Chapter 236: I’m Off to School (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 236: I’m Off to School (4)
I’m Off to School (4)
As I step out of the prison in my rejuvenated form, Woo Jae-hee, who had been waiting for me, goes blank.
I guess everyone finds this really strange.
She looks like she wants to say something, but the words won't come out; she just gapes like a fish before finally managing to speak in a flustered voice.
"Uh, Hero Jung Yeon-woo...?"
"Yes. Do I really look that different?"
"Uh... you look like your original self, but... I mean..."
"I look too young?"
"Yes! Yes, exactly. You’ve suddenly... rejuvenated."
Rejuvenated? Saying it like that makes my original self feel so old.
"Shall we head straight to the Clan?"
"I think I need to change my clothes first. These are way too big now."
Woo Jae-hee immediately drives to a nearby shopping mall.
I wonder what’s trendy among teenagers these days.
I scroll through social media, but there doesn't seem to be much difference from what I usually wear.
Then again, my body’s actual age is in its early twenties, so being only four or five years younger doesn't exactly create a massive generational gap.
While we’re shopping, the clerk keeps stealing glances at me and Woo Jae-hee.
"It must be the age difference," Woo Jae-hee mutters with a bitter smile, sensing the clerk's gaze.
"Rather than that, isn't it just weird to see me out and about when I should be in school?"
I offer her some comfort while picking out a simple T-shirt and slacks.
When Woo Jae-hee hands over the Clan card, the clerk gives her another suspicious look.
Is he thinking this is some kind of "compensated dating" situation?
No, wait. She’s only in her early thirties, so he probably sees her as a cradle robber... a female thief snatching up a young boy.
Woo Jae-hee looks like she wants to make an excuse to the male clerk, but since she can't explain my current situation, she keeps her mouth shut.
Jae-hee is a precious member of Black Unicorn; I can't let her be misunderstood like this.
I link my arm with hers, and she looks at me with startled eyes.
"Thanks, Noona. Mom’s waiting, so let’s hurry home."
Wait, was that too much?
When I give a bright, innocent smile, Woo Jae-hee’s face turns beet red as she panics.
"Your younger brother is very cute."
"Ahaha... yes... he is... cute... haha..."
The male clerk’s expression softens as he gives a small laugh and hands over the shopping bag.
I lead the stiffened Woo Jae-hee out by the arm. Once outside, she lets out a ragged breath and stammers.
"Ah, that... p-please don't joke like that..."
"I was just trying to help. Sorry."
"Hup."
When I look up at her with a pitiful expression, Woo Jae-hee takes a sharp breath and quickly averts her eyes.
"N-no. Thank you. I appreciate it."
Her reaction is interesting.
Flustered in a way she never usually is, Woo Jae-hee uses the back of her hand to cool her face.
After returning with her and changing clothes, I walk around the Clan headquarters.
The operation is still a few days away, and today was just about checking Millionface’s cooperation and the state of my abilities.
However, I need to get used to this body and remember how it feels to revert, so I turned down Millionface’s offer to change me back immediately.
I didn't like how she giggled and said, "You like it too, don't you?" but she did give me some warnings.
First, my stats are cut in half.
My physical stats were already mediocre, but now they’re barely scraping the bottom of C-rank.
I’m not the type to fight with raw stats anyway, so it’s not a huge deal, but it could be a problem if a powerful enemy shows up.
Unless Millionface releases the skill or the time limit runs out, I can't change back on my own. It would be dangerous if someone targeted me while I'm like this.
Well, the other members will protect me.
Also, using too much mana can cause physical distortions.
Apparently, the transformation doesn't just fully break; instead, just an arm might revert to my original size, or only my legs might change.
What the hell? That’s terrifying.
Just imagining it is gruesome.
I’d better avoid using mana as much as possible.
But without mana, I’m basically a total weakling.
The difficulty level just spiked.
The muscles I built through exercise are gone, my physical stats are trash, and I can't use mana.
I’m well aware this isn't a body suited for combat.
Since the operation isn't focused on fighting, I’ll just have to rely on my wits.
To get used to my smaller frame, I head to the training grounds. In a private room, Satomi is kneeling in meditation.
Small blades, like shuriken, are scattered on the floor around her in a swirling pattern.
