Joining Shield
Starting with summer break, the crime rate in Academy City had been rising day by day.
It was because of the revival of Fallen Heaven, leader of the Society of Demons, and the unification of villain society.
As a result, the workload of Sword and the clans, who dealt with counterterrorism situations, had increased.
The same was true for Shield, which maintained public order and crime prevention in Academy City, centered around students.
Naturally, the impact was especially heavy on members working in the field, like Kwon Boram.
Thus, Shield, seeking to expand its personnel, selected a large number of new recruits at the start of the second semester.
Naturally, field positions made up the largest portion.
“I understand that much, sunbae. It’s a very good thing that a lot of people are joining the Patrol Bureau. Everyone has been unable to keep up with the workload until now.”
“Right? I swear, I don’t know why this damned city never has a day without incidents or accidents. Anyway, Boram, you must have been having a hard time lately too, but things should get a lot easier now.”
“Yes, sunbae. However….”
District 1 of Academy City, Shield Headquarters.
After hearing the general situation from Yang Suhui, who had once been her mentor, Kwon Boram asked in a questioning tone.
“Why is a new recruit being assigned under me as well? I believe there is a problem with the personnel placement. I do not need a junior. I am more comfortable moving alone.”
Kwon Boram was an independent patrol officer of Shield, granted an unusually high degree of freedom for individual activity.
For someone like her, Shield’s personnel decision was utterly displeasing.
She felt as though her rights had been infringed upon.
As if she had expected this, Yang Suhui coaxed and soothed her.
“Isn’t it about time you took on a junior too? You’ll be a third-year next year, and unless something unusual happens, you’ll be succeeding me as the chief administrator. Wouldn’t it be better to take this opportunity to learn how to manage the kids under you?”
“I have no intention of becoming the chief administrator. Someone capable among my peers can take that position. I do not wish to be tied down as an administrator. More than anything, I prefer fieldwork over office work.”
“All your peers have taken on juniors and escaped being the youngest, so they’re working comfortably now. Don’t you want that too, Boram?”
“I am already a second-year, and as an independent patrol officer, I have already escaped the youngest-member life.”
“But it’s nice to have someone who’ll take care of all the petty, annoying tasks for you.”
“Isn’t it normal for me to do my own work? I do not wish to push it onto someone beneath me.”
“That… wasn’t directed at me, your former senior, was it? Still, I think I bought you plenty of snacks while dragging you around….”
“Wasn’t that because you felt awkward eating by yourself, so you bought some for me too? To begin with, I believe it wasn’t you who paid for them, but Shield’s activity expenses…. Of course, I learned a great deal from you, sunbae, so I am grateful.”
“I bought them with my own money too, you know? Seriously… Do you know how much I got dragged around because of you…? I wanted to smack you on the head so badly, if only you weren’t from the Iron Fortress Kwon Family….”
“You may hit me if you wish, sunbae. And if I have done wrong, it is only natural that I receive punishment.”
“Thanks for saying that, but I’m not the kind of person who hits people to enforce discipline, okay? Sigh…. Seriously, I’ve never met a kid like you before…. You’re so inflexible. Are all the people in your family like this?”
“I am probably on the unusual side. The people of my family are far more conservative when it comes to hierarchy. Generally, if someone above tells them to do something, they will do it.”
“Then why are you like this? If the higher-ups tell you to do it, then do it.”
“Our family is not one that blindly follows everything ordered from above. Did I not say ‘generally’? When something is not right, one must clearly say that it is not.”
“Ah, this is so frustrating….”
Yang Suhui thumped her chest, then took off her glasses and rubbed around her eyes.
Kwon Boram stood quietly and looked at her.
A moment later, after drinking the water on her desk, Yang Suhui continued.
“I understand how you feel, Boram, but it’s an order from above, so there’s nothing we can do. As an administrator of the Patrol Bureau, I also think this is what needs to be done.”
“Why is that?”
“It’s good that a lot of new recruits came in. But if there are too many, the hierarchy may not be properly established. There will also be many difficulties in taking them around and training them. On top of that, we recruited an especially large number from District 23 this time. The kids currently in charge of District 23 will have a hard time handling it.”
“So you assigned new recruits to me as well in order to lessen the burden on my peers?”
“It’s partly because District 23 is one of your assigned areas, and partly because of the backgrounds of the kids who joined this time.”
“Their backgrounds?”
