Chapter 20: The Returnee’s Class (3)
“T-This makes no sense.”
“We can't even last 1 minute?”
“We are all going to die.”
The expressions of the students who were treating the fallen Teacher Choi Seong-tae were crumbling.
In their view.
Kang Tae-wook and the twins fallen on the floor were seen.
“What is this? I knew you guys would be weak, but I didn't know you would be weak to this extent.”
The monster with not a single scratch laughed while stretching its mouth grotesquely.
A prospect expected not only within the school but also within Korea.
Kang Tae-wook, who possesses a natural type ability considered the strongest among Unique Skills, was defeated easily to the point of futility.
No, the fight was not established in the first place.
Three A-Rank Awakened attacked together combining the twins' power, but before a fight of exchanging blows could even happen, they were defeated by that monster in an instant.
“Still, one guy was interesting. To think a human handles ice. Well, since he fainted, maybe he can't hear?”
As Kang Tae-wook and the twins, who were the only hope, were defeated, a shadow of giving up cast over the faces of Class A students.
“Uaaah!”
There was a child crying.
“We are all going to die.”
There was also a child repeating only the same words in the despairing situation.
Although it was appearing in different forms for each student, the emotion they were all feeling was one.
Despair.
Although they didn't know why such a thing happened, everyone knew.
That what is waiting ahead is only death.
“N-No!”
One student who couldn't overcome this hell-like reality came out of the group and dashed to the door.
She didn't even care about the basic fact that shouting and acting alone draw attention.
Because such composure had long been eaten by fear.
The female student grabbed the doorknob and opened the door to escape outside.
The large door opened, and natural light different from artificial lighting came in passing the door.
However…….
Thud!
Thud!
“W-What is this! Why can't I go out!”
Although the outside was clearly visible, the child's body couldn't go out the door as if something invisible was blocking it.
“No……. No!”
Thwack!
Thwack!
Thwack!
The female student screamed and hit the strongly invisible wall with both hands.
The child's hands stopped in the middle of empty air where there was nothing.
The child who continued to hit the invisible wall collapsed.
“…….”
The child who was screaming at the top of her lungs until just a moment ago sat down as if resigned and sobbed.
Everyone there was quietly looking at that spectacle.
Although they didn't bring it out of their mouths, everyone came to know one fact.
That a barrier was cast over this entire classroom building.
“Hahahahaha!”
A sound of laughter that didn't match the despair built on the children's faces at all rang out.
The blood-colored monster moved its fingers one by one as if playing the piano.
“Someone did a fun thing. In case you don't understand, I'm telling you, the barrier is not my doing. Looking at it, it seems the guy who summoned me played a prank.”
Although the tone was heightened as if interested, strangely a slight anger was felt on the monster's face.
The students who were casting a defense shield in front of the fallen Choi Seong-tae and Class A students opened their mouths.
“No wonder other people were late coming despite this commotion.”
“We can't trust the monster's words but that is a real barrier.”
Words of children with defense type skills.
Although they already saw it with their eyes because of the female student trying to run away, as the voices of defense type children followed, it became a reality, not a speculation.
Only now did the children realize why other teachers couldn't come here despite this situation.
“Ah, fun. As expected, humans suit that expression best.”
At the monster's voice putting a period, the last string they were barely holding onto snapped.
The children's legs gave out and they all collapsed.
Even the students who were standing gallantly after casting a small barrier for defense had their knees touch the ground.
Even in a hell-like situation, everyone harbored a thin thread of hope in their hearts.
That if they buy time, someone will come to save them like in a movie.
If it goes to the very end.
Like a movie.
A hero will appear.
It was so, but.
Now, no hope was hung on the children's faces anymore.
Most had their legs give out and collapsed.
They were just accepting it.
Fear.
No, death.
All will be killed by that monster.
At that time.
Thud.
Thud.
Footsteps erasing the silence.
One child who was in the group moved forward.
The only child standing.
The child who clenched his fist tighter when everyone gave up.
However, a movement no one expected.
One child passed the barrier and went forward.
“…….”
“…….”
The eyes of the children, which contained only despair, shook.
