Chapter 94

That’s the usual hand signal shared when the target is confirmed during a stealth mission.

For instance, when arresting a fugitive in a public place, the disguised personnel go in first, pretending to greet the target.

While doing so, they check distinctive features and send this signal to the team waiting nearby, initiating an immediate move to take down the target.

But why is that signal being sent to me?

It obviously doesn’t mean to kill the deputy director right now.

Rather, it was probably a warning to watch my words.

The Organization is a worldwide entity.

Someone who has risen to the position of deputy director at such a young age is no ordinary person.

I smiled innocently and replied.

“Hello, Deputy Director.”

“I’m quite pleased to meet you. I’ve come across your name often in reports but never imagined I’d meet you in person.”

“The pleasure is mutual.”

The deputy director extended a hand for a handshake.

Despite appearances, his palm was rough with calluses.

“What were you two discussing?”

“You know, the daughter of the Chairman of the Advisory Board is my guidance student. We were talking about that.”

“Ah, yes! That’s right. Miss Yu Hye-won is Professor’s guidance student. Yes, she’s certainly impressive. The teamwork battle earlier seemed familiar somehow.”

“We based the students’ training on the material presented by the visiting lecturers that your organization sent us. It’s all thanks to the support Deputy Director provided.”

“Ahaha! Is that so? It fills me with great satisfaction to hear that.”

Though courteous and gentle on the surface, his smile didn’t feel genuine to me.

“I deeply appreciate the efforts you make in fostering exceptional heroes in the educational sector. If you ever find yourself near our offices, do drop by for a cup of tea.”

“Yes, I will.”

That was mere politeness. Someone as distinguished as a deputy director wouldn’t have time for tea with an ordinary professor.

It was probably a polite way to suggest that our conversation had gone on long enough.

“Then, take care, Professor.”

“Goodbye.”

When the deputy director walked past me, the Chairman of the Advisory Board approached and spoke.

“On the matter mentioned earlier, the Organization will take the necessary actions.”

“Thank you.”

“And during this winter break, do visit our home. It was disappointing not to have properly hosted you last time.”

“I’ll try to visit when I find some time, but as you know, professors are often busy even during breaks.”

The Chairman patted my shoulder and followed after the departing deputy director.

I watched the deputy director’s retreating back for quite a while.

A young, amiable high-ranking official, yet someone who radiated a sense of danger.

If I had to categorize his type, he might be a psycho in a suit.

Of course, this might just be my first impression, and he might not actually be that kind of person.

Still, the signal the Chairman of the Advisory Board sent earlier lingered in my mind.

I’ll inquire about it separately if I visit Miss Yu Hye-won’s home during the winter vacation.

As I turned around, an enormous and solid wall-like figure blocked my way.

Looking up, I saw Legalmight smiling as he looked down at me.

“Long time no see, Professor Hyun.”

“I was about to greet you. It’s been a while.”

“Your students are really something.”

“All thanks to your excellent training during their practicum. And I heard you even took the Sidekicks along to witness the team combat practice?”

“You can’t slack off once you’ve taken the responsibility. It’s a relief to see the results.”

“While we’re at it, I was thinking of treating you to a meal. Are you free today?”

With a slightly surprised look, Legalmight grinned widely.

“No, I have pending requests. I’m handling them now, leaving it to the Sidekicks while I squeezed out some time.”

“Ah, I see.”

“I should get going. Please tell the kids they did well and that I’ll see them later.”

“Got it.”

After shaking hands, Legalmight didn’t leave immediately but turned back and spoke.

“By the way, you seem different, Professor Hyun.”

“Me? Different how?”

Legalmight paused as if gathering his thoughts before responding.

“Like you’ve grown from being reckless into someone more responsible—almost like a father.”

“Haha. What does that even mean?”

“Still, that’s the feeling I get. You seem very human these days.”

“So you’re saying I wasn’t human before?”

Smiling, I asked, but Legalmight only responded with a meaningful look.

Damn, he really thinks that, huh?

“Anyway, take care. I’ll be off.”

“Farewell. Stay safe always.”

Legalmight brought his index and middle fingers to the end of his eyebrows.

“Justice and morality.”

“Are always here.”

Responding accordingly, Legalmight laughed heartily and strode away.

His immense build radiated a sense of overwhelming pressure, reminiscent of a moving boulder.

Hmm… Was I really that reckless back then?

I don’t recall being that wild.

To survive in Sikrito for long, doesn’t everyone end up that way?

***

Today is emergency standby day.

