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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 22
“…That’s how the situation turned out.”
As Manager Lee finished his report, Hong Hee-joo’s expression twisted into something demonic.
“So who helped Dojun?”
“Hyun Jooyeon.”
“Hyun Jooyeon? Wait—you mean THAT Hyun Jooyeon?”
When Manager Lee nodded, Hong Hee-joo couldn’t hide her look of stunned disbelief.
“What’s their relationship? No, more importantly—how the hell does Dojun even KNOW Hyun Jooyeon?”
“That part is unclear. But we did confirm that before he was handed over to the prosecution, they visited the Chuncheon Rift together.”
Manager Lee was well aware that during the Kang Cheol-woo case, Hyun Jooyeon had testified in support of Dojun.
But he chose not to mention it now—he knew full well that bringing it up would only further provoke Hong Hee-joo’s rage.
“Hyun Jooyeon… What the hell is going on here?!”
The sudden appearance of Hyun Jooyeon—seemingly out of nowhere—was more than enough to get under Hong Hee-joo’s skin.
“And what’s this I heard from Prosecutor Park about him not being a hero? Didn’t you just say Dojun awakened? So who am I supposed to believe here?”
“To be honest, I’m confused too. According to Prosecutor Park, they tested him multiple times using different hero analyzers, but none of them registered him as a hero. Still, it’s undeniable that Dojun has awakened. We’re only speculating at this point, but… maybe he has some kind of ability that allows him to fool the measuring devices.”
“Has there ever been someone like that before?”
Manager Lee couldn’t give her an answer.
Nothing was going the way Hong Hee-joo wanted. She was overwhelmed with the urge to smash whatever was within reach, but barely managed to suppress it.
“I was hoping to handle this the easy way, but clearly Dojun isn’t interested in playing along. We don’t have a choice now. Contact Kang Yeong-pyo. Tell him I’ll give him whatever he asks for. Get started.”
“Understood.”
＊ ＊ ＊
“We got word from Hong Hee-joo. She said she’ll pay whatever we ask, and told us to get started.”
“So now that her plan flopped trying to cheap out of paying ₩30 billion, suddenly I’m all she can think of, huh?”
Kang Yeong-pyo waved his hand dismissively, as if the whole thing was ridiculous.
“Tell her the price just doubled.”
“Sorry? Don’t you think that’s a bit much?”
“Right now, Hong Hee-joo doesn’t have the luxury to bargain. And we’re not talking about just anyone—Hyun Jooyeon is involved. Considering that, honestly, even ₩60 billion is a steal from my perspective. Do you even know how much money that woman’s about to get her hands on? If she’s balking at 60 billion, then she doesn’t deserve that pile of cash in the first place.”
Since he might have to go up against an S-Rank hero, Kang Yeong-pyo figured ₩60 billion was more than a fair ask.
“So if she agrees to pay that, you’re in?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Still… isn’t Hyun Jooyeon dangerous?”
“You know as well as I do—not all S-Rank heroes are made equal. And Hyun Jooyeon? Aside from being Korea’s fourth person to qualify as S-Rank, what does she actually have going for her? Just because she became the fourth S-Rank doesn’t mean her skills rank fourth. If I fought her now, I guarantee I’d have her done in twenty minutes.”
Kang Yeong-pyo was oozing confidence.
“Anyway, what’s the Association saying?”
“The UK already maxed out their budget, so they said they can’t raise the offer anymore.”
“Tch. Typical Association trash—no matter where they are, they’re all the same. Desperate to work elite talent like us for minimum wage.”
“So, are you not going?”
“Think I have a choice?”
When his partner didn’t respond, Kang Yeong-pyo laughed as if he’d been expecting that silence.
“The global media circus has already blown this thing up. If I back out over money now, how do you think that’s gonna look? I’d be branded a greedy bastard overnight. And that’s exactly what those Association pricks want. Those sons of bitches are born manipulators—they know how to pull every string and make you dance like a damn puppet.”
“Your image is everything.”
