I Picked Up the Hero and the Demon King

31 – Incident (5)

Neutral looked straight at the screen.

As if seeing and conveying it to someone.

─The essence of a hero or a villain is the same. It’s just that each other’s pursuit is different.

─Who is evil and who is good? Who decided that? Aren’t you a hero?! Do not forcefully set standards and rules!!

─We are superhuman. If you have the power, how to win what you want to do yourself. It is right to release unfair people who are defined as villains for simple reasons.

─Of course, I’m not asking you to free all the villain camps. Only three places. Chuncheon, Busan, Iksan. All you have to do is release all three of them.

People in the association were shocked by the proposal.

The three places mentioned were the most vicious villains and the most thorough and bloody prison camps.

A place where disasters that caused countless civilian casualties and killed many heroes are gathered.

In other words, it meant to release the power of the villain.

─I’ll give you three minutes. Step… If you do anything stupid, I will immediately destroy the department store.

─Ah. And don’t even try to find the bomb. You can see everything inside. Enough then.

Just right.

As I flicked my finger, the screen went back to black and the timer ran.

Now people’s attention is starting to turn to the government and associations.

Of course, the association was going to ignore it as soon as they heard it, but…

“You have to listen to their conditions first!”

“What nonsense! Don’t you know that then a bigger disaster will happen?”

“But you can’t just kill everyone in there!”

“The S-class hero has been dispatched, so it should be fine!!”

“Even if you are dispatched, moving hastily is like provoking!!”

Internal cleavage.

We disagreed with each other and were arguing.

But what were the heroes doing now?

Because EX-class heroes were world-class heroes, they were active after signing contracts in other countries or negotiating with an arrogant attitude.

There were several S-class heroes available, so they were dispatched after receiving a request, request, or order to watch the situation.

Standby as there are no available ranks.

In the end, the heroes just watched and couldn’t move.

It was a time when suggestions, phone calls, and inquiries were pouring in, and all eyes were on Korea.

This time, too, only time passed colorlessly.

─Three minutes have passed.

When I snapped my fingers again, a neutral with a dry expression appeared.

He sighed and shook his head.

─Haa… I knew it. Heroes don’t appear. Just watch the situation.

─What… Great. Then I’ll make another suggestion.

At the word proposal, all attention was focused on the broadcast again.

Perhaps aware of that, Neutral smiled and raised one of his fingers.

─One minute. You only need one minute to come up here. Of course, there are conditions.

─Be lower than B rank. And… Be a hero, not a hero. How is it?

At Neutral’s words, the people inside Ildong Department Store started to stir.

It was just a question, not confusion or bewilderment.

Everyone watching the broadcast also had questions.

The condition of being below the B rank is also a condition, but he did not understand what a hero who is not a hero is.

─Ah-cha-cha… Did I say something wrong? I should have given you an explanation.

Perhaps he knew that, Neutral tapped his forehead and began to explain with a smile.

─A hero who is not a hero… That’s literally it. There are many superhumans in the world, but aren’t there also people who aren’t heroes?

─They must have been receiving the hero’s repayment. So check it out. Is there anyone out there who wants to repay the favor in this situation?

─Of course, if the hero did so far, he would have done well, but if no one did, wouldn’t it be nothing? In the end, being a hero is meaningless.

─Now another hero is stepping up for the hero who risked his life countless times to wipe out evil! Because everyone has more power than superhuman!!

—Now. Then… I’ll give you two minutes. If no one steps forward this time, there will be only negotiations… I’m really looking forward to seeing what it will be like.

Just right.

The screen went black.

People started to stir.

A look in the eyes that longs for someone to come forward.

There were heroes in the department store, and among them there were heroes who met the conditions.

Those who have skills below B rank and who do not retire or lead a heroic life like Lee Seo-jin.

But they didn’t come forward.

Because they were also human, they were afraid, and it was clear that they would have to bear all the stigma if an accident happened without doing anything.

Besides this, there was nothing to say about those without skills.

As I was passing it on and hoping for someone to come forward, there was one person moving.

“Brother, don’t go.”

“Seo Eun-ah.”

“…”

When Yoo Seo-eun spoke first, Lee Seo-jin shut her mouth.

Please stay. Please don’t go

She knows how bad her own selfishness is, but Yoo Seo-eun desperately wanted it.

If you get seriously injured or die… You won’t be able to stand it then.

Although she knew her sister’s life was in danger.

She hated the fact that her only light and salvation could disappear, so she desperately clung to it and asked for it.

“Brother, you’re going. Don’t go. Brother. Please… another hero will step in. So…”

“I am the only one. Seo Eun-ah.”

Already checked.

