Chapter 11. Kids grow up well on their own
A few minutes after Hyunseok disappeared, his presence faded outside my perception range.
Suspicious movements were nowhere to be seen.
From the looks of things, it definitely wasn’t a trap or a test.
But just because of that, I couldn’t relax.
“Unho,” I called out, glancing at the parrot that was stuffing leftover snacks into its mouth.
“What’s wrong?”
With its cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk, it looked quite amusing.
I couldn’t really tell if it was genuinely a parrot or just a white hamster in disguise, but at least it could talk normally, so there was no problem chatting.
“What did you sense from Hyunseok?”
‘You don’t trust your friend?’
“Right now, that guy isn’t here as my friend but as the branch manager.”
Even if he’s my close friend, he occupies a high position in the Association, which has built the image of an orderly hero in this society.
To maintain such things, even if he’s a friend, he could deceive me.
Especially if that friend seeks to change the societal structure he has built, and if he knows about it.
‘Still, he’s your friend, right?’
“If I were to oppose the Association, there’s no guarantee he’d still consider me a friend.”
There’s no point in explaining such natural logic to a partner unaware of the world’s complexities.
“Then tell me. The reactions that came out during our conversation – the lies and emotions. I can read some emotions to a degree, but I can’t quite catch Unho’s feelings.”
“There are no lies.”
“So, is it because you have a magical girl’s mascot that can sense lies?”
What it means is that while there might be things hidden, it doesn’t mean there are outright lies.
If that’s the case, then my student isn’t a spy or a disguised hero.
If it’s really a magic girl that has been born to directly face a monster…
“Most of it is just normal.”
“However, I sense fear when the black machinery appears.”
“Fear?”
“Yes. And a bit of acceptance.”
What does that mean? Fear and acceptance?
I couldn’t grasp what was meant by those feelings and carried a strong curiosity that how we couldn’t hide our emotions either.
What on earth does that imply? I can’t see anything but obscure emotions that don’t lead to a clear understanding.
“I wish I had telepathy.”
“Even if you did, you’d still struggle.”
“Well, that might be true.”
I began to piece together the information revealed.
If there’s no lie and if most of the emotions indicate sincerity, then it’s likely that he truly wants to raise me as a student. What might be hidden behind that remains unknown.
“At least I don’t think the magic girls coming in as students are suspicious.”
“You think I should suspect someone I haven’t even met?”
“In this situation, who else can I believe besides you?”
Considering my friends haven’t betrayed me nor have they actively helped, they’ve remained neutral.
Even the heroes who have maintained a bond of friendship. The Association where I’ve spent a long time. The monsters that have saved me and also been my transaction partners.
I must doubt them all; they are all untrustworthy.
If they interfere with the process of establishing a hero and societal framework, they must be dealt with without hesitation.
Hearing those words, Unho seemed touched and came over to rub against my legs, providing a bit of softness to the situation.
After eating all day, its soft fur was strangely ticklish against my skin.
It really felt like a pet at times.
Still, it wasn’t a bad feeling so I began to pet its fur.
To keep the mood pleasant, I let my fingers tangle in its fur without causing pain.
While we engaged in this mutual grooming for a while, a curious thought crossed my mind, and I grabbed Unho’s body. I felt the greasy fat between its soft fur.
“Poyo!”
Realizing I was holding onto it while it wiggled in a panic made me chuckle.
When our eyes met, Unho suddenly seemed confused about what was happening.
“What does it mean when I transform? Does it mean I lose the power of the Otherworld? Is there some kind of trap involved?”
‘That’s a mystery.’
“That’s a mystery! I just requested new powers within my jurisdiction!”
“If that’s the case, there’s no reason the power of the Otherworld should come from there. Unho, don’t tell me you’re my enemy?”
Surely, if we trust and work together, there shouldn’t be any enemies among partners or mascots.
But recalling the heroes who had been betrayed and perished, I tightened my grip.
Honestly, I believe there’s little chance that Unho would betray me, but it’s wise to cut off any suspicion beforehand.
“I only bring my powers from outside this world. I aim to seek connection with the Otherworld! Save Unho!”
‘From outside the world, huh? That’s interesting. Continue.’
I figured an entertaining story would likely emerge, so I let go of Unho’s grasp.
