Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Attractions
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“It's full!”
Haon clapped her hands after confirming that the academy she had set up on the second floor of the community center was at full capacity.
She had opened it up so that children from other districts, and even adults if they wished, could attend, but it was already running out of space.
It seemed she might have to turn an entire empty building into an academy.
‘I don't know much about the education in this dimension, so I'll have to keep updating the Rurus.’
Haon checked on the cranes' educational programs and then led the Heroes who had come for an inspection in another direction.
The cranes that resolved civil complaints on the streets and at the community center of District 1 were the Dudus, and the ones serving as teachers at the academy were the Rurus.
River, who had been observing the mechanical cranes that were slightly different colors depending on their roles, arrived at the next location with her jaw dropped.
One of Cue's warehouses had been completely transformed into a pristine hospital with patient rooms.
“So this was the condition that made you bring old Solmae to District 1.”
The medical facilities and equipment inside the hospital were all brand new, and a few cranes were moving according to Solmae's instructions.
Haon introduced those mechanical cranes as the Mimis.
Outside the building, just like with the academy, there was a notice stating that not only people from District 1 but also those from other districts could receive medical treatment at any time.
“But wasn't the old man unlicensed?”
“I told him I'd build a hospital if he came to District 1, and he went and got his license right away.”
“…Do the other doctors and nurses all have licenses too?”
“The old man brought a few active doctors and nurses he knows.”
As Haon answered with a proud expression, River marveled.
“No matter how I look at it, this doesn't seem like something a 'gang' would do…”
As she said this, she turned to Juyeol as if seeking his agreement, but he was looking at Haon with an unreadable expression.
“Ghost. Are you okay?”
“…”
Juyeol's lips parted as if to say something, but then he just pressed his temples firmly.
Haon, whose gaze narrowly missed his, flinched.
Juyeol, looking particularly dark and pale today, also seemed to be filled with sorrow.
‘Is he uncomfortable coming to District 1 now? Or did something happen?’
Haon could only steal glances at Juyeol, who would immediately look away whenever their eyes were about to meet, and couldn't bring herself to speak to him.
“Have you forgotten what you've done again? What am I supposed to do with you?”
His confused and weary voice kept echoing in her mind.
Haon, too, was at a loss as to how she should treat him.
He wasn't ‘Juyeol’. She had definitely decided to accept that fact, yet strangely, she found herself concerned about him.
“Um…”
Hesitantly, Haon mustered up a great deal of courage and tried to speak to him.
But Juyeol just kept walking blankly, unaware that someone was calling him. It was as if his mind was somewhere else entirely.
Not having the courage to speak to him again, Haon ended up not saying a single word to him until the inspection was over.
‘Maybe he's just tired. I'll check his complexion next week and look for the right time to talk to him.’
Haon clenched her small fists, making up her mind.
Unfortunately, however, the next inspection went much the same way.
“The, the fountain is working again… and…”
Haon was at a loss the entire time she was guiding River and Juyeol around.
It was obvious that River was also breaking out in a cold sweat, cautiously watching Juyeol.
Juyeol's expression was even more rigid than the previous week, and he still seemed dazed, as if his mind was elsewhere.
She tried to speak to him several times, but Haon couldn't even open her mouth.
‘This will only make him more uncomfortable. What should I do?’
Just as she was anxiously darting her eyes around, she made eye contact with a deathly pale passerby.
He seemed to be sick. The hospital was in the opposite direction; maybe he was from another district and didn't know the way.
Haon approached the passerby with a worried look.
“What's wrong? Are you feeling unwe—whoa!”
As she was speaking, Haon was grabbed by the arm by a strong hand and pulled back.
Before the startled Haon could even react, the passerby, who had squeezed his eyes shut, yanked a red cord connected to the inside of his jacket.
At the same time, Juyeol, who had pushed Haon behind him, kicked the passerby's arm.
“Ugh!”
In the instant the passerby's hand snapped back toward his chest, River sliced the red cord with a knife, and Juyeol struck the back of his neck, knocking him out.
Standing there with a stunned expression, Haon finally noticed the numerous grenades attached to the inside of the passerby's jacket, with the red cord wrapped around all their safety pins.
