Chapter 83

Everyone’s gaze turned to me because of my sudden outburst.

“Professor…!”

Professor Jin looked up at me worriedly, grabbing my collar.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

“No, no. It’s nothing.”

I forced an awkward smile and slowly sat down, and as I did, the people around me quickly redirected their attention back to the screen.

They probably thought it was some minor commotion caused by a timid professor startled by some strange phenomenon they’d never seen before.

But this isn’t the first time I’ve seen something like this.

It’s definitely that same thing from back then.

The toxic cloud that drove Senior Han Tae-woo and Seo Ji-a to their deaths.

No matter how much I think about it, nothing else comes to mind.

The unsettling emerald green cloud that reeks of danger just by looking at it.

It moves slowly and stickily, as though it has mass, alive and crawling.

Are there really similar things like that in the world?

My mental barrier, which had been wildly shaken, was gradually stabilizing.

Because of that, I could find the leisure to wipe the cold sweat off my forehead with a handkerchief, trembling hands and all.

This handkerchief was given to me when I was coughing during my first meeting with Professor Han.

Come to think of it, I haven’t returned this yet.

I should wash it and return it. But that’s not the issue.

“Professor.”

“I’m fine, really. It just gave me quite a shock without me realizing it.”

While gently pushing away Professor Jin’s hand that was on my shoulder, I turned my gaze to the screen.

The place captured there was somewhere in the rugged, snow-covered mountains.

The researcher said that it was some region of the Tibetan plateau, a place where India, China, and Pakistan fiercely dispute borders.

Yes, that’s where the senior and I went.

Was that thing still there after all this time?

And an unknown villain?

Surely this isn’t some kind of biochemical weapon, or an inexplicable natural phenomenon, but the ability of a villain…?

In the end, I couldn’t hold back and raised my hand.

“I’m sorry for interrupting, but is there any evidence it’s the villain’s power?”

Since the usual Q&A and discussion were scheduled for the last section, people once again looked at me with puzzled expressions.

I also knew that this was quite rude of me, but I couldn’t hold it in.

It’s a matter related to the deaths of Senior Han Tae-woo and Seo Ji-a.

And it was a death that occurred because I failed to summon a defense barrier in time.

“It will come up in the next scene, professor.”

The video continued to play, and from there, I could discover what the researcher referred to as the basis for that judgment.

A human silhouette could be seen within the green cloud.

Upon seeing that, I immediately confirmed it was the work of the villain.

That cloud is an incredibly strong acid—so hazardous that it can even corrode the bodycams of the senior couple.

The fact that someone stands unscathed in the middle of that can only be explained by the person who wields this ability.

Right, so this is the work of a villain.

The hero in the bodycam tried to get closer, but soon started coughing violently and retreated without approaching any further, which ended the video.

A gas never seen before, and an unidentified villain.

The researcher explained that, considering this villain appeared in a conflict zone, it might be a hired villain by one of the nations involved in the conflict for terrorist purposes.

I raised my hand to ask again.

“Is this the first observation?”

“Yes, that’s right. A hero on reconnaissance in that region found it.”

So, ‘officially’, this is the first observation.

That means this villain hasn’t appeared once since the incident with me and the seniors.

What exactly is this villain’s identity that it lives in such a rugged rocky mountain range?

Is it truly a villain hired by one of the nations in the conflict zone?

But if that were truly the case, the management organization should be able to track it.

Until the meeting ended, I couldn’t hear a word due to my thoughts about the villain.

The main culprit who broke apart our team and killed the senior couple.

The one who made me think of myself as a possession for years while trapped in my mental barrier.

He’s there.

“Professor… Are you angry?”

Professor Jin asked what seemed to be the umpteenth question.

“No, I’m not angry. I’m fine, just a little tired. Don’t worry about it.”

“Ah, okay.”

“I’m sorry. I keep bothering you.”

“Eh? No, it’s not you at all! I’m the one who should apologize for bothering you repeatedly…”

Professor Jin’s voice became smaller.

Always cheerful and energetic, Professor Jin seemed subdued as if feeling the tension due to my sour mood.

I apologize to Professor Jin, but right now, I’m barely controlling my emotions with the mental barrier.

If it weren’t for the mental barrier, I would have stormed out of the academy to seek revenge on-site right away.

However, there’s no point in rushing there recklessly driven only by emotion and end up like last time.

First, I’ll finish what I need to do, obtain information about the villain from Sikrito and the management organization, and only then move—it won’t be too late.

If the villain has been there for years without moving, it won’t likely relocate soon.

There’s no need to rush. Let’s stay calm.

Still… it’s difficult.

* * * * *

“Hey, Tank!”

