Chapter 206: Residents of a Ruined World (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 206: Residents of a Ruined World (2)
Chae Yu-jin regained consciousness alone in a dark room.
…What was I doing just a moment ago?
She didn’t feel like she had slept for long, but for some reason, her consciousness was hazy.
Something felt different, but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was, causing a surge of anxiety and discomfort.
She drank some cold water to shake it off, and only then did her head clear slightly.
Right, I was dizzy because I used my Authority too much.
She had intended to torment that fake, but she had overexerted herself by intervening in multiple places at once.
A small doubt flickered through her mind.
I definitely didn’t intend to go this far.
Why did I do it so severely?
“…What am I even saying? I’m the one who did it. What does it matter if I didn’t ‘intend’ to?”
She felt a wave of nausea at the excuse that had surfaced.
She had resolved not to run away from her own actions, so why was she trying to be weak again?
— Do you want to run away? Should I help you ‘again’?
“…Shut up.”
She snapped at the mocking voice echoing in her head as she forced herself to stand up.
* * *
“…What on earth does that mean?”
It was early morning—or rather, the predawn hours. The professor had gathered us, saying we had to leave for the Academy earlier than scheduled, but her words were difficult to grasp.
It wasn’t that I was in denial; the others seemed just as bewildered. The reason was that as soon as we returned to the Academy, I was expected to enter another dungeon.
And not everyone—just me.
“…I admit it sounds strange. I don’t want to take So-hyun with me if I can help it, either. However, the entry conditions are incredibly specific.”
Apparently, a being comparable to a Calamity had created a dungeon at the Academy, and the entry condition was someone with black hair and red eyes.
“Tests have confirmed that up to four companions, excluding the primary entrant, are allowed.”
“Then we’ll go too—”
“No, Cadet Lilac. I understand how you feel, but since the number of entrants is limited this time, the team will consist of A-rank heroes or those with a proven track record, aside from the personnel needed to facilitate entry.”
Lilac immediately voiced his dissatisfaction, but the professor began to persuade him with a calm expression.
“Of course, I’m not doubting your skills. It’s true that you’re all exceptionally talented for cadets, and the teamwork you’ve built can’t be ignored.”
“Then may I ask why?”
“Because there’s no way to prove that to everyone, and there will undoubtedly be people who won’t accept it.”
As the professor answered Ha-ni’s question, a faint trace of guilt flickered across her face.
“I believe none of you have participated in a long-term dungeon raid. You likely don’t know how a large-scale raid force can crumble when small discords or suspicions turn into cracks.”
Indeed. No matter how much they improved or how strong they became, the perception that they were still ‘cadets’ remained.
There wouldn’t just be heroes in such a large-scale operation. No matter how famous Lilac and Cheon Yu-hak were, or how strong Ha-ni had become, there would surely be people who looked down on them simply because they were cadets.
To be honest, many heroes have a strong sense of responsibility, so there would be those who interfere, saying, ‘There’s no need for a child to sacrifice themselves when adults are present.’
And they’d be right. Unless it was an extremely special situation, cadets wouldn’t be deployed on a mission that might involve a Calamity-class entity.
The only problem was that I, the one who had promised never to overdo it, was the only one caught in that ‘special situation’ and forced to enter the dungeon.
Everyone understood the logic, but their faces were full of discontent.
“Phew, I’ll be honest. As an Academy teacher, I have no intention of treating you as just children. If I did, I’d be flatly contradicting the very thing I teach—that Academy cadets are treated the same as adults.”
She took a breath before continuing.
“Normally, a hero shouldn’t say this, but things like this happen more often than you’d think in this world. That’s why you must build achievements that convince everyone.”
In other words, to protect what you want with your own hands, you need to prove your qualifications.
“I won’t ask you to be happy about it, but we’ll do our best, so please trust the faculty for this incident.”
Right, everyone, don’t worry too much. I’ll make sure not to get hurt…
“I’ll keep a close eye on Cadet Kang So-hyun to make sure he doesn’t overexert himself.”
“Please do, Professor.”
“If So-hyun tries to push himself, it might be best to just tie him up somewhere.”
“He might escape, so maybe it’s better to just knock him out.”
“No, I don’t think just knocking him out is safe enough. I think it would be best to tie him up and then knock him out.”
Excuse me? Everyone? I’m right here, you know? Are you really saying that in front of me? This is getting weird.
* * *
Kang Na-hyun was in a very foul mood.
It was frustrating enough that she couldn’t join her brother on his trip to the sea, but having an emergency notice pop up the moment she finished filming, forcing her into a dungeon, was another reason.
The ridiculous entry conditions of the dungeon had also forced her into a party with people of higher ranks than her.
It wasn’t even a team made up solely of heroes.
It was dizzying enough to have heroes and hunters on the same team, but to top it off, she was stuck in a bizarre party that included a man who ran some private martial arts dojo.
The stupid Association seemed to think that as long as the ranks were high, everything would be solved easily, but then why did the term ‘teamwork’ even exist?
It was exhausting to be caught between heroes and hunters who were subtly wary and disliked each other, and the dojo master didn’t even seem interested in talking.
“…Um, should we at least introduce ourselves?”
“…I am Kang Ho-in.”
This person is a Kang, too? But is that it?
Black hair was quite rare, so it was a bit surprising to have two in the party, but she didn’t feel like saying anything more.
After all, this man didn’t look particularly skilled at communication either.
“I’m a swordsman.”
Feeling the gaze of the others, he added quietly and stood up.
It seemed it was their party’s turn to enter.
