Chapter 181: The Angel Who Receives Observation Class (4)

Episode 181: The Angel Who Receives Observation Class (4)

Waiting for someone is a lonely experience.

Especially when it’s nighttime, when there’s no one around, when you have to be outside for some reason…

It’s particularly lonely then.

That’s why Leffrey felt lonely.

On a cool summer night, Leffrey sat huddled on the roof of the convenience store in Central Plaza, feeling a cold that he shouldn’t feel.

‘Did I ask too much of Wol?’

The Central Academy Student Council Building.

A place that even the Mooncat Tribe, known as the world’s greatest family of thieves, couldn’t raid. A place protected by the professors’ techniques to prevent infiltration by demon army spies.

To ask her to extract information from such a place.

And it’s not even for something important, it’s just to find out who’s coming to the observation class.

‘I’m sorry…’

It was too selfish a request.

Using the friend’s goodwill towards him to put that precious friend in danger. Could he even be called an angel after doing something like that?

Then.

If so, Then could someone who, consumed by childhood hatred, kills a relative they’ve never met be called an angel? Or what if he were to kill ‘that man’, in front of everyone?

Leffrey imagined it.

On some bright summer day during the observation class.

Consuming by resentment, hatred, and the desire for revenge, he would finally tear ‘that man’ apart and stand above him.

His arms covered in blood, a still-warm red liquid running down his cheek. Then wiping away that blood, he would smile so brightly.

Could such a being still be called an angel?

No.

Such a being could no longer be called an angel.

[Demonic power is reacting to your emotions.]

Falling from grace is like gravity.

Once you start to fall, you accelerate.

[Demonic power is reacting to your emotions.]

The boy, feeling the darkness stirring within him, let out a deep sigh.

* * *

‘As you know, the Student Council Building is the most heavily guarded place in our academy. Because if a demon army spy were to infiltrate, they would naturally try to gather information, and most of the academy’s information is stored there.’

Hongwol had clearly said this.

The Central Superhuman Academy’s Student Council Building was the most heavily protected place within the academy. To the point where even the Mooncat Tribe, the greatest thieves, had given up on attempting to raid it.

‘So easy, a piece of cake.’

However, Hongwol was bypassing the Student Council Building’s security systems with incredible ease. Crawling under things with her waist low and her hips high, or lifting her legs up to her head to avoid various traps.

The flexibility of a cat, indeed.

But that wasn’t Hongwol’s only strength.

A technique she acquired after awakening as a hero. Karma Concealment, an ability that makes all recognition systems in the world forget her existence.

Hongwol called this stealth technique, ‘Fluffy Paws.’

Why? Because whenever she used this technique, her hands and feet would become fluffy and soft. Like wearing cat mittens.

‘…It’s a good thing no one can see me like this.’

Thus, using Fluffy Paws and the Mooncat Tribe’s unique techniques, Hongwol easily bypassed the student council’s security systems.

If she could raid the Student Council Building this easily, why had Hongwol made such a fuss about it?

‘Of course, so the boy would feel more sorry for me!’

Yes, it was all for that.

To make Leffrey feel bad.

So…

‘Since Leffrey is a soft-hearted boy who feels guilty about even small things and takes them to heart, he’ll surely grant my request.’

She was planning to use this to get what she wanted. Then what kind of demand was Hongwol trying to get fulfilled?

‘……!’

For some reason, Hongwol’s cheeks were flushed.

Anyway, unlike her earlier complaints, Hongwol had reached the Student Council’s database far too easily.

‘As I thought, it’s too easy. I should make it look like I had a hard time, get some dust on my clothes, put some fake blood on my forehead, when I go back.’

Hongwol naturally thought about deceiving Leffrey as she slowly approached the Student Council database.

‘I wonder what kind of security system they have here.’

Hongwol recalled what she had learned from her mother, Jeokwol.

‘It won’t open without a security key, and of course, the moment it’s opened, a silent alarm will alert the entire building. And if you go any further…’

There would probably also be a system that extracts and stores the infiltrator’s information the moment they steal data. After all, when you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back.

And they would have hidden lethal information here and there. Here, lethal information referred to information contamination that could kill a person just by reading it.

Of course, for professor-level superhumans, it would only paralyze them for a few minutes, but in this situation, being paralyzed for even a few minutes meant being caught.

Why? Because Karma Concealment, ‘Fluffy Paws’, was a technique that required complete concentration, and it would be deactivated the moment she’s paralyzed.

And there were probably several other deadly security systems in place, but.

“Ugh, too simple.”

Hongwol approached the database without hesitation, wearing a mischievous smile.

* * *

There’s always a key for every lock.

Literally, there’s always a security key to bypass security, and a silent alarm system that rings the moment it’s opened can be physically disabled.

A system that extracts your information the moment you steal information could also be bypassed using trained rats.

All they’ll be able to get is meaningless information like ‘Squeak squeak? Squeak… Squeak!’ However, the rats would memorize all the information they see.

Lethal information? That doesn’t matter either.

It would be a bit cruel to the rat, but aren’t rats used for experiments anyway?

Thus, Hongwol very easily extracted the information Leffrey wanted, perfectly restored the disabled security systems, and slipped out.

Her footsteps naturally quickened as she felt the cold air in her lungs.

Thinking of the boy who would be waiting for her eagerly, her feet sped up on their own.

