Breaking Up with the Heroine of the Female-Oriented Game

At the Hero Association’s 6th-floor conference room.

“While vanquishing the monster, they also protected others from danger…”

A man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties was reciting the award ceremony speech from the podium. His name was Lee Cheol-young. He was one of the heroes affiliated with the Association, a high-ranker known as the Indomitable, having defeated numerous monsters and villains.

I surreptitiously turned my head. Next to me, Jin Soyeon was swallowing her saliva nervously, evidently not used to such occasions. She looked around anxiously, then our eyes met suddenly.

“Eek.”

Jin Soyeon flinched, perhaps a bit embarrassed at being caught looking so tense. She then straightened up, trying to appear composed as she looked towards the podium. Her effort was there, but the unnaturalness remained.

‘How about the other kids…’

My gaze drifted over to the rest of the children. They seemed accustomed to this sort of event, listening to the award presenter’s speech with indifferent expressions, as if it were in one ear and out the other.

“As an example and a model to society…”

I rolled my eyes. Just beyond the small podium, I caught sight of a large electronic screen.

[Commendation Ceremony]

Commendation awards. Yes, the six of us were being awarded for our role in subduing the monsters that appeared at the Union Academy.

One might question the need for commendations when we already hold temporary hero licenses and defeating monsters is part of our job as heroes.

But considering we are still students and the incident took place at the Union Academy, it seemed the award was decided upon considering the social impact and other adult circumstances.

…Such details were not present in the game. Sigh. Annoyed by the early morning rehearsal for the commendation ceremony and other such hassles. I’m really sleepy.

“…thus, the commendation is presented. Recipient Lee Siwoon.”

While I was lost in thought, Lee Siwoon respectfully bowed his head and received his commendation.

Then, several cameras clicked and flashed from behind. Representatives from the Association, clans, the press, and more were watching the ceremony. This incident had garnered significant public interest and was even being broadcast live.

“Yoo Seolhyun, et al.”

Next, Yoo Seolhyun, Sunari, Yuliya, and Jin Soyeon received their commendations in turn.

Jin Soyeon, stiff with tension, shook visibly as she accepted her award. Why was she so nervous? It wasn’t as if she had no experience with this. Oh right, she was like this during middle school too, wasn’t she?

“Lee Jinhyuk. The content is as previously mentioned.”

Finally, it was my turn. I, too, casually accepted the commendation.

Wow.

I’ve lived to see the day I receive a commendation. I didn’t get much of this in my past life.

“With that, we conclude the commendation ceremony.”

After a few more words from the presenter, the ceremony and the presentation came to an end.

The reward was ten million won per person.

A substantial sum for some, perhaps less for others. Judging by the slightly twitching corners of Jin Soyeon’s mouth next to me, it seemed like a significant amount for a student.

‘Phew. Is it all over?’

Suddenly, numerous individuals approached us. It was a sizable crowd, but none seemed to head my direction.

That’s fine, I guess.

Looks like they’re not particularly interested in me.

After all, the other kids are famous for being Lee Siwoon of the SL Group, Yoo Seolhyun of the Gaon Nuri Clan, the genius fighter Sunari, Yuliya, the disciple of the grand wizard, etc.

It was natural for the related parties to be more interested in them.

Journalists and clan representatives surrounded the others with questions, and Lee Siwoon and his group were naturally being interviewed.

Hmm… awkward.

‘I feel like a spare wheel here.’

I snickered to myself and slipped away unnoticed by the crowd.

I had been a bit worried that people might take an interest in me, but fortunately(?), no one did.

If that was the case, ‘they’ who were probably watching this broadcast scene would be more interested in them than me.

I could feel slightly relieved at being further from the attention of those psychopathic villains…

“Jinhyuk, let’s go together!”

“Eh?”

As I was making my way to the bus stop outside the Association building, Jin Soyeon’s voice arrested my footsteps from behind.

She had run all the way here, breathing heavily.

“Ha, ha… why aren’t you answering your phone?”

“Ah, sorry. I put it on silent.”

I’d turned it to silent mode for the commendation ceremony.

“And you didn’t do any interviews?”

“Interviews? Pssh, it just made me so nervous I thought I’d die. You know I get camera sick.”

Was that a part of her character?

“Also, there’s no point in getting my face known for no reason. Wouldn’t a bunch of jealous girls just leave nasty comments about me? Ugh, I really can’t deal with that.”

She spoke as if she were a princess, but it reminded me of middle school when she was chosen as the school’s promotional ambassador, and many girls jealous of her beauty bombarded her with hateful comments and text terrorism.

“Being too pretty is a curse, you know? Right?”

