Chapter 49: Hectic Weekend

“Hmm…”

Rohan woke up at dawn, the time he would usually head to the training room. Muscle memory was a scary thing indeed.

However, he didn’t get up. He didn’t even open his eyes.

That’s right. I slept at Instructor’s house.

The room was pitch black, not a single ray of light penetrating the blackout curtains.

A surprisingly comfortable bed, a sweet scent emanating from the bedding, and warm air.

On the other hand, uncomfortable bandages and wounds, taking the opportunity to deliver sharp pain.

The sensations, so different from his dormitory until yesterday, made him realize the situation.

Since I can’t go for my morning training… should I sleep more?

Sunday made him feel relaxed.

Rohan reached down with his eyes closed to properly fix the messy blanket.

“?”

His hand touched something. Thin and warm.

As he felt around, the form became clear, and even in his hazy consciousness, he began to guess what it was.

A coolness and chill distinct from the warmth.

It felt like a blade was piercing into his mind.

“Touching Instructor’s hand as soon as you open your eyes… Cadet Rohan, you have bad habits.”

“!?”

Juyeon’s voice pierced his ears.

Rohan, startled, opened his eyes wide and tried to raise his upper body.

“It’s fine. It was a joke, lie down.”

Juyeon poked Rohan’s forehead with her finger, fixing the back of his head on the pillow.

Judging by the situation, the only thing Rohan could freely move was his mouth.

“Ahem…! Good morning, Instructor.”

A morning greeting she hadn’t heard in a long time.

Juyeon blinked for a moment, then smiled in the dark room.

“I’d like to accept your morning greeting, but it’s still dawn. Sleep more for your recovery.”

“…”

Juyeon removed her finger from his forehead and pulled up the blanket that had slipped down due to Rohan’s fidgeting, covering him up to his neck.

“Don’t mind me. I just came to check on your condition, just in case.”

“Thank you for your concern. It’s been… truly a long time since I’ve slept so comfortably. It’s thanks to you, Instructor.”

This cadet’s mouth moves like it was oiled, even right after waking up.

Juyeon chuckled, recalling Rohan’s sleep-talking from earlier in the morning, and carefully asked,

“Did you have a nightmare because you were nervous about being at the Instructor’s house?”

“I… don’t remember dreams after I wake up.”

Rohan was that type. Only the feeling that he had been drifting in a dream remained.

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

As if relieved by his words, Juyeon got up from the bed.

Then, with the sound of footsteps, she moved away from the bed.

“It’s not enough sleep yet, so go back to sleep. I’ll accept your morning greeting then.”

Before Rohan could answer, the door closed quietly.

Rohan did as Juyeon told him and went back to sleep.

To shake off the image of a problem child, shouldn’t he listen to her words first? Looking back, it’s an excellent example of obedience.

When he opened his eyes for the second time, Rohan opened his Status Window to check his condition and rewards.

Okay, the abnormal status is gone, so there’s nothing wrong with my body.

The remaining Points were also excellent. They had become plentiful with the addition of the 1,500P quest reward.

The goal of purchasing a Random Skill Book was not far off.

“Phew!”

Rohan exhaled and got out of bed, neatly arranging the blanket.

He might have been careless in the dormitory, but how could he be now?

Satisfied with the neatly arranged blanket, he grabbed the doorknob.

Creak.

As he opened the door and came out, Juyeon, who was sitting at the dining table looking at her Smartphone, looked up at him.

The feeling of leaving the bedroom and facing Juyeon was strangely exciting.

“You’re awake. Good morning.”

“Instructor. Good morning.”

Rohan smiled as if he had been waiting for Juyeon’s morning greeting.

“How are you feeling?”

“My wounds are fine. Just… My head feels a little fuzzy from sleeping too much.”

“I see. Breakfast will be ready soon, so go wash up.”

“Yes!”

He started feeling hungry as soon as he heard the word breakfast.

He was curious about the menu but didn’t ask. If Juyeon prepared it, he’d have to lick the plate clean, wouldn’t he?

Rohan immediately headed to wash up.

Whoosh!

Water poured from the faucet.

Rohan woke himself up with cold water, then raised his head and looked in the mirror.

…I look terrible.

He wasn’t talking about the bandages or wounds on his body.

He had slept so deeply in a new house. Looking in the mirror attached to the sink, he saw his hair was a mess.