“By the way, this is something I shouldn’t say…”
“Regardless, you’ve already broken the mascot rules, so just spill! ”
“Will you really keep my secret?”
Really, if it’s necessary, I must distribute the information to the Association. The more they know, the more control I have.
“Okay.”
Unho straightened itself, taking a deep breath.
“Do you know the purpose of the monsters or beasts with the power of the Otherworld?”
“Isn’t it to break through the holes in the Otherworld and invade our world?”
Why is that so obvious?
“Actually, the powers granted to heroes are the same. The powers we distribute are captured from within, so they don’t leak out to pollute this world or create holes.”
I already knew that piece of knowledge.
And then the sequel follows:
“And when the story is finished, we retrieve it?”
“Exactly.”
I gripped my aching head, urging Unho to explain more.
“Isn’t everyone already aware of that info? Why is it a secret?”
“What do you mean?”
This annoying little white lump truly…
“Earlier, Hyunseok mentioned the black machinery… What did he think it was?”
“Probably a gun?”
I exhaled a long sigh. I’ve thought this before, but I also found it hard to believe that little Unho was a traitor.
“It’s a detector of the power of the Otherworld. It analyzes the power of the Otherworld to a certain extent. You know the heroes’ powers as well.”
“Then why’s there such a rule?”
“It’s probably a rule from 30 years ago.”
In this situation, wouldn’t the rules regarding mascots also change considerably?
Poyo!
Disheartened, a mound of white powder collapsed onto the ground.
“You’re the one who only passed me the power, yet you’re saying it wasn’t connected to the Otherworld?”
“It’s not my fault! There are no suitable magic circles to give the appropriate power!”
“Does that mean my powers are closer to the Otherworld than a magical girl?”
“Maybe both?”
Things continue to get complicated.
I took out a hammer for fixing the sword, and my field of vision turned grey as black particles began to swirl around the room.
Will the particles remain in the corner of this room?
“What about the contamination level of the Otherworld?”
It seemed like Unho tried to sense my thoughts, twitching its whiskers, and quickly replied.
“I had no intention of sensing it, so I hadn’t noticed until now, but based on the amount of the power, it wouldn’t be odd if a hole were pierced at any moment. Strangely, there’s hardly any surrounding contamination.”
“Then if I fall, a hole opens up, right?”
“In theory, yes. At least in theory. But it seems unlikely that the contamination would create a hole; the black particles swirling in the area seem to play a role in stealing the power of the Otherworld.”
Got it.
I let the throbbing headache be and shouldered my hammer.
“I’m just going to take a quick trip.”
“Where are you going?”
“My mind’s all tangled up, so I’m going to go beat up the first hero I see.”
“Take care,”
The white lump didn’t seem to have the strength to comment on my actions and waved its front paw weakly.
A discovery.
Healing-type magical girls treating injured citizens.
She was dressed in a nurse-like outfit that seemed to define her as a healing type, primarily in white.
As her bright magic seeped into the citizens, soothing their injuries —
Personally, I’m not fond of non-combat heroes, but looking at it from another perspective, it’s likely that news about her actions would spread rapidly.
There’s value in that.
With that thought, I leapt from behind her.
“Who!”
Even though she’s a non-combat type, she is still a hero;
Without hesitation, she summoned a bow in her right hand and pointed it at me.
Her surprised expression gradually darkened with fear.
“Hero: Invader.”
It seems the term Marauder has yet to become public knowledge. I attempted to rise without inflicting pain but…
thud thud
Immediately, two arrows flew through the air.
Quick judgment.
Heart. Head.
If the skill gap is evident, staying alive comes first. So targeting the vitals is a good choice.
Still, it was too slow.
Could she be a support healing magic type that’s fighting from a distance? That thought quickly vanished because of the excruciatingly slow speed of the arrows.
Dodging arrows that hold no value, I charge straight at her and swing the hammer down towards her arm.
“At least, I’ll finish you off without you feeling pain.”
As the arrow was nocked onto the bowstring, I saw her face.
Disappointment, confusion, resolve — her expression transformed in such quick succession, and she clenched her jaw while raising the hammer.
Damn, how can’t she do anything?
A bright, clear sound pierced through: although it didn’t shatter, it was a resounding thump.
I pushed away, channeling my strength to prevent her skull from completely shattering.
Though her forehead ripped and bled, in comparison to the complete devastation of her head, it was nothing to worry about.
