***

‘Hmm, why did everyone suddenly start crying at the end…?’

Honestly, I thought I’d completely bombed the speech.

But at the last moment, with the flood of status window notifications filling the auditorium and everyone sobbing, I was genuinely shocked.

…If it weren’t for those notifications, I might’ve thought the kind students were just acting to spare my embarrassment.

‘Maybe because they’re upright kids aiming to be heroes, they’re easily moved by such old-fashioned speeches…?’

Anyway, I had to leave right after due to lack of time—

But I clearly memorized the name ‘Ju Eunha,’ so I’ll make time to visit the school again soon.

‘Hehe, at least it wasn’t a total bust. Now that I’ve found a promising successor candidate, shall I go finish today’s quota?’

Satisfied with the big step toward my retirement—

I soared high into the sky, where no obstacles would hinder me, to complete my tight hero activity quota.

…Well, technically, it’s not exactly ‘flying.’

By rapidly kicking the air with my legs, I can move and change directions freely like heroes with actual levitation powers…

So, in theory, it’s a kind of ‘flight.’

Minus the insane penalty of the status window squeezing my heart—

My body’s ridiculous capabilities make this absurd method of ‘flying’—lifting one foot before the other lands—actually possible.

‘Alright, since I spent ten minutes on something else today, I’ll have to patrol extra hard from the air, even without any reports.’

***

“Wow…!! As expected! Smile is Smile! Compared to other S-rank heroes, his whole vibe is just different! What did you think, Seola?!”

“Yeah, I agree. Smile’s a one-of-a-kind hero, unmatched by anyone.”

“Hehe! Right? Ugh, it’s a shame we couldn’t get handshakes or autographs, but it was still such a rewarding day! I’m so glad I came to this school!”

After Smile’s short speech, with afternoon classes over—

Lee Seola, still feeling the lingering impact of the speech hours later, looked at her friend bouncing excitedly beside her.

Smiling quietly so Eunha wouldn’t notice.

‘…That’s Smile for you. He hasn’t changed a bit. Even when Eunha and I become pro heroes, he’ll keep shining at the top.’

Under the slowly setting sun—

Walking the familiar route home with Eunha—

‘Honestly, I wanted an autograph too… But that’s probably too much. Smile’s insanely busy.’

Recalling her childhood, when she was kidnapped by a villain—

Wanting to ask for Smile’s autograph but too nervous to speak when the hero she’d only seen on screens rescued and held her—

Lost in that bittersweet memory of missing her chance…

She reached the bus stop and parted with Eunha, who was waving enthusiastically.

“Hehe! See you tomorrow, Seola! Oh, by the way, isn’t your driver picking you up these days?”

“Nah, it’s a short walk anyway, and I don’t want to stand out. See you tomorrow, Eunha.”

“Yep! The bus is here, so I’m off! Hehe, I’m gonna brag to Mom about seeing Smile when I get home!”

Vroom—

Seola watched her lively friend wave through the bus window—

And turned to head home.

Thud—!

…But then, someone large and rushing bumped hard into her shoulder.

Clank.

Despite her diligent training as a hero aspirant—

Seola lost her balance and fell to the ground with a thud.

“Hey, watch it, kid. Standing in the way like that is dangerous for others, you know?”

“…Sorry.”

It was clearly the other person’s fault, rushing recklessly—

But, true to her hero-aspirant manners, Seola apologized first to the suspicious figure wearing a mask, hat, and an out-of-season thick coat.

Clank—

“Alright, normally, bumping into me wouldn’t be forgiven with a mere apology. But I’m in a hurry, so I’ll let it slide. Heh, just be careful next time, kid.”

“…Yes, I’ll be more careful.”

“Heh. Such a pretty kid, and so well-mannered too. I love obedient girls like you.”

Grab—!

“Hehehe, but…”

Clank, clank.

“…Why were you hiding your hand behind your back, trying to send your location to the police?”

***

BOOM—!

“Ugh…!”

“Hahaha! Spotting the cuffs on my wrist and instantly thinking to report me? Hero academy student, huh? Got that snitch spirit down pat, don’t you?”

“Argh…!”

“…But, kid, to live wisely in this world, you gotta know when to keep quiet about scary things like this.”

In an alley a bit away from the bus stop—

With her wristphone smashed and herself swiftly kidnapped, pinned to a wall by an unknown assailant gripping her throat—

Seola quickly scanned her surroundings, assessing the situation.

‘Ugh, those cuffs on his wrist—they’re special restraints for high-risk villains. This guy’s probably B-rank or higher…!’

Grip—!

“Argh…!!”

