Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Upon hearing those words, Han Yu-jeong kept her mouth shut for a moment, her expression betraying not the slightest change.

However, it wasn't long before she burst into laughter and threw her head back.

- Puhaha! Are you serious right now?

- Seeing you laugh, I take it you've at least thought about it?

- Ah, sorry for laughing. You must've been saying that quite seriously.

- It's not the first or second time this has happened, so it's not that surprising.

Han Yu-jeong gradually lowered her laughter and returned to her usual expression.

She couldn't recall exactly when, but she had entertained the same thought as Baek Jeong-woon several times.

However, she quickly realized it was meaningless and had no choice but to change her mind.

- There's some merit to what you're saying. Even if it's a copied ability, it's true that he can use abilities of every type. He might even be able to copy Yoo Jin-seob's ability wholesale. But I still don't think that's it. That rotten bastard hasn't shown up.

- ......I understand what you mean. There was no need to verify whether it was true.

Both of them knew Yoo Jin-seob's personality well enough to accept the reasoning.

Yoo Jin-seob was a man who always kept his word and prioritized swift execution above all else.

In other words, if Yoo Jin-seob had considered the Student Council President his successor, wouldn't he have inevitably revealed himself?

- He said all that and then disappeared. There's no way he wouldn't show up. If he hasn't noticed, then he's just an idiot.

- He might've already left Korea. You can't be that certain either.

- He's still visible to my eyes for now. There's no need to pressure the Student Council President, is there?

Han Yu-jeong was keeping various possibilities in mind.

She had been secretly investigating not only Seo Hyun-woo but also numerous students at Miterich and several other Awakened.

Unexpected situations could always arise, and since it was impossible to easily deduce Yoo Jin-seob's thoughts and actions at this point, she was preparing in advance.

- Oh, did I mention this to you? The Vice Student Council President is also on my investigation list.

- I already expected that. Since she can use three types of abilities, she has a certain degree of possibility.

- I thought you'd be angry, but you're surprisingly letting it slide?

- It's not as if you'd stop just because I told you to. Think of it as a minimal courtesy from an old comrade.

- You've really mellowed out, Jeong-woon. Is that because of the Vice Student Council President?

Han Yu-jeong murmured as she recalled the days when she and Baek Jeong-woon had fought magical beasts together.

Baek Jeong-woon had been an enhancement-type Awakened who served as the vanguard of the subjugation team alongside Yoo Jin-seob.

He had taken on the most dangerous role, yet had never sustained a serious injury even once.

He was that experienced, and in close combat, even other Black Hunters wouldn't dare challenge him.

- I can afford to mellow out because I don't have to run around in the field anymore. What is there to get angry about when all I do is push a pen?

- I'd think it's the opposite. In the field, it's over once you die or get hurt, but desk work just gives you headaches. If you're middle management, you've got people pecking at you from above and below, so all you get is stress.

- So being the chairman has taught you a thing or two. I suppose that's why you brought up my niece.

- She doesn't take after your side, so she's got a really refined look. She must take after her mother's side.

- ......That does worry me. I can't let her face get scarred. She trains every day trying to beat the Student Council President, and there's no way to stop her.

Baek Jeong-woon's voice seemed to soften noticeably.

It was likely because the subject had shifted to his niece, Baek Seo-yeon, and he immediately showed interest.

Han Yu-jeong knew it, yet she smiled and continued the conversation.

- The Vice Student Council President isn't exactly weak, either. It's probably just that the Student Council President is too strong.

- I heard he has a bad personality......... Is that true?

Baek Jeong-woon had already heard a few things about Seo Hyun-woo from Baek Seo-yeon.

Hadn't she said that while his skills were outstanding, he was quite authoritarian, and though there was nothing to criticize, he displayed a high-handed attitude?

That was why he couldn't help but worry a little about Baek Seo-yeon, who was assisting with that workload.

- If he really had a bad personality, would he have helped the Vice Student Council President? The rumors are unflattering, sure, but they're not exactly credible.

- If he can't even manage that much, he deserves to be beaten to death. That needs to be considered separately from having a bad personality.

- Then why don't you come and meet him yourself? I can arrange it.

- That sounds like you're telling me to come to Miterich and spout boring things.

- Exactly. While you're at it, how about giving some advice to the juniors? You'd have a perfectly good excuse, so even if you met the Student Council President, no one would think it strange.

- .......

Baek Jeong-woon had already seen through Han Yu-jeong's intentions.

She was telling him to come to Miterich and give a lecture.

Baek Jeong-woon was an active-duty Black Hunter who had once nearly been promoted to Setinos Hunter, so he was quite well-known among enhancement-type Hunters.

Han Yu-jeong probably thought that even a single lecture from Baek Jeong-woon would benefit the students of Miterich.

- Is there really no other way?

- You're welcome to come without one. But what would the people around you think? Besides, I can't predict how the Vice Student Council President, whom you care so dearly about, would take it.

- ......I'll give it some thought.

***

Inside the studio of a PR agency.

Seo Hyun-woo had received a newly made uniform and was changing into it in the dressing room.

It was not much different from the uniform he always wore.

The only difference was that it looked a bit cleaner and more polished, being newly made.

'This makes sense. I can't exactly wear worn-out clothes for a promotional video shoot, can I?'

Seo Hyun-woo habitually pinned the gold insignia and epaulets in their respective positions and looked in the mirror.

The same unwavering reflection stared back at him.

If there was any difference, it was that the dark circles that had once lingered beneath his eyes had completely vanished.

'The supplements are definitely helping. They seemed pretty expensive, too. It might be a bit much as repayment for the hairpin, though.......'

