Chapter 114
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: 113. Heroes (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The names of the woman and man summoned as heroes were Yusia and Woo Min-gun, respectively.
They had known each other since childhood because their parents were close, and the two of them got along well.
Or rather, they used to get along.
Up until elementary school, they were the best of friends despite being different genders—practically inseparable. But once they hit middle school, things started to drift apart.
The reason? Bitcoin.
Min-gun's parents had stumbled into some Bitcoin ages ago and left it untouched. Then its price skyrocketed, turning them into overnight millionaires.
They'd been struggling financially before, but suddenly they were loaded. It was like they became different people overnight, starting to look down on Si-a's family—whose situation was similarly dire.
Min-gun, smack in the middle of puberty, went around bragging about his family's sudden wealth. And toward Si-a, whom he'd always secretly liked, he expressed his clumsy adolescent interest through boasts about money and comparisons, subtly putting her down in the process.
There was no way a girl going through puberty herself would recognize that awkward show of affection from a boy in the same boat.
Si-a had quite liked Min-gun too. But as she refused to put up with the "new" him, the two naturally grew apart.
And now, in their second year of high school...
"Yusia! What're you up to after school today?"
"Probably the library after classes?"
"You bookworm—don't you have anything in that head besides studying? If you're just gonna waste a pretty face like that on books, hand it over to me!"
Top of the entire school, sweet personality, drop-dead gorgeous—she was a beauty famous even at other schools. That was Yusia now.
Her brown hair fell just past her shoulders. Even with minimal makeup, her celebrity-level looks made her the most popular girl at school—no exaggeration.
In comparison, Woo Min-gun...
The lavish life funded by Bitcoin lasted until the end of his first year of high school, when his parents tanked a business venture and lost it all.
To Min-gun, who'd assumed he'd live off playing games forever, it was a bolt from the blue.
His family ended up worse off than average. Unlike Si-a, who had a future ahead of her, Min-gun had done nothing but goof off and had no prospects.
He'd never studied, had no interest in it, wasn't tall or handsome, and had no standout talents anywhere.
The only fun things for this high schooler were online games and the like—stuff he couldn't do offline. Plus bragging to friends about his past closeness with Yusia or fantasizing about dating her when they bumped into each other at school.
"Haaah... Finally over!"
After productively napping through self-study period, he stretched and glanced around. No one there. With the darkening sky outside and the empty classroom, a chill ran down his spine. He hurriedly grabbed his bag and headed home.
"Couldn't wake you up?"
"You were sleeping so soundly, I couldn't bring myself to! Lol jk."
Dogshit friend... Huh...? Is that Yusia?
Exchanging playful messages with his friend on the way home, he spotted Yusia standing alone at a crosswalk, reading a book as she walked.
She's so pretty...
He wanted to say something—anything—but lacked the guts, so he just stole a glance, planning to pass by...
-Vroooom!
A car approached from afar without its lights on, barreling toward Yusia—who was slowly crossing while engrossed in her book. No brakes. It kept coming.
"Yusia! Get out of the way!"
It looked like a collision was inevitable. He screamed for her to dodge, but she had something plugged in her ears and didn't hear.
Damn it...!
Whether Yusia missed the car or the car missed her, it showed no sign of stopping. He flung his bag aside and sprinted toward the crosswalk.
"Yusia!"
-Screeeech!
The brakes came too late—the car didn't stop. The moment he threw himself to shove her out of the way, he caught Yusia's shocked expression as she finally noticed the car. Then darkness swallowed Min-gun's vision.
-Thud!
"Ugh...!"
Min-gun woke to pain like he'd been hit somewhere. Sitting up, he scanned around frantically for Yusia, whom he'd pushed away.
"Yusia!"
He found her collapsed on the ground, checked her breathing—she was alive—and shook her awake, relieved she looked unharmed.
"Nngh..."
She stirred at his shaking, their eyes met, and she slowly sat up.
"Woo... Min-gun?"
Min-gun was thrilled she was okay—and that she still remembered his name. Plus, he'd just saved her life. Fantasies started swirling in his head.
Yusia eyed his weird expression suspiciously and glanced around. It was night, but unnaturally pitch-black. She was pondering that when...
-Flash!
"!!!!!!"
