episode_0134

“This is it.”

One mid-afternoon.

If you don’t have classes to attend, you’ll feel lethargic, whether you’re a teacher, professor, or student.

Today wasn’t the day of the week when I had a lecture, so I took a break from working in the principal’s office and grabbed my cell phone.

When I think about it, the time when I first fell into this world was the beginning of the smartphone.

Now, several years have passed since then, and feature phones have long disappeared from people’s hands.

Therefore, it is a misunderstanding that everything in the world runs on smartphones and that smartphones have become a valuable item.

Of course, there are pros and cons. Isn’t that why the damage from the disruptor increased?

And it is hard to say that it is a positive function.

It could be said that it was a great time when even the principal of Yongin could giggle while watching YouTube.

And the video I saw today that was floating on the main page of YouTube.

“No, was it real? Are you calling me a god?”

A 45-minute full video of a program covering a secret religion that worships Northmund as a god appeared on the main page, so I clicked on it without thinking.

From the moment I touched it, my time was flying by.

─ I am now at a chapel of a new religion. People who consider the world’s hero, Elm Northmund, to be a god… .

“Huh.”

I’ve been coming here for a long time. There are people who treat me as a god.

Before, I just wasn’t interested. Because it makes no sense.

I thought it was just a cult group that made money by selling my name because I was famous.

As I was watching the video, I realized that for a pseudo-religion, it was more systematic than I thought.

─Nosmund is a dragon and uses magic. And the magic that spread his skin and blood throughout this world is magic. If you look at the property itself, it is close to nothingness, but if you dig deeper into it, it is divided into numerous properties. If you look at it holistically, it is nothing, but it is divided into countless pieces…

” Ordinary people also have my power, so they are not only people with superpowers, but they are also his sons and daughters. It’s pseudo-like.”

“Oh my. I’m praising the dean, but why do you look so nervous?”

“… Burns, I see you also have the strange ability to become invisible. It always appears when you don’t know.”

These days, it seems like Helen only shows up when she’s defenseless.

Feeling embarrassed that she was doing something else, I frowned and gave her a little something, and this time, Helen got upset.

“I was there a while ago, Dean? Is it okay to watch strange things on your phone for more than 30 minutes during work hours?”

“… This is also a part of the temple. If you are a hero, you must know the social situation of citizens.”

“I see. I was standing there holding a heavy folder for over 30 minutes, and the social aspect may have been more important than my arm falling off. What.”

“Keuhm.”

Then, for some reason, Helen put down the folder in front of me harder than usual.

As she rummages through the folder she brought, an unexpected fact is revealed.

“Some of the dark fog has cleared.”

“Yes, Dean. As a result of satellite exploration, it was confirmed that the size of the dark fog covering Africa had decreased as of 04:00 Greenwich time.”

“Why?”

“The reason is still being determined. As the size of the fog decreases, the African coast is revealed, and the organization says it is building an outpost.”

I nodded at Helen’s words and rummaged through the folder.

‘It was Alexstras’s doing.’

I thought he was a dirty and mean little man who told people to come to him and then hid in a place covered in dark fog.

He cleared away part of the black fog that covered Africa. Are you asking me to come in there?

‘Is the remaining time really running out?’

If someone like that openly opens up part of the road, it could be said that there really is no time left in this world.

If the rise and fall of this world could be represented in a graph, this world would be nearing the end of the end times.

People just don’t know because they can’t see the graph. Because it is just a part of a dream that will soon disappear and disperse.

“Burns.”

“Yes, Dean.”

After thinking for a moment while stroking my chin, I called out to her, and her voice came back right away, probably because she was waiting for my answer.

She probably thought my answer was ordinary.

Things like setting up an outpost properly, or activating the nearest teleportation magic circle since I’m going to Africa to inspect it.

But the words that came out of my mouth shattered her expectations.

“The African expedition will be held at the end of this year. Tell that to the organization and have them prepare everything.”

There was no answer.

Because she looked rather dazed with a surprised face.

