Chapter 237

An island owned by Joo-Oh Group, Joo-Oh (Zhuo) Island.

As the world changed after the collision of the two worlds and the regulations on island trade were lifted, the Joo-Oh Group bought several uninhabited islands.

The Joo-Oh Group named their best island “Joo-Oh Island” and built it as a non-profit resort.

The purpose of the resort is for the group to socialize with VIPs and also serve as a place where they can take a break.

No matter how rich and famous a person is, if they’re not personally invited by the Joo-Oh Group, they can’t visit Joo-Oh Island.

When the Kimopolea incident was concluded, there were actually more people who felt disappointed than those who were relieved.

And now, we’re heading right into Joo-Oh Island.

‘I didn’t expect that we’d end up in Joo-Oh Island for our retreat activities.’

Joo Soohyuk rented the whole island for three nights and four days and invited the freshmen Class Zero, One, and Two, along with some teachers.

Even if he’s the great-grandson of the current head of the Joo-Oh Group, it wouldn’t have been easy to rent the entire island like this, especially during vacation season.

But, as expected of the title hero, he made it happen.

‘Is it because Joo Soohyuk’s position and prestige rose during the summer vacation?’

During the summer vacation, Joo Soohyuk had a huge role in fighting against the enemy invasion.

Of course, it wasn’t just about that.

The secrets of the villa buried in the ice cap, the purification of debris left by a garden of a certain royal lineage tribe, and resolving the case of a series of kidnappings disguised as runaway cases.

Perhaps it’s because of these mentally taxing events during the first semester.

Joo Soohyuk was more like a title hero in this world than inside the game.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to rest thanks to the goodwill o this title hero who has grown a lot in the past few weeks.

It’s supposed to be a continuation of our youth retreat, but this time, it’s a simple trip without instructors shouting or imposing a strict schedule on us.

“Guys, we’re here!”

Under the parasol installed on the second deck of the Cheonja.

Kim Yuri appeared, waving her arms vigorously.

Kim Yuri wore a short-sleeved t-shirt and no jewelry on her wrist, exposing her bare arms to the sun.

She still hasn’t mastered complete control of her light skill and her energy wave when she’s using fighting skills.

However, with the guidance of the chief sorcerer and Hwang Jiho, she’s able to suppress her energy wave to an extent where she can already go back to her normal life.

Before picking up Kim Yuri at the hospital, Hwang Jiho said this:

— I’ll keep an eye on Kim Yuri’s surroundings for the time being. I have her consent.

— The scope of Kim Yuri’s activities will be limited to within Eungwang High. If she wants to go outside that area, I may send the chief sorcerer to go with her or more.

With a confident face, Hwang Jiho added.

— Well, I’m also going on the trip so there’s going to be no problem.

He looked too self-absorbed, but I still felt relieved to think that he’d be there to protect my playable character.

Seeing Yuri happily hang out with our classmates, I also felt happy.

‘It bothers me a little that Yuri wore long-sleeved clothes even after the light skill sealing ceremony, so it’s a relief seeing her now. I think she’s alright now.’

Behind Kim Yuri were several kids from our class.

The one who took care of Kim Yuri last time and stayed with her at the Cheonja’s deck, Kwon Lena.

The one who was volunteering at the nursery during the retreat, Hani.

And the one who covers her face with her AR glasses and hoodie, Min Geurin.

They were the ones who are riding the Cheonja for the first time as they weren’t part of the previous youth retreat.

‘I can’t believe Hwang Jiho lent us the Cheonja again. It’s a great idea.’

Since Cheongho’s disciples are in the nursery every day to do some work, Hani was able to join the trip.

I thought inviting Min Geurin would be a little difficult, but she took the initiative to join on her own.

— I know there’s going to be a lot of people, but… they’re all kids from Eungwang High. Our classmates are going to be there too, so I want to join in.

She seems to be comfortable with the art department too, but she doesn’t seem that comfortable yet with the kids in Class One and Two.

She’s relying on our classmates, her hoodie and glasses, and Song Daesok.

However, it’s already a tremendous and laudable improvement for Min Geurin.

She sometimes steps back from the crowd for a moment, but she’s steadily moving forward.

“Let’s take a picture on the deck!”

“I’ll bring in Professor Ham Geunhyung.”

“Where’s Saeum?”

“I think he’s flying around with someone.”

Up in the sky, Yong Jegun and Saeum were flying at the speed of the ship.

Yong Jegun went around and played hard because he felt sorry for not being able to ride the Cheonja with us during the youth retreat.

Yong Jegun, who said it was his first time riding on the Cheonja, asked Kim Shinrok for some advice.

Kim Shinrok said this to him with a straightforward attitude.

‘I’m busy, so get lost. And don’t act like you’re close with the students.’

Fortunately, the kind Saeum volunteered to be his guide and in return asked Yong Jegun to teach him how to control his flight skill better.

There’s Yong Jegun to worry about, but there’s currently a more worrisome troublemaker in our class than him.

“Hey, is Wooram okay?”

When he heard Kwon Lena ask worriedly, Wooram quickly rose to his feet.

The ice pack that was resting on his face fell down.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Mok Wooram puffed his mouth a few times, as if wanting to say something, but he just laid back down on the sunbed and placed the icepack on his head again.

Seeing that he didn’t faint this time, it seems like Mok Wooram has gotten a little used to seeing Kwon Lena.

“I don’t think he’s okay.”

“Is that guy sick?”

“Hahaha! Mok Wooram’s getting sober.”

Maybe he’ll be alright as long as Kwon Lena doesn’t talk to him.

