“Everything is going according to plan.”
Who is the true hero who defeated the SSS-class villain, Ham Kang-min?
Ordinarily, the testimony of Han Se-hee and Lee Ha-yeon would have been sufficient proof. There were also ways to verify this through analyzing the magical residue left on the corpse or using a psychotry-type mana awakener.
However, I deliberately refrained from imdiate verification, choosing instead to let the rumors spread.
‘I feel bad for Ha-yeon and Se-hee.’
Though they had accepted my plan, the process would undoubtedly be grueling for them.
Of course, the truth would co out eventually. But even so, until that mont, public opinion would likely view them as liars.
The tension would be even greater because it involved the heir of the Angel Guild, Lee Ha-yeon, clashing with Baek Seo-jin, the heir of the White Tiger Guild. The public’s attention was bound to intensify.
***
“Everything is going according to plan.”
By lunchti, the story that Baek Seo-jin had defeated the SSS-class villain Ham Kang-min had already spread throughout the entirety of Kangin Academy.
The cancellation of most morning classes due to the villain attack had given the students free ti to talk about the incident. Inevitably, the rumor that Baek Seo-jin had gathered his friends and gotten into a heated argunt with Lee Ha-yeon also spread like wildfire.
By lunchti, nearly everyone in the academy had heard the rumors.
“This isn’t what I intended…”
Baek Seo-jin was puzzled as to how the rumor had spread so quickly. His original plan had been to handle things quietly, to spare Lee Ha-yeon and Han Se-hee from public disgrace, and later have a private conversation with them about reflecting on their actions.
But with the situation escalating like this, it was now beyond his ability to control alone.
Especially given the phone call he had just received from his parents.
Seo-jin!
We heard the news! Kangin Academy was attacked!
You’re not hurt, are you?
We heard you took down the SSS-class villain Ham Kang-min. We’re proud of you, but we were so worried about your safety!
“I’m fine,” Seo-jin reassured them.
Hearing their concerned voices over the phone, Seo-jin found himself trying to calm them down. Since his injuries had already healed, he didn’t ntion them at all, ensuring his parents wouldn’t worry further. He focused solely on reassuring them of his well-being.
However, the broader implications of what was happening couldn’t be taken lightly.
Kangin Academy was now the center of global attention.
Although Choi Kang-in was personally intervening to keep external influences at bay, the world’s dia outlets were already broadcasting breaking news about the academy’s attack.
Naturally, the academy’s students, with their access to phones and the internet, were not isolated from the frenzy. When reporters were blocked from contacting the academy directly, they resorted to interviewing parents and publishing those conversations online.
Headlines like these dominated the internet:
“Massive Monster Invasion at Kangin Academy! Young Heroes Fend Off the Threat!”
“SSS-Class Villains Wiped Out! Over a Dozen Confird Dead!”
“Ham Kang-min, Park Hyung-tae, Kwak Do-hoon, and Lim Kang-woo Among the Fallen SSS-Class Villains!”
Among these reports, one question stood out prominently:
“Who is the Hero Who Defeated SSS-Class Villain Ham Kang-min?”
The articles ntioned that both Lee Ha-yeon and Baek Seo-jin had claid credit for taking down Ham Kang-min, and the debate over this had now gone global.
“I think it was Lee Ha-yeon. She had help from Saint Han Se-hee, which makes her claim more credible.”
“I’m betting on top student Baek Seo-jin.”
“LOL, do you think an SSS-class villain is a joke? No way he took one down alone!”
“Why not? Maybe he’s strong enough to do it solo.”
The heated debates on the internet mirrored the discussions within Kangin Academy itself.
By lunchti, the academy’s cafeteria was buzzing with students eagerly discussing the topic over their als.
“Do you believe Seo-jin’s story?”
“Yeah. He’s the top student. Why would he lie about sothing that could be easily proven false?”
“Lee Ha-yeon said she had Han Se-hee’s help. Doesn’t that make her story more plausible?”
If these debates escalated further, it could lead to serious consequences. Considering the status of Lee Ha-yeon as the heir of the Angel Guild and himself as the heir of the White Tiger Guild, any intensification could make the situation too big to handle.
‘I need to settle this quickly.’
He had to put an end to these discussions before they spiraled out of control.
“Everyone, may I have your attention for a mont?”
Interrupting the buzz of the cafeteria, Baek Seo-jin called for everyone to focus on him. All eyes turned to him, silencing the ongoing debates.
