Chapter 221 - Duel

# PMC.

After the Wolkwang Bridge Gate incident, I cultivated these talented ability users to ease Stardust's burden against the chaos caused by monsters that would be released.

By keeping these ability users as corporate civilians rather than association heroes, I can control them completely from top to bottom. From the beginning, I raised them all as their teacher. I've passed down all my expertise and essence of ability control that I gained from the Ego-stream.

They unlocked their abilities' full potential in a short time, and I gave them some combat experience too. Plus, since I spent months living with them—eating, sleeping, teaching, and listening to their concerns—our bond is at its peak. I can say they trust and follow me.

...Though sometimes I worry they trust and follow me a "bit too much"... but I suppose that's better than not trusting me at all.

Anyway, the conclusion is that this time our PMC members will meet Stardust through Lee Seol-ah.

...Honestly, I do have some concerns, but the kids are all smart so they'll handle it well. After Wolkwang Bridge, the PMC members will officially debut and meet Stardust anyway, so I figured it would be better to build friendship and trust in advance rather than waiting until then.

Plus, as a bonus, it would be perfect if Stardust could evaluate their abilities too.

So, at the Yu-seong Squad PMC headquarters building.

Since Stardust is coming today to train our squad members, I was giving them some final guidance before they meet her.

"Now, do you remember what I told you?"

"Hmph. I told you I got it. Be nice and friendly, and learn as much as possible with an open mind. And keep your identity secret."

With her arms crossed, turning her head away with a "hmph" sound while flipping her light orange hair, No. 2 responded curtly.

...Yet she perfectly summarized everything I had told them.

"Yes. I'll keep it in mind, Master."

Meanwhile, No. 1 with his white hair tied back, nodded and responded properly. This kid is really well-mannered.

...Actually, since No. 1 uses swordsmanship, it might make more sense for him to learn from Katana rather than Stardust, but anyway.

"Well, I'm excited anyway! Meeting the famous hero Stardust in person."

Our red-haired No. 3 said cheerfully, pounding her gauntleted fists together.

Right. No. 3 has always been positive and passionate, so she'll do fine on her own.

"...Yes, I'll do well."

No. 4 with blue hair, rubbing her eyes as if suffering from lack of sleep.

...Being the youngest among them, I'm a bit worried, but I believe she'll do well too.

"So, Da-in. Is everyone ready?"

"Ah, Seol-ah."

Just then, I turned my head toward Lee Seol-ah, who walked in wearing a suit.

My kids greeted her, and she smiled and waved her hand slightly in response.

After the date to meet Stardust was set, Lee Seol-ah came in person to meet the PMC members once. Since I had already explained to the kids that she was the boss who pays them, they all responded positively to her.

Of course, with her innate ability to attract people, they quickly grew to follow her to some extent.

"Well, Stardust should be arriving soon, so you can go ahead and leave, Da-in."

"Alright. Kids, I'm going now. Learn well, all of you."

After saying goodbye to our PMC members, I stood next to Lee Seol-ah and whispered.

"And... you know, right? Something might happen, so please keep an eye on the kids. They might slip up."

"I understand. Don't worry."

Lee Seol-ah answered with a bright smile.

Reassured, I left before Stardust arrived. She should be here soon.

...But somehow, the way the kids looked at me today seemed a bit strange... must be my imagination?

Anyway. Stardust will be here soon.

As I left, I wondered.

...What will Stardust think when she sees our squad members?

***

Stardust.

She was currently at the Yu-seong Squad PMC headquarters building, which her friend Lee Seol-ah had established.

"Stardust, welcome."

In front of the large, gleaming white building, Seol-ah welcomed her with a smile.

Shin Ha-ru, who came wearing casual clothes for the first time in a while, nodded and said:

"Hi. Is this where the PMC trains?"

"Yes. I spent quite a bit of money on it."

Lee Seol-ah said with a bright smile.

Indeed, it was an impressively large building. She had heard there were only four members so far, but it was clear that a tremendous investment had been made.

"That's amazing..."

Honestly, Shin Ha-ru was somewhat impressed when she heard about Lee Seol-ah's PMC.

It was true that Seol-ah seemed more interested in business management than being a hero. Still, she had always perfectly maintained security in the Busan area, which was her primary duty, so Ha-ru hadn't minded. But she hadn't expected her to be preparing something like this.

Creating heroes by hiring ability users who were reluctant to become heroes on their own...

"Our kids have been training hard on their own. I'd like you to see how skilled they are now. All of them."