When I saw a blank face that didn’t belong to her, I let out a small sneer and laughed.

“Didn’t you hear? I can’t wait 5 years. The period is the end of this year.”

“… I will tell you what you said.”

Helen immediately nods her head with a stern expression.

I was a little surprised by that sight and ended up letting out an exclamation.

I thought she was going to argue.

“The dean has been paying a lot of attention to time. If so, there must be some reason. I will follow the Dean’s wishes.”

Helen says that and says hello to me before disappearing.

I felt a little grateful for that, so I turned to her back and gave a small nod.

So does she. Although I always take the lead, when something this important happens, he doesn’t waste time and follows my instructions.

‘That’s what I said… .’

In fact, it will not be much to prepare troops by the end of this year.

Isn’t the preparation period for the expedition cut by not even half, but eighty-five percent?

In fact, there may be countries that refuse to support troops, saying that I am crazy, or that even if they do send them, they only support medical teams.

I know it’s far-fetched. Diplomacy is usually about giving something and getting something else in return.

Like in this case, if you act like a child and throw a tantrum, it is actually rude.

Even if we gather troops by the end of this year, we probably won’t be able to gather even half of our target.

‘Now the final battle is truly upon us.’

What will happen to me?

Will we be able to win in the end and prevent the destruction of this world?

And will the Collector be able to unfold the plan as he said?

No, in the first place, can we trust the conductor of that circuit bridge?

Suddenly, the story of the cultists I heard earlier came to mind.

—Trust Northmund, he will soon advance into the last remaining darkness in this world and repel the final disaster. The reason He came to this planet is to save you, and there will be no defeat in His path.

I was at a level where I was fed up listening to that crazy sermon.

Why am I being comforted by thinking about that story?

I shook my head, grabbed the pen again, and began to look at the stack of papers I had left aside for a moment.

*

What a luxurious restaurant.

Ellada is also an academy with capital from all over the world and has a symbolic meaning, so there are quite a few high-end restaurants in the shopping district, but this restaurant is on a different level from those.

It wasn’t a place where ordinary people would go out of their savings to have a meal with their significant other at least once in order to make happy memories, but it was a place that couldn’t come unless they were really willing to spend a lot of money.

There were only two women sitting in the high-end restaurant located on the rooftop of a tall building.

Why? Are you saying they rented out this entire restaurant?

“… You have good dining etiquette. Is it surprising?”

And all those doubts will disappear as soon as you see the faces of the women sitting here.

Because they are truly capable of doing that.

“Why. Did you think I was going to ride a fool here?”

“… No, it’s not like that. I’m just a little surprised.”

Jang Ah-hyun smiled awkwardly and bit her lip at the unexpected reaction of the person in front of her.

Although he denied it with his mouth, it was actually true. Of course, it wasn’t purely for that purpose, but it is true that he expected her to be shocked to some extent.

Yoon Sia.

According to her research, she came from an ordinary middle-class family.

After reading the investigation documents obtained from his group’s secretary, it was found that although they were a dual-income family, their income was not very generous.

Since the money I had saved was not much, it goes without saying that I became single after the Seoul Gate incident.

Even after becoming a celebrity, he did not engage in any external activities, so he has no income other than the dignity maintenance fee paid by the Academy.

The amount in her account is ridiculous to Jang Ah-hyun.

If Jang Ah-hyeon had accidentally picked up her check card, she would have probably just thrown it away, saying it was a small amount of money.

After all, people tend to be embarrassed when they come to a place that doesn’t fit their status.

She, too, tried to keep her composure, but enjoyed the look on her face as if she was sitting on a thorn cushion and tried to make her demands.

I was going to give him a slice if he behaved against table etiquette.

Somehow, those expectations were dashed from the beginning.

“I can already see your true intentions. It’s really insidious.”

“No… I just wanted to talk about something as fellow Academy members. Don’t misunderstand, right?”

“Okay, I’ll say yes. The famous Taesung Group lady is probably not such a low-class person who wants to take off her shoes when she gets on an airplane.”

