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Some kids were surprised by Yong Jegun’s announcement.
Those who have no experience didn’t seem fazed, but those who have were surely shocked.
The game is usually individual competition.
Professor Ham Geunhyung watched the kids’ reactions before saying something.
“Professor Yong Jegun suggested that we play the game in teams for your safety. I agreed to it.”
“Safety?”
“Remember where we are.”
The quick-witted kids realized what Ham Geunhyung was trying to say.
This was a theme park acquired by the Hwangmyeong Group, so surely it would be strange to doubt the security of the peaceful theme park.
“Did you forget the Seokcheon Lake tragedy?”
“…Ah.”
The words silenced everyone.
We were the only ones in the park — no guests and no employees.
Hwangmyeong Group hasn’t hired employees for the theme park yet, and the robots were in charge of operating the attractions and lights.
The reason why it’s like this was because of the acquisition of the theme park.
And the reason for that is because of the tragedy caused by an otherworld spawning in Seokhcheon Lake.
“There hasn’t been an occurrence here since the incident. There’s a boundary so that lowers the possibility of an otherworld appearing, but don’t forget what happened here.”
Otherworlds can appear anytime and anywhere in this world.
Satellites can detect high-ranking otherworlds in advance, but there were a few exceptions.
We’ve experienced it many times this year.
When the atmosphere became heavy, Yong Jegun floated a hologram.
A random lottery application was shown.
“Professor Ham and I will continuously patrol, but I don’t think it would be good for you guys to be alone. Alright, let’s decide the teams.”
“How many people are in a group?”
“You guys are thirteen right now. Every group will have two members, but the last group will have three.”
Yong Jegun entered the names in the application and added an explanation.
“Oh, and by the way, there’s gonna be a handicap for the group with three people.”
Yong Jegun smiled as he said those words, making the kids nervous.
There were quite a few who expressed that they prefer being in a pair.
“…I hope I get grouped in two’s.”
“A handicap prepared by Professor Yong Jegun…”
Meanwhile, Song Daesok looked subtle as he watched Yong Jegun operate the application.
He looked as if he wanted to say something, but he missed the right timing.
Soon enough, the results were announced.
“Alright, I’ll announce it by the group. First one.”
[Group 1: Kim Yuri, Maeng Hyodon]
“Yeah, I’m paired with Hyodon! We’re Group 1 so I think we can win first place.”
“Yeah…”
Kim Yuri approached Maeng Hyodon with a big smile, the latter nodding with an awkward face.
Maeng Hyodon has somewhat gotten used to talking to the women in our class, including Kim Yuri.
However, being in a group alone is different.
He looked stiff as he listened to Kim Yuri’s treasure-hunting plan.
I wonder if those two would find anything.
[Group 2: Min Geurin, Ong Gildong.]
The announcement was met with joy and sorrow.
“It’s a shame we couldn’t be partners. Now that it’s come to this, we are rivals.”
Ong Gildong talked to Goo Seulbi before going to Min Geurin, but she had no response.
Goo Seulbi looked surprised as if she were sure that she’d be paired with Ong Gildong.
“What?! With that guy?”
Song Daesok had the biggest reaction.
However, Ong Gildong didn’t bat an eye as he spoke to Min Geurin in an enthusiastic voice.
“I really wanted to talk to you. It’s an honor to be on a team with the one who is rewriting the history of the Korean art world. I’m sure our group of two geniuses will win.”
“…Oh, is there a winner in this game?”
“Finding the most treasures is the victory. Yes.”
Min Geurin seemed perplexed by the enthusiastic response of the unfamiliar attention-seeker, but she seems to be holding it together.
This would be an opportunity for her to learn how to talk to strangers and get closer to her new classmates.
Ong Gildong brought up something about paintings in a soft voice when Min Geurin made eye contact with him.
“I heard that Eungwang High’s art department is preparing for a joint exhibition with a small number of oriental paintings. I’m already looking forward to the Eungwang High Festival. I will definitely go and see your work in person, Painter Min Geurin.”
“Oh… You know about the joint exhibition?”
“Of course. I’ve been waiting for a new work from you, Painter Min Geurin.”
A thief who has an incredible love for art, Ong Gildong is a fan of Min Geurin.
His actions as Phantom Thief Neon — leaving a huge announcement on Big Ben and jumping into the auction of the Fomorian demons barehanded — were to retrieve Imoogi’s Exorcism.
They must have a lot to talk about.
Perhaps Min Geurin would be okay since she’s used to dealing with enthusiastic fans from the art department.
Their conversation seemed natural.
It was a heartwarming idol-and-fan meeting scene, but two people looked at them with narrowed eyes.
“…What the.”
“…That guy’s a good talker.”
They were none other than Goo Seulbi and Song Daesok.
Yong Jegun, who was looking at the two, spoke with a bright expression.
“Next group.”
[Group 3: Goo Seulbi, Song Daesok]
Goo Seulbi and Song Daesok looked at the hologram once and then at Min Geurin and Ong Gildong.
Song Daesok protested, whining at Yong Jegun when he saw Min Geurin smiling.