Had I moved without thinking due to confusion?
She wouldn’t keep just her head fixed to protect her arm. But still, in reality, what happened before my eyes was no joke.
That ridiculous act managed to momentarily paralyze my body with shock.
swish
The sound of wind slicing through the air made me leap back.
The silver arrow that barely brushed past me flew through the air.
That’s too bad.
Her face was drenched in blood.
The broad arrow she held glimmered in her left hand.
She neither gave up nor fell into confusion:
She simply risked her life to protect her arm.
The pink light slowly began to heal her forehead. The recovery ability seemed to be lacking, as the wound healed at a very slow rate.
Of course, with her face bleeding not just sweat, I wouldn’t complain.
“Ah.”
Taking advantage of the moment when she was focused on her healing, I charged toward her.
She seemed to desperately try to dodge my attack, leaping sideways, but for some reason, she suddenly froze and raised the arrow to block my hammer.
crack
The hammer easily pierced through her defenses.
The arrow snapped, taking her right leg with it.
A scream didn’t make it through: the sound that escaped was a muffled cry of pain as no one writhed in agony.
She just glared at me with gritted teeth, clutching the arrow tightly in her grip.
Even with her arrow breaking under my hammer, I didn’t stop my attack; my body moved on its own.
I found myself wanting to ask her something.
“Why didn’t you dodge?”
“So you can talk?”
“I thought you might be talking to yourself.”
“Ah.”
In the midst of conversation, she kept altering the direction of her arrows to shoot at me, yet my superior skill meant that to my eyes, it just seemed like she was trying to attach arrows to my hammer.
“So why didn’t you dodge?”
“Because there are injured people behind me.”
“I only attack heroes.”
“I wouldn’t know that.”
It seems I resolved my curiosity.
She had merely made the decision any hero would make.
I dodged the arrow and swung the hammer toward her left arm.
smash
A sound of breaking silence.
A sensation crawled up my arm:
Even though it feels good, her arm isn’t broken.
The rain of arrows summoned from the pile barely halted my attack.
The fragile arrows couldn’t withstand my hammer, but at the very least, they were spared from shattering her arm.
“Got any more ideas?”
“Not at all.”
Her legs were broken and her arms bruised, but she still showed no sign of losing her spirit.
Well then. Let’s keep going.
disappear!
With her whole body in disarray, she started gathering her magic around the arrow:
The pink-glowing arrow gleamed brighter than a bright morning sun as it shot through the space between my black particles.
flash!
“Useless!”
The arrow of glimmering pink collided with my hammer, simply bouncing off.
“Haha.”
Seeing my vacant expression, the magical girl across from me seemed amused, yet internally, I couldn’t help but be surprised.
Her leg was bent in an unnatural direction, her forehead shattered, her face drenched in blood, and her body covered in bruises and beaten down — even her torn-up arm was now turning purple.
Yet, she did not lose her spirit.
She stood out among all the heroes I’ve met thus far as the weakest.
Her healing ability was weak too, with a simple bow and arrow that had no special abilities at all.
Even so, despite being such a weak hero, she managed to endure far longer than the heroes I’d assaulted earlier.
By reading my movement patterns with her lacking physical abilities, she countered while protecting her arm, even at the moment she was about to lose her hand.
Confronted with such a clear skill gap, her legs gave out, and she conjured arrows to create a makeshift splint.
Regardless, her intention to regain mobility was certainly admirable enough for her to still be called a hero.
This is amusing. Really. It’s entertaining.
“How many years have you been at this?”
“Four years.”
“Is your only power healing?”
“That’s right.”
“What’s your name?”
“Nursewitch Karte.”
“Forget your hero name.”
Han Ah, this kid could grow up just fine without putting her through hardships: six to ten years.
With that amount of time, she would shine as a hero.
Even so, I couldn’t just let her go.
No exceptions can be made, and even if I were to let her go, I wouldn’t be able to ensure her future with the Association.
Think of it as being unlucky.
To put an end to her suffering, I released the limiters and liberated my power.
A short release of energy spread shockwaves across the surface of my skin.
“Each!”
With a short scream, Han Ah was thrown back by the shockwave, and I charged at her with a speed that had previously been incomparable.
Even the methods she employed to barely deal with me had been incapable of realizing I had vanished, with my hammer swinging around.
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