-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Team Dinner (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After the incident was more or less resolved, we were immediately summoned by the Director.
It had been a while since I'd visited the top floor of the main building's clock tower.
There, I met Rina again.
She stood with her arms crossed, tapping her fingers with a subtle expression.
"...Jin Yu-ha. You stopped a student who had demonized at the academy, I hear."
"Yes."
"Truth be told, I'd like to commend you first, but there are procedures, so I cannot simply acknowledge it outright. We must first verify the circumstances."
"Yes, I understand."
I nodded at her words.
"Then I shall ask my question. How did you know Choi Ah-ram was going to demonize, and how did you respond?"
I had anticipated this question and was prepared in advance.
"This morning, I went for practical gate training with these two individuals here, and Cadet Choi Ah-ram."
"…That's right."
Since Rina herself had confirmed it, she nodded.
"And while clearing the gate, I discovered unusual symptoms in Cadet Choi Ah-ram."
"Hmm, then. Why didn't you report it in advance?"
She narrowed her eyes, asking with a suspicious gaze.
I calmly met her gaze.
"Director. Do you remember the incident where I was suspected of being a demon before I enrolled?"
At that, Rina's expression hardened.
"I believe that when a cadet is suspected of being a demon, thorough verification is necessary. Otherwise… an innocent victim like me could appear."
"…"
"Since I've already experienced such a thing, how could I possibly have been the first to say that a senior was suspected of being a demon?"
Ahem—!!!
When I pointed this out, she cleared her throat unnecessarily, as if stung.
I smiled inwardly that my intention had worked and continued.
"So, I didn't make a rash assumption and only harbored a suspicion for the time being. Meanwhile, I received a call from Senior Lim Ga-eul, who is here."
I gestured with my head towards Lim Ga-eul, who was standing behind me.
"Choi Ah-ram had contacted the senior. Asking her to come alone to the abandoned training ground."
"…You felt something suspicious there and accompanied her. And at that place where you went together, you discovered Choi Ah-ram, who was already undergoing demonization. Is that what you mean?"
"Yes, that's correct."
Rina thought deeply for a moment, then nodded, seemingly finding it reasonable.
Indeed, there was no room for misunderstanding.
After all, she herself had overseen the beginning and end of the practical gate training that morning.
"Yes, excellent…"
Hmm, but while praising me, why was she making a face like she'd just received homework for Christmas?
"Then, for your contribution to resolving this matter, I shall grant you a reward. First, you're planning to include Cadet Lim Ga-eul, who also contributed to this, as one of your party members, right?"
At those words, Lim Ga-eul momentarily looked startled, but
Well, if she'd come this far, there was no backing out now.
"Yes."
I nodded.
"Hmm, then, shall I additionally engrave a sub-space tattoo on both Cadet Lee Yu-ri, whom I mentioned before, and Cadet Lim Ga-eul?"
My eyes narrowed instantly.
'Oh, this little brat, trying to pull a fast one on me?'
"Wait a minute."
I interrupted her.
"…What is it?"
"No, it just sounded a bit strange as I was listening."
"…W-what?!"
A sub-space tattoo? Of course, it's good.
First, in Lim Ga-eul's case, it could be seen as a reasonable reward.
But not for the others.
"First, I admit that a sub-space tattoo is a suitable reward for Senior Lim Ga-eul. If Senior wasn't there, we wouldn't have found the demon."
I said to her, ticking off points on my fingers.
"However, as for Lee Yu-ri, that was something I earned through my performance in Instructor Baek Seol-hee's class. Is it okay if I mention this privately to the instructor?"
"Th-that's—!"
"And if that's the case, wouldn't my other party members receive no benefit from that reward?"
As I picked apart her words one by one and argued,
Rina bit her lip tightly.
"…I dislike quick-witted brats like you."
Rina said, frowning.
'Honestly, aren't *you* the brat?'
The words rose to the tip of my throat, but I swallowed them down.
Before she could read my expression and have a fit about something, I immediately continued.
"Indeed, we handled the student who became a demon without any casualties, but honestly, I think the reward is stingy."
Then, the Director, who had been staring at me intently, opened her mouth.
"…Tell me what you want."
I inwardly cheered.
Yes. I succeeded in bringing it to this point.
In the original game, what was unlocked as a reward for this tutorial was the 'Character Sponsorship System'.
Meaning, from after defeating the tutorial boss, users could give gifts to each character,
And it became possible to discreetly give them various items and growth materials.
