“That’s right. People who have pent-up frustrations for a long time tend to vent it out or break down in front of someone else, like a woman.”

Although the latter words weren’t pleasing, the former ones were helpful. Not only that he has no significant other in his life, but recently, Belze kept attacking him, leaving him with very little free time.

So, unconsciously, his libido must have accumulated quite a bit. Well, that’s one possibility. It’s highly likely that’s the case.

Seo put his thoughts aside and turned on his phone screen. Notifications poured in from the phones of all the people in the gym.

-Ding

[Emergency Disaster Alert]

[<Disaster Safety Department> 04-12 6:30 Villain appeared near Seowon Station in Gangseo District, Meteor City. Seowon Station is temporarily closed and trains bound for Cheolyeong will be delayed. Please stay safe.]

-Ding

[Emergency Call to Action]

[<Hero Disaster Headquarters> Villain sighting within 20km nearby. Emergency Response Level 1. Location: 750m North and 350m East of Seowon Station, Gangseo District, Meteor City. Assistance requested.>]

-Ding

[<Hero Disaster Headquarters> Six subordinates of the organization “Cheonha” and the executive, Belze.]

*

“Why do you keep challenging me, knowing you’ll lose every time?”

“Today was supposed to be my victory!”

Belze screamed in anger. She was pinned down on the rooftop of a 10-story office building near Seowon Station, facing a dire situation.

After disrupting the train schedule during rush hour by attacking Seowon Station, the notorious criminal, Belze, was subdued by Seo in precisely 12 minutes after his arrival. Three round drones were completely shattered, and the racing car-like device Belze was riding emitted black smoke in a corner of the rooftop.

The intense battle ended with a decisive 7-1 victory for Seo, once again leading to Belze’s defeat. Seo lightly jumped off the rooftop railing and looked down at Belze, whose arm was covered in black bruises.

“Only five days, huh?”

With a facade of closeness, Seo pretended not to notice Belje’s deliberate act of weakness.

“Did you miss me? Should I have come earlier? Sorry, I’ve been a bit busy. I can’t just focus on you alone, you know….I cared a little, but you seem to be doing just fine.”

“Is this how someone who cares acts? Is this what a caring person does? What kind of person lives like this…”

“Who have you been dealing with all this time, other than me? Were you able to walk fine?”

“Hey, are you ignoring me? If you’re so great, so what… You didn’t even say goodbye properly. You were quick to run around then left!”

“Well, seeing as how your mouth is still intact, I guess I shouldn’t worry. I’m going to deal with the rest of the guys now.”

Belze didn’t look so bad at all. Instead of looking defeated or trying to avoid him, she seemed as lively and flustered as usual, despite what happened.

Seo glanced at her, not sure what he was expecting, then brushed past her. As he turned to go down through the rooftop door, Belze came running with her broken shoes and blocked the doorway.

“You can’t go.”

Belze spread her arms and blocked the door. Seo looked at her with a mix of pity and annoyance, narrowing his eyes.

“Move aside. You’re not dumb enough to challenge me without a weapon.”

“Still, you can’t go! I won’t let you! If I fail again, I’ll be demoted!”

The outcome of confronting Seo unarmed was obvious from the start. If they decided to fight, it would be over in 5 seconds.

However, if Belze suffered further losses in this operation, she would be in a dire position, facing a downfall.

Seo had already inflicted several damages on her and her operation had cost a significant amount of money. The intel she was supposed to gather from the beautiful women had yielded no results, and to make matters worse, their hideout had been destroyed.

Amidst the significant financial losses due to their defeat, if Belze were to lose her subordinates as well, it would be a devastating blow.

At the very least, it meant being reprimanded and facing demotions, or at worst, severe punishment. She had to throw herself into stopping it. Having already delayed him for 10 seconds, she decided it was worth risking her safety to challenge the situation.

“Do you know what’s at stake?”

Of course, Seo, the hero, wasn’t aware of the intricacies of villain’s honor and job being on the line. However, Belze thought otherwise.

“I need you to know! It’s because of you that I failed! You can cut me some slack!”

“I can’t cut you any slack.”

“How could you, after what you did to me! After using me like that, you could at least cut me some slack! Humans have a conscience, don’t they? You enjoyed it!”

“Wow, you’re really making things up now. Did I f*ck you because I liked it?”

“Whatever the reason, you enjoyed it!”

With a deeply aggrieved expression, Belze began to fabricate her claims. Though she had never received a clear answer about whether it was good or not, given the situation, she had to insist on it. Perhaps if she insisted enough, Seo, as the hero, might show some understanding and use his rationality.

