***

An empty, quiet park—

I was thrilled to have this rare break, aside from my short sleep hours, staring happily at the Pikachu katsu I’d chosen after much deliberation.

Even with my mask on, the diner lady recognized me and insisted on not taking my money, nearly preventing the purchase.

After five minutes of intense convincing, she finally accepted my three 1,000-won bills, and I successfully bought it.

“Hehe! I didn’t even ask, but she slathered on so much sauce! Nice, I can mix this with rice! Oh, it’s been forever since I had rice…!”

Sure, I couldn’t take the shrimp tempura she tried to throw in for free because of that damn status window, but eating rice instead of ramen was so rare I couldn’t help but get excited.

Others might laugh at a grown man getting this hyped over a single Pikachu katsu.

But to me, this was a big splurge, fueled by the hope that I might soon retire.

After all, subtracting essentials like goshiwon rent, phone bills, and the cost of the gray tracksuit I keep tearing during hero work—

The government’s measly basic income left me with only about 30,000 won a month to spend freely.

So, meals were usually just the unlimited ramen and kimchi at the goshiwon.

On rare indulgent days, I’d add a slice of cheese, or on special occasions like my birthday, maybe some tuna or ham.

Naturally, my phone wasn’t some fancy wearable with pricey plans but an old-school smartphone with a budget plan for seniors and kids.

The budget plan limits internet and functions, but I don’t have time for that stuff anyway, so it didn’t matter much.

Though, in this slightly futuristic world compared to my original one—

Even grandpas and kindergarteners don’t use these outdated smartphones much anymore.

Back in my world, gifting parents or kids a cheap budget phone wasn’t exactly met with joy either.

…And here, smartphones are practically seen as relics, like pagers from the ‘90s in my old world.

‘Oh, my pitiful life makes even me want to cry.’

Of course, thanks to that cursed status window, I couldn’t actually cry.

“Hehe…! But right now, I get to eat something delicious, so I’m less depressed than usual! And look, there’s even mustard on the back? Haha! Normally, they only put on red sauce…!”

…By the way, getting extra sauce doesn’t trigger any heart pain.

Even that blasted status window has its own ‘rules’ for penalties.

If I tried accepting something like a villa or an expensive watch, my heart would squeeze so hard I couldn’t breathe—

But swearing alone in private or accepting heartfelt gifts that’d be rude to refuse, like those from deep gratitude—

Those only cause a slight sting, a pain I can tolerate.

For example, a thousand origami cranes folded by a kid I saved—

Accepting those doesn’t hurt at all—

…Or similarly, a homemade lunch, costing maybe 10,000 won in ingredients, painstakingly made by a fan whose life I saved multiple times—

That only causes bearable pain if I grit my teeth.

Even the strict status window seems to judge such rewards as acceptable.

“Well, if the lunch had eel or hanwoo beef, it’d mercilessly crush my heart. Haha, anyway, time to enjoy this luxurious meal…!”

“Huh? You’re Smile, aren’t you? Eating junk like that again and ruining your body?”

…But then.

Just as I was about to mix the saucy Pikachu katsu with my plain rice kimbap.

“Tch, don’t you know a balanced diet and self-care are essential for a hero? Why don’t you drop that stubbornness and take better care of yourself?”

The maker of those heartfelt ‘lunches’ I mentioned.

“…Hmph, h-here. Eat this if you want. I-I made it for myself, but I suddenly got a lunch date with a friend in Seoul, so I don’t need it now.”

The most famous hero in Incheon, ranked ninth among S-rank heroes.

The ‘Flame Witch Revi’ appeared before me, holding a lunch wrapped in a pink cloth.

***

The Flame Witch Revi, real name Seo Sua.

‘Witch’ is a bit of an unusual hero name.

But her powerful fire abilities ruthlessly subdue villains, and her constant scowl and haughty expression earned her that moniker.

By the way, ‘Revi’ comes from her snow-white hair and skin, and her fiery red eyes, resembling a rabbit’s color scheme.

Honestly, it’s not like she’s albino, so I don’t get why she’s got those colors.

But in this world, where hair and eye colors vary wildly, my black hair and eyes are actually rarer.

…Anyway, she may seem prickly and curt, coming off as intimidating.

But she’s actually kind-hearted and strikingly beautiful.

