Chapter 172

Chapter 172: Still, Time Flows (1)

“Is this finally over?”

Shin Yu-hwan had told me that they would handle the remaining matters, and he was telling the truth.

Despite Kim Su-hyeok and me being the core individuals involved in this incident, there had been no interference from their side at all.

Thanks to that, I was able to return to Glory Academy after receiving a brief checkup once Kim Su-hyeok woke up.

“Of course, there were many processes involved during that time.”

By processes, I mostly meant having to endure the raw fury of Im Seong-cheol and the other kids.

Part of me wanted to pour out every detail of how difficult that was, but if I said it all, it would probably take up two chapters of a novel, so I decided to hold back.

Rather than that…

“It was quite a shock to realize I had been thoroughly deceived without even knowing it.”

Yes, it was a massive shock to move forward without ever dreaming that I was being tricked.

The identity of the person who deceived me was none other than Baek Ha-ryeong.

…Of course, while I said I was deceived, it was not in a bad way.

“I never imagined Baek Ha-ryeong would have such a meticulous personality.”

I realized it when I saw Baek Ha-ryeong arrive while Cha Yu-na was processing matters related to the Baek family.

As it turned out, Baek Ha-ryeong had been delivering information about the connection between the Baek family and the villains to the Villain Response Team, which Shin Yu-hwan belonged to, for seven years. She had been building her own power base all along.

Furthermore, the reason I encountered Shin Yu-hwan’s group at the Baek family estate this time was entirely because Baek Ha-ryeong had leaked the information regarding the ‘festival day.’

Looking at it this way, I could not help but get goosebumps.

“It means she was planning to swallow the Baek family whole at an age when others would just be sucking on candy.”

Baek Ha-seong had said she was pure, but I have no idea which part of her is supposed to be pure.

When I was given a brief moment to speak with Baek Ha-ryeong, forget purity—I felt like she was a witch.

“Well, regardless, it does not matter since things ended smoothly thanks to her.”

If Baek Ha-ryeong had not recruited the branch family members who had long been dissatisfied, there would have been a lot of noise during the process, even if Han Seora was involved.

Considering that, this was something I could easily overlook as a minor trick.

“And she is someone who handles the aftermath cleanly.”

I wondered if the blood of a prestigious family truly meant something, as she had a side to her that was incredibly cold-hearted and resolute.

Baek Ha-ryeong decided to dispose of everyone within the Baek family who might muddy the waters, regardless of their skill level.

At that time, Baek Ha-ryeong said this.

-It is the same as how one deserves to die for chasing an old national flag when a new one is being raised. I prefer the Song of Compromise over the Song of Devotion.

…That is what she said.

I never imagined that her current appearance would be so different from our first meeting.

At that time, I had mentioned in passing that if her behavior was an act, she could dream of becoming a top-tier actress, but to think it actually was an act.

“Still, not all of it was acting, so a million-seller might be more accurate than a ten-million-seller.”

Considering she wore a significantly lonely expression at the news that Baek Ha-seong would not be returning yet, that felt about right.

Anyway, what I am trying to say is that thanks to her, the matters regarding the Baek family were handled smoothly. Additionally, because Baek Ha-ryeong had gathered her forces in advance, they can be considered complete allies, even if their combat power is weaker than before.

“Then, does this mean Baek Ha-ryeong will become the Patriarch of the Baek family…?”

I am not sure about that part, but if so, it would be a remarkable record.

If I recall what I studied at the academy, there was not a single person who rose to the position of Patriarch in their teens.

Well, I will have to wait and see how things turn out.

“By the way, speaking of national flags suddenly reminded me.”

With that thought, I pulled out the flag that I used to carry wrapped around my shoulder but had placed in my spatial storage pouch due to the discomfort. I then read its information.

[Damaged Flag of the Unrecorded Petitioner]

Rank: S-

Category: Equipment (Buff-type)

Information: A flag used by a petitioner who opposed the laws of the world with a mortal body. However, its current form is quite incomplete, allowing only a portion of its abilities to be identified.

Ability 1: If you desire it in your heart, a partial interpretation of the inscription left by the petitioner is possible.

The artifact was definitely different, though it seemed similar to before.

I do not know which event at the Baek family estate caused the change, but unlike before, the ability was now active.

However…

“The problem is that the ability is not the kind I was expecting.”

To think that a partial interpretation of the inscription is possible if I desire it in my heart—I could hardly understand why this was an S-minus rank artifact.

I never imagined that the stains on it were actually parts of an inscription.

“It is not as if this is a diary.”

Still, since the rank was not given for no reason, it is only right to read it.

I confirmed that the flag had changed, but I had been too busy for the past few days to check it.

Therefore, leaving my disappointment behind, I followed the description of the information window and desired the interpretation of the inscription deep within my heart.

Then…

“Ugh.”

A sudden headache washed over me.

Of course, it was not as if there was a problem.

It just felt like someone was forcibly shoving information into my head.

It was not a very pleasant feeling, but I endured it and began to read the information surfacing in my mind.

‘But this…’

I have no idea what this is supposed to mean.

First of all, the inscription that appeared in my head was not very long.

The issue was that the content was so cryptic that it was difficult to tell what it was trying to say.

To list the inscriptions that appeared:

-I realized that I was broken. The things I believed were natural emotions were never natural at all.

