Chapter 123
Chapter 123
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: The Regressed Extra Becomes a Genius
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"You all probably know who this man is."
The students fell silent with tense expressions. Yang Jin-hyeok looked around before speaking.
"Yes, that's right. It's Jin Cheon-woo, the former leader of Jaun, who once terrorized the entire world."
Everyone held their breath at the mention of Jin Cheon-woo's name.
Even to the younger generation who hadn't experienced those times, Jin Cheon-woo's existence was an object of fear.
"Did you know? Jin Cheon-woo was also a mystery researcher who pursued mysteries."
It was information they already knew, but the lecture was starting to get interesting.
"The mind of a human captivated by the power of mysteries gradually becomes clouded. Over time, they crave even stronger mystery powers and become obsessed with pursuing them. Jin Cheon-woo was no exception. He lusted after mysteries more than anyone else in the world. And he gathered others like himself, captivated by mysteries, to form an organization called 'Jaun.'"
The background of Jaun's birth.
It was somewhat accurate.
"They stole and seized countless mysteries without regard for means or methods. How those countless stolen mysteries were used still hasn't been revealed."
Yang Jin-hyeok continued.
"The allure of mysteries is dangerous like this. All wizards use tools containing mysteries, but you mustn't rely on them too much. You have to stay vigilant and be careful not to become obsessed."
"Jin, you ready?"
"Yeah. You?"
"I'm all set too. Subspace kit, ID, passport, invisibility mask. Perfect."
"But once we leave Korea today, we won't be able to come back for a while, right?"
"Yeah. Except for the one watching Lee Seo-jun."
In some hidden Jaun hideout in Seoul.
Jaun's members were moving busily.
"Hey. Two hours until departure. Move faster."
"Wait. Where's my passport?"
"Here."
"Ah, thanks."
While everyone was bustling about, Bert was lying alone on the sofa, watching a video on his smartphone.
Ska saw him and asked.
"Bert? What are you doing by yourself?"
"Watching the Wizard Academy's latest public ranking test video."
"Why bother with that? It's just kids."
"No. This is really fun."
A thick smile formed on Bert's lips.
"It's seriously fun."
In the video, a man was casting magic in front of a target.
In an instant, the magic sphere was tinged with silver for a very brief moment before it shot out.
A time so short no one else would notice.
But Bert could confirm the silver mana within the magic sphere.
"Jin. Remember that villa in Gangwon-do?"
At Bert's sudden words, Jin stopped packing and looked up.
"The villa? Oh, when the demons suddenly broke in?"
"Yeah. Some mysterious magic blew off half a demon's shoulder back then."
"Yeah. I remember."
There was no way he could forget. If not for that mysterious magic, who knows what dangerous thing might have happened to Lee Seo-jun.
"Now I'm certain who it was."
"Certain?"
At Jin's question, Bert smiled and closed the video.
"Ugh. It's a shame we have to leave Korea right now."
"Hey! You two, quit yapping and move the luggage. Don't you know we're on a tight schedule?"
Bert smiled and stood up at Baek Eun-seong's shout from afar.
"Got it."
[Character 'Bert' feels strong interest in you.]
[You acquire 500 points as a reward.]
After about two hours of lecture, a mysterious message appeared before his eyes.
……Bert?
Bert from Jaun?
The message popped up without warning, startling him for a moment.
But why is this guy interested in me?
Oh, because of the test video?
While he was pondering, the students started pouring out of the auditorium. He snapped out of it and followed them outside.
"Ah, the lecture was fun."
"What? I slept through it."
"It was interesting, but it ended with 'We can't reveal what mysteries are.' Felt like it got cut off mid-shit."
The students shared their impressions of the lecture.
He stretched, loosening his stiff body.
Then, a different commotion started among the students.
Their gazes were all fixed on the end of the hallway.
Wondering what it was, he turned to look as well.
Far down the hallway, ten people were approaching.
They were all in neat suits, exchanging business talk.
"You can go straight this way. The 'Vessel of the Heavens' is stored in the mystery vault. The rental period stays the same?"
"Yes, five years. We'll also promise ongoing support to the Association."
"Haha. Understood."
Then their gazes turned toward us.
They were middle-aged, but there were familiar young faces too.
Especially, the crystal necklace around one neck caught his eye.
"Lots of students."
"Ah, they said they're here on a field trip from the Wizard Academy today."
"……Wizard Academy?"
Their gazes lingered on us for a moment.
"Hm. We have something coming up with the Wizard Academy soon."
"Is that so? What's it about with the Wizard Academy?"
"Oh, it's regarding event sponsorship."
"Ah."
And about one second.
Their eyes met.
He quickly averted his gaze and turned away. Then the footsteps stopped.
"Uh, Director?"
"……Ah, sorry. I mistook someone for an acquaintance. Let's keep going."
Thud, thud. They disappeared somewhere again.
Moments later, a small commotion arose among the students.
"Wow, no way! That was Han Se-yeon just now, right?"
"Wow, she's stunning in person."
Seeing one of Korea's top celebrities in the flesh caused a stir among the students.
He calmed his pounding heart.
Why was Han Se-yeon here?
After finishing her business at the Wizard Association, Han Se-yeon returned to the 'Hanseong Pharmaceuticals Development Lab.'
She should have rested after a busy business trip, but Han Se-yeon immediately picked up items in the lab.
The door burst open, and Jeong Team Leader, head of New Drug Development Team 1, came out, greeting her with a smile.
"Oh, Director, when did you get back? You should've called ahead. Good work today."
"Yes, you too, Team Leader Jeong."
"Oh, what did I even do."
Jeong Team Leader chuckled heartily.
Han Se-yeon smiled back at his laugh and put on a white lab coat.
