So That This Doesn’t Happen Again (2)

Hearing the content through the speaker, Ju Na-young was seething for quite a while.

One minute, then two minutes.

As her breathing finally calmed down, a young woman’s voice was heard.

―Miss, have you calmed down?

“Hoo, sorry. Team Leader unnie. I got so mad about my friend being suspected…”

―…Friend, you say?

A slightly surprised response.
At those words, Ju Na-young realized her mistake.
Blushing, she stammered.

“Oh, no, that… not a friend… what do you call it…? a rival! Yes, a rival! Ma-Ma Hana is indeed a friend, but…”

―I see. Got it. May I continue explaining?

“Yes, please.”

She listened quietly to the continuing explanation.

“…So, rumors are spreading on the Academy bulletin board, right?”

―Yes, there are some voices of doubt, but the one who knows it the best is the one who wrote it. There is no possibility of them being a villain or demon, it is just gossip meant to belittle someone. Actually, it isn’t that important.

“Right?”

―The real problem is that there will be people who will try to exploit this news in any way possible.

“…Who even are these bastards?”

―There are many reporters who cling to [Dragon Sword Mir] and suck our blood, but the biggest one is, of course, the [Guild].

“…The Guild? Are you saying they could be a Guild member?”

―Yes. To be exact, the Guild Leader of Branch 2.

‘Branch 2?’

She had definitely heard of it before…

Soon, memories flashed like lightning in Ju Na-young’s mind.

“Are you talking about the woman called Noh Kyung-wan, who is in charge of the Ansan region?”

―Yes.

Guild Leader Noh Kyung-wan.

Ju Na-young was affiliated with the [Four Great Clans].

A person with connections to <Dragon Sword Mir>.

To be precise, it was someone who tried to impress Dragon Sword Mir unilaterally.

“Sending unwanted gifts all the time is really annoying. So why is someone of her stature involved?”

―Do you remember the previous report? The news that the ‘Association’ has acquired a new [Trial].

She did hear about it.

Ju Na-young, due to her position, couldn’t help but be quick with worldly news, even if she didn’t want to be.

“Surely… it was a place called the [Garden of the Pearl Spitting Tortoise], right? Of course, I remember. The head of the Association bragged a lot to my mother, didn’t she? I heard it was thanks to a woman named ‘Su Ok-bin’, the Guild Leader of [Branch 3].”

―That’s correct. Su Ok-bin, the guild leader of [Branch 3].
The descendant of elf and vampire blood that we at <Dragon Sword Mir> keep a close eye on.

“So?”

―Shockingly, Yu Seha and Ma Hana. It is said that the two of them were the first to discover and conquer that dungeon.

“…What?”

Ju Na-young was shocked.
At the same time, she understood it too.

‘Ah, that is why he is that strong.’

A guaranteed stat reward obtained by completing an ordeal for the first time.

Considering the various reasons and other factors, the fact that Yu Seha was so strong could be explained to some extent.

Of course, in Ju Na-young’s view, he seemed more like a genius destined to become strong from the beginning.

―…But it seems that this has turned into a problem that threatens the position of Guild Leader Noh Kyung-wan.

“…It is clearly known that Branch 2 and Branch 3 are in competition, right?”

―Yes, it isn’t just a competition; it is a relationship where they will try to kill one another when they find the chance.

The Team Leader continued to explain.

By acquiring this <Trial>, Su Ok-bin’s stock had risen, threatening Noh Kyung-wan’s position.

If things continued like this, it was only a matter of time before Noh Kyung-wan would be dragged down from her position as guild leader and devoured by Su Ok-bin.

“…So, could it be?”

―Unable to acquire a <Trial> like Su Ok-bin, it seems she’s resorting to dirty tactics. And one of those is the current situation.

The discoverer and strategist, Yu Seha and Ma Hana.

If these two were members of the <Villain, Demon> clan, they could be framed as being in league with Guild Leader Su Ok-bin.

Even if they weren’t, it didn’t matter much to Noh Kyung-wan.

“…Team Leader unnie, wait a minute. I think it wasn’t done on purpose, but… I will personally ask about this…”

Ju Na-young felt this flame swirling in her chest.

