Chapter 141: The Hero
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 141: The Hero
"Yoo-jeong, there’s a guest looking for you outside. Is it your boyfriend?"
Moon Yoo-jeong tilted her head at her teammate's words.
She hadn't made any plans, and since becoming a B-rank Hero, no one ever came to see her without calling first.
"Go play with your big sister~"
As she set down the child she had been playing with, her quick-witted teammate stepped in to take over.
They were currently at an orphanage, donating and spending time with the children.
Despite their busy lives as heroes, her party made time to volunteer whenever they could. Even the members who had initially found it a chore had grown fond of the children and now participated happily.
When she stepped outside the orphanage, she was greeted by Han Byeong-su, who was decked out in luxury brands that looked completely out of place in the neighborhood.
The moment she saw him, Moon Yoo-jeong’s usually soft expression crumpled. Han Byeong-su shrugged as he approached, as if he were used to the reaction.
"Wow, I thought heroes were busy, but I guess you have time for this. You should have told me; I could have renovated this old, crumbling building for you."
"What are you here for?"
When Moon Yoo-jeong spoke coldly, Han Byeong-su flinched but kept his smile as he pointed toward his car.
Moon Yoo-jeong climbed into the luxury sports car so their conversation wouldn't be overheard, staring at Han Byeong-su with a frigid gaze.
"There’s a problem because of Jeong Yeon-woo."
"So? What does that have to do with me?"
"Sigh—Im Jin-ah is throwing a total fit right now. And it’s not like you’re uninvolved, right? You and Im Jin-ah had a grand old time sucking up to Jeong Yeon-woo back then."
Moon Yoo-jeong watched Han Byeong-su silently as he spoke of the past with a despicable smirk, then she moved her hand.
"Guh-hk!!"
His throat seized in her grip instantly. Han Byeong-su flailed and tried to grab her wrist, but he was no match for the strength of a hero like Moon Yoo-jeong.
As he gasped for air, his face turning pale, Moon Yoo-jeong leaned in and whispered.
"If you ever bring that up again, I’ll snap your neck right then and there."
Unable to even speak, he nodded frantically. Moon Yoo-jeong watched him for a moment before letting go.
"I committed a terrible sin against Yeon-woo. It’s a stain that can never be washed away."
"Cough... You sure talk big for someone who hasn't even... apologized to the person involved..."
Han Byeong-su’s voice trailed off into a sneer under Moon Yoo-jeong’s sharp glare.
"You’re right. I’m a selfish bitch. I’m terrified of apologizing to Yeon-woo, and I don't think I could handle it if he got angry or cursed at me. That’s why I’m running away. Because I’m a coward."
"You’ll be next after Im Jin-ah."
"Me? No, it’ll be you. After that, I don’t care. If Yeon-woo wants to kill me, I’ll accept it gladly. I told you before, didn't I? I’m not a piece of filth like you people. I actually know how to feel shame."
"Have you lost your mind? Does that change the past?"
"I feel like I keep repeating myself, but I have no intention of erasing the past. If there’s a punishment to be had, I’ll take it."
"You’re trembling because you’re afraid of Jeong Yeon-woo."
Moon Yoo-jeong let out a short laugh at Han Byeong-su’s remark.
As Han Byeong-su looked away from her somewhat chilling smile, she spoke.
"You’re right, I’m scared. But you know what? I’m not afraid of you. Hanseong Group? You know, don't you? What I’m capable of when I’m pissed off."
Han Byeong-su, who knew her from their school days, shut his mouth.
On the surface, it looked like they all hung out together, but Im Jin-ah had always been afraid of Moon Yoo-jeong. Even Im Jin-ah, who acted like a wild dog, would go quiet at a single word from her.
Normally, people were careful because they were afraid of losing what they had, but Moon Yoo-jeong had no such brakes.
She showed a fanatical obsession with dealing with the enemy in front of her, regardless of reputation, status, money, or even her own life. It was only natural that others felt fear toward her.
She had once been called a "mad dog," but now she spent all her time volunteering as if seeking atonement.
At first, Han Byeong-su thought she was just managing her image like Im Jin-ah, but now he truly felt that she had changed.
