The Heroine Stole My Regression-Chapter 99
"Eeeeing~ Come on, let's go~"
"Why the hell would I go there?"
The café interior was divided into three distinct atmospheres.
As if an invisible line had clearly separated them.
Second-year zone.
First of all, they were simply delighted to be at Maengju’s famed in-house café, busy snapping pictures of desserts, taking commemorative shots, and uploading them on social media.
As second-years, they carried a relaxed air about them.
Even if they didn’t stand out this time, they could always try again as third-years.
Compared to that, the third-year zone.
This side had a far heavier atmosphere.
They sat quietly with coffee cups in front of them, speaking in hushed tones or casting heavy glances toward other students.
And those gazes now turned toward Kang Arin and Jeong Haein.
"Hey... is that for real?"
A student muttered in disbelief.
It was understandable.
Kang Arin.
Her public image was pure coldness itself.
But the Kang Arin they were seeing now was completely different.
She clung tightly next to the student named Jeong Haein, persistently acting cute.
If only a tail were attached, it would be no different from a puppy excitedly running to its owner.
If Jeong Haein even dared to lightly pat her head, she'd probably sparkle with joy.
"...Ha."
Jang Hyunsoo, a third-year student, let out a heavy sigh.
For third-years, this was virtually their last chance to catch Maengju’s attention.
Most outstanding students were already selected as second-years.
The remaining third-years were standing before their final opportunity.
'Kang Arin.'
That’s why he had seen her being selected as a first-year {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} as a new chance.
If he could just get on her good side... his acceptance would be practically guaranteed.
That’s why he had made up his mind.
To somehow impress her.
But.
Kang Arin’s attention was focused entirely elsewhere.
Fully and completely, on Jeong Haein.
And just earlier, Jeong Haein had distinguished himself in the research lab.
That infamously bad-tempered genius researcher.
Even Kang Sujin had personally handed him a business card.
You could say they were even eating in this café now thanks to him.
He had dismissed Jeong Haein for wearing just a simple shirt with no gear or artifacts...
"......."
Jang Hyunsoo narrowed his eyes.
A strange impatience stirred in one corner of his chest.
'I have to redeem myself.'
The last course of this experience.
Unless there was an emergency deployment, it would end with a simulation.
There—he had to somehow make his presence known.
Fortunately, he still had one reliable connection left.
***
Kim Haeun returned.
Her expression was noticeably darker than before.
"You’re back fast?"
Kang Arin asked innocently.
"...Yes."
Kim Haeun puffed up her cheeks and looked away.
Pouting, she stabbed her fork aimlessly in the air.
Somehow, it felt...
'A little sad.'
And so, we continued touring various places in Maengju's building.
The observatory, the lounge area, the equipment storage room, and so on....
Unfortunately, there were no emergency deployments.
Although Kim Haeun kept checking her watch, it remained silent.
No monster incursions, no emergencies.
Peaceful — which was good — but from a student experience standpoint, it was a little disappointing.
Eventually, the final activity was decided: a training simulation.
We headed toward the simulation area set up at the end of the hallway.
"It’s a bit disappointing, but this way is safer!"
Kim Haeun led the way with her usual cheerful voice.
The training simulator installed at Maengju's headquarters.
A hyper-precise system even used by the guild’s top heroes for training.
Using advanced illusion technology and physics engines, it recreated environments almost identical to real combat.
Virtual monsters, virtual battlefields, even virtual opponents.
We quietly entered the simulation area.
Inside, a simulation battle was already underway.
—Shuuuuung.
Through the transparent reinforced glass, we could see the battlefield within the simulator.
Two teams clashed fiercely atop a vast wasteland.
"That’s Maengju’s proud Team 2, Maengho, and Team 6, Serpent~"
Kim Haeun’s eyes sparkled as she explained.
"Maengho made major contributions during the last Apostle subjugation! Since then, they’ve continued to distinguish themselves and are now recognized as Maengju's vanguard force."
Her expression showed a hint of pride.
"It’s almost over, so let’s just wait a little bit!"
I stared beyond the glass.
I spotted familiar faces.
The ones who had fought alongside me during the decisive battle against the Apostle.
Memories of that brutal battle brushed down my spine like a shiver.
Even now, thinking back, it had been terrifying.
"Hey, look! That’s our private tutor over there — Team 6, Serpent."