-In that case, why did I live believing they were natural emotions? Today, I have learned that truth.

Short sentences consisting of only two paragraphs.

However, I could not just ignore them.

That was because…

[Your understanding of the Petitioner has increased.]

[This affects the transformation of the player’s innate talent.]

As soon as I read the inscription, the following system alarms appeared.

Setting aside the understanding of the Petitioner, to think it affects the transformation of my innate talent.

“It probably refers to my pure talent, not the one purchased through the Admiration Shop.”

And the fact that it affects the transformation of that talent likely meant an increase in rank or the awakening of a new ability within the talent.

Because of that, my mind could not help but be complicated.

I have no idea what kind of person this Petitioner was, but to think they could even influence an EX-class talent.

“Not that there is anything I can find out right now.”

It is true that I am curious about the person known as the Petitioner.

However, just as the police need evidence to chase a criminal, I need at least a trace to learn about this.

But do I have any traces to follow for this Petitioner?

A person who was not even recorded because they violated the laws of the world?

It was absolutely impossible.

“So, there is nothing I can do for now.”

Still, it was fine.

At least from an artifact perspective, it had already done its part.

Nothing has changed yet, but does this not mean it will influence the transformation of my EX-class talent in the future?

Furthermore, it was not just that; I also have Swordsmanship talent, Persistence talent, and the Gear talent.

“Of course, it does not seem like the Gear talent will change much.”

But this should be enough.

And this is not the only thing I gained through this incident, is it?

With that thought, I quietly stared at my status window.

Physical Abilities

[Vitality: B-]

[Strength: B-]

[Agility: B]

[Mana Affinity: C+]

[Remaining Points: 3]

First, my physical abilities had changed slightly.

My Strength and Mana Affinity had progressed one step further.

However, this was not what I wanted to talk about.

What I wanted to talk about was the traits.

I looked toward the traits listed at the bottom of the status window…

Owned Traits: [Response], [Companion]

A new trait that I had not seen before had been added there.

A trait labeled ‘Companion’ was written next to Response.

“I was actually a bit annoyed when I first obtained this.”

One might ask why I was annoyed when I obtained something new, regardless of what it was.

That is a fair question. And of course, the answer to that question was already prepared.

“That is because I obtained this instead of other rewards.”

The other rewards I am referring to were Influence Points.

The system alarm said something about how the correct balance of the world might collapse or whatever.

At the time, I felt like trash, but now that I think about it, it was not that I could not understand.

To be honest, a lot of things changed through this incident, did they not?

The fates of Baek Ha-seong and Han Seora were changed, and the Baek family, who would have originally been enemies, turned into allies.

On top of that, the fact that a being like me clearly intervened was revealed, so if they were to provide that as a reward, it would surely be enough to upset the balance.

“Well, to be honest, it is not so much that I understand, but rather that the Companion trait is better than I expected.”

If it had been a trait that failed to meet my expectations, I definitely would have been spitting out curses like a madman for hours, regardless of any understanding.

With that thought, I read the newly obtained Companion trait once more.

[Companion]

1. If I Am With You.

   When you are with a being you trust enough to entrust your life to, all stats are maximized.

2. Me Without You.

   When a being you trust enough to entrust your life to is absent, all stats decrease.

If someone were to see this, they might call it a rather ambiguous ability.

While stats increase when together, they decrease when not together.

However, that only applies to when I am not with someone.

In the end, does it not mean the buff is constantly active as long as I am with someone I truly trust, like Kim Su-hyeok, the other kids, or even Im Seong-cheol and Shin Yu-hwan?

“In short, the range is wider than I thought.”

For instance, if I have to do something that cannot be revealed publicly, I can just be with someone like Yu-hyeon.

Even if that guy is a villain, if asked if he is a being I can trust, I can say yes.

“Besides, it is not as if I did not receive any Influence Points at all, so I can be satisfied with this much.”

Did the Influence Points I received this time amount to roughly 100,000?

Since there was nothing I immediately needed to buy using points, I decided to leave them for now.

It is a bit much to have to worry every time I want to use Embodiment of Admiration because of a lack of points.

“There was nothing else besides that.”

But even this much was enough.

My physical abilities increased, and I obtained a new trait.

And above all, did I not successfully conclude the matter regarding Baek Ha-seong?

Moreover, I grew closer to Kim Su-hyeok and gained enlightenment in the process, so what more could I need?

As the saying goes, too much is as bad as too little, so wanting anything more here would just be greed.

“Then, before I go to sleep, I should send a final greeting to Yu-hyeon and the Puppeteer.”

Since there has been no news of anyone being caught after that day, it is certain they are safe, but is there not such a thing as mutual etiquette?

Even if I did not help them while receiving something in return, it is only polite to send a greeting.

One relationship started abruptly, and the other began with thoroughly using and being used by each other, but now they have become deeper ties than that.

“I should just send the messages and go straight to sleep.”

It would be better to wait for a reply and talk more, but I had to go to school tomorrow, so there was no choice.

If only Kim Su-hyeok had faked being sick, but since he is not the type of guy to have any connection with that sort of thing, he said he was fine.

Therefore, it seemed better to just send the messages and check them tomorrow.

Someone might have reclaimed ten years of time, but regardless, time continues to flow.