Seo Hyun-woo finished inspecting every detail of his appearance and stepped out of the dressing room.

Baek Seo-yeon was probably changing into her clothes around now as well.

If he hadn't persuaded Baek Seo-yeon in advance, wouldn't she have flatly refused to become a promotional model?

'The whole thing went smoothly. Baek Seo-yeon showed some reluctance, but she followed my lead. Then can't I consider that my relationship with Baek Seo-yeon has grown somewhat closer compared to the original story?'

When Seo Hyun-woo stopped, a coordinator who had been waiting outside approached and began inspecting his appearance and attire.

Since this was a promotional video to be released to the public, they needed to polish his exterior to its best possible state.

However, the actual footage to be filmed wasn't much, and most of the finishing touches would be handled through CG work.

'I never expected a single photo to cause a variable like this. But it's not entirely a bad thing. I'm starting to see possibilities for solidifying my position.'

Seo Hyun-woo had always spent his spare time devising plans, then revising the plans he had made, over and over.

The reason was to safely graduate from Miterich, and also to prepare for what came after.

Accelerating his rate of growth, turning powerful Hunters into allies, and establishing his own foundation.

To accomplish all of this, he thought he would need to make his presence known, at least to some degree.

"All done. Please head to Studio 3."

Seo Hyun-woo stepped into the waiting area and checked the directory posted on the wall.

The route was a bit complicated, but if the worst came to worst, he could always ask a staff member for directions.

"You came out first."

"Oh, you're done too? It suits you quite well."

Seo Hyun-woo shifted his gaze to Baek Seo-yeon and looked her up and down.

She was not wearing the Vice Student Council President's uniform she always wore, but the Student Council President's uniform.

The subtle differences in the gold thread embroidered on the collar, sleeves, and hems of the top and bottom made it easy to tell at a glance.

"It's the same outfit I always wear. What's there to look good in?"

"The ends of your hair have a slight wave to them. Without the hairpin, it looks a little bare, I think."

"Does it really look that way?"

Baek Seo-yeon unconsciously touched the strands of hair where her hairpin should have been.

When she had first started wearing the hairpin, it was a bit uncomfortable, but once she grew accustomed to it, the empty spot felt much more noticeable.

Especially now that Seo Hyun-woo had pointed it out, she couldn't help but feel self-conscious.

"This is a shame, though. I think you look better without makeup."

Seo Hyun-woo's gaze naturally drifted from Baek Seo-yeon's hair to her face.

Her makeup seemed a bit heavier than usual.

It was obvious that effort had been put into the eyebrow area, and her lips appeared redder as well.

"......I've been wearing makeup even normally."

"Is that so? I'd rather have that, then. The makeup is ruining your face."

"I can't tell if that's a compliment or an insult."

"It's a compliment. It's rare for someone to look prettier without makeup."

"......"

Upon hearing that, Baek Seo-yeon wore an annoyed expression yet felt inwardly pleased.

When he broke it down specifically, there was nothing she could say in response.

Besides, Seo Hyun-woo looked virtually the same whether he wore makeup or not, making it awkward to retort.

"At the quickest, it'll take about two hours, and at the latest, about three hours, they said. Do you have any plans afterward?"

"Nothing in particular. Why do you ask?"

"I was thinking we could at least have lunch together."

"Were you planning to eat alone otherwise?"

"That's why I'm asking you in advance."

"Hah......... Let's just go. We should hurry and get this over with."

Baek Seo-yeon glanced around and set off first.

Seo Hyun-woo followed behind her, puzzled.

'She doesn't know the way, does she? She's going to get lost at this rate.'

***

Seo Hyun-woo and Baek Seo-yeon came out of a cafe in casual clothes.

The shoot had already ended, and they had finished lunch as well.

They had been told to take the entire day off, so things were quite relaxed.

The Student Council's dedicated secretarial office and Administrative Office would handle their duties for the time being.

"You moved with such confidence, I thought you actually knew the way."

"It was a mistake. I figured I'd get there eventually if I just kept walking."

"Thanks to that, we arrived at the studio about twenty minutes late, but it was quite entertaining. It's not often I get to see you flustered."

"......"

Baek Seo-yeon was about to make an excuse but then shut her mouth.

Was the fact that she made a mistake really that enjoyable for him?

But since it was entirely her own fault, she couldn't even argue back.

"Hmm......... I don't really feel like going back to the dormitory just yet."

"Do you have somewhere else to be?"

"No, nowhere. I'm just bored."

Upon hearing that, Baek Seo-yeon gave him a cold look.

No matter how much they'd been told to rest, how could he display such a complacent attitude?

But Seo Hyun-woo was operating at such an overwhelmingly high level that she couldn't even bring herself to criticize him.

"Wouldn't it be better to use that time for training?"

"You can't train all the time. To live a human life, you need leisure activities too."

"Your situation and mine are differ......."

Baek Seo-yeon felt an eerie presence and flinched for a moment.

Something had felt off since earlier, but only now did a distinct presence register.

As it happened, Seo Hyun-woo seemed to have noticed it as well, as he spoke carefully.

"I've got a bad feeling. It seems like the same kind of thing as that one from before."

"Are you referring to the student who turned into a magical beast?"

"Yeah. This time, it seems like it's targeting me."

Seo Hyun-woo moved naturally alongside Baek Seo-yeon, attempting to lure the opponent out.

Something similar had certainly happened to the original Seo Hyun-woo as well.

The presence even felt similar to Kim Tae-jun, who had transformed into a magical beast.

However, the time and place seemed to have shifted slightly.

'I don't know why it's appearing now, but......... there's no need to drag this out. There aren't many people around, either. If I aim well, I can end this in one shot, can't I?'