Chapter 680

〈 Chapter 680: Part 2, Chapter 4, Episode 7 〉

In Yeosu’s A Planet, a B Rank Monster has appeared.

Without warning, the sudden appearance of the B Rank Monster shocked the people. The monster, heavily wounded and rampaging, was eventually taken down by a guild under the Yu-Sung Group, leaving the crowd in awe.

The sudden appearance of the B Rank Monster was shocking enough, but who were the ones that brought it to the brink of death? People scrutinized the satellite relay footage, focusing on those who emerged from inside A Planet.

[Isn’t that the group of girls covered in white, sticky slime?]

– Checked their radar stats and facial expressions during the crisis; looks like it’s them alright.

– White and sticky…you know what this reminds me of…

– You pervert! These are real people we’re talking about!

Dressed identically in uniforms, armed with Magical Rifles, they burst through the rooftop door, their identities soon revealed.

[I know who these guys are. They’re the crazy bunch from Guro, Seoul.]

– Survivors from Guro? They must be pretty skilled then.

– If only their guild master wasn’t such a weirdo, even Seok Harang might’ve joined.

– Their skills… sigh… I can’t say much more.

Under the name <Oracle Studio>, the guild had been operating in Korea, recruiting actors for movie shoots—an absurd claim at best. Somehow, they ended up battling a B Rank Monster in Yeosu’s A Planet, and word spread quickly.

[Hah, killing monsters for cash now?]

– Even when they defeat it, they still end up losing the final blow to another guild and go into debt. Hilarious.

– Saw the interview? Used ten magazines but didn’t make a single penny…haha, so embarrassing.

– But seeing those maidens bathed in slime? That’s a win for us, isn’t it? ^^;

Using overwhelming capital to hunt monsters drew no real complaints. “Other people’s misfortune is my happiness,” many thought as the crestfallen faces of the Oracle Studio members—like they’d lost their country—quickly heated up online communities.

[Such beautiful ladies look pitiful indeed.]

– Pretty faces deserve an A Rank Core steal next time.

– Their faces seem familiar somehow…

– Golden rebel with four beauties by her side… swoon…

People focused first on their expressions and situations, but attention soon turned to their striking appearances. Some began recognizing who the women drenched in slime really were.

[Isn’t that Yuinah? The one who entered the Academy as second in the national exams but got expelled.]

– Yeah, her. Thought she dropped out voluntarily, but turns out it was expulsion. Haha!

– No magic power, so they relied on money to fight, right?

– Seriously expelled? At least they have a figurehead.

Amid rumors spreading among Academy students, the president of Won University Academy officially stepped in to quell the controversy.

“Our Academy does not expel students. This tradition has remained unchanged since the first graduating class and is something we take pride in. As for the controversy surrounding student Yuinah, she submitted a leave of absence application citing ‘field study.’ Please refrain from speculation.”

Officially, E-Rank Special Ability user Yuinah submitted her leave of absence after finishing her first year—a decision handled quietly. Amidst ridicule and malice, whispers about Yuinah began spreading subtly in places less visible to the public.

And yet, there existed a rare group viewing Oracle Studio’s women favorably.

[Photos of the Magic Girls from Guro surfaced today. They’re rocking the marine look.]

Away from prying eyes, a small network cafe gathered survivors from the Guro-Dongjak-Gwanak area. Sharing their own unique “experiences,” they formed an internet community.

[As always, P-sensei. Seeing Lady Raon in hotpants makes me want to back off immediately.]

– That slime doesn’t look quite right…is it P-sensei’s doing? Haha!

– Everyone praises the Magic Girls, but knowing they belong to one man is bittersweet irony.

– Understanding that while aware of contradictions, yet hoping for their happiness, is true love.

Their name: <Kkukkkdan>, inspired by the guild alias Magical Kkukkk. Among the 99.99% who criticized Oracle Studio, this was the sole 0.01% showing goodwill.

[Still strange though. For them to miss a B Rank monster intentionally seems odd.]

– It’s all part of their plan.

– Maybe they just missed while being cute and quirky.

– Perhaps they caught it but let it slip on purpose.

Even among the few who viewed them kindly, jokes persisted. Then suddenly, unusual opinions started circulating across forums, including Kkukkkdan Cafe.

“Looks like you’ve had your fill of Hell Joseon. Are you planning to leave Korea?”

“If Oracle Studio leaves, what happens to their operations here?”

“They’ve already spent over two trillion won worth of supplies through Yu-Sung Group. What if they relocate to Japan or China?”

With the rare appearance of an SSS Rank cash cow, people began debating whether Oracle Studio would stay or leave.

* * *

<8 PM, Yeosu Yu-Sung Hotel Suite>.

“The idea that we’d leave Korea is ridiculous. People sure have wild imaginations.”

“People are worried because this level of generosity from foreign-backed investors is unprecedented. Yu-Sung’s ‘good’ tyranny is getting praised for the first time.”

Sitting at a table in the suite, Yun Yuhwa twisted his lips while discussing the public reaction.

“First time we’ve seen a foreign guild perform like this. Everyone’s cheering them on, saying things like ‘Great job! Keep going!’ Like, how will relations with America worsen because of this? Thanks to them, we’re eating a lot of unnecessary hate.”

“Thirty percent of the profits from B Rank Cores goes to you.”

“Should I give you a hand job too?”

“Is it too expensive to pay Xroid thirty percent of the core value just for a blowjob?”

At the mere mention of using his mouth to substitute payment, I found myself annoyed by Yuha’s antics. Through a holographic projection, he smirked while sipping coffee.