Ever since she reached C-rank, something had felt off; she had cut ties with them and lived her life helping others.
"I think it’s a relief that Yeon-woo didn't fall for your filthy schemes."
"You’re involved in this too. If I get caught, do you think I’ll just sit still? Your name will be the first one out of my mouth."
Han Byeong-su threatened her like a child throwing a tantrum.
Moon Yoo-jeong looked at him with pity and spoke.
"I only acted as a bridge because you asked me to connect you with Cheon-gung or H&K. I didn't actually do anything."
While she was a capable hero, she was also resourceful and had connections with many corporations.
She had maintained close ties with companies for donations to social organizations and relief for the needy. By now, she had so many corporate connections that she had more pull than Han Byeong-su, the heir to Hanseong Group.
"Go ahead and blabber to the police and reporters if you want."
"Yeah, I will. Because I didn't know anything. But can you really do it?"
Moon Yoo-jeong flashed an unsettling smile at Han Byeong-su.
"If you do, you’ll be confessing to your own crimes. You won't be able to do that 'cutting the tail' trick you chaebols are so proud of."
"..."
She was right.
Hit by the cold, hard truth, Han Byeong-su couldn't say a word and only scowled.
Moon Yoo-jeong, seemingly satisfied with his expression, turned the rearview mirror toward herself and practiced smiling.
"I can't have the kids getting scared."
Once her fierce smile vanished and her expression returned to its gentle state, she turned her gaze back to Han Byeong-su.
"Don't make things too hard for Yeon-woo. And if you’ve committed a crime, don't think about running away. Though I suppose I’m not one to talk. Anyway, that’s the only advice I have for you."
With a smile warmer than anyone else's, Moon Yoo-jeong left the car, leaving the silent Han Byeong-su behind.
As the children ran toward her, she knelt down to hug them. Han Byeong-su watched her with murderous eyes, slammed his hands against the steering wheel, and then started the engine and drove away.
[A Hero's Cruel Side? Torture Marks Found All Over Terrorist Zhou Yang's Body]
[Hongjeong Sect, China's Massive Criminal Organization. Bad Blood with the New Human Alliance]
[Vigilantism Outside the Law. Is it Right to Punish Criminals Based on Grudges Alone?]
Hmm... interesting.
The media is busy bashing me left and right.
They’re accusing me of torture I never even did, and some articles even assume I’m a member of the New Human Alliance.
The last article is actually worth thinking about, though.
Since I am moving 100% out of personal interest.
An upright citizen would wait for the authorities with investigative powers to clear their name, not go around personally crushing everyone involved.
And in the hands of those bought by Hanseong Group, a false accusation would simply become a conviction.
I can tell just by looking at these negative articles.
Does Hanseong Group have that much money, or are they just that well-connected?
Two out of the three major news outlets are busy tearing me apart.
Wow, how did they even interview Zhou Yang? The police must be looking out for her quite a bit.
Zhou Yang appeared on broadcast playing the victim.
She’s showing off the wounds she got from the Hongjeong Sect and claiming I caused them.
People aren't likely to sympathize with a terrorist, but they’re successfully promoting the idea that I’m a cruel, lawless piece of trash.
The announcer mentioned that one person died by my hand during the initial kidnapping to give Zhou Yang’s claims more credibility.
Hey, I was a C-rank fighting one B-rank and three C-ranks. You expect me to suppress them all without a single scratch?
Bring me a C-rank Hero who can do that, and I’ll admit defeat.
It’s nonsense, but by providing only fragmentary information, they’re cleverly trying to make people believe the lies.
Quick-witted people are refuting it on the internet, but once it’s broadcast like that, it lingers in people’s memories.
That’s right. It lingers if it’s on the air.
I smirked and looked at the woman tied up next to me.
The fat woman with rolls of blubber was Na Eun-jae, the one I had been desperately searching for.
She’s quite the distinguished individual.
While looking through the evidence at Dongmyeong Materials, I found records of her involvement with various criminal organizations.
Smuggling, human trafficking, drugs, prostitution, murder—there wasn't a single thing she hadn't done.
I tossed the files, which were enough to make one's eyes rot, onto the desk and ripped the tape off Na Eun-jae’s mouth.
"What do you want?"
