Chapter 127
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: The Mayor and the Black Knight
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The sofa is calling me.
No, it's more than calling.
It's seducing me, craving me, indulging me.
The sofa's plush leather whispers as it remembers every curve of my body.
Come back, Lee Garam. This is your sanctuary.
I gladly surrender to the temptation.
Spine curved into an S, left arm behind my head, right arm on my belly—the golden ratio pose.
This is the "Ultimate Slacking Pose" perfected through my research, Lee Garam's masterpiece.
In the world's most comfortable position, I was counting the patterns on the ceiling.
One, two, three...
Why does that pattern cut off right there? Is it the designer's intent, or the contractor's mistake?
Friday afternoon. The happiest time of the weekday.
This moment, just hours from the promised weekend rest, is more sacred than any religious rite.
At this hour, no one—no thing—should disturb me.
That's the law of the universe, the unwritten rule of Neo Incheon.
"Get up, Mayor."
Ah. There is one being above the laws of the universe.
The demon who appears to destroy my utopia. Seria Park.
I instantly shifted into defense mode.
Pretended not to hear, pretended to be asleep, pretended to be dead. Pretended to be one with the universe, decomposing into elementary particles.
"Did you forget the Hero Science-Technology Fusion Awards today?"
Damn. I really had forgotten.
No, precisely, I'd deliberately erased it from memory.
"Cough, cough. Ow."
I let out some groaning noises.
"My head hurts. Stomach hurts too. Every joint in my body is screaming. Looks like a bad flu. Joints aching all over, head about to split. It wouldn't be respectful to the citizens to attend an event in this state."
"Faking illness won't work."
"Not faking! I really hurt! Look, cold sweat!"
Of course, it starts pouring automatically in front of Seria.
"Probably indigestion from last night's midnight snack."
Hit the nail on the head. But I can't back down here.
"Yeah! Nero! Our Nero's sick! As his owner, I have to stay by his side! That kid can't even drink a sip of water properly without me!"
Meow?
Nero stretches and perks up his tail energetically. His fur gleams in the sunlight, flaunting robust health.
Damn. Too healthy. Time to cut off that guy's treats right now.
Last resort.
"Actually... the Earth hurts."
I declared solemnly.
"Global warming, environmental pollution, resource depletion... Thinking of our suffering Mother Earth pains my heart so much I can't take a single step. Now's not the time for events—it's time for all of us to reflect and repent with solemn hearts."
Seria fell silent for a moment.
Did it work? Is she moved by my devotion to Earth?
"I'll give you 5 minutes."
Seria brushed off my sophistry and tossed a suit onto the sofa.
Freshly dry-cleaned, creased sharp as a blade—an armor that choked just looking at it.
"If you're not changed in 5 minutes, I'll dress you myself. Of course, a few joints might dislocate in the process."
Imagining how horrific and humiliating that process would be, my body trembled in fear.
In the end, I was defeated. As always.
I fumbled into the suit and stood before the mirror.
Final hurdle: the necktie.
As I looped the cold, tough strip of fabric around my neck, I vented my rage at the world's injustices.
"Why! Why 4 PM on Friday of all times! Even demons rest Friday afternoons, scheming their Monday evils! Early quit! I was gonna clock out at 6 sharp and order chicken with Nero—my humble dream! My happiness! My weekend, shattered to pieces!"
I stepped out, and waiting Seria scanned me up and down.
"Necktie crooked. Mayor's dignity in question."
"Don't need dignity—just let me go home."
"No."
Swish.
A cold hand reached for my necktie.
She tightened the knot firmly and brushed the dust off my shoulders.
"Let's go, Mayor."
In the end, I was dragged out like a leashed dog.
The Neo Incheon Convention Center in Songdo.
The moment I stepped out of the car, dozens of camera flashes erupted at once, turning my vision white.
Click. Click. Click-click-click!
"Mayor! Over here!"
"Mayor! Just one word!"
"Lee Garam! Lee Garam!"
Noisy. Don't chant my name like that. I'm not an idol.
I waved mechanically like a robot.
Left once. Right once. Smoothly center.
"Mayor! No cat today?"
A female reporter yelled.
"Nero's naptime right now. A cat's right to sleep must be respected. He's in a growth spurt."
I barely broke through the press encirclement and fled into the VIP waiting room.
Panting hard. The red carpet is tougher than a marathon.
The waiting room was already buzzing with a motley crew of humanity.
Heroes in shiny suits. Top execs in pricey tailoring. Scientists with eyes that looked a screw or two loose.
S-rank intimidation, C-rank freshness, entrepreneurial greed, scientific madness—all blended into a bizarre aura.
No sign of Hero Association President Jin Yeonhwa. Makes sense—she hates these events.
