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Chapter 1: In a Dreamy Academy

Ajin stood blankly inside the academy building, filled with nostalgic memories.

Wondering why she was here, she soon realized it was a lucid dream.

—Tap, tap.

Familiar hallways and classrooms. And there she was, looking at herself.

She hadn’t always had this personality.

Of course… anyone would be timid at first when forcibly summoned to another world.

After awakening her psychic powers and being chosen as a Hero, she had worked tirelessly to adapt.

To fit into this world and, one day, return to Earth.

After entering the Hero Academy and putting in a monumental effort, she became renowned as an extraordinary Hero, even idolized at the academy.

Indeed… Ajin could proudly say she had a proactive and confident character.

With the title of Hero, formidable skills to match, and supporters drawn in by her admirable personality.

Eventually, as time passed and the moment approached, Ajin was able to join forces with her friends to defeat the Demon King.

This was the grand finale of her life, the apex of her upward trajectory.

As she reminisced about good memories from the academy, a small smile crept onto her lips.

But….

“Oh, of all places, here.”

The scene shifted from the academy to a desolate wasteland, ravaged by the aftermath of battle.

While her companions lay exhausted, Ajin’s final strike reached the Demon King’s heart.

As the Demon King slowly began to fade, it cast one last curse in a frantic attempt before dying.

Struck by that final burst of energy, Ajin’s personality flipped 180 degrees afterward.

What was once a laughable and trivial curse had now become the culprit that devastated her life.

Things moved quickly from there. Before her friends could help, she was forcibly returned by the goddess.

Without healing or even a proper farewell.

Thus, Ajin had to leave everything behind and return to Earth.

What remained was the Hero’s Power that was nearly unusable under Earth’s laws, and the curse suppressing her heart.

Fortunately, she was able to return to her family, but she found the dream of reintegrating into society distant and difficult.

Though she was dedicated to freelancing through video editing skills she had learned before, she was slowly approaching the limits of that too.

Just then, in front of her, she saw Sehee smiling at her from afar.

Her sister, who took her ridiculous stories seriously, held her hand, and didn’t even seem surprised by her powers.

A dazzling person who shone like bright light, so much so that it brought tears to her eyes.

“Ugh!”

Regaining her composure, Ajin took one step at a time toward that light.

When Ajin opened her eyes upon reaching it….

“Are you finally awake?”

The figure reflected in her eyes was not who Ajin had been hoping for.

A messy brown bob that nearly brushed her shoulders, with a grumpy expression.

Her brow furrowed, clearly annoyed about something.

Her appearance was insultingly different from Sehee’s.

A weak and shabby streamer….

“…Dumb… idiot.”

The sight of Park Dayoung came into view.

“Who’s saying that?”

Both sides felt pretty nasty.

*

*

*

Looking around the unfamiliar house, Ajin realized she was indeed at Sehee’s place.

That thing from last night… it wasn’t a dream.

Rubbing her eyes, she stepped out of the room, and a hearty aroma wafted from the kitchen.

“You’re up. How’s the hangover?”

Peeking her head out cautiously, she noticed Sehee somehow sensed her presence and turned around.

“Y-yeah, I’m fine.”

Turning away, Sehee smiled.

Ajin thought, there’s no mistaking that smile; it warms the heart.

There really is a kind of beauty that makes anyone feel at ease.

Seeing Ajin, Sehee spoke softly.

“That’s good. You really drank a lot yesterday.”

“Um… was the alcohol at your house so good? Did you really make soup?”

“Yep, I ordered it, and I’m just reheating it.”

She was making it for her since morning….

Ajin felt overwhelmed with emotion watching her prepare it in the kitchen.

Ah, she was just so happy.

Perhaps it was because she felt she had crossed many lines already, but now, after coming out as a Hero, this kind of excitement was overwhelming.

The thought of her sister cooking soup for her!

‘Hehe….’

Just as she was basking in her happiness, a voice full of annoyance suddenly snapped her back to reality.

“Hey, stop acting like a newlywed and annoying your sister, and hurry up and wash up.”

“What are you talking about?”

“If you got pooped on by a pigeon, taking three showers a day is standard, you fool!”

“I took three showers yesterday. You idiot.”

As she shot back without missing a beat, she rushed to the bathroom, only to spot something strange.

A smartphone firmly attached to a stand, with a winged frog surfing links.

Not sure what it was looking at, but it was tapping the screen fiercely with both hands, seemingly engaged in a fierce battle.

Wondering what kind of weird creature was here, Ajin’s eyes were drawn to the frog’s rhythmic movements.

As if noticing her gaze, the frog looked up.

With oddly shaped eyes, it waved its arms, smiling brightly.

“Nice to meet you, Ajin-gey! I’m Peppa.”

