108 - I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City

Chapter 108: Human Rights and Realization - Web Novel Archive "Omega is dead?" Hex could sense it. The severance of Omega's life signals. He accepted the conclusion, but the process was unacceptable. It wasn't merely that he couldn't finalize matters before the effectiveness of his plans wore off, rendering his escape route meaningless. He couldn't even flee and ended up severing his own lifeline. "It's an incomprehensible conundrum." Hex's expression, usually devoid of any astonishment, revealed a rare shock. This was due to Omega's obstinate clinging to life and his meticulous preparation for this showdown. "The probability of him simply losing due to a mistake is too slim. Even if a mistake occurred, his constitution could handle it." Regardless, the central axis named Omega had been shattered, and Juyeon had found her liberation. The monsters wreaking havoc on the island were quickly following the path of extinction. "Hm..." Hex cleaned his glasses and put them back on. He continued his contemplation. "Where did the hole appear? What did I overlook? With current technology, the resistance shouldn't be able to develop any further." He had an urge to retrieve Omega's corpse for an autopsy, but getting too close now would mean confronting the extremely agitated Juyeon. "I guess I'll have to give up." After all, Juyeon was not someone who would leave Omega's body unscathed. The probability that she had already burned it was high. ─ Whoosh... Hex ordered the ocean monster he was riding to widen the distance. He quietly observed the island. "Did Juyeon hide her true abilities up until now? Or perhaps a special artifact?" There might have been flaws in the data he had investigated for so long. "···." If he were to form a hypothesis, there were too many possibilities to deduce an answer. More information was needed. There was only one solution. "I need to visit the Black Hand." The Black Hand, a shadow-ruling organization alongside the Reverse Elation Sect. Hex decided to meet the leaders governing that place. The two organizations had a symbiotic relationship. Despite being major organizations dividing the underworld, they lead without any conflict. This in itself was unusual, but the reason there was no rift among the underworld's players, sensitive about profits and stakes, was simple. The leaders of the Reverse Elation Sect and the Black Hand worshipped one entity as if it were a faith. Since they revered one being and aimed for the same goal, they understood each other. If it aids that being, the followers share information without even negotiating. Perhaps it was more fitting to call them a religious cult than an organization. ***** Rohan felt as though his consciousness was drifting and floating. Somewhere, whether in space or underwater. His eyes were closed in the murky depths of darkness. Information was being ingrained as if urgently. "[Judged the Betrayer of Humanity, Omega. Achievement accomplished.]" "[Acquired a point pouch as achievement reward.]" "So he died. Foolish bastard... well done." It was an achievement he'd never seen before. The meaning was clear, and it comforted him momentarily. As he relaxed his mind. A notification, as if determined not to allow him to ease up, abruptly acted up. "[The main story is ■@%$ ■ni■!¿.]" Was it because Omega died on the uninhabited island, twisting the anticipated chronicles ahead? It advertised its malfunction blatantly for anyone to see. If Rohan had been in his right mind, he might have tried to punch the notification window furiously. "···." Eventually, the spasms disrupting the text ceased. The characters reassembled, crafting a coherent notification window. "[You have taken one step closer to salvation.]" A burdensome and grandiose sentence. A notification window with an initially undefined meaning greeted him. "[Prohibited Access Video #3 is available for playback.]" "Video... I can't make sense of it right now." After the last notification, Rohan lifted his eyelids. "···." A strange ceiling greeted him. Yet beside him sat a familiar figure. He also noticed the numerous IV tubes running and soothing his body. "Instructor?" "Have you regained consciousness? Is anything uncomfortable or in pain?" "What about my friends..." "All three are safe. Right now, you need to focus on yourself first." "I'm... fine." It wasn't his familiarity with Juyeon, anyone could tell Rohan wasn't fine as he claimed. His gaze was distant, lacking his usual vitality. Even his voice was weak, almost mumbling. "His mental strength seems to have plummeted to the bottom." According to Ichinose and Noa's testimony, he'd undergone what was essentially torture. It would be strange if he wasn't mentally and physically drained. "To subject a cadet to such an atrocious experience as torture..." Suppressing the bubbling self-loathing and sighs within her, Juyeon decided to instill some facts into Rohan first. "This is the infirmary on a transport vessel. Can you understand that?" "Ah, I see... the transport ship infirmary..." "···." Facing Rohan's blank stare, Juyeon found it difficult to speak. Should she apologize for not fulfilling her role as an instructor, or express relief that he was unharmed first? As Juyeon failed to mask her complex