Chapter 12
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Two Birds, One Stone (1)
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In the Guild Masters office of the Bihon Guild headquarters, a man and a woman were talking.
Maam Yuhwa. Weve received a request for a lecture from the academy.
At the report from her secretary, Kim Shinwoo, Yuhwa let out a sigh.
Please decline. I dont have the time to prepare for a lecture in this situation.
It wasnt a sigh of annoyance.
Rather, it was one of regret.
Please add that if another opportunity arises, I will be there without fail.
Yes, understood.
A lecture was a chance to make an impression on prospective superhumans, and a scouting ground to discover promising talent.
Accepting was always the better option.
But as shed said, the situation was not good.
All because of a certain villain.
...More importantly, have you gathered any information on the Doppelganger?
Villain name: Doppelganger.
As the name suggested, he was a villain with the ability to transform into a perfect copy of another person.
My apologies. Hes notoriously elusive.
Is that so.
He could copy everything from fingerprints and irises to a persons unique physical wavelength and even their mana.
If he were to murder a civilian, disguise himself as them, and casually board a plane to another country, there would be no way to detect him.
Our guild must be the one to catch him.
Im aware.
That very Doppelganger had appeared in Seoul last night.
He had been disguised as a member of the Bihon Guild and had orchestrated a horrific massacre just yesterday.
Thirteen Bihon guild members were murdered in the incident.
Is that all for the report?
Ah. There is one more thing.
Kim Shinwoo began to operate his mobile terminal.
This is the report on Shin Jias activities you requested.
Ah, right.
She had been so focused on the Doppelganger case that she had forgotten.
Yuhwa checked the mobile terminal her secretary handed her.
Shin Jias movements since the Pialle Allo incident were briefly recorded.
...Shin Jia is following a male student?
Yes. It seems she even recently prepared high-end equipment for him.
What kind of man is he?
His name is Kang Seoyul. Hes an archer.
An archer...?
Yes. He handles a bow quite skillfully. In terms of technique, he seemed even better than our own guild members.
...Is there a video?
Yes. The report includes a recording from his physical test.
Play it.
Yes, maam.
A hologram rose from the terminal.
The video showed Kang Seoyul firing arrows in succession.
Yuhwas expression slowly filled with admiration.
...Why isnt this student on our scouting list?
I want him.
His skills were so outstanding that the thought crossed her mind before she could stop it.
There was no information on him before his enrollment. He appeared suddenly, as if he fell from the sky.
...An archer with no information.
Yuhwas eyes clouded with suspicion.
Surely this student isnt the unidentified superhuman who resolved the Pialle Allo incident, is he?
It was a reasonable suspicion.
An unknown archer who had dealt with Pialle Allo.
And ironically, Shin Jia was now following an academy cadet who had no record before enrollment.
And that cadet was an archer.
Didnt it all fit perfectly?
I dont believe so.
Why not?
The male students stats are reportedly F-Rank.
F... Rank?
Yuhwas eyes widened.
* * *
Fifteen years ago, the Great Monster Outbreak occurred. This event, which happened simultaneously around the world...
As I sat through the boring Tuesday class, my mind was elsewhere.
I was mapping out my future plans.
Until now, Id had too many questions about my own abilities to create a detailed plan.
But as of yesterday, all those questions had been answered.
First, my ability is late-game oriented.
And an extreme version at that, one that completely gives up the early game.
The fact that I lost to Choi Jihoon, who was merely an average C-, said it all.
The problem lay in that early-game weakness.
I couldnt overcome the early scenarios on my own.
The villain attack in two days was an immediate problem.
Even with the equipment I got from Shin Jia, I could never win.
That left only one method.
I would have to compensate for my early weakness with other factors.
Fortunately, I have information about the future.
Naturally, I know every detail of the crises to come.
I just need to create a stage where I don't have to be the one to step up.
At the same time, Ill prepare to acquire Ancient Artifacts.
Alright.
The course of action is set.
The immediate priority is to stop the academy attack happening in two days.
Thankfully, this attack should be easy to prevent.
The villain planning a solo assault on the academy this time has the ability of a Doppelganger.
He will murder one of the cadets, disguise himself as them, and infiltrate.
Thats the starting point of the scenario.
But so what?
I already know which student hes going to impersonate.
The next step is simple.
I just have to tell Shin Jia.
Since Jia would believe me even if I told her the sky was green, she would undoubtedly act on my words.
With that, the first incident is safely resolved.
Thats all for this mornings class.
Perfect timing, class was over.
Seoyul. Lets go get lunch.
Shin Jia approached me with a smile.
Sure.
I could still feel the heated stares from those around us. Everyone was looking at us as if to ask, *Whats the deal with those two?* I guess I should be glad no one has approached us directly.
Lets go.
We left the classroom, bathed in their fervent gazes.
Jia.
Yes?
As we walked, I whispered so that no one around us could hear.
Could you gather some information on a cadet named Choi Kang-im?
The Doppelganger would disguise himself as Choi Kang-im to infiltrate.
I remembered the name because it was unusual.
...Pardon?
Shin Jia stopped in her tracks.
Wh-why that student?
She looked incredibly flustered.
...Hmm. How should I put this? Lets just say theres a high probability hell cause trouble. Something about him bothers me.
Aha. So you already knew.
Shin Jias flustered look changed to one of pride.
You dont have to worry.
She looked like a puppy begging for praise.
Choi Kang-im. Kang Han-him. Both of them have already been expelled.
...What?
* * *
Things had gotten complicated.
I never imagined something like this would happen.
...To think Choi Kang-im was one of those muscle-bound pigs who picked a fight with me.
And to think hed already been expelled.
...How did it get twisted like this?
It was the so-called butterfly effect.
A consequence of the protagonist being different.
