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Chapter 86: A Warmth that is Almost Painful

A time of suffering that was too hot, both in body and mind. If I could just get through this, it felt almost like I could accept a contract with the Demon King, though not exactly.

The dreadful and chaotic mid-term exam period, accompanied by a study session of those despicable and irreverent fools, finally came to an end.

“The grades will be collected from today and will be announced through the app starting tomorrow, so keep that in mind… Other than that, there’s nothing special. Until the weekend, there’s no special schedule, so you all can enjoy your freedom.”

As Yoo Ha-yeon spoke in a clearer voice than usual, there erupted a cheer that felt like it could shake the Hunter department building. It wasn’t just Class 5, where Yeon-woo was, that was cheering.

Yoo Ha-yeon, who had been calmly covering her ears, silently left the classroom.

“Thank you for your hard work. Rest well until the weekend.”

“What? What’s with that…?”

“Did something bad happen?”

“Becoming your homeroom teacher has become my biggest regret since birth. Even if I say something nice, it’s madness.”

As Yoo Ha-yeon grumbled with a somewhat sulky expression and left the classroom, a few students who had spoken earlier rushed out after her like it was a big deal.

Once, Yoo Ha-yeon had been nothing like an educator, but I suppose she had gradually become accustomed to the students.

Yeon-woo picked up the scattered pens in front of her and tapped them against her ring. The pens disappeared into thin air, and she stood up.

“Finally over…”

It had been two hellish weeks. I might not have been as exhausted taking care of the kids at the orphanage. At fifteen, the kids were all behaving like they had a mind of their own.

Was it because they were geniuses, or simply descendants of distinguished families? Seong-ryong, who played with the kids despite not studying, and Jung Yu-jin, who quietly focused on studying with only necessary questions, were my only comforts.

“After-party? After-party? After-party?”

Of course, this didn’t mean the end of Yeon-woo’s exhausting association with Namgung Seong, who was pouring in on her like a madman.

Yeon-woo made a disgusted face at the sight of Namgung Seong flapping his huge wings behind her.

“No, why right after the exams?”

“Then when else would we go to the after-party? Let’s go have some fun!! I’ll treat the kids!!”

Now that changes everything.

It wasn’t exactly a refusal.

Thinking back, Namgung Seong had been tiring because he asked too many questions but he hadn’t shown a lack of focus on studying.

Hate the sin, but don’t hate the sinner. It felt like allowing Namgung Seong to go free wouldn’t be a crime.

“If that’s the case, let’s invite the other kids too. I’ll freshen up at the dorm and take the others along, so see you soon.”

“Okay, then I’ll make a group chat on the messenger.”

Having made a simple agreement, Yeon-woo left the classroom and headed back to the dorm. It almost felt like a blessing in disguise. She had been considering taking the kids out on the same day as the end of midterms.

Going out with just family sounds nice, but couldn’t that happen on the weekend too?

The kids got shy around too many people, so she hoped they could overcome that a bit by hanging out with their friends.

“Kiddos, Daddy’s home!”

“Wow, it’s Daddy!”

Tae-oh and Shar came dashing out like puppies and jumped into my arms. Shar wore a light white tee and denim shorts, keeping in mind the weather. Tae-oh, still lacking enough clothes, wore overalls on top of a black t-shirt.

“Where are we going today? Tae-oh wants to go to a warm place with lots of sunshine.”

Tae-oh nodded at Shar’s words. Thinking about it, I felt like using the Light’s Decision when we were making the contract was spot-on. It seemed that Tae-oh, like a cat, particularly liked warm, sunlit spots.

“Um, I’m sorry, but could we possibly postpone the family outing to tomorrow or the day after? Your friends want to hang out too. Is that okay?”

“I’m fine! Tae-oh, what about you?”

“…I’ll try my best.”

“I’m sorry. Instead, let’s go on the warmest day between tomorrow or the day after. I know just the place that will make Tae-oh happy.”

Tae-oh, who had a slightly stiff expression, suddenly snorted and nodded eagerly. So, that’s a good thing? Even though they’re my child, there’s still much I don’t understand.

Fortunately, the meeting time was set for about an hour and a half later at 1 PM, so I decided to spend an hour playing with the kids.

“Next up, let’s welcome Im Yu-bin! Everyone give her a round of applause~”

“Wow.”

Namgung Seong introduced Im Yu-bin, who stood awkwardly in her school uniform pants and a regular shirt. A fellow student who occasionally requested sparring sessions and was good with a short sword and shield.

I didn’t care much since Yeon-woo was friendly with her, but I wondered how the others felt.

“No, listen. When I came out of class and was heading back to the dorm, she was walking with her head down all alone. Wouldn’t it be sad for someone to be gloomy on such a nice day? So I brought her along.”

“Ah, hello, I-I’m Im Yu-bin… Sorry for interrupting…”

“No worries, fellow student. Let’s build some bonds that we haven’t managed to make yet.”

“…I’m okay too. Haaaam.”

Fortunately, no one in the group had such low social skills that they would reject her outright, so she was accepted readily.

Of course, two of them, Kim Yoo-min and Jung Yu-jin, were a bit awkwardly thinking, “Aren’t we in different classes?”

Im Yu-bin wore a blue pleated skirt with a puffy white shirt, her hair that she usually kept tied up was now down, giving her a fresh look.

It seemed she was glancing at Namgung Seong while slightly lowering her head…?

‘Whoa, is that a green light? Shar, what do you think?’

[I agree. What about Tae-oh?]

[Tae-oh doesn’t really understand…!]

Yeon-woo and Shar chuckled at Tae-oh, whose face was as red as a beet as he buried his face.

Oh, how cute. But that’s unexpected. Who would have thought Im Yu-bin might like Namgung Seong?

‘That kid… oops. Where’s the charm in Bird Head?’

[Um~ He is handsome if you put it that way… ?]

‘No? How dare you charm our Shar? I can’t let that slide, I’d have to take care of both today.’

[It’s just a very objective evaluation, so please don’t worry. In my eyes, Daddy is the coolest! Ah, I said it!]

‘Phew, since you said that, I’ll let it slide this once….’

The death sentence for Namgung Seong was rescinded. Truly a blessing in disguise. To think that only when I genuinely try to fight him would I even consider his death.

“Then, let’s head off to eat first. After an exam, a buffet is a must!”

As Namgung Seong cheerfully declared, a large group of eight followed behind him.

On the last day of the exams, no dorms served lunch. It felt as if they wouldn’t bother taking the money since everyone was going out to eat anyway. Of course, if anyone wanted, they could pay and eat.

In the front were Je Gal Seong-ryong and Namgung Seong chatting, followed closely by a timid Im Yu-bin.

Kim Yoo-min and Baek In-hwa were chatting as they walked, and at the back, Jung Yu-jin, Yeon-woo, and the shy Shar and Tae-oh chatted as well.

Despite everything, it was inevitable that my attention was drawn to the students of the Academy, capturing youth in its purest form.

*

The Demon King Cult consists of seven factions. The Cult of Depression, following the Demon King of Monday, the Violence Cult, following the Demon King of Fire, and so on…

Although they share the name of the Demon King Cult, they do not all consider each other trustworthy allies. It could be said that it’s a temporary alliance that lasts only until humanity is annihilated.

“I’m feeling gloomy, everyone… It’s truly a gloomy situation…”

“Ahh, High Priest…! What brings you here…!”

How gloomy must it be for him to even cry? A young man with red at the bottom of his eyes was bowing his head in a dark corridor.

The people surrounding him looked at him with worried expressions.

“The Demon King has found out that he’s looking at someone other than us… Can we not feel sad about that…?”

The crowd collectively sighed. It was understandable, as those who were here were fanatics who held the Demon King in their hearts from deep within.

“…So, I will give the glorious role to just one person. Just one.”

Amidst the somber mood, the High Priest quietly murmured those words. Immediately, everyone in the corridor burst out in cheers, clamoring to take on the role. It was an almost hysterical excitement.

Why wouldn’t he take on such a glorious role himself? It was a consideration from the High Priest. A hope that one of the priests could rise to the same position as him… A setup to expand the Demon King’s loyal followers, as the fanatics believed that killing someone while serving the Demon King was truly for the Demon King’s sake.

At one point, the High Priest raised his arm. The corridor fell silent. The fact that the Demon King Cult could even form a collective without being under the Demon King’s direct authority was purely reliant on the High Priest’s charisma. It was truly an appropriate scene for fanatics. One could even wonder if they were worshipping the High Priest instead of the Demon King.

“To you, who has been gloomy until now… Christopher, I entrust you with this task. Kill the student Choi Yeon-woo, who attends Harmony Academy. If you kill that little lamb, you’ll be one step closer to the Demon King…”

With those words, the crowd parted like the Red Sea. Beyond, there lay a blonde man sprawled on the ground, staring blankly at the floor.

“I want to die…”

That was the man’s final words as he walked out of the corridor. The High Priest watched his departing figure with satisfaction.

Meanwhile, at that time, Yeon-woo was digging in her ears.

Watching three women chatting excitedly at a children’s clothing store from a distance, she noticed that Shar and Tae-oh were looking strained as they said they wanted to buy clothes.

‘Who’s talking bad about me?’

[Oh, Dad, help me out.]

‘You chose those children’s clothes, just persevere…!’

(To be continued in the next episode)

 

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