Chapter 85: I Should... Probably Move
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 85: I Should... Probably Move
[Was Cadet Kim Min-su’s Fainting Due to a Reckless Raid Attempt? Netizens are Abuzz]
[Baek Tae-yang Clears Another S-Class Gate. Is It Even Right to Call Him a Cadet?]
[Cadet Kim Min-su’s Bottomless Descent! The Walls of Victory Academy Were Simply Too High!]
[Following the ‘Min-su’s Scream’ Meme, the ‘Fainting Min-su’ Meme is Born. Will Emoticons Be Released? I Want One!]
[The White Hair and Tan Craze! Is Baek Tae-yang the Trend? Why Are Bad Boys So Popular? I’m Jealous]
[Baek Tae-yang Actively Defends Cadet Kim Min-su! A Perfect Man with Character to Match—But Even He Couldn't Win Over Lee Yeo-ryeong, the 35th Generation Descendant of the Chungmu Lee Clan]
[Kang Tae-min’s Spectacular Resurrection! “My Thanks to Hunter Baek Tae-yang for Giving Me Another Chance...” Followed by a Bold Declaration of Donation...]
[Even Baek Tae-yang Enjoys Eating This! Let’s Find Out What It Is]
[How Much Does Melanie’s Outfit Cost? Digging Into Her Perfect ‘Rich Young Lady’ Vibe]
Articles were pouring out.
It was Baek Tae-yang here, Baek Tae-yang there.
If something had even a speck of relation to Baek Tae-yang, it was turned into an article immediately.
Barely calming my trembling chin fat, I switched the screen on my phone.
There was no need to read any more news since they were all the same, so I opened Wetube.
—Are you saying you called an Opener and entered the Gate because you were worried Cadet Kim Min-su would fail his solo raid?
—Yes, that’s correct. Clearing an S-Class solo isn't something just anyone can do. Since it’s a fact many people are aware of, I felt I had to step in and provide support immediately.
—In that case, you could have requested support from an S-Class Hunter. Why did you insist on going in yourself? As a fellow cadet, wasn't your challenge just as uncertain?
—Because I’ve already proven myself.
—Oh... Ohhh...
No matter which button I pressed on Wetube, a video of Baek Tae-yang’s interview appeared.
It was practically embedded in every related video, which wasn't surprising.
He had held the number one spot on the trending videos list for two days straight.
—There are rumors that the weapon you’re using is the First Series currently under development by the Kaivan Group. Is that true?
—Yes, it is. Melanie will explain this in more detail later, but... to put it simply, you can think of it as a custom weapon made specifically for me.
—If it’s not too much trouble, could you demonstrate how it works just once?
—I can. But if you’re too close, you might get hurt...
—Hey! You lot, get back! If we don't secure enough distance and he can't operate it properly, you're all dead!
—Who do you think you are, talking like that?!
—I’m the Director of TVG!
—My apologies! Everyone, get back!
Wetube was playing the videos automatically even though I hadn't clicked them.
I wanted to hurl my phone at the floor right then and there, but I couldn't because Min-su appeared occasionally.
With a heavy heart, I clicked on ‘Live from the Scene! Baek Tae-yang’s Press Conference!’
—Oh... Ohhh... He looks a bit like the heroes we used to see in the past.
—There’s something about it that strikes a chord in a man’s heart. And perhaps because Hunter Baek Tae-yang is wearing it, it looks even cooler...
—You flatter me. If there are no more questions, may I head out?
—Lastly, can we know the reason for Cadet Kim Min-su’s fainting?
—Ah, that... As I mentioned earlier, since the Gate was a confrontation-type, a clash with Min-su was inevitable.
—Does that mean Cadet Kim Min-su lost in that confrontation...?
—I’d prefer to say that we both did our best.
—...!
"Eeeek...!"
Chubby Ahn couldn't contain his rage and threw his phone onto the soft bed.
