Chapter 78: Chapter 78

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 78: Treasure (3)

"You flew in the sky? Seriously?"

"Come on, no way. That can't be true."

"But it’s possible! A flying ability…!"

Amid everyone's astonished attention, Bora, with her long lashes, blinked at me and stared intently.

Eyes full of expectation.

"To be precise, I fell from the sky."

"Huh? The sky?"

"Couldn’t you see it from here? There must’ve been something floating up there."

"!!"

The woman, who had briefly shown disappointment, suddenly widened her eyes.

Then, as if she realized something, she clamped her mouth with her hands and let out a scream.

"Oh my god! Was that thing yesterday? Wasn’t it a UFO?"

A UFO, huh.

If someone unfamiliar saw it, they might’ve mistaken it for that.

From a distance, it’d be hard to tell if it was a sphere or a disk.

But “yesterday,” she said…

‘Was I passed out for an entire night?’

That would explain a lot.

[You have received a gift from 'Kim Jieun.' Would you like to check it?]

[You have received a gift from 'Choi Jaehyuk.' Would you like to check it?]

[You have received a gift from 'Kim Hanul.' Would you like to check it?]

…

So that’s why there are so many messages piled up.

‘Looks like everyone’s safe.’

That’s a relief.

I was worried since I hadn’t been able to check on them while I was unconscious.

I’ll go through the messages once I’m out of here.

For now, though…

‘Let’s deal with these guys first.’

"I knew it… So the UFO crashed, but why was dirt falling from it?"

"You idiot! You believe that nonsense?"

"But you saw it too—water and dirt falling everywhere!"

The man, who had been silently pursing his lips at the woman’s frantic outburst, finally scolded her.

Apparently, he couldn’t stand how easily his friends were swayed by a suspicious person’s words.

"Where were you originally stationed?"

"Yongsan."

"Then why were you up there?"

"Because of a mission, obviously."

"Why did it suddenly collapse?"

"Because the mission ended."

Well, it’s all true.

But the man’s narrowed eyes said it all.

He didn’t believe me.

"Then… where are the others who went up with you? Why are you alone? And why did you come here instead of returning to Yongsan?"

"A gust of wind scattered us as we were falling. When I came to, I found myself tied up here, alone."

"How can we trust what you’re saying?"

"Not sure why you wouldn’t."

I shrugged.

Well, as much as I could with tied hands.

"Ha… Whether you’re telling the truth or not, we can’t let a suspicious person in."

The man sighed heavily, his face a complex mixture of emotions.

A cautious and skeptical personality.

Honestly, he seemed more like a leader than the rest of them.

"Oh, such a shame! I wanted to fly at least once before I die,"

Bora said, nonchalantly, as if she had no care in the world.

Much better than her.

"What kind of mission was it, anyway?"

"They locked us in an arena and made us fight monsters."

"Whoa! Did you win?"

"Clearly, since I’m here now."

I made sure to speak clearly enough for the surrounding listeners to hear.

"Anyway… wouldn’t it be better to have one more person on your side?"

"What are you talking about?"

"It would be helpful when fighting."

"…What?"

The man’s eyebrow twitched.

"Your enemy must be pretty tough, huh?"

"How do you…?"

"Then right now…?"

"Oh, we’ve already switched shifts with the next group!"

Even though someone literally dropped from the sky, their defense system was still running like clockwork.

If there were actual soldiers among them, it wouldn’t be strange.

But as far as I could see, they didn’t even have reservists.

Just a group of regular college kids barely in their twenties.

"If the mission’s over, there’s no reason to have guards. Unless someone’s about to attack or there’s something to protect from enemies. One of the two, right?"

"That’s… just…"

"For a group of ordinary students who’ve never been in the military, you’re oddly organized. Seems like you’ve been in a lot of fights. Am I wrong?"

It’s obvious.

They’ve been fighting actual enemies, not just relying on some system.

"…"

The man’s eyes darted back and forth.

I could practically hear his brain working from here.

Meanwhile, Bora kept the questions coming.

"So what does that have to do with letting you live?"

"I’m strong. Not to brag, but I am."

"You could be a spy or an assassin."

"If I were, I wouldn’t just walk in like this, would I?"

"Hmmm, I guess not?"

The woman fiddled with her bangs, seemingly lost in thought, then suddenly said:

"Still, what if we decide to kill you?"

The corners of her lips slightly rose between her thin fingers.

I glanced at her mischievous face and replied:

"Well, if it comes to that…"

Snip.

I discreetly untied the ropes binding my hands.

"!!"

I extended my now-free hand for a handshake.

"How about we go peacefully? What do you think?"

"Huh?"

"I’m not a fan of unnecessary fights."

The woman squinted and smirked.

Thankfully, they were reasonable enough to let me leave.