emotions, Rohan spoke up. "Instructor." "Hm, speak." "You look tired." "···." Rohan's weak smile made Juyeon choke up. Rohan called again. "Instructor." "···Yeah." "Don't have any bad thoughts." "Bad thoughts...?" "This matter... isn't your fault, Instructor." "!" Rohan's weakly murmured words pierced deeply with strength. Was he referring to her late arrival, or was he alluding to unresolved past issues? From Rohan's perspective, it was undoubtedly the former; yet, it felt as though it encompassed all previous times. Shamefully, Juyeon found a lightening of her heart at that single remark. "Thank you for saying that. And... I'm sorry for being late." "You weren't late, Instructor. I'm alive, aren't I?" "···." Juyeon found herself momentarily lost in thought as she looked at Rohan. Even in his half-asleep state, Rohan managed to speak quite coherently. "Rohan." "Yes..." "I heard the testimony. Why did you charge at such an enemy without a second thought? Didn't you consider stalling for time through dialogue?" She wasn't trying to reprimand him. Juyeon simply wanted to understand Rohan's reasoning. "Hmm..." Rohan hesitated briefly at Juyeon's question. Then, as if recalling a distant memory, he shifted his gaze to the ceiling and murmured. "That monstrous human... he was a type who enjoyed tormenting and breaking his opponent." "···." "I was used to the raw, vivid complexion I'd seen several times before. The more I struggled, the more he would have relished watching me capitulate. To give up and be killed would have felt like defeat to me." There was no need to ask where he'd seen such a person. Even without knowing Rohan's past, she already understood his origins. "So, knowing what might happen... you willingly rushed in?" "Half of it was a gamble." Rohan didn't deny it. In fact, he seemed content with the outcome, allowing a small, satisfied smile to play on his lips. Juyeon couldn't bring herself to commend him. Rohan appeared as though he were walking a tightrope, perilously balanced. She feared it could all lead to a bad outcome overnight. "Rohan. It's ironic for me to say this, as I couldn't prevent the incident, but... you need to value your own life." As the conversation continued, Rohan's consciousness seemed to clear. His voice carried a newfound conviction. "Instructor. I don't want to die either." "Yet, your actions didn't inspire much faith, did they? You might truly have died if you made even one misstep." The genuine worry in Juyeon's firm tone was unmistakable. Rohan cherished this sentiment. He felt again that stepping in had been the right decision. No regrets. "Instructor, isn't there at least one thing more unbearable than death?" "···." "Seeing my friends hurt... I can't bear it. And since this is all I can do... Ow!!!" Juyeon's hand suddenly pinched Rohan's cheek. It was endearing, but she couldn't encourage such self-sacrifice. "Do you think an instructor would find such words commendable?" Rohan's attitude was one of someone sure to meet an early end without strength. She worried he'd dive into incidents back in the academy city at the slightest provocation. "In. Struc. Tor! I'm a patient!" "Ha..." Sighing, Juyeon released her hold. Knowing she couldn't stop him made her feel even more helpless. People like him acted on instinct, words of caution falling on deaf ears. "..." He reminded her painfully of a dear younger sibling. "Get some more rest. Once the treatment and examinations for the other cadets are complete, we'll head straight back to the academy city." "Are they all alright?" "No fatalities, no severe injuries. Just minor ones. We've brought medical facilities more advanced than the average hospital, so treatment will conclude swiftly." "Oh, that's a relief." "I'll hear the rest of the details once we're back." As Juyeon wrapped up and rose from her seat, Rohan remembered something and reached out to stop her. "Instructor." "Hm?" "Please... don't mention to my friends that I knew what might happen but went ahead anyway." "Why?" Juyeon's lips curled into a smile. It was a lovely smile, but it somehow put Rohan on edge as he explained his reasoning. "Such things directly affect one's pride once they're out in the open." Ichinose, for example. She detested being seen as someone needing protection during their time on the island. She wanted to be recognized as an individual fighter. And surely, Noa possessed even stronger pride than Ichinose. When they faced Omega... Even if Rohan had explained his actions, they wouldn't have accepted it. It was all too clear they would consider it shameful to survive at someone's expense. Listening to Rohan's earnest explanation, Juyeon nodded in admiration. "You seem to understand Ichinose Yui and Noa Frozenheart well. A commendable friendship." "Please." A moment of silence passed. Juyeon let out a soft chuckle and gave Rohan an unexpected reply. "I appreciate your intent and would like to keep my mouth shut, but I'm afraid I can't promise that." "···?" "Your mind still seems foggy. Didn't you notice even this?" Juyeon maintained her smile and extended a finger, pressing Rohan's cheek to direct his gaze elsewhere. Through the fluttering curtains. He saw Corin peacefully asleep on the bed. And sitting beside her were Ichinose and Noa. Their heads were clearly turned toward him.