Chapter 42 : Leona's Secret Hobby #2 - No Kidding, I’m an Extra

Tears streamed down his face, overwhelmed by a profound sense of emotion. "Is this what being a true noble means? I've never witnessed such a perfect embodiment of noblesse oblige before, but thanks to Leona, I finally have." "Kim Geun Cheol, do you have a secret stash of tears somewhere? Stop flooding and dry up. Volunteer work should be done with joy." "You're right, Leona!" With fervor, he declared, "We've come this far; there's no slacking off now! I'll give my all to help!" "Well, Kim Geun Cheol, you're noisy, but you've got a good heart. Such enthusiasm. It's delightful. The Archangel Leona bestows her praise." "I'm bursting with energy!" Right now, he felt like Super Saiyan Kim Geun Cheol! "And, well, with the meal vouchers too… let's consider it a reciprocation and give our utmost." "Sounds good." Leona was truly kind-hearted. Maybe that's why she treated him so well. From what he observed, she seemed genuinely good-natured and sincerely loved helping others. "Shall we go, then?" "Indeed! Si Hoo! Today, we're giving it our all!" "Giggle, well, seems like we're up to something good today. Let's go. If there's someone in need, we must help them." "Of course!" Si Hoo's mindset was that of a hero through and through. "By the way, Geun Cheol, have you always liked volunteering?" "Umm… I'm not really sure. I've lived such a busy life that I never got the chance to volunteer myself." Upon saying that, Leona muttered something. "Leona?" "Nothing! Absolutely nothing! I'll just do some explaining. This place is a combination of an orphanage, a runaway youth welfare center, and a poverty rehabilitation center. There's even a facility for the homeless and drug addicts." "Wow." In extreme terms, this was a gathering place for those living in the hells of life. "And a foreign noble family runs this?" "That's the Kynes family for you. But they do receive support from the Korean government as well." A union between a foreign noble family and the Korean government. "As you might have guessed, people in power, despite seeming at odds, actually get along quite well. Our Mister Dominators maintain a very close and tight relationship with the cooperative Korean government." "Wow, Leona. Talking about such things really makes me feel like I'm speaking with a true noble." "Because you are." "Hehe, that's true. But are you saying Korea is the easiest to talk to?" At this, Si Hoo responded. "Geun Cheol, we learned this in class, remember? China and Russia have gone bankrupt, and Japan is under oppressive neo-daimyos. It’s only natural that the Korean government and Mister Dominators get along." "Right." So that's why Leona enrolled in the Korean Academy. "Besides, my mother being Korean is another reason. I heard she was the first to suggest setting up a charity here." "Wow! What a wonderful mother! That's not something easy to do... Wait a moment. Does that mean being an angel is genetic?" "Hehehe, genetic, my foot. Anyway, let's go." Seems like Leona's mother is an angel as well. A mother-daughter duo of angels. How fortunate must Leona's father be to have a family like this? Could he be some kind of European heroic figure? Ah, he must be one of the ruling class awakened during the Dimension War's outbreak. It makes sense. To win such a wife and daughter, one must have achieved so much... that's tough. "Today, I plan to help out at the orphanage. What about you, Kim Geun Cheol?" "Yeah, leave it to me. Orphanages are my specialty." "Sniff... Sniffle. Yeah. Let's go." "Sure." I can’t understand why she keeps looking away from me. "This way." Then we entered a spacious orphanage. It was clearly vast and well-maintained. It reminded him of an eco-friendly animal welfare farm just looking at the green fields. "Leona, this place is exceptionally well-kept! Feels like a high-end facility." Si Hoo marveled. "Right? This is the very essence of the Kynes family's noblesse oblige." "This should be called Angel Oblige as well. Anyway, Leona, what should we do here–" At that moment. "Ah! Lady Leona!" "L-Lady Leona has arrived!" "It's Lady Leona!" "Gather the kids immediately!" A group of boys and girls, who had been playing from afar, suddenly ran towards them, saying such things. "W-what?" They were calling her "Lady Leona"? But that wasn't the only surprise. —Clap, clap, clap! —Clap, clap, clap! —Clap, clap, clap! In an instant, all the orphans gathered in four