This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 122

Was it originally used as a military facility, like a military base?

The evacuation shelter looked strangely similar to the barracks I served in during my past life.

Especially the part where I felt like there would be an overwhelming number of bugs.

Good thing I came here when it was still chilly; if I had arrived in the summer when they were in full swing, I might have had to wage war with the bugs.

In that sense, it’s fortunate that I came at this time.

Those living in the mountains tend to be far more vicious than those in the city.

Even in military boots, there are ones that can pierce through and suck your blood, so imagine how bad it could get.

“I’m glad I prepared just in case.”

Thinking I might as well make some preparations, I unzipped my bag and pulled out a spray I had inside.

Then I called out to my senior.

“Senior? Could you come over here for a moment?”

Honestly, it wouldn’t matter if I sprayed it first, but you know how they say even cold water has its hierarchy.

“…Huh?”

Anyway, as I summoned the senior, I was meticulously spraying the camping body spray I had prepared all over her.

“What is this?”

“Oh, this? Bug repellent spray. I brought it just in case since I heard the training camp would be in the mountains… and seeing how things are, I thought it would be good to spray it.”

“Oh…”

“Wow… someone who couldn’t bring their manager must feel pretty bummed out, huh?”

Suddenly, a strange voice I had never heard before interrupted us.

And it wasn’t just any interruption; it sounded quite sarcastic, as if some unpleasant event had occurred.

I was about to turn my head in the direction of the voice, feeling a little overwhelmed, but my senior stepped in front of me.

“Uh… is it Baeksulhwa?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Chit-chatting with your manager is nice, but you have work to do, right? You’re the Student Council President, after all?”

“…”

“I’m exhausted from running yesterday… how long do we have to keep standing here?”

Although I couldn’t see clearly due to my senior stepping in front of me to protect me, it was obvious the person talking to her was not affiliated with the school.

Seeing that made me realize once again that those called heroes in this world are completely different from the “heroes” that remain in my head.

Of course, some of them might be filled with a sense of mission and justice, but honestly, how many would that be?

So, looking at that person speaking in such a sarcastic tone towards my senior is probably the typical example of a hero in this world.

If the other heroes behind her had stepped in to stop her or at least gestured to hold back, I might not have thought so deeply, but seeing my senior’s expression of discomfort plastered on her face while no one stepped in made my thoughts naturally lean that way.

“Honestly, there’s no reason for us to stand here doing a headcount, right? Isn’t that right?”

Anyway, she was truly a difficult person to deal with.

Especially for a senior who valued principle and logic, it was even more so.

It’s not like they’re an absolute authority, but they are still someone significant, so my senior probably knows that she needs to comply somewhat with their demands, although her personality would make it hard for her to speak up.

Perhaps because of that, my senior couldn’t get a word out and was biting her lip, which was an unfortunate sight to see.

I didn’t want to watch it any longer.

“Let’s follow what she says, senior.”

With an indifferent attitude, I stepped forward.

Of course, knowing how my senior would react to my words, I also subtly tapped her hand as I advanced.

The problem was… while I could anticipate my senior’s reaction, I hadn’t predicted how the other person would respond.

And as for the person snidely criticizing my senior, they probably thought, “What’s this guy doing?” the moment I stepped forward.

Just as I moved in, that questioning look shot toward me, and before long, it turned into a condescending glare.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that look was akin to looking down on something petty and laughable.

Because of that gaze, I realized how lucky I had been all this time.

What if I hadn’t been friends with Yoonseo?

What if I hadn’t met my senior since entering high school?

I would have certainly received that kind of look already.

Or worse off; it wouldn’t have been less severe, that’s for sure.

I had long been aware that I could be seen as an oddity in others’ eyes, and humans are not lenient toward “differences.”

In that moment, the discrimination I had subconsciously felt finally materialized into something tangible, and it was hard to put that sensation into words.

I almost let out a hollow laugh but held it back, forcing myself to endure the incoming glares directed at me.

And did my demeanor appear to that person as overly arrogant?

“…Ugh?!”

The smirk that was slightly curled upwards quickly reverted to a straight line as a sense of urgency crept up my spine, as if facing a massive beast — suddenly, my legs turned to jelly, and sweat poured down my back, but I grit my teeth and endured it.

Just as I felt an overwhelming urge to collapse any second now… thankfully, a hand of salvation reached out.

Those who had been indifferent when my senior was being teased must have thought it had gone too far this time.

Among the other heroes standing in the back, the one with the highest rank stepped in, and that eased the situation.

“You… I’ll remember your face.”

I felt like the playful hero had taken an interest in my senior.

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Somehow, a relieved sigh slipped from Dogun as he cautiously bit his lip.

It makes sense; he must have felt like the entire previous situation had been our fault.

Actually, it was indeed our fault.

If we hadn’t been in such a fluster during the last situation…

Then Dogun wouldn’t have had to step in for me, nor would he have earned that glance from a working hero for doing so.

“It’s definitely different when you’re active, huh? You need to put in more effort, senior.”

I had just faced the hostility of an active hero head-on.

Of course, if they had some sense, they would have moderated it somewhat, but…

Even if they moderated, there’s no way it’d be okay.

However… watching Dogun act as if this were all nothing made me feel cowardly for not having done anything when faced with that earlier situation.

He had stepped in to help me, but instead of supporting him back, I was passively letting it happen, wallowing in useless thoughts.

If that isn’t cowardice, then what is?

Yet, in front of Dogun, I pretended to be the most fair and strict person in the world.

It’s embarrassing to look Dogun in the eyes.

Dogun was doing his utmost for me, while I felt inadequate in comparison.

And so, I made a firm resolve.

I would prevent a recurrence of the earlier situation at all costs.

What if that woman, emboldened by what happened earlier, tried to harass Dogun?

Even if it meant facing judgment from the other heroes accompanying us on the trip, I would step forth.

I even made that promise, but contrary to my concerns, nothing particularly worrisome transpired.

When we first arrived, I was too tired, sharp-edged from exhaustion. But after entering the accommodation and resting, perhaps dealing with a student like me felt absurdly juvenile.

I thought that might be the case, but…

No, it wasn’t.

“Oh, what? I was wondering where you went, and here you are?”

The unexpected intruder, who had hidden away and not shown her face, reappeared just as dinner time was winding down.

“Dogun?”

The sudden appearance of the uninvited guest wore an unmistakable expression, as if she had something up her sleeve… so I had no choice but to step in for Dogun.

“What’s going on?”

“Oh, it’s nothing much, just wanted to apologize.”

After basically threatening us, you’re here to apologize now?

“I’m sorry during the day. I was dragged here without sleeping last night, so I was pretty irritable.”

“Ah, yes…”

“You’re accepting it, right? My apology?”

Her demeanor was a bit off for someone who came to apologize, but regardless, I guess Dogun must have been bewildered by the sudden shift in her attitude as well.

“Yes? Ah, sure.”

Dogun, still lost, nodded with a befuddled expression.

The problem was what she said next.

“Great! Then can I ask you for a favor?”

“What? A favor? What kind of…?”

“Oh, it’s nothing much… Remember I said I was dragged here after pulling an all-nighter? Because of that, I couldn’t bring many things with me.”

In that moment, as her smile spread across her face, I realized.

Why she chose this particular moment to come and apologize.

“So, can you get a few things for me?”