Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Villain and Trend
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A quiet sigh escaped Serena's lips, filling the interior of the limousine. The dazzling neon signs of S City streaked past the window, casting colorful shadows across her pale face.
"You were perfect today as well, Lady Serena."
The secretary sitting beside her politely handed over the tablet. She flashed a smile on reflex. It was nothing more than the basic etiquette expected of the youngest daughter of the IM Group.
"Thank you."
Her secretary and manager had been personally selected by the IM Group chairman. His purpose was crystal clear: to craft a flawless Serena. And to report every detail of the process back to her father.
Serena took the tablet and scrolled through the articles. The screen was dominated by her title: Golden Princess.
All the usual drivel. It was always like this. Articles about the price of her costume, the style she showcased today, how dazzling her golden powers were. That kind of nonsense always trailed her.
'Just look pretty like a doll, that's all.'
Her finger kept scrolling down the screen until it suddenly froze. A headline jumped out at her.
Serena's fingers went rigid. It wasn't just that one. As she scrolled further, more similar headlines lined up.
Her perfectly manicured nails dug hard into the tablet screen. A faint wrinkle formed on her forehead before she consciously smoothed it away.
"What is all this?"
"SNS reactions, ma'am. 'Hornling'—Grimoire's fan club—shot up the real-time trends."
The screen overflowed with the name 'Grimoire' paired with the #Hornling hashtag. Anger slowly cracked her flawless expression.
Serena set the tablet down. Her fingers trembled faintly.
'Gold flake...?'
The word echoed in her mind. Flashes of childhood memories surged up—days of being mocked, the children's laughter ridiculing her looks and name. How desperately she had worked to erase it all.
Serena stared out the window. The lights of S City reflected in her golden eyes.
'I have to be perfect.'
She repeated it to herself. Her father's words lingered in her ears.
To be special, she had given everything. Top graduate from a prestigious Swiss private school, full scholarship to the Metropolis Hero Academy special program, three-time consecutive winner of the International Hero Tournament, top scores in exchange programs across New Tokyo, Neo Shanghai, and more, 15-time Hero Trend Awards winner, ambassador for five luxury brands as a fashion icon, and youngest S-Rank Hero ever.
She had sacrificed it all to bury her past self and create the perfect doll known as Serena. S-Rank Hero Golden Princess. A position no one could challenge.
But today, it had been shaken.
'By some horned farmer girl? Ridiculous.'
Grimoire's face floated into her mind. Covered in dirt in her farmer outfit, chin held high arrogantly. Boldly declaring herself a 'villain.' And above all, those horns growing straight from her real body.
'It was just a gimmick, right?'
Serena suddenly felt uneasy. She had assumed everything about Grimoire was fake. Special effects horns, villain persona as a mere concept. But that gate closure scene...
"We've arrived, Lady Serena."
The limousine pulled up in front of IM Group headquarters. The massive building towered over 100 stories high, piercing the sky. A giant screen on the exterior played highlights of Golden Princess in action.
As the door opened, employees bowed in unison.
"Hello, Lady Serena."
"Fantastic work today."
"Golden Princess has arrived!"
Serena smiled gracefully as she walked. Perfect posture, perfect expression, perfect stride. All basic requirements for the IM Group's youngest daughter.
But her sharp ears caught the employees' hushed whispers.
"Did you see the news? That horned girl closed a gate."
"Totally insane, right? No S-Rank Hero's ever done that."
"Shh! She might hear."
Serena's smile stiffened ever so slightly. As she entered the elevator, the others waited for the next one as if on cue.
A familiar face awaited inside.
"Hey, Serena. Perfect timing."
"Brother."
Park Junhyeok. Her second brother and B-Rank Hero Silver Reaper.
"Saw your broadcast today. That gate closing scene was especially impressive."
"As you know, brother, our broadcasts are all scripted."
Junhyeok grinned slyly.
"Scripted? So the horned girl closing the gate was scripted too?"
Serena's nails dug into her palm. But she didn't lose her smile.
"Just a lucky amateur."
She laughed lightly.
"No big deal."
"Good, then. You know how much we pour into your PR budget? I'm just worried about you losing the spotlight."
The elevator doors opened. Top floor, en route to the chairman's office. Serena let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"Brother, family meeting time. Don't be late."
