Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: The Commotion is Just Beginning
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“Ah.... I see. So you might not be able to come as often from now on...”
The director couldn't hide his disappointment, causing Bora Lee to let out a sigh.
The director hurriedly apologized, exclaiming, “Oh no! I'm so sorry!”
“I'm truly sorry. I know you must have your reasons.”
“No, Director. I'm the one who should apologize.”
“The kids love you so much and follow you so well. Every week, they ask, 'When is big sis coming?' or 'I wish sister would come sooner.' Even the older ones do it.”
Bora Lee gave a bitter smile as she gazed at the children playing in the front yard.
Over time, through anonymous donations, the orphanage had improved significantly.
Not quite on the level of the place where she had grown up, but it was pretty decent now.
“And I'll miss you a lot too. To be honest, the other volunteers are just that—volunteers.”
“What do you mean?”
“They see our kids as pitiful orphans, nothing more. Of course, we're grateful they come to help out of sympathy. But we're all human—we notice, we feel it. 'Ah, this person looks at us with pity.'”
But Bora Lee was different. Not one bit.
The director smiled, as if deeply moved.
“To those kids, Bora Lee was a big sister. It felt like you'd always been here with them. Even as a volunteer, you were like family.”
“...”
“Ah, sorry. If my words were rude or made you uncomfortable...”
“No, quite the opposite.... Actually, I'm relieved it came across that way.”
Family. Yes, everyone at the orphanage was like family.
Sure, they fought sometimes, got red in the face, raised their voices.
But at least she was certain they wouldn't abandon her.
“Still, it's a relief. You're not cutting off visits completely after today.”
“I don't want to see the kids sad either. I think gradually reducing visits is best.”
“I agree. So, what will you tell the children?”
“I'll say work keeps me busy. They'll understand.”
“I see.”
The conversation ended there. Both had their own duties to attend to.
The director with running the orphanage. Bora Lee with her undercover work.
“Since you're here, why not see the kids before you go? It's not your usual day, but when they heard you came, they got so excited.”
“What do I do? I didn't bring gifts today.”
“To those kids, you're the biggest gift.”
Bora Lee nodded and stood up.
As she stepped into the front yard, the waiting children rushed over.
“Sis! Why'd you come today?!”
“Didn't you say you were busy on other days?”
“I am busy. Super busy. But I had a little gap today, so I came.”
She hoped these children would hold onto dreams for their future.
Even though they'd been abandoned by their families and ended up here.
She prayed they could find new families and rise again with vigor.
Bora Lee quietly offered a prayer as she hugged the children.
“Bye, sis!”
“See you next week, big sis!!”
Receiving the children's send-off, Bora Lee left the orphanage.
She'd worried her sudden visit might tip them off to something odd.
Good. Seeing them wave goodbye with smiles, it seemed fine.
'Just until next week.... No, until the week after. Visit weekly until then. After that, every two weeks.'
Then every three weeks, then once a month.
Eventually, the distance would fade naturally.
Then, at the end, they could smile and say, “Oh yeah, there was someone like that.”
It would still be sad, but a beautiful farewell. That would be enough.
'Yeah. That'll satisfy me...'
Zzt!—
A chill ran through her body, making every hair stand on end. Bora Lee bit her lip.
Ah, you idiot. You fool. Letting your guard down for a split second.
She gritted her teeth. Someone was watching her.
A sharp gaze from not far away.
Thanks to her secret agent training, she could tell.
This gaze carried clear hostility.
'Move first.'
This wasn't a good spot for a fight.
Her position was surrounded, limiting her movement.
Crucially, the orphanage was nearby.
To avoid casualties, she had to draw them away.
The target was her anyway. Lure them out.
Bora Lee quickly headed in the opposite direction from the orphanage.
But soon, she realized something horrifying.
'They're not moving?'
They were definitely watching, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Yet even as she moved, they just kept staring.
There was a change—they'd shifted position.
Between her and the orphanage. Ready to attack it anytime.
Yes. The enemy already knew.
Her weakness. How to tie her hands and feet.
Crunch!—
Gritting her teeth, Bora Lee had no choice but to turn back.
To the most disadvantageous spot for a fight.
Then, the one who'd been glancing at the orphanage revealed himself.
“...You.”
“Long time no see.”
She knew the enemy's identity. Impossible to forget.
A villain from the Clan. One of the Seven Evils—Tattoos.
