Chapter 67
vs Seong Yura (1)
Night.
The night had come.
Jin Soyeon lay on her bed, dressed in her light pink pajamas, trying to sleep as usual, but something felt off. Her heart was strangely restless.
She tossed and turned, unable to calm her unsettled mind.
But no matter how much she moved, her mood didn’t improve.
Jin Soyeon hugged her large penguin plushie tightly.
The warm, soft texture gently comforted her. Ah, now that she thought about it, this plushie was a birthday present from Jinhyuk. For some reason, that made her feel even more uneasy.
“Sigh.”
She let out a deep sigh and glanced out the window.
The world outside was enveloped in a cozy darkness, but Jin Soyeon’s mind was wide awake.
Sleep… Sleep just wouldn’t come.
The reason she was lying there, wide-eyed, was because of the conversation she’d had with Lee Jinhyuk earlier.
– I found someone else I like.
– I don’t like you anymore.
Those two statements pierced Jin Soyeon’s heart like sharp stakes, refusing to leave.
She had heard the answer she wanted, yet her mood was sinking strangely low.
Why did her heart feel so unsettled?
In truth, Jin Soyeon had some awareness of the reason, which made her bite her lower lip.
She didn’t want to admit it, but given the situation, it was hard to keep denying it like a fool.
T h is w a s c o p ie d f r om k in gm t l . o r g
It was because when Lee Jinhyuk said he didn’t like her anymore, it felt like her heart was being squeezed tight.
And when he said he liked another girl, it felt like needles were pricking her heart.
These feelings and sensations could only mean one thing.
Even someone as dense as Jin Soyeon could understand that.
‘Come to think of it, I’ve felt this way a few times before.’
That uncomfortable feeling whenever Lee Jinhyuk was laughing and chatting with girls like Yoo Seolhyun.
At first, she thought it was just concern that her precious childhood friend might get entangled with someone as unpleasant as Yoo Seolhyun.
But now she realized that it was a bit different.
No, it wasn’t just different—it was completely different…
“Is this… jealousy?”
Jin Soyeon quietly murmured in a hushed voice.
The voice that floated into the air slowly seeped into her ears, turning her thoughts into a jumbled mess.
“I didn’t expect this.”
She unconsciously raised her arm.
On her left wrist was the bracelet that Lee Jinhyuk had given her earlier.
A simple bracelet. She remembered Jinhyuk’s face as he earnestly asked her to carry it for self-defense.
He truly cared about Jin Soyeon as a friend and family member.
Like an older brother worrying about his naive younger sister.
In the past, Jin Soyeon would have accepted his kindness without a second thought, but now it only made her feel more conflicted.
Really, it was just so confusing.
‘Is the reason I’m feeling jealous… because of that?’
Of course, she didn’t know if it was simply liking him or something deeper, like love.
But it was clear that she had some level of affection for him as a man.
Affection… Affection, huh.
At this point… Sigh.
Thi s w a s co p i e d fr om ki n g m t l .o r g
When did this even start?
No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t figure it out.
The more she thought about it, the more her head hurt.
Jin Soyeon tightly closed her eyes.
It was already late into the night.
She needed to sleep to prepare for tomorrow… Huh?
‘Wait, what’s that? A presence?’
She sensed a faint presence outside her door.
At first, she thought it was her imagination, but she could faintly feel the movements of unknown individuals.
‘Inside the house? Who could it be?’
Before joining Union Academy, she wouldn’t have even been able to notice such a subtle presence.
But after the life-and-death battles against the Black-Handed Long-Armed Monkey and Seong Yura’s assassins, she had grown significantly.
‘This isn’t just a simple thief. They know how to conceal their presence.’
Jin Soyeon quickly grabbed the sword that was leaning against her bed. It was the masterpiece sword that Jinhyuk had given her. She never thought she’d have to use it so soon.
At that moment.
T h i s wa s co pie d f r o m k in g mt l . o r g
The door creaked open, and several figures entered.
They were all villains on par with active heroes.
***
I checked the wall clock while seated.
“…What’s going on? Why is Soyeon so late?”
