This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 244

Dogun’s Perspective

While I was laughing heartily, Chae-rim noona, who was sitting next to me, placed an attendance book on the desk, which I couldn’t fathom why she brought.

Along with it, two stiffly coated sheets of paper subtly revealed themselves from between the attendance books.

So what is that supposed to be?

As I continued to mumble inwardly about how immersed Chae-rim seemed in her teacher role, she suddenly spoke.

“You already know who I am, so I’ll skip the introduction… Now, come forward and take your schedule.”

Chae-rim, lifting her glasses with a somewhat teacher-like tone, extended what she was holding towards Bora and me.

“The white one is for Dogun, and the blue one is for Bora.”

Automatically rising to accept what was offered, I realized that same line followed easily.

And only after hearing that did I grasp the fact that our schedules were different from each other.

Of course, they weren’t completely different—our core classes matched.

The only difference lay in the section labeled ‘Special Activities.’

While Bora’s schedule had various things written under ‘Special Activities,’ mine was completely blank.

Well, even if that part was as is, what on earth could this ‘Special Activities’ subject entail?

Could it be something like club activities?

That thought crossed my mind but regrettably didn’t seem to be the answer.

After all, this ‘Special Activities’ segment occupied quite a significant portion on the schedule for it to be just that.

If it wasn’t club activities, then what was it?

If unsure?

Asking someone who might know would probably be the best answer.

“Sis?”

“It’s not ‘sis’ but ‘teacher’ you should be calling me, Dogun.”

“…scream?”

“Why?”

“I was looking at the schedule and I found something I don’t understand. What exactly does this Special Activities time entail?”

“Ah… that? Training.”

“Excuse me?”

“Of course, for you, Dogun, it will focus more on meditation than on physical activity.”

That’s somewhat fortunate… but isn’t doing too much meditation likely to be counterproductive?

“That said, it won’t be entirely without physical activity, so make sure to bring your athletic uniform starting tomorrow.”

“Ugh…”

I had helped Senior and Yoonseo train many times from the side, but I never imagined I’d end up in such a position myself.

Already feeling tired at the very thought, Chae-rim turned to Bora and smiled as if to say it would be fine.

“Bora, you too.”

“…Yes.”

For a moment, while she explained various things to Bora and me, a vibrate from a mobile phone echoed, and Chae-rim pulled out her phone from her pocket.

She then continued with a somewhat disappointed expression.

“Um, I think I need to head out now.”

“Where are you going?”

“Oh, I have something to do at the Association.”

What? So we won’t be spending the entire day together after all.

I thought she was formally dressed for just a quick stop.

“Then, see you at home later.”

“Yes.”

“Ah, and don’t worry about training while I’m away; a trainee teacher will be here to handle it.”

And after Chae-rim left the classroom?

Free time… was not granted.

Unlike Yeongang High, where free classes were standard, here at Hwiseo High, leveling classes are basic, meaning one first has to undergo class placement testing to attend regular classes, and the teacher, who had guided Bora and me around earlier, entered the classroom holding test papers.

Thanks to that, Bora and I had to struggle with test papers until the lunch bell rang.

“You all did great on the test; enjoy your lunch. Oh, do you remember where the student cafeteria is?”

“Yes, yes.”

Was it because I had to think unexpectedly that I ended up using my brain?

My stomach growled insistently for food, as if it had been drained by the test paper’s pressure.

However… I thought it would be better to surprise Yoonseo first.

In a school with such great facilities, there’s no way there isn’t a snack bar, so I would just grab my meal there later. The priority was to surprise Yoonseo right now.

The important thing was where Yoonseo was… which I already had a good grasp of.

Since I was going to set a plan, it had to be thorough.

Thus, having resolved to surprise Yoonseo, I had already recruited a friend from middle school as my spy.

Thanks to that, I was aware that Yoonseo was currently training with other hero candidates in the training ground prepared for them.

Now, all I had to do was go and surprise her, but… I kept worrying about Bora.

It was only natural; since she transferred after kindergarten, she had been under the Association’s management.

This would clearly be the first time she was properly attending school… Was it okay to leave someone like her alone?

No matter how much I thought about it, the answer always popped out as ‘No.’

That’s why I called Bora in a cautious tone.

“Um… Bora?”

“Yes?”

“I’m thinking about going to see Yoonseo now—want to join me?”

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Yoonseo’s Perspective

They say life is full of ups and downs.

The moment when I put all my energy into saving Dogun, already exceptional for my age, brought me to a whole new level.

Now that I had become even stronger, I found myself unmatched in school.

Even in Hwiseo High, known in the vicinity as prestigious, that was the current reality.

Given that, my popularity had been skyrocketing recently.

It couldn’t be helped; not all those who showed excellent performance in high school passed the qualification test, but most of those who did pass had stood out since high school.

Overwhelming my peers and even seniors made those who didn’t know me think, ‘Oh, she’s going to become something great in the future.’

As a result, during mock battles typically held around lunchtime, crowds gathered to watch my training.

Of course, it was obvious that very few could enter the building.

This was because access to the training facilities was prohibited for regular students due to safety concerns.

Nevertheless, many lingered around the training ground, hoping to catch my eye.

Of course, I was oblivious to the crowd outside, my mind solely focused on Dogun as I dedicated myself to training.

“Just a bit more…

A little faster!

I have to push myself a little harder!”

Such desires perhaps began reflecting on the budding talent I had just started to unfurl.

With a feeling of white heat washing over my mind, droplets scattered their chill around the training room.

Was I momentarily taken aback by the unusual change?

Time seemed to freeze as my opponent, who appeared to be charging at me, suddenly halted, as if proclaiming they would finally land a hit.

After about a second of that standstill, it proved sufficient.

‘Now!’

In that instant of hesitation, I completely bound down my opponent’s feet to the ground.

—Crack!

The sound of something cracking echoed through the training room.

“Ugh…”

It wasn’t until that moment that my opponent, who seemed poised to charge at me again, let out a pained groan immediately afterward.

Naturally, that made sense, for their feet had stuck to the floor, making them feel as though their skin was tearing away with every move.

About a second passed as they were unable to move.

“Ah, I give up, I give up.”

Sure, moving wasn’t impossible if one was willing to take injuries, but it was just a practice battle for training, not a scheduled monthly duel, so they probably didn’t see the need for that.

With a sigh of resignation, the senior, who had been my opponent, raised their hands in submission.

And that concluded the battle.

There were no opponents left to continue.

So I joined my friends, waiting outside the training room to head for lunch…

‘…Huh?’

Nearly colliding with my friends, I froze on the spot.

That was because an oddly familiar scent wafted through the air.