I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 291 : Star of Hope (1)

Defeating them one by one.

Until Su-hyeon's return, that was merely a preposterous fantasy.

Let alone using this strategy to eventually force Belphegor himself to appear?

When they couldn't defeat even one Great Overlord under Belphegor even if everyone joined forces.

Who could seriously speak of such thoughts?

Only two people could kill a Great Overlord: Dragon Spear Ju Taeyang, who had somewhat transcended human limits, and his successor Su-hyeon.

With both of them gone, it seemed obvious that would be humanity's first and last victory against demons.

But not anymore.

Because now they had Su-hyeon, who had single-handedly slaughtered Great Overlord Andromalius, who was even stronger than Malek.

The reaction of people who realized this fact, combined with moderate intoxication and the joy of victory, was truly explosive.

"...We should move somewhere else to have a conversation among ourselves."

When Chief of Staff Heo Sung-gyeom came saying he was sorry for interrupting the young people's conversation, Su-hyeon shook his head.

"It's fine. I've had enough to eat."

"Before we talk."

Gong I-an hardened his expression as he looked around at everyone present.

"There's one matter I'd like to settle."

"Please speak."

Heo Sung-gyeom answered on behalf of everyone.

"Su-hyeon."

"Yes."

"If you want, I'd give you the Commander position."

"...!"

Behind everyone's surprised expressions, Gong I-an continued.

"In terms of power or anything else, you are more than qualified."

"No."

Su-hyeon declined humbly.

"I lack experience and seasoning."

"No need to be modest."

"I'm being sincere."

"......"

Gong I-an, who had been silently staring into Su-hyeon's eyes, eventually nodded.

"I see you won't be persuaded."

"I'm sorry."

"Then how about elevating him as a new symbol?"

At Chief of Staff Heo Sung-gyeom's words, people showed interest.

"What kind of symbol?"

"Just my personal impression, but while watching Su-hyeon's battle, one expression came to mind."

Heo Sung-gyeom closed his eyes and smiled gently.

"Guardian Star. A figure truly deserving the expression 'Humanity's Guardian Star.'"

"Huh."

"Guardian Star."

"It suits him well."

"As expected of the Chief of Staff."

Admiration and agreement poured from everywhere, but only Su-hyeon waved his hands in protest.

"It's an embarrassing nickname. I can't bear it."

"It sounds quite good to us."

"No."

Su-hyeon stubbornly shook his head.

"Because my purpose is more focused on revenge than protection, such a noble name wouldn't suit me."

"Hmm."

"So stubborn."

Seeing people's disappointed reactions, Heo Sung-gyeom came up with another idea.

"If you don't want to be Commander, and don't want to remain a noble symbol, there's one more option."

"Please tell us."

"Create a new title for him. Something that's neither Captain nor Commander."

"What would that be?"

To Gong I-an's question, Heo Sung-gyeom answered.

"The title I've thought of is Special Operations Captain. A position that has the right to freely draft personnel from any unit without limitation into the Special Operations unit in case of emergency."

"...!"

"After all, even a year ago, Su-hyeon participated in the Suicide Squad to raid the catacomb and played a decisive role in killing Hwang Won-jae."

"Creating a Special Operations unit and composing it at will?"

To Gong I-an's murmur, Heo Sung-gyeom added.

"It's not really a different concept. Haven't there been many cases before where multiple units conducted joint operations?"

"That's true."

"Correct."

"However, now that Jeong Su-hyeon, an overwhelming symbol of power, has appeared, my opinion is to entrust him with the right to plan and execute special operations."

"Seems like a good idea all around."

"I think so too."

When positive responses came from here and there, Heo Sung-gyeom raised his hand.

"However, there's one concern if we do this."

"What is it?"

Lee Yu-jin asked.

"Su-hyeon's authority might surpass that of Commander Gong I-an."

"Ah..."

Thinking it was clearly a sensitive issue, Lee Yu-jin's expression darkened.

But.

"Such a problem doesn't concern me at all."

Gong I-an looked around with deepened eyes.

"Su-hyeon was originally the successor to the former Commander and a being who transcended his power. It's not strange at all if he gains higher authority than me."

"......"

"If my role in leading and commanding the organization still exists, I'll gladly accept it. I just hope that in the face of our great mission, we don't waste energy on inefficient matters by worrying about someone's authority or position."

When the Commander clarified his position directly, the Captains' expressions brightened as well.

"That's indeed a reasonable statement."

'...Well, most of the individuals who would've cared about such things have already left or died during this past year.'

Heo Sung-gyeom swallowed that thought.

"The Commander is right. However, I've just thought of a supplementary measure regarding this."

"Please tell us."

"The Commander will be in charge of overall command and have a firm position as the highest decision-maker. Meanwhile, Special Operations Captain Jeong Su-hyeon, as the strongest sword, will receive the special authority mentioned earlier to strike the enemy at any time, but formally must receive the Commander's approval to compose personnel and undertake operations."

"Hmm. Indeed."

"If you allow, I'll take charge of creating new regulations, codifying them, and announcing them."

Commander Gong I-an, who had been thoughtfully rubbing his chin, soon smiled.

"Good idea. But there's one more clause I'd like to add."

"What is it?"

"In case of emergency, I myself am willing to accept the Special Operations Captain's command. In other words, once an operation begins, the Special Operations Captain's command authority takes precedence over everything."

