Why Only To Me?
"This side's clean... but what about over there?"
"It's spotless. No traces at all."
"Hmm..."
"How do you fight a battle without leaving a single mark..."
"Not even any remnants of the Mine's mana."
The academy security team had no choice but to be baffled. No matter how much they investigated, there were no signs of battle.
Just the Mine's corpse. Nothing suspicious beyond that.
It felt like the Mine had been dealt with somewhere else, and only the body dumped here.
"Didn't even give it a chance to react."
"Pardon?"
As everyone frowned while scanning the living room, the most senior member of the security team—the ace who had studied abroad—the grizzled veteran Kim Peller spoke up.
Kim Peller stroked his chin, surveying the scene.
"An S-rank Mine couldn't even unleash its mana... What do you think that means? A Mine's strongest instinct is survival. There's no way it wouldn't use its mana in a life-or-death crisis."
"Then..."
"Exactly. Lee Ho-yeon is an overwhelming powerhouse who took down an S-rank Mine before it could even react."
"...!"
"We need to report this separately. Keep your mouths shut, just in case."
"Y-yes, sir!"
Kim Peller sighed and shook his head. In his long career, he'd never encountered a powerhouse like this.
The team's rookie clutched his aching head after overhearing the classified info.
"What are you all doing?"
Moon Sulin approached the security team, who were huddled together shaking their heads.
"P-President!"
"How's the investigation going?"
"Y-yes, ma'am."
The team reported their progress to Moon Sulin. The student council president held significant authority on-site. Not only was there no one else to take charge, but Moon Sulin handled things with a maturity far beyond her years.
Even the prideful veterans on scene had no choice but to acknowledge her talent after working with her a few times.
"No traces at all... Yeah, it's suspiciously clean."
The scene felt off to anyone who looked. It must seem even stranger to the experts.
"Should we check the bedroom too?"
"...No. I'll just take a quick look myself."
"Understood. We'll wrap up here then. Hey! Pack it up!"
There were plenty of unsettling aspects, but... she had to respect Ho-yeon's privacy.
While the security team finished up, Moon Sulin casually checked Lee Ho-yeon's bedroom and bathroom. Nothing event-related or blatantly suspicious caught her eye.
But...
"That's a lot of toothbrushes."
Little things started catching her attention. A bed in both the bedroom and living room. Multiple toothbrushes that looked used. A perfectly set-up computer, like for streaming. A lived-in feel. Human traces.
Of course, it was Lee Ho-yeon's house, so traces of life weren't the issue...
"...I never heard Ho-yeon was into streaming."
Something nagged at her. What was it?
But she didn't want to rummage through closets or drawers. That would truly invade his privacy.
Her conscience wouldn't let her cross that line.
Tilting her head curiously, Moon Sulin spotted some clothes seemingly shoved under the bed. Black fabric scraps. Holding them up with both hands, she could tell their purpose.
Clothes designed to accentuate a woman's breasts, stomach, hips, and thighs. Lewd lingerie made to tease men.
"...."
Why was this in Ho-yeon's house?
"President! We're done!"
The security team's voice called from outside as Moon Sulin pondered.
"Ah, got it!"
She had to head back for now. Moon Sulin shoved the clothes back under the bed.
"...."
What the hell? Ho-yeon was hiding something from her.
It might be nothing. The fabric could be a pointless gift from a friend... The computer a secret hobby she could respect.
But needless thoughts tangled her heart.
Lee Ho-yeon had lots of close female friends, after all.
"Haa..."
Moon Sulin hated this feeling. And regretted her actions.
She shouldn't have looked at all. Then her mind would be at ease.
With her head full of complications, Moon Sulin stepped outside.
"I-is this... really okay? Lumi?"
"Yeah. Hurry up."
Lumi pushed Lucy's back, ushering her into the club room.
The room held the bed they'd set up yesterday. Getting school approval for a "rest area" had been a nightmare, but they'd pulled it off. Thanks to Lumi's persistence.
Lucy found Lumi's enthusiasm awkward. She turned into a completely different person when it came to Lee Ho-yeon.
"Lucy. This should do it, right?"
"Yeah. It's big and nice, but..."
The bed was spacious. Plenty of room for three to roll around.
Just looking at it made Lucy tense. The reason for it was obvious without words.
Seeing her sister's nerves, Lumi took Lucy's hand.
"Lucy. You don't hate doing it with Ho-yeon-sunbae, do you?"
"...I don't hate it. I like it."
Of course Lucy loved being with Lee Ho-yeon and Lumi. If it was just casual fun, she'd be over the moon.
But sharing her body with Lumi too... That needed some mental prep for Lucy.
"Lucy. We have to steel ourselves."
"Steel ourselves?"
"...You know, right? Ho-yeon-sunbae has pretty girls like Nam Da-eun or Ellis around him."
"Teacher Baek A-young's close too."
"Professor Im Sol as well."
"Come to think of it, he's a real jerk."
"It's fine. We've got each other."
Lumi smiled faintly and squeezed Lucy's hand.
"You think so too, right, Lucy?"
"Haa, yeah. Got it. Let's take down Lee Ho-yeon."
Lucy couldn't refuse Lumi's words. Truth be told, she was grateful for her sister's passion. Lucy had only done it once, so she was honestly nervous about that stuff.
