Chapter 76

This place was somewhere in Central Asia.

It was just after Legalmight had launched a surprise attack on the hideout of the internationally wanted illegal arms dealer they had been tirelessly tracking for months.

Legalmight looked down at the two corpses sprawled on the floor and said,

“Didn’t headquarters specifically order us to capture them alive?”

“In unavoidable circumstances, we were authorized to kill. Since their heads are intact, it should suffice for identification.”

Professor Hyun lightly kicked the head with just the tip of his shoes, causing it to slightly turn and reveal its lifeless eyes facing Legalmight.

“Is ambushing defenseless civilians with an Aura bombardment really an unavoidable circumstance? I don’t think so.”

“Defenseless civilians? Who exactly are you talking about?”

Professor Hyun surveyed the ravaged hideout.

“These are infamous arms dealers. You need to consider the countless innocent lives claimed by the weapons they’ve sold. All that has been accounted for. Isn’t that the justice you so desire?”

“No. Regardless of that, taking lives is still a wrongful act. It could have been a great opportunity to hand them over to the International Court of Justice, where they’d be punished through due procedure, possibly implicating everyone involved.”

“Even if we had, they’d eventually be sentenced to death. Whether we kill them with drugs or turn them into scraps with an Aura bombardment, the outcome remains the same. As for the illegal weapons smuggling network, we can track it and capture them one by one.”

Professor Hyun then pulled out a USB from a tactical pocket on his suit.

“It’s evidence secured from the hideout. The transaction ledger is inside. Do you think I act without thought?”

While saying that, Professor Hyun placed his foot on the torso of the lower-body-less corpse and pressed down.

Blood began to trickle out from the severed edge below the waist.

“Stop desecrating the dead.”

“That depends on what they used to do while alive. And stop with those outdated statements, Legalmight.”

Professor Hyun responded without any change in expression.

“Does death absolve all sins? No, it doesn’t. The impact one leaves on the world doesn’t vanish with death. Hence, your expectations are unfair.”

“Gracesteel, there is an unbridgeable gap between what you and I believe in.”

“That’s true. Your idea of justice and mine are fundamentally different.”

Professor Hyun removed his foot from the corpse and stepped down from the building debris.

“Let’s not argue about who is more righteous; there’s no definitive answer. Let’s hand over the scene to headquarters and go enjoy some good food. My treat. How about some ox-head soup on this cold day?”

As Professor Hyun walked past, tapping Legalmight’s shoulder, Legalmight stared at him in silence.

Cutting off someone’s head and then suggesting ox-head soup? He’s insane.

* * *

“Hero…?”

“Yes, yes.”

Lost in thought, Legalmight snapped back to reality.

“Sorry about that. Old memories came up. Professor Hyun being such a gentle person is something I can’t imagine at all.”

“But he really is like that. He always gives good advice and encourages me… Whoops! I’m sorry…!”

Han Min-ha clapped her hand over her mouth, startled at accidentally speaking her mind.

“It seems Professor Hyun really takes care of you.”

“Yes… But please don’t tell anyone I said that…”

“I won’t.”

Returning to the main topic,

“I appointed Student Min-ha for this based on your performance in the Human Combat Ability Evaluation. The way you turned the situation around with an unexpected move from defense to offense was very impressive.”

“Thank you.”

“Particularly, the defensive technique you used then is something we really need at our office, I assume it was taught by Professor Hyun? Defensive Barrier?”

“Yes. Professor showed me how to chain the barriers together.”

“I figured. Hyun excels in barrier operation almost to the level of genius. Anyway, that’s why I invited you for this internship. Depending on the results, there’s a possibility you might join our office immediately upon graduation.”

“Huh. Is that true…?”

“Field Training is generally done with that assumption in mind.”

“I knew that, but hearing you say it directly makes it feel different… Thank you, I’ll work hard!”

“It’s not decided yet.”

“Ah…”

Han Min-ha scratched her head and Legalmight chuckled.

“Let’s give it a week and see how it goes.”

“Yes, understood!”

* * *

Song Do-yoon was walking through a slum area away from the city center, checking her cell phone.

She was currently following a map app to reach Gos Hawk’s office.

Oddly, Gos Hawk, an A-Ranked Hero, did not position his office in a prime location but chose this secluded area.

Song Do-yoon didn’t give it much thought. She merely accepted this fact.

After wandering for a while, she finally stood in front of an old building with peeling tiles, an ancient design that clearly indicated its age.

“Gos Hawk Hero Office.”

A faded wooden sign was tenuously hanging at the building’s entrance.

Pushing open the brown-tinted glass door, the interior was surprisingly tidy and bright, contrary to the outer appearance.

If anyone saw it, they might mistake it for the office of some famous IT company rather than a superhero’s office.

Unexpected… I imagined something like an underground dungeon, Song Do-yoon thought, glancing at the rows of cute succulents at the reception desk.

“Hello, I’m here for the internship.”

The receptionist, who was adjusting her makeup in a mirror, smiled warmly at Song Do-yoon.

“Are you Song Do-yoon? Our Hero is currently inside. Please wait a moment.”

While the receptionist was on the phone, Song Do-yoon looked around the office.