"I’ll handle it."

"Are you sure? What if he tries something…"

"It’ll be fine."

Though I had to let Bora grab both my arms and drag me out.

"It seems like you've watched a lot of movies."

The woman twisted my arms behind my back and walked while holding them.

It didn’t seem like she’d invested much in strength stats, though, as it felt pretty meaningless.

If I had to assign a value, it’d probably be around 10.

"Just bear with it until we get out. They're a bit on edge."

I couldn't help but wonder if it was necessary to walk in such an awkward manner.

Especially because—

"Ah!"

The woman holding onto me bumped into a pillar and seemed to hurt herself more than I did.

"Bora!"

"Are you okay, sis?"

The other women following us were in chaos, fussing over her after she bumped her head.

"Are you hurt?! Let me see!"

In the midst of the commotion, one of the flustered women accidentally hit Bora’s head.

Thwack!

"Ah, sorry! I was just trying to check if you were okay…."

"…I’m fine, so could you back off?"

And then, silence.

The atmosphere grew strange.

This place… somehow feels exhausting.

"Can’t we just walk separately? The hallway is narrow."

"I’d like that too, but the girls are nervous."

"And isn't the cause of that nervousness you, not me?"

The woman chuckled at my comment.

It wasn’t a joke, but when I glanced over, she caught my gaze and introduced herself.

"Yeon Bora."

"Yeon Bora?"

"My name."

For a moment, I paused at the peculiar sight.

"…Ah."

"Ah? That’s it?"

Bora pouted her lips.

"What?"

"Aren’t you going to ask if that’s really my real name and not a nickname, or if I dyed my hair purple because of it, or something like that?"

"Do I have to?"

Feeling oddly tired, I asked back, and Bora, or rather Yeon Bora, seemed taken aback.

"Well… aren’t you curious?"

"Not really. I’m more curious about how long you plan to keep shoving this thing at my neck."

"You’re a peculiar guy."

Peculiar, huh.

Sure, Sola or Yejin might say that, but we don’t seem to be that far apart in age.

"By the way… there’s a staircase ahead. Be careful."

Bora slowed down, holding onto my arm more tightly.

Is she really worried I might trip on the stairs in this situation?

What an odd one.

"What’s your name?"

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one finding this situation strange, as a man walking behind us muttered irritably.

"Why are you exchanging names? It’s not like this is a social gathering."

"Why not! It’s my choice!"

At his words, Bora snapped her head around and retorted sharply.

Her long, wavy hair brushed against the tip of my nose.

"Lee Eunho."

It smelled like grass.

Like a field on a rainy day.

"Hmm—doesn’t suit you."

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Eunho… it has a soft texture, doesn’t it? Like mud mixed with a lot of water."

Lee Eunho.

I’ve heard people say it sounds like a girl’s name, but this is the first time I’ve heard something like this.

What does “mud mixed with a lot of water” even mean?

"The shape feels soft and round, and color-wise, maybe warm-toned silver? Anyway, it doesn’t suit you."

"You have some serious preconceptions. I’m actually a very well-rounded person."

"Hmm—Doesn’t seem like it at all."

"Don’t you think it’s too early to say that when we barely know each other?"

She didn’t listen to a word I said and continued talking to herself.

"Ah, I know. Stonework! You feel like solid stonework."

"Like a rock?"

"Yes! Not molded, but carved."

A rock, huh.

It reminded me of the petrification skill I use daily, which surprised me a little.

Though, it’s probably just a lucky guess.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

"What about me? What kind of vibe do I give off?"

I decided not to engage further and just kept walking ahead, but Bora leaned in close to my face.

So, I casually replied.

"Not leader material."

"What?! Me? Why?"

She frowned and pouted, clearly upset.

"After I saved the life of an unfairly captured prisoner too!"

"Exactly."

"Sorry?"

"You’re too soft."

If this were a base worth guarding, a suspicious prisoner would’ve been blindfolded, gagged, and kicked out.

Or eliminated on the spot.

And yet—

"It’s strange that everyone else relies on you. You look like the weakest one here."

Too weak.

To the point where bumping into a pillar earlier reduced her stamina by 10%.

「90.5%」

She’s absurdly fragile.

This isn’t just weak; it’s something else entirely.

If she walked into a utility pole ten times in a row, she’d die.

"I look like the weakest? Me?"

"Yeah. Like you’d fall over if I flicked you."

"…"

Silence.

For a moment, Bora stopped talking.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, then smiled again as if nothing had happened.

"You mean I seem delicate, right?"

"Maybe."

Hmm.

Her reaction feels… odd.

‘Almost like someone hiding something.’

Even the guy who kept butting in earlier had gone silent.

If I pressed just a little more, something might come out….

