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Just as Jeong Gyeoul was about to straighten out Kim Su-chan’s discipline behind the school, there were people watching.

“Wow… is that a scene a 9-year-old girl should be showing? Look at her taking the initiative.”

“And the force in that flick? She’s probably the strongest among her peers. And she’s only 9, right?”

“I was worried whether I should save her if the boys ganged up on her, but it seems like I need to save the boys instead.”

It was a genuine admiration for Jeong Gyeoul, who handled 1 against 8 without any trouble.

“At this rate, she’s like a little Demon King. She seems even better than Jeong Ha-yul in her first year at the academy.”

“Back then, Jeong Ha-yul solved everything with strength, but Jeong Gyeoul knows how to use teachers and has already turned most of her friends to her side. No one will dare to mess with her after this.”

“Little Demon King sounds a bit off… how about witch? Witch sounds better.”

“Hehe, isn’t it surprising that a 9-year-old civilian girl gets a nickname, and it’s ‘witch’?”

“What’s the big deal? We’ll just call her that among ourselves.”

The nickname ‘witch’ emerged from those who were watching Jeong Gyeoul.

The nickname, playfully started among the agents of Daehyun, soon spread across the world.

***

Rumors began to circulate.

The rumor that Jeong Ha-yul had a daughter had been around for a while.

No one paid much attention to it…

But then rumors started that Jeong Ha-yul’s daughter was an Awakened One.

No one knew where the rumors started.

But judging by the speed at which they spread, it was almost professional.

Someone had spread it with intent.

“…Who on earth would do such a thing? It doesn’t seem like Teacher Heinz or the alchemist would do it.”

“Many people know. There are a few more on the Association’s side, and surely some who saw her at Starfield. It was already foreseen.”

Coincidentally, the Association also contacted her.

It was a call asking her to come to the Association Head’s Office to discuss the current situation.

“It seems the Association is aware too. I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay. Come back safely.”

Jeong Ha-yul headed to the Association without delay.

She didn’t even take a car as usual.

She ran to the Association at her top speed, drawing on all her magic power.

“What’s going on?”

At the Korean Hero Association’s Head Office.

The Association Head, Team Leader Jeong Ho-min, and the Demon King were seated.

The news delivered by Team Leader Jeong Ho-min was shocking.

The problem wasn’t that rumors were spreading.

They had received news that the media was already prepared to report.

They had even uncovered all of Jeong Gyeoul’s personal information.

“Right now, we’re doing our best to block it, but it’s only temporary. Even if we apply pressure, it won’t work.”

Once it starts from one place, it will spread worldwide in less than an hour.

It was news worth that much.

The Association’s pressure didn’t work.

Even after asking the government for help, the government remained silent.

“…I didn’t plan to reveal that Gyeoul had awakened this early.”

“There are places abroad with Association-owned villas. How about choosing one and taking a year off to relax?”

“Huh?”

“Think of it as a temporary leave of absence until things calm down.”

Team Leader Jeong Ho-min’s unexpected suggestion.

Certainly, abroad feels less intense than Korea.

Unlike Korea, where they chase you even into the mountains, going to a quiet place would allow Gyeoul to live comfortably.

But Jeong Ha-yul didn’t think it was a good idea.

Mostly, she didn’t like the idea of having to flee when they hadn’t done anything wrong.

“…Why should we do that?”

“Once the news breaks, finding Gyeoul will be a matter of time. Reporters will swarm her house and school like crazy. Just lay low for a while, and return when things calm down…”

“Return? What’s the point of returning after the whole world knows a 9-year-old has awakened? The world will talk about it for a lifetime.”

Before Team Leader Jeong Ho-min could finish, Jeong Ha-yul interrupted.

Even she, who awakened at 15, was talked about worldwide. What about Jeong Gyeoul, who awakened at 9?

Although her S-Class status is currently sealed, the fact that she awakened at that age alone would be a huge issue.

Moreover, since she herself rose from A-Class to S-Class, people would talk regardless of Gyeoul’s current rank.

Undoubtedly, no one would break Jeong Gyeoul’s record for the youngest awakening.

She would be talked about for a lifetime.

Jeong Ha-yul made a firm expression, as if she had decided something.

She had somewhat anticipated things would turn out this way.

She just didn’t expect it to be this soon.

It’s possible that a few people had already noticed before she stepped in to hide Gyeoul’s magic power.

After all, S-Class individuals with sensitive senses, like the alchemist, would see through her concealment.

Moreover, during the Starfield raid incident.

Jeong Gyeoul blatantly used her magic power to escape.

It was a matter of survival, but it probably played a significant role in the current situation.

Jeong Ha-yul began to glare at Team Leader Jeong Ho-min.

‘….’

The sudden, intense gaze of the Demon King.

Cold sweat dripped down Team Leader Jeong Ho-min’s back.

“Why, why are you looking at me like that…?”

“Nothing.”