“Exactly. The S-Rank brand. We’re supposed to be admired, revered—the kind of heroes who make people piss themselves with awe just by existing. But if I start looking like some cash-grubbing lowlife now? Game over. I become the main dish on the gossip table—juicy enough for everyone to chew on forever.”
Kang Yeong-pyo chuckled, clearly amused at his own bluntness.
“Got any intel on the Mekkasian's weaknesses?”
“Nothing confirmed so far.”
“That’s why the Brits are crying for help. Thousands of those bastards are popping out, and even A-Rankers are struggling just to survive. What was it—three days from now?”
“Yes. In three days, our team’s scheduled to head to the UK with the Japanese heroes.”
“Japan, huh? I was planning to meet Takashi anyway—this works out. As for the Seo Dojun situation, that’ll start after the UK mess is wrapped up. And one more thing—make it clear: the price is non-negotiable. Not a single won.”
“Understood.”
＊ ＊ ＊
「Next, we bring you the latest update on the monster wave currently affecting the UK. What you're seeing now is a live feed from Cambridge, about 65 kilometers from The Shrubbery in Long Sutton, England, where the first wave initially struck. As you can see, the area has been reduced to near-total ruins. The UK is throwing everything it has into halting the monsters' southward advance, but several hours ago, yet another defensive line was breached, making it increasingly difficult to contain the wave. The European Hero Association has already deployed 2,000 heroes, with plans to send 3,000 more, but containing the newly emerged monsters appears to be no easy task. Still, both the UK and the European Hero Association have vowed to do everything in their power to stop the monsters from pushing any further south. And for good reason—if the monsters advance another 60 kilometers from the current combat zone, they'll reach London. Since the appearance of the Rifts, London has become the UK’s most secure refuge, now home to 18 million people…」
The news anchor’s voice was tight with urgency.
That’s how dire the situation in the UK has become.
Especially now that London, the capital, might fall to the monster wave—it was a crisis of the highest order.
“Oppa… did all the people over there die?”
Eunyeong asked as she stared at the broadcast, watching the now-destroyed Cambridge on screen.
“They evacuated in time. Most of them should be safe.”
Just as Dojun said, the UK had responded quickly, evacuating civilians. The property damage was massive, but casualties were minimal.
The real problem was London.
Debate within the UK was fierce—should they begin evacuating London or not?
And it was understandable. Compared to Cambridge, London had a population that was exponentially larger.
Moving that many people would be no small feat. Even if evacuation were possible, the next question was—where would they go? And how would temporary shelter for millions be arranged?
With no clear answer, the UK’s Hero Association had effectively chosen to stand and fight to the last, determined to protect London at all costs.
The UK, as well as neighboring European nations, had already begun sending in every available hero—but stopping the Mekkasian was no easy task.
Eventually, heroes from around the globe began heading to Britain—some voluntarily, others under pressure.
Even the Korean Hero Association scrambled together a task force of 200 heroes, including three S-Rank heroes.
⋯⋯⋯
“Are you sure the red fire ant extract will work against the Mekkasian?”
Just before heading to the UK, Hyun Jooyeon called Dojun, sounding like she needed reassurance.
The Mekkasian was undoubtedly one of the more formidable monsters.
But it was also infamous for a critical weakness.
In the ruined world Dojun came from, he had once seen an entire kingdom wiped off the map by a single Mekkasian.
That’s how powerful and relentless the creature was—able to reduce a human civilization to rubble.
But once exposed to red fire ant extract, the same beast had collapsed helplessly.
From that point on, the Mekkasian was no longer something to be feared. It had gone from a nightmare to just another monster with a fatal flaw.
⋯⋯⋯
「All eyes are now on the heroes gathering from across the globe. Will they be able to defend the heart of Britain—London—and perhaps even save the UK itself? We all pray they will. And may the heroes traveling from Korea return home safely.」
Hearing the anchor’s voice so full of earnest hope, little Eunyeong, sitting next to Dojun, pressed her hands together and whispered a prayer.
“Please save England. And please bring our heroes back safely too.”
Moved by the child’s pure-hearted wish, Dojun gently stroked her hair without even realizing it.