Yoon Shia says that with an indifferent expression, poking the scallop temple on the plate in front of her with a fork.

It may not have been just an illusion that I heard a grinding sound mixed in with that sound.

‘but… Because it seems like this damn woman has been hanging around the professor for a while. ‘I guess I learned it from the professor.’

Although it was frustrating, Yoon Sia had perfect table manners. Isn’t he perfectly following the order of picking up the glass according to the dish, which he often confuses?

I tried to console myself by saying that Jang Ah-hyeon herself did not really enjoy this type of course meal, so there was no need to memorize it perfectly.

‘Tsk.’

There is no way this can be comforting.

Jang Ah-hyun clicked her tongue in a situation where something was going wrong from the start.

Come to think of it, this horned lady is truly a deceitful person.

Since I just brought them here to have a meal, there wasn’t really a dress code, it was just something… He was wearing ordinary, or rather shabby, golf-like clothes, but he carried them off with elegance.

Even if she had been brought to this restaurant blind with a bread bag over her face, no one would have stopped her based on her attire.

No, what are you trying to do by continuing to praise your romantic partner, Jang Ah-hyun?

Thinking like that, I shook my head to shake off my thoughts, took out what I had prepared from my handbag, and opened my mouth to Yun Shia.

“What is it?”

Yoon Si-ah, who was moving her fork without saying a word, sees what looks like a plate that Jang A-hyeon is pushing towards her, and her eyes widen a little.

Is it roughly like a check card linked to an account?

According to her subsequent story, it seems to be correct.

“I have a suggestion. Break up with your professor. The professor is not the person for you.”

“… .”

“I’m not saying you should just break up. I’ve put the cost here. That’s enough money to buy three or four buildings in Gangnam. You can’t even touch it in your life.”

Click. The sound of Yoon Sia putting down the fork she was holding was heard.

Jang Ah-hyeon The horned woman in front of her, Yoon Sia, sighed softly and shook her head.

“… It’s the same.”

Then, Yoon Sia uttered a single word in a low, intimidating voice that made one think that the entire large restaurant was ringing.

At just that one word, the musicians who were playing classical music in the restaurant hall from afar gasped, clutched their chests and dropped their instruments.

Of course, Jang Ah-hyun, who receives it, is a certified A-level talent. Although the situation didn’t mean much with such intimidation, I couldn’t let her turn the entire floor upside down, so I stretched out my hand.

With a crunching sound, Jang Ah-hyeon folds the black card she handed her in half, breaks it, and shrugs, and only then does the pressure that was weighing down the space stop.

“You know what?”

“… What.”

“Actually, I tried to kill you. A wicked person like you deserves to die, right? Whether it’s shooting a bullet at your head or raining down missiles on you while you sleep.”

Jang Ah-hyeon opened her mouth with a cold smile.

“But you are still alive. The situation is really ironic. Because the current situation is saving your life. Rather, shouldn’t you be thankful to the devil… .”

At that moment, something exploded. Jang Ah-hyeon thought so.

‘uh?

Jang Ah-hyun, who reflexively got up from her chair, took out her sword from her handbag and assumed a fighting stance, made a blank expression when she saw Yoon Sia sitting peacefully.

I definitely thought that Yoon Sia exploded in anger just now. I saw fierce anger in her eyes.

As a result, he ended up being the one who overturned the restaurant table, and the other person was just wiping away the spilled food with a napkin with a calm expression on his face.

“… It seems like you have a worse ability to control your emotions than someone who took tranquilizers. Is this why you brought me here?”

“Ah, that’s… .”

“Of course, I’m not forgiving you. What I just said was a really big insult. Let’s just say they threw food at me.”

“… .”

Jang Ah-hyun’s face hardens without saying a word at Yoon Si-ah’s words. Seeing him like that, Yun Shia’s eyebrows furrowed a little.

“Hmph!”

“Ha!”

