novelraw Chapter 244 : Chapter 244
Chapter 244 : Chapter 244
Chapter 244: Hero Association
Ho-cheol narrowed his brow while looking at the information regarding the media outlet and reporter who had tormented his students.
The paper with the information crumpled even more than his expression.
Beyond his lips, which were hidden by the crumpled paper, an irritated voice flowed out.
“If I had it my way, I’d want to swap the locations of their arms and legs, but.”
Their professional ethics and character were just rotten; let alone a villain, Ho-cheol couldn't really use his strength against a normal person who wasn't even an Awakener.
Even if he just kicked their shin out of anger, they would probably die on the spot.
Above all, although they tormented the students, it was only emotional; they hadn't caused physical harm.
Since they didn't physically harm the students, Ho-cheol was able to desperately hold onto the string of his patience.
“Right. After all, that guy embraced all of this too.”
At least if it were Smiley, she would have embraced even their sins.
Ho-cheol, who was succeeding her in his own way, had no choice but to take that into consideration to some extent.
Ho-cheol somehow calmed his boiling insides and responded in a more mature manner.
In the case of reporters or media outlets who were older and had families, he investigated their family relationships through his subordinates.
And he sent photos of their families taken at close range.
The photos, taken at a distance close enough to reach out and touch, didn't discriminate by location.
At the photos of their families taken on the street, at work, at school, and even further, at home, the reporters belatedly realized what they had done.
If they acted arrogantly any further, the future of what they would suffer must have been clearly drawn in their minds.
What if it was a guy without a family?
It was even easier.
Slip into their house while they’re at work, make a mess, and blatantly tail them during their commute; they’ll get scared on their own and lay low.
Like that, it was easy for Ho-cheol to intimidate people without getting his own hands dirty.
If it was a guy with a strong reporter spirit, they might burn with motivation saying they won't yield to such threats, but there's no way guys who only churn out provocative articles tormenting students would have such a sense of duty in the first place.
For those who tormented students on a media outlet scale, he responded by digging up their dirt through subordinates and exposing corruption.
All of them were extremely simple and moderate, but effective methods.
In fact, thanks to that, in less than a few days, all the media's malicious fabrications and provocative gossip towards the students died down.
Of course, only that disappeared; the media's flogging towards Ho-cheol himself heated up even more.
Nevertheless, Ho-cheol continued his activities without minding at all.
Like that, the absurd title of 'Villain Professor' expanded its influence even more.
It didn't matter if it was notoriety or fame.
The more famous he became, the greater the ripples caused by the Association's corruption he first claimed.
The Association explained and denied them as much as possible, but.
They couldn't see much effect.
Rather, because some of the S-rank heroes gave interviews with nuances wanting an explanation from the Association, they were being driven further into a corner.
In the current situation, a way for the Association, precisely the Association executives, to escape virtually didn't exist.
If there was a sole way...
Vrrr—
Ho-cheol checked his phone and smirked.
A short text message had arrived.
“Right. It’s about time.”
A text from an unknown number.
A concise business of wanting to meet, and a date and location written even shorter than that were all.
However, who sent it and why could be easily guessed.
No, rather than guessing, it was impossible not to know.
The Hero Association President's office.
Because there was only one human who would call Ho-cheol there.
The will to somehow end things well rather than having everyone end up hurt was clearly felt.
However, there was no room for negotiation for Ho-cheol.
In the first place, they had only acted together briefly with a common goal; from their essence, everything was hostile.
***
Although it was said to be half-destroyed by Ho-cheol, it was the Hero Association headquarters, which possessed symbolism just by its existence.
Even if they had to carry out internal repairs and Association work in parallel, they never vacated the Association building.
At a desolate hour when the eyes of other Association members or heroes didn't reach, Ho-cheol visited the Association President's office.
He had stopped by the Hero Association often for this and that reason, but it was actually his first time entering the President's office.
Ho-cheol, who opened the door and entered the Association President's office, frowned and covered his nose.
“A dark and musty smell is vibrating.”
In reality, only the unique smell of old wooden furniture wafted faintly, but this level of sarcasm didn't even count as a greeting.
Inside the President's office, the Association President, with his back to the window, stared intently at Ho-cheol with his hands clasped behind his back.
However, his figure was hidden in the shadows and couldn't be seen at all.
Ho-cheol narrowed his eyes and glared at the President.
It wasn't simply because the interior was dark.
It couldn't be that even his silhouette was faint just because it was dark.
He seemed to be hiding through a Trait that conceals one's appearance.
And a slightly unexpected point was.
“This time it’s real?”
The palpable presence felt from the Association President proved that it wasn't a clone or fake like he had seen several times until now.
“This is my space, so naturally.”
Only his eyes in the darkness were directed at Ho-cheol.
That light was quite ferocious with anger and irritation.
“I can’t figure out your exact purpose at all.”
Until now, when Ho-cheol had conflicted with the Association several times, a clear purpose existed.
Starting with Ji-an's existence, there was something he clearly wanted, and he always achieved it through a demonstration of force.
The Association also conceded to maintain a smooth relationship with Ho-cheol as much as possible.
However, it wasn't so now.
His purpose couldn't be known, and to concede to him, the things Ho-cheol had committed had already reached an irreversible catastrophe.
This moment today was the last negotiation opportunity to resolve the twisted relationship and a place for an ultimatum.
“I suppose. Your corruption being serious is something I’ve known since my villain days. You must be dumbfounded wondering why I suddenly popped it.”
Ho-cheol nodded as if he understood to some extent.
In fact, from the Association bastards' perspective, it was corruption they all knew about anyway.
It would seem like he popped it without any precursor or context.
However, understanding didn't mean empathizing.
“But conversely, isn't it also funny that you thought I would pretend not to know and let it slide forever?”