orderly lines, moving almost like soldiers! "Lady Leona! We missed you!" "Lady Leona! Lady Leona!" The children eagerly sang Leona's name, their eyes shining like disciplined soldiers… Could it be that they worshipped Leona? "What is this! You've turned these kids into some kind of fascist soldiers! Leona, what is going on!" It was astonishing! "Fas- What?! No! The kids adore me, and they're just playing soldier games while organizing themselves like this! Why are you bringing fascism into this! I'm not Hitler!!!" "These are child soldiers! Is this a Leona Youth Brigade?" "Do you think your clever jokes are helpful? Kim Geun Cheol, why is your general knowledge so vast! Hmph! Just watch and see!" Aside from the humor-tinged surprise in his act, Leona seemed to have completely won over the children with her charisma. "Have you all been well while this Lady Leona was away?" "Yes!" "Has there been any child who bullied their friends?" "There hasn't!" The children answered energetically in unison. "If we investigate, we'll find out everything! Any child who bullies others will face consequences, so be ready!" Leona clenched her fist and shouted fiercely like a tiger...! "No, Lady Leona!" Nevertheless, the children responded cheerfully. "Hehe! Then that’s good!" It was certain. With her angelic charisma, Leona had completely captivated the children. She truly was an angel descended upon Earth. "Wow. The kids really follow you, Leona." "That's because they're all good kids." "They say children like pretty people; it seems that's true here." "Ha. You sure know how to say things without hesitation, Kim Geun Cheol," Leona said, crossing her arms and looking at him. "Pretty is a fact." "I won’t acknowledge that!" "What do you mean?" "You should add beautiful too!" "Oops! My mistake!" Was she praising herself here? "Hey, Si Hoo. Ah." Trying to find agreement with Si Hoo, he saw that Si Hoo was already surrounded by the orphans, who were peppering him with questions. "Haha, well, it's a bit much. Yes, I'm a hero cadet too. I'm training to become a hero." "Wowww!" The orphans were impressed by Si Hoo's exemplary and refreshing response. Well, Si Hoo did have quite the visual appeal. "Lee Si Hoo is popular with the kids too." "So it seems. But Leona, what are we doing here today?" "Well, since it's a holiday, let’s play with the kids a bit. But remember, Kim Geun Cheol, you are a hero cadet. Understood?" Naturally, he knew. "So, you need to show kindness, heroism, and set a good example. Cadets are role models for the kids. Watching a cool hero fosters upright thoughts in them. Orphans... without parents, are more prone to going astray. That's why we should be their mentors." Wow! He was genuinely impressed. "Leona, do you volunteer with all that in mind?" "Of course." To simplify, it went something like this: The orphans here will learn admiration for heroes and a sense of justice by observing the wonderful, kind, and pretty Leona. That decreases the chances of them going astray. They will grow up properly. "Leona, could you turn down the halo a bit? You're about to reach enlightenment." "Hah, enlightenment, my foot. Kim Geun Cheol, your words are killing me." "Alright then! I’ll also try having some fun with these children brightly! I’ll go play with them for a bit! Leona!" "Go… ahead." As he was about to approach the children, suddenly the boys and girls began to move towards him. Wow, they’re coming over? That was gratifying. "Nice to meet you, kids!" "Who are you, mister?" "Who are you, big brother?" "Me?" To explain myself... "Ah! He's Lady Leona's subordinate! Right?" What? "But he said he was a friend! This guy looks like a subordinate!" "A royal guard! He's Lady Leona's direct royal guard!" "Elite stormtrooper?" What were these kids talking about? "Hey! Royal guard! I’m Leona's friend too!" "No way!" "It's true, you brats!" "Then are you also a hero cadet?!" A girl with sparkling eyes asked him. "Yeah." He answered, posing slightly and deepening his voice for effect. "He's lying! He's a liar!" "Beep beep! Liar alert! Liar alert!" "Aaahhhh! Catch the liar and take him to Lady Leona!" The children began to riot! "What are these kids...! Hey! I’m telling you I'm really a cadet! What makes you think I’m lying!?" "Then show us your powers!" "Show us your abilitiiiies!" They wanted him to showcase his supernatural strength? It felt ridiculous, but even with children, he couldn't stand being