Her head felt dizzy, and words of contempt and anger came out of her mouth.

“The reason that damn bitch is messing with Yu Seha and Ma Hana is because neither of them has any backing, right?”

―…Unfortunately, that is true. Both of them have no proper families. At the same time, they don’t seem to have any significant connections either, so for Noh Kyung-wan and her party. If they strike and it works, great; if not, they’ll prepare another scheme.

“…Fuck. Then the reason this information reached me is because–”

―If I am correct, it seems they plan to jointly credit the successor of <Dragon Sword Mir>. Ultimately, Guild Leader Noh Kyung-wan’s goal must be to board the successor power structure within <Dragon Sword Mir>.

“…They didn’t contact my cousin?”

―There doesn’t seem to be any separate contact. They must have judged that it would be more advantageous for you to inherit the position.

“That’s really shitty.”

―…Miss. The ‘Clan Master’ will be angry if he hears you.

“…Sorry, I got too irritated.”

Ju Na-young closed her eyes briefly to calm her anger.

Calm down.
Calm down.

Shit. Calm down, my ass.

Instead, her anger flared up even more.

What? Demon? Villain?

Should I just smash their heads?

Ju Na-young knew very well that those two people would never do such things.

Truth?
Investigation?
None of that was necessary.

Ju Na-young trusted her own eyes.
She believed in her intuition.

And wasn’t it absurd?

How on earth could anyone suspect those two, who look so kind and gentle?

“Are they blind or just idiots……?”
“Hiccup.”

“Hm? Moon Bora?”
“Oh, no. Please, continue with your call.”
“Huh? Oh, okay…”

Anyway, Ju Na-young was quite annoyed.

It made her furious that Yu Seha was being suspected.

But Ma Hana too?

To doubt such a kind girl with soft cheeks and a cute tail?

‘Just because they have no backing… thinking “if it’s not true, then oh well”?’

If Noh Kyungwan and her gang had been in front of her, she would have swung her fist immediately.

“Unnie. Tell the Guild Leader to stop messing around and get lost…”
“W-Wait, just a moment!”
“…Moon Bora?”

Ju Na-young couldn’t finish her sentence.
Because Moon Bora, who was pale and hiccuping, had interrupted.
Only then did Ju Na-young realize that the speaker mode had been turned on.

“Oh, well, Moon Bora, this is–”
“Why don’t we use this to our advantage?”

Though Ju Na-young was making excuses.
She heard a completely different response.

“…To our advantage?”

Moon Bora nodded towards the bewildered Ju Na-young.

She wanted to crawl into a hole and hide.

This was how Moon Bora felt at the moment.

Really…
It was an overwhelming feeling.

The rebuking words from Ju Na-young were directed at a different target.
But it was no different from a reprimand aimed at her as well.

But she decided not to care about it now.

Her own shame, foolishness, and embarrassment were things she had to bear.

Moon Bora focused on something entirely different.

‘…Rather, this is an opportunity.’

Moon Bora thought it turned out well.

She had been listening to the conversation from the beginning.
According to what the person who claimed to be the Team Leader said.
In case of emergency, they plan to dispatch the inspection team of <Dragon Sword Mir>.

This meant they would conduct a thorough investigation.
And the results would be communicated to the <Association> and the <Academy>.

This would provide an unquestionable guarantee that no one could speak against.

‘Certainly, suspicions about Yu Seha will never cease.’

Even now, if you looked through the Academy’s community, there were people who talked about him.

Just like the rumor the Team Leader mentioned a while ago.

They were still in ‘mandatory training,’ yet such words were already coming out.
It was clear how things would go once formal classes began.
In the worst case, those jealous and envious of him might forcibly drive him away.

To them, the truth didn’t matter.
The malice of those who wished for someone’s downfall always exceeded imagination.
Moon Bora knew this terror well.

‘Therefore, we must end this decisively here.’

No one should be able to doubt Yu Seha anymore.
This must not happen again.
There should not even be an attempt to touch him or those around him.

Absolute power was needed for this, and that person was Ju Na-young.

Ju Na-young was trustworthy.
It wasn’t just from a few conversations that Moon Bora trusted her.

