Chapter 70
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Progenitor Ameris
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"Most of them look down on you, but they're still keeping a subtle eye on you anyway, Si-woo junior."
Keeping an eye on me? That didn't sound promising, so I cautiously asked Yoo Nara senior.
"They're wary of me?"
She answered matter-of-factly at my question.
"Think about it. It's a brand-new club formed after years, and they forcibly took it over from an existing one. That's a huge deal already, Si-woo junior."
"Haha..."
Yeah, it had been all the buzz in the academy, so it was foolish of me to hope the club presidents wouldn't talk about it.
As I was thinking that, she gave an awkward smile, like she was hesitant to continue.
"Well, people say the Gloria Club members aren't all that strong, but still, it's hard to imagine they'd really let a first-year freshman usurp their club spot."
"Haha. Is that so?"
The way Gloria Club was treated contrasted sharply with their members' pride. It almost brought tears to my eyes.
'Was it all just bravado?'
More than that, usurp? I felt wronged. I never expected rumors to spread like this.
Amid my awkward laugh mixed with 2% indignation, Baek A-rin chimed in with a humorless smile from beside me.
"Yeah, and they went and bet the next likely heir to the Snow Mountain Clan without a second thought. Definitely not something you can pull off with just guts."
She was still holding onto that grudge? No, more importantly, 'likely heir' was just her own wishful thinking, right?
I ignored Baek A-rin glaring at me and opened my mouth to lightly defend myself.
"The Gloria seniors flatly rejected my proposal. It would've been nice if they'd considered it a bit more positively."
"Yeah, a proposal?"
"Haha, it was a constructive one that benefited both sides."
The moment I finished speaking, a sharp sting hit the back of my head.
Glancing back, Baek A-rin was giving me a look of disbelief.
"Demon?"
Demon? Where was I wrong?
Yoo Nara senior let out a 'pfft' at our exchange, glanced at me, nodded slightly, and said,
"At first, I thought you just got carried along by the club members. But now I know your rumors aren't exaggerated nonsense, at least."
"Haha... Really?"
"In a way, you could say I'm the lucky one."
"You are lucky, Nara senior?"
Her words caught me off guard, so I asked quizzically. She cupped her hand like it was a secret and whispered,
"It might not show on the surface, but there's rivalry between clubs too. It's a training camp, sure, but it's fundamentally competitive."
"I see."
With that, she straightened up and continued.
"Anyway, I should head back to the club members. It's not good for the president to be away too long. Let me know if you need any help, Si-woo junior."
"Yes, thank you."
'Rivalry between clubs, huh.'
The original story never delved into club conflicts. Probably because it wasn't worth Lee Seong-hyeon's attention.
More importantly, owing Yoo Nara senior a favor was definitely the right move. She wasn't fully on my side yet, but earning her goodwill was enough.
All that was left was to execute the plan well in the Ghoul Field.
Lost in thought, a familiar voice rang out.
"Cadets!"
A loud, booming voice.
"Glad to meet you. I'm Professor Kang Geom-seon."
So Professor Kang Geom-seon had arrived, as expected.
Professor Kang Geom-seon possessed power that wouldn't pale against frontline hunters. He was perfect for overseeing student safety.
No need to tense up.
Everything was still going as I knew it.
Baek A-rin whispered quietly to me upon seeing Professor Kang Geom-seon.
"It's Professor Kang Geom-seon. You're not acquaintances or anything, right?"
"I'm his prized disciple."
"What?"
She stared at me in slight surprise.
That was good for me. With Professor Kang Geom-seon around, there was no way we'd face anything unfair.
As I chatted with Baek A-rin, someone approached Professor Kang Geom-seon.
Even in a crisp suit, her voluptuous figure was impossible to hide. Long black hair with a lingering purple shadow framed her, making her even more alluring.
No doubt about it. That woman was...
"I'm Yu Chae-hwa, your club training camp instructor."
"Yu Chae-hwa...?!"
My voice drew everyone's eyes to me.
Slip-up. I'd been so shocked, my voice escaped without thinking.
Yu Chae-hwa gazed at me steadily with her enigmatic eyes, purple or black—it was hard to tell.
"Student. Do you know me?"
"Ah, n-no. You're just so beautiful."
"Ah, I see. Is that so."
She replied coldly to my lame excuse.
Giggling came from around us at my response.
