Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Chief Student
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To cut to the chase, it wasn't a yokai.
There was no static interference, and the language was fluent.
Best of all, searching the number brought up the academy's administrative office.
"Um... sorry. I thought you were a yokai."
-Not at all. More importantly... why were you about to speak to a yokai like that?
Sweating bullets at the administrative staffer's question, Bihyeong explained.
"I thought it was a spam text yokai. So I was trying to come up with countermeasures... I figured if it was related to spam texts, being rude might make it go away on its own."
For reference, spam text yokai do actually exist.
Though they'd show up much later.
'And the way to deal with it is exactly what I just said.'
But the person on the other end didn't know him.
He was on pins and needles, wondering if his excuse would fly.
-Impressive. Your situational awareness and quick thinking to devise a solution on the spot. Truly remarkable. This strategy could be very useful—mind if I report it up the chain? Chief Student Sin Bihyeong.
"Ah, sure. That's fine. But... Chief Student?"
-Yes.
"You mean I'm really the top student?"
-Yes. That's correct.
"Wait, why?"
-Because... you exceeded what the test demanded.
The administrative staffer slowly explained to Bihyeong, who couldn't believe he'd been ranked first.
-Reserve students are still at Hierarchy Rank 1. Few can fully utilize their own power at that level.
Assigning yokai subjugation as a test to them?
The academy wasn't some villainous cult; they wouldn't throw reserve students to their deaths.
-The test seeks many qualities, but the key ones are composure, how well you assess the yokai, and applying that assessment in real combat.
Master those, and you'd pass—no, rank in the top tier.
But Chief Student Sin Bihyeong had gone beyond that.
-Faculty confirmed the Subway Monster's space. The 'subjugation' was complete. It was smashed to pieces.
Hearing that, Bihyeong recalled one incident.
Back when he was still in the Subway Monster's space,
the conductor had spotted him and frantically sped up, skipping the station entirely.
After that,
the surrounding space had disconnected, like it was shrouded in fog.
'I vaguely heard something then... that was the subway's death cry?'
Did the yokai panic and make a mistake out of fear, causing the accident?
And die right then?
'What the...'
Was there really such an absurd situation?
Bihyeong had assumed he'd rank low.
For good reason... the space had sealed shut, trapping him at the subway station for a full 'day'.
But that wasn't the case.
-Sometimes, time flows differently inside during yokai subjugations compared to outside. The Subway Monster is one such type.
Only three minutes had passed outside.
Now it made sense, and Bihyeong nodded.
'So it was an illusion.'
It wasn't like that in the game.
You just attended the orientation, took the test,
got your score, and the screen auto-skipped to the entrance ceremony.
'Game and reality differ. Can't overlook details like this.'
With this new realization, Bihyeong asked the most important question.
"I get the Chief Student part. But... do I need to report anything about the yokai?"
It was a test, sure, but the Subway Monster was the academy's managed 'asset'.
Destroying it without permission was property damage.
Fortunately, the academy wasn't petty.
-No issue there. It happened during the test.
They even wanted to publicize the merit of subjugating the Subway Monster and give it official recognition.
Producing an exorcist of that caliber would draw massive prestige to the academy—worth more than the yokai itself.
"Ah, okay. Thank you."
Letting out a sigh of relief, Bihyeong asked what he really wanted to know.
"Then, are the other students okay? I'm worried they got caught in the aftermath of the subjugation..."
The staffer reassured him.
-They're fine. After the subjugation, we staggered their exit times safely.
"I see..."
-We ran a follow-up test, which just wrapped up.
Bihyeong turned his head.
It had been lunchtime when he got home, but now the sky was dyed red.
'...Took a while.'
Ah.
They had to stay until now because of me.
'Could've made me a common enemy?'
God, he hoped not.
But he couldn't shake the feeling that academy life was off to a rocky start.
Just then,
the staffer added a reminder.
-So, as messaged, please prepare your speech.
'Ah, this is it.'
An event immediately popped into Bihyeong's mind.
Info from a developer comment.
'The event that triggers if the user achieves Chief or Vice-Chief.'
Called the 'speech'.
'Depending on what you say, it branches into various 'stories'?'
A hidden piece only available at enrollment, leading to derived stories.
Thinking of that eye-popping 'effect', Bihyeong decided on his speech.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Time passed, and the entrance ceremony arrived.
'Time sure crawls.'
The test was last Friday.
Three days later made today Monday.
With a 14-day deadline looming, Bihyeong had spent every day on edge.
'Can't infiltrate the academy at my current level anyway.'
He just waited for the ceremony, biting his nails.
And today was the day!
Bihyeong left his rundown villa and headed to the academy.
Years after high school graduation, wearing a uniform and going to school felt weird.
'Not exactly high school, though.'