Clatter, clatter—
The clear, ringing sound of metal lightly clashing follows in a rhythmic sequence like music.
The blades, which had been overlapping like fallen dominoes, rise up one by one like a wave and fall in the opposite direction, creating a pleasant sound.
Starting from her immediate vicinity and moving outward, Satomi creates ripples. Then, focusing her mind again, the blades stand up from the outside and fall toward her in succession.
She’s gotten quite used to it.
This training method—making dominoes stand and fall in sequence—is the first step toward handling many objects at once, like Storm does.
It’s a method of rapidly switching control between blades to move them like a whip or a rope.
As she repeats this, the speed of switching control increases, and as she becomes more proficient, the number of weapons she can handle grows.
The moment all the blades spread before Satomi stand up simultaneously, she will become the second coming of Storm.
But why is that thing sitting there?
I look disdainfully at Ellie, who is sitting on Satomi’s head pretending to meditate with her, and step into the training room to say hello.
"Oh, wait a moment. It’s dangerous. You shouldn't come in here... Huh? How did you get in?"
The field team usually stands by or assists other heroes when the party isn't out on a mission.
Joo Ji-hyun, who was assisting Satomi, fails to recognize me and tilts her head.
"Are you... a relative of Hero Jung Yeon-woo?"
I guess I do look like him, even if I’ve gotten younger.
Joo Ji-hyun examines my face closely before snapping out of it.
"Anyway, kid, it’s dangerous here. Shall we go outside and talk?"
"Is something wrong?"
Satomi opens her eyes and speaks, looking toward me.
When I remain silent, Joo Ji-hyun answers quickly.
"I think he took a wrong turn. Sorry for the noise."
"No. You don't need to apologize, Ji-hyun. Ah."
Satomi looks at my face, goes blank for a moment, and then smiles.
As expected of a teammate, she recognizes me.
"Hello, boy."
Or not.
Satomi stands up with a bright smile and approaches me.
She looked like she was just sitting and meditating, but she was using her skills at full power. The beads of sweat forming on her skin look quite sexy.
"I'm sorry, I was spaced out..."
"No, it's really fine. I was going to take a break anyway."
Satomi takes a towel from Joo Ji-hyun and wipes away the sweat I kind of want to lick off, all while staring at me.
"So, who are you here to see, boy?"
"I think he's the Leader's relative."
Hey, don't just decide that when I haven't said a word.
Because our faces are similar, Joo Ji-hyun jumps to a conclusion.
Hearing her words, Satomi leans down slightly to meet my eyes and smiles gently.
"Did you come to see the Captain... Yeon-woo?"
You—you never even call me by my name to my face. That’s cheating.
Call me by my name too.
As I stare at her with a dissatisfied look, Satomi tilts her head and looks at Joo Ji-hyun.
"Is my Korean awkward?"
"No, I think the kid is just a bit shy."
And Joo Ji-hyun, stop acting like your assumptions are facts.
Approaching them as a stranger is fun because I get to see new sides of my members.
Joo Ji-hyun, who always seemed so sharp on the field team, is surprisingly airheaded, and the way Satomi looks at me so adorably is refreshing.
She usually looks at me with either intense focus or respect, but being looked at as "cute" creates a sense of intimacy that makes my dick stand up.
No, wait, don't stand up.
My honorless dick tries to raise its head, so I awkwardly pull my hips back.
Millionface... that woman changed everything else, but she didn't change my dick.
'Because that's a national treasure that must never disappear.'
The image of Millionface giggling while giving that bullshit reason flickers before my eyes.
"Is he lost? He looks so anxious."
"The Clan headquarters is huge, after all. There's no reason for a kid like this to be at the training grounds."
Since I’m staying quiet, the two of them are deducing things on their own.
However, Ellie, who was sitting on Satomi’s head, has already realized it’s me and is wearing a sly grin.
The wicked Fairy of Joy slowly raises her hand and makes a gesture like she’s zipping her lips, then hops down and lands on my shoulder.
"Wait! Pay attention to him! He's surrounded by strangers, so he's getting really anxious."
When Ellie scolds them while pretending to be kind, Satomi looks surprised and strokes my hair.
"It's okay. Noona isn't a bad person. I'm a hero who fights bad people."
"That's right. This lady is Hero Satomi, a member of Black Unicorn, just like your uncle, Hero Jung Yeon-woo."
