[Partner, are you watching YouTube?]
Ignoring the Black Prince’s words, I take a deep breath and open YouTube.
[Soviet Collapse! K-Hero Kim Deok-Sung! Stopping the Soviet Union and Saving Japan! Why did the EX Rank Hero of the Superpower Soviet Union, the White Tiger of Siberia, beg for his life while grabbing K-Hero Kim Deok-Sung’s pants in a humiliating video?! Focusing on the activities of the world’s strongest K-Hero Kim Deok-Sung, who brought the invincible special forces Spetsnaz to their knees!]
[As soon as K-Hero Kim Deok-Sung’s activities are revealed, the Soviet Union and communist bloc declare a super emergency! Shocking revelation from an American hero analysis outlet. “Kim Deok-Sung is already world-class; there are no stronger heroes of his age. He is a future talent responsible for the security of the free world.”]
[Is South Korea a greater hero superpower than Japan?! Japan is just a paper tiger?! The once-reliable Japanese hero forces crumble before K-Hero Kim Deok-Sung! Shocking backstory of Japan doing nothing during this Soviet provocation! “We, Japan, also need Kim Deok-Sung now.”]
There’s no truth here, just pure instigation and fabrication, as the YouTube thumbnail catches my eye.
Wait, I stopped the Soviet Union?
All I did was endure until I collapsed, right?
It was Seira and Ichiro who fought Ivan.
Come on, this is too much.
[Come on, honestly, Kim Deok-Sung didn’t do anything this time, lol. Stop the nonsense;; The fact is that Ichiro and Seira faced Ivan, lol.]
The moment I posted the comment.
[Recommend 0] [Disapprove -23234]
Disapprovals are rising fast.
[This Japan-loving troll is back again, lol! Using the same ID for trolling is just pathetic, right? lol.]
[Spineless]
[He’s that famous Japan-loving troll, lol. Ugh, it must be tough to slander our hero, Kim Deok-Sung!]
[What fact? lol The fact is, your country Japan was breached by the Soviets and then saved by our hero, Kim Deok-Sung! That’s reality, lol.]
And then, the flood of negative comments.
It’s a serious level of national pride.
I should just keep quiet.
Sighing, I enter a portal site.
Surely there are some normal articles here?
[South Korea’s pride, Kim Deok-Sung. Once again saving the free world from the Soviet threat!]
[Anonymous interview with a Japanese Hero Association official. “If Kim Deok-Sung hadn’t stalled him, Japan and the entire free world could have been in danger.”]
[President Kang Myung-Hyun’s statement from the Blue House. “Once again, Kim Deok-Sung has crushed the Soviet plot after France. He has safeguarded the security of the entire free world… South Korea’s name has once again been raised high in the world… As the President of South Korea, and as one of its citizens… I express my gratitude to him.”]
[Hollywood star Jennifer’s interview during her visit to Korea. “Kim Deok-Sung? Of course, I know him. He’s a famous hero even in America.”]
[Hallyu idol Yoo Se-Ra’s exclusive in-depth interview. “When I heard that he was injured, my heart broke… I’ve always been a fan of his… I want to sing a comforting song for him.”]
What a fool I was for hoping.
Now I’m supposed to ask Hollywood stars if they know my name?
“What’s your name?”
I can’t believe the day has come when I’m joining the club. I’m so embarrassed I can’t even show my face.
It’s driving me crazy, seriously.
*sigh*
Just as I was about to turn off my phone while sighing.
A fact I had overlooked earlier flashes through my mind.
[Partner, what’s wrong?]
Han Seo-Jin.
Her YouTube channels haven’t uploaded any videos lately.
How lovely.
I was unsure when I made a mistake by slightly burning the meat earlier.
Just like how monkeys can fall from trees, even the perfection of Han Seo-Jin can make mistakes.
I started to wonder if I was being too sensitive.
But seeing that there were no nationalism-themed videos from Han Seo-Jin confirmed it.
‘Something big must be happening to Han Seo-Jin.’
[Something big? How would the Partner know that?]
The Black Prince questions.
If it’s about nationalism, I’d believe it when pigs fly that Han Seo-Jin would skip uploading nationalism videos.
I’d sooner believe that the sun rises in the west.
I turn my gaze towards the grill.
*Sizzle.*
I see Han Seo-Jin diligently focusing on the barbecue in front of the fire.
Beads of sweat are forming on her forehead.
[Anyway, if it’s really something big, how about you comfort her? It’s a gentleman’s duty to console a lady, you know.]
The Black Prince says.
Comforting her.
I’m not really used to that sort of thing.
[Come on, Partner, why are you just standing there? Go to her quickly.]
The Black Prince urges.
