“But wouldn’t it work if we contacted the Chairwoman and asked her to take some measures?”
Gang Hanbyeol voiced his question.
As members of the Jamyeong Yu Family, contacting So Hyeyul was well within their means if they so wished, so the question was only natural.
At that, the man shook his head.
“I reported to the main house a short while ago, so by now word should have reached the Witch of the Stars… though I don’t believe we can expect much. An official notice was issued to the relevant personnel about a week ago.”
“A notice? What notice?”
“They say a comet called Magika is passing near Earth. Because of that, for the next several days starting today, there will be communication disturbances with Star Light Road. They say it can continue operating while maintaining existing settings, but accessing the administrator level to change settings will become impossible….”
“….”
“It seems Tacheon obtained this information and orchestrated a scheme.”
It was a matter mentioned in the game as well.
Everyone except me, who knew that, couldn’t help but feel dejected.
Soon, Yu Gaeul organized the situation.
“So in the end, to stop this plan, we have to protect the Gongheonhoe members so their badges aren’t stolen by them.”
“Yes, that’s correct. The main house has decided to secretly guard them, but the problem is….”
“The clan couldn’t fully identify all the Gongheonhoe members, right? Because of the Gongheonhoe’s unique nature.”
“It is shameful, but yes. Currently, including the publicly known members, the main house has identified thirty-seven members in total. Of them, twenty-eight are confirmed to be in Academy City.”
“For now, the publicly known members will almost certainly become targets.”
“We are expecting the same.”
“What is the possibility that the Villain Alliance knows members we haven’t identified?”
“…It is not impossible. I would estimate, at most, three or four people.”
“Then we should assume at least three or four badges have already fallen into their hands. There may also be badges that changed hands while we were uncovering the plan.”
“…According to our current investigation, two badges have already been lost. Taken from publicly known members.”
“Then they’ve secured about five or six badges…. This is dangerous. Can’t we contact the Gongheonhoe members and warn them to be careful of attacks?”
“The main house has likely contacted them. However, in the case of members we haven’t identified….”
“Couldn’t we contact the leader of the Gongheonhoe and have them inform the members? The Patriarch might know….”
“That is impossible right now.”
In other words.
It was a situation where there was no other viable option than to protect the Gongheonhoe members to stop the villains’ scheme.
In such a situation, the actions of the spirited Gang Hanbyeol and Kwon Boram were obvious.
“I’ll lend my strength too! Of course, it won’t be for free!”
“For the security of Academy City, we cannot simply remain idle. I too shall cooperate.”
The two expressed their determination.
It unfolded exactly as in the game.
Though the man seemed unable to decide readily, showing signs of distress….
“I’ll help too. In a way, we are students, and as Shield agents, we’ll be able to approach Gongheonhoe members naturally. We might even catch the villains off guard.”
When even Yu Gaeul stepped forward to insist, he finally nodded in agreement.
The man opened his mouth.
“The young lady is right. Then I shall report to the main house. You will soon receive information regarding the protection targets.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Not at all. We are the ones grateful for your cooperation. Then we shall take our leave now. I wish you the best of luck.”
After saying those words.
The man disappeared with his companions, taking the villains with them.
After that, in the game.
*It was a progression where you wandered around the Miraeje operational areas, talked with randomly spawned Gongheonhoe member NPCs in the field to achieve a meeting event, and defeated the villains that appeared at that time….*
You had to reach the villains’ leader through several such instances.
It was inevitably an extremely sluggish and tiresome episode.
So.
*Do I have to go through all that? With an easier way available?*
Since even those who might find it bothersome would have turned back by now, I decided to use a cheat key.
I called out to Gang Hanbyeol, who was brimming with motivation.
“Hanbyeol, wouldn’t it be better to talk to the Chairwoman first?”
“What?”
“You never know. Maybe she has a countermeasure.”
* * *
Having formed a cooperative relationship with So Hyeyul, there was no way I hadn’t prepared for the Miraeje episode.