She said it was nothing, but her gaze didn’t soften.

She couldn’t solely blame Jeong Ho-min, as it was also her fault for trusting and entrusting him.

She had thought of a way to prepare for such moments long ago.

No one knows whether it will work out well or badly.

But it was worth a try.

“From today, I am suspending all activities as a hero. There will be no return until Jeong Gyeoul’s name is off the media.”

“What? Hero Jeong Ha-yul! What are you saying!”

“The Association is partly to blame for this situation. Surely you’re not going to stop me?”

“….”

It all started with an error in the measurement room.

It was the moment when unnecessary attention was drawn.

It’s fine for rumors to spread about a little kid being in the measurement room.

It’s not uncommon for overzealous parents to have their kids measured early, thinking ‘my child is a genius.’

But if rumors spread that the machine had to be replaced and remeasured because of that kid, that’s a different story.

Anyone would start to suspect.

Looking back, Jeong Gyeoul had already been exposed during the Association’s measurements.

“Make it official. As long as Gyeoul’s name is in the media, I will never step forward as a hero.”

Jeong Ha-yul’s chosen method was a bold move.

Even though it seemed like Jeong Ha-yul just followed Jeong Gyeoul around and played a lot.

She works harder than other S-Class heroes in catching villains and monsters.

After taking Gyeoul to the Clock Tower and staying in England, Korea’s crime rate had once surged.

It’s clear that her presence alone deters crime.

There are statistics showing that crime rates plummet in weeks when Jeong Ha-yul’s activities are reported.

The influence of a single hero on Korean society is immense.

Since the emergence of Awakened Ones, crime rates worldwide have skyrocketed.

But Korea has been able to maintain high public safety, largely thanks to Jeong Ha-yul.

But if someone who’s essentially a crime deterrent officially announces they’re quitting as a hero?

Villains would pop up in an instant.

Even if the S-Class members of various guilds expand their activity areas, it wouldn’t compare to when Jeong Ha-yul was around.

A security vacuum would form in Korea.

Incidents similar to the early days when villains occupied the Blue House might occur.

Perhaps, S-Class villains from other countries might fly in upon hearing of her absence.

The words that came out of her mouth carried that much risk.

“Let’s do it.”

“What? Association Head! No! The Korean hero community might collapse!”

“If a country can collapse just because one hero disappears, maybe it’s better for it to collapse sooner.”

Unbelievable words came out of the Association Head’s mouth.

Team Leader Jeong Ho-min, thinking this couldn’t go on, decided to press Jeong Gyeoul.

“…I understand Hero Jeong Ha-yul’s feelings, but do you think a 9-year-old can handle that?”

“Gyeoul is not just any 9-year-old. You should know, Team Leader. Is the Association really looking out for Gyeoul? From Jo Se-hee’s kidnapping to the Starfield raid. I feel like the trust between us and the Association is crumbling.”

Turning the topic to Jeong Gyeoul.

That only ended up touching the Demon King’s reverse scale.

“Hero Jeong Ha-yul! This isn’t something to handle emotionally!”

“From my perspective, the Association is the one handling this emotionally. My family and I are looking at the situation very rationally and calmly.”

She had occasionally discussed such matters with Jeong Gyeoul before.

Every time, Jeong Gyeoul showed an unchildlike concern for her family first.

And she said she would fully follow Jeong Ha-yul’s opinion.

Not because she lacked a standpoint like other kids.

But because of her firm trust in Jeong Ha-yul.

“…You’ve already talked with Gyeoul, haven’t you?”

“Do you know that agents have been tailing Gyeoul recently?”

“What? Agents?”

Team Leader Jeong Ho-min asked as if hearing it for the first time.

“Daehyun LK Osung, and a few other small guilds have put surveillance on Gyeoul. You didn’t know, did you?”

“….”

“Look, the Association is all talk and no action when it comes to Gyeoul. You’re just dragging your feet, thinking of using her as the Association’s mascot.”

“That’s not it. Listen to me.”

“Actually, I left the surveillance network alone because it might keep Gyeoul safe. The number of agents is increasing daily. Yet you didn’t notice… No wonder people are saying the Association is worse than the guilds lately.”

The Association Head was deep in thought, not responding to Jeong Ha-yul’s words.

Only Team Leader Jeong Ho-min’s frustration grew.

“Nothing more to say? Just make what I said official. Then I’ll take my leave.”

“….”

Jeong Ha-yul dropped a bomb on the Association and left.

And soon after.

The media began to buzz.

[Jeong Ha-yul’s sister. An Awakened One who already has a hero name.]

[9-year-old hero witch Jeong Gyeoul. Who is she?]

[The Demon King’s hidden daughter awakens at the young age of 9.]

[Korea’s youngest Awakened One, the Demon King Jeong Ha-yul’s family?]

[The Demon King’s sister also awakens.]

…

…

…

Jeong Gyeoul’s name as a 9-year-old Awakened One poured out across Korea.

 

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