episode_0026

Now, meeting with middle schooler Suhyun had become half of Yu Jin’s routine.

Suhyun earnestly refused to talk to herself as usual.

The only place they could talk was behind the school during lunchtime.

“Meeting alone with a girl every lunchtime but not talking together usually. Is this being an outsider or an insider? It’s confusing.”

Of course, Yu Jin, one of the three students who spoke at school, didn’t care about such things.

Even though their conversations were just typical middle school banter.

It was merely playing along with Suhyun’s delusions!

Anyway, Yu Jin was somewhat satisfied with this lifestyle.

As they arrived at the agreed-upon location, Suhyun was already waiting.

“Hello.”

Next to her were stacked five packs of strawberry milk.

Come to think of it, she was drinking that every day.

Does she like strawberry milk?

“Maybe that’s why her hair is pink?!”

I should buy some soy milk later if there’s a chance.

Who knows, maybe it’ll straighten out her permed hair.

With these pointless thoughts in mind, Yu Jin raised her hand slightly.

It was an easy way to greet even for a socially awkward person stumbling over words.

“I heard. You dueled with Cheolsoo?”

“How did you know?”

“He’s quite a prominent figure. Rumors find their way somehow.”

Unbelievable!

So, they were talking about me like that.

‘Yet they won’t even speak to me!’

If that’s the case, I wish they would come forward and talk to me.

Yu Jin, a kind villain who values her friends dearly.

“Thank you for granting my request.”

“For what.”

Of course, Yu Jin challenged Cheolsoo for Suhyun’s sake.

In her delusion, Cheolsoo and Yu Jin were set up as rivals.

Was it to add some drama to the story?

But it wasn’t solely for Suhyun.

‘Perhaps this could be a chance to reconcile with Cheolsoo!’

Men who weren’t on good terms playing sports together, sweating, and acknowledging each other.

Isn’t that the essence of boys’ sports comics?

To put it simply, Kang Baekho and Seo Taewoong!

Yu Jin was dreaming such futile dreams.

Suhyun smiled contentedly at the satisfactory outcome.

“If Cheolsoo becomes stronger, the story will progress smoothly.”

In her delusion, Cheolsoo was the hero of this world.

He had a duty to become stronger and protect the school from various crises.

Yu Jin played the role of awakening him to that duty.

Huh? Speaking of it, isn’t he becoming a cool rival character?

It’s almost regrettable that this is Suhyun’s delusion.

“When will the duel start? Today?”

“Not today. I have other matters to attend to.”

“Is it related to Hukcheon?”

Yu Jin shook her head.

And she explained what had happened earlier.

The homeroom teacher’s recommendation as his heroic disciple, his acceptance, and the fact that she would be his disciple for a week.

Listening to the story, Suhyun frowned.

“That’s strange. This wasn’t part of the future I knew.”

Well, that makes sense.

I didn’t expect the homeroom teacher to make such a proposal either.

“Kim Taejin is one of Korea’s top heroes by setting. He would have been Cheolsoo’s master originally.”

Suhyun seemed to be seriously contemplating something.

Seems like she felt her own setup had gone awry.

It’s regrettable, but it was inevitable, so I hope you understand.

“Hmm, I’m not sure. What kind of butterfly effect is happening here?”

“It’s too late to refuse now.”

“Yes, I think it’s better that way.”

Surprisingly, Suhyun nodded.

She was remarkably unfazed by her disrupted setup.

Suhyun was a true middle schooler with a clear mind.

“If it were me, I would probably have been flustered and confused.”

Indeed, the thought process differs from that of a mere geek like himself.

Impressive, admirable. I’ve nonchalantly done what I find difficult!

“As I mentioned, the future has already been somewhat distorted. In this process, two problems have arisen.”

Suhyun raised two fingers.

“One is that the original character relationships have changed, and the second is that the growth of the main characters has been delayed.”

Her expression as she spoke was very serious.

To be so sincere about mere role-playing.

Even Yu Jin began to listen seriously, feeling stimulated.

“The first one… honestly, can’t be helped. You can’t control people’s feelings. But I don’t understand why Yeonghee fell for you.”

Huh? That kind of setup?

Sure, Yeonghee may cling to him a bit, but that’s just playful banter with Chulsoo, right?

He’s just a totem to provoke jealousy.

“Well, to someone who doesn’t know, it might seem that way.”

Should I clear up this misunderstanding?

Although he pondered, Yu Jin ultimately decided to keep quiet.

It’s his friend’s love life after all.

You can’t casually talk about it to others.

“You might get caught in the middle when things go south!”

Experienced geeks don’t meddle in others’ relationships.

Preventing unnecessary misunderstandings is key.

Being a loner is his survival strategy.

“Fortunately, the second issue can be easily resolved. If Chulsoo and you become stronger, that should suffice.”

“Mm.”

“I initially thought Chulsoo needed to become stronger. However… now that I think about it, you understand the situation in this world. It might be more efficient for you to become stronger.”

Suhyun nodded in agreement.

“I was too fixated on the original work. In that sense, your side, being a character from the real world, has a more flexible mindset. Impressive.”

“…Exactly!”

Even if he doesn’t understand, he’s being praised right now?

Then he should just stay quiet.

He can’t afford to become a fool who doesn’t even know why he’s being praised.

