Academy's Silver Gatekeeper-Chapter 79

On the way home, I continued talking with Han Jiyoon.

Starting with trivial topics at first, then gradually moving to heavier subjects.

"By the way, there's one thing I'm most curious about."

"What is it?"

"That day, when students went out for practice and were ambushed. How did the villains know so precisely to ambush them? That's really puzzling."

The personnel going for external support and the professor leading them, and the date might be announced in advance but where the practice group is headed, which dungeon, that location is only notified on the day.

If they knew the date in advance and examined all dungeon clearing statuses, and if they could track the movements of state ability users down to the last detail, they might be able to make some predictions, but this ambush was too precise.

Moreover, from what Han Jiyoon told me, it wasn't just our Team 5 that was ambushed. All other teams were also subjected to large-scale attacks by villains.

Fortunately, there were no tragic deaths on those teams. That was a huge relief. If someone had died, there couldn't be anything more terrible. It seems the main force of the attacking villains was all concentrated on our Team 5.

"We're continuing to investigate that matter."

"If you're investigating, then it seems my suspicion was right."

"What were you thinking, Seojin?"

"What else? That there's a mole inside the Academy."

I mentioned an internal spy directly, without beating around the bush.

It probably isn't just a student. Most likely, it's a faculty member. Or it could be a student who received information from a faculty member. Either way, it's definitely not welcome news for the Academy.

Han Jiyoon was silent for a while before responding to my opinion.

"For now, we're considering that possibility."

"When you say 'possibility,' it means you're not one hundred percent certain."

"There have been continuous efforts by villains to infiltrate the Academy or plant collaborators before. However, until now, all were detected and blocked in advance."

"But there's no guarantee that will last forever."

"...That's true."

Indeed, even a tree won't stand after being hit ten times, as they say. It seems that even the Academy wall, which had stood so well, was finally crumbling.

"Since that case has finally occurred, the Headmaster must be burning with anxiety."

"He's extremely concerned. He can't pinpoint and suspect just one person."

A mole who has broken through the Academy's strict security and established themselves. At that level, they wouldn't behave in ways that would seem suspicious to others. They're probably hiding themselves thoroughly, so it won't be easy to find them.

'If only I could step up and brilliantly expose the spy.'

But unfortunately, I don't know anything about the spy. It's not that I don't remember – the spy was never mentioned in the novel at all. No mention of who they were, who they contacted, not even a hint of suspicious behavior.

There are two possibilities. Either I'm not remembering a part, or a trigger that was supposed to activate later suddenly activated. Either way, it's not pleasant. An Academy with a mole.

"Let's stop this conversation here. It just makes our hearts heavy."

"Is it perhaps an aftereffect?"

"No, it's not that. The doctors examined me thoroughly."

It's Ma Hakjun and Han Jiyoon's job. My further comments would only give them headaches. And both are trustworthy figures, so they'll surely expose the spy.

When I changed the subject, Han Jiyoon smiled gratefully.

"Were there any special events while I was unconscious?"

"Why wouldn't there be? There were. Many, in fact."

Han Jiyoon said that and suddenly held something out in front of me.

It was a screen with various internet articles collected.

My goodness. These are all articles related to me.

'It's so long. Let's see, to summarize...'

Unknown ability user battles fiercely with Elder! The protagonist is a civil servant currently working in the Ability Measurement Department!

Having been dispatched to the Academy by chance, he made his mark in this incident! What's more, this protagonist even received a handshake from Irina! He also demonstrated tremendous combat abilities in the previous villain urban attack!

Our society hasn't fallen yet! There are hidden heroes like this!

"...Wow."

"What do you think?"

"It makes me cringe just reading it."

"Ahaha! They all write like this these days. That's the only way people will read it."

Well, they need to grab attention to get people to look, whether they praise or criticize. But isn't this too cringeworthy? Anyone reading it would think I saved the world.

"Surely you didn't expect this situation?"

"I did. But..."

I didn't expect so many articles to be spread everywhere.

"I thought the Headmaster and Professor would cover it up like before."

"That was different. Back then, witness statements varied, and the Elder wasn't injured. But this time is different. Academy students, state ability users. On top of that, Kwak Hyuk, that man, went back with an X-shaped scar on his chest and a broken spear."