'But according to what I've found out through Shin Se-hee so far, there were no sponsors who possessed growth materials like users.'
So I thought about how I could seize this opportunity.
What I came up with after long consideration:
'The Director's help.'
I know why she doesn't step forward.
However, nevertheless, I concluded that it would be more beneficial for her to step forward just once.
'Because *he* appears, the one who is absolutely unbeatable by the system.'
At that time, the academy suffers significant damage.
And the Director's authority, who didn't step forward in this matter, would also plummet endlessly.
As a result, it becomes a world where demons and devils run rampant even more.
I looked at Rina and opened my mouth.
"Later, when we want, please lend us your strength just once."
As if she hadn't expected me to make such a request, her eyes trembled as if an earthquake had struck.
"Th-that's…"
Rina stammered with a flustered expression.
"Director. Just once. After that, I promise that we will not ask for your direct help again."
"…"
She bit her lip tightly and looked at me.
After some silence passed,
Rina stared blankly at the ceiling.
"That damn sense of déjà vu is gone again…"
"…Huh?"
"Perhaps this might be the right answer…"
And then she turned her head towards me.
She nodded as if she had made a big decision.
"Alright. I understand. When you wish for it. I will give you help just once at that time."
"Thank you."
"And while you're here, get the sub-space tattoo procedure done before you leave. All preparations are complete."
Rina let out a deep sigh with a tired expression.
* * *
When all party members had received the sub-space tattoo procedure and came out, the surroundings were already pitch black night.
"Ugh… It hurts."
Lee Yu-ri, who had the procedure last, rubbed the back of her hand with a burning pain.
A small, geometric tattoo was engraved in blue on the back of her hand.
She no longer needed to carry a heavy shield all the time.
Phew—
She blew on the back of her hand, then turned her gaze towards me.
"Jin Yu-ha."
"Hm?"
"I couldn't ask earlier because of the Director, but is that really true?"
"What is?"
"That you gave this to me as a result of your class performance."
She said, holding out the tattoo on the back of her hand.
"Well, something like that."
At that, Lee Yu-ri's lips drooped.
She seemed to be feeling burdened.
"Don't make that face. I just got it because I diligently attended class."
I said with a chuckle.
"B-but! This is something incredibly valuable! Why me…? You could have received something better."
"Well, at that time, that was the best thing for me. Because it's you, Lee Yu-ri."
She flinched, then bit her lip tightly.
"If you have that, you'll be able to protect me better in the future, won't you? Right?"
"…You."
"So. Please take good care of me from now on."
I chuckled and patted her shoulder.
Lee Yu-ri bowed her head and nodded slightly.
Once the situation was settled like that,
I looked around at my party members.
Lee Yu-ri, Kang Do-hee, Shin Se-hee, Lim Ga-eul.
'Hmm, I still don't have a healer, and I haven't met the characters I'll need to swap in depending on boss matchups yet…'
Still, since we even defeated the tutorial boss together,
Now, I can truly call them my party members.
We'd probably be together from now on.
'Since we've finished our party formation ceremony… it would be a bit of a shame to just send them off.'
I looked at my party members, then opened my mouth.
"Is everyone free right now, by any chance?"
"Hm? I'm fine."
Only Shin Se-hee replied, but seeing as the others didn't say anything, it seemed they were free.
"Hmm, since we've worked hard today, I'd like to eat together. It's late, and there probably won't be any restaurants open now, so…"
I grinned.
"Let's have a team dinner all together in my room."
At those words, everyone looked startled.
"…Y-your room?"
"Nureongi, in your room?"
"…Junior?"
"Mr. Jin Yu-ha's room…?!"
Amidst that, Kang Do-hee raised her hand with a stiff expression.
'What is it? Does she have something urgent?'
I looked at her, thinking that, but
What came out of Kang Do-hee's mouth was completely unexpected.
"Nureongi, surely you're not going to cook, are you?"
'Huh? Why is she calling me Nureongi?'
Anyway, putting that aside for now.
"I am, though?"
I tilted my head and replied.
I was planning to brilliantly show off my ten years of living-alone expertise to these kids who had just become adults.
"I'll cook for you."
"…Is that so. Is it like… ketchup on a sundae? No, something even more bizarre might come out. I need to brace myself."
"J-Jin Yu-ha cooking…? J-just plain kimchi?!"
Kang Do-hee's face was filled with a grim determination, as if she were about to face a boss battle.
And Lee Yu-ri, who was bowing her head next to her, also.
'No, why on earth?'