He'd originally applied for the clan boss's secretary position.
But he'd lost to Bora Lee in the contest for it.
Afterward, nursing a grudge, he'd tried to fight her several times, but the boss's warnings stopped him.
He'd shown open hostility every meeting, making him an uncomfortable foe for her.
Then the Seven Evils left en masse, and he'd departed the Clan too.
She'd thought she'd never see him again and relaxed.
Never imagining they'd meet like this.
“How's the secretary gig?”
“You're not even with the Clan anymore. Why ask?”
“If I'd gotten that spot, I wouldn't have left. That woman's side should have been mine!”
She could guess what pathetic feelings had driven him to apply for secretary.
What an idiot. That Black Woman wasn't some haughty beauty he imagined.
She was a coiled imoogi. A monster that could swallow people whole anytime.
No wonder the Union hadn't launched a full assault on the Clan.
Wanting her was like hugging a glacier barehanded.
“If you wanted to be by the boss's side, you should have been stronger than me. Whining after losing makes me doubt if you're even a man.”
“You're right. I'm no man. Right now, I'm a villain. And as a fellow villain, you know what villains love most, don't you?”
His ability activated. His power was explosions.
Range and power were random, but still a major pain.
Dangerous to take directly, and the shockwaves were no joke.
Above all, she didn't know how much he'd refined it since then.
They hadn't officially clashed since the secretary fight.
'It's fine. A Danger-Class villain is manageable.'
As a Union secret agent, she'd been trained to fight heroes on equal terms.
Her skills rivaled the top A-Rank heroes.
They both knew each other's abilities.
So it came down to physicals and talent—she was confident there.
The issue was how to steer the fight.
And she'd already lost ground there.
“Wait. What are you... what are you doing?”
“Can't you see? Move even a little, and the orphanage in front of you goes boom.”
His ability targeted the orphanage, not her.
Bora Lee charged in horror to subdue him.
But she wouldn't cover half the distance before it went off.
No matter how fast, saving the orphanage was impossible.
“I said don't move. Should I really blow it? You seemed pretty tight with those orphan brats. If it blows, all you'll get are chunks of meat.”
“You bastard...!”
“So, what'll it be? Want me to make it just flesh and blood?”
A true villain wouldn't care what happened to the orphanage.
Wouldn't hesitate to attack even if kids died.
Bora Lee had tried to live as a villain since infiltrating.
But right now, she couldn't.
Images of the kids she'd laughed and played with moments ago flashed in her mind.
She'd promised to see them again. How could she break that with her own hands?
Bam!—
“Ack!”
A small explosion at her ankle sent Bora Lee crumpling.
The sound was small, but the power enough.
Blood sprayed, the smell of searing flesh spread.
Reflexively, she tried to counterattack.
“Counter me, and I blow the orphanage.”
“Urgh!”
As Bora Lee held back, the villain smirked viciously.
Then her shoulder exploded, blood scattering again.
“Aaaagh...!”
You fool. Are you really going to die this pathetically?
Get a grip. What does that orphanage have to do with you?
It's not even your home. It's nothing.
Survive. Complete the mission and go back.
Go to that place you couldn't even say goodbye to, and say, 'I'm back!'
Boom!—
“Kuh!”
Her remaining leg and arm got caught in blasts.
She'd lost all mobility. Couldn't even resist now.
The true cruelty and cowardice of a villain made her shiver.
“Hahaha! You fucking bitch. Got you at last.”
The villain approached, grabbing her head.
Charging his ability. Soon, her head would blow.
How much shit had he taken from others for losing to some no-name woman?
Now he'd have his revenge. No punishment from the boss since he'd left the Clan.
The boss could just hire another secretary anyway.
“Oh, don't worry too much. I'll blow your head first, then pop those orphan brats one by one.”
“You... you devil!!”
“That's your last words?”
A blue glow swirled in his hand.
It was over. Both Bora Lee and the villain sensed it.
“...?”
“...What.”
But no explosion came, no matter how long they waited.
Tilting his head, the villain noticed something off.
A single translucent thread embedded in his arm.
“What the...”
“Could you keep it down? This isn't just your neighborhood!”
A voice rang out suddenly, without warning.
The villain jumped, turning toward the source.
A man in sunglasses stared their way.
“Who the hell are you!?”
“Hm? Oh! Me?”
The man grinned playfully, pointing at himself.
“Just a passing narrow-eyed guy.”