Chapter 23: Conclusion of the Incident
The teachers in charge of Year 2, having finished the investigation, arrived at the teachers' office.
The teachers, wearing expressions as if they were completely drained, moved to their seats as if possessed and flopped onto their chairs.
"It's intense......."
Yu Ji-na, the homeroom teacher of Class 2-C and whose frame was so small the chair she sat on looked big, buried her face in her desk.
"Is it because the Director came?"
"There were rumors he isn't a Director but now the Vice President. They said the article is going out next week."
Jin Tae-jin, homeroom teacher of Class B, and Kang Hye-rin, homeroom teacher of Class E, also seemed to have only now relaxed, exhaling and becoming one with their chairs.
Was this explaining the situation as witnesses, or being interrogated?
As the accident was what it was.
The attitude of the employees who came from the Association was quite coercive.
Yu Ji-na flailed her short limbs in the air while burying her face in the desk.
Looking like a young child throwing a tantrum because her parents took her chair.
"Uaaah―. It's full of things to process, what is this, at this rate won't we have to work until the weekend because of supplementary classes?! I absolutely hate it!"
Although it was true that Yu Ji-na was reacting peculiarly, the opinions of most other teachers were not much different.
A school closure order issued regardless of grade.
A terror-level incident erupted, and a teacher and three students were transported to the hospital.
Although their bodies were not hurt, the situation was such that the Year 2 Class A children who were at that location might have lingering effects as they received a huge psychological shock.
It was decided that the Class A students who were at the scene of the incident where the monster appeared would rest for a week at the hospital and the infirmary within Academy City.
"By the way, Tae-wook's father really is as the rumors say."
Fluttering white gown.
Class E homeroom teacher Kang Hye-rin's voice rang in the teachers' office.
"I know, right? No matter how big the incident is, not even visiting his child at the hospital?"
Yu Ji-na, who had only now calmed down a little, turned her chair toward Kang Hye-rin.
"He probably trusts him. Doesn't everyone know Tae-wook is strong? The top A-Rank prospect. He probably didn't go because he trusts him."
Jin Tae-jin spoke in a voice full of certainty.
"Is that so?"
"Since there wouldn't be a parent who doesn't worry about their child. Besides, Tae-wook's father's style is a perfectionist. Abandoning his assigned work to go to his family doesn't fit the picture either."
At Jin Tae-jin's voice, the teachers nodded their heads.
"Still, it is a relief that there were no fatalities."
"Indeed. It seems Teacher Choi Seong-tae also fortunately passed the critical point. Since they say Tae-wook and the twins weren't hurt as much as we thought."
"We can only say they were lucky."
"No, this wasn't luck, it was resolved well because of Teacher Yoo jin."
Yu Ji-na and Jin Tae-jin's heads turned toward Kang Hye-rin.
Smile.
A smiling face that always harbored a faint smile.
However, it felt like the corners of her mouth were raised more than usual for some reason.
"Well...... defeating a monster that strong in one blow, I admit."
"Right, Teacher Ji-na. Also, what he said to the children was kind of cool. Should I say he was like a real teacher?"
"Real teacher my foot. He was like a comic book protagonist from 20 years ago."
"That is what's cool! Where are teachers like that these days?"
"Is that so......?"
Swept away by Kang Hye-rin's atmosphere, Yu Ji-na was also acknowledging Yoo jin before she knew it.
At that moment.
"Real teacher my foot! Did you forget when he lifted the barrier? Even though he lifted it in the end, his action was an action that completely ignored us!"
At Jin Tae-jin's sudden outburst, silence flowed in the teachers' office.
Yu Ji-na and Kang Hye-rin were staring at Jin Tae-jin while only blinking their eyes.
"Tch."
Jin Tae-jin clicked his tongue and turned his body toward his desk.
Actually, Jin Tae-jin was also thinking similarly inside.
Limited to after entering the Annex.
Because he saved the student with a quick response.
Because he finished the situation by defeating the monster in one blow.
Perhaps the fact that no fatalities occurred and it ended at this level was all because of Yoo jin.
Thanks to that, the school's reputation was protected.
Perhaps he even protected their necks, including the principal's.
However.......
Yoo jin's smiling face appeared in Jin Tae-jin's head.
Still.
No matter what.
I hate him.
What can I do about not liking him.
"Unlucky guy."
National Hospital under the Hunter Association.
Cho Sang-geun, who got out of the vehicle, moved his steps to the lobby.
Ziiing―.
Passing through the revolving door, he took out his mobile phone from his pocket.
― You met Kang Yu?
That raccoon old fogey?
Why?
Why did the two of you meet?
No, wait.
Did you stay still?
You should have just broken one of his legs right there.
Laughter leaked out from between the lips of Cho Sang-geun who checked the text message from Kim Gyu-il.
He quickly moved his thumb and sent a reply.
― Why don't you do it?
Since you are in the same building.
As soon as he put the mobile phone into his pocket, Cho Sang-geun hardened his expression again, crossed the lobby, and boarded the elevator straight away.
And pressed the button for the top floor.
"Since the incident is what it is, the report will probably go up to the very top."
Cho Sang-geun, who faced Yoo jin on the hospital's top floor, said.
"The Association side came to know that it was Teacher Yoo jin who broke the barrier and defeated the monster through the testimonies of students and teachers."