After forcing Mok Wooram to stand up, we decided to take a group photo on the ship’s deck near the sunbed where Mok Wooram persists to stay.

…Is it really alright to take a picture when Mok Wooram can’t even get a grip of himself?

I had such thoughts, but perhaps Mok Wooram would like it because he’d be in the same photo with Kwon Lena anyway.

“Professor Kim Shinrok, do you want to take the picture?”

“…That device is from Eungwang High, and it has the auto-capture function…”

“Eh, still, it’s better if someone takes the picture personally. It’s a group photo of the students after all!”

Yong Jegun, who arrived on deck after flying around, immediately started picking on Kim Shinrok.

Kim Shinrok has his usual “face of a good teacher”, but I can see his eyes getting dreary.

I can see from his eyes that he wants to bury a thumbtack in Yong Jegun right at this moment.

On the other hand, Yong Jegun looked like he was dying from excitement.

‘So Yong Jegun is this kind of person.’

The Yong Jegun in this world is more playful and energetic than the one inside the game.

It may be because his old friend is alive here, unlike in the PMH game.

‘I think Yong Jegun wants Kim Shinrok to be revealed as a descendant.’

During that time when we were in the mansion when we saw Kim Shinrok’s real face, Yong Jegun said this:

— Oh you’ve never seen this face of his before? This is his real face. It’s much better, right? He’s been changing his identity a lot so it makes sense for him to keep changing his face. I told him not to do that and just live as I do instead but…

However, even if Kim Shinrok reveals himself as a descendant, it still wouldn’t be easy for him to display his true face.

Since the Tiger Clan and Bear Clan are still in strife, it would be difficult for him to show his true face to the world, especially when it’s a face that too closely resembles the Red Tiger and the Sad Bear Goddess.

“Let’s stand over here!”

“There’s no one else right now. Let’s hurry up and take the picture.

The kids gathered on the sunbed except for Mok Wooram, who looked like he was suffering from a heatstroke.

Ham Geunhyung and Yong Jegun were also with us.

“I’m taking the picture. Three, two..”

As if doing their best not to close their eyes as the picture was being taken, the kids gave their strength to not blink.

Before Kim Shinrok’s countdown ended, Hwang Jiho, Yong Jegun, and Ham Geunhyung suddenly looked at Kim Yuri.

‘This is…’

They sensed that the strong energy wave, which was suppressed inside Kim Yuri, was shaken for a moment.

Soon, a powerful energy wave erupted around Kim Yuri before disappearing over the deck.

In an instant, the released energy wave hit the surface of the water.

Fwaa! Fwaaa!

As the sea level shook, a spray of water began to rise.

It was a small spray of water compared to the size of the Cheonja so it didn’t really do much damage, but it was enough to wet our backs.

“Ah, cold!”

“What the heck?!”

The kids hadn’t reacted quickly enough to avoid being soaked in seawater.

Only two of us who noticed it on time were able to cover ourselves with energy waves and avoided the splash.

“Hahaha! I bet you all feel refreshed!”

“Tsk, only the crazy-head didn’t get wet.”

“No, Euishin didn’t get soaked too! As expected, Euishin is so awesome!”

As if he knew this would happen, Hwang Jiho laughed excitedly.

Hani, who was completely soaked in the seawater, stared at Hwang Jiho silently.

“…”

“Hahaha! Should I lend you a towel?”

“No need.”

“Hahaha!”

This old guy is enjoying himself too much.

Maybe the same thing happened to him and the Blue Tiger before.

Kim Shinrok, a former pupil of the Blue Tiger, gazed at Hani and Hwang Jiho with a complex expression.

One was his teacher, and the other was an uncle-like figure.

It must be odd for him to see the two tigers become students.

“Sorry guys… I guess the higher being was being playful, and it moved the sea with my energy wave to create a pretty background for our picture.

Kim Yuri, who was the most soaked among all of us, said with an apologetic face.

It must be difficult for her to control her energy wave while at sea, especially since the higher being connected to her and her energy wave is related to water.

“It’s just as Yuri said. The background came out well.”

“Heol, it’s true.”

“I wanna see it too!”

With Min Geurin and Song Daesok’s suggestion, Kim Shinrok sent the photo to each of our devices.

There were some of us who deviated from the group to slightly glance at Kim Yuri, but the sight of the water droplets reflecting in the sunlight made the photo look fantastic.

“Let’s go take another one!”

“Only if Yuri’s okay with it.”

“That’s right! Even if we get wet, we have a full-body dryer room in the cabin. The weather is nice too so I bet our clothes will dry quickly!”

Kim Yuri hesitated for a while before replying with a smile.

“Alright! I’ll ask them!”

While Kim Yuri was connecting with the higher being and her energy wave, the kids lined up again for another photo.

“I’ll cover myself with energy wave too.”

“It’s a little difficult to precisely wrap it around my body though…”

“Hahaha! Shall I put up a boundary?”

Just like that, we took several group photos.

We also took a few pictures on the sunbed where Mok Wooram was laid out.

Fortunately, he managed to not faint so a decent group photo was taken.

‘Looks like it’s better than the picture that we took on the Cheonja last time.’

During the last group retreat, only a few of us were able to take the group photo.

Some of the kids couldn’t join back then because either they were in the cabin, or flying around in the air.

The only ones who took the picture that day were me, Hwang Jiho, Maeng Hyodon, Saeum of April, Song Daesok, and Ham Geunhyung.

Seeing the group photo on top of the ship, I felt a strange feeling in my chest.

While checking the photos for a while, the Cheonja finally arrived at Joo-Oh Island.