LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 329: Imitation (7)
At that moment, in the Hero Association Office in Busan—
“That’s the dignity of an S-rank.”
Chairman Jeong Gi-jo smiled in relief as he watched the lightning flashing on the TV screen in front of him.
“It’s a relief that we can trust at least the Thunder Emperor, no matter what.”
“Are you saying that others cannot be trusted?”
“It’s not that the other heroes can’t be trusted.”
Clicking his tongue at the Deputy Chairman’s words, Jeong Gi-jo added a caveat and lifted his mug containing a tea bag, nodding toward the screen.
“Is there anyone else suited for defense other than someone who can accurately strike villains within range like that?”
“There’s the one who sets up ice walls, and the one who builds steel walls, isn’t there?”
“The one who sets up ice walls is about to retire, and the one who builds steel walls frequently gets pierced by stronger opponents. When you’re putting up an electric barrier like that, no one can move a muscle.”The Chairman lightly sipped his tea, put down the mug, and pointed to the top of his head.
“How can you stop lightning falling right above your head?”
“And if they die…”
“Each person gets struck by just enough lightning not to die. Even an E-rank can survive being struck by natural lightning, so why wouldn’t ability users survive lightning created by magic?”
Natural lightning vs. ability-created lightning.
If asked which one is stronger, the answer is obviously the former.
Lightning created by abilities is ultimately a magical attack with lightning properties, and as long as you have enough magic power, you can neutralize or endure the attack.
“When I was younger, there were villains who got electrocuted by a million volts every single day.”
“They still do that these days.”
“…Oh, really? Guess they’re still getting zapped and not dying, huh.”
“If people got electrocuted to death in cartoons rated for all ages or seven-year-olds, would it still be a children’s cartoon?”
“That makes sense. I didn’t think they’d still be around these days.”
The Chairman, reminiscing about the past, stared at his mug for a while, lost in thought.
“When I was a kid, I thought everything in the world would go smoothly. Whether schools transformed, robots rose from the ground, or trains transformed, I thought super robots would appear and defeat the villains.”
“…I’m sorry, I can’t really relate to that.”
“I wasn’t trying to get sympathy. Don’t worry about it.”
“But you were hoping I’d understand—”
“Ahem. More importantly, is the body of Nuts Crusher secure?”
The Chairman cleared his throat and changed the subject.
“There hasn’t been anyone infiltrating the building, right?”
“No, sir. Six A-rank agents are hiding on-site. No one has successfully entered the hospital.”
“That’s a relief. Fewer of them than expected.”
“…Isn’t it thanks to them?”
The Deputy Chairman opened his tablet, displaying some data, and handed it to the Chairman with a stern face.
“This is intelligence from various regions. Judging by their ruthless actions, it must be them.”
“…….”
“Chairman, since they eliminated thieves from abroad, perhaps we should—”
“A villain is still a villain.”
The Chairman projected the tablet’s video onto the screen.
-Aaargh! Please, spare me!
-I don’t spare anyone. That’s who I am.
-Who the hell are you?
-The one who eliminates all those who try to steal Korea’s resources.
Swoosh.
On the CCTV footage, a grim reaper-like figure swung his sword, cutting down the resisting ability user.
-I am the King of Yuldo.
Magic sparkled on the blade, and the man’s face reflected in it was darker than his traditional hat and robe.
“…Are you suggesting we loosen the regulations on people like that?”
“Haha, Chairman. But thanks to them, we don’t have to get our hands dirty…”
“Are you saying we should acknowledge and release people who kill like that, just because things are troublesome or dangerous?”
At the Chairman’s sharp voice, the Deputy Chairman bowed his head.
“I understand the desire to do whatever it takes for the national interest. The country is already operating units like that, so I can’t say we shouldn’t do it at all. But you’re suggesting… using them as the Association’s force?”
“Yes.”
The Deputy Chairman straightened his posture and lowered his voice.
“Chairman, the Hero Association is an independent organization separate from the government…”
“I’ve heard that talk more than a dozen times already.”
“Please, listen one more time. The Hero Association is an international organization. No matter how much we are in Korea, we don’t need to be concerned about their opinion. Aren’t all the S-rank heroes affiliated with the Association?”
“If they had to choose between the country and the international association, the S-ranks would surely choose the Association.”
“That’s why I’m saying we should bring those who choose the Association to our side. If the government ever declares martial law…”
“Ridiculous.”
The Chairman cut off the Deputy Chairman’s words abruptly.
“Don’t go around talking like that. If the government declares martial law, it’ll be because the Hero Association or some other organization has privatized S-rank villains and tried to become a military force. Are you hoping for the Association to become the target of martial law?”
“But we can’t remain suppressed and dependent on lower institutions of this country forever, can we? This is the age of abilities. We can’t continue being subject to the government’s—”
“Just do your job. Looks like we have a call from the Thunder Emperor.”
