Chapter 88: I Became a Mafia Member of the Academy

The video we released caused a significant social issue.

It was only natural, given that the villain in question was not an ordinary one but the notorious Plague, rumored to have overthrown a country.

Moreover, this was the first time he had directly mentioned a target, when he usually only vaguely conveyed his ideology.

To make matters worse, there was a rumor that the video's source was none other than the massive mafia organization, Carillon.

It was impossible for it not to become an issue.

"Is it because of that?"

"Boss! Didn't you watch YouTube yesterday?"

As soon as I entered the classroom, Jin-woo looked at me with a grin.

"…Are you talking about the Plague video?"

"Right, that one! Do you know who uploaded it to the internet?"

The kid's mouth twitched as if he couldn't contain his excitement. It seemed he felt proud that Carillon had taken the lead in this matter.

"Since you saw it on the news today, don't overdo it and just sit down."

"Eh? It was on the news?"

Jin-woo looked bewildered, as if he was hearing it for the first time, and then took his seat.

"Hmm? I can't see Yeong-je."

Yeong-je, who usually came to school early and read books, was nowhere to be seen.

Se-ah, who was sitting in front, turned around to look at me.

"Yeong-je? He left a long time before you came and hasn't returned yet. Maybe he was called by a teacher?"

"Teacher Ji-soo-hyun?"

"Yes, where else would he go?"

Indeed, that made sense.

"Maybe he went to the bathroom?"

Another plausible suggestion was made.

Certainly, the bathroom was a possibility, but… should I contact him?

"Is he almost here?"

At that moment, Yeong-je, with a complicated expression, opened the front door and stood in front of the teacher's desk.

"First, I'll pass on the message from the teacher. The dungeon and monster classes this morning are self-study due to a meeting among the academy teachers and staff. There will be a pop quiz in the next monster class, so don't slack off."

The students were initially excited about self-study, but they sighed when they heard about the pop quiz.

"From the atmosphere in the staff room, it seems the villain alliance is causing quite a serious issue. There's also a schedule for the freshmen welcome party coming up."

One of the students in front raised their hand in response to Yeong-je's words.

"Wait, are you saying the freshmen welcome party might be canceled?"

The freshmen welcome party is a kind of opportunity for new students.

The idea that they might miss such an event made the other students look anxious.

"I'm not sure. I don't know much, but they might be having a meeting about it. The fact that they're having a meeting could mean they're trying to hold the party."

The freshmen welcome party is an event where not only new students but also graduates participate and make donations.

Missing such an event would not be good for the academy, so the meeting would likely aim to proceed with the event.

And that's how it always went in the game.

"Anyway, that's the end of the announcement. Do your own self-study or use your phone, but don't disturb others who are studying."

Since I was confident in monster class, I spent the time checking the news and world updates through my smart lens. Before I knew it, it was almost lunchtime.

The teachers, who were supposed to be in a meeting, were nowhere to be seen.

I was wondering how the afternoon classes would be handled when—

"Phew, I'm going to lose my mind… Did everyone do well in self-study?"

Ji-soo-hyun entered, messing up his bangs.

"You know the class president told me there was a meeting all morning? I'll tell you the results of the meeting, so listen carefully."

Ji-soo-hyun mentioned three things:

1. Classes will proceed normally, but practical sessions like sparring and dungeon exploration will not take place. As a result, afternoon classes, which are mostly practical, will not be held. This is because the academy teachers have been dispatched to assist the association and government in searching for the villain. Students will be guided to return home after lunch.

2. The freshmen welcome party will proceed. With the help of academy graduates and the association, the highest level of security will be maintained, prioritizing student safety.

3. Students are advised to refrain from external activities for the time being.

The students began to murmur and show signs of unease.

The fact that the academy was holding a serious meeting indicated that they felt the threat of terrorism.

It felt as if the crisis was right in front of them.

"Does anyone have any questions?"

