Pulling the Accelerator (6)

Klang! Klang! Klang!

As usual, the sound of a hammer rang out in the narrow workshop.

Klang! Klang! Klang!

The blacksmith forgot the time passing by as he hammered the metal.

Klang! Klang! Klang!

No, had he forgotten?

-Janus’s whisper: Grandpa, can we talk a little seriously?

-You? It’s already funny.

However, on that day, his new friend threw a small stone into that regular routine.

-Janus’s whisper: If you armed yourself with the armaments you made, would you have been able to fight as much as you like in that world?

Klaaang!

A little too much power was put into the hammer. The blacksmith looked down at his ruined work with regret, letting out a sigh as he tossed it into the furnace.

-You ruined an object because of your talking.

Even if it was ruined, it was still already a complete artifact. The blacksmith supposed he could melt it down to create another artifact that could properly utilize its ability.

-Janus’s whisper: Do you think I believe grandpa could ruin anything? I could go out and recover a whole city with whatever it is.

-A city?

-Janus’s whisper: Next up would be the world.

-The world? Nothing is left.

The blacksmith turned his attention to creating a new alloy by adding various materials to the melted artifact. They mixed in harmony according to his will.

-Janus’s whisper: Not at all. You’re a member of the Hero Universe.

-What is left, then?

-Janus’s whisper: What’s left? The whole world remains.

-Not intact.

-Janus’s whisper: Huh?

-But what’s left intact?

The metals mixed together into one, forming an alloy that gave off a brilliant light. The blacksmith pulled it out and cooled it into an ingot with a gloomy expression.

-Why don’t I leave it to you to save the world?

-Janus’s whisper: Yes…

-Janus’s whisper: Yes. Please leave it to me, grandpa.

The blacksmith got back to work with his hammer.

Klang! Klang! Klang!

In that narrow workshop, there was only the sound of a hammer ringing out.

-Janus’s whisper: Even if you don’t like it, I’ll save you all.

-I’ll look forward to it.

But in the end, that dear friend couldn’t save the blacksmith.

***

-You received 2 roulette coins as today’s log in bonus!

The morning after the third liberation, the usual phrase welcomed Kang Shin-hyuk as he lay in a hospital bed. However, this time was a bit different. Now there were two roulette coins. Now he couldn’t help but look forward to what rewards awaited him after he completely regained VIP privileges.

‘I had five from before… so seven in total now.’ Of course, now that he heard of the improved roulette that could be played with twenty coins, he had no intention of running the ordinary roulette. The administrator had made it clear it could unlock new functions of the Hero Universe.

‘Whoo… I’ve gotten a bit used to the feeling of recovering memories.’ He was beginning to pull out the deeper memories that his previous life had hidden away as a result of the third liberation. He was naturally accepting those dark memories. It felt like he was being forced to become an adult. Kang Shin-hyuk began to change his clothes and think instead about what sort of beam weapon he should make when someone knocked on the door. Quickly putting on his pants and shirt before opening the door, he was greeted by the form of Shin Eunah.

-Cheh.

“Senior Eunah?”

“Good morning.”

“What happened…?”

“I came to get you out. It seems there is still a bit of an upset from yesterday.” That was all due to yesterday’s report. One Vanguard guild member and two students had gone into a gate together, yet the two students had returned fine despite the Vanguard member being injured. Kang Shin-hyuk and Baek In-ha had been confined to the hospital out of a concern that they were influenced by that contaminated mana, but it was also to help them avoid excessive media exposure. Shin Eunah, who had become aware of the situation the following day, had arrived to rescue Kang Shin-hyuk on behalf of the association.

“Yes, let’s go. Come on, I’m going to use movement magic.”

“What about Baek?”

“Baekyang will take care of their own.” Kang Shin-hyuk quickly gave up on bringing Baek along and instead sent him a brief text message of [I went ahead of you.] and put away his phone. His phone began to vibrate immediately after, but he ignored it and looked back at Shin Eunah.

“I can go to school then, right?”

“It’s not a school day.”

“Oh, I see.” Since the era of the great gate had come, Shinyoung was forced to change its education policy for the time being. Two days of the week were focused on theory classes, and the remaining three were dedicated to gate practice. It was like they were forcing the students to act as real superhumans, but it was an undeniably great opportunity to grow both in skill and financially (as they were offered compensation in return for going into the gates).

“Then the other students will be practicing now.”

“Yes, but your team is now inactive.” It was too difficult for them to move now, given that Hyeongju Ahn had been incapacitated. No doubt, it would be the same for the rest of the week.

“I see.”

