Chapter 153: Overdue Homework (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 153: Overdue Homework (7)
The Association went on and on with their long-winded explanations, but their core argument was simple.
Social contempt.
Some greenhorn punk had gotten on the nerves of the high and mighty, and they simply couldn't stand the sight of him anymore.
"However, we highly value the spirit you showed in refusing to succumb to injustice and striving for your own honor."
First they give me the disease, then they offer the medicine.
The red-haired woman spoke calmly, then tucked the clipboard under her arm.
As I watched her disciplined posture, the people on the second floor—who hadn't said a word until now—finally began to speak.
"His ambition may have gotten ahead of him, but he is still young, so that is to be expected."
"But doesn't he act too much on his own whims?"
"He also has the cunning to manipulate the media in his favor."
"If we aren't careful, there's a possibility he could become a villain."
Why are they talking amongst themselves and ignoring the person actually standing here?
They didn't care about me at all; they were just debating how to handle the toy placed in the middle of the hall.
Fine, do whatever you want. I’ll just enjoy the view.
I admired the red-haired woman standing there like a mannequin.
She really did have a killer body.
Thanks to the game illustration buffs, everyone was beautiful, but there was still a clear difference between Eastern and Western physiques.
Of course, I had to exclude outliers like the Lee sisters, Ru-da and Yuna, or Kwon Ye-jin, who possessed breasts rarely seen on Eastern women.
Thanks to the illustrations, massive tits had become something of a universal default option.
Still, the nuances remained—the slender frames typical of the East, or the curvaceous, thick bodies typical of South America—varying by region.
But this red-haired woman had a body like a Westerner’s.
She boasted a slim waistline and long legs that stretched down from her perky, toned ass.
I had intended to stand still until the old farts upstairs finished talking, but since I kept staring so intently, she must have felt the pressure of my gaze. She turned her scowling eyes toward me.
Don't glare at me like you want to kill me. It’s making me excited.
Since she apparently wasn't allowed to speak, I took pleasure in her irritated glare and continued to admire her body to my heart's content.
"Does Jeong Yeon-woo have anything to say?"
"Huh? Me? I have plenty to say, but I doubt I have the standing to speak."
I answered the grandmother on the second floor with a beaming smile.
The red-haired woman in front of me scowled deeply, but the grandmother upstairs actually chuckled, as if she liked my attitude.
"As expected of the young. I like that you're full of energy."
You're not saying that in a weird way, are you?
If she suddenly invited me to her bed, I’d quit being a hero and become a villain on the spot.
Having realized the reality of how villains were being mass-produced, I just kept smiling.
"It is fine, speak your mind. We must give you a chance to defend yourself against your crimes, shouldn't we?"
But I didn't commit any crimes?
"May I ask one question?"
"Go ahead."
Watching the grandmother tilt her head leisurely, I gave a thin smile.
"What exactly is the crime I committed?"
"..."
The red-haired woman, who had been explaining everything so diligently until now, frowned, and the people on the second floor began to murmur, glancing at each other.
"I don't feel like I've particularly committed any crime. Do I have to prove my innocence this time as well?"
At my suggestion that I might go on a rampage again, just like when I was framed before, the grandmother’s relaxed expression hardened.
"Proof... Heh... You certainly like that sort of thing, being so young."
It was getting annoying how she tacked "being so young" onto the end of every sentence.
A grandmother sitting on the opposite side suddenly laughed and spoke.
"Hahaha, you have a point. However, if you get lost in your own world and shout that only you are right, no one will be there to help you. Is 'young kkondae' the term for someone who stays trapped in their narrow perspective and remains stubborn?"
Oho~ I think I see why Lee Ru-da gets so pissed off.
Their default speech pattern was designed to provoke people.
Ru-da is the type to charge straight ahead, so she’s weak against opponents who enjoy wordplay and condescending conversation.
"There is no need to be so defensive. Shouldn't we lift your suspension so you can return to being a hero quickly? It would be a loss for you, for us, and for the entire Republic of Korea if a child like you couldn't engage in hero activities."
