Chapter 61: The hero streamer wants to collect heroes

In the dreamy atmosphere of an academy building steeped in old memories, Ajin stood dazed.

As she questioned why she was there, she realized she was in a lucid dream.

Tock, tock.

The familiar corridors and classrooms surrounded her, and she felt the gaze of others.

‘This wasn’t like me,’ she thought.

Of course, anyone summoned to another world might start off timid.

But after awakening her superpowers, being chosen as a hero, and putting in relentless effort, she adapted to this world and prepared for the day she could return to Earth.

She entered the Hero Academy, poured her heart into her training, and eventually gained fame as a record-breaking genius hero, even earning the title of the academy idol.

‘Truly, I was bold and confident,’ Ajin proudly reflected.

Her title as a hero, her unmatched skills, and her charismatic personality drew many allies to her side.

In the end, as time passed and the moment came, she joined forces with her friends to defeat the Demon King.

That was the grand finale of her life’s upward trajectory—her greatest peak.

The academy held nothing but good memories, and a small smile played on her lips.

But…

“Ah, of all places, it had to be here.”

Her surroundings shifted from the academy to a desolate wasteland scarred by the aftermath of battle.

Her comrades lay collapsed in exhaustion, and her final strike pierced the Demon King’s heart.

As the Demon King slowly disintegrated, he cursed her with a last, desperate act.

It was a pitiful curse, one she would’ve laughed off in the past.

But now, it had become the root of her misery.

Everything moved quickly after that.

Before her friends could help her, she was forcibly summoned by the goddess.

She wasn’t given time to recover, let alone say proper goodbyes.

And so, Ajin had to leave everything behind and return to Earth.

All that remained were her hero’s powers, which were nearly useless under Earth’s laws, and a curse that weighed heavily on her mind.

Although she was fortunate to reunite with her family, reintegrating into society proved to be a long and arduous dream.

She dedicated herself to freelance video editing, a skill she had learned earlier, but even that was reaching its limit.

It was then, at her breaking point, that she saw Sehee from afar, smiling warmly at her.

Her elder sister, who had listened seriously to her “ridiculous” story, held her hand, and never flinched at her powers.

‘A shining light, so radiant and comforting,’ Ajin thought, tears threatening to spill.

“Ugh!”

She swallowed her emotions and took step after step forward.

When Ajin finally reached that light and opened her eyes…

***

“Finally awake?”

The person in front of her wasn’t who she had expected.

With brown hair brushing her shoulders, a sulky expression, and furrowed brows that seemed perpetually annoyed, the woman looked nothing like her sister Sehee.

‘Comparing them would be an insult to Sehee,’ Ajin thought.

In front of her was an unremarkable, amateur streamer…

“…Dumbhead.”

Ajin recognized the figure of Park Dayoung.

“You’re one to talk.”

Neither of them was in a good mood.

Taking in the unfamiliar surroundings, Ajin realized she was in Sehee’s house.

‘So, last night wasn’t a dream.’

Rubbing her eyes, she stepped out of the room.

From the kitchen wafted a comforting aroma.

“You’re up. How’s your hangover?”

Peeking cautiously into the kitchen, Sehee noticed her immediately, as if she had eyes in the back of her head.

“I-I’m fine.”

Sehee turned with a gentle smile.

‘She always has a smile that puts people at ease,’ Ajin thought.

‘She really is living proof that beauty can soothe the soul.’

Seeing Ajin lost in thought, Sehee spoke softly.

“That’s good to hear. You drank so much last night.”

“Uh, the drinks here are just too good… Is that porridge you’re making?”

“Yeah, I ordered it, but I’m reheating it.”

‘She’s cooking for me first thing in the morning…’

Watching her sister’s careful preparations filled Ajin with warmth.

‘Ah, I’m so happy.’

Maybe it was because she had already crossed so many boundaries with Sehee, revealing her identity as a hero.

Ajin was convinced there were no walls left between them.

But the sight of her sister cooking porridge for her was overwhelming.

‘She’s making me porridge! My sister!’

‘Heugh…’

Lost in bliss, Ajin was jolted back to reality by an irritated voice from behind.

“Hey, stop acting like a blushing bride and bothering her. Go wash up already.”

“What are you talking about?”

“If a pigeon poops on you, the rule is three showers a day. Idiot.”

“I already showered three times yesterday, you noob!”

Unable to hold back, Ajin rushed to the bathroom. But as she passed, something strange caught her eye.

On a stand, a smartphone rested as a frog with wings furiously tapped at the screen.

‘What on earth is that doing here?’ she wondered, staring at the odd creature.

The frog, sensing her gaze, lifted its head and smiled mischievously, its strange eyes curving as it waved.

“Nice to meet you, Ajin. I’m Pepe.”

