Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Disciplinary Committee (2)
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Pababat!
A small rustling sound from stepping on the bushes.
The moment he heard it, he turned his head and saw burly men in security uniforms.
"Looks like a bomb went off."
"What the hell is all this commotion out of nowhere?"
They scanned the surroundings the instant they arrived, then their eyes lit up at the sight of Bihyeong and Mina.
"The top and vice-top enrollees."
"This their doing?"
"We need your cooperation for the investigation."
They were all built like they could easily bench three hundred kilos, and with those square jaws and piercing glares...
Ugh, heart's pounding already.
But Bihyeong had already seen this coming.
Or rather, ever since his fight with Imi-ho, he'd braced himself for something like this.
...No helping it. The aftermath wrecked the place pretty good.
As the Guardian Corps guys said, the area looked like a shell had hit it.
Trees snapped and sprawled lifeless on the ground, and the floor... damn, big enough to make a pond.
Bihyeong steadied his nerves and stepped forward.
"Yes. This is our doing."
"What happened?"
"Mina over there and I got caught in a yokai domain."
"Give us the details."
"We were on a date when it happened out of nowhere."
"I see. Got it."
The lead Guardian nodded and immediately surrounded Bihyeong and Mina.
"We're convening the committee now. Alert's already out at the main building. You two report immediately."
"Understood."
"Not even shaking. Knew we'd show up, huh?"
"Well... yeah. After something like this, of course."
Bihyeong met the Guardian's gaze head-on and added,
"I've heard of the Guardian Corps' reputation even before coming to the academy. And your fairness too."
"Hmph."
"Nothing to hide, and I know you'll investigate properly, so no need to worry."
The burly Guardians grinned wide, thumbs up, teeth flashing.
...That smile's still scary as hell.
"Well said. We'll handle the scene."
With that, he clapped Bihyeong on the shoulder.
"Head to the committee."
And just like that, the Guardians began scouring the area.
Craters in the ground, traces of barriers, how they ended up in a yokai domain, and so on.
Only after watching them work did Bihyeong take Mina's hand and move out.
"...Bihyeong, you okay?"
Mina's voice carried real worry.
The Disciplinary Committee.
Anyone at the academy had heard the rumors.
...Plenty got expelled after screwing up there.
Word was, some even had Bloodline Abilities that sniffed out lies.
No wonder Mina was anxious.
But Bihyeong had his confidence.
Bloodline Ability, 'Whisper of Repentance.'
Confidence they wouldn't get caught for what really happened at the Disciplinary Committee.
Makes you confess sins automatically. Influences the emotional realm, right?
For reference, Bihyeong had been in and out of the Disciplinary Committee countless times playing Solo Biography.
As a vet, enjoy-mode meant incidents followed him like shadows.
He was a walking disaster, impossible to rein in.
He had full data on how the committee worked and how to counter that Bloodline Ability.
"Mina."
"...Yeah?"
Mina tilted her head at the sudden call, then froze at his words.
"What do you think a 'date' is?"
"D-Date!?"
Mina jumped, startled, but Bihyeong was dead serious.
"Yeah. A date."
"...W-Why ask that all of a sudden?"
"Because I'm thinking we have a real one now."
Until they reached the committee, anyway.
"Th-That kind of..."
No more anxiety from before.
Mina's eyes just trembled like usual when flustered.
Bihyeong looked at her and asked again.
"It's important. Tell me your idea of a date benchmark."
Mina swallowed hard without thinking.
Then felt the warmth of his large hand holding hers...
"A h-hug... maybe?"
She said shyly.
Bihyeong glanced at her, then lowered his head.
Uh... can I? Starting too intense?
...Gotta do it.
Bihyeong gripped his rationality tight and gently hugged Mina.
She tensed at the suddenness; he felt her heart pounding fiercely.
"Sorry. Bear with it a sec."
Mina thought at his words.
Bear with it...? My self-control?
Dry swallows echoed in the eternal instant.
Bihyeong released the hug.
"Now let's go."
"Already?"
"Huh?"
"...N-Nothing! Just slipped out!"
Mina flailed her hands and took the lead.
"O-Okay, let's go!"
Leading was fine, but...
Mina? That's the wrong way.
"Not that way. This way."
Bihyeong grabbed her wrist and led again.
Matching steps, slow.
They strolled the academy grounds like tourists.
"......"
"......"
Frozen from earlier events?
No talk.
In the silence, only Eoduk could chatter freely.
