The Academy’s Time Stop Player

Magic Poison.

It was a deadly poison that penetrated through a superhero's magic, gradually hardening the organs inside the body. Moreover, there was no known cure for this magic poison.

The dimensional dungeon monster that emitted this poison had long disappeared, and all the superheroes who were infected had already died.

And now, that very magic poison was infiltrating his body.

"It's an old story. Complete recovery was impossible, but thanks to Lady Riella and Sage Choi Jungwon, I've been able to live this long."

He looked at Hajoon faintly, a bittersweet smile on his lips.

Hajoon, feeling a bit awkward, scratched his cheek. Surely, someone who was going to pass away in two weeks wouldn't have any political aspirations, right?

Now, he understood why Riella had made such a request.

The man, as if considering Hajoon's feelings, smiled kindly and spoke.

"You don't need to worry too much. I've known about this for a long time and have lived a fulfilling life."

“…….”

At those words, Hajoon closed his mouth, feeling a bit awkward.

Although the man said he didn't mind, Hajoon still felt a twinge of guilt. With his uneasy mind, Hajoon turned his gaze to the sea, staring blankly.

The hot sun was shining down, but a cool breeze was blowing, slightly alleviating the heat. In such a situation, Hajoon felt a bit strange.

The awkwardness gradually faded, and a calm tranquility settled in his heart.

Wondering about this odd feeling, Hajoon finally realized its cause.

"Could this be……."

"It's my ability. It's useless in battle but has the power to calm and soothe people's emotions."

It was a support-type ability, like that of Yoo Seolah or Isabella Heights from America.

He said it was rather useless, but such abilities had various uses.

Powers like mind control or hallucinations wouldn't work because of his ability.

‘He was more than just a simple porter after all.’

Indeed, a porter who had accompanied the great heroes of the past would naturally have such abilities.

"Student Hajoon."

"Yes?"

"It seems the fish has taken the bait."

Suddenly, he pointed to the fishing rod and spoke.

Indeed, Hajoon couldn't tell since when, but the fishing rod was shaking.

Hajoon immediately picked up the rod from its stand and started reeling in.

As the fish surfaced, he smiled and said,

"Huhu, it's a big catch."

After enjoying some time fishing, the sun in the sky set, and the dark night arrived.

He slowly got up from his spot and said to Hajoon,

"It's getting late, and I'm getting hungry. I should prepare something to eat."

With that, he took the fish he had caught and headed to the yacht's kitchen sink.

"What, is there anything I can help with?" Hajoon asked, about to follow him to the sink when the man gestured with his hand, signaling that it was okay. Hajoon then sat back down in his chair and decided to enjoy some night fishing.

A few minutes later.

"I haven't exerted myself like this in a while. Fortunately, I haven't lost my touch."

An unexpectedly lavish feast was presented.

Hajoon looked at the spread before him and asked, "You know how to cook too?"

At that, the man grinned and replied, "I was a porter, after all. Back then, I was in charge of all their meals."

He answered proudly, as if it were a point of pride for him.

After the meal, the two of them resumed fishing and gazed blankly at the night sky.

The scenery of the night sky, filled with countless stars seemingly touching the sea, was a beautiful sight.

Hajoon silently watched this scene for a while.

Then, the man, with a slight smile, said to Hajoon in a calm tone, "It's still a beautiful view. One of the reasons I enjoy fishing is because of this night scenery. The view from the sea is surprisingly good."

"Yes, it does look nice," Hajoon agreed.

Though all they did on the yacht was fish and admire the scenery, Hajoon somehow liked this quiet atmosphere.

It was, as Riella had suggested when recommending this assignment, rather comforting.

"Student Hajoon."

At that moment, Han Taehwan, gazing blankly at the sea, addressed Hajoon.

Hajoon turned to him and responded, "Yes?"

"Thank you for fulfilling this old man's wish."

He spoke with a faint smile.

To that, Hajoon shook his head and replied, "No, it's okay."

If anything, Hajoon was the one who felt grateful.

It felt like a genuine rest after a long time.

At Hajoon's response, the man continued with a faint smile, "I've been observing your actions for a long time, Student Hajoon. It reminded me of the great heroes of the past."

He continued, gazing vacantly at the night sea as if reminiscing about the past.

"Acting even though you know you might die is not an easy thing."

With the advent of magic and the emergence of superhumans exceeding human norms, dimensional dungeons, mysterious gates, opened around the world.

Through these gates poured countless monsters, ushering in an era of great chaos. Amidst this turmoil, the first superheroes emerged who tackled these dimensional dungeons.

"The feeling we all felt when they first conquered a dimensional dungeon is unforgettable."

Dimensional dungeons were an unknown.

