Chapter 62
**CHAPTER 61: A Shared Secret and a Gentle Warning**
*Swish. Swish.*
“You’ve been eating so well, your fruit is incredibly sweet. Would you like to try some, Haru-nim?”
“I’m fine, Ran-nim.”
After searching for Junior in Okjeo and returning to the National Academy, Haru and Teraden had to stay in the infirmary for a while because their wounds were still quite severe.
“Hahaha! Ran-nim. Brother says he won’t eat it, so can I have some instead?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Uhehehe! Now this is all mine!!”
Slurp! Slurp slurp slurp!
Blanser, who received the plate of fruit from Ran, began devouring it like he was drinking a beverage, completely unhinged.
“This guy came here for hospital visits, huh?”
Slurp slurp slurp slurp!!
Even when Teraden teased him, Blanser showed no signs of stopping.
“Wow, wow…! I see the continent’s greatest pillar!!”
The tense voice from outside echoed several times, so I figured Wolhyang who came with Ran was waiting outside as well.
*Hmmm.* “I’ve heard everything that happened in Okjeo from Maru-nim. Haru-nim’s heart to save everyone is truly praiseworthy… but you were quite reckless with the matter as well.”
“Haha…”
“It’s fine. Everyone grows up that way during the passionate age like yours. I was the same in my youth.”
“…”
“But from now on, you’ll need to be more cautious. Just like last time in Dongye or the Night of Celebration, you never seem to handle anything quietly… Teraden-nim is no different.”
“We didn’t die, so it’s okay. Hahaha!”
“Yes, I’ll remember.”
The sharp gaze that had been about to scold us started to soften, and Ran gave a gentle smile.
“Then I’ll go now and focus on my recovery… Oh, by the way, I was told to pass on a message to you, Haru-nim.”
“Huh? Her? Who is it you’re talking about?”
“It’s a message from the Pope of the Ahrirang Religion, Mirpia.”
“What did His Holiness have to say to me…?”
“Haru-nim is anxiously waiting for you, so please visit the temple soon.”
*Oh.* Now that I thought about it, Mirpia had asked me before leaving the academy to stop by the main temple of the Ahrirang Religion.
“I had to postpone my visit because of Junior’s matter, but once my recovery is complete, I’ll go. By the way, do you know where the Ahrirang Religion is located, Ran-nim?”
“It’s not far from the Imperial Capital. From here, it should take half a day on foot.”
“I see. Thank you for telling me.”
“I’ll pass on a message on their behalf. It’s good to see you growing so much. I hope you recover quickly.”
A short while after Ran left, the shout of “The continent’s greatest pillar!” echoed a few times, and the staff member at the infirmary called out from the door.
“Next person, please come in.”
Because of our injuries, we couldn’t accommodate many people at once in the infirmary, so visitors were seen one by one.
“Ugh! This is so annoying.”
“Oh my! Teraden student. I told you not to touch the bandages!”
Teraden, frustrated, pulled off the bandage, and Yura, the responsible staff member and professor of Ineung Theory from last semester, scolded him.
“Teraden student, you’re a very valuable research material… I mean, a valuable body!”
“…What?”
“Huh? Wh-what?”
“I mean, you just said ‘research material’ or something.”
“When did I? Teraden student must have misheard.”
“Tsk. No, Professor, which one is more important between your Ineung and mine?”
“Of course, mine.”
“Hah! Really!”
Without a shred of hesitation, Yura chose Hwigwang, and Teraden let out a sigh of relief like the wind had been sucked out of his lungs.
While Teraden kept sighing, the next in line to see us was Junior.
“Hello. Are you two feeling better?”
“Yo, you never get tired of this? Why do you keep coming back every day asking the same questions? We’re basically recovered already.”
“Come on in, Junior. We’re fine. But… the injuries weren’t light either, right? How are you?”
“I’m glad you’re worried, but I’ve already fully recovered.”
“Eh? Did you really heal that fast?”
“Yes, I did, Teraden-ssi.”
“…Insane recovery.”
Even in summer, Junior had worn multiple layers of thick clothes because he was a high noble, but now he was dressed in lighter clothes than before.
It was like an insect growing and shedding its shell, reaching a new stage.
And more than that, since returning from Okjeo, his eyes had gained a spark, and he seemed to be able to show a slightly more human expression and emotions.
Previously, he drew a line with anyone, but now at least he wasn’t doing it with us, so it was a meaningful change.
Junior spent a good amount of time talking with us during the allotted time.
“The time’s up. I shouldn’t disturb your rest any longer. I’ll take my leave. If you need anything, please let me know.”
“Yeah, yeah. When you leave, remember to buy us food.”
“Thanks for coming. And you have work too, so you don’t have to come every day.”
“I understand… Haru-ssi. Goodbye.”
*Bow.*
Junior bowed deeply to Haru and Teraden before quietly leaving the infirmary.
