488

 [Chapter 135]

[A World That Doesn't Go As Planned (3)]

At first, she thought it was an illusion.

Just as she was getting immersed in the beauty of fireworks blooming in the night sky.

Shin Seo-young was startled to feel an ominous energy.

...Omnipresence? Monsters?

Unlike the direction the fireworks were rising.

She felt a change of unknown mana energy rapidly expanding and contracting from behind.

The first phenomenon that came to mind was omnipresence.

But it was strange for omnipresence.

If it was omnipresence occurring, there should have been some sign.

There's no way people at the academy wouldn't have noticed.

While people's attention was diverted.

Shin Seo-young tried to grasp the situation while riding the wind and rising up.

It couldn't be omnipresence.

The academy wouldn't miss signs of omnipresence.

Even so, the energy being felt was clearly that of monsters.

Where on earth did they appear from?

"Is it terrorism..."

She who had the academy below her feet muttered while deploying a detection net.

In cases where monsters suddenly appeared, there were only two possibilities that could be thought of.

Either monsters invaded the academy, or someone used magic stones as a medium to make monsters appear.

The latter possibility was high.

Because the academy was constantly protected by protective magic.

If monsters had invaded from outside, the protective magic would have reacted long ago.

So since that didn't happen, she could only think it occurred from inside, not outside.

It's terrorism.

"Security may have loosened a bit during the cultural festival period but... What gutsy bastard thought to release monsters in the academy?"

Just then.

The beings caught in the detection net suddenly multiplied.

The monsters had reproduced.

Shin Seo-young irritably messed up her hair.

There were more things to think about.

It became a headache.

"Why at this time of all times..."

She suppresses her irritation while hurriedly moving by riding the wind.

At this time when many people are visiting the academy.

Monsters appeared at the academy that trains players to protect the country from monsters.

There was no greater disgrace than that.

Above all, if there were casualties—

"—Shit..."

She ends up spitting out a curse.

She landed on the ground while tearing apart monsters with bizarre forms using wind blades.

Casualties had already occurred.

There were injured people too.

A civilian is screaming while clutching a dangling arm. Blood drips to the ground.

There were also several corpses rolling on the ground.

Damn it.

The sound of fireworks exploding is drowning out all surrounding sounds.

As a result, even though monsters appeared, some people didn't even know about the existence of people screaming.

She launched her body while entrusting the injured people to players.

Who on earth did this? For what purpose?

While tearing apart monsters that seemed like flesh had swollen grotesquely.

Shin Seo-young flew straight towards the direction where the largest energy was felt.

And she couldn't help but be terrified seeing the monster being subdued by players.

"...Choi Ga-in?"

A being beyond biological norms.

Though the lower body has an appearance unclear if it's a spider or ant.

The upper body vaguely had a human form.

That human closely resembled Galaxy Group's direct descendant.

It's Choi Ga-in.

Uu..., uu...ah...uuugh...

The monster groans.

Shin Seo-young went right up close to the monster and carefully examined her face.

It was indeed Choi Ga-in.

Only then could she grasp the entire series of events.

"This is crazy..."

It couldn't be worse.

Terrorism was a problem, but the current situation was even more problematic than terrorism.

For some unknown reason, Choi Ga-in had a mana runaway and became a monster.

She is Galaxy Group's direct descendant.

That meant this situation could be interpreted as potentially devolving into a more political meaning.

"—Don't kill her. Subdue her as is."

Shin Seo-young deployed a wind barrier while blocking firework sounds from invading the surroundings.

Then she immediately told the players who had captured Choi Ga-in.

That she is Galaxy Group's direct descendant.

The moment she said those words, they grasped the situation and their faces hardened.

Of course they did.

...We might turn Galaxy Group into an enemy if we make a mistake.

The problem was no small matter.

The academy could escape to some extent from what Choi Ga-in had done.

This could be said to be Choi Ga-in's personal responsibility.

Though they couldn't completely avoid the issue of responsibility.

But what she was worried about wasn't the academy's responsibility issue, but Galaxy Group.

"Quickly contact the instructors and tell them to subjugate the monsters roaming around. And do you know the extent of damages?"

"I've already told other instructors and some clans said they would help too. From what we've grasped, there are 3 fatalities, and the injured..."

