The Heroine Stole My Regression-Chapter 100

The Heroine Stole My Regression-Chapter 100

"I’m gonna die. Seriously."
I collapsed onto the sofa in Maengju’s
My body felt like it weighed a thousand tons.
If anything, I was one of the better off ones.
Except for Kang Arin, the other students had been beaten so hard by Jeong Taegon that they couldn’t even breathe.
Some couldn't even stand properly, slumped over benches like soldiers after a brutal march, their faces twisted in despair.
"Haa…."
I stared at the ceiling, trying to catch my breath.
At that moment.
My watch gave a small chime.
— Ding.
[Kim Haeun]: Congratulations, Haein! You finished first in the experience program! You worked really hard today!
I raised my body slightly and checked the message.
Before the experience officially ended, Kim Haeun had announced the final scores based on comprehensive data.
Combat ability, situational judgment, decisiveness, personality evaluation... there wasn’t a single sloppy criterion.
In the end, ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) no one could complain, and the students quietly accepted the results.
The conclusion: first place.
I brushed my shoulder off.
The place where I had been hit still ached.
As the experience ended, she had winked at me and said:
‘The top scorer usually signs a contract with Maengju!’
I remembered her bright smile as she said it.
Still, I didn’t feel particularly happy.
Through this experience, I had grasped a lot about Maengju’s system and how things flowed.
From training methods to the mindset of each hero.
There was definitely a reason why they were ranked number one in the world.
I learned a lot. I thought it was a good thing I participated.
"You're coming, riiight~"
"Ugh...."
Before I could even collect myself, Kang Arin twisted her body in front of me.
She had been doing this all throughout the experience.
Like a puppy wagging its tail.
"Why would I even go there...."
"Come on~"
Since she didn’t approach me much at school, it felt like she was making up for it all at once now.
The reason she was being this persistent was simple.
The party tonight. The Strategy Exchange Meeting.
She wanted to take me there.
On the surface, it was supposed to be a meeting to share strategies and discuss global threats.
But in reality, it was just a networking party.
The problem was, the formality was insane.
The venue, the attire, the guests.
I had known a party was happening.
A few days ago, Gwangcheol-hyung had suddenly contacted me.
'Haein, are you free Saturday evening?'
'I have a guild experience program that day.'
'...Experience? Where? Ah, Maengju. Alright, got it. Haa… then forget it.'
'Why? What's up?'
'It’s the Strategy Exchange Meeting. I was supposed to go, but I got a sudden request. I won’t be able to go with the old man.'
Since I said I couldn't make it, I didn’t know who ended up going instead.
Anyway, Kang Arin wanted to take me there.
"Just go with your uncle."
"He’s on a business trip today."
"Oh."
Of all days, why today.
In reality, unless she went with her uncle, there was no one else on Maengju’s side she could attend with.
Her brother, Kang Yuseong, was no longer in this world.
Though Kang Arin looked at me with wide, innocent eyes, something inside my chest ached.
I felt myself weakening a little.
"...I’m an outsider, you know."
"Should I just make you an insider starting today?"
She said as she rummaged through her pocket.
She held her watch screen up in front of my eyes.
[Experience Goal: Cultivating the Leadership Ability of a Team Leader]
"Look. The goal of the experience program is cultivating a team leader's abilities."
She said it casually, but the corners of her lips curved up slightly.
"Things like diplomacy between groups are all part of a team leader's skills."
Then she leaned even closer and whispered.
"Since you scored first in the experience program, you should learn this too. Getting treated like this... is only natural."
She said it so nonchalantly, like there wasn’t a single thing wrong with her logic.
Her confident voice made me turn to look at her without realizing it.
I looked at Kang Arin quietly, then exhaled.
"Haa…."
At this point, after experiencing everything under the guise of 'team leader training' at Maengju—
Even getting my ass kicked by a professional hero.
Now that it had come to this.
I thought maybe I should see it through to the end.
It was the most absurd experience I'd ever had, but ironically, it also felt the most real.
Let’s see it through.
I nodded.
"Alright. Let’s go."
"Good decision."
Kang Arin smiled brightly.
I added,
"Just think of me as your personal assistant."
Kang Arin narrowed her eyes and said,
"Hmm... I don’t like that idea…."
I gave her a look of disbelief.
"Even if you don't like it, there's no helping it."
Whatever — formal party, etiquette, whatever.
I didn’t even have clothes fit for it.
Forget accessories — I didn’t even own a suit.
I'd have to rent one somehow.
Even if I did, it’d be obvious at a glance, and people who didn’t know my situation might laugh at me.
"I don’t have a dress code outfit."
I confessed honestly.
Then Kang Arin tilted her head slightly and smiled slyly.
"Dress code?"
Her eyes twinkled mischievously.
But beneath that was a quiet, confident strength.
Kang Arin took a step closer, lifted her chin just a little, and looked straight at me.
"If you’re standing next to me…."
And she declared boldly.
"That’ll be the best dress code of all."
