Chapter 258

The team of girlfriends called HunterKiller has always had at least one thing to focus on since I started dating them.

There were times when there was so much to think about that the stress was severe, but now even though there are many things to think about, I don’t feel stressed or fatigued compared to before.

The most worrying thing at present is how the higher-ups will review the report on the recent radio base raid operation. Before explaining the overall situation, I had reported that I was dating the HunterKiller team.

I thought I would be punished for not reporting the items to be reported beforehand, but surprisingly, no disciplinary action was taken. Instead, I was given the responsibility of commanding the radio base raid operation.

It seems they decided to give me a mission instead of immediate punishment to finish off what I was doing properly.

And currently, I am waiting with the report after the operation was successfully completed and reported.

Although the operation is over, the worry that getting punished might undermine the success of the operation has been lingering.

If I were always a well-behaved person, I could hope that the higher-ups would proceed with the discussion by recognizing my achievements rather than punishing me. Unfortunately, I have received many punishments and have not left a good impression on the higher-ups.

Among such people, some are praised behind their backs for giving their best to their work, but I am the kind who created hacking tools to peek inside the suits while the others were working.

So, this made me sigh deeply, thinking that there would definitely be some disciplinary action.

I do not know whether the disciplinary action will result in a pay cut or restriction of authority if it happens this time.

I hope it’s only the restriction of authority for the future. If my authority is further restricted, it will make finding data more difficult.

Apart from matters concerning the report, there is another matter that has been bothering me recently.

Although my personal affairs related to Luche and Siera have also been troubling me, there was another unresolved issue that happened earlier.

Recently, due to preparing for the operation, I have been less focused on the girlfriend issues, and the embezzlement case is still unresolved.

“Are we going to go through the legal process?”

“Yes, that’s why I think it will be chaotic for a while.”

After a clean defeat in today’s confrontation, I returned to headquarters with Theo and went to the smoking area.

Standing idly beside him as he smoked a cigarette, I exhaled white smoke.

One of the improvements after pouring out my feelings about my girlfriends to Theo is that I feel no burden in talking about it.

The entire HunterKiller team is aware that all my girlfriends are part of the team, and they show curiosity about recent events.

When investigating the embezzlement case, Theo was a big help, and he wanted to know more details beyond what was publicly disclosed.

“It’s tough. But living together means we won’t miss each other.”

“That’s right. We won’t miss each other because we’re busy.”

The day before yesterday, during a confrontation, I heard that the investigation into the embezzlement case continues and they are planning to start legal procedures soon.

I expect it will take years to resolve completely, but with clear evidence and many victims, it probably won’t take as long as expected.

Especially, it might be possible to get back the money that wasn’t received due to embezzlement in the near future.

“How was the confrontation? Better now?”

“What confrontation? What’s there to talk about? Just look.”

In response to Theo’s question, I replied nonchalantly, and he gave a forced laugh.

Theo seemed to think that I would find it hard to fight the HunterKiller team after the first confrontation.

But what unfolded in front of his eyes was entirely different.

The confrontation remained unchanged from before. Although Luche and Siera participated in the operation just a few days ago, the confrontation appeared no different from usual.

Knowing which suit I was wearing, Theo occasionally checked if I was okay, but the girlfriends, unaware of who I was among the soldiers, attacked each soldier with full force without adjusting their strength.

“You were attacking well too.”

“Even if I attack, it won’t leave a mark anyway.”

I attacked with full force as well. The difference being that each of the girlfriends’ attacks was a fatal blow, whereas mine succeeded only once in dozens of attempts.

“Still, are you okay? I wouldn’t be able to fight.”

Even though I was doing it, I never thought it was easy. The girlfriends couldn’t identify me among the soldiers, but they knew I was in one of them, and I could identify all of them.

Fighting under those conditions isn’t easy. It’s like attacking a couple who are so close that falling apart would cause a major incident.

“It’s tough. At first, I hesitated. But if I keep hesitating and feeling it’s hard, it’ll lead to more problems.”

“That’s true.”

The reason we attack each other fiercely is to eliminate any suspicion that might arise.

With the goal of not letting suspicions arise among the girlfriends who usually give their all, our confrontations became even tougher.

I feel sorry for my teammates, but there’s no better way to create a simpler situation.

“I think this will end soon too.”

“What do you mean?”

Even if the report submitted to the higher-ups is reviewed, the opinion of the girlfriends wanting to enter Spacystro remains unchanged.

If I receive punishment, it will be only me; the entry of the girlfriends is unrelated to my punishment.

On the contrary, the higher-ups will welcome the entry of the HunterKiller team into Spacystro.

