Chapter 33. Missing. The Day of the Heroes' Regular Meeting—
Ji-hyuk rose early in the morning, prepared for the meeting, and boarded his carriage. It passed through the inner castle gates before stopping at the station. The sky was overcast with thick clouds, a dreary gray. It looked ready to pour at any moment. Halfway through the garden, fat raindrops began to plop down. Soon, it was a roaring downpour. The beautiful garden turned desolate in an instant. He opened his prepared umbrella and walked slowly. It had a strangely modern feel—when he checked who made it, sure enough, it was an Earthling's handiwork. Thanks to that, as he walked under it, he felt a brief nostalgia, like he was back on Earth.
The hero climbed the high steps briskly and folded his umbrella near the entrance. He shook off the water against a pillar with a few sharp taps, gave a light nod to the statue at the door, and entered the building. Flash—lightning cracked, followed swiftly by rumbling thunder. The interior, lit by torches here and there, had a different atmosphere from usual. It was that quiet, serene vibe Ji-hyuk loved. He skipped the reception desk and headed straight for the small conference room. He had enough experience now that he didn't need to check in anymore.
Walking the silent hallway, he gazed out the windows. The pouring rain had already formed puddles everywhere. Watching them was oddly poetic. He soon reached the conference room, flung the door open, and stepped in. A familiar face was there: Gunda.
"Kang Ji-hyuk, hero—!" Gunda stood from his chair, beaming brightly and raising his hand high. Two other heroes were there too. Faces he vaguely recognized, but names escaped him. Ji-hyuk went to the seat next to Gunda and stuck out his hand. The two shared a friendly handshake.
"Congratulations on your promotion, hero."
"Just got lucky."
"Luck? No way. I knew you'd make it. S-rank's not far off now."
"...Enough of that boring talk. Let's sit."
They sat side by side. Gunda's face lit up with a grin now that his respected fellow hero had arrived. As they chatted about this and that, more heroes trickled in. Every hero's gaze lingered on Ji-hyuk's face at least once. By now, he was a celebrity among heroes—no one didn't know him. Gunda beamed with pride, as if the fame were his own. He felt Ji-hyuk's broad-minded virtue was finally shining. To him, Ji-hyuk was the most righteous, most admirable hero. Even in the recent Demon King subjugation, Ji-hyuk's fearless charge had left a deep impression. Gunda's words and actions brimmed with respect, and Ji-hyuk felt it clearly.
As they conversed calmly, another familiar face appeared: Hero Elraim. She glanced at Ji-hyuk and Gunda, hesitated as if wondering whether to join, then walked over. The two stood, shook her hand, and exchanged greetings.
"Long time no see, Elraim."
"It has been, Hero Kang Ji-hyuk."
The three sat clustered together. She was quiet by nature, so she just sat there with her lips sealed. Gunda, surprisingly chatty, kept the conversation flowing nonstop with Ji-hyuk. When about half the seats at the round table filled, someone flung the door open. It was Ganesha. Most heroes didn't recognize her transformed appearance right away. They just assumed some bold newbie beauty had shown up.
One hero watching called out, "Hey."
He clearly planned to haze her. "...You calling me?"
"Yeah, who else? First meeting?"
Ganesha scoffed dismissively. She'd never dealt with this crap even as a B-rank, and now here it was.
"...And if it is?"
"Then stand in the corner. Or sit on my lap."
The hero patted his thigh. The surrounding heroes chuckled mockingly. At that, Ji-hyuk's trio and a few who knew her shot to their feet. The chuckling heroes' faces turned puzzled. Ganesha sauntered toward the idiot. He still hadn't clocked it and kept yapping.
"Whoa, you really gonna? Fuck yeah."
The princess smiled wickedly. A chill ran down his spine.
"Kid... I'm letting it slide once 'cause you're cute."
"......Pardon?"
He involuntarily used honorifics. Some instinct screamed he'd die if he didn't. And that instinct saved his life. Ganesha lightly tapped his cheek and headed to the head seat. The smirking faces hardened. She plopped down, crossing her legs.
"Ha, fuck. I show up and some fuckers don't even stand? Fuck, the world's gone soft, huh? Hey? ...Yo, Kang Ji-hyuk. Fuck, you not managing these kids? I made you A-rank and you think that's a joke? Fuck..."
"My apologies. I failed to inform them, Your Highness."
Ji-hyuk bowed lightly.
......Your Highness? The seated heroes all jumped up. Only one among them was called "Highness": No. 3 S-rank, Princess Ganesha. They'd heard that muscle monster had turned into a delicate beauty, but dismissed it as rumor. Now, seeing this, it was real. We're fucked—. The hazing hero's face drained to ashen. Any B-rank knew Ganesha's infamy by heart. But her pussy-opening had mellowed her hysteric virgin rage, and she showed rare mercy.
"One-time pass, you fuckers. Got it? Don't wanna see blood on a good day... Got it, you fucks—!"
She slammed the table with her fist. They yelped in fear.
"Yes, understood—!"
"Fucking shits... Sit, assholes. Retire if you don't wanna see worse, fuck..."
The heroes sat. Ganesha nodded at the staff. They circulated, placing papers before each hero. The princess drummed her fingers, then spoke as distribution finished.
"Look at the first item."
Gazes shifted to the top topic.
"Multiple heroes have gone missing."
She slammed the table again.
"Volunteers to hunt the motherfuckers who dared mock the imperial family."
The list showed ranks and names of the missing. Ji-hyuk spotted A-rank beastkin hero Navr.
...That dickless fucker. Probably got caught investigating the old dick collector for revenge.
"Anyone stepping up? ...Fuck, really no one?! Holy shit, what a bunch of pussies."
But despite her prodding, the heroes stayed silent. Then Ji-hyuk raised his hand.
