Chapter 19
Translator: uly
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Reward
I turned my attention to Hong Yu-hwa.
She was gazing back at me, her face a storm of complicated, conflicting emotions.
I could sense a lingering trace of resentment in her eyes, but it was quickly being overshadowed by a much stronger, heavy air of resignation. She knew she had been outplayed in her own field of expertise.
“That specific alchemical style... it looks hauntingly familiar. Did the Master teach it to you personally?” she asked, her voice tight.
The ‘Master’ she referred to was a legendary figure in high-tier alchemy circles, a woman whose name commanded absolute respect.
She was famous for her philosophy that poison and medicine were separated by a mere hair's breadth—a sentiment that mirrored my own approach, which was likely why Yu-hwa made the connection.
“No. I’m entirely self-taught.”
“......Self-taught?”
It was the absolute truth—I had taught myself every nuance of the craft. In the original game, players could obtain various recipes, but they were almost always intentionally incomplete, missing one or two critical ingredients. I had spent countless, grueling hours of trial and error struggling to solve those riddles.
There were professional services selling alchemy secrets back then, but among the early community regulars, I was the only one who had truly mastered the logic behind the formulas. And that intense period of study had lasted...
“About five years, give or take.”
“Five years? Only five years?”
Hong Yu-hwa's eyebrow twitched with irritation. Her eyes screamed disbelief, as if she couldn't fathom someone reaching her level in such a short span. But she soon closed her eyes, and her expression settled back into its usual haughty mask.
Yet beneath that mask, her gaze burned with a fierce, renewed intensity.
“Just five years of study? The skill you demonstrated earlier did not look like the work of a mere five-year hobbyist,” Professor Song Ra-hee added, her tone brimming with scholarly curiosity.
The alchemy professor standing beside her was simply staring at me with sparkling eyes. It was the look of a person who had just stumbled upon a forgotten treasure chest in the middle of a busy street.
“By any chance, Lee Seo-ha, do you have any intention of participating in the student potion donation system?”
“Donation system?”
And there it was—the invitation I had been waiting for.
It was a prestigious, special system at the Korea Hero Academy.
“I should probably explain the details first,” the professor continued eagerly.
“Oh, he doesn't know! Let me explain it specially! The donation system is a privilege reserved only for those students with exceptional, world-class talent in alchemy or blacksmithing. Simply put, the academy provides you with unlimited raw materials, and in exchange, the student supplies a set monthly quota of high-tier potions.”
On top of the prestige, participants received a hefty stipend of two million won every month. Furthermore, if you chose to pursue academics after graduation, you were guaranteed a research position under a professor.
“What do you say? Would you like to give it a try?”
Her beaming, predatory smile was downright repulsive to me.
“Let me think about it for a while.”
I brushed her off casually. I knew that playing hard to get would only make her itch for my cooperation even more.
“In my professional opinion, Lee Seo-ha, you are definitely the type of talent that will go very far in the world of alchemy. I would truly love to work closely with you...”
The alchemy professor said this while subtly adjusting her posture to show off her cleavage. Her chest was, admittedly, quite impressive. A typical teenage student might have fallen for such a blatant distraction, but I simply offered a faint smile and a counter-offer.
“In that case, could you arrange a private laboratory room that I can use entirely alone?”
“......Alone?”
The professor hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting to Song Ra-hee.
I knew exactly what this woman was up to. She was notorious for treating her graduate students like indentured slaves, using her authority to seize rare materials or recipes they discovered. She required her underlings to "cough up" breakthroughs worth hundreds of millions just to be considered for promotion.
She had survived this long on her own talents, but eventually, she would fall for a forbidden recipe offered by a demon and betray the human race. While pretending to be Song Ra-hee's best friend, she would even frame the jealous witch for her own crimes, dragging them both into ruin—a true villain through and through.
‘She’s almost certainly planning to steal my custom recipes.’