She paused in front of the conference room door, pulled out a mirror, and checked her makeup.
Perfect. Flawless skin without a single wrinkle, golden eyes that gleamed, and an unbreakable perfect smile.
'Next time will be different. Horns or whatever, no one outshines me.'
She opened the door. Her siblings were already gathered. Their gazes turned to her in unison. She could read it plainly: jealousy, envy, a hint of mockery.
Serena sat confidently. Father hadn't arrived yet.
"Everyone saw Serena's performance today, right?"
Eldest brother Park Doheon spoke first. A-Rank Hero Mr. Opal. He always loved asserting family hierarchy.
Serena replied calmly.
"Yes, Golden Princess's exploits."
"Yeah. But it was kinda disappointing."
Third sister Park Seohyun chimed in. Lacking the talent to become a hero herself, she always acted like an expert.
"Even an S-Rank can't do everything, huh? Needing help from a D-Rank and some temp hero?"
"Looks like our little sis couldn't handle it alone. And that temp hero closed the gate? Trends are blowing up everywhere."
Fourth brother Park Jinho asked. He headed IM Group's R&D division.
The room fell silent for a moment. Normally, when a gate opened, heroes just cleared monsters until the energy depleted naturally. Even S-Ranks couldn't close the gates themselves.
But today, that rule had been broken.
"What was her name? That horned girl who closed the gate..."
"Great Grimoire."
"Shouldn't our agency reach out quick? Before she joins the Association officially?"
Second brother Park Junhyeok cut in from the side. A smile played on his lips, but not his eyes.
"You two looked pretty chummy. Calling each other nicknames and all..."
"If you know so much, why didn't you deploy, brother?"
Serena finally snapped.
"Hey, not criticizing, just saying it was a shame."
"I'll handle it perfectly next time. Don't worry."
"Yeah, I trust you. Anyway, that horned farmer hero trend will fizzle out soon. No sweat."
"Yes. And don't judge my abilities by SNS fads."
Then the door opened. All eyes turned.
Chairman Park entered with heavy steps. His sharp gaze pierced Serena.
"Serena, come to my office."
He turned and walked away without another word. Serena stood slowly, feeling her siblings' meaningful stares.
In the chairman's office, he had already pulled up the monitors. The screen showed IM Group's stock graph—slightly down since the park broadcast.
"Explain."
Just two words, but their weight hit her fully. The disappointment in her father's voice froze her solid.
"It was an unforeseen situation, Father. Next time—"
"Next time?"
Chairman Park cut her off coldly.
"Golden Princess's image ties directly to IM Group's stock. You need to understand that."
Serena's thin lips trembled.
"Yes, Father."
"A horned girl, huh... Interesting."
"Just a fluke success."
"Whether it's a fluke is for me to decide."
He opened another screen.
"No one thought gate closure was possible... For someone else to do what you couldn't..."
She bit her lip. The next words would surely be a reprimand. Scolding her incompetence. As always.
But Chairman Park's expression softened suddenly.
"...means you need to become even more perfect."
He rose from his chair and placed a hand on her shoulder. It felt heavier than usual.
"I trust you the most, Serena. My good girl."
Those words weren't comfort—they were greater pressure. Serena read the hidden disappointment and demands in her father's eyes. The true meaning behind them.
'If you're S-Rank, this shouldn't happen.'
'If you fail, another child could take your place.'
'IM Group's future rests on your shoulders. Bear the weight.'
Chairman Park's smile widened. Serena knew all too well how much expectation and pressure it carried.
"You're my greatest asset, Serena."
"I won't disappoint you, Father."
"Good. I believe you. Go on now, my good girl."
As she left the office, Serena gritted her teeth.
Her father's expectations. The pressure from her siblings' gazes.
Serena's face was frozen in a smile as she exited. She took slow, deep breaths while walking the corridor.
Steady gait, controlled smile.
A posture brimming with resolve not to show any unease to the secretary waiting in the office.
At the elevator, she gazed at her golden eyes reflected in the mirror.
Perfect face, not a single hair or smudge of makeup out of place. Yet her golden glow felt like a heavy burden.
'It's exhausting.'
But she couldn't show such emotions for even a second. That was the life of IM Group's youngest daughter and S-Rank Hero Golden Princess.
Her siblings' jealousy, her father's expectations, the public's eyes. She had to shoulder it all.