Usually, Soyeon would arrive at the Academy early, but today she was unusually late.
It couldn’t be that she overslept… Was it because of what happened yesterday?
Hmm.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
“Huh?”
T h i s w as c opi e d fr o m ki ng m tl . o r g
A soft, melodious voice gently brushed my ears, making me blink.
I slowly turned my head to see who it was.
Pink hair and eyes reminiscent of the blue ocean. A sharp nose and lips like cherries. Even the aura of holy power she exuded.
She was so beautiful that she could easily be compared to Soyeon—a girl of stunning beauty.
But… this girl is…
“Roxanne?”
“Yes.”
It was Roxanne, surprisingly enough.
Why was she talking to me? There shouldn’t be any reason for that. Is it because I helped her during the Battle Survival exam? But there were plenty of other trainees who helped, not just me.
“Could I borrow some of your time? I have something important to discuss.”
“……”
Something important…
Getting involved with Roxanne could risk drawing Seong Yura’s attention, but if she sought me out to talk about something important, it might be worth listening to.
T h i s w a s cop i e d fr om k i n g mt l. o rg
Roxanne wasn’t the type to waste time on trivial matters.
“Alright, but only until the morning assembly starts.”
“Thank you.”
We stepped out of the classroom for a moment.
We walked down the corridor until we reached a place where no one else was around.
“Now then.”
Th i s w as c o pi e d f r o m k i n g m t l . o rg
Roxanne cautiously looked around before snapping her fingers.
She had set up a barrier of some sort.
‘Why would she set up a barrier just to talk?’
I scratched my chin, feeling a vague sense of unease, while Roxanne quietly looked up at me and slowly began to speak.
T hi s w a s c op ie d f r o m k in g mtl . o r g
“It’s you… isn’t it?”
“What do you mean?”
“The one who saved me at Yuksung Mountain in Chungnam.”
Yuksung Mountain in Chungnam?
I furrowed my brow.
Wasn’t that where I went to farm the Space Ring?
I vaguely remembered a couple being attacked by three villains.
Could it be that the woman being attacked back then was Roxanne?
Her face looked completely different.
Was she in disguise?
“How did you figure it out?”
I saw no point in denying it at this moment, so I decided to be upfront.
Back then, I had hidden my face with a hat and a multi-mask, so Roxanne shouldn’t have been able to recognize me.
“The sword and bow you were equipped with gave it away.”
Sword and bow?
“I remembered that the gear you used during the midterms was very similar to what you used at Yuksung Mountain.”
“Ah.”
I remembered using Vigilante’s Sword and the Giant Crow Bow for Large Monsters both at Yuksung Mountain and during the midterms.
I didn’t expect to be found out this way.
“To be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure based on that alone. But when I saw you block the attack of the white-haired villain who radiated intense killing intent and even wounded her, I knew.”
That wound I inflicted on Yoo Dahee was mostly luck.
“And your voice sounded similar too.”
“Well, I get it. But you didn’t call me out just to reveal my identity, did you? You said you had something important to discuss. What is it?”
T h is w a s co pi e d fr om k in g m tl . o r g
“I need your help.”
“Help?”
“Yes.”
Roxanne nodded cautiously.
“It seems Seong Yura was also involved in the recent Union attack. She likely has deep ties with a villain organization.”
“Hmm.”
“Seong Yura has clearly crossed the line. Someone needs to stop her, but I alone can’t do it.”
“…Why don’t you report it to the police or the Heroes Association?”
“I’ve tried, but it was no use. Seong Yura has significant influence over many areas, including politics, the business world, the prosecutors, and the hero community.”
Yeah, that makes sense.
Seong Yura must be offering a lot of bribe money.
Unless there’s irrefutable evidence, the authorities won’t be able to touch her.
“Lee Jinhyuk. I know you’re far more skilled than an active hero. So…”
“Sorry, but I can’t help you.”
I cut Roxanne off, refusing her request firmly.
That was because helping her would be extremely dangerous. I didn’t want to get on Seong Yura’s bad side just yet. Maybe someday down the line, but she was too much for me to handle right now.
