Chapter 119
Chapter 119
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Dark Hero
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Midsummer. Scorching heatwaves battered every corner of the nation.
Even in this sweltering heat, monsters kept appearing as always.
The villains didn't take a break just because of the heatwave either.
The world never stops, steadily changing bit by bit.
Unusual monsters emerge. Villains driven mad by insanity appear.
New heroes step up to replace the retired ones.
And yet, the world stays the same in some ways.
Those who strain every nerve today to protect the citizens.
Those who sweat buckets to become the heroes they admire.
"..."
And one person ruminating on a past lost to their enemies.
Heroes who die in the line of duty are eligible for burial in the national cemetery.
Especially those who fall in operations against monsters or villains.
They earn rest before anyone else.
But Seo Ha-eun's parents had refused that honor in life.
They wanted something simple. Just like any other citizen. In a columbarium.
So that when their son and daughter married and had grandchildren,
those kids wouldn't have to struggle too much to visit them.
"...You two have been well, right?"
Seo Ha-eun gently caressed the spot where her parents' photo hung.
It was a tragic and pathetic end. Utterly heartbreaking.
Even now, just thinking of that moment made her body tremble with rage.
"I'm doing well. So is my brother. He got assigned as a sidekick this time. Don't worry. He'll do great. They're expecting a lot from him because of his good grades."
If they were still alive, how different would things be now?
Would she and her brother have become completely different people?
People who laughed more, mingled more. Truly human people.
"Lately, I've been training under Instructor Valkyrie. You remember her, right? The one who stirred up the whole country as a promising talent back when you two were still around."
It had been a little over a month since training began.
She'd learned a lot, and there was much more to come.
Valkyrie had fought many villains while active in the Special Task Force.
Monsters were fine, but Seo Ha-eun hoped more to fight villains.
To reduce even one person from suffering the same tragedy as her.
And if luck was on her side and she caught the culprit, she'd make them pay first.
Ask why they did it. Why they had to be so cruel to the end.
And torture them until they admitted their wrong.
Inflict the worst pain a human could endure, then kill them.
"You two probably wouldn't approve of this path."
Seo Ha-eun's parents had been model heroes.
They believed even villains deserved punishment by law.
If you took personal grudges into personal punishment,
you were no different from a villain. She remembered them saying that.
"When I was little, I thought that was right too."
But no. There was no way to quench this burning rage.
For them. No, for herself, no one else.
She had to vent this hatred fully to move forward.
"All done?"
Valkyrie, who had been standing behind her, approached cautiously.
She took in the two smiling brightly through the glass.
"...They were good people. Like you said, I admired them too and dreamed of becoming a hero."
That's why she sometimes thought of stopping Seo Ha-eun's revenge.
Because they wouldn't want it. They'd want her to stop it.
But wasn't revenge not for the dead?
Wasn't it something the living did to keep living?
Right now, Seo Ha-eun felt like she'd collapse without that goal.
'Fortunately, I've got a new goal lately...'
Of all things. The problem was that it was that guy.
"Still no news on the Smiling Man?"
"Yeah. Nothing. He vanished again after being spotted in the UK."
"..."
After personally granting heroes rest in London, England.
The Smiling Man had disappeared without a trace once more.
It had already been over three weeks. Soon it'd be a month.
Some said he fled in fear of punishment.
Seo Ha-eun just snorted at that. What nonsense.
Who'd run? The Smiling Man? Why? Because he's scared of you lot?
No. He just had more business to attend to.
No matter what you say, it can't top what he's doing.
Keep your precious morals to yourselves.
"Why do you keep asking about the Smiling Man?"
"Does Instructor Valkyrie dislike me getting involved with him?"
It figures. The instructor's even in contact with him.
She's not there yet, but maybe soon, so she's keeping watch?
"Honestly, I'm worried you'll end up walking the same path as him."
"Because the Smiling Man isn't a hero, but something else? Because some call him a villain, others a criminal?"
"That's part of it. But there's another reason."
Now even Valkyrie admitted it. She understood the Smiling Man.
But personal understanding and societal acceptance were different matters.
He'd probably face judgments from all angles his whole life.
Not evil, but can't be good. Not a villain, but can't be a hero.
Being somewhere in between was the loneliest, toughest fight.