A few employees were seated, handling paperwork, or casually chatting with colleagues beyond their partitions.

The atmosphere seemed more like the office of an anti-hero, a black hero, or even a quasi-villain.

“Song Do-yoon? Our Hero says you can come in. Please proceed.”

“Thank you.”

At that moment, the office door opened, and an almost silver-haired Hero slowly entered, followed by a newly hired sidekick in a green spandex suit.

“Good job, Ivyrunner.”

“Y-yes.”

Responding weakly, the sidekick shuffled down a corridor somewhere.

Perhaps she just returned from a solo mission.

As Song Do-yoon followed the receptionist to Gos Hawk’s office, one of the staff finished a call and sighed.

“Two sidekicks from the east branch just died.”

“I knew this would happen. You shouldn’t have sent them on such risky missions. How many this year already?”

“Hush. The boss might hear. Anyway, is the applicant list ready? Call the top two to see if they can start tomorrow.”

“Got it.”

“Judging from the backlog of requests, more will likely die before the week ends. Contact the rest about their willingness to join.”

“Understood.”

The businesslike conversation about replenishing low stocks finally made Song Do-yoon realize she was truly at Gos Hawk’s Office.

Gos Hawk’s office is notorious for having one of the lowest survival rates among superhero offices because it overworks its sidekicks to handle a massive amount of missions.

However, it offers higher pay than the industry average, so volunteers never run out.

“Come in.”

“Yes.”

Song Do-yoon entered Gos Hawk’s office, standing momentarily stunned, staring at the woman inside.

A youthful and delicate woman was smiling at Song Do-yoon in just her underwear.

She was petite and had an adorable figure.

How pale and beautiful her skin was, and how stunning her face! Song Do-yoon momentarily felt her breath catch.

“Did you come?”

“Uh… Gos… Hawk?”

“If it’s not me, who else would it be?”

Song Do-yoon hesitated to respond, gawking at Gos Hawk.

The media’s Gos Hawk always appeared in a completely black outfit with deep, smoky makeup—completely different from the pure look of the woman in front of her.

“Surprised by this face? I slept in and haven’t done my makeup yet.”

Gos Hawk smiled, a look so innocent and gentle.

“Sorry, I was just about to change into something else when I got the message that you’re here. Can you forgive me for this attire?”

“It’s fine.”

Song Do-yoon tried her best not to stare at the black mesh lingerie and responded.

“Would you like to sit down? I apologize for this, but I’ll change while we talk, okay?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

As Song Do-yoon sat on the sofa, she had to admit she was flustered.

Gos Hawk’s current appearance was so different from what she’d expected.

And such a gentle tone of voice…

Could this really be the infamous Gos Hawk?

Gos Hawk started removing makeup products from her vanity, which was sitting in one corner of the office.

“So, you chose our office?”

“Yes. I believe I can learn a lot here.”

“Thank you so much. By the way, I received a call from your professor.”

“I was told you might call.”

“Right, right. Such a very polite and refined person. I’m sure you’re well-treated there, aren’t you?”

“Yes. They’re good.”

Objectively, it was the truth.

Though unsure how Professor Han perceived her, seeing how he treated Yu Hye-won and Han Min-ha, she was certain he was a good person.

As soon as Gos Hawk finished her makeup, she transformed into the sinister and decadent figure Song Do-yoon had seen on television.

The moment Gos Hawk turned her gaze toward Song Do-yoon, she flinched.

Standing up, Gos Hawk opened a wardrobe to take out a black suit.

“Can you help me zip this up?”

“Of course.”

Approaching Gos Hawk from behind, Song Do-yoon was enveloped by a dense, heavy, and dark fragrance.

While zipping the dress, Song Do-yoon inadvertently glanced at the slightly open wardrobe.

There, she noticed strange items—half-transparent paper containing white powder, small spoons, and syringes.

“What are you looking at?”

Gos Hawk quickly turned around, shielding Song Do-yoon’s eyes with one hand while smiling.

“Did your professor teach you it’s okay to peek into someone’s wardrobe?”

Keeping one hand over Song Do-yoon’s eyes, Gos Hawk wrapped her other arm around her waist and stepped back from the wardrobe.

Kicking the wardrobe door shut behind her with her foot, Gos Hawk softly whispered,

“If you do that, you’re not allowed to stay.”

“I’m sorry.”

“That’s my sleeping medication. I haven’t been able to sleep properly because I’ve seen too many harrowing things.”

“I understand.”

“Hmm…”

Gos Hawk made an odd noise as she grinned sinisterly and began slowly caressing the curve of Song Do-yoon’s waist and hips.

“Strong and well-proportioned; I like it. Definitely, a good choice.”

Seeing Gos Hawk’s sticky gaze and flicking tongue, Song Do-yoon hesitated, slightly alarmed, and asked,

“Uh…?”

“Shall we continue our earlier conversation?”

Gos Hawk pulled Song Do-yoon onto the sofa, where they began reviewing the internship plan and personal background forms.

With an arrogant posture, Gos Hawk’s booted feet rested on the table.

Certainly, she had been innocent before putting on the makeup.

Song Do-yoon couldn’t help but feel tense.