Ch.43Those Who Welcome, Those Who Don’t – 2

“Why the hell haven’t I heard anything yet!”

Yuhyun Jung growls fiercely as he throws his dagger.

He had clearly been told that preparations were complete, that they would deliver as promised for the money they received.

These weren’t just random nobodies. Nor were they smooth-talking con artists.

They were guys who had done similar jobs several times before.

Their methods might be dirty, but they were certainly worthy of being called “professionals.”

That’s why he trusted them and assigned the task. He even handed over some of his shares, the most important thing.

That’s how much Seojin Baek was a shameful memory that Yuhyun never wanted to face again.

To think that a Gold-ranked student couldn’t even put up a fight against a mere Silver examiner.

Even more humiliating if that student was the vice president of the student council.

‘How much effort did I put in to get the vice president position.’

Skill alone wasn’t enough. Student support and the candidate’s character were also important.

Yuhyun solved that problem in his own way.

Sometimes with money, other times with persuasion and threats, all very discreetly.

So he rose to the vice president position, only to be placed on probation just a few months later.

They called it probation, but it was essentially the same as suspending his qualification as vice president.

From Yuhyun’s perspective, his anger was boiling over to the point of overflowing.

“…Hey, bro. Still no news? They said to wait? No, it’s taking too long. Are they actually doing it properly? They’re not planning to just take the shares and turn their backs on us, are they?”

He even had to hear comments implying he was that kind of person.

Despite the humiliation, Yuhyun continued to ask about the situation.

He wished that guy would quickly disappear from the Academy, no, from the world.

And if he could be subjected to all kinds of insults and criticism on top of that, it would be perfect.

But shortly after, Yuhyun encountered a shocking fact.

“…What is this.”

On every TV news channel, internet article, even newspapers.

The face of Seojin Baek, whom he so despised, was appearing everywhere.

To be precise, he wasn’t the main subject, but appeared alongside the protagonist.

Even that was enough to shock Yuhyun.

‘R-Rina. Why is that woman shaking hands with this bastard?’

The strongest superpower user in Korea, and also Korea’s craziest superpower user.

Someone who would erase anyone who bothered her, villain or not, someone even the government was wary of.

A peculiar superpower user with as many anti-fans as devoted followers.

But her strength alone was undeniably the strongest of the strong.

Additionally, everyone knew about the chaebol heir who lost an eye after making advances toward her.

Or how a core executive of an upper clan had his limbs shattered after clinging to her.

It wasn’t for nothing that villains gave her the nickname “madwoman.”

And yet, that woman took a picture with Seojin Baek?

Even shaking hands with a very relaxed smile?

‘N-No way. It can’t be. This is just a coincidence…’

Rina coincidentally shaking hands with someone and smiling?

The woman who immediately curses and gives the middle finger when reporters appear?

Even an idiot could tell. There was definitely something between them.

In other words, Seojin Baek was an acquaintance of none other than Rina.

‘That’s a relief.’

When he realized this, Yuhyun felt relieved. He believed it was before they had started their plan.

He still didn’t know why it was taking so long, but he had no intention of blaming them.

Conversely, thanks to that, they could avoid the worst-case scenario…

“You, bastard! Get your ass home right now!”

Yuhyun’s relief crumbled along with the curses of his grandfather, Honorary Chairman Jinhan.

It was an order from his grandfather, the being Yuhyun feared the most.

As soon as classes ended that day, Yuhyun immediately took a car back to his family home.

Wondering why his grandfather was suddenly so angry, the moment he stepped inside.

“You crazy bastard! Just how far have you taken things!”

Honorary Chairman Jinhan greeted Yuhyun with a golf club in hand.

“G-Grandfather. Why are you suddenly…”

“Why am I like this? Hey, you punk. Do you know what kind of mess you’ve caused! Second son, you tell this damn kid what the situation is right now!”

Only then did Yuhyun realize that his two older brothers and father were also present.

And that all three of them were groaning, having already been beaten with the golf club.

“B-Brother. What’s going on…”

“Yesterday, that crazy woman swept through all our affiliates.”

“…What?”

“Rina, that woman literally went through everything.”

He couldn’t understand what they were saying. They weren’t monsters or villains, so what did this mean?

Why would that woman do this?

But his brother’s next words were truly shocking.

The prosecution suddenly conducted a massive search and seizure without any warning.

Their informants placed in the police force disappeared in an instant.

It was done so secretly and thoroughly that even the media didn’t notice.

Or perhaps they simply weren’t interested in this matter.

They were focused on the unprecedented incident of a gate appearing inside a suppressor.

