Protector
The basic framework of the class competition was capture the flag.
Each class had to seize the other side’s flag and place it in the flag stand at their own base.
Naturally, it was also assumed that they would protect their own flag in the process.
In the end, it was a competition that required both the ability to attack a stronghold and the ability to defend one.
That meant we needed to take that into special consideration when forming our formation.
So I came to school earlier than usual and put my head together with Min Arin.
“I think it would be better if one of us stayed at the base and strengthened the defenses. For starters, someone has to remain behind to command, and we need to arrange our forces in a balanced way. If both of us become part of the assault team, we might have an advantage in attacking, but we’ll be at a disadvantage when defending, won’t we?”
“That is the standard method. If we go through all the trouble of stealing their flag and come back to find our base has been raided, it’ll all be for nothing. Then who stays and who goes? I guess it’d be better for me to go, right?”
“Since you’re more mobile than I am, it’d probably be better for you to join the assault team. They say firepower is important in a siege, but this is basically a contest for possession wearing the skin of a siege battle. I think mobility takes priority. I have a hard time using my strength unless I’m properly covered. I’d be better off staying behind and focusing on defense.”
“Got it. Then I’ll be on the assault team. I’ll enjoy this, by the way. There’s a lot, huh? Did you bring my share too? Thanks.”
“It’s not like I brought it for you or anything. If I ate alone, you’d look pitiful, so I just happened to bring some extra. I was being generous. Got it?”
“You could just honestly say you packed some for me too, instead of pretending you didn’t….”
“I-I said I didn’t! I didn’t! I really didn’t!?”
I had been hungry because I hadn’t been able to eat breakfast anyway, so this worked out nicely.
The classroom of first-year Class 17 in the Academic Hall was quiet, with only a few students having arrived at school.
I took a sandwich out of the lunchbox Min Arin had handed me and ate it.
According to her, she had asked for permission at the dormitory cafeteria and packed it there.
I praised her preparedness as I filled my stomach.
Then she carefully asked, watching my reaction.
“Is it good?”
“It’s good. I guess the food at our dorm really is tasty. Hanbyeol said the food at his dorm is pretty average. I don’t know which dorm I’ll be assigned to next semester, but I hope the food there is good too.”
“I-I see…. So it’s good. Of course it has to be good, since I specially prepared it.”
“Don’t just sit there like that. You eat too. It feels like I’m the only one eating.”
“Ah, okay.”
Min Arin watched me eat, looking somehow satisfied.
The people who had actually made the sandwiches were the ones working at the dormitory cafeteria, so it was funny how she looked proud as if she had made them herself.
I let out a faint smile.
‘She really is odd.’
It was the same with my other friends, but it seemed there had been limits to how the game could portray them.
When I spent time with them, I would occasionally discover unexpected sides to them.
They were more three-dimensional and vivid than they had been in the game.
And the same went for me, who had also been a character in that game.
I drank the beverage I had bought from the vending machine in front of the classroom.
It was then that Min Arin brought the topic back.
“But I really can trust you, right? I said this yesterday too, but make sure you separate public and private matters when you participate in the competition. I’m saying that even if you end up fighting Yeon Haneul, don’t go easy on her. Got it?”
“I said I got it. How many times do I have to tell you that I’ll act responsibly as vice representative?”
“Good. You promised me, okay?”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Min Arin glared at me with her yellow eyes and demanded confirmation once again.
Since she felt a sense of rivalry toward Yeon Haneul, she did not want the match to be decided halfheartedly.
I understood how she felt, so I answered the way she wanted.
For my part, since I was going to compete anyway, I intended to do my best.
“Then next are our classmates… This is where the problem starts. Hey, do you have any good ideas?”
“Should we first assign the kids who look decent to us, then assign the rest through discussion?”
“We don’t know all of their skills or personalities…. Yeah, let’s do that.”
First-year Class 17 had fifty students in total.
Since their systems, skills, personalities, and preferences all differed, there were many things to consider when arranging them.
So we decided to draw up a temporary arrangement and discuss it together at the meeting that would be held shortly.
It was thanks to Hong Yena specially agreeing to replace today’s lessons for us so we could prepare for the competition.
The situation was probably the same in the other classes.
Class 8, where Yeon Haneul and Go Eunbi were, seemed to be replacing their morning classes with a meeting for the competition as well.
‘Now that I think of the other classes, I’m curious how Hanbyeol’s class is doing too.’
Class 12, where Kang Hanbyeol was, would be going up against Class 25, which had been the opponent in the second class competition in the game.
In Class 25 was Oh Junsik, a collateral member of the Black Magic Oh Clan, one of the Ten Great Clans.
‘Hmm….’
In almost every game, enemies who appear are set to a level the protagonist can defeat depending on his efforts, both to fit the timing of the story’s progression and to balance the game.
An enemy the protagonist cannot defeat no matter what he does does not appear.
Of course, exceptions exist, and in those cases, there is a reason prepared that players can accept.
The enemy leaves without killing the protagonist, or the system forcibly prevents the enemy from being killed for the sake of the next story, or in the case of a trash game, there is a bug….
The circumstances of Brave Hearts, a game known for its considerable攻略 difficulty, were no different.
So Oh Junsik was not an opponent Kang Hanbyeol could not defeat with his current ability.
Even if the competition against Min Arin’s class had been skipped unlike in the game, it likely would not have an effect.
‘After all, we’ve already cleared the Thornvine Spire episode that stemmed from that episode.’
As I said before, Oh Junsik’s existence was, from the start, nothing more than a stepping stone to an episode that occurred during the final exam period.
As such, the battle Kang Hanbyeol would fight would likely unfold at a level that was neither too difficult nor too easy.
There was no need to worry too much.
However, since we lived in a world where dying did not mean coming back to life, I simply wanted to lower the攻略 difficulty as much as possible in preparation for any possible danger.
In that case….
‘We need Lisa’s power.’
Based on the game.
Oh Junsik was not as dangerous as Do Seungwoo or Min Arin, who had appeared as enemies before him.
He did not possess Do Seungwoo’s close-combat ability to quickly and powerfully pressure an opponent, nor did he possess Min Arin’s firepower to bombard someone mercilessly.
Instead, he was annoying and troublesome.
With black magic as his main weapon, he preferred long-range combat, keeping his distance from his opponent.
He also showed a style of dragging out battle in a petty way with auxiliary skills like debuffs and curses.
‘And right when it seemed like it was about to end, he’d recover his stamina and mana with potions and make you furious.’
In the game community, people had even called Oh Junsik “the hit-and-run pest of the Black Magic Oh Clan.”
There were quite a few players who, without enough preparation, had gone in blindly and ended up losing to him.
