Chapter 201

“…A few days ago, a meeting was held within the family. They said they’ll soon be recommending me for the Elder position.”

As I sat on the bench, lost in thought, Hwang Jihak, who had quietly approached me, uttered those words.

Hwang Jihak’s current Level is in the early-to-mid 50s.

While there may be some shortcomings, considering his future growth, he’s at a level not unworthy of being an Elder.

It seems that due to the recent Night Parade of One Hundred Specters Crisis, rapid changes are also occurring within the family.

When I nodded with a somewhat surprised look, Hwang Jihak impassively conveyed his next words to me.

“Soon, we’ll be leaving the Academy.”

“……”

“At that time, I want you to lend me your strength.”

“Me?”

That was an unexpected proposal. As a talent currently being pushed by his family, Hwang Jihak should have many capable people around him.

I couldn’t easily think of a reason why he would seek me out specifically, setting aside such individuals.

“I had been thinking about it originally, but this incident made me certain. We must unite the family’s power without any more pointless conflicts.”

Certainly, it wasn’t a wrong statement. To face the coming crises, we first needed to strengthen internal unity.

It seemed Hwang Jihak had resolved to accomplish this with his own hands.

“It’s possible if you’re there. And, someday after that’s realized……”

Hwang Jihak trailed off, giving me a meaningful look.

I couldn’t fully grasp his intentions, but I could at least tell there was goodwill and trust toward me within them.

“That’s roughly it. It wouldn’t be bad for you either, right?”

True.

My goal is to overcome all upcoming events and Hell Difficulty variables to reach the conclusion.

In that process, the power of the Three Great Noble Families would definitely be necessary.

‘But……’

It’s a proposal that wasn’t in my plans from the beginning.

Without even deeply considering it, I moved my lips to convey my refusal.

Then, due to a thought that arose, I stopped and hesitated for a moment.

‘……’

Why am I not leaving the Academy?

It was just because I somehow felt I should stay.

Well, the protagonist Yoo Haon is here, and the Academy is the stage for all the stories.

But is that really correct?

Maybe it’s due to the lingering effects of being slumped over earlier, but now I had a slightly different thought.

Perhaps, in fact, maybe I’m no longer needed?

Maybe it would be more beneficial for this world if I exercised my discretion in a completely different location, rather than lingering around the Academy and Yoo Haon’s side, getting involved in events.

I was just obsessed with all of that, trapped by the title of Exorcism Academy, but there were actually no restrictions on my actions here.

I could go anywhere if I wanted, and do anything if I wished.

It was a truly obvious fact.

“I didn’t mean to pressure you, so you can decide as you wish.”

Listening to Hwang Jihak’s words, I pondered deeply.

Including external possibilities I hadn’t considered until now, calculating the pros and cons.

And then, I quietly reached a conclusion.

“Sorry. I think that would still be difficult.”

I had many thoughts, but there wasn’t really any particular reason.

I simply just wanted to stay here, and by Yoo Haon’s group’s side, for now.

“…I see. Understood.”

“But if there’s anything else you need help with, I’ll cooperate anytime.”

“I feel the same. I hope we can maintain a good relationship going forward.”

As Hwang Jihak left like that, I sat on the bench a little longer, taking time to think about the conclusion I had just reached.

‘No need to overthink it.’

I was more drawn to that side. That was my honest answer now.

And coincidentally, around the time I reached that conclusion, I happened to run into one of the parties involved. It was Yoo Haon.

“…You seem to like this spot.”

“Not exactly, but it’s comfortable for organizing my thoughts.”

Few people come by, and it’s suitably quiet. For other purposes maybe not, but it was an optimal place to focus on something.

Perhaps it was the same for Yoo Haon, as she let out a small sigh and sat down in the adjacent seat.

And then she started talking to me.

“I experienced something a bit strange.”

“What is it?”

“It’s about when I fought a Specter called the Howling Dragon Shark before heading to the Cheong Family……”

The Howling Dragon Shark was definitely the S-Rank Specter that appeared elsewhere when I was subjugating Yoosakbi.

Since Yoo Haon’s group was also part of that Subjugation Force, she was clearly talking about that time.

“That Howling Dragon Shark, it said something about my parents.”

“……”

That was certainly a peculiar thing. It meant a Specter, of all things, mentioned her biological parents whom even she didn’t know.

However, I soon realized the connection and could understand the situation.

‘Well, they might have met before.’

How many people truly know the identity of Yoo Haon’s father, Yoo Baek?

I don’t know, but probably almost none. He was that special of an existence.

‘Even if someone knew, if they were that close to him, they probably wouldn’t think to speak of it now.’

Holding such thoughts, I listened to Yoo Haon’s words.

“It said it recognized me at a glance, that it would repay the grudge from back then, that this was all I could do… It was all incomprehensible talk.”

