Chapter 1136

〈 Chapter 1136 〉 1136. The Savior of the Academy

“I’ve checked the list of artifacts. More than half of the artifacts used in the battles weren’t on the list.”

Kwon Sang-hoon widened his eyes.

“…Did Kim Je-oh personally acquire these artifacts?”

“We’ve tracked all of Kim Je-oh’s assets and the artifacts he used. His finances remain untouched, but the artifacts? They came from various sources—auctions, black markets, thefts, you name it.”

Kang Ji-young stared intently at Kwon Sang-hoon.

“I swear, it wasn’t me.”

“Do you really think I’d find that easy to believe?”

“I’ll stake everything I have on this. It wasn’t me. Polygraph, psychometry users, whatever you want—I’ll cooperate fully. Please trust me.”

“I’ll choose to trust you for now. So let me rephrase… who do you think gave Kim Je-oh those artifacts?”

“……”

Silence fell.

Kang Ji-young waited three minutes, but Kwon Sang-hoon’s lips remained sealed. She sighed.

“Kim Je-oh must be caught at all costs.”

“Of course. We’ve already requested assistance from the government and the Hero Association.”

“Do you think Kim Je-oh is hiding somewhere within the academy?”

“Kim Je-oh is arrogant for someone with his abilities. He thinks he’s smarter than everyone else. And surprisingly, he has guts. The darkest place is under the lamplight. He probably had that proverb in mind. So… Kim Je-oh is likely hiding right here in the academy.”

“I agree. But we haven’t found him yet. There’s no trace of Kim Je-oh in the academy.”

“Kim Je-oh took all the artifacts with him. Among them, there must be one that allows him to conceal himself.”

Kang Ji-young clenched her fists and turned her gaze out the window.

“Vice Principal, this matter concerns the honor of the academy. Kim Je-oh must be caught.”

“You’re absolutely right. We will spare no effort in capturing Kim Je-oh.”

“If Kim Je-oh is hiding somewhere in the academy… the students could be in danger.”

“We can’t evacuate the students. It would be a disgrace to shut down the academy just because of one person. Maruhan Academy didn’t stop even during far worse incidents.”

“So you’re going to do nothing?”

“Appropriate measures will be taken.”

Kang Ji-young turned her chair again, as the Vice Principal hadn’t left yet.

“Is there anything else you wish to say?”

“We need the help of Sung Yoo-jin and Na Na-ri.”

“They’re students.”

“Sung Yoo-jin has special vision, and Na Na-ri is sensitive to artifacts.”

“……I’ll consider it.”

The Vice Principal bowed respectfully before leaving, but not before asking one final question.

“When do you plan to hold the funeral for student Gi Ha-wook?”

“We’ll hold it after we catch Kim Je-oh. So make sure we catch him within two weeks at the latest.”

“Understood.”

—

The atmosphere at Maruhan Academy was uneasy.

This was because control had started creeping into an institution that once celebrated freedom.

School hours became stricter, and students were forbidden from leaving their classrooms during breaks. After classes ended, they were required to return directly to the dormitories and stay there until morning.

Naturally, the students felt resentment. However, no one voiced their complaints—they had seen it too. The tragic death of first-year student Gi Ha-wook at the hands of an artifact.

Though Gi Ha-wook’s death initially drew attention, it quickly faded into silence. In any ordinary school, such an incident might warrant closure. But this was an academy—a breeding ground for aspiring heroes.


This gathered place. Back in the unstable days of the Republic of Korea, several decades ago, it was said that Academy students were dying under suspicious circumstances.

It was time for specialized classes. The students gathered and headed toward the Specialization Building—because individual actions were strictly forbidden. Even bathroom breaks required groups of three or more.

I was heading to the Spirit Studies Department with Messenger and lead teacher Kales—and surprisingly, Sunaeri was by my side.

“Yugene. This semester, Naeri transferred into Spirit Studies.”

The Metalworking Department had been dissolved due to this incident. Gi-Huks death was ruled as a curse-related accident involving metalwork. Most Metalworking students moved to the Sorcery Department… except for Sunaeri.

“Senior’s transfer to Spirit Studies… was it based on her request?”

“Yeah.”

“Was it to get my help?”

“…Yeah.”

Just yesterday, Sunaeri insisted she didn’t need my assistance. But now, she seemed embarrassed, answering slowly.

We arrived at the Spirit Studies building.

“Alright everyone, I have something to say before class starts.”

Kales spoke up. It wasn’t about helping Sunaeri adjust to the new department—Kales wasn’t that kind of teacher.

“What is it?”

“It’s about Kim Jeo. I’d rather not involve you guys if I can avoid it… but the Dean and Vice-Dean have requested your help.”

“Us?”

“…”

Sunaeri stayed quiet. That was expected. Even in the original story, Sunaeri was a character of few words.

“Have you heard the rumors circulating among the students?”

“You mean the one about Kim Jeo hiding somewhere in the Academy? It’s like a ghost story we hear every break.”

“It probably originated from some careless comment made by a teacher. Both the Dean and Vice-Dean believe Kim Jeo is indeed hiding somewhere within the Academy.”

“…Are you asking us to….”

“Naeri can see curses with her eyes, and Yugene, you found hidden enemies during the artificial dungeon exercise.”

“So that’s why they want our help.”

“You’re free to refuse. There will be no penalties.”

“What about compensation?”

Not doing this for free.

“All your accumulated demerits will be erased. You two have quite a few stored up—Yugene for tardiness, and Naeri for poor classroom behavior.”

They’re trying to exploit us for free labor.

Refusal wouldn’t matter much, but Kim Jeo’s unusual behavior outside the original storyline intrigued me.

