Translator: Wan ED/PR: Solarin
42. Price of achieving a wish (5)
Player Meister Highschool, when Ju Su-hyeok and An Dain entered the 1st year 2nd semester.
On the first day of school, the only ones attending from the 1st year class 0 were Han Yi and Dokgo Miro.
As Kim Yuri refused to attend school, there were no Playable Characters among the 1st year class 0’s students, but thanks to the homeroom teacher Ham Geun-hyeong being a Playable Character, there were a few times when the 1st year class 0 was shined on.
Before starting the quest from Ham Geun-hyeong’s point of view, if you selected the ‘check the classroom’ command, you could sometimes see Han Yi and Dokgo Miro.
Seen beyond the screen, there were many times when Han Yi had almost nothing to say, and Dokgo Miro was lying down spiritlessly.
Because of that, some comments circled between the less than a handful of PMH users.
[Looking at the description of the new NPC that came out, it seems there are descriptions alike the ‘Back alleys’ Overlord’ and ‘King of Alley Kings’. What is that? OOC[1]?]
[Doesn’t that mean it was in the past and not now~?]
Amidst being branded with those opinions, Dokgo Miro stopped attending school after Gong Cheonghwon and Han Yi left the stage.
After that, there were a few incidents that were assumed to be caused by her considering Dokgo Miro’s Gwangrim and skills, but she didn’t appear directly in the story.
Unlike that one, it seemed that this world’s Dokgo Miro was overflowing with energy.
“Raided the police station? Did you say she overpowered them?”
“Yeah. That’s some amazing skills. She left almost no trace. It seems that to prevent the Association’s tracking, she almost didn’t use the superpower wave and overpowered them with her physical power alone. It’s not a skill you see more than once or twice, eh?”
Hwang Jiho showed me a picture taken by the Ho tribe’s subordinate on the hologram.
The scene of the destroyed Gwangli Police Station and the back of Dokgo Miro, holding a baseball bat and disappearing, were deeply impressive.
‘Perhaps the ‘Alley’s Maniac’ Sawol Seeum spoke of that day was Dokgo Miro?’
There was no clear evidence at this point.
But no matter how lawless Gwangli Neighborhood was, it didn’t seem there would be several girls wandering around swinging the baseball bat full of nails.
“The troubles I have to deal with increased by one, eh?”
“Is the trouble you have to deal with related to the raid on the police station.”
“Yeah. Because this case is related to the police executives and civil servants, who are closely related to the Namkung Constructions, Namkung Heavy Industries and them.”
I vaguely guessed that before, from just the words I heard from Sawol Seeum, but now I started to become certain.
There was just one reason why the group mentioned by Hwang Jiho would try to eliminate the merely existing children’s home by even involving a service group.
“They entered to redevelop the surroundings of the Eungwang Brilliant Light Children’s Home in the Gwangli Neighborhood, huh?”
“Yeah. They might be trying to evict the children’s home by making up a plausible reason and group, but the cause is different.”
Hwang Jiho, who heard my guess, nodded his head.
I guess the high-ranking people who obtained the information about redevelopment, wanted to erase the children’s home and do a holdout.
Thanks to the Eungwang Brilliant Light Children’s Home being established at the time when the Eungwang District was nothing but rice fields and mountains, the site was spacious, so when the redevelopment started, it could score an enormous ground price.
‘But why would the Namkung Group do something like this? No matter how much money it could make, they were Korean Republic’s four great Groups… did they come out for just that profit?’
I considered the possibility of a conglomerate being involved, but I was somewhat bothered that one of the four chaebeols, Namkung Group, coming out like this.
“It seems there is an important thing involved in the redevelopment, eh?”
“Important thing?”
There was something more important beside the redevelopment?
“Korea is the place where the Power of Earth is the most powerful in the whole world, and the center of the Power of Earth of Korea is Eungwang District.”
“Is this matter related to the Power of Earth?”
“Yeah. Jin people are the only ones who can draw upon and use the Power of Earth, right? And because of this Power of Earth, Jin people flocked to the Korean Peninsula. The humans are also under the Power of Earth’s influence, but they can’t use the Power of Earth as much as Jin people.”
Why is Hwang Jiho mentioning the Power of Earth at this point?
It wasn’t that I couldn’t recall anything if we were talking about the Power of Earth.
‘Power of Earth Terminal’.
In the game, it was one of the projects which the 4 Groups’ secret war centered upon.
I couldn’t bear to mention that name straight away, so I turned around and said:
“No way… Is the facility operating on the Power of Earth planned to be built in the Gwangli Neighborhood during the redevelopment?”
“Correct. I heard that tentatively named ‘Power of Earth Terminal’ is planned to be built in the Gwangli Neighborhood.”
There was still time left until the 4 Group’s secret war scenario starts.
There is no way that the chaebeols nominally representing Korea would personally cause a secret war, but it seemed that the beginning of that secret war were deeper rooted than I thought.
