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[Chapter 130]
[Cutting to the Chase (3)]
In his previous life, he was a player who contributed to subjugating the 3rd-rank over-rank monster King of Lizards.
"...I heard you went to Japan this time? I thought our final evaluation was the toughest ever, but after hearing that story, I changed my mind."
"Right, right. When I heard that too, I thought the academy had gone completely mad. I heard you had a hard time there? It must have been really tough."
And his childhood friend Yeowoobi.
In her previous life, she who died at the hands of the King of Lizards greeted Eunha happily.
Eunha welcomed the two he hadn't seen in a long time without letting his guard down.
"Didn't hyung and noona just return from working as trainees at a clan? How was clan life?"
"Don't even mention it. I never knew clan life could be so stifling. It really doesn't seem to suit me at all."
"Well... yeah. Contrary to what we thought, clan culture is too vertical. We just went and did a bunch of menial tasks as trainees."
Yoo Namhoon and Yeowoobi.
The reason he formed a connection with these two, who he didn't have much of a relationship with in his previous life, was because the three of them were alumni who graduated from the same elementary school.
The three who recognized each other in the Middle School Academy had been keeping in touch occasionally since then.
Of course, it wasn't just Eunha.
Other friends also knew the two through their connection to Doan Elementary School.
Moreover, the two were also receiving support from Alice Group.
"Oh, really? Noona, could you tell me which clan you worked at as a trainee?"
"Sure, why not. It's not hard to share this kind of thing. It was KK Clan."
Minji asked Yeowoobi.
Soon other friends also showed interest in her question.
Yeowoobi casually shared stories with them, while Yoo Namhoon chimed in beside her.
"...Actually, I wanted to work as a trainee at Regulus Clan, but the competition was too high so I failed. The clan's evaluation has skyrocketed since senior Euna joined."
"That place is no joke. To be honest, I thought I might fail. I just didn't think I'd actually fail..."
Eunha nodded as he listened to their story.
It's true that Regulus Clan's influence had increased compared to before, triggered by Euna and Ryu Yeonhwa joining.
Some even said it was rated higher than Zenith Clan, which was considered the pinnacle.
It was understandable.
Well, Zenith Clan is actively sponsored by the Mana Management Organization and Galaxy Group, so it can't be helped.
Moreover, Twelve Seats player Ji Yonghyun is also a successor to
Zenith Clan was a clan created by
As such, it had a long history and tradition, and also received strong trust from the Fairy Government.
So if you only looked at the clan's abilities, Regulus Clan could be rated higher.
"Then are hyung and noona planning to join Regulus after graduating?"
Eunha interjected into the conversation.
The two seemed to be particularly considering joining Regulus Clan.
According to his memory, in his previous life, the two didn't join any clan.
Yoo Namhoon even preferred solo play after his party disbanded.
But Eunha's thoughts were just unfounded concerns.
The two smiled bitterly.
"No. I thought about it at first, but somehow clan life doesn't seem to suit me. I prefer moving freely."
"That too, but... It wouldn't be easy for both of us to enter the same clan, and even if we did, there's no guarantee we could work together. So we decided to form a party together."
Yoo Namhoon said sheepishly, and Yeowoobi supplemented his words.
Yeowoobi said the reason they came to the end-of-semester party was also to find people to recruit for their party.
Indeed, as she said, the end-of-semester party was suitable for building friendships with people.
"By the way, you guys are participating in this game too, right?"
"Of course! I'm definitely doing it! Hey, you guys are doing it too, right!?"
Yoo Namhoon spoke as if he just remembered.
The friends responded affirmatively. Especially Jin Parang, whose eyes lit up as he bounced up and down in his seat.
Eunha finally stepped back from them and looked around.
Where is On Taeyang?
Tonight.
The starting point of
On Taeyang will take a step forward as a hero, gaining the admiration of students.
It's the event where On Taeyang awakens.
Eunha was waiting for that moment.
On Taeyang's power is absolutely necessary to subjugate the 2nd-rank monster Maegu.
Even if I can't get On Taeyang in my party... I need to help
2nd-rank monster Maegu.
On Taeyang's power was inevitable for subjugating it.
So Eunha really wanted to confirm On Taeyang awakening and being reborn as
...There are so many people, I can't tell where he is.
The problem was that he couldn't find On Taeyang among the many people.
Eunha was at a loss.
Then—
"—Ah, found him."
After looking around.
Eunha found ivory-colored hair that particularly stood out among the people.
It was Cho Ara.