“You know about the new recruits assigned under you this time, don’t you? There are three in total.”
“Yes, I know them, as I have ties to them.”
Kwon Boram nodded.
Kang Hanbyeol, disciple of the Fighting Ghost. Do Gyeonwoo of the Divine Sword Do Family. Yeon Haneul, disciple of the Seven-Colored Witch.
There was no way she would not know them, having received their help several times in the line of duty.
Moreover, she herself had personally written recommendation letters for the three of them when they sought to join Shield.
Just as her thoughts reached that point.
“Surely… you are not saying that since I wrote them recommendation letters, I should take responsibility for them, are you?”
Kwon Boram’s eyebrows twitched suspiciously.
Yang Suhui gave a small laugh.
“I can’t say that isn’t part of it. You brought them in, so shouldn’t you naturally take direct responsibility for them? I was surprised, and so were Shield’s higher-ups, when you wrote recommendation letters. You, of all people, who rarely take interest in others—what got into you?”
“…Sunbae, if it is those children, then learning under someone other than me would be more….”
“No. I just told you, didn’t I? It’s because of their backgrounds.”
“…”
“Among the members assigned to District 23, there isn’t really anyone whose background and reputation can compare to theirs. If they were to cause insubordination, they could be swallowed up in an instant. Of course, I interviewed them, and through you, I have some idea of their personalities… but you never know. Your peers might feel burdened too.”
“So you are saying I am the right person?”
“Yes, that’s my judgment. You and those kids know each other and are on friendly terms, and you’re a member of the Iron Fortress Kwon Family. Even if they cause trouble, you should be able to handle it, shouldn’t you? That is why I approve of the higher-ups’ personnel placement.”
“Sunbae, they are good children, so there is no need to worry….”
“Can you really say for certain that they’re good?”
Yang Suhui giggled as if probing her true thoughts.
Kwon Boram could not bring herself to refute it and grimaced.
Among the members of Shield, she was likely the one who understood the three of them best.
Based on what she had seen so far….
“…They are reasonably good.”
They certainly looked like the type to go around causing incidents.
Yeon Haneul might be an exception, but Kang Hanbyeol and Do Gyeonwoo were especially like that.
Kang Hanbyeol looted the weapons of criminals, which could easily hinder investigations or raise concerns about the destruction of evidence.
As for Do Gyeonwoo, there was no telling where he might bounce off to.
“Can’t you just endure it for this semester? Once a semester passes, those kids will be used to Shield work too. At that point, I’ll either make a separate team for them, or ask the others for understanding and see if they can be put on someone else’s team. Okay?”
“…”
“And they won’t be active all week like you, so they probably won’t get in your way as much as you think. They said they’d basically do it only three times a week. On weekends, Saturdays might be impossible because of club activities, and Sundays should be possible.”
“Even three times a week, they will have the Academy, so their activity hours will not be long… So in effect, it means I only have to suffer on Sundays every other week. Hoo… Understood. I will take charge of them. However, only until this semester.”
In the end, Kwon Boram could no longer oppose Shield’s personnel decision.
Repeatedly emphasizing the promise to Yang Suhui, she had no choice but to accept Do Gyeonwoo’s group as her juniors.
* * *
I couldn’t keep agonizing over the Lee Gahyeon problem, for which no clear answer seemed to appear.
Since she had infiltrated as a guest instructor, she would remain at the Academy until the end of this semester.
Even if I did not resolve it right away, I could say there was still plenty of time left.
So instead of rushing because of her, I decided to steadily follow the game’s progression.
‘Lee Gahyeon isn’t the only important thing. There are so many episodes scheduled for the second semester…. I can’t just sit around absentmindedly.’
I must not forget my duty of reaching the ending I wanted together with my friends, without anyone dying.
I could not afford to grow negligent.
I decided to take my time and think calmly about how to deal with Lee Gahyeon.
Though dragging it out too long would be a problem too….
In any case.
“As of today, I will be serving as your mentor. My name is Kwon Boram. I look forward to working with you for the semester.”
Yeon Haneul and I followed Kang Hanbyeol and joined Shield.
In the game, Kang Hanbyeol joined alone and formed a two-person team with Kwon Boram, but it should not interfere with the flow.
And on this day, having become members of Shield, we had our first official activity.
District 23 of Academy City, Scramble Crossing.
