The Half-Baked Hero, Lee Hayun (3)
Finally, some actual work after ages, and wouldn't you know it—the convenience store was swarmed by police cars blaring their sirens way too damn loud. You'd think they'd tone it down after arriving on scene, but no, they kept wailing like mad. Even passing by for a second would draw your eyes, so imagine them howling all day like lunatics. Spectators were popping up everywhere, peering into the store—from apartment stairs, right next to the shop, poking their heads out like penguins in puffy long jackets. Squinting eyes meant holding phones far out to snap pics of the inside. No wonder there weren't many people around at this hour; this really was old folks' turf. Nothing but grandmas and grandpas.
"So, you thumped him like this?"
"Yes."
"Then healed him?"
"Yes."
"But does that really work that fast? From what I've heard, even healing-type transcendents don't heal that quick...."
The cop tilted his head, shooting me a suspicious glance. We'd checked the CCTV, and I'd even helped with the witness statements, but he still couldn't wrap his head around it. ...Or maybe not. Looked more like he was itching for a demo healing session himself.
I pondered for a sec.
"That do it?"
"Uh...."
I approached the cop and quietly showed him a wound on my body closing up. Sure, it was self-inflicted, but without proof, he might chalk it up to natural regen. Having the guy who got healed right there? No more proof needed.
"Officer, just curious."
"Shoot."
"Could I get charged with assault for this?"
"...Nah. Self-defense, right? In cases like this."
"Exactly."
"Yeah. You'll be fine, probably."
His answers sounded scripted as hell. I figured self-defense too, since Lee Hayun nearly got in deep shit, but with that level of professionalism? Who'd trust cops anymore? Used to be smart folks doing the job. Probably tanked after heroes showed up.
"Why's the student so quiet? She did the healing, yeah?"
"She's fine now. Interrogate her later. Doesn't feel like talking right now."
Heroes should've shown up by now, but it was still just a few cops lingering. Case closed, so no point wasting effort. Worshipped as citizen protectors, yet stingy as hell. Should be busier than villains at least....
Shaking off the pathetic thoughts, I headed to Lee Hayun, who was fidgeting awkwardly by the fridge, not knowing what to do.
"Noona."
"...Yeah, Woojin."
Worried she might be traumatized, but her voice sounded okay. Just her usual goofy village-dog grin gone, gum no longer chomped. No biggie. She'd nearly died from overexerting, cops making a racket drawing a crowd—still grinning and chewing gum would've been weirder.
Key point: I'd saved her ass from a villain once.
"Shift change soon, right?"
"Already? ...Huh, yeah. Five minutes left."
"Gonna need handover time, and they're not here yet."
"Always on the dot. If I weren't a transcendent, I'd have decked 'em."
"Want me to heal whoever shows? Then you can swing freely."
"Pfft... What're you on about? Nah."
She flashed a light smile, then stiffened up again. Chatty with me, but fully aware of her close call. Without me, no smiling here.
"......"
So, Lee Hayun owed me. That was plenty. Nice unexpected haul.
Then.
"Um, hi...."
"Oh, you're here. Five minutes early today?"
The night shift guy crossed the auto-door, greeting us. Total scrub.
"Yeah. Heard the sirens running wild on the walk, so I jogged. What happened?"
"Robbery."
"R-Robbery...? You okay?"
"Fine. See?"
"You're so calm.... Transcendent thing?"
"Dunno. Doesn't feel real. Heh."
Guy kept yapping; Hayun shut him down cold. Watching their chat, I patted her tiny shoulder.
...His eyes lingered on my hand.
"Noona, go change. Cops'll call if they need more."
"Oh, yeah. One sec.... Just gotta ditch this vest."
Fussing with her uniform, she slipped into the Staff Only storeroom. Staring at her back, I checked my phone—then felt a shady glare sneaking my way.
"......"
"......"
Wondering what I was to her, huh.
"Hey."
"Yeah."
"You her boyfriend or something...?"
