Chapter 175: Everyone’s Abnormal Except Me
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 175: Everyone’s Abnormal Except Me
"I’m afraid I can’t do that."
The Saintess was quite surprised by Baek Tae-yang’s firm refusal.
She had taken it for granted that he would accept, so seeing him decline with such a resolute expression was unexpected.
What’s his reason?
The Saintess asked for clarification.
"And why is that?"
"The... visibility is too high."
The Saintess.
And she wasn't just any Saintess; she was a figure essentially equivalent to the king of a nation.
If he teamed up with someone like her to screw over Kim Min-su, it would inevitably draw attention, whether he liked it or not. It was the difference between a phoenix flapping its wings and a sparrow doing the same.
So, in the end, it’s because of me...
But wasn't that something that could be managed with enough discretion?
The Saintess couldn't understand.
"We could just do it secretly, couldn't we?"
"Everything comes to light eventually. And even if we do it secretly, Kim Min-su’s reaction won't be quiet."
First, he had cried his eyes out, turning the "Min-su's Scream" meme into a viral sensation. Then, he had caused a massive scene in the Academy hallways.
Baek Tae-yang’s position was that he was worried about the aftermath once Kim Min-su had been "educated."
The Saintess understood his point, yet she couldn't hide her disappointment.
And yet, someone worried about the consequences acted like that...?
The Saintess was one of the few people who knew Kim Min-su’s entire romantic history.
If Baek Tae-yang was the perpetrator in Min-su’s love life, the Saintess was more of an observer. Because of that, she knew exactly how bold his methods of screwing over Kim Min-su had been.
"Hmm... What if it’s nothing major? Just... preventing Kim Min-su from saving me at the exact moment he tries to?"
"But even if we do that, it doesn't help with digging into what's behind him, does it?"
"Pardon?"
"No matter how much Kim Min-su suffers, he recovers in a few days. And... even if there is something behind him, it’s been incredibly vague."
Baek Tae-yang explained the events of the Gladire Tournament to the puzzled Saintess—how he had received an offer from Noble but ultimately chose not to cooperate, and so on.
He’s stupid... but does he have principles?
Kim Min-su’s advice posts were written strictly from his own perspective. No matter how detailed he was, his conscience would lead him to omit the parts that made him look bad.
Consequently, while the Saintess knew a lot about Kim Min-su, she didn't have a full grasp of the overall situation.
There shouldn't be anyone behind him other than Noble...
If that group—the one she wasn't even sure existed—wasn't Min-su’s backer, then who exactly was supporting him?
"I don't misunderstand your position, Saintess... but regardless, I feel more comfortable handling these matters on my own."
"Ah... but still..."
"...By any chance, do you just want to see Kim Min-su get broken?"
"Huh? What? Oh, no? Why would I?"
"..."
Under Baek Tae-yang’s deep gaze, the Saintess quickly averted her eyes.
She hadn't realized it before because they rarely had the chance to be alone like this. She hadn't noticed when she was busy filming Kim Min-su getting thrashed or when they were exploring Gates together, but...
He... he really is handsome.
Of course, that wasn't the only reason she looked away.
"...I’ll take my leave now."
"Ah... yes, of course."
"And please leave the matter regarding Kim Min-su to me for now. I’ll contact you immediately if any problems arise."
"I’ll trust you."
The Saintess decided that continuing the conversation would just be going in circles. She stood up abruptly and personally opened the door for him.
Baek Tae-yang gave a polite nod and left the VIP Room.
"...A joint operation... I really wanted to do one."
The opportunity would come eventually.
The Saintess stared at the door he had exited through before sitting back down on the sofa. She suddenly had a craving for something sweet.
"Perkus, by the way, how was it?"
Creeak.
At the Saintess’s call, Perkus revealed himself. He appeared from the wardrobe in the corner of the VIP Room.
The Saintess and Perkus weren't only suspicious of Kim Min-su.
Baek Tae-yang, who had appeared like a comet and was growing at a rapid pace, was also under their scrutiny.
"The thing is... I couldn't figure him out."
"What? What do you mean by that?"
One of Perkus’s sub-skills was the Scales of Justice. It was an ability that allowed him to see how much sin and virtue a living being had committed. He had hoped to get a glimpse of Tae-yang's past actions through this skill.
This is a first.
It was a skill that had even worked on analyzing Cheon Hae-il.
"It said that a King is not subject to the evaluation of his subordinates."
"What does that even mean?"
"I don't know either."
First Kim Min-su, and now Baek Tae-yang.
None of them are normal.
She felt like Victory Academy wasn't called that for nothing.