And not far from her, he discovered On Taeyang surrounded by people.
Soon Eunha frowned.
"Why is she alone over there?"
Cho Ara is just standing there holding a glass.
The sight looks very awkward.
Eunha moved his steps towards her.
☆
The day she quit the cultural exploration club.
More precisely, since the day On Taeyang and No Eunha completely opposed each other.
Cho Ara's relationships at the academy became extremely narrow.
It was inevitable.
Academy, dormitory, and additionally training ground.
Following an almost unchanging daily routine with On Taeyang, there was no variety in meeting people.
"Taeyang is absorbed in talking with them... Pay some attention to me too..."
Of course, there were students she got along with well.
Even now, they were chatting animatedly with Taeyang.
But they were just Taeyang's friends, not her own friends.
"He really has no tact... Just because you're close with them doesn't mean I'm close with them too..."
Even if she said this, On Taeyang wouldn't understand.
Sometimes his confident way of speaking proudly among people looked cool, but sometimes his tactless behavior made her feel stifled.
Unable to mix in with them, Cho Ara unconsciously sighed.
Well... It's not that I can't get along, but I don't want to force myself into the conversation.
Of course, the students weren't ignoring her.
The students currently crowded around On Taeyang.
Those receiving support from Galaxy Group often showed goodwill towards her too.
However, when talking with them, nine times out of ten it would devolve into badmouthing others.
What's so fun about badmouthing others that they always talk about such things?
And those guys, while pretending not to, subtly try to put me down.
Moreover, there were times when they badmouthed each other.
Yet when they faced each other, they acted as if nothing had happened, which felt very uncomfortable.
In that way.
Perhaps they were badmouthing her behind her back too.
Thinking that, Cho Ara found it hard to approach them.
"I don't want to be alone either... Should I go back to the dormitory after a little while?"
Even now, they're badmouthing others.
Choi Ga-in didn't attend the party either, so they were huddled together whispering amongst themselves.
They were glancing at her, pressuring her to choose a side.
In the end, Cho Ara, who didn't want to take either side, was looking for the right moment to slip away.
Just then—
"—Why are you standing alone quietly?"
"Ah."
No Eunha spoke to her.
Cho Ara was startled to see him, then immediately focused her eyes on him.
No Eunha tilted his head with a puzzled expression.
As if asking what he had done wrong.
Cho Ara spoke in a deliberately stern tone—
"—I saw everything you did earlier. No matter what, you shouldn't do that to seniors!"
"If they picked a fight, they should know they have to pay the price."
"Still, that was too much. Looking at the face of the person carried away earlier, I felt bad."
"They deserved it."
"No Eunha's personality..."
"Huh? How do you know that phrase?"
"Minji told me...?"
"That Min Minji again..."
The conversation veered off course while trying to scold No Eunha's actions.
Nevertheless, Cho Ara enjoyed talking with Eunha.
Other people wouldn't know.
What kind of person No Eunha is.
This guy Eunha, despite his appearance, is not authoritarian and accepts things well.
And that's not all.
He's mature and thoughtful, and also takes good care of others.
It was the same now.
Eunha must have come looking for her because he was worried about her being left out alone.
While pretending not to be.
Cho Ara looked at him with a sullen face and giggled softly.
"But somehow you look tired?"
"...Huh?"
Suddenly No Eunha stared intently.
Cho Ara was startled and brought her hands to her face.
She didn't expect him to notice.
Even On Taeyang hadn't said anything.
"...I haven't been able to sleep at all lately preparing for final exams. I'm dying of fatigue because of that."
"I could tell from when I sent you a message at dawn."
"I was lying down to sleep then?"
"You're lying."
She wanted to go home, but heard that first year first semester end-of-semester parties were implicitly mandatory to attend.
So she had dragged her fatigued body to the party with great effort.
She had applied slightly heavier makeup than usual to hide her tired face, but.
He saw right through it.
What's with this guy.
How does he know my changes so well?
Half surprised.
And half flustered.
She was surprised by his perceptiveness, but inwardly felt good.
While trying to act as nonchalant as possible to not show it.
"When you're tired, it's good to drink until you pass out and sleep. But I don't recommend wine. You're better off drinking soju instead."
Then Eunha pointed to the soju on one side of the table.
She, holding a glass of red wine, shook her head.
"How can I drink soju in a place like this?"
"What's wrong with drinking what you want? It's not like this is a formal occasion."
"Still, there's such a thing as mood!"
Cho Ara protested passionately.