"I'll go."
Everyone looked shocked. No one expected smooth-career Ji-hyuk to volunteer for this chore even C-ranks skipped. Gunda gazed proudly—Truly righteous hero—. Elraim eyed the needlessly noble human with exasperation. Ganesha was stunned inside. No way he'd volunteer.
...Fuck, why's this prick suddenly in heat?!
She regretted pushing, but too many ears—water under the bridge. Gunda, resolved, raised his hand too.
"I'll go as well."
Ganesha ground her teeth. Fuck, these two again. But she forced a grin.
"...Fine, you two make a solid team. ...Fuck, learn from this, assholes. A-rank's this eager, but B-rank pussies hold back? ...Fuck, need to beat some sense into you shits."
Her venomous curses stabbed like daggers. They prayed not to get picked.
"Fuck, I'll watch you close, you little shits. Try slacking, and I'll gouge your eyes. Got it? Fuck."
And so, the missing heroes investigation went to Kang Ji-hyuk and Gunda. The long, dull meeting ended; heroes bolted to escape Ganesha's gaze.
"Yo, Kang Ji-hyuk, stay."
Ji-hyuk halted on his way out with Gunda. Gunda whispered he'd wait at the entrance and left alone. Soon, only Princess Ganesha and Ji-hyuk remained. She locked the door with a click, spun, and jabbed a finger at him accusingly.
"You fucking with me?!"
"Pardon...?"
"Why butt in unnecessarily, asshole—!"
"Felt like something that needed doing."
Ji-hyuk's gaze was rock-solid. Ganesha faltered.
...Overwhelmed by his aura, her voice softened. "...Hate to say it, but it's a pain in the ass. Could be dangerous—!"
"I know. That's why I must lead by example. Didn't Your Highness say as much?"
Hah, fucking stubborn prick... She found his bullheadedness frustrating yet appealing. Not a weakling like the others.
...Yeah, a guy with balls should be like this. Better than sneaky cunts a hundredfold.
He knew the easy path existed but chose duty anyway. Rare among heroes.
...That's why she'd given her first time to him willingly. No regrets now.
"Fine... Go, asshole. Suits you..."
He nodded lightly.
"Then I'll take my leave."
He passed her slowly. Naturally, she bristled again. This fucker, I set the mood and no kiss—?!
"Hey—!"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Asshole... Nothing you forgot...?"
Ji-hyuk grinned deeply.
"Shall I kiss you?"
This fucking prick—! Ganesha glared.
"Gotta ask, you shit?!"
"How dare I touch Your Highness's sacred form without permission."
"Fuck, sacred my ass, you little shit... If you wanna kiss, just do it without asking— mmph."
Ji-hyuk sucked her lips. She grabbed him fiercely. They shared a passionate kiss. After a while, their lips parted with a smack.
"Want me to fuck you too?"
"...Cunt."
Ganesha yanked down her pants and underwear, bending over the table. Ji-hyuk dropped his pants, thrusting his erect cock straight in.
"Nngh...!"
"Scream and they'll hear."
"...Won't scream, asshole... So..., just fuck me hard, no holding back..."
Soon, creaking table shakes and muffled moans filled the room.
Gunda, watching the rain pour from the roof, grinned wide as Ji-hyuk emerged.
"Hero Kang Ji-hyuk—!"
"...Sorry, Gunda. Talk ran long."
"No issue. Important discussion, naturally. I understand."
They walked silently side by side on the rain-slick marble under umbrellas. Before boarding carriages, Gunda said,
"I'll visit tomorrow or the day after."
"I'll be waiting, Gunda."
They shook hands and parted. Back at the mansion after exiting the inner castle, Ji-hyuk spotted an extra carriage. A visitor. He figured another gift-pusher, but the manager announced Hero Elizabeth.
"...Elizabeth?"
"Yes, my lord."
Persistent, despite their bad first blood. No choice. Talented hero—coax her, build bridges for later alliance. Heroes were precious; at least avoid enmity.
In the parlor, he saw Elizabeth sipping tea, gazing at the pouring rain over the garden. True to her noble blood, her greeting was elegant—worlds from brash Ganesha.
"Long time no see, Hero Kang Ji-hyuk."
"Yes, likewise."
He sat opposite.
"Just arrived in the capital yesterday. ...Heard you promoted. A-rank now? Congrats. Sincere."
"Thanks."
"...I'm C-rank now too. Nothing to you, though."
Her voice deflated. She finally admitted his league was leagues above.
Silence stretched. She watched the rainy garden, then spoke.
"Back from the regular meeting, I hear."
"Yes."
"What was it about? ...Or can't ask?"
"Nothing secret."
He summarized the missing heroes briefly. Interest lit her eyes.
"So you're investigating? ...Looks annoying as hell..."
"Duty's duty—who cares if it's annoying? Someone's gotta, so I stepped up."
Elizabeth stared intently. After a pause,
"...Can I join?"
"Pardon?"
"Wanna investigate with you. ...Report up top, can't be an issue, right?"
No issue, but why?
"Wanna watch you work up close. See how you climb so fast."
"Same as anyone."
"Same, but only you're A-rank. ...I'm C. Plenty to learn watching."
Ji-hyuk pondered. No team this time anyway—train Gunda and her en route? Pure calculation. Plus, sword user like him; a little guidance, she'd improve fast. Rare chance. Heroes teaming up like this? Not often.
"Fine. I'll put in a word."
"Yes."
She'd feared rejection—relief. Last shot, really. Noblewoman or not, proposing marriage to far-gone A-rank Ji-hyuk was awkward. But seize this—proximity to charm him. Even stone-hearted guys melt near constant beauty. Hmph, make him can't live without me. What don't I have?...
Thus, the two dreamed different dreams in the same room.