Irreversible (3)

-You have received an Advanced Strength Potion as a bonus for today’s login!

Kang Shin-hyuk awoke the next day with a sense of pleasant foreboding. It was the first time he had received an advanced potion as a login bonus. It would amplify his strength by three levels, albeit temporarily, which meant it was a great item to have in a pinch. The generous bonus had been the result of his 2nd VIP liberation. With that, he could only dream of what he might receive from his 3rd liberation. His synchronization rate was still below 30%, however.

-Try connecting to the internet, member.

“Internet?”

-The TV also works.

As always, a hard message appeared before him as he had been examining the potion with a smile. Tilting his head, he turned on the wall-mounted TV in his room. Of course, the scene that displayed was Shin Eunah hugging him as he was dressed up in his Shin Eun-hyuk outfit. The camera gradually zoomed out, revealing the surroundings of the scene, but the two were still at the center.

“…”

[The fourth countercurrent will remain in history as an unprecedented display of perfect coping success. It has firmly proven that Korean’s superhumans have become stronger.]

[The government has pledged to provide adequate support to all the people affected by this incident. Surprisingly, despite the large scale of the event, there have been no confirmed fatalities.]

[On the other hand, some intellectuals have warned the international superhuman society that the period between countercurrents is shortening and that one day, an occurrence like what occurred on the African continent may happen.]

It had been worthwhile to fight all night long. While the image might have rattled him, Kang Shin-hyuk couldn’t help but smile at the news that there had been no deaths. It would’ve been nice if the third countercurrent had gone that way, but that thought was pointless now. What was important was that he had become stronger and was able to act without leaving any regrets. Yes, that was enough. Or, well, it was a good start at the very least.

“…So with all the news, why is the video focusing on this?”

-It must be because you look good.

The battlefield where the gate had collapsed, bringing a temporary piece, with the figure of a man and woman hugging. On one side, the inflammatory phrase, ‘Hidden siblings? Or lovers?’ remained. He felt a pain rising in his stomach upon reading it, just as his stick vibrated with a message.

[Bartender noona: You know, it was still our date day. Doesn’t it seem a bit off to be hugging another girl at the end?]

Yesterday, they disbanded at the site without a word, then this contact suddenly came. He felt it was a little ridiculous, but his reply was serious.

[From now on, I will hug you. Would it be okay in about 24 hours?]

[Bartender noona: It’s okay because I’m satisfied with your reaction.]

Kang Shin-hyuk was sincere, but Claire cut him down. Maybe she understood too. Shin Eunah, despite appearing to be an ice princess, was really an uneasy child on the inside. It made no sense to argue with him over the outcome of her actions. However, Kang Shin-hyuk felt a little pleased that Claire was acting a bit jealous.

[Bartender noona: You worked hard, take a break today.]

[My noona should too.]

Feeling like his reply was boring, he seriously pondered whether he should add, ‘I love you,’ to it or not. No, would she be annoyed if he was persistent? It would be right to save it for a more decisive moment. Still, Shin Eunah hugging him was being broadcasted internationally. Perhaps he should reveal his mind to make her less anxious…no, no one told him that she was anxious, but somehow…

[Bartender noona: Isn’t it a cool look when it comes to a shooting bartender?]

[Yes, you were very cool.]

[Bartender noona: I thought so too. You were cool as well.]

Well, that should be enough for today. He smiled happily and ended the conversation, taking a break in the late morning in his room. At that time, Lee Na-hee contacted him.

[Lee Na-hee: Wake up.]

[…]

[Lee Na-hee: Wow, that’s fast. I thought you were lying down all day.]

[Are you the same as your senior and me?]

[Lee Na-hee: Try to be at least half polite with me as you are with Claire.]

[Please give me half of what my noona Claire does.]

[Lee Na-hee: Well, let’s stop talking about that.]

[Alright.]

[Lee Na-hee: So you’ve been dating the Empress?]

[No.]

[Lee Na-hee: But no matter what you think, other people will think so.]

The screen being broadcast had finally changed, replaced with an exclusive interview with Shin Eunah. She had a lot of work to do when it came to public relations, as she held the position of director in the Special Affairs Department. She was the face that represented the Superhuman Association.

[The name is similar, but he is not my brother. He is a junior that I personally managed.]

