Chapter 30

Hero exchange period.

An exchange event created by the Association to enhance cooperation among heroes and provide experience in fighting without faltering in various environments.

In simple terms, it’s just being dispatched to another country.

“Phew… So it’s my turn this time?”

“Yeah, including you, five from A to B+, twenty from B to C+, and fifty from C have been decided to go.”

“…Where to?”

“You’ll probably go to Russia. Recently, villains handling flames or explosions have been active, so there was a direct request from there.”

“Got it.”

It’s a bit bothersome, but… what can you do?

During the exchange period, and with Ice Queen herself requesting cooperation, it’s not something I can skip.

‘Plus, it’s been a while since I last moved during an exchange period.’

Since it’s a regular exchange event where a few are selected, I can just think of it as my turn this time.

“…But what happens to the assigned villain then?”

“A new hero will be assigned this time.”

A sudden curiosity from Ice Queen.

To her question, Baek Kang-ho calmly replied.

Usually, if the assigned hero can’t be active, another hero will replace them.

“Normally, if the villain is very dangerous or only that hero can handle it, they would skip such an exchange event…”

But your assigned villain isn’t dangerous, and it’s a temporary assignment anyway, so it doesn’t matter.

“I see.”

Ice Queen nodded in agreement with Baek Kang-ho’s words.

“Then who will replace me?”

“Probably one of the Japanese heroes coming for the exchange.”

“A hero coming for the exchange…?”

“Don’t ask me. It’s decided by a very precious support hero with connections to the higher-ups.”

“…That guy?”

Ugh, Ice Queen frowned.

If it’s a precious hero with connections to the higher-ups, Ice Queen only knew one.

“Do you dislike him that much?”

“…Yes. Honestly, just hearing that that playboy gave orders from above makes me feel bad.”

“Well. He’s the guy who flirted with our precious disciple, so I don’t like it either, but what can you do? His ability is useful.”

“……”

As her mentor said, that guy’s ability is indeed useful.

If it’s something he ordered, it must be the right choice, but…

“Still, I can’t help but feel uneasy.”

“Don’t worry too much, you won’t see him for a while anyway.”

At Baek Kang-ho’s words, Ice Queen sighed but nodded.

***

In a dimly lit room.

Creak-

“…Ji-hyuk. I’ve made the list as you requested.”

“Oh~ Old man Association President. You’ve worked hard.”

Beep- beep. beep. Beep!

When the Association President opened the door, he saw a man playing a game.

“…But, may I ask why you replaced the A-rank Ice Queen with a Japanese hero?”

“Come on, old man. Don’t you know my ability?”

The man calmly retorted to the Association President’s question.

The Association President knew his ability well, but it still made him a bit uneasy.

“…But still, the assigned hero changed from A-rank to B+… And how Maker will react is also something to be cautious about…”

“Hold your worries, old man. I can see everything, you know? That girl, it’s clear that she benefits from this.”

The man, who had turned off the game, chuckled at the uneasy Association President.

“Have you ever lost by trusting me? No, right~”

The man walked over to the Association President, casually putting his arm around his neck.

‘…This brat…’

The Association President felt a momentary displeasure, but the man was the child of a high-ranking figure.

Moreover, he was the child of those who provided financial benefits to him.

“Haha… Sorry for doubting Ji-hyuk’s ability… I guess as I get older, I just worry more…”

“Old man. Let’s take it easy.”

‘Because I have options.’

In any situation, he could choose the path that benefits him the most.

The ability to always choose the right path was his.

“Just trust me.”

The man chuckled and patted the Association President’s shoulder.

***

Thud thud thud!!

“Wow!!!!! So cool!!!”

“……”

At Eclipse’s headquarters.

Narin’s eyes sparkled as she roamed around Eclipse’s various areas.

“Wow!! The training room!!!!”

“..He,hehe..hello…”

“I saw you fighting with Maker oppa!!”

“O,oppa..? Uh,uhm thanks…”

“During the lab raid, oppa hugged you, right? Wow, I’m so jealous! I really wanted to be hugged too, can I ask for a hug now? I’m also a subordinate now, right? Can I? Will you? Really, me too..!!!”

“W,wait a sec…”

“Training room unnie! Ah, can I call you unnie? Anyway, unnie! Ah, but it’s a bit uncomfortable to keep using honorifics, can I speak casually? You can, right? I’ll speak comfortably, unnie! Do you like Maker oppa too? I’m the leader of the Maker Gallery and Mafia, Maker oppa’s fan club, do you want to join? How about it? Huh? What do you think?”

“Ugh…”

Narin’s voice continued without a break.