She could recognize him even from afar.

His sun-like golden hair that shone even in this darkness. His angelic features that made him look like both a beautiful girl and a cute boy.

Though he was a bit short, that only made him more adorable. Her precious boy.

“Boy.”

And as soon as he heard her voice, he whirled around, his expression cycling from joy to sadness in quick succession.

“W-Wol. Are you hurt?”

“Ah, this? It’s just a small scratch.”

His voice warmed her heart.

“I’ll heal you, sit down!”

And his touch seemed to caress her very soul.

Hongwol was mesmerized by Leffrey’s touch. Or rather, she simply enjoyed the moment.

Though it was just one person’s touch, it felt like everything in her world was being filled completely.

“Meow.”

Of course, this was one thing, but she still needed to get what she wanted.

“Boy.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“I worked really hard, isn’t there some kind of reward for me?”

“Reward?”

Leffrey tilted his head before smiling brightly and saying.

“Of course, I have to repay the favor. Ask me anything.”

“…Anything? You said *anything*, right?”

“Uh, ah?”

At that moment, the boy realized his mistake. He made a slightly stupid expression with his mouth open, but being Leffrey, it just looked cute.

‘Since I made an unreasonable request to Wol for my personal problem, it’s only right for me to grant her request, even if it’s unreasonable.’

After organizing his thoughts, Leffrey nodded.

“Yes, anything.”

“Good. No take-backs.”

Hongwol handed Leffrey a note and said,

“This is the person who’s coming to see you as your relative. I didn’t look at who it is. Only the rats have.”

“…!”

Leffrey carefully accepted the note, which was folded into a small square.

“The handwriting might be a bit crooked, but bear with it. It was written by the rats.”

But Leffrey hadn’t opened the note yet. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say he couldn’t open it.

“Boy, what’s wrong? Wasn’t this urgent information about the observation class? Quickly, open it.”

“Yeah, it is, but.”

“What. Is it information you can’t even show me?”

Seeing Hongwol immediately becoming sulky, Leffrey shook his head.

“N-No, it’s nothing important. Yeah, right. Nothing important at all.”

Thump—Thump—Was this the sound of his own heart?

The sound of his heart beating, resonating through his blood vessels all the way to his eardrums. Leffrey, putting on a fake smile, slowly unfolded the note, one fold at a time.

“Oh right, the reward I want is…”

However, Hongwol, mistaking Leffrey’s fake smile for a genuine one, tried to subtly cling to him again. But Leffrey couldn’t even pay attention to Hongwol’s movements.

[Demonic power is reacting to your emotions.]

“After this observation class is over…”

“Wait!”

And a girl’s voice interrupted them. A voice that sounded like a magical girl whining.

It was Soya.

“Hongwol, get away from Leffrey.”

“…What is it? I haven’t done anything yet.”

“Nngh, it’s not about that, just leave Leffrey alone.”

Huff huff- Soya exhaled breathlessly and looked at Leffrey.

“Leffrey, are you okay? Did you see who’s coming?”

“I haven’t seen it yet.”

“Then let’s look at it together when we get back to the cathedral. You can look at it with us, or by yourself. Whatever you choose, we’ll be there for you.”

Leffrey smiled at Soya’s kind words. It was really nothing special. Just information about who’s coming to his observation class, really nothing special.

And Hongwol seemed to think the same, speaking to Soya with a dissatisfied attitude.

“You’re overreacting again. Witch, did you really change jobs to a magical girl?”

“No I didn’t! Don’t talk when you don’t know anything!”

“You’re the one who hasn’t done anything. Who do you think brought the note that Leffrey’s holding?”

While speaking, Hongwol naturally straightened her shoulders. Being larger than Soya in many ways, Hongwol displayed this more prominently while showing an arrogant smile.

“What’s with that cat-like swagger…” (TL Note: 냥풍당당 (nyang-pung-dang-dang), it’s a portmanteau of 냥 (nyang), which is a Korean onomatopoeia for a cat’s meow, 풍 (pung), which means style or flair, and 당당 (dang-dang), which means confident or dignified. So basically, it describes Hongwol’s confident and dignified strut, with a cat-like flair.)

Soya took a step back before launching another attack.

“L-Look at this. There’s animal blood on your forehead, right? And the dust on your clothes, it’s fake too?”

“Wh-What are you talking about?”

“Don’t tell me, did you do this on purpose to show Leffrey ‘I had such a hard time’? As expected, your way of thinking is completely different. Deceiving people is your way of life.”

“You, you.”

And as the two girls were about to start fighting as always, Leffrey spoke in a voice hiding his depression.

“So, he’s coming.”

The two girls immediately stopped fighting.

Soya and Hongwol watched as Leffrey stood still, looking at the note without showing any expression.

No sadness, no anger, just an empty face.

Like a statue carved in the image of an angel.

“So that’s the person who’s coming.”

“Leffrey… Is it someone from your father’s side of the family…?”

Soya asked in a trembling voice, but Leffrey just nodded.

“Soya, it’s okay. I’m fine.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Rather, it feels refreshing. Like having an aching tooth pulled out.”

Leffrey showed a smile.

“The observation class…”

Around the time when the moon that had been brightly illuminating the world was suddenly covered by dark clouds and couldn’t be seen at all.

Leffrey whispered in a cold voice.

“I need to prepare thoroughly.”