episode_0103

The black-robed monstrosities that briefly seized the stadium were successively taken care of by Manroe, the Sword Saint, and Gwon Hwang…

Most threatening of all, the S-rank villains who had nearly taken the Archmage and two students hostage were, in turn, subdued.

I heard that the old man was once a notorious awakened criminal who ran wild in North America.

Knowing full well the power of that demonic sword, a certain lingering regret remained. I had thought I’d grown stronger faster than expected, thanks to the benefits of this ability.

But it seems that against the ‘real deal’, I could only clumsily buy some time.

What if Ryu Jinseong hadn’t been there? I don’t know for sure, but either Cheon Woohyuk or I would have been captured by the old man and used as hostages.

“Hoo.”

With a lingering sense of regret, I smacked my lips and moved my feet. Past the collapsed academy main building, to the temporary tent behind it…

In other words, to the shelter where the Hero has been living for the past few days, after the Cheongsong Festival successfully (?) concluded.

‘The Heart of Jormungandr, huh.’

I stood right in front of it and fell into thought for a moment. From what I heard, this attack was generally aimed at fragments of that monster’s corpse.

I couldn’t know all the detailed circumstances, but it wasn’t hard to guess.

Why would they specifically move with dark mages?

Needless to say, it must have been to perform some sinister trick.

At this moment, only one word, one concept, came to mind.

Resurrection.

If only they could revive the strongest monster that died and disappeared ten years ago, there would undoubtedly be countless madmen willing to easily sacrifice their lives.

From that perspective, this attack certainly seemed plausible.

I nodded, shaking off extraneous thoughts.

Anyway, it was successfully repelled.

There shouldn’t be any problems for a while now. I was about to gently push aside the tent flap and enter, but then I hesitated, wondering whether I should knock or not.

Still, it’s the room where a superior (?) is staying, so shouldn’t I show some courtesy?

…But wouldn’t tapping the back of my hand against a tent flap a couple of times also be a ridiculous act?

“Hmm.”

The deep contemplation didn’t last as long as I expected. Before I could even make a decision, a voice came from beyond the front.

“What are you doing, not coming in?”

“…Ah.”

Of course, it was Yang Chan-ho’s voice. As the Hero’s characteristic nonchalant tone struck my ears, all my useless worries seemed to vanish.

I awkwardly scratched my cheek and immediately stepped inside the tent.

And as I slowly looked around, well.

‘Oh my.’

A feeling of pity couldn’t help but well up inside me.

No matter what, this person is the strongest awakened in our country.

Is it really right for him to be eating and sleeping in a tent like this, something one might find in a slum-like shantytown?

Though considering the security of the underground space directly beneath, it might be unavoidable…

I gave the Hero a look filled with sympathy and pity. Of course, there was no way the person in question wouldn’t notice such an overt gaze.

“…What’s with that disrespectful look?”

Yang Chan-ho radiated an air of irritation and looked at me askance.

I turned my head away and spoke nonsense, feigning ignorance.

“The weather is quite nice today.”

“You demolished the main building, and now you treat me like a refugee, which makes me feel quite peculiar. If that’s the case, why didn’t you use a more moderate method earlier?”

Of course, it didn’t work at all. I awkwardly scratched the back of my head and gave a short bow.

“I’m sorry. Should I compensate you?”

“Do you even know how much that building you spectacularly obliterated is worth?”

“…”

As I shut my mouth, Yang Chan-ho scoffed and shook his head from side to side.

Then, as if to say it didn’t matter, he waved his hand and went back to organizing his documents.

“…Well, I didn’t call you here today specifically to clarify who’s at fault. Don’t just stand there awkwardly, at least sit down.”

“Yes, sir.”

I wasn’t the type to stubbornly refuse generosity. Seeing me quickly bury myself in the sofa as if I’d been waiting, the Hero let out a hollow laugh.

“Still an amusing fellow.”

“Haha, thank you.”

A sharp gaze, as if arguing that it wasn’t a compliment, flew my way, but I casually put on a brazen face and pretended not to see it.

Yang Chan-ho sighed again and focused on his documents, while I just quietly observed my surroundings.

Still, a few familiar things started to appear. For example, that thing resembling a gun cabinet where those mops were hung…

‘So those mops turn into the holy swords that pierced the old man, huh.’

It’s truly a fresh surprise, and I can’t help but marvel. How can such a contradictory ability exist, being so uncool yet so cool at the same time?

It was around the time I was quietly passing the time, observing those potential holy swords.

“…The archmage who broke the barrier was caught yesterday. He was hiding like a rat near Gyeryongsan, outside the campus, giving orders.”

*Thud*, the Hero closed the file and spoke in a rather subdued voice.

I turned my head and gave him a slightly sharp retort.

“So, in the end, the three people on our side were completely innocent. Is that right?”

