Chapter 10 - Ch 61-67

Chapter 61 Villain Emergence (5)

"~♪"

A girl was smiling brightly.

Her hair was pale, as if all the color had been bleached out.

Her slender arms and legs were wrapped in tattered bandages, and her clothes were torn in several places.

 Bloodstains were smeared all over her, but overall, she looked like a fragile middle or high school girl.

Even though she wasn't wearing a uniform, the fact that she appeared young suggested she could be a trainee at Union Academy.

However, everyone knew.

That girl was no hero trainee. "..."

"..."

"..."

Over twenty students from the Academy remained silent, their expressions stiffening as if they had turned into stone, swallowing hard.

Overwhelming.

Yes, they were overwhelmed.

By the white-haired girl who stood there, merely smiling.

Just watching her from afar caused their hearts to pound wildly, and their breathing grew increasingly labored.

Goosebumps pricked up all over their bodies, and a drop of cold sweat trickled down the temple of one student out of sheer tension.

It felt as if they had encountered an unprecedented monster while wandering alone through a dark alley at night.

The hero trainees bit their lower lips hard.

You could call it an instinctive reaction.

A primal fear enveloped their entire beings. That girl was far stronger than anyone here. Overwhelmingly so.

Everyone could tell that she was on a completely different level than the third-rate delinquents they had faced until now.

The dense killing intent that emanated from her, like a shimmering haze, made their arms and legs tremble uncontrollably.

Some of the trainees, who had never felt such intense killing intent before, chattered their teeth.

The already frightened students began to take hesitant steps backward.

To those who had never experienced a real battle, a villain of this caliber was nothing short of pure terror.

'That girl is…?' Of course.

Not all the trainees were paralyzed with fear and running around in confusion.

'This killing intent… it reminds me of the Black-Handed Long-Armed Monkey.'

Jin Soyeon gripped the handle of her sword tightly and observed Yoo Dahee with calm eyes, trying to gauge even a little bit about the white-haired girl.

'Or perhaps it's even more intense.'

Jin Soyeon, along with Lee Siwoon, Yuliya Troyanova, Lee Jinhyuk, and a few others, were relatively composed compared to the other students.

This was due to their experience in actual combat.

Their encounter with the Black-Handed Long-Armed Monkey at the Academy, where they had fought for their lives, had served as a catalyst for their growth.

Moreover, the first-year Class 1 trainees had already experienced Hong Daye's killing intent.

There was no better medicine than experience.

'A villain…? She looks to be around my age, but how could she possess such intense killing intent…?'

Judging by her killing intent alone, she was nearly on par with Hong Daye.

To be at such a level at an age similar to Jin Soyeon's…

It was utterly ridiculous.

If she were at that level, she would be a figure who would go down in South Korean history. A powerhouse who would stand shoulder to shoulder with the legendary giants of the previous generation. There was no way that girl could be of that level. No, she absolutely couldn't be.

If she were truly that strong, there would be nothing we could do about it.

"Hmm? Seong Yura's… no, her subordinates are here too." "…Yes."

Yoo Dahee glanced at the four villains who had been fighting against Jin Soyeon's group.

They were assassins sent by Seong Yura, and their skills were quite decent.

"You seem to be pretty injured. Why don't you leave the rest to me and withdraw?"

"…"

"Don't worry, I'll put in a good word for you with her." "…"

The assassins exchanged glances, hesitating for a moment as Yoo Dahee waved her hand in a dismissive gesture, a smile on her face.

They knew they might be reprimanded by Seong Yura if they retreated, but disregarding Yoo Dahee's words was not an option either.

Even Seong Yura couldn't do anything to Yoo Dahee.

After a brief hesitation, the assassins eventually nodded and quietly began to retreat.

Yoo Dahee watched their backs as they disappeared, then turned her gaze back to the students.

Alright, now that those who needed to leave have left, let's see what happens next.

Let's see how these so-called next-generation heroes will act.

"Now then, Union Academy students?" Yoo Dahee flashed a sly smile.

"Time is ticking, so let's speed things up. You two over there. Yes, you two."

She pointed at two trainees.

The students she pointed at flinched involuntarily.

W-what's going on? Why is she pointing at us? Then Yoo Dahee spouted something absurd. "I'll give you one minute. You two should fight." "…What, what?"

"I'll spare the winner. Now, begin." "…What kind of nonsense!"

The trainees stared at Yoo Dahee in disbelief, but she merely shrugged nonchalantly.

It was an utterly ridiculous demand, and naturally, they were expected to resist, but all they could do was glance around nervously, their faces filled with tension.

They had just seen the villains withdraw at this girl's command.

While they didn't know her exact strength, it was clear that she outranked the villains they had faced earlier.

Those four villains had been above the level of ordinary professional heroes.

In the world of villains, where survival of the fittest was the only rule, power was equivalent to order. If this girl could command those villains, then just how strong was she?

Even though it was impossible to gauge her abilities solely based on her killing intent, her confident demeanor among a large group of hero trainees indicated that she likely possessed considerable strength.

So, the hero trainees couldn't make any hasty moves.

If they acted recklessly, they might be the first ones to fall prey to her. The idea of drawing her attention terrified them.

"Thirty-five seconds have passed." "Guys…"

One of the pointed-out students glanced around at the other trainees, but some of them averted their eyes, as if feeling guilty.

The oppressive killing intent from earlier still lingered.

Fear had already taken root deep in the trainees' hearts, growing and expanding.

If that girl possessed strength on par with her killing intent, stepping out recklessly could indeed lead to a disastrous outcome.

And what if they stepped forward, only for the others to refuse to back them up?

They could end up defeated and alone. So, let's hang on a little longer.

Maybe the security team or the test instructors will come to our rescue.

It might be a bit cowardly, but some of the trainees were seriously considering dragging out the time while avoiding drawing that girl's attention.

Truly cowardly.

'…This is exactly what Yoo Dahee is aiming for.'

Lee Jinhyuk quietly assessed the situation.

Yoo Dahee was probably recording everything with a tiny body cam.

She intended to broadcast to the world how the next- generation heroes, tasked with the future, were hesitating, obeying the villain's orders, and caving in to fear.

If people saw how these supposed seeds of hope behaved like cowards in front of a single villain, the reaction would be explosive.

'It wouldn't matter even if the kids defied Yoo Dahee.' In fact, it might be even better for her.

If they resisted, she could thoroughly crush them, making an example of the consequences of defying her commands.

So Yoo Dahee was waiting.

For a wannabe hero who didn't know their place to step forward.

"One minute is up. So—"

'There are only two people here who could step forward in this situation.'

Lee Jinhyuk quickly turned his head, his heart sinking at the thought.

Roxanne was hesitating, sweat trickling down her face, while Jin Soyeon, biting her lower lip, seemed to have steeled herself and was about to take a step forward…

No way!

Lee Jinhyuk, shocked, reached out to stop her.

Of course, it's Jin Soyeon. There's no way she'd just stand by in a situation like this. He quickly grabbed her wrist.

With people like Lee Siwoon, Yuliya, and Lee Jeonghoon still gauging the situation, why did Jin Soyeon have to step forward?

I know your altruism knows no bounds, Jin Soyeon, but this is one time you really should stay put.

"Soyeon, what do you think you're doing? Don't entertain any foolish thoughts, just stay put."

"..."

"In a bit, Instructor Hong Daye will arrive, so stay put until then…"

"…Sorry."

Jin Soyeon smiled faintly, then swatted Lee Jinhyuk's hand away with a sharp motion.

I'm sorry, Jinhyuk.

I know you're worried.

But even so, I can't just stand idly by. You know that.

A hero can't just stand by.

"I can't give you any more time, so you two will… huh?"

"Hey, you."

Jin Soyeon's voice rang out as she gripped her sword tightly.

"If you want to mess with these two, you'll have to go through me first."

"Hmm."

There wasn't really a way she could stop that girl. It didn't matter if the other students didn't help.

To Jin Soyeon, yielding to a villain's demands was not the righteous path. She had to stand against evil, even if it meant breaking.

That was the righteous path Jin Soyeon walked.

No matter how strong the opponent was, if she surrendered, she could no longer call herself a hero-in-training.

So Jin Soyeon prepared herself.

"So, stop with the nonsense and come at me." "Well, alright."

She was ready to sacrifice herself for the others. Instructor Hong Daye was on her way.

If she could buy even a little bit of time until the instructor arrived, Jin Soyeon's sacrifice wouldn't be in vain.

The time she bought could save the lives of the other students.

"You've got a pretty face. Let's start with you as an example

—"

"Stop."

At that moment.

Lee Siwoon stepped forward.

"You've been standing there like a coward, and now you decide to act?"

"I don't know who you are, but I won't tolerate any more of your rampage."

Lee Siwoon unsheathed his sword and took a stance in front of Jin Soyeon.

"Ah, it wouldn't be right for me to just stand by when my teammates from the practical evaluation are stepping up, right?"

Yuliya, who had been observing the situation as a traditional mage, also raised her staff with a wry smile.

"Oh dear, I nearly died because of that Black-Handed Long- Armed Monkey back in the day, and now I'm in a situation like this again."

As the top-ranked freshman, Lee Siwoon, and the 14th- ranked Yuliya began to move, the other students started to murmur amongst themselves.

"Oh, whatever. Soyeon, I'm joining in too."

"Dammit, this is so embarrassing. Getting scared by some girl."

Kim Yuseong and Lee Jeonghoon also got into fighting stances.

