Chapter 82

### Chapter 82: How to Steal the Hero's Woman (1-1)

In the warp room, Armonia began the briefing.

"The location for this mission is the Hero Academy in the Republic of Korea. Similar to Schtra, the mission will start by infiltrating the place and approaching the target."

"Hmm? Does the target have a lover this time?"

"Yes, they exist."

The protagonist of this world is Chao Qiangxian. He is a top-tier hero in a game-like setting known as a "hunter world." Despite being only in his late twenties, he is recognized as a hero on a global scale.

"Chao Qiangxian. Currently, he is serving as an instructor at the Hero Academy."

"Instructor?"

"Let me explain it simply."

The Hero Academy, often abbreviated as YSA, is where all the successful heroes in Korea come from. It is the highest institution in the Republic of Korea, treated as an elite group.

However, there was a problem with this institution. The issue was with the instructors.

There was a significant shortage of heroes willing to serve as instructors.

It wasn't feasible to entrust the future of the Republic of Korea to just anyone.

One might think that among the graduates, there would be some who want to become instructors.

"The problem is that most of the talented individuals who graduate from YSA are not interested in this role."

"That makes sense. After working so hard to become a hero, who would want to take care of kids…."

As Armonia said, most of the talented individuals who graduate from YSA do not return.

In the end, the state had to enforce a rule that all certified heroes must serve three years as instructors within ten years of graduation.

"It seems like that would be difficult to enforce…. In the hunter world I know, heroes earn a lot of money."

"The benefits are also quite substantial. However, even those benefits are not enough to satisfy them…."

"So, the protagonist is currently serving this duty?"

"Yes, this is his final year of the three-year term."

And the people he serves with for these three years are his older sister and his fiancée.

"Fiancée? Not married yet?"

It was hard to understand.

With his level of ability, he should have been married by now….

"Zodiac doesn't know the exact reason."

"That's strange…. I understand."

There was no point in dwelling on something unknown.

"The fiancée's name is Cheng Shua, and the older sister's name is Chao Xian. Zodiac has arranged the YSA records so that you will keep encountering these two characters."

"How?"

"You will be assigned as an assistant instructor for two classes."

Unlike regular instructors, who must be YSA graduates, assistant instructors do not need to be. While a regular instructor focuses on one class, an assistant instructor supports two classes.

Their main role is to prevent incidents during practical training. However, in terms of position, they are somewhat equal to regular instructors.

However, it is a precarious position, and if a major incident occurs, they can be easily dismissed.

"Additionally, you will be assisting in the class led by Cheng Shua and the class led by Chao Xian."

"…Shit, I thought I would have some power like in Schtra!"

"Unfortunately, it's more likely that you will be the one being controlled. Please be cautious."

"Ha…. That's my life for you."

The school is divided into three specialized classes.

The Combat Class, which focuses on martial arts such as swordsmanship, spear techniques, and archery.

The Magic Class, which focuses on elemental magic and various other spells.

The Healing Class, which focuses on healing techniques.

In my world, it would be like the humanities, sciences, and physical education classes. YSA is divided into these three fields, each with its own building.

"The class you will be assigned to is the Combat Class 5, led by Chao Xian, and the Magic Class 7, led by Cheng Shua."

"Complicated…."

"I will provide the rest of the information as we go."

"Okay, I understand."

I entered the blue glowing warp case alone.

As the door closed behind me, three women were there to see me off.

"Good luck, Guardian!"

"Come back quickly, nya."

"I will remain here on standby. Master."

"Okay, I'll be back. Everyone, stay safe."

It felt like a father going to work and being seen off by his children.

With my last words, Armonia said,

"I will now teleport you."

***

I was walking through the corridor of a building with a magnificent exterior, which I could hardly believe was a school.

"Wow… This is so different from the prison-like school I used to attend."

[It is funded by donations from guilds across the country, in addition to the state. A comfortable life is guaranteed.]

This Hero Academy, or YSA for short, is said to be funded more by guild donations than by state taxes. The top guilds, such as the Cathedral and the Tower, are the largest donors, followed by other large guilds.

Most students cheer when they graduate, but the cadets here are said to complain about having to leave such well-equipped facilities.

I arrived at the main gate of YSA and had to go through a rather complex procedure to enter. It was a well-protected institution.

"Well, I'm a monster, right? So, it's not surprising that the monster faction has some influence here."

[That's correct. However, they have their own interests and won't necessarily help you if you're in trouble. Please be cautious.]

"Got it. Ah, this must be the faculty office."

I arrived at the faculty office as instructed and entered.

Inside, several people were working efficiently.

"Is it because it's the opening ceremony day that it's so chaotic?"

[First, you need to find Chao Xian.]

In this crowded place, I asked around to find Chao Xian. A teacher-looking man gave me detailed directions.

"Ah, Chao Xian's desk is over there by the window."

"Thank you."

The desk by the window was shielded by a partition.

No one was there… wait, someone is?

As I approached the desk, I saw someone lying down.

She had short hair, was about 150 cm tall, and was wearing a tight white T-shirt and jeans. Despite her height, she had a C-cup bust.

The girl, who looked like Chao Xian, was lying on the desk, drooling and sleeping. She was even smiling in her sleep.

"Hmm… hmm… hee…."

"…."

She must be having a pleasant dream….

"Is she a student?"

[Based on the information we have, she is likely Chao Xian.]

"…She's the older sister?"

I would believe she was the younger sister….

Chao Xian was said to be the older sister of the protagonist, Chao Qiangxian. Since Chao Qiangxian is in his late twenties, this girl must be in her thirties.

She looked more like a student than an instructor.

While I was wondering how to wake her up, someone approached.

"Oh? Chao Xian, you're sleeping again…."

It was a woman who looked like an instructor.

