Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Rumors (2)
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Kim Dong-un's class, which started with memorizing the entire textbook, turned out to be surprisingly thorough.
He even pulled up data screens to explain in detail which herbs came from which gate environments.
"Dark Mint. Despite its appearance, rolling the leaves into a ball and chewing them gives an awakening effect that puts caffeine to shame. It's one of the herbs many heroes carry when tackling gates."
However, Instructor Kim Dong-un continued his explanations in a flat, monotone voice, neither too fast nor too slow.
-Yaaawn~
That distinctive tone and steady rhythm was enough to make even the ghost Lee Seojun yawn.
Naturally, the dozen or so students found it hard to stay awake, and one by one, their heads began to droop.
"Blood Flower. Swallowing the bud of this flower generates blood inside your body. Sure, ambulances here have blood bags for transfusions, but gates don't. If you're bleeding heavily, staunch the wound first, then swallow one of these buds to hold on a bit longer."
I pulled out my tablet and stylus for a moment and scribbled a note.
[Why not just drink a potion?]
As I wrote, Lee Seojun watched and explained.
-Ah, potions are expensive. Even basic ones start at 30 million won. And ones made from high-regen monsters like trolls go over 100 million.
[What about bringing a healer?]
-Healers are rarer than you'd think. There are only two among this incoming class. Of course, that's separate from people converting to healers in the Geneva Cult.
Come to think of it, Lee Seojun had said something similar when talking about Go Ha-seul before.
'She enrolled to convert to a healer, right?'
It sounded fine at first glance, but the problem was that the Geneva Cult was a criminal organization.
[What's the issue with converting to a healer?]
-You have to dedicate your abilities and growth potential. For example, if you converted, Lee Seongmin, you'd lose Absolute Clone and gain an SS-rank healing ability instead.
[Those scamming bastards.]
Trading an EX-rank like Absolute Clone for an SS-rank healing power.
-Exactly. But in reality, people with useless innate abilities want to convert.
It made sense given how few healers there were.
At that point, Instructor Kim Dong-un glanced at his watch and wrapped up the lecture.
"...That concludes today's lesson. Next time, I'll teach you how to properly harvest herbs. Everyone, wake the person sleeping next to you—no, don't. Just come forward and show me your watches."
A few of us, including me, stood and held out our watches.
Beep—
[You have acquired 5 points.]
Instructor Kim Dong-un gave points only to those who came forward, then left the classroom immediately.
It was obvious he wasn't giving even a single point to the sleepers, but no one objected.
'Their own fault for dozing off.'
I thought the same and slipped out of the room.
-By the way, Lee Seongmin. You planning to memorize every herb in the book?
"Probably. Memorizing isn't a big deal for me."
Using my natural memory would be a hassle, but with my abilities, I could commit the whole thing to memory in one go.
-Confident, huh? I was gonna offer to help memorize half.
"You too? Oh, right. That could work."
We could split the book in half.
It'd be tempting for most people.
"Anyway, don't worry about it."
-Got it. And rumors should start circulating soon.
"Rumors?"
-The sign that those criminal organizations are on the move, like I mentioned.
"It's only been a few days."
I wondered if they were being too eager, but I asked what kind anyway.
"What rumors?"
-Hard to say. It's random. You'll have to wander around and listen to what other cadets are saying.
"Talking, huh..."
-No need to rush, though. The rumors are just the start—the actual attacks come in 2-3 weeks.
Surprisingly, Lee Seojun didn't give an exact date.
"You don't know the precise day?"
-It depends on the rumor, so not right now.
"Guess I'll check the cafe then."
I considered the cafeteria, but you could only eat and leave, and it was first-years only.
So I picked the cafe where we could sit and chat. Lee Seojun nodded like it was a good idea.
-Sounds good. But can you spend points?
"Why would I need points?"
We were just sitting.
I arrived at the cafe with Lee Seojun and sat at a decent spot, tuning into the surrounding chatter.
Everyone was sipping coffee or fruit drinks with slices of cake and desserts, chatting away amiably.
"..."
For reference, the cafe was as spacious as the other buildings.
Lots of patrons made it noisier than expected, but I had no trouble listening.
"Ah, you hear about that? The gate Shin-hwang Corporation was handling this time. They failed the raid and a ton died."
"What rank was the gate?"
"Heard it was B-rank? Anyway, with so many heroes dead, Shin-hwang's gotta be reeling."
Shin-hwang Corporation?
I was about to relay it to Lee Seojun when another snippet caught my ear.
"Wanna go out together this time?"
"Outing? Hmm. There've been a string of disappearances lately. Better play it safe."
Disappearances?
Then another conversation followed.
"Hey, lend me some money."
"You gambling again? I told you it's a scam."
"No, it's legit. Or I'll sell my points."
"You're insane? What'll you do without points?"
"Starve a bit."
Gambling addiction?
After hearing all sorts, I started doubting if these were the rumors Lee Seojun meant.
-Lee Seongmin, hear anything?
Meanwhile, Lee Seojun returned from eavesdropping nearby and asked.
I'd heard something, so I nodded and passed it on.
"Shin-hwang Corporation, disappearances, gambling addiction stuff."
-What? You got all three?
"Yeah. Any of these the ones you're after?"
-No need to search—they're all tied to criminal organizations.
"...?"
All three? I gave Lee Seojun a puzzled look.
-Shin-hwang Corporation is Villain Alliance. Disappearances are Geneva Cult. Gambling addiction is Doomsday Cultists.
"They're not all coming at once, right?"
-Of course not. One hits first; the other two back off after seeing it.
The defenses would ramp up right after the first attack, forcing the others to abandon plans.
-Now we know which one from the rumors.
"Which?"
-Villain Alliance. They harass Shin-hwang, snag artifacts from their heroes, then probe this place as a bonus.
I tilted my head at the "bonus" part.
"Probe as a bonus?"
-They're already here, so they test if they can grab the Dragon Heart too.
The Dragon Heart powering the Hero Officer Academy facilities.
Lee Seojun said Villain Alliance would strike first for it.
"To stop it early, we'd have to hit all three."
Normally, future knowledge could preempt it, but not here.
Just defending meant blocking one was enough—maybe best to do nothing.
'Hit all three now, or wait and block one.'
But pure defense felt off.
They attack on their schedule; I wanted to show them they could get hit back.
"Lee Seojun, just to check..."
I fired off a few questions.
Lee Seojun looked puzzled but nodded.
-Yeah, I remember, of course.
"Good. We start tonight."
-Start what?
"What else?"
I gave the still-clueless Lee Seojun a short answer.
"Sowing discord."
Separate from attacking criminal organizations, afternoon classes arrived.
Morning was Herbology; afternoon was Elemental Magic.
'Elemental Magic has a big crowd.'
Unlike niche classes like Mana Operation or Herbology, Elemental Magic drew a ton of students.
Maybe 70 by a quick count—livelier than before.
-Elemental Magic has the most students. Excluding mandatory combat training.
Lee Seojun said it was the biggest outside full-participation combat.
"Why?"
-Anyone can learn it, for starters. Mastering it is another story.
That matched why he'd recommended magic to me before.
'Familiar faces among the students... two.'
Hong Ju-a from before, and Go Ha-seul from Herbology.
Confirming no one else I knew, I recalled my combat team.
'Cheon Seo-yun, Oh Ye-rin, Jeong Yu-mi, Park So-yul aren't in magic classes.'
Made sense—they all used close-range physical styles.
Clank—
The front door opened, and the Elemental Magic instructor stepped in.