To the Academy! (1) - After Friending Snow White, Baek Seolhui on SNS
Snow White, Baek Seolhui and I had become SNS friends.
I often shared impressions with her about recently read novels, movies we'd seen, comics, and all sorts of other things. Nothing uncomfortable about it. In this world where I had no friends, having someone to share hobbies with was a good thing.
The only worry was whether, once she learned my true identity, she'd feel so betrayed that she'd try to kill me.
I've got to build up some goodwill so that if Imae Mangnyang ever falls, I can beg her to take me in.
In the worst-case scenario, if the organization suddenly collapsed? Imae Mangnyang wasn't some benevolent group. It was an evil organization that could stand toe-to-toe with any of the countless real-world villainous syndicates out there.
Building up enough favor to get taken in by someone like her—an army unto herself—might mean I'd end up confined to house arrest, raised like livestock indoors, but at least I'd stay alive. Better to be Snow White's dwarf than the government's dog.
It was a flimsy plan, sure, but not a bad one. For survival, I'd do anything.
Just like now.
"We'll be conducting a brief inspection."
No sooner had I started crossing the bridge on my bike than the soldiers ahead stopped me.
"What's the purpose of your visit to the island?"
"I passed the librarian exam and I'm heading in to start work. Here's my proof."
"Do you have permission for the bike?"
"Yes. Here's the vehicle registration and permit."
I handed over my pre-prepared ID and documents to the soldier.
"Hmm... Captain. No issues here."
"Cross-check. ...All clear."
A captain and a lieutenant—ranks that wouldn't be out of place anywhere—stood there in full combat gear for the inspection. The regular troops handled surveillance at other posts or perimeter duty, while higher-ups like captains and lieutenants did the direct passenger checks? That was proof of just how tough it was to get onto Sejong Island.
"We'll search the bike's storage compartment now. Your cooperation is appreciated."
"By all means."
I stepped away from the bike as instructed.
"Apologies, but even for academy staff, first-time entrants get searched as per policy and law."
"Of course."
Items allowed on the island were extremely restricted. I'd buy basic necessities inside anyway, and all I was bringing was a suit. Not much fit on the back of the bike to begin with—just one living box in the compartment.
"Captain. Seven identical suits came out... Holy shit?!"
"What is it?"
"Captain, this is..."
The soldiers whispered among themselves. I wondered if there was something wrong with the suits, but there wasn't.
Our department head Do can't be dressed in cheap rags. Hehe, which one's your favorite? Suits are Italian, right?
It was just that the suits were from an insanely expensive brand. And there were seven identical ones. Meaning the total in that cheap living box from some discount store came to nearly 200 million won.
"Ho, are you perhaps an ability user, sir?"
"No, I'm powerless. My... girlfriend bought them for me."
"......."
The two men's faces twisted immediately. Normally I'd say the chairman bought them, but Chongsu had attached a condition when she provided the clothes.
Say your girlfriend bought them, no exceptions. Got it?
It was a bit ridiculous for a guy like me—where "no girlfriend = my age"—to talk about one, but I followed the chairman's orders.
"...Cleared."
I remounted the bike under their piercing glares. And then.
"Halt. Verification..."
"Tch."
"Cleared. Further checks required."
"Sigh. Life sucks..."
Every checkpoint brought more dirty looks. And so, with my reputation as a guy with a girlfriend who splurged on outrageously expensive clothes firmly established, I finally set foot on Sejong Island.
"This is your dorm, Do Jihwan."
"Thanks for the escort. Whoa... this is apartment-level."
"Most staff housing is built to apartment standards."
The room was about 13 pyeong—decent size.
"The small room there is up to you—bedroom or closet. Decorate as you like, but restore it to original condition when you leave, for the next occupant."
The dorm manager guided me through the place like reading from a manual, stiff and precise.
"Lights via this panel. AC is ceiling-mounted—one in the main room, one in the side room. No kitchen unit..."
A perfectly ordinary apartment.
"Most importantly, this: the card key."
But this apartment—this room—had one very special item.
"Never lose this card key. Tomorrow you'll register your blood info to it, and it'll become your ID, credit card, staff badge, and access key for secure areas."
"I've heard the story, but it's still amazing. Everything controlled by one card."
"Sejong Island is the world's most vital place. It's a card key now, but soon you'll get a 'Taeguk Watch'."
"Taeguk... what?"
"Taeguk Watch."
I knew of it. I'd heard from the setting. But hearing the name firsthand sent chills down my spine.
Nationalism is everywhere.
That was the opening line I'd planned for a more static, serious review.
On this world's Sejong Island, you couldn't survive without nationalism. Taeguk flags fluttered from every pole, and even park fountains played mostly gayageum and Arirang remixes. I'd call this a lethal dose, but to the people here, it was everyday life.
The Taeguk Watch was no different.
"Is that one the thing on your right wrist?"
"Yes."
The staffer pointed to the Taeguk Watch on her right wrist—the smartwatch with a glass face gleaming in red-and-blue taeguk patterns.
"You'll see these everywhere soon."
Snap. She stood at attention, raising her right hand to her left shoulder.
"Might not fly outside, but on Sejong Island, it's normal."
She seemed proud, saluting her heart as if pledging to the flag.
"We sincerely welcome you to the great nation's most precious island, Sejong Island."
"...Yes. Safe travels back."
The staffer left, and I headed straight to the balcony, just in case.
"Whoa."
A taeguk flag was mounted on the balcony's pole—bolted down with steel so it couldn't be removed. And.
Whirr.
Pressing a remote-like button made the pole retract.
"Whoa, seriously. Impressive is impressive."
Nationalism had its limits. But my alias was Dokkaebi, so who was I to complain?
"Anyway."
I checked the balcony's setup. If I left the glass door open and just closed the screen, could I enter from outside? Easily. Fences prevented falls, but there was enough space above for a person to slip in and out.
If I could fly invisibly without being spotted, I could return here without revealing I was Dokkaebi.
Best case: never get found out as Dokkaebi. And never need to transform at all.
First priority: scatter emergency gear everywhere.
To ensure no issues transforming, reverting, and returning here, I needed to stash spare clothes across Sejong Island.
"Buy a few dozen Burberry coats and plant them around? Ugh. What if patrol finds them."
Far below, just peeking over the railing showed pairs of patrol officers on rounds. Not regular cops—these were definite ability users. E- or F-rank mana, sure, but far superior to normals in combat. Awakening alone let them handle gangsters or thugs easily.
And thanks to them, villains couldn't roam freely on Sejong Island...
"...Huh?"
Far off. Across from the apartment, on the opposite corridor balcony, a woman stared right at me.
Sipping canned coffee, watching me. I wondered why.
What the...?
Looked foreign. Hard to judge by hair alone, but that ginger-red shade was common abroad, usually on foreigners. The massive mana pouch on the railing screamed non-Korean caliber—
She grinned at me.
Whatever it was, she smirked like she knew everything, twisting her lips knowingly. Then she made a phone shape with her hand and drew an X.
What? Don't answer the phone?
"Ah."
Anti-bugging.
Ring ring.
My phone buzzed.
"I see."
That woman. She was an Imae Mangnyang operative.