To a woman like her, morality was nothing more than trash scattered on the roadside. It was no wonder she had forced one of her slaves to claim the Shadow Snake scales I had handed over earlier.
“Yes. I find it impossible to focus if I feel other people's eyes on my work.”
At my words, Professor Song Ra-hee's expression turned odd—it was clear she was thinking, You were brewing high-tier potions in front of a crowd of a hundred staring eyes just a moment ago.
“Then I will personally speak to the school board about it. You are such an outstanding student, Seo-ha, that I am certain we can secure a private room for you. And if there are specific rare materials you require, the school can provide them—within reason, of course.”
“Thank you. That sounds acceptable.”
The alchemy professor's eyes lit up at my response, her greed barely contained.
“By any chance, have you considered the path of a graduate student? You would make an excellent researcher.”
“No thanks. I have other plans.”
“Oh my, so firm in your refusal.”
She was really starting to cross the professional line. Her temperament was already indistinguishable from a villain's.
I checked the fit of my uniform in the full-length mirror. Today, I had decided to skip my usual casual hoodie.
Crisp black slacks, a sharp white dress shirt, and a clean white undershirt. The academy's blue necktie stood out brilliantly against the monochrome layers.
Looking good.
Even with the minimal customization I had performed at the start, the natural proportions of this body and face were incredibly satisfying.
-Not bad at all, Master. Although, the back of your pants hem is folded up slightly. Allow me to assist.
Following the Black Heaven Demon Sword's meticulous advice, I smoothed out the hem of my slacks until they were perfect.
“Are you ready yet?” Instructor Seo Woo-ju’s heavy voice called out from the living area.
I stepped out and gave him a nod of confirmation.
“Not yet!”
“Wait for me too, just a bit longer...”
Erhil and Kim Ara were still fussing with their hair in the other rooms, doing who-knows-what to their appearance. There was only one reason for all this sudden vanity: we had an appointment to meet the Principal of the Korea Hero Academy.
She might be called the Principal, but her raw power rivaled the Overlord's. Consequently, she was rarely ever at the school. Most of her time was spent at the "Border," a high-intensity combat zone where she personally blocked invasions from high-tier monsters and demons.
“By the way, do we know exactly how much the prize money is for the hunt?” Kim Ara asked while adjusting a hairpin.
She had grown up in the Overlord's wealth, but to live freely away from his suffocating influence, she needed her own capital. She had brought a small hoard of artifacts and precious metals, but cash was always a priority.
“The prize is ten million won each. Plus, you each receive one artifact usable at the school.”
“What kind of item are we talking about...?”
“Usually around C-grade. They are of such high quality that you can sell them on the open market for a fortune. Items crafted by the Vice Principal carry a significant premium, so if you're planning on selling, make sure you sell high.”
“Is it really okay for an instructor to be encouraging us to sell school rewards?” I asked with a smirk.
“It's the Principal's core philosophy, so don't worry about it. Students with family debts do it all the time. Poverty eats away at a person's potential, and she believes being born poor isn't a sin that should hold a hero back.”
However, Instructor Seo Woo-ju’s expression turned solemn as he added a warning.
“But the moment you squander that money on vice, let your academic grades drop, or dip your toes into crime, you'll learn firsthand just how terrifying the Principal can be.”
“Then I'm perfectly fine~,” Erhil said, skipping out of her room with a bright, mischievous smile. Instructor Seo Woo-ju chuckled at her characteristic cheekiness.
“Now, hurry up. If we're too late, the Principal might have to depart for the Border again.”
“Ready!”
“Me too!”
Kim Ara dashed out after Erhil. Erhil had added significant volume to her platinum hair, and Kim Ara had finally swept the long bangs covering her eyes to the side, securing them with an elegant hairpin.
“Whoa, Kim Ara... you look absolutely stunning! I knew you were a beauty even with your face covered, but this is a whole new level,” Erhil gushed.