She wanted Lee Ho-yeon but didn't know how to proceed. Lumi made it possible.
"I'll do my best too, Lumi."
"Yeah... I love you, Lucy."
"I love you more."
The twins embraced and lay on the bed.
"Feels good lying together."
"Yeah. Reminds me of the old days. Whenever things got tough, you'd always hold me like this."
Since childhood, Lucy had looked after the more delicate Lumi. It was just what big sisters did—no need for repayment.
But this time, she hinted slyly.
"Lumi. Help me out this time."
"Don't worry. We'll definitely get Ho-yeon-sunbae between us."
"Heh, love that. Sounds perfect."
The twins giggled in the club room.
"Try this. Chicken leg."
"Thanks a lot, Liliana."
Nam Da-eun, Nam Da-hee, Liliana, and I. The four of us had ordered three chickens. Three birds meant six legs total. Liliana had already scarfed three and eyed a fourth.
I glared, and she sheepishly offered me one, gauging my mood.
"Chicken legs are so good..."
"What're you doing in front of a kid? Seriously."
"Liliana-unnie's hilarious. Pfft."
"Da-hee. Eat without spilling."
Nam Da-hee laughed at Liliana without a care, and Nam Da-eun wiped her sister's mouth, ignoring it too.
Tsk. The kids were too nice. I could picture Liliana stealing their legs when I wasn't around.
"You don't snag all the kids' legs when I'm gone, right? You order chicken every day anyway."
"...No."
I let out a hollow laugh at Liliana, who avoided my eyes while grabbing some crispy thigh.
Did hell-dwellers all act young like that? Or positively, was she just youthful?
"Hey, speaking of, you girls okay? No injuries?"
Shameless, but... it only hit me now. They looked fine, so I hadn't worried.
"Yeah. We're good."
"Obviously. Yap yap."
Seeing their energy, they must be unscathed.
"Still, an S-rank Mine... We took it down easy? Da-eun, you that strong now?"
"Mm, Liliana helped a lot."
"Liliana?"
I eyed Liliana, who was chowing down on chicken.
Her? Helpful?
"Why the look? I'm super strong now too, y'know? Probably a blessing from the god watching from hell. Hehe."
"...."
What nonsense. But from what Da-eun said, she had powered up...
Ah. Maybe from learning Rune Barrier from Rebecca? Since summoning Liliana, I'd grown rapidly too. Her available mana must've increased accordingly. After a proper fight in ages, it made sense she'd feel it.
"Right. You're the best. Always trusted you."
"Hehe. Then tribute a chicken leg."
"Ho-yeon-oppa, when's Scarlett-unnie coming?"
As Liliana and I bantered nonsense, Nam Da-hee piped up.
"Uh... Scarlett's swamped with work. But she'll be here soon."
"I wanna see Scout. Tail's itching without using it."
Scarlett, huh. I pictured her by Ellis's side.
With no major work, she should be fine, right? Sudden unease bubbled up, but we'd all grown stronger—me and my girls. Sure, this game's power creep meant it wasn't enough later... but I'd push harder.
"I'll check. She can at least show her face."
"Yay! Thanks, oppa!"
Da-hee lit up visibly. She'd gotten close to Scarlett too. Seeing my women bond always felt great.
'Ah, right—Scarlett's not a heroine.'
Forgot, seeing her so often.
"Ho-yeon. I have a question too. How'd you meet that Rebecca?"
"Yeah. That witch was scary. Clan this, tribe that—I don't get it."
"Rebecca... It's a long story, but I'll explain."
We kept chatting. Sharing daily life with the heroines like this was refreshing and healing.
Second only to sex, of course.
The day after Lee Ho-yeon was attacked by the skull-masked figure.
Sunday.
Scarlett reported to Ellis.
"An assault...?"
"Yes. I acquired the academy's processing documents."
The file Scarlett handed over detailed the attack on Lee Ho-yeon. She'd siphoned academy intel and gathered personal intel for a thorough summary.
"Hm... Got it. I'll contact him. Rest up."
"Yes. Excuse me."
After bowing to Ellis, Scarlett left the mansion for home. Unlike Sebas Chan, she didn't need to stick by Ellis daily.
'What to do at home.'
Weird feeling. She'd never felt this before in her life.
—Scout~. Check this out. Looks yummy, right?
—Hey, it's Scarlett, not Scout. How long you gonna do this?
—Scarlett-ssi. Thank you.
—Unnie~ Do this for me.
"Ha."
Her, renowned for intel and assassination. Who'd have thought she'd grow so attached.
Terrifying bunch.
Even as she thought that, a smile played on Scarlett's lips.
'Time to drop by soon.'
Scarlett entered her home, lost in pleasant imaginings.
The moment she shut the door, survival instincts screamed through her body. She jolted.
Get out. Run.
Scarlett reflexively yanked the door open again.
But.
"Scarlett."
A deep, resonant voice stopped her cold. She turned back slowly.
Like prey facing a predator, her legs went weak—a natural response.
In the living room lounged a man on her sofa like he owned the place. Utterly relaxed.
"Guild... Master."
"Long time no see. Cozy place you've got."
Iris Guild Master. Isaac.
He was in her house.