*
It’s easier to just assume everyone in this novel is abnormal except for me.
Sigh...
Just thinking about it gave me a headache.
What am I supposed to do with a virgin...
I would have refused even if she wasn't a virgin, but a virgin Saintess was a hard pass.
The high visibility was one reason for my refusal, but the biggest reason was her existence itself. Her half-baked plan to screw over Kim Min-su was far too impure.
This isn't a job just anyone can do.
The god of self-rationalization.
An indomitable mental state.
A steel-clad mindset that allowed him to greet you perfectly fine the next day even after being beaten until dust rose on a rainy day.
That was Kim Min-su.
And she thought she could do something with some "operation"?
If it were that easy, he would have stopped showing up to the Academy the moment I slept with Yu-min.
With Ryu Hye-mi, I even showed him the actual sex scene.
For most people, that would be a shockwave powerful enough to completely shatter their psyche and make daily life impossible. Even after taking a hit like that twice, Kim Min-su was still crazy about women.
"Seriously, man..."
Letting out a deep sigh, I sat on a bench behind the school and rubbed my face repeatedly.
To be honest, a part of me did want to accept the Saintess’s proposal. Since Kim Min-su was following the Saintess around even more than Melanie, it definitely would have been effective.
However, the moment she became directly involved, the disadvantage of losing 100% total control was too great a burden. Having to deal with an unpredictable situation alongside someone else was a massive penalty.
Still, it’s a big win just knowing the Saintess wants to screw Kim Min-su over.
The Saintess isn't on Kim Min-su’s side.
If I had to endure a little headache to find that out, it was a very profitable trade.
"Baek Tae-yang."
Just as I was seriously contemplating my next move...
"Hmm?"
Kim Min-su appeared before me.
The Gate rewards must have been significant, because the cowering, pathetic Min-su of the past was gone, replaced by a confident version of himself.
Seeing that smug look on his face was incredibly irritating.
"As you know, I have become very strong."
"...Sure. But I’m busy right now, okay? If you’re just here to annoy me, just get lost."
"I just wanted to tell you that the day you and I settle the score is not far off."
"Why are you talking like that? What kind of concept is it this time?"
But a "settle the score," huh?
Thinking he hadn't just come here to spout nonsense, I adjusted my posture. Seeing my change in attitude, Min-su smiled with satisfaction and continued.
"That’s all you need to know for now. As for the rest... wait for the moment of the campfire on the day of the festival."
"...Uh, sure. Whatever."
With those words, Kim Min-su hurriedly ran off somewhere.
...Huh?
As he left, I saw a faint glimmer of the Troll King in his retreating figure.
Wait a minute.
Does this mean I ultimately have to participate in the festival?
This is another headache.
I just wanted to throw the plot aside and spend my time having messy sex with the girls.
Back then, I could have slept with Momohara Yui right away, but I held back once to screw over Kim Min-su later. And now, I have to worry about more weird stuff while I'm on a date.
During tomorrow's festival... Ah... wait, that works.
If the campfire is the start of Kim Min-su’s turn...
That meant everything leading up to it was essentially my turn.
*
That was so cool.
Kim Min-su chuckled to himself as he savored every word he had just spoken.
Coolly receiving the reward for 1st place in contribution and then throwing down the gauntlet to his rival. No matter how many times he thought about it, it was the absolute peak of coolness.
"I have to cherish this opportunity given to me by the Pure Love Diary Writer."
Both victory and defeat have a "flow."
If the humiliations he had suffered at the hands of Baek Tae-yang so far were the flow of defeat...
Then it could be said that only the flow of victory remained.
(The Pure Love Diary Writer’s Closest Associate)
Something big is coming soon.
The day of execution is the day of the festival... specifically, during tomorrow's campfire... Please look forward to it.
Let’s show them that you are the true protagonist and hero.
Let’s redo what we tried to do back then.
The message that had arrived an hour ago had provided Kim Min-su with a wealth of information.
Back then... that thing.
They must be talking about the failure to properly summon the Gate during the exchange event.
Certainly, if that worked properly this time, it was clear that Baek Tae-yang would no longer be able to play the hero.
To be precise, even if he could play a part—
"He won't be able to do it as well as me."
Finally.
Finally!
"The moment of Baek Tae-yang’s righteous discipline is coming."
Kim Min-su was eagerly looking forward to that moment.
[Festival, Bonds! An entity with the deepest bond to you prepares to reveal itself during the festival. Will you accept?]
"Absolutely not!"
This damn achievement.
His bond with the Troll was persistently interfering with him.