At the place where Fantasy Road and Romance Road intersected, Kwon Boram, who had been waiting for us, introduced herself anew.
“I look forward to working with you, Boram sunbae! From now on, you really are my senior, aren’t you?”
“I look forward to working with you, Sheriff. Hmm… Hanbyeol is right. I’ll call you sunbae from now on too.”
“I also look forward to working with you, sunbae.”
Now that we had become members of Shield’s Patrol Bureau, Kwon Boram was our direct senior.
We could no longer treat her as casually as before.
All the more so given how strict she was about obeying the chain of command.
Knowing that well, we greeted her politely.
She nodded slightly, then took a yellow armband and ID card out of her pocket.
“Please take these. They are your armbands and member IDs. While active as Shield members, you must carry them with you to indicate that you are members.”
Shield did have its own uniform, but it was used almost exclusively for ceremonial purposes.
In practical terms, the Academy uniform alone was enough for activities, and it was troublesome in many ways to change clothes for Shield activities after Academy classes were over.
When responding to incidents that occurred without warning, there was also no time to change into the uniform.
So in practice, Shield’s uniform was replaced by the yellow armband bearing Shield’s emblem and the member ID that Kwon Boram handed over.
“Boram sunbae, I can wear the armband on either arm, right?”
“Yes, that is correct. You may attach the armband wherever you prefer.”
While listening to Kang Hanbyeol and Kwon Boram’s conversation.
I put the armband on my left arm.
Then I looked at Yeon Haneul, who likewise fixed the armband to her left arm with a safety pin.
Feeling my gaze, she tilted her head, and one of her rabbit ears leaned to the side.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just thought it suited you. It makes you look kind of official.”
“What about you? I think the color goes well with your uniform.”
Yeon Haneul covered her mouth with her hand and let out a small giggle.
I also laughed along with her as she lightly shrugged her shoulders.
Even though I had come out for Shield duty without getting proper rest on a Sunday, I felt as though my fatigue had vanished.
That was when Kwon Boram called us.
“You two over there. When acting as members, you must not show yourselves fooling around. Keep that in mind. Naturally, acts of affection between the opposite sex are also prohibited. As long as you are wearing this armband, you must maintain your dignity as members of Shield. I do not wish to interfere with the relationship between you two either, so please date only when you are not wearing the armband.”
“Yes, I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry, sunbae….”
“Boram sunbae, but those two aren’t dating yet. You might wonder what the difference is, but….”
“Is that so? I did not know you were not dating. Then were you flirting with each other? Even so, nothing changes. Either way, acts of affection are not allowed.”
“Yes….”
As Kang Hanbyeol added that with a chuckle.
Kwon Boram sternly warned Yeon Haneul and me.
According to her admonition, shockingly enough, even holding hands should be avoided when acting as Shield.
‘Aren’t the rules way too strict? If that’s the case, I’ll have to hold her hand in secret….’
My sense of dismay lasted only a moment.
When told not to do something, it is only natural to want to do it more.
If I wanted to touch Yeon Haneul, I decided I would lead her somewhere secluded and avoid the eyes of others.
Meanwhile, it seemed she had been thinking along the same lines.
Carefully tugging on the hem of my clothes, she whispered into my ear.
“Surely it’s okay if I grab on over your clothes, right?”
“Please devote yourself to your duties as a member of SHIELD.”
“Okaaay….”
Kwon Boram had sharp ears.
Somehow, she had heard Yeon Haneul’s whisper and answered it at once.
Yeon Haneul wilted on the spot.
Her rabbit ears drooped.
I reached out to pat Yeon Haneul’s head and comfort her, then stopped.
“No.”
“Okaaay….”
Kwon Boram warned me, putting force into her yellow eyes.
I withdrew the hand I had stretched into the air.
“Let us end the fooling around here. From now on, I will explain what you will be doing going forward. Basically, we will patrol the streets in District 23 with high foot traffic. Follow me. It will be better to move and experience it firsthand than for me to explain it in words.”
Kwon Boram brushed back her violet hair and took the lead.
Yeon Haneul, Kang Hanbyeol, and I followed behind, listening to her explanation.
Meanwhile, I paid attention to the roadside.
‘It should be around now….’
In the game, a story event occurs on Kang Hanbyeol’s first day acting as a member of SHIELD.
Just like now, while he is patrolling the streets and receiving an explanation from Kwon Boram, he suddenly gets caught up in an incident.
