Bo Ji-gong, a national hero of Vietnam and the 7th-ranked S-class Awakener, had thought his hardships were over after subduing the villainous 0-rank necromancer…

[Captain, we’ve received an order from the U.S. S-class gate. They want you there immediately.]

[Everyone, let’s go make some money!]

His life, it seemed, hadn’t changed.

Restoring Vietnam required a great deal of money. Though the Vietnamese people contributed little by little, outside donations trickled in, and the Temple of the Divine also provided substantial funds, Bo Ji-gong’s duty to bring in foreign revenue remained constant. Whenever an S-class gate appeared in another country, he’d rush over to handle it.

So, even though Bo Ji-gong wasn’t exactly thrilled about these foreign expeditions, today, his mood was rather upbeat.

[Captain, you’re in a good mood today.]

[I’ll be going with Yu-jin.]

[Yu-jin?!]

There were two reasons for his good mood.

First, his good friend Yu-jin, who was revered as a hero alongside Bo Ji-gong in Vietnam, would be accompanying him.

[Is that safe? We’re happy, but it might be dangerous for him…]

[Ninomiya’s coming too.]

[In that case, even a newborn would be safe!]

The second reason was Ninomiya Aika’s presence. This news filled Bo Ji-gong and the other Vietnamese Awakeners with cheer.

What had been a deadly S-class gate raid now felt like a picnic.

“Hey, Yu-jin. Long time….”

—Cheers erupted.

“Ahhh! It’s Yu-jin!!!”

“How do you say ‘get his autograph’ in Korean?”

“Use the translator, quick!”

Their excitement remained high, even upon arriving in Korea. They were thrilled just to see Yu-jin at the airport, not exactly the typical mood before heading into a gate raid.

But Bo Ji-gong didn’t criticize. He just chuckled. They’d been through a lot, so he decided to let it slide.

“Hey, what’s up with your crew? What’re they yelling about?”

“Well…”

—Whisper whisper.

“So, I’m basically a pop star in Vietnam?”

“That’s right. It just happened that way. Give our people a few autographs on the way.”

“I don’t mind, but… I didn’t do anything that impressive.”

Yu-jin, on the other hand, felt a bit overwhelmed.

Feeling like he’d stolen the spotlight from his friend, Yu-jin spent the entire flight signing autographs and entertaining fans. As a result, the Liberation Army divided into two camps: half supporting Bo Ji-gong, half supporting Yu-jin. But Bo Ji-gong wasn’t concerned about that.

‘What I need to focus on is… Ninomiya.’

What he was actually concerned about was Ninomiya Aika, the woman Yu-jin loved.

Bo Ji-gong’s eyes narrowed as he cast a suspicious glance at her.

[Ninomiya. I need to ask you something.]

[Can it wait? I need to catch some sleep to adjust to the time zone…]

[Have you done anything with Yu-jin since then?]

‘If she followed my advice, nothing should’ve happened… but would this gorilla really have listened to me?’

About a month ago, Aika had made Yu-jin cough up blood. Bo Ji-gong and Seol Ha-yeon had worked to prevent any further incidents.

But did they succeed?

Could it be that Ninomiya had already made a move on Yu-jin?

These suspicions filled Bo Ji-gong’s mind.

[…Nope.]

—Glance.

Her violet eyes, which had been glaring at Bo Ji-gong, shifted to the window.

Anything happened? Sure, she’d pretended to wear nothing but an apron, teased him with a glimpse of a slingshot bikini underneath, and told him that if he confessed, he’d see even more.

After that, she’d “accidentally” spilled water on her clothes, stripped right in front of him, offered “help” in training sessions that involved a lot of touching, and pretended to fall asleep in her underwear or act tipsy and unable to move…

Yes, she’d been very busy indeed.

[Nothing happened.]

‘The kid didn’t make a single move, so technically, nothing did happen.’

Aika brushed off her guilty conscience.

Nothing happened—technically.

[Are you serious? You wore decent clothes, acted modestly, and all that?]

[Y-Yes, of course.]

[I’ll ask Yu-jin later.]

[Well… there might’ve been a small issue with the clothes?]

[…]

‘Of course. She probably wore nothing but the skimpiest outfits.’

Bo Ji-gong let out a deep sigh, seeing right through her lie.

Still, he couldn’t call her out. Even if she was a pervert, she was the top S-rank. He valued his life too much to accuse her of walking around in indecent outfits.

Besides, it wasn’t entirely a bad thing for Yu-jin. He did like this gorilla, after all. So, Bo Ji-gong decided not to push the issue.

[But aside from clothes, have things progressed between you two?]

[Huh?]

[Yu-jin loves you. Has he done anything about it? Held your hand, invited you out somewhere?]

Instead, he asked about the relationship’s progress.

They were two people living under the same roof who loved each other. Surely, even if they hadn’t gone all the way, they’d at least become closer.

—Frown.

[…]

Aika’s face filled with despair.

She’d hinted that she’d welcome a confession, worn clothes designed to catch his eye, made physical contact… but her student hadn’t shown any interest.

