Chapter 17: Inevitably, the Heroine

I Hate Hurting People (3)

"That person..."

Pointing to Jace, who had been dragged along by the hand, she made an 'ah' sound, as if finally remembering, and dropped Jace to the floor.

"I just knocked him out. Anyway, you recognized me right away. I guess masks don't suit me."

Seemingly quite frustrated, she grumbled as she took off the white mask that covered the upper part of her face. And then, I met those green eyes once more. I frowned at the gaze that seemed to be trying to drag everything out of me.

What's her intention? Why... doesn't she say anything about me fighting that villain? I check my condition in preparation for a possible fight. Crackle - it's slight, but ice is still being created.

Even so... the chances of winning weren't high. Unless I was fully prepared. It would be difficult to win in a half-hearted state. My level of using the 1st Sword was just about that much.

Let's try to resolve this with a conversation first. Thinking that, I opened my mouth.

"I... I don't know what to call you, but anyway, why are you here? And knocking Jace out, and wearing a mask."

"Oh, I haven't told you my name yet? Call me Hera Carmen, I'm Xenon's Noona. Why don't you call me Unni once?"

"......"

Watching Hera, who was smiling slyly as if she was just enjoying this situation, I remained silent. Calling her Unni, I'd rather bite my tongue and die. After a moment of silence, Hera opened her mouth.

"Well, I understand. We're not close yet."

"...It doesn't seem like we'll ever be close."

Crakle-

At the ghastly murderous intent leaking from her, I unconsciously surrounded myself with ice. I clicked my tongue softly, looking at her face, which was still smiling slyly.

What a psycho-

Emitting such intense murderous intent, without a single change in expression. It must mean she's experienced this countless times. But that doesn't mean I understand why she's doing this.

Attacking a hero office, knocking out a formal hero, and then revealing her face and confronting me like this. Hera Carmen, the daughter of a top hero, couldn't possibly be unaware that this would have a significant impact on her.

At that moment, something flashed through my mind. She's trying to kill me.

"...You never had any intention of letting me live."

"That's right, if you had gone to District A as I told you, only Xenon would have been slightly hurt and it would have ended there."

Slightly? My lips twisted. Such a lie meant nothing to me, who knew the events of the original story. How many people were hurt, and how much Xenon was scarred because of it-

Suppressing the emotions that were about to burst out, I bit my lip. I was so pained by that scene when I read the novel. I tasted metal in my mouth along with a faint scent of blood. How hard did I bite that my lip tore?

"That must hurt."

Soulless sympathy. Yeah, it was my mistake to think that anything could be resolved through conversation in the first place. Even though I knew that her nature was flawed from the start.

Perhaps realizing that my expression had changed, the faint smile that had been on her face disappeared.

"...I don't know why you're protecting Xenon. But I already warned you once."

"......"

"I told you it was dangerous, so why did you go anyway? Think of your death here as revenge for the children you captured. That way, you'll feel less wronged, right?"

Ha, as if there's any way to feel less wronged when dying. Scoffing at the joke that wasn't even a joke, I swung my hand. Tricks don't work. Then-

Kwah-ah-ah-

My body temperature had returned to some extent thanks to the brief rest. I'll end it all at once, with the maximum technique I can use.

Whoosh.

My fingertips point towards the sky. Hera's gaze naturally follows those fingertips. And at the end of that gaze- there was a giant snake.

Crushing the earth, swallowing the light of the sky. It was different from the Moonlit Night that simply held the moonlight. It was so huge that it could swallow the sky, and its gaze looking down on the earth was majestic. A predator, devouring everything beneath it, and eventually devouring even itself.

Jormungandr.

Was it because I created that being? My legs gave way and I collapsed. This was the maximum I could squeeze out, looking at that being that created a huge shadow in the city, and looking at Hera, who was staring blankly at the snake, I gave a faint smile.

...She'll be a little surprised.

#

"Don't get too close. It'll become dangerous."

Those were the first words I heard. Unfathomable, telling me not to get close without any explanation. I realized the identity of the voice as soon as I heard it. Hera Carmen, once a fairly close... my Noona.

Why was she, a third-year, here? Before that question could be resolved, another voice entered.

"Okay."

A fairly familiar voice, no. There was only one person in this academy who made that voice. Aisha Irian. I had followed her after seeing her come up. It was only natural that I would hear her voice. But what was confusing me was, why was she agreeing with Hera's words?

"I didn't really plan on getting close to him anyway."

As if drunk, I felt dizzy with every word. Staggering, I leaned against the wall with one hand, listening blankly to the continuing conversation.