Perhaps in this world, where he was not bound by the system, even more pest-like tactics might be possible.
That was why we needed the help of Lisa, someone who could oppose black magic.
As someone of the white magic system, she should certainly be able to break through his tactics.
‘That’s why, in my previous life too, players raised Lisa accordingly for that fight….’
The problem was how to naturally have Lisa learn that skill.
I decided to think as hard as I could.
* * *
After the bracket for the class competition was decided.
Recently, the students had been gathering by class to train.
Class 12, to which Kang Hanbyeol belonged, was no exception.
Rather, after learning that their first opponent in the competition was a class that happened to have someone from the Black Magic Oh Clan, one of the Ten Great Clans, they devoted themselves even more to coordination training.
That day was the same.
“Everyone, good work. Let’s rest for a little while and then practice again.”
“We’ll rest for twenty minutes! Please gather here when the time is up!”
Late in the evening, at the Training Hall.
The students of Class 12 had gathered there as soon as lessons ended and were working hard to prepare for the competition.
Lisa and Bak Sagun, who led the training as class representatives, did not forget to give them a break.
‘Twenty minutes should be enough. I should go get some water.’
Kang Hanbyeol, who had participated in training with his classmates, wiped away his flowing sweat.
The water in his bottle had just run out, and he was thirsty.
He decided to use the break to get water from the dispenser.
‘I’d like to go with the others, but they look busy, so I shouldn’t bother them.’
Kang Hanbyeol glanced sideways at Lisa and Bak Sagun, who were off to one side.
They had to be just as tired as anyone else.
Yet the two of them were moving around without resting, encouraging the students and discussing strategy, taking charge of all matters great and small related to the competition.
Cheering on their hard work inwardly, he quietly left the training room and headed for the water dispenser.
Then he filled his water bottle to the brim and gulped the water down.
‘Ah, that’s refreshing.’
It was then that he sensed someone approaching.
Kang Hanbyeol turned his head toward the person walking toward him.
“Hello. You’re the Fighting Demon’s disciple, right? I’ve wanted to meet you for a while, and now here we are. Nice to meet you. I’m Oh Junsik of the Black Magic Oh Clan. Though I’m from a collateral branch, not the direct line.”
“…”
The male student had all but introduced himself as the opponent he would face in the class competition.
Oh Junsik of the Black Magic Oh Clan.
Kang Hanbyeol silently looked at him, who had a pleasant impression.
Soon, his gaze stopped on the staff held in Junsik’s right hand.
‘That looks good.’
A black staff adorned with a silver crow.
Having been taught by his master Seo Jeongjin, Kang Hanbyeol had acquired an exceptional eye, and he could roughly judge the value of an item with just a quick glance.
In his eyes, Oh Junsik’s staff was extremely desirable.
His eyes shining and the corners of his mouth lifting, he took the hand Oh Junsik offered.
“I thought I’d see you at the competition, but we’re meeting here instead. Nice to meet you too. I’m Kang Hanbyeol. Let’s get along.”
“Right. Seems like the bracket draw really gave me bad luck. To think my first opponent would be your class…. We’ve met like this, but let’s get along. Personally, I’d like to maintain a good relationship. With you, and with the kids you hang around with too. Introduce me next time.”
“An introduction won’t be hard. Let’s eat together sometime. Though we’ll have to get through the competition first.”
“I suppose we will.”
“Speaking of which… why don’t we make a bet?”
“A bet?”
Judging from his easygoing manner, he seemed quite sociable.
And considering not only that he had approached of his own accord, but also that he had mentioned Hanbyeol’s friends, he seemed to have some purpose of his own.
Whether it was simply to become close, or because there was something to gain through connections.
After briefly guessing what kind of person Oh Junsik was, Kang Hanbyeol made the proposal in a brisk tone.
Oh Junsik, who had received the sudden proposal, blinked and asked back.
“That staff of yours is a treasure belonging to the Black Magic Oh Clan, isn’t it?”
“It is, but don’t tell me….”
“If I win in the class competition, I’ll take the staff you’re holding. On the other hand, if you win, you can take my sword. This sword is no less valuable than that staff. It’s one of my master’s treasures.”
“I did hear stories about the Fighting Demon when I was in the clan…. Looks like you really are the Fighting Demon’s disciple. I guess the rumors that you go around plundering weapons from the kids you pick fights with weren’t false either….”
“So, are you in or not? If you’re not, I’ll take it by force.”
Oh Junsik clicked his tongue with an incredulous expression.
But only for a moment.
People from prestigious families had pride of their own, and those from the Ten Great Clans even more so.
Though he was from a collateral branch, he was still a member of one of the Ten Great Clans.
Moreover, as someone from a clan with ties to the Fighting Demon Seo Jeongjin, he could not refuse the proposal.
So, fixing his expression, he answered.
“Fine. I heard the clan head also did not avoid the Fighting Demon’s challenges in his youth, so I can’t exactly refuse like this. Let’s compete fair and square so neither of us feels wronged.”
“I like that we can understand each other. Let’s fight fair and square.”
Neither could say who moved first.
The two of them met each other’s eyes and smiled, then put strength into their clasped hands.
After they competed in strength like that for a while, the first to let go was Oh Junsik.
“Drink this. I happened to get it from the vending machine on my way here, and I haven’t even taken a sip yet. Consider it a token of goodwill, so we can get along.”
“You’re really a good kid, aren’t you? Sure, I’ll drink it.”
“Then I’m off. Train hard.”
“You train hard too!”
O Junsik pulled a sports drink from his pocket and handed it to Gang Hanbyeol.
After taking the can, Gang Hanbyeol watched him leave.
Then, once he disappeared around the corner…
“…It’s lukewarm.”
Gang Hanbyeol, his expression gone, murmured quietly.
For a canned drink that had supposedly only just been bought, it wasn’t cold.
After examining the can from every angle, he noticed a tiny hole on the top where the tab was.
Click!
He decided to check what might be inside.
Gang Hanbyeol smelled the drink, then dabbed a drop on his finger and licked it.
He dismissed the worry that a lethal poison might have been added.
His opponent was someone from the Black Horse O Clan.
Unless he was out of his mind, there was no way he would have so blatantly put in such a poison.
‘It does seem like something’s in here, though….’
Having lived in the mountains for a long time, Gang Hanbyeol had some degree of resistance to poison.
After tasting a little of the drink, he picked up on a subtle sensation.
‘It’s best not to eat anything suspicious.’
That was the teaching of his master, Seo Jeongjin.
With a bitter smile, Gang Hanbyeol placed the canned drink on top of the water dispenser.
A cleaner or someone else would throw it away, or perhaps someone would drink it in his place.
