Chapter 4

Wearing a sinister smile, the Goddess of Order prepared her operation.

Watching the hero Shin Yuseong quietly, the goddess smacked her forehead with a thwack.

Even as a transcendent being, she was utterly flabbergasted and speechless.

'Is this for real?'

She'd laid out the perfect stage for him to belt out lovey-dovey songs, but he responded with that level of wariness.

"Come on, just enjoy the attention."

He wasn't living the popular guy's life at all—he couldn't even grasp why people were staring at him.

Had hanging out exclusively with those musclebound uncle types from his hero party turned his brain into pure protein?

How could he not realize everyone was sneaking glances because he was handsome?

"...Ah, right. He didn't go out much."

For some reason, the hero seemed to view her—the great goddess—as a clueless voyeur with thousands of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠years of singledom under her belt. But she was a transcendent being who knew gratitude.

How could she not even give a gift to the man she'd summoned as her hero, who flew to a distant star and saved the world?

As per his request, she'd preserved his power as much as possible. And afterward, she'd scouted a fine world where he could relax and enjoy himself.

Plus, she'd hooked him up with a luxury apartment in an area primed for skyrocketing real estate values, along with plenty of cash and crypto so he'd never worry about money.

But that was where the problem arose.

...With no immediate needs, he'd holed up at home for months, bingeing the internet, dramas, comics, and movies nonstop.

And since it was a top-tier apartment complex, it had its own convenience store and restaurants fully stocked.

Her wish for him to enjoy a leisurely life had perfected his ultimate shut-in routine.

The only time he ventured out was to the complex's convenience store, where...

'Nah, no way. Hmm, but they do tremble a lot. Is it because I haven't shaken off my hero-era habits? Am I giving off too much intimidation? Should I stay home until I can control it?'

"Oh, come on."

Recalling that memory, the goddess sighed.

She'd thought he was joking when he said that crap, but it was dead serious.

But how on earth could he mistake the clerk admiring his looks for awe and fear?

Smacking her forehead again, the goddess frowned slightly as she watched him.

Back in the distant past, maybe it would've been different, but after repeated rebirths and transformations, even a god would find the hero's looks quite satisfying. Meaning, he was handsome.

During the journey to defeat the demon race, no one had time to compliment his appearance. And after he later shattered a star, people just showered him with praise—right or wrong, they groveled flat.

The hero knew that societal vibe all too well, so he never took people's words at face value.

"No, you're handsome, seriously. Why won't you believe me? I'm not just anyone—I'm your goddess. You ignoring me, hero? Wanna quit being a hero? Huh?"

Muttering in a deliberately thuggish tone, the goddess remembered once more that her voice was blocked to him.

Hmm, on second thought, the apostle I raised is such a commendable yet infuriating guy.

Letting out a long sigh, she watched him glancing around the auditorium and soon made up her mind.

'Fine, if he doesn't get it, just hammer it into him until he does.'

Newly resolved, the goddess began preparing additional MSG.

Called the Red Pill Operation. A super long-term project for the hero's lovey-dovey, happy academy life.

'This auditorium is huge.'

Recalling the gym from my old high school—now a distant memory—I looked around at the auditorium packed with all sorts of people.

This was a hunter academy, so I was used to there being way more women. But seeing students in civilian clothes of every style made me think it felt like a university.

And true to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a monster-filled world, plenty carried swords, blades, staves, and such weapons. It really hit home that I'd come to a place like this.

The same sensation I'd felt when summoned as a hero over there washed over me now.

Of course, that was ancient history too, just like my old high school gym.

Hmm, but compared to hero party life drenched in demon blood, this peer-filled harem rom-com academy vibe was a hundred times better, no doubt.

Though in my current maxed-out stealth mode—since I had no clue what the issue was—it might end up as just plain academy life, minus the harem and rom-com.

'At least no one's treating me like a god here.'

No one knew I was the hero, the legend who'd half-destroyed an alien planet.

A perfect clean slate of the past.

Here, I could live peacefully as a somewhat capable guy.

And if I met a pretty, kind-hearted beauty with a great figure who clicked with me perfectly? Even better.

Worst case, I could go self-made munchkin hunter route—no biggie. For now, my goal was to attend without pressure.

'Man, the students here are stronger than I thought.'

Naturally, no one outmatched me, who'd split a star. But some could give early-game me a good fight, and among the professors on stage, several had skills fit for my old royal guard or even hero party.

By local ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠standards, S-rank hunters. Global top 100 high-rankers, from what the internet said.

To snag those as faculty, the pay or perks must be insane.

'Might be nice to teach here later.'

Of course, at my current output—maybe 10% of peak potential—I wasn't professor material yet.

Or... if I intimidated them a bit, would they hire me?

Either way, it was a familiar path; I'd rehab quick.

By original world standards, I was college age—no need to rush.

Yeah, adapt first.

To that end, I started eavesdropping on conversations around me.

I didn't know who was famous or from where yet, but...

"That's 'Ice Flower,' the genius the Blue Tower's been hyping lately, right?"

"Even the Alavad family sent their kid. They could've just gone to their own academy."

"That's how high our school's deviation score is. Faculty lineup's historic this year. All the promising sect heirs and noble kids are here."

"Yeah, skipping out might make the bigwigs think you're scared."

Where there were insiders, there was always a Speedwagon-style explainer.

Keeping my presence hidden quietly, I nodded along, absorbing their chatter.

Not trying to creepily spy—just ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠strategically retreating in a crowded hall to avoid eyes. Couldn't be helped.

Thus absolved of guilt, I picked up more: a famous Japanese spirit user transferred in; mess with the next mystic sect leader and you're done for.

I passed the time till the ceremony collecting such tidbits.

"I have many words for you all entering Seoul Superhuman Ability Academy. First, let me tell you about my time living in California..."

Rich school, stellar faculty, but the chairman's speech was boring as ever.

For a sec, I flashed back to the verbose cardinal grandpa from my hero party—nearly got PTSD.

Bored, I unblocked to peek at the goddess's messages. The content was ominous.

Frowning, I pondered it, then shook my head and blocked her again.

'The goddess is plotting something weird again.'

How'd a perfect hero like me come from down there?

Likewise long and dull, the chairman droned on before stepping down. A few professors followed with short, punchy words.

They could use a generational shift too...

"Now, the freshman representative pledge."

Just when I thought the ceremony was wrapping, there was more.

Long time no school—turns out even modern Korea's entrance rites rivaled noble banquets.

Why not just dismiss and let folks pair off naturally?

So thinking, I watched the student click-clacking up to the podium.

"Top of the class, Cheon Juyeon."

From the beautifully smiling girl emanated a familiar, thick, dark aura for some reason.