Kim Yuseong had a slight crush on Jin Soyeon, and Lee Jeonghoon, with his usual high pride, seemed disgusted with himself for being intimidated by Yoo Dahee.

As one by one they began to step forward, most of the students now seemed ready to fight, glaring at Yoo Dahee.

Yoo Dahee quietly observed the students' faces.

Jin Soyeon's actions seemed to have been the trigger. 'Didn't expect them all to step up like this.'

What can I say?

It felt like the atmosphere had shifted when that girl stepped forward.

A resolute gaze, a confident expression, a voice brimming with courage… There was something about her that moved people.

Something that roused and inspired those in fear. You could call it charisma or even a certain charm.

'Does she have some talent?'

A quality essential for a hero. A mysterious force that naturally leads, awakens, and commands people.

Hmm.

I thought she was just a pretty-faced girl, but she seems to have some potential.

What if one of the other students had stepped forward instead of Jin Soyeon?

Would the scared, nervous kids have dared to step forward, or would they have just pretended not to notice?

'…Interesting, very interesting.'

In any case, Yoo Dahee nodded to herself.

'It'll be quite satisfying to break her down as an example.'

Since she roused the frightened kids, she would have to bear the responsibility, wouldn't she?

Pah!

In an instant, Yoo Dahee's figure flickered. "Ah…!"

"W-where did she go?!"

"Was that a movement technique? I can't see her…" "Siwoon! Look ahead, ahead!"

Before anyone could react, Yoo Dahee appeared right in front of Lee Siwoon, who immediately swung his sword with all his might.

A slash imbued with dense mana.

The sharp blade sliced through Yoo Dahee's body, but her figure vanished like a mirage.

Phantom Walk.

One of the highest-level movement techniques, it creates afterimages to deceive the opponent's sight.

'…I wonder how she'll scream?'

Having misled everyone's gaze, Yoo Dahee was already behind Jin Soyeon.

Yoo Dahee reached out like a flash of light, aiming to strike at Jin Soyeon's back.

Slice!

With the sound of something being cut, Yoo Dahee instinctively jumped back.

She used her movement technique to put some distance between herself and the students.

Yoo Dahee stared down at her hand for a moment.

A tingling sensation was spreading from the tips of her nerves.

"…?"

Drip, drip. Blood was flowing. Her hand was slightly cut.

By a sword. '…I got cut?'

Me?

Yoo Dahee was a bit puzzled.

With a Protective Force Field of significant strength guarding her body, it should've been impossible for a student to injure her. That's why she had ignored the surprise slash and aimed for Jin Soyeon.

But the blade had pierced through her Protective Force Field. '…Did they predict the path of the Phantom Walk?'

Phantom Walk was a top-tier movement technique.

If it was someone's first time witnessing it, they would be easily fooled.

Even Lee Siwoon had been deceived by it.

But this guy… "..."

Yoo Dahee shifted her gaze slightly.

A small drop of blood hung on the edge of a sword. And the man holding that sword upright was staring at Yoo Dahee, his expression unyielding.

It was Lee Jinhyuk.

Chapter 62 Villain Emergence (6)

Yoo Dahee is one of the prominent villains in Romance Hero Academy.

As the antithesis to the female protagonist, Jin Soyeon, her character has been exposed through various sources like character design books, fan works, novels, and game texts.

Her backstory, relationships, hobbies, personality, tendencies, likes, dislikes, skills, abilities, habits, bad habits, and unique abilities, among other things, are well- documented.

This includes her basic behavioral patterns, which are also described in detail.

For example…

When she decides to attack, she slightly lifts her gaze, or she rolls her left foot back slightly before using Phantom Walk, or she has a peculiar preparatory motion before using the skill Poison Hand. These are just some of the details.

Additionally, there's a setting that when she launches her first surprise attack against an easy opponent, she uses Phantom Walk to deceive the enemy's eyes, moves to their rear, and targets the Mingmen acupoint.

Thanks to this, Lee Jinhyuk was barely able to block Yoo Dahee's first surprise attack.

However.

'I couldn't see it.'

 Was that teleportation or what?

I couldn't even catch a glimpse.

No, I just blinked, and she was already behind Jin Soyeon. 'This is bad. I'm not confident I can block the next attack.'

Although Lee Jinhyuk managed to counter her habits and preparatory moves to some extent, it was half-luck.

Lee Jinhyuk didn't have every single one of Yoo Dahee's behavioral patterns memorized, and unlike a game where patterns repeat predictably, reality is full of variables, so he wasn't confident he could block her again.

The only reason he blocked Yoo Dahee's first surprise attack was because she wasn't serious, and she was caught off guard.

But now, she wouldn't be caught off guard.

'…Ah, seriously. I had no choice but to step in because I was worried about Soyeon, but now what? Is Yoo Dahee going to target me next?'

It made sense, given that Yoo Dahee was eyeing Lee Jinhyuk with a strange look. Why is she staring like that? It's scary.

"..."

Yoo Dahee casually wiped the blood off the back of her hand.

It was just a small scratch, but the fact that she had been injured by a mere hero trainee piqued her curiosity.

That man's name was Lee Jinhyuk, right?

She had heard he was a promising hero apprentice lately.

But since he was an Awakened without abilities and his combat skills were poor, she hadn't paid much attention.

She thought he was just a small fry.

Did he have some hidden cards up his sleeve? Or maybe he had been hiding his true abilities. "...Hmm."

Yoo Dahee scanned the other trainees.

Earlier, they had been frozen in fear, but now their expressions had eased considerably.

That's because Yoo Dahee's first surprise attack failed, and she was even counterattacked by Lee Jinhyuk, causing her to bleed.

She had initially set the tone by scattering overwhelming killing intent, but now that she had bled from someone like Lee Jinhyuk, they were probably starting to think they had a chance.

Internally, Yoo Dahee let out a short, mocking laugh.

'How amusing.'

Did they really think they had hope based on that? Sorry, but what awaits you all is not hope, but despair. Yoo Dahee began to gather her mana.

As a considerable amount of mana concentrated, the trainees gulped and gripped their weapons tightly.

The ominous, creeping mana rose like a haze, causing the students' palms to sweat.

That white-haired girl.

Is she finally getting serious?

The atmosphere felt completely different from before.

Unlike earlier when she was moving around with a casual smile, it seemed she was planning to take things a bit more seriously. As the unfamiliar energy surged, the students shivered with goosebumps.

They bit their lower lips tightly, resisting the fear that threatened to overwhelm them.

"Alright, you all."

Was Lee Jinhyuk's earlier action a display of skill or just luck?

Well, it doesn't matter either way.

If they're not on the level of a high-ranker, they won't be able to threaten her. Therefore, Yoo Dahee—

-Beep, beep. 

"Ah."

Yoo Dahee's movement, as she was about to take a step, came to a halt.

The ringtone of a phone echoed from her pocket. Oh, come on.

Just when things were about to get interesting.

But since it wasn't a message but a direct call, it must have been something important, so she couldn't ignore it.

Yoo Dahee clicked her tongue briefly before answering the call with one hand.

The students were dumbfounded for a moment. Taking a phone call in the middle of a fight?

However, none of them dared to interfere with Yoo Dahee. They didn't want to make things worse needlessly.

In fact, letting her take the call might buy them more time. "I was just getting to the good part. What's up?"

"…Hong Daye and several security teams are approaching your location."

"Oh, already? Why here of all places?"

"…Judging by their speed, you should leave immediately."

"Tch. Got it."

Yoo Dahee clicked her tongue and closed the phone. Hong Daye, Hong Daye…

Sigh.

Right now, Hong Daye was a rather burdensome opponent for her. Despite suffering from significant aftereffects due to past events, Hong Daye was a former top 10 candidate and a high-ranker.

That's why she had unleashed powerful monsters during the practical evaluation to target Hong Daye.

Who would have thought that those trainees would take down the Black-Handed Long-Armed Monkey?

So it was them, huh.

They were the ones who took down the Black-Handed Long- Armed Monkey.

At the time, she thought it was just luck, but maybe it wasn't after all.

'…It's a bit disappointing to leave quietly like this. Should I leave them with one last hit?'

Yoo Dahee was about to use Phantom Walk to launch an attack and then retreat.

'…Huh? What's this?'

She suddenly made eye contact with Lee Jinhyuk. What's this? Did he notice? That I'm about to attack? How? "..."

"..."

Yoo Dahee and Lee Jinhyuk stared at each other for a moment.

For a brief time, their gazes locked, and then Yoo Dahee let out a wry smile, shrugging her shoulders once.

Well, whatever.

I'll let it slide for now.

"Today's not my day, I guess."

It was a bit disappointing, but there was no helping it. There was no need to push things unnecessarily.

There would be more opportunities; today wasn't the only chance.

Since this was my debut, let's leave it here. After all, I've achieved my objective.

"That's it for today. Take care, little heroes. But don't get too happy. If you continue in this field, you'll meet me again."

"..."

Yoo Dahee glanced at Lee Jinhyuk one last time before suddenly disappearing.

The students remained tense, staring at the spot where Yoo Dahee had vanished, but when they saw Hong Daye and the security team approaching in the distance, they finally relaxed and slumped to the ground.

"…We're alive."

"I really thought I was going to die."

"That girl, what is she? Is she really our age?" "Damn villains. Acting all high and mighty!"

While the other students sighed in relief, looking toward their instructor and the security team, Lee Jinhyuk rubbed his forehead with a troubled expression.