He looked toward the corner where O Junsik had disappeared a moment ago and muttered.
“An interesting kid.”
He was looking forward to the class competition.
And he wanted to get his hands on the black staff said to be the treasure of the Black Horse O Clan.
For himself, and for his master.
* * *
Lately, since we’d been preparing for the class competition, I’d been spending more time with my classmates.
More often than not, I ended up having breakfast, lunch, and dinner with them.
As a result, the time I spent with Yeon Haneul had inevitably decreased.
For someone like me, who got restless if I didn’t see her, it was agonizing.
On the other hand, Min Arin’s face was full of smiles, saying she was glad not to see Yeon Haneul.
‘I should have time to call Haneul.’
While I was training with my classmates, the jokbal and bossam we’d ordered arrived before I knew it.
We decided to take a short break and eat a late-night snack, and every one of us looked delighted.
And I, delighted for a different reason, decided to step outside and talk to Yeon Haneul for a bit.
“Hey! The food’s here, aren’t you going to eat? Where are you going?”
“I’m going outside for a bit. Arin, you eat first.”
“Damn it…”
“Oh, and I might be late, so save some for me.”
“Save some, my ass! If you come late, there won’t even be a single bone left, so keep that in mind!”
“You say that, but you’ll save me some anyway…”
Leaving behind Min Arin, who had set up the seats with the others and was calling for me,
I stepped outside to get some fresh air.
That was when I got a message from Lisa.
[Lisa]: I think tomorrow evening will work!
“Tomorrow evening… not bad.”
At first, I’d agonized over how to tell them about O Junsik’s tactics.
But after concluding that no matter how I did it, it would look suspicious anyway, I decided to just be bold and tell them.
It seemed that decision had been the right one.
Lisa had decided to accept my suggestion.
After checking her message, I set up the appointment right away.
Then I called Yeon Haneul.
‘I wonder if Haneul will pick up. She’s probably training right now too….’
Please pick up.
Perhaps my wish came true.
[Hello?]
“Ah, Haneul.”
A moment later, I got through to Yeon Haneul.
Hearing her voice, I lifted the corners of my mouth.
“I had a little time during training, so I called. We’re all eating a late-night snack together right now.”
[That sounds good. What are you eating? But if you’re on the phone with me, you can’t eat. Hurry back in and eat. You must be hungry from training…]
“I’ll eat after the call. We’re having jokbal and bossam.”
[Wow, that sounds delicious. I want some too.]
“What about you? Are you done training?”
[We just finished training and are on our way back to the dorm. I just got to my room.]
Even though it was nothing more than trivial conversation, I simply enjoyed it.
I focused on Yeon Haneul’s voice coming through the smartphone.
She was probably doing the same.
Then she suddenly changed the topic.
[By the way, I heard you’re meeting Lisa tomorrow evening?]
“…How did you know?”
[How else? Lisa asked me if it was okay for her to meet you. So I said it was.]
“…”
Why had Lisa gone out of her way to ask Yeon Haneul for permission?
And why was Yeon Haneul taking that as a matter of course?
I couldn’t help but wonder.
At the same time, even though I hadn’t done anything wrong, I found myself watching her reaction for no reason.
“Well, uh… that’s how it ended up.”
[Hmm… I don’t know what’s what, but that’s how it ended up?]
“It’s not like I have any weird intentions…”
[I didn’t say anything, though? You sound just like a thief whose own feet are numb. Suspicious.]
“…”
[Actually, I did hear from Lisa. You’re meeting her to help with the class competition, right? You said you’d tell her how to deal with the person from the Black Horse O Clan.]
“…Well, yeah. Since I’m from one of the same prestigious families, I’ve heard a few things.”
[Okay, let’s leave it at that.]
Yeon Haneul let out a giggle.
That laugh sounded to me as if she was saying she knew everything when it came to me.
My tension eased, and I ended up laughing too.
Before long, her voice sank softly.
[Gyeonu.]
“Yeah.”
[I miss you.]
“…”
Yeon Haneul’s voice, ringing in my ear, swam through my head and refused to leave.
The corners of my mouth twitched for no reason.
Feeling pleased, I answered with emotion just as she had.
“Me too.”
[…]
“I miss you. How long has it been since we saw each other?”
[It’s been three days now. In a little while, it’ll be four.]
“No wonder. It felt like it had been a long time.”
[Right?]
“I don’t know when training will end, but if we have time later, do you want to at least see each other’s faces? How about we talk face-to-face, even for ten minutes?”
[I’d like that, but won’t you be tired? Are you sure it’s okay?]
“I feel like seeing you would make my fatigue disappear.”
[…Hehe, I don’t think that’s allowed.]
“No, why not?”
[We’re enemies, aren’t we? How could I relieve an enemy’s fatigue?]
“So that’s how you’re going to play it?”
[Still… I want to relieve my fatigue too.]
“Yeah.”
[I’ll stay up and wait, so contact me when you have time.]
“…If I don’t contact you by twelve, don’t wait and go to sleep first. I think I’ll be there before then.”
[Okay, I’ll wait. I should go wash up now. You hurry and go eat your snack too.]
“Yeah, I should. See you later.”
[See you later.]
I would be able to see Haneul after three days—no, perhaps four.
After ending the call, which made ten minutes feel like one, I immediately turned back toward the training hall.
It seemed I would have to finish training quickly.
‘I need to finish before Haneul falls asleep.’
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss
(180) [Illustration]
In truth, now that I had told Lisa how to deal with O Junsik, my role was essentially over.
The rest depended on her, Gang Hanbyeol, and Bak Sagun, who would face O Junsik directly.
Since I wasn’t in the same class as them, all I could do was trust in the result and wait.
‘I’ve also got my hands full training with my own class… For now, I’ve done what I needed to do.’
But that didn’t mean I could just sit around and pray.
I needed to know how things were progressing.
‘They’ll probably handle it well enough, but there’s no harm in checking once, right?’
It was about time for my appointment with Lisa.
I had class competition training today as well, but I stepped out midway and headed to the meeting place.
‘It’s convenient that I reserved it on the floor right above.’
A training room in the training hall, specialized for mental cultivation, which I had reserved in advance with coins.
After climbing the stairs and finding the room, I spotted Lisa, who seemed to have arrived first and was waiting.
Standing blankly in the center of the empty, bare room, she noticed me and greeted me.
“Gyeonu, did your training go well? Maybe because I haven’t seen your face for a few days, it feels like it’s been a while.”
“I know, right. Did you eat? Even if you’re busy, make sure you eat.”
“Yes, I ate a little while ago. But you, and everyone else too… I heard about it when I was learning Korean, but Korean people really do seem to say things like that often.”
