This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 458

Although those who participated as judges for selecting the partner company were said to be as cautious as possible, the truth was that it was a matter where no matter which place was chosen as the partner company, protests were bound to arise.

Was that the reason?

As soon as the association made the announcement, debates began long ago at various places regarding the selection of this partner company.

And the most frequently heard comment during that process was whether there was really a need to involve a foreign company at all.

If they were going to make room for a foreign company now, wouldn’t it be better to include another domestic organization or company in that spot for the future? That was a claim that the majority of people could agree on, and as those who disagreed with that opinion or purely aimed to stir up trouble gathered, various community sites became absolute chaos long ago.

And while the people’s attention was entirely focused in that direction, Yoonseo was going about her daily tasks as usual today as well.

Of course, just because it was the same as any other day didn’t mean it was easy.

There simply wasn’t enough available manpower or support to back it up.

Naturally, they couldn’t hold onto the current situation forever, so the association was doing its best in various ways, such as advancing the schedule for the qualification exams usually held at the end of each year and promoting the temporary return of retired heroes who had to retire due to issues not related to health or the Talent Organ… but still, there weren’t any significant big news yet.

So what could be done?

Just because it was tough didn’t mean they could throw away the obligations on their shoulders, so all that was left was to simply roll with it.

“If… you’re feeling really overwhelmed, maybe you should take a short break and then get back to it…”

“…Then I’ll just swing by the bathroom and wash my face and come back.”

To be honest, if I really wanted to, I could wash my face right here without even going to the bathroom, but for some reason, I didn’t want to do that.

To be precise, I was just too lazy.

The bathroom wasn’t even far away; it was just a ten steps walk from here. Not to mention, there was no need to go through the hassle of collecting moisture and cooling it down. All I had to do was turn the handle slightly and cold water would come pouring out.

I had already used my talent excessively since the morning, and I didn’t want to waste it on a trivial matter like this.

So against the temporary manager and association employee who kept asking if I was okay, I waved my hand in a way that said I was fine and didn’t need to worry so much, then went straight into the nearby bathroom and started splashing my face with cold water.

Still, after splashing my face with cold water like that, I felt decidedly better than before.

Maybe it was because I had been running nonstop since morning, but I could start feeling a cool sensation creeping into my head, which had been radiating a strange warmth.

Just then, while I was leaning over the sink with both hands pressed down, my attention was suddenly drawn to a sound—someone was cautiously entering the bathroom.

That was why I quickly pulled my hand away from the sink and grabbed a few tissues.

Everyone, regardless of whether they were heroes or regular employees, was aware that the situation was tough for everyone, but still, as a hero, I had to maintain my dignity. There was no way I could let them see me looking like a drenched rat.

So, while hurriedly wiping away the water trickling down my face with the tissues I had just grabbed, I noticed the sound of footsteps that had been echoing suddenly stopped.

Thanks to that, while I was contemplating whether it was appropriate to acknowledge the person here, I heard,

“It seems we only run into each other in places like this.”

A voice I had heard before, but that somehow felt completely familiar, resonated in my ears.

That was why I immediately removed the tissue that was still damp from wiping my face away from my eyes.

And just as I did that, what came into view through the mirror was…

“How… have you thought about it in the meantime?”

None other than the doctor—a woman.

We had run into each other in the bathroom the last time when Dogun was hospitalized, and here we were again, meeting in the bathroom today.

At this rate, it almost felt like she was intentionally trying to find me in this situation.

If that was true, I would love to ask why of all places it had to be the bathroom.

“If you’re referring to the proposal you mentioned last time, I thought I already gave my answer.”

“Did you? Because I don’t particularly recall hearing anything…”

“You remember quite well. That was my answer.”

“Huh?”

“That was my answer, I said.”

Who does she think she is trying to play tricks on me?

If it had been before, when I hadn’t reconciled with Dogun yet, I might have wavered in front of that proposal.

However, that wasn’t the case now, was it?

Thanks to Dogun reaching out first and us reconciling, not to mention moving to a level I had never experienced before, there was no longer any reason to pay attention to her proposal.

Why would I do that?

If things got tangled up again, it could ruin the relationship I just managed to rebuild.

‘Giving up on the possibility of treating my left arm is honestly a bit disappointing…’

Didn’t that doctor also say so? That she could potentially fix it.

That meant she wasn’t entirely confident about the possibility of treatment either, right?

But was there really any reason to take on such a tremendous risk to get involved in that?

Having that thought in mind, I decided to cut off this pointless conversation and turned back toward the bathroom exit, only to be halted by her voice.

“Really? It seems like you’re surprisingly satisfied with the current situation, huh?”

Her voice slipped into my ear, sparking my curiosity.

As a result, I found myself unable to turn away and just gazing at her.

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Literal meaning. Sharing one man among four women… it’s not exactly a typical situation, is it?”

“Are you… threatening me right now?”

Approaching me under the pretense of using Dogun and turning it into a bargaining chip was something I could reluctantly tolerate.

But threats were simply unacceptable.

That was why I glared at her intently for a brief moment.

“If my words were taken that way by you, that’s unfortunate. But I’m not threatening you; I’m giving you a warning.”

A warning?

Was that really a warning?

Could she seriously think that way?

Surprisingly, judging by that doctor’s expression, it seemed she genuinely believed that.

The moment I thought I was boiling with rage, it immediately dissipated.

And perhaps she instinctively sensed that change in me.

“Right now, luckily there are only four of you, but… who knows… will it stay that way?”

“…”

“Surely you’re already feeling it more deeply than anyone else, but… honestly, you know, don’t you? That the abilities given to that man, Dogun, are the kind of powers anyone would covet?”

Of course, I knew that perfectly well.

How could I not?

The reason other heroes take a couple of days off after burning themselves out for a full day is precisely so that the Talent Organ has time to recover.

In contrast, I could interact relatively freely with Dogun… so there was no need for that.

After all, there was no reason to take a break when simply holding hands with Dogun for a moment would solve all my problems so perfectly.

And the fact that I didn’t have to worry about the Talent Organ being damaged meant I could make more attempts than others during training as well.

So what would happen if that doctor was right, and Dogun’s powers became known to the world?

Not only those currently active but also the retired heroes who had to quit due to damage to their Talent Organ, and those dreaming of becoming heroes would undoubtedly be drawn in.

And if even one of them succeeded in approaching Dogun…

“Already having four means it wouldn’t be too hard to make it five, would it?”

As that woman said, it might not be long before it became five instead of four.

Perhaps… it could even become more than that.

Just a little while ago, what I thought would be just a couple became three, and then four right in front of my eyes.

No matter what that woman said, I had vowed not to fall for her tricks, yet I could feel my mind starting to waver uncontrollably.