Chapter 280
Chapter 280
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 281
Chapter Title: First Day at the Special Task Force
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Time flew by quickly, and nearly two weeks passed.
To sum up what happened during that time, news spread worldwide that the missing mystic scholars had been freed, causing a massive stir in society.
Naturally, the spotlight turned to me, Lee Seojun, and Choi Seoyun.
Some praised us for our outstanding achievement, while others mixed worry with criticism, saying it was too reckless.
A few netizens targeted the Choi family behind the incident with harsh insults.
From the Choi family's perspective, it wasn't entirely unfair since the mystic scholars had entered the virtual world of their own accord.
As expected, most details about what happened in the virtual world didn't leak out.
The association had pulled strings in advance for security reasons.
And then Thursday arrived.
It was the submission deadline for the group project in Mystic Philosophy Research, the class that had tormented us for a week.
“……I heard about it, but I never imagined you’d go that far just for an assignment.”
In the large auditorium.
The teacher, Ryan, who had received our submission, looked at me and Lee Seojun with a bewildered expression.
Lee Seojun gave an awkward, wry smile, seemingly embarrassed about what he’d done.
I’d half-expected this reaction, so I wasn’t particularly moved.
I just hoped he’d give us points commensurate with our efforts.
“Assignments are important, but safety is even more so. You must never do anything this reckless again. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
Satisfied with the response, Ryan nodded.
“Hmm. Well, let’s take a look, shall we? See what you’ve got……”
Ryan put on his glasses and skimmed the contents.
Due to security restrictions, we’d included only appropriately limited details.
Even so, we’d woven in our personal insights—mine and Lee Seojun’s—to make it fresh and engaging rather than clichéd.
As he examined it with growing interest, Ryan broke into a satisfied smile.
“I’ll need to read it thoroughly after class, but just skimming it, it’s excellent. Looks like the top score is decided.”
—Whoa.
Students behind us let out gasps of admiration at Ryan’s high praise.
“Team Kim Seonwoo and Lee Seojun gets the top score.”
At the same time, a message appeared before my eyes.
[You have achieved the ‘Life-Risking Assignment 1st Place’ accomplishment.]
[You have obtained 5,000 points as a reward.]
What’s this?
It was an achievement I hadn’t even known about.
A whopping 5,000 points.
My lips twitched involuntarily at the unexpected reward, and Ryan looked at me.
“……Kim Seonwoo. I get that you’re happy, but please refrain from such actions in the future. Got it?”
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
Ryan let out a deep sigh at my reply and nodded.
“You may return to your seats.”
Lee Seojun and I bowed and turned back to our places.
Every student’s gaze was on us.
—First place is enviable.
—They risked their lives, so first is obvious.
—But in theory class, Kim Seonwoo can’t beat him.
Ignoring the murmurs around us, I plopped down in my seat.
Lee Seojun flashed a satisfied smile and offered me a fist bump.
“First place feels good. Good work.”
“You too.”
I chuckled and lightly bumped his fist.
Lee Seojun laughed softly, then stretched his arms wide.
“Ahh……! Anyway, internship time is coming up soon.”
“Starting next week?”
“Yeah. And there’s finals too.”
Finals……
Time really flies.
There were still mountains of things left to do.
The good news was that for third-year finals, internship performance weighed heavily on the grade, so I didn’t need to stress too much.
As long as I did well in the internship, the scores would take care of themselves.
What worried me more were the countless incidents that could happen during special task force activities.
Oh, and ‘that event’ wasn’t far off either.
I opened my smart student handbook and accessed the internet.
Browsing the news section, various rumor articles about Hanse Group Chairman Han Daehyeon’s health caught my eye.
Next to them was a photo of Han Seyeon. Her face looked pale.
“What’re you staring at so intently?”
Lost in thought gazing at Han Seyeon’s photo, Lee Seojun peeked at my screen.
“……Han Seyeon?”
He gave me a surprised look.
“Why?”
“Just unexpected. Weren’t you kinda curt with her last time you met?”
“……?”
