episode_0006

This is the Vanguard Room.

I, along with Ewayoung, Han Seyoung, and myself, are seated on the couch in the lounge located in the Vanguard Room.

What’s going on here?

I glanced over at Ewayoung sitting right next to me.

Did she notice my gaze?

Whether she realized it herself or not, she rolled her eyes towards the corner, avoiding eye contact with me.

Yet, she doesn’t let go of my right hand. Hehe.

“Wow, these snacks are delicious~.”

Han Seyoung, who seems unaware of where we’ve entered, was enjoying the taste of the snacks on the table one by one.

The Student Council, representing the entire academy.

One of the key departments within the Student Council is the Vanguard.

Given that the Student Council avoids interference for various reasons, they overlook it.

The Vanguard holds a crucial position as it should set an example for the academy.

It’s said that for the Student Council to function properly at Hero Academy, the existence of the Vanguard is paramount.

If you were to choose one of the most important aspects of the Vanguard’s existence, all students would unanimously agree: force.

The Vanguard is a group that should exemplify others.

Given their activities patrolling the academy and nearby areas through self-defense training, the use of force becomes necessary when communication fails.

Joining the Vanguard in the game earns you the achievement of being a new Vanguard member, boosting strength, agility, and stamina by +1.

“Sorry for being late, I have a lot to handle right now.”

A gentle voice is heard as the door opens.

I turned my head towards the door, shifting my gaze towards her as she walked towards us.

She is none other than the current Vanguard Chief and one of the strongest students at the academy.

With red hair tied in a ponytail, she usually has a cheerful demeanor but turns serious during combat.

“I’m sorry for meeting under these circumstances, but nice to meet you. I’m Jin Haram, the new Vanguard Chief.”

“No problem. I’m Hangeol.”

“I’m Han Seyoung, nice to meet you!”

“I’m Ewayoung.”

The name tags on their uniforms are red. They are fourth-year students.

Oh, by the way, first-year students like us have white name tags.

Jin Haram, a fourth-year student who recently became the new Vanguard Chief when we enrolled.

I believe she would be the toughest opponent if we ever turned against each other in the story.

Why do I think so?

She is a swordsman who also uses magic, possessing innate talent even in the official storyline.

Then why not restrict her to using only swords and impose limitations?

She is a swordsman who can also use magic. She disregards any restrictions on using swords and simply incorporates magic.

What if there were constraints on using swords and magic?

She is also a martial artist, capable of defeating mid-level demons with just her martial arts skills.

If approached from a distance, she uses magic.

If someone attempts close combat, she overwhelms them with swordsmanship.

If there’s no suitable place for swords and magic, she neutralizes with martial arts.

Moreover, her current abilities surpass those of graduating students and are on par with upper-mid-tier heroes.

Furthermore, she is expected to grow even stronger in the future.

There are characters like her out there.

“The incident at the restaurant is entirely the responsibility of our Vanguard. I won’t make any excuses about that.”

Nodding, she expresses that she will take responsibility as part of the Vanguard.

“…We may have overreacted, but…”

Tremors were felt in the hand holding mine.

“Still, Ewayoung really dislikes others touching her body. It was wrong for someone to touch her shoulder on the first meeting.”

*Nods*

Hwayoung nodded her head up and down, indicating affirmation.

“I will make sure to educate Kang Hwasu, a 3rd-year student council member. We need to prevent incidents like this from happening.”

“Um… You’re not going to kick him out of the student council, are you?”

“Despite his appearance and behavior, Kang Hwasu is putting in a lot of effort into his role in the student council. He’s actively participating in volunteer activities outside of school… and even the title of ‘promising student’ he mentioned still holds true.”

“Wow, I didn’t know that.”

I had only thought of Kang Hwasu as just another student council member passing by, but he seems to be showing kindness contrary to his appearance.

“Well, then what about the recent incident?”

“It may sound like an excuse, but it’s probably because he genuinely likes Hwayoung…”

“I don’t like him. He’s too clingy. Hwayoung.”

“It might be quicker for the person involved to apologize directly.”

