EX rank supporting role’s replay in a prestigious school - Chapter 12

Translator: Hong | Editor: Darling, Aira

 

Yeom Junyeol’s main skill was in controlling fire. 

Targeted ignition was a skill Yeom Junyeol had that was the diversified and personalized version of the fire-controlling skill. 

Just as the name suggests, the effect was to ignite a potential flame he had planted at his own discretion. 

The silver coin which everyone was smitten over was the best tool and opportunity I had to burn all the participants’ hands. 

 

‘I managed to plant the flames while greeting those people.’

 

Planting these small flames was enough to heat up the silver coins.

 

“Arghhh!”

“Argh, Arghhh! My hand, my hand!”

 

Screams filled up the hall. 

The seal of the crow and the Sidelentium emblem scorched the hands of these greedy people. 

One of the most painful sensations a human being can experience — burning.

Those dressed in tuxedos and dresses were having a taste of this painful sensation. 

They forgot their ranks and titles and rolled shamelessly on the floor as they cried in pain. 

 

“Kyah, ambulance, call an ambulance!”

“It hurts…argh, arghh.”

“Heek! Hand, my hand!”

 

However, the communication signal was currently blocked in the reception.

All they could do was jump around in pain surrounded by their own cries. 

 

‘Why don’t they just let it go.’

 

The guests, despite the burning sensation, used their clothes or handkerchiefs to continue holding on to the coin prop. 

They were obviously overly attached to the SR+++item that only served to silence their mouths. 

 

“Little Hongryong  Yeom Junyeol! Is this your doing?!”

 

Of course, it was my doing,

 

‘Who else has the ability to do something like this?’

 

This Yeom Junyeol’s Targeted Ignition skill is at level 10.

The people who were able to identify those hidden flames should have a detection skill of the same level or higher.

Players skilled with a 10 would be in an ambiguous position to attend this party, and they had no reason to enter disguised as security guards. 

The only person who could have fooled everyone at this party was me, disguised as Yeom Junyeol. 

In this world, the real Yeom Junyeol was not yet a level 10.

 

“Yeah, I did it.”

 

I had no reason to hide so I gave them an honest answer.

The security guards and players who were tolerant of pain stood their ground. 

The only sign of pain was the sweat covering their faces. 

They hesitated for a while before shouting. 

 

“A-arrogant bastard!”

“Don’t you even dream about leaving this place alive…!”

 

They took a stance, ready to charge at me with their weapons and energy wave, but none of them dared to launch an attack. 

I may be outnumbered, but those who would dare attack me first would have to prepare to sacrifice themselves to be roasted to death.

The morals of the security company that agreed to do a job for this garbage can of a place, and the grit of players attending this trashy auction…

As expected of those kinds of people, they were cowards.

 

“People are heading over here right at this minute so you should all prepare an excuse.”

 

I changed my tactic and focused on attacking their weak mentality. 

Now Byun Soonhui responded.

 

“Ha, people? Not everyone can enter this place! Communication signal is off here. Even the police are on our side! Even if they did manage to come in, the 100 over security guards here will use you as a hostage….”

 

<Using character’s light skill, Summoning Hongryong.>

<Using character’s light skill, Targeted Ignition>

 

Fwahhhh —

 

At my mark, all the velvet curtains were set aflame. 

The fires went out after burning off the curtains.

Over the windows…

Flames covering the entire building structure outside were seen.

 

“What in the….!”

 

When I paired the Targeted Ignition skill with the light skill of Summoning Hongryong, the fires reached greater parameters.

Before I entered the convention hall, I looked around and laid small flames out of the security guards’ line of sight.

 

“People celebrating the New Year are still out and about. Those in the air hotels above the Han River will see these burning flames. The number of reports being made to the fire station this minute should already have passed hundreds.”

 

Byun Soon Hui’s face turned pale. 

The report on the fire should be coming up on the security guards’ intranet by now. 

The fire has only thinly blanketed the convention center.