What’s he on about out of nowhere?
I scrolled up to show him the article headline.
“It’s about Chairman Han Daehyeon.”
Hearing me, Lee Seojun gave an embarrassed smile.
“Oh, gotcha. Yeah, she’s been in the news a lot lately. Even Grandpa’s paying attention.”
Chairman Han Daehyeon, who even made the mighty Chairman Kim Jincheol take notice.
Proof of just how big a deal he was.
“The man with the second-most powerful influence in the world.”
“True. Grandpa said it sounds like he doesn’t have much time left.”
“……Yeah. About seven days, maybe.”
Lee Seojun shot me a puzzled look at my quiet mutter.
“Huh? What’d you just say?”
Right then, Ryan’s voice announced the end of class.
“That’s it for today. Good work on your assignments, everyone. You’re dismissed.”
As finals and internship dates approached, summer began to creep in.
Muggy, sweltering weather.
Cicadas buzzed annoyingly from somewhere.
Dressed lightly, I walked to the front gate of the school.
Upon arriving, I saw quite a few students gathered.
All of them were there for the ‘internship activities’ starting today.
Scanning for familiar faces, I spotted one.
“Yoo Ara?”
She turned at my call and gave a small wave.
“Hey. You’re earlier than I thought.”
“Can’t be late on the first day.”
Saying that, I sidled up next to her.
Today’s schedule was a visit to the Seoul Special Task Force for the internship.
Since Yoo Ara and I were assigned to the same Seoul Special Task Force, we were headed to the same place.
Waiting in line for the gate together, I could sense excitement on Yoo Ara’s face.
“You seem in a good mood today.”
“I’ve been waiting for this day.”
She nodded coolly in affirmation, flashing a bright smile—twice as happy-looking as during the Incheon Special Task Force stint.
Come to think of it, she always seemed thrilled during special task force-related stuff.
Seeing her like that, she seemed so pure.
‘Now that I think about it……
Around this time in the original story, Yoo Ara’s role started ramping up with more screen time.
I was looking forward to it, but part of me worried my involvement might trigger some major incident.
Time passed, and it was our turn.
We took the gate to central Seoul.
Flash!
Upon arrival, a massive building loomed into view.
The Korean Wizard Association headquarters.
Also known elsewhere as the ‘World Wizard Association.’
And home to the headquarters of the world’s strongest Seoul Special Task Force.
“Let’s head in.”
Yoo Ara and I entered the association building.
It was filled with countless wizards.
Plenty of foreigners too—all wizards operating in Korea.
The Special Task Force HQ was on the 21st floor.
But to enter the inner offices, we needed association clearance, so we sought out a guide first.
“Hello. We’re here for the Wizard Academy special task force internship.”
“Ah! Welcome. You’re Kim Seonwoo, right? Please wait a moment.”
The guide smiled and made a call somewhere.
About three minutes later.
“Hello〜”
Special Task Force staffer Jeong Hyeonsu appeared with a grin, flashing his dimples.
Yoo Ara and I bowed immediately.
Jeong Hyeonsu beamed warmly at us.
“Bet I startled you showing up like this. Normally, your mentor Senior Kim Deokhyeon should’ve come, but he said it was a hassle and sent me. Great boss, huh? Oh! Here, your temporary IDs.”
Jeong Hyeonsu handed us cards on necklaces.
Mine had my photo and name.
Inspecting it as an outsider’s perk, it held various security and reinforcement spells.
Glancing at Yoo Ara, a faint blush colored her cheeks.
Not official, but she seemed thrilled to be part of the Special Task Force.
“Just scan these to enter from now on〜”
With that, we scanned our IDs and entered the association interior.
We took the elevator to the 21st floor Special Task Force level.
Opening a door midway down the hall revealed a new space.
“Oh, you’re here?”
Kim Deokhyeon was there.
Lee Seojun sat in front of him—they’d apparently been talking.
Beside them sat a redheaded woman, watching with interest.
I recognized her instantly.
Baek Yejin.
A newbie Special Task Force agent specializing in summoning magic.