Even a simple coat looked stylish due to her slender figure.
"Huh? Director, you're diving right into research?"
"Yes, we have to. Time is tight."
"But it's late. Couldn't you do it tomorrow?"
"I'm fine. I want to."
Han Se-yeon smiled.
"……All the other researchers have gone home."
"I'll do it alone."
Han Se-yeon shrugged.
Han Se-yeon took out the relic 'Vessel of the Heavens,' rented from the Association, from her case.
This golden bowl had the effect of transparently viewing or analyzing components in liquids.
She had rented it feeling the need for a new tool for new drug development.
Jeong Team Leader's eyes lit up at the sight.
"Wow. Is that the Vessel of the Heavens?"
"Yes, it shines a lot, right?"
"I can feel a unique mana. And to think of using this for new drug development. You always surprise me. Haha!"
Jeong Team Leader spoke sincerely.
No matter her family background or how young she was when she rose to her position, her genius was real.
Even employees who grumbled about her becoming director at 21 had no choice but to acknowledge her over time.
Her abilities were that exceptional.
"No. This time it wasn't my ability—it was luck."
"Luck?"
Jeong Team Leader tilted his head at the sudden mention of luck.
Was there an element of luck in new drug development?
As he looked at her questioningly, she just gave a faint smile instead of answering.
"I got help from someone."
"Hm. Is that so?"
"Yes."
In fact, this new drug development had progressed after getting hints from researching the 'Sun and Moon Pharmacology Manual' that Kim Jin-woo had gifted her earlier.
True to its name as a pharmaceutical family's secret manual, the Sun and Moon Pharmacology Manual was filled with special recipes she never could have thought of with her knowledge.
Thanks to it, Hanseong Pharmaceuticals had a foundation to soar even higher.
……And if she was really lucky, she might find a clue to cure her father's illness.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say all this was thanks to Kim Jin-woo.
'Come to think of it, I felt like I saw that person today……'
Han Se-yeon recalled the male student she saw at the Wizard Academy today.
Honestly, it was such a short time she couldn't properly confirm his face, but strangely, she felt a vibe from that student similar to Kim Jin-woo's.
Not the face or build, but the atmosphere.
Atmosphere is subjective and hard to explain in words, but at least she felt that way.
"……Hm."
Still, it was probably just a mistake.
There was no reason for Kim Jin-woo to be there.
And lately, while researching the Sun and Moon Pharmacology Manual, she kept thinking of Kim Jin-woo for no reason. It must be the influence of that.
"Director?"
Lost in thought, Jeong Team Leader called out.
"Ah, yes."
"……What are you thinking?"
"Oh, nothing. You should head home too, Team Leader Jeong."
Han Se-yeon smiled and replied.
After finishing the elective experience activity and nighttime personal training, he returned to the dormitory.
He had trained his stamina hard today, so his body was quite fatigued.
I want to shower and sleep quickly.
With heavy steps, he entered the living room and saw Gretel lying in a weird position.
……She doesn't look asleep. Why is she like that?
"Gretel?"
At his call, Gretel flinched, got up, and turned to look at him.
But unlike usual, her expression was dark. Did something bad happen?
"What's wrong? Something put you in a bad mood?"
▼Wung-ae.
[Gretel is feeling depressed.]
['Mystical Demon Tree Fruit' effect decreases by 3%.]
"……Depressed?"
Gretel walked over and leaned against his leg. He crouched down and met her eyes.
"Gretel, why are you depressed?"
Gretel looked up at him in response. No answer.
"Are you hungry?"
Gretel shook her head.
Not hungry…… Then what?
"Or are you bored?"
At his words, Gretel stared at his face intently.
"Bored, huh?"
Gretel nodded.
"Hm."
Yeah, that makes sense. Being alone here for over ten hours would be boring. He understood completely.
What to do.
He had to go to classes, so he couldn't play with her.
But leaving her like this would just make her more depressed, so he needed to do something.
"Want to watch TV?"
Gretel tilted her head, not understanding what TV was. He turned on the television with the remote to show her.
Beep.
[News that Han Dae-hyeon Chairman's health has improved. Han Se-yeon, director of Hanseong Pharmaceuticals, is said to be working hard on new drug development after obtaining a clue to treat Chairman Han Dae-hyeon's illness.]
The news was playing.
It was about the Han family.
Han Dae-hyeon Chairman's health improvement. And Han Se-yeon working on new drug development.
Health improvement and new drug development……
He felt doubts at the news.
It deviated a bit from the original story's flow.
Han Se-yeon's new drug development was progressing steadily, but there was no new drug development for Han Dae-hyeon at this timing.
Come to think of it, running into Han Se-yeon during the mystery hall tour today was also different from the original.
Lee Seo-jun and Han Se-yeon's meeting was supposed to happen much later……
During the 'Taehwi Festival,' a festival and major event at the Wizard Academy a few months from now.
From what he overheard, she seemed to be there to rent something called the Vessel of the Heavens.
"Hmm……"
His intervention had caused some change.
He didn't know what results it would bring, but if—and just if—Han Dae-hyeon Chairman's illness was cured, it would be a bigger change than anything so far.
In that case, the many incidents and conflicts involving power-grabbing Han Se-jin would also become unpredictable.
"……Hmm."
Lost in serious thought, he felt a rough touch on his leg.
Looking down, Gretel was poking his leg.
"Ah, sorry. Anything you want to watch?"
He flipped through channels with the remote. Kids' animations, dramas, movies, variety shows passed by.
But Gretel's expression while watching TV showed no particular interest.
"Guess nothing's fun."
Flipping channels, a 'nature documentary' came on.
At that moment, Gretel's eyes sparkled.