The Monster Aspires to Be a Hero!

After the unexpected happening on the bus, I felt an inexplicable sense of elation.
A desire to hole up somewhere, drink a refreshing beer, and bask in this feeling.

Let’s go.
Greed would usually make snide remarks in such situations, but for once, he seemed to understand.
Ah, it’s too difficult to explain this properly.
A fluttering in my chest, a flushed face, yet an embarrassed itch as well.
It reminded me of a certain memory…
Elementary school… Yes, that’s right, elementary school.
It was definitely the day of the parent-viewing class in 1st grade.
Just as I had admired heroes, I had been immensely proud of my father back then.

My father is a firefighter!
I began the pre-prepared introduction about my parents.
On my father’s right arm, there was a rather conspicuous burn scar.
However, that burn was an honorary badge earned while rescuing citizens in peril.
I want to grow up to become someone who can help others, like my father.
That’s why my dream is to be a hero.
I vaguely recall giving a presentation along those lines.
After class ended, my father beamed while gifting me a figurine of First, despite it not being my birthday.
From the next day onwards, my classmates’ perceptions of me seemed to shift slightly.
Repeatedly telling me how amazing my father was, in an embarrassing yet proud feeling.
Yes, exactly like this current sensation.
A desire to extend a hand to those needing aid.
Without expecting recompense.
For their grateful smiles alone would bring about such feelings.-…
Even Greed remained silent, as if comprehending the mood.
exhale
Calming the swelling in my chest, I entered the Hawkeye Hero Office.
“Hello there.”
Greeting me with a smile from his usual spot was Hawkeye himself.
“Welcome, Jinwoo. My, you were incredible!”
Hawkeye enthusiastically shared his impressions after witnessing my monster battle through the news.
While strangers’ gazes had felt mildly discomfiting, an acquaintance’s regard made my entire body itch.
“Oh, speaking of which, your badge…?”
Lightly patting my slightly emptier right chest area, I shook my head.
“Seems I lost it during the monster fight.”
“I see.”
Retrieving a hero badge reissue form from his desk drawer, Hawkeye highlighted the mandatory fields with a fluorescent pen before handing it to me.
“Thanks, Hawkeye.”
“Not at all, you truly worked hard.”
Taking a seat, I filled out the form and returned it to Hawkeye.
“Hmm, no issues here.”
Hawkeye checked the “Lost during combat” box, confirming no additional fees would be incurred.
“Ah, and did you bring the core from the monster you defeated?”
“Yes, I have it.”
I handed over the core I had brought for psychometry.
“I’ll notify you once the research facility provides an appraisal.”
During a previous conversation, I had learned that Hawkeye was a former hero who had retired due to ability syndrome.
Perhaps because of that, tasks I had anticipated being troublesome proceeded quite smoothly.
Yuna, who had prepared the outrageous conditions to establish this office.
Initially giving an impression of being overly demanding, she now struck me as a capable and reassuring supporter.
“The president is inside.”
“I see.”
Yuna diligently commuted to the hero office daily, citing it as part of her leg rehabilitation regimen.
Naturally, I had expected her presence today as well.
knock knock

Come in.
Entering, I found Yuna in her familiar seated posture, one leg crossed over the other.
“Hello there.”
“Yes, welcome.”
…No, too familiar?
While her posture appeared normal, her gaze seemed distracted.
Did she have something to say?
“Is there something on your mind?”
Yuna flinched slightly at my words.
It did seem like she wanted to say something.
“Um… are you alright?”
Ah, what am I even asking?
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Thanks to Greed’s bodily transformations, my recovery rate was incredibly swift.
He claimed that with enough nutrients, even severed limbs could regrow, so these injuries were trivial.
“Well, that’s a relief, then.”
No, that didn’t seem to be it either.
A strong sense that she was hesitating to broach the real topic.
“Is something the matter?”
“Huh?”
“It doesn’t seem like that’s the main point.”
“…”
exhale
After a brief sigh, Yuna retrieved a paper bag from under her desk and handed it to me.
“What’s this?”
“…Yeje brought it for you.”
“Yeje?”
Who was that?
I didn’t recall any college classmates named Yeje.
Hmm… None among my occasional contacts either.
Ah, I did have a middle school classmate called Yeje, now that I think about it…
“You don’t know who it is?”
“No, I’m not quite sure?”
“…Apparently you helped her out before?”
Yuna said that while regarding me with a rather complicated gaze.
What was going on here?

Kuhuhuh.
And what was so funny to make this guy laugh again?
“A pickpocket victim.”
“A pick… Ah! That person?”
I had indeed apprehended a pickpocket before.
Was this from the woman I had assisted back then?
“She asked me to convey her gratitude.”
Handing me the paper bag, Yuna spoke in a slightly curt tone.
She had established the Paper Company to repay me and even hired a hero as the pantsuit president to support me.
Providing earpiece support whenever incidents occurred during patrols.
I was already grateful for all that, yet had imposed this additional trouble on her.
Yuna’s curtness likely stemmed from being burdened with such a bothersome task.
“My apologies.”
“Huh?”
“Heroes shouldn’t be accepting gifts like this… If I had explained things properly, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Ah, no, that’s not…”
“I’ll be more careful from now on. I’ll head out on patrol then!”
Yuna gave a slight bow before exiting to commence her patrol duties for the day.
It seemed I would need to devise countermeasures to prevent such occurrences going forward.

