I Teleported Into the Academy of a S*xy Game

Social Gathering (3)

“Ugh, it’s tough.”

Beginning with Min Yeji, the guild members greeted and swiftly moved on. As much as I wished to brush them off, I couldn’t, thanks to the company of Baek Ahyeong and Moon Soorin—I had to manage my image.

I’ve probably tossed out greetings close to a hundred times. The silver lining is that remembering names doesn’t demand much effort—they’re etched in my memory, for better or worse.

As I headed to the restroom, I found myself in an unfamiliar spot. The party venue is vast, and there are still many people I haven’t seen.

“Hahaha… That’s right.”

“Mr. Park, as expected. By the way, is the lady next to you a new secretary?”

“Yes, yes. Something like that.”

As I casually eavesdropped on a conversation, I unconsciously turned my head. There she was, the object of my search.

In the dim recesses of the party venue, Nam Daeun stood in the shadow of an older man. Even though it was already a dark corner in the venue, the lighting was dim, but her face was crystal clear.

Adorned in a glamorous dress with black hair tied up, she looked strikingly beautiful. The dress, with minimal coverage, exposed her back through the strands of hair, and she delicately covered her cleavage with her hand.

Daeun deftly dodged Park Mingyu’s attempt to encircle her shoulders while smoothing out her ensemble. He shot Nam Daeun a mildly displeased look, but perhaps due to his attention on the man in front, he refrained from uttering a word.

“Oh, so… Oh?” The man conversing with Park Mingyu averted his gaze and noticed me.

Approaching with a smile, extending his hand, he said, “Hey, there’s a celebrity here. Good to see you. I’m Shin Younghoon, the guild master of Shin Young Guild.”

I hadn’t intended to get entangled in a conversation, but beggars can’t be choosers.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Hoyeon.”

If it’s Shin Young Guild, this person is the father of the student council vice president… Seeing him mingle with the Buyers Guild’s leader, it’s safe to say his father isn’t the friendliest character either.

“Oh, Mr. Park, come here. Hoyeon is the most popular student these days.” Shin Younghoon positioned Park Mingyu, who had been lingering in the background, on the front and introduced me.

“Ah… So, you’re Lee Hoyeon.”

“Yes. Pleasure to meet you.”

Park Mingyuu also approached and extended his hand. Only then did Nam Daeun, who heard my name, turn to face me. Her gaze had been vacant, but as soon as she properly met my eyes upon hearing my name, she began to tremble.

Her formerly lifeless eyes started shaking upon locking with mine. She sowly raised her head and took a step back. It was the gaze of someone who had glimpsed a monster, questioning why I was in their midst.

“Um? Daeun, you’re here too?”

“I’m going to the restroom for a moment…”

“Uh, okay. Go ahead.”

With Park Mingyu’s permission, Nam Daeun fled the scene.

“It seems quite challenging for her to endure. Acting like that in the middle of a conversation.” Observing Nam Daeun, Shin Younghoon spoke and chuckled, sipping his drink.

Well, it’s not the time for me to linger here either. I have to follow her.

“I’ll excuse myself.”

“So soon? We still have some business talk left…”

I ignored the hand attempting to restrain me and headed in the direction where Nam Daeun had vanished. Following the faint trace of mana emanating from her, I found her sobbing in a corner of the hallway near the restroom.

“Nam Daeun.” As I touched her arm, she slapped my hand away with a resounding smack. “Please, please leave me alone…”

★ Heroine Status Window

[Nam Daeun]

[Affection: 57]

[Lust: 15]

[Appetite: 40]

[Fatigue: 90]

Current Status: I don’t want you to see me like this…

“Hey…”

“Go away! Why are you talking to me?!” She abruptly stood up and pushed me away.

“I’ll help you, Daeun.”

At my offer of help, her expression turned icy.

“What do you know that you’re offering help? Do you even know what situation I’m in?”

“I know everything. You’re being blackmailed because Nam Daehee is being used as leverage against you.

“…Yes, and there’s an enormous debt on top of that. I can’t defy Mingyu.”

Her expression had already given up. Perhaps she had made some effort on her own. However, the situation likely didn’t improve at all.

“You owe them nothing. I’ve already saved your sister.”

“What…? What are you talking about?”

