I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 178 : New Semester (1)

With Su-hyeon easily defeating Song Jaejun and neutralizing all of the opponent's moves.

The remaining cleanup was left to Old Man Jang and Director Moon Seongil.

"What an unbelievable guy."

Old Man Jang let out a hollow laugh.

"To take down Song Jaejun like he was squashing a bug."

"By the time we caught the doppelganger, the situation was already over."

Director Moon Seongil, who had concealed himself in the shadows of the room, said.

"Honestly, I was quite surprised."

"At first, Director Moon wasn't very pleased with him."

"Yes. I thought it would be fortunate if he didn't hold me back, but instead, I ended up benefiting."

"Well, without you, that kid couldn't have handled this so well either. You two made a good team."

"Indeed. It's been a long time since working felt this comfortable."

"Still, I can't figure out the Vampire Queen's intentions. To back down so quietly."

"I was surprised too."

Old Man Jang had managed to secure evidence that Director Han Myeongju was a doppelganger, but he expected much more trouble in conveying the facts to SS Communications and handling the follow-up process.

But to his surprise?

Song Jaejun, who had received instructions from his lord the Vampire Queen, actively cooperated in smoothly untangling the complex web to frame the incident as a planned crime between EIC and the doppelganger.

Thanks to this, the matter was well resolved with the resignation of EIC's president and the payment of a massive unofficial compensation.

"That worked out well. We also got a nice cut in the middle."

It was good enough that he added an extra 300 million won to the 1.5 billion promised to Su-hyeon.

It was a good conclusion that couldn't have been imagined when the situation began to get complicated.

"By the way, Director Moon must feel shortchanged. That kid made 1.8 billion from one job, while you got nothing except an incentive."

"Not at all. Considering the favor I originally received from you, sir..."

"You always say the right things, our Director Moon."

Old Man Jang snickered.

"I've put something aside so you won't feel neglected. I added about 300 million, so don't feel too bad."

"I will serve with loyalty."

"Don't overdo it, just keep doing what you've been doing."

"Understood."

Old Man Jang chuckled.

'That kid is really a lucky charm. When school starts, he'll be busy as an intern. What a shame.'

His gaze shifted to the calendar.

Two days left.

EFAC's new semester was right around the corner.

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"Impressive, Jun-seong."

At his father Seo Dong-jin's words, Seo Jun-seong shook his head stoically.

"I'm still lacking."

"Only you are dissatisfied with yourself."

Seo Dong-jin said.

"No matter what anyone says, the level you've reached during this short break is high enough to surprise even me. When I had the same power that you have now, I was already in my mid-twenties."

"...That would be around when you met mother."

"Yes, that's right."

Seo Dong-jin gave a bitter smile.

"If my growth had been as fast as yours, I wouldn't have lost your mother so pointlessly."

"......"

Seo Jun-seong took his father's hand and said.

"To prevent such tragedy from happening again, I'll become stronger."

"Your growth rate is already more than a year ahead of our initial projections. Don't push yourself too hard."

"I'll keep that in mind."

But.

As long as the back he was chasing belonged to 'that man' and his respected father.

Seo Jun-seong couldn't afford to be lazy for even a moment.

"Match over! Victory goes to Miss Ji-su!"

"Unni, you're amazing!"

Hwang Jia ran up to Hwang Ji-su, who had defeated the security team leader—ranked within the top five in the group—after a fierce battle.

"I still have a long way to go. I almost lost."

"Long way?!"

Hwang Jia shouted loudly.

"You've become this strong in less than a month and a half!"

"I was lucky."

The person who had achieved growth that would astonish everyone wasn't showing the slightest satisfaction.

'I still don't have the confidence to beat that guy.'

Hwang Ji-su thought, recalling Su-hyeon's face.

She had obtained expensive elixirs.

Increased the purity of her ability.

Fought against security teams within the B&S Group to hone her sense.

And now, there were only two or three people in the group who could confidently claim they could defeat her.

Yet she still couldn't confidently say she could surpass the martial prowess Su-hyeon had shown.

'Hmph, no need to rush. By the end of this semester, I'll definitely surpass him.'

Hwang Ji-su thought.

'I respect Hae-na-sunbae, but even sunbae is a mountain I'll eventually need to climb.'

Hwang Ji-su's eyes were intense as she wiped her sweat with the towel her sister handed her.

'If I stay trapped in frameworks like "this level for first year, that level for second year"... nothing will come of it.'

Look at the level Su-hyeon had reached—who was just a concerning dark horse when he first enrolled.

Just like his characteristic 'Unlimited'.

Hadn't Su-hyeon reached that position through straightforwardness and tenacity, without any consideration for his limits?

'That guy, he'll have gotten stronger again in the time we haven't seen each other.'

A faint smile appeared on Hwang Ji-su's lips.

'I'm looking forward to it. Surely he won't disappoint me?'

"...What a monster."

"I learned a lot."

Hong In-hyeon helped the hunter who had slumped to the floor and gave his greetings.

"Aish, beaten by a kid ten years younger. Too embarrassing to tell anyone."

The hunter grumbled.

"Why not keep it to yourself for now? Later, it might be something to brag about—that you once fought with me."

"Damn it."

The hunter burst out laughing and clapped Hong In-hyeon on the back.

"To think someone like you isn't the top of your class. What kind of monsters are in your year?"

"You know well. What kind of person our top student is."