Heroes and hunters bickering with each other, and a silent swordsman. She was essentially being treated as nothing more than a key to enter the dungeon.
The composition was so bad it wasn’t even funny.
* * *
Well, I had a feeling the party would be like this since they told me to trust the professors.
First, Chairperson Leilan, who still hadn’t revealed her true form.
“I’m sorry for getting you involved in this. The condition of black hair and red eyes is just too restrictive.”
She said that, but the subtle look she gave me suggested she was hoping I’d provide some information from the future.
But this isn’t an incident that originally happened. I don’t know much about it either.
Next was Professor Park A-ram, who looked incredibly apologetic.
“Haha, don’t worry, Kang So-hyun. We’re professors and renowned heroes, after all. I feel bad for dragging you into this, but as long as you stay close to us, you’ll be safe.”
After saying that, she handed me a candy.
“Right, just keep your wits about you. We’ll protect you no matter what. You know you shouldn’t ignore us, right?”
And even our Professor Cathy.
These three were exactly the members I expected, but…
“It’s been a while, Junior. This is the first time since the break started, right?”
There was one person included who had a smile that made you want to spit on it.
“Yes, Senior Baek Seol. I understood that cadets wouldn’t participate in this operation unless it was a special circumstance. Did you come out to cheer us on?”
“Hmm, I feel like I could cheer you on for the sake of my cute junior, but no. I just don’t have a diploma yet; I’ve built up more achievements than most heroes. I’m essentially treated as an A-rank hero, so don’t worry.”
I know. I was just trying to find a reason to complain.
I took a deep breath, suppressed my emotions with logic, and after carefully reviewing my thoughts once more, I spoke to her cautiously.
“Change.”
“I’m afraid this isn’t a tavern, Junior. There’s no option to swap out the lady during a dungeon raid.”
The professors’ eyes widened in surprise at my hostile attitude toward Baek Seol, but she ignored them and approached me as if she had noticed something strange.
“What is it?”
Of course, I maintained my distance.
“I still like how feisty you are, like a cat, but… how should I put it? Your eyes? Your atmosphere has changed a bit since the last time I saw you.”
I tried to ignore her and turn away, but her voice felt strangely cold, so I ended up looking back.
“I thought you were the same kind as me, but you’ve changed to be a bit more like an ‘ordinary person’.”
Beyond Baek Seol’s usual smiling face, I felt a chill similar to what I had occasionally felt while fighting her future self.
“Well, it’s still fine for now. Just don’t become too boring of a person. It’s been a really long time since I’ve been interested in someone.”
Baek Seol, who had been speaking softly, even set up a minute soundproofing barrier as she leaned in to whisper in my ear.
“I haven’t even finished enjoying myself yet, so please don’t become ordinary.”
— People don’t look like people to you, do they? It’s the same for me.
Even though she was still young, Baek Seol was still Baek Seol.
Aside from the fact that I didn’t want to see the people living here as mere characters or extras, I honestly didn’t think I could easily persuade Baek Seol.
What kind of persuasion would work on a psycho who always makes choices based on rationality, only to betray all of humanity on a whim?
The reason Baek Seol becomes a traitor to humanity after graduating is actually quite simple.
It’s because she found an answer to the question she had been harboring: ‘Is it truly rational for the human race to continue ruling the world?’
She was likely pondering that even now.
Whether it was truly right for a species that wasn’t overwhelmingly stronger than others, and barely survived by relying on a few special individuals, to remain as the rulers.
I wanted to change the answer she reached at the end of that contemplation if possible.
But at the same time, knowing the answer she gave, I couldn’t help but see her as a ticking time bomb.
In the future, as more powerful enemies continue to pour out, she begins to think: Wouldn’t it be more rational to leash humanity and ensure survival even as livestock?
“Hmm, I guess it’s still okay. I must have seen wrong, Junior.”
“…No, I think you saw correctly.”
“There you go again. By now, don’t you think it’s time to open your heart to me?”
“We are entering the site. Please be quiet.”
“Wow, only now? That’s so mean.”
“Is continuing to chatter a rational action?”
“Hmph.”
I’d try to rehabilitate other characters even if it meant overexerting myself, but Baek Seol was too dangerous.
She hadn’t fully blossomed yet. With her current immaturity, I could easily kill her.
A necessary action, but not a right one. This is difficult.
The professor, who had been staring blankly at us as if our interaction was unexpected, seemed to snap out of it. She came over and mediated, telling us to stop because we had to enter soon.
“Why is my junior so intent on picking on only me?”
Why?
— You and I are the only humans in this world, so how could I possibly hate you? How could I not be glad to see the only other person I’ve ever met in my life?
I recalled the villain who used to call me the only other human in the world besides herself.
— So it’s only natural that I’d want to have you, right? As long as we have each other, we don’t need ‘this,’ do we?
There were several people who almost killed me before my regression, but Baek Seol was the only one, among both heroes and villains, who almost drove Seo-ha to her death.
Since I was the most precious thing to her, she tried to destroy the other things precious to me. Could I really lead someone like that down a different path?
“What are you doing, Junior? Aren’t you coming?”
“…I’m coming.”
I might have to face her as an enemy someday.
Maybe the right answer was to deal with her now while she was relatively weak.
— Aha, what’s this? Irrational things were this fun.
I can still see her face, laughing even as she died.
— If I’d known it was like this, I would have tried it sooner. I wish I had just one more chance. Next time, I think it would be okay to live a bit more irrationally.
You said it felt like only you and I were human, but for me, it was the opposite. Only at the very, very last moment…
Did you finally look like a human to me?
A human who feels regret and reflects on their actions.