Ch.4949. Small Suspicion

The Fearsome Beast Faction is currently experiencing a significant decline in influence. It all started with the Academy attack incident. The already suspicious group was aggressively targeted by Dokgo Jun, who harbors intense anger toward monsters.

Incidents of harassment and expulsion by the White Dragon Guild against faction members on the streets have increased.

[White Dragon Guild accused of assaulting Fearsome Beast Faction members!]

[Civic groups protest as Dokgo Jun makes deals with the government for special privileges after guild members are arrested under the Yeager Special Law.]

In response, the Fearsome Beast Faction sought legal protection and attempted to sway public opinion to escape this pressure.

“Our colleague was kidnapped and tortured to extract a confession! The White Dragon Guild is clearly responsible! Please help us, Congressman! They deny everything, but only Dokgo Jun could be this aggressive!”

“Thanks to him, we’re treated like garbage just for researching monsters.”

“Hmm.”

Lawmakers from both parties cleared their throats uncomfortably.

“Well, that Dokgo Jun fellow is known for being quite fierce.”

“Besides, the other three major guilds are also quite aggressive when it comes to monsters.”

Seeing their reactions, the Fearsome Beast Faction continued to persuade them.

“Please, Congressman. Unconditional hostility isn’t the answer.”

“Though we may be small…”

During their meeting with Korean lawmakers, the Fearsome Beast Faction whispered quietly:

“Yeagers will deliver to your home. We’ll provide sponsorship funds, of course, and attend party events as well.”

Eliminating a faction through force alone is only possible in barbaric times.

The Fearsome Beast Faction is also protected under South Korean law.

To deal with them, political and human rights issues must be addressed simultaneously.

“Look, we didn’t come here for this sort of thing.”

“Just provide us with your sponsorship account. Our faction will support you.”

Obviously, it would be foolish to hand over bribes directly.

But methods of secretly delivering bribes through Yeagers are constantly evolving.

Teleportation and invisibility have become so common that even the media points them out.

They’ve even discovered techniques to transform money that reverts to its original form after a certain time.

Thick envelopes of cash have likely already been delivered to the lawmakers’ homes.

There are plenty of opportunities to contribute money: book launches, party events, commemorations, and more.

The lawmakers cleared their throats again.

“But the damage from monsters is significant, and public perception isn’t good…”

“The Fearsome Beast Faction is researching for coexistence. Isn’t it better to research ways to prevent damage rather than fighting blindly? Yet they’re trying to stop even that.”

The lawmakers nodded at their argument.

“True, research is necessary. Blocking such efforts does seem problematic.”

“Yes. We just need your support. The Association is essentially a government organization. Show them the power of lawmakers.”

After earnestly pleading with the lawmakers, they left.

Using a burner phone, they made a call. The Fearsome Beast Faction members donned their signature white cloaks.

“The meeting with the pigs is over.”

A stark contrast to their earlier attitude.

A small laugh could be heard from the voice on the other end of the phone.

“Hey, at least say things like that when you’re back at the base.”

“I apologize. Seeing those nobodies putting on airs…”

“Calm down. They need to participate in our plan too. For now, we should avoid friction with the three major guilds. The monster-human operation is suspended for now.”

The subordinate who made the call was taken aback.

“But attacking the Academy is a good way to make our presence known.”

“We need to win the political battle and public opinion first. We intended to cause chaos, but their response was too swift.”

“Damn. The failure at the Academy ultimately…”

Indeed. All these issues arose because Doh Jong-hyun’s involvement brought attention to the Academy’s activities.

Recklessly making a move now would obviously be dangerous.

The man on the phone reassured him in a relaxed voice.

“There will be many opportunities. We mustn’t be hasty.”

“Yes. It’s all because of those damn instructors. We treated them well, but they failed every mission… That woman even interfered with us. Isn’t this rebellion?”

