Chapter 788

The path toward meeting Joo Su-gyeom was filled with encounters with several teachers.

The first person I met was Im Yeon-hwa, who had rushed to the rooftop of the Merchant’s Hall to check on the floating garden. After confirming the teaser video created by Woo Gi-hwan’s group, she asked:

“Are you not graduating? Are you starting over as a first-year?”

“Yes! The battle isn’t over yet!”

“We need to fight and go to the same school as Mi-ro!”

Woo Gi-hwan and Jeong Hae-su responded seriously, but their words were absurd.

It was hard to believe that these two seniors, who had outdone the countless students of Eungwang High, had received awards at the graduation ceremony.

And I was also concerned about Im Yeon-hwa, who was just as unconventional as those two.

Would they be banned from re-enrolling if they didn’t win the battle? Or would they calmly accept re-enrollment and continue the fight?

Either way, things were bound to get chaotic.

“Then, the next battle will be in three years, huh?”

“Pardon?”

Im Yeon-hwa’s unexpected reply came.

Her expression, as usual, was full of kindness, but her words were extremely cold.

“I don’t fight against those who don’t grow, those who are stagnant or regressing. The result would be the same, or even worse.”

The graduates had nothing to say. To say you were going back to first-year after just graduating was undeniable regression.

“If you want to re-enroll, I won’t stop you. But I won’t fight you until you graduate. You have to at least reach the level of a graduate, don’t you think? Now, let’s take a graduation picture!”

Im Yeon-hwa seemed to respect her students’ choices but had no intention of engaging with them until they had graduated.

As Im Yeon-hwa enthusiastically took selfies, Woo Gi-hwan’s group froze in shock, clearly affected by the situation.

Seeing that, it seemed like Woo Gi-hwan’s group would graduate peacefully.

As I was about to leave the rooftop, I saw some seniors sobbing, causing some muscle loss due to emotional strain, but I chose to ignore it.

‘It ended without much trouble. Mentally, Im Yeon-hwa had a complete victory. Woo Gi-hwan’s group still has a long way to go.’

As I approached the front of the Merchant’s Hall, the area was crowded with graduates, teachers, and their families.

Among them, there was a particularly large gathering of people.

I thought it might be my playable character surrounded by the graduates, but it turned out to be Kim Shin-rok.

“Shin-rok teacher... is it okay to come on Teacher’s Day?”

“Of course, it’s fine. But when you enter university, you’ll be busier. Don’t waste precious time keeping promises made now.”

“Teacher Kim Shin-rok... I’m not going to university, I’m joining a pro player team, so it’s okay to come, right?”

“Of course. But you never know when the next world will open, so...”

The graduates were openly expressing their intentions to cling to their teacher even after graduation, while Kim Shin-rok was subconsciously drawing lines.

Kim Shin-rok tried to hide the sadness of sending his students off, but every time his eyes met theirs, they filled with tears, which was impossible to conceal.

The graduates, having grown sensitive under Kim Shin-rok’s mentorship, noticed and teared up as well.

‘It seems like every year on Teacher’s Day, there will be a commotion. But hasn’t it been pretty quiet around Kim Shin-rok?’

The one person who provided an answer to that question was Kim Shin-rok’s only friend.

“Do you know that Shin-rok’s former students meet after graduation? They have a code of conduct, so you should check it out.”

Such a meeting existed!

It seemed that Kim Shin-rok’s old students had established a group with rules to avoid making him uncomfortable.

Among my playable characters, Jeon Mu-young is a former student of Kim Shin-rok, so he might be part of that group.

“Of course, I know. Teacher Yong, let’s take a photo together!”

“I thought you weren’t coming to the graduation ceremony since you were going to ascend.”

“I decided not to.”

“Why the sudden change of heart... Ah, never mind. I won’t ask.”

Yong Je-geon laughed refreshingly, and the graduates, nervous about what was happening, didn’t ask for details.

I thought they would scatter, but the graduates stayed and took photos with Yong Je-geon.

Especially the graduates from the Chess Club, Stalemate, took several pictures.

Yong Je-geon, known for emitting an ominous aura, would usually have everyone running away, but for now, it seemed he was still popular among the students.