When I first heard her voice over the phone with Chiwei, I thought she was using a voice modulator, but it turned out her voice was just naturally gravelly.
Listening to her muffled words, choked by the fat in her throat, I gave her a smile.
"Where is Anna Gyeom?"
"Do you think you’ll be safe after touching me?"
I tapped the top of her head with my palm.
"You people always talk like you’re actually someone important."
"Do you have any idea how many organizations I’m connected to? If you touch me, you’re dead too."
"I don't know. Would those foreign organizations really get that angry over one missing connector? They might be a little annoyed. They’d have to go through the trouble of finding a new one. But you know, there are plenty of people to replace you, aren't there? In fact, if a greedy pig like you disappears, their expenses go down. It might actually be better for them."
I placed a hand on her shoulder as I spoke, but pulled it back in disgust at the greasy sweat.
This pig is leaking way too much grease.
As I backed away with a scowl, Na Eun-jae screamed.
"I don't think you understand. If I disappear—"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I’ve made plenty of people disappear, and their spots get filled pretty quickly. Stop talking nonsense and just tell me where Anna Gyeom is."
"You’re making a mistake."
"You’re the one making a mistake. You certainly kept meticulous records, though. You gathered all this to use for blackmail, didn't you? This is why I like people who enjoy backstabbing others. The ones who handle things cleanly don't leave records behind, and that’s a pain."
I tapped the documents on the desk.
"But the thing is, I don't have the luxury of time to read through all of this, so I’m giving you a chance to summarize it for me."
"Do you think I’ll talk? The moment you kidnapped me, you were finished! You’re a criminal!"
"Yeah, well, today is off the record."
"..."
For Na Eun-jae, who didn't seem to understand what I meant, I introduced the items placed in front of her.
"This here is a tub."
When I pointed to the large basin, Na Eun-jae looked at me with eyes that said, 'What is this crazy bastard doing?'
I’m not finished yet. Keep listening.
"It’s a plastic tub large enough to fit a person. And this here is hydrofluoric acid. Usually, it’s used to dissolve corpses. No, wait, usually it’s used for industrial purposes. Sorry, I misspoke."
"..."
"Hydrofluoric acid can't dissolve plastic or surfaces treated for corrosion resistance. But it dissolves almost everything else. Glass, metal, meat, even bone. I prepared a large one to match your body size, but it’s smaller than I thought. It’s okay, though. I can just cut a few pieces off and tuck them in."
As my explanation continued, terror began to seep into Na Eun-jae’s eyes.
Her mouth trembled, her teeth chattering with a rhythmic clack-clack, and sweat poured from her masses of fat.
"You... you crazy bastard..."
"I told you, it’s off the record. I can afford to be a little cruel today. Well—the media is already calling me cruel anyway, so I might as well show them what real cruelty looks like."
As I pushed the large tub toward her, Na Eun-jae thrashed her body in horror.
However, I had prepared a sturdy chair to match her massive size and bolted the legs to the floor, so her struggles were futile.
I placed the tub beside her and measured the size, then tilted my head.
"Ah, I’ll have to cut off the arms and legs for you to fit. Sorry, I wanted to do this without any pain, but my estimation was so shitty."
"It—it’s in that file! The blue folder!"
Under the pressure of terror, Na Eun-jae confessed immediately.
"There are too many blue ones."
"The—the folder with '34' written on the cover! That one, that’s it!"
I swear, you have to threaten these types for them to cooperate.
Lucky me.
It seemed Na Eun-jae really was the one overseeing everything; she had records on everyone involved.
I closed the file and looked at Na Eun-jae.
"Choose one of two. Do you want to be arrested? Or do you want to dissolve here and flow into the sewer? Oh—just in case you’re wondering, there are no other options. If I even get a hint of you trying to say something else, it’s straight to the sewer for you."
"... ... I’ll be arrested..."
"Good choice. You’ve got to stay alive first, right? I’m sure those connections you’re so proud of will get you out."
Looking at the dejected Na Eun-jae, I contacted Oh Eun-yul to come and arrest her.
We’re talking so often now, I might actually start getting attached.
I watched the police cars heading toward the old warehouse from a distance before standing up.
Now then, shall we go and crush every single person involved?