And right then—
Crash!
Kyaaaaaah!
“…!”
Along with the sound of a window shattering, someone screamed.
Startled, we spotted people up ahead rushing out of a building as if fleeing.
Judging by the fact that they were carrying Devices, they did not look like ordinary civilians, and each of them had a heavy-looking bundle slung over their shoulder.
They were unmistakably robbers.
“Let’s pursue them.”
Kwon Boram’s judgment was quick.
But the men were even quicker.
As if it had been planned in advance, they got into a van parked on the roadside.
“Damn it.”
Before we could catch up, the van picked up speed and disappeared into the distance.
Clicking her tongue in frustration, Kwon Boram tried to at least memorize the license plate and report it to SHIELD right away.
Meanwhile, I watched Kang Hanbyeol.
‘It’s fine. We can chase them.’
Things were unfolding according to the game’s flow.
If so, what happened next should also follow the game’s flow.
I waited for Kang Hanbyeol’s decision.
I did not have to wait long.
While Kwon Boram was contacting SHIELD, he began moving after searching the surroundings.
“Haneul, let’s go. You too, senior.”
“Huh?”
“What do you mean?”
There was no hesitation in Kang Hanbyeol’s actions.
I snapped Yeon Haneul and Kwon Boram back to attention and chased after him as he ran toward a van taxi parked by the road.
Soon, he climbed into the driver’s seat.
“Everyone, get in! Hurry!”
“Member Kang Hanbyeol, what on earth is this….”
“It’s someone else’s car! Is it okay for us to get in!?”
“We can return it later. More importantly, catching the robbers comes first.”
“…That is true. You are right. Member Yeon Haneul, hurry and get in.”
I soothed Yeon Haneul and Kwon Boram, who were flustered and at a loss, then climbed into the passenger seat.
Kwon Boram soon came to her senses and got into the back seat with Yeon Haneul.
“Do you know how to drive?”
“More or less. I drove bumper cars at Heartland before.”
“Do you… call that an answer?”
“It’s fine. Even if you don’t worry, Hanbyeol will drive well on his own. Right?”
“Yes! Leave it to me! …I’ve got it.”
“Um, guys. Driving is one problem, but we don’t even have licenses….”
Kang Hanbyeol’s Gift was Resonance Hands.
It was a Gift that brought him close to the level of a master with any tool he handled with his hands.
That included vehicles.
What he had just said—“…I’ve got it.”—was proof.
“Haneul, don’t worry about things like that and just put on your seatbelt. We’re going to be speeding from here on out. Right, Hanbyeol?”
“Yeah, of course! If we want to catch up to them, we’ll have to floor it. Senior Boram, do you remember the layout of this area?”
“Yes, I do, but….”
“Then please tell me the shortcuts. I think I can drive through anywhere as long as it’s a road a car can fit through.”
“Can I really… trust you?”
“Yes, trust me.”
“Then… I will. Let’s depart.”
Yeon Haneul sighed in resignation, as if she no longer cared what happened.
Then she fastened her seatbelt.
After checking that she was safe through the rearview mirror, I grabbed the handle attached to the ceiling.
That was when Kang Hanbyeol turned the wheel.
At the same time, a man who seemed to be the owner of the taxi came up and knocked on the window.
“W-wait! What do you think you’re doing!? Get out of my car right now!”
“I am Kwon Boram, an independent patrol officer of SHIELD. We will return this vehicle as soon as we resolve the incident. We would appreciate your cooperation for a short while.”
“Wh-what!? …Then I suppose it can’t be helped. Use it for a good cause.”
Kwon Boram leaned out beyond the window and showed the taxi driver her member ID.
Only then did the reassured driver step back onto the sidewalk.
Kang Hanbyeol immediately stepped on the accelerator and drove in the direction the villains had disappeared.
“That man… didn’t he accept it way too easily? Even if we are SHIELD….”
“That’s because he’s someone overflowing with chivalrous spirit.”
“How do you know that?”
“Good people understand each other. And look here, there’s a sticker saying he’s an exemplary driver, right? What that means is….”
“It is a badge of honor given to those who have driven for several years or more without an accident.”
“You’re right, senior.”
The reason I knew the taxi driver’s personality was because it had been mentioned in the game.
Furthermore, I also knew the future after the incident was resolved.
According to the game’s flow—
‘The taxi driver, moved by Hanbyeol, will lend him the taxi and ask him to keep using it for good causes.’