“Alright. We’ll help.”

“…Me too.”

“Thank you both. After school, just follow me. For now, let’s start class. Although… I don’t know much about malevolent spirits… what should we do?”

• • •

During class, Kales left for the archives, claiming he’d look for materials on malevolent spirits.

Though their names sound similar, Spirits and Malevolent Spirits are entirely different beings, so any relevant material would likely be useless.

Left alone in the lecture room with Sunaeri, awkwardness hung in the air. Leaving wasn’t an option; Kales had specifically instructed us to stay inside.

“Sunaeri Senior.”

“Hmm?”

“You don’t look well.”

“…No bandages.”

Jema’s bandage.

The cursed-sealing bandage given to her by Kim Jeo doesn’t just seal her powers—it comforts her. As a person made of cursed metal, she won’t die from curses, but they still affect her negatively: dulled senses, nightmares, sudden headaches, etc.

“Senior, how do I look right now?”

“…Your skin looks blue, like the sea. Your eyes resemble a sunset.”

Another side effect: distorted vision.

『Name: Sunaeri


Strength: D+ Stamina: D- Agility: C+ Durability: D Mana: C


Trait: Cursed Body (S)


Skills: Possession (S), Curse (S), Flexibility (C)


Affinity: 31』

Seeing her affinity level at 31, I nodded. This meant she had interest in me.

“I can help you, Senior. I can also tell you about the identity of the malevolent spirit attached to you.”

“…There’s no such thing as free help in this world. How much do you want?”

“Do you have money?”

“…”

She shook her head.

“Besides money, do you have anything else to offer?”

“…”

Another shake of her head. Sunaeri came from an orphanage run by the association. All she has is her cursed body.

From my pocket, I pulled out a black string.

『Cursed Shinwood…


Wrist Cord

Rank: S

Absorbs curses.

Absorbed Curses 47/100

“This item can replace Jema’s bandage. It might even be better than Jema’s bandage. It doesn’t just seal away curses, you see. Senior, you’ll probably have to extract the curses once a week. Can you handle curses?”

“…I understand this is an amazing item. I want it too. But… I don’t have any money.”

Her eyes couldn’t leave the wrist cord.

“This thing costs no less than 80 billion won. Absorbing curses is similar to curse immunity, after all.”

For a licensed hero, 80 billion won isn’t impossible to earn. However, Na Na was not a licensed hero but a student.

“The downside is when curses accumulate… but there are ways around that. You can transfer the accumulated curses to someone else. Well, since you can handle curses, you could extract the curses stored here and use them during battles.”

In other words, this wrist cord was her personal battery.

“80 billion… Too expensive.”

“Combining the identity of the malevolent spirit clinging to you and how to handle it, the total exceeds 300 billion won.”

300 billion won was an exaggerated amount. Innocent Na Na didn’t suspect a thing and dropped her head deeply.

“Could I… pay on credit?”

“Are you crazy?”

“…”

“Senior, there’s no need to despair so much. There’s a saying in the world: If you lack money, repay with your body.”

She lifted her head.

“I’ll do whatever you tell me. Help me.”

There was no hesitation.

“You seem familiar with this.”

“Teacher Kim Jae-oh…”

“Senior, Kim Jae-oh is not a teacher. He’s a criminal.”

“Kim Jae-oh said while giving me the bandage that I should only listen to him.”

“Did Kim Jae-oh also touch your body?”

“No. My body… it’s cursed, so no one wants to touch it.”

I calmly nodded. I merely confirmed if the original setting was correct. In the original story, Kim Jae-oh had possessed Na Na but still feared her. When she was younger, it might have been different, but her grown body was nothing but pure concentrated curse.

“Senior, I’m not a bad guy like Kim Jae-oh. I’ll let you go once you’ve repaid the full 300 billion won. Meanwhile, please use your body for my benefit. What? With your talent, you’ll become an A-Rank Hero. The income of an A-Rank Hero is astronomical, making 300 billion won pocket change.”

“Okay.”

“Let me ask again, Senior. Do you need my help?”

“Yes. Help me.”

It was a matter-of-fact response. But I understood the despair hidden within those words.

[The Savior of the Academy] is the game title. Most of the game content revolves around saving.

Na Na from the original work is a kind of side quest. You can save her or leave her be. If you save her, there are experience points, achievements, and money to gain. If you don’t save her, there’s no penalty. Later, there’s a brief mention of Na Na. Her future has two possibilities:

Disappearance and Suicide.

During her third year at the academy, she vanishes without a trace. Nothing about what happens afterward is revealed.

Suicide occurs alongside disappearance during her third year at the academy when she hangs herself in her dormitory. There’s no suicide note. Instead, the description mentions the bandages wrapped around her body turning black, hinting at the limitations of Jema’s bandages.

“Then, Senior, we have a contract. No written contract though.”

“Okay.”

I approached her. Then without warning, I grabbed her cheek and kissed her. I shoved my tongue into her small mouth, ruthlessly ravaging her delicate tongue as it lay quietly inside.

Since I didn’t activate Spirit Vision, the malevolent spirit clinging to Na Na remained invisible. It must be glaring at me, wanting to kill me right now.

The short but intense kiss ended, and I pulled away. My whole body tingled. Must be the effect of the curse.

She stared at me with a dazed expression.

“Senior, how was it?”

“…It was warm.”

『Na Na’s Affection Level: 44』

The forced kiss dramatically increased her affection level. That’s proof of how unique she is as a character.

“Senior, here’s your first command.”

“Okay.”

“Show me your vagina.”

Na Na tilted her head.

“What’s a vagina?”