“There’s something wrong with the application. Did you manipulate it?”
“What? That’s possible?”
“I’ve dealt with that kind of application, and the professor’s hand movement was strange earlier.”
Goo Seulbi urged Song Daesok to talk.
Song Daesok desperately protested, as if not wanting Ong Gildong and Min Geurin to be in the same group.
“The names are usually inputted on the left, but the professor pressed the button on the right. Something’s wrong! I know you manipulated it!”
“…That doesn’t sound like solid evidence.”
Goo Seulbi judged objectively.
I agreed with her.
It was questionable, but mere hearsay couldn’t be used as evidence to assert that the results were fabricated.
As expected, Song Daesok’s question was crushed.
“The hologram’s illumination was so low, so I increased the brightness before pressing the button. The light control panel is on the right.”
Yong Jegun showed the hologram.
Song Daesok opened his eyes wide to check it, and he closed his mouth tightly in the end.
Yong Jegun waited for Song Daesok to say anything more, but the latter seemed to have no idea what else to say.
“That’s too bad. But your guess was fun.”
Yong Jegun smiled, and Song Daesok looked angry.
Song Daesok received some criticisms from Min Geurin as a bonus.
Although she didn’t get very upset since it was valid for Song Daesok to be suspicious of Yong Jegun given his personality.
‘Aside from that, I don’t think Group 3 has a bad combination.’
Goo Seulbi and Song Daesok stood side-by-side as they watched Min Geurin and Ong Gildong’s fan meeting.
They had some resemblance.
Maybe Yong Jegun really did fabricate it to see this scene.
“Alright, let’s continue.”
[Group 4: Lee Lena, Hani]
“Hani and I are in the same group! Why don’t we get some churros from the vending machine?”
“I like that.”
Kwon Lena went next to Hani and the two began to talk about where they should go first.
Hani ate a lot of sweets during lunch so she seemed a little hesitant, but she let it go once she heard Kwon Lena’s plan.
Somehow, the two seemed to prioritize going around the theme park and buying snacks rather than looking for treasures.
Dokgo Miro looked a little disappointed, but she didn’t protest like Song Daesok.
The next group was announced.
[Group 5: Dokgo Miro, Saeum of April]
“Good luck to us! I was thinking about where to start while I was flying earlier…”
“I actually have one in mind too.”
Dokgo Miro seemed to want to be paired with Hani, but she got along well with Saeum of April.
The King of Back Alleys cemented her will to win this game.
Knowing her, her team might find the most treasures.
“The last team knows who they are, but let’s still announce it.”
[Group 6: Mok Wooram, Jo Euishin, Hwang Jiho]
“The three of us are in a team. I’m worried about the handicap.”
Mok Wooram approached Hwang Jiho and me.
The other kids seemed worried about what handicap we’d received too.
“Alright, I’ll explain the handicap.”
I don’t know why Yong Jegun was dragging it out.
It wasn’t really that big of a deal.
He smiled slyly when he received everyone’s attention.
“Group 6 can only search around the artificial islands.”
“Artificial islands… but it’s cold outside.”
This theme park had indoor and outdoor facilities.
It was still cold so our class mostly went around inside.
It was wide enough to explore so no one complained, but some kids still wanted to check out the outdoor facilities.
“Alright, I’ll give you about ten minutes to plan your strategy. Ok then…”
“Before we split up into groups, may I offer my opinion?”
Ong Gildong, who was busy talking with Min Geurin, suddenly raised his hand.
Hearing Ong Gildong made Goo Seulbi and Song Daesok’s heads snap up.
Yong Jegun spoke with a smile.
“Why? Do you not like the groups?”
“Something like that.”
Is Ong Gildong suggesting changing the teams?
Or is he reading Yong Jegun like a thief?
Ong Gildong spoke as he looked at the hologram screen with the kids’ names, his face deadly serious.
“Instead of Ong Gildong, can you right Luis Perrena? I am more used to using Luis as my name.”
“…”
Goo Seulbi looked disappointed.
Ong Gildong couldn’t take his eyes off the name despite the attention on him.
Yong Jegun smiled, now getting what kind of kids he was dealing with.
“I’ll do that next time.”
“Thank you!”
“Hahahaha!”
The old man couldn’t keep it in, bursting into laughter at this whole situation.
The other kids didn’t laugh like Hwang Jiho, but they looked at Ong Gildong as if they were looking at the world’s best idiot.
The kids talked among themselves amid Goo Seulbi’s, who looked very upset, and resentful.
Group 3 Song Daesok and Goo Seulbi seemed to reach an implicit agreement to chase around Group 2.
When the time to start finally came…
“Alright, let’s get going. The time limit is two hours. Find the treasures and come back!”
At Yong Jegun’s signal, all the kids started running.
While running to the artificial island, Mok Wooram spoke excitedly.
“Let’s go! I’m looking forward to what kind of treasure we’ll find.”
Hwang Jiho, who was running ahead, reached out for the open button.
The door opened soon enough, the cold wind pouring in from outside.
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