After the physical training ended, as they returned to the dormitory, Yu Hye-won stopped Han Min-ha.

“Professor, aren’t you answering your phone?”

“Hmm. Strange. You don’t reply to texts either. You’ve never acted like this.”

“That’s why I’m asking. This guy who always replies promptly, where is he?”

“Hmm. I don’t know… Something might have happened to him.”

“Hmph, this guy truly knows how to annoy people sometimes.”

Yu Hye-won crossed her arms and frowned, while Han Min-ha opened her phone and tapped a quick message to Professor Han.

“Professor, if you see this, please contact me?”

“Instead of doing this, let’s go to the research lab.”

At Yu Hye-won’s suggestion, Han Min-ha hesitated.

“Aren’t students not allowed into the research building?”

“Whaaat? What difference does that make? We can just say we’re here to see our supervisor!”

“Is it really okay…? It might be awkward if I get penalty points or something…”

“Do you even have penalty points?”

“No, it’s not that.”

“Then come on!”

Yu Hye-won grabbed Han Min-ha’s wrist and pulled.

Song Do-yoon just quietly stared at the two teammates.

“Hey, Bug! Aren’t you coming?”

‘Bug’ is the nickname Yu Hye-won has recently started using for Song Do-yoon, a shortened form of ‘boring bug’.

“Hmm, I…”

Yu Hye-won snapped.

“What? Aren’t you Professor Han’s guidance student?”

Before the practical training, Song Do-yoon wouldn’t have cared if the professor was clutching his chest and collapsed somewhere. But now it’s different.

Ever since being saved by Gos Hawk, Song Do-yoon’s gaze towards Professor Han changed slightly.

Song Do-yoon doesn’t know exactly what it is.

But it’s similar to how Song Do-yoon felt when first meeting Yu Hye-won and during the Human Combat Ability Evaluation when Han Min-ha was embraced.

So Song Do-yoon was confused.

Song Do-yoon clearly likes women, something that was confirmed ever since realizing her identity as a child, and it has never changed once.

Then why…

“What are you doing? Come on!”

“Alright, I’m coming.”

Thus, the three students sneaked through the bushes, checking their surroundings, and infiltrated the research building.

Slinking through the hallways, the students soon arrived at Professor Hyun’s lab.

“Professor!”

Yu Hye-won pounded on the door loudly with an upset voice, but there was no answer.

“It seems like no one is inside?”

Han Min-ha pointed to the small sign next to the door.

The needle on the circular plate pointed to “Off Duty.”

“Seriously, what is wrong with this crazy professor?! Not even at quitting time—where the hell has he gone? How can he neglect his duties like this, living off my tuition fees?!”

“Yieek! S, silence! There are other professors here, you know!”

Han Min-ha panicked and covered Yu Hye-won’s mouth.

“What are you guys doing there?”

At that moment, Professor Hyun Ju’s head appeared from a nearby lab door down the hallway.

“Uh, I, sorry, professor… It’s just that…”

“Professor! Do you happen to know where Professor Han is?”

Shoving the flustered Han Min-ha aside, Yu Hye-won loudly asked.

“Professor Han? Hmm? Isn’t he in the lab?”

“He’s not here.”

“Hmm. He did seem to be in poor condition today. Why don’t you try calling him?”

“He’s completely out of reach! Not answering calls, ignoring texts, seems like he vanished!”

“Is that so? Maybe he took an early leave and is resting at the dormitory…”

“Dormitory?”

Hearing that, Yu Hye-won grabbed Han Min-ha and Song Do-yoon by the wrists.

“Let’s go, kids!”

“Hieeeek! Thanks, Professor Yu…!”

“Sure. See you.”

* * * * *

Upon reaching the staff dormitory, Golden Viper and Gray Fungus faced a problem.

“What’s Professor’s room number?”

“How should I know?”

“Hey, Bug! Do you know?”

“Don’t know.”

Yoo Hye-won, who had been thoughtfully stroking her chin and looking up at the dormitory, suddenly came up with a good idea and immediately acted on it.

“No, mom! Hye-won! Don’t do it!”

Han Min-ha flailed her arms as Hye-won activated her aura and soared, peering through each window to find Professor Hyun.

Thankfully, it was still before quitting time—otherwise, it would have stirred quite some trouble afterward.

Rising higher, Hye-won soon located Professor Hyun’s room.

Inside the room, drenched in the fading sunset, Professor Hyun sat slouched on a sofa with one hand resting against his forehead.

The moment Hye-won saw Professor Hyun’s somber and thoughtful profile, she forgot everything and just fixated on it.

The professor then turned his head in response to the faint noise and met eyes with Yu Hye-won.