Chapter 121: The Unchanging Hero (2)

Chapter 121: The Unchanging Hero (2)

TL/Editor: raei

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After a long time, Han Yoo-jung put on her mask upside down.New n0vel chapters are published on

She stopped at a secluded harbor and looked out at the dark sea.

A cool, slightly fishy sea breeze brushed her hair.

It was still overwhelming, but she began to sort out her feelings one by one.

It was a goodbye.

To Jung-gyeom, and... her sister Yoo-ra.

Suddenly, she wondered.

What would her sister Yoo-ra say, seeing how she had become a villain?

She felt ashamed to face her sister, who had hoped to become a hero.

Reunion was still a far-off thing... but she already felt ashamed.

But she hoped Yoo-ra would understand.

That she had no other choice. That she would have regretted it either way.

She couldn't bring herself to like the heroes who took Yoo-ra's life.

"....Take good care of my sister, Gyeom."

She muttered to the sea.

At that moment, a low moan came from behind.

Tryno had woken up, affected by the brisk sea breeze.

"....What...?"

Tryno opened his eyes and noticed the handcuffs for ability users around his wrists.

-Click, click.

He shook the handcuffs in panic and exerted force, but, of course, the handcuffs didn't budge.

His eyes wandered and then found Han Yoo-jung.

"....Stella?"

"..."

"You were safe? Where have you been all this time?"

Han Yoo-jung calmly looked at Tryno.

"-I wasn't safe, Tryno."

"......? I don't understand, but unlock these handcuffs first. I remember Luna, but I don't know why I'm like this."

"....I won't unlock the handcuffs either."

"......What?"

Han Yoo-jung felt no particular emotion towards Tryno.

They had never been personally involved, after all.

However, she felt an uncomfortable emotion now.

It was not easy to ignore the desperate face of a former comrade, even if they were a villain.

Han Yoo-jung considered this her karma and accepted the situation.

"Solace is coming."

She said, without further explanation.

Tryno, dumbfounded by her words, tried to suddenly get up from his spot.

But the handcuffs on his ankles prevented that.

Tryno wrestled with the handcuffs again and looked up at Han Yoo-jung.

"Stella...! Why are you doing this! This will kill us both!"

"I know."

"....What?"

"....For his sake, this is what I have to do."

"....What are you talking about...!"

Anxiously blinking, Tryno crawled towards Han Yoo-jung. He begged earnestly.

"Stella...I don't want to end like this. We were comrades...! Let me go just this once...!"

Han Yoo-jung burst into a small laugh.

She said,

"Did you forget our first rule?"

"....Rule?"

"It was to not get close to each other. I'll tell you now... I never once thought of you as a comrade."

".........Stel-"

"-Everything was for him from the start."

Then, a sudden flash of light burst from behind.

For a moment, it seemed as if it had become day.

Han Yoo-jung calmly looked back.

Tryno, crawling on the ground, did the same.

"..."

"..."

Solace looked down at Han Yoo-jung from the air, her eyes shining, her intimidating presence undeniable even without the smile she usually showed to the citizens.

Indeed, Solace was a hero too terrifying to have as an enemy.

"......Did you call me?"

Solace asked Han Yoo-jung.

Overwhelmed by a sudden surge of fear, Han Yoo-jung couldn't say a word.

She just slowly nodded.

She knew.

She had to overcome this fear for Jung-gyeom to be safe.

She was going to say things that Solace wouldn't like, she couldn't afford to be scared.

Solace's glowing pupils scanned the surroundings, exerting an indescribable pressure.

After a while, Solace asked,

"....Where is Dice?"

"...."

Dice.

At that name, Tryno also froze.

He cautiously surveyed his surroundings, realizing the gravity of the situation.

Han Yoo-jung answered,

"Let's talk first."

"Bring Dice. Then we'll talk."

"No? Let's have a conversation first. After that, I'll give you what you want."

Tryno couldn't be allowed to hear this conversation.

