〈 Chapter 185 〉 Chapter 184 – Second Step. Poll.
*
The reason I returned to the Academy early.
The second.
It’s a poll.
Not asking for the students’ opinions.
I’ve lost a lot of money due to a reverse streak because of me, so the reviews probably aren’t that great.
So the place I visited was none other than where the monitoring ability users worked.
They are the ones responsible for overseeing the Academy along with the Access Control Department.
Since it’s a rare ability, they must be treated well.
That’s what I learned, and that’s what I thought.
[What the hell is this?]
‘Crazy.’
That was until I met them.
Sweating profusely, half-naked, glaring with eyes wide open while doing a plank position.
That’s the monitoring ability user I was looking for.
However, the location was a bit of a problem.
An open space where anyone from the outside could see inside as much as they wanted.
Even though it could be ventilated, the sour smell of sweat tickled my nose.
The floor was poorly finished concrete. Surrounded by iron bars.
If there weren’t any people inside, you’d think it was a place to keep dangerous beasts or monsters.
I knew the general location, but seeing it like this, I was taken aback.
At that moment, a woman who was taking a brief break noticed my gaze and approached.
Of course, that gaze was filled with vigilance instead of goodwill.
“What brings you here?”
“Hello. I’m Kim Shinwoo, a second-year student of the same grade.”
“I see. Nice to meet you.”
The level of vigilance lowered significantly.
It wasn’t a bad atmosphere for continuing the conversation.
“Are all these individuals monitoring ability users?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“You’re working hard even during vacation. Thank you for your effort.”
“Thank you so much for recognizing our hard work.”
However, the woman’s expression seemed displeased for some reason.
Just in case, I started to probe.
“How is working at the Academy?”
“Um… I’m not sure.”
She didn’t seem to want to reveal her opinions much.
So I threw out a bait.
“I heard the monitoring ability users are being treated the best in the Academy.”
“What? Which dog bastard said such bullshit!”
Immediately the woman covered her mouth with her hands.
From the way her eyes were shaking, it seemed she was quite flustered.
She probably worried that I might be an Academy official.
I smiled kindly and spoke softly enough for the woman to hear.
“The professors said that, but I don’t trust professors. I don’t believe this idiotic Academy at all.”
“Oh! So you are Kim Shinwoo! I remember! I wanted to meet you!”
Her vigilance completely vanished as she beamed and reached out to shake my hand.
However, she realized she couldn’t extend her hand due to the closely aligned iron bars and nodded instead.
Noticing the change in atmosphere, a few more monitoring ability users came over.
“But how does the Academy treat you all?”
The monitoring ability users had a brief conversation among themselves.
However, as soon as the woman mentioned that I was Kim Shinwoo, they immediately became friendly toward me.
Their eyes glimmered with small expectations.
Soon after, the monitoring ability users began to voice their complaints strongly.
“I’m working on a two-shift schedule, and there’s no vacation!”
“I really want to quit this shitty place!”
“They took my elbow protector, saying it’s not a real plank! What the hell?!”
“They make us do planks even during internal meetings! Isn’t that a violation of human rights?!”
“They don’t turn on the heating in winter! They don’t even give us a fan in summer!”
“When I said I need to go to the bathroom, they told me to dig a hole and take care of it since it’s too far!”
Their treatment was worse than I expected.
So I let out a pure question.
“Then why don’t you all just quit the Academy?”
“……That’s impossible.”
“Why?”
Resignation and despair spread among them.
With lost light in her eyes, the woman answered me.
“I signed a forced slave contract for nearly my entire life.”
The following explanation was as follows.
In the beginning, they had overestimated the danger of monitoring abilities compared to their actual capability.
The Academy treated it as an opportunity to hunt witches, conducting intense witch hunts.
Lastly, through public opinion manipulation, they forced them to sign slave contracts.
[So this is the Korean Academy!]
‘Spicy taste for sure.’
“There were no options for us branded as dangerous individuals.”
“But now, monitoring abilities aren’t that dangerous, are they?”
It’s a more complicated ability than I thought.
I only learned about it relatively recently.
They must maintain a plank position when the ability activates.
It only activates in open spaces.
Monitoring inside buildings is impossible.
It can be utilized as much as needed, but whether it’s truly dangerous is debatable.
However.
“There are no corrected articles in the media, and quite a few people hold misconceptions about us.”
“Sounds like Korean media.”
“Of course, separate from that, many places hold our abilities in high regard.”
