Meteorite Heist and a Sister's Kindness
The world of Namhira Hero Live, shortened to Namhira, was a hero story packed with all sorts of superpowered folks. Roughly speaking, a meteorite carrying some mysterious cosmic power crashes into Earth, and the people affected by it awaken superpowers. The meteorite's power doesn't discriminate between good or bad, so heroes and villains pop up at the same time.
Since I'd ended up falling into a novel anyway, I figured I might as well scratch off a superpower awakening lottery ticket. So I timed my entry to coincide with the meteorite impact. Superpowered people do show up after the crash too, but if you're gonna do it, better to snag the fallen meteorite itself.
As I entered, I noticed that if you die during the "trip," you just return to reality. No way I was passing up an opportunity like this. Pure reward with zero risk.
I was standing in a park in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. It was the dead of night, so no one around.
Even so, a meteorite crashing will make a racket. Gotta grab it quick and bolt.
As I watched the meteor shower in the sky, a streak of light came flying straight toward the clearing where I stood.
Swoooosh—Boom!
It seemed to get closer for a second, then accelerated like crazy and slammed into the ground in an instant. The meteorite arrived way faster than expected, landing in the sandy dirt a short distance from me.
"Cough! Cough!"
The impact was bigger than I'd thought, kicking up a ton of dust that coated me.
The fist-sized meteorite was puffing out smoke from around it. Hiss. I hastily stripped off my outer jacket, wrapped it around my hand, grabbed the thing, and shoved it straight into my inventory.
I'll pull it out later in a safe spot and examine it properly. For now, time to bail.
In the original story, the protagonist finds this meteorite while out for a walk and picks it up. But since I'd cut in line, he'd be going home empty-handed. No big deal if the protagonist doesn't get powers. The world's not that brutal anyway, and he'd probably be content just having isekai'd into this gender-flipped world without them. Even without hero or villain drama like in the original, he'd get by fine with regular folks.
Alright, on to the next spot.
I threw my scorched outer jacket back on and started walking. It was a bit of a hike to my next destination.
Thud, thud...
Click-clack, click-clack.
Lee Hye-ri finally made it back to her neighborhood after pulling an all-nighter at work, well past midnight. The cool night air tickled her nostrils, and the streets that had roared all day now echoed softly with just the sound of her heels.
"Ugh, so tired..."
Of all days, she'd dropped her car off at the shop and missed the last train because of overtime. Talk about deflating.
Her loafers felt heavy, but it wasn't entirely unpleasant.
What a nice neighborhood to live in~
Compared to the days scraping by in a basement apartment with her sister, paying off their parents' debts, she found a certain charm in leisurely strolling through this tidy area on her way home. The nearby mountains made the air feel crisp and clean—one more reason she loved this house.
About ten minutes in, her place came into view.
"Huh? What's that?"
Something was slumped against the fence by her house. For a split second, she thought someone had dumped trash out front, but it was a standalone house set apart from the others, and there was a waste facility right nearby. No way.
"It's a person?!"
Looking closer, it was someone curled up. A drunk? She frowned. The clothes were filthy and full of holes—looked like a homeless guy.
"Hey. Wake up."
She reached out to shake his shoulder.
He flinched!
"Ugh..."
A guy!
Up close, she could see his face—a young man, barely out of his teens, it seemed. Why was someone like him sitting in front of a stranger's house looking like a bum?
That's when he lifted his head at the sound, and their eyes met. In the dim night under the streetlamp, hazy purple eyes glinted.
Pretty eyes.
She froze, caught off guard by the mismatch with his ragged appearance. He stared at her for a moment, as if sizing her up, then spoke. His voice was hoarse—he looked exhausted.
"Help me..."
"Should I call 119?"
He shook his head.
"Police then? Did someone beat you up?"
"N-no... Don't call the police!"
As she moved to pull out her smartphone, he urgently stopped her. He clearly looked like he'd been rolling in the dirt—maybe even been through something rough—and yet he was freaking out at the mention of cops or an ambulance.
"What about your parents? Shouldn't we call them? Got a number?"