Good thing. If she were here, I'd be dragged around drinking all night again.
Soon, the emcee's oily voice echoed through the hall.
"Now, let the Hero Science-Technology Fusion Awards begin—to open Neo Incheon's brilliant future!"
The boring times commenced.
I sat in my seat stage-side and started soulless clapping.
My role was simple.
Hand out plaques, pose for photos with winners, smile.
Hero Merit Award. Science-Tech Innovation. New Materials Development. Corporate Social Contribution. Even Special Task Force Excellence.
Captain Kang Jiyeong came up with a stoic face, shook my hand, and left.
Too many awards, too many recipients.
I whispered to Seria beside me.
"They giving these to everyone who showed up?"
"Yes. They get upset without one. Like kindergarten sports day."
Seria replied matter-of-factly.
If everyone gets an award, no one does.
Awards derive value from scarcity. But people loved it.
Seemed to enjoy the moment: name called, spotlight, applause.
And the acceptance speeches were all identical.
"All this glory to our great visionary, Mayor Lee Garam!"
"Without the Mayor's insight, our research impossible!"
"Mayor! I love you!"
What did I even do?
During the endless, boring, nutrient-free speeches, I snuck out my smartphone and started a simple puzzle game.
Match blocks, pop them, rack up points. Clear purpose and results.
Far more productive and meaningful than this mess.
Squeeze.
"Ow!"
Sharp pain on my instep. Seria's high heel grinding my foot.
"Sit straight."
"...Got it."
Too harsh... Seria... demon...
Reluctantly pocketed the phone and reverted to soulless clap machine.
Time dragged on and on until the event neared its close.
"Next, the award to the rookie with the most dazzling performance! Hero Rookie Award! The winner is... Polaris!"
Polaris?
Han Sia!
I stood and welcomed her.
Simple navy off-shoulder dress. Hair awkwardly swept back.
Not flashy, but paired with her clear eyes, it created a fresh, pure vibe.
She ascended the stage with awkward steps, visibly tense.
I smiled and handed her the plaque.
"Congratulations, Miss Sia."
"Mayor..."
Her eyes welled up.
"All thanks to you. Without you, I..."
"No. You earned it with your own strength."
I was saying uncharacteristically earnest words.
Crushingly corny encouragement. But not lies.
Flashes popped, and we stood side-by-side smiling for the cameras.
Our eyes met briefly as she descended.
She bowed deeply once more. I nodded lightly in return.
'Ilruwait'—pervy sponsoring like yesterday... Felt like just the other day.
Anyway, growing so impressively cool.
Inwardly proud. Like a father seeing his well-raised daughter? Nah, too weird.
Let's say producer admiring his nurtured idol.
The awards ended, and the banquet hall turned into a networking inferno.
I despise these schmoozing parties.
Meaningless chatter, soulless smiles, business card swaps leading to vague promises.
But unwillingly, I was at the center.
"Mayor! Our new ultralight bulletproof fiber 'Arachne-MK5'! Deeply inspired by your 'act first, think later' innovative spirit to push our research!"
"Ah, yes. Good work. Looks light and tough. Imagine a suit from it—bulletproof and comfy."
"Mayor! Our farm exceeded quarterly harvest by 150%! Just slacking and hiring superhumans did the trick!"
"Is that so? Great. That energy drink still tasteless? Well, as long as it wakes you. Taste can come from generosity."
"Mayor! Thanks to you, our stock hits new highs daily! All due to Neo Incheon's stable security and unpredictable development plans! Any hint on the next dev spot?"
"Hahaha. Classified. But with stocks rising, shouldn't there be corresponding 'gratitude'? Y'know, invisible efforts honoring the mayor—for a transparent society."
I stared meaningfully into their eyes.
Thick envelopes, overpriced watches, shiny rocks.
About time for something.
But only innocent smiles returned.
"Of course! Mayor! Double the next city donation—official and transparent!"
No, man. Not city budget. My pocket. Gotta grow my personal slush fund.
Communication breakdown. Modern society's greatest tragedy.
I sighed inwardly and sipped my champagne.
That was when it happened.
Crash!
The banquet hall's stained glass ceiling shattered to pieces.
With a bang, colorful shards rained down like snow.
An eerie silence fell over the noisy hall.
As if on cue, everyone looked up at the broken ceiling.
And through that hole, something dropped down.
Thud.
Not a big sound. But a weighty landing that reverberated through the marble floor.
Black.
From head to toe, wrapped in pitch-black armor.
The streamlined helmet revealed no expression, and a black cape reminiscent of wings draped from his back.
Most striking were the massive swords in both hands.
Less a blade, more a vicious black iron slab sword exuding ominous energy.
"Kyaaah!"