"If Xenon were to hear these words right now, how do you think he would feel?"

I was a selfish person. I wanted her to answer that she would also be hurt by that question, or to remain silent. But the following answer was,

"...I don't think he would care much."

...It was hell.

Bang-

As if venting my anger on the rooftop door, I kicked it shut and staggered down the stairs, returning to the dorm, no- to home. I don't remember. Whether I went to the dorm or to home. I simply mingled with the murmurs of countless people, entrusting myself to the crowd.

Like a water bottle swept away by the waves, I drifted somewhere.

I couldn't come to my senses. A sense of loss as if a corner of my heart was empty. Even though it wasn't a deep relationship enough to be so emotionally affected, I felt a sense of loss at her answer.

What did I lose?

Were she and I even friends in the first place? No, I couldn't even be sure of the answer to that question. She would wake me up when I was sleeping, and her face would turn red as she smelled my scent. But even that might have been my illusion. Why- I.

Since when had I been keeping her in my eyes?

Whenever I met her red eyes that seemed to contain the sunset, whenever she replied to me with that indifferent tone, I felt a sense of satisfaction for some reason. It was as if something empty in a corner of my heart was being filled. Sometimes I felt frustrated, I was somehow dissatisfied with the fact that we were still awkward with each other.

But I was afraid to take the first step, afraid that she might hate me.

When she was talking to someone else, I would pretend to sleep with my head down. Because then she would come to wake me up. It was like a child. But then.

With just that one word, I couldn't come to my senses. Being in the same subway as her, right in front of her, in the same space. That small distance, which felt like a solid wall, felt so far away.

"Xenon... I.... B..."

Nodding weakly, I walked in the opposite direction from her. I don't even know if this is the right way. Why did I come here?

Jerk-

What woke me up from my listless walk was someone pulling on my sleeve. Who is it, I thought, and when I turned my head, there was no one there. No, they were just short.

"Hyung."

"......"

"Hyung, are you crying?"

A little boy with a lollipop in his mouth, looking at me with those clear eyes. Just as I was about to pass by, the boy pulled on my sleeve again.

"...Stop it."

"They say men only cry three times. Hyung just used one."

"...Where did you learn that?"

"My dad told me."

"Is that so... And I didn't cry."

"Your eyes are red."

"It's just dry eye," I said, making excuses. I wiped away the tears that had formed slightly under my eyes. I wasn't this emotional.

...But I didn't exactly cry.

Only then was I able to come to my senses to some extent. Why I came here, how I ended up walking all the way here.

"I was taking the practical exam."

"What's that?"

Looking at the little boy who was still sucking on his lollipop, I smiled slightly.

"...It's just doing what a hero would do."

"Are you a hero, Hyung?"

"...No."

"Aww, that's no fun."

Where was I supposed to make it fun? I was a little dumbfounded, but I couldn't get angry at a young child, so I just sighed.

"They say sighing chases away good luck."

"Did your dad teach you that too?"

"No, my mom did."

"...Is that so."

After glancing at the clock that said there were 7 hours left until the practical exam, I turned my gaze to the little boy.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

"No."

"...Really?"

"Yeah."

This was troubling. With 7 hours left until the practical exam, and the street now darkening. If I didn't do anything, I would probably be suspended again... or maybe even expelled this time. I knew my behavior had been poor, but I didn't really want to be expelled.

I just wanted to get someone's attention.

"Should I take you home?"

"I guess."

Suck, suck, the little boy was still expressionless. I smacked my lips and took the boy's hand.

"Where's your house?"

"It's just straight ahead."

"It's close. Is District A a good place to live?"

"I don't know, I live in District B."

"...Then why are you here?"

"I got lost."

How can you say that with such a carefree face? Anyway, taking a lost child home is also part of the practical exam. I took the boy's hand without a word and walked down the street.

...I wonder if Aisha is doing well.

"...!"

I was startled without realizing it at the sudden thought. It would be nice if there was a signal or something when I thought of her, but it wasn't the first time I had been troubled by Aisha's thoughts that came to mind without any connection. A friend... no, not even that anymore.

The fact that she was still influencing me hadn't changed. As the thoughts continued, and I was about to fall into depression again.

Aaaaeng-

"...An Ability alarm."

It felt as if an ominous sensation was gnawing at my body. Even when I looked around, I didn't feel that there was anything particularly dangerous. Then something wouldn't happen here. My gaze turned to District B.

What should I do? For some reason, Aisha's face came to mind amidst this ominous feeling. I hoped that she wasn't involved.

And far away-

Probably from District B, the direction Aisha went.

I could see ice rising.

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