Because they couldn't believe what they were seeing.
It was understandable.
Because that child was the student evaluated as the weakest in Class A.
Because he was a student who was bullied by Kang Tae-wook's group until a while ago and had no close friends in class due to that.
Therefore.
Expectation could not be found on the children's faces.
Rather, bewilderment dwelt there.
Nevertheless, that child.
Stood in front of anyone else.
Driving out the trembling body, the fear encroaching the whole body, with the name of courage.
The weakest child in class.
A child who wanted to die more than anyone until a few days ago.
To live.
And to save.
Jin-ho blocked the monster's front.
Due to the explosion sound that rang inside the school, teachers including the Principal had arrived at the source of the sound.
“What is this?”
“We can't enter!”
“It is a tremendously high-level barrier.”
Although they didn't know up to the incident that happened inside, they were teachers who all realized it wasn't an ordinary matter due to the explosion sound and the barrier cast around the annex.
Principal Ma Jae-min, who looked at the teachers only buzzing gathered in front of the barrier, shouted abruptly.
“There is no time for this! Who is the teacher good at barrier dismantling!”
At the Principal's pressing, one of the gathered teachers came forward.
Year 1 homeroom teacher.
Defense type, among them a teacher for the subject specializing in barriers.
The B-Rank Awakened wearing red horn-rimmed glasses put his hand on the barrier.
“Teacher Lee! How is it?”
At Principal Ma Jae-min's impatience, the expression of Teacher Lee, who was gauging the barrier while calmly keeping his hand on it, crumpled.
“To think it's a high-level barrier of this degree…….”
“Why, is it difficult?”
“With this size and durability, it is a sophistication that can only be created if a squad of barrier users, no. More than that combine their power.”
“A squad? Why is such a high-level barrier cast here!”
“That I also……. But what is a bit strange is that such a barrier is something only possible during the Yeoncheon Incident or Dungeon Break, and even then by a large guild…….”
“I didn't receive a report that many outsiders entered.”
“Then don't tell me…….”
Teacher Lee, who swept his chin, opened his mouth again.
“If one person cast a barrier of this degree, probably an S-Rank, no, it seems only someone with a skill specialized in barriers among S-Ranks could do it but……. It makes no sense. As far as I know, there are no S-Rank barrier users in our country…….”
Ma Jae-min shouted while cutting off the words of Teacher Lee who was grumbling like talking to himself.
“No, so are you saying you can dismantle it or not! Every moment is urgent! If anything happens to the children, it's all over.”
He shook the top that looked like it would tear due to the muscles already bulked up heavily.
“Our school's reputation…….”
At that appearance, Teacher Lee, who realized the seriousness of the situation once again, adjusted his glasses and said.
“Although it will be difficult, I think I can do it. If other teachers help. Although it will take some time…….”
“How long?!”
“If you follow my control well, about 30 minutes?”
“What?! 30 minutes? It takes that long?”
“Even this is possible because other teachers are here……. If I did it alone, it might not work even if it took a whole day…….”
“Do it quickly instead of talking, then!”
At the Principal's shout, Teacher Lee gathered the gathered teachers.
“Since I will do the overall dismantling work, defense type teachers please help me. Attack type teachers, please continue to apply attacks to the spot I designate. Lastly, healing type…….”
Under Teacher Lee's lead, the dismantling work started more systematically.
Fitting a prestigious high school, the level of teachers was also high.
A strategy possible because of that.
Nevertheless, the time of 30 minutes was too long.
“It's a big trouble.”
“No, what kind of guy committed terror at Taewoon High.”
“If children even get hurt from this, the media and parents will make a fuss.”
“The flaw in the school's reputation.”
“Not only the school but we could all get fired too.”
“By any chance if a casualty occurs…….”
At the voices heard from here and there.
“Don't say unlucky sounds! Move quickly in that time!”
Principal Ma Jae-min shouted towards the whispering teachers.
It is not that the teachers are not understood.
In fact, the one most anxious in this spot right now was none other than the Principal.
Although he doesn't know what kind of thing happened inside, if it is really terror, and if students even get hurt due to that.
