Chapter 37 (Continued)

 

“My goal is similar to yours. If I complete my term as Leader successfully, I’ll be able to secure a good position after graduation. In other words, my goal is also to build my resume. Most people are like you and me.”

 

“…I see.”

 

“That’s what I want. To get a good position and live well. Do you have something like that?”

 

Seo-jin looked down and thought for a moment before speaking.

 

“…I want to see the ocean.”

 

“The ocean?”

 

“That’s the only thing that comes to mind.”

 

The ocean….

 

For a moment, her expressionless face seemed to crack slightly. I realized this was the first time Seo-jin had given an honest answer, always hiding her emotions.

 

In my previous life and various media in this world, the vast and blue ocean beyond the sandy beach had the power to make people’s hearts flutter. It’s natural to have a longing for the sea.

 

However, in the current era, going to the sea is forbidden.

 

There’s no safe route to the sea, to begin with.

 

To see the sea, you’d have to graduate high school, obtain an explorer’s license, and venture outside, prepared to lose your life more easily than an insect due to the dangerous monsters outside.

 

“…Are you going to laugh at me?”

 

“?”

 

Unexpectedly, Seo-jin’s words caught me off guard.

 

Seo-jin looked straight into my eyes with her emotionless face.

 

“Why would I?”

 

“Because it’s nonsense. Everyone knows it’s dangerous, and I want to see a sea that’s no longer beautiful.”

 

Was she saying her desire was worthless?

 

I recalled the images of the sea brought back by explorers.

 

The sea’s landscape had changed so much that one wouldn’t necessarily want to see it anymore.

 

But.

 

“Nonsense? I think it’s cool.”

 

“Yes?”

 

I couldn’t understand why Seo-jin felt cynical about her own aspirations.

 

“Nature always cycles. By now, some parts of the ocean might have regained their old beauty. A lot of time has passed since ‘The Hole’ closed.”

 

The Hole.

 

A massive gate that once appeared in the Pacific Ocean.

 

The Hole unleashed countless monsters, beginning with the Tier 9 Golden Sheep, causing widespread chaos.

 

Now, the Golden Sheep had closed it.

 

“In that case, you might be the one to find that beautiful sea.”

 

“……?”

 

“Having such a wish, I think that’s cool.”

 

It was my genuine feeling.

 

Such desires are what drive progress in the world.

 

Seo-jin blinked slowly, her expression remaining impassive.

 

“I see. Thank you,” Seo-jin replied, inclining her head in acknowledgement.

 

There wasn’t much else to discuss.

 

I couldn’t just ask, ‘Are you one of the Six Sinners?’

 

Han Seo-jin was a talent I acknowledged.

 

A promising prospect.

 

I just hoped she wouldn’t turn out to be the Necromancer and end up fighting against me.

 

“You can go now.”

 

“Yes. Goodbye, Leader.”

 

Seo-jin saluted and left the office.

 

***

 

Walking down the corridor after leaving the office, Han Seo-jin thought.

 

Seo-jin planned to release the undead and complete her mission during the practical evaluation before leaving Ahsung High School. However, she encountered an unexpected variable after enrolling at Ahsung High School.

 

The Disciplinary Committee Leader.

 

When she was assigned the infiltration mission at Ahsung High School by the Head Principal, the Disciplinary Committee Leader wasn’t considered a key figure.

 

Seo-jin didn’t think much of the Leader’s solo resolution of the Anomia train terror incident either.

 

However, after joining the Disciplinary Committee as part of her plan, Seo-jin was surprised by the Leader.

 

─ ‘So, you want me to keep an eye on Lee Se-Ah?’

 

The Leader had assigned Seo-jin to monitor Lee Se-Ah.

 

Seo-jin felt uneasy and tense.

 

Why her, of all people?

 

Could it be that she had aroused suspicion?

 

Seo-jin recalled asking the Leader why she was given a personal assignment.

 

─ ‘Because you’re in the same class as Lee Se-Ah in the first year at Maehwa Hall. You just stood out the most.’

 

It was a flimsy reason.

 

A vague response that couldn’t be disputed.

 

At that time, Seo-jin secretly used one of her necromantic abilities.

 

The derived ability of the ‘Sixth Sense.’

 

The sense to discern whether someone is telling the truth or lying.

 

And she found out.

 

‘It was a lie.’

 

Seo-jin determined that the reason given by the Leader was a lie.

 

There was undoubtedly a hidden agenda behind the Leader’s actions.

 

‘They must have noticed something suspicious about me.’

 

The Leader was rumored to know a lot about Anomia.

 

Seo-jin had dismissed these as mere rumors, but being personally called and assigned a task with a lie made her suspicious.

 

─ ‘Thank you for trusting me, Leader. I will deliver the best results.’

 

Thus, Seo-jin did her best to avoid the Leader’s suspicion, diligently performing her tasks and going above and beyond what was asked.

 

It was an act to show her dedication as a new member of the Disciplinary Committee.

 

Although the intensity of the surveillance on Lee Se-Ah had lessened, Seo-jin couldn’t afford to be careless.

 

‘There must be no setbacks in the plan. If the Leader shows signs of suspicion during the practical evaluation….’

 

Then there was no other choice.

 

She would have to deal with the Leader first.

 

As she walked, Seo-jin stopped and looked out the window. The outdoor swimming pool used for swimming classes came into view.

 

─ ‘I think it’s cool to have such a wish.’

 

“…….”

 

The Leader’s words echoed in her mind.

 

Using her ability, she confirmed that his words were sincere.

 

She thought back.

 

Whenever she expressed her desire to see the ocean, others’ responses were always filled with insincere platitudes.

 

They treated her like a dreamer trapped in her own world or a foolish person chasing meaningless dreams.

 

The only person who hadn’t laughed at her desire was the Head Principal.

 

However, she never expected to hear such genuine admiration.

 

Seo-jin lowered her gaze and whispered to herself.

 

“He’s a kind person….”

 

After pondering the Leader’s words for a while, Seo-jin resumed walking.

 

***

 

Time passed, and the practical evaluation began.