This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 551

In fact, this wasn’t the first time I engaged in this kind of conversation with Chae-rim.

Well, that makes sense since one of Chae-rim’s, or rather the Vice Chairman’s, main jobs is managing promising candidates.

However, that doesn’t mean she provides special benefits to specific individuals; it’s just a matter of periodically checking on those who show potential and ensuring no overly harsh hands reach out to them.

Anyway, since this was one of her primary responsibilities, being around Chae-rim often led me to naturally encounter information about the latest training trends and newly released training equipment.

And speaking of this field, both Chae-rim and I have a keen interest in it, so whenever such topics came up, we’d casually chatter back and forth about our opinions.

However, even though we often exchanged light banter, it felt like it was the first time we had a serious conversation like this, perhaps because of the current atmosphere.

Hearing Chae-rim say my presence acted as a kind of catalyst made me suddenly think about that.

Maybe I shouldn’t have just stayed hidden but should have taken a more proactive approach instead.

Was it that sudden thought lifting my head that made it feel as if something heavy pressed on my shoulders, just like something resting on them?

What had risen above my shoulders was strikingly similar to what people often refer to as guilt.

That’s why I found myself biting my lip without realizing it… at that moment, I was probably pressing down on my lower lip.

Before I knew it, one finger had started gently brushing against my lower lip.

“Hey, stop having useless thoughts.”

Her reprimanding voice was an added bonus.

Maybe it was because of the voice that flowed into my ear.

Suddenly, my face felt hot.

Chae-rim was now so close to me that her expression seemed to say, “I know what you’re thinking, and it’s not that.”

“…What are you talking about?”

That’s why I unconsciously ended up grumbling at Chae-rim.

“Really? Because to me, your expression completely reeks of, ‘If only I had revealed my abilities sooner…'”

“Cough…”

“Seriously, is that not it?”

“Well, I mean…”

How could I assume what hasn’t even happened yet, but if it had, surely the level of the heroes would have at least been higher than it is now.

And if that were the case, during the previous ambush, we wouldn’t have been as powerless, and while I can’t say for sure about the other implications, the number of victims would definitely have been reduced.

That’s how I thought, but Chae-rim seemed to think differently.

“Well… do you really think it would have turned out that way?”

Given that she said it so emphatically, there must be something to it.

“This is just my opinion, but… if things were worse than they are now, wouldn’t they be just as bad, if not worse?”

“…”

“Ah, of course, the thing about people is that no one knows what will happen until it actually occurs, so maybe Dogun ended up as you predicted…”

What was she trying to convey?

Chae-rim trailed off mid-sentence.

Then, with a wry smile, she continued.

“You know that Dogun now realizes the association isn’t as righteous as it appears, right?”

“…”

“If Dogun had revealed his abilities, the Korean Hero Association would have welcomed him with open arms, but what about the hero associations in other countries? And the headquarters? Would they have welcomed him?”

Chae-rim asked me this, and I couldn’t find a response.

It wasn’t because it was hard to predict the outcomes.

Rather, it was because the answer was so obvious that I couldn’t say anything.

It’s human nature to feel jealousy when a cousin buys land; how would other countries tolerate one that’s overwhelmingly leading the pack?

‘Right now, the world hero associations may seem united under a single name, but…’

That had only happened because it was the only way they could survive; just because they belonged to the same association doesn’t mean they are all friendly with each other.

Without needing to look far, just checking out the Chinese Hero Association or the Russian side would reveal that even though they are part of the same world hero association, they’re quick to throw a wrench into anything the headquarters does.

For the time being, they have no reason to break away from the current system, so they continue their affiliation, but if any issues arise, they’ll be the first to dash off and establish an independent force.

Even in a situation where there was no particular reason to quarrel, if a future power opportunity fell right into their laps, how do you think they would act?

You can bet they would try to snatch it up like a hungry dog.

And in that process, Korea would have truly been obliterated.

Of course, Korea’s strength isn’t something to scoff at either.

Unlike in my previous life, where I slipped on ice and busted my head while North and South bickered away, the Korea in this world had already consumed the entirety of the peninsula.

Thanks to that, the population, the crucial factor, was nearly at 100 million, but in a one-on-one showdown, perhaps it could sustain a struggle, but in a situation where multiple forces are charging simultaneously, even Korea, praised for its incredible pool of talent relative to its size, would be overwhelmed.

And if something like the recent monsterization incident occurred in such a scenario… as Chae-rim said, it would have been more serious than what we’re facing now—definitely not less severe.

Thinking for sure it would have played out like that, the weight pressing down on my shoulders lifted somewhat, yet the unique unease lingered.

So, I found myself giving a wry smile, and maybe she thought that was something she couldn’t control.

Chae-rim slowly pulled her face away from mine.

“So, Dogun, don’t dwell on strange thoughts; just focus on doing your best with the tasks assigned to you.”

“…”

“After all, it’s our job as ‘heroes’ like me, Yoonseo, and Seolhwa to protect people, right?”

Isn’t that the very reason we exist after all?

Seeing Chae-rim confidently encouraging me to trust them and stand tall, I couldn’t help but smile.

“But you’re not an active hero anymore.”

“Not true! I was just out there just recently!”

Right, it would be difficult for Chae-rim to give up her position as an active hero just like that.

Had we not met, she would naturally be at the age to step back, but thanks to my abilities, Chae-rim’s skill level remained on par with her peak.

‘If anything, she might even be better than before.’

No, there’s no doubt she has improved beyond that.

The damage to the Talent Organ must have reduced the output she could produce, but her ability to control her talents would have become exponentially better compared to the past.

But now, with the only headache—the Talent Organ—revitalized as if brand new… If Chae-rim’s ability level is where it is now, she could probably aim for a top-five spot in the world, maybe even top three.

‘If she plays her cards right, maybe even first…?’

No, even with Chae-rim, that might be a bit of a stretch.

I already knew that comparing in such a way was a rather childish act, but nevertheless, I couldn’t suppress my curiosity.

So, despite the risk of being rude, I called out to Chae-rim.

“Sis.”

“Yeah?”

“The… current number one hero ranking. What kind of person are they?”

“What do you mean by ‘what kind of person’?”

“You know, like their personality… or how strong they are…”

“Personality? I remember them having quite a good one. You know those kinds of people who seem like they could befriend anyone in no time?”

From the nuances of her words, it seemed she might have met them in person.

Her eyes briefly flickered with nostalgia, suggesting that maybe she had met this person before.

“And as for their strength… well, I suppose they hold that spot because they’re the strongest in the world, to begin with?”

“You must not have fought them directly.”

“Oh, I have.”

Really?

“Of course… it wasn’t one-on-one, though.”

What does that even mean, “not one-on-one”?

At that moment, I tilted my head in confusion.

As Chae-rim wore a slightly nostalgic expression as if recalling the past, a shocking truth began to flow from her lips—a secret that could be considered a significant reason why the world hero associations maintain their current status.