『Thunder Emperor』 Kang Cheonhu ④ - Losing My S-Rank Hero Big Sis and Childhood Friend - 8 -
"Th-that... How can he say something like that...."
Jinseok watched Kang Cheonhu's interview in utter disbelief, a surge of rage boiling up inside him. The man's arrogance and shamelessness were beyond imagination. It was only natural that Kang Cheonhu's brazenness would enrage ordinary people—and Jinseok couldn't help but feel the same fury toward him.
"I'll have no comment on Mr. Kang Cheonhu's remarks."
Miyeon didn't seem particularly pleased by Kang Cheonhu's words either. Still, she maintained her usual cool, composed expression and refrained from directly criticizing him. Even against someone like Kang Cheonhu, the icy Miyeon never publicly trashed another hero.
"And what are your thoughts on how the Behemoth incident was handled?"
The reporters kept firing questions at Miyeon even after hearing her no-comment on Kang Cheonhu. The cameras stayed locked on her stunning face. Just filming Miyeon's haughty beauty was enough to draw massive attention in the news footage.
"Team Valkyrie did everything in our power to minimize collateral damage. Unfortunately, we weren't successful this time, so I offer my deepest apologies to all the affected citizens. All bounty rewards from this monster hunt will be donated in full."
Miyeon answered the reporters with her signature calm, collected tone. Not just the content, but her very voice inspired trust. This picture-perfect hero image played a huge role in her skyrocketing popularity.
Reflecting her popularity, the news comment section was flooding with praise for Miyeon at breakneck speed. Her standing among civilians was only climbing higher.
"Team Valkyrie will continue to do our utmost to protect the safety of all citizens."
Clap clap clap!
"Woooah—!"
"Awesome! Team Valkyrie!"
"Thank you!"
"The real hero!"
As Miyeon's interview wrapped up, the onlookers around her erupted in applause and cheers without anyone leading the way. Everyone was rooting for Team Valkyrie.
......
Kang Cheonhu was back at Team Tempest Base.
The base for Team Tempest—led by Kang Cheonhu himself—was built by purchasing a defunct domestic airport shuttered due to operational issues. He'd also bought a decommissioned foreign supersonic bomber for emergency deployments. The entire site, base and surrounding grounds, belonged to Kang Cheonhu. Under the pretext of monster response, it was stocked not just with the bomber but a slew of military hardware. Naturally, there were mechanics and pilots to operate it all, plus hired guards for base security. Concrete walls and electrified barbed wire fortified the perimeter. Its imposing presence rivaled any military installation.
"Welcome back, Mr. Kang Cheonhu."
"Sweaty as hell. It's hot. Prep a shower first, then a massage."
"Yes, sir. Right away."
Team Tempest revolved entirely around Kang Cheonhu. Every staffer and facility bent over backward to keep his body in peak condition.
Upon returning to base, Kang Cheonhu headed straight to his immaculately maintained private shower room. A female staffer assigned to shower service awaited him. With swift, gentle hands, she stripped off his hero suit. Once naked, she scrubbed him clean with a soapy sponge. After rinsing, she toweled him dry, blow-dried his hair, and led him to the massage table.
"Time for your massage."
"Yeah. Good."
Two female staffers handling massages entered and worked his back, waist, and legs. Over Kang Cheonhu's chiseled, muscular frame, their soft hands applied oil in smooth strokes.
While receiving the massage, Kang Cheonhu flicked on the TV monitor right in front of the table. The news channel was running his interview—the hot topic scorching public opinion right now.
The news followed his interview clip with a showcase of netizens' rage-filled comments. It highlighted how his outrageous actions were drawing widespread condemnation.
"Fuckin' idiots."
Zap-crackle!
"Eek!"
"Kyaa!"
Kang Cheonhu scowled at the hate flooding in, his mood souring. Unconsciously, his lightning powers flared, sending mild sparks flying around. The sudden jolt electrocuted the massaging women, who screamed in shock.
"Stupid bitches. Can't even handle that without making a racket? Should I just fry you all?!"
"S-sorry!"
"P-please spare us!"
Enraged by their screams, Kang Cheonhu glared. The women frantically begged forgiveness. At Team Tempest Base, he ruled like a tyrant. Cross him even slightly, and who knew what horrors awaited.
"Tch. Hurry up."
"Y-yes...."
Kang Cheonhu let the threat hang for a moment before resuming his massage. On paper, they were hired for recovery massages, but bound by all sorts of constraints, they were essentially his slaves.
"Team Valkyrie will continue to do our utmost to protect the safety of all citizens."
Balanced reporting, no doubt—the news pivoted from Kang Cheonhu's villainy to Team Valkyrie's rescues, replaying Miyeon's interview. Footage rolled of her regal beauty and the crowd shouting "true hero!" at her.
"Fuckin' morons. True hero? What a joke."
Kang Cheonhu sneered at Miyeon being hailed as the epitome of heroism. He'd never bought into any "hero's duty" bullshit anyway. Protecting powerless civilians? He spat on that ideal.
"Worthless cunts like you should just become whores. That's all you're good for."
"Ahh!"
"Haa!"
Kang Cheonhu viewed non-ability users as subhuman scum. Midway through his massage, he sat up and lunged, roughly groping the women's breasts. They winced in pain, moaning out.
"Huh? That's right. You worthless, powerless bitch trash."
"Y-yes... Ahh! We powerless ones should become whores."
"Hngh! Lord Kang Cheonhu is right. Powerless are trash."
The women grimaced through the pain but parroted agreement with his words, endorsing his dogma that the powerless were garbage. Team Tempest ran on a rigid pyramid hierarchy. These massage attendants were at the absolute bottom—treated like slaves.
"Suck it, you sluts."
Kang Cheonhu plopped into a chair, his massive cock erect, and haughtily ordered them to their knees. They obeyed without hesitation, kneeling before him and starting to suck.
"Heh heh heh. Yoo Miyeon. Han Serin. I'll turn you bitches into this too."
Kang Cheonhu murmured down at the women slurping his dick.