novelraw Chapter 29 : Chapter 29
Chapter 29 : Chapter 29
Chapter 29: Unexpected Development (7)
One day in April, a few days after the storm had passed. I was seeing the results I had expected with my own eyes from a corner of the infirmary.
[The next report concerns Glory Academy. There has been quite a stir lately regarding this matter, has there not?]
[Yes, that is correct. Several cadets were seriously injured due to the appearance of villains within Glory.]
[That is right. Such an incident cannot be anything but a major problem for a military academy that has the duty to protect its cadets. Let us listen to an interview clip!]
The news was filled with stories about Glory everywhere I looked. It was a natural reaction. The fact that a villain appeared within the Academy meant there was a significant security flaw. Furthermore, since cadets were harmed in the process, it would have been difficult to suppress the news.
‘The parents of the other cadets would not stay quiet.’
It was not just a problem for the injured cadets. Even for cadets who had no connection to the incident, it meant it would not be strange for them to suffer the same fate at any time. In such a situation, would the parents remain still? Especially the parents of these Glory cadets, many of whom were from famous families.
‘They probably anticipated this far before causing the incident, right?’
Yu-hyeon, who had been grinning and talking to me, came to mind. He might look like just a madman at a glance, but that was not the case. The members of the Reverse Heaven Sect were quite sophisticatedly insane. He must have planned this out while considering all future directions.
‘Glory will have no choice but to take strong countermeasures because of this.’
If such incidents repeated, Glory would eventually be placed in a situation where they had to allow external intervention. However, the Principal of Glory would never let that happen. He was not the type of person who would tolerate outside interference. Therefore, Glory would have to take a firm grip on this matter. As I thought this far, Yu-hyeon came to mind once again.
‘Even though he is a fanatic and a villain, he is certainly helpful.’
He was also someone with definite skills. I had managed to wound him, but I knew. If he had been serious, I would have died before I even had the chance to use my talent. The only reason I survived was because of his interest.
‘But a guy like that did not even appear in the novel?’
Based on skill alone, he was at least an A-Rank player. Moreover, he did not act recklessly but moved according to a plan. Yet, Yu-hyeon did not appear in the novel. There was not even a single line describing his appearance.
‘This smells suspicious.’
As it turned out, the Reverse Heaven Sect was the first to possess the Suppressing Blade. However, the blade eventually ended up in the hands of other villains later on. In that process, Yu-hyeon, a skilled individual who harbored the Will of Reverse Heaven, did not appear. This fact pointed to only one thing.
‘A traitor.’
There was a traitor within the Reverse Heaven Sect. Otherwise, there was no way the Suppressing Blade would have gone to other villains. Those crazy fanatics would babble things like "For Reverse Heaven!" even as they died.
‘Still, there is nothing I can do right now.’
I did not know who the traitor was. Nor did I know the internal affairs of the Reverse Heaven Sect in detail. The story had never been told from the perspective of the Reverse Heaven Sect in the novel.
‘So, it is better to just keep it in mind for now.’
After all, the Suppressing Blade was currently in my possession. Therefore, I decided to set aside the Reverse Heaven Sect's business, which was a lower priority, and think about the important tasks at hand. It was then.
"Cadet Choi Yu-seong, it is time for your checkup~."
I heard the nurse's voice from outside the door. When I said she could come in, the nurse entered the infirmary with the medical tools needed for the examination. As soon as she entered, she began the checkup and started making small talk.
"How is your body feeling? Do you have any discomfort?"
"No, I am fine."
It was all talk related to my physical condition. Honestly, these were likely the only things a nurse could say to a patient. Therefore, I decided to ask about the things I was curious about. Since I had been confined to the infirmary under the guise of cadet protection measures, I knew almost nothing.
"How is the atmosphere at the Academy lately?"
"The same as always. It is still chaotic because of what happened a few days ago."
Judging by the nurse's words, it seemed things were still moving busily. That was to be expected. To be honest, the state of Glory right now was a mess. It was at a point where one could not tell if it was an academy or a villain's den. It would be good in many ways to take this opportunity to clean it up thoroughly.
‘No matter how I think about it, he is a useful fellow.’
If I had stepped forward alone, it would have been impossible. Even though Yu-hyeon was a villain, I felt that maintaining a proper relationship would be a great help. My goal was to protect the hero, not to exterminate villains. If it was helpful, I would willingly take the hand of a villain. Just as I was thinking that, the nurse called out to me, as if the checkup was finished.
"There are certainly no abnormalities. You are in a state where it is fine to be discharged."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. If you are anxious, you can stay for a few more days. You did come in with quite a lot of injuries, after all."
Quite a lot of injuries, she said. It was not a lie, but I felt a bit awkward making a scene when I thought of those two other cadets.
‘By the way, those two will be okay, right? It would be unpleasant if they died.’
They were major wounds, but I heard that emergency measures had been taken, so they should be fine. There was no news that any cadet had died, either. Therefore, I decided to worry about myself first rather than being meddlesome.
"Then I will be discharged."
"Will you be okay?"
"Yes. If I rest for too long, I will only lose my edge."
At my words, the nurse nodded and handed me a waiver. Since this discharge was decided by the patient themselves, all responsibility arising hereafter… No, why are they giving me something like this that makes people anxious? Still, since she did not seem inclined to let me go unless I signed, I had no choice but to sign the waiver. Then, the nurse explained the discharge procedure with a bright face.
"Your clothes are prepared over there, so you can change into them when you leave. There is nothing else you need to do. It is a place run by Glory, after all."
"I see."
"Then, have a safe trip~."
Yes, I should go carefully. Especially since I have to take all the responsibility for anything that happens later. Indeed, I must.
