Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Action!
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Action!
Sniff sniff.
Just twitching her nose a little filled it with the savory aroma of popcorn.
Mingled in were the sweet scent of caramel and the salty tang of dried squid.
Su-hyeon popped one kernel of popcorn after another into her mouth, grinning with delight.
"You're eating like that and still want more?"
"Nom nom. My stomach must be tiny... Nom, it fills up quick but empties just as fast."
"Still, eat in moderation. You'll finish it all before the movie even starts."
Ga-eun chuckled at the sight of Su-hyeon savoring her cultural outing like some primitive reveling in the modern world. She stood from her seat.
"Don't need the bathroom again?"
"Nah, I went a bit ago. Still good."
"Then I'll be right back."
"Want me to come with?"
Girls went to the bathroom together, right?
Was it an unspoken courtesy to tag along? Su-hyeon asked.
"You have to guard the popcorn and bags."
"Ah, right."
In the end, Su-hyeon was left alone in the lobby.
Ga-eun glanced back at her dazed expression as she walked away, then turned the corner.
But she wasn't heading to the bathroom.
She slipped behind a massive ad panel, then ducked behind a pillar, stifling her presence as she scanned the theater interior.
'As expected... I hoped not, but tsk.'
She'd deliberately left Su-hyeon alone.
Sending her to the bathroom first and handing her the popcorn and cola to keep her from following—all calculated moves.
Just in case, she waited quietly. Sure enough, a man who'd been lurking in the far corner stood the moment she vanished and started toward Su-hyeon.
Something about his vibe was shady, constantly glancing around.
He carried a camera in one hand and what looked like a mic or recorder in the other.
'Camera and mic...? Broadcasting?'
In truth, Jae-hyuk had grabbed them since his phone was busted, hoping for leverage to blackmail her with. But to Ga-eun, whose job was streaming, they just looked like quirky broadcast gear.
'People like this always think copying others guarantees success.'
Ga-eun sighed.
There were types like him all the time.
The sort who saw someone succeeding and clumsily mimicked it, causing trouble for everyone around.
No consideration for other factors—just blind delusion that imitation would work.
Or, like this guy, crossing into criminal territory.
Even on Ga-eun's NewTube channel, the vlog she'd shot with Su-hyeon had racked up impressive views.
Considering it was recent, it was standout performance.
But it was a hollow victory—folks from all ages stumbling in via algorithm, checking out Su-hyeon once and bouncing. Not her core audience.
Few converts from that vlog stuck as subscribers.
But to creeps like this, facts didn't matter.
To them, Su-hyeon was just a walking stack of cash.
She didn't know what sparked the reporters or videographers' interest, but this guy had probably shown up chasing the same hype.
Ga-eun felt a surge of disgust at having her and her friends' hard work—and Su-hyeon's character—disregarded.
As the man drew near her hiding spot, Ga-eun schooled her expression and made her move.
"Oh? Doing some broadcasting?"
"...!"
The man startled at her sudden appearance and words, panic flashing across his face.
"I stream too. Know Ga-eun Tube by any chance?"
"...N-No, that's not... me."
Mumble mumble.
"Mind showing me? What's your channel name?"
"...Just... something."
"Pardon? What was that?"
"Tch..."
What...?
Ga-eun blinked at the unexpectedly frustrating response.
'I figured he'd flip out and lunge... What's his deal?'
That's why she'd blocked him in a crowded spot.
Did he still have enough sense to hold back?
If so, maybe she could talk him down.
"Listen, you. Seems like you know what I'm gonna say. I get why you're tailing us. But charging in blindly won't get you what you want. The world's more complex than you think—full of unpredictable twists."
Jae-hyuk's eyebrow twitched.
To him, her words sounded like mockery.
Like a frog in a well lording over him, then whining when crushed, now trailing pathetically.
She already knew...
Part of the kid's crew? Some trap to take him down?
"Quit now and turn yourself in. You can still make it right."
Turn himself in?
Ha, figures...
Jae-hyuk recalled Ga-eun's info popping into his head.
Lately dubbed "Roundhouse Kick Guy's Tutor," "Satisfying Justice Girl," "Department Store Hero," "Humble Lass."
Playing hero, huh? That's why this mess?
And now demanding he surrender?
Still acting all noble!?
A mere streamer lecturing him? Who did she think she was?
He fished his phone from his pocket to check something, but his face twisted. Dead as a doornail, long broken.
His easiest ability trigger, useless now.
Murmurs rose.
"What's going on?"
"They fighting?"
"Who's in the wrong?"
"You listening to me?"
Ga-eun had spoken loud enough for all to hear, drawing eyes.
A pretty, confident beauty versus a creepy, shifty, guilty-looking slob.
Obvious who the crowd would side-eye.
The whispers needling him, Jae-hyuk felt cornered mentally.
"...The nerve."
"Huh?"
Ga-eun frowned, leaning in at his mutter.
"Grrgh, you streamer bitch think you know shit!? How dare you!!"
"Eek!"
Whoosh—
Ga-eun dodged the camera he swung wildly.
