Chapter 738
Chapter 738
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 738
Chapter Title: Academy's Savior
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The police pointed their guns at me. I spoke to them calmly.
"Why are you pointing your guns at me? I'm the victim."
"Victim? You say that after seeing this mess?! You're an Awakener, aren't you? Hands up and get on your knees!"
"Ah, damn it. Officer, do you know who I am? I'm an Academy student."
"......An Academy student?"
The police looked skeptical but eased up a bit.
Maruhan Academy had an incredibly positive image. It was the Hero Association's daily image-making project. Whenever an Academy student rescued someone or conducted special research, it made headlines.
Thanks to the Association's tearful efforts, the public had it ingrained that Academy students were Korea's future.
"I've got my student ID in my pocket. Want to see it?"
"......Yes. Please show us."
I pulled out my Academy student ID from my pocket. It was far more luxurious than a regular resident registration card. The police nodded upon checking it, though their wariness toward me hadn't fully vanished.
"You're Sung Yu-jin, the new enrollee. What are you doing in a place like this?"
"I heard they were running an illegal loan shark operation here, so I came to talk some sense into them before any citizens got hurt. But then the boss suddenly lunged at me. I subdued him in self-defense. The method might have been a bit rough... but it's justified."
I even put on an acting face as I lied.
The loan shark employees stared at me in shock. The boss, with one arm torn off, especially glared with bulging eyes, tears streaming down his face like he was about to die of injustice.
"D-don't lie! You barged in and started causing trouble! You threatened us with violence to shut down our business!! Illegal? Don't make me laugh! We're running a legitimate operation! Who does illegal stuff in this day and age? It's insane!"
The police gave the boss a pitiful look before turning back to me.
"......That's what he's saying."
"I'm an Academy student. You're going to believe a loan shark over me?"
The police shook their heads.
"Anyway, an incident occurred, so we'll need both of you to come with us."
"Haa. I don't have time for this. Can I make a call?"
"Yes, go ahead."
I pulled out my smartphone. The boss crawled on the floor, grabbing an officer's leg with his one remaining hand.
"CCTV! There's CCTV in the office! Secure that evidence right now! Before that bastard pulls something!"
"Ah, if there's evidence, that makes things easier. Officer Park! Get that CCTV footage!"
"Yes, sir!"
I paused my smartphone for a moment.
CCTV.
I knew it existed, of course. It was right there in the corner of the office—who wouldn't notice? I left it alone because there was no need to destroy it. Having CCTV actually worked in my favor.
"Uh, Sergeant. It looks like the loan shark attacked the Academy student first."
"What? The loan shark lied?"
The police scowled at the boss. He frantically shook his head.
"N-no! Is that really what's on the CCTV footage? Let me see it myself!"
"Tch. We'll sort out the details later. For now, everyone come with us."
I dialed one of my contacts.
Calling Sung Ha-ri wouldn't be a bad choice. With her connections and reputation, she could bury this easily.
The Jinryeong Sung family wasn't bad either. They had ties with politicians and high-ranking officials.
But the person I called was neither.
"Yeah, So-hee noona. It's me. I need your help, noona."
Han So-hee.
A director at the Korean Hero Association—and my personal fuck buddy.
'Unlike real-world hunter associations, the Hero Association in this world holds real power. Heroes are treated like true heroes, unlike hunters. With help from an executive like Han So-hee, I can slip out of something like this no problem. Heh.'
I handed my smartphone to the police. He answered with a puzzled look, only for his face to stiffen.
A Hero Association executive was worlds above the police. Even the police chief would grovel before Han So-hee.
"...Yes. Yes. Understood. We shouldn't normally do this, but... yes. We'll follow the Association director's instructions. Yes."
The police sighed and handed back my smartphone.
"......We'll handle the incident ourselves. You can go home, Sung Yu-jin."
"W-wait! What the hell is this?!"
"Shut up. You must've done something illegal. We'll send you to the ambulance first, then we'll talk. What are you waiting for? Cuff the rest!"
"This is unfair! Unfair!"
"We're the victims here! Arrest that bastard!"
"Uwaaaah! Is this South Korea?! Fuck!!!"
I chuckled and casually slipped away from the scene.
"Yeah, thanks, So-hee noona. Evidence? There's CCTV, but no issues. I'm the victim. I'll show you when we meet—keep it ready so I can plug right in. And I need to deal with another one... help me out like this again."
Uwaaaah!
A furious scream echoed behind me.
It didn't matter if the loan sharks held a press conference or if this blew up publicly. I had the Jinryeong Sung family, Sung Ha-ri, and Hero Association executive Han So-hee backing me. I could even mobilize the American Association through Sara.
Besides, loan sharks had a bad rep in this country. Even if news broke that one lost an arm to an Academy student, the public would side against the shark.
"This is South Korea for you. Heh."
I hailed a taxi and headed to another loan office.
???
Today, I wrecked seven loan shark offices.
I wasn't beating them up just to vent stress for no reason. Stress relief was better with sloppy sex with beauties than massacring small fry.
'The seven I took out were all secretly backed by the Hero Union.'