It was something I did, but hearing it from someone else makes me think I must have been crazy. How could I have thought of fighting an Elder? Unless I had a death wish. They're called demigods. It's not just because they're strong or have good abilities.

S-rank users can be described as truly incomprehensible beings. Transforming into shadows, or just taking one jump and flying around. Even with a chest split open with a loud crack, they act calmly.

'Even Han Jiyoon standing right in front of me is actually a monster.'

One proper swing of her sword could cleanly cut down an apartment building. The sword blade doesn't even need to make direct contact. Magic power is enough. Every place Han Jiyoon's vision reaches could be said to be within her sword's range.

However, since she's inherently a good person, she's often called to various places. Like in this incident, sometimes she arrives late.

'It's like an invisible penalty that powerful people always have.'

S-ranks haven't given up being human, so they're tied to society. Elders don't get along even with each other, so they restrain themselves to avoid giving others a reason. Ability users don't indiscriminately slaughter villains because social perception is annoying. Even villains, except for a few, don't want the world to disappear, so they precariously cross the line.

In this way, everyone strangely carries some odd penalty. Come to think of it, all ability users somehow have that aspect.

Kang Hana's magic temporarily weakens in hot places. Yoo Dasom's healing ability decreases if she's not at the forefront of battle. And me, unless I'm blocking someone, I'm just a civil servant.

"We're almost there."

"So we are. Just go straight ahead from here and turn left, and you'll see a laundry shop. You can drop me off there. I live right above it."

"You're not getting pressured or anything, are you?"

At the sudden question, I looked at Han Jiyoon, wondering what she meant.

"I think you might be better off moving. I think the higher-ups will recommend it too."

"Is that for safety reasons? Because my identity has been completely exposed?"

"That's part of it, but it's also for your convenience. You may not know, but being the center of public attention. It's not as pleasant as you might think."

“This isn't a joke, I'm serious.” Han Jiyoon added that and sincerely suggested I consider moving.

'Moving, huh.'

As far as I know, the original Baek Seojin had lived here for a few years. So if it were him, he might have had some attachment to this place.

'But I don't.'

First of all, a home should be spacious. Whether I live alone or whatever, that's better. Do you know how miserable it is not having space to put a clothes drying rack between your desk and bed? If the country is going to move me, I should just say "Great!" and go immediately. Absolutely.

"Is this it? The laundry shop you mentioned."

"Ah, yes. This is it. You can drop me off here."

Opening the door and getting out, Han Jiyoon followed me out of the car. Then, after looking around a few times, she nodded.

"It's quite empty, isn't it?"

"No. It's quiet and nice. Better than being noisy."

Han Jiyoon, who said that, slightly opened the entrance door for me. She's treating me like a patient even though I'm completely fine. I couldn't help but smile, feeling grateful inside. freёnovelkiss.com

"Don't worry about work."

"Pardon?"

"The Headmaster asked, and your department agreed. Since you sustained a major injury, even though it's all healed, there could be mental shock, so take about three days to rest well..."

After briefly thinking about Han Jiyoon's words, I shook my head. Surprised at my clear refusal, Han Jiyoon made an "Umm?" sound.

"Don't tell me you're planning to go to work tomorrow?"

"Yes. And coincidentally, tomorrow is a weekday. If it were a weekend, I'd have gone with it, but on a weekday, of course I should go to work. My body is fine, and I've been discharged."

"But you've been given permission to rest more..."

"I'm very grateful for your concern. Both to you, Professor Han Jiyoon, and to the Headmaster. But don't we all have jobs to do? As a civil servant, someone who lives off taxes, I should work even harder."

I really can't afford to delay anymore. I'm the one who made such a scene against an Elder and even wounded him. So what will happen next is too obvious.

Because of that, not only me but also the students need to grow faster. My return will be a good stimulus for those students. That news about fighting an Elder would have influenced them somehow.

"...Seojin, you really are an amazing person."

"I think so too. A lowly civil servant fighting an Elder. This might raise expectations for civil servants too high. Anyway, thank you for bringing me here. I'll see you tomorrow at the Academy, Professor Han Jiyoon."

"You can call me more comfortably. No formal titles like 'Professor.'"

"Um... then, if you'll excuse me. Jiyoon."

At that, Han Jiyoon smiled brightly as if pleased.