[Yes, he has been certified as at least S-rank but doesn’t engage in public activities. He hasn’t been officially assigned to the Task Force.]

[A romantic relationship? There is no such thing happening!]

Shin Eunah was calmly interviewed, the very image of her ice princess persona. Kang Shin-hyuk could roughly guess what she was thinking (probably the relationship was grandparent to grandchild instead), but it seemed more like a woman in love on the outside.

[Fortunately, I hid my face yesterday.]

[Lee Na-hee: Is it an issue if you date her? Will you lose face or money?]

[It’s not that sort of problem.]

[Lee Na-hee: Is that right? I suppose that’s it.]

In the end, no more answers came for a while. Then, suddenly, another text message to turn the channel came. Doing as asked, there was an image of Lee Na-hee sitting behind Claire on her bike, spraying the air with bullets.

[Lee Na-hee: I look cool.]

[It would’ve been cooler if you hadn’t sent that text.]

Just because you respected Claire didn’t mean you had to share her sense of style. No, that level would still be okay to a general sensibility.

[Senior Eleanor: Shin-hyuk, you really don’t have anything to do with the Thunder Empress…?]

[Did you guys plan this out in advance.]

[Senior Eleanor: I haven’t returned the lance yet, so I wanted to meet you to thank you. So, when we meet, why don’t we go into the dungeon again for the last week of vacation?]

[I’m interested too, but my senior sure does love to fight.]

Kang Shin-hyuk replied after thinking a bit.

[First of all, you caught that last one.]

[Senior Eleanor: I wouldn’t have if it weren’t for you.]

[No, it would’ve been difficult for me to get in the final blow. We did it together. So, what I got from him…that, and all the other loot I recovered, I’ll give you the spear on the condition that I keep everything.]

[Senior Eleanor: What?!]

[Yes?]

[Senior Eleanor: You can’t just give away S-rank artifacts so easily!]

The lance Eleanor had been using was, in fact, an S-rank artifact he had created. He had surprised himself, as it was his first attempt to apply gigantification to an artifact. It must’ve been thanks to the quality of his materials.

[I think it’s a good price for the materials I received.]

[Senior Eleanor: I still can’t. It’s too much, as always.]

[As always?]

[Senior Eleanor: So I’ll rent it. As a condition of rental, I will hand over all the loot this time.]

[Huh?]

[Senior Eleanor: Because I’m still at an advantage, I will pay you back for what’s left.]

[How?]

[Senior Eleanor: With our team.]

[Team…?]

Kang Shin-hyuk felt an anxious ringing in her words, turning to the TV that now displayed Claire talking to a reporter. She was recognizable even through the mask she wore.

[It was thanks to our team, Masked Bacchus!]

“This noona!” She thought of and chose a name like that?! As Kang Shin-hyuk struggled, the interview continued as Claire made it clear that the team was not officially formed by the association. If a renowned superhuman like the Alchemist had joined the association, that fact would already be public knowledge. But some people were saying that both the Empress and the Alchemist were being swayed by a man, whereas others said they were competing for the same one.

[Senior Eleanor: Masked Bacchus… I think it’s pretty cool.]

[Please come back to earth.]

He knew things would get complicated the second they started with similar clothes. Kang Shin-hyuk pressed his forehead and thought about how to cope with this situation, but no insights came for him, so he decided to leave it be. He just wanted Shin Eunah and Claire to take care of it themselves.

[Senior Eleanor: So, at the last week, let’s go together as a commemoration of becoming a team.]

Only

[Yes? Oh, the dungeon. I’m sorry, but I can’t.]

[Senior Eleanor: Do you already have a prior commitment?]

[No…but there is a place I need to go before the vacation ends. The orphanage.]

That was the orphanage that took in Kang Shin-hyuk after he lost his parents. He hadn’t been there since he had entered Shinyoung; his own feelings had prevented him from returning. But now that he had overcome the fourth countercurrent, his thoughts had changed. He was confident he could face the other children.

[Senior Eleanor: I see…shall we go together?]

[I think that will cause some misunderstandings, so no.]

Still, he was grateful that she had offered. After talking to Eleanor for a bit longer, he began to exercise. He thought Shin Eunah would contact him, but she didn’t reach out to him as the day went by. Not only that day, but also the next. It was at that point he was sure of it.

Shin Eunah was avoiding him.