Chapter 89.2

Chapter 89 (Continued)

For a brief moment, time seemed to stop in the office.

Baek-seo’s gaze sharply turned to the laptop.

Yesong’s eyes widened in surprise.

Do-ha suddenly sat up on the sofa, looking puzzledly at the laptop.

Minhyuk and I froze. It felt like we understood each other’s minds.

What… did she just say?

“Hmm…. Why is the Leader mentioned here?”

Baek-seo’s restrained voice pierced my ears.

‘Why is my name mentioned without any context…?’

I felt the same.

The chat box was quickly filling with ‘?’ messages.

The JTuber seemed to realize she had misspoken in her excitement from the horror game, and she reacted with exaggerated shock.

[Aah, well! That person saved me once before. I was in a really scary situation, you know? It was terrifying. But when the Disciplinary Committee Leader showed up, I felt so reassured! That’s why I think of him when I’m scared. I’d love to repay him somehow someday.]

It was a heartwarming story.

However, the officers’ gazes were laden with meaning.

Did they think I was flirting around?

But then again…

‘Is she someone I saved…? I don’t recognize the voice.’

I couldn’t pinpoint who Iaring was.

Hearing her voice didn’t ring any bells, which meant she hadn’t left a significant impression on me.

Given my activities as the Disciplinary Committee Leader, it was natural to save many people. I couldn’t remember each one individually.

[Do I like him!? Wh-what do you mean…! That would be rude to him! Do you even know who he is? Don’t say things like that! Anyway, let’s continue the game now…!]

“I see….”

Minhyuk received his laptop and gently stroked the screen where Iaring’s face was displayed, his eyes filled with wistful longing.

“Of course, someone like Iaring would have a prince charming of her own….”

This was a first for me, so I wasn’t sure how to respond.

Whoosh.

A hand settled on my shoulder.

It was Baek-seo.

“Fufu, she’s grateful. You must be happy, Leader, being so popular.”

“No, it’s not….”

She’s smiling, right…?

“Listen.”

Baek-seo leaned in and whispered softly into my ear.

“Don’t forget that you’re mine.”

Her whisper sent chills down my spine.

‘Of course….’

But somehow, Baek-seo’s open expression of her feelings made me feel much better than before.

Doha, meanwhile, muttered “Iaring…” and started fiddling with her smartphone, while Yesong pondered with her chin in her hand.

“If Iaring was saved by the Leader, she must be living in our academy’s jurisdiction… Leader, should I track her down and introduce her to you? Or should I warn her not to mess with our Leader!?”

“Why would you do that…?”

“Because it sounds fun.”

“Don’t do anything unnecessary.”

Baek-seo remained standing behind me with her hand on my shoulder. Even without applying much force, her presence felt heavy.

Yesong was spouting nonsense, Minhyuk was sulking, and Do-ha was losing focus…

I needed to change the subject quickly.

“Speaking of which.”

Seeing the JTuber reminded me of someone.

“What’s the Shin-dori Swordmaster up to these days?”

The Shindorim Swordmaster.

He was also a JTube streamer, who caused trouble to gain attention and disappeared after our duel.

I had lost interest in him.

But suddenly, I was curious about his whereabouts.

“Ah, Shinso? He seems to have started a new account and is surviving somehow. Recently, the law about confiscating earnings was ruled unconstitutional.”

Yesong responded.

“You used to say he was your number one boyfriend candidate, but you don’t seem very enthusiastic now.”

“Ha Yesong’s number one boyfriend candidate spot is currently vacant. Shinso isn’t even in the top 10 now. He’s a loser not worthy of my attention.”

She doesn’t even know his feelings, yet she’s boasting.

‘There’s a top 10?’

It was such useless information that I regretted storing it in my memory.

“Oh, right. Did you see Shinso’s apology video?”

“Apology video?”

“Yes, he apologized to the Leader, saying he was sorry for causing trouble. It’s been up for a while, but I forgot to mention it…. Want to see it?”

I nodded, and Yesong showed me the video Shindorim Swordmaster had uploaded.

In a solemn atmosphere, Shinso, wearing a mask, faced the camera and apologized to the Ahsung High Disciplinary Committee Leader.

He said he felt guilty and that reflecting on his actions made him realize how much trouble he caused.

“Probably just for show. His image took a hit after challenging you, even though it was popular at the time. It was pretty disruptive.”

“But didn’t you enjoy it back then?”

“Things like that are comical from a distance. As long as it’s entertaining!”

As the video neared its end, Shinso said,

[Someday, I hope to repay the debt I owe to the Ahsung High Disciplinary Committee Leader.]

‘This is interesting….’

People I saved.

People I fought with.

‘This is fascinating.’

The process of forming new relationships with them was… quite enjoyable.

***

“Mina~.”

Min Hana waved her hand at her computer monitor.

Combining ‘bye’ with ‘JTube’ became ‘Jibye’. It meant the same as the farewell phrase ‘Bye’.

“Haaa….”

Hana turned off the stream and slumped in her chair, letting out a deep sigh.

“I messed up. Got too excited….”

As a virtual streamer, her real appearance was hidden by her skin.

In the thrill of the horror game, Hana unconsciously brought up the Ahsung High Disciplinary Committee Leader, who had been on her mind.

Once mentioned, she couldn’t stop herself from continuing, and she regretted it immediately after.

She worried about causing trouble for Woo-jin.

Hana recalled Woo-jin subduing Han So-jeong’s bullying gang. Though Woo-jin probably didn’t remember her, he had become significant to Hana.

It was clear why students respected Woo-jin so much.

‘Thanks to him, I’ve gained incredible popularity.’

She no longer needed to live in fear.

Gradually, Hana grew her presence as a virtual streamer and became a well-known broadcaster.

‘Someday… if I can help too.’

To Hana, Woo-jin was a savior.

Therefore, she would always be on Woo-jin’s side.

***

Meanwhile.

Swish, swish!

Park Sung-tae, formerly known as the Shindorim Swordmaster, was tirelessly swinging his sword in the training hall.

“Huff, huff…!”

Training relentlessly, day in and day out.

Since feeling the overwhelming power of Ahn Woo-jin firsthand, Sung-tae couldn’t remain idle.

‘At least… I want to be at the Leader’s level…!’

He wanted to become stronger.

Woo-jin had trampled on his pride so thoroughly that it drove him to this obsession.
But instead of despair, he felt gratitude.

He realized how weak and insignificant his skills were, and he was able to face his true self.
He accepted that he was selfish and petty.

So now, he would live as someone who pursued his interests.

Embracing the humiliation Woo-jin had given him.

‘Someday, I’ll restore my image…!’

Apologizing with a video was not enough to make up for the disruption he caused, nor for dragging the Ahsung High Disciplinary Committee Leader into unnecessary trouble.

A folded paper’s creases never disappear.

So, he would pretend to reflect while helping others, just like the Disciplinary Committee. To do that, he needed to become stronger. Eventually, he might restore his image.

Opportunities favor the prepared.

Sung-tae swung his sword, dreaming of his comeback as the Shin-dori Swordmaster.

***

While waiting for breakfast prepared by Oh Baek-seo, Ahn Woo-jin received a call.

─ Woo-jin, it’s me.

As Woo-jin listened, his expression hardened. Baek-seo, noticing the serious tone, glanced at Woo-jin with concern.

Click.

Woo-jin listened silently and then ended the call. Unlike him, he seemed dazed, prompting Baek-seo to ask.

“Leader, is something wrong?”

“My master….”

Woo-jin’s pupils trembled. He let out a disbelieving, hollow laugh.

“Has passed away…?”