Shin Serin and Yujin returned.

    Yujin, looking refreshed somewhere, was sulking as Shin Serin, who seemed to have been burned by fire, had turned dark and gloomy.

    “Hahaha! What a sight! Haha!!!”

    “Don’t laugh at me!! You…”

    Kang Jinhyuk pointed and laughed at Shin Serin, who let out a groan.

    “You came here to challenge Yujin?”

    “Yeah. He didn’t hold back at all…”

    Shin Serin briefly explained the current situation.

    Watching Kang Jinhyuk and Hankyeol’s match, it seemed like Hankyeol might not continue the challenge.

    Let’s save the challenge for later and have our own match, Shin Serin suggested.

    Yujin agreed to it.

    And so, the challenge between Shin Serin and Yujin was set.

    The location for the challenge was a forest terrain with plenty of hiding spots.

    From Shin Serin’s perspective, it was a welcoming place with open arms.

    Trying to take advantage of the location, Shin Serin attempted to restrain Yujin as much as possible, but Yujin just ended up burning everything around without hesitation.

    As the forest turned into a sea of flames in an instant, and hiding spots vanished, they had to film a tearful escape scene and ended up losing.

    “Yujin needs to understand the importance of the environment!”

    “It’s just a simulation. It doesn’t matter.”

    From Yujin’s perspective, burning everything down was a wise decision.

    “Ugh… How annoying!”

    “If you’re annoyed, get stronger, right?”

    “Aaah!!!”

    “Hahaha!!!!!!”

    Yujin innocently tilted his head and smirked, causing Shin Serin to explode once again.

    Even Kang Jinhyuk joined in, laughing heartily at their comedy.

    “Hey! Kang Jinhyuk! Do you want another round of challenge?! Let’s go!!!”

    “Sure thing!! I lost to Hankyeol and my rank dropped, but I can climb back up in no time!!”

    At the mention of a challenge, Shin Serin stood up from his seat, exchanged words with Yujin, and headed towards the challenge arena.

    They were seriously addicted to challenging each other.

    Observing quietly with a smile on her lips, Lee Yuseong seemed to have formed an understanding with Han Seyoung and Jung Yuna, nodding to each other and whispering something.

    “Hmm…”

    “Why the face?”

    “Just… I think Hwayoung is the best after all.”

    “Hehe.”

    She gently stroked her cheek, closed her eyes, and rubbed her face against her palm.

    Even tapping her shoulder with her head when she stopped.

    So cute, like a real cat.

    Everyone is growing smoothly… Who should I approach next?

    I should talk more with Seondo Bureau Chief and Baek Chaerin.

    It’s daunting.

    We also need to thwart the plans of those cultists…

    “Sigh…”

    “Hmm? Are you tired, Gyeora?”

    “…”

    “…Good night.”

    I must have been too restless this weekend to even sleep… I’m exhausted.

    Hwayoung will probably wake me up later…

    Swoosh. Feeling like Hwayoung reached out her hand to support my falling head, I drifted off to sleep.

    “That’s an interesting one.”

    Professor Pang Dayoon muttered under his breath while looking at Hankyeol, who had fallen asleep on Ewayoung’s lap in a corner of the auditorium.

    Since Kang Jinhyuk and Hankyeol started their challenge, he had only been watching their duel, ignoring all other matches.

    Their stamina and endurance were commendable, but their other abilities were at the level of ordinary students. Yet, they were engaging in a duel on par with Kang Jinhyuk, whose abilities exceeded that of an ordinary student, which was quite astonishing.

    When they dueled last time, Hankyeol somehow managed to steer the flow in his favor using some kind of trickery, so Pang Dayoon thought the same pattern would continue in his match against Kang Jinhyuk.

    Inflicting damage and determining the outcome through a mysterious strike—that was the image of Hankyeol that Pang Dayoon had in mind.

    However, Hankyeol showed unexpected results this time.

    While he continued to block or dodge Kang Jinhyuk’s attacks, there was a sense of unfamiliarity.

    If previously there was a feeling of discomfort in dodging during their duel, now he was evading effortlessly, like water flowing.

    Although it seemed like Kang Jinhyuk was relentlessly attacking, in reality, it appeared that Hankyeol was leading him into the game he intended.

    Moving forward, what is that swordsmanship?

    Though not as skilled as his own techniques, that swordsmanship is indeed exceptional.

    Look, the blade subtly wavers as if it could change its course at any moment, honest yet always ready to shift its trajectory.

    It seems to target the shoulder but swiftly alters its path once intentions are discerned.

    Despite changing its course midway, the force remains undiminished, maintaining its initial power.

    The flexibility of the wrist and focus are outstanding.

    To give up defense and solely rely on evasion to overwhelm Kang Jinhyuk.

    It meant Kang Jinhyuk was completely stifled in the fight.

    Finally, a direct confrontation between the two.

    From start to finish, it was a relentless battle without a dull moment.

    What has he done to grow so rapidly?

    That’s what Pang Dayoon wondered.

    “It seems hard to take your eyes off that kid.”

    “Vina? What brings you here?”

    “They say time is all we have. Watching over the kids is my pleasure.”

    Lost in thought, she failed to notice someone approaching from behind.

    Even if she had been attentive, she might not have realized.

    Dressed not in the usual attire for the store but in a black coat and cloak, Vina approached Pang Dayoon.

    Principal Park Kangcheol, an esteemed hero who personally requested entry into the academy.

    A top-tier powerhouse, nearing the pinnacle of all heroes.

    Vina.

    Oddly enough, she entered the academy under the condition of running a store instead of accepting a professorship.

    An enigmatic individual whose true intentions remain elusive.

    While the professors do not know her, she knows them.

    This disconnect makes it challenging to deal with Vina.

