Chapter 740
Chapter 740
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 740
Chapter Title: Academy's Savior
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〈 Chapter 740 〉 Academy's Savior
Academy's Savior
"You've been gently prodding the Hero Union's nerves. If you truly held a grudge against us, you'd have taken a different tack. You've wanted to reach out to me from the very beginning."
"Do you really think so? If I'd wanted to meet you from the start, I could have made it happen."
"Even if we had met, it would've ended in meaningless chit-chat. Not like now, where I can see you right in front of me. Let me ask again. What do you want?"
"I'll turn the question back on you. How far is the Hero Union willing to go?"
"……."
Silence fell.
Park Sung-gu took a sip of his coffee. I could feel him gauging my reaction. The Hero Union had no clue about my true intentions.
"I'm not sure how to put this. The Hero Union is willing to compromise with you at a reasonable level."
"And what exactly does that 'reasonable level' entail?"
"It depends on what you want. Enough with the beating around the bush—tell me what you're after."
"Before that, there's something I want to show you."
"……What is it."
Park Sung-gu's face hardened. Showing something at this point meant it was tied to the negotiations. And indeed, I planned to use it to gain the upper hand.
"This was filmed a week ago. I went through hell for it."
I pulled out my smartphone and played the video.
It was footage Machina had shot and edited—a record of me being ambushed by the villain group Mebius. In the video, I'd deliberately name-dropped the Hero Union. Mebius's leader, Jang Ji-wook, dismissed it as nonsense, but the mere mention of the Hero Union's name in that clip was what mattered.
"Ugh……."
Park Sung-gu groaned.
"You've got quite the interesting video there. Is this the only copy you have?"
"No. I gave a copy to my aunt. It's too risky to handle everything alone. If negotiations fall through today, I'll bring her into this. I need what I want, no matter what."
"This video isn't solid proof. The public might be shocked, but that's it. The Hero Union is too big to be shaken by something like this."
"I know. But once it's out there, a video like this doesn't vanish easily. It'll keep eroding the Hero Union's trust and reputation. Like a parasite clinging to a living host."
Park Sung-gu glared at me.
"Don't you think you've crossed a line?"
"If the deal goes through, I'll forget what happened today. And my mother still doesn't know about any of this."
"You said the copy's with your aunt? You don't mean the one I think you do?"
I grinned and shot back.
"Who do you mean?"
"...The one at Maruhan Academy. Your mother has no sisters, so the person you call 'aunt' is pretty limited. She's the only one who comes to mind."
"That's the one."
"...Hoo. Scary."
"This is the line in the sand. I have no personal grudge against the Hero Union, but if this falls apart, I might end up with one."
It was a veiled threat: if talks collapsed, I'd use Sung Ha-ri and Kang Ji-young to pressure them. And it landed perfectly.
"Understood. I get how crucial this is, so tell me what you want. Not money, I assume? One of our A-rank items?"
"I'd like you to transfer Yoon Hee-jeong's debt bond to me."
"……Yoon Hee-jeong. She's an academy instructor. Her debt's over 200 billion, so we've been keeping tabs on it. Interest rate's 3% annually—about 6 billion."
He stared at me, trying to read my intentions.
"Yoon Hee-jeong's capable. She pays back over 100 billion a year. From our perspective, she's a golden goose. You want that goose?"
"Yes. That's why I stirred up this mess. You never would've handed it over if I'd just asked nicely."
"……Why her debt bond? You're not planning to pay off your teacher's debt as a student, are you...? Do you have some grudge against her?"
"It's personal. Will you give it to me? Or not?"
"...This involves at least 200 billion. I can't decide alone. I need the chairman's approval."
"I'm not asking for it for free. I'll pay 100 billion. How's that?"
"100 billion.... Not a small sum. Do you even have it?"
"I do. Remember the Bitcoin craze a few years back? I cashed in big."
I had foreknowledge from the original story.
'Some major real-world events were in the original too.'
And I started my gaming life before the story began. Opportunities to make money were endless. Stocks aside, future tech, trending fashion, hit games—you name it. Making a fortune was simple.
The issue was my identity, but Lamia handled that.
'Buying the bond at a premium was an option too... but I was short on liquid cash.'
I had assets aplenty, but ready funds were limited. Too many investments, and I needed to save for auctions.
"You're no better than a highway robber."
"A real robber wouldn't offer 100 billion."
"Wait a moment. I need to report to the chairman."
I sipped my bokbunja juice leisurely while I waited.
100 billion.
A huge sum.
But pocket change for the Hero Union's scale. They dabbled in shady dealings too.
15 minutes later, Park Sung-gu returned.
"The Yoon Hee-jeong debt bond is yours. Oh, the chairman has a message he insists I relay."
"What is it?"
"Don't think we're yielding because we're weak. This is a one-time concession."
"Got it. I'll keep that in mind."
"You don't look like you're taking it to heart......"
The Hero Union chairman's words were just the roar of a tiger behind bars. With Sung Ha-ri, Kang Ji-young, and Jin Ryeong-seong backing me, they'd lose more than they gained by acting out.