“…”

“Hey, hey! Jinhyuk, wait for me!”

I glanced at Jin Soyeon impassively and began to walk away. Sensing this, she quickly ran after me.

“What, you can’t just ignore me and walk off.”

“You’re just talking too much today.”

Jin Soyeon pouted her lips and clung to my side.

“Too much? Everything I said was true.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

I responded nonchalantly, but despite that, Jin Soyeon’s face was brimming with joy.

Clutching the commendation tightly, she seemed quite pleased with today’s award.

She kept smiling by herself, so I had no choice but to ask her a question.

“So, are you really that happy about getting the award?”

“Ah. Ahem.”

Jin Soyeon suddenly composed herself. Flushed with a slight embarrassment, her cheeks turned a rosy shade.

“No, it’s not… that I’m happy about the award per se…”

She glanced at me and then smiled sheepishly.

“…It feels like I’m one step closer to my dream.”

“Your dream? Ah, becoming the greatest hero?”

She nodded vigorously, clutching the commendation.

“More precisely, it’s our dream… isn’t it?”

“Our dream?”

As I asked in confusion, Jin Soyeon frowned slightly and grumbled.

“What? We both promised to become the greatest and most excellent heroes, didn’t we? This commendation could be seen as the first step, right?”

“I guess.”

Being an excellent hero…

Being acutely aware that it was nothing but a hollow fantasy, I could only answer with a bitter smile.

“Have you forgotten that I’m at the bottom of the Union rankings? I’d be content to just graduate and make a living…”

“Don’t worry. If I succeed, I’ll be sure to hire you as my sidekick.”

Jin Soyeon’s sidekick?

Well, she would indeed become one of South Korea’s greatest heroes in the future, so being a sidekick wouldn’t be so bad.
That is, of course, assuming there aren’t other male protagonists by her side.

“Jinhyuk, Jinhyuk.”

“What?”

“Thank you.”

“For what, out of the blue?”

Suddenly, Jin Soyeon halted in her tracks.

I stopped as well, turning to face her.

She lifted her head, her eyes clear and focused, and looked straight into mine.

“…Back then, my mental state was all over the place. If it hadn’t been for you, I wouldn’t have managed to pull myself together.”

The memory of Jin Soyeon’s face, petrified with fear as the monster’s killing intent permeated the air, flitted across my mind.

Faced with that sticky and sinister aura for the first time, all Jin Soyeon could do was tremble uncontrollably.

And she wasn’t the only one.

The other kids were also gasping for breath, unable to shake off their fear. It was a bit of a predicament, but thankfully, she regained her composure quickly.

“Honestly, when the monster appeared at the Academy, I thought I was going to die of fear. It was almost like my first real battle, having never encountered such a powerful monster unprepared before.”

It was only natural for Jin Soyeon to react the way she did, considering she could have died if things had gone wrong.

“If we become heroes and start operating, we’ll probably encounter many situations similar to this one, right?”

Jin Soyeon smirked wryly.

It seemed the recent event was still weighing on her mind.

Being a life-threatening struggle, it was bound to leave a vivid memory.

“But still.”

Suddenly, she spoke up, looking at me determinedly.

“I still want to be a hero.”

Her eyes shone with steadfast resolve toward a clear goal.

“Being a hero… that’s my dream.”

“Right.”

In the future, the enemies she faced would be even stronger and more threatening than this one.

She would likely repeat the experience of being on the brink of death countless times.

Each time, she might waver, hesitate, suffer… but regardless, Jin Soyeon would never give up, just as she did today.

Yes.

Jin Soyeon is the protagonist.

The heroine chosen by this world.

The unique protagonist and the hero among heroes who would defeat countless villains—this was Jin Soyeon’s destiny and future.

***

Night. A dark night.

“I hate heroes.”

Under a night sky only lit by the moonlight.

A back alley, where only musty smells and an inexplicable silence lingered, filled with shadows.

Thin clouds drifted far away, allowing a faint moonlight to briefly illuminate the grimy alley.

The dirty ground was littered with glass shards, cigarette butts, used condoms, and scraps of food waste.

And there, a girl was present.

“Why do I hate heroes, you wonder?”

The girl, reminiscent of the moon, eventually cast her gaze downward.

“Aren’t you curious?”

Her white hair contrasted with Jin Soyeon’s black locks.

Her eyes, subdued like the moon, contrasting with Jin Soyeon’s bright, sun-like gaze.

“Huh? Why aren’t you answering?”

A bloodied hero lay underfoot, and the girl with white hair grinned wickedly, as if she was truly enjoying the moment. As if she found the situation delightful.

And as if… she was a villain who relished trampling on heroes.