Chapter 40 – Rule 18: The Leader Thwarts the Villain’s Plan (4)

 

I think of the bold protagonists in various media.

 

Those who remain resolute in critical moments and easily overcome any adversity.

 

Such characters have often influenced the persona I put on as the Disciplinary Committee Leader.

 

Naturally, my true self was different.

 

I was a coward.

 

Crushed under the weight of my responsibilities, I was anxious every day, constantly pushing myself to fulfill my duties and achieve my goals.

 

But I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

 

On the contrary, I believe that as a coward with a facade, the fruits of my tireless efforts will eventually lead me to a happy ending.

 

So, I give my all.

 

Even if thoughts of it being too late try to creep into my mind and cause self-loathing, I focus on doing what I can right now.

 

I rushed to the junior whose side had been slashed by the beast’s claws.

 

Bending one knee, I checked on the kid.

 

“Leader…”

 

“Don’t talk.”

 

The junior looked at me with a pale face, struggling to catch her breath. Air whistled through her teeth. Her eyes, barely open, looked ready to close at any moment.

 

‘The wound is deep.’

 

Inside the torn uniform, blood flowed from the side she was clutching, like water from an open faucet.

 

I immediately pulled out my radio.

 

While smartphones were useless, the radio worked fine.

 

“Send a medical drone to my location immediately! Hurry!”

 

I pressed down on her side to stem the blood loss, but it was far from effective.

 

Still, I couldn’t give up.

 

I had to minimize the bleeding until the medical drone arrived.

 

That was what I could do.

 

My breathing grew labored.

 

‘Calm down, control your expression.’

 

I urged myself to calm down.

 

A Disciplinary Committee Leader shouldn’t show signs of panic.

 

“Cough!”

 

The junior coughed up blood, but even then, she let out a hollow laugh as if something was funny.

 

“Heh… Leader… it hurts…”

 

“I told you not to talk.”

 

“I’m fine… you don’t need to help me anymore… go help the others…”

 

Others.

 

The mention of others sent a cold sweat trickling down my face.

 

It wasn’t just this kid.

 

At this very moment, many students were being targeted by Han Seo-jin and were in mortal danger.

 

If I stayed here like this, I might miss the chance to save others.

 

Was this the best choice?

 

Was I acting rationally?

 

More importantly,

 

‘Why… didn’t I foresee this disaster?’

 

Would the situation have been better if I had been more cautious from the start?

 

Would things have been different if I had been a bit wiser?

 

…No.

 

Now was not the time to dwell on self-reproach, regret the past, or agonize over things.

 

It was time to resolve this situation.

 

“Hang in there. The drone will arrive soon and provide first aid. Just a little longer, just a little longer…”

 

Ordinarily, a medical drone should have arrived instantly. It was delayed.

 

It must have gone to help other students.

 

One second passed.

 

Another second passed.

 

“……”

 

The junior no longer seemed to have the strength to speak. Her eyes gradually closed.

 

“Don’t close your eyes!!”

 

I shouted without realizing it.

 

But the ensuing silence only emphasized the powerlessness of my words.

 

The pretense of being the Disciplinary Committee Leader no longer mattered.

 

Seeing the subordinate I was responsible for closing her eyes drove my mind to the brink of despair.

 

Maybe it was the sense of responsibility.

 

“Leader…”

 

The junior managed to squeeze out a voice with a smile.

 

“Thank you… for everything…”

 

“Shut up.”

 

“……”

 

“……?”

 

While I was pressing her side, her hand slipped away weakly.

 

I glanced at her face. She hadn’t fully closed her lifeless eyes, just staring at the sky.

 

My breath caught. My heart felt like it was drying up rapidly, sinking into an abyss.

 

My bloodied hands remained pressed against her side to stem the bleeding.

 

My mind screamed to go help other students, but my hands wouldn’t move.

 

I clung to the faint hope that I could still save her, pressing her side.

 

The medical drone would arrive soon, and all it needed was to administer first aid.

 

Even if her heart had stopped, I could use my lightning magic for CPR.

 

But…

 

“……”

 

I couldn’t shake the thought that it was already too late.

 

Reality set in.

 

I shouldn’t stay here like this.

 

I was the Disciplinary Committee Leader.

 

I had to strive for maximum efficiency in fulfilling my duties.

 

This indecision was unacceptable.

 

My entire body felt like it was freezing.

 

But slowly, I began to loosen my grip and let go of the junior.
At that moment,

 

“It’s okay.”

 

A gentle hand placed mine back on the junior’s side.

 

Another hand touched my chest as if to reassure me.

 

A black-haired female student stood beside me.

 

I looked at her.

 

A first-year student with ruby-red eyes and a mischievous smile, gazing at my junior.

 

“Lee Se-Ah…?”