"When does the transfer happen?"
"Too late today—tomorrow. You know this already, but we have to notify the debtor. I'll summon Yoon Hee-jeong tomorrow and wrap it up."
"Heh. Can't wait for tomorrow."
"……!!"
Park Sung-gu shuddered at my laugh. He dabbed sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
"You.... That's a chilling laugh."
???
Thud.
Yoon Hee-jeong collapsed to the floor. She stared at me and Park Sung-gu in disbelief, eyes wide.
"Th-this is a joke, right? The debt bond transferred to Yu-jin......?!"
"No joke. Would I kid about something this serious? Just to be clear, the contract's airtight."
The terms heavily favored the creditor from the start. With over 200 billion at stake, it was packed with creditor-friendly clauses.
"Wh-why this all of a sudden...? Did I do something wrong? I've been paying on time......!"
"You've done nothing wrong. It just happened this way. Come to think of it, it might not be so bad for you. Your new creditor's your own student—maybe he'll cut you some slack."
"...Do you really believe that?"
Yoon Hee-jeong and Park Sung-gu both turned to me.
"Kuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhu!!"
I clutched the debt transfer contract and did a victory dance, cackling with what even I found to be a wickedly evil laugh.
"Hm.... I have business to attend to. I've informed the staff, so take your time talking. Oh, Teacher Yoon. If you need quick cash, contact me. I know how diligent you are—I'll lend you money anytime."
Park Sung-gu left. Of course, Yoon Hee-jeong wouldn't borrow from him. She wasn't stupid.
"...Y-Yu-jin-ah. I don't know how you pulled this off, but.... I can pay back the debt."
She watched my eyes nervously—intensely so. Debtors have no choice but to read their creditor's mood.
"Over 200 billion?"
"Didn't Mr. Park tell you? I've paid over 100 billion a year. It might take more than 20 years to clear it all, but.... I'll pay it off someday. I can swear it right here. So.... you won't do anything weird, right? Okay?"
"Weird? Like what, specifically?"
"...Like rigging my academy grades..., or leaking exam questions."
"Come on, why would I ask my teacher for something like that? I'm not even interested in grades. Late all the time, sleeping in class—I've probably got over 5 penalty points already? I've given up on academics."
"...Don't say that. It's not even a month in. 5 points can be offset with merits."
"I'm fine. Oh, the contract mentions guarantors. Yoon Sung-bok, Oh Jin-sook. Are they...?"
"My parents."
"Hmm. Parents as guarantors.... Mind if I ask how the debt happened?"
"Sigh."
Yoon Hee-jeong sighed deeply.
"I wasn't going to tell anyone, but.... you're the creditor now, so you should know."
She launched into her tale, long and winding.
I half-listened. I already knew it from the original story.
The debt stemmed from her brother, Yoon Jong-woo. After his business failed, he borrowed from shady lenders and went on the run. Then he fell under a powerful curse, forcing Yoon Hee-jeong and her family to pay it off. The loan ballooned like loan shark debt, so they turned to the Hero Union.
They paid off Yoon Jong-woo's debt.
The curse lifted. And the next day? Yoon Jong-woo took every asset left in the house and vanished. He's still missing.
"Tragic story. But I can't just wipe the debt. I didn't get the bond for free."
"...Don't. I'll pay it back, every won."
"Sure, I believe you. But some questions arise."
"Questions?"
"Academy instructors earn 5 billion a year, right? How do you pay back double that—100 billion annually?"
"Th-that's.... I do stocks and stuff."
Yoon Hee-jeong flinched, eyes darting.
"Ah, I see."
I draped an arm over her shoulder. She stiffened but couldn't brush it off, glancing at me warily.
"You haven't had dinner, have you?"
"...Came straight from work, so no."
"Me neither. There's a great restaurant nearby—let's go. My treat."
"I have... work left to do."
"How long does dinner take? Or do you not want to eat with someone like me?"
"N-no, of course not. Let's go."
"Oh, I'll stop by your office tomorrow afternoon—clear your schedule. Very important debt business."
"......Got it. C-can you move your arm?"
"Oops. Sorry, habit."
"I-it's fine."
We had dinner together in an awkward atmosphere.
???
The next afternoon, after classes, I entered Yoon Hee-jeong's office.
Click.
I didn't forget to lock the door.
Yoon Hee-jeong stared at me, face tense.
"Why lock the door?"
"Important talk—no interruptions. Someone passing by might eavesdrop. You don't want rumors about your debt, right?"
"...Thoughtful. Thanks. So, what's this important matter? Does it have to be here?"
"Want to meet somewhere else?"
"...Here’s fine."
I sat on the sofa by the desk and beckoned her.
"Teacher, sit here too. It'll take a while."
"Not too long, I hope......"
Yoon Hee-jeong stood and walked over in her crisp suit, heels clicking. She sat across from me. Through her jacket, her ample chest strained against a white blouse. Black stockings hugged her legs below her skirt.
Facing me, her expression was strained. My serious vibe had her on edge too.
"Teacher. Watch this video."
I placed my smartphone on the desk and hit play.
Her face drained of color as she watched.