“He’s coming this way now.”

Creak!!

The presence beyond the door was already noticed, as the student council president looked towards the door while speaking.

As soon as he finished speaking, the door opened, revealing Kang Hwasu, the student council member, along with other 2nd-year members, whom we had seen at the cafeteria earlier.

Upon locking eyes with us, they immediately bowed deeply and shouted loudly, “Sorry!!!”

“Sorry!!!”

“Huh?!”

Taken aback by the sudden loud voices, Han Seyoung dropped the snack she was about to eat, catching it before it fell and putting it back in her mouth.

“I must have become arrogant unintentionally while being in the student council. I’m truly sorry for what happened at the cafeteria!”

“…”

“I’m sorry for trying to get close to you, Hwayoung. I was captivated by you at first sight…”

“…”

Hwayoung’s gaze turned colder and colder.

Noticing that look, Kang Hwasu quickly continued with his next words.

“Um… And! It must have been uncomfortable for you to raise your hand when you already have a boyfriend! I’m really sorry! I mean it!!!”

“Uh… Ugh?? A… Boy… Boyfriend… Well! I’ll accept your apology. That’s enough.”

A sharp expression softened momentarily upon hearing the word “boyfriend.”

“I accept Kang Hwasu’s apology… What about the others behind you?”

“We feel like we also made mistakes. We should have intervened before the incident happened instead of just watching from the sidelines. We apologize for that.”

The 2nd-year student council members acknowledged their faults and asked for forgiveness.

“Well, how about you guys?”

“We’re fine… Hehe.”

“I’m okay too.”

It seems they weren’t too upset after all.

“I’m glad things ended well.”

“Thank you. Please keep an eye on us so that this won’t happen again.”

“That’s settled. As for you, you will receive separate training with me after class.”

“What?!”

Kang Hwasu’s bright expression turned into a frown upon hearing the student council president’s words.

It’s probably a one-on-one training disguised as education. Fighting!!

But wait…

“Wait, we’re not dating though.”

“What did you say??”

“What??”

“Huh??”

“…?”

“We’ve known each other since we were kids, so we’ve never confessed our feelings to each other…”

“Then why are you holding hands now?”

“This? We’ve been holding hands since we were kids, so maybe it’s just a habit for Hwayoung…”

Are they doing this on purpose?

Everyone present there shared the same thought.

“Well, I think we’ve taken care of everything here. Shall we head back?”

“Uh… Yeah. Thanks for your time. You can go.”

Lunchtime is almost over, so I just need to check the bulletin board for class assignments and head straight back.

“…”

“Hwayoung?”

“·····.”

“Hwayoung, Hwayoung???”

Euhwayoung sat frozen in her seat.

As the class president approached to check on her, he mentioned that she had fainted.

Why…?

Sigh…-

Why are people sighing…?

Before long, Euhwayoung regained consciousness.

·····

She left the student council room and headed towards the area with bulletin boards.

Perhaps because lunchtime was ending, when she had been here before, there were a lot of people, but now it was eerily empty.

Let’s see… Found my name.

“I’m in Class 1. What about you guys?”

“Uh… I’m in Class 3… That’s too bad…”

“Hehe, I’m in Class 1! In the same class as Gyeol!”

Hanseoyoung felt down being in a different class from her first friend at the academy, Gyeol. On the other hand, Euhwayoung was thrilled to be in the same class as her.

“Come to think of it, why did Hangeol refuse the student council’s offer? I declined to explore various club departments before making a decision.”

“Huh? Well… I have a club in mind.”

“The class president will be disappointed~ If Hangeol joins, Euhwayoung would’ve joined too.”

“I can’t deny that.”

“I’ll go wherever Gyeol goes.”

That’s a lie.

When the class president suggested I join the student council, I wanted to join right away.

However, if I were to join the student council, it would limit my actions.

The reason I didn’t join the student council.

The reason is the class president. Because of Jin Haram.

In the coming year, during that time, she dies.

Due to the continuous failures in conquering the tower, the accumulated penalties burst out beyond the tower and manifested through the rushing horde of demons.