Chapter 129
Chapter 129
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: 43. On-Campus Social Service 3/10 (2)
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M Front.
With that single word, direction emerged in the auditorium.
Three minutes.
With that single word, a fork appeared in time for the cadets.
The suddenly appeared stranger had defined the space for every cadet present. And controlled their time.
Before they knew it, the young cadets began moving to his standard. When someone a bit more timid than others started teasing for a pen, the cadets, swept up in the mood, passed around pens and began filling out the surveys.
Three minutes was plenty of time.
"Here..."
Still unsure who this man was, the cadet who had been acting as vice squad leader cautiously handed the collected surveys to Yoo Ji-tae.
"......"
When he handed them back, the instructor's expression was odd. His facial muscles twitched, turned serious, then formed a smile. He seemed bewildered.
"Thank you, guardian... The next schedule is breakfast. We should head out now."
Meanwhile, the VJ looked a bit troubled.
'Oh god. No footage coming out at this rate...'
He had little interest in Yoo Ji-tae, but today's documentary theme was "The Dangers of Delinquent Cadets and the Need for Guidance Personnel."
A docu decrying the guidance of young cadets and the low morality rampant in the superhuman industry at large!
For that, they needed footage of uncooperative delinquents. Contrasted with the overly kind instructor. That would anger viewers. And secure both ratings and theme.
"Breakfast."
"Yes."
"But the numbers are off."
"Seems some slipped away somewhere. I was just about to go look..."
The instructor nodded gravely.
"Alright. Everyone, line up...!"
The VJ sighed.
Things were going sideways. Starting from when the social service guy intervened.
This time it was the instructor's orders, yet the cadets dawdled instead of lining up obediently. Even the instructor looked surprised.
"Number."
At the man's word, from the front: one, two, three... Numbers continued. The last was twenty-three.
The cadets sneakily craned their necks to check Yoo Ji-tae's eyes.
Today's escort cadets numbered twenty-seven.
Four missing.
The instructor scratched his forehead. The camera panned slowly over the cadets.
"......"
Yoo Ji-tae gazed at the cadets with clouded eyes.
He said nothing special. Just peered beyond the auditorium wall, searching for the missing cadets. That silence seemed to breed misunderstanding. The cadets grew anxious, watching him. Tension thickened though he intended none.
"All of you, stay here."
"Yes."
"...Yes!"
As military cadets, responses were instinctive. As Yoo Ji-tae stepped away, the instructor followed with a dazed, dreamlike expression.
"Sorry. I locked the auditorium door, but somehow they got out..."
He didn't reply.
The missing four weren't far. Opposite the auditorium was an artificial underground soccer field. Next to it, a warehouse. Three of the four were there.
Near the warehouse. Smoke leaked from a cluttered corner stacked with boxes. Right beside a vent. Yoo Ji-tae approached swiftly and stood before the female cadet with a cigarette in her mouth.
"Ah...!"
Eyes widened in surprise. He reached out. Then pinched the cigarette between thumb and forefinger, grinding it out. Black ash smeared his fingers.
"Why are you here."
"S-Scared me. Who are you? What?"
"Why are you here."
"...Whatever. Whether I'm here or not."
The cadet grumbled to save face while gauging him. She tried slipping away casually, but no chance. Yoo Ji-tae's bulk completely blocked the gap between boxes and wall. He didn't budge as she neared.
"......"
Unable to sneak out, she scowled and lifted her head. Meeting his downward gaze, her legs went weak, eyes dropping.
An instinctive reaction.
"S-Sorry..."
Only then did he turn. The cadet followed the instructor's lead.
He watched her deliberately, figuring it'd make her behave for the day.
He wanted to return to Room 301 quickly.
It worked. Asked about the cigarette's source, she confessed honestly. Said she got it from another cadet.
But the warehouse was locked. Yoo Ji-tae pulled the handle; no give. As he pondered breaking it, the instructor stepped up and knocked.
"Kids. You in there?"
Cigarette smoke oozed thickly through the door crack. No reply.
"Kids? It's your handler. Open up―."
Still no reply. Seemed they planned to slack till 10 a.m.
The camera neared. The VJ asked what he already knew.
"Door locked?"
"Yeah. Looks like from inside... Probably snuck out the auditorium window for a smoke."
"No extra punishment?"
"Well... Escort ends at 10, but they're basically regular cadets now. Not against regs..."
The instructor sweated bullets again. Embarrassed, he pounded the door.
"Kids. If you don't open up and come out, I'll pick the lock!"
Was that a threat? Yoo Ji-tae stayed silent. The instructor tried keys, but something blocked it again.
"Aigoo, why... Looks like they barred it from the other side."
Yoo Ji-tae glanced at the VJ's wristwatch. Then placed his hand on the door. Killing intent extended from his palm, slicing the baseball bat barring the other side in half.
To the instructor, it was magic. Yoo Ji-tae pulled; the door opened quietly.
Three cadets lounged on mats, smoking.
"Huh?"
"What the fuck."
They half-rose, staring at the sudden open door, broken bat, and Yoo Ji-tae. The instructor feigned gravity and said to him,
"Sorry for the rudeness. I have no face."
"......"
"I'll handle from here."
Yoo Ji-tae almost said stay, but held back. The instructor looked that earnest. Entering the warehouse, he spoke firmer than before. Just a tad more authoritative.
"Kids. What are you doing here."
"Why."
"Numbers don't match. This way, you won't finish escort duties by 10."
"Oh, so."
"The others can't eat."
The cadets snickered.
"Think anyone wants that slop."
"Better eat something decent outside. Ridiculous..."
The instructor clapped sharply.
"Still. Gotta eat. Last meal here after months. Right?"
"Everyone knows we leave at 10."
"No. Cooperate, and I'll let you out early?"
"Handler."
Then, the middle one growled lowly.
"Who looks like a total pushover?"
Eagle tattoo under eye. Cadet from North America's top training institute, 'Noblesse School.' Nameplate: Jake. The one the guidance office mentioned.
"Beat it. Don't annoy us. We'll leave at 10."
The instructor's jaw clenched.
"You really gotta be like this? We had fun months together. Last favor?"
"Your delusion's gross. Fun for who?"
"...What?"
"Not me."
The other two: "Me neither." "Hated Tuesdays most." They cackled. Today was Tuesday. Apparently his shift day.
All past time negated, gloom settled on his face. No strong like/dislike shift; more despair than anger.
Meanwhile, cameras rolled on cadets.
Knowing mosaics, they flashed V-signs openly.
This'd drag to 10. Yoo Ji-tae told the instructor,
"Step out a moment."
"...Pardon?"
"Out. You too."
Crew and instructor backed out.
But Yoo Ji-tae didn't emerge. What now? Camera zoomed.
Next instant.
Yoo Ji-tae on screen began closing the door.
"Huh? Wait?"
Clunk―
Locked.
"Haighoo..."
Footage gone again. Cameraman sighed.
VJ asked instructor in panic, "What's happening?" Instructor blanked. Door stayed shut. He pressed ear; silence inside.
About 10 minutes later. Door opened.
Shockingly, cadets opened it themselves.
"Kids. Uh. Wha..."
Stunned instructor approached, but their faces were ashen. Like kids spotting a killer alone in the night woods. Sweating cold, pupils shaky. Limbs trembling visibly.
No wounds. No signs of blows.
"S-Sorry, handler..."
"Sorry...!"
Instructor startled at the hearty apologies.
Suddenly meek sheep, they followed obediently back to auditorium, no swagger.
Not just that.
"Hey, you bastards! Line up straight! We gotta eat, fuckers!"
Like fleeing zombies, urgent faces bullying others. Issuing righteous orders.
"Morning breakfast. Forward march!"
Noblesse School's Jake, former squad leader, bellowed leading to cafeteria.
"What's with him. Crazy?"
"Why the tantrum..."
Cadets had hierarchy. Jake acted boss, so they grumbled but followed.
"......?"
Instructor shocked.
"G-Guardian. What happened in there?"
"Pardon?"
"How? They obey so well..."
Now genuinely curious, instructor asked.
But he didn't answer. Just twisted his old 'method' for taming demons a bit.
"Next schedule."
After, smooth sailing. Jake obeyed, cadets followed in unison. Twenty-seven cadets gulped down meals like water.
Three-hour schedule done in 25 minutes.
'How...'
Instructor doubted his love-and-embrace philosophy.
"Ah. Screwed. What to tell MD...? No footage."
"What can we do. Failed."
Crew sighed.
"......"
Yoo Ji-tae returned to dorm in 25 minutes.
Campus social service ended.
Next day. Yoo Ji-tae strolled with Gaeul and the chick. A rough-looking cadet pack approached with sticks. The ones with Jake in the warehouse.
As Gaeul eyed worriedly,
They bowed at right angles.
"Hello, guardian!!"
"Mommy...!"
Gaeul hid behind Yoo Ji-tae. Chick behind her.
He nodded nonchalantly. Sticks were brooms. Environmental cleanup service now.
Acknowledged, they resumed cleaning. So diligent, roads gleamed dust-free.
As cadets vanished afar, flustered Gaeul hugged chick and asked,
"What are they?!"
"Dunno."
"So hardworking... Look scary, but nice kids huh."
They'd been tamed.
"Let's go."
"Ah, yes!"
Yoo Ji-tae walked on.
Spring roads dazzled clean.