Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.17 – Irene Windler is a Villainess? (4)
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The Status Window couldn't hide its shock upon checking Lee Han's absurd stats—or rather, unlike Derek, Lee Han faced it far more calmly than expected.
'I figured we'd run into each other sooner or later.'
Lee Han wasn't particularly surprised by the sudden appearance of the Status Window.
Honestly, whether sooner or later, he had always believed they would cross paths eventually.
And as predicted, they had met. The emotion Lee Han felt was...
'What a thick character archetype.'
Just like the regressor who turned out to be the stereotypical youngest son of a northern grand duke.
Or like the romance-fantasy possessor heroine with her typical secret birth and special talents.
All the protagonists he'd encountered exuded an aura perfectly suited to their roles.
But in the case of this Status Window, whether reincarnated or possessed...
'What a gloomy guy.'
Wasn't it steeped in a thick melancholy?
This felt like a refreshingly unique character.
'The shy type, huh.'
It must struggle with dealing with others directly.
As proof...
"Th-that's, um, I..."
The moment he spoke first, it panicked and started buffering.
The classic loner outsider type.
Most people would find it frustrating or lead to misunderstandings.
'But I've dealt with plenty of these types.'
So he let it slide.
Having spent ten years as a soldier in his past life, the number of socially maladjusted people he'd encountered was easily over a thousand.
Overstating it? He wished it was a joke.
'At least this type is quiet. The real nightmares are the idiots spouting dogshit beliefs and pointless politics.'
So Lee Han quietly waited for it to speak.
Loner types might be slow to talk, but if you waited patiently without yelling, they'd respond sincerely.
And sure enough, it rewarded his faith.
"D-did you... know that I approached you on p-purpose?"
"Hard not to."
"...I came really secretly."
"Your footsteps were quiet. No presence at all."
"...But you still knew."
"I've got sharp instincts."
"S-sure seems like it..."
"Hm."
"!"
At Lee Han's meaningful glance, it flinched like a squirrel caught stealing food.
As if piercing through its soul with a 'I know what you did.'
And as expected.
'This guy's seen my Status Window, right?'
Lee Han had already roughly guessed what the Status Window had done.
So.
"So, how was the observation?"
"!!?"
"Don't do it again next time. Isn't it rude to pull that on someone you just met?"
"Th-that's..."
"Answer."
"...S-sorry."
"I'll let it slide since you apologized sincerely."
"......"
"Here, towel. Wipe off that sweat."
"......"
It flinched at every word, and Lee Han finally let out a chuckle.
They hadn't even properly conversed yet, but it apologized properly and its reactions seemed genuine.
'Doesn't seem like a bad guy.'
Click.
No need to gouge out an eye, he thought, slipping the knife back into his pocket that he didn't even remember drawing.
'-D-did it just see right through my skill?!'
For Derek, it was a shocking situation.
His heart pounded with the surprise that someone had noticed him using his skill for the first time.
But Derek assumed the other hadn't figured out exactly what he'd seen.
'Th-the target's traits didn't have . That means he's a native of this world. S-so he wouldn't know about <status>.'
Why had Derek today gambled with his Status skill, usable only once every three months, to approach Lee Han?
The existence of another Player he'd always suspected inwardly.
He'd approached to confirm it.
If the target's trait slot had , it would prove he was a fellow Player.
Hence the gamble.
Another Player could be an unknown variable, and if malicious, a huge problem.
Steeling himself, he'd checked—and fortunately, Lee Han's traits had no 'Player'.
Proof he was a native of this world!
Derek felt both regret and relief.
At least for now, he was the only Player.
But.
'H-he caught me?!'
The sharp gaze right after relaxing.
And the meaningful implication that he'd sensed the skill's presence...!
It was only natural for chills to run down his spine.
'N-no, not completely caught.'
Calming down a bit, he thought maybe the other's [Beast's Intuition] or [Earnest Instinct] had picked up on something off about his gaze.
Traits at that level could notice the alien feel of his skill.
So the skill itself probably wasn't exposed.
'I... was really in danger.'
Still, it had been a dangerous situation.
If the other had attacked the moment he sensed the oddity, Derek would've been instantly wiped out.
No way an Lv.7 warrior could handle his specs.
'Doesn't seem as violent as I imagined.'
Derek thought this person might be more rational and intelligent than expected.
Even sensing the alien energy— the skill— without showing displeasure was impressive enough, but what struck him most was...
'He's being considerate of me.'
He'd been bullied, called a stutterer or mute.
Born with a slow, slurred speech and an introverted personality, others often raised their voices or got angry at him.
For Derek, it was a past full of injustice, full of moments wishing they'd just give him time to speak slowly.
And in his life so far, only two people had patiently listened to him finish.
One was Karin, brilliantly speeching at the debate center right now.
The other was...
'The name, the vibe... he really resembles him...'
The mentor-like figure he'd met during two hellish years of military service.
'He kinda looks like the platoon leader.'
Platoon Leader.
'Sergeant Lee Han' resembled him.
...Had the platoon leader reincarnated?
"...Ha."
'No way.'
No matter what, the odds of a dead acquaintance reincarnating in another world were absurd, so Derek shook his head.
Meeting a regressor or possessor? Sure, but that cliché? No.
He denied his own ridiculous imagination.
So for now.
'I should just count myself lucky to meet another good person.'