After the photos, the graduates asked:

“Teacher Yong, I heard a rumor that you submitted your resignation.”

“Yeah, I did.”

“Didn’t you get fired?”

“I checked with the chairman, but they haven’t processed my resignation. I thought it might be fun to start over as a new recruit, but it didn’t work out.”

A new recruit with hundreds of years of experience as a player from the dragon race! Just imagining that would surely be a huge stress on the other teachers.

Yong Je-geon’s sarcastic tone wasn’t surprising, but it seemed that Hwang Jiho didn’t approve of his resignation being processed, likely because it would be inconvenient to train him all over again.

“I aimed for the homeroom teacher position for Class 0, but it’s unfortunate that it didn’t work out.”

“Heh, are you still aiming for it?”

“Didn’t you aim for it too?”

I overheard a conversation between the older teachers, Hong Gyeong-bok, a renowned painter, and Tak Geo-san, an immortal sage, expressing their regrets.

Were they both still aiming for the homeroom teacher position? It seemed that they were also keeping a close eye on students outside our class.

“Seong-hee, congratulations on your graduation.”

I felt a strange and annoying energy in the air, and then the voice of the ‘Gye’ jerk came through.

The person near Kim Shin-rok, a key member of the Gye Organization, presented a bouquet of flowers to Seong-hee as if he were the representative of the Gye Organization.

“Thank you for the congratulations.”

Seong-hee, although he had no hands free to hold the flowers, gladly accepted the bouquet.

It was more accurate to say he added them to the pile of flowers he already held.

“Seong-hee... Congratulations on your graduation. Please visit often...”

“Yeah, I’ll visit often.”

“Don’t cry. You don’t need to say it.”

My playable character, Park Seung-hyun, cried as he greeted Seong-hee. Seong-hee and Kim Hyun-gu comforted him by patting his shoulder.

Even though Park Seung-hyun didn’t join the Gye Organization at Flama High, he had ties with Seong-hee.

There was a description of when the former Gye Organization leader gave him an item from Jeon Seo-gu, but the item was never used before the person who gave it passed away.

In the game world, Seong-hee’s death severed their connection, but in this world, their bond would remain a positive senior-junior relationship after graduation.

“Ugh…”

The ‘Gye’ jerk’s face contorted as he watched the scene.

Could it be that he was trying to cry too?

If his memories hadn’t provided me with clues about Ahn Dain’s parents, I would have stopped him with a skill right then and there.

Seeing his face twisted, I stared at him expressionlessly until our eyes met.

I could tell he stopped pretending to cry.

I didn’t want to watch any longer, so I turned my head and walked away.

‘They said they would contact me once they find Seong-hee, but I guess they haven’t found him yet.’

I had decided to split from the others and go my separate way until we could all meet up and take pictures with Seong-hee.

Do Sihoo, who had quite a few acquaintances at Eungwang High other than Do Wonwoo, went to see his basketball senior, while Jang Namwook decided to team up with Do Sihoo, so the three of us split up.

Tracking a Player's Path

As I neared the Eungwang High VIP parking lot, I activated Jeon Mu-young's energy-based path.

I didn’t want any traces of meeting with Joo Su-gyeom left behind.

Joo Su-gyeom had asked to meet here, knowing no one would suspect anything since he had come for the graduation ceremony.

‘Joo Su-gyeom is likely a major figure in the four major group’s internal conflicts. Keeping our relationship hidden will make it easier for me to make moves.’

I didn’t know how closely this situation related to the internal conflict scenario, but I was about to find out.

When I reached the parking lot designated by Joo Su-gyeom, I saw the black player car.

It was the same one Joo Su-gyeom had driven when he brought Oh Hye-ji for the College Scholastic Ability Test.

The door opened automatically, just as he had told me it would.

Inside, Joo Su-gyeom was sitting in the driver's seat.

There was also a sedan with a bodyguard and assistant in the back, although the engine was off.

“Hello.”

I deactivated the energy path and greeted Joo Su-gyeom, who responded with a dry expression.

“Impressive. I didn’t feel any presence until you appeared.”

From his expression, he didn’t seem surprised at all.

It was strange, considering that Joo Su-gyeom was supposed to be related to someone as expressive as Joo Su-hyeok.

