Chapter 37- Rule 18. The Leader Thwarts the Villain’s Plan (1)

 

The Disciplinary Committee, a large force which plays a crucial role in ensuring student safety during important exams, including practical evaluations. They step in as supervisors when teacher resources are insufficient.

 

The practical evaluation was only a week away, and I awaited approval of the final proposal outlining the Disciplinary Committee’s supervision plan. It focused on the deployment specifics: when, where, and how to position committee members.

 

‘I must carefully consider placement, considering the possibility that one of the Six Sinners is among our students….’

 

It wasn’t a matter to be taken lightly.

 

We didn’t know exactly when the Six Sinners would appear.

 

‘…The Necromancer.’

 

In the game, the Six Sinner who attacked Ahsung High School was known as ‘The Necromancer.’

 

They concealed their identity behind a skull mask, rendering identification impossible.

 

Why would they choose the practical evaluation to cause trouble? …I don’t know.

 

Understanding their motive beforehand would be ideal, but it was difficult to figure out.

 

‘Anyway, in the game, Ahsung High School failed to apprehend them. We cannot allow that to happen.

 

The Disciplinary Committee cannot afford failure. The Necromancer’s attack led to the impeachment of the Disciplinary Committee Leader at Ahsung High School.

 

I had to be extra vigilant.

 

The practical evaluation takes place over a wide area and is conducted by grade over four days.

 

The practical evaluation spans a large area and spans four days, organized by grade. Second-year students oversee first-year evaluations, third-year students monitor second-year evaluations, and fourth-year students supervise third-year evaluations. The remaining staff oversee the fourth-year evaluations.

 

‘It would be easier to handle if we knew which grade’s evaluation they would target….’

 

But we couldn’t know.

 

We also couldn’t just deploy strong members for the entire evaluation.

 

The practical evaluation lasts a long time. They’re only human, so fatigue would set in, and the Necromancer, intending to attack Ahsung High School, wouldn’t overlook any suspicious circumstances.

 

‘We also need to be prepared for necromancy.’

 

The Necromancer specializes in controlling undead minions, making them formidable in large-scale battles.

 

Therefore, we must prepare countermeasures against necromancy discreetly, avoiding any alarm among the students.

 

First, let’s review the suspects….’

 

Alone, I reviewed the documents—a list of students with high magical power based on school measurements.

 

The criterion was ‘power levels that wouldn’t be strange for a 5th Tier or higher.’

 

The Six Sinners are inherently powerful. While the Necromancer is among the weaker ones, they still rank as a top-tier 5th Tier fighter, indicating significant magical prowess. Under optimal conditions, they could rival even a 6th Tier.

 

‘There are about 50 suspects.’

 

Ahsung High School is one of the major academies, so it attracts many geniuses above the 5th Tier. However, the number itself wasn’t very high, narrowing down the candidates to 50.

 

Among them, the Disciplinary Committee accounted for the highest proportion, comprising 28 members.

 

This underscores the Disciplinary Committee’s esteemed status, leading in combat prowess. However, it also highlights that even the Committee cannot be fully trusted.

 

‘It would be good if we could confirm their unique abilities….’

 

Identifying the suspects’ unique abilities is difficult unless the individuals willingly disclose them. There is a prevalent culture of treating unique abilities as sensitive private matters, and many people hide or lie about them to protect themselves.

 

Given that very few people manifest unique abilities, the uncertainty about how such rare powers might be used, and the potential risk of being targeted by criminals, this is a complex social phenomenon.

 

So, those whose unique abilities were clear and unrelated to necromancy were excluded from suspicion.

 

‘I’m not sure about the physique….’

 

The Necromancer always wore a hooded robe, so their physique was unknown. At least they weren’t tall, so students with large builds were excluded from suspicion.

 

Knock, knock.

 

Just then, a knock sounded on the door of the Disciplinary Committee’s executive office.

 

“Come in.”

 

I was the only one in the office.

 

I raised my voice.

 

The door opened, and our top-tier expressionless talent walked in. The emotionless junior.

 

She saluted and stood at ease in front of my desk.

 

“Good work, Leader.”

 

Her tone was flat and emotionless.

 

I looked away from her and resumed reviewing the documents that needed approval.

 

“Report.”

 

The intensity of her surveillance on Lee Se-Ah had decreased compared to before. Now, it was more about casually observing her and reporting back.

 

Although Lee Se-Ah had realized she was being watched, it wasn’t possible to stop surveillance completely.

 

Additionally, the reason for receiving verbal reports was to avoid leaving records.

 

“No special incidents. Lee Se-Ah is still leading her group and focusing on good deeds. It’s the same as usual.”

 

“Alright. Thanks for your effort.”

 

Normally, the reports ended like this.

 

The reduced intensity of her mission was a factor, but the main reason was that Lee Se-Ah hadn’t made any significant moves in school.

 

However, no matter how cautious Lee Se-Ah was, she would inevitably make significant moves by next semester. This was when she would become the leader of the Do-hwa Group and the ruler of the black market, which happened in the second semester of this year. It was also when she would die.

 

…Besides that.

 

“I’ll take my leave now….”

 

“Han Seo-jin.”

 

“Yes.”

 

The emotionless junior, Han Seo-jin, responded calmly without any special reaction.

 

“How is your work with the Disciplinary Committee going? Have you adapted yet?”

 

Seo-jin was listed among the suspects.

 

Upon further investigation, it turned out her magic power was higher than expected. She lived up to the potential I saw in her.

 

So, she naturally caught my attention. She was one of the top suspects, the so-called ‘Number 1 Suspect.’

 

Top suspects would be monitored closely by the strongest members of the Disciplinary Committee, like me, Oh Baek-seo, and Ha Yesong.

 

Among them, I decided to personally keep an eye on the expressionless junior since she was the talent I had noticed.

 

Today was also the last report day before the practical evaluation, so I decided to have a brief conversation.

 

“……”

 

Maybe because I attempted to initiate a conversation, which was unusual.

 

Seo-jin looked at me silently, trying to gauge my intentions before speaking.

 

“…There are still many areas I need to improve, but I’ve adapted to most tasks. Thanks to the excellent guidance from the seniors.”

 

“That’s good.”

 

I looked up from the documents and met Seo-jin’s eyes.

 

“Come to think of it, you said your reason for joining the Disciplinary Committee was to uphold order, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

As expected.

 

Even though she had mentioned such a pretentious and embarrassing reason for joining, Seo-jin’s expression didn’t change at all.

 

“Is there anything else you’d like to do in the future?”

 

“…I’m not sure I understand.”

 

“I meant exactly what I said. You don’t strike me as particularly honest.”

 

“……”

 

Seo-jin remained silent, not answering. Maybe my words hit the mark.

 

“Starting with your reason for joining. If you were sincere, I apologize.”

 

“…Actually, I joined to build my resume. I thought I needed to show enthusiasm during the interview, so I said those things. I’m sorry if I disappointed you….”

 

“I didn’t say that to hear an apology. Everyone’s the same. Including me.”

 

“Yes?”

 

I leaned back in my chair.