episode_0044

A few days passed by in a hectic manner.

Leadership executive office.

After receiving recovery magic from the healer and with bandages wrapped all over my body, I sat down at my desk and looked at the documents.

The Han Seo-jin case has been concluded.

There were many injuries, but there were zero deaths.

‘0 deaths… . ‘I can’t believe it.’

I decided to hear the story from Kim Deok-su, a leading member who was at the scene at the time.

It is said that this is because the leadership department promoted against the skeleton beasts, and students with good combat skills, including the service department, helped the leadership department.

‘I don’t know if the number of students who actually died was zero.’

Even before my eyes, thanks to Isea’s unique ability, my junior regained his life.

Just as a person is brought back to life through dramatic CPR right after their heart stops.

‘Anyway, I’m glad in the end. ‘I’m a little worried about Se-Ah.’

I used a power that seemed to reverse cause and effect.

There was no way to know what kind of strong penalty would come with such enormous power.

However, since unique abilities were treated as privacy, there was no great person who could easily reveal the penalty.

The same goes for Se-Ah, and they did not tell us what the penalty for the unique ability was.

I can only take comfort in the fact that the next day, he greeted me just fine.

‘Han Seo-jin… ‘I won’t be able to touch it for a while.’

The culprit of this incident, Han Seo-jin, was hardened with purple magical energy wrapped around his entire body.

No matter how many things the leader did, the strong magical power that filled Seojin’s entire body did not break.

Well, it had enough hardness that it could not be broken even by the shock wave caused by Goliath’s fist. There was no way it would break easily.

However, it was impossible to launch a super-powerful attack.

Beyond breaking the crystal, there is a risk that Seojin’s body itself will be broken. The incident should not have been allowed to fall into a labyrinth.

‘It would be best now to detain him at maximum intensity.’

In the end, Ah Seong-go decided to carefully restrain Seo-jin and manage him. With the highest level of security.

‘All I have to do is endure the penalty, so I will eventually come back. ‘You have to question it then.’

If Seojin comes back unharmed.

After clearly identifying the truth, Seojin would have to be handed over to the trial academy.

Until then, the Han Seo-jin case will not be concluded.

‘There’s nothing more to see at the crime scene.’

The incident scene was thoroughly investigated.

The monster that Goliath defeated was not a living creature in the first place. If it had been crawling around the ground like an earthworm with its huge body, it would have been caught during the construction of the test site.

Judging by my knowledge of the game and my research, it was a catalyst.

A long ago.

A demon with too much magic power dies while buried in the ground.

It seems that a large amount of magical power had no way to escape, so it continued to accumulate for a long time and seep into the skeleton of the demonic beast.

Han Seo-jin was able to breathe vitality into it.

It must have been a very strong demon beast at one time.

By the way, how did Seojin know that something like that was buried in the practical evaluation site?

I’ll have to investigate properly to find out, but there was an assumption.

‘Principal… .’

A remnant of the old humanity and a person who knows Academy City Neo Seoul.

And the person revealed to be behind Kim Dal-bi.

Principal, Lee Doo-hee.

Maybe she provided information.

‘Now that I think about it, skeleton monsters are like that too. ‘How could you easily save such minions?’

When playing games, there are things that I thought were just game directions and passed over. The point is that Seojin dealt with many skeleton beasts.

How was it possible to make a contract with the souls of so many demon beasts and deal with them?

It would have been easy to understand if the principal had helped.

Above all.

─ ‘Five hundred books… . They told me to keep an eye on that person… .’

It was the nuance of receiving instructions from someone.

When you think of a person who knows information about Neo Seoul and can give instructions to as many as six criminals… .

As expected, no one other than the headmaster came to mind.

Of course, ‘everything in the world is the principal’s plan…’ I couldn’t just focus my thoughts on her, citing the theory of a plan to become the master of all creation.

Avoid making hasty judgments.

The only way to find out the details is to find out about Seo-jin.