“What? Oh, uh… Hi.”

That feeling… Ajin had felt it before.

The awkwardness that comes from pretending to know someone at school, despite not being close, filled the air.

Hesitantly stepping into the bathroom and closing the door, Ajin tilted her head in confusion.

‘What was that?’

***

The porridge tasted quite good—perhaps because it had been ordered from an expensive menu and reheated.

As she took another bite, Pepe—who was devouring porridge from a bowl as large as half her body—lifted his head and spoke.

“Bitch Sehee! When are you going to make me a moderator?”

“Oh, I forgot.”

“You sly, deceitful human! How dare you trick me?!”

Pepe’s outburst wasn’t entirely unjustified, and Sehee scratched her cheek awkwardly.

When Pepe had previously offered to be a chat moderator, Sehee had agreed, thinking it would help manage the chatroom.

But things were running smoothly on their own, and the matter had slipped her mind.

From Pepe’s perspective, she was now a forgotten promise.

“There’s no need for you to moderate my streams right now. How about trying it out on Dayoung’s stream first?”

“I don’t need Pepe’s help, either,” Dayoung replied, shrugging.

“You two useless relics! How dare you gang up on me like this!”

While the conversation grew louder and more chaotic, Ajin, who had been quietly eating her porridge, hesitantly raised her hand.

“Um…”

She pointed at Pepe.

“Who—or what—is that?”

“I’m Pepe, A-jin! You’re a hero too, right?”

“Hey! Didn’t I tell you to stop calling me ‘gay’ like that?” Dayoung interjected sharply.

Pepe jumped in protest.

“Hey, you crazy Dayoung-gay! I’ve had it with you. Did I ask for much? All I wanted was to call everyone ‘gay.’ Is ‘gay’ embarrassing to you?!”

“Of course, it’s embarrassing! Do you want to humiliate me in front of my sister?!”

Watching the two bicker, Sehee shrugged her shoulders.

‘Well, Dayoung is one thing, but Pepe is bound to raise eyebrows with anyone,’ she thought.

After all, who would expect to see a frog with wings walking upright and eating beef-and-shrimp porridge with a spoon? It was a scene straight out of a fantasy novel.

“Let me explain. This is Pepe, Dayoung’s hero partner.”

“Huh? Bitch Sehee! Didn’t I explain already?”

“Not yet.”

Sehee had intended to share everything after hearing Ajin’s story, but Ajin had passed out before that could happen.

Now, Ajin was left wide-eyed and bewildered, unable to process the situation.

‘It might be better to show rather than explain,’ Sehee thought.

Putting down her spoon, she focused.

Fwoosh!

A brilliant light filled the dining table, and when it faded, Sehee stood adorned in her hero’s gear.

“Agh! My eyes! What kind of table manners is this?!” Pepe complained, covering his eyes.

Ignoring Pepe’s grumbling, Sehee turned to Ajin, who was staring at her in shock.

“Let me introduce myself properly.”

She flicked her hair back with a confident smile.

“I’m a former hero who saved another world and now works as a streamer. Dayoung over there is the same.”

“What?!”

“You’re not the only hero, Ajin. We’re all heroes.”

Ajin gawked, stunned, as Sehee delivered the final blow.

“Welcome to the hero party.”

***

Over breakfast, Sehee explained everything—how she was summoned to another world, became a hero, and eventually returned to Earth.

She also detailed meeting Dayoung through gaming and how their partnership began.

Ajin listened in a daze.

“I try to help heroes in trouble whenever I can. Right now, that’s just Dayoung.”

“Then… is that why you chose me?” Ajin asked hesitantly.

“I picked you as an editor because of your skills. I only learned you were a hero after we first met. But…”

Sehee smiled warmly at Ajin, whose eyes were filled with hope.

“I wanted to help you, so I reached out even more.”

Having poured her heart out the night before, Sehee felt no hesitation in offering comfort.

Tears welled in Ajin’s eyes.

“Meeting you really was fate.”

“Tch,” Dayoung clicked her tongue in mild irritation.

“Haha! An unexpected tearjerker! Cry me a river!” Pepe teased, munching on snacks with enthusiasm.

Feeling the atmosphere settle, Sehee decided it was time to bring up her main point.

After setting the table with tea and snacks, the four of them—including Pepe—gathered.

Sehee looked at them seriously.

“Dayoung showing up was sudden, but it worked out. There’s something I need to discuss with all of you.”

“What’s so important that I have to hear it too?” Dayoung asked, tilting her head.

“It’s more of a confession—and a request.”

“If it’s a favor from you, I’ll do anything,” Ajin said with determination.

Taking a deep breath, Sehee prepared herself.

This could be a turning point, and she needed courage.

“I…”

She decided to be direct.

“I want to collect all of you heroes.”