That was right.
Through this episode, Kang Hanbyeol obtained a means of transportation that could be used in many useful ways.
In a way, this episode could be said to be less about Kang Hanbyeol joining SHIELD and more about him acquiring a taxi.
“Hanbyeol, what do you think of this car?”
“Huh? This car? I think it’s good. It fits right in my hands.”
“Then that’s enough. I like it too. Maybe because it’s a van taxi, it looks like we can fit more people besides us. And we can put the triplets in the trunk.”
Once the incident was resolved, I would have to tell Kang Hanbyeol to get his license.
I raised the corners of my mouth.
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss
(224) [Illustration]
The plan was perfect.
After thoroughly conducting their preliminary investigation, the group of villains had successfully robbed the pawnshop by aiming for a time when the nearby clans could not respond immediately.
Then they had quickly left the scene in a ghost car they had prepared in advance.
All that remained was to avoid pursuit and return safely to their hideout without being caught.
Their goal was not far off.
Inside the car, after removing their masks, they were able to relax somewhat.
“Hehehe, how much is all this? It’ll be hard to sell it for full price, but it should still be pretty profitable, right?”
“I think it’d be good not to sell the useful artifacts and split them among ourselves. What do you think?”
“I’m for it. There were already a few that caught my eye, so this works out nicely.”
The villains’ faces gleamed with greed as they checked the items inside the bundles.
They could not stop the corners of their mouths from stretching wide.
Just then, the villain driving the vehicle spoke to the back seat in a displeased tone.
“We’re not done yet. Stop looking at the stolen goods and keep a proper watch around us. There’s still no sign of anyone following, right?”
“I’ve been watching since earlier, and there’s nothing, nothing! Why would there be? We cut the communication lines so they couldn’t report us. It’ll take the pawnshop guys some time if they want to make a report.”
“And we hit them when the hunters from the nearby clans were away, didn’t we? A lot of them must have gone out on missions, so there won’t be many people chasing us.”
“Well, I suppose that’s true.”
Crime rates were on the rise all across the country, including in Academy City.
At the same time, the condition of the ambient mana had worsened, increasing the frequency at which rifts and gates occurred.
Because of that, hunters had no choice but to suffer under the workload that grew heavier by the day.
The villains, who were well aware of the current situation, all cackled at once.
Right then—
Screeech! Crash!
“….”
From behind them came the sound of a vehicle braking and rapidly decelerating, along with the sound of something colliding.
The villain driving the car turned his gaze to the rearview mirror.
Then he blinked in bewilderment.
“…A taxi?”
A van taxi was closing the distance at a terrifying speed.
It showed no hesitation in recklessly crossing the center line and driving against traffic.
In the end, it even overtook the two cars that had been behind them and stuck close to their rear.
The villains could only be dumbfounded by the situation that had unfolded in an instant.
“It doesn’t seem like an ordinary taxi… Hunters, huh. Just when I thought everything was going smoothly, it gets tangled up at the very end…. Are you bastards going to keep spacing out? We’re shaking them off from here on.”
The only one who managed to come to his senses was the villain holding the steering wheel.
After snapping his dazed comrades back to attention, he slammed down on the accelerator.
From that moment on, the chase began in earnest.
* * *
The result of combining Kang Hanbyeol’s driving skills with Kwon Boram’s geographical knowledge more than met expectations.
Thanks to that, it did not take long for us to catch up to the villains.
The problem began then.
In order to shake off the pursuit, they started attacking the taxi we were riding in.
Some of them leaned out of the rear windows and pulled out firearms.
“Haneul, I’m counting on you. Hanbyeol, don’t pay attention to it and just keep driving.”
“Yeah, got it.”
“Sure! I’ll trust only you guys!”
In general, vehicles in Academy City often got caught up in accidents, so they were usually bulletproofed.
The van taxi we were riding in, which had maintained a long accident-free record, was surely no exception.
However, we could not simply rely on bulletproofing and take the gunfire head-on.
I asked Yeon Haneul to deploy a barrier and block the attacks.
Yeon Haneul responded to the villains’ gunfire without the slightest delay.
Second-tier wind elemental magic, Wind Guard.
The wall of wind that wrapped around the van taxi deflected the bullets.
This time, it was our turn.
“Senior Boram, please hold on to me.”
“Be careful not to fall. Cars may come from behind.”