The academy only admitted adults.
Like university?
They trained exorcists to fight yokai, so no minors allowed.
'Man... everyone's staring.'
Every step drew piercing glances.
His skin prickled.
'Why?'
I know.
I screwed up.
'But was it my fault?'
How was the Subway Monster flipping out and crashing his doing?
Bihyeong felt wronged.
But contrary to his thoughts,
people stared for a different reason.
'That's him? The rumored Chief Student.'
'Yeah. Handsome face matches the description.'
'Heard he subjugated the Subway Monster?'
'For real? I nearly cried at the second station.'
'Luckier than some. Others pissed themselves. Almost got PTSD, and he's the one who saved us.'
The freshmen didn't resent Bihyeong.
They admired and respected him, with just a hint of envy.
Of course, Bihyeong, ears closed, heard none of it.
That moment.
"Ah!"
A sudden voice made him look up.
Familiar eyes met his.
'Her?'
She ran over like an excited puppy.
Her blonde hair and bright smile evoked a sunflower.
The girl he'd saved on day one.
The one slated to become a villain.
She ran up beaming.
"Haa... haa... Finally found you!"
Panting from the run, she exclaimed.
"...Found me? You were looking for me?"
She nodded at his question.
"Couldn't thank you back then. Thanks. I made it to orientation on time because of you."
She bowed deeply.
"I made this. Wanted to give you something, but I'm broke, so..."
Bihyeong took the envelope she offered.
Neatly wrapped plastic held warm cookies.
"No, it wasn't a big deal..."
"It was huge for me!"
She grabbed his hands firmly.
"I'm Hwang Mina. If you need a favor or help, come to me anytime. Got it?"
Releasing him, she thumped her chest.
Her impressive figure left Bihyeong flustered, unsure where to look.
"Oh, right! Gotta prepare something quick... Bihyeong, right? See you later, Bihyeong!"
She dashed off like when they'd met.
Bihyeong glanced at the cookies.
'Hwang Mina, huh.'
Now he knew her name.
'Never called by name in the game.'
In Solo Biography, she was just a villain.
To players, early-game hate sink.
He'd called her that too.
Not anymore.
He knew her name and derailed her villain fate.
'...Feels good.'
He hadn't saved her life fundamentally,
but he'd changed it a bit.
What butterfly effects might come, he didn't know yet.
For now, he savored the moment.
Bihyeong unwrapped and munched a cookie heading to the auditorium.
Soon, the Chief and Vice-Chief speeches would kick off enrollment.
'Good thing I prepared.'
Thinking that, he entered through the back door.
And.
"Uh, wha...?"
He spotted Mina, flustered at his face.
She sat in the Vice-Chief seat.
"B-Bihyeong? You're here... wait. Does that mean you're the Chief...!?"
Her shock suggested she hadn't known.
She'd told him to seek her for help, so embarrassment plus surprise, probably.
Though Bihyeong was more shocked.
'Butterfly effect's too strong.'
He knew she'd joined Class A,
but not that she'd snag Vice-Chief over the heroines.
'Must have insane talent she never bloomed, turning villain instead.'
'Then what's Golden Sun's deal?'
Getting outmaneuvered by this Mina.
Did he have killer skills against women?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The ceremony proceeded swiftly.
Faculty reminders, academy policies, encouragement to seize the future.
Next: Vice-Chief and Chief speeches.
Mina's turn first; she stepped to the mic and pledged.
Simply put: Become exorcist, protect civilians, slay yokai.
Then her personal ambition in one line.
The tradition—and one of Bihyeong's awaited hidden pieces.
"I'm a flawed person."
Her speech started weakly.
But her following words captivated.
"That's why I'll learn a lot. From experience, from professors' teachings, and sometimes..."
A glance.
Her eyes flicked his way.
Probably imagination.
"From friends. I'll receive much guidance and give it back. That's all."
Thunderous applause erupted.
'Nice.'
Did she know?
That speech spawned a story.
'Definitely... learning-related effect.'
Boost to acquiring skills, faster growth than others.
'Top-tier speech.'
As Bihyeong smiled warmly, Mina stepped back, sighing in relief.
Eyes met; she grinned, secretly fist-pumping a whisper.
'Fighting!'
Bihyeong nodded and stepped forward.
Even louder cheers shook the auditorium.
He calmed his nerves inwardly.
'Whew... nervous.'
Right after Mina's speech, freshmen and faculty eyes were sharp.
Future exorcists.
Current exorcists.
Former exorcists.
Past, present, future—all killers staring him down.
Still, he had to do it.
Nail the first button to boost survival odds.
Suppressing shakes, he feigned calm, scanned the crowd,
and delivered his short speech.
"Was the test tough? Tsk... didn't seem so to me?"
Silence fell.