I'm Not a Hero, Though (11)
“Hey, mister, what’s all this commotion? And that guy...”
“Salmu-sa.”
“Salmu-sa? That Salmu-sa?”
“Yeah.”
The bearded Guard Captain's eyes went wide at my words, flicking back and forth between the corpse that used to be Salmu-sa and me.
That surprising, huh?
“No way... impressive stuff. To catch a big shot whose name only a handful even know.”
“He came at me first.”
Calling it a preemptive strike for clipping that child abuser's ear felt off.
If he was pissed, he should've beaten me.
Right?
I shrugged and handed the body over to the bearded guy.
“You might find something interesting if you search this corpse.”
“Sorry about the mess. The boss wants a full rundown on this disturbance, so come with me?”
“Of course. But the body...”
“We'll handle it. Don't worry. Lads!”
“Yes, sir!”
I passed Salmu-sa's corpse to the guards and followed the bearded captain toward the Alligator Gang's hideout.
--------------
“Not quite 'long time no see.' Have a seat. Coffee?”
“Ah, sure.”
He personally lifted the coffee pot and filled my cup with the brown liquid.
Ah, instant mix coffee.
Makes sense—in a world like this, real beans are hard to come by.
I picked up the cup, inhaling the familiar aroma.
Smells nice and fragrant.
Tilting it for a sip, the taste I knew so well coated my tongue.
“Only available in Seoul, they say. I'd love whole beans, but they're too damn pricey. Word is, only the upper crust there can afford 'em.”
“Land to grow beans on is scarce too.”
Sure, they've got corporate farms in the mangled north Seoul pulling food production, but luxuries like beans? Not mass-produced.
Having even instant mix like this proved serious wealth.
“You don't seem surprised.”
“Ah... I've had it before.”
“Makes me even more curious about you. From Seoul?”
“Yeah.”
I had zilch on Quaker's past, so I just nodded along vaguely.
Denying it would've been awkward.
“I've got a guy I know who looks just like you. Brothers?”
“Brothers? Nope.”
“Parents around?”
“...No idea.”
Sudden interrogation much?
What's with the curiosity?
I eyed him subtly, and he cleared his throat with a shrug.
“No other blood ties?”
“Probably not.”
“Then... ever hear of Quaker?”
“Pardon?”
Quaker?
Why bring him up here?
I'm Quaker!
I couldn't hide my confusion, staring at him.
He looked shocked too, eyes narrowing.
“So you do know something.”
“Villain... that's all I know.”
“...Hah. Yeah, a villain.”
He answered bitterly, taking a sip of coffee.
“Disaster-class ability user. And... once my friend. That's why seeing you threw me.”
I'm thrown too.
Not a black curtain possession?
Then what the hell am I?
Looks identical, powers similar...
As I groaned in bewilderment, the Alligator Gang's second-in-command sighed.
“Guess you don't have a clue either.”
“...Truth is, I have no memories before waking in prison.”
“Hm...”
An uneasy silence stretched.
Too much to think about, for both of us.
“...Alright. I'll look into your past.”
“Thanks.”
“As for Salmu-sa—thanks to you taking him out, the Vipers won't smuggle for a while. As gratitude, repairs on the house are free. They've been importing outside muscle lately, real headache.”
“Outside muscle?”
“Yeah. Tied up with Seoul's underworld somehow. Hope they don't screw over the Swamp Zone... but fat chance.”
Makes sense—crooks working together? Never legit.
“Owe you one. A faction boss dead means that turf's up for grabs now. They'll scrap over it.”
“Less eyes on me, then.”
“Exactly.”
Good news.
Vipers harassing before we settled in would've sucked.
“...Truth be told, no Viper'll touch you after you offed Salmu-sa. He was their top fighter. That's why it's so shocking—you soloed him. And it started over saving a kid, I hear.”
He stared intently, like he wanted an answer.
I obliged.
“Yeah. That so weird?”
“...Since the world went to hell, folks helping others are rare. Parents sell kids for food, and no one bats an eye.”
Harsh world.
I felt anew how brutal this place was.
A world where kids get no protection...
Mina and Seolhwa.
Neither fully grown yet.
No wonder villains sprout easy.
Easier to steal than scrape by honestly.
“Planning to keep the kid you saved?”
“Yep.”
No question.
I saved her; I take responsibility.
And... leaving her out of sight felt risky. Couldn't sleep.
Kid with serial killer potential, chowing on people.
She might thrive elsewhere, sure.
But if I'm not Quaker, the original plot might roll on anyway.
...If Seolhwa snaps into psycho mode, she's doomed.
Arrogant maybe, but only I, knowing the story, can stop it.
“...Reminds me of an old friend. Good guy, too pure for this shit.”
He gazed out the window, distant.
Old friend passed on or something?
I downed the cold coffee and spoke.
“Don't think I'm that good.”
How many have I killed?
He smiled at my denial.
“Killing to save your skin—how's that bad? Even animals kill to survive.
Anyway... got your stance. Hit me up when you've got time.”
“Will do.”
“Take care. Oh, get treated before you go.”
“Thanks.”
----------------------------
“Mister!”
Back at the hotel, a white-haired girl launched into my arms.
“Everything okay?”
“I'm fine. But you—you okay?!”
“As you see, just some scratches.”
Honestly, for how fierce the fight was, injuries were light. Muscles sore from all the action, though.
“Seolhwa?”
“Asleep.”
“Time to head home.”
“You sure it's safe...?”
“Guards handled it.”
They took Salmu-sa's body; no stragglers left at the office.
I nodded to the boss watching us warmly, then headed with Mina to Seolhwa's room.
“Office opening delayed a few days.”
“Our wallet's getting tight, no?”
“Eh... we'll manage.”
More Gray Forest scavenging for valuables.
Harvest and sell plants too.
“You're so upbeat, mister.”
“Can't be pessimistic.”
Life's what it is—look on the bright side.
Mina giggled at my reply and opened the door to the corner room on the second-floor hall.
“Seolhwa, you asleep?”
“Yeah.”
I looked down at Seolhwa, sleeping soundly on the bed.
“Help me piggyback her?”
“Sure.”
Mina carefully lifted Seolhwa onto my back.
As I hooked her arms around my neck, she squeezed—whether knowing or not—like a kitten's grip, barely noticeable.
“Let's go.”
“...Yeah, heading home, mister.”
The late afternoon commotion finally over.
We returned to our nest.