‘by the way… .’

I turned my attention to Oh Baek-seo, who was handling work. As she had a lot of work to do, she was busy reviewing documents.

Due to this incident, practical evaluations were completely suspended, and the faculty, student council, and leadership team were concentrating on handling and investigating the incident.

‘Why was the white paper monitored?’

The principal or a mysterious third party wants information from the white paper.

Since the investigation into the case was still in progress, the only way was to find out by searching Seojin’s belongings and residence.

Of course, I also asked the white paper directly.

Yesterday, I was asked, ‘Do you know Seojin by any chance?’

The white paper dismissed the relationship, saying they had never even exchanged words. It seems that there was Seojin’s one-sided surveillance.

‘Rather than that, this incident may be related to the disappearance of White Paper.’

The white paper disappeared from the game.

I don’t know what’s going to happen though.

There might be a connection between Seo-jin’s surveillance of Baek-seo and Baek-seo’s disappearance.

‘It cannot be overlooked.’

I protect the white paper.

I resolved to do so.

“Manager, do you have something to say?”

The white paper asked if he felt my gaze.

“No, I just saw it.”

“… … .”

The white paper turned its gaze toward me and stared at me.

“Why?”

“Are you feeling okay today?”

“Are you talking about a penalty?”

“Yes.”

I awakened my unique ability and used it during the battle with Seojin.

It was an ability to manipulate space.

If there were no strict usage conditions, a significant penalty would have been imposed. Because the two are inversely proportional.

but… .

“… I’m fine. So strangely.”

I answered, looking down at my hands.

“I don’t know why it’s like this either.”

Rather, it’s scary because there is no problem… !

There was nothing wrong with my body for a few days.

The only symptom that appeared was lethargy, which is characteristic of a state of mana depletion.

Once magical power is depleted, it takes quite some time to achieve a normal recovery function as a reaction. I guess it’s because of the overload of the magic circuit.

In reality, I was just an ordinary person with strong powers.

“Thank goodness.”

The white paper approached me and presented its pretty face.

I took a breath for a moment, but it didn’t show.

A white paper staring at me from up close.

There was a question on that face.

“How… I still don’t feel like I’m in 5th place.”

So is that why it came close?

“Is that so? Why… ?”

People with unique abilities can distinguish others with unique abilities by feeling.

Like instinct.

But for some reason, none of the executives above rank 5 said that they could sense any unique abilities in me.

Only Secretary Park Min-hyuk congratulated me like a believer in a new religion, saying, ‘As expected, I believed that you, the manager, would awaken your incredible unique ability!’

There was more trouble.

“Still can’t remember the terms of use?”

“Uh. I don’t know. I don’t feel anything.”

I couldn’t even remember what the conditions for using the unique ability were. It was used sensibly in the battle with Seojin.

So I couldn’t even explain it and it was just frustrating.

“Isn’t it really because the mana is depleted?”

“The condition for using a unique ability is to awaken it instinctively. You’ve already used it once, right? Then you wouldn’t know even if you were depleted of magical power.”

White Paper knew that I had used my unique ability at will because I had told him about the battle with Seojin.

“That’s right. At that time, I used it sensuously, but now I feel like I have forgotten that sense… .”

“It’s special.”

“Still, it is true that a unique ability was created. It’s probably a temporary symptom. Since information is under control, it doesn’t seem like there will be any trouble right now due to the issue of unique abilities. Just relax and wait until your magic power recovers.”

The information that I had a unique ability was being controlled at the academy level.

Just as news that is bad for those in power disappears like a knife when it spreads on the Internet.

Some people have already witnessed my abilities in the field.

There may be several people who have received information.

He decided that the information should not be spread more widely than that, so he sought help from the student council president.

The reason is.

─ ‘Don’t get killed by the bastards that abound in this city… !’

A warning from Goliath.

At first, I had no intention of hiding my unique ability once I realized it.

