The Hero’s Prologue
Kang-jun had sold the Mana Core and deducted taxes, leaving him with roughly eight thousand. After subtracting two thousand for operating expenses, he divided the remaining six thousand according to each member’s share. How they chose to spend it was entirely their own business, but he strongly advised directing most of it toward the next expedition.
Kang-jun smiled. “Since we’ve got some cash in hand, how about we go shopping? It’s been ages.” Everyone agreed without hesitation.
“Waaah, the weather is so nice!”
Hye-mi threw her arms wide open and spun once, soaking in the spring breeze. The cloudless sky and warm sunshine painted an utterly breathtaking spring landscape.
Because it was part of the team activity, Kang-jun contacted Manager Kang So-mi directly. She replied almost instantly that she would come right away. Moments later she stepped out of the van.
“Is the price satisfactory?”
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
Kang-jun gave a short appraisal of the Mana Core sale. After all, she was just handling the transaction. Complaining to her wouldn’t change anything, and eight thousand after taxes wasn’t a bad deal.
The van soon pulled up in front of the equipment shop. They shopped with relaxed hearts. Hye-mi and Tzu-shi, both women who got excited over pretty things, kept glancing at accessories. Yet they skipped everything that felt unnecessary, probably because spending money felt wasteful. Kang-jun secretly bought two silver bracelets as gifts for them.
He hadn’t spent much, but after grabbing odds and ends the total still came to a few hundred. Still, he didn’t want to be stingy. Spending the money helped relieve a little stress as well.
“If you two want to go ahead, go. We’ll finish looking around here first.”
Kang-jun had the Ogre Man and Troll Woman boarded first. As the van pulled away, Hye-mi’s eyes lingered on its rear with a trace of excitement.
“Give me your hands.”
He slipped a silver bracelet onto each woman’s wrist. There—done. Their eyes sparkled with affection as they admired the gift.
“Here’s your present.”
“Thank you, Sunbae.”
“Thank you, Team Leader.”
The three of them walked side by side. Spring wind whispered through the blossoms, carrying a sweet floral scent that lifted their spirits.
“Shall we head over there?”
“Yes, let’s!”
Kang-jun pointed toward the nearby park. Hye-mi jumped up and down in delight. Tzu-shi simply followed her leader’s choice.
On the neatly mowed grass, happy families and lovers strolled, sharing peaceful moments. The atmosphere was beautiful and serene, dulling the constant tension they felt from dungeons.
They walked along the path and sat on an empty bench. Kang-jun in the middle, Hye-mi and Tzu-shi flanking him. Hye-mi pressed close to his side; Tzu-shi left a respectful gap, as if she were still mindful of her little sister.
“Oh my, look at that!”
Hye-mi shot up from the bench and hurried over. There was a large nail. She had completely forgotten what she was doing and just stared at it.
“Why is it so far away? Come here.”
Tzu-shi hesitated, then scooted a little closer until the space between them narrowed. That tiny gap was the last remnant of her conscience.
Kang-jun pulled her toward him and kissed her deeply. Tzu-shi startled and instinctively pulled back, glancing toward Hye-mi. Fortunately, she hadn’t noticed.
“If Hye-mi sees…”
He chuckled softly and whispered.
“Scared?”
Tzu-shi gave a tiny nod. Guilt always tightened her chest whenever she thought of Hye-mi, but the joy of being with Kang-jun made the guilt grow in equal measure. …Still, she couldn’t leave his side. The more she struggled, the deeper she sank into the swamp.
I’m such a selfish and rotten girl.
Simply being next to Kang-jun filled her with happiness. At the same time, she feared the ending of that happiness. She knew she could never hide it from Hye-mi forever. One day she would discover the secret relationship between them…
That was why she clung to him even more tightly, accepting every twisted, lewd demand. As long as she could receive even a distorted form of his love, it was enough. The guilt she carried made her crave this selfish compensation.
“Sunbae, Unnie!”
Hye-mi called them with a bright laugh and waved. Kang-jun raised his hand in greeting. She turned back toward the pond. At that exact moment he pulled Tzu-shu in for another intense kiss.
This time Tzu-shu couldn’t escape. She prayed Hye-mi wouldn’t look back, again and again. Their tongues danced twice before they parted. When the kiss ended, Tzu-shu quickly glanced at Hye-mi. Once more she had gotten away with it. She wiped the corner of her mouth with her sleeve. Thank goodness she hadn’t put on lipstick.
“Tzu-shu, who are you?”
He whispered against her ear, biting the lobe and licking it slowly with his tongue.
“Team Leader… everything that’s mine.”
Her sweet breath trembled.
“You love me?”
This question was more dangerous. She felt as if a dagger had pierced her heart. Luckily, Hye-mi finished looking at the nail and returned.
“…Yes, I love you.”
“No matter what happens?”
“Yes.”
“Even if I do anything?”
“Yes.”
Kang-jun grinned. At that moment Hye-mi sat down and hugged his arm.
“I wish Sunbae had seen it too…”
“I like watching you.”
Hye-mi blinked twice, cheeks flushed. She glanced sideways at her sister and then back at him, as if asking whether it was okay to show affection in front of her. Kang-jun whispered softly into Hye-mi’s ear.
“Tzu-shu doesn’t understand that sort of thing.”