"Wow, seriously?"
Behind me, someone whispered proudly.
I didn’t bother turning my head.
I could guess easily.
Outstanding heroes sometimes privately tutored high-ranking students.
Under the name of 'private lessons.'
It wasn’t officially forbidden, but it was a bit shameful.
After all, it meant a hero was earning money not through dangerous expeditions or missions, but in cushy surroundings.
Plus, it carried risks of tactical leaks, so among heroes, it was something they kept quiet about.
I smirked slightly and, still gazing at the battlefield, asked Kang Arin next to me,
"You’ll pretend you didn’t hear that?"
"No way."
Kim Haeun, who overheard, let out a long sigh beside us.
Just then, the battle seemed to reach its conclusion.
Most of Team 2 Maengho's members were still standing.
Team 6 Serpent’s members looked utterly battered, like they had been struck by meteors.
In fact, a few meteors had actually fallen on their side.
—Fwoooosh.
The doors opened, and they came out.
Team 6 Serpent emerged first.
Clearly defeated.
Their clothes were torn, and their bodies covered in wounds.
"Good work!"
Kim Haeun greeted them brightly, but Serpent’s members passed by with blank faces.
Then, it happened. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦
One student suddenly rushed forward.
It was Jang Hyunsoo.
"Hyung, you worked hard! Let’s grab a meal sometime!"
He enthusiastically approached a young hero from Serpent.
Clearly trying to force a connection.
The young hero looked awkwardly around.
Then the team leader of Serpent, walking behind, shot him a cold glare.
"What the hell?"
A low, icy voice.
"It’s not like that... he's just someone I know...."
The younger member muttered weakly.
The team leader didn't even bother to scoff.
"Tch."
He clicked his tongue.
The young hero lowered his head in frustration.
Then he glared resentfully at Jang Hyunsoo.
"You... are you an idiot?"
One short sentence.
Jang Hyunsoo's face froze.
Maybe if they had met in a more relaxed setting, it would’ve been different.
But now, the timing couldn’t have been worse. Terribly worse.
Leaving the stunned Jang Hyunsoo behind—
Next came Team 2 Maengho.
And at the front was a massive man radiating overwhelming presence.
Maengho’s team leader, Jeong Taegon.
He slowly walked toward us.
"Who are these kids?"
Jeong Taegon asked, and Kim Haeun quickly bowed her head.
"Ah! Hero Jeong Taegon! These are students participating in today’s experience program...."
The students held their breath and stared wide-eyed.
Seeing one of Maengju’s main heroes up close was awe-inspiring.
Just standing there, he exuded a suffocating pressure.
Jeong Taegon scanned the group—
Then his gaze stopped at me.
"...Oh?"
His eyes widened.
And then—
"Hahahaha! Look who it is!"
—Thud, thud, thud.
He approached and patted my shoulder three times with a hand as big as a pot lid.
Heavy vibrations shook through my body.
Goddamn.
Jeong Taegon stood in front of me with a face like he had found a long-lost comrade from the battlefield.
"Hey, Miss Haeun!"
He turned around and shouted grandly.
"Do you know who this kid is? No need to think twice — just slot him in immediately! I wondered where he went, and here he is!"
Then he turned back to me, smacking my shoulder again, and asked Kim Haeun,
"Is there anything I can help with? Just say the word!"
His booming voice echoed through the room.
The students' eyes all turned toward me.
Murmurs broke out.
Caught off guard for a moment, Kim Haeun quickly brightened and said,
"Then... could you help us with the simulation?"
She looked a little excited.
Jeong Taegon laughed heartily and nodded.
"Of course! I'll handle it personally!"
He marched over to the simulation control console.
Tapping commands roughly on the floating touch panel.
"Don’t go easy. Let’s see if these kids have any guts."
The manager wiped sweat from his forehead and nodded.
The students’ faces gradually stiffened.
"What the hell...? He’s fighting directly?"
"Not against us, right?"
They whispered anxiously.
Just then—
Other Maengho members passed by, patting our shoulders.
"Good luck, kids~"
Some even nodded slightly at me as they passed.
"Everyone! This is a great opportunity!"
Kim Haeun cheered brightly.
"A one-on-one match with a top hero — you’ll never get this chance again—!"
But none of the students were smiling.
