Chapter 33. Disappearance
The imperial family acknowledged the heroes' hard work in the recent Demon King subjugation by awarding a whopping 100 contribution points. Of course, anyone with eyes could see that Princess Ganesha had thrown her weight around behind the scenes. But who the hell could stop an S-rank hero who just bulldozed through with a shit-eating grin and a "If you're jealous, go become a princess yourself—"?
Thanks to her, Ji-hyuk leaped from B-rank 60 points straight to A-rank 10 points, while Mahushu rocketed from D-rank 60 to C-rank 60 in one shot. The fastest A-rank promotion in history. Ji-hyuk shattered records with every rank-up, charging ahead triumphantly. Naturally, the nobles and merchant guilds unleashed a barrage of gifts. In reality, they were just bribes begging for future favors.
The very next day after news of the 100 points broke, Princess Ganesha showed up at Ji-hyuk's mansion. ...Exactly four days after that scorching night they'd shared. She hadn't set foot there since, only to barge in now after practically gift-wrapping those points for him.
This time, too, she'd dolled herself up to the nines, flaunting her beauty. He could even spot a bit of powder on her face. Lately, she'd been soaking up all the compliments on her looks and had clearly gotten a taste for primping.
Ganesha flashed Ji-hyuk a mischievous grin the moment she saw him. A faint tremor of shyness lingered in her eyes—so subtle you'd miss it if you weren't looking closely.
"Hey, Kang Ji-hyuk. Long time no see?"
Ji-hyuk bowed politely at the waist.
"Your Highness, I hope you've been well."
"Yeah, yeah, I've been fine, you punk. ...Sit down over there."
The princess jerked her chin at the chair across from her. Ji-hyuk went and sat.
"Heard you hit A-rank? Congrats, you little shit."
"It's all thanks to Your Highness's efforts."
"...Well, I did pull some strings. But not just for you. Everyone busted their asses. I was the overall commander—if I didn't sort that out, who would? Right?"
"Thank you."
Ganesha crossed her arms and gave him a quick once-over. She let out a long sigh through her nose.
"Me...? I'm thinking of retiring soon."
"...Pardon?"
"I've been at this a long time. It's getting stale. ...Time to pass the torch to the juniors. Stagnant water turns foul if you let it sit too long."
"Are you serious?"
"Of course I am, you punk. ...Been thinking about it for ages. Hell, I've dragged my feet on this already. I was gonna quit even earlier."
Ji-hyuk dropped his gaze to the table. Ganesha shot him a sidelong glance. ...He's disappointed, huh? ...Fuckin' adorable, that little shit. Her pussy twinged. She remembered that night he'd pounded her like a beast. Heat rushed through her body. ...Sex with him was insanely ecstatic...
"...Well, if you really want, I could stick around a bit longer..."
"...Really?"
"If I'm absolutely needed, sure. Plans change with the situation, you know, punk."
"I see."
Ganesha asked in a subtle tone.
"...You want me to keep going?"
"I'd prefer it, but if Your Highness doesn't wish to..."
"Fuck, I'm saying it doesn't matter to me. Tell me what you think, punk."
"Then I'd be grateful if you stayed on a little longer. Your retirement would leave a huge gap in our forces. Wouldn't it be better to train up some successors first?"
"...Yeah? That's how you see it? ...You little shit. Can't do without me, huh?"
"Yes."
Ganesha's mood lifted.
"Fine. I'll hold off this time, just for you. Fuck, even being too competent is a pain in the ass."
"Exactly."
Ji-hyuk replied with a faint smile. A brief silence fell.
Ganesha took a sip of her tea and stood.
"Hey, wanna stroll the garden? Got some stuff to talk about. ...Fuck, it's stuffy in here."
"Of course. Lead the way."
The two rose and headed out. In the distance, at the back yard, Mahushu and Celly were training hard. They glanced once, then entered the garden proper. The gardeners had already finished their morning work and were gone, leaving the pair to wander the serene space with only birdsong for company.
"What did you want to discuss...?"
"You know about tomorrow's regular meeting?"
"Yes, I'm aware."
"I'll be there too, so don't skip it, punk. Got it?"
"Understood... But is there some major issue on the agenda?"
"Yeah. ...Disappearances."
Ah. That single word sparked a memory for Ji-hyuk.
Missing heroes. The suspicious incidents plaguing the western continent right now.
He recalled his 11th loop. The gang leader had pulled all sorts of vile shit, even capturing and assaulting heroes sent to take him down. It was just one of many accidents in the turf wars between gang bosses. But it snowballed out of control.
This disappearance case was surely tied to that. No one would dare touch heroes appointed by the empire otherwise.
Of course, Ji-hyuk had to play dumb like he knew nothing, so he feigned ignorance and asked again.
"Who went missing?"
"...Heroes. Fuck... What a clusterfuck."
"Heroes?"