“With the backing of the information I obtained using the guardian’s authority, I made a hypothesis and gave orders to the secretary, and the term Power of Earth Terminal came out, eh?”
“You also knew about that Power of Earth Terminal’s existence before?”
“Yeah. The Power of Earth Terminal was discussed before. Though, I had no idea that it was planned to be put in the Gwangli Neighborhood. Because it’s a major project that will bring a new age to the Korean Peninsula’s otherworld industry, and the constructions cost is equal to the cost of constructing the Sejongsi’s data center or the superpower wave network service, 1GG (1 Gifted Generation)’s base center.”
Hwang Jiho, who finished his explanation, looked towards me and said:
“This case is related to the Hwang Myeong Group’s interests and the divine realm Eungwang District’s security problems, so I’ll actively step up to handle it. Consult me before you move.”
I planned to gladly accept help if given, but I was bothered by the attitude as if cautioning a child.
Even so, as I nodded first, Hwang Jiho spoke with a satisfied expression.
“Jo Uisin, what did you plan to do the moment you return and enter Eungwang School? It seems you didn’t completely figure out everything about this case.”
He was quick to ask.
I guess right now in the eyes of Hwang Jiho I would look like I’m recklessly running into things.
The moment we arrived at the airport, we declared that I would be returning to Eungwang School.
The reason was simple.
“The opponent tried to take away Han Yi. They will call her out again in some way. Before that side moves, we have to protect Han Yi.”
Hwang Jiho’s face distorted.
“When I observed her, that child didn’t seem like one that would take any reckless actions.”
Considering Hang Yi’s usual disposition, it would be correct.
However, even the amazing, composed and calm Han Yi had a weakness.
“It’s a different story if they threaten her with teacher Gong Cheonghwon and Eungwang Brilliant Light Children’s Home.”
“… Should I send a subordinate to watch over her?”
“No, it’ll be okay even if we’re a bit late.”
I showed him a record of the sent device messages, as I spoke:
“Because I made preparations.”
* * *
Eungwang School’s residential zone, 1st year building.
Han Yi was currently banned from leaving her dormitory room because of the class children.
— Don’t think anything strange!
— Yep! Absolutely don’t go anywhere!
After being swept in the incident before, Sawol Seeum and Kwon Lena spoke like this, while escorting her until the dormitory door.
In the consideration of letting Han Yi rest, they left her alone, but when she checked using the Presence Trace Detection skill, the two people seemed to be keeping a watch and circling around the room door, worrying that Han Yi would leave without saying anything.
Han Yi spent an entire night without being able to sleep, and fell asleep only around the time when the sun rose, and woke up late in the afternoon.
Because she was again dreaming of the person with covered eyes appearing, even though she slept for a long time it didn’t feel like she relieved her fatigue.
Uung, uung…
The bracelet-type wearable device wasn’t resting and rang out notifying about new messages.
Han Yi checked the message window that mechanically and automatically floated up in front of her eyes.
[Lena] Let’s eat together! ⟩_⟨
[Lena] Han Yi, hey?
[Lena] Are you not hungry? ㅠ_ㅠ;;
[Lena] I went to your dormitory room, but it seemed that you were sleeping, so I’ll just go buy snacks together with Seeum!
[Lena] Hey… If it’s just okay with Han Yi, I wanted to ask senior Kwon Jane-nim for help.
[Lena] There is a Player with an international lawyer license on the Eternal Lake’s team, and they told me to make sure to contact Them if something happens!
[Lena] Think about it when you see this message and give me a reply! I’ll wait! ⟩_⟨♡
Sawol Seeum, who seemed to have gone to visit ‘MITRON’ together with Kwon Lena, also sent a message.
[Sawol Seeum] (picture)
[Sawol Seeum] (picture)
[Sawol Seeum] Which one among the snacks sold tomorrow would You like?
[Sawol Seeum] Ah, should I buy both?
[Sawol Seeum] Uisin will be here soon, so don’t worry!
… Why Jo Uisin would be coming here?
Han Yi couldn’t understand and checked the next message.
The next message came from Min Geurin.
[Geurinyi[2]] Sorry.
[Geurinyi] It’s because of me.
[Geurinyi] If only I wasn’t swallowed by fear, Lena and Seeum’s feet wouldn’t be tied to the spot.
[Geurinyi] I’m really sorry.
Even after the men from the service company all disappeared, Min Geurin crouched down and couldn’t move for a while.
Even when Kwon Lena and Sawol Seeum helped her move, and they called Min Geurin’s family to come through painter Hong Gyeongbok, Min Geurin was shaking terribly.
‘Geurin barely took off her AR glasses, but…!’
She recalled the faces of the people from the service company, who giggled when they saw the frightened Min Geurin.
When she was about to reply to Min Geurin first that she’s fine.
Uung!
The bracelet vibrated again.
The face of Han Yi, who saw the newly opened message window, stiffened.
There were several file attachments in the message window.
First, the video of her attacking the man from the service company.
Second, the picture of the man with his arm in a cast and the scan of written diagnosis.
