***

“Haha! Tomorrow, ‘Smile’ will come to our school and give a speech to the students…!”

Jung Hakhyun, now fully retired, one of the mid-tier veterans among the first-generation heroes.

This Monday, after the weekend, he hadn’t seen Smile in years, and the news that he’d visit the school for a speech.

Even past fifty, his heart raced like a child’s, unable to contain the excitement.

Despite being far senior to Smile and having taught him, if only for a mere month.

As both a hero and a human.

He deeply admired the man called ‘Smile.’

“Haha, the reason I can sit back so comfortably now. It’s all thanks to Dohyul out there fighting.”

Back when superpowers first started appearing, when he was still a kid in elementary school.

Jung Hakhyun vividly remembered that horrific time in Korea.

…Originally, people like gangsters or con artists, scraping by at the bottom of society.

Suddenly gained powers beyond their station, trampling others to rule like kings—those early villains.

Ordinary people, unable to control their powers’ side effects, rampaging like monsters.

Even scum who’d been serving life sentences for serial murders, awakening absurd abilities, breaking out of prison, and slaughtering people.

In a Korea once known for high public safety, where even military units couldn’t function properly, people died like flies in that horrific era.

To nineteen-year-old Jung Hakhyun, starting his hero career, it felt like an endless hell.

In that violent era’s atmosphere, more and more people lost their morals, turning into villains to fulfill their desires.

In a time when cunning opportunists thrived.

Only a rare few, like him, upheld true justice to protect the weak.

…The first-generation heroes like him were undeniably plagued by a severe manpower shortage.

No matter how many righteous, powerful people they trained as disciples or how many vigilante groups built institutions to raise just superhumans.

Even when his senior heroes, most now passed due to lingering injuries, poured their own money into it.

Building this training academy, where he was now principal, to foster strong, righteous heroes—

No matter how hard they tried, the number of heroes was always too few to stop the endless stream of villains.

In that chaotic era, where a single bad thought could bring massive gain.

Being a hero was seen as a dangerous, brutal job, where no amount of money could protect you from a gruesome death at a villain’s hands.

…But then, a hero appeared like a comet.

To counter villains who tortured captured heroes for information.

His seniors built this academy, planning to train recruits thoroughly for at least five years before sending them to the front lines.

His first disciple, surpassing seniors who’d trained years longer, showed such overwhelming control of his powers in just a month that he couldn’t be kept in the academy.

With talent as radiant as his heroic spirit, he illuminated a world shrouded in darkness.

Ending the ‘Chaos Era’ that seemed eternal, bringing about the Stable Era in just five years.

…Even in a brutal era where conscripting child soldiers was discussed.

He and his seniors felt guilty and anxious about sending a mere fifteen-year-old to the front lines.

But with the situation so dire, they trusted the boy’s talent and deployed him.

Praying this young boy wouldn’t meet an early end in a field where even veteran heroes died.

In just five years, he arrested 90 percent of Seoul’s—and the nation’s—S-rank villains, achieving a miracle.

With overwhelming strength and a noble heart, like a cartoon hero saving the world.

Before the miraculous deeds of young Smile, who should’ve still been protected by someone.

Every veteran hero beside him could only feel awe.

He seemed like nothing less than a ray of salvation sent by God to face the demons dragging people into this cruel hell.

Thus, though Smile stayed only a month, this academy, now called the ‘Seoul Hero Academy,’ became Korea’s premier hero training institution.

Receiving massive government support yearly, producing exceptional new-generation heroes carrying on his spirit.

“Haha, seven years ago, seven S-rank and forty A-rank villains hiding nationwide targeted Smile’s alma mater and attacked this place.”

Of course, Jung Hakhyun could laugh about it now because all forty-seven villains involved.

Were ‘captured alive’ by Smile, who happened to be nearby.

Without a single casualty at the school.

Back then, as vice-principal, Jung Hakhyun still shuddered at the sight of his first disciple rushing in the moment the incident broke.

Even he, a former frontline pro hero, couldn’t track Smile’s movements with his eyes.

Protecting every student in this vast school while taking down those high-risk villains one by one.

Enduring dozens of powers lethal even to top-tier heroes, shielding the students…

Yet never losing his heroic spirit or his smile.

“…And still, he ‘captured alive’ every villain who hadn’t been officially ordered for execution. All because of his stubborn resolve as a hero to fight for the law without shame.”

Watching a news drone sent by a broadcaster, he still remembered Smile’s words.

When a reporter asked why he clung to principles even in such a dire moment.

Smile, as upright as ever.

…Said he was just a hero, not a judge passing verdicts or a minister granting temporary extralegal authority.

If a hero with significant field authority abused their power, it’d be no different from villains preaching ‘superhuman’ supremacy through terror.

Those with great power must always be cautious not to be swayed by it.

Whether a lawyer, hero, or police officer, anyone upholding the law and citizens’ safety must never cross the line given to them.

…Spoke such quintessentially Smile-like words.

And flashed a bright smile at the camera, true to his hero name, ‘Smile.’

And Jung Hakhyun, recalling the moment when Smile, the S-rank top hero targeted by countless villains.

Was asked by a reporter if he shouldn’t have stronger field authority.

Muttered the words Smile had said to the camera.

‘My job is the same as any other hero: to protect citizens’ safety. There’s no reason for me alone to have such authority.’

“Hah! That Dohyul’s just too cool! Even as a guy, I’m half in love with him!”

So, half wanting to see him and half for the students’ sake, he’d asked Smile to give the entrance speech this year…

And, unexpectedly succeeding, managed to invite Smile to the school for just ten minutes.

Jung Hakhyun pulled out a limited-edition Smile figurine from his desk drawer, grinning at the thought of getting it signed soon.

…This figurine, bought online for twenty times the original price.

Was even more valuable because Smile, true to form, donated all ten percent of the profits meant for the hero to orphanages.

“Hahaha! Truly a model hero! He started so young he’s still youthful, but surely he’ll never even think of retiring, only protecting citizens.”

So, Jung Hakhyun eagerly anticipated what kind of speech Smile would give the students next Monday.

Imagining his admirable junior, whose mind was filled only with noble thoughts like ‘world peace’ or ‘humanity’s happiness.’

…

…Well, the great junior Jung Hakhyun so admired.

Was currently at a diner, barely finding time to eat, ordering the cheapest kimbap roll with nothing else in mind.

His head full of whether to add a 2,000-won Pikachu katsu.

Completely devoid of such grand thoughts.

“Ugh…! No, maybe I’ll get oden instead? Yeah…! If I order just one oden skewer, I can get unlimited hot broth!”

Grip—!

[A hero doesn’t exploit unlimited broth refills with a single oden skewer.]

“Ugh…! My heart…!”