Well, I have to do it.
Han Seo-Jin is my top sponsor, supported by Korea.
Without her, I might not have been able to handle the Olivia engagement incident or the current deserted island practice incident correctly, leading to the worst possible outcomes.
‘For the sake of the future, I really should lift Han Seo-Jin’s spirits.’
Managing relationships is crucial.
[You’re not being honest, are you? Tsk.]
The Black Prince clicks his tongue.
I’m now too tired to respond to every little thing.
Ignoring him, I head towards Han Seo-Jin, who’s grilling meat.
“Han Seo-Jin.”
“Kim Deok-Sung! You’ve come!”
As soon as she spots me while grilling, she politely bows.
“I need to talk to you alone for a bit…”
I glance sideways.
*Flare.*
Just as I realize there’s still plenty of meat left, I wonder if I spoke too soon.
“Master! From now on, I’ll grill the barbecue!”
Eri suddenly appears behind me, waving the tongs with a smile.
Ah, what a surprise.
Did she really just decide to step in and grill after hearing me?
“Hehe. You two talk comfortably, I’ll take care of the grilling from now on. Master, did I do well? Praise me. Praise!”
Eri grins widely, showing off her orange hair, expecting compliments.
I place my hand on her head.
I don’t know how she knows, but she’s indeed solved an awkward situation.
“Yeah, good job.”
A compliment that doesn’t cost anything is easy enough.
*Stroke.*
As I pet Eri’s head, she smiles.
“Then have a good time! Master, Han Seo-Jin!”
Eri waves goodbye.
“…Thank you, Nishizawa.”
Han Seo-Jin bows and follows me closely.
In her management swimsuit, Han Seo-Jin glances up at me with her head slightly bowed.
A swimsuit.
Now that I think about it, this is the first time I’ve seen her in something other than formal attire.
She always dressed in business suits.
Since Han Seo-Jin is a beauty, she looks great in a swimsuit too.
Her figure isn’t bad either.
Han Seo-Jin’s face turns slightly red when she catches my gaze.
She speaks.
“Since you wanted to talk privately, I’ll guide you to a quiet place. Please follow me, Kim Deok-Sung.”
Her tone is calm, as usual.
But I detect a slight tremor in her voice.
[Hmm, now I understand why the Partner was so restless. That girl certainly seems troubled. For you to notice that first, Partner. You’ve grown, haven’t you? A fine gentleman indeed. You can relax now.]
“You look impressive. For you to pick up on this first, partner, you’ve grown a lot. A truly fine gentleman. You can come down now.”
Come down, what?
While listening to the Black Prince’s nonsense, I walk along the white sandy beach with Han Seo-Jin.
Swish, crash.
The emerald waves of Okinawa break white against the shore.
Caw, caw.
The sound of seagulls fills the air.
The loud barbecue party sounds gradually fade away until they abruptly stop.
A beach surrounded by large, uneven cliffs appears.
The evening glow casts a red hue over the sea and sand, creating a breathtaking scene.
“This place… is truly fantastic. I had no idea a beach like this existed.”
The Black Prince exclaims.
But to me, it’s a familiar sight.
It’s because I’ve seen this place in the original anime.
The beach episode scene, a classic trope.
This secluded beach is where the heroine called out to me.
In the original, after the fiancé battle was wrapped up, Olivia tried to thank the protagonist Yuji and confess her feelings but failed right here.
The scene where Olivia blushes red under the sunset, brushing her hair behind her ear while saying thank you, is one of Olivia-dan’s picks for the greatest moments in animation.
The animation quality was superb too.
Anyway, I never expected to end up here with Han Seo-Jin.
Is there really no escaping cliches in this crummy light novel world?
“Kim Deok-Sung.”
I hear Han Seo-Jin’s voice.
Snapping out of my thoughts, I look at her.
Her expression is as emotionless as usual.
Twitch.
I didn’t miss the slight quiver of her eyebrows.
“What do you want to talk about? Whatever it is, I’ll listen.”
Han Seo-Jin slightly bows her head.
Perhaps due to the red sunset, her face looks a bit flushed.
It resembles the face Olivia showed in the original anime.
The only difference is, unlike in the animation, this is the damn reality.
“….”
Actually trying to speak to Han Seo-Jin, my lips won’t cooperate.
I don’t know what to say.
While Olivia and others I built relationships with are characters from the original work, Han Seo-Jin is not.
She’s a character who has never appeared in any light novel, anime, spin-off, or side stories.
She symbolizes that this world is not fiction, but reality.
And because of that, I paradoxically don’t know much about her.
It’s overwhelming.
‘I’m going nuts.’
Saying just anything is impossible.
I’m in a tight spot.
