Chapter 8

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Translator: ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠penny

Chapter: 8

Chapter Title: Academy Enrollment

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After the Academy's practical evaluation results were announced, an avalanche of interview requests poured in. Not just the major broadcast networks, but cable channels and media outlets I'd vaguely heard of somewhere. They clung to my pant legs, begging for just one interview. It got to the point where reporters camping out in front of my house felt normal.

Interviews themselves were familiar by now. Cameras didn't scare me much anymore. I was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a bit nervous at first, but that was fine. There was nothing to fear when people defended whatever I said.

I remembered my first interview. Standing in front of the camera felt so awkward that I stammered badly. When I felt pathetic watching my own ridiculous performance, I checked the comments.

There wasn't a single person badmouthing me. Even if there was, the crowd swarmed and shut them down. Netizens weren't the only ones stepping up—the site itself didn't sit idle. Comments got deleted by admins left and right.

It gave me courage. It made me rethink the value this world prized above all else.

A raging libido that couldn't be sated with just a few rounds, a massive cock that exceeded averages when erect, and thick, sticky semen that reeked when ejaculated—

That was enough to make me the top-ranked Captain Candidate at Korea's most famous Academy.

'She looks like Seulgi noona.'

She resembled her so much, you'd believe they were family. Such a woman unbuttoned her shirt and bared her nipples. Her pale coffee-colored areolas stole my attention. Like I was hypnotized, I stood right in front of her.

The interview ended quicker than expected. With the entrance ceremony looming, it was all about my current feelings, today's condition, my resolve—pretty much idle chit-chat. But that was enough.

They took my photos, recorded my voice, so the dazed woman standing before me, Choi Ji-hyun, had done her job as a reporter.

"Reporter, do you know Choi Seulgi?"

"...Seulgi's my sister."

"Ah."

Just as I figured. No stranger reporter would dream up such a bold move. Unless someone tipped her off, she couldn't have even thought of it, let alone pulled it off. Flashing her tits at a Captain Candidate? Rude didn't even cover it.

"Tell Seulgi noona I said hi. Tell her to treat me big when we meet later."

"Yeah, got it."

The air around us grew ominously heavy. The networks that missed out on my interview started transcribing my words in a razor-thin atmosphere.

The guy next to Choi Ji-hyun, Kang Ji-seok, looked disappointed. The auntie behind her, Kwon Ho-ran, was beaming. The mood at Choi Ji-hyun's cable network ATN was heating up. With exclusive footage of my interview, they'd scored big.

"I'll be going now."

"Take care, Hyunwoo!"

Kwon Ho-ran waved her arms wildly to see me off. Her loud farewell drew all the students' eyes our way. Feeling awkwardly embarrassed, I quickened my pace.

From behind, I heard praise for Choi Ji-hyun.

I entered the grand auditorium for the entrance ceremony. It was already packed with early arrivals. Groups of newly made friends chatted in clusters. The echoing noise made it feel rowdy.

—Chik, chiik—.

The auditorium speakers blared. Someone tapped the mic, testing the sound equipment. It felt like the real event was about to start. My heart raced with excitement.

"Hyunwoo student!"

Someone called me. The moment my name was spoken, everyone turned to stare like they'd been waiting. Especially the girls—their gazes were blatant.

The pure possessiveness of a kid spotting a toy they want. But less sharp. Still, their interest in me was intense.

'I knew it, but...'

Feeling it firsthand hit different. The boys might've entered half-forced, but the girls hadn't. They applied to the Academy with genuine dreams of becoming Heroes.

They'd clawed through the Korean Hero Academy's brutal exams. Each one was a top 1% genius in Korea. The future pillars of Korea's Hero society. Their determination wasn't kid stuff.

"Hyunwoo student!"

"Yes, here!"

I followed the voice of the female teacher calling me. A middle-aged woman in a suit. Well-maintained—she could pass for active duty aside from faint wrinkles.

Of course, that's not my type.

"Hyunwoo student, ever done a pledge as freshman rep?"

My eyes went to the name badge on her neck. I memorized the three letters: Park Okhwa. Park Okhwa asked about the freshman rep pledge.

I shook my head. No experience representing a group. Squad leader was my limit.

"You're the top Captain Candidate who enrolled first, right?"

"Yes."

"So you and the top Hero Candidate girl have to do the freshman rep pledge together. I figured our Hyunwoo could handle it fine, but Hero Candidate Sua might mess up. She could slip."

"Sua?"

I'm not the only top enrollee at the Academy. Excluding me, there's a top girl among the Heroes. Her talent has to be top-tier, zero-tier.

"Jeong Sua student's never done this. First time on camera, so we need a rehearsal. The Korean Hero Academy entrance ceremony airs live nationwide, so..."

Park Okhwa explained at length. We'd rehearse the ceremony, and the two freshman reps needed to stand front and center. So, could I stand up front instead of back? It was all obvious, so I agreed quietly.

"Thanks."

I followed Park Okhwa to the front row. Students started lining up behind us. Girls in place eyed me passing by, licking their lips. Their sweeping gazes felt suggestive.

I spotted the girl already up front. I stood beside her and subtly checked her out.

Her black hair was tied back with a large white ribbon, the long ponytail swaying gently.

Well-fed and grown, her swollen breasts strained against her too-small shirt, threatening to burst. Yet her poised stance was no joke. Her curves were artistic.

'Academy... best.'

This was Jeong Sua. The strongest among the 69th class freshmen. Her top enrollment alone proved a lot. As a Captain forming a crew with Heroes, she was someone to watch.

"Hi."

"...Hi."

I spoke first, but got a cold response. Despite her soft, cute face, she was prickly. Top girl among them, so I tested her directly—her indifferent reply soured my mood.

In the old world, it'd be nothing. But I'd adapted to this one. I clamped my mouth shut.

—Ahem, mic test.

A man who looked like a teacher stepped onto the stage and checked the mic. Sound, quality—everything perfect. Teachers gathered one by one, and the rehearsal began.

—Rehearsal starting. Everyone, stand at attention and wait.

The male teacher stood at the podium stage-left, mic in hand. His steady, resonant voice was pleasant. No wonder he was picked as MC.

—Let the 69th Korean Hero Academy entrance ceremony begin. Everyone, stand and face the national flag front.

The stiff, no-nonsense rehearsal proceeded. Nationwide broadcast meant no messing around.

The teachers looked tense too, dressed impeccably like for big events. Men and women alike, dazzling.

—National anthem.

Salute to the flag, sing the anthem. Standard ceremony stuff.

—Freshman rep pledge. Reps, come to stage, face front.

I moved as Park Okhwa instructed. Up the left stairs to the stage. Honestly, I just followed Jeong Sua. I'd lead down the other way.

"Pledge."

Reading the pledge was my role. Top male outranked top female.

I droned on with the nonsense. Vow to study hard, grow, serve nation and people. Respect foes as Hero and Captain.

'What a joke.'

I'll live for myself.

"Freshman rep, Lee Hyun-woo."

"—Jeong Su-a."

Lowered my arm. Passed the pledge sheet. Done. Reps stepped down after fulfilling roles. Rehearsal neared end.

—This concludes the 69th Korean Hero Academy entrance ceremony.

Rehearsal over, Park Okhwa approached right away.

"Well done, Hyunwoo. Lots of interviews? You spoke so clearly."

"Thank you."

"Just like that for the real thing. You can do it, right?"

"Yes."

Ten minutes later, the entrance ceremony began.