…Did I just get marked?

Yoo Dahee might have taken an interest in him.

Of course, she wouldn't do anything to Lee Jinhyuk right away, but the mere fact that she was interested in him was burdensome.

If they met again, he would probably be her first target. "…Lee Jinhyuk. I'm surprised you blocked that attack." "Huh?"

"…As expected, you're…"

"Lee Siwoon, what are you suddenly talking about? That was just luck."

"…Sure, let's call it luck. Don't worry, I won't say anything unnecessary."

Lee Siwoon seemed quite surprised that Lee Jinhyuk had predicted the path of Phantom Walk and blocked the ambush.

But it was half-luck, really.

Why is he suddenly looking up to me like this? Is it because I used the Sword Qi Wounder earlier? Does he really think I'm secretly some hidden master?

'…Sigh. To think that Yoo Dahee and Rebellion members would attack Union Academy this early.'

This was much sooner than expected.

I'm not fully prepared yet.

'Given the situation, both Soyeon and I need to get stronger quickly.'

Now that Yoo Dahee has taken an interest in me, there's no time to hesitate.

I was planning to grow safely, but the situation doesn't allow it, so I'll have to use a faster, albeit riskier, method to become stronger.

***

"…So that's what happened. I thought he was a small fry, but he turned out to be quite interesting."

In the spacious reception room of a large mansion.

Seong Yura and Yoo Dahee sat across from each other, chatting.

"I accomplished my goal, but what about you, Seong Yura?" "Hmm."

"Did you achieve your goal?" "Well…"

Seong Yura set down her teacup with a slight clink. "I'll have to wait and see."

"Huh? Really?"

"I intended to intimidate Roxanne and her surroundings to find out if she had any unknown backers, but for now…"

"Is it because your subordinates retreated halfway through? Oh, sorry about that. That was my fault, so don't be too hard on them."

"Well, it's not just that."

Seong Yura took a light sip of her tea.

"Anyway, I'll show the footage you captured and the footage I captured to Matteo. There's a chance that the opponent you fought at Yuksung Mountain might have been secretly guarding Roxanne."

"Oh, is he finally awake? That's good news."

"He'll have to deal with aftereffects for a while, though."

"Still, the fact that he woke up is something."

"By now, he should have reviewed all the footage."

Seong Yura's subtle hint made Yoo Dahee chuckle as she took a handful of snacks and stood up.

"Alright, alright. No need to push. I'll be on my way." "Sure. See you next time, Yoo Dahee."

"Oh, by the way, Seong Yura." "Hmm? What is it?"

Just as Yoo Dahee was about to leave, she turned around and spoke.

"If you do find out who or what's backing them, don't try to handle it all by yourself. You might not be able to manage it."

"…Mind your own business." "Ugh, that pride of yours."

"…I can handle my own affairs, Yoo Dahee." "Fine, whatever."

Yoo Dahee finally closed the door behind her and walked away.

Seong Yura clicked her tongue once. I might not be able to manage it?

After everything I've been through?

How dare she say that.

'In this line of work, if you lose face, you're finished. With rumors already circulating that Matteo was crushed, I can't afford to accept help from anyone. I have to crush them by myself.'

Seong Yura slowly walked toward the mansion's infirmary. Matteo was there.

His injuries were so severe that he had to focus on recovery for a long time.

If it weren't for his unique recovery ability, he might have lived the rest of his life as a cripple, or worse, never recovered at all.

Matteo, who had finished watching all the footage, slowly lifted his head.

"So, Matteo? Did you find anything?" "…Vigilante."

"What?"

"…There's a person in the footage who could be the Vigilante."

"Vigilante? Do you mean that rumored Vigilante?" Seong Yura had heard of it before.

The figure who had been sweeping through villains for several years.

It was the same Vigilante who had wiped out the organization Matteo first belonged to.

…Rumor had it that he was at least on par with high or even top-tier heroes.

"Who is it?"

"It's that man over there." Matteo pointed to someone. It was Lee Jinhyuk.

"…Is it really him?"

"Yes. The bow and sword he carries are the same ones used by the individual who attacked Roxanne."

"Ah, now that you mention it, those aren't training gear, are they? How did he even bring those into the test site?"

Seong Yura stared at Lee Jinhyuk in the footage. Is this man really the Vigilante?

The Vigilante was known to have been active for at least two years.

That would mean he was secretly taking down villains since his middle school days.

'Well, I guess it's possible.'

After all, there are cases like Yoo Dahee.

If he's a mutant like her, it would make sense.

'You can disguise your body shape and voice with various items.'

Seong Yura lost herself in thought for a moment.

Come to think of it, didn't they say Lee Jinhyuk blocked Yoo Dahee's attack?

Even Seong Yura found it difficult to read the movements of Phantom Walk. But an Academy trainee did?

And to pierce through Yoo Dahee's Protective Force Field?

It may have only been a scratch, but the fact that he wounded Yoo Dahee at all proves he's beyond the level of an average trainee.

…Yoo Dahee seemed quite surprised too, chattering loudly before she left.

"What should we do?"

"Do you really need to ask?" Seong Yura flashed a chilling smile. "We show him what's what."

As I mentioned earlier, in this line of work, you can't afford to lose face. Did you really think you could mess with me? Dared to cross me?

"…If he's someone on the level of the Vigilante, a mere ambush won't be enough. We might need some bait."

"..."

"Hey, you all. Find out everything about Lee Jinhyuk within three days. Every little detail!"

"…Yes, ma'am!"

Several attendants who had been waiting nearby bowed their heads and left the infirmary.

'No matter how strong someone is, they always have a weakness. You must know that, which is why you've been hiding your identity this whole time.'

Seong Yura ran her fingers through her hair.

'There's a chance he might be part of some organization, so we should try to capture him alive.'

Of course, if he resists too much, there's nothing we can do. We'll have to kill him.

Well…

Whether we capture him or kill him, the end result will be the same.

Chapter 63 I Have Something to Say (1) 

South Korea is in an uproar.

Everyone, young and old, is glued to the media.

Television, the internet, newspapers, community forums, and street chatter—all are abuzz with talk of the Union Academy attack.

And it's no wonder, as it's the first time that hundreds of villains have banded together to attack Union Academy, the cradle of heroes.

Union Academy attacked! What are the villains' goals?

– "Is another war with villains looming?" Citizens tremble in fear.

– [Union's Incompetence Exposed] Fails to thwart a massive villain attack.

– 'Numerous injuries reported!' Can we trust the Academy's security and safety?

The media criticized Union Academy for its incompetence and lack of power.

As the top hero training institution in South Korea, it not only failed to properly defend against the villain attack, but the chaotic response led to numerous injuries, big and small, so the criticism was well-deserved.

Parents were busy bombarding the Academy with complaints, expressing doubts about its security system and whether they could trust it to protect their children.

Moreover, the video footage released by Yoo Dahee was a major issue.

The video of the Union Academy attack was plastered all over various portal sites.

The footage clearly showed the incompetence of Union's security personnel and the test instructors.

Scenes of them being easily defeated and collapsing helplessly before unnamed villains shattered the public's faith and trust.

Additionally, the footage revealed hero trainees groveling and begging for their lives, crying and pleading in front of the villains, which was broadcasted for all to see.

Many people who watched the shameful display expressed deep disappointment.

Some criticized the students, wondering how they could surrender to mere villains even if they were just students, while others defended them, saying that they were only trainees who hadn't experienced real combat yet, so it was understandable.

The Union Academy attack was the worst disaster since its founding, causing feelings of disappointment, anxiety, unease, fear, and dread among the public. Even trust in heroes began to erode.

– We apologize once again for Union's inadequate response to this incident and for the significant harm caused to our trainees…

The chairman of Union held a press conference.

Along with words of consolation, he promised to reinforce and improve Union Academy's security system and to prevent such incidents from happening again, desperately trying to calm public opinion.

Additionally, due to the attack, the midterm exams were temporarily suspended, the upcoming final exams were scaled back, and the scheduled group training was canceled altogether.

'…Scaling back the final exams and canceling the group training, huh. This is a mess. Who knows how things will play out from here?'

The story had changed due to this incident.

Who would have thought the final exams and group training would be disrupted?

Both were important main episodes.

They were supposed to play crucial roles in the growth of Soyeon and the male protagonists.

'My original plan was to stick to the storylines as much as possible while helping the protagonists grow. That was the safest and most reliable path.'

But too many things had changed.

To the point where I couldn't predict the future anymore.

'The timing of the attack by Yoo Dahee and the Rebellion members was way too early.'

If the story had followed the game's events, the Rebellion members were supposed to appear during the group training episode.

But for some reason, they crashed the midterm exam site in the first semester.

'The butterfly effect, it must be because of the butterfly effect…'

It was highly likely that all my actions so far had accumulated, leading to the current situation.

I had somewhat expected this, but I never imagined it would happen this soon.

'The Rebellion members are strong. It's going to be hard for the protagonists to face them with their current strength.'

It made sense since the villains had almost fully grown, while the protagonists were still in their growth phase.

They were supposed to gradually face various events, obtain artifacts, build relationships, discover opportunities, train their skills, and awaken powers.

Only after leveling up considerably would they be able to take on these enemies, so it was impossible for them to win right now.

They weren't supposed to face these enemies yet in the game's storyline.

They were all at least mid-boss level or higher.

'…Well, the silver lining is that Lee Siwoon and Kang Daehan seem to be quite motivated.'

Whether it's bad luck or good fortune.