“It’s almost like we use it as a greeting. I guess they don’t do that in Grace?”
“It’s a place where the languages, ethnicities, and classes are all different, so I don’t think it’s used as casually as it is here. I don’t know about commoners, but the people I know greeted one another formally. They didn’t talk about meals. Ah, though they do invite each other to dine for the purpose of continuing exchanges.”
“We do that here too.”
Come to think of it, this was the first time Lisa and I had met one-on-one.
Even so, we shared updates without feeling awkward.
The topic naturally shifted to the class competition.
“We did some investigating on our own, but the information you gave us helped, Gyeonu. I never thought you would know O Junsik’s tactics in that much detail. Thanks to you, it became much easier to make countermeasures, so Hanbyeol, Sagun, and the rest of the class are all very grateful. I am too. I already said it once over the phone, but let me thank you again. Thank you very much.”
“How long are you going to keep saying that? I’ve already heard it enough times. You don’t have to be that grateful. It just happened to be information I knew by chance, so I passed it on to you.”
“For something you knew by chance, it was extremely detailed.”
“…”
“As if you knew O Junsik very well.”
“Since I’m someone from one of the Ten Great Families, I have my ways of hearing things. There’s nothing special about it.”
“Hmm… Is that so?”
Lisa, who had been politely thanking me, couldn’t quite withdraw her suspicious gaze.
Well, it wasn’t unreasonable for her to be suspicious.
I tried to gloss over the situation with the excuse I’d prepared for such an occasion.
Fortunately, she didn’t seem inclined to press me any further.
“I’ll let it pass, since Haneul gave me some advice before. It’s a good thing for us, after all.”
“Advice from Haneul? Did she say something to you?”
“Yes. She told me that when you recommend something, it’s usually best to follow it. And in fact, I do think it was good that I took pole dance classes like you said, Gyeonu. I’m getting more out of it than I expected.”
“Haneul said something like that… Did the others hear it too?”
“I don’t know about the boys, but I’m sure all the girls heard it.”
As expected, there was no one like my childhood friend.
I felt grateful to Yeon Haneul, who wasn’t even present.
I felt as though I would grant any request she made.
“Still, there is one thing I want to ask. I considered asking through text, but I thought it might be better to ask face-to-face.”
“It’s fine. Ask whatever you want.”
“Why did you tell us? If you think about it, aren’t we competitors too? So even if we’re friends, I couldn’t understand why you would so readily tell us information like this.”
“…”
“I know you only have eyes for Haneul, but… perhaps, Gyeonu, do you like m—”
“Is there really a reason? I just told you because you’re my friends. Because I’d like you to win. Still, if I had to give a reason…”
This, too, was an answer I had prepared in advance.
I cut off Lisa, who seemed about to misunderstand something strange, and replied.
“Because I want to fight your class.”
“…”
“In order for that to happen, I want your class to beat O Junsik’s class. If you want a reason, that’s all.”
“So that was it. If that’s your answer, then I can understand. I’m sorry for misunderstanding for no reason.”
Lisa brushed back her blond hair with an embarrassed smile.
With a light shrug, I decided to move on to the main point.
If all I wanted was to hear about the situation, I wouldn’t have gone out of my way to arrange this meeting.
There was another reason I had decided to meet her.
“So, are you ready to make the contract?”
“Yes. Thanks to the help of my classmates, I somehow managed to obtain the materials. I can do it anytime.”
Envious Flame, the specialty O Junsik wielded in the game.
A flame that, once attached, did not easily extinguish and continuously dealt damage to its target was quite troublesome, and it was the black magic that required the most caution in battle against Oh Junsik.
In this world, which was not a game where the crisis of death vanished and the scene shifted once battle ended, one had to be even more careful.
To that end, Lisa absolutely had to learn the white magic that could neutralize the Envious Flame.
No, she had to form a contract.
Just as black magic was, white magic was also magic that borrowed power from beings of the otherworld.
“Then I’ll begin the contract. From now on, Gyeonu, please stay back so you don’t disturb my concentration.”
“Got it. I hope you succeed.”
Partly to see for himself the process of Lisa forming a white magic contract.
I intended to stand guard during the contract to protect her should any problems occur.
That was why she and I had arranged to meet today like this.
* * *
By now, Do Gyeonu would have met Lisa and be helping her with the contract.
A man and a woman meeting alone in the middle of the night—I was not unworried.
I couldn’t help but be concerned about the possibility, however slim, that they might take a liking to each other.
Moreover, Lisa exuded a forlorn atmosphere—she was incredibly attractive even to herself as a woman.
Her appearance and elegant conduct befitting a sheltered upbringing, as well as her atmosphere, were enough to stir the romantic feelings of many men.
She couldn’t completely guarantee that he, being a man, wouldn’t be shaken.
‘It’ll be fine.’
Even so, Yeon Haneul soothed her anxiety and tolerated the two’s meeting.
The expression “tolerated” felt somewhat funny, but in any case, the reason she didn’t interfere with their meeting was entirely because she trusted them.
She felt that if it were Do Gyeonu in particular, he would respond to her worries without much concern.
Something like, “But you’re the prettiest to me?”
A smile formed naturally at the imagination that surfaced in her mind.
So she decided to forget her worries.
Feeling her heart warm, she decided to focus on what she had to do.
“Thank you for making time, Master.”
“Not at all, something like this… I happened to want to check it for myself too, so no need to be sorry.”
It was an evening when she would have normally led the inter-class competition training alongside Go Eunbi, the vice representative.
Though it was shameful as the class representative, Yeon Haneul asked for understanding, skipped training, and found Hong Yena.
Having been informed of the matter in advance, Hong Yena warmly welcomed her disciple, who was paying her respects.
It was an attitude quite different from when she normally dealt with Do Gyeonu and the students.
That was how much she cherished her one and only disciple.
“Then, Master, I’m counting on you.”
“Yes, I’m ready, so test it however much you’d like.”
There was no reason not to grant her disciple’s request.
Above all, as a mage herself, she was interested.
After all, it was a chance to verify the principles contained in the Mado Min Clan’s secret tome.
Hong Yena, who had explained the experiment to Yeon Haneul, watched with eyes shining in anticipation.
Soon, the experiment began.
Yeon Haneul manifested her mana.
A Tier 2 Water Element spell that created a harpoon made of water and fired it in the indicated direction.
Having grasped the spell, Hong Yena immediately responded with the exact same magic.
The amount of mana invested in casting the spell, the efficiency of that mana, the basic composition of the formula, and so on were identical.
For Hong Yena, who was well-versed in handling the seven elements, it was not a very difficult feat.
Therefore, the result of the collision between the two spells should have been nothing but mutual annihilation.
