episode_0037

Kim Noeul and Han Doa are quietly engaged in a career experience program. They are attentively listening to the SC guide’s explanation.

Until just a moment ago, there was a cold atmosphere between them, but as both are fundamentally model students, they quickly listen obediently to the explanation.

“Now it’s a bit better.”

The tension between them has eased. While I was also listening to the guide’s explanation, I heard footsteps approaching from behind.

Turning around, I saw Na Yuna staring at me with trembling eyes.

“Why are you like this?”

As I quietly asked, Na Yuna glanced around and leaned close to my ear.

“There are many listeners here… I’ll explain later.”

Seeing her expression, it seemed like it wasn’t good news, which made me worried.

“Then let’s conclude this explanation. Thank you so much for choosing SC today. Those who wish to leave can do so, and those who want to stay can continue exploring here.”

As the guide finished the explanation and disappeared, several students rushed out of the building.

Leading Na Yuna to a less crowded area, I asked her directly.

“Jegal Hwaryun is gathering people again?”

“Yes, I heard about it earlier. He’s even reaching out to outsiders…”

The mention of reaching out to outsiders caught my attention. Based on my memory, the outsider who allied with Jegal Hwaryun might be that person.

“Is that all you heard? I need more information.”

“Well…”

Although hesitant, Na Yuna eventually confessed.

“We met Jung Soyeon today. It seems she’s not on good terms with that person.”

“Ah.”

Finally, things started to make sense.

Yoo Hajin.

He was the ringleader of the group that bullied Jung Soyeon’s younger sibling. In the original work, he was described as being released around this time after going to a juvenile detention center.

“In the original work, he was a boy, but here, the gender seems to have changed. Maybe even the name.”

Just by looking at the character setup, it’s clear he’s a despicable character. Despite being the perpetrator, he harbors deep hostility towards Jung Soyeon, making him dangerous if left unchecked.

However, since I don’t plan to leave him alone, it doesn’t matter.

If the original setting hasn’t changed, Yoo Hajin may have a connection with ‘her,’ so involving her could make things easier…

For now, I should act separately from the counseling department because ‘she’ doesn’t seem well-received from their perspective.

“If what the seniors said is true, we need to prepare. We should also inform Kim Noeul.”

“About what?”

Kim Noeul, who had approached us unnoticed, expressed curiosity. Han Doa was also behind her.

“Kim Noeul, you kept saying you wanted to help me back then.”

“…I wasn’t nagging.”

Avoiding eye contact, Kim Noeul blushed. Without hesitation, I continued speaking.

“You finally have something to do. You’ll be protecting us for a while.”

“What else is happening now?”

Kim Noeul isn’t foolish, so she would understand what I’m implying.

“Senior Yuna informed me that Jegal Hwaryun is gathering people again, this time from outside the school.”

“He’s really crossing the line.”

Han Doa chewed her lip, visibly stressed by the school’s troublemaker.

“When will he give up? He lost to you guys last time after trying to mess with you.”

Kim Noeul grumbled. Her frustration was understandable.

“Maybe this is the last time that girl can get away with it.”

I swiftly dismissed Kim Noeul’s complaint with a single statement.

“Are you sure? She seems quite vengeful.”

“She probably faced severe consequences after a major failure. Jegal Yeonhwa doesn’t tolerate the same mistake twice.”

“You know a lot about that girl.”

Kim Noeul muttered in a low voice. I quickly supplemented the explanation.

“Just looking at her, she seems malicious. There are many rumors about her on the internet.”

“Exactly. Jegal Yeonhwa is a ruthless woman, even to her own blood.”

Han Doa supported my opinion at the right moment. She then asked Nayuna.

“Did you hear about the details? The location?”

“I heard some of it… It seemed like it’s still in the planning stages.”

“Then we’ll gather information from the vanguard. You two should be cautious for now and join us when it’s time to fight.”

“Kim Noeul, what should we do?”

Ultimately, Kim Noeul was the head of counseling. She decides how the counseling department will act. If Kim Noeul has a different opinion, I will consider it.

However, Kim Noeul simply nodded in agreement with Han Doa and me.

“That’s probably the best course of action for now. Just in case, I’ll invite Doa-senior to our group chat.”

“Got it.”

She exchanged numbers with three members of the counseling department.

After the exchange, we waited for the elevator at the SC building.

“The elevator is on the top floor… We’ll have to wait a while.”

Nayuna muttered in a gloomy voice. Not just her, but the other two women also looked somber.

“If we don’t destroy the bridge, we’ll have to live in this anxiety without resolution.”

It’s already a spilled cup.

Whether we succeed or the bridge does, there is no other outcome.

As we quietly waited for the elevator, someone called out to us from behind.

“Oh, Yuna… and friends.”

Jung Soyeon greeted us with a bright smile. It seems like she just finished filming.

“Are you heading home now?”

“Yes, no, well… Are you done with filming too?”

Nayuna struck up a conversation with Jung Soyeon. Jung Soyeon’s friendliness overcame Nayuna’s shyness.

“I’m getting ready to leave too. Oh, you’re the head of the vanguard, right? I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Jung Soyeon. We’re the same age.”

“I’m Han Doa.”

Jung Soyeon and Han Doa shook hands.

“Do good things out there. Educating those unruly kids, huh?”

Jung Soyeon already had a considerable liking for Han Doa. Given her past, it was understandable.

“Keep dealing with the trash of Hukdo in the future.”

“It’s not dealing, it’s discipline… Anyway, understood.”

Han Doa stiffened her expression at the faint madness she felt from Jung Soyeon. Kim Noeul had been observing Jung Soyeon since earlier.

“Oh, make sure to call the CEO. It’s a really valuable opportunity.”

