Chapter 2

EP.2 Me, Plotting a Scheme

Since I became a Titan, the only thing I regretted was not knowing the story of the corruption route.

If I had known it would turn out like this, I would have tried a 100% strategy.

That way, I could have thought of multiple ways to have Sehwa…

But honestly, it didn’t really matter.

I can just create my own route.

As long as I know the standard happy ending route, I can handle it myself.

That’s part of the fun, after all.

Anyway, Yoo Seunghyun is a diligent young man who jumped into the job market after graduating high school.

And he’s also the ultimate sucker, offering money to Dr. Cash for the future of the heroine and the welfare of the ever-expanding lab.

Why did I ever empathize with a protagonist like that…

Now, I’m an insanely wealthy person who doesn’t even have to worry about money.

They say the position makes the person, and the me who once thought of Seunghyun as myself has long since vanished.

“This is a friend I met today, his name is Song Jihyuk. He’s in our department.”

The kind-hearted Sehwa introduced her friends to me.

A slightly thin but incredibly handsome face.

No wonder people say if you’re good-looking, you could even pass the civil service exam three times.

The female classmates didn’t swarm around me… but they did give me curious looks.

Not long after I started acting like a simple young man, the professor appeared.

That professor was just an extra, a typical old-fashioned type who made it clear Sehwa’s scientific knowledge wasn’t great.

He was famous, but not an important character.

Still, he was a useful tool for me.

To solidify my image.

Once dozens of students were seated in the lecture hall, the professor looked at me and said,

“Ah, so you’re that friend. Song Jihyuk… right?”

“Yes, hello.”

“It’s impressive how you’ve stood strong even in tough situations… It’s good to see.”

“Well… the living must live, right?”

“I see.”

After having a meaningful conversation with the famous professor, he expressed a desire to have a private discussion with me.

Curiosity filled the eyes of the students, including Sehwa.

Curious? You should be.

During lunch, look up the article Marcella and I manipulated, and throw me some sympathy.

After taking attendance, the professor officially started the lecture.

Thanks to the base’s technology, I had become an incredible genius.

Even though I’d never experienced a lecture before, there wasn’t a single thing I didn’t understand, and I answered the professor’s occasional questions swiftly.

The genius of the demon realm, Marcella, had extracted information about Earth’s technology from 2533 and other worlds, all stored in my head.

This is what true over-technology is, you foolish humans.

“Next, let’s talk about Polymerus. Hmm… Lee Sehwa.”

“Yes… yes?”

She was sitting next to me, blankly staring at the beam projector, and jumped when her name was called.

The professor asked,

“What is Polymerus?”

“Uh…”

Sehwa hesitated.

She’s an ordinary college student with student loans.

She wants a stable job in the future and to earn a lot of money.

And I’m the person who can solve Sehwa’s future.

First, I’ll make sure she looks good in front of the professor.

I’ll save her, so she can buy me lunch at the cafeteria.

“A cosmic substance accidentally discovered in the Arctic 153 years ago.”

I whispered to Sehwa, covering my mouth with the book.

She glanced at the professor and spoke in an unsure tone.

“153 years ago… a cosmic substance accidentally discovered in the Arctic…?”

“Correct. Now, what’s the use of Polymerus?”

“Hmm…”

Sehwa turned her eyes to me.

You want me to say it quickly? Got it.

“It’s used as material for exoskeleton armor that fuses with the nervous system.”

“It’s… used as material for exoskeleton armor that fuses with the nervous system… but…”

“It’s a versatile substance, but there’s very little of it…”

“Polymerus is almost a universal substance, but there’s so little of it…”

“The World Union agreed to use it only for people with severe disabilities.”

“The World Union agreed to use it only for people with severe disabilities, as far as I know.”

Wow, good ears. You’re following along well.

The professor nodded with a satisfied expression.

“I didn’t expect you to know the answer. Polymerus is something most people wouldn’t know about… You’re quite interested in future science. Well done.”

“Th-thank you.”

Sehwa let out a sigh of relief and sent me a grateful look.