 

‘From outside, because of the flames and smoke, it would look like a large fire”

 

And this entire place had blocked all means of external communications so they’ll think that it is an emergency. 

Of course, it was an emergency to a certain extent. 

 

‘Even if the communication channels are cut off, it doesn’t stop people from calling for help.’

 

This world’s bad ending wouldn’t be avoided by changing the outcome of one specific event.

The countless evil, greed, rage, misfortunes, coincidence, and miscommunications came together to one big end result, which was the bad ending of the world. 

 

‘I won’t be reliant on skill and light skill alone.’

 

Even with such a powerful light skill, my Player Identity,  there would eventually come a point where I would reach a limit. 

Just like in chess, even if the queen is the most powerful piece on the board, it’s impossible to win a game with that single piece alone.

While I skipped school,  I researched this world to find and expand the number of pieces I can use.

To find out the things unmentioned in the game setting such as politics, tradition, laws, and such. 

During this I realized. 

 

‘Even in this world, the fire response teams were top-notch.’

 

Estimated casualties more than 2 digit figures.

Incidents having an average of 8 hours before being settled.

A fire like this should be categorized as stage 2.

The respective fire station will respond to fires of stage 2 and above by calling pre-identified players as backups to assist with the situation. 

 

“Total forces able to reach in less than 5 minutes are estimated to be more than 400, with more than 2 professional players. Also, the press will be in a hurry to film the first fire of the year.”

 

Yeom Junyeol’s Hongryong appeared.

The dragon circled around me slowly and placed its head on my shoulder before letting out a breath of fire. 

As per the Dragon King’s order, ‘The fire that comes from me will not burn you’ applied for me so I was unaffected by the flame. 

 

Weee-wooong—!

 

Countless air, and land fire extinguisher alarm sirens from outside mixed with the cries of the burnt participants were shaking up the convention center. 

 

“Now do you understand the situation?”

 

Even as I provoked them further, Byun Soonhui and the other security guards remained silent. 

As I jumped on stage Byun Soonhui slowly backed up. 

 

“Now, shall I collect my payment for the dragon show I’ve exhibited?”

 

I collected the cards on the item boxes one by one. 

 

Fwaa—

 

I melted the box and transferred the ownership of the item cards to me. 

Byun Soonhui looked like he was about to pass out but was unable to stop me in fear of the red dragon that was by my side. 

 

<You have collected the fan of angles, caller of the east wind>

<You have collected the lens of sacred doors>

<You have collected the bubble of a mermaid’s breath>

<You have collected the rusted tiara of a loyal guard>

<You have collected the folding fan of the blind god>

 

….

….

….

 

The list of items I collected went on. 

 

With the multiple notifications of newly added items, the cards disappeared as it settled into my item library. 

 

“Hahahaha!”

 

I laughed loudly as I looked at Byun Soonhui. 

The best feeling was the feeling of kicking a villain’s ass. 

 

‘Even then in the game, it felt good to kick the ass of the villain of the Hwanmong Auction.’

 

In the game, clearing this level also let users collect the item cards that were supposed to be auctioned.

Unlike the game version, I ignored possible strategies of dealing with the top, dungeon, castle, and garden otherworlds and simply acted as I pleased.

 

“You, you thief!”

“Oh, are we doing self-introductions?”

 

Byun Soonhui replied sarcastically with a scoff

Most of the auctionable items were item cards related to one’s mental or physical powers. 

 

‘Some of them were not in a card collectible version.’

 

Some of the actual items on sale were unbelievable.

Not only was Byun Soonhui a thief, he was a tomb raider. 

 

“Why are there national heritage items classified as missing but the government? Wow, you’ve raided a lot. I’ll make sure I return them where they came from.”

 

I should confiscate these and return it to the national museum or cultural heritage administration. 

When I put the items on my item window, even items that were not in the form of cards went in to be stored. 

The furious Byun Soohui must think that I was doing this to steal the skill items or items for my own needs. 

After all, I did use a main battle skill. 

Byun Soonhui spoke in a strained voice. 

 

“Do you really think the Bear Clan will let you get away with this….!”