The Hero Union was funneling funds through them from the shadows. It wouldn't be a fatal blow—they were already solidly established. But losing steady cash flow would piss them off, and the fact that they'd been hit would bruise their pride.
'I know it well, having been a villain in the first round. Shady groups like the Hero Union are obsessed with face.'
The Hero Union already knew about me. If they didn't, they were worthless.
I strolled openly through the city outskirts.
They'd react somehow—either immediately or by slowly closing in. Given their nature, the former was more likely.
If they didn't show within 30 minutes, I'd head back.
'......They're here.'
I sensed presences surrounding me. No CCTV, no streetlights—the area was pitch black.
I stopped walking, and they emerged. Masked and armed, but their gear wasn't impressive.
'Villain group. Mostly F-ranks from the looks of it.'
They were hunting dogs.
Common ploy.
The Hero Union would discard them like rags, claiming villains did it if I died, pinning the murder on them.
'They probably know nothing about their masters.'
The apparent leader sauntered forward. A hook replaced his right hand.
"The cub barks without fearing the tiger, huh? You're just a kid."
"Who are you?"
"Mobius. I'm Jang Ji-uk, the leader."
Jang Ji-uk grinned, baring yellowed teeth.
I racked my brain.
Mobius.
No record in my head. If I didn't know them, they were third-rate nobodies not worth remembering.
"Never heard of you."
"We've only just started operating."
They approached like hyenas eyeing prey. Twenty in total, including Jang Ji-uk up front. Roughly scanning, three E-ranks including him.
'They really underestimate me.'
It made sense. On paper, I was a fresh Academy student. Numbers mattered even if mostly F-ranks. If I were a normal enrollee.
"Kid. Acting tough just 'cause you've got some power? That's how you get wrecked quick. 'Cause you're not the only one with power."
Whoosh.
A crimson flame flickered in Jang Ji-uk's palm. Meant to intimidate, but it was barely bigger than a lighter—pathetic. He floated it in the air to light up the surroundings.
"Who sent you? Who are you working for?"
"Huh? Why ask now? After all your bluster, don't you have guesses?"
"Too many suspects."
"Heh. Should've toned it down. No NDA, so I'll tell you as a parting gift to the afterlife. Seo Jun-sik. He requested we chop off your limbs and gouge your eyes for maximum pain."
Seo Jun-sik.
I remembered. The third loan shark I'd hit. The noisy one whose legs I shattered.
'Only one reason he's spilling so easily: the Hero Union will kill Seo Jun-sik to silence him and wrap it up. Even if Sung Ha-ri or the Jinryeong Sungs step in, they'll cut tails and escape.'
I quietly summoned Machina.
"Ah, what? I was just getting to the good part in the movie... Huh? Yu-jin? What's going on?"
Machina flitted around me in surprise. The enemies couldn't detect her in spirit form.
'Shut up and materialize over there. Record video with the camera. Of me getting ambushed.'
"Eh, up close they're just small fry."
Machina obeyed, zipping far off to materialize a camera filming us. Jang Ji-uk's flame would make it crystal clear.
"Y-you're from the Hero Union, right?"
"Huh? Why bring up Hero Union out of nowhere?"
"To think the Hero Union teamed up with loan sharks! I was just punishing illegal operators!"
"This crazy bastard. What's with the bullshit?"
Jang Ji-uk stared like I was insane. His natural reaction confirmed they knew zilch about the Hero Union.
They closed in further.
"L-let's talk this out. Talk...! You guys don't want to do this either, right?!"
"No idea why you're flipping out, but there's 10 billion won on your head. 10 billion. Too much to talk your way out, don't you think?"
"The Hero Association won't stand for this. I'll report you!"
"Hah, idiot. You'll be fish food before heroes arrive. What are you waiting for? Submerge the bastard!"
They charged.
"B-barrier!"
I feigned panic and deployed a barrier. Half-assed, it shattered easily under their numbers. Fists, knives, bats rained down. I dodged the knives but took some punches and bats on purpose.
"Gah! Aaagh! Urk!"
I screamed realistically. No real hits landed—most glanced off.
After a few blows, I took a body slam from one and broke free. That's when I started counterattacking.
'Can't look overwhelming. Make it fierce, emphasize I'm at a disadvantage.'
My acting trait shone. I panted heavily in the fight. Clothes dirtied, face smeared with blood—not mine. I'd smeared enemy blood on during the chaos.
"You useless fucks... Can't even handle a rookie? Outta the way! I'll finish him!"
Jang Ji-uk stepped up, thrusting his hook hand as he lunged.
"Urgh! Mo-Moka! Help me!"
I summoned Moka as pathetically as possible. She appeared and unleashed lightning everywhere. Those hit by the blue bolts convulsed and dropped dead.
"Th-this fucking...!"
The sole survivor, Jang Ji-uk, tried to turn mid-charge.
Krarung!
Lightning struck him. No escape.
I collapsed limply to the ground.
"Cut! Cut! Cut! Actor Sung! Oscar-worthy performance! Perfect!"
Machina flew over, making a fuss.