Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: The Dean's Proposal
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"Then let's get straight to business."
"That money. You said the squid stole it from the bank, right?"
"Yeah."
"You know this? Even the ATMs attached to the bank are rigged so that if someone rips out the cash inside, a special solution sprays out, rendering it worthless as money. It was designed that way back when Awakeners and Hunters started popping up, and all sorts of ability users began eyeing banks. In simple terms, it marks the bills as stolen."
A strategy that says if you can't stop it, make sure they don't profit from it.
In the age of Awakeners, where countless people with magic and abilities turned to crime and couldn't be stopped by brute force alone, the idea was to at least deny them any gains.
Plus, with the chemical marking of "stolen money," tracking their movements becomes relatively straightforward.
"...Ahhh! Damn it! Then all this cash is trash. I got scammed."
"That S-grade squid probably had no intention of scamming anyone. In the Scavenger black markets, that kind of money still circulates just fine. You can use it for small retail at convenience stores or marts without issue, but big transactions? That's where problems arise."
"Sigh~ Well, guess I'll settle for the magic stones we salvaged. Guys, burn all this crap."
Even if it's valuable, anything shady is better off gone.
Yoo Seongwon ruthlessly sets fire to bills that must total over a trillion won.
Baek Gayeon, watching in fascination, finds her curiosity growing about this Golden Ma-in Knight, who doesn't seem as greed-driven as she expected.
'Hmm... He's getting harder and harder to figure out.'
"Anyway, thanks for pointing out something I didn't know. That was pretty helpful. I was ready to just 'deal' with you if I sensed any ulterior motives..."
"You're casually saying some terrifying things. In any case, Golden Ma-in Knight, you seem interested in money—care to take on a commission from me?"
"Nope!"
Yoo Seongwon turns it down flat.
He has no desire to get tangled in more annoyances and plans to just walk away.
Sure, she shared good info, but considering she benefited from him stopping the S-grade monster horde, he figures that's small change in return.
He turns to leave.
"Hmm... I see. What a shame. Yoo Seongwon, former Academia staffer."
"......!"
The moment he hears it, Yoo Seongwon—who's turned away—feels like his heart stops.
He yanks out Titan's Stake and thrusts it toward Dean Baek Gayeon. Reading his intent, his knights instantly surround her.
Yoo Seongwon, who hasn't breathed a word about his identity, blurts out in shock.
"...How the hell did you know? You're a Hunter who doesn't serve any Constellations! Damn it! How do you all keep figuring it out? Argh! This is driving me insane!"
"Ho ho, no need to panic like that. Truth be told, I didn't expect to find out this way either."
"What did you do?"
"That armor of yours seems to block magic, so I figured I'd try applying a 'buff' just in case."
Yoo Seongwon still can't grasp the situation and fiddles with his status window, checking everywhere.
But there's no sign of any external buff applied.
"It's not there."
"To be precise, it was the 'attempt' to cast it. When I tried applying Hunter's Advice, this popped up: 'Apply to Academia employee Yoo Seongwon?'"
"...What kind of buff does that? So anyone who buffs me exposes my identity?"
"No. For it to show up like that, it means I must have previously confirmed your identity and cast a buff on you. Remember, right after I became dean, I buffed all the staff for their safety?"
"Ah... Aha!"
Only then does Yoo Seongwon realize how the dean figured him out.
When she first arrived at Academia as dean, she'd cast a buff skill on all staff to keep them in her sights and protect them from student threats.
That's how Yoo Seongwon's info lingered in Dean Baek Gayeon's status window.
So when she tried buffing the Golden Ma-in Knight now, it prompted: 'Cast on Yoo Seongwon?'
"Ha... This is ridiculous. Of all things, that's how it works? Hah!"
For Yoo Seongwon, cynical about the world, this feels even less believable than Constellations spilling the beans.
A purely good-intentioned act from back then leading to his exposure now? He can't wrap his head around it.
"Guess people should do good deeds after all."
"There's gotta be a limit to this nonsense. Sigh~ Damn, now it's a hassle. So, what now?"
"Hmm, what else? Given your personality, going public wouldn't do you any favors. I'll respect your secret."
"Phew~ At least that's a relief."
Shk...
Yoo Seongwon casually stows Titan's Stake back into his inventory.
If she'd spouted typical old-fogey crap, past favors be damned—he'd have blown her head off.
He'd seen plenty of that at Academia.
"I figured you'd pull some comic-book line like 'With great power comes great responsibility.'"