The encounter with Yoo Dahee seemed to have left a significant impact on both of them.

They had probably been called geniuses so often since they were young that they were sick of hearing it, but they got utterly defeated by a white-haired girl they had never seen before.

For male protagonists who lived by their pride, it must have been quite humiliating.

That's why they gritted their teeth and started training in earnest.

Lee Siwoon went back to the best swordsman in the faction to train again, and Kang Daehan sought out his father, one of the strongest of the previous generation, to undergo hellish training.

'Both of them went back to their masters much earlier than they did in the game. This is one of those leveling events

that happens when they're pushed to the brink.' Was it that shocking?

Well, thinking about it, it makes sense.

The sense of helplessness and defeat was something they absolutely couldn't tolerate.

Especially since they had never felt so powerless in front of a girl of the same age, it probably hurt their pride even more.

'In Kang Daehan's case, he was directly mocked by Yoo Dahee in battle.'

Kang Daehan, who is all pride and nothing else.

Given his personality, he'll probably undergo hellish training until he can restore his trampled pride.

'In a little while, they're going to become quite strong.' A blessing in disguise, perhaps?

The protagonists always made significant leaps in strength whenever they faced a life-threatening crisis.

According to the game's settings, the stress of near-death experiences and the desire for power rapidly accelerated their growth.

It's truly a setting befitting the protagonists.

'I was afraid of deviating from the main story, so I tried to be as cautious as possible, but since things have gone this far off track, there's no need to worry about it anymore.'

The male protagonists, being the geniuses they are, will probably grow well on their own even if left alone. What's important now is Soyeon and me.

In my case, since it's hard to get stronger through training, I'll have to rely on artifacts, elixirs, and items.

Of course, these were originally meant for the protagonists, so I tried to avoid touching them as much as possible. After all, even this Space Ring was an artifact that Soyeon was supposed to obtain.

But given the current situation, I'll have to take a bit more.

'Ah, it would be great if I had some kind of useful unique ability like others do.'

Unfortunately, in the game, I never awaken any unique abilities.

I don't know if it's because I'm not a suitable candidate for awakening, or if it's simply because I die before I can awaken.

…Well, I was created to be a sacrificial character, and I'm the worst kind of dullard, so it's only natural that I don't awaken any abilities.

Still, it's a bit disappointing.

If I could just awaken one useful ability, the situation would improve significantly.

"It's been a few days, but the atmosphere at the Academy still isn't great."

"Oh, Yoo Seolhyun."

Suddenly, Yoo Seolhyun was sitting beside me, smiling brightly. Thanks to her, I snapped out of my thoughts.

Yoo Seolhyun hadn't attended the Academy for a few days, probably due to her family, but it seemed she was back starting today.

"Hi? It hasn't been too long, has it?" I quietly looked at her.

Yoo Seolhyun lightly brushed her golden hair aside.

Although the atmosphere at the Academy was gloomy after the villains' attack, Yoo Seolhyun seemed unfazed.

"Lee Jinhyuk. I heard the news." "About what?"

"I heard you got a hit in on that white-haired girl?" Got a hit in?

Where did she pick up that nonsense?

"I heard that even mighty Kang Daehan couldn't land a single blow, but you managed to do it?"

"…It was just a scratch on her hand." "Hehe. That's something, though, isn't it?"

I don't know why she's so interested in my so-called 'achievement.'

Ah, could it be because I'm a potential recruit for her clan, and she's pleased to see me showing some usefulness?

"By the way, Yoo Seolhyun. What about you?" "About what?"

"You didn't show up at the Academy for a few days. Some people were making a fuss, saying it was because you were injured."

"Oh, no. That's not it."

Yoo Seolhyun chuckled and shook her head.

"There was just some talk at home because of the incident. So, I took a short break to discuss things with them."

It seemed that even the Gaon Nuri Clan was quite concerned about the incident.

Well, given that several trainees were injured so severely that they could no longer continue as hero trainees, it made sense.

As a direct descendant of the Gaon Nuri Clan, Yoo Seolhyun would naturally have been a major concern.

"I didn't run into any particularly dangerous villains. I escaped right away under the guidance of the security personnel."

"You were lucky."

If she had accidentally run into the Rebellion members and gotten seriously injured, it would have disrupted my plan.

It was fortunate for me that Yoo Seolhyun didn't get hurt. "Hmm?"

Suddenly, Yoo Seolhyun tilted her head with a playful smile. The smile was as mischievous as that of a teasing child.

What's this?

Why is she acting like this all of a sudden? "Were you worried?"

"Well, I could worry a little, right? Why?" "Hehe. You're being honest?"

I'm not some angsty teenage boy who needs to say something like, 'It's not like I was worried or anything!'

"Eh? Oh, Soyeon, hey there." "It's been a few days, Seolhyun." Soyeon was walking over.

It seemed she was attending school today as well. After greeting Yoo Seolhyun, she quickly looked at me.

Judging by how she was pressing her lips together, it seemed like she had something to say.

"Oh, then I'll leave you two to talk."

Perhaps noticing this, Yoo Seolhyun politely excused herself. "Hey, Jinhyuk."

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I have something to say today. Are you free after school?"

"Well, that's perfect. I have something to say to you too. And something to give you."

I had been thinking about how to help Soyeon and me grow stronger after the Union attack incident.

I finally decided it would be best to lie to Soyeon and tell her I had the ability to foresee the future.

This way, I could use the excuse of foresight to go around collecting various items and artifacts with her.

And if I knew something that others didn't, I could just explain it by saying, 'Haha. I actually saw it through my foresight ability.'

'I wasn't sure how Soyeon would take it before, and there were some concerns, so I hesitated, but now's not the time to worry about that.'

I glanced at Soyeon.

Soyeon gave a wry smile and hesitated slightly. "…So you also had something to say."

"So, Soyeon, what did you want to talk about?" "Me? You know, that thing I mentioned before." "You said you wanted to apologize?"

"I was planning to properly talk about it after the midterms, but since they've been suspended for now…"

Soyeon spoke cautiously.

"I thought if I kept putting it off, I might never say it, and I kind of regret not telling you before the villains attacked."

"But do you even have anything to apologize to me for?" I couldn't hide my confusion.

Did Soyeon really do something that she needed to set the mood and apologize for? I honestly couldn't remember anything.

"Anyway, let's meet at my house after school, Jinhyuk." "Your house?"

"Yes."

Soyeon nodded while twirling the ends of her hair.

"Your house… It's been a while, hasn't it? Oh, how's your mom?"

"She's doing well. She's on a business trip, so I haven't seen her."

"Oh right, she's on a business trip. So today at your place… Wait, what?"

"What's wrong?" "…It's nothing."

So, there's no one at Soyeon's house today? Just the two of us…

It'll be almost evening by the time school ends.

Geez. Isn't she a bit too comfortable with the idea of just the two of us being alone?

I mean…

There was no one there the day she broke up with me either.

It's kind of silly to worry about this now, isn't it? Since it's Soyeon and me…

 Let's not overthink it.

Chapter 64 I Have Something to Say (2)

After the regular classes at the Academy ended, Soyeon and I leisurely began our walk home.

Since Soyeon mentioned wanting to walk for a bit today, we decided to walk part of the way home instead of taking transportation.

Step by step.

The sound of our footsteps echoed gently in my ears as we walked together.

We followed the path along the stream, where the bluish water flowed steadily.

The pleasant breeze and the moist air from the stream softly brushed against my skin.

Carp and gudgeon swam lazily in the clear, pristine water.

A few children were gathered by the water, watching the fish.

"It feels like it's been a while."

A refreshing, clear voice, like a rolling jade bead, tickled my ear softly.

"Since we walked home together, just the two of us." I subtly glanced toward the source of the voice.

There, I saw a beautiful girl with flowing black hair cascading down like a waterfall, her calm amber eyes gazing at me.

She looked like a star shining softly in the night sky.

A lone star in the dark, scattering light and capturing the eyes and hearts of those around her.

"Back in the day…"

Soyeon's voice was tinged with a slight wistfulness as she looked up at the sky before cautiously turning her gaze towards me.

For a brief moment, we looked into each other's eyes. "It felt like we always walked home together."

Was it because of the setting sun?

It seemed like a faint shadow covered Soyeon's face. "Don't you think so?"

Soyeon asked with a slightly blurry expression.

Just as she said, back in middle school, we were almost always together.

If I were to joke, we were like thread and needle, or a pair of straw shoes.

But not anymore.

We can't be like that now.

"At some point, we've spent more time apart." "There was a lot to do… and we were both busy." Soyeon gave a bittersweet smile at my response. "Busy…"

She glanced at me and spoke in a slightly weary voice. "So, you weren't avoiding me on purpose?"

"Huh?"

"…Just kidding, just kidding."

Even though she immediately laughed it off, her laughter gradually faded.

I looked at Soyeon for a moment before trying to lighten the mood.

"Well, we did break up, after all." "Ah."

"Wouldn't it be weird if we kept sticking together?" 

For a brief moment, Soyeon's large eyes trembled slightly.

A faint shadow fell across her eyes. The soft light lingered for a moment before fading away.

"Yeah, we broke up."

"Well, it was a fake relationship anyway." "Fake relationship…"

Soyeon bit her small, rosy lips.

She gave me a quick glance, her eyes filled with a mix of guilt and bitterness, before averting her gaze.

"…It must have been hard. Because of my foolish request."

"Well, I could see you were struggling. So, I could at least do that much for you."