The Deputy Chairman closed his mouth and bowed his head, while the Chairman activated the Taegeuk Watch to connect with the Thunder Emperor.
“So, how is it?”
[It’s all taken care of. I’ll confirm the rest after entering the hospital.]
“Will you be alright?”
[I’ve connected all the circuits to the nearby CCTV. As soon as any unidentified ability user appears, I’ll shoot lightning indoors. The fortress is complete.]
“Then the answer is clear. There’s even an emergency generator in the hospital basement, so feel free to use it.”
[Understood. I’ll contact you if anything unusual happens.]
Click.
Once Thunder Emperor’s rigid report ended, the Chairman turned his head back to the Deputy Chairman.
“…Well, it’s a relief to have at least one hardworking person like that, isn’t it? Hmm? I know what you’re worried about. You’re concerned about the decrease in the number of S-rank heroes, aren’t you?”
“…Chairman. I feel uneasy.”
The Deputy Chairman, with a frightened face, pointed to the eight portraits hanging on the wall.
“After Baek Seol-hee mentioned her plans for retirement, I suddenly started worrying that those portraits might start falling one by one.”
“…Even so, would she really retire so suddenly?”
“You never know with young people these days. What if Thunder Emperor, out of the blue, gets involved with a guy and announces she’s retiring due to pregnancy….”
“Don’t worry about that.”
The Chairman nodded with a face full of relief.
“Thunder Emperor doesn’t have a boyfriend.”
“……But she could have a secret lover, like someone we know.”
“She doesn’t have that either. Thunder Emperor is, you know.”
The Chairman whispered in a very low voice.
“She’s never dated.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Thunder Emperor.”
“It’s nothing, really.”
Thunder Emperor, Kim Yoon-ji, glanced at the lightning she had fired outside the hospital through the CCTV and casually responded to the hospital director’s greeting.
“At this point, no one will dare target the body. I’ll be going now.”
“Ah, would you like to take a break, perhaps….”
“I can’t leave the premises, so could I borrow the staff break room for a bit?”
“No, no, we can’t offer just that when someone of your stature is here. There’s a vacant VIP room available. Dr. Kim here will guide you.”
“…He looks familiar.”
“Haha, he’s my son.”
The hospital director introduced his son to the Thunder Emperor, patting his son’s shoulder with a friendly smile.
“He’s thirty years old this year….”
“Just let me know where to go later. I should check the basement for any intruders and inspect the body.”
“…Of course.”
Thunder Emperor exited the makeshift command center within the hospital and pushed through the crowd as she headed toward the basement.
“Wow, noona! You’re amazing!”
“Yeah, yeah. Noona’s working right now, so I’ll give you an autograph after I’m done.”
“You don’t have to give me an autograph!”
“…Oh, really?”
“I just want you to smile! You look like an angel when you smile!”
“Oh, I see. You’re really good at lifting and dropping people’s spirits.”
Smiling at a young boy in a wheelchair with a furry hat on his head, Thunder Emperor took the emergency stairs down to the basement.
“…….”
There was no one around.
The basement was a restricted area to begin with, and no one was allowed inside.
Step, step.
The Thunder Emperor walked down the hallway and arrived at the morgue.
As soon as she placed her Taegeuk Watch against the door, the door, which had been glowing red, opened to the sides, and the Thunder Emperor entered the morgue, reaching out toward the body of Nuts Crusher placed in the center.
Sssrrk.
As the white cloth was pulled back, the face of Nuts Crusher was revealed.
His head, completely devoid of color, was heavily crushed on one side.
“…….”
Creak.
The door closed.
And at the same time, there was a clack sound as the door locked, accompanied by a faint crackling noise.
“…….”
Thunder Emperor blinked her eyes slowly, then reached her hand forward—
[What are you trying to do?]
“…….”
Stopping whatever she was about to do, the Thunder Emperor withdrew her hand as the voice came from behind.
“What are you here for? To finish him off? Are you going to kill someone who’s already dead?”
[That’s what I should be asking, Thunder Emperor.]
Step, step.
[You could’ve kept things simple, but you went through all this trouble. However, I have a more pressing matter.]
The owner of the voice stood in front of Nuts Crusher’s corpse, on the opposite side of Thunder Emperor, locking eyes with her.
[What are you trying to do with electrolysis on a dead body?]
“……!”
[You’re not just damaging the body—you’re planning to burn it to ashes, leaving not even a trace of bone behind?]
“……You.”
[Go ahead, if that’s what you want.]
“……?”
The Goblin made a circle with his fingers.
[But in exchange, I’ll have to take something in return.]
“If you’re talking about hush money….”
[The value of a name.]
“…….”
Thunder Emperor’s expression twisted.
[You used the Goblin’s name to kill someone, didn’t you?]
“What do you want in return?”
[That.]
The Goblin pointed his finger at the Thunder Emperor.
[The most valuable and precious thing you have.]