Letting out a sigh, the woman muttered, “We’re tied to a contract and can’t leave, though.”
Before getting to the main point, I decided to throw in one last question.
“So, if the Academy was to disappear, would that also void the contract?”
“That should do it. The contract states it’s valid as long as the Academy exists.”
“Is that so?”
“Well, I’m not saying it will definitely happen.”
Everyone wore resigned expressions as they were about to return to their places.
With a sinister smile, I got to the point.
“What if some crazy dog caused it to disappear?”
For a moment, the monitoring ability users stopped.
They quickly lit up with desire and gathered around me.
“……What kind of help do you need?”
Since I already had a record of freeing research students, they seemed to have high expectations from me.
Of course, while their passionate appearance was nice.
[They look like they’re in pain.]
‘Hell, someone should’ve used deodorant before coming here.’
My sense of smell was suffering too much.
I somehow subdued the discomfort and conveyed the simple message.
The monitoring ability users wore ambiguous expressions after hearing the details.
Half expectation. Half confusion.
“Is that really enough?”
“Yes, I’ll need your help later.”
“Understood! We’ll help you, Supreme Leader! Anything you need!”
That concluded my meeting with the monitoring ability users.
They would return to their tasks.
Of course, I had other places to visit, so I quickly moved along.
*
I hadn’t visited many places.
The cafeteria that manages the meals for students and professors.
The Access Control Department that oversees the security and CCTV in the Academy.
Originally, there was a separate security department, but the Academy disapproved of having budgets go to two departments.
As a result, it seems the security department merged into the Access Control Department.
Of course, without the enlargement of the budget.
There wasn’t much correlation between the cafeteria and Access Control.
Still, they had two significant commonalities.
One was the unfair treatment received from the Academy.
They could receive much better treatment in outside society, but they were being exploited by the Academy.
Whenever they had a chance, the faculty members would naturally diminish their budget.
Even outrageous demands or personal requests were taken for granted.
All for free.
The other was a profound hatred towards the Academy.
They wanted to escape the Academy but were tied to a freaking shitty contract, similar to the monitoring ability users.
Everyone yearned for freedom from the Academy.
Consequently, the hatred they held against the Academy was sky-high.
That made it easy for me to recruit them to my side.
[Is it finally over?]
‘Still one more to go.’
After conveying all the requests, the last one I met was the Chief’s secretary, a Lizard Beastman.
I immediately told them the requirements, and the Lizard Beastman showed the first sign of emotional turmoil on their face.
“…..The location of the family being held hostage?”
“Yes. We need to eliminate their weaknesses.”
“Understood.”
The Lizard Beastman seemed to have prepared in advance, sending some files to my mobile phone.
The file contained various information.
The location of the house. The structure. Even positions of individuals within the building, down to detail.
“The family is being kept confined under the pretense of protection at the Chief’s house.”
“Got it.”
“However, numerous strong individuals are monitoring them. It might be a bit difficult even for you, Shinwoo.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ve got it all planned out.”
At that moment, the Lizard Beastman’s eyes sparkled with hope.
“Then, could you possibly rescue them immediately?”
“Not right this second. But I promise, I’ll definitely get them out.”
“……Understood.”
And that was it; I parted ways with the Lizard Beastman.
Various emotions bloomed on the Lizard Beastman’s face.
Disappointment. Impatience. Anxiety.
However, unfortunately, that’s not something I can resolve right now.
In any case, I was done with the preparation I could do at this moment.
[Finally getting closer to my goal.]
‘All of them are screwed, hell.’
Destroying the Academy.
In six months.
It’s soon.
*
The Lizard Beastman was anxious.
When Kim Shinwoo said he would rescue his family, hope soared.
But he had to immediately express his disappointment knowing he couldn’t do it right away.
Today, the regression ability felt more useless than ever.
It should be progressing smoothly.
It’s understandable that it might take time since it’s not an easy task.
But even if I understand, it’s hard to shake off the impatience.
The Chief, who would throw you away at the mere hint of diminishing value.
At that moment, there was no assurance of his family’s safety.
Watching Kim Shinwoo walk away, the Lizard Beastman let out a slight regretful sound.
“─You’re late, Shinwoo.”
So, all that remained was to trust.
Changing his thoughts a bit, a flicker of relief washed over him.
Giving a somewhat regretful yet slightly hopeful smile.
To soothe the rising impatience a little.
“At this rate, I might grow into an old lady?”
*