"You brainless sheep! You're incompetent, passive, and believe everything you're told without a second thought! You don't know the real truth! To think I'm the only one who knows Baek Tae-yang was the one interfering!"
He felt like writing a post online and exposing everything.
However, Chubby Ahn also knew how powerful the momentum of a celebrity riding a wave was, so he couldn't move rashly.
If he wrote something now, he’d likely be hit with nonsensical insults, being called jealous or worse.
"Huff... puff... Whatever... I'll just... I'll just watch TV."
Perhaps it was the price of consuming too much power.
He wanted to rouse Noble immediately and strike Baek Tae-yang down, but it wasn't feasible.
Because Min-su had failed to monopolize the Gate rewards, he had overexerted his authority to smooth things over.
As soon as Chubby Ahn turned on the TV, his brow furrowed.
—Now then! Today, we’re looking for the hottest topic you’ve all been waiting for! Awakener Harvest Festival! Let’s begin!
—Wow~ We even have a special guest today! Our viewers are curious, aren't they?
—I’m very curious too!
—Then we should introduce him quickly. It’s the Opener who signaled the resurrection of Openers by opening the Chunhyangjeon Gate twice recently—Opener Kang Tae-min!
—Kyaaa!!! It’s my first time seeing him in person!!!
Doom doom doom doom doom
Flashy music erupted, and Kang Tae-min appeared amidst multicolored lights.
A man who would normally only appear on the news due to the Don Quixote Gate incident was now appearing on the hottest variety program.
The guy who was originally set to be Kim Min-su’s supporter was now showing up wearing a T-shirt with Baek Tae-yang’s face on it.
—Hello.
—Yes, hello! You’re much more handsome than I heard.
—Haha, isn't that all thanks to Hunter Baek Tae-yang?
—Is that so? Well, since we’ve mentioned Hunter Baek Tae-yang, shall we hear the behind-the-scenes story of the Chunhyangjeon Gate and the myth of Opener Kang Tae-min’s resurrection?
—I’d love to. I...
"Stop! Stop it! Why is everyone only looking for Baek Tae-yang!"
The news!
Wetube!
The TV!
Everything was talking about nothing but Baek Tae-yang.
Academy Pure Love Diary wasn't a novel meant to be like this.
Normally, the story should focus intensely on Kim Min-su, for Kim Min-su, and by Kim Min-su.
He couldn't believe that the entire story was being ruined because of a single person, Baek Tae-yang.
To think he would even break the perfect ‘Hero Min-su Growth Plan’ and snatch the rewards.
"Is that guy actually a genius...?"
Chubby Ahn glanced at the plan on the table and began searching for where it had all gone wrong.
"Was giving him choices the mistake...? Should I have just given him one? But I already used so much authority to create an S-Class Gate... I didn't even consider it... I thought, obviously... even if Baek Tae-yang intervened...! No, so... still, I protected a few things, so it should be fine..."
He had already lost over 20% of the protagonist's share.
He didn't know who had issued that ridiculous NTL Quest, but they were definitely a wicked bastard.
Why did they hate the idea of Min-su living a fluffy, harem pure-love life with multiple girls so much?
"I’m... I’m the author who wrote this novel... So why can't I do what I want! I had so many amazing plans for Min-su..."
Chubby Ahn decided he could no longer leave Min-su alone.
If he couldn't break through the situation with his own power, couldn't someone else help him?
"Prepare yourself, The Devil Chaos King...! I have no choice but to move up the schedule... Contact Kim Min-su immediately!"
Chubby Ahn quickly pulled a mask over his head and spoke again.
"Yes, I understand... Do not worry anymore and rest easy... If Liu Bei had Zhuge Liang, then Min-su has me, The Devil Chaos Ultra King, does he not?"
This time, Chubby Ahn took off the mask and put on an arrogant expression.
"Why did you add 'Ultra'?"
"It’s the best thing these days."
"Impressive."