The problem was that I had developed a high-level intrinsic ability that deals with concepts such as space.

The more this information spreads, the more powerful enemies will target me. As proof, didn’t Goliath, whom I was most worried about, already show interest in me first?

Of course, it is impossible to completely control information.

It may have been a futile struggle, but it was better than doing nothing.

“I have a lot of work to do right now.”

Yes.

There was a lot to do.

Of course, investigating the incident.

The student council of Hanyang Federal Academy sent an official letter saying that it would investigate this incident in order to reprimand Asung High School.

Originally, when an incident occurred in which many students were harmed at each academy, one of the roles of the student council was to step forward and hold the academy accountable.

It is our student council’s role to deal with that student council head-on.

However, the leadership team also had a lot of work to do.

Providing materials requested by the student council, attending meetings and briefings… .

‘Well, compared to the work that the student council will do, it’s just new blood.’

Please make sure things work out well and don’t cause sparks to fly… .

In the game, this incident became one of the land mines that led to the impeachment of the leader. I just hoped I wouldn’t end up going down that route.

Sigh. As fatigue suddenly came to my eyes, I stroked the area around my eyes.

“Are you tired?”

“I haven’t been able to sleep these days.”

I didn’t necessarily deny it.

Even if I tried to hide it from Baek Seo, it would all be revealed.

It was difficult to hide my fatigue in the first place.

Because injuries were added to the lethargy caused by mana depletion.

The healing magician even urged me to be hospitalized, but with this incident having to be resolved, there was no way a guy named Seondo could just lie down in bed and kill time.

“Hmm… . Don’t you use your card?”

“Card?”

What card?

“… Ah.”

That’s the story.

Permission to use Five White Papers.

The card effect was to break ears, right?

“Specially for the manager who worked hard this time, can you even provide a pat service as a bonus?”

A white paper whispering in a confidential tone with one hand shade placed near its mouth.

A mischievous smile was on her lips.

‘I guess I’ve worried you… .’

The reason he spoke slyly was probably out of consideration for me.

It probably means writing a card with a light heart.

I waved my hand.

“ done. Later.”

I didn’t want to use that card right now.

“Later?”

“I don’t think it’s time to write yet. I have to work.”

I can only endure this level of fatigue.

‘Because I want to use that card when I’m really tired.’

If I used that card, I would be truly happy at that moment.

You will be able to enjoy tremendous motivation and healing.

So I decided to save it for a decisive moment.

As long as I’m the manager, there’s no expiration date, right?

“… Then there is nothing we can do.”

The white paper smiled and lowered his head from me.

At that time, the door to the leadership department’s executive office suddenly opened.

“A wild Hayesong has appeared!”

The wild Ha Ye-song, the person in charge of cracking down on disorderly conduct, has appeared.

Baekseo and I’s gaze returned to Yesong.

“Lee Yeol, manager! You are still alive today!”

Yesong raised one knee and pointed at me with both index fingers. Her eyes sparkled brightly.

What kind of attitude is that?

“Do I look like someone who will die?”

“Just looking at the outside, it wouldn’t be strange to cross the Samdocheon right away, right? Are you saying I look like I should be hospitalized and lying down?”

Well, it was like that.

“I can’t rest like this. I’m the manager.”

“Hehe, the fighting spirit of the leader! I, Hayesong, am impressed… ! In that sense, how about dumpling casserole for lunch today?”

“… Is there a place where only 2 or more people can order?”

“Hey, our manager! Be accurate!”

I wanted to eat dumpling hotpot, but there was no one to go with.

“Today, Yesong will give a special piggyback ride to the manager!”

“No, that’s enough.”

“Nothing to decline!”

“That’s it… .”

I stood up with the support of Baekseo and Yesong, and then walked using crutches.

Even after arriving at the restaurant, Yesong chatted happily as if nothing had happened. He also seemed to be considerate of me.