“……!”
She was now used to assassination attempts from other districts.
But no matter how she looked at him, this passerby was a civilian, and he had been prepared for a suicide bombing.
‘That man… he looked terrified.’
He was probably in debt to some gang or had been blackmailed.
Haon looked at the passerby with a heavy heart and asked.
“How did you know he was suspicious?”
“He was creeping toward us from over there, dripping in a cold sweat. Of course he was suspicious.”
Haon wore an awkward expression at River's answer.
“I thought he was sick.”
“If you're going to be a boss, you should have a little more… vigilance.”
Juyeol retorted subconsciously before clamping his mouth shut.
Haon's eyes widened at the unexpected response.
Just as she was wondering if now was the time to continue the conversation, Nova appeared from around the corner.
“Now that the cranes can recognize villains from other districts, they're starting to use civilians, huh?”
He walked over with a child who looked to be about eight years old tucked under his arm like a piece of luggage.
“Nova. Put that child down right—”
“Nova! What are you doing!”
A horrified Haon rushed past the growling River.
“How can you carry a child like that!”
“Ah, honey. Wait, I caught a little rat, ah, ow.”
Nova whined as she demanded he put the child down quickly, pattering his forearm with her small fists.
At the sight, both Juyeol's and River's expressions soured simultaneously.
The child, freed from Nova's grasp, immediately ran to River and hid.
River quickly changed her expression, smiling brightly as she picked the child up.
“You came to see District 1, huh? Have you seen the crane robots? There goes one now. Hiii.”
[Hello? Welcome to District 1. My name is Dudu.]
As River took the child's arm and waved, Dudu greeted them as it passed by.
The child didn't say anything, but their eyes, following Dudu, sparkled brightly.
River was said to be the Hero citizens felt the most friendly toward, and she seemed very skilled at putting children at ease.
Thanks to her, they were able to hear the whole story from the relaxed child. They had been sent on an errand by Rusty to watch and make sure the guy who was supposed to blow himself up finished the job.
Haon, utterly shocked, felt her stomach churn.
‘How could they make a child so young watch something like that…’
It was a huge relief that Juyeol and River had stopped the bombing before something terrible happened.
The man who tried to blow himself up and the child forced into the role of a lookout.
Haon wondered if civilians were being subjected to this because she had become the boss of District 1.
‘It's so horrible…’
Suppressing her gloomy feelings, Haon spoke to the child.
“You can come play in District 1 anytime. It's not a place with a lot to see, but there's an academy, a hospital… and the cranes.”
At that, Nova, who had been quiet, chimed in with a wide grin.
“Honey. It would be good to create some attractions for people to see. The streets are clean enough now, but let's be honest, there's a lack of things to look at.”
For a moment, Juyeol and River glared at him with wary eyes. The ‘attractions’ in the old districts were all more or less the same.
“You're right. That's a great idea!”
When even Haon, after some thought, replied cheerfully, Nova gave a smug, triumphant smirk.
Haon, oblivious to the cold tension passing between the three, reined in her excitement.
‘If it's a place with lots to see and do, then it has to be that.’
* * *
A week later.
When Juyeol and River visited District 1 again, a library and a science experience center were under construction. At a very rapid pace.
River started to press them, asking if they were planning something illegal inside, contrary to the filed reports, but decided to stop after seeing Nova's expression.
He was staring at the blueprints with a ‘is this for real?’ look on his face. He seemed even more deflated than River.
Instead of Nova, who was supervising the site, Chacha accompanied them on the District 1 inspection today.
Throughout the inspection, Haon thought that might not have been a good choice.
“Do you know a guy named—? He's an out-of-towner I met yesterday, cute with a puppy-dog face.”
“The one from—with the bleached hair? That bastard's a domestic abuser.”
“Fuck. Not a puppy, just a son of a bitch.”
At River's answer, Chacha became indignant and cursed out the man she had met at the pub the day before.
As the two walked along, chatting, Haon naturally ended up standing next to Juyeol.
“I, I'm thinking of building an electric car charging station over there.”
“…”
Even as Haon pointed here and there, explaining her future plans, all she got in return was a suffocating silence.