At that moment.
[Partner, if you don’t know what to say, why not just ask honestly? Ask what’s going on. I think it’s time to throw a fastball.]
The Black Prince’s advice rings in my head.
He’s not particularly trustworthy, but there’s some truth in his words.
No need to overthink this.
Just ask her.
With that resolution, I look at Han Seo-Jin and say, “Is there something going on? Your behavior today is a bit different. You didn’t burn the meat or forget to upload a YouTube video…”
“…That’s…”
Han Seo-Jin’s eyes flicker.
See? Something is definitely up.
“…I was a little worried.”
“Worried over something as trivial as me…?”
Her face turns slightly red.
Trivial? What is this, the Joseon Dynasty? I don’t get her word choice.
Han Seo-Jin bows at a 90-degree angle.
“I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable because of my situation. This is all my fault… I will take responsibility and correct it.”
She speaks with a stiff military-like tone.
“Correct? This isn’t a military base. I’m really just worried and curious, so just tell me what’s going on. It’s an order.”
Order.
At those words, Han Seo-Jin’s eyes widen.
She bows her head and places a hand on her chest.
He places his hand on his chest.
“If it’s an order… I understand.”
Swish.
The sound of gentle waves can be heard.
Han Seo-Jin bites her lip.
With a trembling voice, she speaks.
“This time, Kim Deok-Sung is really in a life-threatening crisis, and yet… I couldn’t do anything. As a hunter, not a hero… I couldn’t help Kim Deok-Sung, who was risking his life battling a Soviet hero.”
Hearing her words, I start to piece things together.
As is typical in an academy battle light novel, the super weapon known as the ‘Phantom Soldier’ holds absolute power in this crazy world.
When the Phantom Soldier’s battle mode is activated, the magical field granted to the user is on par with at least a Zeta-rank high-level otherworldly being.
As a hunter, unable to breach a high-level otherworldly being’s magical field, I can’t penetrate the magical field of a hero in battle mode either.
Thus, in personal battles, the Phantom Soldier can only be countered with another Phantom Soldier.
That’s why Han Seo-Jin is blaming herself.
As a hunter, she couldn’t even fight against the hero Ivan.
“I feel so pathetic and frustrated… I was afraid of becoming an unnecessary existence for Kim Deok-Sung, of being discarded.”
Han Seo-Jin lowers her head.
A tear falls from her eye.
It’s the first time she’s shown such intense emotion, usually so reserved.
She wipes her tear with the back of her hand.
“It’s just my ugly inferiority complex and greed coiling up inside me. It’s nothing you need to worry about, Kim Deok-Sung. I couldn’t even manage my emotions properly, causing you concern and showing disgraceful behavior. I’m sorry.”
She apologizes to me.
So that’s how it is.
A sigh escapes me.
“There’s no need to apologize.”
I don’t understand why she feels sorry when there’s nothing to be sorry about.
“And it’s not that you were unhelpful.”
Han Seo-Jin’s eyes widen at my words.
“I know it sounds a bit cringy, but you were definitely a help, and you still are. Han Seo-Jin, if it wasn’t for you back then with William, and now, I might not even be alive in this world.”
“That’s…”
Han Seo-Jin’s face turns red.
“So don’t beat yourself up too much. You’re a perfectly capable aide, and you are essential to me. I’ll never discard you.”
I have no idea what delusion she’s under, but there’s no way I’m going to abandon Han Seo-Jin.
It’s a bit overwhelming to have such national pride, but I can bear it.
Why would I push away such a competent aide?
“Kim Deok-Sung…”
Tears well up in her eyes.
Her gaze trembles.
[Partner, at times like this, you should comfort her with a manly, cool line and pat her head.]
The Black Prince advises in my head.
Pat her head?
That’s a bit…
Maybe if it were Eri, but can it work with Han Seo-Jin too?
[Oh, don’t hesitate or doubt. Just trust me, partner.]
I’m a bit unsure, but deciding to go along with the Black Prince’s advice, I place my hand on top of Han Seo-Jin’s head.
“So, just relax and cheer up, alright? That’s what I wanted to say.”
I gently pat her gray hair before removing my hand.
Han Seo-Jin’s face turns red.
She wipes her tears with her hand.
“I understand, Kim Deok-Sung! Thank you! Really, thank you!”
Han Seo-Jin bows her head.
I’m relieved to see her gathering her strength again.
Looks good.
A faint smile flits across Han Seo-Jin’s lips before disappearing.
“Then, if it’s alright, may I excuse myself to handle some pending tasks?”
She’s back to her usual expressionless face, asking in a businesslike tone.
That earlier sense of anxiety is gone.
“Yeah, go ahead.”
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