I explained to the female instructor,

"Well, I'm the new assistant instructor, but she's sleeping."

"Oh, starting this semester… with Chao Xian… I see…."

The female instructor looked at me with a sympathetic expression.

"…I feel uneasy."

[She is known to have a bad temper. You should be cautious.]

"Lord, Lord, why have you forsaken me…."

[….]

"Chao Xian! Wake up! The students need their weapons!"

"Ugh…."

The female instructor grabbed Chao Xian's shoulders and started shaking her violently.

It looked more like an exorcism scene from a horror movie than waking someone up.

"…She's still not waking up."

[She seems to be very sensitive to sleep.]

"She's completely a kid…."

She really is a kid….

But it was my first day at work. I didn't want to ruin my first impression by saying something mean to her.

I smiled at the half-asleep Chao Xian.

"Hehehe… Chao Xian, it's nice to meet you. You look so cute, like a child."

"Uh…."

The female instructor, who was performing an exorcism, looked at me with wide, surprised eyes.

What is it? Do I need to offer a sacrifice this time?

I asked the female instructor,

"…Is something wrong?"

"Th… That is…."

At the same time, a voice was heard.

"Who are you…."

"…?"

It wasn't my voice, nor the rough voice of the female instructor.

It was a cute and clear voice, but it sounded like it had been scorched by hellfire and turned black.

The female instructor, who was holding Chao Xian tightly, shouted at me,

"Run away quickly!!!"

"Wha?"

As I asked, Chao Xian, who was sitting at the desk, leaped at me with a fierce glare.

"Who called me a kid!!!!!!!!!!!"

***

I was carefully following the small woman to the auditorium.

"…."

"…."

After causing a commotion in the faculty office, Chao Xian, who was still fuming, was leading the way.

She turned her head and glared at me.

"Say that again, and I won't let you off."

It was clearly a warning, but I wasn't scared at all.

There was no reason to provoke her either.

"Yes, I will be careful."

"Hmph…."

Her expression was still displeased, but she didn't press the issue further.

As I followed her, I checked my status window.

=======

Name: Chao Xian

-Traits-

[Martial Arts], [Stealth LV 11], [Instant Dash LV 25], [Admiration for the Strong], [Impatience], [Poor Crisis Management], [Ability Focus]….

=======

From her traits, I could roughly evaluate Chao Xian.

She's a bit of a klutz.

"Even her appearance suggests that…."

[Still, you should be cautious. The abilities in Martial Arts are not ordinary.]

I also checked her Martial Arts traits.

-[Dagger Mastery LV 39], [Sword Mastery LV 27]-

If we were to fight, I would be killed in one hit.

She's a close-combat fighter who can quickly close the distance with a dagger.

However, it's funny that she has Stealth, which suggests she has practiced a lot to hide her presence, but it doesn't match her personality at all.

"She tends to look down on others. I need to be firm with her."

[I'm worried that it might backfire.]

"No, once she gets the upper hand, she'll push you to the edge."

From what I observed, Chao Xian is the type who ruthlessly pushes away unnecessary people.

If I show any weakness, she will exploit it and push me aside.

"I need to be more cautious. Chao Xian will be a hassle if I show any weakness."

[She is known to have a very good relationship with her brother. If you can win her over, it will be a great help.]

Armonia said that while the fiancée is the most important, Chao Xian is also crucial.

As I walked, looking at the top of Chao Xian's head, we arrived at the auditorium.

The auditorium was filled with third-year students, who were chatting and making noise.

There were about 500 students.

Chao Xian turned to me and said,

"We will be distributing weapons to the third-year Combat Class students today."

"…Just the two of us?"

"Yes, the other instructors are busy, so we're short-handed. Let's go!"

Chao Xian leaped onto the stage in one jump.

"Wow…."

That was impressive. She covered several dozen meters in one jump.

I jogged to the stage.

"Shit, I wish I had that kind of ability…."

[If you gather enough Enel, you might be able to do it someday.]

"Damn Enel…."

As Chao Xian landed on the stage, the murmurs in the auditorium disappeared.

"Alright! We will now distribute the weapons! Combat Class 1, come up in order when called!"

I barely made it to the stage on time.

"Ah, this is tiring…."

I grumbled to myself and stood next to Chao Xian.

Behind the stage, there were stacks of boxes. They probably contained the weapons to be distributed.

I asked Chao Xian one more question.

"Can't we just let them choose their own weapons?"

"Ha…."

Chao Xian frowned, as if wondering why I was asking such a question.

"Shit… Why are you reacting so strongly to a simple question?"

[Her temper doesn't seem good at all.]

Chao Xian sighed deeply and explained with a troubled expression.

"…In the past, we tried letting them choose their own weapons, but it caused chaos, so we changed the system."

The weapons distributed to the cadets at YSA are all the same.

There are no exceptional weapons, even by chance.

But that's the instructors' perspective.

When they let the cadets choose freely, it led to fights and chaos, so they changed the system.

"Please ask such questions when you have more time. When I call the students, please hand them their weapons."

There was no trace of the girl who was drooling and smiling in her sleep earlier.

I also kept a strong demeanor and replied,

"Yes."

Chao Xian called out to the students,

"Combat Class 1, numbers 1 to 5, come up and receive your weapons, then wait at the back in order!"

"Yes!!"

All the students in the auditorium responded loudly.

A student hurriedly climbed onto the stage.

Chao Xian, looking through the documents she brought, said,

"Combat Class 1… What? What is this…."

Chao Xian looked flustered and started trembling.

"…? What's wrong?"

I looked over her shoulder at the document she was holding.

On the A4 paper, there were large, colorful letters written with various pens.

"Heehee. Next month is my birthday! I need to eat something delicious with Qiangxian (>_<)"