This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 305

At first, I was wondering what was going on.

Then I thought maybe it had something to do with Bora.

Could it be that Chae-rim was curious like Yoonseo about what I was going to do with Bora?

So I wondered if she was trying to leave me alone like this to get a brief look into it.

There was certainly a possibility.

After all, it wasn’t long ago that Yoonseo had accepted a proposal to go out alone together, and they had bumped into a Villain in the middle of it.

Given that, Chae-rim would have to be extra cautious about everything.

So I figured I would definitely receive some questions related to that—

“…Dogun.”

“Yes?”

“Since it’s come to this, how about you learn a bit about being a manager too?”

What actually slipped from Chae-rim’s mouth was a suggestion that was a million light-years away from what I expected.

“Why don’t you try learning to be a manager?”

To be honest, it wouldn’t be a lie to say I wasn’t interested, but… could that even be possible?

It wasn’t as tough as the qualification exams the Hero Candidates took, but the conditions to become a manager were still rather strict.

Honestly, if they just put me in the manager’s position because I wanted to, but that manager ended up being connected to some Villain, that would definitely be a big problem, right?

In that sense, the procedures to become a manager could be even more cumbersome than the qualification exams.

So even though it was Chae-rim who made the offer, I couldn’t help but feel a little unsure…

Did she somehow pick up on my doubts?

“If you’re worried about that part, you don’t really have to be concerned, Dogun.”

“Yes?”

“It might be a bit awkward for me to say this… but the truth is, when the Association selects managers for the Heroes, the most significant factor they consider is their connections. But you, Dogun…”

“Ah…”

“Just knowing two active Heroes like me and Baeksulhwa counts for something, right? And who knows, it could soon be three. At that point, it’s basically game over.”

So Chae-rim’s argument was that there wouldn’t even be any talk about qualifications.

“However, the problem is your age, Dogun… But you can start off with an apprentice title.”

If that’s the case…

I couldn’t find a strong reason to refuse.

As I mentioned before, I was indeed interested in the association’s Hero management system.

It’s just that I didn’t want to ask Chae-rim or the Senior about it, so I kept quiet.

“Well then… I’ll give it a shot.”

So that’s what I answered, but could it be that Chae-rim had been waiting for those words to come out of my mouth?

As soon as I said it, a strangely satisfied smile spread across Chae-rim’s face.

“Good thinking. I’ll talk to the school about it separately.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

Now that her business with me was dealt with?

I thought that was the end of it.

And just as I was about to get out of the car, I turned to Chae-rim to say goodbye, only to realize—

It wasn’t over after all.

Just as I turned to her, Chae-rim reached out and covered my hand.

It was like… she was whispering that she wouldn’t let me escape like this.

“Um… Big Sister?”

As I unknowingly let out a puzzled voice, Chae-rim continued speaking.

It sounded like she was guilty about something.

Was that it?

Unlike before, Chae-rim was slightly stammering.

“Well, um… It’s nothing special, just… wanted to know how you’ve been lately.”

“Y-yeah…?”

At first, I had no idea what she was talking about.

But I figured it out thanks to her next words.

“Well, um… it’s been a bit chaotic lately, so I haven’t been able to pay as much attention to you like before, right?”

“…Uh, yeah.”

“So… I was wondering if, just like last time… you were holding everything in.”

To be honest?

I wasn’t really at that point.

That was mainly because, unlike Chae-rim who’s been quite busy lately with her own things, the Senior had been consistently visiting my room every night.

And not only consistently but also without any hesitation as before.

It seems Chae-rim’s late returning home has played a role in that…

Anyway, thanks to the Senior, one could say I was in a state where it was hard to argue that things were piling up.

However, the problem was the expression on Chae-rim’s face while she said that.

How should I even describe that…?

I thought about that as I realized her face was dangerously flushed.

And whether it had an effect or not, her gaze directed at me felt somewhat similar.

But to tell Chae-rim that I was fine?

For some reason, my instincts screamed that it wasn’t right.

“Honestly, it’s a little… uncomfortable.”

After a brief hesitation, that’s what I replied.

“Just as I thought…?”

And as soon as I gave that answer, a smile spread across Chae-rim’s face.

How should I say it… It was like she was saying she knew this would happen.

“Well then… ♡”

With that smile lighting up her face, Chae-rim slowly began to lean toward me.