"Kim Si-woo, what kind of nonsense is that? That's your type?"
"No way."
Baek A-rin started asking weird, flustered questions in response to my words.
"No, look me in the eyes and say it. It's important."
Why was she so persistent today?
Then a noisy voice came from the side.
"Si-woo!! FUCKXXXX BITXX, what the hell are you doing right now?! YOU never even glance at me, and now this is ridiculous!! Can't you see mine are bigger?!"
"Calm down, Erina."
"I can't calm down!! Look here! Right here! LOOK HERE!"
Erina undid her top shirt button and thrust her massive chest at me.
She might be dumb, but she had solid chastity morals. Who got her riled up like this?
I naturally pushed Erina aside and thought,
'Am I screwed?'
That was close.
No, maybe I already was.
In the original, Yu Chae-hwa was at the forefront of Lee Seong-hyeon's faction as an instructor.
The problem was, it wasn't her time to appear yet.
'Calm down first. I don't even know if she's made contact with Lee Seong-hyeon.'
If anything, this could be a chance to pull her to my side.
Either way, I'd do my best.
'Focus on the Ghoul Field episode for now. Everything else later.'
Steeling myself, Professor Kang Geom-seon was addressing the students.
"The criminal has been handed over to the police in cooperation with the airport, so no worries. Just some deviant with a grudge against society, it seems."
The students buzzed with relief at his words.
"Guess it wasn't a big deal."
"Yeah, would've sucked if the camp got canceled."
"I joined a club specifically to go to the Ghoul Field this time."
Baek A-rin muttered skeptically.
"That was just 'no big deal deviant'?"
"Don't worry too much. Let's focus on the camp."
"Obviously. I won't let our club crash and burn with me as a member."
Club camp performance directly affected their evaluation. Knowing that, Baek A-rin had come along despite her reluctance.
"Chew-woo!! Look here!!"
No, you take a break.
I thought that and shoved Erina back in.
'Deviant, huh.'
Of course, the academy knew it wasn't just some random deviant.
They might even suspect the Purity Faction already.
But they didn't want to publicize that the Purity Faction had infiltrated the airport for a terrorist act.
It hadn't been long since the academy attack incident. They'd want to bury it quietly.
Then the airport announcement blared loudly.
-This is a boarding announcement. Special Flight 2900 to Jeju Island Ghoul Field, departing at 08:20, now boarding at Gate 32. Boarding closes 5 minutes before departure.
As our flight was called, Instructor Yu Chae-hwa spoke.
I'll go over precautions again onboard. Everyone prepare for boarding.
We're really heading to the Ghoul Field now.
As I thought that and got ready to board, Erina and Baek A-rin approached with smiles.
"Kim Si-woo. Obviously you know basic airplane etiquette, right?"
"Etiquette?"
"That's right, Chew-woo! You weren't planning to board with those on, were you?! You have to take off your socks too!"
Erina pointed at my sneakers.
"You're serious?"
"Can't you see?! ME already took mine off!"
With that, she shoved her smelly socks under my nose.
"Guh!"
Erina flinched at my reaction, teary-eyed, and hid her socks again.
"W-what are you doing?! It's a reward for YOU, a reward!!"
"Reward my ass... Wait, thinking back, it wasn't that bad. Let me take a deeper whiff."
As I reached out, Erina recoiled in horror.
"W-what are you saying!"
What did she expect me to do?
Erina caught her breath, then grinned again.
"A-anyway, YOU take off your socks too."
Ridiculous. Who was she trying to tease?
I needed to exorcise this wicked soul teasing me.
With that thought, I gave Erina a holy flick on the forehead.
"Ow!! Why'd you hit me! If I get dumber, Chew-si-woo's taking responsibility?!"
"Serves you right for teasing people."
"No! Baek A-rin suggested it first! Hit her too!"
I looked at Baek A-rin at Erina's words, but she shrugged innocently.
"See? Told you it wouldn't fool him. I said not to do it."
"..."
These two had conspired to prank me.
What did they take me for?
"As if I'd fall for that."
I sighed, took off my sneakers, and rummaged in my bag for my indoor shoes.
"Ch-Chew... Chew-si-woo, what are you doing?"
"Kim Si-woo, th-that's why?"
See? They were shocked by my airplane etiquette knowledge.
"Air pressure drops at high altitude. Without K-acupressure slippers to boost circulation, you could die. As if I wouldn't know."