Chapter 115: Happy Birthday to You (1)

Recently, the atmosphere in District 09 has been unsettling. Hearing this, I went to find the elves hiding in the back mountain.

"It feels like something's about to happen. What's going on?"

"...We'll discuss the details in the tent. Please come in."

The elves guided me into the tent. I entered the cozy tent and faced them.

"So what's the situation?"

"Well, you know we've been cleaning up the bugs, right?"

"Of course I know. I asked you to do it to protect the kids."

"But here's the thing. As we removed the bugs, new bugs came to take their place."

"And?"

"A new group receiving external support has settled in District 09. They seem to be the ones who attacked the kindergarten before."

"Hmm..."

That's not good news.

The group that kidnapped the kindergarten children. Their technology was quite advanced. They're on a different level compared to the punks currently in District 09.

"So we tried to exterminate bugs, but ended up attracting different bugs."

"Yes, and they're preparing for war to absorb the existing groups. A war between two factions will break out soon."

The male elf spoke with certainty.

Seeing the handsome guy's confident gaze, I felt annoyed for no reason.

"Sigh, this isn't the time for this."

"Pardon?"

"It's nothing."

I sighed and stood up.

As I was leaving the tent, I spoke to the seated elf.

"Keep watching their movements. And contact me immediately if anything happens. You know how to use a smartphone, right?"

"Yes, I'm quite proficient now. It's a very convenient and fun device."

"That's good. I'm leaving."

Bye bye-

I waved goodbye and was about to leave. However, the male elf grabbed my arm and shouted.

"Wait a moment!"

"What, kid! Why are you grabbing someone who's trying to leave?"

The male elf looked at my face and pleaded with a desperate expression.

"Before you go, could you perhaps send us some photos of the great dragons..."

"I'm leaving."

Sigh-

To think he'd try to get dragon photos at such a critical moment. I gave the elf a contemptuous look and left.

'How precious does he think my daughters' photos are? Trying to get them for free?'

What a thief.

Still, I understood very well how the current situation was unfolding.

'This isn't a problem we can solve on our own.'

Thinking this, I opened my smartphone and contacted someone. Not someone I particularly want to meet, but for the children's safety, I had to meet face-to-face and get help.

To deal with bugs, you need to remove their nest entirely.

***

Hero Association. The man at the very top.

The Hero Association President.

I didn't like the fact that I had to face him again, but I steeled myself and entered his room.

"I came as you contacted me, President."

As I opened the door and entered, the Association President greeted me with a perversely flushed face.

"Look who we have here! B-class hero Lee Ha-jun. My soulmate Lee Ha-jun!"

This is why I didn't want to meet privately.

'Shit.'

Unlike official meetings, he's always like this in private. I shook my head and sat in front of the Association President.

Not wanting to talk at length, I decided to get straight to the point.

"President. Do you know the current situation in District 09?"

"The Association doesn't manage District 09. It's not in our data."

"A new criminal group has appeared there. You know about the incident where children were kidnapped? They say it was their doing."

"That's something we need to consider seriously."

Dragon follower mode OFF. 

The Association President hid his perverse face and put on a serious expression.

He started pondering, tapping his fingers on the desk. I continued speaking to persuade him.

"It looks like a war might break out in the area where I and the dragons live. So I was thinking of using this opportunity to clean out that criminal area completely. Can you help?"

"Basically, District 09 is an area not managed by heroes. It's because we can't afford to waste manpower there. You'd need to be at least an A-class hero for me to consider such a request."

"Are you telling me to become an A-class hero?"

The war will break out before I can become an A-class hero.

What is the Association President trying to tell me?

As I was wondering, the Association President's eyes flashed and he said.

"In other words, ask me not as B-class hero Lee Ha-jun, but as human Lee Ha-jun."

"What difference does that make..."

"It means if you give me appropriate compensation, I can grant your request using my position as Association President."

Grin-

The Association President said this and made the perverse face he showed at first. Then, licking his lips and looking expectant, he said to me.

"Show me the dragon you follow. I want to see your dragon. I never dreamed I'd meet another dragon in my life. Even at my old age, if I could meet another dragon before I die, I'd have no regrets."

"..."

Why are all dragon followers like this?

I had to close my eyes tightly at the Association President's fanatical loyalty.