"True, that Jeong Su-hyeon guy is ridiculous. And Seo Jun-seong was also impressive when I saw him at Blood Plaza."

"That's why I'm working this hard."

"Well, do your best. The way you are now, I think you wouldn't lose to anyone."

"Yes, I'll head back first."

"Hey. How are you getting home?"

"I'll take the bus."

Hong In-hyeon, with his sports bag slung over his shoulder, sauntered toward the bus stop.

'Good. I've somehow achieved my target.'

Hong In-hyeon grinned.

During the break, he had sought out active hunters and issued challenges without hesitation.

Of course, since they were at different stages of their careers, he lost many matches at first.

But Hong In-hyeon gradually improved his win rate using his sharpened combat sense and abilities.

Now he had become someone even mid-level hunters in the Chungcheong region found intimidating.

'I've definitely gotten stronger. But those guys will have gotten stronger too.'

Hong In-hyeon wasn't satisfied with his achievements.

'Throughout the entire semester, I couldn't even compete for the top spot; I was struggling just to stay in the top five.'

Choi Min-a, Kim A-yun. And the cadets ranked below them: Kwon Seung-yeon, Nam Tae-hoon, Kim Ho-su, Kang Geon-woo, and others.

'I can't let them catch up. That would be embarrassing.'

And beyond that.

'Be on your guard, guys. I'm coming for you too.'

Lee Yu-jin, Hwang Ji-su, Seo Jun-seong, and Jeong Su-hyeon.

He still had many mountains to climb.

And it wasn't in the nature of the wind to resent the height of the mountain it must ascend.

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Unable to block out the shouting coming from all sides, Nam Tae-hoon instead squeezed his eyes shut.

"Why don't you understand? The time isn't ripe yet!"

"How long are we going to dawdle? If we don't move even during unsettled times like these, what face will we have to ask our comrades for patience?"

"Everything has its right time. If we force matters, things will surely go wrong. We've waited patiently until now, so why are you acting like this?"

"Because we've endured as much as we can! Or do you have some other guarantee? Think about those who suffer while we waste time!"

'Ah~ So tiresome, so tiresome. If they're just going to talk among themselves anyway, why do they keep calling me to sit here every time?'

Nam Tae-hoon clenched his fists and shuddered, trying to suppress a rising yawn.

'...Well, it'll be soon enough anyway. It won't take much longer.'

Given the way things were going.

And the atmosphere among the radical faction.

'It was fun in its own way. Too bad it's ending.'

Nam Tae-hoon gave a bitter smile.

Gradually.

The end was approaching.

"My disciple."

"Yes, Master."

Choi Min-a, her small body hidden by a black robe, bowed her head at her master's voice.

"Your last semester was a disappointment. You know that, right?"

Choi Min-a bit her lip.

"I know."

"First place. At worst, second place. That was clearly my order."

"That was your order."

"So what is this? Mere sixth place? You almost fell behind that electrical brat who couldn't even properly control her power."

"...I will strive harder."

"Remember, I didn't send you there to play childish games."

Choi Min-a bowed her head even deeper.

"This semester, you must bring satisfactory results. You are my prize pupil, after all."

"...Understood."

Fatigue settled in the magician's expressionless eyes.

'...So tiresome.'

Standing before that man was always suffocating, always tedious.

'...I just wanted to learn magic.'

All the things that blocked her pure pursuit felt tiresome and burdensome to her.

'But I have to do it.'

Because that was the responsibility that the disciple of that great arch-magician had to bear.

"Experiment Subject p-7278."

Song Yu-ha emotionlessly lifted her eyelids at the researcher's call.

"Yes."

"Good work during the break. We expect excellent results in the second semester as well."

"Yes."

"Any questions?"

"Cell phone."

Song Yu-ha answered.

"I can use it now, right?"

"...You may."

"Then I'll be going."

Back in her white room, Song Yu-ha connected the charger to her returned cell phone and turned it on.

"......"

A screen full of notifications.

Most of them were worried messages that had periodically come from Lee Yu-jin.

There were also several messages from other classmates.

"...Yu-jin."

Only then did Song Yu-ha smile bitterly.

"I've done something I should apologize for."

Immediately pressing the call button, Song Yu-ha cleared her throat awkwardly several times.

[Yu-ha?!]

"O~ Yu-jin-ssi! Long time no see! Did you wait a lot? Sorry sorry! Huh? Ah, it's nothing! I just had a good rest for about a month!"

Only then did Song Yu-ha smile brightly.

"Ah, yes. The place had no cell reception! I should have told you beforehand! What? No, no. Let's meet soon! Did you have a good break? What? Bring Su-hyeon home? Introduce him to grandfather? Kyaaak! You must be crazy for real!"

Song Yu-ha's voice, expressing shock while even flapping her hands, resounded through her narrow and lonely room.

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"Hmmmm."

Facing the new semester.

The Instructors' expressions showed a complex mix of awkwardness and worry as they received the cooperation request from the Execution Force.

"This is an unprecedented situation."

"Yes. It will be the first case since this system was established."

"But wasn't it a frequent occurrence in the early days of the academy? I think it's entirely possible."

"That's true. But the very fact that the situation has become this difficult feels bitter."

"It can't be helped."

At Principal Min Jeong-gap's words, Vice Principal Gong Gijeong also nodded heavily.

"We accept the Execution Force's request. I'd like the Instructors to draft a schedule and plan related to this and submit it as soon as possible."

"Understood!"