Using the skill would likely expose my identity in the long run.
Park Hayeon would also start hero activities later, so eventually, she’d meet ‘Dark Knight.’
While pondering, I felt a familiar energy from behind Hwang Harin.
Come to think of it, I had completely forgotten about it.
‘Anyway, she’s suited for it.’
Mist Shadow Martial Arts won’t be used.
I rushed forward while using telekinesis to stab her in the eye.
Hwang Harin’s venomous gaze faded as her eyes closed,
but the petrification didn’t stop.
She wasn’t like Medusa, after all.
Before long, even the hilt of the sword had turned to stone.
Soon, the power of petrification would reach my wrist.
“Khak.”
That’s when something pierced through Hwang Harin’s chest.
It was the tip of the knife that the delinquent had been wielding.
I smiled faintly.
“You did well, Ji Soyeon.”
Ji Soyeon dispelled her invisibility and collapsed.
It seemed like it was her first time stabbing someone.
I had trusted her.
After all, she was a somewhat successful assassin in the original story.
She had apparently been hiding after taking off her coat when the fight started—either waiting for an opportunity like this or just hiding out of fear.
Though the truth remains unclear, the result was good in hindsight.
The bystander mission is now over.
The role instructions said to kill Jang Seo-yoon and assist in covering it up, but that’s a trap.
The best course of action is to protect Jang Seo-yoon, but if that fails, ensure the cover-up is blocked.
Given Park Hayeon’s character, I knew she would naturally act this way, so I wasn’t overly concerned.
Thus, the three of us completed our respective roles.
The only one left now is the final boss, Jang Seo-yoon.
She opened the door to the gym storage room and entered.
Since she isn’t in her darkened (awakened) state, it shouldn’t be difficult.
In her awakened state, she’s A-rank, and I couldn’t be certain of winning even if I gave it my all.
Laura finally spoke up after a long silence.
“So that’s how it is. I understand now. That insect was stopping my interference.”
Her tone was full of irritation, much like when I mentioned seeing the future.
“Don’t worry.”
I added quietly,
there was a plan.
Jang Seo-yoon spoke first.
“Did you enjoy the game?”
The exact same line from the original.
After exchanging a few lines, the battle begins with Jang Seo-yoon suddenly charging.
This would be cumbersome.
‘Laura is out of commission, and the sword might not hold up much longer. There’s no way I can afford a boss battle.’
I casually slipped the knife embedded in Hwang Harin’s chest into my pocket.
In the game, once the dialogue phase starts, your perspective freezes, and you can’t interact—but this is reality. There are no such restrictions.
What Jang Seo-yoon needs right now is comfort.
Empathy for her painful situation.
I intentionally put on a troubled expression and replied.
“This isn’t a game.”
“What do you mean, security guard sir?”
“You don’t have to pretend to be okay. You must be suffering. You’re so distressed, you want someone to understand you, don’t you?”
“…Is that a bad thing?”
Jang Seo-yoon started to cry.
I approached her and embraced her.
“I’m sorry I didn’t save you sooner.”
“You never had the chance.”
She began to cry loudly.
Patting her back, I consoled her.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t end this pain sooner.”
Now’s the time.
I secretly pulled out the knife and stabbed her in the heart.
“Aaah.”
A pang of pity overtook me.
How lamentable, losing her life so tragically, and then enduring suffering as a ghost trapped in a toilet pipe.
It’s regrettable, but having already transformed into a monster, there’s no way to save her now.
I dreaded seeing Jang Seo-yoon’s face.
Would she tremble with betrayal?
I twisted the knife to make sure she was dead.
“I’m sorry.”
“Gasp…It’s alright…”
Contrary to my expectations, Jang Seo-yoon forced a pained smile.
She grabbed my bangs to bring my head down to eye level as if asking me to bow.
I knelt down to meet her gaze.
She whispered in my ear:
“Thank you for ending my life like this… ‘Dark Knight.’”
“How did you know?”
I was stunned.
In a pitiful and tearful voice, Jang Seo-yoon pleaded:
“But…I have one favor… Please… make sure Huang Harin gets her comeuppance….”
The dying wish of the departed.
I gave a bitter smile.
“Alright.”
“…”
Jang Seo-yoon, in my embrace, collapsed into rubble.
———-<End of Waiting>———–
[‘Jang Seo-yoon’ has been eliminated.]
—————————————
I silently sifted through the pile of stones.
In my hand lay a single book and several small beads.
<<Item Obtained>>
————-<Item>————-
◈ Name
Skill Book: Materialization
◈ Rank
— B
◈ Description
A secret art that allows you to transform into fluid matter for a set period.
※ Restriction: Applies only to those who cleared at least one role in the ‘End of Waiting’ Dungeon.
◈ Effect
Learn the skill ‘Materialization.’