    Simultaneously, there is a sense of reverence.

    Her gaze is not towards them but towards their enemies.

    Just observing her from behind envelops them in her overwhelming presence.

    Vina cut off Pang Dayoon and herself from the outside world.

    Conversations should not flow beyond this point.

    “If you’re referring to Sangdo, then yes. And you, Vina?”

    “Half right, half wrong. There’s quite a bit happening around that kid, making it interesting to watch.”

    “Watching… interest?”

    “I saw him enter the dungeon alone.”

    “What?!”

    Pang Dayoon was left speechless by Vina’s sudden revelation.

    “Take it easy… He must have his reasons for doing so. It would be best not to approach him and ask why.”

    “If that’s what you say, I’ll refrain. But why me?”

    “Just satisfying curiosity.”

    With a meaningful smile, Vina simply answered that she was just resolving Pang Dayoon’s curiosity, closing the discussion abruptly.

    No more questions seemed to be entertained.

    Though it would be relieving to speak candidly, Pang Dayoon suffered inwardly, knowing the nature of their interaction.

    Yet, he found solace in the fact that Sangdo’s growth came at a justifiable cost.

    Regardless of how he entered the dungeon,

    the level of danger within it remains unknown, but if Sangdo can handle it on his own, it must be of a relatively low grade.

    Even if Kyle weakened and turned into a specter, claiming he was weaker than Pang Dayoon and Vina would be astonishing.

    “The statement earlier, half right and half wrong. Did you come here for a specific reason?”

    “That’s correct.”

    While there is genuine interest in Sangdo, there was another reason for her visit.

    “Outside, traces have been observed.”

    “Can you provide more details?”

    Outside. Traces. Observed. Upon hearing these three words, his expression sharpens instantly.

    “They are meticulous beings. They leave no trace behind.”

    The beings Vina speaks of are those investigated regarding the intrusion into the Illusion Labyrinth last time.

    Although the intruders couldn’t possibly be stronger than Vina, no traces were found. They were untraceable.

    Which means,

    “Inside. There is a traitor.”

    Pak Deuk – Fang Dayoon clenches his fist tightly, grinding his teeth.

    “To calm down. If we shine light on those hiding in the darkness, they will go even deeper.”

    “···If we detected movement outside, may I ask what that signifies?”

    Recognizing Pak Deuk’s excitement at sensing the traitor, Bina calms him down.

    Confirming his composure, Bina continues the conversation.

    “We found traces of a barrier in the middle of a mountain valley to the north here. It seems to be a barrier specialized in camouflage. You wouldn’t notice it unless you looked closely.”

    “Did you find anything there?”

    “Nothing at all.”

    “Really?”

    “There were no traces whatsoever.”

    Before Fang Dayoon could ask if the traces of the barrier were the only clue, Bina interjected,

    “But I felt it. The lingering aura there.”

    “Aura… you mean?”

    Fang Dayoon couldn’t hide his unease as he looked at Bina’s eerie smile.

    Having faced numerous battles and developed a resilience to fear, Fang Dayoon couldn’t help but tremble slightly at the sight of Bina’s smile.

    Bina’s laughter contained something chilling.

    Was it fear? Or twisted reverence?

    “An incredibly beautiful and powerful aura resided there. It lingered within.”

    “So, there was a battle there…?”

    “Not a battle. It was a one-sided massacre. A fight that ended with a single swing.”

    Bina briefly closed his eyes, then reopened them, staring at his own hand.

    As if gauging the power of that aura.

    “Even with just the lingering aura there, I felt overwhelmed, albeit ashamed.”

    “What!? Even you, Bina?”

    “There are no omnipotent beings in this world. Just exceptional humans.”

    Just as Fang Dayoon seemed to recover from the shock, he was plunged back into it.

    “At the point where I discovered it, they had already erased their traces and vanished, but I barely discerned it from the remnants.”

    Bina tracked the faint mana traces to a place where they were presumed to be, but found nothing visible.

    All that remained was a fading aura melded with nature.

    Despite time passing, that aura still exuded a tremendous presence.

    A shiver. And awe.

    Even bringing the strongest inspector would likely fail to replicate that aura.

    “There are many powerful beings unknown to the world… Should I not inform the headmaster about this?”

    “The headmaster, that child hasn’t been up to much lately. Until the details are revealed, let’s keep this between us.”

    “Then why me?”

    There must be others besides her, so why specifically her?

    The returning answer was concise.

    “It’s just a whim. Keeping it to myself alone makes me restless.”

    Bina turned her head to look in a certain direction, smiling as she said it was just a whim.

    Was it truly just a casual remark prompted by whimsy?

    Or is there something else only she knows?

    Only Bina could reveal that.

    “I should be going now. Take care of the children.”

    “Oh, yes! Thank you.”

    Watching her until she left the auditorium, Fang Dayoon turned his head back to look in the same direction.

    Ewha Young, who was asleep with a knee pillow under her head, being gently touched by Lee Hwayoung.

    Did Bina see something from them?

    The fact that Ewha Young entered the dungeon alone sparked more interest.

    And…

    “Well… there really isn’t a perfect couple…”

    Watching such scenes made him inexplicably emotional.

    Fang Dayoon. 28 years old. She was currently single.

    And even if she didn’t show it, there were plenty of people willing to shed tears for her.

    All the residents in the auditorium were watching Ewha Young and Lee Hwayoung.

    Yet, no one rushed forward.

    Looking at Hwahyoung’s face, which was filled with affection for Hanguel, it was evident to anyone.

    It seemed as if a goddess was smiling. Would her expression be like that?

    If such a goddess were to smile for the one she loves, would her expression be like that?

    He simply stared blankly at Hwahyoung’s face.

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