"Ho ho, you have to read the room for that. Telling a worldly guy like you that would spell trouble."
"Good to know you're reasonable."
"Yeah~ I've nearly died enough times to learn. Ho ho."
Unlike Guild Master Shin Somi, Dean Baek Gayeon connects on a different wavelength.
Both have rolled through the rotten world enough to spot who won't buy into lofty ideals or flowery rhetoric.
Still, one's pursuit is 'justice,' while the other's solely self-preservation.
"Anyway, no time for more chit-chat. We held here, but elsewhere... Hmm~ They managed okay. But Shin Gangnam's the real issue now."
『(Breaking News) Another monster horde approaching Shin Gangnam.』
『S-grade Monster Bohaku horde, en route to 'Shin Gangnam' instead of Suwon!』
"Huh? That squid bastard went there after all. Was the near-death act fake? Or did it cut losses and figure it couldn't leave empty-handed?"
"That's part of it, but it won't attack you since you're contracted. So, what'll you do?"
The battle's not over, and Baek Gayeon eyes him expectantly, hoping for aid elsewhere.
But Yoo Seongwon reads the sentiment and turns away unfazed.
"What else? Grab the magic stones and usable items here and bolt. Ah~ Don't give me that look. Shin Gangnam's big shots will handle it. I already cut a deal with the horde—I can't."
"Sigh~ Listen..."
"And honestly, those guys who keep oaths to Constellations are way better than humans who betray their own kind over 'the fool got duped.' Anyway, I'm out~ Got civil defense tomorrow. Let's go, guys!"
"Civil defense? What's that?"
Before Dean Baek Gayeon can react in surprise, Yoo Seongwon vanishes.
Shocked on multiple levels, she shelves thoughts of him for now—the crisis in Shin Gangnam is too urgent, so she heads there first.
***
The next morning, at the Academia staff dorms.
Beep beep beep beep!
With nowhere else to go, I crashed at the on-site staff dorms, washed up roughly, and passed out.
I'd barely closed my eyes when the alarm blares, jolting me awake as I rub my eyes.
Still sleepy, but I force myself up since I need to wash and get ready.
"Yawwwn~ Ah, crap, civil defense duty. Nom nom, Akaron~ Coffee, please~"
[Here you go, Master.]
I take the cup from Akaron, now fully accustomed to maid duties, and slowly sip the slightly hot coffee to shake off the drowsiness.
[By the way, you have a guest.]
"Hm? Guest? This early? Ayoung or Guild Master Somi?"
[Madam Baek. Dean Baek Gayeon.]
"...Pffft! What does that old hag want? Where is she?"
[In the living room...]
Damn! Instant wake-up call.
What the hell is that old hag thinking, barging into my place?
I open the door and glance at the living room—sure enough, there she is in yesterday's battle gear, sipping coffee.
"Hey, you should've told me she was here!"
[She was already cleared as non-hostile, and Madam agreed to prioritize your physical recovery without disturbing your sleep.]
"Sigh~"
Can't help but sigh.
Guest or not, duty calls—I change and head to the living room.
The stench of blood and sweat hits me; she must've fought all night and come straight here.
Her face screams exhaustion. Why not just go home and crash?
"Oh? You're up? Golden Ma-in Knight. That tin can Akaron brews damn good coffee. Better than anything from guilds or companies under the Metronics Constellation that make androids and machines."
[Thank you for the praise, Madam.]
"Ho ho ho, such manners too~ Guess even the A.I. is top-notch?"
This Baek Gayeon—er, old hag—chatting casually with Akaron like it's nothing. Impressive.
But my morning's tight with civil defense looming, so I cut to the chase.
"So, what's the visit for? Not just for free coffee, right? Make it quick—gotta head out for civil defense."
"Ah~ You can skip that. We fought till 6 a.m. and barely drove them off. Whew~ Check your phone."
"Hm? Oh? For real? Sweet! No work!"
Sure enough, a text: 'Shin Gangnam incident resolved. Civil defense mobilization canceled.'
No duty? I'm thrilled, handing the cup back to Akaron with a sigh of relief.
"But... yesterday's mess left around 10,000 casualties across Shin Gangnam and other hit areas. It was brutal. Whew~"
"So you fought hard and came to preach about life's value or whatever? We both know that won't fly after yesterday..."
"Ho ho, do I look that stuck-up? Sure, I am a bit. That's why I'm here with a fair deal. You're not obsessed with trades, but you need money, right?"
A deal? Right after fighting, what could she want? Bad vibes.
Still, gotta hear it out to refuse or counter properly.