Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Baek Hyunseo's Regret (2)
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“Hyunseo. You didn't... use the Master Key, did you?”
Baek Juseok spoke while staring at his main Master Key, which was glowing with mana.
The main Master Key would resonate and begin to glow whenever a Sub Key was activated. In other words, Baek Juseok had sensed that a Sub Key was being used and rushed back home in a panic.
“Th-that...”
Under Baek Juseok's chilling tone, Baek Hyunseo couldn't muster any excuses and simply trembled.
Baek Juseok generally doted on his daughter immensely. But this time, he couldn't hold back—he even cursed, something he never did.
“You fucking idiot! Why the hell did you touch the Master Key? Do you have any idea what that thing is?”
In truth, Baek Juseok bore much of the blame for Baek Hyunseo using the Master Key.
He should have hidden the Sub Key where she couldn't find it or at least sternly warned her never to use it. But he hadn't. Because he never imagined her mana DNA would match his own by 99.7%.
The Master Key required 'mana authentication' to unlock in the first place. And that authentication was designed to pass if the mana DNA matched the registered user's by at least 99.1%, accounting for margin of error. So Baek Juseok had been complacent, assuming she wouldn't use it anyway and couldn't even if she tried. The result was disastrous.
“Baek Hyunseo. See? You went digging through the messenger apps.”
Baek Juseok poured in more mana, and the usage records rapidly surfaced.
Baek Juseok stared blankly at the access log.
“You even manipulated the access log.”
He infused mana once more. The record reverted to its original state.
[Original Restored]
[Helmont Academy Intranet Access Log: User: - Baek Hyunseo]
Baek Hyunseo stared at the sight in a daze.
“Wh-what is this...”
The president snapped in anger.
“This is the Helmont Academy Intranet's Master Key. You think it's so flimsy that a simple manipulation like that would stick? If an admin accesses it and uses restoration magic, we can pull the original data.”
“Do you know what that means? Every record of what you dug up on the Intranet will stay here forever. The originals, untouched.”
Baek Juseok's head began to throb.
'Fuck... It's not like I don't use the Intranet because I'm an idiot.'
Baek Juseok avoided using the Intranet as much as possible, even for necessary info, relying on it only when absolutely essential. The reason? 'Restoration magic' like this could recover 'original data' such as search histories.
What he feared was simple. If word got out that he'd used the Intranet for personal reasons, the Magic Investigation Agency might launch a probe.
If their investigation revealed private use of the Intranet, punishment would be the least of his worries. Helmont Academy's reputation—and his own—could shatter completely. Rival academies would tear into them relentlessly.
'I need someone to pin this on.'
Baek Juseok's mind raced.
“Hyunseo. I don't know why you tampered with the access log using that Choi Juwon guy's ID, but I'm guessing you hate that instructor too, so you did it to screw him over.”
At Baek Juseok's words, Baek Hyunseo shook her head.
“N-no, it's not...”
Baek Juseok glared at her ferociously.
“Then what is it?”
For the first time, she saw her father this furious. She couldn't bring herself to confess, clamping her mouth shut. His face flushed crimson as he punched the wall.
Thud!
“Then what the fuck was the reason for pulling this idiotic stunt and faking the access log?!”
Terrified, Baek Hyunseo spilled the truth.
“I-I... j-just happened to... s-see the messenger... Other girls said they liked the instructor... S-so I wanted to... drop his reputation... t-to monopolize... his attention...”
Baek Juseok's eyes went blank as he muttered.
“Oh... So you 'happened' to see the messenger, spotted other girls writing about liking the instructor you're into, and tried to tank his rep? All because you wanted him all to yourself?”
“Y-yeah, that's...”
Thud thud thud thud!
His eyes rolled back as he stormed through the house, smashing everything in sight.
Crash!
Bang!
“What kind of bullshit is this...”
“Hah... hah...”
After rampaging for a while, Baek Juseok finally turned to Baek Hyunseo.
“Baek Hyunseo. The Intranet Master Key isn't some toy for your petty romance games. You knew damn well I hated that instructor, and you still pulled this shit to hog him for yourself?”
Bang!
“I could've maybe glossed over the messenger slip-up as an accident. But tampering with the access log? That's fucked us big time. Manipulated records stick around. If an audit hits, I'm done—and so is Helmont Academy.”
Baek Juseok pressed his temples with both hands, head pounding.
“Your brain must be empty. How do you just act on every dumb impulse? After divorcing your mom and raising you alone, letting you have whatever you wanted out of pity... and at your age, your thinking's worse than a stray dog. Pathetic worm.”
Bang bang bang!
Still seething, he demolished the furniture before calming down.
He looked at Baek Hyunseo with disgust.
“I have no memory of raising a stupid, dense daughter like you. I'll do the bare minimum since I birthed you, but don't expect anything more from your father. You need to taste the world's bitterness. Learn what responsibility for your actions really means.”
“Sob...”
Baek Hyunseo choked back tears, trembling. Her father's rage terrified her, and only now did she grasp the gravity of her actions.
Step step step.
Baek Juseok approached her.
“You've already faked the logs, so from now on, I'm pinning it all on Choi Juwon. Before the Magic Investigation Agency pokes around, we'll strike first—punish that bastard and show the public we're handling it responsibly. Keep them from moving first.”
“S-sorry... P-please don't...”
Slap!
“Shut your mouth. Just watch how this plays out from here. This is all on you. Speak a word out of line, and I'll really strike you from the family register. Live like a dead rat from now on.”