“So, go on a date with me.” He wanted to respond, but she smiled and motioned with her hand. At the next moment, they were in Claire’s bar.

“Ah, you came sooner than I thought you would.”

“Claire?”

“Hi, Shin-hyuk.” Claire was wearing a long coat over her normal clothes, very clearly a combat artifact of some sort.

“Where are you going to fight…?”

“I’m a high-ranker, there’re a lot of things I have to manage in Korea.”

“It’s the same as it was in the United States. I had a schedule today.”

“Today?!”

“What’s so surprising?” Shin Eunah hadn’t just used her magic to bring them to the bar from the hospital; it sounded like she had been moving all around the world.

“It used to be impossible, but now it’s easy enough to make a few round trips.”

“You’ve completely become a moving piece of artillery…”

“She is number one in the international ranking.” Kang Shin-hyuk could feel the difference between them just by being near her.

“I brought Claire because she wanted to see her junior before leaving. Even though I never saw you since we got back.”

“Yes, I missed you.”

“I’m the same, I missed you too.” The part where Shin Eunah tried to turn it to herself was ignored. She was busy making her own appeal, so she didn’t notice the subtle atmosphere between Shin-hyuk and Claire.

“If we couldn’t meet today, we wouldn’t be able to for a week, so I pushed myself a little.”

“I’m glad I didn’t miss it.” The two were talking as usual but subtly avoiding each other’s gaze. They seemed to be overly unconscious of each other, though neither realized it.

‘I kissed him impulsively, but he’s still a minor. The limiter shouldn’t be released… no, I feel like I want to kiss him again when I see his face.’ It would be dangerous to do that with Kang Shin-hyuk. Claire truly believed that. On the other hand, Kang Shin-hyuk felt embarrassed when he saw her, but he was regaining his composure.

“I’ll prepare a present for you.”

“A present?”

“You’ll be surprised.” Kang Shin-hyuk let out a laugh, and Claire began to feel a bit more comfortable. Yes, if the limiter was released, that was fine. It wouldn’t be a crime.

“I’ll look forward to it.”

“Please do.” Fortunately, Shin-hyuk and Shin Eunah didn’t notice her thoughts.

“A gift?”

“Of course, I’ll prepare one for senior Eunah as well.” Kang Shin-hyuk responded naturally to Shin Eunah but made sure to wink at Claire.

“Gift… a gift from my junior…!”

“Yes. Then, let’s go quickly.” Claire laughed and began to urge Shin Eunah. She turned back as if she remembered something suddenly, however.

“Oh, right. I’ll leave the store to you today.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Isn’t it a bother to head back to school anyway? You can just crash here or even do business if you’re bored.”

“Leaving the bar to a minor…”

“Minor? Isn’t Shin Eun-hyuk an adult?” Claire laughed and began pushing Shin Eunah again.

“I’ll be back.”

“Be safe.” Shin-hyuk said farewell and made sure to give Shin Eunah a hug before they left. Shin Eunah ascended to heaven, but eventually, Claire pulled her back down to earth. With a flick of her finger, the two vanished.

“…Did they really go to America?” Kang Shin-hyuk, now alone, let out a deep sigh as he glanced around the bar where he would stay alone. Claire had always been here before, and Shin Eunah would also stop by.

-Member.

The administrator spoke up as he changed into his uniform.

“Yeah?”

-It felt like a man who was cheating in front of his wife.

“…” Kang Shin-hyuk remained silent as the administrator accused him.

-I need to be honest.

“Eunah… Eunah is a child who needs mental care. Even though she is an adult on the outside, mentally, she’s still a child. It seems to be getting better these days, but…”

-You are unexpectedly calm in judging her.

“Because I’ve been watching her for a long time.” It felt like Anvil was in his words.

“Claire and I are the ones closest to Eunah. However, if we start a relationship in the current situation, Eunah will feel alienated.”

-It won’t just be a feeling of alienation.

“You know too?!”

-Still, it would be better not to give her too much.

The administrator responded coldly.

Only

-That fox is already dreaming of a beautiful house with a garden on a hill, raising three children, and a dog with you.

“…” That was too heavy. He wanted to deny it, but it was too believable with Shin Eunah’s actions lately.

-There is a special band provided by the Hero Universe. Would you like to purchase it?

“No… please put it in the shopping cart first.”

-You remembered the shopping cart function! 30,000HP bonus!

“Thank you for these tears.”

The bar’s sales that day were a huge success, thanks to his new fame after claiming the fifth ranking internationally.

Unfortunately, plenty of rumors had also spread about the supposed relationship between Claire and Shin Eun-hyuk.