Episode 221. Why Only Me?

“This side is clean… how about over there?”

“It’s spotless. There are no traces at all.”

“Hmm….”

“How could a fight happen without a single trace….”

“Not even the residual magic of a demon beast is visible.”

The Academy Security Team couldn’t help but be flustered.

No matter how much they investigated, they couldn’t find any signs of a fight.

Just the demon beast’s corpse.

Other than that, nothing suspicious turned up.

It felt as if the demon beast had been dealt with somewhere else and its corpse just dumped here.

“They didn’t even give it a chance.”

“What?”

As everyone frowned and stared at the living room.

The oldest and most senior member of the Academy Security Team.

Kim Pelle, the ace of the security team who had returned after studying abroad, spoke up.

Kim Pelle held his chin with his hand and looked down at the scene.

“An S-class demon beast couldn’t even muster its magic… what do you think that means? A demon beast’s greatest drive is its survival instinct. There’s no way it wouldn’t use its magic when facing death.”

“Then….”

“Right. Lee Hoyeon is such an incredible expert that an S-class demon beast couldn’t even react before being taken down.”

“…!”

“I’ll have to report this separately. You all keep your mouths shut, just in case.”

“Y-yes. Understood!”

Kim Pelle sighed, ‘Hoo,’ and shook his head.

In his long career, he had never encountered such a powerful individual.

The rookie of the security team started getting a headache from the confidential information he’d accidentally overheard.

“What are you all doing?”

Moon Surin approached the security team, who were all gathered, shaking their heads.

“P-President!”

“Is the investigation going well?”

“Y-yes.”

The security team reported the progress to Moon Surin.

On-site, the student council president held considerable authority.

Not only was there no one else to lead, but Moon Surin handled things exceptionally well, regardless of her young age.

Even the proud personnel on site who initially dismissed Moon Surin couldn’t help but acknowledge her talent after working with her a few times.

“No traces… It was definitely too clean.”

The scene was awkward to anyone who looked at it.

It must have seemed even stranger to the experts.

“Or should we check inside the room as well?”

“…No. I’ll just take a look around in there myself.”

“Understood. Then we’ll wrap up here. Hey! Finish up!”

There were many unsettling aspects, but… I had to protect Hoyeon’s privacy.

While the security team finished their on-site investigation, Moon Surin casually looked around Lee Hoyeon’s room and bathroom.

There was nothing particularly related to the case or noticeably strange.

But then….

“There are a lot of toothbrushes.”

Something started to catch Moon Surin’s eye.

The beds, one in the room and one in the living room, and the multiple toothbrushes that seemed to be in use.

The computer, perfectly set up as if for broadcasting.

A sense of daily life, perhaps.

Signs of a person were visible.

Of course, it wasn’t a problem that signs of a person were visible since it was Lee Hoyeon’s home….

“…I never heard Hoyeon mention broadcasting.”

Something, something felt off.

What could it be?

But she didn’t want to rummage through the closets or drawers.

That was truly Lee Hoyeon’s private life.

Moon Surin’s conscience told her not to cross that line.

Moon Surin, tilting her head strangely, accidentally found clothes lying haphazardly under the bed, as if hidden.

It was a piece of black fabric, and when she held it up with both hands, she could tell its purpose.

Clothes that emphasized a woman’s chest, stomach, hips, and thighs.

It was a revealing outfit designed to stimulate men.

“….”

Why was this in Hoyeon’s house?

“President! We’re finished!”

As Moon Surin was lost in thought, the security team’s voice came from outside.

“Ah, yes!”

For now, I had to leave.

Moon Surin put the clothes back under the bed.

“….”

What on earth is this?

Hoyeon is hiding something from me.

Maybe it’s nothing significant.

That piece of fabric could just be a useless gift from a friend… the computer could be an unmentioned hobby.

I can respect that much.

But unnecessary thoughts complicated Moon Surin’s mind.

Lee Hoyeon had many female acquaintances.

“Haa….”

Moon Surin hated this feeling. And she regretted her actions.

I wish I hadn’t looked for anything.

