Ch.3131. Maintenance

Aerial struggled to get up from her seat.

For a moment, she winced as she felt a sharp pain in her side.

‘This damn side…’

It was exactly as Do Jong-hyun had pointed out. Just over two months in, and she had her weakness exploited by her opponent.

‘I could have won!’

It wasn’t that she was foolish enough not to guard her side.

She had certainly done so against monsters and had taken countermeasures.

But her opponent was a murderer with higher intelligence than monsters and veteran experience.

He had broken through Aerial’s clumsy defense.

‘What happened?’

Aerial looked in the direction where the dinosaur had disappeared. The monster had definitely killed her opponent. But this wasn’t strange.

Monsters are naturally hostile to humans.

‘But why did it leave me alone? That dinosaur… it’s the same one I saw before!’

It was a dinosaur she had already encountered once. Back then, it had only dealt with the monster and left, and this time, it had started to attack but stopped and left.

‘Why?’

She couldn’t understand the reason.

A human monster? Human monsters typically disguise themselves in human form before revealing their true form.

Helping like that would actually raise more suspicion about being a human monster.

Besides, if it had at least shown its identity, she could call it a human monster, but it didn’t even show its appearance.

She checked Seong Min-woo’s pulse with her own eyes.

Naturally, he was cold and motionless.

Once she confirmed he was dead, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Then she sat on a tree and waited to calm down. A Jaeger’s recovery ability is much faster than an ordinary person’s.

She could endure and stand up from injuries that would immobilize others, and after resting a bit like now, she could walk.

She moved in the direction where the monster had disappeared.

In that direction, which coincided with the way to the academy, Aerial discovered a collapsed person.

“D… Do Jong-hyun?”

Surprisingly, Do Jong-hyun was nearby.

“Did you follow me? You should think about your own abilities.”

Aerial felt both exasperated and somehow pleased.

But soon, being the sharp child she was, she felt something suspicious.

Human monster. The existence that threatened humanity strongly troubled her mind.

“Jong-hyun. You’re not a human monster, are you?”

There was no answer from the unconscious body. And Aerial burst into laughter.

“That’s ridiculous. Human monsters are all exceptional people, but ‘Du’ Jong-hyun is… or is he?”

Her mind was confused.

It made sense that Jong-hyun was the victim of the attack and had followed her.

But a monster that didn’t kill her, and Jong-hyun collapsed in a similar direction, albeit slightly off.

No one would fail to be suspicious of this.

‘Don’t be ridiculous. If Jong-hyun were a human monster, he’d have no reason to kill an intruder.’

To gain favor? With her?

Aerial was in a state of confusion. What should she do in this situation?

‘Jong-hyun is a slick kid, so he’d make good excuses. Should I just confront him with my suspicion that he’s a human monster?’

But what if he wasn’t? What if he really came because he was worried about her?

‘For the sake of humanity…’

She needed to investigate Jong-hyun’s privacy. But then Aerial shook her head.

“Because of hasty suspicion, this kid without a summoning spirit…”

For reference, except for early human monsters, monsters can also receive summoning spirits.

That’s different from human monsters from the era when the system wasn’t established.

But Jong-hyun doesn’t have a summoning spirit.

“…”

As Aerial’s gaze moved sharply between suspicion and trust.

“There they are!”

In the distance, security and guild people were running toward them.

‘About time they showed up!’

Although it was unavoidable since the academy takes priority when incidents occur there, Aerial felt annoyed.

And the guild people and security guards made contact with Aerial.

Aerial was about to explain the situation, but suddenly felt afraid.

‘If I tell the truth, won’t Jong-hyun be in danger?’

A monster killed Seong Min-woo and disappeared, and Jong-hyun was in that direction?

Anyone who wasn’t a fool would be suspicious like Aerial, and in today’s era, it was obvious he’d be taken away.

‘Jong-hyun is in danger. But if I lie… I’d feel pathetic.’

It definitely wasn’t her who caught him, and it was an awkward situation.

Aerial offered a compromise.

“I was fighting with Seong Min-woo when a monster appeared and everything became chaotic. I don’t know what happened after that.”

“You fought with Seong Min-woo?”

“As expected of a TV celebrity. Truly a promising talent.”

They focused on the fact that she had fought with Seong Min-woo rather than her compromise.

And they confirmed Seong Min-woo’s body in the direction Aerial had indicated.

As reports were made to school officials and police, this is how the incident was conveyed:

“I heard Aerial fought with Seong Min-woo!”

“Aerial survived and Seong Min-woo died.”

“Wow! She defeated Seong Min-woo at that age? She’s a rising star!”

Somehow, it became that Aerial had defeated Seong Min-woo.

But Aerial didn’t care.

She was relieved that Jong-hyun was safe.

‘But why am I caring about someone like Jong-hyun? This isn’t right?’

However, it didn’t take long for her to realize that strange rumors about herself were also spreading.

*

Seong Min-woo’s attack incident caused a significant ripple. The unnaturalness of the monster attack and Seong Min-woo’s actions targeting the academy.

As a result, public opinion began to re-examine safety issues.

Aerial’s fame, which was already known before enrollment, grew even more due to this incident.

[10-year-old Aerial’s Courage Saves Lives!]

[Academy’s Greatest Talent, Aerial, Rescues Colleague!]

[Irish Girl Shows Her Talent in Korea!]

All media focused on the new topic.

Rather than who beat whom, they praised Aerial, a woman with remarkable achievements.