“Heh, you’re rolling your eyes all sneaky-like. Not just a pretty face—your body’s not bad either. Maybe I’ll keep you close while I’m on the run, mess you up so bad even your parents won’t recognize you, huh?”

‘Ugh…! He’s just holding me lightly, but I can’t breathe…! A villain this strong in Seoul? Who the hell is he…?!’

Clank, clank.

“…Hehehe. Don’t be too scared, kid. Pretty or not, kids aren’t my type.”

Grip—!

“…Besides, I’m not dumb or ballsy enough to pull something like that in Seoul of all places.”

“Ugh…!”

“So, I’ll just knock you out for a few days—be grateful for my mercy. But if you wake up and blab to the cops, you’d better be ready… Urk!”

BOOM, CRASH—!!!

“…Safety mode off. Strength assist to maximum.”

Just as the mysterious villain was about to choke Seola unconscious—

A blue glow emanated from under her white school uniform shirt.

Her slender arm, in an instant, pushed back the hulking man twice her size.

…It was just one arm, but to get used to it for her future as a pro hero—

The reinforced suit she’d worn since this year activated.

“Ugh! You little…!! I gave you a chance to live…!!”

ROAR—!

“…Starting third year at the hero academy, limited support gear is allowed. It’s set to activate only when my life’s in danger, so from now on, this is self-defense.”

Swish!

“Ugh, a kid in a school uniform playing with a multi-billion-won toy… Heh, fine. Plans changed. Looks like this rich little missy will be my VIP hostage.”

BOOM—!!

“…Well, this is an ultra-light version hidden under my shirt. But it’s high-performance enough to lift boulders with one hand. I don’t think I’ll lose to someone in mere cuffs.”

The moment she finished speaking, thin targeting lines appeared around Seola’s left eye—

Everything seemed to slow down, and her mind raced, calculating the alley’s layout and the villain’s movements.

Her ‘superpower,’ rated as exceptional even compared to top-tier pro heroes, activated.

ROAR—!

‘…If he’s really a B-rank villain, he’s not someone I can hold back on. Even if it strains my eyes, I need to end this fast and decisively.’

CRASH!

“Argh…!! A kid like you, daring…!”

“…You seem to have a durability and strength-enhancing superpower, so I won’t hold back—I’m going all out.”

Swish, WHAM—!

True to her word, Seola put her full weight into a precise kick to the villain’s solar plexus—

Then stepped on his body, leaping high—

And mercilessly struck his jaw with her reinforced suit’s right arm.

BOOM—!!

“Argh…! Me! Taken down by a kid like this…! Aaaagh…!”

Swish, thud!

“…You’ll be dazed from a concussion, so unless you want to bite your tongue, don’t talk.”

Landing stylishly after subduing the villain—

Seola approached the staggering figure, who seemed to be losing consciousness.

“Since you broke my phone, you’re coming with me to the nearest police station.”

“…Heh, hehehe! Hahaha!”

But—

The villain, who she thought was knocked out from the jaw hit—

“Was it fun, missy, playing hero with me?”

Suddenly let out a creepy laugh, dusting himself off and standing up—

“…I enjoyed watching a weak little girl squirm like a bug, so I played along. But I’m really busy, so let’s end this game here.”

Step, step.

‘What…! That was strong enough to shatter concrete! He took it to the jaw and…! Is he not B-rank but A-rank…?!’

Grip—!

“Ugh…! Who… who are you…!”

BOOM!

“Argh…!”

Still wearing that creepy grin, he grabbed Seola and slammed her to the ground.

***

‘Ugh…! How is he fine…? Even if it’s just on my arm, this is a high-performance suit made for S-rank heroes. Is he really an escaped A-rank villain…?!’

…Worst-case scenario.

If he’s truly A-rank, even with a full-body suit and military-grade weapons—

A mere third-year hero academy student like her had no chance.

Worse, she was dragged to a secluded alley where no one passed by at night.

…The odds of someone seeing and reporting this, or a hero responding, were near zero.

Grip—!

“Ugh…! I don’t know who you are, but you think you’ll get away with this…!”

“Hehehe. Shaking like a scared chick, yet still yapping? Sorry for you, but you’re coming with—”

But—

A hero is someone who appears at the most desperate moment, offering salvation.

THUD—

“…Forgot something at school, so I got off the bus to take a shortcut. What’s going on here?”

Whoosh—!

“Urk! W-Who the hell…! A hero—?!”

“…Who are you, messing with my friend?”

At the exact moment of her dire crisis—

With golden hair glowing as if absorbing all light—

And star-shaped eyes blazing with fury—

Her friend appeared, just as cool as the hero who saved her as a child.