Chapter 24

### Chapter 24: Dungeon Practice

Time quickly passed, and it was now Friday.

After all the classes had ended.

I was having a conversation with Lucy and Lumi in the lecture room.

"Hyun... Can we really form a club?"

"Don't worry. I'll take care of it."

"If Mr. Hyun says not to worry, it should be fine, Lucy."

"Yeah, I'll trust you...!"

The twins' bright, sparkling eyes were a bit overwhelming.

If today passes, it will be impossible to form a new club this semester.

Naturally, the club department gave no hints.

It's almost certain now. Even if I think about it, there's only one place where trouble could arise.

The Magic Research Club. They started the rivalry first.

Since they declared war first, I have no choice but to retaliate.

I've already prepared, so I confidently headed to the club department.

Lucy and Lumi followed closely behind me.

I told them to wait outside and not to step in.

"Why? I'll go in and ask too. Isn't it better with more people?"

"That's true, but I'm going as a student council member."

"Oh, I don't know what that means, but okay!"

When I mentioned the student council, they agreed to stay quiet. Power does have its perks.

I looked at the new club department. Today, a girl I hadn't seen before was manning the desk, not the boy I had seen before.

Her face, with features that could be described as 'diligent,' was quite fitting.

"Hello. I'm here to apply for a new club."

"Yes. Have you prepared all the necessary documents?"

"I submitted the documents last time, but they said there was a system error and it was delayed. Has it been processed yet?"

"Ah, let me check for a moment."

"The club leader is Lucy, and there are three members. The club name is [Let's Play Club]."

The girl enthusiastically typed on the computer and then looked puzzled.

"I'm sorry, but there's no record of such a club being registered..."

"Ah, junior. You're here again?"

At that moment, an unpleasant face blocked my view.

The club leader interrupted the girl and stepped forward.

"Senior..."

"It seems this is the first day for the new student, so there was a mistake. Mr. Hyun's club had many irregularities in the documents. The club room is already being used by another club, and the responsible professor has refused."

Of course, they dragged it out for days to set everything up. It's annoying to see them smirking.

"Ah, so it didn't pass?"

"Yes, unfortunately. How about finding a new club room and a responsible professor? You have until this afternoon, so if you work hard, you might be able to find them."

Now he's openly mocking me. He must know it's impossible.

When I went around, all the club rooms were full, and all the professors refused.

But the club leader wouldn't have known that.

I have the connections to handle all of that.

"Ah, I see. So, I just need to find a club room and a responsible professor?"

"Yes. You have until 6 PM today, so you have about 2 hours left..."

"It's fine. I've already found them."

"Hmm?"

Before the club leader could ask, I handed over new documents.

I had prepared everything perfectly, so I had nothing to fear.

"Ha, what a ridiculous joke. The responsible professor is Professor Im Sol, and the club room is the Publicity Department's office? Even if you're a student council junior, there are limits to what I can do for you, Mr. Hyun."

"Stop making excuses and just process the application."

"Excuse me?"

"Since I have all the necessary approvals, just process it in the system, Senior."

"... Damn. You must think you're close to the president because you were recruited to the Publicity Department, but the president is kind to everyone. You're mistaken."

Then he called someone on his smartwatch.

"Yes, President. This is the head of the club department, Park Min-gang. One of the new members in the Publicity Department wants to use the Publicity Department's office as a personal club room, which is absurd."

Park Min-gang. I don't want to remember that name. I'll just call him the club leader.

The club leader was smirking and looking at me. I wonder how long he can keep that expression.

"Yes, and he wants Professor Im Sol as the responsible professor, but I will personally guide him... What? What do you mean?"

The club leader's eyes widened as he looked at his smartwatch.

"Yes, yes. I'm sorry. I'll double-check next time. Yes, thank you for your hard work."

The club leader bowed repeatedly to the air and then hung up.

Click.

"Process it quickly. I need to go because I don't have time."

"Could it be that the rumors about you being close to Professor Im Sol were true...? Even so, how did you get the president involved...?"

