Hero's Qualifications (4)
It really sent chills racing up and down my spine. I could tolerate nonsense up to a point, but this was ridiculous. Yuha was basically like a same-sex friend to me. Hell, we even bathed together as kids. Honestly, if she told me to hop in a tub with her right now, I wouldn't even bat an eye. For real.
"H-Hey, is it okay for a hero to just peek at someone else's texts like that?"
"What's there to be so embarrassed about? We're gonna be thick as thieves for the next few days anyway."
Sleeping Bubble grinned nonchalantly as she said it. Put crudely, she had no manners; put nicely, she was refreshingly straightforward. Honestly, I preferred the latter. If she were a real hero, that's probably how she'd be.
Sleeping Bubble
Peerless Hero Office Sidekick
B-rank 238th Hero
‧ ‧ ‧ ‧
Real Name: ???
Affiliation: ???
The part of Yuha's message that had been hidden came into view. I twisted my lips. The blood surging through my body suddenly ran cold. I'd just seen something similar at Yoram Academy not long ago. When affiliation was clearly stated but question marks still popped up anyway... it meant there was something shady behind the scenes.
The Peerless Hero Office was the main stage for the field training raid that was about to unfold. So they'd already started working on it.
"...I'm just a bit shy."
I dismissed the alert and forced a smile. I felt someone's gaze—probably looking at me like I was an idiot. No doubt it was Han Sua.
"Heh heh, you're cute, Woojin. Makes me wanna tease you even more."
Sleeping Bubble let out a light chuckle.
"Heroes? I recommend secret relationships. Same goes for civilians, obviously. Heroes going public with lovers usually ends badly in all sorts of ways."
It was common sense. Family, lovers... anyone precious to a hero was always a target for villains. Plenty of Yoram students had probably gone through that pain. Coming from her, though, it felt oddly off-putting.
"Everyone here probably knows that without me saying it. Got it, Woojin? No more fooling around, no matter how much you like your girlfriend!"
"I keep telling you, she's not my girlfriend..."
"Heh heh! The more you blush, the more I wanna tease you!"
"..."
She'd apparently chosen me as her icebreaker fodder. It worked, though—the tense atmosphere from earlier had melted into a lively one. I locked eyes with Han Sua, who was smirking smugly. She quickly coughed and looked away.
"Ahem, ahem."
Who was the real villain here? Not helping someone in a pinch and just laughing about it? We'll settle this later.
"Alright! Everyone, this way!"
After the banter, Sleeping Bubble led us inside the office. Vowing revenge on Han Sua, I followed slowly.
True to an A-rank hero's office, the interior was spacious. Besides Sleeping Bubble, there were two or three other sidekicks, and operators and secretaries for various tasks bustled about, sweating bullets between offices.
"Peerless has the highest villain arrest record this year among heroes. Back in B-rank, she even sliced off Stingray's—the A-rank villain's—left arm and sent him packing. If she keeps this up, S-rank promotion next year is basically guaranteed! By then, her office will be one of the top in Korea..."
Sleeping Bubble gave the tour, slipping in some promotion along the way. It was boring. I half-listened while sorting my thoughts. Then I remembered Han Sua walking at the back. How was she taking all this hero praise? As a villain, it probably wasn't pleasant. Maybe she was sulking with a scowl.
"..."
But when I glanced back, I froze in bewilderment. Han Sua was nodding eagerly at every explanation from Sleeping Bubble. And... was that a notebook in her hand? Notes? Admiration and passion shone plainly on her face.
Our eyes met. She flipped her expression in an instant and snapped, embarrassed.
"...W-What? Why are you staring like that...?"
"...Nothing."
What the hell? Was she using disguise powers or something? Come to think of it, she'd insisted to the professor on being assigned here. Her behavior screamed fanboy—or fangirl.
...A spy for a villain group? A hero fan?
"..."
Nah, no way.
"Psyche, I'm really impressed. Never thought I'd see a student listening this intently."