*Clunk.*
“Hmm, brothers. May I borrow the room for a short while? It’ll only be a moment.”
After finishing his business, Junior left the infirmary, and Blanser, who had been watching his back intently, set the empty plate down.
“No, not a moment. Forever.”
“Hahaha! Teraden bro’s joking! I’ll be right back after I finish.”
“It’s not a joke.”
“I’ll be right back.”
Blanser didn’t even pretend to listen to Teraden. He winked with one eye, stuck out his tongue halfway, and left us, heading outside the infirmary.
“No. If you’re leaving, just leave nicely. What’s with that ugly face.”
“Blanser student’s gone too. I should go too. See you tomorrow, Haru student, Teraden student. Call immediately if anything happens.”
“We had a rough day today. Thanks.”
“Goodbye.”
The once-lively infirmary fell silent after everyone left. Teraden, who had been sitting up on the bed, opened his mouth quietly.
*Hmmm.* “I have something to tell you.”
“Hm? What?”
“Just a sec.”
But Teraden’s eyes scanned the surroundings nervously, clearly not ready to speak carelessly.
“What is it, then?”
After listening for a while, Teraden finally spoke once he was sure there was no one outside.
“You know my Ineung is Hwigwang and Gangtal, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Hwigwang is well-known, but Gangtal isn’t.”
“It’s not well-known?”
“Yeah, the Gangtal I’m said to have is actually Plunder… meaning, stealing others’ Ineung and making it mine.”
Why was he taking so long to say it…?
Just as I thought, Teraden dropped a shocking revelation.
Gangtal was actually Plunder. It didn’t come out smoothly because it was an unexpected fact.
“The people who got caught by you suddenly collapsing or losing strength… was that because their Ineung was stolen?”
“It wasn’t exactly that. Even without an Ineung, they would have collapsed the same way after being Plundered. I tested it in Seo-Wangdo, Dongye, and even the ruins recently. The same for that person too. That guy had no Ineung, right?”
“So how many Ineungs does he actually have now?”
*Whoosh!*
In response, Teraden flicked a tiny flame onto his palm.
“I have all the elements. And if I add the random ones, it’s over ten… or maybe a bit more. But I don’t use them much unless it’s Hwigwang. It’s not practiced well, and if I use it carelessly, I risk getting caught by others.”
If this Ineung became known on the continent, another huge scandal would erupt, as obvious as day.
And fame would attract intense scrutiny and opposition.
“I can’t just steal any Ineung I want. I couldn’t take Crow’s Duck’s.”
“…You tried to steal his? …”
*My mind is blown.*
“Yeah, the night of the celebration. When I went to Blanser’s house for a test, I got angry and impulsively tried. But instead of being stolen, my body almost shattered. He must be an Overlord.”
“I guess his Ineung is overwhelmingly powerful. Who knows about this?”
“Only you and me.”
“This, can I tell you?”
“Who else would I tell if not you?”
“Good point. But until we reach the level of a strong, we should keep it hidden.”
“Yeah. If something similar happens later, I can respond more flexibly knowing your ability.”
“I hope it never comes to that.”
After the short but shocking conversation, Teraden flopped back onto the bed as if nothing had happened.
“Oh, but I have to go back to classes in two days. I didn’t get to enjoy the festival at all. Should I just skip class?”
* * *
“Hey.”
*Stop.*
Junior stopped walking at the shout from behind.
“…?”
He turned around, and there was Blanser, glaring at him with eyes that clearly didn’t like the sight.
Blanser gave a menacing glare to the empty spot where Haru and Teraden usually were.
“You, come here a moment.”
“…Alright.”
Even though his face was the ugliest, there didn’t seem to be any malice, so Junior followed Blanser without complaint.
*Whoosh! Pow!*
When they reached the deserted place Blanser had gestured to, he immediately threw a punch at Junior.
Of course, Junior easily blocked Blanser’s fist.
“What is this all about?”
“That’s actually what I wanted to ask you.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You haven’t held us accountable for what happened, but I can’t just stand by while you hurt my brothers. If something like that happens again…”
“Don’t worry. I didn’t die, did I? I won’t cause trouble for them again.”
Junior calmly relaxed his clenched fist after Blanser’s words.
“I’ll watch over you.”
*Knock knock knock knock!*
Blanser lowered his fist and turned away, heading back to Haru and Teraden.
“Hmm.”
It was an unexpected attack, but Junior smiled softly as he watched Blanser’s retreating back.
*Clunk. Clunk.*
“Um? Why isn’t this opening…?”
Meanwhile, after finishing his business, Blanser returned to the infirmary and panicked at the locked door.
*Knock knock.*
He tried the doorknob again, but nothing happened. To avoid startling Haru and Teraden, he knocked cautiously.
“Brother…? The door won’t open. Please open it…”
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**Note:** The chapter continues directly from the locked-door scene with no additional special blocks needed, as the final lines are purely narrative dialogue.