His extra-like reaction is draining my energy. It feels like a waste of time to argue with extras.

"Alright. I want you to do it in front of me. I want to make sure there are no errors."

"... I will reject this application based on my own judgment. There are too many irregularities in the documents. I don't want to cause unnecessary trouble."

"Ah, you're really annoying."

"What, what did you say?"

"Enough, kid. I'm tired of catering to you."

I didn't want to cater to this guy anymore. If it were a heroine or a girl, I could endure and cater, but why should I treat a guy with respect?

Lucy and Lumi were waiting outside, and the club leader had sent the girl working in the department out, so no one could hear our conversation.

I took out my smartwatch and made a call.

"Yes, Sister Sulin. I'm on the 16th floor. Can you come to the new club department once? There's been some trouble."

"Sulin, Sister Sulin? What are you talking about...?"

I tried to handle it myself, but I couldn't with this guy's attitude.

I had to be as underhanded as he was.

Bang!

Sulin Moon came in, opening the door in less than a minute.

It must have taken her just a minute to run from the 17th floor, yet not a single hair was out of place.

Of course, our cool Sulin! Teach him a lesson!

"President. There's been continuous trouble with the new club application. The club leader seems to be rejecting it without reason, possibly due to some rivalry."

"What, what are you saying! President, I would never do such a thing!"

"Hmm, well. We can check it out."

"President! You can't believe this guy who's only been in the student council for a week! I've been the club leader since the beginning of the student council and have done my best!"

"I know, I know. It's just a check. Why are you so defensive? Is there something you're hiding?"

"No, not at all, but..."

The club leader's face was crumbling in real-time, quite a sight to see.

It was easy. I should have just called Sulin Moon from the start.

After that, I watched the club leader being reprimanded and thanked Sulin Moon before leaving.

Of course, the club application was successful.

No matter how much pressure the Magic Research Club put on, the student council president's direct involvement was unstoppable.

I approached Lucy and Lumi, who were waiting outside.

"Hyun! How did it go?!"

"I saw the student council president rushing in... Did something happen inside?"

"Don't worry. It's all settled. Here, the club application documents."

"Wow! But the club room is the student council's Publicity Department... Is something wrong with that?"

"I just applied for that and will change it back to room 205. Don't worry."

The remaining club rooms have been filled with fake clubs by the club leader. Since new clubs can't be formed after today, they will all disappear. We can change it then.

"Professor is Professor Im Sol?"

"Yeah, I used my connections. He's just lending his name, so don't worry."

"Still, it's a relief. Thank you so much today! I've always dreamed of forming a club with Lumi! See you in the club room next time!"

"Thank you, Mr. Hyun."

The twins have such different vibes.

Still, it feels good to have resolved this.

If there's trouble like this in the future, I'll just call Sulin Moon right away.

*

**Quest Completed!**

★ Heroine Status

- [Affection: 33]

- [Lust: 15]

- [Hunger: 30]

- [Fatigue: 30]

Completing the quest increased Lucy's affection.

Me: Thank you today, Sulin. I'll treat you to a meal sometime.

Sulin: It's fine. It was nothing. I noticed there might be a connection between the Magic Research Club and the club department. I'll handle it and let you know the results. I'm really sorry as a student council representative.

Me: What did you do wrong? It's the subordinates who didn't listen.

Sulin: Haha. Thanks! Still, I'll get a free meal. I'll look forward to it! (Rabbit with fireworks emoji)

With so many heroines, it's really hard to manage them all at once.

I hope I don't end up getting stabbed and dying on a boat.

On the weekend, I need to visit the volunteer facility with Baek Ah-young, and I can't neglect my training or studies.

Even if it's annoying, I have to do it. On Saturday, I'll go to the Sunlight Nursery and then train. On Sunday, I'll study after training.

"Sigh, if you want to wear a crown, you have to bear its weight."

To be the king of the harem, you have to bear the weight.

*

The weekend ended, and Monday arrived.

Surprisingly, the weekend was harder than weekdays.

