Ch. 13 - I'm the one that's sorry

I searched the internet and found out where Kim Min-Seok works. In the original manga, Kim Min-Seok rarely showed his face and also hadn't retired, so I didn't know the location of his restaurant.

"It looks like he's doing well."

The online reviews and ratings indicated that Kim Min-Seok's restaurant was thriving. Despite feeling guilty about his retirement due to me, I was relieved to see him doing so well.

"Hmm, am I too early?"

When I arrived at the shop, it was still a few hours before opening time. I was wondering if I should return later when the door suddenly opened.

"I'm sorry, but we're not open right at the momen-"

"Oh, so it was true that you were running a meat restaurant?"

To my surprise, Kim Min-Seok himself came out to address me. It was convenient to find him so quickly.

"Hey, Min-Seok, it's been a while. How are you?"

I raised my hand in greeting. In the past, simply seeing my face would drive him crazy, but it's been a while, so it should be fine now.

However, I was being complacent.

"Kyaaaaahhhh?!!!"

As soon as he saw me, Kim Min-Seok let out a terrified scream and collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down his face. It was surreal to see a man of his stature, capable of lifting 500kg or even 800kg, reduced to tears.

It seems that he is still scared of me...

"N-no, Min-Seok, calm down. I'm just here to talk to you."

I attempted to reassure him as I extended my hand to help him up. But Min-Seok turned even paler and crawled away from me.

"Hiick?!! I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

"Hold on, calm down. I didn't mean to hit you......"

"I'm sorryyy! hnng!"

Now he started sobbing like a child.

"What's happening?!"

"Boss, are you alright?!"

The noise caught the attention of the employees, prompting them to rush out to his aid.

Wait a minute; something wasn't right here.

"What? The boss is running away crying?"

"What happened?!"

"Excuse me! Who are you, and why are you making our boss's life miserable?!"

"No, I just came to say hello."

It was baffling. My innocent greeting had inexplicably triggered such a dramatic response.

"I know your boss, seriously! Min-Seok, stop crying and explain."

"I'm sorry; please don't hit me. I won't do it again. Please don't hit me!"

"......You hit him?"

"W-well, I mean..."

While it was true that I had hit him, he was the one who provoked me first, and it happened three years ago.

I chose not to defend myself, knowing they wouldn't understand.

Meanwhile, the employees began reaching for their phones, discussing whom to call.

"She's that famous magical girl from the Awakened Crime Division, right?"

"Who should we report her to?"

"I don't think the police will take our call."

"Sigh, dammit."

I just said hello and instantly became a criminal.

"I'm sorry for showing you my embarrassing side."

After an hour of persistent reassurance, Kim Min-Seok finally regained his composure.

It had been three years since we last had a proper conversation. Following the previous incident, my attempts to apologize at the hospital were futile, as he would become agitated and scream.

I was even banned from the hospital.

"So, Min-seok, are you feeling better now?"

"Yes, I-I'm fine."

Though he still flinched at our eye contact, at least he could converse with me now. That was progress.

"I'm sorry for beating you up so badly back then. I didn't realize it would affect you so deeply."

"No, it's because of Team Leader 5 that I'm personally grateful."

"Grateful?"

He didn't strike me as someone filled with gratitude.

"Yep. After being beaten by Team Leader 5 and retiring as a hero, I was able to turn over a new leaf and find a new path, running this restaurant. I'm no longer as disrespectful and violent as I used to be."

"Oh, Yeah? That's a positive change."

He had indeed matured. In the original manga, he only made sporadic appearances, often displaying hostility towards the main characters. Now, he was an entirely different person.

Historically, they say a good smack is a cure-all. My ancestors were never wrong.

"By the way, Min-Seok, I came to ask you for a favor."

"A favor?"

"Yes. But it's something you must keep between us. Are you willing to hear me out?"

"Um..."

Kim Min-Seok looked uneasy. What sort of favor could warrant such secrecy?

"It's about slaying monsters."

"Monsters?"

At the mention of monsters, his demeanor shifted. Despite being retired, his hero instincts still stirred at the word 'monster.'

"It involves protecting people. Will you hear me out?"