Sleeping Bubble beamed at the enthusiastic Han Sua.
"Your attitude score is already a pass."
"Y-You're too kind..."
Han Sua blushed. Sleeping Bubble nudged my shoulder slyly.
"Woojin, maybe learn from Psyche? Stop yawning."
"I'm not a hero..."
"Eh? Yoram students should have the basics! You enrolled dreaming of this, right?"
"Just wanted a quick job."
Sleeping Bubble rolled her eyes in disbelief. Ignoring her glare, I asked,
"By the way, what's your Authority, sidekick?"
"Me? You can tell from my hero name."
She pointed at herself.
"I make sleep-inducing soap bubbles on touch. Not great for combat, but perfect for non-lethal suppression. That's how I became Peerless's sidekick."
Murmurs of awe rippled around us. She cleared her throat dramatically and shrugged.
"Can you show us once? I'm curious."
"Huh? No way. Mess it up on the job, and it's disaster."
She waved it off. Yeah, right—everyone else uses theirs fine. I let it drop.
Someone raised a hand. "Where's Peerless? I'd love to see the real deal."
"Oh, finishing patrol and heading back. Right on cue... Huh?"
Sleeping Bubble focused on her earpiece. After a tense exchange, she gestured us along.
"Perfect timing. Follow me?"
"...?"
We exchanged puzzled looks but boarded the elevator. On the rooftop, S City's skyline exploded into view.
"Chances to watch an A-rank hero fight don't come often. Take a good look."
We followed her finger. Booms and shockwaves grazed us. Nearby, a building-sized villain rampaged—a monster more than human, covered in scales and scabs.
Emergency sirens wailed citywide. Luckily, no civilians in sight—they'd evacuated.
"Mimicry Authority overmanifested. Endless cell division bloated it up."
Sleeping Bubble explained casually, like a zoo tour. Students' faces paled; most hadn't seen real combat.
"Brain's probably compromised too—lost its mind. Can't capture alive like this. Gotta kill it."
"Th-Then shouldn't we stop it before more damage...?"
Someone fretted. She grinned and shook her head.
"Already dispatched. No worries."
As she spoke, something blocked the villain—a red hero suit hovering with thrusters, mosquito-sized against the beast. She drew a blade from her waist and engaged.
Students relaxed at her precise, agile moves. But relief turned to panic fast.
"Kroooar!"
Each slash made its skin swell faster. Now even huger, it smashed buildings in rage.
"Huh? That shouldn't... Hold on..."
Sleeping Bubble urgently conferred, then paled.
"A-rank rating? Regeneration specialized—normal attacks barely scratch? Why tell me now?! Peerless is already in! Call backup—!"
As she stomped, someone stepped onto the railing. Black hair fluttered in the breeze. Red eyes gleamed in the afternoon sun. Han Sua, in her purple hero suit, declared without looking back,
"Psyche, joining the fray."
"W-What?! Wait—! Don't just—!"
Before anyone could stop her, she leaped. Invisible telekinetic stairs unfolded endlessly beneath her feet. She walked the air with graceful poise.
Other hero-aspiring students here froze, staring dumbly.
"Kroo, krooo!!"
The tide turned grim. Building chunks rained like meteors. Peerless blocked desperately, but one hero couldn't cover it all.
A student beside me yelled, spotting something.
"L-Look there...!"
A toddler had slipped from shelter, wandering. It spotted its toy, beamed, and picked it up. Then shadow loomed—a massive concrete slab plummeting right at it.
"!!"
Peerless reached out too late—too far. The child squeezed its eyes shut.
"..."
Silence. The debris hovered inches above, like a leaf.
Han Sua appeared, hands outstretched, shouting to Peerless,
"I've got the debris! Go—now!"
"!"
Peerless nodded, gripped her blade reverse, and dove into the villain's gaping maw.
Sleeping Bubble sighed nearby. "Told her not to be reckless..."
