After the Chaos
The commotion caused by the monsters was fortunately quelled quickly. Thanks to the Hero Association issuing an emergency summons to heroes, a swarm of them rushed to the scene. But since the incident erupted so suddenly in a bustling downtown area packed with people, the number of casualties was far from small.
Given the gravity of the event, the media rushed to air news coverage. Debates raged on whether this was a terrorist act by the Villain Alliance or not. The Association announced they were urgently investigating the monsters' bizarre behavior. At least for now, they hadn't found any evidence pointing to the Villain Alliance.
I'd wondered if this might be their doing too, but apparently not. Then again, if those bastards had someone who could control monsters from the start, they wouldn't have been so obsessed with Seo Chaerim.
The news mentioned me too—not as Joker, but as Jeong Yuseong. A righteous young man who'd wielded a baseball bat to lure the monsters away and save people. How embarrassing.
For the record, I'd been fully healed by the Saint's powers and was back to tip-top shape. True to her status as a White Knight who rose through healing alone, her ability was nothing short of magical in its effectiveness.
Marie had also recovered fully thanks to the Saint, but she hadn't woken up yet, so we couldn't talk. My teammates must be worried sick by now, having heard the news, so I headed back to the Jamryong Hideout first.
"Oppa! You're not hurt anywhere, right!? You're really alive and kicking!?"
"Do I look like a corpse to you?"
"You always end up in the thick of it whenever something big happens."
"I don't dive in on purpose, you know."
As expected, Hwang Yerang was beside herself with worry. The moment I stepped into the hideout, she came flying out, making a huge fuss. I was just an ordinary guy who couldn't transform during the day, after all. Hearing about monsters popping up out of nowhere would naturally freak her out.
"Jeez. The news said you went around luring the monsters yourself. That was you, right?"
"You saw it? I made the news. Pretty badass, huh?"
"Badass my ass. I wanted to rush over right away, but Diana held me back, so I had to wait it out. You have no idea how on edge I was."
Just as I'd figured—Hwang Yerang had tried to bolt the second she heard, but Diana had physically stopped her. Showing up at a scene swarming with heroes would've only complicated things, so it was a smart call.
"Where's Chaerim, though?"
"Huh?"
"You two went out together. Where'd she go?"
"...She still hasn't come back?"
"What do you mean?"
Something felt off. I'd clearly told Seo Chaerim to head back to the hideout first and assess the situation. Why hadn't she arrived yet? There was no way she'd get attacked by a monster, and even if she was delayed, she should've beaten me here.
"No, I definitely told her to go back first."
"...Hold on. Let me call her."
Hwang Yerang dialed Seo Chaerim with an anxious look. We waited ages, but no answer.
"She's not picking up. What if something happened?"
"Calm down first. We don't even know for sure that something's wrong with her."
"No contact this long? Something's definitely up!"
"She probably has her reasons. Stay put and wait here—no point in crisscrossing paths."
"But..."
"Don't worry, kid. At least for this incident, Seo Chaerim's safer than anyone. Why would the monsters target her?"
"...Yeah, you're right."
Hwang Yerang was freaking out over the lack of contact, but honestly, I wasn't that worried. No way she'd get jumped by monsters, and if push came to shove, she could summon her own to fight. She was probably digging into the monster connection herself. Tsundere as she was, she had a sense of responsibility.
Still, she'd get an earful when she got back. Poor Hwang Yerang, worrying like that.
My phone rang just then—thought it might be Seo Chaerim, but it was Marie.
"Hang on, gotta take this."
I told Hwang Yerang, then stepped outside for some air and picked up.
"Pervert. You okay?"
"Saint fixed me right up—good as new. You?"
"Same here. First time getting healed by her... it was unreal."
Having bones crushed and flesh torn off, only to watch it knit back in real time? Chillingly fascinating. She must've been stunned waking up to find the hole in her gut gone.
"More importantly, I heard you awakened?"
"Word travels fast."
"Yeah. You awakened and used your power to save me."
Just hours ago, and the news was already out? Made sense—she was the beneficiary and a hero, so intel flowed quick.
"Sorry. I was supposed to protect you, but you ended up saving me."
"When someone's saved you, you say thanks—not sorry. And I'm grateful too, y'know."
"Heh. Yeah. Thank you."
I'd saved her, sure—but she'd saved me too. Gut-shot and dying, she'd still blocked that monster's attacks to shield me. Without her, I'd have died before awakening.
"Seriously, though, what reckless stunt were you pulling? Monsters show up, you run away, not toward them."
She'd seen the news about me luring them. Scolding tone, but her voice was soft, warm.
"It just happened that way. But I survived in one piece and awakened—win-win, right?"
"Ugh. Want to chew you out, but you did good, so I'll let it slide this once."
"Phew, dodged a bullet."
"So, what's next?"
"Huh?"
"You awakened. Got any plans?"
"Didn't awaken on purpose, so nah. Maybe become a hero while I'm at it?"
I hadn't aimed for it, but I had a plan ready if it happened. Heroes protected people, though—not every Awakener could cut it. Awakeners were common here, but active heroes? Not so much. Awakening alone wouldn't suffice.
"With all these incidents lately, you know hero work's no joke. Hope that's a joke—I can't recommend it."
"And if it's not?"
"...You're serious?"
"Dead serious. Always admired it—protecting people. That's why I jumped in this time."
"Sigh... If you're for real, I could put in a good word. Normally, not just any Awakener qualifies, but you went viral on the news, and your power's solid. Association might even scout you first."
The Association scouting me? Made sense—they cared about public image. I was a hot topic now, Awakened to boot. No surprise if they reached out.
"But like I said, it's not easy. No rush—think it over. Even if you pick something else, I'll help."
"Thanks for looking out."
If Marie vouched for me, hero status wasn't impossible. Worst case, ask Seong Haneul. That bat-wielding bro from the scene—Association guy too—might hook me up.
"Oh yeah, Marie. Quick question: that talking monster we fought—what was it? Something about Pollution Zones and Mutants?"
"...Can't tell civilians that. Sorry."
"No worries if it's classified."
Hwang Yerang or Seo Chaerim could fill me in anyway. Ex-Senior Hero Hwang probably knew more than Marie. I was assuring her it was fine when Hwang Yerang burst out, frantic.
"Oppa! Word from Chaerim—she's in the hospital!"
"What? Marie, something came up—gotta go. Don't overdo it; you worked hard today."
Seo Chaerim hospitalized? What the hell? I hung up quick and rushed off with Hwang Yerang to the hospital. Should've listened to me—bet she got banged up tumbling around somewhere. Gonna give her a piece of my mind.
"Haa."
As the call ended, Marie sighed and sank into thought.
She'd suspected Jeong Yuseong might be a werewolf. But that call erased any doubt.
If he were really a werewolf, he wouldn't risk his life saving people in broad daylight when he couldn't transform—or struggle to save a hero like her. Hell, he'd never even suggest becoming a hero unless he was insane.
They weren't close exactly, but as her lifesaver, confirming he wasn't a werewolf brought her relief.
Suddenly, she recalled their first meeting—him wandering naked down the street. Still no clue what'd led to that, but she'd chalk it up to him being a pervert. Everyone had their secret quirks.
...Marie was considerate like that, in her own way.