Then just lift it already, you bastards.
Fuck, they act so noble while stubbornly clinging to their own positions until the very end.
Hiding my true thoughts, I smiled brightly and said, "No, Black Unicorn is busy training anyway, so we haven't been able to enter dungeons lately. Isn't it better to clear up any misunderstandings? It would be uncomfortable if we left with hard feelings toward each other."
"..."
"If there is a crime, I should be punished; if there isn't, the misunderstanding should be cleared, right? So, what is my crime, and what is my punishment?"
What are you going to do about it?
If I walked out like this, people would probably come to set the Association on fire.
I didn't put on that show, keep records, and even make videos for nothing.
Ah, come to think of it, a film company wanted to buy the rights to turn this into a movie. I wonder if that was settled?
As I stood there with a bright smile, a middle-aged woman with a gentle face spoke up amidst the silent exchange of glances.
"You have done nothing wrong. We called you here today to lift your suspension."
"Oh? Really? That's great. Thank you."
When I acted innocent, as if I knew nothing, the middle-aged woman's smile deepened.
I couldn't tell if she was smiling because she was pissed or because she liked my act.
It was probably the former.
I had snapped a bit because of my military trauma, but things worked out quite well.
They might harbor some resentment, but if I act like a diligent dog of the Association and follow their demands, they'll eventually see me as easy to handle and let their guard down.
As I chatted happily with the middle-aged woman, pretending to be oblivious, the others joined in with a more relaxed atmosphere.
Though, considering most of it was advice, it was closer to a warning.
After finishing the adjustment in a harmonious atmosphere, I stepped outside, where Woo Jae-hee was waiting for me with a cup.
"Did it go well?"
"Yes, they were all such nice people."
When I smiled brightly and took the cup, Woo Jae-hee gave an awkward laugh.
She must have heard a lot about the Association, so hearing me call them "nice people" probably sounded strange to her.
However, since an Association staff member was nearby, she didn't say anything.
"Hero Jeong Yeon-woo, wait a moment."
As I was about to leave the Association with her, the red-haired woman approached from behind.
Judging by the cold look in her eyes, she wasn't coming to say anything pleasant.
"That kind of disrespectful attitude toward the elders is not good."
"Huh? Wasn't the atmosphere quite good?"
"Consider yourself lucky that the elders are broad-minded. If the elders hadn't been there..."
"If they hadn't been there?"
When I tilted my head and asked, the red-haired woman radiated bloodlust and took a step toward me.
She was taller than me, so I had to look up at her.
As I looked up and my eyes naturally drifted down to her chest, she let out a scoff.
The way her breasts were pushed together by her sturdy armor made me want to poke a finger in there.
"You act so bold, yet you can't even meet my eyes properly."
It's just that your tits look so delicious...
"Don't get cocky and learn your place. You're delusional enough to think you're something special just because people like your pretty face, but if you keep acting arrogant, I won't forgive you."
The red-haired woman said her piece and turned away.
As I admired her plump, appetizing ass, Woo Jae-hee whispered quietly.
"That was Hong Ok, Yeon Do-kyeong... Did something bad happen?"
Ah... so she's Hong Ok?
There aren't many S-ranks in Korea.
However, there are quite a few A-ranks close to S-rank compared to other countries, which is why the national hero power ranking is high.
Yeon Do-kyeong, known as Hong Ok, was one of those heroes said to be close to S-rank.
She had reportedly been raised within the Association since she was a child, showing them absolute loyalty.
In other words, she had been gaslighted since she was young.
When most heroes have grievances against the Korean Hero Association, it's obvious what kind of education she received to be the only one showing such loyalty.
Anyway, as long as I don't rebel against the Association, I won't have to deal with her.
I returned to the dungeon in the car with Woo Jae-hee.
I bought some snacks on the way and was having a friendly chat with the staff when the Black Unicorn members came out.
"Master! Is the suspension lifted?!"
"Yes, it's been settled safely."
"That's great!!"
