Chapter 21 (Continued)

 

He hoped the eccentric challengers and the Six Sinners would leave him alone. It was frightening…

 

‘Anyway, Anomia is definitely finished now.’

 

In the Disciplinary Committee’s office, he straightened his posture and read the report on the Anomia case.

 

Anomia would be destroyed now. With both the leader and potential successors captured, the organization couldn’t survive. It was already over.

 

In the game, Anomia weakened after being defeated by the main characters and eventually collapsed for unknown reasons, much like the Mafia Do-hwa Group that Lee Se-Ah belonged to.

 

Whether it was internal conflict due to weakened strength or being swallowed by another villain group…

 

‘Now that it’s here, it’s curious. Why did they collapse in the game?’

 

He was curious about the reasons behind Anomia’s fall and Lee Se-Ah’s fate.

 

The game never revealed the exact reasons, and he couldn’t know now.

 

Unless the Six Sinners were involved, there was no reason for him to care.

 

The problem was.

 

‘If the Six Sinners were involved…’

 

If their collapse was linked to the Six Sinners?

 

There was a potential link—a sponsor who provided substantial support to Anomia.

 

The community speculated it was one of the Six Sinners. Investigating this case might uncover clues about them.

 

Tracking the Six Sinners was crucial.

 

It was better to ambush them than to respond to their incidents.

 

‘Why do I feel uneasy…’

 

Perhaps it was because of his game knowledge. He felt an ominous premonition of a major event.

 

He didn’t want to think about it.

 

‘It’s not time to make a judgment yet anyway.’

 

It was an issue to consider after identifying the sponsors. He could only hope his premonition was baseless.

 

‘Also…’

 

He looked over to the table.

 

Park Minhyuk was there, typing furiously on his laptop, working on the press release for the Anomia incident, the report sent to the police academy, the event summary, the case files, and more.

 

He remembered handling the scene at Gray Star.

 

Minhyuk had shed tears, expressing countless thanks. When Woo-jin had simply said, “Good job,” and patted his shoulder, Minhyuk’s eyes had sparkled.

 

Since then, he had been working tirelessly.

 

Minhyuk had memories of being beaten by a gang. Woo-jin worried that this incident might have traumatized him, but Minhyuk didn’t seem to be suffering from any trauma.

 

Instead, there was a different problem.

 

“Minhyuk, take it easy. You’ll collapse at this rate.”

 

Ha Yesong, who was sitting opposite Minhyuk, spoke cautiously. She seemed to have decided to speak after some hesitation.

 

Minhyuk shook his head firmly.

 

“This is the only way I can repay the Leader, who is like the sky.”

 

“The sky… Well, working diligently is better than being in the trash can like usual…”

 

Yesong turned her eyes to Woo-jin, seemingly unable to bear Minhyuk’s praises any longer.

 

She looked at him as if to ask, ‘Is it okay to let him be like this?’

 

Woo-jin answered with a nod.

 

It felt uncomfortable being praised, but it was better to let it be. Having members deeply loyal to him was a good thing.

 

Yesong sighed and left the office early.

 

***

 

By evening, the sky was beautifully decorated with a sunset. The rainy season had ended.

 

Sipping green tea, I read through the incident report. It was unrelated to the Anomia incident.

 

‘I need to prepare for midterms soon.’

 

The Disciplinary Committee takes on the role of proctors during exams or major practical evaluations. This is due to the severe shortage of available teachers who can act as supervisors. The review of proctors was already completed, and preparations were in their final stages.

 

However, aside from that, I also needed to study for my own midterms. Although I had expected to be busy, I hadn’t anticipated this level of workload. Thankfully, I had done thorough preparation during the vacation.

 

“Leader.”

 

From across the table, Baek-seo called out to me.

 

“Want to eat this while you work? I brought some snacks.”

 

Baek-seo held a case with a picture of cookies on it.

 

Snacks. A short break sounded good.

 

“Sure.”

 

As I sat opposite Baek-seo, I noticed the black tea in front of me.

 

“You made tea?”

 

“I thought you might want some with the cookies. So I prepared it.”

 

Baek-seo replied in her refined tone.

 

My vice leader knows me too well. It feels like having a girlfriend of over five years by my side. Not that I know exactly what that feels like, but it could be compared to that.

 

“Thanks for the food.”

 

I opened the case and picked up a cookie.

 

It was a simple, sweet cookie. Delicious, though.

 

“Did you check your email?”

 

Baek-seo brought up a topic.

 

“Email? Not yet.”

 

“They said you’re getting a reward for capturing Anomia. ‘Platinum Mileage,’ to be exact.”

