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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Half-Hearted Hero, Lee Ha-yoon (3)
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It had been ages since they last had anything to do, and they seemed thrilled about it—police sirens blaring unnecessarily loudly, surrounding the convenience store.
They should've shut them off by now after arriving on the scene, but no, they were still wailing thunderously.
Even just passing by, the noise would've drawn your eyes once or twice. But if they kept it up all day like lunatics, making a racket neighborhood-wide, what do you think would happen?
Sure enough, onlookers were popping up here and there, peering into the store.
From the apartment stairs.
Right next to the convenience store.
Someone bundled up in a puffy long coat like a penguin, poking their head out furtively.
Eyes cloudy with age, holding their phone at arm's length to snap photos of the inside.
I'd wondered why there were no pedestrians at this hour. Turns out it really was an old folks' neighborhood.
Nothing but grandmas and grandpas.
"So, you say he slammed you down like this?"
"Yes."
"And then you healed yourself?"
"Yes."
"But does it really work that fast? From what I've heard, even healing-type Transcendents can't just fix things up in a snap..."
The cop tilted his head, shooting me a suspicious glance.
We'd checked the CCTV, and I'd even helped with the witness statements, but he still couldn't wrap his head around it.
...Actually, no. It felt more like he was fishing for a chance to experience a healing himself.
After a moment's thought, I approached the cop.
"All good?"
"Uh..."
I quietly showed him the wound on my body healing up.
It was a self-inflicted cut, sure, but without proof of that, he might mistake it for natural recovery. Having the actual "healed" guy right there made further proof unnecessary.
"Officer, just out of curiosity."
"Yes, go ahead."
"With this incident, could I face assault charges?"
"...Well... Isn't it self-defense? In cases like this."
"Right?"
"Yeah. Should be fine, probably."
His responses felt scripted, like macros.
I figured it was self-defense too, since Lee Ha-yoon had nearly gotten in deep trouble. But...
With that level of incompetence, who would trust the police?
It used to be a job for sharp, clever people. Probably declined a lot after Heroes showed up.
"Why's this kid so quiet, though? She did the healing, right?"
"She looks fine now. Interrogate her later. Doesn't feel like talking right now."
Heroes should've been here by now, but the store was still just crawling with a few cops.
Seemed like since the case was already wrapped up, they weren't bothering with extras.
For beings worshipped as protectors of the public, they sure were frugal with their effort.
Shouldn't they at least hustle as much as the Villains do... I mulled over the pathetic thought for a moment.
Once the cop finished questioning me, I headed toward Lee Ha-yoon, who was dithering awkwardly in front of the store fridge, not knowing what to do.
"Noona."
"...Yeah. Woo-jin-ah."
I'd worried she might be in shock, but her voice sounded fine enough.
Her usual village-dog grin had faded, and the bubblegum she'd been chewing was gone—that was it.
Eh, no big deal.
She'd nearly been beaten to death, cops making a huge racket drawing the whole neighborhood to gawk, and if she were still chomping gum and grinning like an idiot, that would've been weird.
The important thing: I'd saved Lee Ha-yoon from a Villain once.
That was enough.
"Isn't your shift over soon?"
"Already? ...Huh, it is. Five minutes left."
"Gonna need time for handover, and they still aren't here."
"They always come right on time. If I weren't a Transcendent, I'd have decked them by now."
"Want me to heal whoever shows up so you can swing away guilt-free?"
"Pfft... What're you even saying? Nah."
She flashed a light smile, then hardened her expression again.
She had the energy to banter with me, but she clearly knew exactly how close she'd come to disaster.
If I hadn't been there.
She wouldn't be smiling now.
"..."
In other words, Lee Ha-yoon owed me one.
That was plenty.
For an unexpected windfall, it was a pretty decent outcome.
Then.
"Um, hi..."
"Oh, you're here. Five minutes early today?"
The night-shift guy crossed through the automatic doors with a greeting.
He was a sorry-looking dude all around.
"Yeah. Heard the cop sirens on my walk, so I ran. What happened?"
"Robbery."
"R-Robbery...? You okay?"
"Fine. As you can see."
"Y-You're so calm... Must be the Transcendent thing."
"Dunno. Doesn't feel real yet. Heh."
The guy kept chatting away.
Lee Ha-yoon shut him down coolly.
I watched their exchange for a bit, then patted her small shoulder.
...His eyes lingered on my hand for a second.
"Noona. Go change. If they need more from you, the cops'll call."
"Oh, yeah. Hang on... Just gotta ditch this vest anyway."
She fiddled with her uniform and slipped into the Staff Only storeroom.
As I watched her back and shifted to my phone, one creepy gaze snuck my way.
"..."
"..."
Wondering what my deal was with Lee Ha-yoon, huh.
"Hey."
"Yes."
"You related to the afternoon shift girl or something...?"
Not even knowing her name.
And prying anyway.