“Ugh..ugh..”

Quickly!

After listening to her for a while, Ahn Yeri, gradually overwhelmed, moved away from Narin and hid behind me.

“M,Mr. Maker…”

“…I’m sorry.”

“……”

“I apologize to everyone.”

“Ah, no..!!”

I apologized to the training room and organization members, then dragged Narin out.

“Oppa! Where are we going next?”

Behind me, Narin continued to sweep through Eclipse’s various areas.

And then…

“Oh my god..!!!!”

“……”

“You’re so so so cute!!! Kyahhh!!!!”

“……”

Narin met the expressionless Gayeon and let out a roar of joy.

“Is this Polia? You’re so cute! Hi baby! Ah, we met yesterday when I came to pick up oppa, right? Can I touch your cheek? No, it’s not anything special, you’re just so cute!! Can I? No? Kyah! You look like a doll!! What do I do!!”

“..Oppa. This person is annoying.”

Sorry…

“Are you calling Maker oppa ‘oppa’? Your voice is so pretty!! Don’t you want a sister? Maybe a new sister-in-law..ah, just kidding! Sorry! Anyway, can I call you unnie? Huh? But is your ability warp-related? I’m so jealous~ I wish I had such an ability. Ah, do you like candy? Want some candy? But if you eat this, you have to call me unnie, okay? No? If you don’t, I’ll be so sad. Your blank expression is so cute too!”

“Shut up…”

Gayeon, frowning, covered her ears with both hands.

She ran over to me and snuggled into my arms.

“Ms. Narin. I understand you’re excited, but maybe you should tone it down a bit? Gayeon is very shy…”

“I’m not that shy. She’s just noisy.”

..Hey.

“Sorry! When I get excited, I can’t see anything! I guess I got too excited coming here. And you’re so pretty, so I got even more excited… I’ll be careful!”

“I’m nice and pretty, so I’ll forgive you.”

“Thanks! Then can you call me unnie just once…”

“Forcing someone to do something they don’t want is bad.”

‘……’

I give up.

I stopped thinking.

“Right now, Maker oppa is showing me around, do you want to come with us, Gayeon?”

“Sure.”

With Gayeon joining, we swept through Eclipse for a while.

“Hello, chicken coop.”

“Hello, auntie!”

Creak.

‘So it’s this routine again.’

I sighed.

Using psychokinesis, I grabbed Astra, whose hair was sticking up.

“Let go. Maker.”

“If I let go, it’ll be a disaster.”

“My, listening to you talk, it sounds like you’re trying to kill someone~”

“……”

“I’ll just give a little education, okay? A little sting?”

It doesn’t seem like just education.

“Is the chicken coop mad?”

“Are you mad because of the age thing?”

“…Ah, just let me go. Let me go, okay?”

…I’m really going to lose it.

***

After the commotion, in Astra’s office.

“…You brought another strange child.”

“…Haha.”

I didn’t expect it to be this much.

“But she’s a talented child.”

I slightly embellished and summarized the circumstances of finding her and her abilities to Astra.

“Hmm… If she can block the Association’s hacker, her skills are indeed solid.”

“If Ms. Narin just tweaks the defenses a bit, there won’t be any information leaks.”

At my words, she looked intrigued.

So now, calm down…

“Ahem.”

Taking this chance to give some lip service, I casually stretched my neck.

“Ms. Astra. Please don’t be too hurt by what the kids said.”

“…I’m not hurt or anything.”

“That’s good. I was worried that the kind-hearted Ms. Astra might have been hurt.”

Glance.

Astra glanced at me.

She fidgeted for a moment, then asked me a question.

“…Do you think I’m old too?”

“You’re still in your late twenties.”

“Or is it my appearance…”

Saying that, Astra twisted her light yellow hair.

I walked slowly towards her desk, looking at her.

“Hmm.”

“W,what…”

I knelt down, resting my arms on the desk, and stared at her intently.

A silence fell between us.

“You’re just beautiful, I can’t tell anything else.”

“…Huh?”

I smiled brightly, looking up at her.

She quickly turned her head away.

“D,don’t joke around..!”

Though she spoke sharply, her reddened face and raised voice tone couldn’t be hidden.

“Really…”

After a while, she seemed to have calmed down.

‘This should do.’

“Then I’ll be going…”

Having calmed Astra down, I was about to leave to rest when…

“Maker, wait a moment.”

She called me back.

“Is there something else?”

“I forgot to give you this.”

She handed me a letter.

“Rest well and come visit later.”

“What is this…”

Curious at her words, I opened the letter.

“…Huh.”

And I couldn’t help but be surprised by what was inside.

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