235 — Hero (3)'

Meeting with A-rank hunter Na Teun-teun.
And sparring.

Everything was sudden,
I silently looked at Nathan Tun.

I thought about the words she said.
Two words that felt undeserved.
Two words that did not suit my existence at all.
Murmuring as if chewing over them, I spoke aloud.

“…Hero, you say?”
“Yes.”
“…Me?”
“Yes.”

For a moment, I thought, ‘That’s funny…’
Me?

‘No way…’

I shook my head.
No matter how much I thought about it, it wasn’t true.

But Na Teun-teun spoke first, as if asking me to listen to her side of the story.

“Mr. Yu Seha, we are definitely those who have lived and fought longer than you.”
“……”

Therefore, we know well.

How precarious this world is.
How evil that could explode at any moment stands right before us.
And how deeply corrupted it has become…

“The stories of brilliant heroes have long been forgotten, each caring only for themselves… furthermore, the number of those clinging to villains, the enemies of humanity, the ‘Mains’, is increasing.”

At such times, we heard your story.
Your actions were the very embodiment of a hero.

“We clearly saw it on the screen.”

To save the warriors of the Order,
Your figure shouting and giving orders.
The desperation of fighting atop Qilin’s torso, bleeding.

“…Honestly, even now the chairman is capable. I don’t know if I can trust him. But…”

If it’s your help, we don’t intend to refuse.

“This is the thought of everyone here, including myself.”

I couldn’t say a word.
I recalled a unique tickling feeling deep in my chest and a sensation I had experienced before.

The feeling when I first met Su Ok-bin and negotiated about the trial.
The desire not to reveal ugly emotions to this world.

The gazes of the 30 people watching me
Only fueled that feeling more.

I shook my head again.
I looked into Na Teun-teun’s clear eyes.

“…I am not a hero.”
“Then, why did you defeat Qilin? What did you risk your life for, climbing atop that monster to deliver the finishing blow?”
“…If left as is, surely a greater disaster would-”
“-If that act isn’t heroic, then what is it?”
“No. I was just being self-protective to guard my people…”

Jaw.

I couldn’t continue speaking.

Because Nathan Tun placed her hand on my shoulder.

“That’s enough.”

In fact, those who bring up grand ideologies are harder to trust.
If you stepped forward simply because you thought it had to be done.

“I can believe that.”
“……”
“Young hero, don’t feel burdened. We’re not forcing you to step forward.”

Na Teun-teun patted my back.
She showed me to the 30 comrades behind her as if introducing me.

“We are those who have come together, moved by your story.”

Oppression and orders come from rulers, not heroes.

“You just need to be yourself. We only help with that.”

“That’s right!”

At that moment, a new voice was heard.

A woman standing at the very front, with a scarred face.
Cat ears on her head and a long tail.
I could tell she was a feline humanoid like Meowi.

She was someone I remembered.
A hunter ranked joint first in employment with Nathan Tun.

‘A-rank hunter, Neung Ha-ack.’

She was also a definite strong and trustworthy person.

Neung Ha-ack placed her hand on my head.
With a playful smile, she ruffled my hair.

“We’re just stepping in and expecting things as we please, so just go with it, pretty boy?”
“Um…”
“Call me Neung Ha-ack. A-rank hunter. Your senior! Anyway, let’s skip the intro. What we want to say is don’t feel burdened.”

Neung Ha-ack gave a thumbs-up.

“Including me, about half of those here are just revenge seekers who don’t care as long as they can take down villains and Mains.”

Of course, seeing a young hope like you makes us even happier.

Neung Ha-ack patted her chest.
She pointed at me.

“You just call us. Then we’ll show up at the attacked place and take down those villain bastards. Okay?”

When Neung Ha-ack finished speaking,
I saw people nodding here and there.

I looked at them for a moment.
I stood up and bowed my head.

No matter what, these are people who want to help the academy.
They were on the same side.
That alone was enough.

“Thank you.”
“Kya kya kya~ If you’re so thankful, why not go on a date with me?”

Neung Ha-ack wrapped her arm around my neck.
At that sight, Na Teun-teun spoke stiffly.

“…Please stop.”
“Ehei~ To have such a pretty boy around and waste him… Surely you didn’t come all the way here to lecture me on manners?”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
“Huh?”

Only then did Neung Ha-ack notice something strange.
Na Teun-teun pointed behind with a trembling hand.
Neung Ha-ack naturally turned around.
She was horrified.

“Ugh, ughhh?!”

A beige-haired beauty had entered the training ground without notice.
Peng Jin-ah.
She was looking at Neung Ha-ack with her arms crossed.

Neung Ha-ack took a step back.

“F-fucking Cr-crazy. Overlord Sword!?”
“Long time no see, stray cat. By the way, you have guts calling your senior’s nickname so casually.”
“Ah, ah! L-long time no see, Senior Overlord Sword!”

Neung Ha-ack saluted with strict discipline.
Peng Jin-ah slowly approached her.
She placed her hand on her shoulder.

“I’ve roughly heard the story. I truly appreciate the help.”
“Eh, ehei, it’s nothing… aha…”
“However, separately from that, touching my disciple is something we need to talk about.”
“Um, um…”
“It seems the hunter world is definitely more comfortable without me. How about a reunion after a long time…”

Shall I gather them all under me?