He hesitates to turn even talented heroes.

She even heard words of relief that her own rank was A.

At this point, who can step up?

In the first place, there is no hero who can stop them with their B-rank skills, and there is no one who fits the ‘non-hero’ category.

They need toys just to play with.

A toy that is tied to a thread and is being toyed with without being able to move.

“Brother… please…”

Yoo Seo-eun was wrapped in my arms and held onto me tightly.

Perhaps she was frightened, her body trembling slightly.

But if I don’t go up, everyone will die.

If you free the villains from the villain camp, a war could start.

That’s why the association will never listen.

I’d rather choose to kill everyone here.

Of course, you can wait for EX rank or S rank, but… EX will take a long time, and if S had moved, it would have moved a long time ago.

There has never been a bomb attack like this before, and there won’t be any in the future, so they’re obviously not looking for a way.

“…Seo Eun-ah.”

He gently stroked Yoo Seo-eun’s hair.

Then came the sound of whimpering.

It was the first cry I heard after saving my sister.

“Brother… please… hehehe… Uh. Unnie is precious too… Oppa is also precious…”

“…So I’m going to step out.”

Yoo Seo-eun, who was sobbing in her arms, gently lifted her head.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and as I wiped her tears away, she looked at me with a somber expression.

“Your brother is strong. I can protect Sua and Seoeun. I can protect everyone here. So I have to go.”

“…Really…?”

“Yes. Really. Of course, it really hurts to leave Seo-eun behind. I want to stay by her side somehow. But… If I don’t go, there will be a really big danger.”

Lee Seo-jin smiled softly.

Yoo Seo-eun hugged Lee Seo-jin as she was about to shed tears as she stroked her hair again.

Then Seo-jin Lee hugged her warmly, and after she held each other for a while, Seo-eun Yoo had a spleen expression as she slowly moved away from her arms.

“It’s okay. I’m… strong. I can protect myself even without my brother.”

“…Thank you. For saying so. But just in case, let’s discuss it and go.”

She decided to find a place where she could be because she needed to run immediately if a bomb went off.

That place is the rooftop. Entrance before entering the Sky Lounge.

Of course, there was a possibility that she would be caught up in the aftermath of the battle, but she was determined not to, so Yoo Seo-eun decided to believe it.

“…Let’s go. Brother.”

“Yes.”

At first, it was a sad atmosphere, like a family parting ways.

The two, now completely different, held each other’s hands and started going up to the roof.

※

When I went up to the roof, there were people in black suits, who at first glance looked like department store security guards, blocking the entrance and standing in a row.

Perhaps it was blocked in advance to prevent further problems.

Perhaps everyone was evacuated, but no one was normal.

“Please go down. This place is sealed.”

A male agent standing in the center, who appeared to be the captain, spoke up.

“He meets the conditions of that villain.”

“Yes? Conditions…”

“A hero who is not a hero below rank B. That is me.”

“What is that…”

The captain looked at me with a puzzled look.

Looking at the sword at my waist, I asked a question with meaningful eyes.

“Did you play a hero?”

“Yes. I was a hero for 4 years and retired when I was in B rank.”

“Rank B… You definitely meet the conditions. But…”

Worried eyes.

They’re weighing whether it’s right by sending me now.

However, even that time was a waste now, so I hurriedly urged the captain.

“But not! I am the only one who meets the conditions right now, and I can stop this department store from terrorism!!”

“…That’s right.”

As if indignant, the captain bowed his head with a frown on his face.

After thinking for a while, he looked at the agents next to him and gave an order.

“Everybody back off.”

Then the security guards at the door stepped back and opened the way.

I asked the captain agent I had a conversation with before entering.

“I have a request for you.”

“What is it?”

“This is my little sister…. Could you protect the aftermath of the battle or fail…?”

“…Don’t worry.”

Lee Seo-jin let go of Yu Seo-eun’s hand and handed it over to the captain.

Then Yoo Seo-eun held on to her collar and looked at Lee Seo-jin with her worried eyes.

He held it in, shook his head vigorously, and cheered vigorously.

“Kill that bastard!! Oppa!!”

“Don’t worry.”

After she looked back and cheered, Lee Seo-jin looked at the neutrals beyond her windowed door.

What’s interesting is the way he hums while leaning against the railing.

When she saw it, when they first met her, her regrets that she hadn’t cut it came flooding back, but she took it all in.

“Whoa…”

Take a deep breath.

Kikik─

The door opened slowly.

Then the sound of the door opening shifted Neutral’s gaze, and when he checked to see if anyone had entered…

“…Ha. hahahaha. hahahahaha!!!!”

He started to laugh out loud as if he was having fun.