“I was planning to. Thanks.”

Nayuna chuckled softly, scratching her head.

[4th floor.]

The elevator arrived. Nayuna said goodbye to Jung Soyeon and entered the elevator. We followed her inside.

After getting off the elevator, we left the building. It was still bright outside, perhaps because it was summer.

Han Doa turned in a different direction from where we were going.

“I’m going to the school. There’s a vanguard meeting. I won’t mention anything about you guys.”

“Thank you.”

Han Doa walked towards the school, leaving just the three of us from the counseling department. I brought up the topic I wanted to discuss.

“Kim Noeul, I actually got a business card from Veritas.”

“The people who leaked exam papers at TT Academy?”

“Yes. They say they’ll write an article that will help us. I wanted to see what you think. If you allow it, I plan to collaborate with Veritas again.”

“It’s not my concern, why do you need my permission?”

“Well, you’re the head.”

I thought Kim Noeul might be reluctant since she’s the head but surprisingly, she had no objections.

“I may be the head in name, but Maru, you’re the one making the actual plans. It could get messy if I interfere now, so I’ll leave it to you.”

She has changed. In the past, she used to interfere with my plans by overprotecting me, but now she trusts me.

“…Then I’ll do as I think. I’ll contact Veritas today.”

“Alright. If you need anything, let me know.”

As Kim Noeul and I led the conversation, Nayuna, who had been quietly listening on the side, chimed in.

“Maru, do I have anything to do?”

“Seniors….”

In truth, she doesn’t have much to do in this case. As Nayuna is weak in terms of power, facing directly against Jegal Hwaryun’s gang, she wouldn’t be of much help.

There is a way for Nayuna to strike at Ojak Bridge.

“Seniors, try to persuade SC’s representative well. If the seniors succeed as models, it will help us too.”

“R-Really?”

“Just look at Jegal Yeonhwa right now. Since she reigns as the top model of Hakdo, there are huge benefits at stake at Ojak Bridge.”

“Got it. I’ll work hard.”

After finishing the conversation, we each returned to our dormitories.

Upon arriving in my dorm room, I grabbed my phone after washing up.

“I should ask Gumiho for a favor.”

Coincidentally, there was already a message from Gumiho.

[Gumiho: Senior]

[Gumiho: The Hakdo community is going crazy right now]

[Gumiho: Han Doa vs Jegal Yeonhwa]

[Gumiho: Were you there today?]

[Me: I had a hunch]

[Gumiho: So jealous! I wanted to see it too!]

[Gumiho: So, who are you, senior?]

[Me: What do you mean]

[Gumiho: Who do you think will win? There’s a poll going on right now]

“A poll?”

Curious, I entered the Hakdo community. A provocative title caught my eye at the top of the concept post.

[Sword of Justice, Han Doa vs SC Queen, Jegal Yeonhwa (Views 2,564) (Likes 1,120)]

– Today at the SC career experience event, Han Doa and Jegal Yeonhwa had a fight. Even though I’m not involved, I felt nervous just watching it

– Curious after seeing that, I opened a poll to see who would win?

– If you think Han Doa will win, like; if you think Jegal Yeonhwa will win, dislike

– Likes: 1,120

– Dislikes: 1,132

[Comments (330)]

[User1: This is getting interesting]

[User1: Is Han Doa really that good? Or is it just the sword?]

[User2: She doesn’t use the sword in one-on-one fights, she knocks them out with her palm to the chin]

[User3: Sword? Queen? I can beat both]

[User1: Are you in 2nd grade in Korea? Did I ask you to bring bread or to communicate here?]

[Alice(223.68): Quietly dislike as “commanded”]

[User1: Get lost from Hakdo~]

[User4: Stop being brainless]

[User1: Is that really Alice?]

[User5: Jegal Yeonhwa wins if they fight without weapons, right? She learned kickboxing]

[User1(51.94): Han Doa also learned unarmed combat because of her family background]

[Yuna(38.14): Obviously like]

[User1: Go lead the scout team]

[User1: Block 38.14 from now on]

“As expected, it’s intense….”

Even having seen the original work, I couldn’t make rash judgments. But that’s not important right now.

[Me: Alright, I have a favor to ask]

[Gumiho: What is it? Another scoop?]

[Me: It seems Jegal Hwaryun is planning to form a team with an outsider at Hakdo soon]

[Me: We need information to respond from the Counseling Department]

Gumiho didn’t reply for a while. About a minute later, a response came.

[Gumiho: Seniors always get involved in such sensational incidents, don’t they? Truly my precious…]

[Me: Anyway, keep an eye on Jegal Hwaryun]

[Gumiho: Someone else is already doing that, you can get the information from them]

Unhesitatingly, Gumiho trails the main players at Ojak Bridge. Truly living for today, just like Veritas. Reliable.

In that case, perhaps she’ll also listen to the favor I want to ask next.

[Me: Lastly, I want to conceal my identity and

Let’s wait patiently,” Gumiho replied.

[Gumiho: I can investigate up to Jegalhwarin.]

[Gumiho: Seoyoon and Eun Yoori are beyond my authority…]

It seemed challenging for the newly joined Alice to ask the new recruit to make contact with both her right and left arms.

“If I can utilize Seoyoon, it would be convenient, but I can manage well enough without her, so it doesn’t matter.”

[Me: Alright then.]

At the moment when she was about to give up the request without hesitation, Gumiho unexpectedly provided a response.

[Gumiho: I just asked the director.]

[Gumiho: The director said that Seoyoon will be the bridge between you and the senior.]

[Gumiho: How about that?]

I checked the message content and smiled.

[Me: Please give me the director’s number.]