A direct descendant is that group's image.

When this incident is conveyed to people.

People will inevitably associate Choi Ga-in with Galaxy Group.

In other words, Choi Ga-in, "Galaxy Group's direct descendant", had a mana runaway and caused casualties.

Therefore, Galaxy Group should take responsibility.

Whether Galaxy Group is at fault or not, they won't be able to avoid public criticism.

Galaxy Group will naturally take responsibility according to public opinion.

And they will end up expressing their resentment towards the situation that made them take responsibility to others.

"You all probably know but..."

"We know too. So... since her breathing has stopped anyway, it seems better to just leave her be like this."

Galaxy Group will surely not leave alone the person who killed Choi Ga-in who turned into a monster.

Because 'he' not only killed her, but it's no different from lowering Galaxy Group's status.

That's why the players are currently subduing her and leaving her be until her breath stops.

The person responsible for Choi Ga-in's death won't be able to guarantee their future.

"But who made her this state..."

"It's No Eunha."

"...What?"

"I'm not sure either, but No Eunha did this to Ga-in to save people..."

Hearing the name No Eunha.

Shin Seo-young soon frowned.

While feeling uneasy that he seemed to have plotted something.

She chewed her lips.

"How many people saw Eunha dealing with her?"

"The people who saw Eunha subjugating her..."

"Not subjugating, dealing with."

"Ah, yes. The people who saw Eunha dealing with her... must be quite many. Since it's the cultural festival period now..."

"...Haa... I see. Then where is Eunha now?"

No Eunha is causing trouble again.

She thought about just making him incur Galaxy Group's resentment like this, but couldn't be so heartless.

In the end, Shin Seo-young decided to create a scenario that No Eunha did deal with her, but in the end many people gathered and made Choi Ga-in this state.

By doing so, she tried to avoid Galaxy Group's resentment.

But—

—Kiaaaaaaaaaah—!!!

Choi Ga-in who should have been nearly dead.

For some reason, she suddenly recovered her body and started rampaging.

The players separated from her who was thrashing about.

They only aimed their weapons at her who was rioting, unable to rashly attack.

Then—

—Mana Crusher

No Eunha caused trouble again.

Shin Seo-young couldn't help but be startled seeing No Eunha who suddenly popped out attack her.

Does this kid have any sense right now or not!?

Choi Ga-in must not be killed.

I don't know if he knows.

No, he's probably doing this knowing.

This will really cause big trouble.

Shin Seo-young hurriedly rushed out.

☆

Things have gotten properly tangled.

Not only did he lose Moon's Blessing, but casualties occurred due to Choi Ga-in who transformed into a monster.

The fact that the matter he tried to handle quietly can no longer be done so.

Moreover, he who spent time with Choi Ga-in won't be able to avoid suspicious gazes from people.

Eunha couldn't help but be irritated.

Twenty-five will probably take care of erasing my traces on his own but...

Above all, the most irritating thing was that he could no longer use Choi Ga-in.

She needed to live for a long time.

Then she would have become a villainess and an existence that slows Galaxy Group's development.

"...I'm cold..."

"Wear this at least."

Eunha checked Yoon I-byeol's condition while taking his eyes off Choi Ga-in subdued by players.

She who was covered in sticky liquid shivered.

Eunha took off his blazer jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

Then she snuggled into his arms just like that.

"Just a little... let me stay like this a little longer."

"Okay, you must have been very scared?"

Eunha stroked her head while falling into thought.

Since Choi Ga-in became a monster, he had no choice but to give up on her.

It might be for the better.

Because he could now kill her since her usefulness had fallen.

Still, it's a shame.

When killing her... I wanted to kill her while tormenting her more.

He wanted to kill Choi Ga-in cruelly.

He wanted to kill her while watching her beg to be killed.

But she will just die in vain as a monster, like other monsters.

Just then.

—Kiaaaaaaaaaah—!!!

A scream suddenly heard from behind.

Eunha turned around.

For some unknown reason, Choi Ga-in who recovered her body was rampaging madly.

Players were only keeping her in check, unable to properly deal with her.

The reason they were keeping her in check was obvious.

They wouldn't want to incur Galaxy Group's resentment.

"...Huh?"

"Wait here for a moment."

