Chapter 10: Kids Grow Up Just Fine on Their Own (1)
Chapter 10: Kids Grow Up Just Fine on Their Own (1)
Rustle, rustle.
An irritating sound echoed, following Hyun-seok’s hand as it rummaged through the bag of snacks spread out as appetizers.
Despite claiming he couldn't drink because he was on duty and gulping down water instead, he was wasting my precious food supplies.
Un-ho, on the other hand, seemed perfectly happy just to be eating snacks, stuffing his face until his cheeks looked ready to burst.
“Eating only things like this every day is why you aren't growing any taller.”
What the hell is he talking about?
“I’m not growing no matter what I do, you lunatic.”
“Have you even tried?”
“I didn't grow even when a Mutant was pulling on my arms and legs. I gave up after that.”
The two Mutants who helped with that 'experiment' tore my limbs off as a reward.
Since they pulled on my limbs, I pulled on theirs in return.
It was a fair trade, an equal exchange, so I’m sure they were satisfied.
“How about trying some milk?”
“Are you being serious, or is this more banter?”
If he’s being serious, the UN bastards who sat him down as a Management Bureau Branch Manager need a good thrashing too.
“It is a joke, of course. You still have trouble catching onto them.”
Your jokes have just been unfunny since your days as Blue of the Sentai Squad.
Since a long time ago, he seemed to believe his jokes were hilarious, while his teammates just offered silent, bitter smiles.
Thinking back on it now... was he cracking cold jokes just because his color was blue?
“I feel sorry for your subordinates.”
It must be hell having to react to those stiff jokes every day.
Corporate life is tough.
“I do not joke in front of them. I am the Branch Manager who oversees them, not a personal acquaintance.”
“Ah, is that so?”
The bitter beer slid down my throat. The mild carbonation tickled my neck.
It’s a mere imitation. The act of drinking. This way, even if the alcohol is meaningless, I can feel a bit tipsy. I felt like the conversation wouldn't progress until morning if I left it like this, so borrowing that pseudo-drunkenness, I cut straight to the point.
“So, why did you come to my house? If you had something to say, you could have just sent one of your subordinates.”
This was the same guy who used to make me meet a proxy whenever I visited, using his busy schedule as an excuse.
“Since I am the one asking for a favor, shouldn't I see your face in person?”
“A favor? What, has another Fallen Hero appeared that needs killing? It’s been a while, so I guess it’s about time for one to show up.”
“Those cruel days passed long ago. Isn't that why you quit the Bureau?”
“I don't know. People tend to do bad things once they get power. You never know what’s inside a person’s heart.”
Just today, I came back from 'educating' a woman who was trying to kill someone.
No matter how righteous a person you choose to bestow power upon, no one knows what kind of imagery lurks in the depths of their mind.
“We never seem to agree on that matter. Regardless, the favor I have to ask today is not a grim, blood-spattered one.”
Hyun-seok, having finished his water, let out a sigh and opened his mouth.
“A Mutant reaction has been confirmed regarding the Hero Attacker. Code name: Black Marauder. Otherworldly Power was detected at the scene, and a Hero has emerged whose Story involves defeating said enemy.”
What is he talking about?
Me, a Mutant?
Otherworldly Power?
The news was so unexpected that I just stared at him with my mouth agape, waiting for him to continue.
“Consequently, the Bureau has identified Black Marauder as a Clone Mutant of Crimson★Hammer. There were still those who suspected you, but that opinion vanished once a Hero was born with the Story of defeating Black Marauder.”
Hiding my shock, I responded to Hyun-seok’s words.
“You’re saying that right to my face.”
Though, that is very like Hyun-seok.
“Didn't you know already? A report came in saying you were making fun of the watchers.”
“Of course. Who do they think they’re tailing with those pathetic skills?”
If they’re going to watch someone, they should at least be able to leap over buildings like they’re taking a stroll.
“Let’s move past that. Once you go through one final procedure, you will be cleared of most suspicions.”
Hyun-seok pulled a small black device that looked like a hairdryer from his coat and pointed it at me.
“By the authority of Park Hyun-seok, the Korea Branch Manager of the Hero Management Bureau, I will proceed with a forced execution. This cannot be refused, and all self-defense, including excuses or counterarguments, is prohibited.”
“Do whatever you want.”
