Nearby Silverlight High, there was a massive estate, one in line with Yellow Tiger's aesthetics, that served as one of Silverlight District's trademarks.
A gold fence woven with a barrier stronger than the high school's.
A garden maze so big that you can easily get lost in it.
And in the center was a five-story mansion, the residence of the Hwangmyeong Foundation's chairman, Hwang Myeongho.
"Welcome, White Tiger and Red Tiger."
Three Tiger Clansmen gathered within the mansion.
Yellow Tiger, sitting at the head of the table, welcomed his two close friends.
"I think it's been 30 years since the three of us have been together? Maybe 50? Why have you two come to meet me at the same time?"
"Yellow Tiger, it's…"
"Wait a moment, I'll figure it out."
Yellow Tiger silently set down his teacup and pondered for a moment.
Red Tiger already reported that Silverlight District was cleaned up.
The case was closed.
He didn't know exactly what this was for, but he could guess the reason.
"Did Cho Euishin ask you to do this?"
There was no response saying he was wrong.
'How amazing.'
Cho Euishin was a 17-year-old high schooler who's been enrolled in Silverlight for less than a month.
And yet, Yellow Tiger knew of five people he's already saved.
Jang Namwook, Yoo Sanghoon, and Son Mingi during the entrance exam.
Lee Lena on the first day of admission.
And this morning, Maeng Hyodon.
'There may be even more from outside my grasp that I don't know about.'
Yellow Tiger, who was in the form of a teenager, drew his lips into an arc.
Seeing his smile, Red Tiger made a slightly surprised expression.
Yellow Tiger continued to speak, his eyes twinkling.
"Intelligence gathering great enough to identify our existence, courage to deal with the True Clan, unknown Bestowed Light and skills, and insight that's hard to believe belongs to a 17-year-old. In all regards, Cho Euishin is excellent. He's worthy of your attention."
Yellow Tiger's gaze shifted from Red Tiger to White Tiger.
"Hahaha! Red Tiger openly protects humans, but I can't believe he even brought out White Tiger. It's been 15 years since I've felt this happy."
Yellow Tiger laughed out loud as he recalled the student council president who, 15 years ago, asked him if he was some kind of fool.
"So, what did Cho Euishin ask for?"
"He would like you to call the Zodiac Alliance for a meeting, Yellow Tiger."
Yellow Tiger's eyes twinkled at Red Tiger's words.
"It's not easy to gather those guys… but okay. Instead, I have conditions."
After living for a long time, loved ones die or fall into a deep sleep.
And the eyes of any remaining close friends change.
After seeing those lifeless eyes, Yellow Tiger lost all his motivation, instead choosing to chase the joys of every moment.
'I didn't know Cho Euishin would change these two and prompt them to act.'
The two close friends who were now asking for his help were different from before.
They had the eyes of the warriors he stood shoulder to shoulder with on a battlefield long ago, far, far away.
"White Tiger, Red Tiger. Stop wandering around and come under me. In the future, the chairman's house will be your base. That's my condition."
The two Tiger Clansmen responded without any complaints.
"Got it."
"Understood, Yellow Tiger."
White Tiger and Red Tiger must have agreed to it so easily because they also wanted to observe Cho Euishin's movements up close.
Yellow Tiger fully understood their feelings.
"White Tiger, you have a name and vacant space in Silverlight High School. Come when you're ready."
"Name?"
"I've already made your family register, the name on it is 'Baek Hogun.' Since you're the older brother of the Tiger Clan's previous head, I used 'sovereign' (gun). They say that in Korea's last dynasty, the king's brother was given a title with that same word in it."
(tl/n: White Tiger is "Baek ho" in Korean. All Yellow Tiger did was add another syllable at the end of it for an alias.)
Yellow Tiger's eyes twinkled as he let out a very small evil laugh.
"Also, it'd be funny to call you 'Baek Hogun-gun.' You've never laughed after losing your true name, but even fake ones should leave room for laughter."
White Tiger looked at Yellow Tiger with a frosty gaze.
Despite Yellow Tiger's words, he didn't seem particularly upset.
"Let me think about it."
With the words of White Tiger, the short discussion between the three Tigers ended.
* * *
"Heavenly Archer, Ham Geunhyeong-ssi. Hello."
(tl/n: ssi – an honorific used when people are "equals" with each other)
"Hello, Team Leader Hong."
Hong Kyubin and Ham Geunhyeong greeted each other.
'I guess they know each other.'
I still maintained contact with Hong Kyubin after my alias was decided.
Although Hong Kyubin sent messages on a regular basis, I only replied to one in every three.
"Team Leader Hong Kyubin, it's been a long time since I've seen you in person. Why have you come to our school?"