Theoretically, that was the case.
But contrary to theory, it was Hong Yena’s magic that vanished.
The water harpoon Yeon Haneul had fired split the water harpoon she had fired.
‘So it really has been strengthened.’
She had repelled a spell that still retained its harpoon form despite its diminished power.
Hong Yena calmly analyzed the phenomenon.
She then gestured to Yeon Haneul, urging her to continue the experiment.
At this, she nodded.
A Tier 1 Flame Element spell that created a round ball of fire like a sphere.
This time as well, Hong Yena responded with a spell that was an almost perfect imitation.
The result was no different from before.
Yeon Haneul’s fireball scattered the fireball she had manifested.
Next, a Tier 2 Wind Element spell as well.
A Tier 2 Earth Element spell as well.
A Tier 1 Lightning Element spell as well.
Finally, a Tier 2 Darkness Element spell as well.
Every spell Hong Yena had imitated failed to surpass Yeon Haneul’s magic.
Even if the resources invested were identical, a difference was occurring in the output.
What that signified was clear.
‘As expected of the Mado Min Clan. To think they achieved this…’
About two hundred years since the Great Cataclysm.
The tiered magic system established over those years had been evaluated as being unable to become more perfect than this.
But the Mado Min Clan had overturned common sense and sought a better direction for development.
Although it was only applicable to magic of Tier 3 and below, it was still an achievement that could not be ignored in the history of magic.
And they had treasured it as the clan’s secret tome, effectively monopolizing it.
At that point, Hong Yena faintly understood the intentions of the Mado Min Clan.
‘They must want to stand tall forever as one of the Ten Great Clans, and further, as the foremost magic clan in the world… just as the other clans do.’
One couldn’t rashly predict the future, but at the very least, they would be able to firmly maintain their seat in the next Ten Great Clans.
Hong Yena felt a chill as she guessed at the Mado Min Clan’s ambition, which could have been progressing since who knows when.
Indeed, she didn’t want to get involved with great clans, especially the Ten Great Clans.
Because they tenaciously clung to the ideology of creating superior hunters, were desperate enough to stop at nothing to maintain their seized standing, and were suspicious enough to be harboring many ulterior motives.
That was why it was suspicious.
‘Why did they hand the secret tome to Haneul? What is their goal?’
Hong Yena could only wonder about the true intentions of Min Hwiseong, the head of the Mado Min Clan.
The claim that he simply couldn’t overlook a promising sprout as a mage was excessive.
The same went for the claim that he was raising Yeon Haneul as a rival to foster his granddaughter Min Arin’s growth.
Looking at the Mado Min Clan’s movements, it couldn’t be accepted as purely simple.
‘For now, it seems the Mado Min Clan intends to forge a connection with Haneul, but…’
Just how far was that intention looking ahead?
It was impossible to know without becoming Min Hwiseong himself.
Hong Yena furrowed her brows.
For her part, she simply hoped that Yeon Haneul would not become deeply involved with the great clan.
‘…That’s impossible, isn’t it.’
The Divine Sword Do Clan, one of the Ten Great Clans.
As long as Yeon Haneul continued her friendship with Do Gyeonu, a direct descendant of that clan, she wouldn’t be able to escape the great clans.
Hong Yena sighed.
On the other hand, she decided to change her mood.
‘In any case, it’s a good thing for me. Thanks to Haneul, I’ve been able to access the Mado Min Clan’s secret tome.’
The Mado Min Clan’s secret tome was something any mage would covet.
Hong Yena couldn’t help but be pleased that she was the master of Yeon Haneul, who possessed that secret tome.
Yeon Haneul, who was now walking toward her, seemed nothing short of lovely.
“Master, how was my magic?”
“Wouldn’t you know even if I didn’t say it? It certainly seems the magic has been greatly reinforced compared to existing tiers. It’s amazing that you awakened to the Mado Min Clan’s secret tome in just a month, and above all, the completeness of your manifestation has increased.”
“Not at all, it’s all thanks to you, Master. Thank you.”
Of course, she had no intention of coveting her disciple’s possession merely by flaunting her authority as a master.
Hong Yena decided to grant the fundamental request for which Yeon Haneul had asked to meet as the price for that.
“Master, then now…”
“Yes, I think you can graduate from Tier 3 at this point. You can ascend to Tier 4.”
“Really? Thank you…”
“Why thank me? It’s because you did well, Haneul.”
Given Yeon Haneul’s current achievements, she should have been able to stably reach Tier 4.
However, there was no knowing what might happen during the process of forming a new ring in the heart.
If something went wrong externally, it could cause a mana rampage.
In preparation for such a situation, Hong Yena decided to stand guard to ensure Yeon Haneul’s safety.
“In the process of learning Tier 4 magic, you’ll naturally form a ring, but do you have a spell in mind? You’ve ascended twice already, so you know, but when rising in tier, you must choose a magic that is comfortable and easy for you. If you choose an unsuitable spell out of greed, you could cause a mana rampage.”
“Yes, I was thinking of going with Gravity Orb.”
“…It won’t be bad for you, with whom darkness is an affinity attribute.”
Gravity Orb, a Tier 4 Darkness Element spell associated with gravity.
Recalling the spell Yeon Haneul had selected, Hong Yena did not object.
She smiled bitterly inwardly.
‘I wonder what the kids in my class would say to me if they knew.’
Hong Yena knew the reason Yeon Haneul was aiming for a Tier 4 promotion to coincide with the inter-class competition period.
Unfortunately, it was to fight Class 17, who had been matched against her class.
As the homeroom instructor of that class, Hong Yena couldn’t help but be in an awkward position.
But she couldn’t refuse the request of her only disciple.
Feeling sorry for her own students, she began her disciple’s tier ascension process.
“Close your eyes and focus. Carefully trace the mana circuits in your body and focus on the ring condensed in your heart.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Don’t rush and start slowly. Draw mana from your heart and calmly activate your mana circuits.”
“…Yes.”
And so.
Yeon Haneul ascends to Tier 4.
[Flesh has surpassed its limit.]
[Magic has increased by 1.]
[You have obtained a skill.]
[4th-Tier Magic Mastery Lv 1]
[4th-Tier Darkness Element Magic – Gravity Orb Lv 1]
[4th-Tier Darkness Element Mag…]
[Personal Information]
Name: Yeon Haneul (Female, 17)
Alias: Bunny, and 2 others [+Details]
Affiliation: Geumgang High Academy
[Held Gifts]
Division
[Physical Ability]
Constitution: 54 → 57
Strength: 52 → 58 (56+2)
Endurance: 53 → 55
Agility: 56 → 60 (58+2)
Magic: 84 → 88 (86+2)
Luck: 27 → 30
Remaining Points: 0
I Became the Mid-Boss’s Childhood Friend
(181) [Insert]
In the world before the Great Cataclysm, before modern manatology was established.