“W-Why is the situation turning out like…”

“You still don’t get it, you idiot? That job you requested! The target was one of Rina’s people! That’s why that crazy woman is going wild now. And because she’s going wild, the government is taking it seriously and digging into all our affairs!”

“N-No! How did they find out about our connections? You said they were tight-lipped friends! I only trusted what you told me. You said they had never failed or leaked secrets before!”

“Fuck! Is that what matters now?! The problem is who you messed with, you bastard!”

From Yuhyun’s perspective, he had a right to feel wronged.

If he had known Seojin Baek was acquainted with Rina, he would never have done anything.

Because crossing that crazy woman meant saying goodbye to this world.

She might not care about worldly affairs, but she never lets anyone who touches her people get away with it!

“What are we going to do about this situation! We paid them so much money, but as soon as that woman growls, they all panic and disappear! There’s no one on our side who can help us!”

Only then did Yuhyun realize that everything had gone terribly wrong.

It wasn’t just about losing to an examiner or being put on probation as vice president.

At this rate, his entire backing, his everything, could disintegrate.

That day, Yuhyun had to endure a severe beating from his grandfather.

He felt wronged and wanted to know the reason, but the water had already been spilled.

When he returned to the Academy later, the situation had become even more serious.

Seojin Baek, who seemed to have some connection with Rina, now had the backing of the Academy Director.

And he was urging Silvers to be demoted to Bronze and retake their examinations.

If this continues, it’s obvious who the next target will be.

There was even a precedent of him bringing down Gold-ranked students.

‘If that fact becomes known, all the Gold-ranked students might turn against me!’

Who did I mess with? Damn it! How did it come to this?

Yuhyun screamed, clutching his head. He was so angry and felt so wronged.

He had only wanted to teach a lesson to an arrogant examiner, but it had turned out like this.

If he had known the guy had such ridiculous backing, he would never have done it.

[Next news: As the prosecution’s investigation into the Jinhan Group continues…]

[Today, the prosecution announced the results of the search and seizure of the Jinhan Group…]

Meanwhile, his backing was steadily sinking.

There’s no sign of it stopping. The prosecution couldn’t afford to, anyway.

If they dragged their feet, it was all too clear who would step in.

It’s better if the police and prosecution act. If Rina moves again?

Then the name Jinhan would completely disappear from South Korea.

‘Fuck, fuck, fuck… This wasn’t my plan! I didn’t intend for this to happen!’

At first, he was filled with self-blame, but as always with such people,

Yuhyun gradually began to direct his anger elsewhere.

The target was, of course, Seojin Baek, whom he considered the root cause of this mess.

“Seojin Baek, if it weren’t for him. If it weren’t for that bastard…”

Gritting his teeth, Yuhyun muttered words he wouldn’t dare say to the person’s face.

“…”

Several shadowy figures were staring at him intently.

*

“…What kind of idiotic situation is this?”

“I don’t know. Don’t ask me. I’m just relaying exactly what the guys inside told me.”

The one-eyed woman smiled incredulously at the dark man’s words.

Has Hakjun Ma finally gone senile?

Or has some fascinating lunatic arrived at the Academy?

Suddenly returning perfectly fine Silvers back to Bronze?

At this rate, they might even reach the Golds.

At first, both the person reporting and the person receiving the report just laughed.

It was too absurd. It was the first time something like this had happened, so they were confused.

But looking into it again, something seemed off.

Despite the expected resistance. Despite the confusion it would cause in the educational process.

If none other than Hakjun Ma had stepped forward, it meant there was a scheme.

“Perhaps they’re trying to raise the students’ standards?”

“Or maybe they’re trying to erase a point of discrimination to bring about some change.”

The one-eyed woman’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Any positive change, whatever it may be, is not beneficial to them.

The more unjust the world becomes, the more negative things happen.

Proportionally, their own numbers also increase exponentially.

In this situation, anyone who brings a new wind is a target for elimination.

Yes, for a “villain,” the current state of society is most suitable.

“I don’t like it.”

“I don’t either. What can we do?”

“Let’s get rid of them. Starting with that Seojin Baek, Hakjun Ma’s pawn.”

“There are rumors he’s acquainted with the crazy woman.”

“Since when did we ever care about her?”

The dark man chuckles, agreeing with her.

“And it seems she’s taken down some place recently.”

“Yes. Our people confirmed it.”

“We can just say it was done out of resentment. There were big photos in the newspapers too. We can say they targeted her acquaintance because they were too afraid to touch her directly.”

The one-eyed woman asked what he thought, and the man nodded in agreement.