Dumpling casserole was served. Seeing the hotpot with dumplings, rice cakes, vegetables, and meat floating around, Yesong exclaimed in exclamation and praised the greatness of the dumplings.

Bubble bubble.

As I looked at the boiling dumpling casserole, I suddenly remembered the conversation I had with Seojin.

─ ‘… ‘I want to see the sea.’

I didn’t know that the soup would remind me of the sea… .

Come to think of it.

“How is the sea these days?”

A sudden question came out of my mouth.

“En? Do you want to go to the artificial beach?”

artificial beach.

It is not a sea, but a resort designed based on the sea of the past.

A place with a sandy beach, a lake, and a large screen that reflects the horizon.

I remember it being a pretty popular place.

“No. Just the sea.”

“Ah… . Come to think of it, it was two days ago. There are new photos of the sea brought by the returning explorer!”

uh?

really?

I was so busy handling the case that I didn’t have time to look on the Internet.

The photos of the outside world brought by explorers were rare.

Even if you try to look at the Earth through a satellite, the sky is enveloped by the dark magical power created by the demonic beasts.

But this guy… .

“Did you have enough free time to surf the web?”

I narrowed my eyes and glared at Yesong.

Have you been very busy these days?

I worked even though I was sick?

“Hehe.”

“Work, Hayesong.”

“You’re working!? Refresh, refresh!”

Yesong smiled awkwardly.

“Anyway, would you like to take a look?”

“… Show me.”

Yesong showed Baek Seo and me a recent sea photo that the explorer had brought back.

“… … .”

Dull sky.

A sea that has not been purified and is still contaminated by large amounts of nuclear waste and the magic power of demonic beasts.

Numerous skeletons lying in disarray, unable to even be buried, with all their flesh and internal organs missing.

An eerie coastal landscape that seems to symbolize hell.

Beyond the horizon, a strange and gigantic creature was walking on two legs.

An unidentifiable black island and a sacred altar were also floating in the middle of the sea.

Other sea photos were similar.

“Are you glad that the golden sheep gave you safe land?”

Yesong said something new.

“… Maybe so.”

According to history.

It is said that after Argonauts challenged the Golden Sheep, the Golden Sheep seemed to appreciate humanity’s challenge and gave them several safe lands.

One of them is the center of the Korean Peninsula.

It was the current Academy City, Neo Seoul.

Well, I don’t actually know the Golden Sheep’s intentions.

─ ‘Because I want to see with my own eyes the sea that turns out to be no longer pretty.’

Did you say that the penalty for necromancy is turning into a dead person?

What if Han Seo-jin was separated from the body and freely roaming the outside world?

Does she see this seascape in her eyes?

So, what kind of scenery does the sea present to Han Seo-jin?

Did we succeed in getting a glimpse of the beauty of the old sea?

It was something I couldn’t figure out.

* * *

Ahn Woo-jin took off the bandage.

Thanks to the healer’s recovery magic, the injury recovered in about a week.

After hearing from the healing magician that the state of magical depletion would likely recover around dawn the next day.

As much as I rested, I exercised intensely at home.

As it happens, tomorrow is the weekend.

“Phew.”

After finishing the exercise and washing up, Woojin fell asleep, enjoying the pleasant muscle pain.

And the dark dawn.

The point at which Woojin’s magic power circuit was restored, and the magic power that had been on standby gradually began to return to normal.

Damn it!

A crack appeared in the air.

From there, bare white legs showing off beautiful legs are sticking out.

A girl slipped through the crack and landed softly with her bare feet, her long golden feet flying.

Even in the dark of the night, that girl showed off her noble appearance with a soft light flowing all over her body. Soon, the crack disappeared and the light flowing through the girl’s body faded.

The girl whose eyes were closed lifted her eyelids with light gold eyelashes.

I caught my eye on Woojin who was sleeping.

“… This guy is slow to recover.”

The girl grumbled and took a deep breath of the air in the room.

I went under the blanket covered by Woojin, hugged him, and fell asleep.