episode_0063

063.

The current Republic of Korea was in an uproar.

People of all ages and genders were paying close attention to the media.

Television, the internet, newspapers, online communities – all were buzzing loudly about the recent Union Academy attack incident.

And it was no wonder, as this was the first time that hundreds of villains had gathered together to attack the Union, which could be considered the cradle of heroes.

– Union Academy Attack! What is the goal of the villains?

– “Is another war with villains imminent?” Citizens are anxious.

– [Union’s Incompetence and Reality] Unable to stop the attack by a large number of villains.

– ‘Mass casualties!’ Can we trust the security and safety of the academy?

The media criticized the incompetence and powerlessness of the Union Academy.

They believed that the top heroes of the Republic of Korea, the Yung Sung Institute, not only failed to properly defend against the attack by villains but also caused numerous casualties due to their chaotic response methods, making it appropriate for them to be criticized.

Parents were inundated with complaints due to their doubts about the academy’s security system and whether it was safe to entrust their children there.

Furthermore, the footage distributed by Yoo Da-hee was a major issue.

The video from the Union Academy attack incident flooded various portal sites.

In the video, the incompetence of the Union security guards and examiners was clearly evident.

The sight of them being defeated by unknown villains and falling helplessly was enough to shatter the trust and confidence of civilians.

Moreover, the public exposure of hero trainees surrendering to villains, begging for their lives, and groveling in fear further disappointed many people.

Some criticized, saying that no matter how they were students, how could they bow down to villains, while others defended, saying that they were just trainees who had not experienced real combat, so it was understandable.

The Union Academy attack incident was the worst disaster since its establishment, leaving people with feelings of disappointment, anxiety, urgency, fear, and more.

Furthermore, it led to a decline in trust in heroes.

– In light of the Union’s inadequate response to this incident and the significant harm caused to the trainees, I would like to once again offer my apologies…

The chairman of the Union held a press conference.

He made efforts to calm public opinion by promising to strengthen and improve the security system of the Union Academy and prevent future incidents, along with offering empty words of comfort.

Additionally, due to this attack incident, the midterms were temporarily suspended, the upcoming final exams were reduced, and the overnight training was completely canceled.

‘…The reduction of final exams and the cancellation of overnight training, this is quite something. I can’t predict how things will unfold from now on.’

The incident had changed the course of the story.

I never expected the final exams and overnight training to clash.

Both played important roles as main episodes in the growth of So-yeon and the male protagonists.

‘My original plan was to follow the story line as closely as possible while developing the main characters. That was the safest and most certain path.’

But so many things had gone awry.

To the point where the future seemed unpredictable.

‘Yoo Da-hee and the Rebellion members’ attack came too soon.’

If the game had progressed as intended, the Rebellion members’ attack incident should have occurred during the overnight training episode.

However, for some reason, they barged into the midterm exam room and caused chaos.

‘The butterfly effect, it must be the butterfly effect…’

All the actions I’ve taken so far have likely piled up one by one to create the current outcome.

I had some expectations, but I didn’t think it would turn out like this so soon.

“The rebellion members are strong. It will be difficult for the current protagonist and his group to stand against them.”

That’s because the protagonist and his group were in a growth phase where they had to grow rapidly compared to the already fully developed villains.

Experiencing various events sequentially, obtaining relics, building connections, discovering conspiracies, training skills, and awakening, etc.

They had to face enemies to be dealt with after working hard to level up, so it was inevitable that it would be difficult for them at the moment.

They shouldn’t have encountered them from the beginning according to the game’s storyline.

They were all at least mid-boss level.

“…The only fortunate thing is that Yisun and Kangdaehan were quite stimulated.”

Unfortunate or fortunate.

It seems that meeting Yudahee was a big shock for both of them.

They must have heard the word “genius” so much since they were young that it must have been a big blow to be defeated by a white-haired girl they first met.

From the perspective of the male protagonists who lived in their own superiority, it must have been quite humiliating.

That’s why the male protagonists started to focus on intense training.

Yisun went to the best sword in the peninsula to learn the sword again, and Kangdaehan went to his father, one of the strongest in the previous generation, to start receiving hellish training.

“Both of them went back to their masters much earlier than in the game. It’s one of the leveling events that occurs when you’re at a dead end.”

Was it that shocking?

Oh, well. Come to think of it, it could be.

The feeling of helplessness and defeat of not being able to do anything must have been an emotion that they could never tolerate.

Especially since they had never experienced being so powerless in front of a girl of the same age, it must have damaged their pride even more.

“In Kangdaehan’s case, he was mocked by Yudahee in a fight.”

Kangdaehan is a corpse without pride.

With his personality, until he rebuilds his pride that has fallen to the ground and been trampled on, he would repeat hellish training to the point of life and death.

“He’ll probably get quite strong in a little while.”

A kind of blessing in disguise?

The protagonist and his group became significantly stronger each time they faced a life-threatening situation.

According to the game setting, the stress of death and the desire for power dramatically accelerate growth.

It’s truly a setting befitting the protagonist and his group.

“I’ve been careful with my actions as I was afraid the main story would deviate, but if it’s already gone this far off track, there’s no need to worry anymore.”

As the male protagonists are the best geniuses in the story, they seem to grow well on their own, and what’s important now is me and Soyeon, right?

In my case, since it’s difficult to become stronger through training, I have no choice but to rely on the help of relics, potions, and items.