At those words, not only Neung Ha-ack,
But also Na Teun-teun and all the hunters’ faces turned pale.

A brief moment of commotion.
I watched this scene blankly and smiled softly.

About ten minutes later.
I was able to get the contact information of everyone, including Neung Ha-ack, whose black eye had turned purple.

About 25 hunters including Na Teun-teun and Neung Ha-ack.
After finishing the meeting with them, I headed straight to the lodging.

Among the rooms provided to hunters permitted to enter <Sword Heaven Eastern Mansion>, this was the best and most splendid suite.

It was literally a VVIP floor with exclusive facilities only for the four of us.

It was a floor only available to the Plum Blossom Sword Marquis.

“Ahem~ Everyone, thank me, okay?”

The Sword Empress shrugged and waved the VVIP card around.
Soon, she put the card into the plum pocket.

(Sound of slipping)

Ah, shoot.
Correction.
It was too small and slipped down between her cleavage.

I quickly averted my gaze to avoid seeing this scene.
Judging it might cause unnecessary trouble.

Soon, I heard Peng Jin-ah and Su Ok-bin’s voices near my ear.
I also heard the trembling Sword Empress’s words.

“Lady, it’s only half of what my size is, why do you keep trying to put it there? It’s pitiful.”
“That’s right, Sword Marquis. There’s a saying that small breasts trying to follow big breasts end up tearing the chest… no need to force it.”
“…You bad women!”

Anyway, the four of us decided to relieve our fatigue in our own ways.
The main reason for coming to <Sword Heaven Eastern Mansion> was to relieve accumulated fatigue.

At that time, I was thinking about hearing my kids’ voices after a long time.

Meowww!

“Hmm?”

A sudden message.
The sender was Su Ok-bin.
She sent a message saying she wanted me to come because she had something to talk about.

I immediately headed to where Su Ok-bin was.
The place she was at was quiet and had a nice atmosphere,
A small cafe where only she existed.

Su Ok-bin was prettily sipping tomato juice.
She noticed I had arrived and smiled brightly.
As always, I felt she was truly beautiful.

“You’ve come.”
“Ah, yes, you said you had something to say…”
“Yes, it’s nothing much. Don’t be nervous and please sit here.”

One minute later.
I drank sesame leaf mint cola while listening.
The matter was the loot distribution from defeating Kirin.

Su Ok-bin winked one eye and smiled slyly.

“A hero who risked their life in battle deserves a proper reward.”

Su Ok-bin had already discussed with Peng Jin-ah.
She said she had given her a reward as well.
Now it was my turn, she added.

Soon, Su Ok-bin took something out from her bosom.
It was a golden key.
The ornate key was uniquely shaped like Qilin.
I looked at it with a surprised expression and asked.

“That isn’t Qilin’s…”
“Yes, that’s right. It’s the [Treasure Room] key.”

By the way, it wasn’t the first time I saw the key itself.
At the moment Qilin’s body was shattered.
It automatically bound to me and Peng Jin-ah, granting ownership.

And I entrusted it to Su Ok-bin.
I judged that she would be better at organizing and distributing the rewards than me.

There was also an additional request.
A request I couldn’t fulfill myself.

“First, as you requested, all the large amounts of magic stones and treasures from the [Treasure Room] have been handed over to the <Order>.”
“…! Thank you.”
“…Don’t you feel it’s a waste? That amount is enough to live leisurely for a lifetime…”

I scratched the back of my head.
Of course, I wasn’t uninterested.
I’m human too, how could I not be greedy?
But still, I have some money…

“The Order, which is currently struggling, needs it more than I do. I don’t want to see the saints unable to have snacks because of lack of money.”
“Hehe. You are truly kind.”

Su Ok-bin smiled gently.
She pulled a chair and sat beside me.
Soon, she stroked my head.
Like treating a child.

‘Ahem.’

Considering the age difference, it wasn’t incomprehensible, but still a bit embarrassing.
Of course, Su Ok-bin smiled as if seeing something adorable.

“Good child.”
“…Th-thank you.”

Afterwards, she handed me two pouches as my share.
One was an ordinary pouch,
The other was a pocket dimension pouch engraved with a supernatural ability.

Su Ok-bin pointed to the pocket dimension pouch.

“This gray pouch contains byproducts from Qilin. Among Qilin’s parts, it includes the most expensive and precious horn. You can sell it later or make equipment out of it.”
“Ah, thank you.”

I smiled and tucked it into my bosom.
Selling it wouldn’t be bad, but…
Since it’s a rare S-rank monster byproduct, I wanted to make equipment if possible.

Soon, I’ll schedule a visit to Sister Hyeja.
I’ll ask her to craft it and tell her to keep any leftover parts.

Anyway, soon my eyes turned to the second pouch.
The ordinary pouch, not the pocket dimension one.
I tilted my head wondering what it was.

Su Ok-bin smiled gently and opened the pouch to show me the contents.

Inside was a bracelet worn on the wrist.
An accessory commonly called a bracelet.
Uniquely, it bore the shape of lightning.
At first glance, it looked like an ordinary bracelet.

“Um, this is…?”
“Hehe. It’s the only artifact dropped by Qilin. Let’s read the details, shall we?”

I equipped the bracelet as Su Ok-bin said.
At once, I was surprised that it became .

Then, the information that flowed out shocked me so much my eyes nearly popped out.