All the Academy’s faculty members, regardless of their current or former status as heroes, must participate in the emergency standby.

Until recently, I had managed to avoid the rotation due to my lung disease, but I voluntarily chose to rejoin.

It simply felt unfair to be exempt while others were putting in the effort without a symptom to show for it.

Once my work for the day was done, I took my suit from the research room’s closet and headed toward the administrative building.

The administrative building is the main headquarters of the Academy, housing facilities like the Chancellor’s office, where the emergency standby is held in the annexed Situation Management Center.

The Situation Management Center incorporates various functions, including the control room monitoring all surveillance equipment within the Academy – like CCTV cameras and laser sensors, for example.

It exists because the Academy itself is so extensive and complex.

It’s akin to the control centers of national critical facilities or military bases.

“Hello.”

“Welcome, Professor. We appreciate your effort.”

Upon entering the central control room of the center, I exchanged greetings as the agents courteously greeted me.

Walking past them, I entered the emergency standby room.

The standby room was equipped with a sofa, a desk, a TV, and a refrigerator, among other amenities, allowing us to rest somewhat while on standby.

Without any urgent situation to address, there was no need to stay rigid in formal chairs.

That’s the job of the agents outside.

When the alarm sounds, we move to the central situation control room to assess and immediately head to the origin point after getting dressed in our suits.

Looking at myself in the mirror after changing into my suit, the feeling was unfamiliar.

It’s been years since I’ve worn a suit.

Back then, I wore it almost daily; it felt like a second skin. Now, it’s just uncomfortable.

My figure hadn’t changed, so it was probably due to a shift in mindset.

Recalling Legalmight’s earlier words popped into my mind.

From reckless to responsible—a father, he said?

Haha, that guy is hilarious. He has no idea; I’m not even married yet.

I chuckled and opened the refrigerator door.

The fridge was stocked with snacks provided for the heroes on standby that day.

Some beverages, quick meals, and cookies too, it seemed.

This well-prepared standby room exemplified the esteemed position heroes hold in our society.

Seeing my favorite Shaubore from when I was a kid, I picked one up and sat on the sofa.

It was almost midnight when I suddenly thought of something while reading the book I’d brought along.

I still hadn’t deleted Han Min-ha’s photo.

Holding onto it would definitely cause problems—best to delete it right away.

Gazing at the displayed photo before pressing the delete button, I froze as a sudden tapping sound came from the window.

Turning around, peeking through the corner of the window, was no other than Yu Hye-won.

Am I hallucinating?

What is she doing sticking to the outside wall of the situation management center this late?

What is this…

“Hurry up and open the window. It’s freezing out here…!”

Yu Hye-won spoke softly, and I decided to open the window.

The cold wind came in alongside a uniform-clad Yu Hye-won who entered the standby room.

“Hye-won student. What exactly is going on? How did you get here?”

“I just walked.”

“Come on, there’s CCTV. How did you even get past that?”

“Of course there’s a way.”

Yu Hye-won smirked, glowing a gold aura at her fingertips.

“Wow, this is the first time I’m seeing you in your suit. You look extremely sexy.”

“Ugh.”

Sighing, I locked the room door.

Regardless of how she managed to evade the surveillance, the Situation Management Center is a restricted area.

It’s a place students can’t just barge into without significant consequences if discovered.

Trouble follows our young ones like shadow.

“Why are you here?”

“Since you’re on emergency standby, I thought you might be bored, so I came by.”

“I’m not bored. There’s a TV, snacks—everything is here. Just go back. You’ll face more than just penalty points if caught sneaking in here.”

“Quit it with the penalty point threats. Am I frightened?”

“Of course not, but your father would surely be disappointed if he knew.”

Hearing this, her face stiffened momentarily.

“Well, anyway… can I stay a bit? If not, I’ll scream.”

“And what would you scream about? Let’s hear it.”

“That Professor is trying to rape me. He coerced me to come to the emergency standby room by threatening my semester-end grade….”

“Alright, that’s enough. Stop it. My head already hurts listening to this.”

I waved my hand to cut off her rant.

The last time, after refusing her request to touch her chest, she screamed, waking up the whole dormitory.

Fine. It’s quieter to let her stay for a bit before sending her off.

I sat down on the sofa, sighing slightly.

“Just stay quietly and then leave. Alright?”

“Yep. Alright. But what were you watching?”

Without waiting for me to stop her, Yu Hye-won snatched the phone lying on the sofa.

“Watching porn, were you? You looked so… uh?!?”