Episode 386
4th floor: Jeong In-ho, Hong Gyeong-jun, Song In-myeong.
3rd floor: Jaeheon Lee, Vivian, Woo Sooyoung, and Garam Yoon.
2nd floor: Da-hoon Park, Do-yoon Han, Ki-jeong Kim.
1st floor: Dayoung Park, Munsan-gun, Seongjiho.
* * *
“…I don’t know if it’ll be okay.”
The faces of the three high school students became swollen as Hong Kyung-jun muttered.
“Oh why? “Participation is free.”
“It is true that you are free to participate, but it is actually a bit much to allow students to participate.”
“We will be adults in two years, right? “Park Da-young is all grown up!”
“Aren’t you saying that you are a minor who deserves to be protected?”
“Park Da-hoon is really good at running, Park Da-young’s mental management is amazing, and I know how to do my part!”
“This is so…”
Jeong In-ho interjected as Hong Gyeong-jun looked embarrassed.
“I said I wanted to do it. How about giving me a chance, Detective? “I think it’s funny that they come to the main gate of Eonhak High School and start a fight like this.”
“Didn’t you hear me? All of these friends are minors. “I am cautious with students even when conducting interviews at work, but it is difficult for me to understand that they are openly taking them to a devil’s den like that.”
“Do we have the right to stop them from doing what they want to do? I think not. Da-hoon and Da-young are children who do their job well at the park, and Seong Ji-ho is also not a short-thinking friend.”
“It’s not about diminishing students’ abilities. Adults are also protected, but how much more protection do minors need? Your experiences as a student will have a huge impact when you grow up. “If I have a bad memory, how do I make up for it?”
“I don’t know the compensation, but I think I can take responsibility.”
“….”
If something big enough to bring back really bad memories happens, I will go back. Hong Gyeong-jun understood that’s what it meant. Even if I could turn back time, I didn’t like Jeong In-ho’s attitude of not cherishing life, but I couldn’t deny that it was the most effective method.
Hong Gyeong-jun slowly nodded.
“…But we cannot allow you to climb higher than the third floor. “It’s not like we’re completely underpowered, and we can’t force the students into danger.”
“I agree with that.”
Jeong In-ho looked at the three students and smiled his characteristic neat smile.
“Did you hear, kids?”
“yes yes.”
“As I said before, if you hide well on the first floor, you won’t be attacked by monsters. Dahun goes down to the first floor when he has time. “Remember that even if you leave, there are other adults still, so it’s no problem.”
“I remember.”
However, unlike Hong Gyeong-jun, Jeong In-ho had full intention of utilizing the students.
‘Isn’t a high school student already grown up?’
Of course, it was not that he did not have a sense of duty as an adult to protect minors, but in a world where ethics and rules were distorted, a child could easily become an adult. Moreover, isn’t it true that people participate in the exploration out of their own volition, rather than being forced to act due to an urgent situation?
‘Besides, even after this incident is over and I return to reality, I don’t know when I’ll be eaten by the underworld again since I’m a sub member. ‘If students want to be able to leave school on their own later, it would be better to gain experience in advance.’
Even when I was in the garden, I often took Lee Yun-byeol and Munsan-gun students and provided simple education, but it wasn’t very effective. I guess it’s to the point where I can safely walk around the streets of the underworld. When a monster attacks, you won’t be able to react and deal with it right away.
In that sense, In-ho Jeong was in favor of involving students in this exploration of Unhak High School. Because experiencing it once is better than hearing it told a hundred times.
“You guys still can’t do that? That telepathy….”
“Oh, it’s not like that. “Speak so disgustingly.”
“What the fuck? “Did I say something so disgusting?”
Especially Seong Ji-ho…
‘He seems similar to me.’
I wasn’t talking about Jung In-ho’s emotionally dull side.
It simply refers to his unfortunate past of not growing up with very good parents, but Seong Ji-ho’s family probably wasn’t typical. From the anxiety and nervousness that Seong Ji-ho often showed, Jeong In-ho was able to easily guess his past.
People who have received protection receive it well. Anyone who has tried it can do it. Seong Ji-ho only verbally begged for help and begged for help, but when danger came, it seemed like he would run away alone rather than rely on adults.
Naturally, in that case, the probability of survival drops even further.