“……”

“But thanks to that, I learned one thing. Yoo Baek. That’s my father’s name.”

Hearing that far, it certainly seemed clear that the Specter called Howling Dragon Shark had encountered Yoo Baek before.

Yoo Haon, who hesitated for a moment, then shifted her gaze to me and subtly brought up the main point.

“You know about it too, right? About my parents.”

“……”

Of course.

Most of that I also learned through the original work, and immediately, Han Kangyoon’s father, Joo Woon, was also closely related to Yoo Baek.

“I think I’m now ready to accept the past. So I plan to trace my parents’ footsteps soon.”

“…I see.”

“Can you come with me then?”

Yoo Haon didn’t press me for anything more beyond that.

Maybe she wanted to find out with her own hands, or maybe she simply postponed questioning me for later.

But whatever it was, my answer was already decided.

“…I don’t know the detailed contents either. But if that’s okay with you.”

“Thank you.”

As long as Yoo Haon is this world’s protagonist, she’ll eventually learn the facts anyway.

It’s just that the moment is right now.

I made an appointment to meet Yoo Haon soon and then got up from the bench.

Feeling the helplessly drifting flow of time.

Time flowed relentlessly.

With the new Semester starting, Academy life itself became extremely busy, but nothing particularly caught my eye.

In a way, that was natural too.

I was now just one person in the Graduating Class who might leave at any time, and there was nothing more I needed to do at this Cheonghwa Academy.

Amidst that, people began to leave our side one by one.

“Thank you for everything until now. Let’s meet next time in higher positions.”

“Don’t be so dramatic, it’s not like we’ll never see each other again.”

Hwang Jihak, who returned to his family after early graduation from the Academy as mentioned before.

And Gilford, who also chose to graduate to pursue his own ambitions.

Honestly, the absence of those two felt more significant than expected.

“Doesn’t it feel really empty? We didn’t have this feeling in middle school.”

At Jeong Hansol’s sighing words, I quietly nodded.

Unlike middle school where the next path was set, now we had to decide where to go through our own choices.

Perhaps this feeling stems from that difference.

“Those two have already made their decisions. So it’s not strange to feel the distance that much.”

“Listening to you, that seems true too……”

Jeong Hansol frowned as if her worries had suddenly increased, repeatedly stroking her chin.

With friends leaving her side one by one, she must also have a lot to think about.

And I too had to think similarly.

About how exactly to proceed from now on.

‘The final Night Parade of One Hundred Specters, and its secrets……’

The time when everything will be revealed is not far off.

After exchanging trivial conversation with Jeong Hansol for a while, I moved to meet Seo Jian as per her contact.

She seemed to have been busy moving around, and apparently had something important to tell me.

As expected, Seo Jian conveyed very significant news to me who had come to see her.

“I talked with Oppa. We’re going to take down that person in the not-too-distant future.”

“…Is it confirmed?”

“Yeah. It’s irreversible now. Everything will be decided by that one move.”

Seo Jian’s declaration of war against Seo Taehoo, the owner of Daejin Industries.

The moment I had only considered a distant future had now approached reality.

“The date?”

“I can’t give a definite answer as we need to see the situation. At least two weeks later, I’ll let you know when the exact day is set.”

That much means there’s still time. Simultaneously, calculations began busily running through my mind.

‘…It’s roughly decided.’

The outline for future actions was gradually taking shape.

First, obtain answers about Yoo Baek with Yoo Haon, and get involved in the Daejin Industries succession battle while observing the situation.

And after completing all possible preparations, wait for the final Night Parade of One Hundred Specters to arrive.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

“Nothing specific for now. It’s something I have to decide for myself from the start.”

But then Seo Jian, after hesitating briefly, added one last sentence.

“…But having you by my side might help calm my mind a bit. It’s a big fight after all.”

“That’s something I should obviously do.”

Having staked everything she’s built up until now, even the usually cool-headed Seo Jian seemed quite nervous.

Previously, she promised to acquire Daejin Industries and fully cooperate with the upcoming crises.

Naturally, I can’t just watch from afar either.

‘It was a part I didn’t need to care about in the game, but in reality, that level of power is a great help.’

Simply beating Specters isn’t everything.

To effectively respond to them and protect the nation and citizens, the power of such financial resources is absolutely necessary.

At my words, Seo Jian showed a subtly pleased reaction and nodded.

“I might not be in contact for a while.”

“Understood. I’ll make my own preparations in the meantime.”

Things I had only imagined are approaching reality one by one.

That much time has passed, and that much change has occurred.

Yet despite that, my purpose remains consistent as from the beginning.

‘One failure and it’s over. I need to focus even more.’

Safely completing the ending in this Hell Difficulty world.

At least at this moment, there’s no need to think of anything else.