Chapter 118 : Chapter 118
Chapter 118. Why Are You Here? (3)
"You really dressed up today, didn't you?"
"Of course! Famous guilds are coming today, not to mention three Hero-Rank players!"
It was one hour before the party was set to begin. Despite having an hour left, the area was already buzzing with the voices of cadets. It was loud enough that someone sensitive to noise might have fainted on the spot.
"...It cannot be helped, I suppose."
Listening to the murmurs, I gathered that while external guests usually attended such events, a lineup like this was unprecedented. Ordinarily, it would just be members from upper-middle-tier guilds and maybe one or two S-Rank players.
However, this time there were three Hero-Rank players, and the list included over ten S-Rank players. How could the atmosphere possibly remain quiet? Because of that, I already felt exhausted even before the party had officially started. As I stood still in front of the annex with a gloomy expression, a familiar voice called out.
"Yuseong, sorry I am late!"
Kim Su-hyeok came running toward me, panting for breath. Only then did I smooth out my crumpled expression and wave my hand in greeting.
"Phew! Sorry. Did you wait long?"
"I did not wait that long, so it is fine."
"Really? That is a relief..."
In truth, I had been waiting for about ten minutes. However, is it not a virtue to keep such things to oneself? Besides, looking at Kim Su-hyeok's appearance, it was clear he had not been late by choice.
'Now that he has dressed up, he really is on a different level of handsome.'
He was a guy who exuded handsomeness even when he did not try, but now that he had put in the effort, words were unnecessary. In fact, I could feel the female cadets stealing glances in our direction. Since Kim Su-hyeok had no talent for grooming himself, someone else must have helped him.
'And that "someone" is likely a representative from Glory.'
The top-ranked student of the first year. What did that title imply? Excluding the third years out on field training and the second years who attended classes in a completely different area, he was effectively the face of Glory. It was only natural for the academy to pay extra attention to him.
'So, it is only right to tell him he is not late.'
He had been dragged away and forced to dress up; I should not add the guilt of being late on top of that. As I was thinking this, Kim Su-hyeok spoke up, perhaps feeling a bit awkward standing there in silence.
"But Yuseong, you are wearing black again today."
"...Do I look too much like an attention seeker?"
"Huh? No, no! It is not that. I just think it suits you well."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. Maybe it is because you always wear black, but I think it would actually feel weird if you wore a different color now."
He said "always," but I only started wearing it during the midterm exams. Still, thanks to Kim Su-hyeok's words, I thought I understood why I was not drawing much attention. Everyone had become so accustomed to it that they forgot how unusual it was.
"And black really looks great on you, Yuseong! Plus, since it is a formal uniform, you look several times more handsome than usual."
"Um, thanks. But hearing you call me handsome feels a bit strange."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because you look much better than I do. I thought a knight in shining armor had just stepped out of a fairy tale."
At my remark, Kim Su-hyeok waved his hands in dismissal, denying it. To anyone else, he would have looked like a total humblebragger, though I did not mind since I knew his true personality. We spent a while chatting and exchanging compliments.
"Oh! It looks like the others are coming over too."
"Really?"
At Kim Su-hyeok's words, I turned my head to see the rest of the group approaching together, as if they had met on the way. That meant...
"We should probably head inside now."
It was finally time to enter the party hall. I had been tired of the noise while waiting, but now that the moment to enter had arrived, I felt a bit of anticipation. I even found myself hoping that this would become a pleasant memory.
***
"Wow... This is my first time in the 5th Annex. It is incredibly spacious."
"Stop acting like such a tourist. You are making me embarrassed."
We all met up and entered the 5th Annex together. Just as Kim Su-hyeok said, the annex was massive. While the main building might be larger in total area, the fact that half of the interior was a single hall made it look even wider. Furthermore...
"At this rate, we should just call it a banquet hall instead of an annex."
It was not just large; the decorations were high-end as well. There were musicians in the central hall of the banquet hall, and every dish laid out was of a quality that could only be described as luxury. On top of that...
'There is even alcohol.'
Normally, minors are prohibited from drinking, but Players are different. Perhaps because it is a profession where one lives through hellish days, alcohol is legal for them even if they are minors. The intention was to allow them to forget today's sorrows when a comrade dies or when they experience something horrific.
'Well, even so, I do not plan on drinking.'
To begin with, I do not even like alcohol. "Forget today and live for tomorrow"—to me, that was nothing more than running away. To remember that sadness and carry it for a lifetime; that was my way of life.
'...Though I might break down occasionally.'
Living while remembering and never forgetting; that is just how it is.
"By the way, everyone sure is popular."
Rather than soaking in bad memories, I scanned my surroundings to act in a way that fit the party atmosphere. Numerous gazes were fixed in my direction. No, to be precise, they were directed at the people around me.
"Look over there. Both Kim Su-hyeok and Ryu Jin-oh are so handsome."
"I know. They were always good-looking, but dressing up like that puts them on a whole different level."
"Hey, look at Ju Ha-yeon and Ha Eun-ha. Their beauty is in a league of its own."
"Tsk, tsk. They have nothing to do with your life, so mind your own business."
The group truly deserved the description of "beautiful men and women." Cadets of all genders and ages were whispering while looking this way.
'Our heroes certainly have remarkable looks.'