"No parents..."
"Oh..."
All her ideas evaporated, leaving her speechless for a second.
"Where's your home? Just the neighborhood..."
He shook his head firmly, eyes downcast.
What do I do? Just leave him and go inside? What if I take him in and he reports me or something? But I can't just abandon a guy on the street...
She met his eyes again as she pondered. His tousled hair looked kinda fluffy, and his soft, downturned eyes gave him a puppyish vibe.
Okay. He's got a story, like a troubled kid. Let him crash here tonight, then take him to the station in the morning.
In the end, her protective instincts and conscience won out.
"Wanna come in for a bit? You'll catch your death out here."
"...Thank you."
Only then did she get a positive response. Knowing her sister would be asleep, she slipped quietly into the house, and he followed on tiptoe, careful as could be.
Planning to ask a few questions, she brought him a glass of warm water. He stood fidgeting his fingers by the table.
"Sit. Drink this. It's warm water."
He bowed deeply and sat, and she took the seat across from him. His voice was raspy, his cracked lips screaming thirst, but he hesitated like he was used to holding back.
The way he acted coming in, and now... Did someone bully him?
......
...That's probably what she's thinking.
Predictable. The Lee Hye-ri and Lee Yoo-ri sisters living here later awaken powers and support heroes—Hye-ri makes costumes, Yoo-ri gadgets and gear. Despite tough pasts, they choose to work with heroes over turning villain, so their character was already a pass.
Of course she couldn't just walk past a pitiful guy huddled by her house. In the original world, it'd be like a dirt-covered woman with a sob story begging for help.
That's why I'd used the amenity's appearance change to look a bit younger. Anyway, now that she'd let me in, I wouldn't get kicked out unless I torched the place.
This house is mine now. I can do whatever I want with it.
"What's your name?"
"Min-ho. Min-ho."
"Last name?"
"Dunno."
"How old...?"
"Around 20..."
Since I was traveling to another world, I'd shaved a few years off too. I looked young for my age anyway, so tweaking the shell was easy. It didn't rewind my lifespan or stats, of course—just the surface.
"Not sure, huh?"
"Yeah..."
Concept's gotta stick. No possession or anything, so no resident registration for me. Legally, a ghost.
Sorry to worry the sisters ahead, but I'd have to play the abused runaway who never got registered till adulthood. Otherwise, I'd look hella suspicious. No legal protections either.
Wah, baby Min-ho needs takin' care of.
As I spaced out fiddling with the glass, my dry throat made me take a sip. Walking here without bus fare had worked up a sweat and parched me.
Hye-ri smiled warmly seeing me drink.
"Alright, Min-ho. I'm Hye-ri, your big sis. 27. Call me Hye-ri nuna."
"Yes, Hye-ri nuna."
Calling a younger woman "nuna" was no biggie.
"Shower first, then. I'll heat up some porridge."
"Thank you."
Shhh—
Perfect—I'd rolled in the dirt on purpose and felt grimy. Sweet of kind-hearted Hye-ri to grab me clean clothes too.
I emerged refreshed, and there she was, porridge ready on the table.
Looks like retort pouch stuff, made quick.
"Oh, you're out..."
She turned and froze. Her eyes darted, clearly flustered. First time seeing a freshly washed guy?
Then her eyes widened, locking on my face.
Guess the outfit was a bit revealing for her.
"Come eat the porridge."
"Thanks. Digging in."
Beef porridge? Tasty.
As I slurped it up, clinking the spoon, she spoke.
Her face calm again, composed.
"I don't know your story, but you're safe here. Rest easy. Tomorrow, we'll head to the station together."
I nodded. Nothing would come of it, but sure.
Earlier, begging no cops wasn't about avoiding them forever—just not getting hauled off in a cruiser before even getting inside. Once through the door, saying I wanted to stay lowered any mental barriers. First time's the hardest; second's easy.
She looked a tad annoyed—maybe the hassle—but chalked it up to me hating cops and didn't push. Kids like this usually don't trust police anyway; no suspicion.
Not planning to leave this house, though.
Just playing along to keep her comfy.