Chapter 12

Chapter 11

I was flustered. I had just come to the cinema to watch a movie and leave, but Snow White—Baek Seul-hee—appeared in the seat next to me.

Her hair was black.

Of course, it was probably a wig for disguise, and the hat and mask she wore were probably for disguise as well, but I could see through it.

Who this woman was.

'That author really knows how to draw illustrations.'

The author created illustrations for the three main heroines.

Even though he made the illustrations, perhaps due to the fear of indifference and declining views worse than hate comments, he stopped updating, which was a bit disappointing and annoying, but thanks to that, I immediately recognized that this woman was Snow White.

I knew her well because the illustration was my smartphone wallpaper.

"Um, you lent me a bike in Seoul...?"

"Oh, yes. That’s right. It’s, really a coincidence…? To meet you here."

And Snow White also recognized who I was.

Since I didn’t alter my voice and showed my face directly, it was impossible for an S-class superhuman to not notice.

"It’s, I’m sorry about the bike. I didn’t mean to not contact you…."

"I have a rough idea. Um, ahem."

Even a simple cough would be enough for Snow White to understand.

"Well, it couldn’t be helped that it was damaged in the battle with the villain."

What I was guessing and what I was being careful about.

"I was planning to get a new bike anyway, and since it was heavily modified, I was going to give it to a friend. Think of it as patriotism. Haha."

"But it looked really expensive."

"That’s fine. I’m not exactly short on money. Hahaha…."

It might seem like I’m putting on airs in front of a worm, but all of this is just a show to ease Snow White’s burden.

"I’ll pay for it later. Can you give me your contact information?"

"No, that’s not necessary."

"No, I broke it, so I should pay for it. Don’t worry. If I bill the Hero Association, it won’t be a big burden for me."

But she would cover the cost herself.

She’s a kind-hearted woman who often donates to those suffering from villain activities with the money she earns.

She may seem cold and aloof on the surface, but inside, she’s warmer and more affectionate than anyone else.

And she has a taste for B-movies like this.

"I see. This, I didn’t expect to meet you here. It’s really a coincidence."

"I think it’s fate. To meet you again and be able to pay for the damage I caused. It’s been on my mind. I knew you lived in Banpojae, but I couldn’t find you."

"Did you try to find me?"

"I asked someone I know. To pay for the bike."

"...That’s quite something."

For a moment, I felt a chill down my spine.

The fact that she investigated me from somewhere I didn’t know, and that she investigated Do Jihwan, not the villain Goblin, made my heart sink.

Goblin could just disappear, but Do Jihwan, even if his body disappeared, his account would be frozen.

"I should contact the person who’s looking for me. I went to Busan right after that incident."

"Busan?"

"Yes. I came to Busan for an interview for a new job. I’m waiting for the acceptance text now."

"Did you get it?"

"It’s like being a provisional hire. Some might call it a parachutist, but I do have considerable ability in that field."

"That field…?"

"Yes. Ah, that… You said you were switching to a lecturer position? Then we might end up working at the same place. I’m a librarian."

"...A librarian?"

"Yes. A librarian. I love books. Stories."

"......Do you know that this movie is based on a novel?"

"Huh?"

That’s not the case.

When her expression changed, I thought she was trying to uncover my identity, but—

"Oh, I see…."

She looked a bit disappointed.

What is it?

Is this woman, perhaps, a novel otaku?

I’m not sure if the term otaku is appropriate, but I decided to keep my mouth shut to avoid a flood of TMI.

"......"

The advertisements are rolling.

Snow White and I are just one seat apart.

Trying to get the best view, we ended up reserving the seats next to each other.

There are almost no people in the cinema.

Even for a morning show, there might be one or two people, but almost no one comes to see a B-movie like this.

Except for me, who is new content.

"Um, what should I call you?"

"...It, it might be a bit strange, but shall I pretend to be an office worker?"

"Alright. …Then, Manager. Why are you here to see this movie…?"

"It’s a personal hobby. I came to see how the dinosaurs would stop the meteor falling from the sky."