"Junior. Just from school."
"Ah, so you're..."
"Yeah. Miren Academy."
"I see..."
I considered claiming boyfriend for kicks, but dropped it.
Fun to watch his face freeze, sure, but stacking lies could bite me later.
Besides, letting him hope was more entertaining.
Secretly molding a Hero you cheer for into your plaything, pounding her till she gasps like an animal in heat.
Or secretly getting closer and stickier with Lee Ha-yoon behind that guy's back.
When you got down to it, not much difference.
"Sorry. With everything, couldn't restock everything..."
"N-No problem. Happens. Robbery and all. I'll handle it."
"Cash all matches, but that delivery guy from earlier? One package..."
"Yeah, yeah."
Lee Ha-yoon emerged from the storeroom, and the guy scurried after her.
I watched them quietly, said goodbye to the cop, and slipped out of the store.
...Gotta clean the blood splatter off the floor too.
Not much, but it'd be a hassle.
"Let's go! Woo-jin-ah."
"Here, Noona."
She slapped my back as she exited, and I held out a throat candy. She snapped it up with a crunch.
Her soft lips brushed my palm briefly.
She didn't seem to notice, so I let it slide without comment.
"Which way's your place?"
"Toward the Academy, but I'll tag along with you first."
"Me? Why?"
"...After something like that. Figure I can help if I'm around."
"What escort duty from a scrawny guy like you."
"You hurt yourself exerting force."
I popped a throat candy too, following her lead.
She stuffed her hands in her pockets, chewed for a bit, then glared at my face with a buzz.
Her stare was so intense I glanced over, and she pouted her lips before looking away.
"...You holding onto getting hurt?"
"How could I not? Costs a fortune every time."
"'Fortune' what."
"Anyway. You get it."
One step.
I followed her swaying long ponytail down the alley—the opposite direction from where I'd run from.
"Honestly, you could make bank whenever you wanted with your ability."
"True."
A few quick heals, and I'd scored my current one-room.
No better power for pure cash flow.
"Me? Every use breaks the bank..."
"What exactly is it?"
"Limiter Release. Something like that, anyway. Would've been nice if it just pumped me up like normal folks or Ji-yoon without the cost."
"...Yeah. Powerful abilities like that always come with nasty side effects."
I'd picked up on it already but asked anyway.
Using it wrecked her body—load even a Transcendent frame couldn't handle. One Villain like that too.
So I'd planned to run into her again someday, keep healing her wounds to build rapport...
Didn't expect to rack up debt like this.
"Already scraping by, then hospital bills, water, electric, gas..."
"Hence the part-time gig."
"Yeah. Ji-yoon helps too. She works at a café. Been at it since high school."
"Ah."
Wondered about her parents for a sec.
Let it go.
"Says she's popular 'cause she's cute. Manager sis mentioned it."
"Makes sense."
"...You into the cold cat type like Ji-yoon? That vibe. Dunno myself."
"Straight up, pretty is pretty. Guys are simpler than they seem."
"...Hmm. Pretty's all it takes, huh."
"What."
"Nothing. Just honest. Handsome works for me too."
"..."
"Nice? Even better."
A car horn blared as we exited the alley; sirens faded, replaced by main road traffic whipping through the wind.
Straight ahead: college street packed with bars, probably.
Left: park.
Right: no clue.
She hooked right.
I kept pace behind her.
"...Oh. Hold up."
She paused in front of another convenience store.
The bell jingled as I followed her in.
"Guinness... Paulaner... What else..."
"Drinking?"
"If not tonight, when?"
"...Fair point."
Clink, clink—the cans slid down the ramp.
Her hands full midway, she shoved a few beers my way.
...Just 'cause they're cold?
The thought passed as she grabbed about eight and sauntered to the register.
Beep, beep, beep.
Right after checkout, the bag with eight cans landed in my hands.
Heavier than it looked.
...Whatever.
Why foist it on the "scrawny" guy?
"You carry it. You're stronger anyway."
"Don't wanna."
Her ponytail swished playfully ahead.
Grab it if you can, it taunted.
...Yeah. If the chance came, I'd love to wrap my hand around it and yank like a leash.
I sighed and trailed silently after her.
She ducked into a new alley like it was routine, navigating the dimly lit path without hesitation.
Dilapidated villas and houses everywhere—terrible security.
Even the pay-per-bag trash bags weren't followed properly.
Something black squirmed amid the garbage—stray cats, probably.
No desire to make eye contact and get chosen. I kept my eyes on her back and walked on.
Thus, step by step, deeper into the alley until.
"That's my place up ahead. Wonder if Ji-yoon's still gaming? Lights are on."
She pointed to a second-floor villa unit and strode on.
...Without taking the bag from me.
Straight on.
Beep, beep—as she punched in the code.
Still.
Wordlessly inside, step by step.
The bag of beer cans remained in my hands the whole time.