“I also agree to meeting Kim Taejin. He’s undeniably one of the strongest heroes. With you as you are now, you’ll surely achieve tremendous growth.”

“…Is that so?”

Wow, the homeroom teacher really hypes him up.

He must be an impressive person if even students know about him.

He’s starting to not want to meet him.

“He must be a formidable person…”

Perhaps he’s a grumpy old man.

Maybe he’s the type who says, “I won’t feed you unless you cross that mountain!”

Damn, he’ll have to sincerely make an effort to pass the time somehow for a week.

“Anyway, since you’re putting in so much effort, I can’t just sit idly by.”

Suhyun suddenly opened his arms wide.

But his chest was somewhat feeble, not showing much emotion.

Honestly, it brings tears to his eyes when compared to Yeonghee.

Could it be because he was drinking strawberry milk…?

“Today, I’ve prepared some valuable information as well.”

“Hmm.”

“You have Park Secretary looking after you, right?”

Suhyun spoke with a slightly serious tone.

“He’s actually a traitor.”

…Huh?

What’s going on here?

It’s like the web novel author is taking things too far with unrealistic plot twists.

“Of course, I understand if you’re surprised. You probably never imagined this.”

It was indeed an unimaginable setup.

After all, Park Secretary and himself don’t have a relationship of betrayal or anything like that.

If you had to categorize it… well, it’s more of a business relationship.

Like the relationship between equipment and Jegal Ryang.

“Park Secretary doesn’t recognize you as the successor of Heukcheon.”

Eujin recalled her usual image of Secretary Park at those words.

– Indeed, it is you, Eujin!

– Truly the successor of Heukcheon!

– The only one to inherit Heukcheon is Eujin!

“…If that’s acting, then Secretary Park must have the Best Actor award.”

Well, Suhyun doesn’t know Secretary Park.

In her setting, any character would not be strange.

Above all, it seems like a more interesting setup.

“Secretary Park plans to betray you today and appoint someone else as the successor.”

“Oh.”

The story starts getting more and more interesting.

It’s truly a scene from a thriller.

I thought the genre of that novel was academy fantasy,

Was it actually noir?

“Secretary Park is strong in herself, but she cooperates with those who doubt your qualifications like herself and tries to assassinate you.”

“…So, am I going to die?”

“In a typical story, Cheolsu would rescue you from such a situation. Unfortunately, the chances of that happening now are slim.”

Ah, so Cheolsu and I are connected like that.

Suhyun is really something.

Even for an author, crafting a story like this must be difficult.

“If things go as I know, there will be someone else beside Secretary Park today. He introduces himself as a junior, but when you let your guard down, he stabs you with a knife. That knife is poisoned, so make sure to avoid it.”

“Mm.”

“Secretary Park’s combat strength is nothing to underestimate. If possible, don’t fight and run away.”

After saying that, Suhyun let out a deep sigh.

“I’m telling you this purely because I’m worried about you. I hope you stay alive.”

“…Got it. I’ll try my best.”

Eujin listened to that delusion and nodded slightly.

Being so detailed, she started to worry a bit.

What if by any chance what she said actually happens… No, it couldn’t be.

‘Nah, surely not.’

She tried hard to think that way, but she couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

If what Suhyun said is true?

If this isn’t just Suhyun’s imagination, and she really is a possessed person, what would happen?

Eujin began to feel uneasy and worry.

****

At the same moment.

Secretary Park’s hand pierced through the man’s chest.

“Cough!”

The man looked at Secretary Park with eyes full of disbelief.

He had considered him a comrade, so why?!

“Why… Why? You must have had some dissatisfaction with the fact that Kim Eujin is the successor…!”

“Oh, well, that was certainly the case before.”

Surely, his past self would have agreed with him.

Because he thought Eujin didn’t fit Heukcheon.

But now it’s different.

“I have acknowledged him as my true lord.”

The overwhelming power he displayed.

The strategy of manipulating others from behind.

And even the ruthless behavior without hesitation.

“Eujin is the most suitable person to succeed Heukcheon. Those who stand in his way are my enemies.”

“Cough!”

“Even though we were old comrades, I cannot overlook anyone who dares to stab him in the back.”

The man bleeding on the ground collapsed.

He wore a disappointed smile.

“Gah… I never thought you’d be able to captivate a man like me. Misjudging the capacity of a human named Eujin… was our mistake…”

The man lost his strength and fell.

Secretary Park wiped the blood off, seeming annoyed.

He had to hurry to greet Eujin.

He couldn’t welcome them in such a dirty state.

‘I need to hurry.’

Quickly tidying up, Secretary Park went to pick up Eujin as usual.

“Have you arrived, sir?”

Eujin, sitting in the car, glanced up at the passenger seat.

“Is there anyone else with you?”

“Yes, of course not. It’s solely my role to accompany you, Eujin.”

“Mm, is that so?”

Eujin breathed a sigh of relief internally.

‘Ah, well, that’s right. It was all just a delusion after all.’

Did this Park secretary ever have a reason to betray herself?

Suhyun’s delusion was so detailed that I got scared.

It was needless worry.

“In the first place, possessing someone and this world being an adult game? That’s impossible!”

The car soon started smoothly.

Having lost the only chance for the truth to be revealed.