Chapter 157 – GOY 157

#157

“Yeon-soo.”

Once ​the ​announcement ​for ​the ​mock ​battle teams was ​finished, ​Park ​Geon-woo ​approached ​me.

“We’re in the same ​group.”

“Yes.”

“Shall ​we go?”

“Yes.”

Since we ​were in Group ​1, ​we ​were ​the ​first ​to begin training.

An ​awkward ​silence ​flowed between us ​as we headed toward ​the First ​Gate Hall. ​This was ​a path ​I ​had ​always walked alone ​with Joo ​Seung-hyuk, and I had ​expected it to be ​the same this semester. ​It had ​been ​so natural that I hadn’t realized ​how precious it was.

On ​the ​contrary, ​I ​had ​struggled to escape ​because I ​hated ​being alone with ​him. ​Joo Seung-hyuk must have felt ​that too.

I ​felt ​sorry for him. ​If ​I ​ever ​walk ​this path ​with ​him again, ​I will be unauthorized copythe [unauthorized copy]one to hold ​his hand first. ​Nothing like before ​will ever happen again.

Will ​such a ​day come again? ​Will ​Joo Seung-hyuk be ​able to clear ​his name ​and ​be released ​soon…?

My ​fingertips grew ​cold ​from anxiety.

“Yeon-soo.”

Upon ​arriving ​at ​the First Gate ​Hall, ​Park Geon-woo ​spoke ​after ​a ​long silence. However, at that exact moment, the entrance doors opened with a cheerful notification chime.

“…Let’s talk after the training is over.”

“Yes.”

As we stepped inside, a hologram identical to a real gate greeted us.

Park Geon-woo looked around the interior of the Gate Hall. This was his first time doing mock battle training at the Esper Academy, but he didn’t seem particularly amazed. Instead, he looked quite proficient as he checked today’s training objectives.

Park Geon-woo had received special training at the Center since he was young. There were facilities similar to this one there, so he was likely used to it.

“Yeon-soo, you look tired, so rest here. I’ll be back soon.”

“Yes, Seonbae.”

I nodded. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to [unauthorized copy]Read on Read BL Novelsgo around the Gate Hall with Park Geon-woo or that I stolen contentwas reluctant to provide Guiding; I truly wasn’t feeling well.

“Are you going to keep calling me that? You’re not going to call me Hyung anymore?”

“…….”

Investigating crimes committed by ability users was the duty of the Inspection Division. Therefore, I had no intention of blaming Park Geon-woo for not telling me the details of Joo Seung-hyuk’s investigation.

However, I could not tolerate the fact that he had spoken petty words behind his back regarding Joo Seung-hyuk’s past, which had nothing to do with the current incident. Furthermore, since yesterday, unverified rumors about Joo Seung-hyuk had been pouring out alongside articles praising Park Geon-woo.

The media always loved comparing the two. But even taking that into account, the nature of yesterday’s articles was somehow strange. It didn’t feel like the reporters had written them voluntarily, but rather like they had collectively copied and pasted from a press release…

Perhaps Park Geon-woo’s side had used Joo Seung-hyuk for media play, or it was highly likely that he had leaked the sources of this incident to the reporters in the first place. In such a situation, I couldn’t call him affectionately like I used to.

“I’ll be back.”

“Yes….”

I watched Park Geon-woo’s back as he entered the hologram that simulated the gate, then perched myself on a nearby rock.

Before long, I heard the sound of Park Geon-woo attacking the virtual monsters. His mana was calmer than Joo Seung-hyuk’s.

What would it have been like if Joo Seung-hyuk were here right now? Would the two of them have competed to finish the mock battle quickly?

No. If Joo Seung-hyuk were here, they wouldn’t [unauthorized copy]have even been [Read on Read BL Novels]able [visit our site]to start the mock battle. A huge commotion would have broken out as soon as the groups were announced.

He would have stopped me from Guiding anyone else by any means necessary. He might have even staged a rebellion against Professor Jeon, who organized the groups.

I wonder what he’s doing right now? Has he eaten? Has he slept?

If only I had realized my feelings just one day sooner…. Then I would have told him that I love him.

“Ah….”

Suddenly, my vision swayed.

Perhaps because I had eaten almost nothing since yesterday and stayed up all night, my head felt dizzy and my stomach churned.

I had been tired since morning, but my body felt heavier and heavier, as if it were sinking.

Moreover, what is this scent? I wondered if a new air freshener had been sprayed in the Gate Hall, as an indescribable, nauseating smell pierced my nostrils.

I tried covering my nose, but the unidentified stench wouldn’t go away. The smell wasn’t strong, but it was hard to bear.

I wanted to go home immediately. But if I left like this, there would definitely be gossip.

People would surely chatter that I was avoiding the situation because things were uncomfortable with my ex-lover. Or they would say that side effects from the matching rate medication were appearing.

While I was resting with my eyes closed [stolen content]and my head leaning against the wall, I heard [Read on Read BL Novels]Park Geon-woo’s footsteps.

I slowly opened my eyes.

“Yeon-soo, were you sleeping?”

“No. I’m just a bit tired….”

“You’re not sick or anything?”

“No, I’m fine. Did you finish the mock battle?”

“Yeah. I took care of the monsters. How do you want to do the Guiding? Shall we go to the Guiding Room?”

