Chapter 100
Chapter 100. Theater (3)
“Wait a moment…”
Jin Seok-woo, looking around, snapped his fingers.
Paat—
A thin barrier of magical power formed around Jin Seok-woo and Yoo Ji-han’s party, covering a radius of 2 meters.
It was designed to control the internal sounds so they wouldn’t escape to the outside.
“The video released today is the result of editing entrusted to the Hero Department.”
The footage that Yoo Ji-han’s party shot at the department store had been edited for a smooth class progression.
However, among the edited video, the existence of the barrier that physically blocked access and even the battle they had fought against barbarians at the end was included.
It had been edited quite naturally, prompting people not to notice any missing parts.
In essence, the most important scene of that day was excluded.
“After consulting with the Hero Department, it was decided not to release the video containing the battle with the barbarians to the public.”
“I figured as much.”
Yoo Ji-han nodded as if he understood Jin Seok-woo’s words.
The news of the appearance of barbarians in Bucheon had not yet been made public.
Since they had also requested that Sweet Fun cooperate as much as possible, it was somewhat expected that the situation would unfold this way.
“But this can’t be hidden forever.”
“That’s probably true. That’s something the Hero Department will have to manage.”
It was an incident with many casualties.
Even though the monster appeared on the rooftop, with the extent of the mutilated bodies and the suspicious nature of the situation, it couldn’t be hidden for long.
If the families of the deceased heroes protested continuously, it would eventually become public knowledge.
Moreover, there was no guarantee that the heroes present wouldn’t break their silence eventually.
“I’m sorry that the party’s achievements had to be concealed, regardless of the Hero Department’s decision.”
Jin Seok-woo looked genuinely apologetic.
The battle between Yoo Ji-han’s party and the barbarians was undeniably a video that would have significant repercussions.
But being unable to release it could surely lead to their substantial dissatisfaction.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Kim Si-hu spoke to Jin Seok-woo.
“So, does that mean we will only receive feedback based on the video released today from other parties?”
“Correct.”
The highlight of today’s video was the battle against the monsters on the rooftop.
It was remarkable that a Rank 4 party managed to rescue captured heroes from Rank 3 monsters.
However…
“In that case, I would like to demand compensation because if we could release all the footage, we’re confident we would receive nothing but good feedback.”
Kim Si-hu’s claim had merit.
Defeating not one but multiple unexpected invaders was a feat that was hard to compare to monster hunting.
Typically, a party performing as such would surely receive extra points from the Hero Academy, or perhaps even reach a graduation level.
“Alright. Let’s do that.”
Jin Seok-woo accepted Kim Si-hu’s request after a short contemplation.
“I will grant you the maximum extra points that can be given at once from the Hero Academy.”
“Thank you.”
At the mention of extra points, Kim Si-hu grinned.
While he didn’t know precisely how many points would be added, it was likely that he wouldn’t be expelled from the Hero Academy unless he made considerable mistakes in succession.
This meant he could continue to maintain the office that was rented for free.
He wouldn’t have to worry about the office until a year after graduation.
“And I will grant Yoo Ji-han’s party one ginseng as my discretion.”
“Excuse me?”
“Really?”
All the members of Yoo Ji-han’s party widened their eyes at the next statement.
Seeing their reaction, Jin Seok-woo smiled and said, “It’s a reward for showing a performance too magnificent to keep to yourself.”
“…Is it six-year ginseng?”
“Of course. The Hero Academy only stores six-year ginseng.”
“Wow.”
To think they would receive six-year ginseng, which was hard to obtain even for money.
What a blessing!
Even Min Yu-ri couldn’t hide her disbelief at this unexpected windfall.
“Oh, and this is separate from the ginseng given during the feedback training.”
“Excuse me? Are you saying…”
“Are we saying we might receive ginseng from the training again?”
“Exactly.”
Jin Seok-woo bore a knowing look.
Yoo Ji-han’s party had submitted some extraordinary feedback during the previous training.
There was a possibility that they might receive ginseng provided during training as well.
“I will do my best.”
“Please continue to show us the same great performance moving forward.”
The issue of compensation for the video editing had been settled like that.
However, their conversation was not yet over.
“Si-hu.”
“Yes?”
Jin Seok-woo asked with a very serious expression.
“Could you explain the magic you used during the battle with the barbarians?”
“Um… Are you talking about the giant hand?”
“Yes, and also the magic you used on Ji-han.”
“…”
After a moment of hesitation, Kim Si-hu shook his head.
“I have no idea what magic it was. I don’t even know how I used it.”
“Did you have any awareness at that time?”
“I only vaguely remember a sense that I did something.”
After exiting the department store post-battle with the barbarians, Kim Si-hu had no idea what had happened to him.
He didn’t understand what the giant hand that appeared from the ceiling was, nor what the magic that strengthened Yoo Ji-han was.
Although he remembered, he himself had no understanding of it.
‘My magical power has increased, though.’
The only peculiar thing was that after experiencing that event, his magical power increased.
His condensing ability also improved, allowing him to use more densely packed magic.
“Do you think you can use that magic again?”
“It will be difficult.”
“Hmm, although it looked like you gained enlightenment…”
Jin Seok-woo’s conjecture was similar to that of Yoo Ji-han.
It seemed that Kim Si-hu had attained some form of enlightenment in that urgent situation.
“Is there anything different about your body?”
“I feel like my magical power has increased significantly.”
“Then it seems to be an enlightenment of sorts.”
In the tense situation of feeling life-threatening danger from the barbarians.
There are various cases of heroes acquiring enlightenment, but it was not uncommon to escape such crises through enlightenment, just like now.
‘It’s really rare for a Rank 4 to gain enlightenment.’
It was exceptionally rare for a Rank 4 hero to have acquired enlightenment.
Kim Si-hu had been included in that rare case.
“I would like to extend my congratulations first.”
“Th-thank you.”
Jin Seok-woo sincerely congratulated Kim Si-hu, who had obtained a rare opportunity.
As an instructor from the Hero Academy, it brought him joy to see heroes growing significantly.
“Si-hu, you are a Half-Elf, right?”
“You knew that.”
“I keep track of the basic personal information of the cadets to some extent.”
The Hero Academy had already known that Kim Si-hu was a Half-Elf.
They hadn’t mentioned it specifically because he hadn’t disclosed it himself.
“It’s just a guess, but the magic in the video looked like Elf magic to me.”
“Elf magic?”
“I have encountered Elf intruders in the past. At that time, I felt that a certain attack magic from an Elf Mage was similar to the magic you used in the video. Although the form and power were quite different.”
“Is that for real?”
“Yes. But that’s based solely on my personal experience, so take it with a grain of salt.”
The frame woven from green grass was a magic that evoked the image of elves living in harmony with the forest.
That part resonated somewhat with Kim Si-hu as well.
‘But I’ve never heard of magic strong enough to do that.’
The kind of power that could take down a barbarian in one go.
His mother, the pureblood Elf Erna Hass, had never once used such magic.
‘If I could master that magic…’
It was a magic he didn’t even know how to use.
However, if he could wield such powerful force at will, it would undoubtedly be a tremendous asset to the party.
With that thought, Kim Si-hu unconsciously clenched his fist tightly.
*
IUPC’s office.
A man in a black coat walked through the entrance.
One employee who noticed him during work said,
“Good morning, Manager!”
“Good morning!”
The cheerful manager greeted his staff with a bright smile.
“Have you finished your business trip?”
“I’ll have to head out again soon.”
“Again? You’re always so busy.”
“Haha. It’s a necessary task for the growth of the alliance.”
Having returned from his business trip, the manager chatted briefly with the employees.
Though he held a considerably high position in the company, he engaged comfortably with the employees beneath him.
Then he rummaged through his briefcase.
“Oh, right, I brought a gift from the trip.”
“Wow, that’s so cute!”
What he took out was a handmade candy the size of a thumbnail.
The small cylindrical candy was decorated with the image of a certain monster.
“Share it with your fellow employees.”
“I’ll enjoy it!”
With a satisfied smile, the manager strolled through the office hallway and entered his assigned manager’s office.
It was a solitary office devoid of anyone.
The manager placed the briefcase on the sofa and took off his coat.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
An employee opened the recently closed door and entered.
Without looking back, the manager organized his desk as the employee bowed and began to speak.
“I’m here to report the results of the project. The victims of the barbarian attack at the Bucheon department store total 10 people…”
“10 people?”
“Yes.”
“How many fatalities?”
“There are 2 serious injuries and 8 reported fatalities.”
The manager, who had paused his movements, turned to face the reporting employee.
The bright smile he had just shown to the staff was nowhere to be found, and his expression was frigid.
“Eight heroes are dead?”
“Yes.”
“Only that?”
“…”
Is that all the casualties there were?
The manager seemed to harbor quiet indignation.
The employee lowered his head without saying anything further.
“It was a Rank 4 MA, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“There were monsters on the rooftop, and physical barriers set up by the Hero Department on each floor, not to mention that over ten barbarians appeared… yet only that many people died?”
“That’s what the available information indicates.”
“Is there a possibility that there was a problem with the barriers?”
“According to the person in charge, there were no issues turning the barriers on and off remotely until the magic stone broke.”
“What about the personnel inside at that time?”
“According to the entry records from the Hero Department, there were a total of 37 individuals. Excluding our personnel, that means about 34.”
Barbarians were well-known to possess the strength sufficient to easily overpower Rank 4 heroes.
Perhaps even appearing in a Rank 3 MA would cause considerable damage.
Furthermore, by setting physical barriers that blocked access, they had instigated even greater damage, so there should have been at least 20 casualties.
Yet, the outcome had merely resulted in the deaths of a few heroes.
The manager shook his head and said, “Considering the effort put in, I have to call this a failure.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s not you who should apologize. It’s the foolish barbarians that are the problem. If I had known this was going to happen, I would have simply released Goene like last time instead of targeting heroes; now we’ve just wasted time.”
“…”
“So, who killed them?”
The manager’s gaze dropped as he asked his question.
The employee, feeling a chill run down his arm, continued nervously.
“Acc-cording to reports, it seems a specific party dealt with the barbarians.”
“Which party?”
“They are currently hiding the information within the Hero Department, so it’s not easy to find out.”
After completing several reports, the employee exited the office.
Staring at the closed door, the manager crossed his arms.
‘This is unpleasant… very unpleasant.’
The invaders fell so easily.
He thought he had grasped the overall force of the heroes according to their ranks.
Apparently, he was mistaken.
Of course, it was also possible that a party with Rank 4 or higher might happen to be at that department store.
“Damn those hero bastards…”
Clatter.
The manager picked up a small pair of scissors that was sitting on his desk.
Then he began to snip at the air, imagining that he was cutting the throats of those famous heroes with the scissors.
“Snip snip. Snip snip.”
Imagining the scissors cutting and severing the throats of the heroes, he felt a bit of comfort wash over him.
He vowed that someday he would make this imagination a reality.
