Chapter 261
Chapter 261
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 262
Chapter Title: Late-Night Doubts
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It was 9 p.m., when most office workers had clocked out for the night.
In the head office room at Hanseong Pharmaceuticals, Han Se-yeon was scanning through a folder filled with various videos on her monitor.
It was a folder containing CCTV footage from the incident at the 'H-A Expo' held last Saturday.
She clicked on the CCTV from inside the stage during the presentation.
As the video played, her own figure appeared, giving a speech on stage.
In front of her were the audience members listening to the speech, and among them, the demons hiding in the crowd.
She had been at the scene back then, so she already knew what was about to happen.
As time passed, the incident unfolded just as expected.
Magic fired from the balcony began attacking the demons hidden among the audience.
...As if protecting them from the demons' assault.
The investigation revealed that the identity of the mysterious terrorist who attacked the demons at the time was on the balcony reserved for 5th-floor VIPs.
Since the CCTV didn't capture each balcony individually, his exact appearance couldn't be confirmed, but the type of magic used was identifiable.
Han Se-yeon paused the video right at the moment the magic was released.
A spherical form of magic.
According to the Association's investigation, this sphere contained 'light attribute' properties.
It wasn't a common attribute or form of magic, but Han Se-yeon knew one wizard who used 'light attribute spheres' like this.
Kim Jin-woo.
Was it just a coincidence?
Even if it wasn't common, there were other wizards who used light attribute spheres, so it could be.
But there were far too many suspicious points to dismiss it as mere coincidence.
First, this mysterious terrorist had attacked only the demons hidden among the audience, as if he knew their identities.
She recalled that Kim Jin-woo possessed a similar ability, so the thought kept nagging at her.
Han Se-yeon pressed play again.
After the attacks on the demons began, the stage turned into chaos in an instant.
People fleeing. Wizards confronting the demons.
Moments later, black demonic energy writhed, destroying all the CCTV cameras inside the stage.
There were many opinions within the Association about this black demonic energy.
But Han Se-yeon had a vague idea of its identity through her bodyguard, 'Black Ghost'.
It was probably another high-ranking demon hiding its true nature. She could trust Black Ghost's word since he was certain.
"Hmm."
Han Se-yeon rewound the video again. This time, to resolve another question.
Rewinding, she faintly spotted students from the Wizard Academy on the 4th-floor balcony.
Lee Seo-jun, Choi Seo-yoon, Shin Young-jun, Yoon Ha-young...
But the person she was looking for wasn't there.
"...Kim Sun-woo."
No matter how she searched, Kim Sun-woo's figure wasn't visible inside the stage area.
It was clear he had attended the expo, yet he was the only one missing.
Han Se-yeon pondered alone, then recalled running into Kim Sun-woo in the expo hallway at the time.
The faint, unique scent she caught as they passed each other.
It was remarkably similar to Kim Jin-woo's smell.
Of course, with the surrounding gunpowder scent mixed in, she couldn't be certain, but with all these overlapping events, suspicion was inevitable.
"...What's their connection?"
With so many overlaps, doubts about their relationship resurfaced.
The same person? Honestly, that didn't make sense.
Maybe, like she had speculated before, they were blood relatives?
And that ability to distinguish demons suggested some special power?
"...Then that terrorist is Kim Sun-woo?"
As she pieced together her personal puzzle,
Knock knock.
The sound of someone knocking snapped her back to reality.
"Director, you have one hour until the recording."
...Had time passed so quickly already?
The recording. She had apologies to make and announcements regarding the expo incident from last Saturday.
That was why she was working late tonight.
Solving the mystery of Kim Sun-woo was important, but she had to clear her backlog first, so Han Se-yeon turned off the monitor and stood up.
"Yes, I'll head down right away."
"Good work, everyone."
It was 10 p.m. late at night.
After finishing their group assignment, the team members who returned to school exchanged farewells.
"Oh, right! Everyone, please review today's assignment, and if you spot any issues, let us know in the group chat right away."
The first-years nodded at Choi Seo-yoon's words.
"Yes, sunbae!"
"Got it. Well, it's late, so head in, everyone."
"Yes, we'll be going now!"
After the goodbyes, the first-years headed to their dorms.
"Yawn~ Man, I'm beat. Alright, Seo-yoon, I'm off too. Oh! Good work, sunbaes."
Song Seung-ah yawned with a tired face, then bowed to me and Yoon Ha-young.
"Yeah, yeah, get some rest."
"Sure."
With that, Song Seung-ah left too.
Before long, under the dark streetlamp, only Choi Seo-yoon, Yoon Ha-young, and I remained.
A brief silence fell.
I'd hung back at the end out of guilt for leaving midway through the assignment, but why weren't they going?
Then Choi Seo-yoon and Yoon Ha-young exchanged glances, as if asking why the other wasn't leaving.
"Got something to say?"
I asked first. At my question, they both looked at me.
"No. You left mid-assignment with such a serious look, so we were worried something bad happened."
Yoon Ha-young nodded in agreement with Choi Seo-yoon. They must have stayed for the same reason.
They'd been glancing at me during the assignment because of that.
"It's nothing. Don't worry about it."
"Glad to hear that. But if anything tough comes up, feel free to tell me anytime. I'll help however I can."
Choi Seo-yoon said it with sincere determination, clenching her fist.