"And I’m not even sure your leadership is particularly good. Is there some other reason?"

"Wow, sharp observation."

Bora narrowed her eyes and smiled.

And that was it.

The conversation didn’t continue any further.

Even as I pushed open the heavy glass door and stepped outside the building.

"Here…?"

The moment I stepped out of the building, I realized it.

The reason why so many young women in their early 20s were gathered here.

The reason Yeon Bora had been talking about textures, shapes, and colors.

"Have you been here before, our school?"

There was no need to ask what school it was.

「Hongin University」

The name was displayed on signboards everywhere.

"No… it’s my first time inside the campus."

Usually, people who aren’t students of this school hang out near the bars by the main gate.

It’s rare to come this far in.

But ‘inside the campus,’ huh?

Tap.

I wonder if this place even qualifies as a campus.

"The main gate renovation is done!"

"Good job! We also need to fix the wall behind Hongmoon Hall!"

"Is there a spare ladder?"

The entire vast area was surrounded by solid earthen walls, resembling a medieval fortress village.

"The Great Wall…?"

"Pfft! What did you just say?"

When I mumbled to myself, Yeon Bora burst out laughing.

"Are you an art student?"

"Sculpture major. A few from the painting and ceramics departments are here too."

She smiled proudly and seemed about to introduce them when—

Boom!

The wall crumbled.

Bang! Boom!

The walls that firmly surrounded the campus and protected the students began collapsing inward.

"Ahhh! My leg! It’s pinned!"

"Be careful!"

"The building is falling apart!"

This was an artillery shell.

Not a bullet or a sword—an actual cannon-fired shell.

Who, and for what purpose, would use such advanced modern weaponry here?

So many questions ran through my mind, but the most puzzling was:

"Bora! What should we do?!"

"Save us, Bora!"

"Yeon Bora!"

Why was everyone calling out for this one woman so desperately?

Someone who looked like she might drop dead if you brushed against her.

At that moment—

"Sculpt!"

Yeon Bora, her face scrunched up, extended her hands forward.

Sweat beaded on her forehead as the ground beneath us began to quake.

Rumble.

The dirt that had crumbled and spilled began to rise again.

Shhhhhh!

The muddy earth clumped together, rolled, and pressed, forming a wall.

"You bastard! You even made bombs?!"

Was this how she’d been holding on all this time?

The ability to freely manipulate earth to create walls—or anything else, for that matter?

"Everyone, watch your step!"

"Yes, unnie!"

As Yeon Bora’s hands moved, so did the mounds of earth.

Stirring and molding, the earth responded like a massive invisible hand was shaping it.

An incredible ability.

This alone made her worth ten, no, a hundred people.

Especially when it came to defense.

However—

Boom! Bang!

"Ahhh!"

Simply blocking and holding out wouldn’t work.

If bombs kept raining down like this, the earthen walls would crumble.

‘They’re weaker than I thought.’

Or maybe she hadn’t shown her full strength yet.

And besides—

Rumble!

"Hand over Yeon Bora, you little [expletive]!"

"!!"

"I’ll drop one every minute until you do!"

A man’s voice roared from beyond the wall.

"They’re after you?"

"Please! Quiet!"

"What did you do to make someone drop bombs on you?"

"Shh!"

Yeon Bora pressed a finger to her lips, frowning.

[Due to the stamina stat, the duration of the fatigue status effect has been reduced.]

[Time remaining: 36 minutes.]

I needed 36 more minutes to fully recover.

My fever had already gone down significantly.

I could simply step away for now and come back once the battle was over.

But—

"The gym wall’s breached!"

"The library too! What do we do?!"

It seemed I should play along for now.

"Need help?"

"Huh?"

There was something I needed to get back, after all.

"P-Please help! Just buy me some time to gather the earth again, and I’ll handle it!"

Yeon Bora, sweating profusely, shouted as if she’d finally pulled herself together.

So—

"Then hand it over. My sword."

I approached her and held out my hand.

Yeon Bora, looking visibly flustered, stammered.

"W-Why are you asking me for that?"

Hmm.

Even now, she was feigning ignorance.

Not that it mattered.

"That hand—isn’t it burned from trying to use my sword?"

"!!"

Yeon Bora flinched when I pointed to the bandaged hand she was hiding.

"Ah… this… well…."

She looked just like a student caught doing something wrong, unsure of what to do.

Sweat trickled down her forehead and dripped off her sharp jawline.

At that moment, the man’s voice, now closer, shouted again.

"Yeon Bora! Come out!"

"She’s here! Yeon Bora is righ—"

Thud!

"I’ll give it back! Just be quiet!"

Yeon Bora covered my mouth and whispered frantically.

Then, she shouted a single word:

"Summon!"

Finally, you’re cooperating, you sneaky little thief.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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