Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Departing for England
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The sweltering heat was rampant. Summer had begun.
A season that always came around. But people's feelings about it were different this time.
From early spring to summer. Just a few months.
But so many things had happened that it felt much longer.
< Next up: The UN's full-scale investigation into the Union is underway... >
The Union stories were so overexposed now that people were sick of them.
More than that, there was something else lately that had captured people's interest.
< Hwiun Electronics. Stock price surges again! Predicted to break this month's high! >
< The Smiling Man effect. Where will it end? >
< Omega Coffee. Stores up 1.5 times from last year >
There had been a video of the Smiling Man broadcast nationwide not long ago.
In it, he was wearing a Hwiun Electronics watch on his wrist.
At first, no one noticed in the video exposing the Union's misdeeds.
But as time passed and it was confirmed, this was the result.
< Numerous companies quietly awaiting the Smiling Man's next appearance? >
< Hwiun Electronics, even favored by the Smiling Man. Not just smartphones and watches, but significant rises across various electronics and appliances... >
Rumors even circulated that Hwiun Group's executives had cheered "Long live the Smiling Man!" three times.
Something that would have cost hundreds of billions to advertise with world-famous actors or singers.
The Smiling Man had perfectly handled it with a single video.
The saved ad budget, the earnings, the risen stock price—how much was it all?
The stock gallery was already filled with pinned posts saying "The Smiling Man is a god!"
Amid all the commotion in Korea, one man voiced his regret.
I should have taken that guy as my disciple. Villain or whatever, I should've ignored it all.
The protagonist saying the same thing to everyone he met was, of course, the Sword Saint.
The man who saved Jin-ga from the Seven Evils was now widely known as the Smiling Man.
He had support from the business world via Hwiun and from heroes via Jin-ga.
If the Smiling Man had been a hero, his influence would have been immense.
< "Today marks exactly one month since the Smiling Man exposed the Union's misdeeds. Where on earth has he disappeared to? Everyone knows he's no longer a villain—why won't he show himself?" >
But the man in question had vanished once more.
Like the morning star that drives away the darkness, shining brightest in the gloom...
But vanishing without a trace as soon as the sun rises.
Louise Capels. British nobility. The youngest daughter of Count Karael.
The reason a woman so thoroughly British had come to Korea was simple.
Korea was the world's top hero nation.
Hero quality. Education level. Korea surpassed all.
Aspiring heroes from many countries came to Korea to study.
For that reason, Louise had left her homeland and arrived in this distant land.
There were hardships, but even more things to look forward to.
Korea truly lived up to expectations. It didn't disappoint.
S-Rank heroes, rare even for someone from a prestigious family back home.
Such giants served as instructors at the academy here.
The quantity and quality of heroes far outstripped Britain's.
She truly felt why it was called the hero superpower.
'Deciding on a study abroad in Korea was the best choice.'
It wasn't just about honing her own skills and talents here.
She could learn about hero management and training curricula.
It might help in hero-related work later.
Next, building connections with Korea's top heroes.
This was actually the most important part. Even Britain wanted it most.
It might be the dream of every student studying in Korea.
And by Louise's standards, this was a resounding success.
"Summer break is coming up soon."
The one who sidled up casually was Kang Yuna. A first-year cadet like her.
She had gained some fame since enrollment due to the Smiling Man incident.
And as if proving the Smiling Man's interest wasn't misplaced...
"Congratulations, Yuna. I heard the news. Hero Shieldman picked you as his sidekick again for this break."
Most sidekick assignments were cadets being assigned to heroes.
The reverse—heroes specifically naming cadets—was rare.
Heroes didn't know cadets' skills well, and it could invite suspicion.
Talk of connections getting sidekick spots would tire everyone out.
Yet naming one meant they were worth the risk. The top sidekick candidate they didn't want stolen by others.
"I got lucky. I just did my best, that's all."
"That's exactly your strength, Yuna."
She'd heard Yuna was training in taekwondo and swordsmanship with Jin Seo-ah too.
Others struggled with one, but Kang Yuna was different.
Her goal was firm. She would become an outstanding hero.
