Ch.79Becoming Famous – 2

On the way home, I continued talking with Jiyoon Han.

It started with small talk.

Then the conversation gradually shifted to more serious topics.

“By the way, there’s one thing I’m really curious about.”

“What is it?”

“That day, when students went out for field training and were ambushed. How did the villains know so precisely to launch their attack? I’m very curious about this.”

The personnel going out for external support and the professors supervising them.

While the date might be announced in advance,

where the trainees would go, which dungeon they would enter – that information is only provided on the day itself.

Even if someone knew the date in advance and examined all dungeon clearing statuses,

And even if they could track every movement of national superpower users in detail.

While some prediction might be possible, this ambush was too precise.

Moreover, according to Jiyoon Han, it wasn’t just our Team 5 that was ambushed.

All the other teams were also subjected to large-scale attacks by villains.

Fortunately, there were no fatalities on those teams.

That was a huge relief. If someone had died, nothing could be more terrible.

It seemed that the main forces of the villains leading the attack were concentrated on our Team 5.

“We’re still investigating that aspect.”

“If you’re investigating, then I guess my suspicion is correct.”

“What were you thinking, Seojin?”

“What else? That there’s a mole inside the Academy.”

I mentioned an internal spy without beating around the bush.

It probably wasn’t just a student. Most likely, it was a faculty member.

Or perhaps a student who received information from a faculty member.

Either way, it’s absolutely unwelcome news for the Academy.

After a moment of silence in response to my opinion, Jiyoon Han spoke.

“Well, we’re considering that possibility too.”

“When you say ‘possibility,’ that means you’re not 100% certain.”

“There have been previous attempts by villains to infiltrate the Academy or plant collaborators. However, until now, they’ve all been detected and blocked in advance.”

“But that doesn’t mean it will stay that way forever.”

“…That’s true.”

Indeed, as they say, even the strongest tree will fall if you chop at it enough times.

It seems that even the Academy’s walls, which had held so well, are finally crumbling.

“Since it has finally happened, the headmaster must be burning with anxiety.”

“She’s extremely concerned. It’s impossible to pinpoint any single person to suspect.”

A mole who managed to penetrate the Academy’s strict security and establish themselves.

Someone of that caliber wouldn’t behave in ways that would appear suspicious to others.

They’re probably hiding themselves thoroughly, so finding them won’t be easy.

‘It would be great if I could step up and brilliantly expose the spy.’

But unfortunately, I know nothing about the spy.

It’s not that I can’t remember. The spy was never mentioned in the novel to begin with.

Who they are, who they contact, not even the slightest hint of suspicious behavior was described.

There are two possibilities. Either it’s a part I can’t remember.

Or a trigger that was supposed to activate later has suddenly activated.

Either way, it’s not pleasant. An Academy with a mole in it.

“Let’s stop this conversation here. It’s just making us anxious.”

“You’re not experiencing any aftereffects, are you?”

“No, not at all. The doctors examined me thoroughly.”

This is a job for Hakjun Ma and Jiyoon Han. There’s no point in me discussing it further; it would only give them headaches.

And both of them are trustworthy individuals who will definitely root out the spy.

When I changed the subject, Jiyoon Han smiled gratefully.

“Was there anything special that happened while I was unconscious?”

“Of course there was. Quite a lot, actually.”

Saying that, Jiyoon Han suddenly held something out in front of me.

It was a screen showing various internet articles.

My goodness. These are all articles about me.

‘This is quite lengthy. Let’s see, to summarize…’

Mysterious superpower user battles The Elder!

The protagonist is a civil servant currently working in the Superpower Assessment Department!

Happened to be dispatched to the Academy and played a crucial role in this incident!

Moreover, this protagonist even received a handshake from Rina Lee previously!

Even showed remarkable combat abilities during the previous villain attack in the city!

Our society hasn’t collapsed yet! We have hidden heroes like this!

“…Wow.”

“What do you think?”

“It’s making me cringe just reading it.”

“Haha! That’s how they write these days. That’s what gets people to read.”

Well, they need to grab attention to get people to read or comment.

But isn’t this a bit too cringeworthy? Anyone reading would think I saved the world or something.

“Surely you didn’t fail to anticipate this situation?”

“I did anticipate it, but…”

I didn’t expect so many articles to be spread everywhere.

“I thought the headmaster and professors would create a smokescreen like last time.”

“Back then, witness testimonies varied, and The Elder wasn’t injured. But this time is different. With Academy students, national superpower users, and Hyuk Kwak returning with an X-shaped scar on his chest and a broken spear.”