I don't know if Otherworldly Power will actually be detected, but I’ll worry about that when it happens. I can't exactly tear apart a friend who isn't an enemy yet with my own hands.
Beep. Pip.
A mechanical sound rang out, and something was emitted from the device. I felt a faint pulse, imperceptible to normal senses, ripple through me.
It was a pulse designed to detect the Otherworldly Power emitted by a Magical Girl’s Mascot or a Hero’s Supporter.
The thing in Hyun-seok’s hand was a scientific implementation of that pulse.
There was no way to evade it.
There are Mutants who can hide or disguise Otherworldly Power, but there was no way I would have such a thing.
Beep. Bee-beep.
As if the results were out, Hyun-seok looked at the small slip of paper being printed.
“....”
“The result?”
“Clean. A bit of contamination is detected, but it’s within the normal range for someone in your position.”
“That’s a relief. I was worried since I’ve had to get covered in Mutant flesh so often.”
I looked at him with a brave, natural smile.
Inside, my heart was burning black, but this would clear the suspicions against me. I was being cleared of suspicion through something I never expected.
By the way, Otherworldly Power, huh?
Does it emit Otherworldly Power when I transform into the black clothes?
To think my new power is the power of a Mutant... Un-ho’s uselessness has been proven once again.
Hyun-seok tucked the device back into his coat and started munching on snacks again.
Empty snack bags began to pile up in the corner of the room one by one, and another bag was ripped open.
At this rate, my house is going to run out of snacks.
“Your business is done, so aren't you leaving?”
If you want to keep eating, cough up some cash.
“The conversation isn't over yet. I am simply agonizing over whether I can entrust this task to you.”
“You came to see me because there’s no one else suited for it, right? If you have other options, go to them.”
“That is true, but looking at you now, doubts really do start to bloom.”
“What’s wrong with how I look?”
“I would appreciate it if you didn't scratch your stomach while sitting with your legs spread in the form of a Young Girl.”
“What does that matter?”
If I were going to care about the gap between my behavior and my appearance, I would have fixed my way of speaking long ago.
“It is an important point. The task I want to entrust to you is—”
Everyone~ has a dream~ a wish~.
A cell phone ringtone. Why is someone calling at a time like this?
“I’ll be right back after taking this.”
“Go ahead.”
When I checked the screen to see who the hell was calling, it said 'Octopus Head.'
Dammit.
I hurriedly opened the front door, stepped outside, and answered the phone.
“Great timing, huh? I’m talking to a high-ranking Bureau official right now. You want to die?”
“Then you could have just not answered. Why are you taking your anger out on me?”
“You think I can just ignore it without raising suspicion? You want me to just hang up with a stiff face saying it’s nothing?”
...Wait. Actually, that might have worked.
“Wouldn't that have been fine?”
“Shut up. Anyway, just tell me what you want, quickly.”
I didn't want to admit my mistake, so I snapped back at him harshly.
“The Mutant is mostly complete. How would you like to retrieve it?”
“You said it was hard to make, but it’s ready in a day?”
“Difficulty and the time it takes are two different things. Furthermore, if it’s a Mutant without intelligence, there’s no need for the time it takes to develop an ego.”
“About that, redo it and give it an ego. Make the personality similar to mine. You can do that, right?”
Since I’ve already cleared the suspicion, I don't need the remote-control method. It would be more convenient to create an autonomous type to act as a Mutant, or have it transform into me while I’m active.
‘...Does he think we’re some kind of pushover? Why is he asking us to remake something that’s already finished?’
Is that kind of muttering a racial instinct? No matter how many times I tell them, they never listen.
“You want to be a pushover? Or do you want the Korea Branch to explode and be kicked out of the country?”
I happen to be right next to a high-ranking official of the Hero Management Bureau. Reporting them would probably net me a hefty reward.
“I’m not quite sure what you mean. I will get it done as quickly as possible.”
“Oh, and since it needs to be a top-tier Mutant, I’ll send over the genes too.”
“What exactly are you planning to create?”
“I’m going to use it as my double, so it needs to be at least as strong as a Four Heavenly Kings level from some other Story, don't you think?”
Originally, the Mutant I needed was a weakling that would burst with one hit from my hammer, but since the plan changed, the required specs have changed too. To serve as my disguise, it would need that much strength.