Toward the third 'good person' he'd met, Derek slowly opened his mouth.
"D-Derek. First-year History Department."
...Comically, the Status Window—er, the guy—finally revealed his name and affiliation, and Lee Han looked bored.
"Took you long enough."
"S-sorry..."
"Apology accepted. History Department, huh? Hm, do they teach Fighting Techniques there these days?"
"!!?"
"A pretty advanced one at that. The kind only high nobles learn."
"......"
"Family name?"
"...Sorry."
"Can't reveal that, huh. Getting more suspicious by the minute."
"Ugh...!"
The Status Window swallowed a groan and deflated further.
It knew that withholding info bred distrust.
His visible distress and anxiety, worrying if he'd offended.
Of course.
'Doesn't look like a spoiled brat.'
Lee Han was already convinced this was the infamous second prince from the rumors.
Not just the advanced Fighting Technique, but the aura similar to his sister's.
The unique vibe of Pendragon royals.
So he was sure, but for now, he pretended not to know the guy's status.
To avoid seeming too informed.
Someone might argue pressure yields more info.
'With this type, better to draw it out naturally than force it.'
Lee Han had experience extracting info from countless types.
Torture or threats worked on some, not others.
The Status Window was definitely the latter.
'The type who spills naturally once chatting.'
Simple and naive; drop the guard, and it'll pour out.
So what he needed to do now was.
"Cadet Derek."
"Y-yes?!"
"For now, I'll set aside your suspiciousness."
"!?!?"
"But you know how suspicious you look."
"Th-that's..."
"I know you approached with some purpose. No hostility or killing intent, so I won't threaten you, but the suspicion is clear."
"......"
"So, how about we do question-for-question?"
"...Q-question-for-question...?"
"We take turns asking what we want to know. I'll go first."
"Th-that."
"No rush."
"......"
...Silence fell for a moment.
Sudden proposal, but the Status Window seemed to take it seriously.
It must be grateful.
Didn't know Lee Han's intent, but got a chance to gain info.
Able to achieve his goal thanks to Lee Han's consideration—what a windfall.
After about three minutes of Lee Han waiting impassively.
Suddenly, the guy.
Snap.
"[Silence]."
Whoosh.
"...Ho. Neat trick."
Sound instantly cut off, their presence dimmed.
Glancing at the maid, Bear Cub, Chick No.2—they ignored him, focused on the debate.
Enthralled by the intense presence of Karin.
The guy spoke.
"I-it's not much repayment for your forgiveness, but I revealed my ability. H-hope it builds some trust..."
"Interesting skill. Silence, right?"
"...You heard that?"
"Clear as day."
"...Great for secret talks."
"Not bad."
Man, this Status Window guy—what a lucky bastard.
Definitely a 'skill'.
One of those he'd desperately wanted, recalling his past life.
Lee Han pretended nonchalance but swallowed bitterness.
If he'd had even one such ability, life might've been better.
As Lee Han reminisced briefly.
"I-instructor, are you with the temple side by any chance?"
"...Hm."
The question finally came, stirring a sense of déjà vu.
'The temple again?'
Just like the regressor's underling back then. Damn.
Lee Han organized his thoughts with narrowed eyes.
'Regressors, Status Window—definitely something at the temple.'
Reaching that conclusion, he shook his head.
"Least of all me. No temple ties."
"R-really..."
"Ha, why ask if you doubt?"
"...Still, you don't seem the lying type. I'll try to believe."
"Good answer, Cadet Derek. Bonus question as reward."
"Th-then, may I ask about your relationship with Irene Windler?"
"......"
-He bit.
As planned, natural conversation hooked the big fish.
Lee Han hid his glee, feigning confusion.
"Irene Windler? Why ask about her suddenly?"
"F-first, your answer..."
"Hm, fine. Our relationship is instructor and cadet."
"......"
"But additionally, we're next-door neighbors."
"Neighbors...?"
"Literal. She lives right next to my cabin."
"...R-really?"
"What do I gain from lying? I'm only speaking truth."
"Th-then, besides that..."
"Acquaintance. That defines it best."
"......"
"My turn. Why curious about Irene? Got a grudge?"
"N-no, just..."
"Just?"
"Urgh..."
He hesitated with a groan, but the Status Window was conscientious.
Having shown yielding virtue, he'd answer.
Slowly...
"M-might sound weird, but the Irene Windler I knew wasn't like that."
"Like what exactly?"
"N-not the bright, sunny smile or bubbly girl type."
"Then?"
Prodding sharply.
"V-venomous, wicked, jealous of others, black hand trying to dominate the Academy with family and magic..."
"......"
"...A villainess straight out of a play. I-I know."
"...Who told you?"
"Obviously, Lady Irene Windler."
"...???"
Lee Han's head tilted, glancing at the girl chatting cozily with the maid, shoulders touching.
Her, the villainess?
'...Hidden nature of a spellcaster?'
His spellcaster prejudice stirred, but he suppressed it, shaking his head.
At least the Irene he'd met wasn't some slime like typical spellcasters.
However.
"...Why'd the mid-boss end up like that?"
"......"
...She muttered quietly to herself, but Lee Han heard clearly.
The words 'mid-boss'.
Thus, blinking at Irene Windler's shocking true identity revelation.
'What? Thought she was the romance heroine or something, but no...'
─She was a boss mob?