 

“……!”

 

Wow. Awesome.

 

I hadn’t paid attention due to being buried in work.

 

Mileage points. An award given for outstanding achievements that raise the academy’s name.

 

The academy recommends to the Federal Council, which then decides whether the person deserves the mileage. Alternatively, the Federal Council can directly assign it.

 

Mileage comes in Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

 

Platinum is the highest tier. It’s awarded for significant contributions that benefit the entire Academy City.

 

With Platinum Mileage, you can use Platinum shops or have a weapon forged by a Platinum-tier blacksmith.

 

“Nice.”

 

I replied calmly, trying to suppress my rising excitement.

 

‘Awesome.’

 

I already knew what I would do with the Platinum Mileage.

 

‘Weapon forging! I can finally get my own weapon…!’

 

I clenched my fist and did a dance of joy inwardly.

 

I was overwhelmed with emotion.

 

Every man dreams of having his own special weapon. Since realizing I had been reincarnated in this world, that dream was a given.

 

The weapon I usually used, a baton, was just standard issue. So I wanted a new weapon of the same type. I was already used to the baton, and it was excellent for suppression.

 

To have it forged by a Platinum-tier blacksmith…! I felt like dancing a moonwalk right in front of Baek-seo and cheering out the window.

 

“You seem happy?”

 

“…Not bad. It’s Platinum Mileage, after all.”

 

Baek-seo smiled knowingly, probing my feelings.

 

No matter how happy I was, I couldn’t let it harm my image. Thankfully, I maintained my composure as I chewed on the cookie.

 

“Leader.”

 

“What?”

 

“I want a reward too. As a token of recognition, can’t you give me one?”

 

“…Me?”

 

Baek-seo nodded.

 

It was an unexpected request. A reward, out of the blue?

 

“I think I deserve a reward too.”

 

“Well…, I think so too. Then, um….”

 

A reward, huh.

 

If it weren’t for Baek-seo, we wouldn’t have been able to completely eradicate Anomia. It was only right to give her something for her efforts.

 

Splitting the Platinum Mileage… was impossible.

 

The system was designed to prevent abuse, so transferring the mileage to someone else was prohibited. Similar acts were also illegal.

 

‘What kind of reward…?’

 

A reward that made sense…

 

Nothing came to mind.

 

I couldn’t give her my most valuable possession, the Lightning Rod.

 

As I was pondering, Baek-seo suddenly leaned over and took my right arm.

 

She gently placed my hand on her head and moved it back and forth, having me pat her head.

 

“?”

 

What was she doing…?

 

Baek-seo closed her eyes, enjoying my touch.

 

She then let go of my arm. Following her lead, I continued to stroke her soft hair.

 

A quiet sense of embarrassment washed over me. My mind was confused.

 

“Baek-seo?”

 

“Don’t overthink it. This is enough.”

 

Baek-seo opened her eyes slightly and looked at me gently.

 

“I didn’t expect this.”

 

“Sometimes, I just want to be spoiled. I’m your subordinate, after all. Getting patted by my superior feels good.”

 

Isn’t she embarrassed saying that herself?

 

“……”

 

I couldn’t ask that.

 

Baek-seo’s face, illuminated by the sunset, was slightly flushed. She seemed to feel good but also a bit embarrassed.

 

‘She’s really cute….’

 

I always felt why Baek-seo was called a goddess, but this moment was the most intense.

 

She’s truly beautiful. And quite adorable too.

 

Before I knew it, I started enjoying patting Baek-seo’s head. It felt like petting a cute puppy. I felt a sense of satisfaction.

 

“……”
“……”

 

While spending time quietly, I realized something.

 

Logically, this situation was very embarrassing, wasn’t it…?

 

“Should we stop now?”

 

Baek-seo asked with a gentle smile.

 

Despite the embarrassment, my head shook side to side on its own.

 

“Can I keep doing it…?”

 

“?”

 

Baek-seo blinked her big eyes at me.

 

Though embarrassed, I didn’t want to just let it pass.

 

I was always grateful to Baek-seo. If she could be satisfied just by me patting her head, I’d continue to do it. I could handle the pounding heart and embarrassment.

 

After a moment of hesitation, Baek-seo smiled and said.

 

“…Sure.”

 

She leaned closer to me. Her beautiful face coming nearer startled me, but I continued to pat her head. She enjoyed my touch like a puppy.

 

Though it was usually hard to read Baek-seo’s emotions, today, her feelings seemed to be conveyed.

 

If Baek-seo had a tail, it would probably be wagging up and down.

 

That was the thought that came to mind.

 

‘Cute.’

 

I felt content with just the thought.