From the start, there wasn't a single person drinking soju among those attending the party.
She could be laughed at for not reading the atmosphere.
But No Eunha said, to hell with the mood.
Of course, there was no way she would quietly listen to his words.
She retorted that it was absurd.
"Then want to have a drink of soju after this is over? We were planning to have a team dinner soon anyway."
"...Team dinner?"
"We're going to grill samgyeopsal. Honestly, it's inconvenient to eat here, right? So we're going to eat comfortably among ourselves. What do you think?"
"...Can I come too?"
"Why wouldn't you be able to?"
No Eunha faction's samgyeopsal team dinner.
Invited by Eunha, she immediately showed a hesitant expression.
Although she was close with Seona and Eunwoo, she wasn't close with the entire No Eunha faction.
There could be people who would find it unpleasant if an outsider attended without knowing better.
Cho Ara knew how to read the atmosphere.
"Why? Don't you like samgyeopsal?"
"It's not that I don't like it..."
"Then come. Come have a drink."
"...Can I really come?"
"Everyone will like it."
"Hmm... I'm really coming?"
"I'm telling you to really come."
"What if... What if the kids there don't like me?"
"Then I'll set up a separate grill just for you."
"You jerk!"
"I'm telling you not to worry because that won't happen."
"...Okay. I'll come too. I haven't had samgyeopsal in a long time anyway!"
She pondered for a long time.
It seemed she deliberated even longer than for the selection exam.
Finally, she made a decision.
Once she made up her mind, she started to feel more and more excited.
But just then—
"—Cho Ara!"
""...""
As if cold water had been poured over them.
She and Eunha stopped their conversation at the voice that came from ahead.
There was no way they wouldn't recognize this voice.
"What are you doing over there? I've been looking for you this whole time."
It was On Taeyang.
He who had been distracted talking with friends until just moments ago was now glaring at her with fire in his eyes.
Meanwhile, he treated Eunha as if he didn't exist.
"The game is about to start soon, so stop standing there and come here."
"...Uh... okay, I'm coming! Wait...!"
"Hurry up. Hold my hand tight. It's crowded with people around, what if we get separated?"
Suddenly he strode over and grabbed her wrist.
Then he glared fiercely at No Eunha who was behind her shoulder and abruptly turned around.
"Tae, Taeyang! I can walk on my own..."
"Ara. I told you, didn't I? There's nothing good about hanging out with that guy. Did you see his face? I could see him hitting on you while pretending not to. That ugly bastard..."
"...He's not ugly."
"What? What did you just say?"
"He's charming. Very much so. That's what I think..."
"Him? You just don't know men, but to my eyes, I can see all his thoughts of trying to do something to you."
On Taeyang rambles on.
It's impossible to persuade him once he starts talking heatedly.
Sometimes he seems cool when he's full of confidence, but other times he seems so stubborn it's frustrating.
But what can I do.
This is Taeyang's charm.
Striving to achieve what he's decided on, never giving up and working hard.
Cho Ara finally sighed.
It was both understanding and resignation.
"...Ah."
As she was being pulled along by him holding her hand.
She looked back.
Eunha was faintly visible in the distance.
He was doing something strange, visible through the gaps between people.
Focusing her eyes, she could see him cupping his hand as if holding a smartphone and bringing it to his ear.
He slowly waves that hand.
It was a gesture saying he would call later to let her know the team dinner location.
Cho Ara smiled slightly.
"What did you just say?"
"What did I do?"
"Didn't you just say something?"
"No. I didn't do anything. More importantly, let's hurry. You're participating in the game, right? We should go line up first."
Cho Ara pushed On Taeyang's back as if urging him.
Then she turned her head back.
She mouthed words.
Make sure to call later!
☆
Night had completely fallen.
The instructors set off magic to brighten the night sky.
The luminous body that rose in the sky soon illuminated the lake that was about to be engulfed in darkness.
"—There is an old legend in the Player Academy."
At that time, students surrounded the lake.
The first-year head teacher opened his mouth and spoke to the audience.
The students' gazes turn red. They clench their fists.
From now on, the game begins.
"The artifact sleeping beneath the lake at the Academy awaits its owner. Whoever becomes its owner will become a hero who brings light to this world. This is a message from the current player, Yun Seong-jin, 12th rank, 34 years ago."
The first-year general teacher speaks calmly.
As students listen to his story, each of them yearns for the legend.
"─I sincerely hope that a hero will emerge from among you this year."
This night is illuminated by dim light.
People begin a festival to anticipate the birth of a hero.