One scream shattered the silence, turning the hall into pandemonium instantly.
People screamed, tripped, shoved each other toward the exits.
The elegant gentlemen and ladies sipping champagne moments ago were gone.
I stood dazed in the middle of the chaos.
What the hell is that tin can?
Then, the black-armored knight slowly turned his head.
His gaze locked precisely on me.
Nothing visible through the helmet's visor, but...
I knew. That bastard was looking right at me.
[Mayor Lee Garam.]
A low, mechanical voice echoed through the hall.
Ah, me again.
What did I do so wrong! My only crime is wanting to go home and eat chicken!
The next instant, the Black Knight swung his greatsword.
"Huh?"
Whoosh!
A sharp wind-cutting sound right in front of me.
At the same time, Seria nudged my shoulder.
"Ugh!"
I lost balance and tumbled clumsily to the side.
And where I'd stood moments before.
Crunch!
The Black Knight's slash grazed past.
The solid marble floor sliced like tofu, leaving a deep, long scar.
Dust and debris scattered everywhere.
If Seria hadn't pushed me, the bisected one would've been me, not the marble.
"Why always meeee!"
The Black Knight raised his sword again.
Flash!
Dazzling starlight burst forth.
Clang!
A sharp metallic clash.
Blocking the Black Knight's sword was a shield formed from a handful of starlight.
"I won't let you touch the Mayor!"
Polaris. Han Sia.
She gritted her teeth, taking the sword with her whole body.
[Interfering pest.]
The Black Knight spat irritably and pressed the sword forward.
Her slender arms trembled. She was being overpowered.
The shield shattered, and she flew back light as paper.
"Urk!"
Han Sia barely stopped after slamming into the banquet hall wall.
But she immediately stood and resumed battle stance. Her eyes unyielding.
Their fight kicked off in earnest.
The Black Knight's sword was merciless and destructive. Each swing wrecked fixtures and unleashed shockwaves.
Han Sia barely blocked the assaults with fists wrapped in starlight.
Her movements were far faster and more precise than before. Jin Yeonhwa's hellish training had paid off.
But the opponent was too strong.
Superior in instantaneous speed, destructive power—every way.
Their clash turned the hall into a true hellscape.
Tables overturned, chandeliers crashed, food and bottles littered everywhere.
"My money... how much to fix all that..."
Then, other heroes joined the fray.
A- and B-rank heroes who'd remained in the hall.
One spewing flames from his body, another hurling ice spears, one controlling drones.
A barrage of diverse abilities rained on the Black Knight.
[...Hmph.]
Outnumbered.
The Black Knight glanced around, then slammed his greatsword into the ground decisively.
Rumble!
A powerful shockwave rippled outward in concentric circles, repelling the heroes.
Seizing the gap, the Black Knight bolted unhesitatingly toward the broken window.
Retreating?
"Stop!"
Late-arriving Captain Kang Jiyeong thrust out her hand. Her metal manipulation tried to seize the armor.
But nothing happened.
"...Not metal?"
The Black Knight vanished into the night sky without resistance.
CCTV footage yielded no clues to his face or identity.
Appeared like a ghost, wreaked havoc, vanished like one.
While the Special Task Force secured the scene, checked the injured, and blocked reporters, I crawled out from under a table.
My whole body ached.
"Damn... why always pick on me..."
I grumbled while dusting my ruined suit.
"Mayor! You okay?"
Han Sia rushed over frantically.
One side of her dress torn, a bit of blood on her lip, but no major injuries.
"Yeah. I'm fine. You?"
"Me too. But... he got away."
She bit her lip in frustration.
"I'll catch him for sure. I won't forgive anyone who targets you, Mayor."
"...Thanks."
A sincere voice slipped out unwittingly.
Her face lit up at my words.
"No need! You... always cheer me on."
She said with a shy smile.
My heart sank with a thud.
Cheer me on? Me? When? How?
No way?
Does she know about 'Ilruwait'? That I send donations nightly with pervy messages?
Ten thousand thoughts raced through my head in one second. Cold sweat trickled down my back.
No, no. Calm down, Lee Garam.
The "cheering" she means is the official city support for newbie heroes. Everyone knows that.
Yeah, that's it.
I forced a blank expression and swallowed dryly.
"Yeah. Count on you."
"Yes! Mayor!"
She replied spiritedly and headed back to the heroes.
I let out a sigh of relief. Nearly misunderstood pointlessly.
"Quite popular, Mayor. Assassin shows for a fan meet. Consider ticket sales for next event."
It was Seria.
She brushed dust off my shoulder as if nothing happened.
I had no energy to reply.
Should've brought Nero...
I looked up at the shattered ceiling and let out a long sigh.
"Sigh... I wanna go home."