Bang!
With that, Baek Juseok stormed out.
'Fuck... I spoiled Baek Hyunseo way too much.'
If she'd been a subordinate pulling this shit, he'd have killed her for real. She got off easy because she was his daughter.
Click.
Baek Juseok opened his phone and called a woman.
“Hello, this is Baek Juseok. How have you been?”
“Oh my, what's the Helmont Academy president doing calling me? Oh, right—I got the gift you sent to the Magic Tower last time. That artifact was stunning.”
“Glad you liked it.”
Baek Juseok had long cultivated connections by greasing palms everywhere. Now was the time to cash them in.
“Magic Tower Lord. I need a favor.”
“Even a big earner like you calling me? Must be serious.”
“Yes, it's bad. My daughter used the Helmont Academy Intranet Master Key to steal info and falsified access logs.”
“What? How the hell did you let her touch that? Are you an idiot? This is absurd.”
Her incredulous tone made Baek Juseok's voice heavy with regret.
“I... have no excuses.”
“Hmph... What's done is done. So, what do you want from me?”
“Since it's out, I'm framing someone. We have this S-Rank Instructor called Choi Juwon. Tomorrow at the academy, I'll show fake logs with his ID and grill him. I'll leak that he accessed the Intranet to students starting today. Tank his rep and trust until he has no choice but to quit and leave voluntarily.”
“Whoa... What if this Choi Juwon digs in? Files a Magic Investigation Agency request claiming innocence?”
“That's what I'm asking. I'll threaten to request first, but if he beats me to it, could you block it once?”
“Hmmm... The Agency doesn't bend easy to bribes. Even as Magic Tower Lord, it'd be tough.”
Baek Juseok swallowed hard.
“I'll give you Ershi's Mirror.”
Ershi's Mirror—one of Baek Juseok's prized possessions, an S-Rank artifact worth its weight in gold for its cheat-like power. It had restrictions, but basically copied and unleashed the target's spells.
“What? That S-Rank artifact? For real? You've clung to it like your life before.”
“I keep my promises. So, if trouble hits, just once.”
Magic Tower Lord Shin Yura chuckled.
“Aw, President. With Ershi's Mirror? I'd do anything~ Don't worry. Even if he tips off the Agency, they won't budge. Oh, speaking of—I have a favor too.”
“Name it.”
“You know Yang Hangil, the guy we kicked from the Magic Tower? Used to teach at Helmont.”
“Yes, I remember.”
“Hire him as instructor when Choi Juwon leaves. Discreetly. Don't ask why.”
“Got it. We need instructors anyway. I'll reach out today.”
Suddenly uneasy, Baek Juseok asked,
“Uh... hypothetically, if this blows up to the public and sours opinion... could you handle that too?”
Shin Yura's tone hardened.
“If a place like Helmont Academy gets exposed for Intranet snooping and cover-up attempts? Public outrage would drag in the national level, not just the Agency. Why drag me down with you?”
“Sorry.”
Shin Yura lightened up, laughing over the line.
“President, you worry too much—it's a problem. You said it yourself: framing an S-Rank instructor. What power or backing does some academy peon have? No clout to move the top or sway opinion. Post on communities? It'll get a few hundred views and bury. Thousands of those posts pop up daily—attention whores lying for clicks.”
“Y-yeah, true...”
“Don't sweat it. A nobody instructor can't touch opinion. Just squish the bug. Focus on the Agency, okay?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Click.
Even after hanging up, Baek Juseok made frantic calls—news outlets, reporters, major community mods. Prepping to squash any online sob stories from Choi Juwon and spin the narrative.
'Yeah... All set now. Just an instructor. Like Shin Yura said, he'll do nothing but get crushed like a bug. Was shit before—this flips it all on him. Live like a rat forever.'
Things moved fast after. Choi Juwon submitted voluntary resignation. No Agency request yet. No online noise. Baek Juseok celebrated dodging the crisis his daughter caused.
“Kyaaah!”
“Hah... hah...”
Baek Hyunseo, who'd passed out, jolted awake screaming from a nightmare.
“H-Hyunseo, you're up...?”
“You okay, Hyunseo?”
Her fellow Beginner Class students from Helmont Academy watched worriedly.
Drenched in cold sweat, Baek Hyunseo forced an awkward smile.
“Ah... um... I've been feeling off lately, keep blacking out... Sorry for worrying you...”
“Take care of yourself. It'll get tougher with that Yang Hangil asshole now... We'll help, so don't stress.”
Lee Haru, Kim Siyeon, and Yoon Seulgi's concerned gazes flooded Baek Hyunseo with guilt. Yang Hangil was here instead of Choi Juwon because of her.
Desperate to change the subject, she glanced around.
That's when she spotted Kim Siyeon's phone. A man in a strange mask stood on the screen.
“Uh... S-Siyeon! Are you... watching a play or something on your phone?”
Kim Siyeon held up her phone.
“Oh, this? You wouldn't know without a phone. This guy's blowing up on NA TUBE—you know, the video platform? Masked instructor. Gained 350,000 subscribers in one day from a single video.”
“3... 350,000...?”
“Crazy, right? I uploaded once—got three subs. 350k is like... dozens of times our academy? Insane...”
“Y-yeah... amazing...”
“Totally. I watched his vid—revolutionary, killer effects. Me and the others subbed already. If only someone like this, not Choi Juwon or Yang Hangil, taught at Helmont...”