I had too much to do.

Moreover, I missed Baek Ah-young at the nursery due to a timing issue on Saturday.

But I need a consistent record of attendance to avoid suspicion, so it wasn't a waste.

On Sunday, I meditated in the meditation room and increased my magic stat by 1.

After investing several days in the meditation room to increase my stat by 1, I felt a bit disappointed.

If I just complete a few more quests, I can copy the stat!

Today is finally the day of the dungeon practice.

In front of the lecture room, Professor Kim Jin-hyuk was earnestly explaining the precautions to the students.

"First is safety. Second is safety. The dungeon practice is the exam where accidents happen most frequently."

The students listened with bright eyes, showing no signs of boredom.

The dungeon practice is a realistic training session, so everyone is looking forward to it.

"The dungeon will be entered in groups. The groups are the same as the ones formed at the beginning of the semester. By now, you should be close enough to trust each other."

Surprisingly, I haven't spoken to any of my group members except Lumi since the first day we were grouped.

Nam Da-eun always disappears somewhere without giving me a chance to talk, and the other guy doesn't care.

"Finally, after a personal check, you will enter the dungeon. We will start the dungeon practice in 30 minutes."

I had nothing to prepare, so I looked for my group members.

Lumi approached me after our eyes met, and I soon found the other two and joined them.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Ha..."

These guys, who are supposed to be comrades, have zero intimacy.

The guy, Lee Byung-hoon, who initially tried to approach Nam Da-eun, seems to have given up and is sitting quietly.

I'm just worried about the practice.

*

"I don't like it."

"Huh? Jin-hyuk, why?"

"That guy, Lee Hyun. I get angry just looking at his face."

Do Jin-hyuk was talking with his friends at the back of the room.

When Lee Hyun and Lumi passed by, Do Jin-hyuk's face hardened.

"Ah, yeah! I get annoyed every time I see him too!"

"Right. Last time, he said he was switching from a swordsman to a mage, and he's been linked with the president, and there's a rumor that he had trouble with Professor Im Sol. He's just a show-off, right?"

"Sounds like a show-off. Is that why you're annoyed, Jin-hyuk?"

"..."

Do Jin-hyuk felt something strange about this feeling.

Those reasons were certainly part of his annoyance, but they were just minor irritations.

Do Jin-hyuk felt a deep, instinctive aversion from his heart.

It was as if it was imprinted in his heart from birth.

"Yeah, that's it."

But he just accepted the feeling.

He could have doubted and suppressed it, but he chose to accept and express it.

That choice was part of his destiny as the antagonist.

*

The dungeon practice training began.

We drew lots to determine the order of entry into the dungeon. Our group was group 13.

Ten groups enter the first dungeon at a time. Since we were group 13, we were the second group to enter.

The waiting groups could watch the previous group's dungeon run on a large holographic screen floating in the air.

Unlike other groups who were chatting and building camaraderie to ease their tension, our group sat silently like a hearty bowl of rice. I felt suffocated and decided to go to the bathroom.

While walking to find the bathroom, a group of guys intentionally bumped into me.

"Oops, sorry. It was a mistake."

"Ha ha ha, why are you apologizing to a show-off? He probably likes the attention."

Turning my head, I saw Do Jin-hyuk and his lackeys.

Why are they picking a fight with me? I haven't done anything wrong to them. We barely interacted, so I don't understand why they're doing this.

Is it wrong to be the protagonist?

Bullying among young students often starts for no reason, but this is different.

"Be careful in the dungeon. You might stab me thinking I'm a monster. Heh."

One of the lackeys, a skinny guy, sneered at me.

"I'll cast a spell on you as soon as I see you. Watch out."

"What? This guy..."

I responded to his dog-like comments with dog-like responses.

Again, there's no consideration or compromise with guys.

One of the lackeys, whose pride was hurt, tried to draw his sword, so I also gathered my magic power.

Of course, I had no intention of fighting. It was just for minimal defense.

"Stop it. There are too many people watching."

Do Jin-hyuk, who