The standard for generally dividing magic into two perspectives, white and black, was the common sense prevalent in that era.
People of the world typically called malicious mystical phenomena that ran contrary to common sense black magic, and conversely, beneficial mystical phenomena that did not run contrary to common sense white magic.
Therefore, just as common sense changed with the era, the standards for black and white magic inevitably changed as well.
‘A magic that was black magic in one era could be considered white magic in another.’
But no matter how much times changed, there were also unchanging norms.
The most universally observed norms for humans to live as humans—common sense called ethics.
Mainly, respect for human souls, memories, emotions, life and death, and so on.
Those norms had served as the fundamental yardstick for judging magic regardless of the era.
The same held true even now.
Even in modern times, after mana was elucidated and manatology established, that yardstick still functioned.
The perception of black and white magic was deeply rooted in human consciousness.
‘That’s why black magicians led by the Black O Clan are always going on about improving the perception of black magic or renaming the black (黑) magic system to the arcane (玄) magic system… and conversely, every time that happens, white magicians led by the Luminous Holy Church insist on keeping things as they are…’
The Black O Clan, foremost in black magic, and the Luminous Holy Church, foremost in white magic.
The reason the two clans belonging to the Ten Great Clans didn’t get along well was also due to such reasons…
But the topic had strayed off course.
Returning to the story, it is an undeniable fact that the yardstick for judging magic still functions in modern times.
Manatology explicitly defines ethical magic and unethical magic based on that yardstick.
To reiterate, not black and white magic.
The two magics are accepted as a field of study in modern times, as entirely different concepts from before.
‘It’s because of the way magic is classified.’
Mana is the most primal power that makes the hearts of beings beat and defines living beings.
Magic refers to every phenomenon that uses mana as its driving force to twist and interfere with the principles of the world, manifesting mystery in reality.
At that point, magic, as all mysterious phenomena, is divided into many branches depending on the way it is manifested.
‘If it’s manifested through human power, it’s pure magic; if it borrows the power of spirits, it’s spirit arts; if equivalent exchange is the core, it’s alchemy; if it summons beings, it’s summoning… Even just among the magic I know, there are so many kinds.’
Among them were black magic and white magic, which were recognized as academic disciplines and were also counted among the Ten Major Systems.
The two forms of magic were identical in that they were manifested by borrowing power from beings of another dimension.
However, the dimensions from which that power was borrowed were different.
If black magic was a method of borrowing power from the Demon Realm, where demons lived,
‘White magic is a method of borrowing power from the Celestial Realm, where angels live.’
That was why they were called black magic and white magic.
Because the symbolic colors of demons and angels were generally regarded as black and white.
There was no other meaning beyond that.
It was not defined as black magic because the magic of demons was evil, or as white magic because the magic of angels was sacred.
That was merely the perspective from before the Great Cataclysm.
This was a world that had once faced destruction through the Great Cataclysm and had come to deny the existence of God.
A world that had realized that, in the end, the only ones who could save humanity were fellow humans—especially Hunters.
And in this world, where the color of religion had faded, where the logic of power held more sway than law, where the sacrifice of the few was justified, where people submitted to superior humans, and where classism and supremacy of ability ran rampant.
The notions surrounding angels and demons were gradually losing the status they once held.
As research into dimensions became more active, those who came into contact with their worlds now knew that angels and demons could not be simply divided into good and evil.
There were good demons, just as there were evil angels.
They were merely distinguished by the worlds in which they existed.
‘Though statistically speaking, they do say angels tend to be kinder than demons….’
Meanwhile, angels and demons did not lend their power without compensation.
The two beings, both favorable toward humans, took something related to emotions in exchange.
At that time, angels tended to take positive emotions, while demons tended to take negative emotions.
Naturally, the risks involved in a contract were relatively higher with black magic.
Apparently, among certain kinds of black magic, there was even magic that required the caster to break their own finger as the price for using it.
‘They say you can use magic powerful enough to match the price, but still, I couldn’t use it.’
Even if someone around me used it, I doubted I could watch with an easy heart.
Fortunately, since Lisa specialized in white magic, I could at least worry a little less about something like that happening to her.
But I still couldn’t let my guard down.
“Got it? If something goes wrong with me, you have to erase this line here.”
As long as angels who were as malicious and cruel as demons genuinely existed, carelessness was forbidden.
We also had to keep in mind the possibility that the angel Lisa would call for her contract belonged to that sort.
Just in case, we needed to prepare so that I could intervene at any time and stop the contract.
“Got it. I can rub it out with my foot, right?”
“Yes, it doesn’t matter if you rub it out with your foot. What matters is that the line has to be broken or erased so it can no longer function as a line.”
I listened to Lisa as she gave me warnings before the contract.
After spending nearly an hour drawing a formation on the floor with special chalk that had high mana conductivity, she repeatedly emphasized that I must not forget.
“What did I say?”
“To erase this line on the floor. Scrub it hard so it can’t function as a line anymore.”
“That’s right, well done. You absolutely have to remember. Once the contract begins, my life is in your hands, Gyeonu. It’s embarrassing to say this with my own mouth, but the life of the imperial princess of the Grace Empire will depend on you.”
“…Aren’t you putting too much pressure on me? You’re only summoning a Third Star Rank angel anyway. How dangerous could it be…?”
Unlike humans, who formed rings around their hearts, angels and demons formed stars in their souls.
Those were called Star Ranks.
Accordingly, the magic of a Third Star Rank angel should be roughly similar to third-tier magic, or perhaps slightly above it.
In other words, it was a level Lisa and I could somehow handle if things came down to it.
From my perspective, I could only click my tongue at her excessive warnings.
I understood how she felt, but I thought there was no need to be overly anxious.
At that, she pouted and stuck out her lips.
“That’s how careful you have to be when making a contract with a being from another world. You can’t look down on them just because they’re a Third Star Rank angel. You’re only saying that because you don’t know anything about white magic, Gyeonu. If you’ve got a problem, then you do it.”
“Fine. I’m sorry. Like you said, I think I took it too lightly because I’ve never handled white magic before. But anyway, ‘if you’ve got a problem’… Who on earth taught you that? Don’t tell me it was Eunbi again….”
“This time it was Hanbyeol.”
“…Could you stop learning how the others talk and learn from Haneul instead?”
“I am learning how Haneul talks too. Not long ago, I learned the phrase ‘can’t read the room.’ They said you’re someone who can’t read the room, Gyeonu.”
“Why do you only learn phrases like that…?”