Unique red hair and rare red eyes. Contrasting snow-white skin.

Usually, outstanding appearance attracts attention, but Aerial is an extremely rare case with exceptional skills as well.

Interest in her was divided before and after this incident.

Even her TV appearances before enrollment were becoming topics again.

With her beautiful appearance and distinctive asymmetrical short haircut, she quickly rose to celebrity status. Numerous interview and entertainment show requests poured in.

But Aerial herself didn’t hear this news.

In fact, they were currently under the protection of the Association.

Those who had been attacked weren’t sent to regular hospitals, which would have been insane.

One of the three major guilds, the Magician Guild, was protecting this place.

Additionally, Aerial had a meeting with Jo Seong-hee.

A detailed situation analysis was essential after the incident.

Jo Seong-hee calmly met with Aerial, listened to the situation, organized it, and observed her closely.

A girl at the academy taking down Seong Min-woo, who was S-class except for promotion?

Tempting.

But she wouldn’t throw herself at Aerial carelessly like a petty guild.

If she was truly number one, the White Dragon Guild would certainly have made the first move.

‘But it’s been a while… talent like this…’

While she didn’t want to approach like a peddler, Aerial was attractive.

She believed she could care for Aerial more effectively.

But if things continued this way, Aerial would naturally go to the White Dragon Guild.

She needed to work behind the scenes.

“Aerial’s talent is truly fantastic. The White Dragon Guild has already visited, right?”

“What?”

Seeing Aerial’s slight confusion, Jo Seong-hee smiled.

“Why are you surprised? Skilled individuals have choices. Aerial has reached that level, so there’s no need to be embarrassed. We’re watching you too.”

“Really?”

The expression Aerial made at this moment was one of pride and slight embarrassment.

Jo Seong-hee analyzed this expression and interpreted it as shyness, but in reality, Aerial felt it wasn’t her achievement.

It was the dinosaur monster that had caught him.

Aerial was proud of her abilities but embarrassed about lying.

After finishing the interview, Jo Seong-hee immediately ordered to put Aerial on the top recruitment list.

“Dokgo Jun shouldn’t be the only one having fun with talent.”

She licked her lips and left the hospital room with a greedy gaze.

*

Aerial returned to the hospital room and looked at the two beds.

The one by the window was her bed, and the one near the door was covered with curtains.

Her bed was filled with all sorts of decorations and clothes.

If you removed the name “hospital room,” it would have been no different from a closet.

‘Putting a man and woman in one room. Really…’

Aerial shook her head at their handling. But it couldn’t be helped for security reasons.

The reason for the attack by criminals like Seong Min-woo was still unknown, and it was rational to keep both of them together for protection.

Therefore, visits were strictly limited.

‘Not even allowing parents to visit is too much.’

To meet them, strict identification and weapon possession checks were required, and the Magician Guild determined whether to grant permission.

So Aerial was extremely bored.

“After sleeping for two days straight, why don’t you wake up?”

When she pulled back the curtain next to her, she saw Do Jong-hyun’s face, who had been sleeping continuously since fainting.

Aerial poked at him irritably, but he only breathed and wouldn’t wake up.

“Shouldn’t I be the one lying down after all the hard work? What did you even do?”

Aerial was staring intently at the unconscious Jong-hyun’s face.

“But if you’re a monster who used your power, I understand. You helped me, right? Are you really a monster?”

Aerial had a complex expression.

“You’re too strange to be a monster. You don’t have a summoning spirit, right? Or is it unrelated to summoning spirits? Answer me. If you’re a monster… the circumstances…”

Aerial suddenly remembered her childhood when monsters attacked.

That shock, that fear was what drove her to work hard with her outstanding talent.

The young girl’s small fists trembled.

“I can’t forgive monsters. So if I have to attack you, I will. Jong-hyun. So be honest. I can feel it. You’re different from human monsters, right? So please tell me honestly.”

No matter how desperately she called, Jong-hyun couldn’t respond to Aerial.

As she watched quietly, Aerial’s face suddenly turned as red as her dark hair.

“Right, what am I doing? Really, stupid Jong-hyun is just worried and followed me…”

Aerial suddenly realized she was acting like a woman with an injured husband who wouldn’t wake up.

“Really, whenever I get involved with him…”

She couldn’t find her pace. Sighing, Aerial placed her hand on Jong-hyun’s hair.

She tidied his disheveled hair and stared intently at his unconscious face.

“Hmm… I prefer more handsome men, I’m just interested in you because you’re unusual. Don’t misunderstand.”

It wasn’t clear who she was talking to, but Aerial kept speaking to Jong-hyun.

“Sigh. Anyway, I’ll keep an eye on you. You’re suspicious, and you can’t do anything without someone’s help since you don’t have a summoning spirit.”

Aerial sat in a chair and declared to Jong-hyun.

At that moment, she heard commotion outside. Surprised, Aerial turned her head and heard familiar voices through the slightly open door.

As footsteps approached and the door opened, the third-year overall president, Shin Sang-min, and Heo Yun-ju had come to visit her.

While greeting them, Aerial had one question.

‘Didn’t I close the door?’

She couldn’t remember because she hadn’t paid attention. There was no reaction suggesting they had heard the conversation.

Aerial felt somewhat uneasy.

And a day after she returned first, a newspaper article broke. It had nothing to do with the truth. It was just an article about the relationship between Jong-hyun and Aerial.