She moved her body around and held her belly button as if she had seen an interesting sight.

She was Lee Seo-jin, silently watching it with her cold and calm eyes.

“Puhahahaha!! You. I didn’t know you would come up!! Hey. What an ironic fate!!!”

“…Noisy. Now that you’re up, tell me the next condition.”

“Ah~ Yes. Well, that’s good. Before that, let’s check.”

Neutral put her hand to her ear.

She had an earring in her ear, and when the information about Lee Seo-jin was delivered, she nodded her head to confirm that her condition was met.

“Ah. It’s nice. Mr. Lee Seo-jin. He’s a B rank retiree… Well. It’s a bit disappointing to be a non-hero in the hero section… But I’ll look at it as a relationship, right?”

“Shut up. It must be Han that I couldn’t cut you down then.”

“hahahaha~ I’m sorry to say that? You saved me as an innocent citizen at that time.”

“If I had known you were a crazy bastard playing with people’s lives, I wouldn’t have done it.”

“Kuh kuh. That’s good.”

Neutral smiled.

Although she tried to talk about it next.

Just as she was about to speak, Lee Seo-jin added her words.

“Can I tell you a few things before that?”

“Yeah…? Hmm…”

I thought about that for a while.

But what can I say?

Neutral nodded her head and agreed.

“Tell me. It looks interesting.”

“Before that, promise yourself one thing. You won’t blow up the department store. Heroes at least listen to you. If heroes and villains are the same as you think, they will listen, right?”

“Of course. I promise.”

“…Good.”

With her permission, Lee Seo-jin took a deep breath.

She then opened her eyes and glared at Neutral as she began to speak slowly.

“I said earlier that there is no difference between a hero and a villain.”

“Yes. I did.”

“Stupid. Did you try to negotiate on extortionate terms by trying to instigate for such a ridiculous reason?”

“…What?”

Then, a small vein rose from the neutral’s forehead.

“Where is the nonsense…”

“Everything!”

At the loud cry, Neutral flinched briefly.

But regardless, Lee Seo-jin continued to speak.

“A hero and a villain are the same? Funny bullsh*t. No hero threatens with human life. Only villain threatens with human life!”

“I said it before! If there is a heroic villain, then a villainous hero…”

“So where is the villain-like hero? There are only two villains and heroes here?”

“…Kuh.”

“The guy who plays with people’s lives and the guy who tries to protect people’s lives are the same? f*ck you. You’re evil. That’s the villain! That’s the truth and the law that will never change! How many people have died because of you villains? Do you know if he’s dead?”

“But not all heroes are nice and kind! Do all heroes save people?!”

A word that is shouted as if it is being squeezed out.

Lee Seo-jin then took a deep breath and quietly continued her words.

“Yes. Not all heroes can be good. There can be bad heroes. But that’s an assumption! Where is the proof that that is true?”

“That’s…”

“No way! All you want to do is insist that you are like a hero or a villain! Are heroes bad? Just because you say bad, do you think people’s lives are wasted like a villain like you? Mara!!”

“…Then what hasn’t appeared until now?”

“It’s about figuring out how to save more citizens and safer from a vicious villain like you. That doesn’t mean you’re not doing anything. You idiot.”

“Ha… So?”

“So stop talking nonsense. It’s disgusting. A hero’s mission is to save and protect people and fight against the evil of villains.”

Surereung─

Lee Seo-jin pulled out his sword.

“There is a hero here now.”

Aimed at neutral.

“There is a villain here now.”

I could tell without saying anything behind the scenes.

Neutral looked at Lee Seo-jin gently.

What are you thinking?

The corner of her mouth began to rise slightly, and she started to laugh out loud.

“Kuh ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!”

Dude.

The neutral laughed loudly and stopped laughing as soon as he tilted his head back.

“Okay. Okay. Let’s fight. But it won’t be easy. I’m kind of upset.”

“…I hope you will be gentle.”

“Kuh-kuh. Well, okay. Now that I’m interested in you, let’s put aside the department store terrorism for a moment. Before that… I’d like to know your hero’s name?”

“My hero name?”

“Yes~ You fight as a hero and a villain, shouldn’t you know each other’s names?”

At those words, Lee Seo-jin let out a laugh.

It was because she remembered her name, which she had tired of hearing in her previous life but couldn’t hear anymore.

A hero name that is unknown why it was attached.

Is it simply because he uses his sword well?

I don’t know if it’s because he’s the only one using a sword.

It was her second name that represented her life so far.

“I don’t have a hero name. But… I was called this once.”

“What is that?”

Lee Seo-jin answered Neutral’s question with a gentle smile.

“Sword Saint.”