"..."

Even though I answered lightly, as if it was no big deal.

Soyeon's expression twisted slightly, and she bit down on her lower lip.

"…I didn't even realize you were having a hard time." "Soyeon?"

"…You always think about me."

Soyeon muttered quietly with a distant look in her eyes before shaking her head as if to say now wasn't the time for this conversation.

"Ah, let's talk about this later, later."

She forced a smile, though the slight trembling of her lips suggested it wasn't entirely genuine.

"Oh, by the way, look here, look here. Do you remember when we played by this river during the summer festival?"

"…Yeah, I do."

I considered addressing Soyeon's unusually sentimental behavior today, but I decided to let it go for now.

I looked out at the water and raised my voice slightly. "Wasn't it the summer water gun festival?"

"Yeah, yeah."

Soyeon nodded enthusiastically with a smile.

The memories of playing in the water with Soyeon at this very spot during a hot summer day came flooding back to me.

We had come with our parents and splashed water at each other until we were soaked.

I still remember how Soyeon pouted with her cheeks puffed out in frustration after getting completely drenched because of me. Though I felt sorry for her, she looked quite cute.

We shared many memories together as childhood friends. "That was a lot of fun."

"Yeah, it was."

"Back then, we didn't have any worries and could just play together without thinking."

I let out a wry smile.

"Well, if we have time later, we can come back and play again. It's summer now, after all."

"Sh-should we?"

"It would be fun to bring the others along too, don't you think? Like Lee Siwoon and Kim Seoyoon."

"…Siwoon?"

Soyeon's expression darkened again. Did I say something wrong?

You like hanging out with the others, don't you?

Is the atmosphere between you and Lee Siwoon still awkward?

Or maybe, could it be…

"What, did you want to hang out just the two of us?" "W-what? No, I mean…"

Soyeon's eyes widened, and she fidgeted slightly with her fingers.

The way she glanced at me suggested that might really be the case.

Come to think of it, I haven't gone out with Soyeon alone lately.

We used to hang out all the time.

But we're not in that kind of relationship anymore.

How would Lee Siwoon feel if he knew about our relationship?

The reason we decided to walk home together today was because Lee Siwoon had rushed off to train with the Sword Emperor.

"We haven't spent much time together lately, so… I guess I miss it a bit."

"Hey, we're supposed to be broken up, remember? What would people think if they saw us together?"

"…I-is that so?"

"And I should try dating for real at least once. It would be awkward if rumors started because we were hanging out together. You're not trying to sabotage my love life, are you, Soyeon?"

I shrugged and joked with a light tone.

But Soyeon only responded with a faint smile and trembling eyes, as if she were feeling guilty about something.

"Ah, haha. Yeah… You should try dating…"

Soyeon's voice trailed off as she spoke, and then she fell silent.

She hesitated for a moment, her head slightly lowered. There was a brief pause in our conversation.

A slightly awkward silence settled between us. "..."

"..."

Soyeon is acting a bit strange today.

Her reactions are a bit off too.

I shifted my gaze.

The walkway we were on was beautifully decorated with fresh greenery, vines, and flowers. It was well-maintained, given how frequently people used it.

In the distance, I could see the dusk settling among the vibrant leaves.

Oh, is it evening already?

Before I knew it, darkness had fallen, and the lights along the path were casting a warm glow.

Soyeon and I admired the beautiful lights for a moment before feeling a bit hungry and deciding to stop by a street vendor to buy some chicken skewers.

When I said I'd pay, Soyeon waved her arms and said, 'You don't have any money, so I'll treat you today!'

But what she didn't know was… I'm actually loaded.

I'm not kidding, I'm making money every time I breathe.

If she found out how much I've made from stocks, she'd be shocked.

I finished the card payment before Soyeon could, and she gave me a sharp look before sighing and thanking me.

The awkward atmosphere between us melted away as we enjoyed our snacks, admired the scenery along the walkway, and had a light-hearted conversation on our way home.

Even though it was just a simple walk home, it felt like we were back in the old days when we used to chat and have fun together.

Back in middle school, it was normal for us to walk home together, chatting and goofing off.

But ever since I regained my past life memories, I've kept my distance from Soyeon, and we've hardly spent any time together.

Maybe Soyeon felt a bit lonely because of that?

The fact that she wanted to walk home together today and brought up old memories might be a sign that she misses our old relationship.

To be honest, it didn't feel bad to indulge in a bit of nostalgia.

But our relationship can't go back to the way it was. Never.

***

"So, coffee? How about that?" "You're being generous today." "It's for the chicken skewers."

"Is that so? But no thanks, it's already pretty late. I need to go to bed as soon as I get home."

"Ah, you're right."

Before we knew it, we had arrived at Soyeon's house.

Since we had walked partway, it took a bit longer to get there.

But it wasn't a bad walk. It had been a long time since we walked home together, just the two of us.

Soyeon and I casually dropped our bags and jackets and headed to her room.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" "Umm."

Soyeon hesitated, sitting on the bed, so I took the initiative and spoke up.

"Should I go first then?"

"Ah… Sure. You said you had something to say too, right?" "Yeah."

I had something to say and something to give her.

Should I start by lying and saying I've awakened a future foresight ability?

I wasn't sure how Soyeon would take it, but I should say it seriously enough that she would believe it's the truth rather than just a joke.

I needed her to believe I had a foresight ability for the future.

"Soyeon."

"Yes?"

I sat in the chair by her desk and looked at her with a slightly serious expression.

Did she notice the atmosphere change? Soyeon straightened her posture a bit. "The truth is, I have a confession to make." "…A confession?"

"I've been keeping it hidden all this time, but given the situation, I think I should tell you."

"…Wait, what? What are you saying?"

I was about to say, 'Actually, I've been hiding a foresight ability!' but Soyeon's reaction was more flustered than anticipated.

Her eyes darted around, and when our eyes met, she quickly looked down, fidgeting with her fingers.

…How should I put it?

Her expression was a mix of confusion, anxiety, guilt, and perhaps even a bit of regret.

Oh no, did Soyeon misunderstand?

Did she think I was about to confess my love or something?

Well, considering I suddenly got serious and mentioned a confession, it's an understandable misunderstanding. I guess my choice of words was a bit off.

'Well… from Soyeon's perspective, it's understandable that she's flustered.'

If your childhood friend suddenly confessed, it would definitely catch you off guard.

'But normally, Soyeon would think I was joking and just laugh it off.' 

Soyeon wasn't the type to think I liked her. 'But her reaction…'

I scratched my chin for a moment and decided to continue.

Even though it was somewhat amusing to see Soyeon flustered, I couldn't let this misunderstanding go on, so I needed to clear it up quickly.

"A c-confession, Jinhyuk, I…"

"The truth is, I've awakened a foresight-related unique ability."

"…?"

For a moment.

Soyeon's expression turned blank.

Chapter 65 I Have Something to Say (3) 

"Huh, what?"

Was it because she heard something unexpected?

Soyeon blinked her large eyes in confusion at my sudden words.

She tilted her head from side to side, looking puzzled.

She seemed a bit dazed. "Foresight ability…?"

She quietly repeated the words, expressing her doubt. It was understandable if she found it hard to believe.

After all, to her, it might have sounded like some kind of tall tale, given that I was supposed to be powerless and suddenly claimed to have awakened a foresight ability.

"It's a bit sudden… Is it really true?" "Soyeon, would you take a look at this?"

As the saying goes, seeing is believing, so I took out my phone and showed her my stock trading history and profit rates.

Soyeon frowned slightly as she stared blankly at the phone screen, then her expression turned to one of shock.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

She looked as if she had witnessed something that defied all logic.

"A 1200% profit rate…? And the total earnings… No way, is this even possible?"

"It's thanks to the foresight ability."

Considering that it would be impossible to earn this kind of money without a foresight ability, Soyeon was left speechless, her lips moving wordlessly.

She seemed genuinely taken aback by the numbers and the amount of money she had never seen before.

"Jinhyuk, you…"

Instead of trying to explain everything with words, showing her solid evidence and numbers seemed much more convincing.

She seemed to finally believe me. "…You've become rich, huh?"

Soyeon murmured in a dazed voice, 'Even if I worked for my entire life, I wouldn't make as much as Jinhyuk has in just a few months…'

Well, I guess I would have been pretty shocked too if I were in Soyeon's shoes.

"Do you believe now that I have a foresight ability?" "Oh, yes… It's… incredible… A foresight ability…" Soyeon nodded quickly.

She wouldn't think that such a huge amount of money was earned by mere coincidence. Judging by the trade history, I had barely incurred any losses while making substantial gains.

Well, I did take a few small losses here and there on purpose. If I only made profits, people might start suspecting that I had a foresight ability.

…Though even the amount I've made so far is more than enough to raise suspicions.

"Anyway, congratulations, Jinhyuk. You've awakened an amazing ability. I know it was tough for you being powerless."

Soyeon offered her sincere congratulations. It was pure, untainted by jealousy or envy.

There's a saying that someone feels jealous when their cousin buys land, but Soyeon was genuinely happy for me, smiling brightly.

"But is it okay to tell me about this?" "Huh? What do you mean?"

"Well, usually when someone has an ability like this, they wouldn't share it openly. You've been hiding it on purpose too."

"Oh, that."

In a world where even winning the lottery worth tens of billions would lead people to hide it from their family and keep it a tightly guarded secret…

A foresight ability, especially, is far more valuable than any lottery.