“Yes, I know.”
Yeon Haneul slid the passenger-side door open and leaned her body outside.
Kwon Boram quickly grabbed her and secured her so that she would not fall.
Meanwhile, Yeon Haneul stretched out her left hand and took a shooting stance.
Her white-and-blue rabbit ears were pushed back by the wind and fluttered.
First-tier wind elemental magic that compressed wind like bullets and fired them.
Yeon Haneul launched spell after spell toward the vehicle ahead.
However, she achieved no results.
As if the villains had a mage on their side as well, a barrier formed around their vehicle and blocked the attacks.
She muttered in annoyance.
“Should I use higher-tier magic with the intention of destroying the car body?”
“No. If you do that, you could end up causing damage to the surroundings. In an urban area, we must refrain from using highly lethal means. It would be better for me to cross over to the villains’ vehicle.”
“What? Senior Boram, what are you….”
“Member Kang Hanbyeol, can you close the distance a little more?”
“I can close the distance, but will you really be all right? If you go over there, it’ll be hard for us to protect you….”
“It will be fine. I am sturdy, so most attacks will not faze me.”
While Yeon Haneul tried to stop her because it was dangerous and Kang Hanbyeol expressed his concern—
Kwon Boram paid them no mind and flung open the door on her side.
Then she used her athletic ability to climb on top of the van taxi.
Knowing her reckless side through the game, I let out a faint chuckle.
“Hanbyeol, Haneul, let’s do as senior says. She’ll do well. Right, Senior Boram?”
“Yes, leave it to me. While I throw them into confusion, you should move in.”
“Haneul, assist Senior Boram so she can cross over to the villains’ vehicle safely.”
“Sigh…. All right. I’ll do that.”
Kwon Boram lowered her body so that the wind would not blow her away.
I pulled my head back in from the passenger seat and stared ahead.
Soon, as soon as she judged the timing and gave us a signal, she leaped toward the villains’ vehicle.
Yeon Haneul did not miss that moment and protected her with magic.
‘She made it.’
Kwon Boram set foot on the villains’ vehicle and moved straight to the hood, striking the front windshield with her tonfa.
At that, the startled villains’ vehicle lurched heavily from side to side.
She was trying to force the car to a stop.
Seeing our chance, I decided to lend a hand.
“Gyeonu! Why are you…!”
“I’m going over to help Senior Boram too. Haneul, cover me with magic so I can cross over safely, and Hanbyeol, you block their escape route when the timing looks right. Or just ram them.”
“Honestly… Do you always have to pick the dangerous things?”
“It’s not dangerous, don’t worry.”
I took Yeon Haneul’s scolding in stride.
Just as Kwon Boram had done moments ago, I climbed onto the top of the van taxi.
Then I leaped into the air to cross over to the car ahead.
Landing on top of the villains’ car, I drove the Gunjcheong Sword down.
I intended to tear open the roof like this.
And so.
“Senior Boram, come this way.”
“Well done, Member Do Gyeonu. You’ve spared us the trouble of entering through the inside.”
“…”
We were able to arrest the gang of villains who had robbed the pawnshop.
* * *
The incident ended while Kwon Boram and I were subduing the villains, with Kang Hanbyeol ramming the vehicle and forcing it to stop.
Just then, hunters from a nearby clan and members of SWORD, who had belatedly been dispatched after receiving the report, arrived as well.
Deciding to leave the aftermath to them, we obediently stepped back from the front line.
‘I’m hungry.’
Before I knew it, lunchtime had long since passed.
Feeling the pangs of hunger, I checked with Yeon Haneul beside me.
“Haneul, aren’t you hungry?”
“Mm… I’m a little hungry. I want to eat something soon… What about you?”
“Me too. When Senior Boram comes back later, let’s ask her to go eat.”
“Yeah, I think that’d be good.”
Yeon Haneul rubbed her stomach.
Judging by her condition, Kang Hanbyeol and Kwon Boram were probably in the same boat.
I decided to suggest going for lunch as soon as the two of them returned.
Meanwhile, Kang Hanbyeol was talking with the taxi driver who had come to the scene.
“This… is my car? Next year, I was looking at twenty-five years without an accident, and now this happened…”
The van taxi that had rammed into the side of the villains’ vehicle had its front end severely crumpled.
The driver, taking in the sight with sorrowful eyes, seemed unable to shake off his complicated feelings.
