BXBX NOVEL Chapter 720: Countdown
It was the eighth time already.
The first was when I first used the skill Communicating with Transcendent Universe and concluded that this world isn’t simply the one from the game.
The second was at the end of the 12-point alliance talks which identified Jogangyreob as a traitor.
The third was when I heard about the energy wave link from Geum Chansol and Wang Chansol.
The fourth was when we found out that Shinin and Cheongho were Gong Cheonghwon and Hani.
The fifth was after Kim Shinrok’s replay.
Sixth was when I got the clue left by the former head of the association.
And the seventh was when I got the upgraded glare skill from the bridle of reincarnation.
‘My dimensional understanding increases when I get important clues or come across secrets of this world. What I learned just now must be important then.’
An additional message was heard.
<Skill ‘two-dimension future transformed object exclusive menu’ Replay Function has increased from Stage 4 to 5.>
The Replay function leveling up made me feel heavy.
Its stage has risen by two since the last time I used it.
It’s as if it’s urging me to use it.
‘Isn’t it harsh to show the PMH world after the First Christmas scenario?’
It was painful even from a mere player’s point of view, what more for those who could’ve experienced it?
Despite that, in the back of my mind, I was thinking of the next one who could use Replay.
In the scenario that will take place next year, Sung Gukeon will be assassinated.
In PMH, the assassination succeeds, killing Sung Gukeon and Jeon Muyeong.
‘If I have to choose, it will have to be Sung Gukeon and Jeon Muyeong.’
If I reveal what kind of skill Replay is and suggest using it, the two of them will probably agree.
Sung Gukeon will think nothing of it, while Jeon Muyeong will hesitate as he worries about Sung Gukeon’s safety.
But if I tell them about the assassination, they are sure to accept it.
‘There’s still time. I should focus on the Dragon Palace for now. I should work on things that I can without Replay first.’
I shook off those thoughts and focused on Yeom Junyeol, thinking about the energy wave link and descendants.
Yeom Junyeol explained well the process of Iranus’ priest’s invasion, and it was like everything was happening before my eyes.
Yeom Junyeol took the lead in the energy wave link, and Chokryong was, of course, impressed.
‘Yeom Junyeol and Kim Shinrok use similar light skills.’
I heard that Kim Shinrok, like Yeom Junyeol, can summon a tiger and a bear.
These two are the descendants that the Black Screen is after.
‘The energy wave link must be an ability that the Black Screen doesn’t want to deal with. Maybe they’re trying to kill them before the secret of the power is revealed. Or maybe there’s something else.’
It was difficult to simply conclude because there were countless relationships, progressions, and players that broke down when those two died.
What is clear at this point is that we have more pieces available.
‘Maybe I can finally solve the problem that I’ve been contemplating…’
I asked some questions after Yeom Junyeol’s explanation and organized my thoughts based on his answers.
When we finished the tangerine compote served as dessert, Yeom Junyeol’s story, and my thoughts were finished.
But before we parted ways, Yeom Junyeol asked something carefully.
“Are you busy this evening, teacher? Last time we spoke, I think you said you didn’t know what your schedule would be like…”
Last year, Yeom Junyeol was in an air hotel doing a live dragon show.
This year, I heard that the broadcast will be carried out through social media sites.
However, unlike the large-scale gathering of guests in an air hotel last year, only those close to the Red Lion team building would be invited.
It was a choice considering safety issues with the traitors and to make it quieter in the wake of a big incident.
Yeom Junyeol was inviting me to the new year.
I tried to refuse because it sounded like a gathering between family, but Yong Jegun popped out of nowhere and talked about some benefactor nonsense.
But at that time, I was set to come to the underworld and I didn’t know when I would return, so I refused, saying that I didn’t know my schedule.
‘I’m invited again, but I’ll turn him down again this time.’
It was unimaginable that it’s already been a year since I borrowed Yeom Junyeol’s power and smashed the Hwanmong Auction.
I was very grateful for my student’s invitation, but unfortunately, I couldn’t attend the party.
“I have an appointment. Thank you for the invite.”
Yeom Junyeol looked disappointed, but he simply stepped down.
Much different from someone that I know.
I didn’t read the message properly because I was dining with Yeom Junyeol, but a useless message came from Hwang Jiho earlier.
I only read it after parting ways with Yeom Junyeol.
[Hwang Jiho] Jo Euishin, you’re not coming to the Dragon Clan’s territory again, are you?
From Hwang Jiho’s message, one would think that I went to the Dragon Clan’s territory often.
Is he still holding a grudge from when I went to the Dragon Clan’s territory after the broadcasting station incident?
[Hwang Jiho] I’m going to introduce Ahn Dain before the year ends, so make sure you attend.
He intends to reveal the relationship between the tiger couple and Ahn Dain.
Well, it’s going to be hard to hide within the Tiger Clan.
It might be safer to let it be known.
He’s going to introduce Ahn Dain to the tigers in the mansion, but why do I have to be there?
[Hwang Jiho] I told Ahn Dain you were coming. She was happy to hear it. Make sure you come.
My escape was already blocked.
***
Around the same time, Ahn Dain was in Eungwang High.
