Happy Family
Disguised in a white robe and white mask, Kang Minwoo quickly cleaned up the scene.
First, the car problem.
He solved it simply with money.
"A hero was fighting hard, so please understand."
"Aigoo! Of course we understand!"
Once he handed over plenty of cash, their attitudes flipped instantly.
"I'm sorry! My car was my entire fortune, and it got torched, so I lost my mind for a second!"
"I-It's... okay!... Even if I were the victim... I probably would've done the same... I get it..."
"Thank you for understanding!"
The people who'd received the money even apologized properly to Phoenix.
Next...
He checked the villain's condition.
The transformation had undone when he passed out,
but he wasn't dead.
He was knocked out in pretty decent shape overall.
If I leave him like this, the police will handle it.
So.
No need to worry about this guy.
Next...
He surveyed the surroundings.
The barrier had wrapped around Phoenix to minimize damage,
but it wasn't perfect.
Some parts were smashed,
others melted away.
So he fixed it all.
Repair
Using the skill he'd bought with points, he restored everything to perfect condition.
Next...
There was nothing else to worry about.
The rest was fine.
There is that maid cafe the villain trashed...
But that wasn't our Phoenix's fault,
and fixing it would ruin my plan to hire her as an employee.
So.
No fixing it.
No compensation either.
The owner was a total sleaze,
and the other maids were all dislikeable characters anyway.
I'll ignore that place.
Alright then...
That's it?
No.
Ending it like this would feel too cheap.
Thinking that, he greeted Phoenix.
"With utmost respect for the brave hero who risked her life in battle, I bid you greetings! I am White!"
"White?... Uh... th-that..."
"If you haven't thought of a hero name yet, how about Phoenix? Your soaring flames looked just like one... But feel free to refuse if it doesn't suit you."
"N-No! I like it! I'll go with Phoenix! And... thank you... For covering the damages I caused... And when I breathed fire... that was you who blocked it, right? White...?"
"Yes. That was me."
"You saved my life. If White hadn't blocked it..."
Phoenix mumbled, overcome with guilt.
He smiled and replied.
"Let's just gloss over that. No victims, and it wasn't on purpose, right?"
"W-Well... true, but..."
"No victims means no point dwelling on it. Forget it roughly. Better for your mental health."
"Y-Yes... Thanks for the advice... But... there's one thing I want to say..."
"What is it?"
"I'm not a hero worthy of respect like you..."
She was probably about to say she just charged in angrily,
not some brave hero risking her life.
So he cut in first.
"No. You are a hero."
"Huh?"
"I'm the type who lacks the courage to fight. It's scary. Win and you're good, but lose and you might die—or face something worse."
"W-Well... yeah..."
"But you fought. That alone makes you worthy of respect."
"Ugh..."
"That's why I'm supporting you. If something like this happens again, I'll do my utmost to back you up."
"Why go that far...?"
"You didn't fight for profit, did you, Phoenix? Same for me."
"......"
"Well then! Damages repaired! Chatted with the world's first hero! Time for me to head out!"
"Ah! W-Wait a sec!"
"Yes?"
"Um... at least your contact info..."
"That won't do."
"Huh?"
"While we're on the topic, one more tip: never reveal your identity. Not even to family or friends, unless you must. You could become a target for villains."
"!!!!!!"
"Even if not, getting exposed means anti-fans harassing you, privacy invasions, all sorts of headaches. Keep your identity secret, always."
"Yes! Got it!"
"Then, farewell."
Bang!
He vanished in a puff of smoke from the smoke bomb.
Phoenix watched White disappear in the smoke, murmuring to herself.
"That's a real hero..."
Showing up right in the crisis—cool.
Helping decisively—cool.
And the first person ever to take my side... that's why it hit so hard.
Until now, no one had ever backed her.
Back in high school, bullied?
Only tormentors and bystanders.
Working at the maid cafe?
Only jealous types trying to drag her down.
The owner was no good either.
A total perv.
But.
White was different.
Helped her in danger,
promised to help again next time.
...She thought, feeling happy.
But then.
"......"
