Chapter 129
Chapter 129
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: No Word from Mudal
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Even after the promised time had passed, there was no contact from Mudal.
There was only one implication.
"Failed, it seems."
The White Tiger beastkin set down his glass and gazed wistfully at the bright moonlit night.
"Attacking where White Night is holding the line won't be easy."
He had been a greenhorn in the past, but now he was a full-fledged National Treasure.
Even if I stepped in personally, it wouldn't be a walk in the park.
'But I can't give up.'
Dragon Slayer Spear.
He had crossed through the Gate into this unfamiliar land solely for that.
No matter who the opponent, he would fight and prevail until it was in his hands.
'This is a land where the Yaksha has vanished, after all.'
Hope overflows...
The White Tiger beastkin steadied his mind and unleashed a piercing, fierce glare.
***
"You're on a business trip? Suddenly?"
"Not suddenly. It's been scheduled for two months."
Woo Kyohwan's office.
Professor Lee Soyoung's abrupt visit threw the teaching assistants into a fluster.
Mana Studies professor and Tactics professor.
The two, famous for entirely different reasons, weren't close.
They exchanged mere nods if they crossed paths alone in the hallway—distant at best.
Yet here she was, showing up at his office to inquire about his whereabouts.
'Maybe because you're not close, you couldn't call and came in person instead.'
"He's gone to Japan?"
As the assistants squirmed awkwardly, Lee Soyoung spotted a pamphlet on the desk.
It introduced the Fortress Studies conference.
Fortress Studies.
A field pushed hard by the Japanese, who took sieges seriously.
It advocated "zero-casualty Gate raids" by building fortresses inside Gates, using them as bases to lure and exterminate monsters.
It made sense that Woo Kyohwan, the Tactics professor, would take a keen interest.
"Yes, he left thrilled at the chance to learn advanced knowledge."
Advanced knowledge.
The grating phrasing left Lee Soyoung unable to even counter.
Historically, Japan, alongside China, had long led Asia.
Korea had only briefly seized Asia's helm during the Yaksha's heyday.
'And these kids never witnessed the Yaksha's feats firsthand.'
Even those who had seen them were starting to doubt and deny his legacy.
The distorted information from the government and Association had thoroughly buried the Yaksha.
In short, Korea had erased its own fleeting glory.
To young people unaware of the truth, Japan and China were nations Korea had never caught up to—objects of natural admiration.
But Woo Kyohwan was different.
Over fifty, and a scholar no less—he had to know the real history.
Yet he got excited in front of his students about "advanced knowledge"?
'Japan is impressive, sure, but does he need to lead the praise parade?'
Emulating superior nations was natural, of course.
But Lee Soyoung suspected Woo Kyohwan.
He knew the student council was searching for the beastkin, yet he had lured the president anyway, endangering other students.
Woo Kyohwan was blatantly suspicious.
Based on the president's testimony alone, arresting and interrogating him would raise no issues.
'He times his departure perfectly, like he's guilty... Huh?'
Scowling as she scanned the office, Lee Soyoung sensed something.
She strode forward.
Toward Woo Kyohwan's desk. The assistants panicked.
"Professor Lee...?"
They had no chance to stop her.
Crack!
Lee Soyoung pried open the locked desk drawer, found a small magic stone, and muttered.
"Evil Eye's contract stone..."
Contract stone.
A magic stone binding a demon and human in mutual contract.
It wasn't inherently problematic.
There were rare players who used demon-granted powers beneficially—slaying monsters, raiding Gates.
But the Evil Eye was the lowest-grade demon.
Its abilities: stealth and superior eyesight.
And what it offered its contractor? Solely "shared vision."
"Shady. I'll be taking this. If he wants it back, tell him to come find Professor Woo Kyohwan himself. Though I doubt he'll return to campus."
***
"Give me an outing pass."
Saturday.
Right after morning classes ended, Hae-rin headed to the faculty office. Kim Jin-myeong eyed her with some difficulty.
"What's the reason? You know finals start next week, right?"
Lion's Castle students had free weekend outings.
But exam period changed that.
Even second-years, often off-campus for club duties, restrained themselves now.
Issuing a pass to a first-year?
It was a heavy burden for Kim Jin-myeong.
He was already precarious without faction ties; other teachers might pressure him.
"It's my father's birthday soon."
Park Hae-rin's explanation softened Kim Jin-myeong's expression.
"Shopping for a birthday gift? What a dutiful daughter."