“The cost is too high. Even for us, that is impossible—”
“Just name one organization you want. Whether it’s Heroes or a rival Society.”
I have to pay the price. Of course.
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah. I’ll completely crush them, as long as I don't have to kill any Heroes.”
“How about the Management Bureau’s Korea Branch?”
“You guys really want to die, don't you?”
There are things you can say as a joke, and things you can't.
“It was a joke. I will send you some suitable organization data later.”
“Fine. I’m counting on you.”
Click.
I hung up.
When I returned to the room, the number of empty snack bags had increased in an instant.
If this keeps up, they’re going to raid my rice and ramen too. How can they eat so much? Just get out already.
“Who was that on the phone?”
“There was some trouble at the volunteer organization.”
“I see.”
The conversation keeps dragging on in a strange direction. I need to kick one of these two gluttons out of my house. I’d like to kick both out, but that’s probably asking too much.
“So, what is it you want to say? Spit it out.”
At this rate, these two gluttons will empty my pantry.
At my urging, he finally seemed to make up his mind. He put down the snack bag and stared at me intently.
“Lee Ha-ram. Have you ever thought about taking a disciple?”
What is wrong with him today? Has he gone senile already?
“Are you crazy? Why would I look after kids who grow up just fine on their own?”
He ignored my words and pulled a document from his briefcase, tossing it to me.
“Read it.”
“If it’s something trivial, I’m kicking you out.”
I picked up the document and scanned the contents.
‘Baek Si-hyun. 18 years old. From Cheongju, Korea. Awakening Type: Magical Girl. Date of Awakening: Today.’
“What use is someone who awakened today? They need at least the basics before I can teach them anything.”
“Keep reading.”
‘Confirmed abilities: Physical Enhancement, Weaponry Implementation, Psychokinesis, Lightning Magic, Recovery Magic, Ultra-short-term Precognition.’
“...What kind of abilities are these? What kind of Story results in power like this?”
She’s a Magical Girl who would be called an elite if she had just two of those six, yet she’s loaded with all six. Especially having Weaponry Implementation and Psychokinesis at the same time is a level of talent that’s just absurd.
“Keep reading.”
Below that, it described the life she had lived, but I wasn't interested, so I skipped to the Story after her awakening.
She met a typical Mascot and awakened. The hostile organization of her Story was...
“...Black Marauder.”
“Yes. It is a unique case. Instead of an organization, it designates a single individual.”
“....”
“The Bureau High Command predicts that Black Marauder is an O-Rank Monster capable of destroying the world. Therefore, they judged that such power was bestowed to counter it.”
“Didn't you suspect it was my clone? But it’s that strong?”
“That shouldn't be the case, but it might be stronger than you. Or perhaps it is weak now but the type that grows rapidly.”
Now I see why this guy brought up the ridiculous idea of a disciple. His scheme is to have her develop her combat senses by getting beaten up by me, all to prepare her for my clone.
Calculations began to whirl rapidly in my head.
If I could keep such an overwhelmingly powerful Adversary by my side and monitor her...
If I could influence her with my ideology...
If I could identify her weaknesses while watching her growth...
It could turn out well for me, no matter which way it went.
“How much is the pay?”
Hiding my dark intentions, I spat out materialistic words. To play the part of my ordinary self.
“I will provide enough support for at least two people to live comfortably.”
“Fine. I’ll raise her.”
I gave a bright smile, signaling my acceptance. It felt like my life was about to get a bit noisy. At least it would be more lively than living alone with Un-ho.
But a girl, huh?
“Aren't you going to lend us a house? This place is too cramped for three people.”
“I will take it into consideration.”
Meaning it’s difficult for now.
“Oh, one last thing. About me taking down Black Marauder...”
“It is forbidden. You know well what happens when you interfere with someone else’s Story. Furthermore, it is a Mutant that constitutes a Story on its own. If things go wrong, there is a possibility of a Hole opening.”
“Right.”
I had even gained a valid excuse not to face Black Marauder.
Things were working out well.
“Well then, since our talk is over, I shall be going.”
Hyun-seok stood up and headed straight for the entrance. Befitting his meticulous nature, his suit was spotless, without a single snack crumb on it.
“The next time we meet will likely be when I introduce the Hero Baek Si-hyun.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Sure, Hyun-seok. I’ll do my best.
For the sake of justice.