The Smiling Man could handle it, but Seo Ha-eun... she wasn't sure.
Even if she could, she'd rather she didn't.
"I'll head out first. Pay your final respects and come on out."
Valkyrie left first, leaving Seo Ha-eun alone again.
A few minutes passed in silent longing for the two.
Thud-
A middle-aged man in a sharp suit entered.
Here to meet someone he'd sent ahead, just like Seo Ha-eun...
"They were splendid heroes. Both of them."
"...?!"
Seo Ha-eun whipped around in surprise to face the man.
Crack!
He'd looked every bit the middle-aged man moments ago.
But his muscles and frame twisted, skin shifting.
The 50-something man instantly became a handsome young one.
And Seo Ha-eun knew better than anyone who he was.
"Smiling Man?"
"Long time no see, Miss Seo Ha-eun."
Seeing him brought a flood of questions to her mind.
Where the hell had he been? When did he even go to England?
Why make that choice and take idiots' stupid criticism?
"...Have you been well?"
But that's what came out of Seo Ha-eun's mouth.
The Smiling Man smiled softly.
"I've been great. Man, England was nice. Friendly people, fun stuff. And delicious food... Wait, come to think of it, I didn't eat anything good! Hahaha!"
Friendly people? They were too busy cursing you.
Fun stuff? You just did what you had to.
She got it now. You're not a bad person. Just different.
People wouldn't understand. Wouldn't even try.
But she did. She understood you perfectly. The man you are.
"...Going off to England without a word."
"Hm? Oh. Did I need to tell you too, Miss Seo Ha-eun? News to me!"
"But you kept in touch with Instructor Valkyrie."
"Oh dear, misunderstanding! That was just to take down the Union!"
"..."
Whether it was a lie or truth didn't matter.
What mattered was if they were personally in touch.
"So, because Instructor Valkyrie is an S-Rank Hero?"
"Well... something like that? Hahaha!"
Fine then. I'll become S-Rank too, no matter what.
"And you come back to Korea but don't show your face once."
"Hahaha. You sound pretty upset. But don't worry. You're the first to know I'm back in Korea!"
"Liar."
"It's true!"
Seo Ha-eun turned away, saying she didn't believe it.
But a faint smile tugged at her lips.
"Miss Seo Ha-eun."
"What."
"Revenge. Still want it?"
At the Smiling Man's words, Seo Ha-eun looked at him again.
Her eyes, her voice—unwavering resolve.
"You're asking the obvious. You even told me to do it myself."
"Right. Must've slipped my mind."
"...You really forgot? After saying you'd watch?"
Knowing he'd really watch had eased her heart a bit.
At least she wasn't alone on this path.
"Not right now. But before the year's out, an opportunity will come."
"Wait. Hold on. Did you... find them? The ones who hurt my parents?"
Seo Ha-eun's face twisted like a demon's.
Unerasable hatred and rage followed.
Whoever it was, she'd tear them apart right now.
"Calm down. Didn't I just say not right now?"
"So that means..."
"We've got a tail. Now we pull it and check the body. And the head."
"I'll help too. Tell me."
"The way you help me is simple, Miss Seo Ha-eun. Get stronger than you are now."
Who knows how strong the enemy is, Miss Seo Ha-eun.
You don't plan to die failing revenge, do you?
I'd be truly disappointed then.
His words snapped Seo Ha-eun back to her senses.
Right. Revenge first, not die.
"I'm chasing some rats right now. Following them led me to a way to help you, so here I am."
"For me?"
"Didn't I say? I'm just a spectator. Can't a passionate fan help out? Hahaha!"
Suspicious lines galore, but she didn't care.
She trusted the Smiling Man now. He was fine.
"Alright. I'll trust you and wait. Trust you and get even stronger."
"Perfect attitude. Hahaha!"
"I'll head out now. Smiling Man. Or should I call you Dark Hero?"
The Smiling Man grimaced.
"Ugh... What kind of goosebump-inducing name is that? Pass."
"But others are starting to call you that too."
"Didn't I say? I'm not a hero. Give that to someone more hero-like. I pass."
Dark Hero? He recoiled in disgust.
But to Seo Ha-eun, that was exactly why he qualified.
True heroes never call themselves heroes.