"U-Eunha, where are you going!?"

Eunha quickly dropped Yoon I-byeol snuggled in his arms and got up.

He left her behind and attacked Choi Ga-in who was rioting.

Winter Blooming Coldly flashed its blade and cut her lower back.

She screams and collapses.

She who fell to the ground grasps the dirt with her one remaining hand.

As if she doesn't want to die.

Ah...auu...aaaah...

She makes sounds similar to human speech and tries to move forward even by crawling.

She who always only looked down on people was struggling to live, not caring about the people looking down on her now.

Thud

And Eunha also kicked Choi Ga-in without caring.

Her body twisted sideways from the mana-infused strike.

Nevertheless, she ignored Eunha and wriggled trying to escape this place.

Stab

Eunha deeply stabbed his sword into her lower body.

Choi Ga-in screamed.

Blue blood gushed when he pulled out the sword.

"Because of you..."

Many people are watching.

Nevertheless, Eunha didn't hesitate.

He carries it out knowing he will incur Galaxy Group's resentment.

That's how much resentment he harbored towards her from his previous life.

Though it may be dismissed as something no one remembers.

No, precisely because of that.

—Because I remember. I can't just let you die peacefully like this.

Eunha stepped on her wrist and crushed it with all his might.

Though he knew it was nothing more than venting, he didn't want to let her die like this.

Even if he kills her, he will kill her himself.

That's how much resentment he had towards Choi Ga-in.

Above all, she repeatedly messed up his plans in his previous life, and messed them up in this life too.

He had to vent his anger.

That's when.

"—No Eunha, stop."

A voice infused with mana.

Eunha who was about to trample Choi Ga-in was caught by binding magic.

Eunha couldn't move his body.

The more Eunha resisted the magic, the more tightly the binding magic tried to constrain him.

In the end, Eunha had no choice but to listen to Shin Seo-young's words showing a cold expression.

"What disgraceful behavior is this in front of people. Are you a player or a murderer? How are you any different from those bastards worse than beasts if you do this? Don't try to insult death like that."

Eunha collapsed with a groan.

Shin Seo-young who threatened him punched Eunha's face with all her might.

Eunha didn't avoid it.

Though he could easily avoid her punch if he wanted to, he chose to be hit.

Her words were right.

He did show disgraceful behavior.

He was hit because he knew he did wrong.

Above all—

"—You know I won't let you off later."

Eunha knew she threw a punch in front of many people to protect him.

Eunha nodded while rubbing his swollen cheek.

Even so, he didn't want to just quietly back down like this.

"I'll handle it."

"Did you not hear me?"

"Since I took her down, I should kill her too."

She hit really hard.

Eunha spat out phlegm mixed with blood on the ground with a plop.

Meanwhile, Shin Seo-young got intensely angry hearing his words.

[Are you really doing this because you don't know?]

[Do you know what will happen if you kill her and you're still doing this?]

Shin Seo-young spoke to Eunha through the wind.

Eunha said "I know."

The answer he gave could only be heard by her.

She clicked her tongue as if she couldn't understand.

"—Please, just stay still."

"..."

In the end, Shin Seo-young spoke to him as if earnestly pleading.

Finally, Eunha had no choice but to give up his stubbornness.

"—I'm sorry."

He regains his composure.

Eunha bowed his head and politely apologized to her.

Not just to her.

He also apologized to the people who had been watching this scene.

Then some players laughed and joked that such things can happen at his passionate young age.

"Stay still. She'll die like that."

"...Yes."

As if saying she would watch Eunha.

Shin Seo-young approached Eunha's side.

The two tried to watch Choi Ga-in slowly dying along with other players.

By doing so, they tried to make sure no one would be responsible for her death.

Ah...uu...uuu...uh...

Choi Ga-in's death is now becoming mere spectacle for people.

Even civilians are taking pictures.

Though Shin Seo-young and instructors try to stop them, there were countless people interested in another person's death.

Even in that situation, Choi Ga-in was still struggling to live.

She tries to live even a little longer.

Even if she becomes a laughingstock.

That's when—

"—Is this all you had to show me?"

Galaxy Group's direct descendant Choi Jung-hoon.

He who suddenly came out parting the crowd did not forgive her death becoming a spectacle.