Because I was weaker, those two had picked a fight with me.
Because my relationship with Shin Jia had become more favorable, she couldnt just let them go.
Shin Jia had investigated them personally and discovered their garbage behavior.
As a result, Choi Kang-im and Kang Han-him had made an early exit.
The scenario had changed.
A single change in me had created this situation.
Ah.
My head ached.
Now, there was no way of knowing who the villain would impersonate to infiltrate the academy.
I have no choice.
The only option left was to deal with him before he could infiltrate.
* * *
After all the Tuesday classes ended.
I headed off campus.
My destination was a legal casino near Seoul.
*Those two enjoyed gambling at the casino every day.*
My goal was to track Choi Kang-ims movements and search for the Doppelganger.
There was a high probability the Doppelganger would appear at this casino, a place his target frequented.
Admission ticket, please.
At the casino entrance, a couple of burly men in suits blocked my path.
Here.
Shin Jia had gotten me the ticket.
When I told her I had something to investigate, she had handed it over without hesitation.
Confirmed.
They gave a slight bow and stepped aside. I gave them a small wave, a gesture of thanks, and went inside.
The interior was that of a typical casino. People playing slots, card games, and roulette.
Welcome.
A man who looked like a dealer approached me.
Where can I exchange for chips?
Ill guide you. This way.
Following the dealer, I continuously scanned my surroundings.
The Doppelganger was definitely in here.
If nothing had happened to Choi Kang-im, he would have been here gambling today.
All in on 23!
Will you raise?
Ill see your 4,000. And raise 6,000 more.
Where could he be...?
Huh?
Then, a woman caught my eye. I was sure Id seen her on the World Superhuman Ranking list.
Are you also interested in the Bihon Guild Master, sir?
Perhaps because I had been staring at her so intently.
The dealer guiding me struck up a conversation.
Bihon Guild Master... Yuhwa?
She was a supporting character with a fairly significant role, and a rival to Shin Jia.
I never thought Id meet Yuhwa here.
Yes. A VIP, just like yourself, visiting for the first time today.
...VIP?
Me?
Yes. VIP.
The dealer smiled, looking at the gold-leafed ticket in my hand.
...
This was a VIP ticket?
I just thought it had a fancy design. It seems Jia pulled some strings.
If you wish, sir, I can ask Master Yuhwa if you might join her.
I glanced over at Yuhwa.
As if sensing my gaze, Yuhwa looked back at me.
A brief moment of eye contact.
Was it my imagination, or did her eyes seem to widen slightly?
No, its fine. I doubt she would accept anyway.
Of course, making a connection with Yuhwa now would make many things easier, but...
there was no way she would be interested in someone like me.
Haha. Youre very cool-headed.
Im being rational. More importantly, please continue guiding me.
Yes, of course. This way... oh?
The dealer pulled a phone from his pocket.
Well, this is getting interesting.
He smiled, looking at his phone.
Sir. A message has arrived from Master Yuhwa.
Yuhwa smiled at me.
She says, Lets talk for a moment.
In that instant, my mind started spinning like a top.
* * *
In a VIP room at the heart of the casino.
Yuhwa and I were seated across from each other at a table.
Should a fledgling cadet who just entered the academy be frequenting a place like this already?
It seems you know who I am.
Yes. I know very well.
It was obvious.
If she didnt know me, she wouldnt have called me over in the first place.
The question, then, was through what channel she had become interested in me.
Well, that was simple too.
...Youve been investigating Jia separately.
A flicker of interest appeared in Yuhwas eyes.
Smart. I suppose thats expected of the top scorer on the written exam.
Yuhwa smiled.
Thats right. I dug up some information on Shin Jia. And in the process, I found you.
Just as I expected.
That meant I could also guess why Yuhwa had called me over.
My relationship with Shin Jia. And she must be suspicious of me, an anomalous existence.
Youre quite bold, digging into the Shinhwa Groups affairs.
Oh my? Are you threatening me?
Of course not.
A short silence followed, which Yuhwa broke first.
What is your relationship with Shin Jia?
Were just classmates.
I suppose these days, classmates give each other expensive equipment as personal gifts.
Who knows. Im guessing she gave it to me like a donation to a less fortunate F-Rank neighbor.
F-Rank.
The air somehow grew heavier.
Speaking of which, are you really F-Rank?
Suspicion filled Yuhwas eyes.
You dont have to test me like this. Im sure youve already received confirmation from Instructor Pi Jinho.
Yuhwas eyes sharpened.
It was a look that said, *How do you know about my connection to Pi Jinho?*
Yuhwa was probably thinking something like this:
Just as I thought, theres something about this guy.
At this moment, to Yuhwa, I had become an unknown entity.
This was good.
I smiled leisurely.
Lets stop this pointless talk. Lets discuss something more important.
...More important?
Meeting Yuhwa here was an opportunity.
If Yuhwa didnt know me.
If she didnt harbor any suspicions about me.
My words would have been nothing more than the ravings of a madman.
But our brief conversation just now had given my words credibility.
The Doppelganger is in this place right now.
Yuhwas eyes flew wide open as she shot up from her seat.
...What? You. What did you just...
She was so flustered she even slipped into informal speech. I pressed my advantage.
Youre looking for him, arent you? The Doppelganger.
Yuhwas eyes trembled.
I can find him.
I crossed my legs and tilted my head arrogantly.
Ill help you catch him.
...Whats your goal?
Yuhwas killing intent pierced my entire body. It was so thick that a cold sweat ran down my spine against my will.
Its nothing much.
I hid my alarm as best I could and smiled with an air of composure.
In exchange for my help, you just need to give me one item.
...An item?
Yes.
A glint shone in my eyes.
The Ancient Artifact your guild has been letting collect dust. Lets call it even with that.