"The Ahseong Disciplinary Committee Leader is quite remarkable. To have defeated Moon Chae-yeon with such limited power..."

Spartoi Son Ye-seo, dressed in a nun's habit over her school uniform, said with a smile.

"Shall we secure Moon Chae-yeon?"

"Moon Chae-yeon..."

Principal Lee Doo-hee muttered, staring out at the cityscape with his mouth slightly agape. His lips, cracked like a parched field, struggled to form the words as he mentioned the name of one of the Six Sins.

"Who was Moon Chae-yeon again...?"

The principal seemed to be grasping for memories.

Ye-seo, anticipating this, explained promptly.

"One of the Six Sins, known as the Technomancer. She was raised by you, Principal."

"Ah, yes. I remember now..."

Ye-seo maintained her smile but looked at the back of the principal's head with a meaningful gaze.

The principal's condition was deteriorating by the day.

He suffered from dementia and a host of other ailments that riddled his body. The end of his physical life was drawing near.

"The Ahseong Disciplinary Committee has rescued Oh Baek-seo and secured Moon Chae-yeon. It's quite a dire situation."

"Ahseong, you say?"

"Yes, it's the place where 'Ahn Woo-jin' is the disciplinary committee leader. The one you were wary of recently."

Ye-seo found herself having to add additional context each time. The principal's memory was continuously deteriorating.

"Let it go."

"Why?"

"There's no need. It would only escalate things."

"...So you're abandoning her?"

"She had a heart condition anyway. You saw her magic deplete, didn't you? She won't last long."

Chae-yeon had reinforced her heart with her unique ability.

Without that, she would have died long ago.

In other words, since her magic was depleted in her fight with Woo-jin, her death was imminent.

"Indeed. No need to meddle."

"My child."

"Yes?"

"Who do you think is the most bothersome presence in my path?"

"An easy question."

Ye-seo smiled sweetly.

"Lately, it's the Ahseong Disciplinary Committee Leader, Ahn Woo-jin. He holds a significant position and has impressive achievements, making him famous. His information-gathering abilities are incomprehensible. Plus, he's defeated Han Seo-jin and Moon Chae-yeon. Even though I thought he was strong for a 4th-tier, it seems his talent exploded as he advanced to 5th and 6th-tier."

The information that Woo-jin was a 6th-tier had already reached the principal and Ye-seo.

"The spatial ability, right?"

"Yes, it’s clearly an extraordinary ability."

The match between Moon Chae-yeon and the Ahseong detachment was broadcasted by the principal’s drone.

It was confirmed that the Ahseong Disciplinary Committee Leader had spatial manipulation abilities.

"Because of him, extracting the weather control ability was also thwarted. He's not an opponent to be underestimated. A regular Spartoi can't defeat him, and even sending an A-rank Spartoi might result in failure or counterattack."

Ye-seo raised her index finger lightly.

"And it’s not just facing Ahn Woo-jin alone... The rescue of Baek-seo is a significant variable. Ahn Woo-jin will be even more determined to protect Baek-seo. Since Baek-seo has already been kidnapped once, their vigilance will be extremely high."

Ye-seo continued.

"And Baek-seo herself is formidable. Unless we bring someone like Kang Jin, handling her will be difficult. We don't need to go as far as 'Darts,' but we should maintain some level of caution."

'Darts' referred to a stage where full force was mobilized to ensure a target's assassination.

The principal, after a deep breath, issued his order.

"Inform Hong Gyu and Hong Bin."

Hong Gyu and Hong Bin. They were known as the 'Gluttons' among the Six Sins.

"Have them capture the Ahseong Disciplinary Committee Leader with the highest level of magical ceremony. With their abilities, even Ahn Woo-jin won’t stand a chance. It will also make it easier to target Oh Baek-seo simultaneously."

"Quite a decisive measure, isn't it? You were saving that for capturing Goliath, weren't you? Isn't it a bit wasteful?"