“Looks like he’s going to say sothing.”
“Hey, pay attention. Seo-jin’s about to spill.”
Seeing everyone’s attention now on him, Seo-jin glanced around and noticed the absence of Lee Ha-yeon and Han Se-hee. He allowed himself a small, wry smile.
‘It would’ve been nice if they were here. No, maybe it’s better this way—it’ll be easier for
to smooth things over.’
He wanted to prevent any harsh words that might hurt Ha-yeon and Se-hee from being spoken. While they may have lied, he didn’t want them to suffer because of it.
After all, their actions stemd from a desire to impress him. If he didn’t forgive them, who would?
“Though I’ve never announced it publicly, so of you may already know: I’m an SSS-class Hunter.”
At his words, gasps spread throughout the cafeteria. Kim Chul-woo, Park Sun-hoo, and Bae Ye-rim, who were already aware of this, remained calm, but the majority of the students stared at Seo-jin in shock.
An SSS-class Hunter—a level of power treated as a strategic weapon by developed nations—was unheard of among first-year students at Kangin Academy.
“Is he serious?”
“SSS-class? Really?”
“Then… did he really kill Ham Kang-min?”
“Does that an the rumors were true?”
While Seo-jin hadn’t actively hidden the fact that he was an SSS-class Hunter, he had never formally announced it either. Many students had dismissed the idea as an absurd rumor when they first heard about it.
But now, hearing it directly from him, their disbelief began to waver.
“I’ll show you the power of soone who has reached the level of an SSS-class Hunter.”
In the middle of the cafeteria, Baek Seo-jin released his aura.
Every student present felt the overwhelming presence, the kind of power only an SSS-class Hunter could exude.
***
The story of Baek Seo-jin revealing his power as an SSS-class Hunter quickly made its way online. Self-proclaid Kangin Academy students shared their firsthand accounts, confirming what they had witnessed of his incredible strength.
So Baek Seo-jin really killed Ham Kang-min?
It’s starting to look like he actually did.
I still believe Lee Ha-yeon. The Saint wouldn’t lie.
Baek Seo-jin’s official statent was also made public:
“It’s true that I killed Ham Kang-min, but it was only possible because Ha-yeon and Se-hee distracted him, allowing
to strike by surprise. The three of us worked together to bring him down, so the claims that Ha-yeon and Se-hee killed him aren’t lies. I ask that no one calls anyone a liar or insults them over this matter.”
This statent, posted on Seo-jin’s personal social dia account, managed to quell the heated debates online. Public opinion began to favor Seo-jin, with many trusting his account of the events.
“This should suffice,” Seo-jin thought to himself, feeling satisfied that he had resolved the situation well. While he hadn’t yet exposed Kim Ho-jun, he felt it was only a matter of ti.
Afternoon classes were also canceled, following the disruption from the attack.
With all classes postponed, Baek Seo-jin found himself with so rare free ti. But that didn’t an he could rest—he was soon flooded with questions.
“Seo-jin, can you tell us how you killed Ham Kang-min?”
“Seo-jin, did you fight any other villains?”
With no classes, the academy students had plenty of ti to talk. For them, listening to Baek Seo-jin recount his heroics was far more exciting than trading stories among themselves.
A first-year student becoming an SSS-class Hunter was unprecedented. Combined with the feat of defeating an SSS-class villain, Baek Seo-jin had beco soone every student wanted to befriend.
They saw future potential in maintaining a connection with him. Once they entered the field as active hunters, being on good terms with the heir of the White Tiger Guild and an SSS-class Hunter would be a significant advantage.
As people continued to flock to him, Seo-jin found he didn’t mind the situation.
“If everyone’s attention is focused on … it’ll be even easier to flush out Kim Ho-jun!”
Though Seo-jin hadn’t yet uncovered definitive evidence, he was certain Choi Kang-in was already aware of the truth.
How else could a group of SSS-class villains have orchestrated a coordinated assault on Kangin Academy? There had to be soone on the inside aiding them.
Just as he had managed to defeat Ham Kang-min, Seo-jin believed he might be capable of taking down Kim Ho-jun with his current strength.
No—he was confident he could win.
“If Ha-yeon and Se-hee lend
their strength, and Ye-jin noona supports , it’s definitely possible!”
A fierce sense of justice surged within him. He couldn’t stand by and let Seomun Ye-jin suffer any longer.
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