“You might find it hard to believe, but it’s true. I saved Dahee. She—”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Just as I was about to explain the situation to Daeun, mysterious explosive sounds filled the party venue. And a familiar wave of mana passed by my body.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Rune Barrier…?

The barrier, dividing the party venue into small spaces, was being set up. I reversed a portion of it that blocked the space between Nam Daeun and me. Mana control like this became easier after my awakening.

“W-What is this…” Perplexed, Nam Daeun looked around and gathered her mana.

“Daeun, listen…”

It’s terrorism.

Among the various types of terrorism, rune-based terrorism is nothing short of the Pandemic. I don’t know why they appeared at this social gathering, but for now, I need to finish the conversation with Daeun…

[Subquest received]

At that moment, a notification appeared that I hadn’t seen in a long time, as I was busy breaking the quest for the top spot in the practical exam.

———————-

[Rescue the Heroine!]

A heroine without combat power needs protection from the protagonist.

Especially if the target is that heroine from the beginning.

Block the evil hands aiming for the heroine!

Reward: +3 Affection of the target heroine

———————-

“…”

When it comes to a heroine without combat power, there’s only one person.

Baek Ahyeong.

I don’t know the reason yet, but if she’s the target, I need to go rescue her immediately. It’s because she has absolutely no combat power.

I looked at Nam Daeun. I want to explain to her properly, but there’s no time right now.

“Daeun, ignore all the guild contacts and go to the central fountain of the academy right away.”

Fortunately, I had insurance just in case. I’ve told Scarlett about it.

“What…?”

“Follow the blonde woman who will talk to you there to my room in the men’s dorm. Nam Dahee is there. That woman will explain everything. I have to go rescue people now.”

“W-Wait!”

“Absolutely don’t trust the Buyers Guild. Just trust me once.”

I met Daeun’s bewildered eyes. She seemed like she wanted to say something as she closed her mouth at my serious expression. It was a strange face I had never seen on Nam Daeun. She seemed greatly taken aback by my sudden words. But fortunately, one thing was clear. She’s trusting me.

Leaving her behind, I rushed to the party venue.

***

“Ugh… What’s going on?!”

“Break! Break, damn it!”

A man swung his sword at the barrier.

Clang! Clang!

Despite his efforts, the barrier remained intact.

Hunters enjoying the party, along with those engaged in conversation nearby, found themselves trapped within the barrier. Even high-ranking hunters struggled to reverse the unfamiliar strength of the barrier, which took an exceptionally long time.

“Who in the world would pull this stunt at a social gathering…” Min Yeji, experiencing being trapped in the barrier for the first time, frowned as she stared at it.

Betrayal was evident, given the invitation-only party system. Only trustworthy individuals were invited, and a thorough investigation had taken place. Such an incident couldn’t have occurred without a traitor.

“At this rate, it’ll take at least 10 minutes to reverse.”

In a tense situation, ten minutes felt like an eternity. However, to reduce even a second, Min Yeji cleared her mind and focused on reversing the barrier.

At that moment, the barrier began to shake, disrupting the concentration of hunters in the process of reversing.

“Darn it, the reversal got interrupted!”

Vroooom-

Hunters looked towards the source of the tremor. One part of the barrier was trembling. Soon, with a tearing sound, a portion of the barrier ripped apart, revealing a head.

“She’s not here… Huh? Miss Min Yeji, have you seen Miss Ahyeong?”

“You, you… how on earth?”

While Min Yeji was surprised by the sudden appearance of Lee Hoyeon’s face, she couldn’t close her mouth at the sight of him effortlessly tearing apart the barrier that high-ranking hunters were struggling to reverse.

“I’ll explain later. Have you seen Ahyeong?”

“Uh, um… I haven’t seen her.” Min Yeji had forgotten about Baek Ahyeong while enjoying the party.

“Hmm… Alright. Please, those here, come out and help deal with the demons. There are a tremendous number of them outside.” After saying that, Hoyeon disappeared.

The trapped hunters, with suspicious expressions, crawled through the hole where Lee Hoyeon had extended his head, allowing them to exit the barrier.

Outside was a scene of chaos. Numerous demons were fighting hunters in the party venue. Most of the hunters were the ones Hoyeon had rescued.

Min Yeji immediately summoned her mana and rushed into the battlefield.