“Right. The thing is, citizens don’t care about that. They just blame it on the hero for dawdling and their late arrival as the cause of death. That’s the kind of resentment they hold. It’s not just this, but all such similar incidents acc*mulate into a mistrust of heroes. Ultimately, the citizens of South Korea don’t put much trust in heroes.”
My throat hurts from talking too much.
I picked up a torn water bottle beside me and took a sip.
“Don’t drink directly from the bottle.”
…I heard the admonishment from Seo Eun. No, Seo Eun, weren’t you looking at your phone? Since when have you been so attentive to what I’m doing?
Seo Eun was watching, so I ended up drinking without putting my mouth on the bottle. I mean, you should worry about your own drinking…
After moistening my throat, I continued to explain.
“Actually, for the heroes, it’s a maddening situation. It’s sad enough to risk their lives working, but they also get verbally abused. The reality is that there aren’t many heroes in South Korea, so it’s difficult for anyone to immediately arrive at the scene when incidents occur. Hence, delays are inevitable, and for that, they get blamed.”
“Ah…”
Subin seemed to finally understand, nodding her head. Even Seo Eun, who was on her smartphone, pricked up her ears toward me, making me wonder, am I explaining this well?
Before I found myself in this world, my dream was to be a teacher. Of course, now there’s so much else to do, and without an ID card, I can’t really do anything. Maybe I’ll consider laundering my identity and becoming a teacher after everything ends.
Anyway, that’s not the point. I picked up where I left off.
“So, you see, it’s like a domino effect. Tired of being doubted, heroes start quitting. Fewer heroes mean slower response to crime. And that builds up even more distrust against heroes… It’s a vicious cycle. B and C grade heroes are dwindling, which has its reasons. The nation’s security now hangs in the hands of three A-grade heroes.”
“The police could help, but the law prohibits them from responding to crimes involving supernatural abilities. In reality, villains can easily sweep the armed police aside, so even if the police go, they wouldn’t be of any help.”
So, in conclusion, it’s a mess.
Heroes are despised, and the number of villains is increasingly on the rise.
The number of villains is far too many compared to the number of heroes.
It’s no wonder why Stardust is left to fend off threats alone.
“…So, you’re saying you will take care of the villains? You make a very dark hero, don’t you?”
Seo Eun mocked me while listening intently. Heuk, Seo Eun, after being somewhat nice to me for a few days, you’re back to your usual self.
“…Not exactly a dark hero. Let’s just say I have a keen interest in the fate of South Korea.”
“Or is it just because you like Stardust and want to take her burden?”
“Hey, Seo Eun. ‘That woman’, is it? You should speak more nicely.”
But she’s right.
How did she guess so accurately?
But admitting it now would be amateurish.
I casually diverted the conversation.
“It’s not that, I just don’t like her…”
“Do I sense that Dain has a lot of interest in Stardust?”
Subin interjected and challenged my words.
Subin interrupted. That gentle Subin.
Where did the innocent Subin go, the one who used to be scared and teary-eyed at my words?
I raised a tiger.
Suddenly the gaze of the two women fell upon me.
Caught in their probing eyes, I couldn’t help but feel flustered.
“Now, now. Much interest? Yes, I am interested. But that has no special meaning, as practically the only hero left is Stardust. Villains, after all, need heroes to exist, right? So consider this a contingency plan. I’ve just set Stardust as my arch-nemesis…”
There I was, unknowingly making excuses. Why am I even making excuses?
Seo Eun still looked at me skeptically. No Seo Eun, why are you like this? I protest.
“Anyway! That’s not what’s important, let’s start planning some terrorism.”
Upon saying this, Seo Eun’s attention finally shifted from Stardust to something else.
“Terrorism? Again?”
“Yes. You see, somehow my favorability has risen too high. More accurately, it’s the expectations that have risen. The only way to lower them again is a large-scale act of terrorism.”
“Haah… And when do we prepare for that?”
“Don’t worry, dear. We’ll take a break after this one.”
I said with a laugh, responding to Seo Eun’s complaints.
“A break? Really? Does that mean we’ll go on vacation?”
“Vacation?”
Seeing the spark in Seo Eun’s eyes, I unwittingly agreed.
“Yeah, a vacation, sounds good. Let’s go after this is over.”
“Really? You promise?”
Then suddenly Seo Eun ran off somewhere.
Wait, we were about to prepare for terrorism… Don’t tell me she’s going to plan for a vacation now?
Subin just watched us, a small smile on her face.
✧˚·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥·̩̩̥͙✧·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥˚·̩̩̥͙✧ 𝑔𝓇𝒶𝓋𝒾𝓉𝓎𝓃𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁𝓈 ✧˚·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥·̩̩̥͙✧·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥˚·̩̩̥͙✧