Whispering, Han Yoo-jung said to Solace,

"............You're looking for Jung-gyeom, aren't you?"

"................."

Solace's eyelids fluttered.

A fleeting longing and sorrow filled her eyes, a desperate sadness as if she was about to burst into tears.

".....You....that name...."

"Jung-gyeom is safe."

"............."

"Go to his room tomorrow. He will be back completely. Both his body and mind will be as before."

Although she was certain about his body being the same as before... as for his mind, in truth, Han Yoo-jung couldn't be sure.

Honestly, she hoped he would feel a bit of pain for her.

It was selfish, but she hoped he would miss her.

Solace's intensity gradually faded.

After Jung-gyeom's name was mentioned, the once ferocious hero seemed to vanish.

Han Yoo-jung seized the opportunity.

"It's a no-lose situation, right? Even if you catch Dice, you can't be sure Jung-gyeom will come back. But I can assure you, you'll see Jung-gyeom again from tomorrow. If my words are lies, then feel free to torture or kill me later... do as you please."

".....Oppa's coming back?"

So she calls him oppa.

Han Yoo-jung swallowed her thoughts.

She nodded, affirming Solace's words.

Solace stared at Han Yoo-jung for a long while, pondering, then finally averted her gaze.

Pressing the in-ear microphone, she reported to the Hero Association.

"....I'm going back. And I'm taking Tryno and the last member of the Villain Alliance with me."

Han Yoo-jung secretly let out a long sigh.

It's over.

It's finally over.

As long as Jung-gyeom doesn't think of surrendering himself again tomorrow, everything will be tied up.

She hoped his lingering attachments would hold him back.

It would be painful, but she hoped he'd come to terms with reality.

".....Ah."

It was only then that Han Yoo-jung realized her hands were trembling.

The thought of going to prison was frightening her now.

She felt like she could collapse.

The heavy reality of spending the rest of her life locked up in prison was finally setting in.

She was afraid of many things.

She would have to live among the already imprisoned violent villains.

She would never be free again.

She wouldn't be able to visit beautiful places in the world, enjoy delicious food, or find the happiness she wanted.

.........And she'd never see Jung-gyeom's face again.

What would Jung-gyeom say if she said she didn't want to go to prison anymore?

What should she do if she admits she still has attachments to the world?

Solace continued her communication on the side.

"....We'll continue to track Dice. For now. No, I won't give up, so just know that."

As she said this, she slowly took out handcuffs from her pocket.

Solace gripped Han Yoo-jung's wrist.

After hanging up, Solace said to Han Yoo-jung,

"...I hope your words aren't lies."

"..........."

Solace lifted the handcuffs slightly.

Han Yoo-jung closed her eyes tightly, whispering to herself,

......Gyeom.

-Whoosh!

A sudden gust of wind blew.

Han Yoo-jung waited for the cold touch of the handcuffs on her wrists, but nothing happened.

".....?"

When Han Yoo-jung timidly opened her eyes, she saw a small dice.

The number showing was 3.

"Haah....Haah..."

At the same time, the rough breathing of a man could be heard.

As Han Yoo-jung lifted her head at that familiar sound, black mist was dispersing.

And in the center, Jung-gyeom, wearing a mask, stood.

He had somehow taken the handcuffs that should have been in Solace's hand.

Solace, unfazed, said,

"...You couldn't have died."

Han Yoo-jung murmured in astonishment.

Her trembling hands stopped.

Selfishly, her fear vanished.

"....How....?"

Jung-gyeom quietly looked at Han Yoo-jung, then turned his gaze to Solace.

".......Let her go."

The voice of Dice, altered to sound mechanical.

"....Nonsense."

Solace retorted.

Hatred began to smolder again in her eyes.

Dice couldn't meet those eyes directly.

He averted her gaze and frowned.

After a long moment of contemplation with his eyes closed, he finally opened them and said,

".....Bom."

Solace's grip loosened.

She let go of Han Yoo-jung's wrist.

".................What?"

Jung-gyeom continued,

"....Let her go."