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In the end, I couldnt attack Yoo Sanghoon.

Okay. Lets go together.

The sharp-witted Yoo Sanghoon also seemed uncertain about what my decision would be.

His eyes perked before his expression turned to relief.

Good thinking.

Was it really a good decision on my part?

Maybe hed get hurt more if we go to Do Wonwoo together instead of me attacking him here.

And to think that Yoo Sanghee does her best to protect Yoo Sanghoon too!

Stop worrying and lets go. Where to?

Yoo Sanghoon spoke without knowing what I was thinking.

His tone wasnt any different from when he would invite me to play basketball after eating.

I couldnt help but worry when I think about all the things related to the TC Research Institute.

However, it was impossible to retract now.

Were going to TC Research Institute.

Its not that far from here. What are we gonna do there?

He wants to come with me even though he has no idea what well do.

I dont think hed change his mind even if I told him just how dangerous that place is, but I decided to tell him anyway.

Do Wonwoo sunbaenim attacked the institute on his own.

As soon as Do Wonwoos name was mentioned, Yoo Sanghoons expression became complicated.

Yoo Sanghoon is one of the victims caught up in Do Wonwoos ugly acts so I couldnt blame him.

Our conversation continued as we headed off.

Its highly likely that a royal lineage is there. Maybe an otherworld would spawn too if we go there.

What do you mean if we go there? So there are otherworlds that dont occur naturally. Is it like a garden?

A garden is an otherworld dominated by someone, but a frozen-type otherworld is different.

Its entrance is literally frozen and the only way to enter is by releasing its frozen state.

From the moment it is activated, its no different from a usual otherworld, except for one big difference.

Energy poison is released during thawing.

A poison that can encroach upon humans, royal lineage, and descendants.

Among beings who possess energy and abilities, only those that originate in the same otherworld are not affected by the energy poison.

There are several ways to counter energy poison;

First, wait for a long time for the body to recover naturally.

In the case of royal lineage, their self-healing power is excellent so the time needed to recover is short.

However, their abilities are greatly reduced while they are poisoned.

The second method was for a healer with Yoo Sanghees level of ability to treat a person.

Third was the antidote developed by Hyangrok, which, however, still has the side effect of melting internal organs so its only available to those of royal lineage.

And the fourth is

We reached TC Research Institute when a message from Eunho arrived.

I dont know about Hwang Jiho, but it wasnt easy for me to ignore Eunhos messages.

He must know whats going on right now, but he decided to contact me which tells me that this is urgent.

[Cheon Eunha] Hello, Euishin hyung. Im sorry, I know youre busy.

[Cheon Eunha] Heres the institutes structural diagram I got from Dongha hyung. It includes the underground boundary not shown in the guide map. Dongha hyung says hell find out more about it.

As expected, unlike Hwang Jiho, Eunho doesnt say unnecessary things.

While I memorized the map, another message came from Eunho.

[Cheon Eunha] Some Eungwang High people arrived earlier at the institute than you.

People who arrived there first?

It doesnt seem to be Do Wonwoo or Hwang Jiho.

Eunho sent me a list of locations that seems to be traced from devices.

In addition to Do Wonwoo, there were names of members from the student association.

Ji Myungsoo, Yeom Junyeol, Kwak Gyungu, Ahn Dain

Theyre all my playable characters!

As expected, my intelligent and righteous playable characters couldnt ignore Do Wonwoos crisis.

I didnt expect them to be this quick though.

[Cheon Eunha] Hwangho-nim is waiting nearby. Ill leave it up to you to join him, hyung.

No message came after that.

I could guess why Eunho reminded me of Hwang Jihos existence.

Its up to me now how to deal with the student association members.

Given that only the combat-ready top players were there, it seemed that they were assembled by Ji Myungsoo.

They were people who wouldnt die or be seriously injured easily.

However, they were the characters who died in the front lines in PMH.

I can send the students back with Hwang Jihos help. If its too late, we can call in a big crowd as a backup.

The same goes for Yoo Sanghoon.

I could change my mind and have him subdued with Hwang Jihos help.

If we fight like this, even if we dont die, we might get seriously hurt. Wouldnt it be better to send them back and I and the tigers will deal with things?

But I couldnt willingly do that.

Yoo Sanghoons determined face is imprinted on my mind.

If I try to solve it alone like the incident at the broadcasting station, maybe a similar situation would come up.

Maybe its because of Yeom Junyeol.

His words when I came to the dragons territory are forever imprinted in my mind.

I couldnt do anything but stifle my presence, something that my teacher taught me, and watch as everything unfolded in front of my eyes.

My teacher was already someone who put himself in dangers way to save many people before he even met me. You were like that even after you agreed to have me as your student. I guess it makes sense that todays incidents werent that big of a deal for you, teacher.

I know its not convincing if I say these things because Im much weaker than you, teacher. I know Im just burdening you by saying all these but I

Wouldnt it be more difficult if I dont fight with Yoo Sanghoon, Yeom Junyeol, and the other student association members?