One glance in the mirror, and the joy vanished.
This wasn't Han Soyeon's face.
It was Phoenix's.
White helps hero Phoenix...
Not Han Soyeon.
The hero.
He helps because I'm hero 'Phoenix'.
If just Phoenix without the hero bit...
Or just plain Han Soyeon...
No help from White.
That thought made even the "he's on my side" feeling fade.
"Sigh..."
If they'd exchanged contacts?
Could've met as Han Soyeon, built a friendship?
Someone to lean on when things got tough?
That would've been solid.
But.
White refused.
Thoroughly: only helps hero Phoenix.
I want help even when I'm just me...
Someone helping Han Soyeon, not Phoenix.
Life's too hard.
The maid cafe's trashed... gotta find a new job...
She sighed.
Regular part-time gigs couldn't cover Mom's hospital bills.
Needed high-paying work.
But where?
...Sighing nonstop like that,
"Interview, please!"
"Just one word!"
"Cooperate with us!"
"Ah..."
Reporters swarmed, and she bolted.
One of the trashiest types she couldn't trust: reporters.
Even begged them for help during the bullying...
They ignored her.
Once they learned her bully was a chaebol heiress, they turned tail.
Preaching justice upfront,
back-pocket bribes behind.
Scum.
So no interviews.
She fled.
Flight ability, after all.
Shot into the sky fast.
"Whoa..."
Flying was easier than expected.
A bit awkward at first,
but quickly natural.
Controlled direction freely,
speed too.
Shwooooom!
Even faster than cars.
But.
This wasn't the end.
Flame user, right? Flames should boost speed, yeah?
She tried it.
'Almost torched the city with uncontrolled flames earlier...'
But up here in the sky.
No people,
no planes in sight.
Safe to flame.
...Thinking that, she used flames like boosters.
The result.
Fwooooosh!
Massive flames erupted.
Shwooooom!
Her body launched like a missile.
"Kyaaaaaaa!!!"
Screaming as she flew,
Boom!
Crashed into the ground with a huge thud.
"Ow ow..."
Whole body ached.
But.
Pain didn't last.
Sizzle!
Injuries regenerated at super speed.
Soon good as new, she looked around.
"No victims, right?"
Landed in some mountain clearing.
Crater in the dirt,
but no casualties.
Minimal property damage.
Trees intact,
rocks too.
Perfect soil-only landing—no harm done.
"Phew, lucky..."
Pat pat!
Dusted off and stood.
"Transformation release."
Back to normal.
"Big difference..."
As Phoenix, power overflowed.
As Han Soyeon, total weakness.
"Hya!"
Strength average.
"Yah!"
No fire breath.
"Hah!"
No flight—plain human.
"Powers only during transformation?"
She tested.
Transformed: tried everything.
Released: tried again.
Result.
She grasped her abilities somewhat.
Normal: total powerless.
Transformed: superhero.
Flames uncontrollable,
but body enhancement, flight—fully controllable.
Hero who could operate fine without flames.
So.
Seal flames for now.
Stick to enhancement and flight till she masters fire.
This should handle regular villains easy?
Vs. ability users—unknown,
but powerless villains? Fine.
Strong, tough body.
...Thinking that, she descended toward the city.
"Might as well check on Mom."
Crashed near the hospital's back mountain.
Planned to see her face.
Vegetative state—no talking.
But could chat while looking.
Walking, pondering what to say,
"?"
Spotted a small cafe.
Just last week, a sign read
[Under Construction]
Now,
[Now Hiring]
...Seeing that, she thought.
Work here?
Near the hospital.
Could visit Mom on breaks.
...Nice, but.
Tiny cafe in a dead-end spot, barely any foot traffic.
Business sucks,
pay probably low.
Regular cafe anyway.
Less than maid cafe gigs.
...She thought, but.
Passing by anyway.
Might as well hear 'em out.
She went in.
"Hello. I'm Kang Minwoo, owner of Happy Family. Here for the interview?"
The door opened to an insanely handsome owner.
"!!!!!!"
And in the cafe corner, a hidden white robe.
'White?!'