Lee Si-wang, who was standing behind Yoo jin, looked at Guild Master Cho Sang-geun and avoided his gaze to the floor.
If he had his way, he wanted to wear sunglasses at least, but he couldn't because he was afraid of hearing another word from Yoo jin.
"So what about it. Is it a crime for a teacher to save students? Not anywhere else but at school. And they are my class kids?"
"I did not say it was a crime. I am simply telling you that everyone is bound to have interest in Teacher Yoo jin's strong power. So if you continue to stand out like this......."
"In my own way, I handled it quietly. Swiftly and simply."
"Like a popular Chinese restaurant. Right?"
Cho Sang-geun and Yoo jin's gazes headed toward Lee Si-wang simultaneously.
Lee Si-wang who intervened for no reason and couldn't even break even.
"I apologize......."
Lee Si-wang banged his head against the wall as if running away.
Cho Sang-geun composed his expression and spoke to Yoo jin again.
"As I told you from the beginning, I have no intention of recruiting you coercively. Only, we absolutely need you. Although I did not tell you, if I, no, our guild gets caught looking after Teacher Yoo jin while hiding the fact that you are a Returnee without reporting it, we are finished."
"Saying you have no intention of recruiting coercively, when you are talking like this to my face. It's almost threat level."
"Th, threat. That is absurd. I just want to have at least a good relationship with the Return... no. Teacher Yoo jin......."
"Anyway, I got it. What do you have to say? Don't beat around the bush and speak."
At Yoo jin's voice, Cho Sang-geun's expression sank.
"Teacher Yoo jin might have to attend the Association as a reference witness for this incident."
Yoo jin's eyebrows drew a diagonal line.
"Who are they to tell me to come and go?"
"Well, depending on the situation, they might come to find you personally."
"Yeah, tell them to come if they have business. I'm busy because I have to teach kids. Since it's the beginning of the semester. And I haven't gotten close to the kids yet."
"......."
Truly an unpredictable person.
Although most Returnees have strange personalities.
This person is strange in a different sense.
Not money nor power nor a country.
He has power he can possess, so why is he obsessed with school like that.
"So I came to find you personally like this because there is a favor that isn't quite a favor I wish to ask."
At Cho Sang-geun's serious voice, Yoo jin stared intently at Cho Sang-geun's eyes instead of answering.
"I will not tell you to unconditionally hide your identity. However, the events from the day you returned. The relationships with Ignis Guild....... Could you hide them for a few months, no, just a little while?"
Cho Sang-geun's head bowed.
At that appearance, Lee Si-wang tried to approach the Guild Master but soon stopped moving and bowed his head toward Yoo jin.
Republic of Korea Ranking 2nd.
S-Rank.
The head of Cho Sang-geun, who is followed by the modifier 'Strongest', is not that light.
But this is already the second time.
He had never done this even to the heads of states or strong Returnees.
He is doing this to this extent because it is Yoo jin.
Because he needs him.
Overwhelming power that can become a god or even a demon.
To Cho Sang-geun, Yoo jin was needed more than anything in the world.
At the very least.
At least.
He could not lose him to the Association and the President.
Therefore, Cho Sang-geun bowed that heavy head to Yoo jin again.
"As I told you back then. Approaching the Returnee itself was an independent action. And because I omitted the report, if the Association side or the President finds out this fact, Ignis Guild will be buried. If it ends with just my one life, it is fine. However, our guild's subordinates, no, my family are innocent. So I want to protect them."
"......."
Actually, he now knew how the situation was going to some extent.
Even if he didn't know the detailed inside stories.
The relationship with the Association side.
The relationship with the President.
And also regarding what the Ignis Guild Master wanted to do.
Even if he was only at school.
Stories of how the world turns entered his ears naturally.
Since it wasn't just a school but an early education institution for Awakeners.
Among them, the prestigious Taewoon High School called the best.
Well, he could get the gist just by looking at communities or internet articles.
However.......
"I don't know. It's annoying, everything."
Yoo jin waved his hand toward Cho Sang-geun who was bowing his head and turned his body.
Thud, thud.
He moved his steps to the opposite side to leave the place.
A shadow fell on Cho Sang-geun's face.
At that appearance, Lee Si-wang shouted toward the receding Yoo jin.
"Ex...... Eu, Teacher Yoo jin, where are you going in the middle of talking?!"
"I'm going to the restroom. Even kids in my class don't get permission when going to the restroom, you know? Don't annoy me."
"......."
Lee Si-wang and Cho Sang-geun could not move their lips anymore.
There is nothing they can do.
A position of always waiting and asking.
Because the key to every choice is held by Yoo jin.
Like that, a gloomy atmosphere continued only in the place where they were standing.
Yoo jin, who was receding, stopped in front of the restroom entrance.
"Don't worry. I won't talk about you guys."
At Yoo jin's voice, Cho Sang-geun and Lee Si-wang's expressions brightened.
As expected.
Cleaning up after him, and although it hasn't been long, sticking around always is starting to help little by little?
"If I say I am a Returnee, whether it's the Association or the President, I feel like they will follow me around and annoy me so I can't be a teacher. If that happens......."
Grin.
"I have to kill them all."
Leaving those words, Yoo jin entered the restroom.
Cho Sang-geun and Lee Si-wang, whose expressions disappeared, stared blankly only at the spot where Yoo jin had stayed.