Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Someone's Sidekick
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People are creatures designed to cherish themselves more than anyone else.
That's why they can't easily overlook provocations directed at them.
They inevitably react to words and actions that shake their own position.
However, there are a few exceptions to this instinct.
A perfect example was unfolding right now in the middle of the highway.
"Do you know who my dad is?!"
"Why? Did your mom not tell you who your dad is?"
Judging purely by the words, it far surpasses mere provocation.
But what if it's overwhelmingly superior? What if the opponent is no match whatsoever?
"Guhk...!"
Stunned by the unexpected retort, he backs away and takes in the car parked behind him.
An Aston Martin Vulcan. A monstrous beast worth over two billion won per unit.
A limited-production vehicle. He knows that fact all too well.
The vast gap in power represented by money forces him to retreat.
Men will fight to defend their position, originally.
But before an utterly overwhelming presence, they bow their heads.
Especially when they've been outmatched even in a battle of words—any will to resist simply evaporates.
'...No! That bastard—he threw a family diss! That's crossing the line!'
He was the one who brought up parents first, but he'd already forgotten that.
Above all, he'd only done it to brag, so he was blameless!
"You little...!"
Slap!
Suddenly, the man's head snaps sideways, and he crumples to the ground.
Hit so hard that his cheeks balloon up in an instant.
The shock is so immense that pain barely registers—what the hell just happened?
"Excuse me, friend."
The staff member who slapped his cheek crouches down in front of him.
Then, gazing at the dazed man, he flashes a bright smile.
"Will you get in the car quietly? Or should we load you in? Oh, by the way, no idea if that ride will be an ambulance or a hearse."
This has to be a joke. Definitely a joke. Yeah, it's a joke, but...
"You need to answer."
"Y-yes! I'll get in! I'll get in!"
The instant he sees that smile, the man's body starts trembling.
He's gonna die. For real. He shudders at the instinctive certainty of doom.
He scrambles to his feet and dives into the car.
Door shut, seatbelt on. Hands obediently on the wheel.
Even with his cheeks puffed up like balloons, he can't spare it a thought.
"Hahaha. Guess that's why they say the stick beats the carrot."
"W-what if someone over there calls the cops?!"
Kang Yuna, who laughed at the staff's words but missed her chance to intervene.
She should've stopped it herself, but she'd let the staff handle it.
Expressing responsibility and apology only makes the other man grin wider.
"Cadet Kang Yuna doesn't need to worry. Sidekick work is tough—righteous citizens stepping up now and then comes with the territory."
"You'll get tangled in legal issues!"
All Hero Academy staff are squeaky clean.
They endure rigorous vetting and renewals—no room for screw-ups.
Using violence in a situation like this? No wonder Kang Yuna's shocked.
If an innocent guy loses his job over her, that's a disaster.
"It's fine. He won't report it. Right, friend?"
The staff waves cheerfully, and the man in the car bellows back.
"Yes!!"
"There you have it."
No issues to fret over—sorted.
Kang Yuna finally nods along with the staff's words.
"...Thanks for the help."
"Wasn't helping. Just acted on impulse."
"No, you did help. It sounds silly, but... honestly, I have no clue how to deal with assholes like that."
She grew up watching and hearing how heroes always put others first.
Clutching those shining ideals and dreams, she made it here.
So when even heroes bend rules for their own convenience...
Will that pure heart from the start hold up when facing people truly worth saving?
She worries just a little.
"That's why I'm saying you helped. I got out of a jam. Oh, and it was hilarious. That comeback was pure gold."
"Is that right."
The man studies Kang Yuna for a beat before speaking.
"Then that makes me Cadet Kang Yuna's sidekick?"
"Huh?"
"You said I helped. Someone who backs you up from the side—that's a sidekick, no?"
"Uh, well..."
"Assistant" fits better, strictly speaking.
But him calling himself her sidekick first? Not half bad.
"Yeah. Today, you were my sidekick—not repository staff."
"What an honor."
Bzzz!