There are still unresolved issues with the girlfriends being part of the Earth Defense Union, but I think the confrontations with them are not far off.

“There is that.”

“Really? But if it gets busier for a while, how will the confrontations continue? Will they continue as usual?”

“So far, no matter what happened, the confrontations proceeded smoothly.”

This time, I need to discuss with the girlfriends.

While it’s not a physical activity, the mental fatigue of the girlfriends responding to the embezzlement case is considerable.

Not only do they have to deal with the case itself, but they also have to face numerous reporters and the public’s gaze towards the hyper-human.

I suggested that avoiding reporters might be better, but…

“If we avoid reporters, people’s doubts about the hyper-human will turn into facts,” Yu-bin replied.

Hearing her, I understood despite seeing the girlfriends express fatigue.

People believe what is openly discussed and the rumors that grow.

The power of these rumors can be overwhelmingly strong, making truths unheard.

The hyper-human, who hadn’t received wages and whose money was embezzled, is seen as a victim, but there are conspiracy theories suggesting otherwise.

While news about the embezzlement case often includes articles claiming the hyper-human and the Earth Defense Union colluded to embezzle money, even without evidence, some believe it.

People who skillfully weave falsehoods into truth and those who fabricate stories regardless of facts exist.

Even now, when it’s clear the hyper-human is a victim, many still raise these conspiracy theories.

If someone dismisses these absurd claims, the conspiracy theories grow, and fabricated lies become accepted truths.

Belief in these rumors doesn’t require proof or verification.

Ultimately, the story that gains the most attention reaches people.

At some point, those who firmly believe in their logic ignore facts.

There are people who believe the Earth is flat.

They hold onto their logic and ignore facts, believing the Earth is flat and not spherical.

It feels like looking at such people.

I consider the confrontations in the future because of the fatigue the girlfriends feel.

They might insist they’re fine and want to continue as usual, but from an outside perspective, that’s not the case.

I want to lighten the burden of the girlfriends who are facing enemies both inside and outside.

Though I don’t have the authority, those around me do.

Especially the girlfriends. Many know the HunterKiller team is a victim of the embezzlement case, and for a short period, we could pause the confrontations to resolve the issue.

Of course, the girlfriends will stop the confrontations, and Team 3 will fight other hyper-human groups, but it would make me feel better.

“Yeah. It’s good if we don’t confront your girlfriends. I don’t have to be cautious either.”

“Do you have something to be cautious about?”

“I didn’t think I did, but it bothered me.”

I didn’t expect such a reaction from my teammates who didn’t know about my girlfriends. In the future, I need to think about what will happen when more people know.

“Senior, what are you doing?”

Alt, dressed in thin clothes, came out in civilian clothes from the suit.

Despite the cold weather, Alt showed no sign of feeling cold.

“Aren’t you cold? I’m freezing just watching you.”

“I’m fine. I have a lot of body heat.”

As a hyper-human who can emit fire, Alt shrugged his shoulders, indicating that the cold was no problem.

I had something to talk about with Alt. As I pondered, the answer quickly came to mind.

“Alt, do you still read comics?”

“Huh? Yeah, I read them. I’ve been reading nothing but comics lately since I have nothing else to do at home.”

“Weren’t you going to a comic festival in Japan?”

“Yes, I went.”

“There’s one in Korea too.”

“What?!”

Alt’s face lit up. He seemed genuinely surprised, having not known about it.

Though I learned it by chance, I believe Alt will recognize it if I provide a bit more information.

“I heard it somewhere. Let’s check it out.”

“Yes! Thank you. I’ll check it out as soon as I get home.”

With tanned skin and short blonde hair, Alt exuded a roguish charm, yet his innocent smile didn’t match his demeanor.

“Do you still read the same ones every day?”

Theo’s comment made Alt’s eyes even more intense, and I felt uneasy, narrowing my brows.

“Yes. It’s still ongoing.”

“What was it called again?”

“It’s called ‘Finding Hwaryong.’ It’s an adventure story about finding a dragon that grants wishes. Would you like to read it too, Senior?”

Suddenly, Alt spoke faster.

When he talks about his favorite comics, he becomes enthusiastic and starts proselytizing.

Alt has always enjoyed experiencing various cultures of different planets, and whenever he goes to a planet, he immerses himself in its culture.

Since coming to Earth, Alt has been immersed in comics, and knowing how talkative he becomes when he starts proselytizing, I avoided the situation.

Theo, who was smoking and couldn’t avoid Alt, remained stuck in place, and I felt his gaze growing distant, but I intentionally didn’t turn my head.

“I need to go home.”

I thought about organizing things before my tired girlfriends come home.

I set out on my way home after work with that thought.