'Ugh, it's disgusting to see a middle-aged man getting so excited.'

Still. I thought it was amazing how pure his love for dragons remained despite his age. To think it hasn't faded even after rising to the position of Association President.

'He's a creepy pervert I hate to acknowledge, but must.'

It can't be helped.

I decided to show him the 'My Daughters Series' saved in my phone's gallery.

"This is a photo from when I took the kids to the beach."

"Oh, ooh!! Such cute dragons!!"

"This is when we built Lego together."

"I wish I could build Lego with the great dragons too!!"

The dragon follower Association President genuinely delighted at seeing my daughters. But for the children's safety, I had no choice.

I showed the Association President photos I've taken with the children so far.

After thoroughly going through the gallery, the Association President looked satisfied and said.

"I'll have the villains in District 09 driven out. They'll have to live outside the areas designated by the state now. And ordinary people will live in the areas they used to occupy."

"..."

The process is a bit questionable, but I suppose I should be glad it will benefit ordinary citizens.

"However, Lee Ha-jun will be the leader of this operation. As the person in charge, you'll have to work hard."

"Alright, thanks, President."

In the end, I was appointed as the person in charge.

The Association President promised to order the operation before a war breaks out between criminal organizations. That way, ordinary citizens and my daughters won't be harmed.

'That Gundam the scientist was using back then. It had quite impressive performance.'

I don't know how strong the criminal organizations are. But if there are many villains with power like that scientist, I thought this operation might be tough even for me with dragon power.

***

Late evening.

The children were brushing their sharp dragon teeth, preparing to go to dreamland.

"Ha, I finished brushing first!"

"Brushing quickly isn't good, Hwaryeon. It means you didn't clean your teeth thoroughly, so they're dirty."

"So what! I'm clean!"

Bicker bicker-

The kids washed up briefly, squabbling as usual. However, I couldn't be as usual.

'Their birthday is coming up soon. It'll overlap with the bug extermination operation.'

The day the dragon kids turn 1 year old.

The extermination operation just had to be scheduled then. I'm worried I won't be able to properly celebrate their birthday because of it.

'It's their first dragon birthday. I want to celebrate it properly...'

But I can't stop the operation either.

It looks like I'll be late to the kids' birthday party.

As if understanding my anxious feelings, Choryeon, who was playing with Mangmung, sat next to me on the sofa and asked.

"Father. What are you worrying about? Your expression looks bad, like you accidentally stepped on a sprout."

Choryeon's green eyes looking at me with concern. Not wanting to show it outwardly, I forced a smile and answered.

"No, it's nothing. Just have something on my mind."

"Something on your mind? Then tell me! I'll listen to all of Father's worries!"

Thump thump-

Choryeon confidently pounded her small fist on her chest.

Seeing that made me feel a bit better. I smiled slightly and patted Choryeon's head.

"It's okay. Just saying that out loud solved all my worries."

"Hmm, I wanted to know Father's worries! That's not the answer I wanted! Of course, if Father doesn't want to say, I can't help it..."

Did Choryeon want to hear my worries directly? She showed a slightly disappointed look. 

After a moment, as if she had made up her mind, she hugged my arm tightly and said.

"Father! Cheer up! I don't know if I'll be much help, but...! I'll share my strength with you...!"

Hug-

Choryeon closed her eyes and hugged my arm, saying she'd share her strength with me. As she said, I felt something filling up inside me.

'T-This is...!'

It feels like a smartphone battery charging.

I realized the nature of the strength Choryeon shared with me. This is.

"Love, Choryeon."

"Of course! I love Father!"

"I didn't know my daughter loved her father this much. Thank you."

Pat pat-

I was touched by my daughter's actions and patted her head vigorously. However, Choryeon puffed her cheeks, as if this wasn't the reaction she wanted.

"Hmm, this isn't it...! Anyway, I'm glad Father got strength...!"

That's right.

With Choryeon's encouragement, all the worries in my head were resolved. I just need to solve the things I'm worried about.

'I just need to deal with the bugs quickly and return home.'

I'll take care of the bugs' nest before the birthday ends and return to our nest where my children are.

Seeing the dragon kids smiling happily in the nest, I resolved to succeed perfectly in this operation.

I need to repay Gu Bong-gu's kindness for running the kindergarten by dealing with the surrounding bugs.