Then my mind would be at ease.

Moon Surin walked out, her mind still complicated.

*

“I-is this… okay? Lumi?”

“Yeah. Hurry, hurry.”

Lumi pushed Lucy’s back as they entered the club room.

In the club room… a bed had been installed yesterday.

Getting permission from the school for it to be used as a resting place was incredibly difficult, but they finally managed.

It was because Lumi pushed for it.

Lucy found it awkward seeing Lumi so passionate.

When it came to matters involving Lee Hoyeon, she became a completely different person.

“Lucy. This should be enough, right?”

“Yeah. It’s big and nice, but….”

The bed was spacious.

Enough for three people to lie down and fool around.

Lucy felt tense just looking at the bed.

The reason this bed was placed here… was obvious without needing to be said.

Seeing Lucy’s tense expression, Lumi took her hand.

“Lucy. Do you perhaps dislike doing things with Hoyeon-ssi?”

“…It’s not that I dislike it. I like it.”

Of course, Lucy liked being with Lee Hoyeon and Lumi.

If it were just playing normally, it wasn’t just good; she felt like she could fly.

But sharing intimacy with Lumi… required Lucy to mentally prepare herself a bit.

“Lucy. We need to steel ourselves.”

“Steel ourselves?”

“…You know, right? Hoyeon-ssi has many pretty people around him, like Nam Daeun-yang… and Alice-ssi.”

“Baek Ahyoung-seonsaengnim said she’s close with him too.”

“Professor Im Sol too.”

“Thinking about it, he’s a real bastard.”

“It’s okay. Because there are two of us.”

Lumi smiled slightly and held Lucy’s hand.

“You think so too, right, Lucy?”

“Haa, yes. Okay. Let’s take down Lee Hoyeon.”

Lucy couldn’t refuse Lumi’s words.

No, actually, she was grateful Lumi was so passionate.

She had only experienced it once before, so honestly, she was nervous about that aspect.

Because of that, even though she desired Lee Hoyeon, she didn’t know quite how to proceed.

But thanks to Lumi, they could move forward like this.

“I’ll do my best too, Lumi.”

“Mmm… I love you, Lucy.”

“I love you more.”

The twins hugged each other and lay down on the bed.

“It feels good lying down together.”

“Yeah. It reminds me of the old days. Whenever things were tough, Lucy always held me like this.”

Since they were young, Lucy had always looked after the more delicate Lumi.

It was natural for her as an older sister, so she hadn’t expected anything in return… but this time, she decided to subtly ask.

“Lumi. This time, you help me.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll definitely get Lee Hoyeon to lie between us too.”

“Kek, yes. I love that.”

The twins giggled and spent time in the club room.

*

“Try this. A chicken drumstick.”

“Yes, thank you very much, Liliana.”

Nam Daeun, Nam Dahee, Liliana, and me.

The four of us ordered three whole chickens.

Since there were three chickens, there were six drumsticks in total.

When I glared at Liliana, who was reaching for another drumstick after eating three, she glanced at me and offered one.

“Drumsticks are tasty though….”

“What kind of talk is that in front of the kids? Seriously.”

“Liliana unnie is so funny. Pfft.”

“Dahee-ya. Eat without spilling.”

Swoosh-

Nam Dahee, seemingly unbothered, laughed while looking at Liliana, and Nam Daeun also wiped Nam Dahee’s mouth, not paying it any mind.

Tsk.

These kids are too nice, too nice.

I can just imagine how much they must have snatched from each other when I wasn’t around.

“You don’t steal all the drumsticks from the kids when I’m not here, right? You guys order chicken every day anyway.”

“…No, I don’t.”

Seeing Liliana avoid my eyes and pick at the dry meat, I let out a hollow laugh.

Are all the kids living in the Underworld this young?

No. If I think positively, maybe they’re just living youthfully?

“Hey kids, speaking of which, are you guys really okay?”

It’s a shameless question, but… honestly, I only just remembered.

They looked so fine that I didn’t even worry about it.

“Yeah. We’re fine.”