Of course, I tried not to touch them as much as possible since these were supposed to be for the protagonist and his group. In fact, this Agong ring should have been an artifact that Soyeon should have obtained.

But now that the situation has turned out like this, I can’t help but take a little more.

“Oh, if only I had some useful supernatural ability like everyone else.”

Unfortunately, in the game, I never awaken my supernatural abilities.

I don’t know if it’s because I don’t have the potential to awaken supernatural abilities or if I simply die before awakening them.

…Well. Anyway, since I’m a character made as a sacrificial lamb and the worst idiot, it’s more natural that I can’t awaken my supernatural abilities.

Still, it’s a bit disappointing.

Even if I could develop just one useful supernatural ability, the situation would improve a lot.

“It’s been only a few days since I came, but the atmosphere at the academy still isn’t good.”

“Oh, Yuseolhyun.”

Seolhyun sat beside me, smiling brightly. Thanks to her, I was able to escape from my worries.

After the attack by the villains, Seolhyun had skipped attending the academy for a few days, probably due to family reasons, but it seemed like she was planning to return to school starting today.

“Hey, long time no see, right?”

I quietly gazed at her.

Seolhyun just brushed her golden hair lightly.

Despite the somber atmosphere at the academy after the attack, Seolhyun seemed nonchalant as if nothing had happened.

“Jinhyuk. I heard the story.”

“What?”

“That you punched that white-haired woman?”

Punched her?

Where does she pick up these strange rumors?

“I heard even the mighty Cheonha couldn’t even use their hands and got hit?”

“…It was just a slight tap on the back of the hand.”

“Hehe. Is that so?”

I don’t understand why she’s so interested in my exploits.

Oh, maybe because she’s one of the scouting targets for their clan, and I keep showing useful qualities, she’s feeling good about it?

“Anyway, Seolhyun, how have you been?”

“What do you mean?”

“You didn’t come to the academy for a few days. Some kids were saying it was because of your injury.”

“Oh, it’s not because of that.”

Seolhyun chuckled and shook her head lightly.

“I just let slip a few words at home because of this incident. So, I took a break to talk about it.”

Even in the Gaon Nuri Clan, it seems like this incident has caused quite a stir.

Well, many trainees were injured to the point where they couldn’t continue their hero training because of this incident.

Seolhyun, being from the Gaon Nuri Clan, must be under a lot of pressure.

“I never really encountered dangerous villains. I just followed the security guard’s instructions and escaped.”

“You were lucky.”

If I had met the Rebellion members and gotten seriously injured, it could have disrupted my plans.

I’m really glad Seolhyun didn’t get hurt.

“Hmm?”

Seolhyun tilted her head slightly with a mischievous smile. The smile reminded me of a playful child.

What’s with her all of a sudden?

“Are you worried?”

“Well, I can worry a bit. Why?”

“Hehe. You’re honest, aren’t you?”

I’m not a reckless teenage boy in the throes of puberty. I don’t need to say, “No, I’m not worried!” for no reason.

“Hey, Soyeon, hello?”

“Long time no see, Seolhyun.”

Soyeon is walking towards us.

It seems like Soyeon is also back to school.

After greeting Seolhyun, she quickly looked at me, as if she had something to say.

“Oh, then you two talk.”

Seolhyun seemed to have noticed the situation and smoothly left.

“Hey, Jinhyuk.”

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“I have something to tell you today. Are you free after school?”

“Well, that’s great. I also have something to tell you. And give you something.”

After the Union attack incident, I had been thinking about how to help Soyeon and Seolhyun grow.

Eventually, I decided that it would be best to start by lying to Soyeon about her future-seeing ability.

It makes sense because with the excuse of future-seeing ability, we can farm various items and artifacts together.

And even if she knows something that others don’t, it’s easy to just say, “Haha. I saw it through my future-seeing ability,” right?

“I don’t know how Soyeon will take it or if there will be any issues, but now is not the time to nitpick.”

I glanced at Soyeon discreetly.

She was smiling and pursing her lips.

“….So you have something to say too.”

“But Soyeon, what’s on your mind?”

“Me? Well, you know what I mentioned last time. That.”

“About apologizing?”

“I was planning to talk about it properly after the midterms, but since things are on hold for now….”

Soyeon cautiously spoke, glancing around.

“I kept postponing it, and I felt like I might not be able to say it if I keep delaying. And I also regret not saying it before we were attacked by the villains.”

“But do you really have something to apologize to me for?”

I couldn’t hide my confusion.

Did Soyeon do something significant enough to warrant an apology, setting the mood like this? I can’t recall anything like that.

“Anyway, let’s meet at my place after school, Jinhuk.”

“At your place?”

“Yeah.”

Soyeon nodded as she twisted her hair into a bun.

“Your place… It feels like it’s been a while, right? Oh, is your mom doing well?”

“She’s fine. She’s on a business trip, so I haven’t seen her.”

“Oh, right, she was on a business trip. Then, at your place today… Huh?”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.”

So, no one is at Soyeon’s house today?

Just the two of us….

It’ll be almost evening after the academy ends.

Sheesh, isn’t there a bit too little resistance between a man and a woman?

No, wait…

Even on the day I declared goodbye to Soyeon, there was no one around.

It’s kind of funny to be so concerned about it now, right?

Because it’s just between me and Soyeon.

Let’s not dwell on unnecessary thoughts.