Chapter 57
Chapter 57
Yoo Su-ah - 3
****
“Why are you looking at me like that…? Is there something on my face?”
Flustered by the failure of his Telepathy, Tae-jin had unconsciously stared at Su-ah,
And she, seemingly embarrassed, averted her gaze and touched her cheek.
“Ah, no, it’s nothing.”
‘…What was it?’
‘Why was she hiding her power?’
‘Was it related to her being portrayed as a fairly important heroine in the original story?’
‘Her somewhat reclusive nature did hint at something more.’
The [Magic Power Measurement] conducted periodically at the academy used high-precision magic tools to measure the subject’s magic power level without a single margin of error.
Since the results directly affected the academy grades, there was no room for dispute.
And in the measurement conducted just two days ago, Su-ah had clearly received a ‘C12’ rank.
He was ‘B9.’
Naturally, the closer the letter was to A, the higher the rank, and the closer the number was to 1, the higher the level within that rank.
In other words, there was a significant difference between his and Su-ah’s ranks.
Therefore, he hadn’t expected Telepathy to fail in the slightest.
Moreover, B9 was currently the highest rank among all the students in the academy.
Yet, Su-ah’s magic power level surpassed his, and he had no idea how high her actual rank was.
Perhaps it was A-rank, or even S-rank.
He couldn't help but be bewildered.
He had thought she was an ordinary main heroine who supported the protagonist, but she was actually hiding her power.
He had absolutely no clue why she was doing so.
And the fact that she was hiding her power also suggested that she was hiding her true identity.
Could she be… an Illusion spy or something? Something that could lead him straight off a cliff?
Or perhaps the final boss…?
He desperately hoped it wasn’t some ridiculous setting like that.
It would be a sin to use such a pure, benevolent, and beautiful face for evil.
Su-ah, with her virtuous face, asked him,
“Is something the matter with Brother Choi Do-han?”
“Yeah.”
“Hmm… Not really. I’m seeing him for the first time in a while today, too.”
“Really?”
“But why do you ask…? Did something happen between you and Brother Choi Do-han?”
He had thought that since Choi Do-han had dropped a mindless confession on Mi-jin, he might have done something similar to Su-ah.
But for some reason, he seemed to be avoiding her.
“Ah… No, nothing happened. I was just asking because he looked a little pale, like something was bothering him.”
“I see. He did look quite gloomy today.”
“Exactly. He barely seemed to be paying attention in class.”
Su-ah, who had been looking at him, suddenly covered her mouth and giggled.
“…Why?”
“It seems you’re quite concerned about Brother Choi Do-han?”
“Well…”
How could he not be concerned?
Choi Do-han, sitting there with a gloomy face, lost in thought, was not only concerning but also irritating.
He felt uneasy seeing how quickly Choi Do-han seemed to have fallen apart after his defeat in the sparring match.
He also felt a bit sorry for him, struggling on the edge like that, instead of just crossing the line.
They said that those who couldn't adapt to absolute change would be left behind.
He felt both pity and annoyance towards Choi Do-han, who now seemed like Han Tae-jin before the possession.
One thing was clear: the look Choi Do-han gave him was definitely not friendly.
He didn’t know if Choi Do-han was waiting for an opportunity or if he had given up on his protagonist title.
Judging by his current state, [giving up] seemed more plausible.
His vacant eyes, sluggish movements, and haggard appearance were typical of a loser.
First things first,
It seemed like figuring out the true identity of Yoo Su-ah, the main heroine who had suddenly risen in importance, was the most urgent task.
What kind of setting had the original author created that made her hide her power?
She definitely had an important role in the later half of the story, but he didn’t know if that role was to help the protagonist or Illusion, which was frustrating.
Oblivious to his inner turmoil, Su-ah finished her meal, put her hands together, and said a prayer.
Then, she smiled at him.
“As you said, brother…”
“Huh?”
“Eating together is more enjoyable. Thank you for the lovely meal.”
No matter how he looked at her, he couldn't imagine that pure face playing the role of a villain.
Or was it a mask to hide her true nature?
He didn't know.
Just as one couldn’t know the taste of soybean paste stew without trying it, he couldn’t know Su-ah’s true identity without further investigation.
Therefore, he had to experience it firsthand to know whether she was medicine or poison.
So, he proposed,
“Then, shall we have lunch together from now on?”
“Really? Are you sure?”
…Well, seeing Su-ah’s delighted expression, it somehow felt like a confession,
He chuckled awkwardly and glanced at Renia, who was sitting next to him.
Renia, who turned into a wooden doll whenever he was around, immediately turned her head stiffly as soon as their eyes met.
The blush on her cheeks now seemed like a permanent fixture.
He asked Renia,
“Is it alright if we eat together? Renia?”
For some reason, he felt like he needed Renia’s permission(?) to have lunch with Su-ah.
“Huh? O-of course.”
Fortunately, Renia granted him her approval.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The afternoon classes were finally over.
Normally, he would be searching for Hidden Pieces he hadn't acquired yet, but today, after sending Renia home, he was heading somewhere else.
