Chapter 29

“…There’s no particularly grand reason.”

I just liked it, so I followed the traces, and I created a fan cafe just because I wanted to share it.

For her, there was no reason beyond that.

“Even so, if you could create a security program like that, you could’ve done something more profitable, like becoming a hero. Did you really have to resort to illegal activities?”

“Ugh, it’s so annoying dealing with those old-fashioned people who say this won’t work and that won’t work.”

Narin, reacting to Maker’s question with disgust, brushed her arms as if shaking off the irritation.

“Anyway, I’ve long stopped following laws since I was abandoned by my biological parents.”

Maker glanced at Narin’s face at those words.

Her calm demeanor. It didn’t seem like she was forcing herself to hide any pain—it just seemed like she felt nothing at all.

“What’s the point of laws that can’t even protect someone like me?”

Then Narin took the candy out of her mouth and pointed it at the sky.

“And the people who made those laws are the Association and the higher-ups, so I don’t particularly like them.”

“Some kind of rebellious spirit, huh?”

“Pfft, maybe? When you think about it, yeah.”

The sight of people who ignored her when she was powerless now approaching her because she seemed useful.

Maybe it was because that sight was so ridiculous that she always acted alone and did illegal things.

“And Older Brother, your acts of terror were so cool.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, as a villain, you’re always confident, and even though you could kill citizens or heroes if you wanted to, you only bother the heroes enough to make things difficult for them. I liked that.”

Her relaxed attitude, as if she was sparing them, was also part of it.

“And the way you deny the current system and go all out with your own style of terror!”

Narin looked at Maker with sparkling eyes.

“That’s the best part to fangirl over!”

“…Is that so?”

For some reason, Maker felt a bit awkward.

He chuckled lightly, took a few steps, then turned back to look at Narin.

“I understand your feelings, Narin. So, do you want to keep seeing me in action?”

“Of course I do!”

“If you’re going to watch, how about observing from right beside me?”

At Maker’s words, Narin’s eyes widened. Her face gradually turned red as she stared at him.

“Uh… a proposal…”

“I’m asking you to become my subordinate.”

“I wouldn’t mind if it was a confession.”

“Being a subordinate is enough.”

“Tch.”

At Maker’s firm attitude, she clicked her tongue.

‘This kid’s saying something dangerous.’

“Anyway.”

Maker extended his hand as if offering a handshake and looked at Narin.

“Will you become a member of my organization?”

“……”

After a moment of silence, she looked at Maker and then smiled slyly.

“Ha… I usually don’t accept things like this, but…”

Narin soon grinned and took Maker’s hand.

“Well, since it’s you, Older Brother, I’ll make an exception!”

“Welcome.”

And just like that, Maker gained his second subordinate.

***

Inside the Korean Hero Association Headquarters.

“Hey, hey, she’s coming.”

“Kek. The celebrity is here.”

“……”

As Ice Queen walked down the hallway, the heroes around her began to whisper.

“Who’s this?”

Then, a woman with a sharp expression blocked Ice Queen’s path.

“Isn’t this our celebrity? Where are you headed?”

“…I’m on my way to answer a summons from Executive Baek Kang-ho. Please step aside, I’m in a hurry.”

“Ah… Baek Kang-ho? But what’s an AV actress like you going to do there?”

Pfft!

Kyahahaha!!!

At the sharp woman’s words, the surrounding heroes burst into laughter.

“…Sigh. Please move aside.”

“Huh? Did it feel good? Clinging to a villain and whining like that?”

“……”

Ice Queen ignored her and walked past as if she wasn’t worth responding to.

Squirm.

Her attitude irritated the woman.

Ice Queen.

Back when she first joined, she was below her.

But now, that girl had surpassed her, a B-rank hero, and become an A-rank hero.

‘If she were S-rank, maybe, but now that she’s just A-rank, she’s acting like a boss just because the higher-ranked heroes are away.’

And that emotionless gaze she gave her.

That gaze was so irritating and disgusting that it drove her mad.

“…If you’re so busy, I’ll step aside. A prostitute should do her job. Spread your legs for Baek Kang-ho too—”

“Hey.”

“……”

At Ice Queen’s voice, the temperature around them instantly dropped.

“Watch your mouth.”

Sizzle. Sizzle…

“W-what? I’m just telling the truth—”

Whoosh— Bang!!

“Kuh…!”

In an instant, Ice Queen grabbed the woman by the collar and pinned her against the wall.

“Don’t you dare insult my mentor with that filthy mouth.”

Ice Queen had already formed a thin rapier made of ice and pointed it at the woman’s throat.

“Ugh! Aaah!!!!”

As Ice Queen lightly pressed the rapier, the woman felt excruciating pain.

No blood came out.

Instead, an unbearably cold sensation spread from the wound.

“Aaah!! Help… help me!!!”

“…What are you doing? Stop her!!”

Sizzle! Sizzle!

“…If you try to stop me, you’re next.”

As if speaking her mind, sharp icicles rose from the ground.