Kwon Ye-jin hugged me joyfully, and Anna followed a moment later, running over to cling to my waist.
After receiving congratulations from the team—excluding Eli's arrogant remarks—we returned to the clan and resumed training.
After being brutally defeated by Han So-ye, everyone was focusing on individual training to strengthen their bodies.
Perhaps because they could enter dungeons again, they looked sexy as they focused, dripping with sweat.
More importantly, I needed to focus on raising my stats too.
After training, the party members headed to the massage room.
It was always important to prevent the risk of injury.
"..."
There should have been plenty of masseuses since it was late, but Yoon A-young was staring at me from in front of the room.
Look at her, look at her. She’s developed a taste for it, hasn't she?
Suppressing a smile, I approached her.
"There's no one here today either."
I hadn't even said anything, but Yoon A-young spoke first.
"People who can perform mana massages aren't common, so recruitment must be slow."
"Yeah. I understand."
Look at her, look at her. She absolutely refuses to ask for a massage herself.
"I'll do it for you."
I grabbed the hesitating girl and led her into the room.
Though she was as shy as the first time, Yoon A-young watched me prepare before silently going into the dressing room, wrapping herself in a towel, and coming back out.
When I patted the massage bed, she cautiously approached and lay face down.
"Covering you with a towel now~"
Yoon A-young glared at me as I spoke softly, but she remained still.
Once a large bath towel was draped over her back, she wiggled around and pulled off the towel she had been wearing, sliding it out from underneath.
It’s even more erotic when you squirm under the towel like that.
Every time her silhouette moved beneath the towel, a strange excitement welled up.
Resting her head on her hands, she lay comfortably as I kneaded her slender neck.
Touching her neckline, which was more relaxed than before, felt incredibly soft and pleasant.
"What did they say at the Association?"
"They said something about me having many crimes, but in the end, they cleared everything and lifted the suspension."
"Those greedy bastards, as always."
"Yes, now relax your body."
I placed my hand on her back as she cursed the Association and told her to relax.
When I lifted her inner arm near the armpit, passing the shoulder, the sight of the flesh where her breast and armpit met was lewd.
Unaware of how I was looking at her, Yoon A-young let out a small groan at the pressure of my fingers.
"Aren't you tired? You had the Association business, and you're constantly overseeing our training."
"As the leader, I have to help Black Unicorn grow."
"Still, don't take on too much by yourself. There's Ye-jin, and Yuna and Anna too. I can help as well."
Ah, what a beautiful heart, thinking of her comrade.
Perhaps because I had just met those cunning old farts at the Association, her heart felt even warmer.
It would be even better if I could feel that warmth through her body temperature.
"Now that you mention it, I am a bit tired."
"See? I told you too much work is piled on you, Oppa."
"I guess so. I'm a bit exhausted. Could you give me a massage?"
"Huh?"
Yoon A-young lifted her head and looked at me.
I spoke with a brazenly nonchalant expression.
"Lately, my shoulders and inner thighs have been feeling strangely tight. I did it for you, so you do it for me."
"I... I don't know how to give a massage...?"
"Just press lightly with your thumbs. I'll show you."
Before she could refuse, I started stripping off my clothes.
Yoon A-young let out a sound close to a strangled gasp and covered her eyes, but I could clearly see her peeking at my body through the gaps in her fingers.
Sitting up while keeping herself covered with the towel that had been on her back, Yoon A-young silently admired my strip show.
When I finally pulled off my underwear, my vein-bulging cock sprang out, dangling. Yoon A-young sucked in a breath and turned her head away.
"A-A man having no shame..."
"Hmm? I covered myself with a towel. And besides, you have to take everything off for a massage anyway."
I swapped places with her and lay face down on the bed.
After staring at my butt for a moment, Yoon A-young, her face beet-red, brought over a bath towel and draped it over me.
"Start lightly with the neck."
At my words, Yoon A-young gulped and moved to the head of the bed.
Seeing her leaning over, her skin flushed like a ripe persimmon and wearing only a towel that looked like it might slip off at any moment, my cock throbbed.