"Sure. I understand."

With some anticipation, Shin Ha-ru followed Lee Seol-ah's lead and took the elevator down to the basement.

What unfolded was a vast underground space.

While Shin Ha-ru was admiring it, Lee Seol-ah finally brought the four ability users.

"Everyone, say hello. This is my friend, Stardust."

"Hello!"

The children immediately greeted her.

Seeing them, Shin Ha-ru returned their greeting and quickly scanned them.

One boy and three girls. They all looked quite young. They gave the impression of college freshmen, and one even looked like she might still be in school.

As for their strength... she'd have to fight them to know for sure.

"Now, kids. You all know Stardust, right? But Stardust doesn't know you yet, so let's have a self-introduction session."

After saying that, Lee Seol-ah smiled and guided everyone to one side.

In a space with chairs, they began introducing themselves.

Shin Ha-ru listened attentively to the introductions of these four ability users.

"Hello. I am Lee Se-geom."

The first to introduce himself was a boy with long white hair tied back. Wearing a martial arts uniform and carrying a sword, he said his specialty was swordsmanship. He asked to be called No. 1 for convenience. From a quick assessment, he seemed to have a taciturn personality... that was Shin Ha-ru's judgment.

...Incidentally, the mention of swordsmanship reminded her of Katana, and the image of Egostic smiling and holding hands with Katana suddenly invaded her mind, making her feel unsettled, but she maturely shook it off.

"...Hello. I'm Seo Chae-young."

Next to introduce herself was a girl with slightly orange-red hair. Her tone seemed a bit curt, but Shin Ha-ru thought she seemed nice-natured. Her main ability was shooting arrows of light... some kind of weapon enhancement type, Shin Ha-ru surmised. She said to call her No. 2.

...Why did all these PMC members have naming sense like No. 1, No. 2? She wondered who had named them.

"Hello! I'm No. 3, Heo Da-hee!"

Next came a bright and cheerful voice from a red-haired girl. She seemed visibly energetic and passionate, and like Stardust herself, she could enhance her physical abilities. As a bonus, she could throw fire punches with her gauntlets and fight with a greatsword.

Finally, it was No. 4's turn to introduce herself.

"...Um, hello. I'm San Soo-ah."

A girl with blue hair who looked the youngest.

With slightly sleepy eyes, she seemed quiet and timid. ...This girl fights villains? Shin Ha-ru felt a bit concerned...

"Hello. I'm Stardust. I'm an A-rank hero affiliated with the association..."

And of course, Shin Ha-ru introduced herself too. Although everyone seemed to know her already, still. The way they looked at her with sparkling eyes of admiration made her feel slightly uncomfortable but not entirely bad. They seemed to have a positive impression of Stardust. ...Had Seol-ah taught them that?

Meanwhile, as she was talking in the room.

'.....'

Shin Ha-ru, without realizing it, looked around the room with a sense of familiarity.

'....Something feels familiar here? Like a familiar feeling.'

Maybe it was just her imagination.

She hesitated but eventually stood up.

"Now, kids. I said I'd observe your training, right? Follow me."

"Ah, yes!"

The four of them followed her obediently.

Soon they arrived at a spacious white hall-like training room with a high ceiling. Stardust stretched her hands briefly and then said:

"Now, come at me one by one."

"....What?"

They were surprised by her sudden statement.

...Well, it might be surprising that she was going to face them wearing just a shirt without her suit.

However, unless it was an emergency situation, there was no need to wear her suit for this kind of encounter.

They asked her to check their abilities?

Then the easiest way would be to fight them.

As if reading her thoughts.

Lee Se-geom, or No. 1 as he called himself, who stood at the front.

After taking a deep breath with his sword drawn, he said to her:

"...I look forward to learning from you."

"Alright."

With her brief response.

The battle began with a flash of the blade.

...

"Ugh."

"...Not bad. Next."

Of course, in just a few minutes, Shin Ha-ru won as expected.

'...So this is about their level.'

Though not as strong as she used to be, they seemed definitely stronger than B-rank heroes. She had the feeling that with some real combat experience, they might even reach A-rank. Somewhat impressed that they were stronger than expected, she felt admiration inside.

And she was also a bit excited.

'....If these kids grow up and become strong enough to handle S-rank villains instead of me... maybe I could focus solely on dealing with Egostic.'

...After all, Egostic is the most dangerous person in the Republic of Korea, yes.

With a glimmer of hope.

She began to face No. 2 next.

'...It would be nice if that day comes someday.'