“…”

“I trusted Chancellor-nim’s words and ended up having to suspect even my own teacher-nim for no reason…”

The Hero pressed his brows, reacting to my way of expressing dissatisfaction by dragging out my words.

It was a rather complex expression, unlike him. Perhaps he felt sorry in his own way?

‘Well, it’s not really my place to talk, considering I was amicably rolling around in bed with that teacher-nim, let alone properly suspecting her.’

There was a slight twinge of conscience, but still, my complaint was justified.

At least to some extent?

In reality, even my suspicion and caution towards Ryu Jinseong at the very last moment stemmed from the Hero’s warning, didn’t it?

If I had truly been wrong, I might have completely missed the mark.

I shrugged my shoulders, looking at the Hero.

“Well, in the end, things worked out well, so it’s fine. After all, nothing majorly problematic happened, did it?”

“…I am ashamed…”

“Oh, come on, I didn’t say that to hear an apology from an elder-nim.”

I waved my hand, speaking as if to console the drooping Hero.

Well, whether I actually said that just to hear an apology from the great Hero-nim is something I’ll push into the labyrinth of mystery—

“Really?”

“…”

“Your smiling face looks exactly like it’s saying it’s a lie.”

Hmm.

It seems the Hero’s insight is better than I thought.

Well, naturally.

I awkwardly wiped the smile from my face and stroked my chin, and Yang Chan-ho flicked his fingers with yet another sigh.

“Anyway, fine. As you said, things worked out in the end… Now it’s time to consider rewards and punishments, isn’t it?”

“Hmm.”

At that point, I straightened my posture. There might be much to dispute, but strictly speaking, I had no fault other than demolishing the main building.

Those who have done nothing wrong are inherently confident.

Both Yang Chan-ho’s expression and mine became serious, and the conversation began.

The other party started.

“First, I should thank you, Hyunjin-gun. In many ways. Most of all, thank you for holding out until the very end.”

“…I was just struggling to survive myself, you know.”

“The opponent was S-rank, wasn’t he? It’s amazing that you were even confronting him with all your limbs intact.”

A hollow laugh escaped Yang Chan-ho’s lips. It seemed absurd to him that I had bought so much time against an S-rank.

Of course, underlying that was the presence of Ryu Jinseong and Cheon Woohyuk.

Naturally, if those two mages hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have been able to face even one of them, let alone both, and would have been defeated in 5 minutes. Hmm. It wounds my pride, but.

Still, it’s an undeniable fact that I contributed to smoothly resolving this incident to some extent…

I nodded readily. There was no need to be overly humble.

Because there would be no need for it.

Soon, Yang Chan-ho looked at me with narrowed eyes and asked.

“Hyunjin-gun.”

“Yes, Chancellor-nim.”

“Is there anything you wish for?”

“Oh…”

A direct question came, more straightforward than I expected. I widened my eyes slightly and let out an exclamation of surprise.

Well, considering this person’s personality, it’s not entirely strange, I suppose.

I tilted my head slightly for a moment and pondered deeply. This time, too, I had no intention of backing out by saying I didn’t need a reward or anything.

Even if there’s nothing to receive, I should try to receive it. I can’t just let an opportunity to receive something pass by.

‘As for elixirs, I’m already supposed to receive the Spirit Purification Dew from this person as a tournament reward anyway.’

The Brain Elixir, which I’d get as a bonus, could be split in half for Cheon Soyul and me to share.

Given that, there was no need to specifically request something for power enhancement.

Weapons? I’m not a melee awakened, so should I ask for a holy sword, or what? Staves or wands were also unnecessary items for me.

‘Hmm…’

It was a moment of deep contemplation. Around that time, I suddenly recalled something—

“…Ah.”

Instinctively, I could recall something that might be ‘what I wish for’ right now.

Even after thinking of it, I paused for a moment because it was so related to my personal desires.

But aside from this, there isn’t much else I immediately wish for.

What should I do?

“…Chancellor-nim.”

“Hmm?”

After much deliberation, I first asked Yang Chan-ho something.

“I’m talking about that woman from before, who uses the name Violet.”

“…? Oh, why?”

“Didn’t you say she’s still here at the academy?”

“She is, yes…?”

A reply came. I paused again for a moment, then looked at Yang Chan-ho once more and asked again.

“Underground?”

“The underground prison.”

“Hmm.”

As questions and answers were exchanged, my thoughts organized themselves. What I was most interested in right now.

It was undoubtedly.

“Chancellor-nim.”

“…Uh, go on. What is it?”

Pushing aside the remaining hesitation and Seol Hayeon’s face that appeared in my mind, I conveyed my request to Yang Chan-ho.

“Can I have a private talk with Violet?”

And Yang Chan-ho’s expression became indescribably peculiar.