Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: The Pullback Follower
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Cheon Seo-yun spilled everything that had happened that day, without holding anything back.
Terminal illness.
She had spent the day watching someone with death looming over them live on so matter-of-factly, and it had given her some realization.
"So I'm going to try bucking up again too. If I really get okay, I'll tell you everything that happened then."
"Ha. You really..."
Ju A-rin grumbled a bit about the hunting grounds, chewing her lip, but soon nodded.
Even if she said something, it'd just turn into nagging, and it was the tail end of an exhausting day—no energy left for persuasion.
"But somehow, you look more worn out today. Got something on your mind?"
That was when Cheon Seo-yun asked.
"...Huh?"
The brief silence that followed was filled with the savory smell of fried chicken and the fresh scent of shampoo.
Ju A-rin realized she'd hesitated awkwardly and hurriedly spoke up.
"Me? I'm fine, why?"
"Hmm, really?"
As Cheon Seo-yun narrowed her eyes and stared, Ju A-rin swallowed hard.
Her usually terrible intuition for people was flashing bright today.
"Really not?"
"Yeah, just a bit tired. With the direct team assignment, there's a lot to worry about..."
Ju A-rin continued, thinking that was the main reason.
Sure, there were the reasons Park Ha-yul had invested, why he'd investigated the wolf in her place, why he'd joined hands to escape, and so on.
She wasn't free of worries, but there was no guarantee it was the truth.
Even if it was, things were mostly sorted out by now.
If you looked at it, it was just one of those common occurrences.
The attention from the opposite sex that came with her flashy looks was, to Ju A-rin, like sand in the desert—fleeting and irritating.
"You live such a tiring life too, from what I see. If there's anything I can help with, just say so anytime."
Cheon Seo-yun didn't pry further and picked up the chicken leg she'd set down.
Just as the meal and drinks were about to resume.
────!
A lightning bolt flashed like it would set the night sky ablaze, invading the room, followed by thunder rumbling loudly.
And then a split-second stillness.
That was when both of them, as if by agreement, looked out the window.
Bzzz.
Ju A-rin's phone buzzed.
* * *
Roberto's demonic energy induces powerful hallucinations.
Far stronger than heroin, it recreates the situations one longs for in illusions, blurring the line between fantasy and reality.
It's like a paralyzed person walking or a blind man seeing—the vast majority succumb and pawn their minds in the Demonic Space Canvas.
At first glance, it's a cheat ability rivaling a god, but since it's done by a human, side effects exist.
Occasionally, emotional backlash causes abnormal behavior, and one space where this trait shows clearly is personal SNS.
Click.
That's why I was currently snooping through the Stargrams of Dodam's members.
The original story only mentioned the victim right before Ju A-rin, skipping the rest, so to follow the event flow, it was unavoidable.
Had I moved too soon?
Most club members were just living ordinary days—
Shaking off stray thoughts and working hard today too. Thanks, Arie unnie.
#Boring Taehak #ThatCafeCoffee
Ju A-rin's latest feed was a coffee photo against a park backdrop.
Went to Dodam's special lecture. Article update coming this weekend.
#LectureReview #Roberto #StudentReporter #Dodam
Min Young-ji's updates had cut off after Thursday's lecture.
In the end, with nothing gained, I leaned back in my chair.
"This isn't getting me anywhere."
It was time to focus on the incident, but with scant info, grasping the flow was hard.
That vaunted scanning was useless on intangible internet, and just waiting didn't sit well.
"Wonder if Eta has anything."
Thinking that far, I sat up again.
Logging into the site to skim the last three days' posts...
Click.
...Huh?
But against plan, I just blinked.
Certain words mentioned everywhere felt eerily familiar.
[Achievement-219: Community Celebrity]
[Your nickname is topping real-time searches.]
[Many Taehak students are curious about your identity.]
[Reward: 5 days added to remaining time.]
[Reward: 15 SP granted.]
I smacked my lips with a wry smile.
Well, SP and time gained—good is good, but being constantly on people's tongues wasn't comfortable.
To gauge the situation, I scrolled through the posts.
Still no reveal on Buhansi's identity?
Where'd follower pullback go?
Here's proof pullback is a scammer.
.
.
But who's pullback anyway.
Whenever Buhansi was mentioned, this nickname inevitably followed, so I searched it separately.
After ten minutes of deep dive, I got the gist.
Follower of Buhansi.
The one and only eyewitness who knows Buhansi's identity, etc.
At first, I thought it was just some attention-seeker riding fame for eyes.
But no.
The moment I read his best post, a chill ran down my spine.
Buhansi exists. He wore a black tracksuit at the VR tournament in Training Ground 3, around 11:30 PM. The perfect score was possible because with a single attack...
It was a vivid eyewitness account, like watching from right beside.
He didn't detail the orc shaman kill, but the nuance suggested he knew that too.
"...Who the hell is this guy."
Pressing my temple, I sifted possible scenarios.
First, sneaking into the training ground? Zero chance.
The door won't force open if someone's inside.
"So, from outside?"