There was no need to even describe Kim Su-hyeok and Ryu Jin-oh anymore. Furthermore, Ju Ha-yeon and Ha Eun-ha were second to none when it came to beauty.
'And thanks to that, I am receiving zero interest.'
I did feel some glances flickering toward me, but they felt like... well, something along the lines of "Why is a guy like you squeezed in between them?" While it was good not to receive unnecessary attention, I could not help but feel a little sad.
'Still, I am surviving thanks to you guys.'
I would have felt even more pathetic if I were the only plain one here. Fortunately, Oh Jin-eon and Do Gang-ho were present. I am not saying they are ugly, but beauty is relative, after all. As I was spending my time eating delicious food while nursing my bittersweet feelings, someone approached.
"What are you doing over here?"
It was Ju Ha-yeon, approaching me as I sat at a slightly isolated table. I finished the food I was chewing and replied casually.
"A loner has to live a loner's life."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means it is better to be alone than to get cursed at for standing next to handsome guys."
At my words, Ju Ha-yeon gave me an incredulous look. I suppose beautiful and handsome people really do not understand the hearts of ordinary folk. However, her next words were quite unexpected.
"I actually think you are quite handsome yourself."
"Compliments you do not mean only hurt my heart more."
"It is just because you always wear such gloomy clothes. Your actual features are quite good."
Gloomy clothes? Black is the best choice for someone who does not know much about fashion.
'Still, this is not bad.'
At any rate, Ju Ha-yeon had approached me first and even offered a compliment. It was proof that her heart had opened up to some extent since the midterm exam incident. Considering the future, this could be seen as significant progress.
'Of course, the price is not light.'
Despite facing Ju Ha-yeon, I could feel sharp glares from elsewhere. They were likely from the male cadets who had been raving about Ju Ha-yeon's beauty. I had gained Ju Ha-yeon's favor, but in exchange, I had become an enemy to the male students. The cost-benefit analysis of this world is never easy.
It was then.
CLICK!
The lights in the annex suddenly went out. At the same time, soft ambient lighting came on, and the host's voice rang out.
The invited external guests will now enter! Everyone, please welcome them with energetic voices, as befitting cadets of Glory!
"It looks like the real event is finally starting."
"I guess so."
"The seats... the ones next to the others are already taken. We should find a separate spot with a good view. Including those two over there who are busy eating."
Following Ju Ha-yeon's gaze, I saw Ha Eun-ha and Do Gang-ho. They were so focused on eating that they probably would not have noticed if someone hit them from behind.
"...Let's do that."
They were eating so happily and diligently that I felt a bit bad for disturbing them, but what else could I do? If I left them like that, they would get scolded by the instructors later. So, Ju Ha-yeon and I dragged the two protesting students along and moved to our seats.
***
The guests of Glory, who shine just by walking, are now entering!!
About ten minutes after the host's announcement, the doors of the annex swung wide open to the sound of his voice. The invited guests began to file in.
WAAAAAA!!!
Perhaps remembering the host's instructions, everyone welcomed the external figures with thunderous cheers. I did not shout out loud, though.
'It would only hurt my throat.'
Still, moving my hands did not hurt, so I gave them some applause. As I clapped, I carefully scrutinized the faces of those entering. You might ask if I didn't already know who was coming?
'Not exactly.'
The names of every single person were not written on the list. Aside from famous players, they were simply listed as groups based on their affiliation, like "and several others."
'Plus, there might be a villain I recognize mixed in.'
The list of invited players looked fine, but one can never be too sure. Is it not a rule that one must never let their guard down? I focused for a while, checking the faces of the players.
'In the beginning, I do not recognize many people.'
The order of entry was related to the players' fame. Consequently, there were not many recognizable faces among the first to enter. They were likely members of upper-middle-tier guilds. However, among the top-tier guild players entering next, there were some familiar faces. If you ask if that is possible for someone who read the novel rather than seeing a webtoon, the answer is an obvious yes.
Because...
"Is that Player Choi Seok-hun from the Soaring Guild over there?"
"Oh! That is Player Lee Tae-sik from the Hwarang Guild!"
Information was pouring in from all directions. There was no way cadets who wanted to join good guilds in the future would not know the names of the players entering. Furthermore, since they were at an age where they hadn't lost their innocence yet, they were blurting out their thoughts without any filter.
'That is how I can tell.'
I might not recognize their faces well, but I knew their names. After all, I had the Heterogeneous Gear talent. If they had appeared in even a few lines of the novel, I was bound to remember them.
It was then.
"...Huh?"
"What is the matter?"
Ju Ha-yeon spoke to me from beside me, but I was not in the right mind to answer. Right now, I was too overwhelmed by the situation before my eyes.
'Why... why is that guy...?'
A man was walking in, mingled among the top-tier guild players. It was a face I had definitely never seen before. However, despite the distance, the aura he radiated, the very familiar necklace he wore... And finally, the way he looked directly at me and silently mouthed a word—I had no choice but to recognize him.
'Why on earth are you...?'
The guy wearing an inverted cross necklace, calling me "Brother." The cultist from the Reverse Heaven Sect I had not heard from in a while.
'What the hell are you doing here?'
Yu-hyeon had boldly visited the banquet hall as a guest of Glory.