It sounded playful, but her gaze was dead serious.
Before I could even decide if she was joking or not—
Honestly.
It wasn’t easy to refute.
***
I stopped in front of the door.
The sight before my eyes was overwhelming.
Calling it luxurious would be an understatement.
Warm lighting, shiny mannequins reflected in the glass.
Each suit, made from fine material, neatly arranged with meticulous care.
"...Is this really the place?"
Places like this actually exist.
It was far removed from the life I was used to.
"Yep~"
Kang Arin hooked her arm around mine with a bright smile.
I shook her off lightly.
Since I said I didn’t have a suit, Kang Arin had immediately brought me here.
"Don’t you need a reservation for a place like this?"
She answered like it was the most obvious thing.
"I made one."
"...How did you even know my size."
When I asked, she smirked.
Her gaze slowly traveled down my body.
From head to toe.
Sluuup—
She blatantly checked me out.
I felt a little uncomfortable for a moment.
But Kang Arin said nonchalantly,
"Just guessed~?"
Then she laughed.
"Honestly, your build’s so good... even if we just slap something off a mannequin on you…."
She twirled her finger and pointed at my torso.
"It’ll look like it was custom made for you."
Kang Arin tilted her head.
"Actually… they might not even be able to match it properly…."
She murmured seriously.
I looked at her mumbling like that.
"So don’t worry~ today, you’re just getting dressed up."
Kang Arin linked her arm with mine again and took the lead.
I followed her, still suspicious.
As the door opened, soft classical music filled my ears.
"Welcome."
A staff member in a black suit bowed and approached.
The moment he saw Kang Arin’s face, he smiled warmly.
"Right this way."
"Yeah, I’m counting on you."
Kang Arin waved lightly.
The staff guided us with skillful gestures.
We were led into an inner fitting room prepared just for us.
Various clothes were neatly hung in the center, and a makeup table stood to the side like a vanity.
On the left wall, a black curtain.
On the right wall, a red curtain.
Separate spaces to change clothes.
A huge full-length mirror, measurement devices.
Rows of empty hangers.
"Alright, sir, let’s take your measurements first."
A female stylist approached politely and began measuring my waist, shoulders, and arms.
She carefully placed the tape measure.
"...Don't make it too tight, please?"
Kang Arin muttered.
The stylist stepped back and smiled.
"...It’s perfect."
I stayed silent.
"Keep the shoulders sharp but cinch the waist."
At some point, Kang Arin had approached and was giving detailed instructions to the stylist.
"And don’t make the pants too baggy. Keep the fit clean."
She looked even more excited.
Eventually, the fitting for my suit was finished.
Kang Arin’s dress had already been ordered and prepared in advance.
Once the clothes arrived, we decided to change behind separate curtains.
I went into the black curtain, Kang Arin into the red one.
Inside, the prepared clothes and shoes were laid out neatly.
They offered to help me dress, but I declined.
‘It really fits perfectly.’
Carefully, I slipped on the shirt, then the jacket.
The pants fell neatly along my legs.
By the time I was putting on the shoes, I heard faint movements beyond the opposite curtain.
The soft sound of fabric sliding down.
I suddenly became very conscious of my own hands.
Only the necktie was left....
"Don’t put on the tie!!!"
"Gah."
Kang Arin’s voice shouted from afar.
I hung the tie over my shoulder.
So, except for the tie, I was fully dressed.
Sssh.
I pulled the black curtain aside and stepped out.
Kang Arin hadn’t come out yet.
Only soft movements could be heard behind the red curtain.
Kang Arin was changing into her dress.
I consciously turned my head away.
But then.
"Haein, could you grab my watch from the table?"
Her voice came through the curtain.
I picked up her watch from the table.
Then I cautiously approached the curtain and extended my hand toward the opening.
"Here."
Click, click.
The sound of high heels.
I could feel her approaching the curtain.
But she didn’t take the watch.
"What the...."
—Swoosh.
In the next instant, Kang Arin's hand shot out like lightning.
And.
She yanked me inside the curtain.
"Hey, wait—!"
My body stumbled into the space behind the red curtain.
Red lighting.
A faint lingering fragrance.
In front of my eyes, I saw Kang Arin in her dress.
A dazzling, pure white dress.
The back was deeply cut, flowing down her frame without a single unnecessary fold.
A thin fabric cascaded along her waist.
Below, the elegant curve of her hips barely sustained the shape of the dress.
Her hair was neatly tied up, the contrast between the crimson ornament and the pure white dress strikingly vivid.
As she turned slightly, her red eyes gleamed faintly.
"See? I was right."
She smiled softly, her back still facing me.
"Standing next to me."
Then, slowly, she turned her head to look at me.
"That's the best dress code there is."
For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.
She stepped closer and gently slipped the necktie off my shoulder.
And then.
Carefully.
So very softly.
She began to tie the necktie around my neck.
Her fingertips, brushing close — almost, but not quite touching.
"Today…"
While tying the necktie,
Kang Arin lifted her head slightly and looked up at me.
"Take good care of me, okay?"
She whispered, lightly pulling the final knot tight.
And then, she smiled brightly.

Chapter 100