Gulp.
Reputation falls to the ground.
Next to that, his own neck will be rolling on the ground.
“Teacher Lee! As fast as possible! Other teachers too, don't slack off!”
“I-I am trying!”
The hand of Teacher Lee who took the lead in dismantling work touched the invisible barrier.
Magic calculation.
A magic circle in the shape of a small clockwork appeared in front of the barrier.
Starting with that, over ten teachers in total started to fulfill their duties.
Teachers who can handle barriers supported Teacher Lee.
Attack type teachers with strong damage continued to attack one point to create a crack.
Lastly, healing type teachers and teachers who can give buff magic were supporting so that the magic power of the working teachers wouldn't decrease.
At that time when tight work without a small gap was proceeding.
“What are you doing?”
A new voice was heard from the back.
When the Principal turned his head, Lee Si-wang was standing there.
“Ah, Vice Guild Master! What brings you here…….”
And the appearance of Yoo jin next to him too.
The Principal whose expression froze in an instant.
The Principal, who was shouting with arms crossed until just a moment ago, moved back stealthily while reading the room.
“Seeing teachers gathered, it seems this is indeed the place where the explosion sound was heard.”
“Ah, that well…… That is correct…….”
Although the Principal didn't want the matter to leak outside as much as possible because it was too early to judge yet.
Since he even heard the explosion sound and saw this situation where dismantling work is being done.
It was a situation that couldn't be hidden.
Still, the fortunate thing is that the opponent is Lee Si-wang, the Vice Guild Master of Ignis Guild with whom they maintained a relatively good relationship.
“We also came running right away but. That…… a barrier is cast.”
“You said a barrier?”
“Yes.”
The Principal, who was trying to get away from Yoo jin's view as much as possible, gave up and said to Lee Si-wang.
It was understandable because the ones inside were none other than.
“Year 2 Class A students were in class inside.”
Without even caring about such a Principal.
Thud.
Thud.
Yoo jin moved towards the barrier.
Yoo jin arrived in front of Teacher Lee who was directing the dismantling before anyone knew.
“What are you doing?”
Jin Tae-jin blocked such Yoo jin's front.
“Can't you see we are doing barrier dismantling work right now?”
Although he reacted somewhat roughly, the situation was indeed the situation.
If Teacher Lee's concentration got disturbed, the process done so far would all go down the drain, so Jin Tae-jin blocked Yoo jin's front.
And one more thing besides that reason.
Because there was also the fact that he didn't like him.
Yoo jin, who moved his eyes that met Jin Tae-jin to capture Teacher Lee doing dismantling work.
“I see it.”
“You see it but you are doing this kind of action right now?!”
“Why are you doing that?”
“What do you mean why! Since we can't enter because of the barrier, we are doing dismantling work. Don't disturb! Since it will take another 30 minutes.”
“30 minutes……. Move.”
“What did you say right now…….”
“I said move.”
“Do you have a brain right now? Don't you know what is the priority?”
“Therefore, move. Because every moment is urgent.”
“No, didn't you hear?! To save the children, dismantling comes first! If you don't disturb, in 30 minutes…….”
“Oi.”
A low voice.
The air around Yoo jin twisted.
The bodies of everyone in that place hardened.
Teachers attacking the barrier.
Teachers in charge of buffs and healing.
Defense type teachers who were supporting.
“Because there is a reason, I told you to move.”
Even Teacher Jin Tae-jin blocking the front.
Thud.
Thud.
Just one person.
Uniquely, only Yoo jin could move.
Yoo jin arrived in front of the barrier.
Teacher Lee, who was absorbed without knowing the situation, slowly moved his head at the shadow covering him.
Then, the eyes he met.
“Move.”
At that one word, Teacher Lee's body reacted automatically.
Teacher Lee falling on his butt backwards with a thud.
Yoo jin's gaze which was heading to Teacher Lee headed to the barrier.
His hand touched the barrier.
At the same time.
Crackle!
Cracks occurred around Yoo jin's hand, then.
Clang!!
As if a huge glass broke, the high-level barrier shattered in an instant.