I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 228 : Prophet of the End (1)

Before starting the story, there is one premise.

That is the fact that no matter what I do, I cannot completely block Hwang Won-jae's schemes.

'The biggest problem is my status as a cadet who isn't even an adult yet.'

No matter how much praise I receive as a hero or whatever.

That alone cannot guide the decision-making of that massive organization called the Execution Force according to my will.

Even if I know the future.

How many people could I convince with something that hasn't even happened yet and for which I can't provide evidence?

'Whereas Hwang Won-jae can do almost anything he wants.'

That was the problem.

For instance, let's say I somehow manage to push through an operation to block one of Hwang Won-jae's operations.

Then Hwang Won-jae would counter it and turn it to his advantage instead.

'Because he's quite clever.'

And if that happens, another variable I don't know about emerges and the situation only worsens.

'There's no end to that approach.'

Above all, his mind control ability is absolute.

With that ability, backing, and the formidable armed group called the [Sword of Belphegor], just how deep and wide is the darkness that Hwang Won-jae's hand grasps and wields?

'Nastrond will eventually open.'

Trying to forcibly stop it will only create another forced situation.

Why?

'Why? Because Edge of Gate is just that kind of shitty game, that's why.'

Once, I tried everything I could think of to prevent Nastrond from opening.

Eventually, I even killed Hwang Won-jae using all sorts of conspiracies and schemes.

But it was useless.

'Hwang Won-jae is just the most convenient and sharp knife.'

Even if he dies, unless all Ma-in are captured and beaten, it can't be stopped.

And such a thing is not possible.

Because of this, after numerous trials and errors, I finally decided to follow the rail of the grand scenario without going against it.

In other words, I changed my strategy to let Nastrond open, and instead focus on building up my strength as much as possible before then.

After that, it was a repetition of finding and researching answers within that approach.

'Of course, even with that approach, I never ultimately succeeded.'

But it was clearly getting better little by little.

I even thought that I might be able to see the ending.

And then one day suddenly, I fell into the world of the game.

As if feeling sorry for that, I received skill points as compensation.

I used those points to purchase the skill 'Eye Power'.

The variables that started from there snowballed and finally reached this point.

Now I have even acquired the skill 'Chukji' and built up enough skill to defeat that powerful Ma-in 'Spear Devil' Lim Se-jin.

I've even reached the point where I can surpass 'Goblin' and 'Lion King' in skill.

But looking back.

I might have been scared of that incredibly tremendous achievement and fast progress.

Add to that the compulsion to follow future knowledge, and the desperate realization that if I die here, there is no next time.

All those things combined to make me passive.

And finally today.

Before even completing the first year, let alone graduation, Nam Tae-hoon defected, leading to the unprecedented event of White Castle being attacked.

This event instilled one strong conviction in me.

'Now I must acknowledge it.'

That my actions so far were not the right answer.

That I need to modify the approach I've been taking.

Given how things have gone so awry.

And given that the trigger called White Castle has been pulled.

The end was approaching reality with increased speed.

'At this rate, there's not even a full year left.'

Therefore, I had to make a decision.

A decision to truly walk a path I hadn't taken before.

From there, the contemplation began again.

'What should I do?'

Based on past experiences, I had to adapt to the changed situation and establish a new strategy.

A way to preserve as much of our forces as possible and weaken the enemy's forces as much as possible.

I had to think of a way for me, for humanity to win even after Nastrond opens!

And that beginning was right now.

"How long do you plan to keep me waiting? The tea has probably gone cold by now."

Chief of Staff Heo Sung-gyeom, who had been waiting for me as I was quietly organizing my thoughts, urged that this was enough.

"Yes. I'll tell you now. First, I should start with how I obtained the information."

"Go ahead and tell me."

I decided to sell a very plausible justification that I had prepared for this moment.

"You must know Old Man Jang."

"!"

The Chief of Staff shrugged as if surprised from the start.

"I do know him. Why wouldn't I? He's a famous information broker in the underworld."

"I have a trading relationship with that person."

"......This is another surprising story."

"I'm telling you this to gain your trust. But there's also a reason why I couldn't tell this story to just anyone."

"This is getting more interesting."

The Chief of Staff adjusted his posture and leaned toward me.

"So?"

"If I may be so bold, can you promise that today's conversation won't reach the ears of others?"

"Hmm."

He thought for a moment and asked.

"Even to my superiors for persuasion?"

"......That will be up to your judgment, Chief of Staff."

"That's thoughtful of you."

After clearing my throat briefly, I began to elaborate in earnest.

"I have a partner named Park Min-cheol, who has been with me since before entering the academy. He works under someone called Director Choi, and receives items from Old Man Jang."

"That's surprising. This Old Man Jang doesn't deal with just anyone?"

"I opened the trade myself."

"Huh."

Chief of Staff Heo Sung-gyeom, who had been showing reactions mixed with admiration, raised his hand.

"There's something I need to clarify. When was this?"

'As expected.'

"After enrollment."

"Was that during the first semester by any chance?"

"Yes."

"You must have known about the regulation restricting outings."

The Chief of Staff waved his hand, saying he wasn't interrogating me.

"So you've had a habit of roaming outside the academy since then?"

Although I felt subtle pressure, I didn't become intimidated.

There was still too much story to tell.

"Yes. And that's not all."

I even added more to it.

"Oh?"

"Through Old Man Jang and Park Min-cheol, I engaged in a kind of smuggling, delivering necessary items to cadets at the academy."