Ideas derived from poor ground become more and more convincing because theyre solidified by experience.

I hope Yoo Sanghoon or my playable characters dont get physically hurt.

But I dont want any of them to suffer either.

If theres a way to ensure that none of them would get injured, then its not the right choice for me to barge in alone.

I need to think of the best move.

TC Research Institute.

Frozen-type otherworlds lurking around it.

The Tiger Clan keeping an eye on everything.

Avaritias priest.

Yoo Sanghee, Yoo Sanghoon, and Do Wonwoo.

The student association members who came to help Do Wonwoo.

After checking all the chess pieces in position and considering the variables one by one, I came to a conclusion.

Lets fight together this time.

If things dont go as planned, I could still minimize the damage.

Youre thinking of suspicious things again.

Yoo Sanghoon said so by the time I reached a conclusion.

I mustve been smiling suspiciously again.

I didnt dwell much on those words as I took out the crow mask from my item window.

Cover your face from here on. Theres an eye watching us so its best not to show your face.

Whats that? A CCTV?

Something like that. Take out some protective gear from the school that can cover your face. If you dont have one, Ill give this to you.

Wed better be careful of the Demon Races Eye since were dealing with them this time.

And theres something I want to test with this mask

I sent Yeom Junyeol a message suggesting joining forces when Yoo Sanghoon snatched the mask from my hand.

He moved quickly, but it was also because I didnt consider him hostile that I wasnt able to respond quickly.

He wore the crow mask.

I want to use this.

No, Ill use that.

I tried to stop him, but it backfired.

Youre stopping me so it means you have to use it. Wearing such a noticeable mask makes me think youre thinking of making yourself bait.

How did Yoo Sanghoon figure that out when he doesnt know much about crow masks?

I couldnt figure out what the hell was going on with this guys head.

I saw his smile from the bottom of the mask.

Knowing you, you must have an extra. Use that one. If you dont want to, then find yourself a different one.

Yoo Sanghoon was right I had another one.

I use it during battles so its natural for me to prepare another one in case the one that Im using gets damaged.

Theres a big possibility that the demons would go after the crow mask though!

Knowing Avaritias Priests eye, Im sure of it.

Yoo Sanghoon should never take off that mask, but hed be possessing information on the Demon Race, both things putting him in great danger in the future.

I cant let Yoo Sanghoon wear a crow mask on his own, so I ended up using my extra crow mask.

Oh, youre physique changed too.

I used my Player Identity light skill and selected a character that could give a clear alibi this time.

I wore a modulator that changed the tone of my voice.

Student association members are there. Ill talk to them. Wait here.

All of them are here?

Yoo Sanghoon wants to know if his sister is here.

Instead of answering, I just shook my head.

Not all of the student association members came.

I didnt expect you to come. Im so happy you suggested that we fight together!

Yeom Junyeol immediately recognized and welcomed me when he saw my crow mask.

Conscious of the others in the scene, Yeom Junyeol was careful not to call me teacher.

Still, I decided to act as his teacher, that word, in this operation.

You know whats down there, right?

Yes, I heard from Dongha.

I briefed them on how were going to move forward.

The gist is Yoo Sanghoon and I would team up, and the rest of them would move together.

What about Jegun hyung?

I have a separate request for him, so Id like him to wait here.

Yong Jegun smiled ecstatically as he looked at me.

So I have to be away from Junyeol Do I have to stay here?

When I nodded, Yong Jegun fell deep in thought.

He seemed half-worried about Yeom Junyeol, and half-willing to stay here since it would provide him with more fun.

So he knows Yong-ssaem too.

Maybe hes someone from the Dragon Clan?

Our shield

Yong Jegun decided to stay, and Kwak Gyungu seemed to be slightly disappointed.

The student association members hesitated a little when I told them that their faces should be covered.

Except for Yeom Junyeol and Hongryong, the others arent so easy to identify.

Even if its just a little, it would be a win if we could surprise the Demon Race.

Then well use crow masks too!

But that isnt very necessary.

I tried to stop them, but Yeom Junyeol immediately took out an item card and materialized it.

The card turned into a crow mask in no time.

Seeing that the mask was from an item card, its no ordinary mask.

Its made with energy.

I know someone whos good at making things like this. I asked them a favor.

Yeom Junyeol said so shyly.

I dont know why Yeom Junyeol is carrying around a crow mask with him, but I decided not to ask when I saw Yong Jegun smiling creepily behind me.

This crow mask, can it be

I think I saw it in an article about Choi Pyeondeuks collapse.

I heard Ahn Dain and Ji Myungsoo talk about the mask.

Indeed, they seem to know about the majority of things happening at the school.

Follow where Do Wonwoo entered. I and my party will enter the other way.

I said something important.

From now on, Ahn Dain and I cant be less than a few feet away.

I held the Fate of the Unknown card in my hand.

The character Ill be using is Ahn Dain.

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