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Jinwon didn’t show up. Maybe Wang Tai-lun is already captured, and they know it over there, or perhaps they just never planned to send him at all.

I had a feeling it was the first option. With a transmitter stuck right in his head, there’s no way that’s just decoration. He was probably sending all sorts of situational data.

Looking at the results, you could say it was a massive success. We weakened the Evil Society’s strength and informed Heros Company about the Evil Society’s existence.

Most importantly, both Alice and I made it out fine. If we just consider the outcome, things couldn’t have gone better.

Of course, the roads, buildings, and alleys were completely wrecked, and because the cables and sewage under the ground got damaged, there was a small disturbance in the area.

But honestly, given the results, it was a small price to pay, right? It didn’t even take half a day to repair, and they replaced the parts with ones that were way better than before.

It was a result that could proudly be considered a complete win.

“Minho, I think you had something you were supposed to do…”

After leaning against the wall until Minho finished his statements, I asked him in a cool voice just as he stepped into the hallway.

No one got hurt, and we even achieved unexpected results, but that doesn’t mean his ridiculous actions could be forgiven.

“As curious as I was, there were lines I shouldn’t have crossed, but I was too impatient and crossed them. I’m sorry.”

At least he knew he was in the wrong. But that didn’t mean he should be forgiven; it made it worse.

He knew dragging others into this was wrong, yet he still committed the act just to confirm if he was on the same level as me.

Knowing better makes it even worse than just doing it unknowingly.

If he truly didn’t know, I’d just slap him on the forehead and tell him not to do that again in the future.

A person who does something knowing full well what they’re doing can do it again.

“Anyone can say they’re sorry.”

Under that pressure, Minho seemed to have nothing left to say and quietly turned his gaze away. I grabbed his head and turned it towards me, forcing him to look straight at me.

“…If we hadn’t gone there, but instead, other kids were dragged in, what would you have done?”

“It would have been… unfortunate… that’s all I could say.”

“Are you kidding me?!”

I pushed him against the wall, baring my teeth as I growled at him, but he seriously said that it was pure luck we were the ones captured.

“I honestly never imagined Wang Tai-lun would show up. I didn’t even know he had that kind of ability…”

“What do you mean you didn’t know?! You should have known! Of all people, you…”

“To be honest, you probably know more than I do. Now… I really don’t know how things will go from here. I’m sorry for acting out, not knowing much.”

Maybe it was because of the conversation we shared inside the Mirror Dimension, but Minho revealed his underlying feelings, saying he didn’t know anymore.

It was the first time I saw such a weak side of him. A glimpse of his humanity that I had tried hard to ignore.

Just like I told him, this was the moment that reminded me he was just one person, not the ‘hero’ who would save the world.

And ironically, seeing him like this filled me with disappointment.

Realizing he was not a special hero on a great mission, but just an ordinary person.

He wasn’t born evil like Jinhyeon, nor was he destined for greatness from birth. He was just a person, and I recognized that.

I couldn’t be anything else, just a person. I threw him down, adding a little reminder to protect what he actually knows.

“This time, since no one died, I’ll let it slide, but if your actions somehow get your friends hurt in the future…”

I whispered in his ear that I’d put my life on the line to hunt him down if that ever happened.

“I… understand.”

He slowly got up, fixing his messy clothes. I didn’t have the inclination to wait for him to be ready or want to see him like that.

“Blanca, you want a happy ending, right?”

Minho asked me in a voice that wasn’t very loud but I could still hear it. I found it really annoying that he could still be curious after such a scolding, so I shot off my answer before even thinking.

“Not telling you. That’s your punishment for doing such nonsense.”

I stuck my tongue out at him, adding the maximum amount of taunting possible as I left the police station.

Since all the kids had gone home, it was just Justitia waiting for me.

Once I silently got into her car, I finally realized I was still dressed in my suit.

But strangely enough, I wasn’t as mortified as before.

Have I gotten used to this? I didn’t feel uncomfortable showing myself to others.

I must have either developed exhibitionism, or maybe I had just always been this way. Who knows? I realized why the police were acting so hesitant.

It wasn’t pain; they were just turned on. How does that even work for cops?

Shouldn’t someone cut them off?

“How much was that school uniform?”

It was still pretty hot outside, so I didn’t want to wear a winter uniform right now.

“It’s a summer uniform, so it won’t be too expensive. Want me to order it right away?”

“Please do. Also, do you have anything I could wear? I can’t go meet the Boss looking like this.”

I asked Justitia for something to wear while requesting her to order it. She started digging in her bag but looked at me with curiosity.

“Did someone call for you?”

“No, I just feel a bit unsettled and want to meet up. I want to check on the state of my subordinates… just that.”

Without digging deeper, Justitia suggested we head to her office to change my clothes first.

Afterward, I could either use the beads or just go home and get some good sleep.

“Sounds good.”

I didn’t have the energy to argue, so I told her she could do whatever she wanted. I was simply tired, and honestly, I felt even more unmotivated to do anything.

“What on earth was Minho thinking doing something like that…”

Just thinking about it still made my head spin. If another kid had gotten dragged into that mess, they would have been totally done for.

We barely got away because it was us; if it were other kids, it would have been straight up fatal. Even Changwon.

He didn’t know Wang Tai-lun would show up, but still, it was just so unforgivable.

This time, I didn’t need to desperately search for my phone like last time. I had already retrieved it properly from my uniform this time.

The uniform was soaked in slime and got caught up in various attacks, looking a total mess. But at least the phone was safe.

I calmed the others down, saying it was nothing serious and I was just writing a more detailed account, but then I saw a message from Alice.

It was a long text apologizing for dragging me into all of this.

Why are you sorry? You’re not the one who should be apologizing.

Even though I didn’t have any good feelings towards her, I had to be fair about it; it wasn’t her fault but rather something to be properly addressed.

After stopping by the office and throwing on some decent clothes, I stepped outside the building and snuck away to a spot where I wouldn’t be caught by the CCTV to break the beads.

“Oh, Blanca. I didn’t call for you, so what’s going on?”

Just as I appeared out of nowhere, he looked surprised and asked why I was there. Did he not receive any updates yet?

“I just came to… take a break. Didn’t Justitia tell you about my situation?”

“No, not yet… Ah, I must have missed it because I’ve been busy. Something happened… is everything okay?”

“As you can see. Although, I’m really tired…”

He was relieved to see I was unharmed and asked if I wanted a bottle of orange juice.

“Please. Also… I’d like to meet the people who will be my subordinates, if that’s okay?”

“Of course. They might not be up to par yet since they’re still training, but I’ve only gathered people who have the right amount of passion.”

Normally, I would have to step in for him, but right now, I was too exhausted to even think about it.

“That’s a relief.”

As he headed towards the fridge downstairs, I caught sight of some crumpled papers scattered over the table next to the couch.

They turned out to be a list of evil deeds committed by Heros Company for that day… or something like that.

This is how it is.

I picked up a paper, imprinting each line in my mind, collecting more reasons to take down Heros Company.

Truthfully, the issues were overwhelmingly personal matters related to individuals within the company rather than company-wide problems.

However, those individuals still identified themselves with the company and harbored hatred towards Heros Company.

As long as these things exist, the kids’ efforts will eventually become meaningless.

So, they must be taken down. At the very least, they should live in a properly functioning world.

Minho has the ability to change Heros Company, and it’s the original scenario, but…

As for whether Minho actually has that capability now, I can’t say for sure.

Predictions are just predictions; they can be changed.

 

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