202 - Epilogue (2)

202 - Epilogue (2)

TL/Editor: looloo

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Han Ari was still bewildered.

What was this situation?

When the unknown man told her to follow him, she looked at Instructor Han Eeseul, but he just gave an enigmatic smile and agreed with the man.

-Follow him.

-But, I...

-It will greatly help improve your skills.

Reluctantly, she nodded and followed the man.

Now, they were in a park near the academy.

“Um...”

“Yeah?”

“Aren't we going to do anything?”

Despite following the man for the sidekick field study, the man, who seemed to be her assigned hero, was merely walking around the park.

She followed him silently, but as time passed, she grew uneasy.

Was she really just going to spend the time strolling in the park?

In response to her question, Hajoon pulled out his smartphone and started checking something.

“Let's see... What's your name?”

“Han Ari.”

“You're the top freshman at the academy, right?”

“Yes...”

“Well, I guess I don't need to see your skills. How about we just do some simple reconnaissance and then head back?”

Head back? Why was he asking her?

Han Ari's doubts deepened at the man's response.

She started wondering if she had followed him for nothing.

“Is there nothing you need to teach me as a hero?”

Han Ari asked firmly.

Hajoon thought for a moment before speaking.

“Alright, let's do this.”

“What do you mean?”

“While we're scouting around, if anything happens, try to handle it yourself, even if you fail.”

Han Ari's mouth dropped open in disbelief.

How could he say something so irresponsible so casually?

“What if I really fail?”

“I’m much stronger than you think. In other words, even if you fail, I won't. If I step in and solve everything immediately, you won't learn anything.”

Despite Hajoon's confident and nonchalant words, Han Ari scowled.

Ignoring her expression, Hajoon continued.

“Isn't it better for you to fail and learn something from that failure?”

How great could this guy be to have such confidence?

Despite her disbelief, Han Ari smirked and nodded.

“Fine! So, I can take the lead then?”

“Yes. But don’t you know who I am?”

Judging by her reaction, it seemed like she didn't recognize him.

Han Ari frowned and replied.

“No matter how great you are, there won't be any need for you to step in.”

Hajoon scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

She really didn't recognize him.

But he could understand to some extent.

He figured that even if a famous celebrity sat next to him on the subway, he might not recognize them.

Moreover, Hajoon had been inactive for five years, so there were probably many people who didn't recognize him.

Proof of that was how most people in the park didn't recognize him as he walked leisurely.

Meanwhile, Han Ari was feeling disappointed.

She had trusted Instructor Han Eeseul and followed this man, but there was nothing to learn.

The man also didn't seem motivated to teach her.

It was clear he found teaching her to be bothersome and preferred to leave her alone.

With a dissatisfied expression, Hajoon answered.

“...Yeah. I was in the same class as them.”

“Wow... So you know what those heroes were like during their school days?”

“Yeah.”

“Could you tell me about their school days?”

For the first time, this assertive kid showed genuine interest, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Well, since today’s schedule seemed to be over and there wasn’t much else to do, Hajoon decided to entertain her.

“Where should I start...”

“The Sword Saint! Tell me about him!”

“The Sword Saint, huh. He was a hard-headed one.”

“...?”

“Really stoic and frustrating to talk to. Conversations with him never flowed smoothly.”

Though the stories seemed a bit odd, Han Ari listened intently, eager to hear anecdotes about the famous heroes.

“What about the Sage?”

“When I first met him, he was incredibly rude. He immediately told me to get out of his seat.”

“...Do you dislike them?”

“No. You just asked me about their school days. Should I stop?”

“No, please continue.”

Even though the conversation seemed to be going in a strange direction, Han Ari's curiosity kept her listening to Hajoon’s stories.

The more she listened, the less it sounded like fond memories.

“The Spear Hero wanted to fight me the moment he saw me. I refused, but he kept insisting, so I beat the crap out of him.”

“The Rune Mage skipped all the classes and slept instead. Still, the Spear Hero used to look after him, but at some point, he started passing that responsibility to me.”

She had asked for stories about their school days, but it seemed like he was just badmouthing them.

Feeling the awkwardness of the situation, Han Ari decided to change the topic.

“So, you mean you endured a lot because of them?”

“I didn't just endure it, I took care of them.”

“Got it. Then, um...”

Thinking it best not to bring up the four heroes again, Han Ari asked about the hero she was most curious about.

“What about the Irregular?”

“...”

“You were in the same class as them, right?”

Han Ari looked at Hajoon with an incredulous expression.

Was she really that clueless?

After all this, hadn’t she figured it out yet?

“Actually, I wanted to work as a sidekick under the Irregular. But he’s been quiet for the past few years and isn’t easy to meet.”

Well, it was a relief she hadn’t figured it out yet.

Hajoon decided he’d better keep hiding the truth for now.

That way, he could pass her off to someone else soon and relax.

“So, you’re curious about the Irregular?”

“Yes.”

“The Irregular’s school days were beyond anything you could imagine—”

At that moment.

-Aaahh!!

Hajoon was about to speak when a woman's scream pierced the air.

He stopped talking and stood up from the bench.

Han Ari, startled by the scream, quickly got up and turned toward the direction it came from.

She looked at Hajoon and said,

“It’s a villain!”

“Maybe not.”

Although they heard a woman’s scream, it was too soon to conclude it was a villain’s doing without understanding the situation.

Hajoon's casual attitude frustrated Han Ari, who yelled,

“What are you talking about? We need to check it out!”

“Alright, let’s go see.”

As she said, they needed to confirm the situation first.

Hajoon and Han Ari immediately sprinted toward the direction of the woman’s scream.

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