Han Yi, who read the diagnosis, was shocked.
‘Four weeks of recovery from a fracture? I didn’t cause this much damage…!’
She could guess what happened.
The one they put in front of Han Yi to make a video was an ordinary person, not a Player, so after that, they aimed at the point Han Yi attacked and fractured the bone.
The next message was links to Gong Cheonghwon’s profile and Eungwang Brilliant Light Children’s Home’s homepage.
Gong Cheonghwon and the Children’s Home were no different from Han Yi’s family.
How it would impact the reputation of that family if it came out that the Player of theirs attacked and injured someone?
‘It would be enough for the government to cut off the children’s home’s fund support… and teacher Gong Cheonghown who barely became a full-time teacher not a long time ago…’
Just when Han Yi was about to fall into panic, a message with the address came.
[(unknown)] Today 8 pm.
There was no word besides that, but Han Yi guessed it was a threat.
If she didn’t come, it was certain something would happen to Gong Cheonghwon or the children’s home.
‘The kids are outside.’
Instead of the door, Hang Yi headed towards the balcony.
Han Yi’s room was on the 7th floor.
It was quite a way down, but considering Han Yi’s motor sense and skills, it was a distance she certainly can jump from.
‘Sorry.’
Han Yi apologized inside.
She felt sorry for her friends, who were worrying about her, but it was her problem.
And as it involved Gong Cheonghwon and the Eugnwang Brilliant Light Children’s Home’s people, who were no different from family, she didn’t have time to accept her friends’ help or worries.
Han Yi quietly opened the balcony door and used the Leap skill to jump down.
Swish! Swwish!
Han Yi’s body rushed down, horizontally to the ground.
Cutting through the humid wind, she skillfully used the Leap skill to step on the other balconies.
5th, 3rd, 1st floor.
When Han Yi, who in an instant landed on the ground, was about to use her Leap skill again and move to leave the school.
Someone blocked Han Yi’s path forward.
“Leaving and entering the dormitory building through windows is a violation of school rules. Though the class 0’s children don’t care very much about the rules… it’s the first time someone among the 1st year class 0’s students broke the school rules, eh?”
Han Yi, who saw the other party’s face, opened her eyes wide.
It was a being, who almost fully occupied her mind, together with the children’s home just now.
“Teacher Gong Cheonghwon-nim…!”
After she called out his name, Gong Cheonghwon smiled softly as if in response.
“It’s the first time I saw Han Yi break the school or dormitory rules since You became a highschool student.”
Gong Cheonghwon spoke with a kind and good-natured smile like usual.
“Can You tell me what happened?”
* * *
At the same time, Eungwang School Research zone, Gwangrim Research building no. 4, Silver Shadow (Eunyeong) Building.
As he finished processing the school administration work early today, he was heading towards the Silver Shadow (Eunyeong) Building.
‘I’m bothered by Baekho-nim and ‘impostor’…’
Baek-ho stopped Kim Sinrok from torturing the ‘impostor’ before.
The observation and records were allowed, but somehow he couldn’t let go of his doubts.
‘Baekho-nim doesn’t plan to come today, so let’s review the records in the meantime and do a simple interrogation…’
Kim Sinrok’s thoughts halted at the appearance of a being he couldn’t expect.
He saw Baek-ho, disguised as a human, just stepping out from the Silver Shadow (Eunyeong) Building.
“Baekho-nim? I heard You’re not coming today…”
“…”
Baek-ho closed his mouth tightly and looked at Kim Sinrok without a word.
Kim Sinrok, who felt somehow cold, halted in his words.
“Hwang-ho returned earlier than expected. I have no time to convince you now.”
Baek-ho spoke about some unknown reasons.
When Kim Sinrok was about to ask what he meant and when Hwang-ho returned.
“I’m sorry.”
Paat!
The surroundings reflected in the Baek-ho’s eyes were filled with the white superpower wave.
Kim Sinrok, caught in the ‘Brilliant Gaze’ stiffened.
As the Ho tribe descendant, Kim Sinrok couldn’t resist Baek-ho.
Though, even if he could resist, he wouldn’t be able to lift a blade against his master.
“Baekho-nim, why….”
Kim Sinrok opened his mouth with difficulty, but he lost consciousness at the same moment he felt a strong pain in the back of his neck.
When Baek-ho, who moved the fainted Kim Sinrok inside the Silver Shadow (Eunyeong) Building, came out again.
Baek-ho was standing side by side with the ‘impostor’ whose limbs were completely intact.
*~*~*
[1] OOC — Out of Character
[2] Geurinyi — ‘Geurin’ means green (or to paint when conjugated), so it sounds like Han Yi nicknamed her Green or Painting (an action of painting). Or perhaps she just added ‘-i (이, here transcribed as yi) to make it sound cuter/ softer, as you usually add -i like that to the names.
Translator’s note: Chapter (2)13 and 5? Hehehe… Fun things. (And of course Han Yi is on the 7th floor.)
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