"Ahn Woo-jin's innate magic was not A+ grade. That’s why he wasn’t filtered out in the Zero District. But... his abilities surpass those I've nurtured... Cough!"

Suddenly, the principal covered his mouth, coughing up phlegm mixed with blood.

He looked at his bloodstained hand and continued.

"That child is... special. Now I am certain. This feeling has never been wrong before."

Ye-seo nodded.

"Yes, I'll prepare right away. It will take some time to get everything ready."

"By the way..."

"Yes?"

The principal's hand trembled.

As death approached, he couldn’t help but think of someone.

"I'm afraid 'that child' will hate me..."

In the principal's smartphone address book was a contact labeled '1215.'

He had explicitly instructed not to touch Ahn Woo-jin, but the principal was targeting him regardless.

Ye-seo leaned in and whispered to the principal.

"You're prepared to be hated, aren't you? It's okay, Principal. Everything will be fine."

Like a devout follower spreading the gospel, Ye-seo reassured the principal in a gentle voice.

"Shall we focus on extracting Ahn Woo-jin's abilities then?"

"No."

The principal narrowed his eyes.

"I'm not just targeting Ahn Woo-jin."

"...Ah, you mentioned the plan before. We can target them simultaneously this time, right?"

"You're always quick to catch on."

"Of course. Who do you think I am?"

Ye-seo smiled contentedly.

You could call it the Technomancer Hunt.

The battle with Moon Chae-yeon had concluded, and I was hospitalized.

Ahseong covered all the costs. Capturing Moon Chae-yeon was recognized as an official activity of the Ahseong Disciplinary Committee, largely thanks to Ma Hyun Disciplinary Committee Leader Lee Je-ho’s help.

Although there was still the issue of the illegality to consider, the exact consequences were yet to be determined.

‘My magic still hasn’t returned.’

Being in a state of depleted magic, I couldn’t expect the same recovery speed as before, nor could I summon Geumyang.

Still, I wasn’t lonely. I was assigned to the same room as Baek-seo. Just seeing her face warmed my heart.

This was a two-person room. Baek-seo was sound asleep in the bed next to mine. The strange markings on her skin were gone. She was fine.

According to the examination results, Baek-seo's condition was improving normally. However, due to the excessive strain on her body, she would be in a deep sleep for some time.

‘I can't move...’

I wasn’t as deeply asleep as Baek-seo, but my condition was terrible. It was difficult to move, and I had to call a nurse for help even to go to the bathroom.

‘I hope Moon Chae-yeon is being well-managed.’

Aside from Baek-seo and me, the other committee members had vowed to secure Moon Chae-yeon.

Unlike Han Seo-jin, who was difficult to interrogate due to penalties, Moon Chae-yeon could provide valuable information about the incident. Therefore, nothing should happen to her.

The disciplinary committee had already begun investigating the incident. If any external pressure or issues arose with Moon Chae-yeon, I would be informed immediately.

‘I don’t know how the principal will react.’

I couldn’t help but worry.

“……”

I quickly made a call.

─ What is it, leader? This is the seventh time today….

"Is Moon Chae-yeon safe?"

I asked seriously to Yoo Do-ha on the other end of the line.

Do-ha sighed.

─ That again.... She’s under the highest level of protection and still recovering. Her heart condition is serious, so she hasn’t woken up yet. Anyway, the doctor said to keep monitoring her. How many times do I have to repeat this…?

"Got it."

─ Now, stop calling.

I hung up and stared at the ceiling.

There was nothing more I could do at the moment.

After a big battle, and not having rested properly lately….

‘Maybe I should take this opportunity to rest.’

I enjoyed the breeze and sunshine through the window, watching Baek-seo, or catching up on mobile games I had postponed.

Late at night.

I was deeply asleep.

I sensed a familiar presence. Someone started stroking my hair. It was a gentle, affectionate touch.

Thanks to my heightened senses from reaching the 6th-tier, I quickly regained consciousness and felt the touch.

