Chapter 35. Rule 16. The Leader Scolds a Comrade

 

“Did you come here just to talk?”

 

Kim Dalbi, sitting on a swing next to Baek-seo, spoke.

 

When Baek-seo didn’t respond, Dalbi smiled and continued.

 

“…You know, I’ve been under strict control lately. But recently, the surveillance has loosened up a bit, so I came to find you. It seems ‘that person’ isn’t doing well.”

 

Security drones, programmed to detect any mention of the Head Principal, roamed the city. Dalbi referred to these as the ‘listening ears’.

 

So, Dalbi referred to the Head Principal as ‘that person’ to avoid detection by the listening ears.

 

“Start with the story about the Leader,”

 

Baek-seo squinted and spoke firmly.

 

“If you asked for just three minutes, doesn’t that mean we only have about three minutes since we met?”

 

“Well, actually, three minutes was just a rough estimate. It could be shorter. There’s not much to talk about anyway.”

 

Dalbi handed Baek-seo a folded paper.

 

“Here. Burn or eat it after reading.”

 

It was a letter containing the message she wanted to convey, prepared in advance knowing there wouldn’t be enough time for a conversation.

 

Baek-seo unfolded and read the paper.

 

“……”

 

Soon, she ignited a spark and burned the letter.

 

Dalbi proudly extended her index finger upward.

 

“From now on, what I say will be like an intro to a movie….”

 

At that moment, Dalbi stopped speaking and narrowed her eyes. The movements of the ‘listening ears,’ the security drones patrolling the area, had become unusually erratic.

 

“…This won’t work. They’ve already noticed.”

 

The Head Principal realized Dalbi had disappeared.

 

Dalbi stood up from the swing, looked down at Baek-seo with a playful smile, and placed a finger on her lips.

 

“Keep today’s meeting a secret. Since I’ve given you information, you’ll stay quiet, right? Let’s end it with, ‘Hey, next time we meet, we’re enemies.’”

 

Baek-seo slowly blinked and sighed.

 

“Can I ask you one thing?”

 

“No.”

 

“Why did you leave me?”

 

Baek-seo recalled the half-year she had spent with Dalbi.

 

Dalbi pondered, saying, “Hmm.”

 

A memory of Woo-jin and Baek-seo walking together through New Yongsan Street flashed through her mind.

 

Still smiling, Dalbi answered.

 

“It wouldn’t mean much to tell you now. It was my choice.”

 

“……”

 

“Take care. See you later….”

 

Swish!

 

“Ah.”

 

Suddenly, a sword struck.

 

Dalbi gracefully bent backward to avoid the strike, letting out a gasp. At that moment, bright flames bloomed from her body like petals.

 

In front of Dalbi, Baek-seo, holding her sword, glared coldly.

 

“I didn’t say you could leave.”

 

“It’s already too late.”

 

Dalbi laughed mischievously.

 

Whoosh!

 

In an instant, Dalbi’s body was engulfed in flames, and another sword strike cut through them.

 

Whoosh. The flames died.

 

Dalbi had vanished.

 

Dalbi had been prepared to use her escape technique from the start. She had no intention of fighting.

 

“…Such a troublesome ability.”

 

Baek-seo sighed.

 

***

 

[ Do not disclose the contents you’re reading now! Specifically, the parts related to the Head Principal. ]

 

Baek-seo couldn’t find Dalbi in the end.

 

As it got late, Baek-seo did some quick grocery shopping on her way home, recalling the contents of Dalbi’s letter.

 

[ Your Disciplinary Committee Leader has been targeted recently due to the Head Principal’s light retaliation. You guys dismantled the Anomia organization that the Head Principal was secretly nurturing, didn’t you? I don’t know why the Head Principal raised such an organization secretly or why she kept it at such a scale, so think about that on your own. ]

 

It explained the reason for the New Yongsan Street incident two weeks ago, helping Baek-seo grasp the context.

 

[ Anyway, it seems he’s currently observing the situation for some reason. Whether his mind has changed or he’s gone senile, I don’t know. ]

 

When she read that paragraph, Baek-seo understood why Dalbi had called her.

 

At that time, they had barely any time to talk, so she had to quickly grasp the letter’s contents. Even in such a situation, Baek-seo quickly understood the parts about the Head Principal.

 

[ And be careful. ]

 

Next, Dalbi had written another important piece of information.

 

[ One of the Six Sinners is hiding in your school as a student. I don’t know who it is, but don’t get caught off guard. You can talk about this information. Discuss it with your Leader. ]

 

That was the end of the letter’s contents Baek-seo recalled.

 

“……”

 

One of the Six Sinners is hiding in Ahsung High School as a student.

 

Baek-seo was conflicted about whether to believe it. After all, Kim Dalbi, one of the Six Sinners, wasn’t exactly trustworthy.

 

But she couldn’t figure out what benefit Dalbi would gain from lying about this.

 

So, was it information given out of old friendship?

 

That was also unknown.

 

Before she knew it, Baek-seo arrived at Woo-jin’s house.

 

Beep beep.

 

Baek-seo naturally unlocked the door and went inside.

 

“…Baek-seo?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Baek-seo stopped abruptly.