What an intriguing combination of a social butterfly, numbskull, moron, imbecile and disabled person.
What are you on about?

Now nearing June, the sunlight felt scorching rather than pleasantly warm.
As usual, I patrolled the streets searching for anyone requiring assistance.
“Could I get an autograph?”
“Ah, sure. Where would you like it?”
“Here!”
Only one thing had changed between last week and this week.
The fact that I had defeated the monster responsible for the Monster Slaying Game’s inception.
Just that single factor had caused people’s perceptions of me to shift 180 degrees.
Despite not wearing my badge, people still recognized and approached me for autographs.
One person’s request drew others’ attention, leading to an incessant stream…
While flattering to be recognized and cheered on, I didn’t particularly relish such enthusiastic responses.

Why’s that? It’s what you wished for.
It is what I had wished for.
I’m just a rather conflicted person, that’s all.

Have you finally awakened to the human mindset?
Don’t spout nonsense.
I’m simply feeling a bit complicated.
My defeat of that mimicking monster had sparked the Monster Slaying Game trend.
Of course, the incident was caused by that mimicking monster, but I still felt a strange sense of responsibility for it.
Hence, I could never forgive that monster.
I had even regarded it as an obligation I had to resolve personally.

You fulfilled your duty, yet feel vexed by the overwhelmingly positive response?
Oh, yes.
That’s precisely the feeling.

You pathetic, stunted imbecile. If I sliced you up and topped a pizza, it would be a sweet potato pizza!
You simply can’t comprehend the nuances of the human mind as a monster.

You’re the pathetic, stunted one!
What an absurd creature.

Imbecile!
Sigh.

Are you a grade-schooler?
Not the sort of retort I’d expect from someone claiming to have chuunibyou.

Just shut up and patrol, Super Hero Idiot.
Greed spewed insults before falling silent, claiming he would rest.
Such an unruly fellow he is.

After completing my hero duties and returning home, I showered before Greed immediately reached for the gift.

Hopefully it’s food.
An apt name might be Gluttony rather than Greed, based on his remarks as he tore open the wrapping.
Fulfilling Greed’s wish, the packaged gift contained premium individually-wrapped chocolates.

Quite the discerning woman!
Greed tossed something at me before inhaling the chocolates.
“Leave some for me too.”

Unlike you, I have manners.
You… aren’t human, are you?
I picked up the rectangular object Greed had thrown.
It seemed to be a message card packaged alongside the gift.
To Jinwoo Lee.
Hello there.
I’m Yeje, the one you helped out previously.
Back then, I was too flustered to properly express my gratitude.
So I’m sending this small gift – please enjoy it!
The summer weather has been so hot lately. ^^
I figured heroes expend a lot of energy, so snacks with calories would be preferable. I chose chocolates, but I’m not sure if they’ll suit your tastes.
Thank you again for your assistance.
Keep up the great hero work. ^^

Wow, she really went all out…
Ordinarily, I would prefer not receiving such gifts, but the thoughtful attached card made it difficult to refuse.
“Hey, I told you not to devour them all!”

You hardly eat sweets anyway, so isn’t that enough for you?
“This guy…”
Greed had consumed 80% of the chocolates, leaving only 20%.
Gluttony really did seem a more fitting name for this fellow than Greed.

Regardless, the chocolates weren’t the core aspect of this gift.
“What do you mean?”
I popped the remaining chocolate into my mouth.
Ah, an undeniably rich sweetness befitting the premium quality.
While I seldom indulged in sweets, after burning calories during the summer patrol, the taste enveloped my body delightfully.
Expensive chocolates like these were meant to be refrigerated and savored gradually, but…

I said the chocolates weren’t the core aspect, didn’t I?
Yes, yes, the heartfelt card was the true essence?

…Looking at you makes me feel my shell might rupture. You understand?
Not a clue, you fool.
I called the number listed for Yeje on the card.

Hello?
“Ah, hello? Is this Yeje?”

Yes, that’s me. Oh, is this Jinwoo?
“Yes. I received your gift. Thank you so much, it’s delicious.”

No need, haha. I was truly grateful for your help previously. My wallet, car keys… I had so many important items on me.
“That’s a relief then. If you ever need assistance, feel free to visit the Hawkeye Hero Office.”

Huh? Ah, hahah. Yes~ I’ll be sure to visit if I need…help.
Thereafter, Yeje asked about the news I had featured in, the incredible feat I had accomplished, whether the injuries had been severe, and so on.
After expressing gratitude for her concern, we chatted briefly before ending the call.
She seemed like an exceptionally polite and kind person.
This was precisely why I had become a hero.
Thwack!
“Ow!”
Lost in those thoughts, Greed had swatted my head with his hand.

Keep it down.
“What, what is it?”

Numbskull.
Greed chided me, claiming Yeje harbored romantic interest which I had failed to grasp.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
His words should carry some logic.
Yeje had clearly been wearing a ring on her left ring finger after all.
In any case, Greed’s instinctive thoughts stemmed from being a monster.

…If that’s what you think, so be it.
Greed responded with a mere sigh.
Watching dramas in addition to superhero shows lately, TV really could be detrimental.
I could understand why parents tried limiting their children’s TV and computer time.

That’s what a numbskull thinks.
Shut it.