After tidying himself up as best he could, he saw Juyeon had gotten up from the dining table and was busily moving around in the kitchen.

As Rohan quietly watched her back, Juyeon spoke while working with her hands.

“Sit down and wait a moment.”

“Instructor. Is there anything I can help you with?”

“It’s alright. It’s better if the owner who knows where everything is does this, so just stay put.”

He sat down at the dining table without a word.

Across from where Juyeon had been sitting earlier.

“You said you weren’t a picky eater before, right? You said you eat everything except for tasteless food.”

“That’s right.”

It was definitely a conversation they had when Juyeon visited The Flower Bookstore and bought him dinner.

“Then if there are leftovers today, it means my cooking is tasteless.”

“I’ll chew up the plates too!”

“Heh, I was joking, so don’t chew the plates. The Three Kingdoms Union’s breakfast can be a hit or miss, so it might not suit your taste.”

With that, Juyeon checked the rice cooker timer, which had 3 minutes remaining.

Thinking it was the right time, she changed the subject.

“I received a report from the Peacekeepers this morning. I’ll briefly explain the situation.”

“I’m listening.”

“First, since it was a small-scale Organization, they believe there are no remaining members. The on-site investigation seems to be concluded as well.”

The words were simple enough to end in one sentence, but it meant that the Smartphones and electronic devices of the Organization members had been thoroughly investigated, along with their internet accounts, websites used, and transaction histories.

Furthermore, she said the Peacekeepers had been running around all night, working hard in the real world as well.

“And the firearms and Sword Rohan used will be submitted as evidence since they were the Organization’s weapons. That part is unfortunate, but I’ll request they add it to the reward money.”

“Thank you!”

If they converted that into money, he was all for it.

Even though the Machete felt good in his hand, it wasn’t the type he preferred.

Besides, without Juyeon, this process would have likely been very difficult.

“Hmm, and there’s one thing we need to confirm.”

“What is it?”

“The Public Security Bureau plans to announce this incident and identify you as an Orion Academy Cadet. They asked for your consent to include your real name. If you wish, they can omit the Cadet title altogether and only announce the dismantling of the Organization.”

“I think it’s better to include my real name.”

Juyeon turned around from the kitchen at Rohan’s immediate answer.

Her eyes showed surprise, which was rare.

“That’s an unexpected decision. Why?”

“I think it’ll be necessary for the future.”

Originally, he might have hidden the fact that he was a Cadet, as Juyeon expected.

But even the slightest bit of fame would be beneficial for the business Rohan and Clara were planning. This was a good opportunity that didn’t come often.

“The future… In a direction other than the Peacekeepers?”

“That’s right.”

Juyeon accepted Rohan’s firm answer.

She felt like Rohan would do well on his own without needing further explanation.

“Then I’ll convey that. Your class will be buzzing on Monday. You’ll be a good example.”

Juyeon placed brown rice and soup in front of Rohan, asking him to keep Gilbert from screaming.

There was even grilled fish.

Luxury overload!

Rohan finished two bowls on the spot.

Before leaving, he tried to bow deeply as a token of gratitude, but Juyeon stopped him, which was quite disappointing.

··

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“Manager, I’ll see you on Monday!”

─ Alright. Take care!

After confirming the call ended, Rohan exhaled and smiled.

When he asked if he could take a day off from his part-time job, the manager said it was fine before even hearing the reason.

He had planned to go for a drink with his grandson in the afternoon anyway, and the sooner the better, he said.

After hearing all of that, he briefly explained that he had been injured, resulting in a 7-minute phone call.

She said I can remove the bandages and wash up tonight.

The medicine the Public Security Bureau applied must have been excellent.

His wounds felt itchy, as if new flesh was already growing.

On his way back to the dormitory, busy exchanging messages,

While typing furiously,

Buzz! Buzz!

A call came in.

Hmm?

It wasn’t a registered number. But he had to answer calls from numbers like this.

It could be the Public Security Bureau as Juyeon said. And there was another possibility.

“Hello?”

─ …

Silence. A faint breathing sound could be heard.

─ …

The silence prolonged without a reply. The breathing became ragged.

Rohan called out a name that came to mind.

“Shion?”

Even though the next foreshadowing for the Main Story hadn’t appeared yet,

The intuition that something was about to begin flashed through his mind.