"......."

The Chief of Staff, who had been listening with interest, now had a face that seemed at a loss for words.

"So it turns out you were no less of a rascal than Nam Tae-hoon."

"Yes. That Nam Tae-hoon was the supplier within the academy. We were partners."

"Hehehehehe."

The Chief of Staff's laugh was long.

"I'm being surprised many times today."

The Chief of Staff shook his head.

"No wonder you asked for secrecy. Otherwise, there might have been calls to revoke your Special First Place or commendation."

"That's right."

"This is unexpected in many ways. It's quite different from the impression of you I had formed through your incredible skill and growth rate, and the experience of the Samcheok Incident."

"Yes. As you probably investigated, I did a lot of dirty work before entering the academy. Those experiences are still very helpful now."

"Interesting. So? Were you suspicious of Nam Tae-hoon while working with him?"

"It might sound like bragging, but my intuition is quite sharp. From the first meeting, I thought he was hiding something. But I had no evidence, not even circumstantial grounds for suspicion."

"So you kept him close?"

"Yes. Because of that, Nam Tae-hoon was also somewhat wary of me."

"Hmm. I see."

The Chief of Staff nodded repeatedly.

"Now I understand. So you requested Old Man Jang's help?"

"I was lucky. What was even luckier was that Old Man Jang's information network finally succeeded in finding some clues. That was the decisive factor."

"What was this clue?"

"Information that Nam Woo-young, Nam Tae-hoon's father on the registry, was actually involved in incidents caused by the [Liberation Corps]."

"Oho."

"Everything moved quickly after that. After investigation, Old Man Jang also found out that Nam Woo-young wasn't his biological father, and that his brother was a prisoner who had been locked in White Castle long ago."

"So that's why you suspected Nam Tae-hoon was a spy for the [Liberation Corps]?"

"Yes. But since I had no concrete evidence, I wanted to keep watching. Old Man Jang was also constantly monitoring the movements of the [Liberation Corps]......."

As the story that exquisitely mixed truth and lies continued, at some point the Chief of Staff began to go ahead of the narrative himself and came to complete understanding.

"......So thanks to that, Su-hyeon, you arrived at White Castle just in time this dawn?"

"Yes."

"I understand. No, this is truly an amazing story. To think such a thing was happening without our knowledge, it makes our intelligence efforts shameful."

'So far, it's a success.'

As I inwardly sighed with relief, the Chief of Staff joked.

"After hearing the whole story, you seem even more monstrous. I'm even thinking I'd like to bring you under me and train you well."

"No, that's fine. I don't want to collapse from overwork."

"What? Hahaha."

The Chief of Staff roared with laughter.

"Don't say that and think about it again. Your characteristic is Unlimited, right? How about endless overtime with me......."

"......I'll really have to decline that."

I cleared my throat and changed the subject.

"By the way, Chief of Staff."

"Tell me."

"I heard from Senior Squad Leader Jo Sujin. That there's some operation being prepared."

"Huh, that kid really has a loose mouth."

But as if he had expected it, he nodded.

"That's right."

"By any chance, is the goal of that operation to eliminate the [Sword of Belphegor]?"

The Chief of Staff grinned.

"That's correct."

'Now comes the main point.'

Having read the goodwill in the Chief of Staff's eyes full of interest, I said.

"If that's the case, I have some thoughts."

❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀

"What an unbelievable fellow."

After sending Su-hyeon back.

Chief of Staff Heo Sung-gyeom, standing by the window looking at the sky, smiled.

"Jeong Su-hyeon, Jeong Su-hyeon. Where did such a guy emerge from?"

His skill was needless to say.

And that deep, deep mental world.

With his eyes closed, Heo Sung-gyeom, savoring Su-hyeon's past actions, had a smile on his lips.

'He acts with a firm sense of purpose, yet doesn't let morality constrain him in minor matters. I really like that aspect too.'

The world needed heroes who knew how to get their hands dirty to an appropriate degree, rather than heroes afflicted with perfectionism.

'The more I think about it, the more of a shame it is. If only he were weaker, I would have kept him under me and trained him as a staff officer.'

But isn't it more special because someone with such a mental world also has the skill to overwhelm 'Lion King' Do Sang-jun?

Putting aside his personal feelings, Heo Sung-gyeom contacted the Prime Minister.

"This is Chief of Staff Heo Sung-gyeom. Yes. ......The medal, you can proceed as planned. Yes."

Heo Sung-gyeom grinned.

"Our Su-hyeon, let's make him a hero."

"......Huu."

Having finished the phone call with the Prime Minister, the Chief of Staff let out a long sigh and leaned back in his chair.

"Right. The urgent matters have been roughly handled."

He had woken up at dawn, and now lunch time had already passed.

But he didn't even have time to feel hunger yet.

'Should I really trust those words?'

Heo Sung-gyeom asked himself.

Though everything Su-hyeon had said today was shocking to him.

The biggest shock was something else.

'......The end might be approaching?'

It was truly an absurd statement.

But it was too heavy a statement to just brush aside.

"Haha."

It felt like all his strength was draining away.

'My retirement plans.'

What meaning did retirement or retirement plans have when the world might end?

'That operation is not everything. I need to establish a clear plan for what comes after.'

His head throbbed.

The premonition of endless overtime was flickering before his eyes.

But.

Any hardship became trivial in the face of the enormous prophecy of the end of the world.......