ReadNovel Chapter 112 : Chapter 112
Chapter 112 : Chapter 112
Chapter 112: The Storm Leaves an Aftermath (2)
How much time had passed?
I was not exactly sure, but it was certain that a significant amount of time had gone by.
That was how long-winded Kim Su-hyeok’s explanation of the situation at the time had been.
However, it did not feel like that much time had passed to me.
'I had no choice but to listen intently.'
I was not there when Kim Su-hyeok and the others were engaged in their fierce life-and-death struggle.
Because of that, I could not help but focus on Kim Su-hyeok’s story, and thanks to that, time seemed to fly by while I listened.
The story continued for a while longer even after that thought, and quite some time later.
"…And so, the instructors arrived after that, and we were able to be rescued."
Finally, Kim Su-hyeok’s explanation came to an end.
Looking at the clock on the wall, it had been a rambling story that spanned nearly several hours.
When considering the situation at the time, it was an incident that lasted less than a single day, but…
'It was that significant.'
Given its weight, it was not strange that the storytelling had lasted for hours.
At any rate, after Kim Su-hyeok’s story concluded.
The first person to speak was Ryu Jin-seong.
"It must have been a difficult ordeal for those who are still mere cadets. I must convey my appreciation for your hard work once again."
Ryu Jin-seong appropriately praised our efforts.
At those words, everyone present nodded.
It was as if their opinions were similar.
The atmosphere seemed to represent that Ryu Jin-seong was the person whose words carried the most weight among them.
'Is this what it means to be The Emperor?'
The epithet of Emperor was not attached to him for no reason.
Not only had he been consistently active since his youth, but the scale of his achievements was on a different level.
Consequently, his status was among the highest in Korea, and every single word he uttered carried immense weight.
Therefore, it was not strange that he took the lead even in this place where many prominent figures were gathered.
It was at that moment.
"By the way, it seems that part is true."
Cha Yu-na spoke up abruptly.
By the way, what was true?
That question did not last long.
Cha Yu-na immediately added an explanation to what she had said.
"That Baek Ha-seong mentioned the stars."
At those words, the atmosphere of the room changed in an instant.
If the atmosphere just a moment ago had been one of pride for the cadets who overcame adversity.
"That is surprising even to me."
Now, an atmosphere was formed where they were discussing the serious nature of the aftermath.
Even in such an atmosphere, Cha Yu-na steadfastly continued her speech.
"Even if he is a villain, he is an S-Rank. It is not something that can be dismissed lightly."
"......"
"Moreover, the Irregular, Baek Ha… Ah. Come to think of it, was this a secret?"
Hong Sera was the one who responded to those words.
"I do not think it matters. The reason we have been keeping it quiet was partly due to political reasons, but also because Baek Ha-seong had never revealed himself directly, right?"
"That is true."
"So, would there be any problem with Baek Ha-seong’s name being mentioned? Besides, how can we have the parties involved not even knowing who they were up against?"
Everyone seemed to agree with Hong Sera’s words.
The fact that Baek Ha-seong’s identity had been kept secret was partly due to pressure from the Baek family, but that was only a secondary issue.
Ultimately, if Baek Ha-seong were to take a proactive stance, it was natural that his identity could no longer be hidden.
While no one raised any objections regarding this matter.
Amidst the murmuring atmosphere, Ryu Jin-seong was the first to speak in a refined voice.
"At any rate, it is clear that this is a major incident. For that fellow Ha-seong to have said such things."
"Yes. It will not be officially announced, but all the influential guilds will likely gather information about this."
"If that happens, the cadets he pointed out will naturally receive attention. After all, it is praise from an S-Rank, even if he is a villain."
Certainly, that was a surprising part for me as well.
I could not understand at all why Baek Ha-seong had acted that way.
'Was there something that caused a change in Baek Ha-seong’s state of mind?'
I had no choice but to think that way.
Although he was known for being self-indulgent, all his actions turned out to be calculated when looking back later.
Therefore, it was difficult to believe that he had spoken out of a sudden impulse.
'Well, it is not bad.'
In any case, if the words Baek Ha-seong spoke acted as a positive influence, they certainly would not act as a negative one.
While I was trying to move past it naturally with that thought, another question came to mind.