I smiled slightly in return.

**

Lunchtime, I had the honor of eating at the cafeteria with Sehwa.

She said she’d buy me lunch as thanks for helping her.

Just as I expected.

Ah… I can feel the jealous gazes of the guys.

If you’re jealous, go into a bio-reactor and become a genius.

“Wait… I need to go to the restroom…”

As I said that after placing my tray on the table, Sehwa replied.

“Go before getting your food…”

“Sorry, my stomach suddenly feels off. I’ll be right back.”

I hurriedly left and pulled out a small tablet from my pocket.

Turning it on and touching the screen, a list of all the surveillance cameras at Korea University appeared.

I selected the camera near the table where Sehwa was sitting and zoomed in.

I even connected my earphones and clicked the audio button.

-What the… amazing…

It’s coming through clearly.

The voice of the female student sitting next to Sehwa, holding her phone.

She was also the classmate I’d been keeping an eye on.

Why? Because I thought she’d look up the article about me.

Sehwa asked,

-What’s wrong?

-Isn’t this Song Jihyuk?

-Jihyuk?

-He had that weird conversation with the professor. So I looked him up, and there’s a suspicious article.

-Suspicious article? Let me see.

Sehwa turned her eyes to the phone screen.

I zoomed in on that screen too.

[Korea University Prospective Student, Science Prodigy, Involved in Car Accident. All Passengers Dead Except One.]

The article stated that a truck had hit them from behind, killing the entire family except for Mr. S, who was in critical condition in the ICU.

A perfectly manipulated article from a few months ago.

Sehwa’s expression stiffened as she read it.

During our first meeting, I had told her I’d been in a car accident, that someone had hit me from behind.

And that I’d been in the hospital for a while.

If she doesn’t catch on by now, she’s just plain dumb.

Fortunately, Sehwa wasn’t that stupid.

-It could be someone else.

Sehwa’s classmate gave her a pitiful look.

-It says Korea University prospective student. A science prodigy! Didn’t you see how Jihyuk answered the professor’s questions today?

-Let’s keep this a secret from Jihyuk.

-Of course. Do you think I’m crazy enough to tell him?

-You like drinking, right? At the opening party, just in case…

-Never, I’ll never tell.

-You guys should watch what you say around Jihyuk too, right?

The surrounding classmates nodded.

That’s enough.

I put the tablet back in my pocket and returned to the cafeteria.

I didn’t forget to wet my hands and wipe them on my clothes to leave handprints.

“What’s up? Why haven’t you started eating?”

When I returned to the cafeteria, Sehwa and the others looked slightly flustered.

“We were waiting for you. Food tastes better when eaten together.”

Ah… Sehwa, you’re truly an angel.

I nodded and sat down with a bright smile.

**

“Ugh…!”

Tsk tsk… Look at that pathetic vomiting.

Looking around, there were more than a few people like that.

Well, they’re just high school graduates who’ve let loose, so it’s understandable.

The opening party ended successfully.

With my modified body, I deliberately let the alcohol take effect and put on a flushed face, pretending to be drunk.

I might have slurred my words a bit, but it was all an act.

By now, my classmates and seniors probably think I’m a very well-behaved drinker.

Anyway, I’ve become quite close with my classmates.

My face is naturally likable, so many people approached me, and I built relationships by being kind to them.

The image I’ve shown so far is just right.

Smart, well-behaved, and kind.

Stretching while looking at the night sky, Sehwa approached.

She had some alcohol but didn’t drink much, and she asked,

“How was it?”

“Huh? What?”

“The opening party.”

“It was fun. I liked the lively atmosphere.”

“You didn’t look like it at all…”

Even though I deliberately kept my distance, she noticed my situation?

The lunch incident must have been on her mind. Good sign.

I said,

“Really? I was smiling the whole time.”

I was smiling.

Just with a hint of sadness.

Yes, just like when I first met Sehwa this morning.

I changed the subject.

“Are you heading home now?”

“Yeah. I should. You’re lucky, living nearby. But…”

Sehwa looked around, scanning the area.

