Chapter 436 - Side Story: Lily Of The Valley (10)

# The Han Group's Terror

After the Han Group's terrorist attack, the partial destruction of the Association, and endless meetings at the temporary facility, everything was finally resolved.

In the evening, Seo-eun and I returned home together.

"Seo-eun. Let's go to bed early tonight since we've been through a lot. We can talk more tomorrow, okay?"

"Yes..."

"Good. And about school tomorrow... it might be difficult to go, right? I'll call your teacher."

She nodded.

Seeing how tired Seo-eun looked, probably from the emotional toll of the Han Group incident, I sent her to rest first. Watching her hang her head and trudge to her room, she looked smaller than usual today, which pained my heart.

After sending Seo-eun to her room...

Click.

I returned to my room, turned on the light, sat at my desk, turned on my computer, and became lost in thought.

I needed to sort things out before I could sleep.

'...Han Group.'

In the original story, they were just villains involved in the Behemoth incident who attacked Seoul with a giant robot in the final chapter of Phase 1.

While that made quite an impact, they were overshadowed by the inflation of later villains, especially compared to Phase 4 where even gods appeared as enemies.

So honestly, I hadn't been too worried...

'The situation has changed.'

I thought as I grabbed the mouse. Those villains I expected would disappear on their own had returned stronger. And somehow, they brought numerous supernatural ability users who had disappeared.

This situation wasn't in the original story.

Therefore, I could only come to one conclusion.

'Forget the original story.'

I firmly resolved. Over the past three years, somehow... the Han Group had changed from the villain organization I knew. Since I had eliminated all other villains, they had likely become South Korea's "final boss."

In that case, there was only one answer.

Eliminate them with full force.

And naturally, this wasn't just for me...

'It's for Seo-eun too.'

I nodded as I thought this. Apart from Seo-eun's grudge against the Han Group, they were simply too dangerous.

It was absurd to think such villains were running loose when we had finally created a peaceful world.

Especially... considering that Seo-eun was an escaped test subject from the Han Group, it was even more dangerous.

There was a chance they still wanted her.

"...Sigh. It's complicated."

I leaned back in my chair with a sigh.

What was their purpose?

At first, I thought it was just mindless terrorism like in the original story... but it felt different as time went on.

They attacked the Association while simultaneously destroying religious facilities.

Particularly when destroying religious facilities, they didn't target people but purely destroyed the buildings. Temples, churches, cathedrals... they scared away all the people and only destroyed these buildings.

And I found this suspicious.

In my original world, I could have understood it due to religious conflicts.

But in this world? With the existence of superpowers, traditional religions had declined, and there weren't many religious facilities left. What they destroyed was practically all that remained in Korea.

So why destroy them?

Were they promoting science above all else?

"...I don't know, I just don't know."

I muttered as I went online.

Right. First, let's see how people are reacting to this incident.

I checked the news.

The news reported that the Han Group had attacked the Hero Association and religious facilities.

And that Stardust had repelled them, and the villains had used supernatural abilities.

Fortunately, there was no mention of me... either because I hadn't been at the forefront, or perhaps the Association had blocked it.

Looking through the comments, they were naturally full of posts cursing the Han Group and supporting the Association. There were also quite a few comments surprised by the appearance of other supernatural ability users.

I wondered if Lee Seol-ah's media response manipulation team had something to do with this.

"..."

While I was at it, I suddenly became curious about what people in my fan cafe thought about this incident.

Well, why not? They all seemed a bit crazy, so I was curious about their reactions.

So I checked the popular posts.

*

[Upvote if you're not scared at all about the Han Group invasion lol]

What is South Korea?

The country that has Egostic and Stardust, right? lol

Firmly believe that Mango and Stardust <<< these people will take care of everything! Upvote if you agree lol

=[Comments]=

[For real lol]

[Upvoted lol]

[Honestly, other countries might be scared, but we have K-Mango, what's there to fear? lol]

[The funny thing is, Mango will probably solve everything lol]

[But isn't it weird that South Korea has two supernatural ability users when they've disappeared everywhere else? Did we get chosen or something?]

ㄴ[It's all because Grandfather Dangun picked a good spot]

ㄴ[Ah, so that's why Seoul real estate is so expensive(?)]

[The Han Group had many fire-using ability users, which is interesting... Isn't it unusual for them to use the same ability? What are they doing?]