 

Of course, I had thought of a plan to deal with the bear lineage. 

 

“Do you think the Bear Clan doesn’t know what’s happening right now? They must think of this sight as amusing so they’re leaving it alone.”

 

After splitting up with Saeum of April. 

I returned to the party hall and was scanning people with my information window, when I saw it in the corner of my eye. 

A royal lineage that stood out due to being listed as ‘unidentifiable’ in the database. 

Her eyes were full of boredom. 

It seemed like she had little interest in the upcoming auction. 

 

‘I know the attitude of the seller and a spectator when I see one.’

 

After seeing her myself, I was confident that this whole scene would not upset her at all. 

 

“You’re done for.”

 

Byun Soonhui, having understood the deeper meaning behind my sentence, looked despaired. 

 

“Arghhh”

 

He lost his mind and came running right at me. 

I was about to turn him into ash using Hongryong when. 

 

SMACK!

 

“Argh!”

“Serves you right you scum!”

 

The female security guard who had freed herself kicked Byun Soonhui between the legs. 

She must have pretended to be tied up and waited for the right opportunity., 

 

Kick, kick!

 

“Arghggg, ugh!”

 

The female stepped on and kicked Byun Soonhui’s stomach repeatedly with her heel. 

Unlike the female who silently endured the pain he inflected, Byun Soonhui cried like a wild pig about to be slaughtered. 

 

“I’d rather become a rat than become a swine like you.”

 

While she was beating Byun Soonhui up, I used commanded Hongryong to melt away Saeum’s birdcage. 

 

Clank-

 

The door opened and Saeum of April threw the loose cuff away and dragged himself heavily to Semin of April of April. 

Semin of April, whose face was covered in blood and bruises, was still unconscious amidst the uproar. 

 

“Uncle…”

 

Saeum carefully seated Semin of April. 

 

“Uncle…I am sorry….I don’t need to go to a school…please don’t die….”

 

As though in atonement, Saeum of April bowed his head deeply and mumbled to Semin who slowly opened his eyes. 

Despite his half-awoken consciousness, the moment Semin of April saw Saeum, the life in his eyes returned. 

Semin of April blinked his eyes continuously as though doubting his own vision before finally smiling brightly. 

 

“….Saeum, I’m so glad you’re safe. What a relief.”

 

Semin of April used his unbroken arm to gently pat Saeum. 

Saeum smiled at those words with his eyes full of tears. 

The sound of sirens grew louder in the background. 

 

‘Seems like everything is over.’

 

I had collected my items so my job was done. 

I could stay and wait for help to arrive shortly, but revealing my appearance was an issue. 

Revealing Saeum of April was an issue as well. 

 

‘That can’t happen.’

 

The last messenger of this country’s last king. 

The descendant of the messenger, the king he himself had freed. 

One day he would show himself to the public.

 

‘But he’s still too young.’

 

And revealing Saeum of April to the world in such a weakened state was not an option. 

 

“Let’s run away.”

 

Crash!

 

At my command, theHongryong broke the window. 

I placed a finger and marked the heads of Saeum, Semin of April, and the female guard whose name I did not know, to prevent them from being affected by Hongryong’s flames. 

Sharing the mark with them shortened the usage period of my light skill, but I had no choice if I wanted to escape along with these three. 

 

“My order will be shared with you for about ten minutes. Now hop on.”

 

The remaining time I had with Yeom Junyeol’s ability was 30 minutes. 

I decided to speed things up. 

As I got on the dragon, the three supported one another to climb on. 

I surrounded the four of us in flames of disguise and protection and flew the dragon into the night sky. 

 

Fwahhh-!

 

At the same time, the walls of flame outside the convention center were clearly seen.

From the outside, it looks as though the flames came together and shot up into the sky. 

As we reached high into the clouds we saw through the flames the moon shining more brightly than ever before. 

 

“Where do you live.”

“Oh, The Westgate district Yeonhui-dong….”

 

Saeum answered straight away. 

