What's Your Angle?
Seo Chaerim's recounting of her past had been so utterly serene that it only dragged my mood even lower. I already knew the ending from the start, but hearing it laid out like this left me uneasy.
Hwang Yerang's over-the-top reaction to Seo Chaerim must've stemmed from the fact that she was the one who'd recruited her into the Hero Association, only for all that to happen. It left a bitter taste in my mouth. Yeah, it was definitely dangerous for Hwang Yerang to know the truth behind this incident. She might actually declare war on the Association if she did.
"By the way, I've been wondering—what the hell is a Pollution Zone, anyway?"
The Pollution Zone had come up in Seo Chaerim's backstory, and I'd run into one of those mutant monsters today. There was still so much about this world I didn't know.
"A Pollution Zone is just a euphemism for areas overrun by monsters. It used to be called an 'Occupied Zone' or 'Frontier Area' officially, but they softened it to Pollution Zone to avoid stirring up public panic."
"That dangerous, huh? Only White Knight-rank heroes are allowed in."
To be precise, a few other heroes got special clearance from the Association too, but not many. Most monsters you ran into in the city could be handled by a Mid-level hero. Even Marie, with her defense-focused powers, had broken through a monster encirclement on her own. If she hadn't been rushed because of my injuries, a careful plan and steady fighting could've neutralized most packs without much threat.
"Monsters in the Pollution Zones aren't like the ones in the city. They're the real deal—ones that build their own nests and hunt other monsters. Plus, there are mutants in there."
"Mutants?"
"You could call them evolved monsters.... Simply put, they're monsters that have awakened to powers."
"Monsters can awaken too?"
I couldn't close my gaping mouth at the revelation. That explained why the Pollution Zones were so deadly. If frail humans could awaken and fight monsters, imagine how terrifying a monster would be with powers on top of its natural strength.
"What makes mutants a pain isn't just their powers. Humans gain superhuman physical abilities from awakening, but monsters gain human-level intelligence."
Human-level intelligence. That talking monster I'd faced today. Monsters speaking human language, scheming with high-level cognition. The very power that let fragile humans dominate the food chain and evolve—now in their claws.
"Can't you control mutants with your powers?"
"No chance. They're monsters, but not really monsters anymore. That's why I call them evolved. My abilities don't work on them."
I hadn't expected even Seo Chaerim's powers to fail against them. Their threat level just shot up another notch. I told her about running into the mutant today, and her face hardened as she sank into thought.
"Mutants that never leave the Pollution Zones suddenly showing up today.... No matter how I spin it, it has to be tied to the Association's experiments."
"You think the Association's teamed up with mutants?"
"Even they wouldn't go that far. If I can't even persuade one with my powers, how could they ally with them?"
"Fair point."
"What the hell is really going on...."
Something was brewing. But we had no clue what.
By the time we'd finished the long talk, it was later than I'd realized. Seo Chaerim needed real rest, so we called it. I left the hospital and walked the night streets home. A deep breath filled my lungs with cool night air, easing the heavy weight in my chest.
The Hero Association. I'd once dreamed of joining after awakening, but now I hesitated—thanks to Seo Chaerim's past. Was it really okay to let things slide? And if not, what could I even do? Hell, I didn't even know why I was agonizing over this. Total confusion.
Two days after the monster uproar, the Saint visited Seo Chaerim's hospital room while she was reading alone.
"You're going to heal my arm? You are?"
"Yes. It won't take long, and it doesn't hurt, so don't worry."
"Why would a White Knight bother with me? What's your angle?"
It was natural to be suspicious when a White Knight like the Saint showed up out of nowhere offering to heal a total stranger. She knew it'd seem abrupt, but the Saint was a bit flustered by Seo Chaerim bluntly asking her intentions to her face.
"Uh.... Someone asked me to. Anyway, I'll treat you, so just look away for a sec. Regenerating a damaged limb can be pretty gross."
Regenerating mangled body parts was shockingly grotesque, far beyond expectations. Even the Saint, in her early hero days, had to fight back vomit during her first treatments. Battle-hardened heroes could stomach it, but to civilians, it was pure nightmare fuel.
But Seo Chaerim ignored the warning and calmly watched her arm regenerate. The sight gave the Saint chills. No joy, no awe, no disgust—just serene detachment on her face.
I figured she wasn't normal, but what is she?
The treatment finished in a flash, and Seo Chaerim's right arm was good as new. She flexed her fingers repeatedly, thanked the Saint, who left with doctorly advice not to overdo it anytime soon.
Back at the Association, the Saint reported straight to Midnight.
"Treatment went off without a hitch."
"Good. Thanks. I owe you."
"Of course—who else but the great Midnight bows his head and asks me for a favor? Had to do it."
"I'll make it up to you later."
The Saint's healing was incredible, but it came with heavy restrictions, so she rarely did full limb regen on civilians. She'd only agreed for Seo Chaerim because Midnight had personally asked. A lone wolf hero who kept everyone at arm's length had come to her, head bowed. It was so out of character she'd half-thought he was an imposter.
"So, what's your deal with the patient? Your little sister's long gone, and I've never heard of a relative like her."
"Why do you wanna know?"
"Come on. I burned lifespan to heal her at your request."
"…"
"Lemme guess? She's connected to Yerang, right?"
"…"
"Who else could move you like that besides Hwang Yerang? Didn't know you two were still in touch."
Midnight met the Saint's gaze silently. He found her intensely uncomfortable. Quick on the uptake, sociable—but impossible to read deep down. If not for Hwang Yerang's request after six years, he'd have avoided her type entirely.
"Don't pry so much."
"Wow. You really gonna play hardball? If word got out you're colluding with an S-rank villain, it wouldn't end pretty."
"Report me if you want. I've always been on that kid's side. From six years ago to now."
His brazen attitude floored her—even though she'd only half-meant the threat, she had no intention of actually reporting Midnight's ties to Hwang Yerang. Like him, she'd adored the girl back in her Association days. But when Hwang Yerang got wanted for terrorism, the Saint hadn't defended her innocence like Midnight. Simple fear.
The public outrage had been volcanic. At first, news reports sparked disbelief, but it quickly boiled into fury. Heroes vetted countless ideologies for the masses, so betrayal from one they trusted was unforgivable. So she'd stayed silent.
Of course, she didn't know the truth. Had Hwang Yerang really done it? Been forced to? Or just a frame job?
"How's... Yerang doing?"
"Getting by, from what I hear."
"…Good to know."
Back when Hwang Yerang shone in the Association, the Saint was still a Mid-level hero. She'd used a different hero name then, but anyway. Timid and squeamish, she'd struggled with every treatment—until Hwang Yerang would show up, cheer her up with cute antics despite being way younger. Those moments had comforted her greatly.
Thinking of Hwang Yerang after so long suddenly made the Saint miss her face.