It smashed far off with a crash, yanking all eyes.
"Argh!"
He flailed his arm a couple more times at empty air, but Ga-eun backpedaled smoothly, evading.
Thud.
She bumped a table and halted; he lunged in the gap.
"Hey, stop!"
Ga-eun yelled, thinking he was fleeing.
But Jae-hyuk targeted the touch panel for movie tickets, not the emergency exit.
His hand slapped it.
Bzzzzt—crackle—
Low-frequency hum, then the whole theater's lights flickered wildly.
Screeeam—
The massive screen's trailers and interviews shattered into glitchy nonsense patterns.
Speakers blared ear-piercing high-pitched shrieks.
Beeeep—
Possible only in places like theaters or hotels with centralized building controls.
"This is...! Calm down—nothing gets solved by freaking out!"
Electronic control? She'd only heard tales.
And potent output too!
Didn't know why this guy stalked them, but Ga-eun made one last plea.
"Ah, ha, still think I'm in your palm? Yo-You dare mock me?"
Splatter—whoosh
Sprinklers burst; fire alarms wailed.
Lobby turned chaos in seconds.
Screams erupted; Jae-hyuk relished standing above them again.
"Kuhuhu...! This... is it...!"
CCTV feeds flooded in from every zone.
Seeing escape attempts, he maxed elevators to a halt and dropped barriers on emergency exits.
Clang—clang—
Theaters emptied as folks sensed trouble.
"Th-This building's under my control...! E-Everyone here's my h-hostage...! So unless you wanna die, release the locks on me NOW!!"
"You psycho, what the hell are you babbling about...?"
"D-Don't play dumb! Yo-You think I'm an idiot?"
Dialogues clashed irreconcilably; Ga-eun ground her teeth.
Regretting even talking.
Thought he was clueless and inept... Just plain deranged!
"Ga-eun!"
With things this messy, Su-hyeon sprinted from afar.
In the noisy, panicked building, she charged straight without fear.
Jae-hyuk spotted her too.
He bolted for Su-hyeon.
Without prep, his powers couldn't physically overpower.
So, hostage it was.
"You bastard!"
Ga-eun realized and kicked off a beat late.
"Wha—huh?"
Su-hyeon startled at the two charging her.
"Ngh, stop!"
Ga-eun was faster, but unclear if she'd reach first.
Passing a table, Ga-eun snatched a nearby chair and hurled it at his back.
Whoom—crash splinter—
Clatter tumble.
Back-smacked solid, he rolled.
Chair's round wood seat shattered.
She'd chucked it full force instinctively—thankfully? His body's tough.
"Arrrgh!"
Clawing his back, Jae-hyuk snatched a chair leg before him.
Splintered metal end looked vicious.
"Hiii!"
"Hyaa!"
He half-launched at Su-hyeon but tripped mid-air on something.
'!?'
Felt something snag his ankle.
He swung the bar falling, but it uselessly smacked floor.
Clang—
Su-hyeon dodged the lunging man in shock.
But no debris neared her; he just faceplanted spectacularly alone.
"Enough!"
"Guhk!"
Ga-eun charged, slamming her foot into his exposed side as he half-fell.
Seeing him fly far, she crouched to check Su-hyeon.
"You okay?"
"Y-Yeah. Didn't even get close."
Words steady, but legs shook from fright.
Her hair, wet from sprinklers, somehow gleamed vibrant.
"Cough, heave...!"
Meanwhile, sprawled Jae-hyuk panicked.
Not a combat hunter, sure, but losing to a civvie C-rank? No real fight XP?
More mana meant easier muscle gains, tougher elastic skin.
His B-rank slob state screamed neglected fitness.
But he blamed externals even now.
'Right, body enhancement—that gorilla bitch...!'
Finally recalled her ability.
Ah, unavoidable then.
Rare among vanguards, but counters for rear-line noble supports.
B-rank or not, raw he couldn't win.
"Stay put till cops arrive."
Ga-eun approached the downed man.
"Ngh, kuhuhu, kehehehe...!"
He laughed through pain.
Ga-eun glared contemptuously, pulling her phone to call police.
His powers waned; electronics normalized.
"Yes, police? Here—"
"Raaargh—!"
Phone connected, her attention split—he sprang, sweeping the bar horizontally wide.
"Ga-eun!!"
Su-hyeon yelled from afar, but Ga-eun didn't flinch.
"Knew you'd pull this."
Whoosh—
Slight waist bend; bar grazed her hair with wind.
Head-only swings screamed noob, but lucky for her.
Ga-eun stepped forward big with right foot, shifting weight.
Channeyled full force into a straight punch.
Thwack—
His wide-open flank from the swing.
Clean body shot landed.
"Guh... uh..."
He floated mid-air briefly, then deflated pathetically to the floor.
Su-hyeon halted at the balloon-pop sound.
"Hmph. Imagine channeling that grit elsewhere. Pathetic."
Ga-eun dusted her hands.
"Whoa..."
Su-hyeon watched with sparkling eyes.
Ga-eun looked cooler than any trailer action star right now.