It was something I did, but hearing it from someone else makes me realize how crazy it was.

How did I even think of fighting The Elder? Unless I had a death wish.

Those called Demigods aren’t just strong because of their good superpowers.

S-rank individuals are truly incomprehensible beings.

They can transform into shadows, fly with a single jump,

or act nonchalantly despite suffering a gaping chest wound.

‘Even Jiyoon Han right in front of me is originally a monster.’

One proper swing of her sword can cleanly cut through an entire apartment building.

The sword doesn’t even need to make direct contact. Her magical power is enough.

Everywhere within Jiyoon Han’s sight is within her sword’s range.

However, because she’s fundamentally a good person who gets called to various places,

she often arrives late in situations like this one.

‘It’s like an invisible penalty that all powerful individuals seem to have.’

S-rank individuals refuse to give up their humanity and remain bound to society.

The Elders don’t get along even among themselves, so they exercise restraint to avoid giving others leverage.

Superpower users refrain from indiscriminately slaughtering villains because they find social scrutiny troublesome.

And most villains, except for a few, don’t want the world to end, so they precariously toe the line.

In this way, everyone carries some strange penalty.

Come to think of it, all superpower users unknowingly possess this aspect.

Like Hana Kang’s magic temporarily weakening in hot places.

Or Dasom Yoo’s healing abilities diminishing when not at the frontlines of battle.

And in my case, becoming just an ordinary civil servant unless I’m standing in someone’s way.

“We’re almost there.”

“So we are. If you go ahead from here and turn left, you’ll see a laundromat. You can stop there. I live right above it.”

“You’re not getting too attached to the place, are you?”

I looked at Jiyoon Han questioningly, wondering what she meant.

“I was thinking you might be better off moving. The higher-ups will probably recommend it too.”

“Is it for safety reasons? Because my identity has been exposed?”

“That’s part of it, but it’s also consideration for your convenience. You may not realize, but being the focus of public attention isn’t very pleasant.”

I’m not joking, I’m serious.

Jiyoon Han added, sincerely advising me to consider moving.

‘Moving, huh.’

As far as I know, the original Seojin Baek had lived here for a few years.

So the original him might have had some slight attachment to this place.

‘But not me.’

First of all, I need a spacious home. That’s preferable whether living alone or not.

Do you know how miserable it is not having space to put a clothes rack between your desk and bed?

If the government is offering to relocate me, I should jump at the chance. Absolutely.

“Is this it? The laundromat you mentioned.”

“Ah, yes. This is it. You can stop here.”

As I opened the door and got out, Jiyoon Han followed me out of the car.

She looked around a few times and then nodded.

“It’s a bit desolate, isn’t it?”

“No. It’s quiet and nice. Better than being noisy.”

Saying that, Jiyoon Han gently opened the entrance door for me.

She’s treating me like a patient even though I’m 100% fine.

I couldn’t help but smile, secretly grateful.

“Don’t worry about going to work.”

“Pardon?”

“The headmaster made a request, and your department has accepted it. Since you suffered a major injury, and although you’ve been fully healed, there might be psychological trauma, so you should rest for about three days…”

At Jiyoon Han’s words, I hesitated briefly before shaking my head.

Perhaps surprised by my clear refusal, Jiyoon Han made a questioning sound.

“You’re not planning to go to work tomorrow, are you?”

“Yes, I am. As it happens, tomorrow is a weekday. If it were a weekend, I might have skipped it, but on a weekday, I should obviously go to work. My body is fine, and I’ve been discharged.”

“But you’ve been given permission to rest more…”

“I really appreciate your concern. Both from you, Professor Han, and from the headmaster. But we all have jobs to do. As a civil servant who lives on taxpayers’ money, I should work even harder.”

Now I really can’t afford to slack off even a little.

I’m the one who caused such a commotion against The Elder and even wounded him.

So what happens next is all too obvious.

That’s why not just me, but the students need to grow faster too.

My return will be a good stimulus for those students.

The news that I fought against The Elder must have had some kind of impact.

“…Seojin, you really are an amazing person.”

“I think so too. A mere low-level civil servant fighting The Elder. I’m worried this might raise expectations for civil servants too high. Anyway, thank you for bringing me here. I’ll see you at the Academy tomorrow, Professor Han.”

“You can call me more casually. Not such formal titles like ‘Professor.'”

“Um… then, if you don’t mind. Jiyoon.”

At that, Jiyoon Han smiled brightly with approval.