Repeating the process of putting on and taking off the mask, Chubby Ahn laughed boisterously.
He was becoming quite accustomed to playing two roles at once.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
==================================
Congratulations!
You have met both the Gate Clear conditions and the Ending conditions!
According to the laws of a confrontation-type Gate, you monopolize all rewar%$) @$)
'Brush Sword' is excluded from the rewards.
'Main Skill Enhancement' is excluded from the rewards.
You have acquired the remaining rewards, excluding the two mentioned above!
As a reward, the skill 'Smite' is enhanced!
'Smite' has been enhanced to 'Single-Point Concentration (S)'!
Single-Point Concentration (S) :: An evolved form of the 'Smite' skill that allows for easier concentration of power.
As a special reward, you have acquired [Summon Skill - Seong Chun-hyang]!
As explained previously, Chun-hyang may occasionally manifest even if not summoned.
Please be careful!
The 'Corrupt Official' attribute is added to [Racial Skill - Demonization]!
The physical burden after Demonization is reduced.
The appearance of Demonization changes slightly according to the influence of 'Corrupt Official.'
Searching for rewards to replace the excluded ones...
Analyzing based on the weapon used in the Gate...
Determined to be of the 'Club' category...
Drawing out an appropriate reward...
....
...
..
.
The artifact 'Club of Heracles' is granted!
==================================
"What? Is this it?"
For clearing an S-Class Gate, the rewards were incredibly lackluster.
Despite saying the winner takes all, the most important 'Brush Sword' and 'Main Skill Enhancement' were excluded.
I didn't know what method he used, but Chubby Ahn must have intervened.
Of course, he gave me replacement rewards, but I couldn't shake the unpleasant feeling.
I knew Chubby Ahn would interfere, but...
I knew it in my head, but I couldn't help being angry.
I was the one who won, so why was Kim Min-su getting the most important core rewards?
Furthermore, I had only just realized that Kim Min-su had already received Gate clear rewards.
To think such a secret was hidden behind his sudden surge in strength and that weapon I’d never seen before.
But even after all that, he lost to me.
In fact, that might be why he desperately blocked the rewards from coming to me.
If I had taken the excluded rewards as well, Kim Min-su wouldn't even be a match for me anymore.
Still, it wasn't all bad.
If it was the Club of Heracles, wasn't that the legendary item from myth?
It might have incredible power hidden within.
Just as I was about to pick up the Club of Heracles that had dropped in front of me.
An unexpected voice suddenly piped up.
"So this is where my Lord lives! This young girl, Chun-hyang, feels her heart fluttering already at the thought of living happily ever after with my Lord! Now then, first, let us bathe together and share the bonds of our bodies and souls..."
"...What?"
"It is Seong Chun-hyang, my Lord. Have you already forgotten the passionate affection we shared? I haven't forgotten for a single moment, always fretting over what I would do if I were separated from my Lord..."
"..."
So this is what it meant by being summoned at will?
There wasn't even a precursor to the summoning.
Chun-hyang stuck close to my side as naturally as if she had lived in this house for years.
The sentence about her being able to manifest on her own upon perfect training flashed through my mind.
But I didn't have a choice.
The clear condition was to perfectly train Seong Chun-hyang.
This was a total trap.
Living with a woman in the men's dormitory?
No matter how open-minded the Victory Academy dorms were, this was crossing the line by a mile.
Even if I explained the situation to Chun-hyang, it didn't seem like she would care.
If she were the type to care, she wouldn't have popped out before I even called her.
I need to move.
Even if she was a summoned beast, Chun-hyang was a woman.
Of course, it would be fine if she stayed quiet, but even now, she was taking off her clothes and rubbing against me.
If I wasn't careful, the sound of a woman’s moans might echo through the men's dormitory every single day.
I was in a situation where I was forced to move out.
...Should I go to a real estate agent...
At that time, I didn't know.
Just how big of an incident my decision to move would trigger.