"Some crazy bastard touched heroes appointed by the imperial family. And it's not just one or two. Counting the D-rank nobodies, it's already four."
"...That's quite serious."
Ganesha's eyes boiled with rage.
"Fuck yeah, it's serious. Whoever it is, the family's already decided to exterminate them. This is an insult and a challenge to imperial authority—! ...That fucker, whoever they are, is dead meat, fucking hell."
The princess was genuinely furious. As a member of the imperial family and a hero, her anger was doubled.
"Where did they go missing?"
"Western continent. ...Not confirmed yet, but we suspect the gang leaders. ...Fucking assholes. I've hated those pricks since way back."
"So the regular meeting means a full investigation."
"Yeah."
They sat on a bench in the garden. Huuuuh— Ganesha hiked her skirt hem up to her thighs, crossed her legs, and leaned back against the chair. Her head tilted back, eyes on the blue sky.
"...Fucking hell, the continent never gets a break. What a shitshow."
Ji-hyuk gazed at her profile for a moment. Feeling his hot stare, her body tensed slightly. She glanced sideways at him.
"...What, punk?"
"Nothing. I just admire Your Highness's heart, wishing for continental peace."
"Fuck, I'm a hero too—! ...Who you thinkin' of as some mercenary scrub...?"
She thumped her chest with her palm as she said it.
"That's why I'm glad it's someone like you. ...If all heroes had Your Highness's mindset, the world would be a much better place."
Ji-hyuk meant it. If even half the heroes had her attitude, the world would be far more peaceful than it was. And the final battle against the Great Demon King would've gone much better.
...That regret always gnawed at him.
"...You little shit..."
His sudden praise flushed her cheeks. Especially from a guy she liked. No one gets mad at compliments from someone like that. Even a brash woman like Ganesha wasn't immune.
Her eyes flicked to his lips, then away. ...Suddenly wanna kiss him deep. Once the thought took hold, it swirled endlessly in her mind. ...Should I just ask...? Pride shoved it down. A proud princess begging for a kiss? Not a good look.
...Sure, she'd thrown a tantrum for sex before, but that was then—this was now.
"...Fuck."
She cursed needlessly. Seconds ago he'd been great; now he annoyed her. First kiss, first makeout, first time... This damn bastard had taken it all and now acted oblivious. It pissed her off.
...Maybe he wasn't satisfied. With all his experience, maybe her amateur ass didn't cut it. Her chest tightened at the thought. Ask him? ...No, fuck, how do you even ask that? 'Was it good?' Fuck no, I'd die first. Fuuuuck...!
Irritated, Ganesha shot to her feet. Her wide-brim hat fluttered like wings.
"I'm outta here."
"...Already?"
"Yeah. ...Fuck."
"Did I upset you?"
"No, nothing like that, punk."
Ji-hyuk rose slowly. She glared daggers at him. Then she hated her own childish games. Fuck, thirty-seven years old and sulking over no kiss? Haaa, I'm such a fuckin' child, fuuuuck—!!
Unable to hold back, she told him to sit again.
"Hey, sit. ...Ah, hurry up, punk—!"
"...Pardon?"
"I said sit—! Fuck, why're you so slow, you shit—!"
Ji-hyuk sat back down. Ganesha gritted her teeth, clenched her fists, and strode over. She climbed onto his lap, threw her arms around his neck, and smashed her lips against his.
Fuckin' punk. Asshole. Do it yourself, you bastard. Fuckin' jerk...Fuck fuck fuuuck—!!
Their tongues tangled. Her mind went blank in the thick, intense kiss. Aaah, fuck, so good, so gooood—!
One hand gripped her ample breast; the other stroked her long waist from top to bottom. Ganesha's pussy felt soaked. Kissing him made her crave his cock again. That beastly thing ravaging her. Having tasted a man so late, she was like a horny teen in heat at all hours.
Her wide-brim hat had flopped back, the chin strap dangling against her neck. They lingered in the deep kiss for a good while before parting slowly. Her face was flushed pink.
"Asshole... fucker... bastard..."
Mwah, mwah, mwah. Cursing, she peppered kisses on his lips, nose, and cheek before pulling away. She yanked her hat back down, spun on her heel.
"Don't follow, punk. I'm going alone."
"Understood. See you tomorrow, Your Highness."
Ji-hyuk gave a light nod to her back. She stomped off toward the mansion entrance.
...She was embarrassed, alright. He'd never had a kiss quite so forceful.
After seeing Ganesha off, Ji-hyuk clasped his hands behind his back and strolled slowly to the back yard.
...Missing heroes, huh.
As far as he knew, even after launching a full investigation, it'd dragged on for another four or five years. In his 11th loop, an S-rank hero had finally shown up at the end to end it—and he'd survived.
...Better wrap this up quick. No point letting more heroes die pointlessly...
Helpful or not, more heroes were always better. Even as meat shields, their presence made a difference.
With that resolve, Ji-hyuk walked slowly to the back yard.