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Kim Shinrok left as quickly as he arrived.
He gave an excuse, saying he still had work to do.
But it was clear that he had a different reason for leaving.
Eunho and Hwang JIho, who had been silent all along, spoke when Jeokho left to escort Kim Shinrok out.
“We could’ve prepared for it if Jeokho-nim discussed it in advance. Who knew Cintamani, who got his name from his friend, was planning this.”
“Yes, at least it would’ve been better if Kim Shinrok heard it while sitting down. The kid was so flustered that he couldn’t move.”
“He must be startled. He didn’t get to greet us properly. I’m proud of him for being resolute and courteous to the Cintamani still.”
Eunho and Hwang Jiho blamed Jeokho.
However, in terms of what they’re saying, they seem to be blaming Yong Jegyn more.
Yong Jegun replied casually.
“I was going to tell him. I was leaning toward becoming a superior being, but I’m still thinking about it.”
“I bet you would’ve told him only before your ascension. You can’t hide it.”
“I don’t know when you wanted to tell him, but I think I or even Kim Shinrok would’ve noticed it first.”
Eunho and Hwang Jiho didn’t seem to like the fact that Yong Jegun hid the fact that he was thinking of ascension.
The two tigers didn’t seem very reluctant to let Yong Jegun and Kim Shinrok remain as close friends, but looking at the situation now, I may have been mistaken.
They’re implying that Yong Jegun would be leaving his friend.
Listening to the two tigers, Yong Jegun began to smile brightly.
“…You’re laughing, Yong Jegun?”
Yong Jegun’s smile deepened at Hwang JIho’s words.
He seemed very happy as if it was a lie that he was bitter after Kim Shinrok came.
“It’s natural to be pleased.”
“How can you be pleased?”
“I was worried about who would take care of Shinrok-ie if I ascended, but I’m relieved that the high-ranking people of the Tiger Clan protect that child like this. Shinrok was very lonely among the Tiger Clan.”
Yong Jegun’s counterattack hit Hwang Jiho heavily.
Eunho, who lived as Cheon Sungheon in another world, was affected too.
As for Hwang JIho, he’s been the head of the Tiger Clan in this world for a long time already.
I suddenly remembered the masked tiger couple.
I remembered Kim Shinrok who couldn’t even look at their masks properly.
And Hwang Jiho who had to stand between them.
‘It would’ve been difficult to protect the son of a felon.’
Hwang Jiho continued to protect Kim Shinrok until the Bear Clan’s attack in PMH.
Still, Kim Shinrok would have been noticeably favored among the clan.
So, just as Yong Jegun said, he must’ve been lonely as he was tasked with harsh things like torture while not being welcomed among the clan.
After the strong blow at Hwang Jiho, Yong Jegun swung again.
“I thought Hwangho-ssi would understand me.”
“How can I understand you?”
“Your friends left you and you stayed alone.”
Yong Jegun’s words made the living room fall silent.
Hwang Jiho had to be alone in this vast mansion without Baekho-gun, Jeokho, Eunho, Cheongho, or Shinin.
Baekho-gun was tied to Eungwang District after receiving Heaven’s Wrath, but he didn’t hang out with Hwang Jiho.
Jeokho was released after the occurrence of otherworlds, but he didn’t appear in front of Hwang Jiho except when he was ordered.
Eunho was in deep sleep, and Cheongho and Shinin became humans.
Hwang Jiho was rendered silent and Yong Jegun continued.
“You waited for your friends as the head of the Tiger Clan, Hwangho-ssi. But if you could be a superior being and protect your friends, I bet you would’ve chosen that.”
“Yong Jegun, don’t tell me the reason why you want to be a superior being is…”
“If I become a superior being, I will lend him strength through my light skill, and if he allows, I’ll give him an order.”
The energy of the tigers died down after hearing why Yong Jegun wanted to be a superior being.
It was revealed that Yong Jegun wanted the position to help Kim Shinrok.
“Shinrok can’t fight against the Bear Clan. But if he has the will of a dragon, he can.”
Yong Jegun has always left open the possibility of becoming a superior being, and there seem to be two reasons for it.
One was that the Tiger Clan next to Kim Shinrok would be on his side if he leaves.
Second is that he experienced the nightmare in which Kim Shinrok died at the hands of the Bear Clan.
There’s a big difference between being attacked and dying though.
After experiencing the latter vividly, Yong Jegun would inevitably lean toward becoming a superior being.
‘Kim Yuri's light skill also tries to activate itself against her will.’
It’s hard to say anything because there’s no specific case, but Kim Shinrok might be safe from the Bear Clan if Yong Jegun becomes a superior being and lends his strength to his light skill.
Yong Jegun seems to feel that way.
“If I become a superior being and have my strength lent to his light skill, Kim Shinrok will not be beaten by the Bear Clan.”
It was an irrefutable remark for the Tiger Clan, who failed to keep Kim Shinrok safe during last year’s entrance exam.
Yong Jegun was smiling the whole time he spoke.
“I hope he can reveal his identity and freely interact with his students. Among his students are strong humans who are strong enough to compete against the royal lineage, like Sung Gukeon. If something happens, they’ll be strong shields too.”