“Yes.”

Park Geon-woo and I headed to the Guiding Room in the KR Hall. Since we were likely the first to finish training, the Guiding Room was empty.

“Let’s go this way.”

He pointed to the Guiding Room furthest inside. It seemed he had something private to say.

“Yes.”

I complied with his suggestion.

Entering the Guiding Room, I sat in the chair designated for Guides. Park Geon-woo firmly closed the door before sitting in the Esper chair. Then, he stared into my face.

“Yeon-soo, I didn’t know you were so reckless.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s only a matter of time before what Joo Seung-hyuk did is proven. When that happens, the arrows of criticism will rain down on you for taking Joo Seung-hyuk’s side.”

“They’re probably raining down even now.”

Even if it were revealed that Joo Seung-hyuk stopped an S-class Gate Break, public opinion wouldn’t particularly change.

They would just say that was mere speculation and continue to criticize him using other nonsense. Many people would be disappointed that their fun of painting Joo Seung-hyuk as a mass murderer was ruined, and they would take that frustration out on me.

What would they call me?

‘They deserve each other. Did he love chaebols so much that he’d side with a criminal? I didn’t know he was such a money-grubber; I’m disappointed.’

They’d probably list obvious things like that.

“Do you know that, and yet you still do this?”

“Should I hide the truth because I’m afraid of criticism?”

“You are a victim who was deceived by Joo Seung-hyuk. There is no reason for you to voluntarily cover yourself in filth.”

“I’m not a victim; I’m his lover. And don’t worry. The truth will be revealed soon, and instead, the people who framed Seung-hyeok will be the ones punished.”

I believe in Joo Seung-hyuk. He will be able to clear his name. And I want to do whatever it takes if it can help him.

Park Geon-woo gazed at me for a moment and then let out a deep sigh.

“Haa, Joo Seung-hyuk has really brainwashed you.”

“That’s not it.”

“Yes, it is.”

Park Geon-woo took his phone out of his pocket and touched the screen. Then, he showed me the screen where a video was playing.

“I am Ju Jeong-han, the Executive Director of the Seong Han Guild.”

Ju Jeong-han, Joo Seung-hyuk’s cousin and legal older brother, was sitting in a place that looked like a press conference hall.

“I am Ju Tae-han.”

And next to him was Ju Tae-han. When did he return from Texas?

Ju Tae-han’s appearance itself hadn’t changed much since he was young. However, a sinister atmosphere emanated from him due to his fierce and twisted gaze.

In the past, he looked like a low-life villain, but now the person himself felt devastated and dangerous.

“What is this?”

“Joo Seung-hyuk’s brothers held a press conference today.”

The video continued to play on the phone while we spoke.

“Joo Seung-hyuk, my younger brother, has committed a crime that is difficult to be forgiven for. As his brother, I sincerely apologize to Esper Park Geon-woo, Guide Lee Yeon-soo, and the public.”

Startled by Ju Jeong-han’s words, I stared at the screen. Then, Park Geon-woo spoke in a cold voice.

“Joo Seung-hyuk’s brother has already admitted to all the crimes.”

“Our father was also greatly shocked by this incident.”

“From now on, the Seong Han Guild will be led by Esper Ju Tae-han.”

“Please do not worry about Esper Ju Tae-han’s abilities. He has awakened as an S-Class. He is fully qualified to lead the Seong Han Guild.”

Ju Tae-han Re-awakened?

Subtitles of reporters’ questions appeared at the bottom of the screen, followed by Ju Jeong-han’s answers.

It wasn’t a real-time video, but a clip edited from the main scenes of the press conference.

Then when was the press conference held?

I took out my own phone and searched for the articles.

Ju Jeong-han and Ju Tae-han had held an emergency press conference 40 minutes ago. They admitted to all of Joo Seung-hyuk’s criminal charges and announced that Chairman Joo would also take responsibility for this incident and step down from his position as the Guild Master of the Seong Han Guild. Furthermore, they declared that Ju Tae-han, who had Re-awakened as an S-Class, would be inaugurated as the new Guild Master of the Seong Han Guild.

As I looked at the press conference articles, my hands grew cold.

“Yeon-soo, Joo Seung-hyuk deceived you. I know you’re confused, but now is the time to accept the truth. Let’s go to the hospital as soon as training is over. Red-Rune Side Effects may have occurred. You need to be examined as soon as possible.”

“If it was so urgent, why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I wasn’t sure back then. But now there is evidence. Even his family has admitted to Joo Seung-hyuk’s crimes.”

“…Seonbae.”

“Yes?”

“How did you know those two were holding a press conference?”

Forty minutes ago was when the mock battle teams were announced and when Park Geon-woo and I moved to the First Gate Hall together.

While going from the auditorium to the Gate Hall, Park Geon-woo had never looked at his phone.

Once we entered the mock battle training, Park Geon-woo and I were separated for a while. But even if it was a virtual gate made of holograms, training is still training. I didn’t think Park Geon-woo would have used his phone during the training.

After finishing the training, he was with me again. Even while moving to the Guiding Room, Park Geon-woo did not look at his phone.

For at least 40 minutes, Park Geon-woo had not used his phone, nor had he spoken with anyone other than me. And yet, he knew that Ju Jeong-han and Ju Tae-han had held an emergency press conference.