But worries were unfounded. The rampaging beast halted. Then, like a volcano, its guts erupted skyward—red rain everywhere. The split halves crashed opposite ways with roars. Amid it, the red-suited hero rocketed out like a comet.
Confirming the kill, she thrusted toward us.
-Thud!
Sleeping Bubble rushed the landing hero, nagging.
"Peerless! How many times have I said suit repairs are a pain?! Maintenance team's always on my case...!"
-Sorry, but that was the surest way. Normal attacks don't work, right?
A slender voice apologized, contrasting the bulky suit. Helmet off—pink hair cascaded down. A-rank hero Peerless grinned at us.
"So, these the new chicks?"
"..."
Dead silence. That fight had stunned everyone speechless.
Another figure arrived—Han Sua, suit drenched blood-red. Unfazed by the gore, she walked steadily.
Peerless laughed heartily, offering a hand.
"Not bad, newbie. You're hero material already."
"...Just did my duty."
...Shockingly humble. Han Sua clasped her hand with both of hers. A faint, genuine smile played on her lips.
Peerless approached us next. Her gaze swept the students, landed on me—and grabbed my hand tight.
"Student! Wanna join our office?"
"...Pardon?"
I blinked in shock. My tug met iron grip.
"Graduate and come straight here? Best terms guaranteed!"
Her soft skin felt oddly burdensome. This A-rank hero suddenly seemed like a maniac.
Why this, all of a sudden?
"...A-rank offices have triple-digit competition rates. My grades aren't that good..."
"No prob! I'll handle it! Hate work? Just punch in on the first floor! Please be our office mascot...!"
"...You'll regret it."
A pouty voice from behind her glowing eyes. Han Sua sulked childishly.
Jealous her attention got stolen?
"It's not just looks. Judging by face alone? You'll get burned."
Peerless blinked. "Jealous...? Is he your boyfriend...?"
Sleeping Bubble gasped behind. "Then the sweet texts earlier...? A love triangle?!"
"No! Why would I with that guy!!"
Han Sua finally snapped. Peerless wiped laughing tears.
"Hahaha! Kidding, kidding."
"Ugh..."
"Talk later, chicks! Inside. You came at the perfect time—I'll train you right. Get ready!"
Peerless waved us in, whispering last to me,
"And... Woojin? Think seriously about my offer."
"You said it was a joke..."
"This is serious. Got it?"
She hurried off before I could reply. Sleeping Bubble dashed after.
-Peerless! Your suit—!
-I know, quit nagging!!
"..."
The noisy rooftop fell quiet. Just Han Sua and me left. Awkward air thickened.
Regaining composure, she peeked nervously.
"J-Just now... I had no choice."
"The kid was about to die... Even you would've..."
"Who said anything? I didn't."
"H-Huh?"
Her eyes widened, like she hadn't expected that.
"Why?"
"N-No... Thought you'd punish me for jumping without orders..."
Well trained, huh. But my mind was a storm—indescribable turmoil.
"Peerless a fan?"
"H-Huh?"
She nodded hesitantly.
"Admired her since I was little..."
"...I see."
In use on target...
A villain idolizing a hero. What a lame joke. Lies need some sincerity to buy. Since childhood, huh? Peerless looked my age, so she must be older than she appears. Leaves a bad taste. Gotta scrub my hand with soap later.
I stared at Han Sua long, sighed, and stood.
"...Let's head in."
"Huh...?"
"It's late. Or do you want punishment for acting on your own...?"
I wiggled a finger. She shuddered.
"Eek..."
She vanished into the elevator. Unresolved thoughts clashed in my head.
Han Sua. Hwaryeon-planted spy at Yoram. In my past life, she revealed her true colors during the field training raid, attacked heroes, got counterattacked, and died—a vile, wicked villain. No slander or delusion; it happened. And it'll repeat in days. She confessed it herself.
So what was that just now? Hero camouflage?
"..."
One thing was clear: That Psyche was more heroic than anyone here. At least that much was fact.
"Haa..."
I sighed. The long field training had just begun.