Ch.7Why Always Attack the Academy? – 2

Explosions erupted from all directions, followed by crimson flames shooting up.

Through the flames, smoke, and debris, the screams of students could be heard.

This was the incident that marked the first chapter of the novel—villains attacking the Academy.

If I remember correctly, there were two “Elders” among them.

Though the Academy’s defenses were said to be nearly perfect, they were useless against Elders.

Considering they were former S-class superpower users, this was only natural.

Whether it’s combat instinct or superpowers, they were overwhelming in every aspect.

Even with faculty members and security personnel, they were no match.

‘Even with Jiyoon Han… she can only hold off one Elder at most.’

Honestly, I wanted to turn and run without looking back.

After all, I was just someone sent here on assignment.

Unlike the faculty or security personnel, I had no obligation to protect the students.

No one would blame me for leaving my post.

Yes, I could escape. I should just do it without hesitation…

“Shit.”

My principle of avoiding things that prick my conscience ultimately held me back.

I’m a civil servant who lives on taxpayers’ money.

When those taxpayers are in danger, it’s only right that I earn my keep.

Moreover, when people are screaming right in front of me, helping them is the natural thing to do.

“Students! This way! Come this way!”

Flames were rising everywhere, but the most severe ones were all near the main building.

Probably some terrifying entity was approaching from there.

I evacuated the students in the opposite direction, toward the theoretical education building.

We just need to hold out a little longer. This commotion must have been reported outside.

Reinforcements will arrive soon. Plus, Jiyoon Han and Hakjun Ma are here too.

The villains will eventually be repelled, so let’s just endure until then.

“Kyaaaah!!”

“Uwaaa!!”

While evacuating people, urgent screams came from one side.

Then several students appeared, covered in blood.

Just as I was about to tell them to come this way to evacuate them to safety…

Zzzzt—

I felt a sensation like needles piercing my entire body.

In the distance, someone was approaching through the flames and smoke.

At first, I thought it was an injured person. They looked terrible and were limping.

But the moment I saw the atmosphere they exuded and the blood-stained spear in their hand, I realized.

– Activating The Third Eye. –

◎ Hyuk Kwak

: One who died consumed by arrogance

◎ Details

: Warning – Dangerous individual

Warning – Dangerous individual

Warning – Dangerous individual

‘I’m fucked.’

I remember now. A ghost with a drowned appearance, limping and wielding a spear.

Nothing is known for certain about him.

Some say he was betrayed, others say he escaped after being a test subject.

What’s certain is that nobody knows. Whether he was truly betrayed or experimented on.

One thing is certain—the man approaching is an Elder.

Unless you’re an S-class superpower user, you can’t defeat him even if you die and come back to life.

“Please save me!”

Just as I was thinking I might survive if I turned and ran without looking back,

I heard a strangely familiar voice.

A female student fleeing, almost crawling, right in front of the Elder.

Her face looks familiar. She’s the student who apologized to me earlier today.

I hesitated for a moment. If she were a complete stranger, I could have turned away.

But having met her briefly today, I found myself wavering.

‘What should I do? What can I do?’

There’s still some distance between the Elder and the female student.

Though it’s closing by the second, I might be able to save her if I sprint with all my might.

That moment of deliberation felt like a lifetime.

As the Elder approached the female student without even glancing elsewhere,

and as she cried out for help, I was caught in my dilemma.

◎ Warning

: Someone who has not been evaluated is attempting to cross the sacred Silver threshold.

– The Silver Gatekeeper trait is being forcibly activated.

At first, I didn’t understand what this meant.

Until a hypothesis flashed through my mind.

‘…No way.’

This place was where the Silver promotion evaluation was being held until just now.

And the incident broke out while I was about to evaluate Hyunwoo Lee.

In other words, the approaching Elder is essentially an intruder in the evaluation site.

Step—

One step, then another, I move forward.

The thought of running away gradually fades.

I briefly worried that I might die, but that concern soon disappeared.

I don’t know where this confidence comes from. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.

Yes, I don’t know… I’m even worried that I might have gone crazy…

But I couldn’t bring myself to ignore someone I had met, even briefly.

“Move.”

When I came to my senses, I was already between the female student and the Elder.

An below-average ability user who couldn’t even enter the Academy, standing against an Elder.

Unless you’re suicidal, this would never happen.

As I glanced at the Elder, he was truly terrifying enough to make cold sweat pour down my back.

Not only was his appearance horrific, but the aura emanating from his body was ominous.

Red blood, stained with someone’s screams, was dripping from his spear.

So this is what it means when they say someone’s gaze could tear you apart.

“Move.”

The Elder spoke without even looking at me.

His gaze was fixed solely on the female student behind me, Soohyun Kim.

At that moment, several keywords clicked together in my mind.