Alarm blares. Kang Yuna checks her phone and exhales in relief.
A vague dread had her on edge, but thank goodness.
At least no innocents dying on this road.
"Situation's over. Hop in the car. Traffic control's lifting soon."
"Phew! Alright, time to hit the gas?"
"No speeding!"
"Not too slow, not too fast. Ready, friend? Let's roll!"
The staff taps the car on his way past, startling the man.
Kang Yuna hadn't grasped the truth that the staff knew.
Death itself had taken form, casting its shadow for a moment.
"Cadet Kang Yuna! Clear the road! Control's lifting!"
Hero Shieldman's booming voice echoes from afar.
First sidekick mission: success.
Kang Yuna flashes a relieved smile and parts ways with the chance-met staff.
The door swings open as a group files in.
Fatigue and relief etched on their faces.
"Whew. I was on pins and needles."
"Lucky break. Alert grade—if it'd hit ferocious phase, total chaos."
The heroes in the break room recap the highway mess.
"Heard one B-rank hero's seriously hurt."
"Healing abilities'll save 'em. What's the issue?"
"Remember Ki-hoon? Body patched up fine, but PTSD forced his retirement. Limbs dangling ain't somethin' you shrug off laughing."
Physical scars heal.
Mental ones? Not so much.
Half of injured heroes battle with PTSD.
Half of those quit because of it.
Heroes save lives. Thus the Heroes have to sacrifice themselves.
But heroes are human—and humans cherish themselves.
Their instinct screams self-preservation. Wanting to face no pain.
Thus unheroic slips happen.
Not everyone's hero material, even if they're a dreamer or not.
Even dying a hero's death? Tall order in this life.
"Cadet Kang Yuna?"
The Hero Shieldman, half-sprawled in his chair, calls out.
"What're you up to?"
"Ah. Looking up monster intel. Browsing through some right now."
Back when she hit the archive for monster data.
That staffer she'd just met pushed this list hard.
She was puzzled at first, but after digging in? This is a goldmine.
Studying traits and warnings in spare moments.
"Mind if I peek? ...Oof. Shape-shifters. Real pains. Pros panic even if they're knowing what's coming."
"Shape-shifters? Aren't those ultra-rare? None sighted in Korea for years."
"That's the word nowadays. Cadet Kang Yuna, swap lists. Recent spawns are mostly ground-pounders."
Practical pointers fly back and forth.
The topic soon circles back, though.
"Anyway, days like today—no incidents? Dream come true."
"Must be Cadet Kang Yuna sidekicking."
"What're you on about?"
"Bosses up top showing mercy with a star pupil around."
"Bull. If there's a god, make it no overtime..."
Wee-oo!
Speak of the devil. Alarm cuts him off mid-jinx.
The Heroes' glares lock on the culprit.
"I'll shut my trap next time."
"Your mouth's the real villain."
Monster alert again. Downtown this time.
The Heroes' faces stone over.
Downtown's bad enough—apartments and schools nearby?
Nightmare fuel. A disaster waiting.
Bzzz!
Call devices scream in unison.
Support call. Worse than imagined.
"Move! Run!"
Chasing the sprinting heroes,
Kang Yuna feels that dread surge again.
'No. It'll be fine.'
Highway had no major hitch.
Downtown'll sort too. No casualties.
Even if shit hits, we'll handle it.
That's what heroes do. Heroes of this age.
"Groan."
S-rank Hero Valkyrie slumps into her seat, heaving breaths.
Dispatched to Japan till yesterday—back minutes ago.
No jet lag, but exhaustion lingers.
S-rank Hero. the Pinnacle all aspire to be.
Reality: She's a glorified dog, scampering every which way.
She became popular? True. Paid fat stacks? Yup.
No free rides though. Duties tag along everywhere. Responsibility's the price.
'...Holy Knight's the exception.'
Just a quick nap. Valkyrie soon shuts her eyes—
Bzzzzz!
Eyes fly open. She grabs the pager.
No trace of her griping fatigue.
"...Damn it!"