"Okay, I'll listen."

At the mention of protecting people, Kim Min-Seok responded without hesitation.

Wow. He's truly changed, showing seriousness when it comes to saving people. Perhaps beating him up had its merits after all?

I briefed Kim Min-Seok on the Monster Association's impending terrorist attack. My association alone couldn't stop it, so part of my plan involved collaborating with heroes.

I will deploy two active S-Rank heroes to the amusement park and Seoul Grand Park. As for former S-Rank Hero Kim Min-Seok, he would be stationed in Hongdae.

"I understand. I'll assist in stopping the terrorist attack."

Upon hearing my proposal, Kim Min-Seok swiftly agreed.

"You made a quick decision. Because you're still a hero at heart?"

"That's right. I now understand the importance of people, and I can't bear to see them harmed. And..."

"And?"

"Actually, I was planning to open a new franchise branch in Hongdae soon."

"...Oh, really?"

Seriously, he's become an out-and-out businessman.

"Anyway, we have just started construction on the new store, and if Hongdae suffers damage, who will compensate me? I can't allow that to happen."

"Understood. Then you'll join me in protecting Hongdae."

"...Wait, I'm going with Team Leader 5?"

"Yes."

Given Hongdae's size and the number of monsters expected, it made sense for me to be there.

"On that day, let's work together. It's been a while since I've unleashed my full power."

"...Hiccup."

Perhaps it's my imagination, but Kim Min-Seok appeared on the verge of tears once again.

"The day is drawing near," echoed a low voice within the confines of a dark building.

Lames Jane, known to the outside world merely as an executive of the Monster Association, was in fact its leader. He had gathered his executives for an imminent attack.

Before him, four monstrous figures bowed their heads. Each had undergone extensive body modifications, merging their human forms with monstrous traits. The organization, adept at manipulating monsters, had conducted research on blending human and monster DNA.

All the executives of the organization were hybrids of monsters and humans.

"The day will soon arrive when foolish humans will witness the true power of monsters. They shall come to understand the true terror of monsters."

The monsters nodded in agreement at Lames Jane's proclamation.

"Executive Zaim, are all the monster lure devices ready?"

"Aye, sir. They are all set and ready for deployment."

The rat-headed monster responded to Lames Jane's question.

"Excellent. Executive Chuk-Im, are all the monsters for our revolution in optimal condition?"

"They are in peak condition, sir. Our ranks are filled with formidable beasts, capable of challenging even A-ranked heroes. They are eager to unleash their might at a moment's notice," chuckled the cow-headed monster.

However, Lames Jane's expression soured at the mention of heroes.

"Those fools who dared to make it their business to hunt monsters will soon face consequences beyond their reckoning. Hahahaaa, all humans shall come to learn! Monsters are not to be trifled with!" Lames Jane laughed heartily, and the monsters responded with fervor.

Yet, amidst the excitement, one of them appeared troubled.

"But, sir, I am a little concerned," voiced the snake-headed creature, tilting his head.

"Concerns? About what?"

"There's also the Awakened Crime Division, a group comprising individuals with abilities similar to the heroes."

"Yes, what about them?"

"There's a girl in there, Team Leader 5, who we suspect possesses strength surpassing even that of an S-ranked Hero. She has been judged to be a potential obstacle to our revolution."

"Hmm, is that so?"

However, Lames Jane remained calm in response to those words.

"Nevertheless, it does not matter. Whether she is from the Crime Division or the Hero Association, no matter how formidable she is, no one can stop our revolution. Our forces outnumber them by far."

Not hundreds, but thousands of monsters. We plan to unleash them all in Seoul simultaneously. Even if we have a formidable opponent, it won't matter; she'll be too late to intervene once we set them loose.

"There is no way that one girl could handle all those monsters. Despite her strength, she is but a mere human. She can't stop our revolution."

"Haha, indeed. It seems my worries were in vain," chuckled the snake-headed monster.

"We needn't concern ourselves with our opponents. Let them worry about us instead, as they await the day of revolution and come to recognize their own folly."

And so, the terrorist attack orchestrated by the Monster Association was set in motion.

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