“Your cloaking technique is better than that of the Black Blade's user. Didn’t I speak to you before?”

Is there a connection between the Black Blade and Joo Su-gyeom?

They both came from Eungwang High, and both were skilled in swordsmanship. It was possible there might be a connection.

When considering their ages, the Black Blade's user was a junior to Joo Su-gyeom, and thinking of him joining Class 0 would be quite surprising.

From what the Black Blade did, if there were any dual-sword masters among the seniors, it would make sense if they went around challenging others to duels.

“I received contact details from him.”

“Of course.”

Joo Su-gyeom gave a small, knowing smile.

It seemed like he had already figured everything out and was now checking for possible ways to proceed.

“I did say I had something to discuss regarding Oh Hye-ji and Oh Hye-jeong. I’m listening.”

It seems the translation was cut off. I’ll continue from where I left off.

“I did say I had something to discuss regarding Oh Hye-ji and Oh Hye-jeong. I’m listening.”

Why did he refer to Oh Hye-ji without using the family name? It made me feel a bit irritated, but right now, Joo Su-gyeom’s cooperation was essential.

If Joo Su-gyeom refused, I would have to ask Joo Su-hyeok or Hwang Jiho for help, but it would be extremely difficult for either of them to get involved with the Oh family. I had no choice but to go through with it.

“The truth is, I have information about the ‘misfortune of the Oh family.’”

I explained the deal the Sea Dragon King made with the Oh family.

The crux of the explanation was that the Oh family was affected by a contract made by their ancestors, and as long as they neglected the agreement and abandoned the Spirit Palace, the misfortune that plagued them would continue.

“Is it possible to end the contract?”

“It’s difficult. The Sea Dragon King has ascended, and the blood and flesh that were merged can’t be returned.”

“Difficult means not impossible.”

Joo Su-gyeom seemed to understand my point clearly. He had already grasped my intentions and was looking for a way to proceed.

“The Sea Dragon King ascended, but his power is still tied to the Dragon King deity. The Dragon King deity can intervene in the world through the shaman, so it’s possible to request an adjustment or mediation of the contract.”

“You’re asking me to request mediation from the Dragon King deity?”

“Yes.”

Joo Su-gyeom inquired again, more formally this time.

“First, I’ll look into the Oh family’s contract. But there’s something that bothers me.”

“Please, tell me.”

“I understand you’re not related to dragons by birth.”

I understood what Joo Su-gyeom meant. As a student from Eungwang High, how could anyone believe that I could bring the Dragon King deity into this matter?

It was a natural suspicion on his part.

So, I brought the matter up directly.

“I asked to meet you because I wanted to show you this.”

I took out the item the Dragon King deity had given me before I left the Dragon Palace.

It was the UR+ grade ‘Dragon King’s Scale.’

The rare scale closest to the Dragon King’s reverse scale, and one that Yong Je-geon also possessed.

When Joo Su-gyeom saw the item card, he seemed convinced and narrowed his eyes, but it seemed like something was still bothering him. He asked once again.

“Why would you go to such lengths to reveal such a valuable item and get involved?”

“I want to free both of you.”

Thinking of Oh Hye-ji and Oh Hye-jeong, who would soon become part of my family, it was only natural for me to get involved in this.

Of course, it was also for the sake of the dragon race.

“The reason the Oh family members are forcing both of you into marriage is due to their short lifespan. I hope that, through mediation of the contract, that reason will disappear.”

“I’m not asking about that.”

Was he thinking there was another benefit to be gained?

I didn’t respond to his insinuation, so Joo Su-gyeom continued.

“I understand. I’ll look into it and get back to you.”

Despite still having an expressionless face, his tone seemed softer than before.

“I’m glad you’re a friend of Su-hyeok.”

Being called a friend of Joo Su-hyeok was quite an honor, but I couldn’t help but think that Joo Su-gyeom should be more thankful that his cousin, a title hero, was helping him.

After bidding Joo Su-gyeom goodbye, I activated ‘Player’s Path’ to hide my presence and walked toward the parking lot.

“Wonwoo.”

Just as I reached a higher floor, I heard a voice—Seong-hee’s.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Do Wonwoo, who had been heading to the car, froze up and turned to look at Seong-hee.