————————————-
Materialization.
An undisputed Tier 1 skill that was an upgrade to my existing skill, ‘Fog.’
The effects were as follows:
• Increased movement speed.
• Immunity to all damage (except techniques that directly harm the soul).
• Ability to fly or pass through solid objects.
Even if Park Hayeon used it, she’d be limited due to lack of mana.
An intelligence level of A-rank would likely be necessary to fully control it.
Though it was a skill I coveted, I already had ‘Fog,’ and fostering Park Hayeon took precedence.
Realizing I was farming loot, Park Hayeon apologized to me.
“I’m sorry. I thought these people—who were actually monsters—were like us, being dragged into this world or something. I didn’t know they were monsters.”
“I understand.”
Most aspiring heroes and current heroes were second-generation awakeners who never witnessed the Gate. Dungeons and monsters were things that only existed in movies, so not knowing anything would be normal without exposure.
I handed all the loot I obtained from the dungeon to Park Hayeon.
“Use it.”
She waved me off, declining.
“It’s all yours. Why should I…?”
I brushed it off with an excuse.
“I’m feeling off after killing that person earlier. Just take it.”
“Then I’ll share it with Ji Soyeon over there.”
“I already gave it to you.”
“Ah, alright.”
I apologize to Ji Soyeon, but there’s no point giving something that won’t aid the Demon King battle to an invisible person.
I stepped out of the storage room first.
“Finish eating and come out.”
The dungeon gate was located in the women’s restroom on the second floor of the annex building.
We headed straight there.
There were no clumsy humans or ghosts in sight.
We crossed over to the real world.
The dungeon was cleared.
The sunlight streamed in through the bathroom window.
It was already morning here.
Sure enough, a day had passed.
We left the academy annex building.
We were planning to first return the sword to the main building.
However, a clamor reached us from the athletic field.
“What’s with all the noise?”
“Is it some kind of sports festival?”
♪♪
The lively melody played in the distance.
Curiosity piqued, we headed toward the athletic field.
“What’s that…?”
“Is that from our academy? Is this not a dungeon yet?”
A shocking scene unfolded.
Dozens of hoodlums were assaulting teachers and students. The attackers wore grotesque K Group mascot masks.
I realized who they were.
‘The K Pharmaceutical Villain.’
[The leading Korean company, K Group, pursues endless progress.]
♪
♪
This was somewhat sudden.
‘Why is this guy here already?’
I thought there was still some time.
In the original story, it happened a few weeks after the closure of the Gigantic Forest, but now it’s barely been a few days.
Is this also part of the butterfly effect?
I observed Park Hayeon and Ji Soyeon’s expressions.
They weren’t overly shaken since they had just come back from the dungeon.
But this reminded me of someone I had forgotten.
‘Yang Min-seo…!’
The reason ‘K Pharmaceutical Villain’ attacked the academy was to kidnap Yang Min-seo.
Incidentally, they would eliminate the aspiring heroes as well.
‘Damn.’
I needed to quickly confirm Yang Min-seo’s safety.
If we were late, it might become irreversible.
I called her.
We had exchanged basic contact information when forming teams.
The ringing continued on and on without any answer.
“Shit.”
My curse caught Park Hayeon and Ji Soyeon’s attention as they asked, “What? What?”
I ignored them and turned to Ji Soyeon.
“Do you have any emergency contact for Yang Min-seo? Like a bodyguard or a secretary?”
“Uh… I have the driver’s number. He seems to do various jobs. Why?”
“Just give me the number. I need to contact him urgently.”
Ji Soyeon readily handed it over.
I dialed the number.
<Yes, this is Manager Lee Jin-hyung from K Group speaking.>
“I’m an academy student and a friend of Yang Min-seo, Shinnoda. Is she with you by any chance?”
<No, we agreed that she would come to the main gate, but she hasn’t shown up yet.>
“Got it.”
I grew increasingly uneasy.
It’s possible she’s already been kidnapped.
“I’ll go ahead first. Ji Soyeon, return the sword for me.”
I handed the sword to Ji Soyeon.
I wasn’t expecting much from Park Hayeon anyway.
With zombies and teachers fighting at the athletic field, she wouldn’t stay idle.
Judging from the flow of events, after the school attack, the next move would definitely be the abduction of Yang Min-seo.
It was highly likely she’s already been abducted, which meant there wasn’t much time left.
I hurried home and gathered my equipment.
The exact location of K Pharmaceutical Villain’s hideout was never revealed in the original story, so I couldn’t go after him right away.
However, there’s a place I know he will appear—
K Comprehensive Technology Institute where the chairman of K Group conducts his duties.
That’s where his twisted hatred would lead him.
Yang Min-seo is executed tragically right in front of the chairman.
I headed straight there.