“……”

The heroes, swallowing hard, immediately backed off.

“Ha.”

“Aaah!! Aaah!!!”

Ice Queen let out a cold, mocking laugh at the sight.

“P-please… I’m sorry… spare me…”

The woman’s face was already turning pale.

Ice Queen, looking at her, dispelled the rapier and released her grip.

“You have no dignity, Senior.”

“Huff… huff… huff…”

The woman collapsed, trembling.

Ice Queen ignored her and walked away.

“Ice… Queen…!!”

The woman glared at Ice Queen with murderous intent.

***

“You really went all out, huh?”

“I’m sorry.”

In a room with a classical feel, a middle-aged man sat.

His imposing figure, larger than that of an average adult male, and sharp eyes.

On his desk was a nameplate that read, ‘Executive Baek Kang-ho.’

Baek Kang-ho stared at Ice Queen for a moment.

“Did they provoke you again?”

“……”

“I see.”

He then softened his expression and spoke kindly to Ice Queen.

“Ice Queen… no, Yun-hee. You tend to care only about your own people.”

“…Is that a bad thing, Mentor?”

She was just angry because they insulted her family.

It wasn’t like she abandoned citizens in a crisis to save her family, or shielded a family member who had done wrong.

She was just angry because they insulted her family with nonsense.

“That’s not what I’m criticizing, Yun-hee.”

Baek Kang-ho chuckled and approached Ice Queen.

He familiarly patted her head.

“It’s because you’re not within that circle of ‘your people.'”

“……”

“If someone as deep as you got angry, it’s because they crossed the line first. But.”

Before the insulting remarks about her family.

“Didn’t they say things that hurt you?”

“…I’m fine.”

“I’ve always told you. Those small wounds pile up and eventually, they’ll break you.”

Baek Kang-ho looked at her with slightly bitter eyes.

He knew why she was so careless with herself.

“Fighting or hurting others is something you alone must take responsibility for.”

Her choices and actions were her own responsibility.

It was only natural. Ice Queen was an adult and a hero in her own right.

“But I hope that the reason for those fights is sometimes for yourself, not just for others.”

Baek Kang-ho removed his hand from her head and smiled awkwardly.

“Take care of yourself. That’s all I want to say as your mentor.”

“……”

Beep-

‘Sis! Sis!!’

‘……’

‘…Sis! Next time, work hard and save kids like me, okay?’

Beep-

She could only nod at her mentor’s request.

***

“Now, let’s get to the main point.”

Back in his seat, Baek Kang-ho looked at Ice Queen.

“Is it true that your ability has grown?”

“Yes.”

In response to Baek Kang-ho’s question, she pointed at a water bottle on the desk.

Sizzle- Sizzle…

Instantly, the water inside the bottle froze.

“Oh! So you’ve finally ‘awakened’?”

“…Hmm. I don’t think it’s ‘awakening’ yet.”

An ability user’s ability could grow.

From simply mastering the ability through repeated use, to pushing the ability to its limits by deliberately injuring and regenerating muscles.

Among these, the most rapid growth came from using the ability based on intense emotions.

And beyond that growth, reaching a stage where the ability almost transforms into a new one is called awakening.

“Hmm… but growth is still a good sign.”

“Isn’t it satisfying enough to have grown this quickly?”

The conditions for awakening were still unknown.

Since abilities first appeared, it hadn’t even been 30 years since the methods of growth were properly established, let alone awakening.

“Still, growth through intense emotions… unless it’s in a situation where truly strong emotions are boiling over, it’s hard to grow… wait.”

“…What?”

After pondering for a moment, Baek Kang-ho looked at Ice Queen with a mischievous grin.

“What kind of emotions did our hero Ice Queen feel to grow so much, huh~?”

“…I was angry. Angry that I couldn’t do anything and was being toyed with in that situation.”

“Eh, is that all?”

“Mentor!!!”

“Hey, you’re a grown adult, why are you so embarrassed?”

Ice Queen’s face turned red as she shouted.

Baek Kang-ho chuckled as he looked at her.

It was like a playful father teasing his teenage daughter.

“Yun-hee, be honest, are you interested in Maker? Before this mentor’s eyes are covered with dirt, I’m against this romance!”

“Ah, come on!! Stop joking! That’s crossing the line?!”

“Hahaha!”

She was already bothered by the awkward reason for her growth!

And from what she’d seen, tentacle videos based on the last terror incident were being made on adult sites everywhere.

The whole world was talking about her and Maker’s tentacles.

On top of that, Baek Kang-ho, with no ill intent, was just teasing her, which made her even angrier.

“Ah, seriously!”

Ice Queen vented her frustration at Baek Kang-ho, and they bickered for a while.

After a while of bickering.

“…Anyway, is the reason you called me over now resolved?”

Having swallowed her anger, she asked if she could leave.

“Ah, there’s one more thing I haven’t mentioned.”

Baek Kang-ho made a face as if he’d forgotten.

He placed a document on the desk.

“Hero exchange program?”

Ice Queen’s expression showed she had expected this.

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