underestimated. "Alright! I’ll show you! Hey! One of you, come forward! This big brother will show you his abilities!" —Thud. "Show us!" A cheeky-looking boy stepped up. Meanwhile, the other kids looked at him with anticipation. "I’ll show you my power, you little brats." "Uh-oh." He slipped his hands under the boy's armpits. "Skill activation! Uruk-high jump!" —Whoosh! He executed a high jump to show off his abilities! As he released his magical energy, he experienced an extraordinary floating sensation, like performing a pole vault. "Wooooaahhhh!!" A jump far surpassing an average one. —Thud. And then he landed softly. "Woooaah! It's like a roller coaster!" The boy was ecstatic. This little guy knew how to have fun. "Woooaaah! Mister! Do me too!" "Me too, oppa! I want a turn!" "He's a hero! He really was a cadet!" "An overwhelming ability!" The other kids, their eyes shining, also asked him to lift them. These adorable little ones. "Hehehe, you little rascals! Alright! I’ll do it for everyone! Come over here!" He was having fun. After all, Leona had initially reached out to him out of pure kindness. Yes... it’s a chain of goodwill. Just as there’s a chain of resentment, there’s also a chain of goodwill. Who knew playing with the kids could be so enjoyable? "Haaargh!" "Kyaaaa!" Today he'd give his all to playing with them! --- "Sniff...!" He couldn't hold back the tears that threatened to spill. "Sob!" Hiding behind a tree, Leona watched Kim Geun Cheol play with the orphans, dabbing at her eyes. "You're too kind to the orphans, Kim Geun Cheol...!" Her chest ached with emotion as sadness and gratitude welled up. "Sniff! Of course, he must love children! It must remind him of his own time in the orphanage...! Sob!" Leona leaned against the tree, pressing her arm to her eyes to wipe away the tears. It felt like she could hardly breathe. Her chest felt tight. "That's why he just has to be good to them...!" Watching Kim Geun Cheol play joyfully with the orphans filled her with a profound sadness. Although their time together had been brief, Leona understood. Kim Geun Cheol, despite his cheerful demeanor, carried many wounds. Initially, she thought he was just an overly dramatic and scaredy-cat, always exaggerating things. However, he was also a classmate with the admirable trait of being cheerful. But that wasn’t the whole story. Kim Geun Cheol had been an orphan. "Sniff!" Curiosity led her to investigate him briefly. The results, though from a simple inquiry, were profoundly saddening. ________________________ [Attendance: Hanbit Orphanage Elementary] [Attendance: Dream Town Orphanage Elementary] [Attendance: Dr. Chaplin Orphanage Elementary] [Graduation: Beautiful Orphanage Elementary] [Attendance: Good Heart Orphanage Middle School] [Attendance: Ancient Batista Orphanage Middle School] [Graduation: Light Field Orphanage Middle School] ________________________ A history of overwhelming orphanage transfers. Although she hadn't looked into the reasons, it was evident that Kim Geun Cheol had shuffled through countless orphanages. It was like a game of hot potato. The reason wasn't hard to surmise. A troubled child. "Such abundant sadness...!" Such deep sadness had likely made him a problem child, leading him to bounce from one orphanage to another. He must have had a rough personality. It's common among children who lose their parents young, especially without a proper mentor. In hindsight, there were hints of his struggles. According to her research, the skirmish with Ryu Cheon hwi wasn’t his first; there had been instances where he hurled intense verbal abuse at ill-behaved seniors. Yet here was Kim Geun Cheol. "Hahaha! This is the ultimate swordsmanship, you punks!" "Wowww!" "Save us! Save u-uuuus!" "There's light coming from the sword!" "Overwhelmingly fantasti-iiic!!" Playing with the orphans with such kindness. Furthermore, with genuine joy and cheerfulness. "Sob, waaaahhhh!" Tears burst forth uncontrollably. Leona broke into sobs. She wasn't the type to hold back such feelings. "Huh, sob!" Both his parents were dead. They perished fifteen years ago when the Void Princess appeared in Seongnam. So many heroes, hunters, and civilians lost their lives then. Kim Geun Cheol’s father wasn’t a hero, but a hunter. He died in action, and his mother became collateral damage. Young Kim Geun Cheol was sent to the orphanage from that point onward. "Kim Geun Cheol, why do you make me so sad!" She couldn’t hold back the tears!