Having already decided I’m Jung Yeon-woo’s relative, Joo Ji-hyun introduces Satomi with unnecessary excitement.
You acted like such a professional career woman in front of me before.
As I stare blankly at her transformed behavior, Joo Ji-hyun giggles and wags a finger.
"And I'm Joo Ji-hyun, the one in charge of Black Unicorn. Don't go falling for me now."
Meeting everyone as someone else makes me realize how different they all are.
Ellie can't stop laughing at the two of them, bowing her head and covering her mouth.
Just as Ellie is anticipating the moment of revelation, the door opens and someone else walks in.
"A-young, the Captain's relative is here. The Captain hasn't arrived yet, right?"
"No, he hasn't..."
Yoon A-young turns around, sees me, and freezes.
"Oppa...?"
Since only Lee Yu-na knew about the meeting with Millionface, Yoon A-young is bewildered to see me.
I guess I really do look like the body owner's past self.
While Yoon A-young’s eyes tremble in disbelief, Joo Ji-hyun chimes in thoughtlessly.
"He really does look like the Leader’s childhood self, doesn't he? I bet he'll grow up to be just as handsome as the Leader."
"No. It is Oppa."
"Huh? No, I mean... they look alike, but..."
At Yoon A-young’s firm statement, Joo Ji-hyun looks at her strangely and tilts her head.
Finally, Ellie bursts out laughing.
"Aha-ha-ha-ha!! Hey, Steel Dick! Hurry up and say your name! Hurry!"
Ellie pushes my cheek with her foot while clutching her stomach in laughter.
Joo Ji-hyun can't hear her laughter, but Satomi’s face turns bright red as she slowly pulls her hand away from my hair.
There was only one person in the world Ellie called "Steel Dick."
"It's Jung Yeon-woo. My appearance has changed a bit, hasn't it?"
"I'm so sorry... I touched the Captain's head so casually..."
"What on earth did you do?"
Satomi bows her head with a crimson face, while Yoon A-young furrows her brows, looking ready to scold me again.
Joo Ji-hyun, wearing a look of pure horror, shifts her eyes back and forth before stammering.
"Sh-Shota Leader..."
"I'm not a shota. I'm technically a high schooler like this."
"Aha-ha-ha! Shota! Shota~ Shota~"
At Joo Ji-hyun’s words, Ellie excitedly kicks her legs and pokes my cheek.
Soon after, Lee Yu-na enters from behind Yoon A-young.
"I heard Yeon-woo arrived at the Clan. Have you seen—"
Lee Yu-na locks eyes with me, and her expression goes blank just like the others.
Thud—
Lee Yu-na collapses right there, leaning against Yoon A-young’s leg and covering her mouth with her hand as she mutters.
"This is incredible..."
What’s incredible, you shotacon freaks?
It turns out she wasn't covering her mouth but blocking a nosebleed. Lee Yu-na turns her head, wipes her nose a few times, and then reaches out to me with a bright expression.
"Don't think I'm going to let you hug me."
"Why~? You usually hug me all the time."
"Because the look in your eyes is terrifying."
Lee Yu-na’s face turns to one of shock, while Satomi and Yoon A-young nod in agreement with me.
A short while later, all the Black Unicorn members are gathered, and I explain the upcoming operation.
But why is Anna holding me?
Even if I’ve gotten younger, I’m still taller than her, but Anna naturally has me sitting on her lap while she hugs me from behind.
I can't see her face since she's behind me, but judging by how she’s rubbing her cheek against my back, she seems to be enjoying herself.
"I'm so jealous..."
"What are you jealous of, you pervert?"
Kwon Ye-jin snaps at the muttering Lee Yu-na and smiles at me.
"Master, looking like that makes you feel like one of my younger brothers. They're always getting into trouble and making things hard for me, but since Master is mature, I don't have to worry about that."
Kwon Ye-jin, who is joking and giggling, has many siblings.
With parents who clearly get along very well, she has four younger siblings, and the five of them live harmoniously.
At least Kwon Ye-jin is treating me the most normally.
Maybe it's because she's used to kids this age.
I look at Hornet, and she averts her gaze.
Man... you’re a shotacon too.
A party full of heroes who blush at the sight of a young boy... isn't this a bit too degenerate?