Baek-seo? Did she wake up? No, this didn’t feel like Baek-seo’s touch.

I grabbed the wrist quickly and opened my eyes.

“Ah.”

A short gasp was heard.

When I saw who I was holding, my eyes widened.

Pink hair reflecting the moonlight. Kim Dal-bi’s startled face came into view.

“…What are you doing?”

I narrowed my eyes and asked.

“S-Sorry.”

Dal-bi apologized in a flustered voice.

I stared at her for a moment and then sat up. My body still ached, but after a few days, it was bearable.

“Hey…?”

Dal-bi looked at her wrist, which I was holding, with a perplexed expression.

Dal-bi was in her goblin outfit, which she wore as a villain. The outfit had various functions.

She seemed to have come in that outfit for a stealth mission. Her mask was off, so her face was clearly visible.

I glanced at Baek-seo. She was breathing quietly in her sleep. It didn’t seem like Dal-bi had done anything to her.

If any external factor affected a patient's vital signs, an alarm would go off. But the room was silent.

“Are you going to call the disciplinary committee? They’re on standby at the hospital.”

Dal-bi asked after composing herself.

Baek-seo and I were incapacitated. All we could rely on was the protection of Geumyang.

Even if the disciplinary committee was called, defeating a 6th-tier fighter like Dal-bi without a plan would be tough. Would it be best to drive her away?

To capture Dal-bi, a detailed strategy involving the committee’s top fighters was necessary.

However, Dal-bi didn’t seem to have come to fight.

So initiating a battle should be done cautiously.

“No…”

I closed my eyes and answered.

“I won’t call them.”

“Good decision. It would be pointless to increase casualties here. I didn’t come to fight either.”

“Why are you here? It doesn’t seem like you came to cause trouble.”

“Yeah… I just stopped by. Hehe, sorry for dropping in. Maybe I lost my mind for a bit. Do I look pathetic?”

Dal-bi wore an awkward smile, but her eyes lacked vitality.

Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and her complexion was terrible. Her hair was rough and unkempt, as if she had been up for days.

What had happened to her recently?

More importantly, why had Dal-bi come here?

She must have known that I fought Moon Chae-yeon and that Moon Chae-yeon wasn’t here.

She couldn’t have come to the hospital to capture Moon Chae-yeon.

Even if that was her goal, she wouldn’t have stroked my hair upon finding me.

It seemed like.

‘Did she come to check on my condition?’

At this late hour.

Did she wait until I was asleep?

‘Because of old feelings? ...No, I’ll think about that later. And wasn’t she under the principal’s surveillance? How did she get here?’

Dal-bi visiting me implied that the principal’s control or surveillance had weakened.

‘Come to think of it, wasn’t that the case before?’

When Dal-bi contacted Baek-seo in the first semester to relay information about Han Seo-jin, she said the principal’s surveillance had temporarily lifted.

I sighed quietly and looked back at Dal-bi.

“No, you came at the right time. I have something to ask.”

Dal-bi tilted her head in confusion.

“But let me say this first. If you came because of old feelings, don’t ever do it again after today.”

I spoke without looking at Dal-bi, keeping my tone as cold as possible.

“It’s disgusting.”

Human affection is truly cruel.

I felt it before.

Seeing Dal-bi’s face overlapped with the old one, my mind could only float in nostalgia for our childhood.

Naturally, I felt drawn to Dal-bi.

She was the first person in this world to be on my side.

But no matter the reason, we had parted ways and stood on opposing sides. It wasn’t just a personal matter but one between the disciplinary leader and a member of the Six Sins.

Knowing this, if Dal-bi continued to show ambiguous behavior, I had no choice but to act as I did now.

A moment of silence passed.

“Yes…”

Maybe it was my resolute attitude.

Dal-bi’s smile faded. But she managed to keep her lips slightly curved.

Her eyes and eyebrows drooped.

“Yeah, it’s disgusting…”

Dal-bi laughed quietly.

Her wrist, which I held, trembled slightly.