“That woman is under a lot of mental pressure. Her husband… or should I say, the man who controlled her, is dead. Creating a new partner for her would be simple, but currently, Dokgo Jun is watching her too. Better to leave her alone than to meddle clumsily. With our current strength, facing Dokgo Jun would be challenging.”

“Indeed, fighting the White Dragon Guild under his command would mean sacrificing our entire foundation.”

“Anyway, from now on, we should prioritize building power in the open arena of political struggle. However…”

The man on the phone paused briefly.

It was reasonable to expect an answer that would satisfy them.

“I won’t stop ‘coincidental’ personal incidents. Just make sure no harm comes back to us.”

“I understand perfectly.”

They ended the call with satisfaction.

*

With vacation approaching, we were receiving the principal’s commendation as representatives of the first-year students.

“You who have directly experienced resonance phenomena and handled them admirably are the very model of this Yeager Academy.”

After the principal’s speech, we were presented with certificates of commendation.

“As a teacher at our academy, I’m especially delighted that everyone united to tackle a new species.”

We were receiving more attention than we had imagined.

It was already amazing that we returned alive from a gate created by a new resonance phenomenon, but we also captured a new species.

Naturally, we received worldwide attention, and having broken through an A-rank gate and brought back evidence of a new species, we were in the spotlight.

The academy awarded us the ‘Yeager of the Year’ and the academic ‘Yeager Development Award’ – the highest honors possible. And just after our first semester!

These important commendations would certainly help with future employment.

Koo Sang-heon patted my shoulder.

“Whatever happened, it turned out well.”

“I really thought we were going to die.”

“You were the one giving orders at the front. Now you’re reaping the benefits.”

We descended from the stage amid applause. We returned to our seats among the applause of numerous cadets.

Han Min-woo grabbed my shoulder.

“You have good judgment. You should be proud.”

“Geez, stop appearing out of nowhere.”

“I’ve been here the whole time.”

Han Min-woo is also moving up to the advanced class. As for Aerial and Seol Yu-hwa…

They’re still not getting along.

They’re not openly growling at each other now, but they absolutely refuse to look at each other.

I walked with Yu Deok-min, both of us holding our commendations.

Deok-min had been silently staring at his certificate.

I suppose this achievement would guarantee recruitment by a guild.

Plus, with the media and global researchers taking interest, it’s definitely beneficial.

“…”

“Deok-min?”

Deok-min’s expression was dark. Is he too nervous?

“What’s wrong? This commendation is difficult to receive even for cadets who work hard for all three years.”

“Yeah. It’s nothing. I’m just… amazed…”

“Hard to believe, right? I feel the same way.”

Actually, I’ve been worried about Deok-min since we returned that day.

He’s been quiet in class too.

I’m glad he says he’s fine. This commendation is definitely significant.

Not just the three major guilds, but other guilds will take notice too.

We’ve accomplished something big before vacation.

And vacation started without any monster-human attacks. Other students happily left the dormitory for home, departing for travel or training.

But I have watchers who are both monitors and protectors.

The White Dragon Guild.

They’ll be monitoring me throughout the vacation.

If I want to go to a gate, it would have to be a low-rank one, but what if they follow me there too? I can’t transform freely.

So how can I earn points?

“There’s only one way.”

It’s simple. If I know who’s monitoring me and can keep them close, it’s possible.

Who would that be? Obviously, Seol Yu-hwa.

If I know she’s monitoring me, I might be able to create opportunities.

“Strike while the iron is hot…”

When I make up my mind, I call immediately.

Just then, my smartwatch rang. Who is it?

Looking at the hologram, I saw Seol Yu-hwa’s name.

“Why is Seol Yu-hwa calling?”

I answered the sudden call.

“Could we meet? I’m getting individual training during the vacation, but I still have many shortcomings. I’d like you to train with me.”

“I’d be thankful. Honestly, it’s better to have you watching me from beside me than being monitored from somewhere unseen.”

Yu-hwa also had business with me.