‘Munsan-gun is a good person, so even a guy like Seong Ji-ho will be able to open his heart at ease right away. It’s better for the students to go together as well.’
After organizing his thoughts, Jeong In-ho looked back at Lee Jae-heon.
“Boss.”
“I will never come forward.”
“…That’s not it… No, that’s true. “Please stay healthy.”
“What kind of holiday are you acting like you’re greeting? Disgusting.”
“I wouldn’t say anything unless you were healthy.”
“Let’s go back to reality, Assistant Manager Jeong.”
“I forgot for a moment that he was my boss.”
“…? “Is this a provocation?”
“That can’t be right.”
Jaeheon Lee grumbled, but it wasn’t serious. Rather than realizing that he had to cherish his own body, it seemed like he just didn’t have the mental space to chase after Jung In-ho. Especially since all the old-fashioned things he did were made up in the first place.
That’s why Jeong In-ho was curious.
“Then shall we go in?”
“Don’t forget to avoid the monsters’ gaze.”
“Ah, costume check….”
How many people will die this time?
In that case, will Jaeheon Lee be alive?
* * *
That was a concern for Lee Jae-heon himself.
‘Are you going to die for this?’
How can we instill a positive perception of regression without causing the main character to explode mentally?
Some work was needed to make Jung In-ho, who cannot be considered complete yet, into a better ‘main character’. The only thing that was resolved through the apartment incident was improving the relationship with Hong Gyeong-jun and alleviating the fear of ‘Lee Jae-heon’s’ death. Although Jung In-ho was doing his best as the main character, there were many shortcomings.
‘If you meet the final boss for the first time anyway, almost half of them will fall off… so if you take advantage of that time and do this and that to draw them in like this… wouldn’t it be better to twist it a little?’
Anyway, the conclusion was that Lee Jae-heon was preparing another trick.
“Let’s start the search from the grade room on the first floor. “We need someone from the outside to open the door, so I think we need at least four people to help us.”
“Oh, of course, as promised, students go to the bathroom door and wait…”
“Please check the survival kit each person is carrying once again.”
Regardless of Lee Jae-heon’s dark intentions, the survivors prepared smoothly.
Song In-myeong was still snooping around the school and acting like he was a tourist visiting a tourist attraction, but most people tried not to pay attention to it or actually paid no attention to it. Song In-myeong had a great influence on how he had behaved quite docilely.
Among them, Munsan-gun was a person who could not turn off attention even if he wanted to. I wonder if I’m worried about Song In-myeong wandering alone, and I glance to see if he’s going too far, but I don’t know why I’m wandering around even more because I want to see him.
‘That idiot is looking at you, you chick. I’m going crazy, really…’
Here, if Song In-myeong turns his attention to Munsan-gun, Lee Jae-heon’s modifications so far go to waste. ‘Lee Jae-heon’ approached Munsan-gun first in order to block Song In-myeong’s gaze before Munsan-gun was properly caught.
“Was Mr. Munsan in charge of the survival kit on the first floor?”
“iced coffee! yes. that’s right. “I’m holding it.”
“Do you mind if I check in with you for a moment?”
“Of course. Thank you for your concern. “Then for a moment…”
With this, ‘Lee Jae-heon’ took back the attention that had been directed at Munsan-gun. Song In-myeong will also know what ‘Lee Jae-heon’ intended when he spoke to Munsan-gun. There is no way there will suddenly be a problem with the survival kit that I kept checking even after leaving the police station.
In that respect, Munsan-gun was also truly a bastard.
‘…This is already my third confirmation, and I’m saying thank you. Be mysterious.’
If it were Lee Jae-heon, he would have taken the first as an error, the second as an argument, and the third as a provocation. However, the way he smiled neatly, as if he was grateful for Lee Jae-heon’s intervention, was no different from that of a scholar.
No, in this case, should we call it immortal?
‘I thought Jeong In-ho had a pretty neat face, too… but he’s definitely different from this side.’
There was not even a trace of disgust to be found in Munsan-gun. It was because he looked like he was about to draw a landscape with ink while wearing a beautiful hanbok and striking a stylish pose.
“….”
“Are you okay? Actually, I’m worried that I’m in charge of this…”
“No, I’m just grateful that Mr. Munsan is with the two students. “In particular, it is appropriate for Mr. Munsan, an adult, to hold the survival kit since you never know when it will be used.”
