Save the Hero Party (3)
“Lately, a lot more are coming over...”
Ruby didn't mingle well with people. Partly because of her past life, and partly because she couldn't find any reason to bother. People dropped into unfamiliar places usually sought out fellow countrymen. It eased their anxiety, even if just a little.
“Out of them, how many even know me? Or rather... is there anyone who doesn't know me?”
But Ruby was already content.
Sisilia is watching you.
That message in her status window, which she checked several times a day, brought her great comfort. She felt less lonely knowing someone was watching over her. It wasn't just because Sisilia was strong.
Ruby enjoyed her daily life itself. She liked Sisilia, and she was grateful for Chiron, who always looked out for her. Someday, I have to repay this debt, she thought, savoring her happy days.
Until one user appeared.
“I thought your face looked familiar. You're Han Chaeyeon, right? I'm a fan. Nice to see you here.”
The man introduced himself as Evan from the start. Most people revealed their past-life names after summoning, but he acted as if he'd been to this world before—perfectly natural.
Ruby paid little attention, but she assumed the smiling, friendly Evan was a good guy.
...She learned she had no eye for people soon enough.
Evan came to her and chatted.
“I heard about you. You don't mix well with people and keep to yourself.”
“Ahaha—I prefer it that way.”
“Haha, that's not what I meant—must be a misunderstanding. This isn't about personal taste.”
“...Pardon?”
“Come on. We're all dragged into this strange world the same way. Shouldn't we band together? Help each other out.”
It seemed reasonable enough. Ruby knew complaining wouldn't change anything.
But something about Evan rubbed her the wrong way. He gave off a familiar scent.
In the entertainment industry, you meet all sorts. TV-friendly nice guys. Obvious thugs. Public darlings with trash reputations behind the scenes.
The worst were those with spotless images and insider praise—but devils in disguise, wearing masks offstage too.
“You're close to Sisilia and Chiron, those NPCs, right? Tell me everything you know. Likes, quirks, whatever.”
“...”
“Not in a bad way. They're important NPCs... Oh, you already figured that out?”
If someone else had asked, she might've mentioned Sisilia's cake fondness. But spilling to Evan, who reeked of that vibe? No way.
Not even without the black star-dust from her Blessing vision.
“...Sorry. I can't.”
So Ruby refused, and Evan just smiled without a word.
“I was rank 2. I even witnessed the final moments of Another World firsthand.”
Soon after, he gathered people and spilled.
“Why hide it? Info from the game might be worthless here, so I had to be cautious.”
It shocked the users.
“I wasn't gonna announce till level 99.”
Evan hit 99 about a month post-summon. Average user levels were 40-50. First-gen had five months on him, yet he caught up.
Ruby was 71. Siu, 59.
“Siu, thanks. You guided everyone well till I got here. I'll take over now—rest up.”
He swallowed Siu's guild too, dominating user ranks. A true irregular, on another trajectory.
Especially his Blessing control. Where others got 10 power from 10 mana, Evan squeezed 100 from 10. Peak vet gamer.
People flattered him for scraps of info.
And that's when the bullying started.
“...My shoes.”
It began childish: shoes missing from lockers, training clothes soiled. Stuff from Japanese dramas she'd read scripts for.
Except most users were adults.
“Selfishness has limits.”
“Everyone shares to survive, but she hoards info for herself?”
“Evan said not to hate her too much. Easier said than done.”
“That guy's too nice for his own good.”
Whispers. Annoying, but just graffiti and hidden items. Ruby's steel mentality—forged by daily hate comments—didn't flinch.
Public finger-pointing? Old news. This beat paparazzi flashes.
“Siu, wanna eat together?”
“Uh, I... Oh, got plans today.”
...Losing her one friend, Siu, stung a bit.
But Ruby was fine. Academy over, everything resets.
“Ruby's tough. Why not ditch users and just work here full-time?”
“Ahaha, not a bad idea.”
“Caddie. Sisilia's glaring murderously from behind.”
“Yeah. That's why I said it. Hope she snaps.”
“Isn't that bad?”
“Sisilia sulking is cute.”
Her maid friends were upbeat, washing away academy gloom.
But bullying escalated. Like testing her limits.
“Kyahaha, should've posted this on Insta.”