Her quirky personality made her someone I’d rather not get involved with.
Just then, Lee Seojun waved enthusiastically at me and Yoo Ara.
“Over here!”
Chuckling, I headed their way.
As I approached, Kim Deokhyeon spoke.
“Good to see you. You probably know, but I’m Kim Deokhyeon from the Special Task Force.”
After his introduction, Baek Yejin beside him greeted us too.
“Hello〜 I’m Baek Yejin, your senior. Nice to meet you〜 Take care of me.”
She emphasized ‘senior.’ Probably hinting she wanted senior treatment.
Yoo Ara and I bowed politely.
“I’m Kim Seonwoo.”
“I’m Yoo Ara.”
Kim Deokhyeon nodded at our greetings.
“……Alright. Not sure why you picked me as mentor, but let’s get along for the next half-year.”
“Yes, sir.”
After that, we toured the Special Task Force offices and greeted other agents.
They were all supposedly out on assignments, so we only met about five.
Still, they were all key characters from the mid-to-late original story, so it felt pretty fresh.
Once greetings wrapped up, Kim Deokhyeon said,
“No special schedule today since it’s the first day. Spend the rest of the time wandering the association freely. Hm. For the tour…… Yeah, Baek Yejin, you do it.”
“Me?”
Baek Yejin pointed at herself.
“What, don’t wanna?”
“No, I love it!”
After that, we began touring the association under Baek Yejin’s guidance.
It was a bit uncomfortable spending time with someone I’d rather avoid, but what’s done was done—I decided not to sweat it.
“Here’s the 23rd-floor training hall.”
Baek Yejin explained with friendly gestures and tone, like a proper tour guide.
“Basic stamina and mana training, plus adaptation training with cutting-edge systems.”
“Can I try it?”
Yoo Ara’s eyes sparkled as she asked. Baek Yejin chuckled and nodded.
“Of course.”
As if she’d been waiting, Yoo Ara stepped into the training hall.
She inspected the systems here and there, then gaped in awe.
Tap tap.
Touching a machine, flames whooshed up around her moments later.
It was a system for fire-attribute magic adaptation training.
“……Training here would make you improve so fast.”
Yoo Ara murmured blankly.
Her already big dreams of the Special Task Force seemed to have grown even larger.
Baek Yejin glanced at me and Lee Seojun.
“Seojun junior, wanna try?”
“No thanks. I’ve used these facilities plenty.”
Lee Seojun, who’d visited the association often since childhood with Chairman Kim Jincheol, naturally knew it inside out.
Baek Yejin nodded at his words.
“Fair enough. Seonwoo junior?”
“I trained this morning.”
“Hmm〜 Really? You’re diligent.”
I shrugged instead of answering.
Then, as if it just occurred to me, I said,
“Oh, right. Senior.”
Baek Yejin’s lips twitched at the ‘senior,’ looking pleased.
She’s simple, getting that happy over a title.
“Yeah? What’s up?”
“Uh, mind if I use the bathroom real quick?”
“Huh? Oh, sure. Go ahead.”
Baek Yejin smiled magnanimously like a generous senior.
I nodded and slipped out of the training hall.
I walked down the hall to the elevator.
This was the 23rd floor.
By my memory, the floor above—24—was the ‘Records Archive.’
And that’s probably where the ‘Great Spirit Materialization’ spell was stored.
“……Might as well sneak a peek.”
With just one floor difference, now was the perfect chance.
Even if caught, an excuse would be easy.
Yeah, just a quick look at the layout.
It was a place I’d have to visit eventually, so I needed to know what it looked like.
I checked around, confirmed no one, and opened the stairwell door by the elevator.
I climbed the stairs briskly and opened the door.
Creak.
A wide hallway stretched out. No signs of people or footsteps.
Still wary, I activated Stealth Steps.
Whirr.
My presence vanished instantly.
“Phew.”
The moment I started down the hall.
I stopped.
At the end of the hall, a CCTV camera stared right at me.
“Ah, where’s the bathroom again?”
I turned back around.