The reason Moon Bora trusted her was Yu Seha’s attitude towards her.

Although he might seem light-hearted and foolish at times.
When it came to dealing with people, Yu Seha had a sharp intuition.

‘…That kind of person has been kind to Ju Na-young from the beginning.’

This alone was trustworthy.

‘Decisively, this will help Mr. Yu Seha.’

Moon Bora noticed from his recent actions that he had an interest in Ju Na-young.

Of course, it wouldn’t be because of a romantic interest.

It was a reaction far from such things.

Then, thinking rationally.

This must be because he wanted her to be a part of the team.

If things proceeded as they were, Ju Na-young and Yu Seha would likely grow closer.

This would further accelerate the subtle improvement in their relationship.

‘…Well, honestly, even without this, it would have been a matter of time.’

Lately, Ju Na-young’s behavior towards Yu Seha had been clearly friendly.

She would probably end up naturally standing by his side.
Just like herself, who ended up beside him, taking care of him.

“I hope Miss Ju Na-young can support the two of them.”
“…M-Me? No, I don’t intend to wield such power–”
“You don’t need to wield it. Just being by their side is helpful.”

The 4th Clan, <Dragon Sword Mir>.

The daughter of the Clan Master, and the legitimate heir.
The most likely successor to lead the [Clan].

The name ‘Ju Na-young’ alone was enough.

“…Do you have a specific plan?”
“Let’s escalate things.”
“…Escalate?”
“Yes, let’s invite not only Noh Kyung-wan but also Guild Leader Su Ok-bin. All the inspectors… and even hold a virtual battle instead of a regular test to make it completely public.”

Guild Leader Su Ok-bin.

Moon Bora had heard of this person before.

She was skilled in intrigue and considered the two her benefactors. She would certainly handle everything perfectly, ensuring no one could utter a word of suspicion.

She’d make sure Noh Kyung-wan wouldn’t try to back out either.

“We’ll make sure no one can say such things again.”

This was…

The first thing Moon Bora could do for Yu Seha, living with guilt forever.

For Moon Bora, there was nothing else she could do.

She was fully prepared to become a fool, if necessary.

“I will speak to the two of them.”
“……”

Ju Na-young was silent for a moment.

At the same time, she was moved.

No way, for a friend…

For someone with the name value of <Snow Ice> to step up like this.

She nodded and grabbed her hand.

“Okay! Great!”

Let’s do this!

“Ah, wait a moment!”

She had forgotten something important.

“About the virtual test… I heard we need a professor to oversee it…”

Would there be a professor who would listen to such a sensitive matter and cooperate?

Ju Na-young’s question was valid.

However, Moon Bora was not too worried.

Because there was someone who shared the same sense of guilt as herself.

“Don’t worry.”

I’ll talk to that person.

“This is what happened. You will cooperate, right? Professor Peng Jin-ah.”

“……”

Late at night.

Ju Na-young followed Moon Bora, who had barged into the Professor’s dormitory.

Gulp, she swallowed her saliva.

In front of her, Peng Jin-ah, with a slightly reddish face as if she had a can of beer, stood blankly.

It was nice to see the personal side of the Professor she respected, but Ju Na-young was worried in many ways.

The Peng Jin-ah unnie she knew wasn’t the type to readily get involved in such sensitive matters.

Look at her now.

Several minutes have passed since Moon Bora finished speaking, but she’s standing there absentmindedly without saying a word.

‘As expected, we should have asked another professor…’

And then.
Something unexpected happened.

“…Haa.”

Peng Jin-ah let out a deep sigh.

Following this, Ju Na-young, who had never seen such a thing before…
With a face that seemed like she was about to cry, she covered her face with both hands.

Slowly, she crouched down, engulfed in a sense of gloom.

What was more surprising was that Moon Bora approached and patted her shoulder as if she had anticipated it.

“…I really wish I could crawl into a hole and hide. Cadet Moon Bora… could you make something out of ice?“

“…If that were possible, I would have done it long ago. Professor.“

‘…What on earth is this?’

Only Ju Na-young, who knew nothing, just stared blankly at the two people.