In our current information society, the value of a foresight ability could be considered astronomical.

If such an ability were to be leaked to unfavorable groups or organizations, it could put the person in significant danger.

That's why most people with abilities like this don't tell even their family, friends, or partners.

There have even been cases where a relative sold out a foresight ability user's information for a huge profit.

There aren't many people who can resist the allure of vast sums of money.

But Soyeon wasn't like that.

It wasn't just blind faith because she was my close friend— her character, along with the memories we had shared over more than ten years, made her trustworthy.

Of course, I was in a position where I had to tell her I had a foresight ability, so I could hand over various items and go farming together from time to time. "It's okay."

"Huh?"

"It's you. I trust you."

"Oh… uh… It's a bit much for you to trust me this much… Ah, haha."

Even if it seemed a bit cheesy, I decided to speak seriously.

Soyeon responded with an awkward laugh and twisted her hair around her finger, not knowing how to react.

It seemed she felt a bit embarrassed about me openly saying I trusted her.

"Soyeon, the reason I'm telling you this is because there's something I want you to have."

I pulled a simple black bracelet out of my pocket.

Ah, I need to give this to her, but will she accept it? There's a reason I haven't given it to her until now—there's a high chance she won't take it.

Soyeon looked at the bracelet with a puzzled expression. "A bracelet? All of a sudden?"

"…This is actually…"

I paused for a moment and fiddled with the bracelet.

I needed to choose my words carefully from here on out.

If I misspoke, it could lead to some misunderstandings. How should I phrase it to persuade Soyeon?

After a brief moment of silence, I slowly started to speak. "Think of it as a sort of protective bracelet…" "Protective?"

"Yeah. If you press this slightly raised part, it sends a signal."

"Huh? So, it's like a tracking device?" Soyeon's eyebrows furrowed slightly. I knew she would react negatively.

Recently, Soyeon had experienced a stalker incident, so the idea of someone knowing her location probably didn't sit well with her.

But from my perspective, it was essential to be able to quickly locate Soyeon in case of an emergency.

The recent Union attack made this clear—I had no way to pinpoint Soyeon's location when villains infiltrated the Academy, which put me in a difficult position.

In the game, I could just look at the minimap to see where she was, but real life isn't a game.

If I couldn't find Soyeon quickly in a dangerous situation, it would be hard to come up with a plan.

At the very least, I needed to ensure Soyeon's safety and know her location.

'But this bracelet is basically a tracking device, so Soyeon will probably be uncomfortable with it.'

Actually, most people would feel that way, not just Soyeon.

Even couples are often reluctant to install location tracking apps, feeling like it's restrictive and controlling.

Hmm. I guess that's true.

I would probably have been against it too. "Isn't this a bit much…?"

"Soyeon. I told you I have a foresight ability, right?" "Y-Yeah, you did."

"But I didn't foresee this incident."

"You mean…the Union Academy attack?" I nodded slowly in response.

I planned to talk to her about various things and build up the reasoning for why she needed to wear this bracelet.

"A foresight ability has strict usage conditions, and I can't just choose which future I want to see."

"Oh, I've heard that before. It's the biggest drawback of a foresight ability."

Soyeon seemed to have some knowledge about foresight abilities.

"Soyeon, you were in real danger back then. If I and the others had been even a bit later, who knows what could have happened…"

"Yeah. I was really grateful back then. Honestly, I thought I was halfway to death. It was lucky that no one died."

Soyeon replied while scratching her cheek. Just as she said, no one died back then. But there's no guarantee that it will always be like that.

"Soyeon."

I gave a slight, bitter smile.

"You know how my parents passed away, right?" "…Yeah."

When I suddenly mentioned my deceased parents, Soyeon's face became solemn, and she nodded.

This wasn't something I was bringing up needlessly. Back then, I had truly struggled with my parents' deaths,

and I wanted to make it clear to Soyeon that I was sensitive

about matters related to death.

"I don't know what you think, but I consider you almost family. We've been together since we were little."

"Oh…"

"From my perspective, if something happened to you, I wouldn't be able to handle it… When I saw you lying there, bleeding, half-dead… it reminded me of my parents."

"..."

While it might seem like I was laying it on thick, I had to say these things now to justify giving her the bracelet.

"Sometimes, my foresight ability shows me bad futures. Like a future where you get seriously injured."

"Really?"

"Most of the time, I can prevent them, but if my foresight doesn't activate, like in this recent incident, it can be really dangerous."

"But wouldn't that be inevitable if you're active as a hero…"

"Yeah, heroes naturally have to take risks. But that's not where you are right now."

I gently reached out and placed the bracelet in Soyeon's hand.

Soyeon took the bracelet somewhat hesitantly.

"I know you probably feel uncomfortable about this. But something like this could happen again, right?"

"…Yeah."

"And it seems like you've caught the attention of that white- haired female villain. She might come after you for revenge later."

"..."

Of course, Yoo Dahee isn't the type to seek revenge over something like that.

"Soyeon, so don't take it too personally. Think of it as a personal protection smartwatch given by the police. It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it, right?"

"I don't really feel bad about it, just…" Soyeon hesitated for a moment.

Her expression was conflicted.

She slowly fiddled with the bracelet.

Then she let out a deep sigh, as if she had no other choice. "Well, since you're insisting so much, I'll take it…"

She glanced at me as she spoke.

"…But don't you think you're trying to overprotect me?" "It does feel like that, doesn't it?"

"Well, it's not just that you called me simply a friend, or even half a family member…"

At that moment.

"…But doing all this for a friend, does that mean… it's something else?"

Soyeon cautiously muttered, sneaking glances at me. "…?"

What is she talking about now?

Chapter 66 I Have Something to Say (4)

"…Well, anyway, there's one more thing I want to give you."

I ignored Soyeon's subtle reaction and slowly reached out into the air.

Soyeon tilted her head, watching me curiously.

She seemed puzzled as to why I suddenly raised my hand. Soon, a crack appeared in the air.

It split open like a crack in a glass window.

From within the subtle fissure, a sword handle popped out.

As I gripped the handle tightly and pulled, a sharp blade began to emerge.

"Huh? A sword from thin air? How… how is this possible?"

"There's an artifact that allows you to store items. I was able to obtain it thanks to my foresight ability."

"A-An artifact…?"

She seemed quite shocked.

Her mouth opened slightly in surprise.

It looked like she was even more astonished than when I told her about my foresight ability or when she realized I had become a millionaire.

"An artifact… and you even have a sword… That's… that's amazing."

"Well, anyway, would you like to take a look at this sword?" "Huh? Oh, sure."

Soyeon, still somewhat dazed, accepted the sword.

At first glance, it appeared rather ordinary, but just looking at it gave the illusion that it could slice through your skin with its sharpness.

That was to be expected since this sword was a remarkable weapon.

In the game's lore, it was classified as a "Masterpiece," a weapon wielded by a character known as the Vigilante.

The Vigilante was not a character that appeared in the game.

He was never directly featured, only mentioned, so he remained somewhat shrouded in mystery. However, it was established that he had reached an extraordinary level at a young age.

He might have even been stronger than Yoo Dahee in her early days.

After all, there was a backstory where even Baek Yoorin, the apprentice of the Sword Emperor, was completely defeated

by the Vigilante a few years ago.

As a result, Baek Yoorin held a deep grudge against the Vigilante.

"…This is a fine sword."

While I was lost in thought, Soyeon carefully examined the sword, murmuring a brief but sincere compliment.

Though its simple design made it look somewhat plain, Soyeon, being a swordsman herself, seemed to notice that it was an exceptional weapon.

The Vigilante had used this sword to cut down many villains, so its performance in battle was certainly proven.

It was a sword too valuable for an archer like me to use. "Y-You're really giving this sword to me?"

"Yeah."

Soyeon's eyes widened, and she stammered slightly, as if she couldn't believe it.

"But… it looks really expensive… I don't think I can accept something like this…"

As a swordsman, she seemed quite tempted by the sword, but she quickly shook her head, resisting the desire.

Though she couldn't know its exact price, she could tell it was an incredibly valuable weapon.

Even if we were close friends, accepting something this expensive would naturally make her feel burdened.

If it were me, I probably would have refused too… Wait, no, I would have accepted it. If a friend who won the lottery offered to buy me a car, I would have taken it without hesitation.

Wouldn't most people accept it if someone who had won a huge amount of money offered to buy them something?

So why was Soyeon refusing so adamantly?

"Don't worry about it. You know I have a lot of money. It's not exactly pocket change, but it's close."

"But…"

Soyeon, that sword is actually stolen. It's stolen goods.

"I actually bought it as a birthday present for you." "R-Really?"

"Even though there's still quite some time until your birthday, I'm giving it to you early because there might be another incident like the one that just happened. Think of it as a protective gift."

Like it or not, the main storyline of Romance Hero Academy had taken several unexpected twists and turns.

It was impossible to predict when, where, or how something might happen.

There might even come a time when Soyeon would have to fight a dangerous villain alone outside the Academy.

This sword, along with the tracking bracelet, would help her handle unexpected situations to some extent.

"Still, just accepting something like this… It feels a bit…"

"Think of it as a kind of bribe. I'm giving it to you so you can save me if I'm ever in danger."

"..."

"So, don't overthink it. It's just a sword, after all." "…Jinhyuk."

Suddenly, Soyeon lowered her head.

For some reason, the atmosphere felt off.

While fiddling with the bracelet and the sword I had given her, Soyeon let out a deep sigh.