I had prepared long ago.
Before the Miraeje was held, I had already persuaded her and taken measures.
If the villains collected badges and activated Star Light Road, instead of firing a particle cannon….
*Make it so that the people at the activated location are summoned to designated coordinates.*
The plan was to capture the villains that way and extract classified information.
So I could have skillfully revealed that I had prepared countermeasures just in time without causing concern among those around me, but….
—Just a moment, Gyeonu. Let us delay revealing this to those around us a little.
—Huh? Why?
So Hyeyul had objected.
At the time, she had explained her reasoning with three points.
—If the enemies catch on, they might halt their plans. If that happens, we won’t be able to capture them and extract information. Also, those guarding the Gongheonhoe members might not act aggressively and could end up suffering casualties. But most of all….
Most of all.
After saying that and catching her breath, So Hyeyul had spoken in a serious tone.
—It would mean missing the chance to make our Hanbyeol anxious.
—…Since when did she become *our* Hanbyeol?
—Ah, dear. A slip of the tongue. Anyway.
—….
—So let us delay just a little. Yes?
I can assure you.
So Hyeyul was full of ulterior motives.
The two reasons mentioned before were nothing more than convenient excuses.
—And please arrange it so that Hanbyeol can ask me about the situation directly.
—Ah, yes….
Where on earth had the dignity of the Geumgang Academy Chairwoman and the Witch of the Stars disappeared to?
I found So Hyeyul, who was utterly wrapped around Gang Hanbyeol’s finger, truly pathetic.
Even so.
Unable to overcome her earnest request.
[I watched yesterday’s match. It was truly amazing, wasn’t it? Congratulations on the victory. If things keep going like this, the academy championship is as good as guaranteed thanks to Hanbyeol.]
“Ah… thank you, Chairwoman.”
“….”
I had to arrange a phone call between Gang Hanbyeol and her.
As a result, he was more or less pushed by me into dancing to So Hyeyul’s tune.
*The Chairwoman’s voice sure is bright….*
Since the phone was on speaker mode, it came through quite clearly even from a distance.
I clicked my tongue.
Yu Gaeul and Kwon Boram had similar reactions.
Meanwhile, Gang Hanbyeol, who had been letting out bitter smiles for a while, brought up the main subject.
“But Chairwoman, I heard some information from a Jamyeong Yu Family intelligence agent earlier. It’s….”
[Ah, you mean that news. I actually just received contact from the Yu Family Patriarch. Though I had been aware of it even before that.]
“What? You knew from before?”
[Yes, I obtained separate intelligence. So I have already taken measures.]
While Gang Hanbyeol was surprised, So Hyeyul was gloating over the phone.
Soon, he asked out of curiosity.
“What measures did you take?”
[Curious?]
“Yes.”
*Huhu.*
So Hyeyul seemed to be holding back a laugh.
Soon, just as she began to speak….
[If you’re curious, try calling me Nuna.]
“…What?”
[Hyeyul Nuna. Try saying it.]
“….”
At So Hyeyul’s sudden suggestion.
We who were listening to the call were left stunned for a moment.
*Why is she like this….*
Even I felt embarrassed.
Then, though bewildered, Gang Hanbyeol complied with So Hyeyul’s request.
“H-Hyeyul Nuna?”
At that.
[Kyaaaaaah!]
“….”
Over the phone.
So Hyeyul let out a shriek of joy, as though she were dying of delight.
We were all dumbfounded.
*She’s truly incorrigible….*
I clicked my tongue.
* * *
Thanks to the countermeasures by So Hyeyul and me, the destruction ending caused by the Miraeje episode had essentially been prevented.
Thanks to that, I, Gang Hanbyeol, Kwon Boram, and Yu Gaeul were able to carry out our mission with relative peace of mind.
We just had to guard the Gongheonhoe members for a time and deal with the villains.
*And if it comes to it, we can hand over the badges with preventing human casualties as the priority….*
Either way, there was no risk for us, and it served as experience.