Is that why Yong Jegun is trying to make Sung Gukeon and Kim Shinrok reconnect?
Other than that, it may be because it was simply fun to watch Kim Shinrok meet a student he taught in his previous identity.
Yong Jegun’s rationale was convincing, but I couldn’t agree immediately.
‘Kim Shinrok would be safer if Yong Jegun becomes a superior being. But would the two really be okay with that?’
I felt very sad just thinking about Yong Jegun leaving Eungwang High too.
It would be feats lonelier for the two who have been friends for thousands of years.
However, Yong Jegun is leaning toward becoming a superior being, Kim Shinrok is willing to help him, and the Tiger Clan is in no position to stop him.
Of course, I had no reason to intervene either.
‘But I want him to think again.’
I looked back at the conversation between Yong Jegun and Kim Shinrok.
But no matter how many times I racked my brain, there was no clue.
There was no other way but to stall.
Choosing what words to say, I finally spoke.
“Professor Yong Jegun, I would like you to put off being a superior being even if your level of divinity increases and you can ascend.”
Yong Jegun’s eyes opened a little wider for a moment, not expecting me to get into this situation.
I guess he’s looking forward to my next words.
“You said you would grant my wish, Professor Yong Jegun.”
Yong Jegun said this to me when he woke up from the nightmare;
— I want to fulfill your wish, benefactor.
— You already fulfilled my wish, Euishin. So let me fulfill yours.
I didn’t really do anything to grant his wish, and I didn’t want to take advantage of the fact to get anything from him.
I had no intention of asking for a wish.
Right now, I’m technically taking advantage of the situation, but that was the only card I had to stall him.
“Yeah, I did. I can’t go without paying my benefactor.”
He must’ve forgotten about the black pearl he gave me today.
I’d have enough money to live comfortably for the rest of my life if I sold that pearl, so I think he’s sufficiently paid any unexisting debt he had.
Before I pointed it out, Eunho spoke.
“Yes, the black pearl isn’t enough to pay back what Euishin did.”
“Very well said, Jo Euishin. Yong Jegun didn’t mention anything about the benefactor.”
“Hahaha, I’m not going to go without saying anything.”
Why are the tigers suddenly like that?
I wanted to clarify myself, but it was too late.
Yong Jegun opened his cyan eyes wide and made a promise to me.
“I will grant your wish before I ascend to heaven, Euishin-ah.”
***
A secret passageway connecting the student council hall and student association hall.
Inside the boss room of the otherworld created by the old simulator.
The former head of the association and Gye Idam were in a confrontation.
The difference from Sung Siwan’s time was that the former head wasn’t using mental attack power at all.
[Your shooting skills are terrible. Why use that gun? If you weren’t good physically, you would’ve lost to me much earlier.]
The former head of the association uses martial arts.
It was greater than Sung Siwan's or Sung Gukeon’s level of skill, and it was clear that if Gye Idam didn’t have experience sparring with Sung Siwan, he would’ve fallen long hours ago.
‘I’m this bad even without him using that terrible psycho-attacking power? This is crazy.’
Gye Idam tried to calm his trembling hands.
It didn’t hurt as much as when he was beaten by Jo Euishin, but his left index and ring finger were finger from blocking an attack, so he kept shooting with one hand, putting great pressure on his right hand.
When he was kicked from a fall, he couldn’t stand up right away, and his muscle seemingly damaged a lot.
It was a landslide victory for the former head of the association.
‘I prepared for the mental attacks though… How can I win against this!’
Gye Idam looked at the damaged energy gun and recalled Ahn Dain, one of the reasons why he came this far.
In the previous world and now, his marksmanship skills were close to the bottom, and it was only because of Ahn Dain did he choose a gun as his weapon.
He remembered that homeroom teacher and advisor to the student council, Ham Geunhyung, recommended he change his weapon several times.
It was tempting because it was too hard to handle the gun, but he couldn’t let it go because he thought he would have a connection with Ahn Dain if he used the gun.
‘If I die here, there won’t be any funeral or anything, aigoo.’
Gye Idam couldn’t answer, but he seemed serious and unshaken by the provocation.
The fact that he was holding firm even though he was in pain was laudable.
The former head of the association recognized it.
[Your talent isn’t bad. That’s it for the match.]
“…I can still fight, sir.”
[You can’t beat me with that energy gun. And I said the match is over, but I won’t reject your offer.]
Gye Idam breathed a sigh of relief.
He said he could still fight, but he knew he was going to lose.
The former head of the association said as expectations swelled that he might accept the proposal.
[But I’m not going to read your memories right now.]
Then why did he say that in the first place?
Gye Idam thought so, choked up that his expectations increased for nothing.
[I’ve seen a lot of people with eyes like you.]
“Eyes like me…?”
[The eyes of a person who has reformed after committing a heavy crime.]
Gye Idam shivered at the former head’s words.
Many things came to mind.
[I don’t know what you’re trying to find out by having me read your memories. Maybe it’s a memory of abuse. So I’m proposing a condition. If there’s a man stronger and better than you, you can be relieved.]
The former head of the association brought up what Gye Idam was most concerned about.
[Next time, come with Sung Siwan and Jo Euishin.]
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