Chapter 30 (Continued)

 

They arrived quickly, likely having pinpointed the location due to the fight between Baek-seo and Dalbi.

 

“Disciplinary Committee Leader Ahn Woo-jin. Thank you for stopping the villains and protecting the citizens. I can’t imagine what would have happened without your heroic efforts! Just thinking about it is terrifying!”

 

The nun-girl exaggeratedly clasped her hands to her chest, expressing admiration.

 

“Your actions were truly worthy of being called heroic. I’m sure the Lord is pleased!”

 

“Indeed.”

 

“According to regulations, the Federal Council will grant you platinum mileage. Yes, you’ve done a great service and deserve a fitting reward!”

 

“……”

 

“…Are you injured anywhere?”

 

Seeing my indifferent reaction, the nun-girl tilted her head and asked another question.

 

I shook my head.

 

“That’s a relief. You’ve worked hard. Leave the man to us. We’ll just need a statement about the incident for the investigation.”

 

“Yes… I understand.”

 

The nun-girl’s politeness felt superficial.

 

I remembered her from the game; her distinctive attire made her particularly memorable.

 

‘This woman was a loyal dog of the Head Principal, wasn’t she? She wouldn’t reveal her identity so easily.’

 

I felt the one who sent them was in a hurry.

 

I quickly understood the reason.

 

‘Did they send them to secure the bomber’s custody quickly?’

 

Handing over the bomber Lee Ha-min was inevitable.

 

There was nothing I could do against the Federal Council agents exercising legitimate authority.

 

Even if I secured testimony from Ha-min that the Head Principal targeted me, it wouldn’t be enough to bring down the highest authority. It might even hasten my downfall.

 

‘Anyway, I’ve obtained important information.’

 

Knowing I had to be wary of the Head Principal was significant.

 

Fighting her legitimately was impossible.

 

Since she underestimated me by sending a bomber, causing trouble would be a mistake.
It was better to obediently hand over Ha-min.

 

“Take care.”

 

There was no need for further conversation.

 

I briefly exchanged polite farewells with the smiling nun-girl and moved towards Baek-seo.

 

“Baek-seo, are you hurt?”

 

Baek-seo shook her head.

 

“What about you, Leader?”

 

“I’m fine.”

 

I answered while examining the drones that Baek-seo’s lightning had brought down.

 

They were all destroyed by the gravitational acceleration.

 

‘Federal Council drones….’

 

Judging by the markings, they were indeed Federal Council drones.

 

It made sense for them to be here.

 

‘Are these the ‘listening ears’?’

 

If Dalbi had been wary of listening ears, it wasn’t limited to the Federal Council.

 

It was right to assume that the Federal Council’s drones were included in the listening ears.
Only the Head Principal could have the authority to do this secretly.

 

Of course, the Head Principal wasn’t a god. She couldn’t hear every conversation in Academy City.

 

Presumably, AI performed the listening ear’s role, detecting any mention of the Head Principal’s secrets.

 

‘It’s troubling that it’s not an absurd story.’

 

Security drones are designed to detect even faint sound waves to quickly identify criminal situations.

 

The Head Principal could abuse that capability.

 

‘It’s maddening….’

 

My head throbbed.

 

Why hadn’t I, with my game knowledge, paid attention to the Head Principal?

 

The first reason was that I considered her a minor extra.

 

The second and biggest reason was.

 

‘The Head Principal is supposed to commit s*****e by the end of this year.’

 

Unlike Anomia, which was annihilated, or Lee Se-Ah, who met a mysterious death.

 

The Head Principal was fated to commit s*****e due to depression this year.

 

There was no doubt about it.

 

It was hard to believe she was plotting something behind Dalbi’s back.

 

……

 

The situation was resolved.

 

Kim Dalbi had completely disappeared, as expected.

 

In the game, once Dalbi teleported with flames, she couldn’t be tracked.

 

Baek-seo and I finished our statements and left the New Yongsan Street.

 

Since the incident happened in the Federal Council’s jurisdiction, they would naturally handle the investigation. Lee Ha-min’s custody was also transferred to them.

 

Although my date with Baek-seo ended poorly, I didn’t have the mental space to feel regret. My mind was too cluttered.

 

“……”

 

“……”

 

As we walked the night streets, a new question arose.

 

“Baek-seo.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Isn’t your home in the opposite direction?”

 

Why was she still sticking by my side?

 

Baek-seo tilted her head with wide eyes, as if questioning why I was asking the obvious.

 

“You said I could come to your house anytime, didn’t you?”

 

“Well, yes. But it’s late.”

 

“I’ll sleep over tonight.”

 

……?

 

“It might be dangerous.”

 

…Isn’t this overprotectiveness a bit much?

 

I understood, though.

 

She must have been worried about me after my fight with Kim Dalbi.

 

“No need to worry. I can take care of myself….”

 

“I’m also hungry.”

 

Baek-seo interrupted, looking at me.

 

She smiled and asked.

 

“Will you make me ramen?”

 

“Ramen?”

 

Baek-seo nodded.
Maybe she wanted to lighten the mood.

 

Her determination was evident.

 

“……”

 

I noticed that Baek-seo’s hands occasionally trembled slightly since the fight with Dalbi.

 

She seemed to hide it naturally, but I, who paid close attention to her, couldn’t miss it.

 

Since she wanted to come over, I wanted to help if I could.

 

Most importantly, I couldn’t refuse her request for ramen.

 

“Sure, let’s eat.”

 

Baek-seo’s expression brightened significantly.