“That wouldn't be your true intention.”
“Correct.”
Ho-cheol smirked and sat on the desk.
“I want to settle things cleanly with Smiley, but it’s obvious you guys will interfere.”
He raised his right hand and counted his fingers one by one.
“Resurrection, eternal life, rejuvenation, life extension. All subjects that old farts crazy for power would go nuts over. You guys would probably catch Smiley alive, or if not that, at least secure her corpse somehow and tear it all apart. Trying to find a way, how to live even one day longer.”
The resurrected Smiley must be killed.
That role was entirely his share.
That was the relationship between Smiley and himself.
Such a terrible relationship that other bastards dared not imagine or understand.
How could he tolerate other rats intervening between the two?
That was why Ho-cheol clearly warned the Association President.
Nevertheless, they were greedy to the end.
“And even from a future-oriented aspect, it seemed better for you guys not to exist.”
He had no intention of talking about the giant monster and the gate to the Association President right now.
Knowing full well he’s a human who would be a hindrance rather than help, was he crazy?
“...It seems there is no room for negotiation at all.”
The Association President asked as if puzzled.
“Then why did you come to this place?”
“To give you a final piece of advice.”
Ho-cheol tapped the top of the desk with his palm, which he had spread wide at some point.
“Well, I have no intention of throwing you in prison or anything. Just step down from your position and quietly go stick yourself in some mountain village to spend the rest of your life. That is your best option.”
It wasn't said out of simple consideration.
If all their corruption were revealed, there was a high possibility that the Association itself would be paralyzed, let alone the social repercussions.
Finding evidence, finding witnesses, gathering information, and if it led to a trial, it would ridiculously eat up years of time.
The manpower and resources invested in that were by no means a small amount.
For Ho-cheol, who wanted to cut out the rotten parts of the Association right away and prepare for the giant monster through a normalized Association, it wasn't a particularly welcome situation.
“That won't do. Since we are also taking all possible preparations to respond sufficiently in our own way.”
At the Association President's confident attitude, Ho-cheol clicked his tongue.
Although this side was pushing without rest in its own way, in the end, the great cause belonged to the Hero Association.
Since his status as the one raising suspicions was a villain, if the Association clung tenaciously, who knew how much time would be wasted.
“If you mean we have to see blood in the end. It can't be helped.”
“Blood, what blood. It’s a little annoying, but in the end, it’s a matter of time. This side isn't particularly leisurely either, but that doesn't mean I plan to act hastily and miss an obvious checkmate.”
If he got caught being pressed for time, the possibility of being swayed needlessly only increased.
That was why Ho-cheol took a quite leisurely attitude unlike the urgent situation.
If he was simply in an urgent situation with fire on his feet, that side was already on fire all over their body and then some.
Craaack—
Ho-cheol lightly tore off the edge of the desk he was holding.
Sprinkling the fragments of the completely crumbled desk on the floor, he stood up.
“Right. Let’s see. Next time we meet, it will probably be in some solitary prison cell.”
“Wait.”
The Association President called out to stop Ho-cheol, who was about to leave.
“There is no next time. Didn't I just say, we have to see blood.”
He slowly walked out of the shadows.
And that appearance was enough to make Ho-cheol panic, albeit for a moment.
“...You. You kept sending only clones, seems the reason wasn't simply for self-preservation.”
Ho-cheol muttered reluctantly.
The original Association President was an old man who was over 100 years old, living day by day.
However, the Association President standing in front of Ho-cheol right now was by no means in that state.
Would the current appearance be roughly in his 50s?
It was quite incorrect to call it a young age, but considering his original appearance, it wasn't lacking even if called fully youthful.
The bent back, the wrinkles filling his face, the hair turned white—all disappeared leaving only faint traces.
A Trait to become young does not exist in this world.
The President's Trait also had absolutely no relation to modifying appearance.
However, Ho-cheol could roughly guess the secret of that youth.
He sighed and pressed his temples with his bent index finger.
“I thought you had some connections with the Society bastards, but I didn't know you were close enough for them to pull a lifting for you like that.”
They are guys who shove Traits into bodies, merge with monsters, and revive even dead people.
With such technology, rejuvenating one person would be nothing.
He looked at the President with pathetic eyes while still massaging his throbbing head.
“But if you present such blatant evidence, there's no corner to run to anymore. I didn't know you would volunteer to give yourself up in a checkmate.”
“No. One path that isn't a checkmate remains.”
Clang—!
The President, closing the distance in an instant, thrust a dagger at Ho-cheol's neck.
Ho-cheol also immediately drew his sword and blocked the dagger with the flat of the blade.
Sparks flew as metal clashed.
“If the guy who raised the suspicion dies embracing all vice and truth, wouldn't it be solved very simply?”
If only Ho-cheol disappeared, although some aftermath would remain, it could be sufficiently handled.
In the end, it would mean only suspicions remain.
Ho-cheol let out a dry laugh.
Of course, the Association President's words weren't completely wrong.
If he died, perhaps all the suspicions and doubts toward the Association would turn vague.
Corruption with clear evidence?
Just pin that on another executive and cut the tail appropriately, and that's it.
However, all that was...
“Ha.”
A story for when Ho-cheol died obediently.
He lightly twisted the wrist holding the sword and struck the dagger away.
“Didn't I warn you? If you want to dye your gray hair that badly, go to a hair salon.”
Ho-cheol added in a low yet pathetic tone.
“Your cause of death isn't old age, old man, but not knowing your place.”
No matter how hostile the position, laying a hand on an ancient old man felt rather uncomfortable.
Now that he had rejuvenated to an age where he wouldn't feel any psychological guilt at all, in a sense, it was quite welcome.
It was time for him to pay dearly for defiling the Association and heroes for the past ten-plus years.