Lisa Grace, who even combined sarcasm with a tone that sounded like gentle admonishment.
Lately, I had been thinking that Lisa was becoming more and more delinquent.
I had no idea what kind of friends she had made to get so badly influenced.
She was practically a sponge.
With a sigh, I raised the white flag at her retort.
“I’ll follow whatever you say, no matter what. Happy?”
“Yes, please do. Thank you.”
“There’s nothing else you need to tell me, right?”
“There is still one thing left. Now we have to decide on a code word.”
“A code word?”
“A code word to use as a signal to stop the contract and reverse-summon the angel. Occasionally, there are types who notice what’s going on and try to force the contract through. Though unlike demons, angels generally withdraw if you simply apologize politely.”
“In other words, you want us to decide on a signal to replace saying that we’re stopping the contract, just in case.”
“Yes, that’s right. It’s best if this code word has as little to do with the contract as possible. Does anything come to mind?”
“Haneul? Or maybe, ‘May Heaven protect us’?”
“I know you’re a Haneul-devotee, Gyeonu, but saying that when you’re having a conversation with me is a little…. Somehow, it feels like you don’t even have me in mind. Still, when you’re with me, you should focus on me.”
“That wasn’t my intention. You asked if anything came to mind, so Haneul automatically popped into my head.”
“Ah, yes…. You really are the real deal, Gyeonu. That’s something I learned from Eunbi.”
“Can’t we just go with Haneul?”
“It’s best to avoid using a name as the code word if possible. There’s nothing good about giving a being from another world information about us. And shorter is better.”
She had a point.
I agreed with Lisa’s advice and fell into thought.
‘If I choose something too halfhearted, she might say I’m being insincere, so it should be a word with some meaning….’
Suddenly, I remembered when I first met Lisa.
Back then, after she had eaten ramyeon in my room, she went into the bathroom and came back out….
When my thoughts reached that point, I blurted something out.
“Vitamin C.”
“Vitamin C… You mean the water balloon I touched at the Hotel of Dreams?”
“Right, the water balloon. If we use that, wouldn’t the angel have no idea what it means even if it hears the code word?”
“That does seem likely. Then let’s go with Vitamin C. To think you’d use something from when we first met as the code word…. You have good sense, Gyeonu.”
“So I’m not someone who can’t read the room anymore, right?”
“Yes, only a very little.”
Lisa let out a giggle.
Having received a passing mark from her, I shrugged.
At the same time, a wry smile rose to my lips.
‘Judging by that, she still doesn’t know.’
* * *
This was my first time seeing the process of calling a being from another world and forming a contract.
Even in the game, it was only glossed over and never described in detail.
‘Well, there were bound to be limits to implementing it through a system.’
So, unlike the profound settings surrounding black magic and white magic,
The process of learning those two types of magic in the game was extremely simple.
You simply selected the skill you wanted to learn from the list of available skills and paid the materials.
All the effects and presentation that occurred during the process were omitted.
Likewise, the price paid for forming the contract was never mentioned.
In the game, the settings for those two types of magic were ultimately nothing more than decorations to make the worldbuilding stand out.
That was why, now that I was witnessing a contract ritual in reality rather than in the game, I could only be curious.
I also felt worried.
‘She said it would be fine, but I really hope nothing happens….’
So as not to interfere with the contract, I stepped back outside the formation and watched Lisa.
Standing inside the formation, she clasped her hands together as if in prayer and focused her mind.
A moment later, the formation drawn on the floor responded to the mana she manifested and emitted a blue light.
The materials arranged for the contract scattered into particles of mana.
‘It’s begun.’
The current flowing through the area changed.
Lisa had connected a passageway to another dimension—a Channel.
Sensing the change, I decided not to let down my guard.
In preparation for the contract going wrong, I placed my hand on the scabbard so I could draw the Ultramarine Sword at any moment.
Before long, a single ray of light rose from the circle at the center of the formation.
───!!
The light spread and became a pillar.
Lisa stepped back to avoid the light as it instantly swallowed the circle and swelled in force.
At a certain point, the light stopped spreading outward and gradually lost its strength.
Soon, within it, the angel who had answered the summoning revealed herself.
‘I don’t feel any dangerous aura. Is it all right?’
A little girl wearing clothes adorned with fluttering lace, holding a golden pitcher in her hands, and wearing a flower crown on her head.
Though she looked to be around ten years old on the outside, a pair of white wings sprouted from her back, as if proving that she was an angel.
The Third Star Rank angel, Libiwa.
Her appearance was exactly as Lisa had described to me beforehand.
“Libiwa, I wish to borrow your power.”
Libiwa kept looking around, as if fascinated by the world to which she had been summoned.
Lisa called her name to draw her attention, then politely stated her wish.
At that, Libiwa’s gaze stopped on Lisa, and she opened her mouth with a smile.
‘What is she saying?’
Basically, contracts were meant to be concluded as secrets known only to the parties involved.
Unfortunately, since I was not a party to the contract, I could not hear Libiwa’s voice.
All I could hear from time to time was Lisa’s voice as she conversed with Libiwa.
Even that was filtered by Libiwa when it concerned the contents of the contract.
“Huh? That’s not it. Gyeonu is….”
“….”
What on earth were they talking about for my name to come up?
As Libiwa waved at me as if in greeting, I waved back, and my curiosity only grew.
Around then, Lisa, who seemed to have found common ground while discussing the terms of the contract, nodded.
“Yes, I’ll accept those conditions.”
Immediately after, as if announcing that the contract had been completed, Libiwa spread her wings wide.
A cluster of lights sparkling in all sorts of colors rose from her.
The lights left her as they were and seeped into Lisa’s body.
Having completed her role, Libiwa turned into particles of mana and disappeared.
The Channel connected to the Celestial Realm closed, and the current in the area returned to normal.
I approached Lisa, who stood still with her eyes closed as if reflecting on something.
“Is it over?”
“Yes. I’ll show you now.”
Lisa lifted her eyelids and manifested the mana within her body.
She tilted the staff in her hand and displayed the power she had obtained from Libiwa.
Along with the sound of surging waves,
A stream of water born from the staff coiled around Lisa’s body.
Now protected by the current, she asked with satisfaction,
“How is it? Does it look useful?”
“You could put it straight into actual combat.”
Third Star Rank white magic, Shining Wave.
A spell that eliminated the continuous damage effects caused by black magic of the same Star Rank or below would be a great help in facing O Junsik.
Furthermore, the stream of water around her body also reduced incoming attacks.
‘This should take one worry off my mind.’
Since I had confirmed the results Lisa had obtained, there was nothing more for me to do.
I decided not to worry too much about the class match between Kang Hanbyeol and O Junsik.