“To begin with, I don’t like this ridiculous farce. Do you understand how important image and brand value are? Oracle Studio is already branded as suckers.”

“So what if the world-saving hero is a sucker?”

“Hero? Hmph, are you saying heroes need three concubines and four wives as standard? You’re a lecher.”

“Didn’t know? Actually, I’m trying to gain legitimacy for embracing multiple women by saving the world. As the man who saved Earth, wouldn’t everyone approve of me having goddess-level beauties as concubines?”

Yuha spat on my holographic face mockingly. The magical energy dissipated harmlessly. Clearly, the notorious reputation of the Yu-Sung family wasn’t unfounded.

“So, Hero-sama, what do you plan to do about the incident involving Yuna?”

“The evil CEO bullying the hero working for global peace? Don’t worry about it.”

“…Why shouldn’t I worry? I’m part of the New Seoul Academy board. Do you know how much effort it took to change Yuna’s resignation into a leave of absence?”

Yuna, originally marked for expulsion, became a leave-of-absence case due to the occurrence of a certain ‘specific flag.’

“If Yuna gets expelled, the Academy’s brand value will drop. Our promise: 100% employment rate for graduates. Her departure breaks that tradition.”

“But the Academy hasn’t even been around for ten years. Why does tradition matter?”

Since no one had ever left the Academy mid-term—whether by resignation or expulsion—they tried to keep Yuna on leave. And that meant I had triggered the ‘Yuna’s return’ flag.

“People will start wondering soon. Why did such a promising guild member quit the prestigious Academy?”

“Why did someone with a golden future in Korea throw it all away to crawl into a cesspool?”

“That’s right…do you even realize how much negative talk is circulating about Yuna?”

“Of course.”

After all, the heroine I’m trying to woo believes every malicious rumor as gospel truth. After taking a sip of strawberry latte, I tapped my Magical Gear.

[Yuna’s Leave of Absence – Actually Due to Pregnancy?!]

* * *

<Meanwhile, in Yuna's Room>

“Yes, yes. I’m fine. It’s nothing like that.”

Yuna was exhausted trying to calm the irate blonde tanning girl glaring at her through the Magical Gear.

[What? Stop lying! That guy definitely wronged you!]

“My brother isn’t like that.”

[Look at you! You’re defending him because you’re blinded by infatuation.]

“It’s not like that. Brother Ha, it’s a misunderstanding.”

The more Yuna tried to explain, the deeper she felt herself sinking into quicksand.

[Then explain now. Why did the principal, who was raging about expelling you, suddenly cover for you by letting you take a leave instead? And why did you abandon the Academy without telling me?]

“……For world peace?”

Ultimately, that was the reason. But how could she explain the process?

[Kidding? This can’t be happening. I’ll have to settle this once and for all with that guy.]

“No need! That would embarrass me more!”

[You’re acting weird. Remember when I said I’d go to Seoul and you deliberately ignored my offer to come along?]

“That…that’s…”

Yuna hesitated to explain.

Because the man she loved was the Last Commander, and because the Commander was targeting Su Ri, Yuna had to separate Su Ri from him to protect her from his advances.

[Do you have any idea how many people I’ve met? All those guys are sex fiends!]

“…….”

Yuna knew. When someone boasts about meeting lots of people, it often implies they’re not virgins themselves.

“You sound like you’ve dated before…”

[That’s not what I mean, you idiot!!]

Su Ri’s face turned red as she yelled loudly. From countless experiences with one man, Yuna instantly recognized her friend’s bravado and knew she couldn’t allow Su Ri to meet either the Commander or Baek Cheongnyeon.

“And my brother isn’t a sex fiend. If anything, he’s a gourmet.”

[…Are you secretly getting better at sexual innuendo? If you’re implying he tastes good, that’s insane!]

“Hmph, what’s it to you? My brother says I taste good every day.”

[That’s exactly why it’s insane!!]

A woman who knows pleasure and one who doesn’t clash fiercely, unable to understand each other. Yuna sighed and prepared to cut off the holographic call. It was almost time for Raon to return.

“Sorry, let’s talk tomorrow.”

[Wait, Yuna, I have two questions.]

“Okay, go ahead.”

[…Why haven’t you told me why you took a leave of absence? People keep talking about why Yuna left the Academy.]

“…….”

She loved a man who was the Commander, the one who had nurtured her to C Rank. She guarded a secret she couldn’t share even with Su Ri, her closest friend.

“That’s…”

[Are you…really pregnant?]

“Pregnant…?”

Me, with Cheongnyeon’s child? Lost in the moment, forgetting she was acting, Yuna blushed faintly and looked away. Unfortunately, this confirmed Su Ri’s suspicions.

[That son of a bitch!!!]

“No, it’s not like that!!”

* * *

The Yuna pregnancy leave rumor.

For this flag to activate, two conditions must be met before March:

One: Increased difficulty in courting the heroine, requiring recruitment of five or more members.

Two: Yuna lying to her only close friend, Su Ri.

“This isn’t just some random rumor floating around.”

Yuna.

To prevent Su Ri from joining my team before the Seoul Reclamation Operation, Yuna lied about her reasons for leaving school, implicating our relationship to guard against Su Ri. Naturally, Su Ri misunderstands the nature of my relationship with Yuna because her dear friend refuses to explain.

“Yuha, how would the Korean public perceive a man who impregnated his only friend, forcing her to take a leave of absence?”

“A disgusting piece of trash?”

“Correct!”

Due to Yuna’s jealousy, a snowball effect has begun, making the recruitment of Su Ri nearly impossible.