-Elder, Elder. 'What.'
-Kuh! You were amazing back there, Elder! Subduing that massive fox yokai and crushing it with your presence! Truly moving! 'Just good timing.'
Yeah. Good timing.
'It was sustaining its presence with the nature in Mina's blood, so it couldn't use its full power.'
That kitsune probably thought it was in an illusory domain, unleashing its full lifetime glory.
If someone with that caliber went all out... ugh, don't wanna imagine.
-But you won without a scratch, Elder. 'Without a scratch...'
Bihyeong contemplated his lower dantian at the words.
─Zzzzt!
Pain starting after the fight.
Getting stronger bit by bit.
'Spiritual power and demonic power clashing, backlash. After the committee, gotta resolve this collision first.'
No helping it.
Human spiritual power to slay yokai.
Demonic power accumulated from birth as a yokai.
The two forces were opposites, like polar ends.
Incompatible natures, snarling the moment they met.
-...You okay, Elder? Eoduk's worried voice.
Bihyeong shook his head inwardly, casual reply.
'Yeah. Fine.'
Lower dantian pain.
He could endure that much.
'With the rewards this time, plenty.'
Bihyeong recalled the message from the Imi-ho fight.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ [Skill, 'Demon Combat Technique' evolves to the next realm.] │Fighting Spirit Delight【4th Hierarchy Rank】 [Skill, 'Fighting Spirit Delight' gains a special trait.] [Acquired Skill, 'Fighting Spirit Delight【4th Hierarchy Rank+】']
'Plus grade.'
Far superior to same-grade skills.
'Just shy of the next grade.'
Plus Bihyeong's 'Path to the Apex' effect?
Fighting Spirit Delight could hit '5th Hierarchy Rank+' power.
'In terms of skill potency alone, might even work on professors.'
Of course, needed the energy to back it,
but snagging this early in the story was insane.
...Still plenty lacking.
No movement arts for mobility, no footwork for close combat superiority.
Bihyeong's fights so far: pure offense.
Goblin senses and vet vision carried him.
'Can't call myself professor-level till I fill the gaps and gain experience.'
As Bihyeong coldly assessed his flaws,
-Elder. Pointing out your own lacks so coldly is truly, truly impressive. But Elder. Nothing's more precious than your body.
-Please cherish your precious form above all. I beg you. The solemn voice wished only for Bihyeong's safety.
Bihyeong's lips curved up unwittingly.
'Don't worry. Got a fix for the dantian pain too.'
-...Really? 'Yeah. Remember the Nine Yang Blockage?'
The one fixed to become Eight Yang.
'The demonic power gained this time should cover fixing that.'
Fix Nine Yang Blockage, gain Nine Yang True Body, body reconstruction starts naturally.
Dantian was a meridian type too.
'Pain'll vanish in the process, so no worries.'
-Phew. Glad to hear it! 'Thanks for worrying.'
-As your subordinate, it's only natural! Bihyeong couldn't hold back a laugh.
Having someone worry felt this good.
So.
'Wrap up the committee quick, then fix myself up.'
So no more worries.
Bihyeong looked up at the main academy building now in view.
A storm of immense spiritual power overflowed from it.
'All the academy's old monsters gathered.'
The moment Bihyeong stepped into the main building.
-E-Elder! It's pitch black in here! As Eoduk said, darkness swallowed them, not a handspan visible.
Tung! Tung! Tung! Tung!
Lights pierced the gloom like spotlights: the gathered judges for the verdict.
Faculty, elders, student council head, key cadets.
'No Library Chairman, huh.'
The one from the library before.
She had verdict rights too.
'Tch. Woulda been easier with her.'
As Bihyeong thought that,
"Sin Bihyeong, top enrollee."
A low voice rang; his head snapped up.
Thick spiritual power impossible to ignore.
Heavy presence dominating the space.
Hard to believe it was an old man: one exorcist looked down.
'Elder Council Chairman.'
Or rather, the academy's resident '8th Hierarchy Rank' exorcist.
'In the game, a cranky old coot, hell to raise affinity with.'
Didn't look much different in reality.
Bihyeong bowed politely to the chairman.
"Yes. Sin Bihyeong."
Mina followed suit.
"Hwang Mina."
The chairman nodded.
"Disciplinary Committee begins. You two, recount everything in detail."
Bihyeong raised his head to speak slowly.
That instant.
"I object!"
A figure burst into the committee space.
Bihyeong's eyes widened unwittingly.
Why's that person here?