Let me plan a scenario.

We hunt together, then I tell her I want to practice alone in an F-rank gate.

“I want to practice without interference. Honestly, it makes me nervous when someone’s watching. An F-rank gate should be manageable with this reinforced suit.”

I practiced my excuse for Seol Yu-hwa.

With this excuse, I’ll earn at least 2,000 points. That would enable adult evolution.

With high expectations, I set up a meeting with Seol Yu-hwa.

*

Seol Yu-hwa’s vacation was entirely focused on individual training.

“Well done. Your ability is useful, but still lacking. You need to be at least half-effective against A-rank or higher monsters. That’s most important.”

Even the lowest members of the White Dragon Guild were at least B-rank. That means even the lowest-ranked members were at or above Seol Yu-hwa’s level.

This month’s instructor, Lee Chae-rin, was already SS-rank. She trained Seol Yu-hwa rigorously.

“Focus! You were distracted just now, weren’t you?”

Show any weakness and you’re immediately scolded; only with complete concentration do you receive praise.

“Huff… huff…”

“Good job. You’re adapting well to combat modifications. As expected of our… guild master’s eye.”

“I still fail a lot against monsters. Against new species, I’m barely a hindrance.”

“That’s natural. The success rate of manipulation abilities decreases with unfamiliar monsters. That’s why they’re rarely used in vanguard or frontline positions.”

Chae-rin excitedly continued.

“But you’ve been chosen. Our White Dragon Guild will train you to use such abilities effectively. What you need now is judgment. Quickly assessing and responding to monsters. Monster success rate is secondary. Moving your body and mind simultaneously is the basic path to becoming strong.”

Seol Yu-hwa showed admiration for the grinning instructor.

Lee Chae-rin was the valedictorian of Yeager Academy and the youngest to achieve SS-rank.

Such a monster was teaching her.

‘I must live up to expectations. Judgment? Body and mind together?’

Seol Yu-hwa realized she needed to fill in what she lacked.

And the person known for best utilizing these skills was, as far as she knew, Doh Jong-hyun.

Even with extensive knowledge, without courage, one would tremble like Yu Deok-min and fail to perform properly.

The judgment to analyze and give directions with courage was what Seol Yu-hwa needed to learn.

‘And if I get stronger, I might not be able to meet him anymore.’

Of course, such learning is only necessary while she’s a beginner. Once stronger, she won’t need it.

In other words, the stronger she becomes, the further Doh Jong-hyun will be.

‘Does it matter? No, we’ll meet often at the Academy!’

He’s a strangely intriguing man who has helped her.

Even if she wants to be with him, the White Dragon Guild is unlikely to choose Doh Jong-hyun.

Moreover, Seol Yu-hwa has priorities.

She can’t afford to worry about a man who isn’t even her lover given her current situation.

‘Family comes first for me.’

Seol Yu-hwa is saving money. To move out of her current musty semi-basement apartment.

‘And I saw it. That insect-type monster again at the gate…’

A half-human, half-insect monster that only appears near her. Doh Jong-hyun emerged from the direction she pursued.

‘Doh Jong-hyun, what are you?’

It wasn’t just his knowledge and courage that were suspicious; there were many odd things about him.

‘Are you a monster? Or are you connected to monsters?’

Even if she wanted to ask, Seol Yu-hwa couldn’t. Either way, it would be tragic for Doh Jong-hyun.

[Monster? We kill monsters. Remember that, rookie. Our guild master becomes furious at any talk of befriending monsters or getting along with them. If you don’t want to be expelled from the White Dragon Guild, maintain absolute hostility toward monsters. There are no pitiful monsters. Misplaced compassion will get you excommunicated.]

The White Dragon Guild takes the hardest line against monsters.

To survive, she must report and help eliminate any monster, even one that has helped her.

‘Can I do that?’

With these concerns, Seol Yu-hwa made contact with Doh Jong-hyun.