Her popularity is always among the top five S-rank heroes.

Unlike me, clearly a second-generation hero after debuting so young—

She’s only twenty-five and reached S-rank ninth in just five years, making her a standout among third-generation heroes.

And separately, she was one of the hero ‘characters’ from the defense game I got stuck in.

So, regardless of her real-world fame, she’s firmly etched in my mind.

In the game, she was a high-damage unit with a flaw: the more you boosted her attack, the weaker her defense got.

As if reflecting that, Revi in reality has a tricky limitation with her powers.

The angrier she gets, the stronger her flames become—

But the more she loses her cool, the more her own powers burn her, causing injuries.

Still, her base stats are so good, and her reinforced suit has cooling functions—

Which probably helped her snag an S-rank spot in just five years.

“…Hmph! And no matter how strong you are, please wear a basic reinforced suit! You’re not some first-gen hero—why do you always wear that tattered tracksuit?”

“Haha, those suits are just too uncomfortable. Plus, they take time to put on and take off, which, even slightly, cuts into the time I could be saving citizens.”

“Tch…! So high and mighty. Why don’t you just save the whole world by yourself? Is that why you came into my turf yesterday to arrest A-rank villain Strong?”

While I was thinking, Revi asked, wearing a form-fitting white sleeveless top—

With a lightweight black suit covering parts of her arms, legs, and torso.

Honestly, her cool gear made even me, who doesn’t need it, want to try it on once…

But those suits, like supercars owned by oil tycoons, cost millions in repairs alone—

How could I, with a monthly allowance of just 30,000 won, afford that?

If the Superhuman Management Department issued them to all heroes, maybe I’d have a chance.

But sadly, those suits are personal purchases for heroes earning hundreds of millions to billions annually—

A pipe dream for me, forever out of reach.

Plus, when the Superhuman Management Department once offered me a cutting-edge suit ‘just for me’—

That damned status window threw a fit and crushed my heart.

…This crazy square window goes berserk over any ‘special treatment’ or ‘privilege’ offered only to me.

Damn it, if that’s the case, shouldn’t I at least get a fat salary like everyone else?

Why do I bear way more responsibility than others but get no reward, not even equal pay?

Of course, if I voiced this complaint, that blasted status window would probably just say—

[Self-sacrifice and service are the core of a hero’s duty.]

Some nonsense like that.

…Anyway, to Revi bringing up the bank robber I caught yesterday—

With the bold voice and clear, conviction-filled eyes that the status window demands—

“Hahaha! Save everyone alone? If only I could! But that’s impossible, which is why we have great juniors like you, Revi. So, keep looking after Incheon.”

I spouted the usual clichés.

No matter my true feelings, as long as I act the way the status window wants, it doesn’t make a fuss.

Fifteen years since I got dropped into this hellhole.

Thanks to a psychotic, hardcore acting coach that massages my heart every time I slip up—

When it comes to ‘hero’ acting, I’m a better performer than anyone in the world.

…Honestly, at this point, it wouldn’t be surprising if I had an identity crisis—

Between the ‘ideal hero’ I act and the real ‘me,’ teetering on serious dissociation.

“Hmph! If you’re gonna say that, just stick to Seoul! Why come to Incheon for hero work? Do you think me and the other heroes are that unreliable…?”

“Haha, Revi, you’re one of the juniors I trust most. But when someone needs help right in front of me, what does jurisdiction matter?”

…Truth is, Seoul’s crime rate is so low because of me—

I had to dip into Incheon to fill my 18-hour daily quota.

Despite having far fewer heroes than other regions, Seoul’s villain crime rate is rock bottom, thanks solely to me.

In this world, Seoul’s the only major city with such low villain activity, unmatched globally.

I hear even foreign tycoons are dying to move to Seoul these days.

…Anyway, saying that out loud would be bad for my heart’s health—

So I gave Revi a suitable answer to wrap it up.

“When someone’s in danger right in front of you, you help first and think later. Isn’t that what being a hero is?”

Ding—!

But then—

That all-too-familiar, grating notification sound hit my ears, and a message popped up.

[‘Flame Witch Revi’ is once again moved by your conviction. This hero’s potential to become your successor is now unlocked.]

[Successor Suitability: 0.04 percent.]

…A message I couldn’t possibly ignore.