“Whoa, body.”
Ripping clothes with Blessings for humiliation in public. Tripping her for laughs. Kicks from behind.
Violence followed fast.
Slap.
“Slapping a celeb feels weirdly good.”
“Hey, Chaeyeon. Question: Do real celebs think they're nobles? Like, above everyone?”
It ramped up till they forgot what they were doing.
Ruby's iron will cracked slowly. Her positivity—turning anything positive—was dimmed by malice.
Crash!
“S-Sorry.”
It bled into maid work.
“...Ruby.”
The maids noticed academy woes, grabbed her hand.
“Tell us if it's tough. We might seem like maids, but Chiron's maids aren't anyone. We can help plenty.”
Ex-knight captain's estate maids. Chiron was duke-level; most were nobles.
“Oh, misunderstanding. Haven't slept well... Sorry.”
But Ruby hid the bullying. Had to.
“You look worn out. Poor thing.”
Evan led it but never touched her.
“Tried stopping them, but... Sorry on their behalf.”
Modern mobbing via proxy. But medieval world.
Investigation might punish some, but not the puppetmaster.
...Punishment? School violence wasn't a crime here.
“Heard a noble who messed with a user got executed recently?”
“...”
“They care more than we thought. Good news. Means we're desperate. Oh, take this? Potion. Your lip's split.”
So Ruby swallowed Evan's potion. Couldn't risk loved ones hurt over her.
Now too.
“Sisilia!”
Ruby grabbed furious Sisilia's wrist.
“...Please.”
She knew Sisilia outranked executed nobles. Bullying users wouldn't dent her much.
...But Ruby hated it. Sisilia suffering even slightly for her.
“I'm fine. Really, nothing happened. ...Don't get mad.”
The piercing killing intent faded. Sisilia's murderous eyes softened to kindness, then guilt.
She gently wiped Ruby's tears.
“Sorry for leaving you alone.”
“...Hic, why are you sorry?”
Sisilia hugged silently. Ruby sobbed.
Sisilia's eyes, holding her, were icier than ever.
“...I'll stay with you from now on.”
* * *
Sisilia returned after soothing Ruby. Placed user files on the table, picked Evan's.
Last page: dungeon logs.
She eyed locations, times.
Fast clears early, slowing later.
Sisilia touched her lips. Deadpanned softly.
“Got a helper?”
Academy users strictly monitored. Solo dungeons banned. Mismatched levels too.
A-class like Ruby's? Tighter—one guide per user.
Evan's logs odd. Dungeon Day 1, blazing early clears.
Vet gamer.
But slowed later. Pre-east trip: 3-hour dungeon in 15 hours. Variance huge.
...Pre-cleared permitted ones, snuck higher? Means he flipped his guide.
“Why move like that?”
Not just that.
Pre-east, Ruby was fine.
Bullying post-departure. Suspicious logs halted then.
Level-mad vet pauses hunting to bully? In a world where power = survival?
“Bullying Ruby for something?”
Theories floated. But guesses now.
Sisilia dropped the file.
“Nearly fucked up big.”
Good Ruby stopped her. She'd planned to pulverize Evan like a rat.
My kid touched—unforgivable.
Calmed, knowing why? Relief.
“Killing him robs Ruby her revenge. Bad for kids' growth.”
...Bianca was right. Should've trained Ruby untouchable early.
Friendship, growth with others? Unneeded.
At least for her newbie—must crush all.
But training here to surpass vet Evan? Not in days. Two weeks min.
Ruby bullied meanwhile? No.
So Sisilia decided: Stick till Ruby revenges personally.
“Konnichiwa.”
“...?”
“Oh, new summon today. T-Treat... him well. That's all.”
Sisilia enrolled in the academy.
“I'm Siri, Korean-Japanese of Icelandic-English mix.”
Disguise half-assed. Dyed hair, lenses (from Ruby's summon)—but friends would spot.
Hairstyle hid Sisilia from users, barely.
Ruby bowed deeply.
...Did research, but too obvious.
No one'd buy it.
Black-haired Sisilia to her. Alias lazy—Siri from Sisilia.
No one'd fall for...
“...Four bloods mixed? Super exotic.”
“Right?”
Thought none would. But some did.