In a very brief moment, a small sound of cheers was heard and things crossed each other.

The waiters and waitresses at the restaurant, who were looking at their situation with frightened expressions, now widen their eyes.

The restaurant manager, who had a stylish butterfly-shaped beard, let out a short exclamation of admiration.

Perhaps the actions and sounds heard were reversed from their perspective.

Jang Ah-hyeon’s sword was aimed at Yun Si-ah’s neck, and the magical energy that appeared as a flare was swirling around her sword.

The fork that Yoon Si-ah is holding is located right in front of Jang A-hyeon’s eyelids, and they are facing each other as if they are going to pierce her head.

By the time they heard the sound, the situation had already fully developed. Because you wouldn’t have been able to see their movements with your eyes.

To begin with, the every move of these people with superpowers is no longer in the realm of humans.

The sharp momentum, as if riding on a pole, continues.

“… Let’s stop.”

“… .”

Jang Ah-hyun put away her sword and sighed softly.

He muttered that his level of skill in Trappist swordsmanship was still lower than that of Sejun.

Even when Jang A-hyeon lowers her sword, Yoon Sia’s fork, which is located one layer in front of her eyelids, is not lifted, and only after she mentions it again does it slowly lower down.

“Yes. If you have that level of skill, you will pass.”

“… What are you talking about?”

“The African expedition that will be held soon. You will be part of my team. You are a truly unlucky person, but your skills are real.”

“Your team? Who wants it? You are weaker than me.”

Yoon Si-ah’s expression distorts and her voice tone rises. What is this woman talking about? Yoon Si-ah glares at Jang A-hyeon with that expression on her face.

“This is the professor’s order. In the next expedition, all people with special abilities will be assigned to each unit. There is no exception, not even you.”

“Professor’s… .”

Jang Ah-hyeon opened her eyes wide like that.

What should I really say about the woman in front of me? I don’t mean to insult you. I’m embarrassed.

And she was able to realize how much Professor Northmund meant to this woman.

Should I say that it is truly an unbalanced mental and physical ability? It is the height of irrationality.

Or rather, is it because God is rational that he gave us this unbalance? If both are in a completely stable state, I think that would be a bit scary.

“… But I don’t follow your orders.”

“What? ”

“Then I’ll ask. Did the professor tell you to follow his orders? You haven’t done that yet, have you? Because the professor is not the kind of person who decides on such trivial details.”

“… Not really. Still, the leader is me! I am also the leader of the unit that will be formed soon! Of course, we must follow the commander-in-chief’s words!”

“I only follow Elm’s words. Don’t do whatever you want in areas that aren’t decided by Elm.”

“Hey… .”

Jang Ah-hyun sighed from the bottom of her heart, like old people would do, and sat down on the chair again, tying her head.

Did he get it from his grandfather? But isn’t the current situation one where you can’t help but sigh?

The table had already been blown away, all the food was thrown on the floor, it was a mess, and there was only two chairs left in the space.

What can I say about the atmosphere? I can’t help but laugh.

“… Of course.”

Yoon Sia opens her mouth.

“I have no intention of harming the harmony of your team, so I will follow your advice. The more demons you kill, the more helpful it will be to Elm. However, if there is a case where your will and Elm’s will conflict, then I cannot follow your words. Just remember this.”

Yun Sia’s voice strangely felt a little cracked.

Those subject eyes were smiling. At first glance, it looked like he had no expression, but if you look at it again, it could have been a dry, faint smile.

Jang Ah-hyeon was filled with anger at this behavior, which seemed like a scam.

“What is the command to just attack the devils and die?”

“I will refuse. Because Elm will be sad when I die.”

“As expected, you are really annoying.”

Jang Ah-hyeon shook her head.

Without letting out a big sigh like, “Pooh.”

Then she got up from her seat and staggered toward the exit of the restaurant.

Jang Ah-hyun held out her card to the waiter who was hesitating at the checkout counter, giving her an order to keep quiet about today’s events, and then walked out the door without taking it back.