He could probably guess why an official from the Player Association came here, but he still asked.
The association's goals were the 'subjugation of Enemies' and 'protection of players,' and this case fell under both of those categories.
It was a task meant for the association.
"Hahaha, why did I come here? Of course, it's because of 'work.'"
Hong Kyubin was witty, as per usual.
However, upon closer inspection, he had dark circles around his red, bloodshot eyes.
Apparently, he was very tired.
"Have you not been able to sleep?"
"Yes, I couldn't. Thanks to the Fantasy Gate, I've needed to work overtime everyday since the beginning of the year. And on Friday night… no, there was an emergency summon at dawn on Saturday, so all team leaders had to pull an all-nighter."
But still, Hong Kyubin's hair was well groomed, and his coat and shirt had no wrinkles.
He was as well put together as usual, even more so than me, who slept well without having even a single dream.
"When we found out that there was something wrong with Player SAT-K, the association went into a state of emergency. After all, the satellite didn't send any alerts for the Enemies you subjugated yesterday near Silverlight, Heavenly Archer-nim."
Hong Kyubin smiled as he spoke, not taking any breaks to breathe.
"Some psychopath among association staff who were fired after the Fantasy Gate disrupted the satellite signal. By the way, said psychopath was found naked and seriously wounded in the rubble of a collapsed building. So, he ended up getting a broken body to match his psychosis."
The psychopath was probably one of the perverts I crushed.
It seemed my actions put his body on the same level as his mind.
Now he had a crippled body for his twisted mind.
"If you didn't do a complete subjugation, Heavenly Archer-nim, everyone at the satellite management team level and above would've needed to write letters of resignation. However, I'll still be writing an apology, hahahahaha!"
Hong Kyubin was a little scary today.
His smile made it seem like he was sick in both body and mind.
Ham Geunhyeong clearly thought so too, because he placed a hand on my shoulder and pulled me back, putting a bit of distance between me and Hong Kyubin.
Hong Kyubin's overwhelming, rapid-fire monologue continued.
"I checked all the recording devices I could, and I confirmed that one player escaped to Silverlight while being chased by Enemies from the collapsing building. Additionally, said building was owned by a teacher at Silverlight, Choi Pyeondeuk. The player escapee was Maeng Hyodon, a student in year 1, class 0 of Silverlight. It's not what I think it is, right? Euishin, you're also in year 1, class 0. Hyodon has been going to school this whole time with no problems while having a good school life, right?"
Enemies belonging to the Bear Clan.
A member of the association involved in the Fantasy Gate.
The player satellite's signal getting jammed.
A building owned by Choi Pyeondeuk, a Silverlight teacher.
Players who've been permanently expelled being found in said building.
The escape of Maeng Hyodon, an award-winning Silverlight student.
With these clues, the Player Association would've figured out what happened to Maeng Hyodon.
'I think Hong Kyubin already knows.'
Hong Kyubin was trying to nurture false hope in order to escape reality.
However, Ham Geunhyeong shattered that hope.
"This is the first time Maeng Hyodon has come to school. You're going to be busy again today."
If you interpret Ham Geunhyeong's words, 'You're right. You'll be working overtime today, too.'
"Hahahaha, now I've confirmed that I'll be working overtime all weekend."
After correctly interpreting Ham Geunhyeong's words, Hong Kyubin smiled, his eyes full of despair and devoid of any light.
"We decided to talk about Choi Pyeondeuk with the foundation's PR team. So, please cooperate with us in Maeng Hyodon's case. After all, you're his homeroom teacher, Heavenly Archer-nim."
I wasn't the only one who heard his words as, 'Please help me.'
"Maeng Hyodon is currently undergoing a thorough examination, I can talk to him for you. But first, let's go in."
"Yes, please. Deputy Yoon and Employee Jeong, go ahead and get materials for Choi Pyeondeuk. The Foundation's PR team is expected to arrive in 15 minutes. I'll join you later."
Hong Kyubin gave instructions to two men, school visitor permits hanging around each of their necks.
"Yes, team leader."
"Okay, team leader!"
The person I assumed to be Deputy Yoon immediately turned around and headed towards Silver Luster Hall.
However, the youthful man, Employee Jeong, did not move.
Instead, he made a serious expression and stared at Ham Geunhyeong.
'What…?'
Employee Jeong suddenly walked towards Ham Geunhyeong and me, pulling up a hologram.
Ham Geunhyeong moved like the wind and blocked him from me.
'Why are you coming here?'
The person I assumed to be Employee Jeong opened his mouth.
"Heavenly Archer-nim, can you sign this for me? I'd also like to take a picture with Unknown Supernova-nim and get his device code."
What are you talking about?