It was nice to know that he trusted me but I doubt if it’s alright for the lineage of the royal king’s messenger to expose his address so easily.

 

‘Though I had already known it was around Yeonhui-dong from the game.’

 

With my lead, Hongryong quickly arrived at the location identified by Saeum of April. 

There was a secluded entrance door in the palace. 

 

“Thank you for saving me! You’re Yeom Junyeol right?”

“I am not Yeom Junyeol”

 

The real Yeom Junyeol would probably be celebrating the new year in an air hotel somewhere with Red Lion Team and their allies,  as well as investors and society’s leading S-rank figures.. 

I had intentionally chosen a character with a perfect and untouchable alibi so that even if the Hwanmong Auction organizers tried to retaliate, they wouldn’t be able to.

And….

 

‘Today’s job was also for Yeom Junyeol.’

 

There was one person from the dream auction committee, under the influence of a promising figure who managed to successfully enter the National Assembly. 

That lawmaker would then be responsible for the death of Yeom Junyeol. 

 

“All of you were never there, and you saw nothing. Miss security guard, you too, please don’t return to your house yet and hide out here for a while.”

“What? But those swines…..!”

“They will receive lawful punishment. The remaining evidence, the number of people at the scene, the pro players’ being witnesses and the press, the seals on their hands. There are plenty of eyewitnesses and evidence. You need not involve yourselves in it further.”

 

And I had also laid out a trap. 

Not only did I lay a trap, but I also provoked Byun Soonhui sufficiently. 

 

‘He will try to take it out on someone he should not mess with.’

 

After hearing my explanation, the female security guard nodded with a look of understanding. 

Saeum of April seemed to have had no intention of getting involved from the start, as he continued to look up at me with a tired face.

Semin of April, who was barely able to keep his eyes open continuously, thanked me with a breaking voice. 

And another shaking voice was heard.

 

“…H-hey, thank you. Please let me pay you back one day.”

 

I was about to leave with Hongryong when Saeum of April approached me. 

Repayment.

From today’s job, I was able to remove certain factors that would lead to this world’s bad ending.

And including the cards I’d gathered today, it was already worth millions so he really didn’t need to repay me…

I replied to Saeum of April, who stood waiting for a response. 

 

“You don’t have to repay me. Instead, rethink your decision about dropping out of Eungwang High.”

 

In the game, Saeum enjoys a school life for a short period after being rescued.

Since it’s his first encounter with the outside world, he enjoys himself wholeheartedly. 

The small jokes from the teacher during lessons. 

The conversations he held with his classmates during breaks.

The menu of the day for his school lunch. 

I recall the details in the storyline of the game that he really enjoyed. 

The descendant of the King’s messenger, Saeum of April smiled easily and appreciated the small things in life. 

I never want him to be trapped in the likes of a cage again. 

 

“If you intend to pursue, talk only to Jegal the department head. You can trust him.” 

 

I shared Jegal’s device code with him, 

There were a few other trustworthy professors but I only had Jegal’s contact details. 

 

‘I don’t have much time left with my light skill.’

 

Once I had finished sharing the device code, I hopped on Hongryong. 

I gave a final remark to Saeum of April. 

 

“I’ll see you at school.”

 

* * *

 

Some stories have a  lump in their storylines. 

There are the non-harmful ones that may seem to get in the way at times but don’t cause you any trouble no matter how long you leave them unattended. 

But there are also harmful ones that are like cancer. 

The longer you leave those there, the faster they spread and lead you to death. 

 

‘If I remove this cancer cell now I might get an unthinkable cancer from another cause in the future!”

 

Some may come up with a conspiracy theory like the one above…..

Should I just leave it?

That is being suicidal. 

In this world, there are certain factors that must be removed like cancer cells, no matter how much effort it requires. 

And I am about to conduct a dangerous transaction to just find out how to get rid of these factors. 

 

“You’ve arrived as expected, human child.”

 

The Bear Clan’s strongest powers, the Eight Real Bears. 

One of them, Ungnyeo (Sad Bear Goddess), was waiting for me.