"...I understand. You've certainly pinpointed a blind spot."

"A blind spot! The Chief of Staff drew the big picture, I merely modified minor details."

Gong I-an laughed heartily, then changed his expression and turned his gaze to Su-hyeon.

"As of this hour, I appoint Jeong Su-hyeon as Special Operations Captain. The specific procedures will be carried out tomorrow."

"Understood!"

"Good. Then, Special Operations Captain Jeong Su-hyeon."

"Yes, sir."

"I request that you establish and report your future activity plans as Special Operations Captain as soon as possible."

Su-hyeon, who felt respect and trust toward himself not only from the clarified title but also from the change in tone that considered his authority, bowed his head.

"I will obey your command."

❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀

After the meeting, the young Captain-level officers who gathered separately giggled while pointing at the badge on Su-hyeon's new uniform.

"Look at that badge. It looks completely different from ours."

"Is this pure gold?"

"It's an alloy, they say. Your teeth would break if you bit it."

"Eun-seo-sunbae made it on the spot, right?"

"That senior's skills keep getting better."

"Now that I look at it, the uniform fits differently too."

"They say that with Body Transformation and Bone Replacement, your skin becomes smoother and your skeleton optimized, is that why?"

"Somehow your shoulders seem broader."

"...Even if each of you says just one thing, it's ten things to me."

Su-hyeon said with a tired face.

"What can you do? If you didn't like it, you shouldn't have come back after a year."

Nam Tae-hoon chuckled.

"That's rich coming from someone who deserted the academy and then came back."

He was immediately torpedoed by Su-hyeon.

"Ahem."

"Don't even mention it. When he first returned, he was beaten nearly to death by In-hyeon and Min-a."

Kwon Seung-yeon cackled, saying they should have taken pictures then.

"Deservedly so."

At Su-hyeon's response, which suggested he could imagine it without seeing, Nam Tae-hoon quickly changed the subject.

"By the way, this Special Operations Captain thing, the talk is complicated, but in the end should we think of it as higher than Captain but lower than Commander?"

"Strictly speaking, it's not a hierarchical relationship."

Su-hyeon shook his head.

"But since I gain command authority during operations, it might be true limited to wartime."

"Damn, until recently we were roommates and equal classmates, but now you're two ranks higher."

Nam Tae-hoon himself held the high position of Deputy Captain.

"Special Operations Captain. You can tell Chief of Staff Heo thought hard about this solution. With this kind of justification, no one will complain."

Seo Jun-seong said.

"Because both his power and achievements have been sufficiently proven."

Jeong Su-hyeon and Seo Jun-seong.

Once, the two had competed for the top spot, and thinking back to when they enrolled, no one would have thought Su-hyeon could surpass Seo Jun-seong.

But what about now?

"Monster Captain" Seo Jun-seong, who had built up the strength and achievements befitting the position of 2nd Unit Captain over the past year, acknowledged it without any hesitation.

The power and hope Su-hyeon showed in this battle was overwhelming.

"By the way, what are you planning to do next? You have some ideas, right?"

Hwang Ji-su asked.

"First, I'll execute an operation to rescue survivors still holding out in various locations, especially Awakened with enough power to become immediate combat forces, to increase our strength."

Su-hyeon answered.

"We have enough space and resources to accommodate more residents."

"Rescue Awakened? How?"

"Radio, telepathy, fireworks, or messengers. Using whatever means to contact surviving shelters."

Even though both communication networks and roads were fragmented.

"After that, it's simple. If shelters have enough capacity to send people to us and request rescue, knowing the situation, that itself proves their capabilities."

"I can roughly guess what you mean."

Hwang Ji-su, who had been listening to Su-hyeon's explanation with folded arms, understood.

"But will it be okay? You're essentially drawing aggro openly. It could result in unwanted guests coming instead of invited ones."

Min Hae-na's doubt was reasonable.

But.

"Actually, that's precisely what I hope for."

"Hmm, you actually want them to come?"

"Yes. I can declare that unless Belphegor comes directly, no matter how many Great Overlords unite and come after us, this fortress will not fall."

Su-hyeon said resolutely.

"As long as I'm here, that is."

"......"

Why was it?

The power and trust felt from Su-hyeon's single statement was much stronger than before, becoming a kind of charisma.

Was it because he was actually a transcendent being?

Su-hyeon's words carried a powerful presence like that of a visionary.

'...Now I must be careful even with my words.'

Su-hyeon thought.

"It would be convenient if they came out on their own. Wasn't it always a struggle for us in the past, chasing after those who kept running away and doing strange things?"

"...That's true."

[Sword of Belphegor].

Min Hae-na folded her arms, recalling the faces of Ma-in who had troubled them every time.

'It's confidence bordering on madness. But he has the skills to back it up.'

She felt proud inside, thinking this was indeed the man she had fallen for.

"Each time we kill a Great Overlord, humans suffering within their domains can be freed from demonic oppression and threats. I almost want to ask them all to gather."

"But if that happens, people worried about getting caught in the fighting might be reluctant to join."

Lee Yu-jin said.

"That's why we first need to crush each enemy we meet to demonstrate overwhelming power, and become a symbol of hope that everyone looks up to... is that it?"

Satisfied with her perfect interpretation, Su-hyeon smiled.

"I don't even need to explain what comes next."