Huh? Oh, s-sorry. Yes, Aqua Girl is B-rank. Definitely. Simon, stop teasing."
"Pink pink~"
The four examiners unanimously concluded Aqua Girl was B-rank.
"Good work. New license in a week. Looking forward to your exploits, B-rank hero Aqua Girl."
"Thank you! I'll do my best!"
Not thrilled at all, Aqua Girl put on an excited act and bowed to the heroes. After the assessment, as she stepped out, Jelly Master followed.
"Hey, Aqua Girl!"
"Yes? Something wrong?"
"Uh... well, you know..."
Jelly Master hesitated, glancing at her face. Aqua Girl instantly knew his intent.
'Annoying. Want to gouge those eyes.'
Clueless to her thoughts, he took a deep breath and said,
"Got time? Dinner tonight?"
"No, sorry. Busy today..."
"Oh, tomorrow then...?"
"Sorry, busy tomorrow too."
"Oh..."
Rejected, Jelly Master looked crestfallen.
"Nothing else? I'll go then."
"Y-yeah. See you tomorrow."
"Yes."
Aqua Girl turned and walked a few steps before stopping.
'Wait a sec.'
She was freshly B-rank. But Jelly Master had been B-rank for six years. He likely held the info Master needed.
She turned back and called to the dejectedly returning Jelly Master.
"Um... Senior!"
"Huh? What?"
"Busy tomorrow, but day after free."
"Really?! Th-then dinner that day?"
"Yes, sounds good."
"For real? Awesome! See you then. I'll treat to a nice dinner."
"Yes, looking forward to it."
"Great! Tomorrow then! Good work today!"
"Yes, Senior. Heading in first."
"Okay! Take care!"
Jelly Master waved at her back until she vanished, then smiled and reentered the assessment room.
"Man~ world's all pink and rosy~ good times~"
"W-what?! We're not like that yet..."
"Ooh~ yet? Seniors heard? 'Yet.' Who knows what next~?"
"Hehe."
"Argh, why are you all like this!"
Blissfully unaware of her true feelings, Jelly Master blushed under his colleagues' teasing. Yet the smile on his lips wouldn't fade.