For that, she pushed forward tirelessly with effort and patience.
She would surely become someone great soon.
Louise trusted her eyes and judgment.
"Oh. How's Ha-eun? Doing well?"
The moment the Smiling Man appeared via hacking on all media...
Thanks to being right beside her, Louise had seen it perfectly.
Seo Ha-eun's eyes sparkling more than when watching heroes.
It wasn't mere fondness. It was intense admiration.
"She's super busy these days. Training hard and studying too. Her final exam scores shot up suddenly—I was shocked."
"She must have a goal she absolutely wants to achieve."
Curious, but she wouldn't pry or push closer.
If each had their desires, supporting each other was enough.
People had their own boundaries. Respecting them was courtesy.
Louise recalled her father's teachings and changed the subject.
"Seo-ah... I was really surprised. First time seeing the 'Sword Saint' up close like that."
"Same here. Who'd think he'd come to the academy in person? Even the instructors were shocked."
A few days ago. The Sword Saint had shown up unannounced.
After brief greetings, he talked with instructors and professors.
Then soon after, he took Jin Seo-ah and left the academy.
When students asked what was up, the staff straightforwardly explained.
Sword Saint senior was preparing special training for his granddaughter.
It might take time, so he'd take her first.
Finals were over anyway, and break was near—no issue.
For Jin Seo-ah, it meant a few days of rest gone, though.
"She'll be even stronger after break. Guess I can't slack off either."
"What about you, Louise? You could go back to England for break."
"I miss my family, but I have more I want to accomplish here. I'll stay in Korea, meet more people, and if possible, try sidekick work."
Sidekick experience in Korea would surely be invaluable.
As Louise continued excitedly...
"Pardon the interruption, Miss Louise."
A bodyguard approached and stopped her.
"Ah, sorry, Yuna. One sec."
She had naturally told the bodyguards not to intervene casually.
Here, she was just a cadet, not the Capels family lady.
Yet the bodyguard stepped in, so there must be good reason.
"What is it?"
"News just came in. It seems you need to return home."
"Suddenly?"
Hero Academy treated breaks as importantly as semesters.
With ample time, cadets could focus on weak areas or gain experience via sidekicks.
Bodyguards and family knew this. So why return now?
"Something's happened."
"Well..."
The bodyguard glanced around and spoke as quietly as possible.
"Count Karael has collapsed."
"Father?!"
Shocked, Louise pressed the bodyguard for details.
She had video-called her father just days ago.
He had looked perfectly healthy on screen.
Count Karael. Once Britain's top ability user hero.
Just over fifty—why collapse now!
"Not a health issue."
"Then what?"
"They're keeping it quiet back home... but you need to know anyway..."
What followed was shocking.
"He fought a monster that appeared suddenly yesterday. Seems something went wrong in that battle."
"No way. Father's a retired hero, but he's the head of the Capels family. He still wields an ability befitting the name 'Magic Bullet.' And he lost to a monster?"
"I don't know the full details back home. Just that the count fought a monster for some reason, and the situation was so dire even a retiree had to step up."
Louise pressed her forehead, listening.
This was weird. Too weird.
Why? Why did Father fight a monster?
Britain had heroes. What were they doing?
"...I'll prepare to head back immediately."
"We'll arrange a private jet right away."
The bodyguard hurriedly made calls.
Louise gave Kang Yuna a rough summary.
"Sorry, Yuna. Surprised you?"
"Something happened?"
"Gotta go home briefly. Some issue came up."
"Serious?"
"I... hope not. Yeah."
Details would have to wait until she got back to England.
She hadn't wanted to return like this.
Today, the tea tasted especially bitter, Louise thought.
At the same time. On a passenger plane departing Korea...
"Whoa? A celebrity?"
"He's insanely handsome..."
Flight attendants were generally immune to good looks.
But even they huddled, whispering and smiling.
A first-class passenger with refined features and an aristocratic aura.
Unusual indoor sunglasses, but still a total hunk.
Decisively, the faint yet lethal smile on his lips.
Gazing out the window, he was like a painting come to life.
Their destination: the distant island nation of Europe. England.