Then, she slowly began to speak.

Her low, somber voice echoed in my ears. "…Actually, there's something I heard." "Huh? What did you hear?"

I tilted my head slightly at Soyeon's hesitant words.

"…I heard you and Yoo Seolhyun talking on the roof of the Academy building."

She heard me talking with Yoo Seolhyun? What exactly did she hear?

"About how you planned to help with the stalker incident, why you were trying to set up Siwoon and me, and…"

Soyeon bit her lip for a moment. She looked down slightly, hesitating.

After a brief pause, Soyeon took a deep breath and continued.

"…And also that you liked me since we were young."

"Huh?"

"…I heard everything."

Soyeon closed her eyes tightly as she spoke, leaving me momentarily stunned.

'…She overheard everything I said to Yoo Seolhyun on the rooftop during the stalker incident? About how I had a crush on Soyeon and was trying to set her up with Lee Siwoon to get over her?'

Looking back, I did say some pretty embarrassing things to convince Yoo Seolhyun. I never imagined she'd overhear all of it.

Well, uh. How should I put it? This is kind of embarrassing.

"Jinhyuk, ever since then, there's been something I've wanted to say to you."

Soyeon slowly lifted her head and looked me straight in the eyes. Her amber eyes trembled slightly.

I could clearly see an unknown guilt and remorse in them. "S-So…"

Soyeon swallowed nervously, her eyebrows furrowing as she spoke slowly, her expression full of guilt.

"I… I'm really sorry…! I-I didn't know, and I asked you to do something strange like pretending to be my fake boyfriend…!"

"..."

"I never really thought about how you must have felt taking on that request… I… I'm sorry…"

"..."

"You must have been really struggling… I, I just kept laughing and joking around without knowing anything…"

"..."

As I listened to Soyeon's apologies, I quietly observed her face.

'Soyeon, you're misunderstanding something again.'

She seemed to be mistaken because of the intense performance I gave on the rooftop.

She probably feels guilty for asking me to pretend to be her fake boyfriend, thinking it was hard for me because of my feelings for her.

I suppose it makes sense. She did ask someone who supposedly had a crush on her to pretend to be her boyfriend while she was off laughing and chatting with other guys. It would naturally make her feel guilty.

If she were a more brazen person, she might have thought, 'Well, it's not like you refused. I didn't hold a knife to your throat. You agreed to it, didn't you?' But Soyeon was a genuinely kind person.

She was the type to apologize sincerely for something most people would have just brushed off.

'Is this what she wanted to talk about today?'

Does she feel guilty because she thinks I suffered for a long time because of my feelings for her and the fake relationship?

'Good grief.'

I smiled wryly to myself.

Soyeon was glancing at me, apologizing earnestly. A mischievous thought crossed my mind, but given the situation, I decided not to tease her.

"So… I don't think I can accept this sword." "Huh?"

"It feels like you're doing too much for me, Jinhyuk. It doesn't seem like it's just out of kindness."

Soyeon hesitated, trying to return the bracelet and the sword to me. When I didn't take them and just stared at her,

she slowly spoke again.

"Even though we've been friends since we were little, this feels like too much… And… it feels like I'm taking advantage of your feelings…"

"Haah."

I let out a deep sigh.

Ah, so this is why she's been refusing. "Soyeon."

"Yes?"

I thought for a moment about how to explain this.

It was obvious she wouldn't believe me if I suddenly said, 'Haha, what I said on the rooftop was just a lie~!'

So, I decided to come up with a simple and straightforward explanation to convince her.

Something that would make her stop feeling unnecessary guilt and burden.

She'd probably stop worrying if I said this, right?

"It's true that I secretly liked you back in the day. You're pretty, after all. Any guy would naturally be drawn to you."

"Oh, I-Is that so? Uh, yeah."

Was she flustered because she suddenly heard that I liked her?

Soyeon stammered, her cheeks turning slightly pink.

She seemed very flustered, unable to make eye contact, her gaze darting around.

She might have suspected that I liked her already, but hearing it directly from me must have embarrassed her.

If it were the usual Soyeon, she might have joked, saying something like, 'Ah! This body's popularity!' But even she wasn't joking around in this atmosphere.

"So, when we were pretending to be in a fake relationship, it was a bit hard for me at times."

"Yeah… I'm sorry."

"But it's not your fault. If anything, it was my fault for not refusing your request."

As I said, Soyeon wasn't to blame.

It was my responsibility to accept her request, and besides, I didn't suffer because I didn't actually like her romantically.

"Around the time we entered the Academy, I did ask to end the fake relationship because I was a bit exhausted."

"..."

Soyeon bit her lower lip and showed a troubled expression.

Not wanting to see the guilt on her face any longer, I tried to put her at ease with a gentle smile.

"But now I'm fine."

I shrugged as if it was all in the past.

"I found someone else I like."

"…Huh?"

"I don't like you anymore." "…Is that so?"

To lighten the mood, I decided to speak more casually.

"Hoo… But I didn't expect you to find out. Ah, this is a bit embarrassing."

I laughed playfully, trying to brush it off, and patted Soyeon's shoulder lightly.

"It used to be hard watching you hang out with other guys, but I'm okay now."

"..."

"The truth is, setting you up with Lee Siwoon wasn't out of lingering feelings, but more like I wanted to confirm my own emotions. Plus, it seemed like Lee Siwoon was interested in you, so I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone."

"..."

"It's all in the past, Soyeon. So, you don't need to feel so guilty. I'm not bothered by it, so you shouldn't be either. Okay? Let's not make things awkward over this."

"…Yeah, okay."

"As they say, wounds are healed by new love… Ah, what am I even saying? Haha."

After ending my silly joke, I stood up from the chair. "Ah, it's already this late."

I placed the sword and bracelet firmly in Soyeon's hands.

"And remember, these are just gifts. So, don't overthink it. I have plenty of money, and I don't have much to spend it on anyway. Ah, did that sound obnoxious? Anyway."

"..."

"Well, I should get going now." "Ah. Wait, Jinhyuk…"

"Oh, it's too late. Let's talk tomorrow."

Before Soyeon could try to refuse again, I quickly cut her off and hurried out of the room. Soyeon, can't you just accept the gifts and say thank you?

I need you to help me clear low-level dungeons and monsters during the break so we can level up and farm some artifacts.

"..."

When I glanced back, I noticed that Soyeon seemed slightly restless.

She even looked a bit confused.

***

Inside the room Lee Jinhyuk had just left. "..."

Jin Soyeon stood silently, staring at the door through which Lee Jinhyuk had just exited. She replayed their conversation in her mind.

She had thought that Lee Jinhyuk must have suffered a lot from the fake relationship.

But contrary to her expectations, he didn't seem particularly bothered, which was a relief.

He even laughed it off, saying it was all in the past, just a memory now.

It was proof that his feelings for her had become nothing more than a distant memory.

It didn't seem like he was pretending—he genuinely seemed to feel that way.

And hadn't Lee Jinhyuk said it himself? That he didn't like her anymore.

That he had found someone else he liked.

The fact that Lee Jinhyuk wouldn't suffer because of her anymore was truly good news.

Lee Jinhyuk should experience a proper relationship with a nice girl at least once.

In that sense, it was great news for both of them that he no longer saw Jin Soyeon as a romantic interest.

Now they could truly just be friends.

She had been worried that their long-standing childhood friendship might crumble, but now she didn't have to worry

about that.

As long as Lee Jinhyuk didn't see Jin Soyeon as a romantic interest anymore, their friendship would continue.

Yes, yes.

It was really a relief.

It was truly a relief that Jinhyuk had moved on from his feelings for her and liked someone else now…

At that moment.

– I found someone else I like. Ouch.

– I don't like you anymore.

Ouch.

"Jinhyuk doesn't like me anymore…?"

The fleeting thought crossed her mind, and she murmured it out loud.

Then, huh?

That's strange. Why all of a sudden?

Why… why does it… hurt so much in my chest…? 

Chapter 67 vs Seong Yura (1) 

Night.

The night had come.

Jin Soyeon lay on her bed, dressed in her light pink pajamas, trying to sleep as usual, but something felt off. Her heart was strangely restless.

She tossed and turned, unable to calm her unsettled mind.

But no matter how much she moved, her mood didn't improve.

Jin Soyeon hugged her large penguin plushie tightly.

The warm, soft texture gently comforted her. Ah, now that she thought about it, this plushie was a birthday present from Jinhyuk. For some reason, that made her feel even more uneasy.

"Sigh."

She let out a deep sigh and glanced out the window.

The world outside was enveloped in a cozy darkness, but Jin Soyeon's mind was wide awake.

Sleep… Sleep just wouldn't come.

The reason she was lying there, wide-eyed, was because of the conversation she'd had with Lee Jinhyuk earlier.

– I found someone else I like.

– I don't like you anymore.

Those two statements pierced Jin Soyeon's heart like sharp stakes, refusing to leave.

She had heard the answer she wanted, yet her mood was sinking strangely low.

Why did her heart feel so unsettled?

In truth, Jin Soyeon had some awareness of the reason, which made her bite her lower lip.

She didn't want to admit it, but given the situation, it was hard to keep denying it like a fool.

It was because when Lee Jinhyuk said he didn't like her anymore, it felt like her heart was being squeezed tight.

And when he said he liked another girl, it felt like needles were pricking her heart.

These feelings and sensations could only mean one thing.

Even someone as dense as Jin Soyeon could understand that.

'Come to think of it, I've felt this way a few times before.'

