Hero’s Child C5

Chapter 5

 

“Was it a gift?”

 

“…No, I just bought it at an auction.”

 

“Instead of using uncertified supporter gear like this, you should use something from our company. I’ll give you one later as a gift.”

 

“No, that’s alright. It works fine, so there’s no need to replace it.”

 

As soon as Uichan’s hand withdrew, Noah placed his back on the armrest again. Searching for any way to escape, Uichan quickly realized he was cornered. The door was firmly shut now — even if he ran and tried to open it, it didn’t look like it would budge.

 

His walkie-talkie, left on standby, was still silent, which meant nothing unusual had happened in the ballroom.

 

They must still be doing the opening address. If so, the security staff were probably all standing neatly at the edges, clapping with everyone else. Maybe leaving for a few minutes wouldn’t get him in trouble.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“……”

 

Ha Uichan was an unlucky man — nothing ever went as planned. He’d thought he’d been doing a good job avoiding heroes all these years, yet somehow, when fate finally caught up with him, it had to be one of the Three Great Heroes.

 

“Can’t we at least exchange names? It feels like fate, meeting like this.”

 

“…Ha Uichan, sir.”

 

He didn’t dare make up a fake name — that could lead to even more trouble. Noah mouthed the name silently a few times, then finally released his grip on the sofa. Uichan thought he might actually be free to go — until Noah’s hand reached toward his earpiece instead.

 

“It suits you. Gives off a neat and mature impression.”

 

The next thing Uichan knew, Noah’s hand slid behind his waist and yanked the walkie-talkie cord free. Before he could even protest, the faint crackle of interference buzzed in his ear.

 

“Keep that off for a bit. It records everything — someone might overhear us.”

 

“Wait, be careful with that! If it breaks, you’ll have to pay for it yourself, Noah.”

 

Sure, he could replace the walkie-talkie if it broke — but if Uichan failed to respond to a call, he’d be the one reprimanded. Worse, if he didn’t return in time after the opening ceremony, he might be labeled negligent and lose his day’s pay.

 

“Work? Oh, don’t worry about that. I’ll speak with your team leader myself. Since you’re with me right now, it’s not neglecting duty, is it?”

 

The man smiled up at him, warm and radiant, his expression like sunshine itself. People often compared Noah’s soft brown hair to that of a golden retriever — loyal, bright, and golden in every sense. They said if he were a dog, he’d probably run down the beach with a ball in his mouth, tail wagging.

 

But to Uichan, if he had to compare him to a breed, Noah was more like a Sapsali — gentle-looking, yes, but fierce once provoked. In battle, he transformed completely. His light green eyes would sharpen to a ghost-slaying chill, their glow enough to paralyze anyone in his sight.

 

Just then, a faint beeping sound interrupted. Noah looked down at his belt — his own walkie-talkie was going off.

 

“Noah, that sounds like a call from the hall.”

 

“It’s fine. They’re just telling me to attend the opening address.”

 

…Wouldn’t that be all the more reason for you to go? Uichan thought bitterly. But Noah simply pulled the plug from the device and turned the channel dial to a different frequency altogether. A moment ago, he’d seemed like an enlightened, perfectly composed hero — now he looked more like a mischievous troublemaker, one step away from being a villain himself.

 

Ten more minutes, Uichan told himself. I’ll wait exactly ten, then I’m leaving — no hesitation.

 

But before he could reach five, Noah’s solid chest brushed against his knees. Even that small movement made Uichan instinctively lean back.

 

“Ah, sorry. I just wanted to take a closer look.”

 

Startled, Uichan’s eyes widened. His deep blue eyes were calm and still, beautiful in a way that made people stop and look twice. His expression rarely changed — serene, emotionless — yet his sharp, slightly upturned eyes gave him an air of innocence, almost naive charm when he blinked.

 

He was still a man, broad-shouldered and toned — but for some reason, Noah couldn’t stop staring. Something about him was familiar. His intuition, usually sharp, kept whispering that he knew this person.

 

But he’d never seen anyone quite like this before. So beautiful, yet oddly clumsy, as if his soul hadn’t caught up to his body. Someone like that reminded him of… no, the gap was too large.

 

Noah forced an awkward smile, biting back a laugh. Uichan had no idea how much confusion was flickering in his green eyes. Each flutter of those dark lashes felt like ripples on still water.

 

“Why… why are you looking at me like that?”

 

“I was just wondering if you’re sick. Do you have a cold?”

 

Uichan shook his head awkwardly. It wasn’t a cold — just fatigue from lack of sleep. But trying to explain that now would only prolong things.