Seong Yura is a villain meant to be dealt with in the mid or late stages of the story.
The forces she has built up are comparable to, or even surpass, those of a high-ranker.
“I’m not just asking for help. I can assist you as well, so we would be helping each other.”
“What kind of help?”
What help could I possibly need from Roxanne?
“If I figured it out, Seong Yura might have too. She may have realized during the midterms that you’re the one who interfered at Yuksung Mountain.”
“Ah, crap.”
Come to think of it, Seong Yura was the one who sent the villains to Yuksung Mountain!
Considering I used the same gear during the Battle Survival exam, it’s highly likely that Seong Yura discovered my identity.
Actually, she certainly did.
Knowing Seong Yura’s character… Damn, I’m screwed.
“Given Seong Yura’s usual behavior, she might target the people around you rather than coming after you directly.”
Indeed, based on Seong Yura’s character, she might take one of my family members hostage.
That is if she mistakenly believes I’m strong.
But I don’t have any family.
T his was c op i ed f r o m k i n gmt l . o r g
As unfortunate as it is, my parents passed away a few years ago.
So there’s no one she could take hostage…
“My faction’s power is weaker than Seong Yura’s, but it could help protect the people around you.”
“……”
“Whether you accept or refuse my request, I promise to do my best to protect them. After all, it’s because you helped me that this situation arose.”
“……”
“But if Seong Yura is left unchecked, you’ll have to keep taking risks. That’s why I think it would be best for both of us if you cooperate with me to take her down.”
“……”
I closed my eyes, lost in thought.
Of all people, why did I have to get entangled with Seong Yura?
Seong Yura is a true villain—a real one.
She treats human lives as trivial, so if left unchecked, she could do something disastrous.
And she has numerous assassins under her command.
‘Damn. If Seong Yura is really targeting me, I can’t just ignore this…’
Fortunately, Seong Yura does have one weakness.
It’s the classic secret ledger often found in dramas, novels, and games—the Achilles’ heel of villains.
T his w a s c o p i e d f ro m k i n g m t l . o r g
Given how she expanded her power through illegal activities, that secret ledger contains records of bribes, transactions, and other crucial information about key figures in politics.
If I could get my hands on that, I could seriously threaten Seong Yura’s stronghold.
Of course, the problem is that the secret ledger is hidden deep within Seong Yura’s heavily guarded mansion, which is often called a den of demons.
“I should have approached you sooner to discuss this, but it took me a while to realize your identity.”
It’s true that several days had passed since the midterms were interrupted. If she wanted to discuss this, she should have come to me sooner.
“Moreover, because of this incident, the church’s opposition has been strong, so I couldn’t attend the Academy for a few days. I’m sorry. But at least it seems like Seong Yura hasn’t made any moves yet, so that’s a relief…
– Riiiing. Riiiing.
“You can answer it.”
“It’s Soyeon’s number.”
Something feels ominous.
It might just be a hunch, but I have a bad feeling about this. A really bad one.
“Soyeon, why aren’t you coming to school?”
“Sorry, but this isn’t Jin Soyeon. It would be in your best interest to arrive at the location specified in the message by precisely 11:00 AM, Lee Jinhyuk. You know what will happen if you’re late, right?”
“Jin… Jinhyuk, don’t come…!”
Click.
The call ended.
I gripped my phone tightly.
I heard Seong Yura’s voice on the other end, along with Soyeon’s. Damn it. Why is it that my bad feelings are never wrong? Damn it, seriously.
“…It looks like we’re already too late.”
“Huh?”
“That was Seong Yura’s voice. It seems she’s kidnapped my childhood friend.”
I bit my lower lip in frustration, knowing that events like this often happened to the main heroines when they were kidnapped by villains.
‘Seong Yura, that damn woman.’
How dare she touch Soyeon?
I’m worried about the other Rebellion members, but there’s no choice now.
I’ll have to involve Lee Siwoon and Yoo Seolhyun and find a way to deal with Seong Yura once and for all.
End of Chapter.