They claimed many lives.

Entering these dungeons was considered almost suicidal at the time.

Yet, they ventured in nonetheless.

And they ventured into the dungeon, successfully conquering it and closing the gate.

Those beings became the hope of people in those desperate times.

They were now known as the great heroes.

“That’s why I chose to follow them, despite many trying to dissuade me. I knew I could die, but I wanted to be of help to them. In the end, that decision became something I never regretted, something I am proud of.”

He continued with a content smile.

“And now, I feel a similar sentiment when I observe you, Student Hajoon. Watching your actions makes my heart race, uncharacteristic of my age. Just as I wanted to be of help to those heroes in the past, I wanted to be of help to you. But…”

His words trailed off into a bittersweet smile.

“I don’t have much time left, so I may not be of much help. That’s my only regret.”

“You’ve been more than enough help. And…”

Hajoon thought about him.

They had only met a few hours ago and hadn’t talked much, but Hajoon felt he understood why they liked this man.

In the few words they exchanged, someone else came to mind.

Hajoon looked at him, smiled, and responded.

“You remind me of Principal Choi Jungwon.”

At those words, the man's eyes widened and started to quiver.

Surprised by Hajoon’s response, he slowly bowed his head, a warm smile forming.

With eyes soaked in happiness, he looked down for a moment before slowly speaking.

"Really..., among all the things I've heard..."

A single tear rolled down his cheek and fell to the ground.

“That was the happiest thing I’ve ever been told.”

The next morning.

After arriving at the harbor with him, Hajoon got into the car with Congressman Han Taehwan and the bodyguards who came to meet them, heading back to Rokia Academy.

Hajoon intended to find his own way, but he accepted the man's offer to drive him back.

Upon arriving at the academy, the man who had ridden with him in the car extended his hand to Hajoon.

“Thank you for accepting this request.”

“It's I who should thank you. I had a restful time.”

Honestly, it was only a day, but it felt truly restful.

Almost as if he had rested for a month, maybe?

Hajoon thought that this feeling might also be due to the man’s ability.

Therefore, Hajoon expressed his gratitude politely.

Han Taehwan smiled kindly and left some parting words.

“I wish you all the best in your future endeavors, Student Hajoon. Farewell.”

With that, he got back into the car.

Just before the car started, Hajoon, driven by sudden curiosity, asked him.

“What do you plan to do for the next two weeks?”

The man pondered for a moment before replying in a calm tone.

"I plan to travel alone for the next week. And from the following week, I intend to spend time with my family."

"I hope you have an fun trip."

"Huhu, thank you."

With those final words, the car carrying him left, and Hajoon watched it for a moment before turning around.

It had been just a one-night, two-day holiday, but it was a pleasant break.

And it seemed he might have found a new hobby.

"Should I buy a fishing rod?"

Musing to himself, Hajoon walked through the academy's main gate with a faint smile.

A few days later.

Upon hearing that Han Taehwan had been attacked by a villain, Hajoon headed to the scene.

Inside a dark, silent abandoned factory.

A man emitting smoky fumes burst through the roof and landed on the ground, beginning to look around.

"What's going on? This is strange..."

The man's name was Lee Taejun.

Known as Smokeman, an S-class villain in Korea.

Lee Taejun looked around and sensed a presence, turning his head in that direction. There, three men, each emitting a similar or equal magical power, were approaching Smokeman.

Smokeman Lee Taejun looked at the three men, all S-class villains like himself, and smirked bitterly.

"So you guys noticed and came looking?"

"Smokeman."

An S-class villain who had committed major terrorist acts in Korea.

The men were Yoon Heean, the Eraser; Shin Dohyun, the Madman; and Lee Sacheol, the Poisoner.

They looked fiercely at Smokeman Lee Taejun.

"Where's Saan?"

"I thought for sure he was dead..."

The reason these four men had gathered was that they had sensed the energy of Saan, who had once formed a villain alliance. Only Saan could send magical signals that were precise enough for only them to detect.

But, upon arrival at the site, Saan was nowhere to be seen.

Sensing something was off, Eraser Yoon Heean spoke up.

"Something's strange. Could it be a trap set by the Association?"

"It's impossible. Saan’s magic isn’t something that can be easily manipulated."

"More importantly, it’s annoying that the person who called us hasn’t shown up."

"Wait a minute."

That's when it happened.

Whoosh!

A powerful magical force descended on the four men in an instant.

Their expressions hardened as they looked in the direction from which the magic had come.

There, a man floated in the air, calmly looking down at the S-class villains.

"So, it’s you guys."

He spoke.

His voice was calm, but it carried an indescribable power of magic.

"The ones Saan talked about."