The trait “Inferiority-Driven Genius.” Villain invasion. A female student the Elder was obsessed with.

‘…I see. Yes, I understand. That student, Soohyun Kim, was ‘The Crimson Witch’!’

Hyunwoo Lee’s first notable achievement was during the villains’ attack on the Academy.

The day he fought valiantly against villains despite being injured, truly showing his protagonist potential.

On that very day, a female student was kidnapped and brainwashed into becoming a villain.

She even earned the code name “The Crimson Witch” for her cruelty and overwhelming power.

Afterward, The Crimson Witch became the worst enemy, constantly tormenting the protagonist and his allies…

‘I didn’t know because The Crimson Witch’s name was never mentioned… but Soohyun Kim is The Crimson Witch! I’m certain!’

Now I have one more reason to intervene.

The Crimson Witch is known for being particularly cruel among villains.

Wherever she appeared, only corpses remained—there were never any survivors.

Later, she would invade Seoul, causing over 500,000 deaths.

That Crimson Witch is Soohyun Kim. And the Elder is trying to take her away.

If I step aside now, I’m essentially sacrificing over 500,000 lives with my own hands.

Knowing that and still letting it happen would make me less than human.

◎ Warning

: Someone who has not been evaluated is attempting to cross the sacred Silver threshold.

– The Silver Gatekeeper trait is being forcibly activated.

And this warning that keeps appearing also bothers me.

“I’m sorry.”

Yes. I don’t know anymore. The answer has narrowed down to one.

“I’m afraid I can’t move.”

I turned my head slightly to look back at Soohyun Kim.

And I gestured with my chin toward where the students were gathering, indicating she should hurry there.

“Ah….”

Soohyun Kim reflexively started to flee but then looked back at me.

Since she’s not yet The Crimson Witch, she seems to still have human emotions.

She hesitates. She feels sorry. I can tell she’s wondering if this is okay.

“Go quickly.”

“Yes, yes…!”

As I turned my head back, I met the ghost’s eyes.

The cowardly thoughts resurface. I should have pretended not to see. Why did I step forward?

“Move.”

As if confirming my thoughts one last time, the ghost speaks.

I instinctively knew this was the last word he would offer.

Unfortunately, there was only one answer I could give.

“I’m sorry.”

“Fine.”

As soon as he heard my answer, the ghost raised his spear with all his might.

Only then did I realize what I had done.

Such audacity in front of an ‘Elder.’ I must be completely insane…

KWAAANG—!!

*

“Uwaaa!!”

With all his might, Hyunwoo Lee defeated another villain.

Breathing heavily, he looked around.

The Academy had already become a wasteland.

Flames and smoke rose from everywhere. It was hard to distinguish friend from foe.

Students who had barely escaped that hell were also fighting against villains.

“Injured to the rear immediately! Weaponry Class and Martial Arts Class, don’t give an inch!”

“Support Class members gather here! We urgently need to treat the wounded!!”

“Fire’s spreading! Fire!! Magic Class students, please support with water magic immediately!”

At first, everyone was in panic, but soon they regained their composure and performed their duties.

The students formed a defensive line centered around their evacuation point.

Combat classes fought the villains, while others tended to the wounded.

With the remaining professors and security personnel joining in, the battle line became tense.

Until a man with a drowned appearance appeared.

KWAAANG—!!

After blasting away the examiner who had blocked his path, he approached, limping.

He was slow. He approached very slowly. But his appearance was like unavoidable death itself.

“Students! Retreat immediately!”

The professors urgently ordered the students to fall back.

Hyunwoo saw it. Each of their faces was filled with fear.

They were B-class or even A-class ability users.

Veterans among veterans with extensive combat experience.

Yet these professors were gritting their teeth in tension.

“Hey! Are you okay?”

Nearby, one female student was supporting another.

She had a severe wound on her leg. Her face was already pale from blood loss.

“I’m sorry. Because of me, because of me. I’m sorry…”

The female student who had barely escaped with her life was apologizing while sobbing.

“Here! Severely injured! Please treat her quickly!”

Even as she was carried away, she kept repeating that she was sorry.

After watching her briefly, Hyunwoo turned his attention back to the front.

Even he, a mere Bronze rank, could vaguely sense it.

The man approaching now was a monster incarnate. No, something more terrible than a monster.

Everyone would die. They would all be killed without even being able to scream.

“…”

However, the approaching man paused and slowly turned around.

After a moment of silence, he let out what might have been a sigh or an exclamation.

“What are you?”

Through the flames and building debris, someone crawled out.

As he slowly rose, his condition was extremely serious.

His body was covered in blood, and one shoulder seemed dislocated, dangling loosely.

“Me.”

But his eyes alone were more vivid than the burning flames.

“I’m a Silver rank examiner.”