“...You look pretty too,” Ara replied, her face turning a light shade of pink.
“Ahem. Let's head out then.”
Instructor Seo Woo-ju cleared his throat to cut off the girls' chatter and took the lead. We followed him through the high-security administrative wing of the academy.
“But... is it really okay for me to accept such a large reward?” Ara whispered.
“Yeah, Lee Seo-ha did almost all the heavy lifting during the subjugation,” Erhil added.
“Just call me Seo-ha casually, we're teammates. And I couldn't have caught that snake without you two providing the distraction and the bindings,” I said.
At my words, both girls gave me strange, unreadable looks.
“They say humility and modesty are virtues in Eastern culture, but too much humility just looks like a different kind of arrogance. It's funny, right?” Erhil teased.
“Ahem.”
They clearly didn't buy my modest act. Well, the sheer destructive power of my Black Vigor had exceeded even their wildest imaginations, after all.
“We're here.”
Instructor Seo Woo-ju stopped in front of an ornate, massive set of double doors.
Known for his steadfast, cool demeanor—which had earned him the moniker Iron Lion—even he looked extremely tense now, his hands visibly trembling as he smoothed his suit.
“Don't be too nervous, everyone. The Principal is merciful to her students. As long as you're not a hidden demon or a villain, you have nothing to fear,” he said in a strained voice.
You seem like the one who's the most nervous here, Instructor.
Creeeak.
As Seo Woo-ju took one more tentative step, the massive doors swung open on their own, revealing the vast office within.
Inside sat a woman, her legs crossed elegantly in a high-backed chair. She had radiant, flowing golden hair and piercing violet eyes that seemed to see through every lie and defense.
She wore a sharp black suit topped with a pure white coat that draped over her shoulders like a cape. In this power-inflated world where strength was the only true currency, she stood as one of the absolute strongest beings in existence.
Seo Ye-bin.
The absolute sovereign of the academy rested her chin on her hand and looked us over.
“Instructor Seo Woo-ju and students Lee Seo-ha, Erhil Merhen, and Kim Ara greet you, Ma'am,” the Iron Lion said, bowing deeply. We followed his lead and bowed our heads as well.
When I finally lifted mine, I met Seo Ye-bin's violet eyes directly. For a split second, I felt something inhuman and vast peering into the depths of my soul.
“Fascinating.”
She offered a faint, enigmatic smile. Instructor Seo Woo-ju froze, his breath hitching.
“I was just going to grant you the standard rewards, but looking at you three... I've changed my mind. Instructor. Go and call the Vice Principal here immediately.”
“The... Vice Principal? Are you sure, Ma'am?”
“Yes. Now.”
At her command, Seo Woo-ju gave a quick nod and hurried out of the office.
“You're the Overlord's child, correct?” Seo Ye-bin asked, her gaze landing on Kim Ara.
“Your talent is already starting to manifest. Your father couldn't even dream of awakening his bloodline at your age. At this rate, you might surpass him in less than ten years.”
“Th-thank you, Ma'am,” Ara stammered, overwhelmed by the praise.
“And you...” Seo Ye-bin turned to Erhil, whose eyes widened. “You don't need any advice from me.”
“......Can you actually see it?” Erhil asked, her posture suddenly turning stiff and defensive.
It was an out-of-the-blue question to most, but I knew she was referring to the soul residing within her—the transcendent being named Melanie.
“A woman in my position couldn't possibly miss it. But word of advice: don't trust it too much. Souls like that seek a 'vessel' to fulfill their unachieved final wishes. If they ever decide you can't fulfill that wish, they'll simply devour you to do it themselves—it happens all the time in history.”
“......I am aware of the risk,” Erhil said quietly.
Seo Ye-bin nodded, having said her piece. Then, her violet eyes finally settled on me.
“And then... there's you.”
Her eyes curved into crescents as her smile widened.
“You are truly, uniquely interesting.”