Ham Geunhyeong also seemed to share my thoughts, because his face became even fiercer than usual.
Deputy Yoon made a hasty U-turn and grabbed his team member, Employee Jeong, by the neck.
"Let's go."
"Agh, Deputy, let go! Hold on, it'll really only take a minute! Heavenly Archer-nim, Unknown Supernova-nim! Deputy, ah, really!"
Deputy Yoon put the excessively lively Employee Jeong in a headlock and started dragging him away.
Somehow, these two free-spirited people were Hong Kyubin's subordinates.
"…He's a big fan of players from Silverlight High. You can ignore him, hahaha."
In the abruptly cooled atmosphere, Hong Kyubin let out a lifeless laugh.
* * *
In the central district, the Greater Tiger Hall's center auditorium had a reception room.
Performers from outside the school occasionally used the Greater Tiger Hall, so there was a reception and VIP waiting room.
'Am I allowed to stay here?'
Currently, the three people in the reception room were Ham Geunhyeong, Hong Kyubin, and I.
It was unnatural for me to be involved, but Ham Geunhyeong and Hong Kyubin both let me sit with them.
"It's a common situation. Cases where parents treat their children like slaves come out every year. After the interworld collision, more and more people treated having children like scratching lottery tickets. However, it's rare to find trash who even sells their kid to a fight club."
Hong Kyubin replied bitterly after hearing Ham Geunhyeong's brief explanation of Maeng Hyodon's situation.
"I'll cut his ties with his father and prepare a team of lawyers to settle the debt problem. I'll also prevent Maeng Hyodon's name from leaking to the media. Instead, let's have a big interview with you as a distraction, Heavenly Archer-nim."
"All right, I'll prepare an interview with the Hwangmyeong Foundation's PR team."
Ham Geunhyeong and Hong Kyubin discussed the steps to take in the future.
To summarize it, Maeng Hyodon's case would end up being the following:
An unemployed debtor who enslaved his son for profit.
VS
The Player Association's and Hwangmyeong Foundation's joint defense team.
There was no way to lose.
If this scenario was in a game, the difficulty would be too low for it to be considered a game in the first place.
It seemed Maeng Hyodon's situation would be resolved without any problems.
"I'd like to interview Maeng Hyodon, but doing it today would be difficult, right? I want to meet him in person as soon as he's settled."
"Yes, please contact Maeng Hyodon through me, Team Leader Hong."
"Hahaha, I knew you'd say that. Then, I'll be on my way."
Hong Kyubin got up from his seat before adding something.
"About the person who destroyed Choi Pyeondeuk's lavish business, do you know who it was? Nothing concrete was left on any recording devices."
"I don't know."
Ham Geunhyeong answered insincerely.
Hong Kyubin gazed at Ham Geunhyeong and then me before smiling bitterly.
"Well, there are a few eccentrics among players, ones who hide their faces and act as vigilantes. For example, the Red Barrier Thief."
Damned Red Barrier Thief.
Why was that shameful title showing up again?
Well, it was related to the Fantasy Gate, so of course it'd have to be mentioned.
It seemed Hong Kyubin didn't intend on asking any more questions, because he rose from his seat.
Click.
Then, the reception room's door opened and someone came in.
The person… no, the True Clan descendant who entered was Kim Shinrok.
'What did you do to get involved with this?'
Either way, it was convenient to have Kim Shinrok around.
He was one of the people directly involved with the truth of this situation.
'He's just like an ordinary teacher.'
The current Kim Shinrok didn't display any of the ruthless gloom he did when using the school supplies.
As per usual, he just looked like a good teacher.
"Kim Shinrok-ssi, long time no see."
"Hello, Team Leader Hong. Are you on your way out?"
"Yes, I'll see you next time."
Hong Kyubin and Kim Shinrok lightly bid each other goodbye before parting.
But before completely leaving, Hong Kyubin said something.
"Then, see you next time, Unknown Supernova."
Hong Kyubin gave me a meaningful smile and left.
It was strange for a student to be here, so it couldn't be helped.
'If I'm forced into a hard spot, I can insist it's because I'm vice president of year 1, class 0.'
However, I wasn't the only strange one. Hong Kyubin was odd, too.
'It's strange for a team leader to keep being assigned field work. Does the Player Association have a special work philosophy?'
It was a minor botherance, but then there was even more.
Unlike Jegal Jaegeol, Ham Geunhyeong and Kim Shinrok were not referred to with 'Mr.'
(tl/n: The honorific Kyubin uses with Jaegeol is one you use for your teachers.)
When Hong Kyubin spoke to Ham Geunhyeong and Kim Shinrok, he added "-ssi" or used their player alias.
However, there wasn't any problem with it since he still spoke politely and used the proper honorifics.