Could it be her age?

At thirty-two, was she…?

Her expression reflected this sudden self-doubt.

‘She looks like a hen past her prime.’

[No need to answer. I get it.]

[Yeah… my student won’t confess to me. I think it’s my age.]

[That’s not it. You’re both just going in circles.]

[Explain.]

Intrigued by his words, Aika’s gaze focused on him.

Bo Ji-gong raised his left pinky finger.

[First, Yu-jin likes you. I heard him admit it myself.]

[Mhm.]

[And Ninomiya Aika, you would accept Yu-jin’s confession if he made one.]

—Flex.

He clenched his right hand into a fist, with a faint aura of mana swirling around it. Next to it, the pinky looked tiny.

[Imagine that this pinky is Yu-jin and the fist is you.]

[Go on.]

[The fist has achieved countless feats. It’s strong and rich. Just like you.]

[Right. So he should confess…]

[Meanwhile, the pinky is still a fledgling. To him, the fist seems enormous, making it impossible to imagine confessing.]

[……!!!!]

Aika was stunned.

She’d assumed that her student would naturally confess, given how great she was, but… could it be that he actually found her overwhelming?

The realization hit her.

[What should I do, then?]

[Ideally, you’d confess first.]

[No way! I’d look like a perverted teacher trying to seduce my student!]

[…]

‘But that’s exactly what you are, you perverted gorilla.’

Her stubbornness didn’t faze Bo Ji-gong. This was all according to plan.

[Then here’s the second option: help Yu-jin gain the “status” to match you.]

[That’s… difficult. He’s growing quickly, but reaching S-rank will take at least six months.]

[He doesn’t have to reach it himself. You could help him along.]

[Explain.]

[All right, here’s the plan…]

Bo Ji-gong laid out his strategy.

For Yu-jin to stand shoulder to shoulder with Aika? That would take a lifetime. Aika’s strength couldn’t be measured by stats alone.

So, she’d help him. She’d let Yu-jin take the credit for achievements that would normally be hers, ensuring he outshone her. The result? The world would praise him.

[Make him the number one S-rank. Then Yu-jin would feel comfortable confessing.]

[How?]

[We’re heading to an S-class gate, aren’t we? Give Yu-jin all the finishing blows.]

[You must have an IQ of 200!]

To Aika, it was a perfect plan.

Making her student the top S-rank? That gave her every reason to support him as a mentor…

‘Supporting my beloved as his wife? This is my dream come true!’

Aika’s eyes sparkled.

[Understood. In return, look after my student’s friends. It’ll be hard to keep them safe while handing him all the kills.]

[I’ll guard them until my abilities max out.]

[As you should.]

[…]

‘Yu-jin, I don’t know about this gorilla. There are so many pretty girls in Vietnam I could introduce you to…’

Bo Ji-gong briefly wondered if he should tell Yu-jin to run for his life, but that was none of Aika’s concern.

---

Later, as they arrived in front of the S-class gate, Aika took a deep breath, firm in her resolve.

She would dedicate this S-class gate, entirely and exclusively, to Yu-jin.

“Phew…”

‘It’s fine. With my support, his sword techniques will be perfect. No one will know it wasn’t all his doing.’

The plan was flawless.

Yu-jin’s sword technique was incomplete

—a half-form that couldn’t stand on its own without Aika. But with her filling in the gaps? To an onlooker, it would look as if he’d done everything himself.

They’d see only Yu-jin slashing through enemies with his katana while Aika hovered in the background.

‘The only issue is that an S-class gate is dangerous for my student.’

The only worry was Yu-jin himself.

He’d grown a lot recently, enough to reach B-class level. But still, it was just B-class. A single mistake in an S-class gate could mean death.

A valid concern for a mentor.

‘It’s all right. If it’s a standard S-class gate, I can handle support in a pinch.’

She masked her worry with confidence.

Who was she? Ninomiya Aika. S-class gates were nothing more than a warm-up.

“Then… let’s go, my student.”

“Yes. Gong, everyone, let’s move out.”

With her resolve set, Aika moved forward.

She kept repeating to herself that it was just an S-class gate, something she’d conquered dozens of times alone.

But—

—Ding!
[The gate’s estimated danger level has advanced from S-class to S+++!]

“……!!!!?”
‘This isn’t just an ordinary S-class gate!’

Reality wasn’t cooperating.

“Yu-jin!! Stay close…”

“Ninomiya Aika, about fifty monsters are closing in! Rush forward and wipe them out!!”

[What about letting him take the credit?]

[Is that really your priority, gorilla?! We’re about to die here!!]

“……Ugh.”

Aika really had no choice.

‘Fine. I’ll finish this quickly so I don’t stand out too much… then the rest is all his!’

—Clang!!

“Hiyaaaaa!!!”

—BOOOM!!!

“……!!!!?”
‘This gorilla… she was holding back?!’

‘Was Master always this strong?! She wasn’t like this even before my regression!’

No longer hiding her power, she unleashed her true strength.