Then she asked in a suspicious tone,

“Just thought of this… Is there a one-room village around here?”

Near Korea University, there are only high-end apartments and officetels.

No complexes that could be called a one-room village.

I chuckled inwardly and nodded, pointing to an officetel.

“I live there. It’s really close, right?”

Sehwa was shocked when she saw where my finger was pointing.

“That… that’s a really expensive place, isn’t it? Just the monthly rent…”

Surprised by this much?

If I told her I bought the whole building, she’d probably faint.

“Well… I don’t really know. There’s someone who handles things for me.”

“Someone who handles things for you? Like a secretary or butler?”

“Well… you could say that. They take care of everything else too.”

Sehwa looked at me with envy.

She thinks I was born with a silver spoon.

That thought is correct.

In this Beast Slayer, I’m not just a silver spoon, but a diamond… no, a Polymerus spoon.

Her expression soon changed.

“Yeah… but it must be really sad. I think I understand how you feel. I also lost my parents… Oops!”

She covered her mouth mid-sentence.

Sehwa… who told you to watch your mouth? Why did you bring that up?

I’m glad it’ll be etched deeper in your heart, but still.

Alcohol really is the enemy, huh?

Thinking that, I hardened my expression.

“What are you talking about? Why are you suddenly bringing up your parents? What do you mean by sad?”

“No… it’s just…”

Sehwa fidgeted nervously, looking adorable.

Such a sweet girl becoming Earth’s defender of justice.

The saying “life is full of ups and downs” fits perfectly.

I softened my expression and said,

“Ah… you must have heard it somewhere? That my parents passed away?”

“Huh…?”

“The professor must have mentioned it. No wonder the kids were looking at me weirdly during the opening party.”

It would be a bit awkward to say she saw the article, so I had to help her out.

Seeing Sehwa nod vigorously, I knew I did well.

“Yeah. I’m sorry for hiding it.”

“You’re always apologizing. I’m fine.”

“Really?”

“No, actually, I’m not fine. I still think about my parents sometimes. But well… they say time heals…”

“Yeah, time heals. I also lost my parents when I was very young…”

Good, forming a connection.

“I ended up hearing about your past unintentionally. I’m sorry.”

“No, I brought it up first… Wait, I have a call.”

Sehwa pulled out her phone from her eco-bag.

It’s probably Yoo Seunghyun calling.

That guy, who loves his girlfriend dearly, always drives Sehwa to school and takes her home.

As if to prevent anyone from stealing her.

But what can you do, Sehwa? You’ll have to take the subway home today.

Seunghyun’s work car is in the shop after an accident.

Sehwa put the phone to her ear and said,

“Yeah, Seunghyun. I just finished the opening party and came out… What? Really?”

Her surprised tone and actions.

Proof that Marcella did a great job.

“Are you hurt? No, I’ll go alone. I’ll take the subway. Yeah, okay.”

After hanging up, Sehwa looked up at me.

“My boyfriend got into an accident… I think I should go now.”

“An accident? Is he hurt?”

“No. But he sounded really anxious. I’m worried, so I want to see him.”

He sounded anxious because Seunghyun was the one at fault.

The car’s brakes failed, and he rear-ended a properly stopped car.

No one was hurt, but he’ll have to work his bones off to pay for it.

The car he hit was a high-end foreign car, and he’s currently uninsured.

Well, he wasn’t originally uninsured, but Marcella manipulated it, so no one will listen to his complaints.

Anyway, this means Sehwa will have more free time after school.

She’ll have less time to meet Seunghyun.

“Go ahead. See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”

Sehwa waved and hurried down to the subway station.

My first goal is to get very close to Sehwa.

Close enough to think of me as a cheat code, to the point of introducing me to Dr. Cash.

So that when I join the lab as an intern or something, I can manipulate the devices.

I can’t rush this.

Take it slow and steady.

When it feels like we’ve become quite close, I’ll send Amducias to awaken Sehwa.

Watching her back with an evil smile, I quickly returned to a bright expression and started chatting with my classmates.

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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