If it were the usual Renia, she would have scolded him, saying, “What if you get into danger again while you’re alone?!”
But since she malfunctioned every time they were together, she seemed quite exhausted, judging by how obediently she went home.
Anyway, he held Su-ah’s pen in his hand, the one he had secretly pocketed during class.
It was to activate the [Detection] trait.
[Activating trait: Detection].
[Detecting the location of target ‘Yoo Su-ah’ within a 2km radius].
Thanks to its level increasing to 15, the detection range had expanded to 2 kilometers.
This made tracking much easier.
Along with [Stealth] and [See-Through], it was a trait optimized for stalking.
Perhaps these traits were the reason why the original Han Tae-jin was so obsessed with stalking.
Anyway…
‘Where is she going?’
Although he felt puzzled, he followed Su-ah as she headed towards the outskirts of the city, instead of the cathedral she usually visited.
He was using [Detection] to track her from several hundred meters away, so she wouldn’t notice him.
He followed her from a distance, and after about an hour, the red dot indicating Su-ah’s location stopped moving.
He increased his pace and headed towards the spot.
And the closer he got, the more puzzled he became.
A remote location far from the city center.
A deserted area with barely any people around.
A place where back alleys intertwined like a maze.
The surrounding scenery didn't fit the image of Yoo Su-ah at all.
‘What is she doing here…?’
There weren’t any significant buildings, only shabby houses that he couldn’t tell whether they were abandoned or occupied.
And then…
When he arrived in front of a one-story, dilapidated building with a sign that read [Retourne Cathedral], a sense of unease washed over him.
This place was never mentioned in the original story.
And the name of the cathedral Su-ah usually went to was definitely [True Light Cathedral].
‘Retourne…?’
Moreover, a mana barrier surrounded the building.
It was definitely not an ordinary abandoned building.
Its location in such a secluded alley was also strange.
He gulped and activated the [Stealth] trait and approached the barrier.
‘Yoo Su-ah…’
‘What are you doing here?’
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Upon arriving at Retourne Cathedral, Su-ah immediately recited a prayer-like incantation, and the statue of the Virgin Mary emitted a radiant light.
And then,
“Sister Ercia.”
Ercia, a woman clad in pure white, formed from a noble light, appeared in place of the statue.
She looked down at Su-ah with an intrigued expression.
“You seem to have realized something?”
“Is it possible that there was an error in Eternity’s selection of the planetary agent?”
“It’s possible. Eternity is after all just a group of intelligent beings.”
“I see… So, I’ve made a change.”
Ercia smiled warmly at Su-ah, who seemed to be brimming with confidence.
She nodded and said,
“Cadet Han Tae-jin, I presume.”
“Yes.”
“Good. I also have high expectations for him. I hope you made the right choice.”
“I’ve transferred the Blessing of the Mission to him as well.”
“Oh…? You’ve already made your decision?”
[Blessing of the Mission] wasn't anything grand.
It was simply a blessing that bestowed small amounts of luck, vitality, courage, and willpower upon the designated person.
Ercia asked Su-ah again,
“You were quite close to Choi Do-han. Aren’t you hesitant?”
“Close…? I don’t share such feelings with the agent of the mission. I merely assist in the planet’s salvation.”
She could consider herself close to Choi Do-han.
Although he wouldn’t remember, going through 51 attempts together was a significant experience for her as an intelligent being.
But she was a member of Eternity, a being dedicated to the salvation of this planet.
She had long since discarded personal feelings.
However, even for her,
The image of the transformed Han Tae-jin was vividly etched in her mind.
She had seen 51 versions of Han Tae-jin during her 51 lives.
His shabby appearance, frail body, unkempt hair, and the shady glint in his eyes.
His appearance hadn’t changed one bit for 51 repetitions.
So, when he appeared at school with styled hair, a well-groomed appearance, and neat clothes, she was taken aback.
And she was repeatedly shocked by his increasingly toned physique and rapid growth.
This was a shock to her as a member of Eternity, an agent of planetary salvation, and as a ‘woman.’
51 regressions.
In terms of years, it was well over several hundred years.
The change that shook this eon of time was a great shock to her.
Especially since it was a voluntary change.
Therefore, Su-ah had even higher expectations for Han Tae-jin than Ercia.
“Impressive. Is there anything else you wish to convey?”
“No, there isn’t.”
“Then, may you be blessed infinitely.”
“Thank you.”
Ercia’s body emitted a radiant light once more, and the statue of the Virgin Mary reappeared.
Su-ah bowed to the statue and left the cathedral.
And then…
“B-brother…?”
She came face to face with Tae-jin.
In 51 regressions, spanning hundreds of years, she had never been discovered.
Not even by Han Tae-jin’s persistent stalking.
But now, she had revealed the existence of Retourne Cathedral.
Of course, it was natural for a nun to visit a cathedral, so Su-ah quickly composed herself and asked,
He couldn’t have seen what happened inside.
She had erected an invisible mana barrier, so even a single ant approaching would have been detected by her radar.
“What brings you here?”
But it seemed…
Tae-jin had seen something he shouldn't have.
“…What are you? Yoo Su-ah.”