Volume 5 - CH 1

The Hero

Volume 5 – Silver Knight

Chapter 1

Ghost stories in cities are probably passed around like this.

“You know that Hero in Silver that fought in Central South? I heard that Hero was also in the 1st city of the East Area a little while ago, and was kicking some monster ass.”

“No way. That’s not the only thing. I heard he also revealed his name as being Silver Knight.”

“Silver Knight? That’s right. For a guy with a silver armor like that, that’s a good name. But, wasn’t that guy a Rank B hero? The Earthquake that happened not that long ago was a Level A Earthquake.”

“That’s why he’s even more amazing. He’s a Rank B hero that was also evacuated to the shelter, but he couldn’t contain himself anymore so I heard he went out into the battlefield to fight against the monsters.”

“Wow, he’s such an amazing person……I really wish I could meet him at least once.”

……..

A conversation like that was going about right next to Haneul.

Haneul squinted his eyes. He was experiencing just how these strange rumors come to be.

In the college, the only conversation going around right now was about the recent Earthquake.

“Is that the truth?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Were you really at the battlefield fighting?”

Minah asked as if she wasn’t too interested. She didn’t believe in the rumors. Either way, there was no evidence when it came to rumors, and it was true that Minah has known Haneul for a very long time.

‘Fighting and showing activity in a Level A Earthquake………’

Even being a Rank B hero is a big deal. With that being the case, Haneul can be considered to be a super rookie and was the center of gossip all over the internet, and now they think he’s a Rank A Hero? They’re definitely over speculating things.

“Does this mean that you don’t believe the rumors?”

“Yeah, I don’t believe it. First off, there’s nothing coming out in the news. Not even a small mention of it. Not only that, you’re not even a Rank A hero.”

“SHHHH.”

Haneul wanted Minah to be quiet and places his finger over her mouth. It’s already a tough situation where he might get found out at any moment, yet here Minah was, pouring oil to the fire.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Can you please be more careful? My personal life may disappear at this rate. Aren’t you able to catch on with the situation being the way it is?”

“Poot. Did you by any chance catch the hero disease?” (TN – Similar to Korea’s 공주병, princess disease. It’s basically when someone thinks they’re all that, a narcissist.)

Although Haneul wasn’t sure what Minah was talking about, he understood the connotation. It’s probably similar to the stardom disease that famous people go through. When their self-consciousness grows so big thateven nearby people don’tnotice them. Famous people act questionably because they don’t want to be found out.

Haneul also thought of this possibility, however, it was definitely not the case for himself. There are even conversations about Haneul going on right behind him. And it something new he’s never even heard of.

It wasn’t strange for his consciousness to be where it’s at right now.

After the 1st city in East area was hit with an Earthquake, Haneul fought an incredible fight.  When he was able to see that the battle was over, he headed straight home. He was afraid that if he lingered around after the battle, a Hero Reporter would sneak up on him and ask for an interview.

There was definitely fruition from Haneul’s efforts.

His name was not covered at all on the news to the point where it was a little bit disappointing.

‘I fought that hard, but no one recognized my efforts?’

Although Haneul was a little bit disappointed, it was his choice to leave the battlefield as soon as possible, so there was nothing that could be done about it. (TN – this guy doesn’t know what he wants to do, be famous or not? lol.)

A person’s heart was this cunning. Just like a star, Haneul did not want peoples’ attention on him when walking down the street, but now he was disappointed that there was no news covered about him.

“It seems like people just believe what they want to believe in. They’re making Silver Knight into a legendary Hero. Just like a firework, you first get a lot of attention for awakening as a Rank B hero. After you fought off monsters in a Level S Earthquake, everything exploded. All of this happened in less than a month. Here, look.”

Minah stuck her smart phone out to show Haneul what she was talking about. The number one search on the search engine was about the S Level Earthquake in the 1st city of the East area.

That was normal.

However, 2nd place was Silver Knight.

“HUH?”

“It’s interesting isn’t it? Your Hero name popped right up with speculation articles. But, the contents within them are all slightly different. The strange thing is, the people within these articles all saw the same scene. Is that even possible?”

Minah was making a face filled with wonder and she continued to stare intently at Haneul.

Haneul pretended not to notice her gaze and he slowly read the articles.

An article regarding a declaration from one of the witnesses.

Haneul didn’t think about the civilians from the shelter. If it’s the people from there, they definitely saw Haneul at the battlefield. Although he left the scene without saying a word, if someone was to ask any one of the refugees regarding the Silver Knight, they would definitely be able to declare that they saw the Silver Knight.

The only people that knew Haneul was at the scene were the civilians from the shelter, as well as, Burning Soul and Ironman.

Suddenly, Minah snatched her smart phone away.

“Why are you so serious all of the suddenly. Did you really go and fight?”

“W, what are you talking about? Y, You think I’m a man filled with justice or something…….”

“Why are you stuttering?”

Minah laughed. As she was laughing, she completely stopped joking and started to whisper.

“If this article really is the truth, do not do something crazy like this anymore. There is a reason why you don’t get summoned by the Organization to these battles. Although you’re not sure on how to get back to your own world, you should contain yourself from being reckless.”

“I, It’s not me? I’m telling you it’s not me. Come on, let’s leave. It’s a little hot today, no?”

Haneul nervously jumped up and rushed outside.

Haneul wasn’t too great at switching topics or lying. However, he had quick and sharp mind. He was able to tell that Minah was cleverly asking him if he was at the 1st city of the East area during the battle.

“So what rank are you?”

Minah suddenly asked as Haneul tried to change the topic.

“Of course I’m Rank B. Didn’t you read the articles online?”

“Peoples’ evaluation online and the Organization’s evaluation isn’t always the same. Anyways, you still seem to have come out as B Rank. That’s amazing. Then your hero name is Silver Knight?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm. Which team were you assigned to then for cleaning up the aftermath?”

“What?”

“You didn’t check yet? You should have gotten something through your mail. Heroes that are Rank B and below are assigned to a team to work on the aftermath of the battle. Rescue and cleaning are all part of a heroes duties.”

“Ah, ah ah…….That’s right huh? Of course, I’ll go home and check.”

“It’s best that you check it out as soon as possible. If you don’t go at the correct time, you’ll be considered to be absent and they’ll take a cut from your paycheck. Although cleaning up won’t be put into any special information, but the restoration of the city is considered to be very important, so they won’t be taking any excuses from you.”

“I see. What time are you going to be going then?”

“I’m going tomorrow night.”

Shock.

They gather so quickly once the summon is commanded?

“Is that so? You should hurry up and go home then. I need to figure out my time as well.”

“Haneul, aren’t you curious as to what kind of hero I am?”

“What?”

Minah looked straight into Haneul’s eyes.

“If it was the past you, you would already know what type of hero I am, so I probably wouldn’t ask you this. However, you don’t know who I am, right?”

Minah laughed bitterly as she turned her head.

“I’ll be leaving. It’s almost time for work. If we end up working together, I’ll come talk to you.”

Minah walked away gallantly.

She’s always been bright and aggressive, so Haneul didn’t think too much about it. However, it was Haneul’s egoistic mind to think that Minah wouldn’t get hurt over his change.

Haneul was a person that was completely different from the one she loved. And because Haneul was instantly busy, he wasn’t able to figure out all of Minah’s feelings until now.

Chapter 1 – End.