A light burst behind them, shining down from above like a spotlight onto a woman seated in a chair. Her presence was utterly inhuman. Though she smiled kindly, she didn't feel human at all.
"Hello. You two have been chosen as heroes of this otherworld."
The two, entranced by her, barely registered her words. She clapped once to snap them out of it and continued.
"I am the goddess of Heaven World, a realm different from the one you come from. Please become heroes and defeat the Demon King for us."
What... Is this real?
Min-gun, an avid anime and manga fan, grasped the situation quickly. Experiencing an isekai transfer in real life had him buzzing with excitement.
"W-What do you mean?"
But Yusia, clueless about such tropes, found it utterly baffling and suspicious. The goddess smiled understandingly and began explaining their situation slowly.
She covered how they were vessels worthy of her power, Heaven World's circumstances, and the events leading them here—everything.
If they wished, they could refuse and rest in peace. Min-gun, seeing this as a chance too good to pass, accepted immediately.
"Ughhh..."
Refusing means just dying...? Fighting monsters in another world...
Yusia agonized over it but couldn't accept death, so she too accepted the goddess's request.
The goddess clapped, and the surroundings shifted to a typical one-room apartment. She pointed to the door.
"When you're ready, go through this door together. Companions to aid you are prepared, so no need to worry."
With that, she vanished, tactfully leaving the two alone.
"......"
"......"
They hadn't noticed in her presence, but now alone in this bizarre situation, it felt insanely awkward.
"Thanks."
"Uh, yeah?"
"You tried to save me, right? Thanks."
"I... didn't really save you, though..."
Her thanks eased the awkwardness bit by bit. They started chatting—not back to their old closeness, but Min-gun could hardly believe he was talking to Si-a right now.
"Uh... I know all about this stuff, so don't worry. I'll help you out."
This is straight out of perfect isekai cheat clichés... Show off cool, build a harem... With Si-a too... Heh heh heh!!!!
As Min-gun indulged in happy delusions, Yusia's anxiety seemed to fade. She moved to open the door with him.
"Wait...!"
As he reached for the doorknob, the goddess popped up, blocking them.
"I forgot to mention... As the first two heroes, my power split between you. You'll need to combine strengths and work together."
"Please defeat the Demon King... Good luck!"
She vanished again. Stunned by her ditzy side contrasting her initial poise, they grabbed the knob and slowly opened the door.
Whoa...
Min-gun stepped through cautiously, heart pounding with anticipation of a fantasy world, and vanished beyond.
"......"
Yusia watched him go, took a deep breath, and followed.
"Yah-hooooo!!!!!"
Si-a stared oddly at Min-gun bouncing around like a kid in a candy store.
Why's he so excited?
Can anyone be thrilled in a situation like this? She barely talked to him these days, but she'd felt a flicker of fondness when he'd risked his life to save her. Still, his sudden weird faces and over-the-top excitement baffled her.
As Min-gun hopped about in his own world, Si-a scanned the surroundings and spotted two people ahead.
Wow...
A pink-haired woman with an impossibly perfect figure—curves in all the right places—like a movie nun straight out of a blockbuster.
A tall man with broad shoulders, ideal proportions, strikingly handsome face, black hair, and golden eyes.
Si-a knew she was pretty herself, but these two were on another level—beyond celebrities. She couldn't help but gawk.
"Are you two the companions the goddess mentioned? The ones who'll help us defeat the Demon King...?"
The man, who seemed to be frowning, let out a relieved sigh and smiled at Si-a.
"Yes, that's right."
He led the still-hyper Min-gun and her up some stairs to a massive palace straight out of Europe.
Whoaaa...
She'd lost count of the surprises already.
Could she really be in another world, not Earth? The goddess's visions and what she saw now screamed truth.
"I've brought the heroes."
They entered through enormous doors into a vast hall. Five people stood there, and a white-bearded man who screamed "king" sat on the throne.
"Eheheh... It's real... Actually real...!"
Si-a cringed at Min-gun, oblivious to the solemn mood, still buzzing. The others in the audience chamber glanced at him too. The man who'd introduced himself as In-hyeok on the way scowled just like when they'd met.
Just bring the girl. Why'd the goddess pick this clueless idiot as a hero?
Thinking of the rough road ahead thanks to him gave In-hyeok a headache.
I miss my wives...
The ache in his head just made him miss them more.