“Of course. Yap yap.”

Seeing how full of energy they were, it seems they weren’t hurt.

“Still, it was an S-class demon beast… you caught it so easily? Has Daeun gotten that strong?”

“Um, Liliana-ssi helped a lot.”

“Liliana?”

I looked at Liliana, who was munching on chicken.

Is that kid helpful?

“Why are you looking at me like that? I’ve gotten incredibly strong too, you know? Maybe the god watching from the Underworld blessed me. Heh heh.”

“….”

What kind of bullshit is that.

Still, judging by what Nam Daeun said, it seems they did get stronger….

Ah.

Did they get stronger because I got stronger learning the Rune Barrier from Rebecca?

Come to think of it, I’ve grown rapidly stronger since summoning Liliana.

Perhaps Liliana’s usable mana has increased proportionally.

It’s been a while since a proper fight, so it makes sense Liliana feels that way.

“Right. You’re the best. I always believed in you.”

“Heh heh. Then offer me a drumstick.”

“Hoyeon oppa, but when is Scarlet unnie coming?”

As I was bantering with Liliana, Nam Dahee interjected with a question.

“Uh… Scarlet said she’s busy with work. But she’ll be here soon.”

“I want to see Scout too. I feel restless since I haven’t used my tail.”

Scarlet.

I thought of Scarlet, who was by Alice’s side.

Actually, I wonder if it’s okay for her to have this little work?

I suddenly felt anxious back then, but now both I and my girls have become much stronger.

Of course, like in a crappy game, the power creep will get worse later, so this might not be enough… but I’ll just have to work harder.

“I’ll ask her once. She should be able to show her face, right?”

“Yay! Thank you, oppa!”

Dahee visibly brightened.

She’s gotten quite close with Scarlet too.

Seeing my girls get along always makes me feel good.

‘Ah, Scarlet isn’t one of my heroines.’

I got confused seeing her so often.

“Hoyeon-ah. I have something I want to ask too. How did you meet that Rebecca person?”

“Right. That witch is terrifying. She talks about clans and stuff, but I don’t really get it.”

“Rebecca-ssi… Well, it’s a long story, but I’ll tell you in detail.”

We continued chatting.

As expected, sharing daily life like this with the heroines is pleasant and healing.

Of course, right after sex.

*

The day after Lee Hoyeon was attacked by the Skull Mask. Sunday.

Scarlet reported to Alice.

“An attack…?”

“Yes. I obtained data being processed by the Academy.”

The document Scarlet presented contained information about the attack Lee Hoyeon had received.

It was a detailed compilation, including information leaked from the Academy and information gathered through personal inquiries.

“Hmm… Understood. I should contact them. You may go rest now.”

“Yes. I’ll be going.”

After bidding farewell to Alice, Scarlet left the mansion and headed home.

Unlike Sebastian, Scarlet didn’t need to be by Alice’s side every day.

‘What should I do when I get home?’

It’s quite strange.

I’ve never felt this way before in my life.

• Scout~. Look at this. Doesn’t it look delicious?

• Hey, it’s Scarlet, not Scout. How long are you going to keep doing that?

• Scarlet-ssi. Thank you.

• Unnie~ Please do this for me.

“Ha.”

Despite being known for information gathering and assassination.

Who would have thought I’d grow so attached.

Scary people.

Even as she thought that, a smile played on Scarlet’s lips.

‘I should probably visit soon.’

Scarlet entered her house, lost in pleasant thoughts.

The moment she closed the door after entering her home, she was startled by the survival warnings flashing through her entire body.

Get out immediately.

Turn around and run.

Scarlet reflexively reached to open the door she had just closed.

But.

“Scarlet.”

At the deep voice that soon followed, she stopped all movement and turned back around.

It was a natural reaction, like a prey animal freezing when seeing a predator.

In the living room, a man was lounging on the sofa as if it were his own home.

The man looked completely at ease, as if he had come home.

“Guild Master… nim.”

“It’s been a while. Seems like you’re living comfortably here?”

The Iris Guild Master.

Isaac.

He was in her house.