He had a wife and kids too.
Seeing a family-loving student warmed his heart.
But public duty came first.
"Still, you don't need to go out for that. Online or community orders have way more variety, don't they?"
"A friend promised to come along and help pick."
"Just show them online and have them choose. Besides, going with a friend? I can't issue passes for two."
Kim Jin-myeong stated firmly.
Relieved to have grounds to refuse.
"......"
Hae-rin faltered at the unexpected hurdle.
"What's taking so long?"
Unable to wait outside, Jae-hyeok barged into the faculty office.
"Kang Jae-hyeok."
"That kid... he's tight with Professor Lee, right?"
Teachers focused on their work stiffened.
Many averted their eyes from Jae-hyeok like guilty men.
Kim Jin-myeong seized the moment.
"Here."
He whipped up the pass lightning-fast and pressed it into Hae-rin's hand.
"Best to see and choose gifts for your father in person. Of course, yes indeed. I hope my daughter grows up treasuring her dad like you do, Hae-rin."
"...?"
"Have a safe trip."
Stunned by the sudden shift, Hae-rin snapped to when—
"......"
She was already standing beside Jae-hyeok in the hallway.
"Shall we head out?"
"You... got an outing pass, Jae-hyeok?"
"I've had one all along."
"Why would you already have an outing pass?"
Hae-rin checked the pass.
1st Year Class B: Park Hae-rin.
The above student is permitted to leave campus due to an extremely urgent and important family matter.
○ Month ○○ Day, Saturday.
Advising Teacher: Kim Jin-myeong.
The pass specified the issue date.
Valid only on the printed day.
Saying he "already had" it was a bit off.
Jae-hyeok seemed oblivious.
"Because I got it before."
As if it were the most obvious thing.
Jae-hyeok strode ahead briskly.
Almost jogging pace.
Hae-rin scrambled to keep up.
They never walked side by side as they passed the school gate.
"You again?"
One of the gate guards recognized Jae-hyeok.
Gruff tone, but trusting enough—he checked only Hae-rin's pass, skipping Jae-hyeok's.
"Extremely urgent family matter...? Damn, tough break at your age. Hurry off."
It sailed through without a hitch.
Hae-rin skipped all the red tape and crossed the Gate.
But outside, far more players guarded the perimeter.
The first line of defense shielding Lion's Castle from potential threats.
Security was insanely tight.
"Oh, Jae-hyeok?"
"How's Seong-hyun recovering?"
The outer Gate players were far friendlier to Jae-hyeok.
Thanks to Jo Seong-hyun from Jaehyeok Pharmaceuticals, whom he mingled with.
Jo Seong-hyun revered Jae-hyeok beyond benefactor—as a master.
Explaining Jae-hyeok to others, he listed virtues Jae-hyeok himself ignored. Image boosted automatically.
"Say hi to Seong-hyun for me. Have a good outing."
"......"
Hae-rin watched Jae-hyeok silently as people saw him off until they were far from the Gate.
Her eyes sparkled like during Sword Dance, as if beholding a great figure. It embarrassed Jae-hyeok.
"Those folks trust me and act nice because of my homeroom teacher and other connections. You know Jaehyeok Pharmaceuticals? Their young master brings coffee and snacks to the Gate guards all the time. Somehow, I got chummy with them too."
Jae-hyeok briefly recounted his encounters with Jaehyeok Pharma staff.
Even abbreviated, it was lengthy.
"...So that's the story."
"Yeah, thanks to you, Jae-hyeok."
"Weren't you listening? It's not me—it's them."
"They're fond of you and help because of your choices and actions."
"......"
Hae-rin's eyes gleamed like in Sword Dance.
A girl raised learning only obedience.
Who hesitated even to grasp helping hands.
To her, Jae-hyeok was a profound inspiration in many ways.
Judge for yourself, decide, act...
She, finally learning to be a "normal person," resolved.
"I'll be that kind of person for you too."
"...Do as you like."
Jae-hyeok was a wounded kid too.
Unaccustomed to pure praise or goodwill, he grew awkward.
Embarrassed, he quickened his pace into the bustling streets.
"Wow."
Jae-hyeok rarely exclaimed in awe.
Crowds thronged the city center.
Locked in the mansion his whole life, this was his first real look.
"Where to first?"
Jae-hyeok gawked around curiously. Hae-rin's tone lifted slightly.
For once, she sensed she might be the one giving, not receiving.
Jae-hyeok answered.
"The tonic shop."
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