He kept letting out sighs.
“…I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry. I’ll compensate you.”
Kang Hanbyeol bowed politely and apologized to the taxi driver.
At that, the driver waved his hands and clicked his tongue.
“No, no. If it was used for a good cause, that’s enough. That fellow will be happy too.”
“But, sir…”
“I’ve got insurance, so it’s fine. And if you think about it, I helped resolve the incident, so won’t SHIELD or the 23rd District Office give me compensation? I’ll use that money to get a new one. I was planning to replace it once it hit twenty-five years anyway.”
“Ah… Then that car is now…”
“It’d be better to scrap it… but if you want, why don’t you take it? Looking at it, only the outside is dented. If you fix it, I think it’ll run just fine.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m going to get a new one now, so I’m telling you to take that car. You seemed like a good driver. Long ago, I used to drive that car and race down the roads just like you… I miss those days. But now I’m too old to drive like that. So I’d been feeling a little sorry deep down… but now that you’ve appeared, I think I can lay that burden down. Drive my car well for me.”
“Sir… thank you. As you said, I’ll use it well. I’ll drive it responsibly.”
“Good, I’m counting on you. Let that car keep running.”
The driver grabbed Kang Hanbyeol’s wrist and forced the car key into his hand.
Soon, the two of them looked at each other with heated gazes, shook hands, and even embraced.
It was a scene that had appeared in the game as well.
‘With this, he’s gotten the episode reward.’
Unlike in the game, he would have to repair the taxi and get a license, so it seemed like it would take some time before he could use it.
Still, before long, we’d be able to ride around various parts of Academy City in Kang Hanbyeol’s car.
‘There’ll be more places for me to go hang out with Haneul… No, our range of activity will expand.’
We had achieved our intended goal.
I lifted the corners of my mouth in satisfaction and greeted Kang Hanbyeol.
He was running toward us, waving the hand that held the car key.
“Gyeonu, Haneul! I got a car! Let’s take the others and go somewhere far to have fun later!”
“That’s great. Congratulations. Of course I’m all for going to have fun. Though you’ll need to get your license first.”
“So one of us is going to be the first to drive. Congratulations. Won’t you get your license quickly? You seemed good at driving…”
* * *
By the time our SHIELD activities ended, it was close to ten at night.
After returning to the place where we had gathered in the morning, we decided to disband.
“You all worked hard today. Everyone, go back and rest well. And Member Kang Hanbyeol, make certain to obtain your driver’s license. It will prove useful during activities like today’s.”
“Yes! Understood!”
“Then I’ll be going. Return safely.”
After finishing what she had to say to us, Kwon Boram immediately turned around.
She gradually grew distant amid the night view of the downtown district.
After watching her go for a moment, we too set off.
“Let’s go too. Tomorrow’s Monday, so we should rest even a little more.”
“I want to wash up already. I feel like I’ve been covered in dust from walking around the 23rd District all day.”
“The whole day’s gone… It is rewarding, but I’m a little tired. So from now on, we have to work until late at night every other Sunday… I wonder if Senior Boram isn’t tired. She didn’t show it at all.”
I had expected it to some extent, but SHIELD activities were not easy at all.
After patrolling the 23rd District all day, all of us had no choice but to be exhausted.
Right now, I just wanted to return to the dormitory and recover from the fatigue.
‘My precious Sunday is completely gone…’
Still, it wasn’t as if there had been no gains at all.
There was Kang Hanbyeol’s van taxi, and we were also going to receive points and coins as a reward for arresting the villains.
The points would be recorded in our student records, and they would also be reflected later when we were promoted within SHIELD.
The coins, meanwhile, were scheduled to be given in the currency of Geumgang Academy, where we were enrolled.
Most of all.
‘I think I’ve figured out how to deal with Lee Gahyeon.’
I had been able to come up with my own solution to the problem that had been giving me a headache.
Kang Hanbyeol’s advice had helped.
—Huh? How would I sweep up scattered enemies all at once if it were me? Hmm, let’s see… If it were me, I’d probably throw out bait.
—Bait?
—Exactly, bait. Bait that the scattered enemies would have no choice but to be tempted by, no choice but to gather around in one place. Even better if it’s bait they’d come for even knowing it’s a trap.
—Bait…
As it happened, one piece of bait came to mind.
Lee Gahyeon would have no choice but to bite.
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss