Chapter 162: Those Who Will Search Together
Helena stared intently at the man standing before her.
A handsome man with deep black hair and blazing golden eyes.
For the past several months, he had not only burned her insides black but had practically reduced everyone else's to ashes as well.
A complete piece of trash.
Yoo Sung-woo had been pinned face-first to the floor by Park Siwoo and Dan Chun-woo.
Subduing him hadn't been difficult.
No matter how capable Yoo Sung-woo was, he couldn't use mana because of the Mana Restraint Collar.
A faint groan escaped from Yoo Sung-woo as he lay awkwardly pressed against the floor.
"What is this all of a sudden?"
"You might suddenly run away again if we don't."
"I'm not going to run away. Besides, didn't things end on a pretty good note the last time we met?"
Yoo Sung-woo vividly remembered the conversation they had shared during his meeting with the Sword Emperor.
Although the circumstances had prevented him from saying much, the emotions he had felt then had been completely genuine.
Even though it had been the kind of scene that would make him kick his blanket in embarrassment several times over, it had also awakened the spirit that had gradually worn away after everything he had experienced.
Because of that, part of him had looked forward to this.
He had hoped he could greet them normally, just as he had in the past.
Of course, it hadn't taken long for that expectation to shatter.
He had already suspected things wouldn't go that smoothly after seeing Yoo Iseo's icy expression.
Still, who could have imagined he'd end up pinned to the floor?
On top of that, Park Siwoo and Dan Chun-woo seemed to be reinforcing their hold with mana, making it impossible to break free no matter how much strength he used.
"So...
How long am I supposed to keep kissing the floor?"
"Until our anger cools off, perhaps?"
Helena answered calmly.
Yoo Sung-woo frowned.
Even so, he didn't argue.
Even if they understood his circumstances, it wouldn't erase the wounds they had suffered because of him.
More importantly, there were several people here who had nothing to do with this.
Yoo Sung-woo quietly raised his head to look at them.
The Student Council room wasn't occupied only by the Student Council Executives.
Kang Jae-seok, who had lost an arm.
Instructor Mabel.
Even the Sword Empress, who had remained at the Academy instead of following the Sword Emperor.
He could understand why the Sword Empress was here.
But why were the instructors present?
"Instructors, what brings you here?
More importantly, how did you even know to come?"
To the public, the Devil Knight had already been executed.
He had stormed the Academy alone, fought desperately against the instructors, and ultimately died at the Sword Emperor's hands.
Articles titled, 'Sword Emperor Saves the Academy,' had spread everywhere.
Therefore, aside from the Association's senior officials, the Student Council Executives, Chun Ga-eun, and a handful of others, no one should have known that the Devil Knight was still alive.
At that moment, the Sword Empress spoke.
"I told them.
I didn't think relying only on the Association's watcher would be enough."
"...That sounds like you're saying you don't trust me, an Association member."
The Association's watcher, who had looked thoroughly pleased while Yoo Sung-woo was being pinned to the floor, finally spoke.
Despite the hostility in his voice, the Sword Empress merely smiled.
"I didn't mean it that way.
I simply wished to remain cautious of the Devil Knight's power.
Isn't that right?"
She looked toward Kang Jae-seok and Instructor Mabel, asking for confirmation.
"...Of course."
"That's right."
Both instructors turned to Yoo Sung-woo.
Their lips twitched.
Countless words lingered inside their mouths, yet none came out easily.
They were struggling.
Wondering what they should say.
In truth, the Sword Empress hadn't brought them here to monitor Yoo Sung-woo.
She had brought them to protect him.
The stories of how Yoo Sung-woo had secretly protected the Academy, along with everything from his past, had deeply moved her.
More importantly, both the Sword Empress and Chun Ga-eun already knew that the upper ranks of both the Association and the Academy were rotten.
In other words, they weren't only wary of the Association's watcher.
They were also wary of any assassins the Association might send.
That was why the Sword Empress had gathered allies she could truly trust.
The ones she had chosen were Kang Jae-seok and Instructor Mabel, upper-ranking Heroes who could be called pillars of the Academy.
After learning the truth, both of them had been utterly shocked.
The disciple they had believed to be a Demon had actually been sacrificing himself for the Academy all this time.
To be honest, they had already harbored their own suspicions.
After all, they themselves had been protected by the Devil Knight in the middle of Hell Manifestation.
Even so, they had still been forced to point their blades at him.
Simply because he was a Demon.
Yet everything they had learned about Yoo Sung-woo far exceeded even their own suspicions.
It wouldn't have been an exaggeration to say that the Academy had found peace because of him.
Most of all, Kang Jae-seok had been able to awaken from his coma because of Yoo Sung-woo's Authority.
At last, Kang Jae-seok lowered his head deeply.
He paid no attention to the gazes surrounding him.
"Thank you.
For saving my life.
And for protecting the Academy."
Looking at Kang Jae-seok's deeply bowed head, Yoo Sung-woo smiled awkwardly.
Realizing the general mood, Park Siwoo and Dan Chun-woo finally released him.
Watching this, Helena secretly complained to herself.
It really was a heartwarming scene.
But because of that, the way they had tried to scold Yoo Sung-woo now felt strangely awkward.
Of course, neither Helena, Park Siwoo, nor Dan Chun-woo held any resentment toward him.
However, it was also true that they had all suffered emotionally because of him.
The reason they had pinned him down the moment he entered the Student Council room was partly revenge...
But more than anything, they no longer wanted him to continue carrying guilt toward them.
Just then, Instructor Mabel spoke.
"And don't be too upset with the kids.
This was their own way of trying to lighten the mood."
"W-What do you mean by that, Instructor?!"
"Did you really think Instructor Mabel here wouldn't notice you whispering among yourselves after hearing Sung-woo was coming?"
"H-How did you..."
They had definitely been communicating through mana transmission.
Had she secretly eavesdropped on them?
Seeing Helena's flustered expression, Instructor Mabel wore a mischievous smile.
Helena hurriedly changed the subject.
"W-Well then...
Don't you want to see your little sister?"
Hearing that, Yoo Sung-woo tilted his head before remembering Eun-ha.
The misunderstanding surrounding her identity still hadn't been cleared up.
Yoo Sung-woo turned toward the corner of the Student Council room, where Eun-ha sat quietly.
Surrounded by so many powerful people, she sat silently on the sofa.
Seeing her again after so long...
She looked completely different from the last time.
Countless expectant gazes fell upon Yoo Sung-woo.
He knew exactly what everyone was hoping to see.
'They're probably expecting a tearful reunion between siblings.'
Unfortunately...
That wasn't going to happen.
This was already the second time he had seen Eun-ha in this form.
Even so, she seemed fairly satisfied with her life at the Academy.
'Although...
Judging by the fact that she still isn't speaking, she probably hasn't completely opened her heart yet.'
He figured that problem would naturally resolve itself once they risked their lives together inside the Fragments.
After exchanging glances with Eun-ha for a while, Yoo Sung-woo turned back toward everyone gathered in the room.
He wanted to spend more time catching up.
But there was simply too much to tell and too much to hear.
One day wouldn't be nearly enough.
Besides...
He wasn't planning to leave the Academy ever again.
"First of all, I honestly don't know how to respond to such a warm welcome.
But now...
Let's move on to something more serious."
As soon as he said that, the atmosphere changed.
Everyone's expressions hardened as Yoo Sung-woo continued.
"The Academy is currently in an extremely dangerous situation.
It wouldn't be surprising if Pandemonium launched an assault at any moment."
The reason, of course, was Yoo Sung-woo himself.
The Vessel of the End had betrayed Pandemonium and hidden himself inside the Academy.
Pandemonium would undoubtedly do whatever it took to reclaim the Vessel of the End.
The only piece of good news was that it was unlikely any High-ranking Executive—or the leader himself—would move personally.
"Up until now, I've been obtaining information from inside Pandemonium, predicting their movements, and preventing the disasters that would've struck the Academy.
But now that I've entered the Academy myself, I have no way of knowing what Pandemonium will do next."
"In other words, we need a way to stop them."
Kang Jae-seok said.
Compared to before, the Academy's overall military strength had improved thanks to the involvement of the Guilds and the Association.
However, that also created new vulnerabilities.
It was the inevitable consequence of too many different factions extending their influence into the Academy.
And Kang Jae-seok understood that better than anyone.
"We don't know how they'll try to infiltrate the Academy.
They could continue operating as spies like before...
Or they could openly launch a full-scale assault."
"If it's an assault, the instructors and the Student Council Executives can handle it.
The real problem is..."
"...The Demons who'll exploit the Academy's weak points."
While casually revealing bits of information, Yoo Sung-woo quietly observed the watcher's reaction.
Whether the man could be trusted or not, he would undoubtedly report today's conversation to the Association's executives.
Which meant this entire meeting was essentially bait meant to lure out Pandemonium's spies.
Hoping those hidden collaborators would take the bait, they continued the discussion.
"That wraps up the matter of Pandemonium's attack.
Now then...
The real topic starts here."
The search for Baek Hyun-joong.
That was the true reason I had returned to the Academy.
"I know how to find Hero Baek Hyun-joong."
"Wait...
You're serious?"
Everyone reacted with obvious shock.
In truth, everyone present had assumed searching for Baek Hyun-joong would be an incredibly difficult task.
All they knew was the vague truth that he existed somewhere within the Academy.
Moreover, every facility inside the Academy had already been thoroughly searched.
In other words, there wasn't a single clue.
And yet...
I was saying I knew how to find him.
Although countless questions filled their minds, no one pressed me for answers.
After all, even if I told them the truth, they probably wouldn't believe it.
Who would believe someone claiming that Baek Hyun-joong had appeared in their dream and revealed his location?
Even the watcher beside me widened his eyes in surprise.
"I intend to begin searching for Hero Baek Hyun-joong as quickly as possible.
Since I already know the method, it shouldn't take very long."
Once this reached the Association, Pandemonium's hidden collaborators would undoubtedly panic.
I genuinely intended to find Baek Hyun-joong as quickly as possible.
But before that, I planned to eliminate every one of Pandemonium's spies hidden within the Academy.
That way, the burden on those remaining behind would be much lighter once I left the Academy.
"Now then...
I'll announce the people who'll be joining me in the search for Hero Baek Hyun-joong."
The eyes of everyone present lit up.
Since I was the one who knew how to find Baek Hyun-joong, the authority to choose the party members rested with me.
In truth, the members had already been decided.
"Park Siwoo.
Dan Chun-woo.
Eun-ha.
The four of us will search for Hero Baek Hyun-joong together."
The announcement immediately divided everyone's expressions between joy and disappointment.