Without hesitation, she consumed the <Absorption Technique Thread>.
Checking the State Window, she saw that an additional function had been added to <Let Me See Your Back>.
Though feeling a little uneasy at becoming not a vampire but an absorption demon, she resolved to use this ability only to eliminate Villains.
Then, <Ultra-Strong Barrier>. She wondered how to use it, but as soon as she unwrapped it, a bright light shone between her thighs, and the box in her hand vanished.
Almost immediately, a message popped up.
<Ultra-Strong Barrier> is now activated. If you wish to deactivate it, please purchase the <Barrier Release> item, which will be stocked later at the Secret Exchange.
“Wow, now the truly greedy back operation begins.”
No more worries about pregnancy, she could freely steal abilities from other Ability Users.
Ever since she found out she could learn others’ skills, she sometimes wondered how great it would be to actually steal Villains’ skills.
Learning skills was good, but that alone wasn’t enough to take down Villains far stronger than her.
Yet, that wish was finally fulfilled today—it felt like a dream.
The system probably waited for Iris to adapt. Considering it only gave her these items after she adjusted as a Hero in body and mind.
If she’d received these skills right after awakening, she might have run away screaming, “Save me!”
That would have been the old civilian Iris.
“Villains, just wait. I’ll cook you properly.”
With a broad smile, Iris prepared to go out and stood in front of the dining table, checking her phone’s message inbox.
There were traces of conversations with several people, including one granting Teresa’s permission for Iris to move into her house.
“I’m fine with it. If Iris lives with me, it won’t feel lonely, and it’ll be reassuring in many ways. Come whenever you want.”
“Thank you. I’ll contact you again after I clear out my old place!”
As expected, Teresa tried not to accept any rent, but Iris firmly refused, saying it would be a burden.
Moving into Teresa’s house meant she could train more frequently in the Detached House.
With two Heroes together, there was less worry about Villains causing trouble.
Since many Villains were expected to become enemies, a poorly secured Oneroom was too risky.
After receiving Teresa’s approval, Iris put her old home up for rent at the Real Estate Agency.
She even busily packed her things, planning to move as soon as a new tenant was found.
“When Teresa and I exchanged messages, I never dreamed I’d become an absorption demon… No, I shouldn’t call it that. It’s for justice, but it feels like becoming a devil, and that’s a little unsettling.”
This was truly for justice. Though the Skill of the Back looked grotesque as if possessed by an evil spirit, the Hero’s State Window had appeared, leaving no doubt.
With a resolute expression and shining eyes, Iris scrolled through her messages.
There were occasional messages from Laika as well.
“Iris, what are you doing?”
Or messages like,
“Iris, is there anything you want to eat? Something you want to see? I can take you anywhere if you just say the word.”
The content varied, but the underlying meaning was similar. He wanted to meet again.
No matter how she roughly replied, two or three messages came flying in every day.
Seeing how frequently he messaged, it seemed he enjoyed being with her.
Every time Laika’s messages arrived, Iris was caught in complicated emotions.
She liked that he wanted to be with her again, but on the other hand, she felt bitter about betraying him.
Before being Hero or Villain, they were both human; such feelings were natural.
She was inevitably going to betray him soon, so getting attached was dangerous.
Avoiding Laika’s persistent messages, she arranged to meet him one last time next week.
Laika complained, asking if they couldn’t meet sooner, but it was impossible.
The Fake Ring was scheduled to be completed only next week.
“Meeting before then… sigh. It really weighs on my conscience. At least it seems he’s not completely head over heels for me. If he were, betraying him would hurt deeply, no matter he’s a Villain.”
Was this the burden a Hero bore to protect world peace?
Thinking about how Laika would tremble with betrayal after losing the Ring made her gloomy.
Even now, with the Absorption Technique, she didn’t plan to steal Laika’s skills or levels unless absolutely necessary.
If she took everything after stealing the Ring, how much would he hate her when he found out?
He was her first partner; she wanted to leave at least the faintest trace of goodwill.
“Hmm, maybe I’ll steal just once or twice? Since even when stealing inside, it’s not all or nothing—only a certain level or one skill can be taken. One or two times won’t hurt… Besides, he won’t see the State Window, so he won’t even know what was stolen. I’m such a failed Hero. I have to back off.”
Rubbing the sharp sting in her chest with her hand, Iris stopped scrolling through the messages.
Johannes’s profile had changed.
Last time, it had been a bleak, droopy sunflower photo, but the new profile showed a bright sky.
There was no State Message.
Tilting her head in curiosity, Iris then realized something and softly opened her mouth.
“Oh! That’s from the other day! The photo he took while out on a walk. He muttered how clear the sky was and took a picture with his phone. He has surprisingly delicate sides.”
Since the day they promised to jog together occasionally, Johannes hadn’t sent messages but never missed a morning call.
The problem was Iris often couldn’t wake up because she was exhausted from missions and training.
Only yesterday morning did she finally wake up to his call and go jogging.
She was surprised by how diligent he was.
To call every morning without fail at the crack of dawn meant he got up every day to jog.
It was the exact opposite of the stereotype she had about him.
“I thought he was a homebody who stayed locked inside, but seeing him exercise so faithfully is unexpected. Well, come to think of it, he does have a great body. That doesn’t just happen by itself.”
During the security mission for the event hosted by the Enraka Church, their bodies had unintentionally touched several times.
She was surprised by how solid his arm was when they linked arms.
She’d thought then that he must exercise regularly…
Remembering that day made Iris’s cheeks flush.
Come to think of it, she had buried her face in Johannes’s chest that day.
It was to save him from the Enraka Sect Leader’s Son’s skill, but recalling it now was embarrassingly vivid.
“Hmm, better to leave that incident unspoken between us. Seems like Johannes isn’t planning to bring it up either.”
Maybe, like her, Johannes had forgotten about it and decided to quietly let it go despite the awkwardness.
Thinking that, the heat in her cheeks began to subside.
Shaking her head, Iris packed her bag.
It was time for Grandmother to arrive at the house.
At that moment, a loud honking pierced through.
Opening the window, she saw Grandmother waving from a stylish motorcycle.
Dressed in black leather with a high bar hat, she looked spry—one of the most vigorous elders in Gyodam City.
“Iris!”
“Grandmother! I’m heading out now.”
Iris called out loudly, and Grandmother hurriedly waved both hands as she dismounted.
She opened the back of the motorcycle and unloaded bundles filled with her hands.
“No, wait. I brought something… hold on!”
“Yes!”
Shortly after entering Iris’s house, Grandmother spread the bundles across the dining table.
There were all kinds of side dishes, fruits, and vegetables—nothing was missing.
Iris stared at the table, tongue-tied.
“What’s all this?”
“These are side dishes I brought for my granddaughter. Oh dear, what kind of refrigerator do you have? Not even eating properly?”
“Ah, no. I’m trying my best to eat well…”
Opening the fridge door, Grandmother scolded affectionately at the empty interior.
True to a young adult’s first apartment, the fridge contained leftover delivery food and a few shriveled ingredients scattered sparsely.
Feeling awkward, Iris scratched the back of her neck and helped Grandmother organize the fridge.
Pulling out the delivery food’s styrofoam box, which reeked of a sour smell, Iris held her nose and tossed it into the trash.
“I-I’ll throw this away.”
“Oh dear, yes. Smells awful. All of this must go. While I’m here, I should do some shopping too. Young people can’t live on this stuff alone… you’ve wasted away before my eyes. It’s heartbreaking.”