From now on, I should be able to pay attention to my own class as well.
It was then that a thought suddenly occurred to me.
‘So what did she offer as the price for her contract?’
For white mages and black mages, revealing the price they paid was practically the same as exposing a weakness.
That was why, no matter how close you were, asking what someone had paid was considered bad manners.
It was rude.
Among them, there was even a saying that you should never tell even your parents.
Not wanting to make Lisa uncomfortable for no reason, I decided to suppress my curiosity.
‘If Lisa made the contract, then it probably isn’t a price she can’t handle.’
If so, that was a relief.
As long as it wasn’t a price serious enough to make Lisa miserable, that was enough.
After congratulating her on her achievement, I decided to return to my training.
“I’m going to go train now. What about you?”
“I’ll stay a little longer before I go. I want to practice so I can handle it a bit more skillfully.”
“Okay, got it. Good work today. See you tomorrow.”
“Thank you for helping me today too, Gyeonu.”
And so, I decided to leave Lisa alone and depart from the training room.
Leaving her behind, I moved toward the exit.
‘Hm?’
It was then that I felt a strange gaze from behind me.
With my hand on the doorknob, I turned my head out of curiosity.
And then…
“What are you doing?”
“Ah…”
“I get it. That’s the price, isn’t it? That’s a pretty… interesting price.”
“…”
I saw Lisa with one eyebrow scrunched up and her tongue stuck far out.
On top of that, she had made a V-sign with the fingers of her right hand.
The moment I witnessed that sight, I couldn’t help bursting into laughter.
Apparently, that was the price.
Meanwhile, her face turned bright red after being caught in such a ridiculous pose.
On the verge of tears, she shouted.
“D-don’t laugh! I’m not even supposed to tell my parents about it…! You saw it, so take responsibility!”
“What responsibility? I’ve already got my hands full looking after myself and Haneul. Don’t worry, I won’t go around telling anyone.”
“I don’t know! Just take responsibility if I say so! And how am I supposed to trust you, Gyeonu…”
Unable to overcome her embarrassment, Lisa began rambling in words even she didn’t seem to understand.
Eventually, she even started whimpering in the language of the Grace Empire…
Deciding that there was no communicating with her, I bolted.
* * *
If we could meet, even for a short while, we wanted to.
Since Yeon Haneul and I were of the same mind, we took a little time before bed, just like yesterday.
After finishing training, returning to the dormitory, washing up, and changing into comfortable clothes, we met in front of the dorm and walked along a nearby trail.
As we did, we quietly exchanged stories about what had happened to us that day.
Then, after hearing my story, she asked curiously.
“What was Lisa’s price?”
Yeon Haneul lightly grabbed my arm and shook it, as if pestering me to tell her.
Seeing her before the day was over made the corners of my mouth rise for no reason.
Right now, I felt like I could answer anything she asked.
“Sorry, but I promised Lisa, so I don’t think I can tell you that.”
Even so, there were still things that had to be kept.
It was practically Lisa’s personal information, and moreover, something that could become a weakness for a white mage or black mage. I couldn’t carelessly disclose it.
Not even if the other person was Yeon Haneul.
“Hmph… I even told you that I advanced to the Fourth Rank…”
“It’s not my story, so it’s hard for me to say anything carelessly. Haneul, please understand.”
Perhaps disappointed by my attitude, Yeon Haneul shot me a sidelong glare with a pouty look.
But rather than being sincere, it was closer to an attitude of half-jokingly testing me.
In fact, considerate of my position, she backed down without persistently interrogating me.
“Hmph, whatever. I hate you.”
“Hey, hey, hey, don’t go ahead. Walk with me.”
“Hey? Did you just call me ‘hey’?”
“Would you please walk with me, Ha-neul?”
“Fine, let’s go together. I’ll let you off.”
“Thank you sooo very much, really…”
Pretending to be sulky, Yeon Haneul passed me and strode ahead.
I quickly chased after her and soothed her mood.
No, it would be more accurate to say I played along with her.
When our eyes met, we giggled for no reason.
‘By the way, she’s become Fourth Rank…’
On the other hand, my feelings were complicated.
Yeon Haneul reaching the Fourth Rank could be called good news in terms of progressing the game’s story.
However, now that my class was going to face hers, I couldn’t be purely happy about it.
‘No, why did the Witch have to do it now of all times…? Isn’t that too much?’
I could only feel resentful toward Hong Yena, who had helped Yeon Haneul advance in rank.
This was betrayal.
Grumbling to her inwardly, I looked down at Yeon Haneul, whose gaze hadn’t left me.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
Seeing Yeon Haneul smile so brightly for no particular reason eased my mood.
Then my thoughts drifted elsewhere.
‘Would she look ridiculous too?’
Lisa’s strange behavior from earlier had left a strong impression on me.
What would it be like if Yeon Haneul did it?
Unable to suppress the sudden curiosity that arose in me, I opened my mouth.
“Haneul, stick out your tongue.”
“Stick out my tongue?”
“Yeah, like bleh.”
“That’s so random… Bleeeh.”
Are you a kid?
As if finding me childish, Yeon Haneul gave a small laugh, then stuck out her tongue as I had asked.
She flicked it like a snake, playfully moving it in and out.
‘Now that I look at it… Haneul’s tongue is on the narrow and long side.’
Was this how a puppy felt when it couldn’t resist a rolling ball?
It was a wicked tongue that made a person feel restless for no reason.
Somehow, um…
It felt awkward to say this, but, um…
It was lewd.
“What’s wrong?”
“…Nothing.”
“You’re the one who suddenly told me to stick out my tongue. You’re so weird.”
I had ended up staring too intently.
Enchanted by Yeon Haneul’s tongue, I belatedly came to my senses.
Then, pretending nothing had happened, I acted as calm as possible.
I changed the subject.
“Anyway, Haneul.”
“Yeah? What?”
“I heard everything from Lisa. You told the others I was dense, didn’t you?”
“Ah… But you are dense.”
“Now you’re turning this around on me? Why am I dense? Sure, you sometimes tell me I’m oblivious, but honestly, it’s not to that extent.”
“Then try guessing what I was thinking before I met you earlier.”
“…That you wanted to see me?”
“You’re only sharp at times like this… How did you know?”
“Well… because I felt the same.”
“…Yeah, I see. Then we were thinking the same thing.”
“Of course. So I’m not dense anymore, right?”
“Yes, yes, of course, little Do Gyeonu. Little Gyeonu isn’t completely clueless after all.”
Yeon Haneul giggled.
Before I knew it, I was holding her hand, and my shoulders shook along with hers.
And so, we returned to the dormitory to sleep.
A few days later, she and I would face each other as enemies.
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss