Chapter 2 – Rule 1. The leader does not arrive late (2)
Ahn Woo-jin thought to himself.
It would be enough to claim that being late was unavoidable due to resolving an important incident.
The reason he got on the train late.
If he hinted that he had anticipated Anomia’s plan in advance, the story would fall perfectly into place.
So Woo-jin intended to observe the situation and then say, “I knew all about your plans.”
Meanwhile, the tattooed male student was wide-eyed.
“A disciplinary committee armband…?”
Of course, the disciplinary committee was one of the groups that required strict caution.
They were a militant group responsible for cracking down on illegal activities in their respective school districts.
Therefore, Anomia was well aware of the form of the armband.
“Crazy, that guy… is the Disciplinary Committee Leader of Ahsung High…?”
The armband Woo-jin wore was that of the Disciplinary Committee Leader.
The tattooed male student couldn’t close his mouth.
‘No wonder he looked familiar…! I saw his face in the documents!’
He didn’t recognize him immediately because Woo-jin was wearing a hat.
The new Disciplinary Committee Leader of Ahsung High School, Ahn Woo-jin.
One of the strong ones who collected information thoroughly and devised meticulous strategies, making it hard to guarantee a win against him.
‘Why is the Disciplinary Committee Leader here…?’
The tattooed male student harbored doubts.
“Ahsung High’s Disciplinary Committee Leader? Why is that guy here?”
“We already figured out that he’s always the first to arrive at school…”
“There’s no reason for him to be here, right? If this guy from Ahsung High is here, he’d definitely be late…!”
Anomia members whispered in confusion.
Naturally, a strong sense of doubt arose.
The new Disciplinary Committee Leader of Ahsung High School, Ahn Woo-jin, had been a model student who never missed a single day of being the first to arrive at school since his first year. Anomia already had that information.
If an Ahsung High student was here now, it meant he would inevitably be late.
But why was the Disciplinary Committee Leader, who had never once been late, the exemplary student who had never shown even a hint of deviation, here on this train at this time today?
“There’s no way that guy would be late… Ah!”
They simultaneously deduced the same conclusion.
There was only one conclusion that made sense.
“Could it be, he noticed our plan…?”
“Did we already fall into that guy’s palm…!?”
That was it.
There was no other explanation for why the Disciplinary Committee Leader of Ahsung High was here.
They had taken extreme measures to ensure no information leaked.
They couldn’t even guess how the information had been leaked.
How terrifying this man was.
“…?”
Woo-jin was taken aback but didn’t show it.
He didn’t expect them to deduce on their own according to his thoughts.
It was better this way, as he didn’t have to waste words.
Now he just had to proceed with the suppression.
Woo-jin silently approached the remaining Anomia members.
Judging by his gaming knowledge, he could handle this level of small fry on his own.
“No way out! We have to fight!”
“Get him now!”
“Attack all at once!”
Running away was difficult on the speeding train.
Like prey desperately trying to survive in front of a predator, Anomia members rushed at Woo-jin all at once.
“Ugh!”
“Argh!”
There was no contest.
Every time Woo-jin skillfully swung his extendable baton in a crescent arc, Anomia members writhed in pain or passed out.
Even being hit directly with a metal bat wouldn’t have been this powerful.
Moreover, the baton was imbued with lightning magic, so even if they barely withstood the attack, their whole body would end up electrocuted.
“Aaaah!!”
The tattooed male student, thinking Woo-jin had let his guard down, mustered the last of his strength and charged at Woo-jin.
Swish!
The magic-imbued axe sliced sharply through the air.
Woo-jin easily dodged by tilting his upper body to the side.
Whack!
“Ugh!”
The tattooed male student was hit in the abdomen by Woo-jin’s baton and rolled on the floor again.
“Ugh! Uurgh!”
He vomited the contents of his stomach and looked up at Woo-jin with incredulous eyes.
‘We can’t beat him…’
The skill gap was significant.
He had thought that numbers would prevail, but Woo-jin was easily shattering that belief.
In the end, the tattooed male student reached his limit and fainted.
The clash continued.
Anomia members fought bravely like Spartan soldiers.
However, to the students present, it was merely a one-sided slaughter by Woo-jin.
Including the original protagonist, Lee Taesung, all the students who had been waiting for an opportunity couldn’t even think of intervening and just swallowed dryly.
***
The train returned to its original route, and all the Anomia members who had taken over the train were transported away, restrained in transport vehicles.
If our school’s disciplinary committee hadn’t helped, we would have been in serious trouble.
Now, my subordinates will interrogate the Anomia members and dig into the case. They’ll handle it well.
‘Anyway, Anomia won’t grow any further from here.’
Anomia wouldn’t be able to expand its power anymore and would eventually collapse on its own.
Of course, there was a chance that Anomia might revive if things went strangely.
But if there were any signs of that, I wouldn’t just sit back and watch.
‘The mafia is a bigger problem.’
On the other hand, the mafia, which is in conflict with Anomia, would grow its power later and open the floodgates in the black market to become a ‘Great Villain.’
However, I considered the mafia not as an elimination target but as something to be cautious of.
‘They’ll collapse eventually too.’
Even if the mafia became a Great Villain, they wouldn’t last long and would eventually fall apart. Since they were event villains, the reasons for their demise weren’t detailed. It was likely related to the sudden death of the next boss.
So, it was enough to monitor the whereabouts and actions of that next boss. Finding that guy first wasn’t urgent.
Anyway, cases involving both Anomia and the mafia were matters that could be handled at my level.
“Thank you for your hard work, leader.”
“Take care of the rest. Good job.”
“Yes, sir!”
The transport crew of Ahsung High’s disciplinary committee saluted me and left. Although we were second-year classmates, he respected me due to the hierarchical relationship imposed by our positions.
It still felt strange.
Being addressed formally by a classmate.
While I was watching the back of my subordinate, lost in thought, a familiar voice rang in my ears.
“Our leader, making a big impact from day one.”
A soft, friendly voice.
Another member of the disciplinary committee had approached me without my noticing. I turned my head towards her.
A female student with a red armband on her left arm and a sword at her waist came into view.
The armband had a silver border engraved on it.
A symbol of the Vice-Leader.
“How’s the site command?”
“I came to see you for a moment.”
Oh Baek-seo.
My classmate, who became the senior administrative officer and Vice-Leader of the disciplinary committee this year.
Upon receiving the report about the commotion on the train, she had led the committee members here. Though there was no need for the Vice-Leader to come in person, she said she came because she heard I was handling the suppression alone.
Oh Baek-seo was a talented person who showed outstanding abilities in various fields, had strong popularity, and even had excellent combat skills.
Because of this, Baek-seo was regarded as an object of admiration not only in the disciplinary committee but also throughout Ahsung High.
Why wasn’t such a person appointed as the Leader from the start? Because Baek-seo didn’t want it. The reason was that she felt burdened by it.
‘I was really lucky that she didn’t want the Leader position….’
Otherwise, I wouldn’t have even dreamed of becoming the disciplinary committee leader.
Anyway.
Since I knew Baek-seo’s intentions from the beginning, I never considered her a competitor for the Leader position.
I just dealt with her with a relaxed mind.
This attitude made me appear as someone who could stay composed around Baek-seo, which earned me extra points for being recognized as Leader material, as I heard during a recent gathering.
‘The problem is the perception of the committee members, though.’
What would the members think?
They might find it hard to see a reason to follow me over Baek-seo.
I would probably feel the same if I were a member.
Thus, Baek-seo was also the reason I had to strive to be more perfect as the Leader.
“You know? If it weren’t for the Leader, things could have gotten much worse.”
Baek-seo said in her usual gentle tone while examining the documents on the clipboard in her hand.
“We couldn’t guarantee what kind of damage the many students on the train would have suffered, and there would have been considerable financial damage to the railway business as well. The train operation was completely halted. Our Leader has indebted several places at once. Good job.”
A kindergarten teacher’s smile filled Baek-seo’s face, as if she was about to pat my head.
“That’s a relief.”
I responded calmly, gripping the brim of my hat.
Baek-seo looked puzzled.
“You speak as if it’s no big deal?”
“I just did what I had to do.”
“Really?”
Yes.
I just did what I had to do.
Baek-seo stared at me, stroking her chin, a fresh smile spreading across her face for some reason.
“When I couldn’t see the Leader, I thought maybe you were late on your first day….”
“That’s ridiculous. Do you think I would do something so undignified?”
“Right. The Leader wouldn’t.”
For some reason, a bead of cold sweat trickled down my cheek.
“Anyway, it’s impressive. I didn’t expect you to figure out Anomia’s plan in advance. I didn’t know at all. Couldn’t you have given me a hint?”
I didn’t know either….
“I wasn’t sure. And if the information that I knew their plan got out, it would be uncontrollable afterwards. I was being cautious.”
I shrugged my shoulders, trying to sound as natural as possible.
“Yeah…, I guess I need to become someone the Leader can trust soon.”
Baek-seo shrugged her shoulders, mimicking my earlier action.
“I’m not saying I don’t trust you.”
“I know. I was talking about methodology.”
Baek-seo looked at the train where the incident occurred.
“Of course, you won’t be marked late. I’ll submit a justification, so just attend the opening ceremony. The first platoon will handle the site cleanup.”
“Please do. Handle the case, and report any special matters.”
“Got it, I will.”
My immediate role was over.
“Then I’ll go back to commanding the site.”
Baek-seo said and turned around, walking away.
But why was she going in the wrong direction?
Oh, probably to the restroom.
Anyway…, it was finally over.
‘Phewwww….’
I let out a deep sigh of relief inside.
Being late was now an unavoidable matter.
I had become the figure who had ‘anticipated Anomia’s plan in advance and suppressed them.’
Rather than tarnishing my image, I had successfully built up achievements from day one.
Heaven must have had a plan.
Looking up at the clear sky, I offered my thanks. Hey, I knew you had my back!
At that moment, Baek-seo suddenly stopped and turned around as if she remembered something.
She arrived in a blind spot where the disciplinary committee members, busy cleaning up the scene, couldn’t see her.
Baek-seo’s kind smile was directed at me.
“Leader.”
“?
Baek-seo gently called me and waved her hand.
“Come here.”
What’s this about?
I squinted my eyes and walked over. Was she planning to play a prank on me before I left?
As soon as I stepped into the blind spot, Baek-seo’s hand reached for my head.
She straightened my hat, then loosened my tie and began retying it.
“…What are you doing?”
“It was slightly crooked. It was bothering me.”
It must have gotten messed up during the fight.
“Thanks, but did you have to do it here?”
In such a secluded spot.
Baek-seo looked into my eyes with a meaningful smile and whispered.
“If others see us like this, they might mistake us for being a couple. Unless you want that.”
“In that case, no thanks.”
Baek-seo was right.
We, as members of the disciplinary committee, must strictly enforce the rules against improper conduct.
Especially since Ahsung High School had a rule against romantic relationships because they were seen as distractions from academics.
An awkward silence followed.
During that time, Baek-seo’s soft hands skillfully tied my tie into a neat shape.
I swallowed dryly.
For some reason, I felt tense.
Over something like this.
Finally, the tie was done.
“All set.”
“Thanks for the care.”
But she didn’t let go of my tie.
Does she have something to say?
“…Baek-seo?”
“We’re second-years now.”
Baek-seo spoke in a gentle tone when I called her name.
“That’s right.”
Baek-seo let go of my tie and smiled brightly as she met my gaze.
“Leader.”
“?”
“Let’s do well this year.”
All of a sudden?
‘Oh.’
Come to think of it, today was the first day we were officially starting our roles as leader and Vice-Leader.
It seemed like she was saying we should work well together.
‘Sentimental as always….’
The corners of my mouth lifted slightly.
The proper response to such words was to reciprocate with similar sentiments.
“You too. Let’s do our best.”
I responded courteously and stepped back.
I lowered my head to check and touch my tie.
She had tied it perfectly.
As expected from the talented Baek-seo.
“Nicely done, for someone who doesn’t usually wear a tie.”
“I practiced.”
“Why?”
“Who knows.”
?
Baek-seo smiled and left.
…
I arrived at school.
Since I was already late, I decided to skip the ongoing opening ceremony and head straight to the disciplinary committee office.
In the office, a calligraphy piece with the slogan “For the Rejuvenation of Humanity” was hanging prominently.
‘First, I need to apply for late exemption.’
Baek-seo said she would handle it, but I didn’t want to burden her with even this task.
Attendance was recorded electronically. I was already marked as late. So, I needed to submit a late-exemption application through the school’s website. The AI would then determine if the reason was legitimate and provide a decision.
‘Hmm?’
…Why is it already submitted?
The application status shows ‘under review’?
I checked the submitted application.
[ Late-Exemption Application ]
─ Name: Ahn Woo-jin
─ Reason: Due to handling an urgent matter as part of disciplinary committee activities, I was unavoidably late to school. Therefore, I seek to be acknowledged as having attended on time, in accordance with Article 32, Paragraph 6 of the school regulations. Attached is supporting documentation.
─ Attached file: Disciplinary Committee Activity_Ahn Woo-jin_PNG [Download]
─ Proxy: Disciplinary Committee Vice-Leader Oh Baek-seo
Baek-seo had submitted it.
The application was submitted while I was busy restraining the Anomia members.
The attached file contained documentation of the incident.
‘This is….’
Heh.
A chuckle escaped between my lips.
Once the application is processed, its contents become inaccessible. It should be done now that the opening ceremony is over.
I canceled the submitted application and wrote a new one.
I decided to keep this from the Vice-Leader.
Should I appreciate how much she covered for me? I pondered for a while.
* * *
─ Se-Ah, are you alright?
“Yes, I’m fine~.”
Lee Se-Ah, a tidy female student dressed in Ahsung High School’s black uniform, answered her smartphone with a hint of a smile.
Her narrow eyes curved like a fox’s when she laughed.
“The leader of our school’s disciplinary committee personally protected me. To think I would owe them a debt on the first day… This is quite troublesome!”
Se-Ah spoke playfully.
She was the female student targeted by Anomia during the train incident.
Although Anomia didn’t make it obvious, Se-Ah easily realized she was their target.
Despite that, she remained carefree, acting as if nothing had happened.
─ Se-Ah, please avoid commuting alone from now on. Anomia has identified you as a target. This time, the disciplinary committee leader from Ahsung High helped, but there’s no guarantee it won’t happen again.
“Oh dear, that’s troublesome!”
─ Please don’t be flippant…. This is serious.
A sigh was heard from the smartphone.
─ By the way, I didn’t expect Ahsung High’s disciplinary committee leader to have anticipated Anomia’s plan. We didn’t see it coming either.
“Jung-mi, there’s something a bit strange about it, don’t you think?”
─ What do you mean?
Se-Ah chuckled mischievously.
“You see, at first, I got on the wrong train and was late, right?”
─ ……?
“Anomia must have been stealthily tailing me and adjusted their movements accordingly. That’s how they were able to ambush the train I later transferred to, right? But the disciplinary committee leader was already on that exact train? How could that be?”
Se-Ah tilted her head with a smiling face.
“That person.”
Suddenly, Se-Ah lowered her voice. Although she was still smiling, there was a seriousness in her tone.
“They were monitoring Anomia’s movements in real-time.”
Ahn Woo-jin, the disciplinary committee leader, hadn’t just anticipated Anomia’s plan.
He had gone a step further.
Se-Ah sensed a kind of tenacity from Ahn Woo-jin.
It was something beyond her reach.
“In that case, what about other organizations?”
If he was like that with Anomia, how would he handle larger organizations?
─ I understand what you mean now.
“Wow~. No wonder he became the disciplinary committee leader over Oh Baek-seo. Truly terrifying.”
Se-Ah returned to her playful tone.
When she first decided to enroll at Ahsung High, she had little interest in the disciplinary committee leader.
She was only mildly curious that someone other than the famous Oh Baek-seo had become the leader.
To think it would be like this.
Se-Ah grinned.
“I’m starting to get a bit interested.”
Thus, on the first day at Ahsung High School, the new student Lee Se-Ah took her time, becoming the last student to arrive and marking her record with a tardiness.