Flipping my thinking brought up the training ground's internal CCTV.
Suspected security first, but shook my head.
Faculty can't join Eta, and Taehak's dream job wouldn't risk rules for a thrill.
So some psycho hacked Taehak's security?
Just a wild guess, but as thoughts raced, one person popped up.
"...No way?"
On a hunch, I dictionary-searched pullback's meaning.
pullback
1. (Military) withdrawal
2. (Prices, values, etc.) drop.
Then I was certain.
One familiar name sat there bold as brass.
"Kim Cheol-su..."
Same sorcery field, specialized in hacking and intel gathering.
His record didn't seem malicious approach... but I wondered why just then.
"...Hold on."
I realized the timing was too coincidental. Right when I needed Cheol-su's talent.
If I borrowed his power to hack Roberto's phone...
It'd solve the info shortage in one go.
"Let's check."
To uncover pullback's identity and hacking truth, I accessed the Gauri system, searched Cheol-su, and called.
His voice answered, and I went straight aggressive.
"Kim Cheol-su, ready for prison rice?"
* * *
Splash—
Rough rain lashing the window on this stormy night.
The phone's vibration rang out especially clear.
As the black screen lit with a message, both their gazes turned there naturally.
[Sender: Kim Hye-jin]
[Arin-ah, you doing okay...?]
Cheon Seo-yun glanced and immediately acted familiar.
"Kim Hye-jin? The one from your freshman year department? You two were close over her little sister's issues, right?"
"Yeah, kinda..."
But what at this hour?
They'd been out of touch, reconnecting via the club.
Ju A-rin tilted her head and checked the message.
[Arin-ah, you doing okay? Suddenly thought of you, so... Can you come to the club hall now?]
Now?
Outside was thunder and lightning in foul weather. And late night.
Nearly 11 PM already.
Judging impossible, Ju A-rin started typing a refusal.
[...I'm alone and it's too tough. My little sister's been getting worse lately.]
"Ah."
But the follow-up message wasn't easy to ignore.
"What? What'd she say?"
"Uh? Well..."
Ju A-rin paused, recalling their bond.
Truth was, they shared mutual sympathy over 'incurable' little sisters.
Just as Ju Seol-hwa was Ju A-rin's life purpose, Kim Hye-jin's days revolved around her sister.
Unlike Ju Seol-hwa improving, Hye-jin's sister hadn't, leading to distance...
But lingering solidarity held her ankle.
After brief deliberation, Ju A-rin replied.
[Got it. Heading over now.]
Weather and time weren't excuses her conscience would accept.
"Sorry, but I gotta head out."
Standing, Ju A-rin explained.
"Club hall? She's weird too. What alone so late?"
"Don't know details. Text didn't say much."
"Tsk. Fine. Be careful."
Parting from Cheon Seo-yun, Ju A-rin grabbed clothes and left the dorm.
Taehak's night streets, swallowing even moonlight, felt extra dark and wild tonight.
* * *
It felt like an atmosphere needing a prayer: Lord, shine upon our hearts, and let us firmly trust in Your mercy...
I was listening to pitiful Cheol-su's long confession over the line.
TL;DR: Curious about Buhansi's identity, hacked. Happy it was me.
But community reactions all "scam" "error" negative, so got pissed and started posting.
Defended so hard, unknowingly became a follower.
-Sorry. Didn't mean to blow it up this big.
"It's fine. Life has its ups and downs."
My tone toward Cheol-su softened considerably.
Anyway, he did hack Taehak's system. Ability proven.
I chatted more, then broached casually.
"Cheol-su, wanna do a job together?"
"Job?"
Embellished the situation.
Skipped 'demon,' called him a 'sexual predator.'
Famous author turns out predator, luring female students—suspicious.
"But peeking personal phone feels..."
Look at this guy's logic.
"Then CCTV okay? Should I ask student affairs?"
"N-no. I'll do it. Can't let a scumbag slide."
"Right? Do it now."
Cheol-su reluctantly(?) accepted, said he'd need time, hung up.
Send Roberto phishing link message or whatever...
Liberal arts me couldn't grasp details.
Bzzz.
Anyway, 20 minutes later, success call.
"Check recent chat logs first."
-Got it.
Keyboard clacking over the line. Soon, a familiar name leaked.
-Chat record up to 30 min ago. Target: Kim Hye-jin.
Kim Hye-jin?
Thought I misheard, asked back immediately.
"No way... Check again. Definitely Kim Hye-jin?"
-Huh? Uh... Why, you know her?
Same answer again, electric jolt hit my brain.
Last puzzle...
Kim Hye-jin was the fifth victim I alone knew, bait to lure Ju A-rin.
Suppressing ominous feeling, I asked.
"What're they plotting. Any mention of Ju A-rin... Ju A-rin?"
-H-Hold on.
Matching urgency, Cheol-su hammered keys. Then yelled.
-Y-Yes! Around 30 min ago, seems he called Ju A-rin out via Kim Hye-jin.
What. Moved this fast?
Brain fogged like submerged in water, vision ahead twisted.