Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Corrupt the Hero (1)
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"Mm..."
Waking from sleep, I found myself hugging something soft.
I lowered my head, pulling it closer to savor that delightful sensation, and a small voice murmured in response.
The soft, seductive scent of flesh made me melt unconsciously, nearly drifting back to sleep.
Naturally, the source of this softness was Han Na.
Instinctively burying my face in her embrace to inhale deeply once more, I felt her rub her sleepy eyes and stir awake.
She squirmed a little shyly before asking me,
"Um... I don't smell, do I?"
Han Na asked, looking worried.
"Nah? Smells amazing. Kinda sexy."
"Then it's fine."
Han Na beamed.
To us, at least, "sexy" was the highest praise.
We got up from our embrace but stayed lying on the sofa, just passing the time like that.
While we were at it, I opened the Quest Board.
Corrupt the Hero
Tame in the Zombie World
Corruption and taming, huh.
Both quest names sparked the imagination.
And the rewards were identical: 3 million won each.
I had no details, but judging by the titles, I'd probably end up fighting a hero or zombies with high odds.
"Hmm..."
Tough choice.
Heroes were surely strong, but as heroes, they probably wouldn't go for the kill. Zombies might not be hero-level tough but would show no mercy.
For that matter, what happened if you died on a quest?
The Quest Board only showed rewards.
Nothing on failure or death.
Not like I had the guts to test it by failing or dying on purpose.
After agonizing, I picked Corrupt the Hero.
If it was a real hero story, even if I acted as a villain inside the quest, they wouldn't kill me, right?
Probably.
...Come to think of it, lately tons of hero stories had the hero as the main villain.
Once decided, I just got more anxious.
"Sigh."
"Ahh... that tickles..."
Inhaling Han Na's scent like a sedative worked magic, calming my nerves instantly.
Addictive.
I wanted to stay like this forever, but no such luck.
Unlike jobless me, Han Na had a schedule today and had to head to the shoot by lunchtime.
"Got a training wear ad gig."
Han Na puffed up proudly.
As her frigidity faded, her expressions grew richer and more vibrant.
It was a pretty famous sports brand.
Her SNS exploded just from that, her expressions now alive.
Her genuine smiles—unlike her old monotonous ones—drew followers in droves.
Then news broke she'd dumped her boyfriend Kim Tae-yang, and her male fans flooded back, accelerating the growth.
Hearing Han Na was thriving lifted my mood too.
She looked a bit wistful, though.
"What if I get too busy and we lose times like this?"
"What're you saying? Even if that video spreads, it's fine. You drop everything and come running when I call."
I playfully waved my phone like a threat.
Not seriously, of course. Just mimicking those twisted moments from our start when I'd actually blackmailed her.
Unable to resist, she smiled and hugged me instead.
"Honestly, even if it spreads, it'd be okay."
"..."
Her words sent chills down my spine.
We clung until we couldn't delay anymore, then she left for her schedule.
And I entered the quest.
Corrupt the Hero.
"Hoo, hoo..."
I endured the disorienting dizziness that never got easier, no matter how many times.
Suddenly, bustling noise filled the air.
Not indoors this time—a busy street.
Street food wafting aggressive scents, laughing couples, foreigners with huge bags.
Packed commercial buildings everywhere—it reminded me of Hongdae from past quests.
That was it.
Hero world or not, nothing stood out yet—
"Oh, wait, there is."
Every billboard model's a hero.
Obvious at a glance.
Their outfits screamed "hero"—flashy, over-the-top getups.
Especially the women.
Skin-tight suits, high exposure.
Classic hero garb, sure.
But in real life, not comics, it was overly provocative.
Villains would get distracted mid-fight, no surprise.
Corrupt the Hero
Reward: 3,000,000 won, Quest Board upgrade
Reward bumped up.
Dunno why, but good for me.
First, I ducked into an alley and rummaged my pockets.
Unfamiliar wallet and phone.
Wallet empty.
Just my familiar ID and one debit card.
Checked the phone.
No stock billionaire this time.
Worse.
"This ain't easy..."
Even bleaker than my real life.
Debit balance: 600 won.
Enough for junk food? Nah, prices these days—probably not even that.
"Haa..."
Billions in stocks just days ago, now the broke-st life imaginable. Future looked grim.
Hero corrupting on an empty stomach? Great.
"Hey, get over here quick."
Checking my phone in the alley, someone called out cheerfully.
Glancing over, a bald guy popped from deeper in.
Bald alone? Meh. But black tank top, irezumi tattoos on bare arms? Instant revulsion.
Thug, punk.
Or villain, in this quest world.
Old me might've freaked, but now I had Weapon Technique.
...No weapon, though. Phone as one?
Confidence dipped.
"You got the goods, right?"
"...Goods?"
Baldie leaned in heavy, but nada rung bells.
My only "good" was trusty between my legs.
One thing clear: whatever he meant, it was illegal.
"Hurry! Or that bitch—"
I froze, he yelled urgently—then wind whooshed, a bang, and he vanished.
"Huh?"
Like he was never there.
Scanning for him, there he was—crashed into a dumpster at alley's end.
Beside him, a pale-skinned, redheaded bob-cut woman stood, wildly out of place in the dingy narrow lane.
Jacket, gloves, lower half boldly exposed.
Outfit screamed hero.
She hopped lightly, perching on a building ledge.
Low two-story, but insane jump.
She eyed my phone, then me, alternating.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Pardon?"
"Hanging with a villain? Who?"
I glanced at the downed bald guy.
Villain confirmed, huh.
And she suspected me, chatting cozy with him.
"N-No idea who he is."
"You expect me to buy that?"
True story, believe or not.
Couldn't prove it, though.
Injustice surged, plus her casual "you" irked me.
Her looks and skimpy outfit softened it some.
Habit kicked in—I peeked her fetish.
Strong Man
Simple, but tricky.
Strong man?
"...Not on the list, huh. Oh well."
Tsking, she hopped down, hoisting the villain one-handed like nothing.
How's that slender arm so strong?
Hero thing, I guess.
Timing said target, but no clue how to hit "strong man."
Be stronger than her?
"Cross paths here again, you're a villain list or no."
"..."
She glared warningly, vanishing as quick as she came.
Felt arrogant.
Maybe 'cause my last two targets turned obedient, or my personality shifted.
Short encounter, but urge rose to put her in her place.
"...Hoo..."
Impossible now, anyway.
Pondering next moves, my ID popped to mind.
Looked same as home world's, but address differed.
Probably my pad here.
"Let's check it."
Heading home, thoughts of her lingered.