At her passionate display, I smiled faintly.
"Got it."
"Sun-woo, if you need help, come to me anytime too!"
This time, Yoon Ha-young stepped up.
"You being quiet would be the biggest help... Ahem. Never mind."
"...What’s that supposed to mean?"
Yoon Ha-young narrowed her eyes at me.
"Nothing. Don't mind it."
I replied, but she kept staring at me with those narrowed eyes.
Soon, her face fell, and she pouted her lips. I felt unnecessarily guilty and gave a wry smile.
That's when Choi Seo-yoon, who had been looking back and forth between us, bowed to me.
"Well then, sunbae, I'm off!"
"Yeah, get home safe."
"Sun-woo, I'm heading out too."
"Alright, see ya."
I waved them off as Choi Seo-yoon and Yoon Ha-young left.
After seeing everyone off, I gazed at the night sky for a moment.
The moon brightly illuminating the darkness. Countless stars beautifully lighting the surroundings.
No matter how many times I saw it, it was so different from the modern world I remembered, stirring strange emotions.
In the past, staring at such a scene made me question if this world truly existed or if it was some fabricated illusion.
But now, looking back, that didn't seem all that important.
Somehow, this world had become one I wanted to protect.
As an outsider living here, I'd formed too many bonds.
When all the stories end, if I get a chance to return to my original world, I don't know what choice I'd make.
But one thing's clear: I don't want this current life to reset like before.
"...Let's do this."
To prepare for the future events accelerating ahead, I need to grow even faster than now.
This world still hides far too many secrets I don't know.
With my thoughts sorted, I headed into the dorm.
"Wahh!"
As I opened the door, Gretel's welcoming voice rang out.
"Gretel~"
I smiled and greeted her back, then flopped onto the sofa.
"...I'm wiped."
The moment I sat on the sofa, today's fatigue hit me all at once.
Not physical fatigue, but mental exhaustion too.
If only there were traits that relieved mental fatigue. Or ones good for mental management.
Something like 'Stone Buddha' or 'Thick-Skinned'.
As I thought idly, an alarm rang from my smart student planner.
[Hanseong Korea - Hanseong Pharmaceuticals]
[Live broadcast starting soon.]
Hanseong Korea.
The official MeTube channel of Hanseong Pharmaceuticals. I'd set an alarm just in case, and here they were doing a late-night live.
[Apology regarding the expo demon incident, followed by continuation of the canceled speech.]
"They're continuing the speech, huh."
This expo was Han Se-yeon's biggest failure yet, so I'd worried she might be down, but she seemed fine.
In the original story, it took her about a month to bounce back.
I felt relieved for no reason.
Maybe I should send a supportive message.
[Waiting for the broadcast. I believe in you]
I paused midway through typing.
"...'Believe in you' might add pressure."
She'd seemed burdened by expectations lately.
I deleted it and retyped.
[Waiting for the broadcast. Fighting!]
A reply came almost immediately.
[Thanks. Fighting to you too, Jin-woo! (Fighting puppy emoticon)]
Han Se-yeon's live broadcast was a success.
She drew empathy by discussing societal issues, gave model answers on solutions, and boosted expectations for Hanseong Pharmaceuticals.
When the new drug development was announced, the chat exploded.
Her rival, Han Se-jin, must be watching this—wouldn't she tense up at Han Se-yeon's calm, outstanding presentation skills?
Our group assignment presentation is on me too; I should take notes.
Anyway, Han Se-yeon wrapped up by stating her ambitions, reigniting the succession battle in the Hanseong family that had quieted down.
Han Se-jin watching this must be seething inside.
[Live broadcast has ended.]
The roughly one-hour broadcast concluded.
The many viewers who'd come to hurl insults over the demon incident were swayed by Han Se-yeon's presentation, and public opinion had flipped.
[When's the new drug coming out for real? They'd dominate the pharma world at that price]
[More like, that price is unreal]
"...The response is amazing."
Feeling vicarious satisfaction from Han Se-yeon's success, I scrolled the chat when my phone alarm rang.
[Han Se-yeon]
I answered immediately.
"Yes, Se-yeon?"
[Ah, Jin-woo, just finished the broadcast.]
Her proud tone came through the speaker.
"Good work. Started with lots of negativity, but it turned around by the end."
[You watched the whole thing? It's thanks to you.]
"My doing? Nah..."
[No, you told me not to blame myself even if it failed last time.]
Yeah, I had said that.
Because I knew the demon attack was coming.
[That gave me courage.]
...Glad it helped, but it feels kinda embarrassing.
[Oh, right, Jin-woo, got a question—mind if I ask?]
"Sure, go ahead."
[Where were you last Saturday, by chance?]
Saturday?
"You mean expo day?"
[Yes.]
Why ask that? I was obviously at the expo.
But if she's asking where 'Kim Jin-woo' was, even I don't know how to answer.
A lame lie like 'at the office' would get busted quick.
"Met up with some people."
Should be a safe answer.
She won't pry who.
[People?]
"Yeah."
[...What kind of people?]
I was momentarily speechless.
Didn't expect that follow-up.
"...Uh, well."
After a brief hesitation, I answered.
"Some wizard acquaintances nearby."
[Which wizards?]
"...Han Se-yeon?"
I said her name softly.
Then her voice came through the speaker.
[...Sorry. Forget what I just said.]