The survival kit was a bag containing medicine that made Ha Seong-yoon, Yoon Garam, and Lee Jae-heon nag the survivors for a long time. Of course, since we didn’t know how long this expedition would be, we also had water, food, some bandages, and cloth. In short, it is a lifeline.
‘Perhaps it might be uneasy to leave it to Munsan-gun since it contains items more important than weapons… but it’s not because this person is stupid that he gets caught. They will know that one survival kit can save many people, so they will take good care of it.’
Munsan-gun was a nobleman, but he was not a stupid nobleman. Didn’t he already know that Song In-myeong had dragged him to the park pretending not to be Jung In-ho? He’s just abnormally weak-hearted, and he’s seen his own blood when he sees it. He’s not the kind of guy who would let someone else’s blood be seen because of his own arrogance. In this respect, it was worth trusting.
And personally, I wanted to guess his potential.
“As you know, Eonhak High School was created through the thoughts of students and especially art teachers. “As Mr. Munsan is a former teacher, we do not know what kind of repercussions this may have, so please act as cautiously as possible.”
“I will keep that in mind. Students, don’t worry. “If Dahun comes down to the first floor… I will protect him as much as I can, even if it’s not enough.”
As Munsan said those words, his face was neat as ink and straight as bamboo.
His maddening goodness would protect the ‘weak’, and his sense of responsibility as an adult and teacher would protect the ‘students’.
‘…I guess that’s why he resigned from his position as a teacher.’
He is a crazy good man who quit his job as a teacher after being criticized for protecting one of his students. Since his sympathy will not reach the monster, Munsan-gun will not be unable to protect the students if he is only on the first floor. Lee Jae-heon decided to trust Munsan-gun’s crazy sense of responsibility.
It would be nice if this bastard could also be useful this time.
“Please do me a favor.”
Well what should I do?
* * *
“If possible, I would like Kim Ki-jeong to come along as well.”
“Me?”
“Do you think you can hear well now?”
“Ah…”
Kim Ki-jeong’s will to ‘don’t want to be dragged away’ was clearly visible in his eyes, but he nodded heavily when he saw the faces of those who decided to look for clues by going around the grade rooms on the first floor.
“…Yes, I can hear you well.”
“There is no need to go into the grade room with us. Just watching from outside is enough.”
“No, just… let’s go in together. “I think it would be better if Han Do-yoon was left in front of the grade room door.”
“In that case… Are you okay, Han Do-yoon?”
Do-yoon Han, who was looking at Kim Ki-jeong with a feeling of joy and emotion, readily answered.
“Oh, of course, our Mr. Ki-jeong showed courage! “You can’t sharpen thread without having to sharpen the needle…!”
“To sharpen a needle, you need to sharpen thread, and I have no intention of being involved in a set with Han Do-yoon. Please refrain.”
“For all that, you chose me.”
“As if I were a stray cat…! No no. That’s it. “Let’s go right away.”
Kim Ki-jeong admitted that Do-yoon Han helped him maintain his mentality, but he still found it difficult to accept his friendship with him. He shook his head, but soon gave up and sighed. Vivian scratched the bridge of her nose with an expression that told her to do whatever she wanted.
“Well, it’s easier if you give up.”
“what…?”
“I know how it feels because I have had natural disasters as my friends.”
“….”
I don’t know if Vivian has feelings for Song In-myeong, but I know that they were close friends. One side may have been deceived, but Vivian must have been sincere and had no intention of adding words to such a sensitive topic.
Kim Ki-jeong, who was about to get angry, fell limp.
“I really hate this place….”
“I just started….”
“Oh, I really hate it….”
Hong Gyeong-jun and Jeong In-ho exchanged glances at Kim Ki-jeong, who was grumbling but steadily following along. In fact, it was a mess. This attitude was positive for the regressor, as he was brought in because he needed someone who could guess the name of the plaster statue in the grade room, not someone who would look after it.
Kim Ki-jeong, who was taken to the grade room in building B on the first floor, came out about 30 minutes later, stiffened and being held by Vivian’s hands.
“….”
“…Mr. Kim Ki-jeong?”
“…yes.”
“….”
A cat with a split tail.
Han Do-yoon and all the survivors who opened the door had the same thought.
(Continued in the next part)