'Come to think of it, did he just say Ha-seong…?'
Just now, Ryu Jin-seong definitely called him Ha-seong, not Baek Ha-seong.
That meant it directly pointed to the fact that they were likely close.
'No. Would it be 'were' close rather than 'are' close?'
Although he seemed to try not to show it, a momentary atmosphere of nostalgia had drifted from him.
'How do those two know each other?'
This was a question that would not have been necessary if I knew everything about Baek Ha-seong’s past.
However, what I knew was the truth about Baek Ha-seong and the Baek family; I did not know everything about him.
Thus, it was inevitable that my curiosity would be piqued.
Even if I did not admire him, he was an existence worth respecting as one person to another.
Fortunately, my question did not last very long.
"Um, are you well-acquainted with that villain named Baek Ha-seong?"
Kim Su-hyeok must have been just as curious, as he threw the question toward Ryu Jin-seong without filtering.
In a way, it was a socially unaware action, but it was okay.
There was no one here who would scold Kim Su-hyeok, who had just escaped the brink of death.
As I also listened intently to Ryu Jin-seong’s following words to satisfy my curiosity.
The answer to that question popped out from an unexpected place.
"The boy’s friend seems to be curious about that."
As if the side of him he had shown to Hong Sera was a lie, Shin Yu-hwan answered Kim Su-hyeok’s question with a soft smile.
At the same time, he cast his gaze toward me.
"It seems the boy is also curious."
"Yes. I am curious."
"Right. Curiosity should be satisfied. Is that not so?"
I did not know who he was directing the question to, but Shin Yu-hwan said that and continued his speech.
Accompanied by a surprisingly short and simple answer.
"Before he became a villain, Baek Ha-seong was a talent who was highly anticipated, to the point of being called a Person of the Stormy Clouds."
"......"
"So, it is not strange that this gentleman knows him. Furthermore, the Big Sister, myself, and the Queen of the Hong Family are all acquainted with him as well."
I could sense sarcasm in the way he referred to Hong Sera at the end.
Thanks to that, I could feel Hong Sera’s hand trembling, but perhaps because of what Ryu Jin-seong had said earlier, she did not step forward.
Thus, I asked one more question that remained unresolved even after Shin Yu-hwan’s answer.
"You say that everyone else is also acquainted with him; what does that mean?"
"That is because we all come from the same background."
"Excuse me?"
"It is exactly as it sounds. The Irregular was a classmate of the Big Sister and Hong Sera."
Shin Yu-hwan answered coolly, as if it were no big deal.
However, to my ears, this was a huge deal.
'Baek Ha-seong is from Glory and studied alongside those three?'
This was quite a surprising part.
Judging by the fact that Baek Ha-seong was able to meet Han Seora, I could tell that he had attended something like an academy in the past.
But his classmates were Hong Sera and Cha Yu-na? And his junior was Shin Yu-hwan?
'No wonder everyone’s expression was strange.'
I felt a sense of aching nostalgia rather than a sense of gravity regarding the appearance of a villain, and it seemed this was the reason.
'Then, were they all on good terms?'
What did it mean that I felt a sense of aching nostalgia?
It also meant that the prominent figures here were quite close with Baek Ha-seong.
However, there was a strange part regarding this.
'In the novel, it was described that Baek Ha-seong had no such thing as friends?'
How exactly did this connect?
While I was pondering alone in my head, I quickly reached a conclusion.
I would just ask.
Considering the contribution I had made in this final exam anyway, no one would scold me for asking something like this.
Therefore, I asked Shin Yu-hwan about it, and he answered my question with a somewhat ambiguous tone.
"Hmm, there was an acquaintance, but at the same time, there was no acquaintance."
"Pardon?"
If there is an acquaintance, there is one, and if there is not, there is not.
What on earth did it mean to have one while not having one?
At my expression of not understanding, Shin Yu-hwan eventually added an explanation.
"There was a point of connection."
"A point of connection?"
"Yes. I was not particularly close to the Irregular, but I was close to the person who was intimately linked with that bastard."
It was still ambiguous wording, but I was able to realize it at once.
Exactly what the point of connection Shin Yu-hwan was talking about was.
'Han Seora...'