‘Sigh, what am I even saying?’
It was likely a waiver that everyone signed. Since my mind was unsettled, I seemed to be nitpicking over everything. Therefore, I focused on what I had to do and changed into the clothes the nurse mentioned. Then, I checked the time. 11:00 AM.
"It is the perfect time."
If I considered what I had to do from now on, it was neither too late nor too early. I maintained a fast pace to avoid being late and left the infirmary.
***
"Everyone certainly looks busy."
The place I arrived at, while constantly checking the time, was the faculty office. It was where the instructors, who would be busy with this incident, were working.
‘In this state, will I even be able to get permission?’
There was only one reason I visited the faculty office during this busy period. It was because I needed to go out. Considering future events, today's outing was essential, so I had come to the faculty office. However, at this rate, it looked like I would not even be able to strike up a conversation, let alone get an outing permit.
"What should I do?"
I scratched my cheek as I watched the faculty office, which was operating busily without even noticing someone like me. At that moment, someone spotted me and started coming my way.
"Is your body better? Are you being discharged today?"
A teaching assistant greeted me warmly. But I did not know who he was. Judging by how he spoke, he seemed to be one of those who came to help on the day the incident occurred… but I really did not know. His face was far too common to remember. Still, such a comment could be hurtful to the other person, so I pretended to know him and greeted him back.
"Yes. Thank you for coming to help back then."
"Not at all! It was only natural."
Phew, it seemed my guess was correct. It was a relief that we did not end up in an awkward situation.
"But what brings you here? Ah! Are you here to see Instructor Im Seong-cheol?"
"Ah, yes."
"The instructor should be at his usual spot. He is busy, but he will see you, so do not worry."
"Thank you—"
"Oh! Come to think of it, there was something the instructor told me to do. Sorry! I have to go first!"
"……"
Before I could even open my mouth, the teaching assistant chattered on his own and made a quick exit. How should I put it? He felt like a very typical teaching assistant. I followed the teaching assistant's words and moved to where Im Seong-cheol would be. When I arrived, I saw Im Seong-cheol looking intently at some documents. He also noticed me and greeted me first.
"It is Cadet Choi Yu-seong. Is your body better?"
"Yes. There are no problems."
"Is that so? I suppose you would know your own body best."
As he spoke, Im Seong-cheol’s face looked somewhat haggard. His dark circles also seemed to have deepened significantly.
‘He must be having a hard time.’
Well, Im Seong-cheol was the one who handled the overall management that day. Since such an incident had occurred, it was only natural for him to have a difficult time, given how much he cared for the cadets.
‘And now I am about to add to his troubles.’
But this was only troubling him for the greater good. It was by no means for my own personal gain. I told myself that and opened my mouth toward Im Seong-cheol.
"Instructor, I have something to say."
"…Whenever a cadet says that, I feel anxious now. Go ahead and speak."
"I would like you to grant me an outing permit."
As expected, Im Seong-cheol’s expression worsened.
"Cadet Choi Yu-seong. The Academy is currently in great turmoil due to the villain issue."
"Yes. I am aware."
"And you are asking to be let out at such a time."
"Yes."
At my answer, Im Seong-cheol fell silent for a moment. I wondered what words would come next. I would understand if he tried to persuade me not to go, and I would understand if he swore at me. However, what Im Seong-cheol said was completely unexpected.
"Very well. Then I shall grant it."
"…Pardon?"
"You were answering so well until now, and yet you are surprised this time."
Im Seong-cheol said that as he pulled out an outing permit. He wrote my name and signed it while speaking in a deep voice.
"I do not know what thoughts you have in mind while applying for this outing. Normally, this is something I should ask about."
"……"
"But I will not ask. I am sure it is not just so you can go out and play."
Before I knew it, Im Seong-cheol, who had finished signing everything, handed the permit to me.
"I heard from Cadet Ha Eun-ha. She said you fought against the villain without losing your nerve. How can I, who was not even there, stop you? If I were to bring up an instructor's duty only at a time like this, that would be cowardly."
Had Ha Eun-ha woken up? I did not know because I had been confined to my hospital room. I was a bit worried if the shock was too great for her, since she still had a fragile heart.
‘And Im Seong-cheol, too.’
Those words sounded as if he were blaming himself. It was not a good sight to see.
"It was an unavoidable situation."
"As I said last time, preventing such things in advance is the instructor's duty."
"But—"
"It is fine. I will handle my own problems, so do not worry."
If he spoke to that extent, there was nothing more I could say. In the end, I fell silent at Im Seong-cheol’s words.
‘Still, he will not give up, so it should be fine.’
This was Im Seong-cheol, of all people. He was not the type of person who would run away from a problem related to cadets. Therefore, as Im Seong-cheol said, it was time for me to prioritize my own concerns over worrying about others.
"I understand. Then, I will take my leave."
"Yes. Do not do anything that would cause trouble while you are out."
"Yes. I understand."
With that conversation concluded, I bowed and left the faculty office. I then looked at the outing permit in my hand.
"…I do not know if trouble will be avoided, though."
After all, the place I was going to from now on was not a safe place, even by a generous definition.
‘Waryong's Dungeon.’
A dungeon whose setting appeared in the novel but was never once used. A place that was described as dangerous, but with certain rewards. I was planning to go there.
"Because I have to change."
The story no longer flowed exactly as I knew it. I had no intention of relying on luck in the midst of unexpected developments and flows. So, what should I do? The answer I came up with was one.
‘I will change my own development entirely.’
This dungeon was the first step toward that. If I could not even take the first step, how could I protect the hero? Therefore, I walked toward the portal without hesitation.