“Uh? Oh, uh… yeah.”

Ajin remembered this feeling.

The awkwardness when two people who barely knew each other tried to act familiar.

Peeking into the bathroom and closing the door, Ajin tilted her head.

What was that?

*

*

*

Since it was a pricey delivery soup, even reheating it, it still tasted pretty good.

While Ajin was taking a spoonful, Peppa, who was devouring a bowl of soup half her size, looked up and said.

“Hey, Saehee. So when are you appointing me as a moderator?”

“Oh, I totally forgot.”

“Shit, Shitbully tricked me!”

Understanding Peppa’s frustration, Ajin absently scratched her cheek a bit.

When Peppa had asked to be a chat moderator before, it was because it seemed like she wouldn’t have much capacity for it.

But lo and behold, things were running pretty smoothly. That’s why the matter slipped her mind, and for Peppa, it must’ve felt like being left high and dry.

“There’s no need to jump into the stream right now, so how about we have Dayoung stream first?”

“I don’t need to borrow your hand, Peppa.”

“The oppressors are raising hell all over the place.”

Amidst the chaotic chatter, Ajin quietly raised her hand.

“Um….”

A finger pointed at Peppa.

“What is that?”

“I’m Peppa, Ajin-gey! You’re a Hero too, right?”

“Hey, I told you not to say I’m gay.”

At Dayoung’s reprimand, Peppa jumped in surprise.

“Hey, you crazy Dayoung! Nothing is more frustrating than this. I didn’t ask for much; just call everyone gay. That’s all I’m saying! Is there shame in being gay?!”

“Of course there is! Are you trying to humiliate me in front of my sister?!”

Watching the two bicker, Ajin shrugged.

Well, that was fine, but even with Dayoung, it was true that if Peppa didn’t know anybody, it was a bit too much.

Who could imagine a frog the size of a human forearm, walking on two legs and eating beef shrimp porridge?

It was a scene that would be hard to find even in fantasy.

“Let me introduce you. This is Peppa, Dayoung’s Hero partner.”

“Huh? Saehee, didn’t you explain it?”

“Not yet.”

I was about to tell Ajin everything after hearing her story, but before I could, she passed out.

Thanks to that, Ajin was now clueless about the situation, her eyes rolling in confusion.

Well, it’s probably better to show it with actions than words to reduce the confusion.

I put down my spoon and focused my mind.

—Pah!

Brilliant light filled the area around the table and then vanished, revealing my Hero’s Equipment.

“Ahh! My eyes! Isn’t table manners the worst?!”

Ignoring Peppa, who was whining with her eyes covered, I turned to Ajin, who was looking at me in shock, and smiled gently.

“Let me introduce myself again.”

Flipping my hair back, I made a formal introduction once more.

“I’m a former Hero who saved this world and currently a streamer. So is Dayoung over there.”

“?!”

“You’re not the only Hero. So, we are all Heroes.”

Seeing Ajin’s astonished face, I drove the point home.

“Having come to this Hero party….”

That’s right, I’m a Hero, you’re a Hero.

We’re all Heroes!

*

*

*

While having breakfast, I explained my story about being summoned to another world and becoming a Hero.

And how I met Dayoung while returning to Earth and playing games, she was left in a daze while I shared the details.

“If you encounter troubled Heroes, try to help as much as possible. Though for now, it’s just Dayoung.”

“Oh, so when my sister picked me…”

“The editor selected you based on your skills. You were only a Hero after we met. However….”

Looking at Ajin, who was filled with anticipation, I smiled as I spoke.

“It’s true that I approached you more because I wanted to save you.”

Having shared everything the day before, this level of touching wasn’t too much to ask.

Tears welled up in Ajin’s eyes upon hearing my words.

“Meeting you was truly fate.”

“Geez.”

Dayoung clicked her tongue, slightly displeased.

“Ugh, a sudden touching story out of the blue, huh? That’s rich.”

Shoving snacks down her throat, Peppa looked vivid with excitement as I felt it had all come together nicely.

Now it’s time to get to my main point.

Setting up a tea party, the four of us, including Peppa, gathered around the table.

“Dayoung’s sudden arrival seems rather timely. There’s something I need to bring up that I want you both to hear.”

“What is it that I particularly need to be here for?”

“In fact, I have something to confess to you both. It’s also a request.”

“Ah, if it’s a request from you… then sure.”

Seeing Dayoung look puzzled and Ajin filled with enthusiasm, I took a deep breath.

This could either make things awkward or completely derail my goal, so it was a crucial turning point.

I also needed a bit of courage from here on out.

Still, here it goes….

“I….”

Let’s go straight for it.

“I want to collect you Heroes.”

* * *

 

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