That uncomfortable feeling whenever Lee Jinhyuk was laughing and chatting with girls like Yoo Seolhyun.

At first, she thought it was just concern that her precious childhood friend might get entangled with someone as unpleasant as Yoo Seolhyun.

But now she realized that it was a bit different.

No, it wasn't just different—it was completely different… "Is this… jealousy?"

Jin Soyeon quietly murmured in a hushed voice.

The voice that floated into the air slowly seeped into her ears, turning her thoughts into a jumbled mess.

"I didn't expect this."

She unconsciously raised her arm.

On her left wrist was the bracelet that Lee Jinhyuk had given her earlier.

A simple bracelet. She remembered Jinhyuk's face as he earnestly asked her to carry it for self-defense.

He truly cared about Jin Soyeon as a friend and family member.

Like an older brother worrying about his naive younger sister.

In the past, Jin Soyeon would have accepted his kindness without a second thought, but now it only made her feel more conflicted.

Really, it was just so confusing.

'Is the reason I'm feeling jealous… because of that?'

Of course, she didn't know if it was simply liking him or something deeper, like love.

But it was clear that she had some level of affection for him as a man.

Affection… Affection, huh. At this point… Sigh.

When did this even start?

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't figure it out.

The more she thought about it, the more her head hurt. Jin Soyeon tightly closed her eyes.

It was already late into the night.

She needed to sleep to prepare for tomorrow… Huh? 'Wait, what's that? A presence?'

She sensed a faint presence outside her door.

At first, she thought it was her imagination, but she could faintly feel the movements of unknown individuals.

'Inside the house? Who could it be?'

Before joining Union Academy, she wouldn't have even been able to notice such a subtle presence.

But after the life-and-death battles against the Black- Handed Long-Armed Monkey and Seong Yura's assassins, she had grown significantly.

'This isn't just a simple thief. They know how to conceal their presence.'

Jin Soyeon quickly grabbed the sword that was leaning against her bed. It was the masterpiece sword that Jinhyuk had given her. She never thought she'd have to use it so soon.

At that moment.

The door creaked open, and several figures entered.

They were all villains on par with active heroes.

***

I checked the wall clock while seated. "…What's going on? Why is Soyeon so late?"

Usually, Soyeon would arrive at the Academy early, but today she was unusually late.

It couldn't be that she overslept… Was it because of what happened yesterday?

Hmm.

"Excuse me for a moment."

"Huh?"

A soft, melodious voice gently brushed my ears, making me blink.

I slowly turned my head to see who it was.

Pink hair and eyes reminiscent of the blue ocean. A sharp nose and lips like cherries. Even the aura of holy power she exuded.

She was so beautiful that she could easily be compared to Soyeon—a girl of stunning beauty.

But… this girl is… "Roxanne?" "Yes."

It was Roxanne, surprisingly enough.

Why was she talking to me? There shouldn't be any reason for that. Is it because I helped her during the Battle Survival exam? But there were plenty of other trainees who helped, not just me.

"Could I borrow some of your time? I have something important to discuss."

"..."

Something important…

Getting involved with Roxanne could risk drawing Seong Yura's attention, but if she sought me out to talk about something important, it might be worth listening to.

Roxanne wasn't the type to waste time on trivial matters.

"Alright, but only until the morning assembly starts." "Thank you."

We stepped out of the classroom for a moment.

We walked down the corridor until we reached a place where no one else was around.

"Now then."

Roxanne cautiously looked around before snapping her fingers.

She had set up a barrier of some sort.

'Why would she set up a barrier just to talk?'

I scratched my chin, feeling a vague sense of unease, while Roxanne quietly looked up at me and slowly began to speak.

"It's you… isn't it?" "What do you mean?"

"The one who saved me at Yuksung Mountain in Chungnam."

Yuksung Mountain in Chungnam? I furrowed my brow.

Wasn't that where I went to farm the Space Ring?

I vaguely remembered a couple being attacked by three villains.

Could it be that the woman being attacked back then was Roxanne?

Her face looked completely different. Was she in disguise?

"How did you figure it out?"

I saw no point in denying it at this moment, so I decided to be upfront.

Back then, I had hidden my face with a hat and a multi- mask, so Roxanne shouldn't have been able to recognize me.

"The sword and bow you were equipped with gave it away." Sword and bow?

"I remembered that the gear you used during the midterms was very similar to what you used at Yuksung Mountain."

"Ah."

I remembered using Vigilante's Sword and the Giant Crow Bow for Large Monsters both at Yuksung Mountain and during the midterms.

I didn't expect to be found out this way.

"To be honest, I wasn't entirely sure based on that alone. But when I saw you block the attack of the white-haired villain who radiated intense killing intent and even wounded her, I knew."

That wound I inflicted on Yoo Dahee was mostly luck. "And your voice sounded similar too."

"Well, I get it. But you didn't call me out just to reveal my identity, did you? You said you had something important to discuss. What is it?"

"I need your help."

"Help?"

"Yes."

Roxanne nodded cautiously.

"It seems Seong Yura was also involved in the recent Union attack. She likely has deep ties with a villain organization."

"Hmm."

"Seong Yura has clearly crossed the line. Someone needs to stop her, but I alone can't do it."

"…Why don't you report it to the police or the Heroes Association?"

"I've tried, but it was no use. Seong Yura has significant influence over many areas, including politics, the business world, the prosecutors, and the hero community."

Yeah, that makes sense.

Seong Yura must be offering a lot of bribe money.

Unless there's irrefutable evidence, the authorities won't be able to touch her.

"Lee Jinhyuk. I know you're far more skilled than an active hero. So…"

"Sorry, but I can't help you."

I cut Roxanne off, refusing her request firmly.

That was because helping her would be extremely dangerous. I didn't want to get on Seong Yura's bad side just yet. Maybe someday down the line, but she was too much for me to handle right now.

Seong Yura is a villain meant to be dealt with in the mid or late stages of the story.

The forces she has built up are comparable to, or even surpass, those of a high-ranker.

"I'm not just asking for help. I can assist you as well, so we would be helping each other."

"What kind of help?"

What help could I possibly need from Roxanne?

"If I figured it out, Seong Yura might have too. She may have realized during the midterms that you're the one who interfered at Yuksung Mountain."

"Ah, crap."

Come to think of it, Seong Yura was the one who sent the villains to Yuksung Mountain!

Considering I used the same gear during the Battle Survival exam, it's highly likely that Seong Yura discovered my identity.

Actually, she certainly did.

Knowing Seong Yura's character… Damn, I'm screwed.

"Given Seong Yura's usual behavior, she might target the people around you rather than coming after you directly."

Indeed, based on Seong Yura's character, she might take one of my family members hostage.

That is if she mistakenly believes I'm strong. But I don't have any family.

As unfortunate as it is, my parents passed away a few years ago.

So there's no one she could take hostage…

"My faction's power is weaker than Seong Yura's, but it could help protect the people around you."

"..."

"Whether you accept or refuse my request, I promise to do my best to protect them. After all, it's because you helped me that this situation arose."

"..."

"But if Seong Yura is left unchecked, you'll have to keep taking risks. That's why I think it would be best for both of us if you cooperate with me to take her down."

"..."

I closed my eyes, lost in thought.

Of all people, why did I have to get entangled with Seong Yura?

Seong Yura is a true villain—a real one.

She treats human lives as trivial, so if left unchecked, she could do something disastrous.

And she has numerous assassins under her command.

'Damn. If Seong Yura is really targeting me, I can't just ignore this…'

Fortunately, Seong Yura does have one weakness.

It's the classic secret ledger often found in dramas, novels, and games—the Achilles' heel of villains.

Given how she expanded her power through illegal activities, that secret ledger contains records of bribes, transactions, and other crucial information about key figures in politics.

If I could get my hands on that, I could seriously threaten Seong Yura's stronghold.

Of course, the problem is that the secret ledger is hidden deep within Seong Yura's heavily guarded mansion, which is often called a den of demons.

"I should have approached you sooner to discuss this, but it took me a while to realize your identity."

It's true that several days had passed since the midterms were interrupted. If she wanted to discuss this, she should have come to me sooner.

"Moreover, because of this incident, the church's opposition has been strong, so I couldn't attend the Academy for a few days. I'm sorry. But at least it seems like Seong Yura hasn't made any moves yet, so that's a relief…

– Riiiing. Riiiing. "You can answer it."

"It's Soyeon's number." Something feels ominous.

It might just be a hunch, but I have a bad feeling about this. A really bad one.

"Soyeon, why aren't you coming to school?"

"Sorry, but this isn't Jin Soyeon. It would be in your best interest to arrive at the location specified in the message by precisely 11:00 AM, Lee Jinhyuk. You know what will happen if you're late, right?"

"Jin… Jinhyuk, don't come…!" Click.

The call ended.

I gripped my phone tightly.

I heard Seong Yura's voice on the other end, along with Soyeon's. Damn it. Why is it that my bad feelings are never wrong? Damn it, seriously.

"…It looks like we're already too late." "Huh?"

"That was Seong Yura's voice. It seems she's kidnapped my childhood friend."

I bit my lower lip in frustration, knowing that events like this often happened to the main heroines when they were kidnapped by villains.

'Seong Yura, that damn woman.' How dare she touch Soyeon?

I'm worried about the other Rebellion members, but there's no choice now.

I'll have to involve Lee Siwoon and Yoo Seolhyun and find a way to deal with Seong Yura once and for all.