In the midst of this, Jin-woo raised his hand.

"…Jin-woo Bifalt. What is it?"

"Then, can we go home after lunch?!"

'Phew, that crazy guy…'

Ji-soo-hyun rubbed his face with his palm at Jin-woo's excited shout.

"…Yes. Go home after lunch."

"Yay!!"

The kid made a strange noise, thrilled at the prospect of going home early.

Feeling embarrassed just by looking at him, I turned away and raised my hand.

"Then, will club activities be canceled today? We need some preparation for this sudden announcement."

Ji-soo-hyun nodded at my question.

"Right, if you're going to ask a question, ask something like that. Not a dog-like question about whether you can go home."

"Huh?"

"Shut up. Jin-woo Bifalt."

"Yes!"

Ji-soo-hyun, who silenced Jin-woo with a single word, turned back to me and continued.

"Unfortunately, club activities are banned from today onwards. What can we do? A world-class villain has declared that he will carry out a terrorist attack."

Ji-soo-hyun checked the time on his wristwatch.

"So… there are 10 minutes left until lunch. Take a break and then go home after lunch. Oh, and Kim Se-ah."

"Yes?"

"The government and the association have requested a job for spatial mages. Are you interested?"

"Huh? A job? But I—"

"Of course, you'll be an assistant. You'll just help me. The pay is about 200,000 credits per day."

200,000 credits a day. Se-ah's jaw dropped at the amount.

"Two hundred thousand? I'll do it! I'll definitely do it!"

Se-ah shouted happily, and Ji-soo-hyun chuckled.

"Alright, then come to the staff room after lunch."

"Yes!"

Se-ah, thrilled at the prospect of a high-paying part-time job, quickly answered and sat down, grinning.

"One week of work, 1.4 million! Hehe…!"

Jin-woo, who had been watching her closely, suddenly raised his hand.

"Teacher, are you not looking for more patrol personnel?"

It seemed the 200,000 credits per day was very tempting.

However, Ji-soo-hyun shook his head firmly.

"No."

Jin-woo's head drooped, and Se-ah, laughing, patted his shoulder.

"Don't be too sad. I'll treat the club to a meal with the money I earn."

"Really? You will?"

"How about tteokbokki in front of the academy?"

"…Cheapskate."

"Add some fried food."

"–I thought you were a cheapskate, but you're actually an angel?! Call!"

Just the addition of fried food made Se-ah's status rise from cheapskate to angel.

Ji-soo-hyun, who had been watching this with a bemused expression, shook his head and walked towards the door.

"Anyway, don't wander off and go home after you finish your tasks."

The students responded with "Yes~" and Ji-soo-hyun left the classroom.

"Wow, I have extra time today. I think I'll go to the PC room."

Despite the warning about the terrorist threat, Jin-woo's determination to go to the PC room made him seem like a typical Korean high school student, almost to the point of being peaceful.

"Hello? Uh? Father? Come home? Yes? Right now? No, the academy… I know it ended early, but how did Father… know…? Alright, I'll go home."

But Jin-woo was also a member of the Carillon family and the heir of the Bifalt family.

It was impossible for him to take a break during a state of emergency for the entire Carillon family.

…It feels a bit like it's because of me. A little?

* * *

A few days passed.

The academy I saw on my way to school was very busy.

It seemed they were preparing for the freshmen welcome party the next day.

"Mr. Kim! Bring this over here!"

"Ouch! Be careful!"

Workers had been setting up stages and decorations for a while, and other students were looking forward to the freshmen welcome party the next day.

Surprisingly, nothing happened during the few days of emergency.

As a result, the students, who initially followed the teachers' instructions diligently, gradually became lax, and some teachers, seeing nothing happen, returned to their usual routines.

Seeing how some students, like Jin-woo, were enjoying the shortened classes, it seemed everyone had a bit more leeway.

Moreover, the freshmen welcome party was the first festival for new students at the academy, so they were