"Student Body Director, I've sent the data you requested to your device. That includes Hyodon's evaluation, he still has a few more tests left… Shall we talk about it our way to the infirmary?"
"Yes. Cho Euishin, let's go."
The story went that Kim Shinrok "accidentally" came across Maeng Hyodon and Ham Geunhyeong on his way to the infirmary. After hearing the situation, he started cooperating with them.
'He must have followed Ham Geunhyeong to find the right time to intervene.'
Maeng Hyodon would be entering the dormitory soon.
So, it wasn't unusual for Kim Shinrok, the Landwing Union's advisor, to intervene in this matter. Actually, his help would be a good thing.
"Hyodon is outside the examination room, so he's probably finished his CT and MRI scans."
Said Kim Shinrok, who was walking in front of us, opening the door to the infirmary.
Ham Geunhyeong and I followed him inside.
'Is this the infirmary?'
It was an infirmary fit for the central area of Korea's best player-specialized high school, having been established by an ultra rich foundation.
It seemed like they made it by melting money, because the medical facilities were too expensive for simple spending.
In terms of their equipment's level, it was on par with the Hwangmyeong Foundation's general hospital that I visited with Jang Namwook and Yoo Sanghoon.
'Thanks to this infirmary, he doesn't need to get examined at a hospital.'
Maeng Hyodon was sitting in the corner of the sparkling infirmary.
Maybe he was borrowing Ham Geunhyeong's clothes, because they fit him loosely.
"Maeng Hyodon."
Maeng Hyodon, who was sitting on the exam table, quickly turned his head.
When he saw my face, he opened his mouth.
"Y-You! Are you okay, Vice President Cho Euishin?!"
I showed him my real face on my student ID, so he recognized me right away.
Step step step!
Wow, how could he run like that with slippers on?
Maeng Hyodon jumped off the exam table and zipped to me in an instant.
Considering how lively he was, he really wasn't injured in the slightest.
"I thought I was going to die, you vice president bastard!"
"As long as you didn't get hurt. Have you eaten yet?"
"I still have more tests, so I can't eat anything."
"Really? I've eaten."
"You bastard."
Maeng Hyodon gave a harsh response to my joke. But still, he was laughing as his eyes held back tears.
I was glad he could at least afford to make an expression half-way full of laughter.
I didn't want to see the top of Maeng Hyodon's anxiously bowed head ever again.
Anyways, I told Maeng Hyodon the most important thing I had to say.
"Hey, keep it a secret that I saved you."
"Why?"
I'd be embarrassed if anyone found out I'm the Phantom Thief of the Red Barrier.
"Just pretend you don't know. I smashed everything, so getting involved would be annoying."
"…Okay."
It didn't look like Maeng Hyodon understood, but he nodded his head.
Relieved, I began chatting with Maeng Hyodon.
Did you sleep well? What do you want to eat for dinner tonight? When will you officially enter the dorm?
It was that kind of trivial talk.
Ham Geunhyeong and Kim Shinrok watched us chat with expressions full of longing and satisfaction.
For some reason, I felt a chill down my spine.
It was similar to when I first heard the name 'Phantom Thief of the Red Barrier,' my limbs and space-time itself were shriveling in shame.
"Another similarity, they both try to hide their good deeds."
What the hell was Ham Geunhyeong talking about?
The Unknown Supernova is hiding his strength because of the embarrassing title, Red Barrier Phantom Thief.
(tl/n: In reference to the "protagonist hides their strength" trope.)
"Yes, Euishin is a great student."
Kim Shinrok added, his expression becoming inhuman for a moment.
I couldn't tell what the True Clan descendant was thinking.
'If I interject in vain, we might even start talking about the Red Barrier Thief.'
I decided to keep my mouth shut.
That evening, Maeng Hyodon, Ham Geunhyeong, Kim Shinrok, and I ate at the dorm's cafeteria.
Since the Hwangmyeong Foundation's PR and legal teams ordered Maeng Hyodon stay in school, it was difficult to eat out.
'I wanted to feed you something delicious outside.'
Fortunately, Maeng Hyodon seemed very satisfied with the dormitory meals.
"Hey, vice president… is the dormitory food always this good…?"
Maeng Hyodon said in a thrilled voice, eating a bowl full of food.
He ate dinner with a happy expression.
I was afraid he'd get a stomach ache, so I told him to eat slowly.
'Just watching him makes me feel full.'
The dormitory cafeteria operated as a buffet, so I didn't know the exact amount of servings Maeng Hyodon ate. However, I think he had at least five.
Thanks to him eating well, I also enjoyed my food.
Of all the dormitory meals I ate so far, today's was the most delicious.
Then, Sunday came.
And the incident was reported in articles.