"Indeed."

I understand how you feel.

It’s like coming to study.

I feel the same way, but visual content is a great help in stimulating imagination.

And this imagination soon becomes the power to freely manipulate mana.

A world where fantasy becomes reality.

Since this is the world, I am absorbing all kinds of content to fill my imagination.

To use the Goblin’s club smoothly.

"Manager, why are you here to see this…?"

"They don’t show this in Seoul. This equipment is only in Busan."

"Oh."

It’s really a shame, but now, to see spectacular and grand movies, you have to come to Saha, not Yongsan.

'Is there such a coincidence?'

I came to see an action movie to kill time and sort out my thoughts, and coincidentally met Snow White.

Snow White, who really came to see a movie as a personal hobby.

And.

"...Huh?"

No one comes in.

Really, no one comes in.

Just in case, I opened the app on my smartphone to try to book a ticket, but all I saw was the message "Booking not available" and "124 / 126."

Could it be.

Is it just me and Snow White in the cinema now?

"...It seems it’s just the two of us?"

"Yes, it does."

"Then—"

"Should I move to another seat?"

"......"

Snow White stared at me for a moment, and I pointed to the row below.

"...I don’t think it’s necessary. I watch movies pretty quietly."

"Oh, I see. I’m sorry for suggesting it."

"No, it’s fine. Manager?"

Snow White pointed to the empty seat next to her and picked up the popcorn she had.

"...Do you want to share the popcorn? It’s a bit too much for me to eat alone."

"......"

I don’t really like eating while watching movies.

What is she trying to do?

'Did she recognize my identity?'

Is that why she’s approaching me?

Is she going to try to subdue me by saying 'Don’t move, Goblin' while I’m watching the movie?

If so.

Then, when that happens, I’ll have to run with all my might.

* * *

During my vacation, I met someone I owed a debt to.

The man treated me with a mix of respect and ease.

While others would exclaim 'Oh, S-class' and either praise or envy her, the man showed no such reaction, just a casual 'Oh, it’s you again.'

It was refreshing.

Since she awakened as an S-class at a young age.

She had never met someone who looked at her this way.

So she became interested.

Even if it was the curiosity a child feels when they get a new toy, it didn’t matter.

This man, who seemed to keep his distance out of consideration for her, was intriguing.

She was curious, amused, and also felt a debt to him.

When she rode on his bike, she felt how much he cherished it, and it was strange that he didn’t seem to mind it being damaged.

He was either really rich.

Or had a strong sense of patriotism.

Or had something to hide.

Whichever it was, it was intriguing.

To come to see such a movie.

A commercial film where dinosaurs resurrected from robot dinosaur fossils fight each other and two of them work together to stop a meteor falling from space.

It’s not a movie worth watching at a weekday morning show, but Baek Seul-hee chose this movie as if she was enchanted.

Perhaps this movie, chosen to relieve stress, was fate.

The fate to meet this man.

This man.

Something.

'He really reminds me of the Goblin.'

It was strange.

The way he looked at her was exactly like the golden eyes sparkling behind the mask, making her feel both wary and curious.

If.

The Goblin were a human.

Wouldn’t he be just like this man?

'It can’t be.'

If he were the Goblin, she should at least feel a trace of magic power.

But she felt nothing from this man.

If this man were the Goblin, it would mean he had a special way to hide his magic power.

'That’s not possible.'

The Goblin’s villain rank is S-class, and his magic power level is already known.

Far below hers.

No matter how much he disguised himself or hid his magic power, it wouldn’t last long.

'It can’t be.'

It’s just an unfounded assumption.

The man who lent her a bike in Seoul.

The man who coincidentally ended up in the same row for a morning show in Busan.

The Goblin?

'Rather, it would be better if this world were like the movie, with a meteor falling from the sky and causing the end of the world.'

Baek Seul-hee casually reached for the popcorn.

Crunch.

With the sound of swallowing, the movie began.

With the epic battle of the righteous T-Rex resurrected from ancient times and the enemy mech T-Rex modeled after it.