ㄴ[The fact is they'd all be finished with one Star Punch... yeah]

[This is crazy, even foreign countries are focusing on the Han Group now lol They want to know how they got their abilities]

ㄴ[The world is watching, the International Hero Association is trembling, and villains are interested in King Korea wow]

ㄴ[The funny thing is this is actually true lol]

[Just trust in Mango and everything will be fine lol]

[It's been too peaceful and boring for the past 3 years, we need some thrill. Will Mango start streaming more now?]

ㄴ[You crazy bastard lol But will he really stream more?]

ㄴ[Day 1 of waiting]

*

"....."

After skimming through a few posts, I just closed the browser.

Where does their fanaticism about me come from... I was starting to wonder.

Still... it wasn't a bad feeling. Better than them trembling in fear, it's better if they can maintain their daily lives like this.

Right. I'll stop thinking about this for today and go to bed.

Tomorrow's me will figure out a plan.

As I was thinking this and about to get up...

Knock knock-

I heard that knocking sound from outside my door.

At that sound, I turned my head to look at my door.

"...Oppa."

There stood Seo-eun, wearing white pajamas, holding a pillow in one hand, looking at me with slightly teary eyes.

"Seo-eun, you're not sleeping? What's wrong?"

I asked, puzzled by her appearance.

...And her answer to my question was something I hadn't expected.

"Oppa, can I sleep with you tonight...?"

"Huh?"

I was taken aback.

***

Late at night.

Seo-eun came to me with her pillow, asking if we could sleep together.

...Honestly, I was a bit conflicted, wondering if this was appropriate.

After all, Seo-eun was grown up now. Beyond being a high school student, she was practically indistinguishable from an adult woman when not in her uniform.

And thinking about it, we had never done this even when she was younger.

But.

'I saw the Han Group and... I'm too anxious. It reminds me of the past. I just can't fall asleep alone...'

Seeing Seo-eun's pale face, trembling slightly as she said this to me.

I realized that now wasn't the time to worry about such things.

And now.

"....."

My bed, with the bedside lamp casting a soft orange glow around the room.

The bed was large enough for two people to lie comfortably. I looked at Seo-eun lying with her eyes closed, let out a soft sigh, and asked:

"Seo-eun. Can you sleep now...?"

"...No. But... I think I'm having fewer bad thoughts."

"I see..."

After answering, Seo-eun blinked her eyes open and looked at me.

"Oppa. Aren't you going to sleep?"

"Yeah. I'll read this, watch you fall asleep, and then go to sleep myself."

I said, slightly lifting the book in my hand as I leaned against the headboard.

"Okay... but having you beside me... yawn. I'm getting sleepy."

In response to my answer, Seo-eun yawned, rested her arm on her forehead, and closed her eyes again.

And shortly after.

Breathe. Breathe.

I could hear Seo-eun breathing quietly and regularly.

She must be asleep now.

I put down the book I had been reading, which had "Real Estate Investment Tips" on the cover but was actually "Understanding Teenagers" inside.

And I looked down at Seo-eun for a moment.

"...."

With her silver hair spread out, her face buried in her pillow, breathing softly.

...Though I didn't show it, I was quite surprised when Seo-eun asked to sleep together.

She had rarely acted spoiled with me since we met.

Perhaps today's incident with the Han Group had triggered her PTSD.

"...."

Feeling somewhat sorry for her, I quietly stroked her hair, dimly tinted under the mood light.

Yes. If just having me by her side can help her feel better, I can always be there for you.

After all, in this life, this is the only goal I have left.

'What will I do when Seo-eun grows up, goes to college, and becomes independent...'

Well. After catching all the villains and after Seo-eun leaves... I have enough money. Maybe I'll open a small cafe in a quiet town.

Or since I've always enjoyed teaching, I could become a teacher for children in the countryside. Living a healing life like that would be nice too.

...The night is making me overly sentimental.

"Seriously..."

I smiled wryly, turned off the mood light, and lay down.

Right. Now is not the time to worry about such things. First, I need to focus on defeating the Han Group.

And also think about what to do with Seo-eun.

"Good night, Seo-eun."

I muttered as I closed my eyes.

***

The next morning.

"....."

"Mmm... hehe..."

As soon as I opened my eyes.

I felt the pressure of Seo-eun hugging me tightly as if she would never let go, with her leg draped over me, and I closed my eyes again.

Seo-eun doesn't have good sleeping habits...