Amidst that.
*The villains’ goal isn’t just one. Do they think I don’t know their true intentions?*
I focused on a certain incident that was mentioned in passing in the game.
I intended to intervene in that incident.
That is why.
“It’s about time. Let’s go, Hanbyeol.”
“Yeah, got it! Let’s hurry!”
Miraeje Day 10.
Having finished the morning match, Gang Hanbyeol and I headed to the promised location.
We were planning to meet someone there and have lunch together.
And that person was none other than….
“No word from Tugwi-nim?”
Tugwi, Seo Jeongjin.
He was Gang Hanbyeol’s master.
I had business with him.
“Nothing except that he entered Academy City earlier. My Master isn’t the type to contact people often. Should I call him? Ask where he is.”
“No, it’s fine. He’ll come. Let’s go wait first. I just hope he hasn’t already arrived.”
With that, Gang Hanbyeol and I quickened our steps.
Before long, we entered the restaurant chosen as the meeting place.
There.
“You came right on time. It’s been a while. Two years, is it? Have you been well? You must have grown much stronger.”
Tugwi, Seo Jeongjin, of course, and.
“It’s been a while for you both. And… forgive me for joining you unannounced. Pardon my intrusion.”
“I too apologize. I heard from Tugwi. That the Villain Alliance is plotting another scheme.”
“Oho, so you are Haerang’s friends. Thunder Cat and Young Tugwi. Hmm, you both seem to have achieved considerable growth. Interesting! I would love to have a bout with you!”
“….”
Griffin Min Hwiseong, Patriarch of the Mado Min Family.
Ganseong Kwon Haeil, Patriarch of the Cheolong Kwon Family.
Mujon Yong Sunhwan, Patriarch of the Uihyeop Yong Family.
The three of them were waiting.
*Why are they here….*
It was bewildering for me, but not bad.
Since things had come to this, the more strength the better.
* * *
At that time.
On a restaurant terrace with a fine view.
*What is Gyeonu doing right now. I miss him…. By now he should have met Tugwi-nim, right?*
Lost in such thoughts.
Yeon Haneul was waiting for the person she had promised to meet.
Do Sieun, the Byeorakkkot, who had joined the Regulus Clan that year and was active in Academy City.
She had promised to have lunch together for the first time in a while.
*When did I last see Sieun? Last semester, with Bada too, the four of us together with Gyeonu… After that we were both too busy to meet. Just occasionally keeping in touch….*
In other words, it was their first meeting since she married Do Gyeonu.
Yeon Haneul was excited for no reason.
She fell into a pleasant dilemma.
*Sieun and I are relatives now. Then what should I call her? I’ve been calling her Unni in texts… but is it different when meeting in person? Then what should I say? Since Sieun-unni is Gyeonu’s older cousin sister… a husband’s older cousin sister is… um… Hyungnim?*
A few days ago, after sorting out the terms of address with Do Yeeun, who had visited Academy City.
Having decided to call her not by name but as Young Lady from now on, it would be right to apply that same principle to Do Sieun.
Yeon Haneul reached a conclusion.
“Yeah, I should call her Hyungnim.”
She wanted to call out to Sieun quickly.
Her rabbit ears bounced up and down.
Not long after.
“Haneul.”
Do Sieun appeared wearing a Regulus Clan uniform.
Yeon Haneul went to greet her but….
“Ah, Hyu… ng?”
She tilted her head midway.
Because Do Sieun, who looked somewhat awkward, had a companion with her.
“….”
A companion draped in a robe who appeared to be a man in build.
Before long.
Yeon Haneul recognized the face glimpsed beneath the robe’s hood.
“G-Grandfather?”
She asked in a trembling voice.
At that.
“W-who said I’m your grandfather!”
Do Yeeik, Patriarch of the Singeom Do Family.
Startled by the unexpected form of address, he replied, pushing back his robe’s hood.
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss.