Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Part 7. ■■!(4)
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The time when he had slaughtered Jo Ho-sik's gang was finally proving useful now. Otherwise, the impulse to follow Mikhailov as he fled like a coward would have felt even more burdensome than it did at this moment.
However, that Russian soldier was neither an element hastening the apocalypse nor a demonkin. Aside from being annoyingly persistent, there was no real reason to kill him.
This was a process of breaking away from the familiar slaughter. For the sake of returning to everyday life. The regressor calmed his mind with such thoughts.
At that moment, something tapped his forearm. Tap, tap. He turned to see Yeoreum gesturing at him with her eyes. She said nothing, but her flushed cheeks suggested she was enjoying herself more than usual.
By then, only Wei Lian, Yoo Ji-tae, and Yoo Yeoreum remained in the office.
A message arrived on Wei Lian's watch device.
"The legal team from RIL has contacted us. They want to discuss a settlement."
Having realized the situation was turning strange—and having witnessed Mikhailov flee like a coward at the end—Wei Lian's voice was a bit more cautious than before. His subtle gaze seemed to be sizing up who Yoo Ji-tae was.
"No need for a settlement. We don't require any compensation either."
"...Then you wish to hand it over to the authorities?"
"Do whatever you like. As long as it doesn't cause us any trouble."
"Yes, of course. Understood. We'll handle it to minimize any noise. Thank you so much for resolving this amicably."
Wei Lian bowed subserviently.
There was no more business here. Yoo Ji-tae stood up.
"Then we'll be going. Yeoreum, let's go."
"Okay."
As they rose to leave, Wei Lian hurriedly spoke up.
"Ah, but about that. The academy house recruitment interview was interrupted midway."
"Yes."
"The incident is one thing. But the interview is a separate matter. Just out of concern, isn't Cadet Yoo Yeoreum aiming to join Azure Dragon House?"
Yoo Ji-tae glanced at Yeoreum.
She looked completely disinterested, arms crossed, legs folded, staring out the window. Through her tousled bob of red hair, her pale nape was visible.
Come to think of it, what had prompted her to participate in the entrance interview? Yeoreum offered no response.
"There were many prospective freshmen who took the interview, but honestly, none quite like Cadet Yeoreum... How should I put it? Full of potential, I suppose? We rarely see cadets like that."
"Yes."
"I checked the freshman profiles a bit, and it seems the Yoo family has three prospective freshmen. If it's alright with you, could Azure Dragon House scout them specially?"
It was a voice that hid desperation well. His refined gaze was filled with eager anticipation.
Hmm. Yoo Ji-tae pretended to ponder, stroking his chin. He felt the stubble. He had no intention of shoving them into pointless places. He was about to refuse, but then it occurred to him—this situation could be useful if played right.
"Well, I don't know much about Lair or Azure Dragon House. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for the kids to live in Lair, but I can't see a reason to recommend academy house life for a few years."
"If that's the concern, you can trust me with it."
Wei Lian quickly added explanations. Azure Dragon House's scholarships, equipment loans, recommendations from various professors, his own position in the media, and the influence of his PR team.
"Additionally, if the guardian takes an interest, we're even considering positioning Cadet Yeoreum as the main face of Azure Dragon House. She's quite the standout, and her abilities have been somewhat verified. I have considerable pull among the faculty, and I'm on good terms with Vice Principal Ma Nam-jun, so external promotion wouldn't be difficult."
Yoo Ji-tae knew of Lair's Vice Principal Ma Nam-jun.
As the world's largest educational conglomerate, countless superhumans passed through Lair. The reasons varied: for prey, for honor, or for camaraderie among demonkin.
Consequently, quite a few demonkin lurked in Lair. Vice Principal Ma Nam-jun was one of them, a key figure in a massive demonkin organization.
"You won't find an opportunity like this anywhere else."
"You're too kind."
"It's worth that much. To Cadet Yoo Yeoreum."
His subtle gaze turned toward Yoo Ji-tae.
He thought for a moment.
He knew about Wei Lian outside Lair—what he would do at certain points. But he knew nothing of Wei Lian within Lair.
So he decided to ask.
"I understand Azure Dragon House's future well enough. However, when joining a group, I tend to look at the people first rather than the group itself."
"Ah, I see."
"What is the professor's situation, and why are you so desperate?"
At Yoo Ji-tae's words, Wei Lian closed his mouth. Then he crossed his arms and fell into thought.
"It's a bit delicate..."
"Say as much as you can."
"Hmm. Around year-end, there will be major changes starting with the year-end event."
Year-end event.
Lair cadets participated in a grand event every year-end.
"What kind of changes?"
"I can't go into detail, but... it's huge in scale, and a tremendous opportunity. Each academy house and organization within Lair will enter a competitive phase around that time. I'm a war hero at a young age and a professor even younger, but I'm still a hungry man. I want to seize that opportunity."
Probably plans to devour cadets. Yoo Ji-tae had no interest in such dreams.
Year-end event... He pondered. What could be so grand that a Lair instructor called it big? Something worth investigating separately.
As always, where opportunity knocked, chaos would reign, and with so many eyes watching, it would make a fitting stage for someone's end.
Then Wei Lian cautiously asked.
"So, may I take that as you contacting the Yoo family separately?"
"...Well."
"Pardon?"
"It looks good to me. But isn't the opinion of the parties involved more important? I'm just a mere guardian."
"Ah, haha. Of course. Then, our dear Yeoreum. Can you help Professor here a little?"
"No thanks."
It felt like ice water was pouring somewhere.
"...Huh? No?"
"Why should I bother convincing them? I'm not joining myself."
Wei Lian still wore a calm smile. But Yoo Ji-tae could sense something shattering inside.
"Ha, haha. No, why the sudden change of heart..."
Wei Lian scratched his head with the expression of a nice guy in a bind. Ha ha, heh... His voice carried that tone.
"......Wait a second. Ahh. I see. Is it because of Sophia?"
"What?"
"If you're hesitant about dorm life with Sophia Borcova, I understand completely. They sent regards asking us to take good care of her, but if you want to join, we could postpone Sophia to the next opportunity. It'd be a shame, though."
Regret dripped from his voice.
Sophia might lag behind Yeoreum in skill, but her image as a cool beauty and RIL affiliation gave her considerable recognition. He was offering to forgo her for Yeoreum's sake.
But Yeoreum was firm.
"No, it's not that. You can take her."
"Wait, hold on. Then why did you even come for the interview?"
This, Yoo Ji-tae was curious about too.
He had a feeling he knew without asking.
"I was lying in bed."
"Lying in bed?"
"Got bored. ...Thought maybe I'd pick a fight."
And there it was.
"...No, think about it again. Once more. This is a chance. A huge one!"
"..."
"Other places, guardians bow their heads, beg to be looked after favorably, and bring gifts by the bundle. Cadet Yeoreum. Think it over. Look. Even right now, out there."
Wei Lian pointed at the door.
Indicating outside.
"Reporters are here. A dozen from various countries, waiting for my take on today's incident. We've been talking in this office for over thirty minutes, right? And they're waiting just for a word from Azure Dragon House and Wei Lian. That's the kind of place this is. Get it?"
"Ugh, whatever. I said no. No no."
"You, you... You'll regret it later. Frankly, do you think you'll get this much spotlight again while living in Lair?"
Wei Lian's tone rose just a fraction.
Yoo Ji-tae interjected.
"Unfortunately, we must decline. We'll be going."
"Ah, wait. Guardian, let's talk a bit more. If things stay like this, it might be hard to help each other during Lair life."
Coercion now that persuasion failed.
As Yoo Ji-tae stood, Yeoreum followed.
Wei Lian walked beside them as if seeing them off.
"This is an interconnected world. Right now, I could drag those people into a better interview—or not."
"I see."
"You know media thrives on image, right? Build a good one early while people don't know you yet; it makes later activities easier. They come to me, seems like gilding my face, but you get the vibe, don't you?"
"I do."
"Pardon?"
As Wei Lian feigned surprise, Yoo Ji-tae opened the door and stepped out.
"Ah, there they are!"
"CT France here. Regarding the stabbing incident two hours ago..."
"KBC! You're trending on real-time search right now. Are you truly a proud Korean citizen?"
"A quick interview..."
But it was unexpected.
The reporters, whom he'd assumed were there for Wei Lian, swarmed Yeoreum instead, bombarding her with questions.
"What are these people?"
Yeoreum showed no tension toward the unfamiliar reporters. If anything, their aggressive approach seemed irritating.
"Back off!"
But the reporters were relentless.
"NSS here! Any prior bad blood with Sophia Borcova?"
"Any comments on this incident?"
They practically formed a blockade, obstructing Yoo Ji-tae and Yeoreum's path.
"Ugh, seriously? Don't block the way—go ask him!"
She pointed at Wei Lian. Glancing over, he looked baffled, frowning deeply. Like a fisherman who lost a big catch right in front of him.
Watching felt pretty good.
Yoo Ji-tae walked ahead of Yeoreum, gesturing for the reporters to step back.
But up close, seeing Yeoreum's face, the reporters—men and women alike—gawked half-dazed, ignoring his gestures.
Among them, a camera with a Taegeukgi pin pressed close.
"Miss Yoo Yeoreum! Your interview clip is blowing up on Korean internet communities! Why Azure Dragon House, and what do you plan to do there?!"
Yeoreum, who had been walking silently, froze in shock. Her brows crumpled violently.
Her explosive expression soon calmed, and as she muttered, 'What do I plan to do?' a mischievous smile crossed her face.
Yoo Ji-tae, familiar with the Red clan's expressions, debated whether to cover her mouth—
—as Yeoreum shouted playfully.
"Sex!"
He should have stopped her.