Chapter 34
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Worries (2)
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“It must've been tough for your first mission! You did great.”
“……”
Yeah, tell me about it.
I never imagined my first mission would turn out like this.
The Association must've figured two A-Rank heroes would be plenty.
A-Rank heroes are honestly a big deal, so it wasn't fair to blame them.
Plus, they sent two, and since Isis is a veteran, they probably tossed in the rookie—me.
Normally, the rookie would've just been dead weight, but this time, it turned out to be a stroke of genius.
“Honestly, if it weren't for me, Isis would've been in serious danger. If she'd gone in alone, she would've ended up missing like the other heroes.”
“And that monster could manipulate minds and even space? Hard to believe.”
Anyone would think it sounded unbelievable.
“Yeah... Isis should've been immune to most mental manipulation... If it broke through that and hit her with a mental attack, it has to be top-tier A-Rank, maybe even S-Rank. A monster like that controlling space...”
Yu-ah muttered to herself, clearly struggling to make sense of the story she'd just heard.
Grandpa, meanwhile, looked thrilled as he chimed in, oblivious.
“That's my son-in-law for you~ Yeah, yeah! Mental manipulation? Pfft, just bulldoze it with sheer willpower! Back in my prime, tons of guys tried that crap on me.”
Of course he would say that...
He was the undisputed physical powerhouse of Korea back then, so it made sense those types would target him.
Mental manipulation could turn into a massive asset if it landed by luck.
Not that he ever admitted to falling for it.
“Ahaha...”
Truth be told, I was the same.
How many could even land a mental attack on me?
Unlike the spatial manipulation that physically trapped us, mental stuff was a pure willpower contest.
Though saying it like that kinda made it sound like Isis had weaker willpower than that monster. Nah, just my imagination.
Probably...
“You must be exhausted.”
I waved off Yu-ah's concern.
If anything, I needed the experience, so dangerous or annoying missions were a plus for me...
But this one was definitely weird.
What the hell was that monster, anyway?
“They're investigating hard, so hopefully we'll hear something soon.”
I said as I popped a piece of fruit into my mouth.
That was when it happened.
“Mm... hey.”
Grandpa suddenly called out to me.
I turned to look, wondering what was up, and saw his expression had turned serious.
“Sorry to bring this up right after your mission, but... could you do me a favor?”
“A favor?”
Honestly, it wasn't that big a deal, so sure, I could help.
“What's it about?”
“Grandpa... you're really gonna ask?”
Yu-ah shot him a look like she couldn't believe it.
But Grandpa was dead serious, replying like it was obvious before continuing.
“Well... I wanted to ask if you'd spar with another S-Rank hero.”
“...Huh?”
What the hell?
Spar with another S-Rank hero?
“There aren't that many S-Rank heroes in Korea...”
“Yeah... word got out about our little fight... He begged me to make it happen.”
“Who's the guy?”
“You probably know him already.”
Thunder Emperor.
That name brought back old memories.
It'd been ages since I saw the news, so details were fuzzy, but definitely...
‘The national exchange event or whatever? Yeah, he was the one who said this time he'd finally win.’
If my memory served, that was spot on.
Beyond the basics every hero fan knows, I didn't have much else on him.
“That's him. He asked me personally. Just one match with you.”
“Huh...?”
I seriously didn't get it.
Why did he suddenly want to fight me?
“Beats me... I don't know the full story, but he has his reasons.”
“I think it's because of who he'll face at the national exchange event.”
“Hm? Oh, you mean Overwhelming?”
“Overwhelming?”
The name rang a bell, but I couldn't place it.
“America's strongest guy. Hate to say it, but even prime me probably couldn't take him.”
That was surprising.
Grandpa wasn't one to downplay himself, so if he said that...
“So Thunder Emperor's up against this Overwhelming directly?”
“Probably. He's always lost to the guy at these events.”
Ah, so that's it...
Damn, always losing, huh...
“America's top hero has to be insane.”
The title said it all...
“Strong as hell. Never fought him myself—just eyeballed it—but he outclassed even me. That was years ago, though. Who knows now.”
“He's probably even stronger.”
Growing stronger on top of that...
Tough opponent.
“So, what's your answer?”
“Mm... Not sure if I'll help, but sure, no problem.”
Especially since sparring Korea's top powerhouse, Thunder Emperor, wasn't an everyday opportunity.
“Great, thanks. Heard he's not asking for free, either.”
“Huh?”
“He'll make it worth your while. If not, tell me. I'll sort him out myself.”
“Grandpa... Do-yoon's stronger than you.”
“Urk...!”
Haha...
I arranged to meet Thunder Emperor later and headed off to see Seo-yul.
Like last time, we picked a decent restaurant.
“Ah, there you are.”
Whoa... why was she here so early...?
I double-checked the time, just in case.
Maybe I got it wrong and was late.
But the digital clock on my phone wasn't lying.
“Um... it's 30 minutes early...”
“……”
Seo-yul turned her head away without a word.
Not that it was her fault, but it made me feel kinda bad.
‘30 minutes wasn't enough...?’
Gotta come earlier next time...
Anyway, I sat down and looked at her steadily.
There were a few reasons we'd met up like this, but...
‘This time, I need to bring it up first...’
I was the one who'd suggested it, after all.
“Mm... Any guess why I wanted to meet?”
“Y-Yes? Oh... uh... I-I don't...”
Seo-yul panicked, looking lost, then deflated.
“Sorry. No idea...”
“No need to apologize...”
Seemed worse than last time. Or maybe not.
Definitely couldn't just let it slide.
‘It's not just from that incident last time.’
She said it was always like this, so it must've built up over time.
How does someone this fragile become a hero? Well, A-Rank telekinesis—top-tier at that—was no joke.
“Truth is, Isis told me about it, and that's why I suggested meeting.”
Ugh... how'd I end up in this role?
“You've seemed really worn out lately.”
Whatever. I couldn't ignore her.
If I could help, I should.
“M-Me...?”
“Yeah. You look more gaunt than before, and way less confident.”
“Ahh...”
She understood, bowing her head with a sad look.
“...Just to be clear, I'm not saying it's wrong or anything. I just thought talking might help, since I'm worried. And...”
Above all, there was another reason I was stepping up.
“I saved you myself... so maybe in front of me—not other A-Rank heroes who need to keep up appearances—you could talk more freely.”
“……”
Seo-yul nodded slightly.
Felt a bit rambling, but glad it landed.
“Uh... umm... okay, then...”
After a long silence, Seo-yul seemed ready and started opening up, cautiously.
Spilling the deep, pent-up worries in her heart.