Not even knowing her name.
"Just a junior. School underclassman."
"Oh, so you're...?"
"Yeah. Miren Academy."
"Ah...."
Tempted to say boyfriend behind her back, but noped out. Fun watching him freeze, but lies pile up and bite you. Better to let him hope.
Secretly training a hero fans cheer for into my plaything, pounding her like animals till she gasps. Or getting stickier with Hayun on the sly from this scrub's view. Same diff, really.
"Sorry, couldn't restock everything with the chaos...."
"N-No worries. Happens. Robbery and all. I'll handle it."
"Cash tallies, but that delivery guy earlier—one package...."
"Yeah, yeah."
Hearing her emerge, he bolted to her. Watching them, I quietly bid the cops goodbye and slipped out.
...Gotta mop the blood splatter too. Not much, but a pain.
"C'mon! Woojin."
"Here, noona."
She slapped my back, exiting. I held out a throat candy; she nommed it right up. Her soft lips brushed my palm mid-bite, but she didn't care, so neither did I.
"Where's your place?"
"Academy way, but I'll tag your route."
"Me? Why?"
"...After that mess. Figure being around helps."
"What escort from a scrawny guy like you."
"You strain, you hurt."
I popped a candy too. She chewed with hands in pockets, then glare.
Too intense; I glanced—pursed lips, looked away.
"...You holding that injury against me?"
"How not to? Costs a fortune."
"Fortune how."
"Whatever. You get it."
One step. Her swaying ponytail led; I followed. Alley opposite my sprint-in spot.
"Honestly, you could rake cash if you wanted."
"True."
Treated a few, scored my one-room already. Best moneymaker out there.
"Me? Every use breaks the bank...."
"What exactly's your power?"
"Limiter release. Evolution-type, I think. Wish it was effortless strength like normals or Jiyoon."
"...Yeah. Powerful, but side effects suck."
I knew, but asked anyway. Body-breaking load even for transcendents. Knew a villain like that. Planned ongoing heals to bond if we met again.... Didn't expect this debt pile-up.
"Already broke as hell.... Hospital, water, electric, gas...."
"Hence the part-time."
"Yeah. Jiyoon helps too. Cafe since high school."
"Gotcha."
Parents? Thought flickered, dismissed.
"Says she's popular 'cause she's cute. Manager sis mentioned."
"Figures."
"...You into Jiyoon's type too? Cold cat vibe or whatever. Not my thing."
"Straight up, pretty's pretty. Dudes are simple."
"...Hmph. Pretty wins all, huh."
"What."
"Nah. Just honest. Handsome dudes do it for me too."
"......"
"Nice? Bonus."
Wham, honk—out the alley, sirens faded; car noise mixed with wind. Ahead: college bar street. Left: park. Right: dunno. Hayun veered right; I trailed.
"...Oh. Hold up."
She paused at a convenience store. Bell jingled; I followed in.
"Guinness.... Paulaner.... What else...."
"Drinking?"
"Not tonight, when?"
"...Fair."
Clink, clink—cans slid down the ramp. Hands full, she shoved some at me.
...Cold hands-off? Anyway, eight cans picked, she sauntered to checkout.
Beep, beep, beep. Bags thrust my way post-pay. Heavier than looks.
...But calling me scrawny, then dumping this?
"You carry. You're stronger."
"Nope."
Ponytail swished teasingly ahead. Grab if you dare.
...Tempting. Yank it like a leash someday. Sigh—I followed silently.
She ducked a new alley, striding dark unlit paths like routine. Decrepit villas, houses—shitty security. Trash bags ignored; stray cats wriggled amid mess. Avoid eye contact; stared at her back, trudged on.
Clop, clop—deep in, she pointed.
"That's home up ahead. Jiyoon gaming still? Lights on."
She marched to a villa second floor.
...Bag still mine.
Stretch. Beep, beep—code punched.
Still. Clop, clop—inside without a word.
Bag stayed in my hands.