＊ ＊ ＊
「As you can see, even for A-Rank heroes, the Mekkasian was no easy opponent. But now, it’s convulsing after exposure to rain laced with a special solution from above, and its entire body is beginning to seize up in paralysis. Once paralyzed, the Mekkasian’s once-durable exoskeleton shattered easily, even under light impact. It also lost its speed and elasticity, becoming little more than a sitting duck—falling helplessly to the heroes’ attacks like a scarecrow being torn apart. Roughly 4,000 heroes from across the globe had gathered in the UK to stop it, but they were pushed into a hopeless situation as the Mekkasian tore through defenses, advancing to within just 10 kilometers of London. Then came a dramatic turnaround—news broke that the Mekkasian had a fatal weakness to red fire ant extract. And, incredibly, the hero who discovered that weakness was none other than South Korea’s Hyun Jooyeon…」
Hyun Jooyeon had, quite literally, become a hero.
Not just any hero—the savior of Britain, who’d pulled the nation from the brink of ruin.
「Public opinion in the UK is already calling for Hero Hyun Jooyeon to be knighted for saving London. Sources say there’s a high likelihood that both the Royal Family and Parliament’s Honors Committee will award her the GBE—the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, First Class—commonly referred to as knighthood. If she receives the GBE, she will be the first Korean citizen to do so. Previously, the only Korean to receive a knighthood of the second rank, the KBE, was former Prime Minister Kang…」
Yes, Hyun Jooyeon might actually be knighted. And not just any knighthood—a First-Class Honor, the highest tier.
But no one thought it was too much.
Without Hyun Jooyeon, London would’ve undoubtedly fallen to the monsters, and the economic damage alone would’ve reached unimaginable levels. Even if the UK bestowed the highest honor they had upon her, not a single Brit would object.
The Mekkasian Extermination Operation, executed using red fire ant extract, had been a smashing success.
Had they known this weakness from the beginning, the UK might’ve avoided a single pound of property damage—or even a single casualty. That made the public’s sense of “if only” all the more bitter.
Once the dust settled, everyone—from the Royal Family to the major networks—was scrambling to feature Hyun Jooyeon.
And rightly so. No one had done more.
The UK government, while managing the recovery, pushed to keep morale high—and they were putting her front and center.
Naturally, the Korean media also gave her major coverage once she appeared on UK broadcasts.
“Hyun Jooyeon is insane, right? Looks, talent—she’s got everything. And I heard her personality’s great, too. I mean, she’s gotta be the top Korean hero now, right?”
“Let’s be real—when it comes to raw skill, she’s probably at the bottom of the S-Rank list. But after what she pulled off in the UK? She’s basically a global superstar now. The thing is, how long is that spotlight gonna last? In the end, hero work is all about power. If she doesn’t level up soon, she’s just gonna end up as the poster girl—not the real deal.”
“True. If she’d kept climbing after becoming the fourth Korean S-Rank, that would've been perfect. It’s a shame, really. She’s the kind of hero who should be the real deal.”
“Look at that guy. Freakin’ Kang Yeong-pyo, trying to squeeze in next to her for some screen time.”
“Man, if only Hyun Jooyeon had Kang Yeong-pyo’s skills. He’s got the personality of a sewer rat, but you can’t deny the guy’s top 3 in Korea.”
“No kidding. But why hasn’t that bastard gone home? Why’s he just tailing Hyun Jooyeon around like a lost puppy?”
“Because she’s getting worldwide attention. He’s trying to ride that wave and get his face out there too. Say what you want—dude knows how to play the game.”
“Only works because he’s strong. If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t even be allowed to stand next to her. I heard he took down the most Mekkasians among all Asian heroes in the UK. Gotta admit—when it comes to skill, the guy’s the real deal.”
On the big screen, a clip from a popular British talk show played—Hyun Jooyeon sat in the spotlight, and right next to her was Kang Yeong-pyo, struggling through clumsy English just to sneak in a word.
Watching it, Dojun narrowed his eyes at Kang Yeong-pyo.
The look in his eyes—it was sharp, dirty, calculating. The kind that said he hadn’t forgotten what happened with Kang Cheol-woo—and he sure as hell wasn’t letting it go.
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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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