 

Noah’s lips parted as if to say something, but instead, he reached behind his back pocket and pulled out a black card key. Raising it toward the ceiling, he gestured for Uichan to look.

 

“I’ve got a room upstairs. Go get some rest before you collapse. Working while sick isn’t worth it. Don’t worry about anything.”

 

Uichan froze. No way. If he went up there, there was no telling what might happen. There could be heroes stationed to catch him — traps laid by those who suspected his identity. He shook his head firmly, declining.

 

Noah grinned, biting the card between his teeth and reaching his arms out again. “Ugh, guess I’ll just have to carry you there myself, huh?”

 

“Noah, why do you always solve things with brute force—”

 

“Ah, well, I am about as strong as an Amur tiger, you know. Comes with the job. Haha.”

 

But before he could stand—

 

Knock, knock.

 

A firm knock came from the door. Noah’s brow twitched subtly.

 

“Noah, your wife is asking for you. You should come.”

 

That voice — it was Cha Dohwan, Noah’s sidekick. Noah’s large frame froze, unusually hesitant. After a moment’s pause, he lifted his gaze.

 

“Ah… haah.”

 

He looked up at the ceiling, then sighed deeply, shoulders slumping.

 

“…I’ll just attend the opening speech and come right back. Don’t go anywhere, okay? My lady seems to be in one of those moods today.”

 

Before leaving, Noah gently took the glasses from Uichan’s hands and placed them on his face himself. As if afraid he might change his mind, Uichan quickly adjusted them. Seeing how meek he looked with glasses on, Noah chuckled softly.

 

He slipped the hotel card key into the breast pocket of Uichan’s jacket.

 

“Keep this. If you really don’t feel well, go up and rest.”

 

Once he left, there would be no reason for Uichan to stay either. As soon as Noah was gone, he’d leave without looking back.

 

Watching Noah’s retreating figure at the door, Uichan’s eyes briefly met those of Cha Dohwan outside. The sidekick simply bowed politely and said nothing.

 

Once Noah was gone, Uichan wasted no time. He reconnected his walkie-talkie, exited the lounge, and returned to his post, pretending nothing had happened.

 

By then, the ballroom was alive with noise and applause. Beneath the glittering chandeliers, heroes, politicians, and tycoons mingled with champagne flutes in hand, celebrating the grand opening of the charity gala. Among them, one man shone brighter than all.

 

Min Noah.

 

It was said that nearly all of the world’s hero suits came from Verta Corporation. Its founders — Chairman Kang Harin and Executive Director Min Nohun — had once been Korea’s most legendary hero duo, known together as Cell Beta.

 

After retiring in their forties, they’d entered the private military industry and, after years of relentless effort, developed the world’s first hero-grade nanosuit — a defense asset that revolutionized both the military and hero sectors. From suits and weapons to defense systems, their company had grown into an empire.

 

Now ranked ninth globally among conglomerates, Verta exported enhanced ability suits worldwide.

 

And Min Noah — the very man now standing under the spotlight — was their only heir. Born to two heroes past their prime, it was no wonder they cherished him deeply. But perhaps because they had been heroes themselves, they never tried to stop him. Instead, they took pride in his career.

 

“Again with this…”

 

Rubbing his temple, Uichan sighed quietly. His body felt heavy, his lower abdomen tingling — perhaps a sign of fatigue, or something worse. Slipping quietly away from the crowd, he headed toward the emergency exit.

 

That was when he caught something out of the corner of his eye — two large men passing by near the entrance, subtly exchanging something. It happened in a blink, unnoticed by anyone else.

 

They vanished quickly, but Uichan moved toward where they’d stood. On the carpet, faint white powder was scattered in small clusters. Dipping a fingertip into it, he brought it to his nose. A sharp, musky scent filled the air.

 

He remembered hearing rumors — that a musk-laced narcotic had been spreading through Itaewon recently, one mixed heavily with sexual stimulants.

 

Lifting his gaze, Uichan traced the direction the men had gone — toward the west gate.

 

“The west gate…”

 

That area was filled with VIPs — politicians, business moguls, and civilians, not heroes. Most of the security detail had been assigned there. The two men he saw had also been wearing guard uniforms. Something didn’t feel right.

 

The charity gala had been publicized worldwide for over a month — and events like this always drew villains out like moths to flame.

 

Among the most active in recent times were the escaped convict Seok Myeongcheol, and the rising villain group Maphiroa.

 

And of those two — the one Uichan had business with was Seok Myeongcheol.

 

 

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