Baek Ha-seong’s woman. Han Seora.
Who else could it be but that person if it were a point of connection?
'He did say she was quite talented and had a lively personality.'
But I did not know it was to this extent.
To think she had the ability to tie these people together like this.
It was while I was admiring her inwardly.
"But that bastard is..."
"Stop right there."
Cha Yu-na cut off Shin Yu-hwan as he was about to say something more.
She advised Shin Yu-hwan in a calm but simultaneously chilling voice.
"I said it is okay for the children to know, but I did not say it is okay to tell them unnecessary things."
"Hmm..."
"So, stop there."
"Well, if the Big Sister says it to that extent, I have no choice."
Whether it was because he did not want to cause friction, or because the opponent was Cha Yu-na and not Hong Sera, Shin Yu-hwan easily complied.
At the same time, he spoke to me as if he were sorry.
"For that reason, I will have to stop here with satisfying the boy’s curiosity. I am a bit sorry for cutting off the conversation like this."
"No, it is fine. There must be circumstances that I am unaware of."
"Haha! Yes, yes. I really like that the boy is so straightforward."
I said that because I felt this was enough, but Shin Yu-hwan seemed to have understood it differently and laughed joyfully.
At any rate, just as I thought the conversation regarding this topic was ending, Shin Yu-hwan continued the dialogue as if he had one last thing to say.
"Still, I can tell you one thing."
"What is that?"
"At the very least, the last thing Baek Ha-seong said will be a great help to the boy and his friends."
Everyone seemed to agree with that fact.
"He spoke in a roundabout way, but ultimately, he said that you all have the potential to stand at the top, right?"
"......"
"Hmm, is it a bit embarrassing to admit it yourself? Well, anyway, thanks to that, the interest pouring into you all will likely be considerable. That will soon become a form of support."
Just as Shin Yu-hwan said, it was a bit embarrassing, but he was right.
In this world, the statements made by high-ranking players carried considerable influence.
That was true even for the villain Baek Ha-seong.
Considering Baek Ha-seong’s skill, what Shin Yu-hwan said was definitely correct.
However...
"Is it really okay?"
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"Baek Ha-seong is a villain. I was wondering if it is okay for you, Mr. Shin Yu-hwan."
Yes. It was certainly correct.
But at the same time, it was a statement that was slightly off.
That discrepancy was the fact that such words had come out of Shin Yu-hwan’s mouth.
It was a statement that did not suit him at all, coming from someone who loathed villains.
'Well, as for me, I wish Baek Ha-seong and Shin Yu-hwan were both happy and close...'
That was merely my opinion.
Shin Yu-hwan and Baek Ha-seong were like oil and water that could never mix.
After all, they were in the relationship of a villain and a villain hunter.
Therefore, my question was sufficiently reasonable, and Shin Yu-hwan knew it, so he accepted my question with a smile.
"Haha! You are right. That bastard is a villain, and I am a person who catches them."
I could sense a faint trace of something like anger from Shin Yu-hwan as he said that.
However, that was only for a moment; he soon erased that anger and spoke.
"But that is my job after all; it is not a problem for the boy to worry about."
"......"
"The boy should only focus on moving forward. Are these trivial matters not the business of adults?"
"...Yes."
Certainly, it was a statement without much profound meaning.
The kind of thing one might hear anywhere at least once.
However, that single sentence from Shin Yu-hwan was conveyed to me as a precious resonance.
'It is probably because it was Shin Yu-hwan, and no one else, who said it.'
The man who moved forward without ever wavering, even when others were shaking.
The man who carried out his goals until the very last moment.
Because such a man said it, the words felt even more reassuring.
Since the instruction to only focus on moving forward sounded incredibly precious to me, at the very least.
It was at the moment I was about to be immersed in such idle thoughts.
"Then, shall we hear the boy’s story this time? We have seen the video, but it would be better to hear it directly, after all."
"Ah."
Come to think of it, that was the reason I was able to come here.
I had forgotten all about it because I was so focused on the conversation with Shin Yu-hwan.
However, now that I had remembered the reason, I could not continue to stay that way.
Therefore, unlike my cluttered inner thoughts, I began to talk about what happened at the time in a refined voice.