“….”

“Why can’t you answer? Ah, I see. You can’t deny it, right? You enjoyed it but don’t want to admit it.”

“…Did you enjoy it?”

Seo, who seemed ready to confront her at any moment, turned out to be surprisingly calm. Unsure of where to place his hands, he awkwardly gestured, hovering them in the air as he asked tentatively.

Despite her demeanor, the question made Belze’s hair stand on end.

“Uh no? Why would I enjoy that? There’s no way I could have possibly enjoyed it. No way. No way! Absolutely not.”

“I see. But why are you overreacting so much?”

“Because you’re asking such a ridiculous question! Answer me. Did you enjoy it?”

“Why would I enjoy that? Of course not.”

Seo threw Belze’s words right back at her, mimicking her tone mockingly. It seemed sly the way she tried to bait him with her words. Her attempt to gauge his true feelings was met with an unimpressed response and she didn’t appreciate the way he was trying to make it difficult for her with his cold and distant expression.

Belze pursed her lips and raised her eyes defiantly. She appeared more sulky than angry, which, once again, didn’t budge Seo in the slightest.

He looked down at Belze with the same pitiful gaze as always.

“Why? Are you dissatisfied?”

“No.”

“You expected me to have enjoyed it?”

“No way!”

From a rational standpoint, there was absolutely nothing to gain from him admitting that he enjoyed having s*x with Belze. On the contrary, he should have found it distasteful.

As he was trying to push away those vile thoughts, Seo reached out and placed his hand on the metal door behind Belze. Suddenly, the distance between them shrank significantly.

He leaned in closer and whispered softly.

“Actually, I did enjoy it.”

“…!”

“Because you couldn’t do a thing under me.”

As her whole body tensed up, Seo’s face came into view. She was taken aback by the whispered words, feeling confused at first, but when she looked into his face, her emotions welled up. She couldn’t determine if that statement was genuine or not.

Just like Belze, who concealed her true feelings behind several layers and twisted words, Seo was likely doing the same. Since there was no genuine trust or sincerity between them, they could only interpret each other’s words and expressions to some extent.

But what did it mean when he said he could do more? Were they sincere words thrown out carelessly due to exhaustion, or were they thoughtless and spiteful words thrown out without much meaning?

While pondering on this, Seo removed his hand from the door and turned to leave. Belze realized that he might be planning to jump straight off the rooftop.

“Don’t go!”

Without hesitation, Belze pulled Seo’s waist into an embrace. Despite the slightly awkward posture with her knees half-bent due to loose shoes that made her slip, it made it easier for her to hold onto him.

“… Let go.”

“No, I can’t let go. If anything happens to my kids, I’ll really… I can’t bear the thought! I’ll hold him back, so everyone, get out of here quickly!”

< That’s ridiculous! How can you stop him alone, Belze?!>

Despite their desperate appeal which might only buy them a minute seemed futile, Seo, who could easily push Belze away with just two fingers, had not yet pushed her aside.

“I’m willing to risk my life, so hurry up and get out of here!”

< Pull yourself together, Belze! We’ll buy you some time…>

“I’ll win, so get out of here!”

She wanted to throw the earpiece away, but since she was holding onto Seo’s waist with both hands, it was difficult to do so.

However, the problem was quickly resolved when Seo effortlessly flicked away the earpiece with his index and thumb.

“A touching camaraderie, it seems you have someone you care about, huh?”

“Yeah. It’s my secretary-like subordinate. She had been dating a guy for five years who aspired to become a hero, and he eventually joined the hero support team…”

“Who cares about the ones you care about?”

Though he pretended to be annoyed after speaking, Belze was the one who felt bad. She still held onto Seo’s waist and slumped down.

“Oh, come on. Just look away this once! I’ll keep what you’ve done a secret!”

“At least you’re using a persuasive tone now.”

“Of course! The public may tolerate violence, but they won’t allow extortion. If this gets out, do you think your reputation and image will remain intact? This is a serious blow to your hero qualification!”

Seo, who had been pulling Belze along with him while she’s holding his waist, stopped after taking about three steps.

“First, who would believe what you say? They would probably think it’s just an attempt to frame me.”

He bent down and gently grabbed a strand of Belze’s hair. letting the pinkish strands flow between his fingers, revealing her ear and side of her face.

“Second, even if there’s evidence of an affair, I can simply say that you took advantage of me through dishonest means.”