It wasn’t for studying our student association work but for consultation with Hwangmyeong Foundation’s legal team.
Ahn Dain would get flagged if she went in and out of the Hwangmyeong Group’s headquarters building, but the legal team isn’t allowed inside the mansion so they had to meet at school.
In the process, the legal team recommended that Ahn Dain, a minor, be accompanied by a guardian, saying that it isn’t well to carry out work alone.
She could have the couple as guardians since they were set to be her adoptive parents.
However, the process hasn’t yet been officially completed and they have been cut off from the world for a long time which means they have little understanding of the human society.
As a result, Kim Shinrok, Ahn Dain’s homeroom teacher, played the role of her guardian.
“Thank you for accompanying me today, Professor.”
Ahn Dain thanked Kim Shinrok, but the latter felt complicated.
He thought that if he were in Ahn Dain’s position and learned that he’s a child of the Tiger Clan, he’d be surprised.
He might’ve really fainted if he were alone.
Students were around so he had to pull himself together, but he still felt like he was going to faint.
“…Don’t mention it. I’m your homeroom teacher so it’s a given.”
“Not just that, but we’re also family.”
“…Right.”
Ahn Dain reminded him of this fact.
Kim Shinrok has so far worked hard to draw a line between him and his students, and now Ahn Dain is emphasizing that they are family and that line doesn’t need to be kept up.
When Kim Shinrok was assigned to be her guardian, Ahn Dain asked something.
— Im curious about what your favorite food is, Professor Kim Shinrok.
Kim Shinrok felt choked up at the words.
It wasn’t because of sadness or feeling sorry, but because of anger toward Yong Jegun.
He was well aware that he used that as leverage against Class 1-1 and Ahn Dain.
Kim Shinrok was in a lot of trouble, reluctant to reveal any personal information in consideration of the next identity that he’d assume.
‘I sued to say that I didn’t have any particular favorite food…’
However, seeing Ahn Dain who was full of expectations, he couldn’t bear to lie.
Kim Shinrok hesitated before finally speaking.
— …Nothing in particular, but I like dried persimmons.
— Thank you for answering, Professor.
Ahn Dain smiled so brightly that her eyes could blind everyone after hearing Kim Shinrok’s answer.
If Joo Soohyuk had seen it, he would’ve fallen so badly that both his feet would be in the air.
When Kim Shinrok and Ahn Dain were walking, the former having mixed feelings, Ahn Dain spoke in a slightly subdued voice.
“I’m sorry to take away your precious time, Professor.”
Before Kim Shinrok could say that it was okay, Ahn Dain spoke again.
“Soon Professor Yong Jegun will…”
When Yong Jegun’s name was mentioned, Kim Shinrok forgot how to speak.
The thought that gradually faded in his mind has returned.
Ahn Dain tried to talk more, but she suddenly shut her mouth unnaturally.
She stopped talking as she stared in one direction.
‘Someone’s coming this way.’
Kim Shinrok also sensed it.
In the distance, someone found Kim Shinrok and Ahn Dain, both were the former’s students.
“Hello, Professor.”
“Hello, Professor Kim Shinrok.”
It was Sung Gukeon and Jeon Muyeong.
Kim Shinrok smiled awkwardly as he received greetings from the two.
‘They said they were going to visit Eungwang High. The time must’ve overlapped.’
It wasn’t unusual for a member of the National Assembly to visit sites of major incidents.
However, since Eungwang High is Sung Gukeon’s alma mater, it was probably natural for him to be the one to visit.
Sung Gukeon smiled kindly and spoke to Ahn Dain.
“This must be Ahn Dain beside you. You are Professor Kim Shinrok’s student in his class this year, correct?”
“Yes, Professor Kim Shinrok is my homeroom teacher.”
Ahn Dain answered quickly before Kim Shinrok could speak.
The three seemed to feel a bond with each other and the topic of Kim Shinrok quickly blossomed.
They were all Kim Shinrok’s homeroom students, but the scene left Kim Shinrok confused.
‘Sung Gukeon doesn’t have a relationship with my current identity…’
Sung Gukeon shook up the confused Kim Shinrok.
“My homeroom teacher when I was in Eungwang High passed away.”
Sung Gukeon rarely spoke about his “old homeroom teacher” but him suddenly bringing it up sank Kim Shinrok’s heart.
The guilt that Kim Shinrok tried to turn a blind eye on rose helplessly at Sung Gukeon’s words.
“I regret not being able to express my gratitude often before he passed away. I couldn’t help the professor make other choices.”
Sung Gukeon was the student representative who spent a stormy time in school fifteen years ago.
Just school work and council work would’ve been too much, so of course he didn’t have time to pay attention to his homeroom teacher.
Kim Shinrok didn’t know if he should express condolences or just keep silent.
Sung Gukeon continued to say something calmly to Kim Shinrok.
“I heard that Professor Yong Jegun is about to ascend. I hope you don’t gain the same regrets that I did, Professor.”
Sung Gukeon’s words made Kim Shinrok’s mind full of the thought that he tried to push away.
It was the number of days until the first day of the first month of the new lunar year when Yong Jegun would ascend.