Hye-mi patted her chest in relief. “I’m glad Unnie is so innocent.”
The three of them chatted about all sorts of small things when Kang-jun’s phone suddenly rang. The screen showed the caller. His face lit up with sudden realization. He excused himself and answered.
“Hey, why?”
- I told you to call me when you’re free.
“Yeah, that’s right.”
- Where do you want to meet?
“The park in District 44. You know it?”
- Yeah, I know… Are you there now?
“Yes. Thought I’d get some fresh air.”
- I’m leaving right now. I’ll be there soon.
- If you’re nearby, wave. I’ll come through the entrance.
- Okay.
When Kang-jun hung up, Hye-mi immediately guessed who it was.
“Is it… that woman from yesterday?”
“Yeah.”
“Sunbae, I hate to say this, but all women are dangerous. Don’t believe everything they say. Ever!”
“What?”
He laughed as he said it. Tzu-shu’s movements beside him grew strangely stiff. Hye-mi wasn’t laughing.
“There must be some ulterior motive! And she’s a Hero too.”
“I’m just meeting her.”
“What?”
“I’m taking the Hero qualification exam this summer. If I pass, she’ll become my senior and I can get help in many ways. That’s why we’re meeting for a bit.”
Ah, I see. Hye-mi gave a slightly embarrassed smile. Then her expression changed again and she repeated her warning.
“Still, you have to be careful. Promise me!”
“Thanks for worrying. Right, Tzu-shu?”
“Eh? Ah, yeah…”
“You think the same, right? There’s definitely something suspicious.”
“I don’t know…”
“Unnie is too innocent to notice. …Anyway, there’s something hard to explain. Women know other women.”
While Hye-mi listened to her sister’s serious theory about women being foxes, a wave of something flew past. It was the signal that the entrance had been reached.
“Wait here a moment.”
Hye-mi’s chatter shifted from Kang-jun to Tzu-shu. He walked along the path to the entrance. There stood a tall woman in a feathered hat, silk coat, and sunglasses, legs crossed. For a second Kang-jun wondered if this was the fashion of the third dungeon or if she was simply strange.
She recognized the tall Kang-jun instantly and walked straight toward him. The sharp click of her high heels echoed with every step. Her manager followed behind, carrying a mountain of bags.
“Long time no see. …I heard the park was nice, so I brought some things.”
“Not too hot?”
“Not really.”
Whoa, is that the Hero Neyestani? For real? It looks like it. Who’s next to her? Neyestani, right? For sure?
People slowly began to recognize her, and the corner of her lips curled upward. She lifted her chin proudly, as if saying, This is who I am.
“Do you have a seat reserved?”
“Come with me.”
Kang-jun led the way. Belita followed effortlessly in her heels. Her manager trailed like a puppy.
Belita’s smile vanished the moment she saw the two women on the bench. She shot a glance at Kang-jun.
“…You weren’t alone?”
“I never said I was alone.”
…Damn.
“You came to eat, didn’t you? Timing’s perfect since I was hungry.”
Belita folded her arms and crossed her legs, looking displeased. Behind her the manager glanced around nervously, then spread the mat at Kang-jun’s urging. The Hero Woman sat down on the edge of the mat, teeth grinding.
The manager hurriedly unpacked the food and told them to eat while they waited, then dashed off. He probably didn’t want any stray bullets aimed at him.
Belita realized her perfectly planned cozy park date had been ruined. She couldn’t show it, of course. That would be breaking one of her three rules…
“Eat quickly.”
Kang-jun offered her food. Hye-mi watched curiously, then happily picked up a piece and stuffed it in. Tzu-shu had no appetite, so she peeled one banana and swallowed it whole.
Belita glared at the two annoying women, then leaned close to Kang-jun and spoke loud enough for both to hear.
“When are you sending them away?”
Hye-mi jumped in first.
“Why should we? If you’re leaving, you should go with Sunbae.”
“Little brat, where do you get off staring? You know who I am?”
Belita’s tone grew sharp and Hye-mi shrank.
“No… why are you suddenly so angry?”
“I’m not angry. I just raised my voice a bit.”
She clearly looked angry, but claimed otherwise. At that moment Tzu-shu stepped between them.
“Hye-mi, let’s go. I’m getting dizzy.”
“Eh… okay?”
“Team Leader, we’ll go in first. You two enjoy your chat. …Hye-mi, hurry.”
“Wait, but…”
Tzu-shu wisely dragged Hye-mi away. Hye-mi couldn’t relax until her sister disappeared into the distance.
The moment the two troublemakers left, Belita’s expression finally eased. It felt as if a thick phlegm had been cleared from her throat.
“Next time, let me know if anyone’s there.”
She slipped off her heels, stepped onto the mat, and removed her sunglasses. Now it truly felt like a date.
Kang-jun chewed his food while stealing glances at Belita’s eyes. She found the intense stare embarrassing.
“Why?”
“No reason.”
His gaze dropped lower. She pressed her inner cheek with her tongue, watching his reaction.
“…Did you listen well yesterday?”
Instead of answering, he nodded.
The conversation fell into an awkward silence. Belita frantically searched for a new topic.
Then Kang-jun set his chopsticks down.
“Hey.”
Belita met his eyes.
“Do you want to fuck?”