The Academy’s Time Stop Player

After the situation ended, Hajoon looked around.

The shrill sound of ambulance and fire truck sirens pierced the early dawn.

Gradually, the apartment residents started emerging from their homes.

Silently, Hajoon quickly placed Maharazu into his pocket, his gaze settling on his home where smoke billowed out from a shattered window due to the explosion.

"Shit."

My home... Well, it wasn't really my home, but it was still a place he had called home. It had disappeared. While Hajoon had anticipated such a scenario, his primary emotion wasn't worry or concern, but sheer annoyance.

In some ways, he might have welcomed other villains intruding.

However, the Puppeteer was a different story.

That coward only dared to attack using his puppets.

Deep down, Hajoon wished he could eliminate the Puppeteer immediately, but he only knew the villain's face and name, not his exact whereabouts.

Well, Hajoon believed that today's incident would serve as a warning to the Puppeteer. Having been threatened in his own realm, the cowardly villain would likely remain quiet for some time.

'So, what now?'

Of course, he had safely stowed away the letter and the dagger before the explosion.

But he couldn't stay here forever.

Hajoon checked the time.

It was 2:30 in the morning.

He sighed in annoyance and looked around again.

Emergency responders, including ambulances, heroes, and civilians roused from their sHan Eeseulp by the loud explosion, were gathering around the burning apartment.

In this chaotic situation, Hajoon's next move was clear.

He immediately pulled out an invitation to Del Her from his pocket.

Thanks to a prior favor, he had secured an additional invitation to Del Her from Principal Choi Jungwon. Without hesitation, Hajoon tore the invitation.

"So, you're saying that's why you came here so early in the morning?"

"Yes."

The time was 8:00 in the morning in the guild master's office of Hermes.

It had been 5 hours and 30 minutes since the incident. Having sought refuge in the Hermes guild early in the morning, Hajoon was now explaining his reasons for the unexpected visit to Guild Master Lorelei Hills.

"Hmm... They're talking about you on TV. 'The Irregular does it again,' they say."

At her words, Hajoon turned to glance at the TV installed in the guild master's room.

The headline read, "The Irregular does it again," accompanied by an interview with a woman who was attacked in her apartment.

"Ugh, it's terrible. Thinking about that moment still sends shivers down my spine. I was jolted awake by the sound of an explosion, and before I knew it, a masked assailant held a knife to my throat and threatened me... Oh! Now that I think about it, the young man's door next to mine had been broken since yesterday morning. It's clear to me that this was planned from then."

“Hmm...”

Hajoon scratched his head uneasily while watching the interview.

Lorelei, seeing him, voiced her concern. “Will it be alright? Leaving it like that and coming here?”

“What could I have done even if I were there?” Hajoon replied.

“Well, that's true.”

After all, he had already informed Chairman Kim Jeongyong in advance, so he believed everything would be sorted out.

“So, did you bring the clues you mentioned last time?”

At that, Hajoon handed over a dagger, some photos, and a letter to her.

She immediately examined the dagger with diligence and then proceeded to check the photos and read the letter.

“Hmm... This is encrypted, right? This photo is a clue too?”

“Yes.”

“That's good... We have more clues than I thought. Decrypting this letter might take some time, but I’ll contact you as soon as I figure it out.”

Hajoon nodded in response.

Lorelei looked at Hajoon, who was deep in thought, his arms crossed without standing up from his seat.

Watching him, she curiously asked, “Do you have another request?”

“Hmm... Yes, there's something.”

“Feel free to say it.”

“I need you to find someone for me.”

“...Who? Do you only know their name again?”

“No, it should be easier to find her than before.”

“Well, then who is it?”

Hajoon described the appearance and name of the person he was looking for. After hearing the description, Lorelei asked with a puzzled expression.

“Alchemist Lee Gayeon? Why are you suddenly looking for an alchemist?”

Equipment made with magic is known as 'Magical Tools'. Unlike normal tools, these are powered by magic, and the mages who craft them are referred to as alchemists.

That's why Lorelei found it curious and asked Hajoon. Especially since he suddenly requested to find an alchemist she had never heard of before.

To Lorelei's question, Hajoon replied with another request.

“Do you know the old man selling elixirs in the shadows of the Del Her market?”

“Hmm? I know of him, but why him?”

“Can you take good care of him?”

“Are you planning something fun?”

“I don’t know about fun, but it’s certainly a good thing.”

Lorelei looked at Hajoon, her eyes filled with curiosity.

The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, but her eyes didn't share the smile.

It felt as if she was trying to gauge what was going on in Hajoon’s mind.

Hajoon looked back at her.

Of course, even with such stares, he couldn't decipher what she was thinking.

“Alright, I’ll help.”

“Thank you.”

“However, will you also take on a request for me?”

Hearing that, Hajoon let out a sigh while looking blankly at her.

With all these requests, could he really do it all for free?

Hajoon hesitated for a moment and took his wallet out from his pocket, handing over a card.

"Here."

The woman, still with a smile on her face, lowered her head and spoke to Hajoon.

"Why are you offering money?"

"Can't I just pay for the services?"

After all, he'd received quite a bit of reward money from the Hanwol Guild for the Trap Dungeon incident.

Of course, it didn't seem like she was after the money.

"It's not about the money. And if we tally up all the requests you've made, it would be well over a hundred million. Are you okay with that?"

"Uh... um..."

Hajoon put his wallet back into his pocket. He did have the money he got from a contract with the American Hero Association, but he had been planning to save it for the future. She looked at him with a gentle smile and said,

"It's not merely a favor; it's a request. I'll pay you if you succeed."

"Ah... So, what's the request?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

On Sunday morning, the following day.

Inside the academy's administrative office.

"Has Kim Hajoon arrived?"

"Yawn~ Yes, why have you summoned me?"

Having returned to the academy, Hajoon had been roused from sleep that early morning by this instructor's summons. Without hesitation, the instructor presented a monitor screen to Hajoon.

"All these are student requests addressed to you. You're probably the first to receive over 200 requests as soon as the request system opened."

"Hmm... But I can decline all of them, right?"

"Most students seek even a single request, but you... Well, yes, you can. However, I called you because among the new requests, there's one with an unusual requirement."

With that, Instructor Han Eeseul clicked his mouse, displaying the particular request.

Upon seeing it, Hajoon narrowed his eyes.

The request had come from the Hermes guild.

Moreover, it was of the highest grade, and in terms of the reward offered, it was arguably the most lucrative request Hajoon had ever received.

"The requestor claimed that once you saw this request, you'd accept it. What will you do?"

Hajoon rubbed his eyes and examined the request again.

The details felt familiar.

So, it's 'Ambush'.

[Han Siyoung Episode 1-1: Covert Operation 'Ambush']

The 'Ambush' episode was a protection mission.

A prodigious girl who had mastered enchantment magic at the tender age of 17.

The enchantment mage, Isabella Heights.

The episode involved escorting Isabella, under contract with the Hermes guild, safely to Korea as she ventured into dungeons.

And Isabella Heights was, of course, a name familiar to Hajoon.

She was a student from the next most famous superhero academy in the United States after Rokia Academy, the Merville Academy.

Hajoon's expression remained neutral as he looked at the request.

Neither pleased nor displeased—perhaps even leaning towards content. Not only because the episode seemed straightforward, but more so because...

'With him around, it should be fine...'

He found comfort in the presence of none other than Han Siyoung.

In terms of combat capabilities, he was the most trustworthy among the three.

"For now, I'll accept this request."

Although a deal's a deal, Hajoon intended to at least accept the request.

Instructor Han Eeseul, hearing this, gave him a quizzical look.

"Are you serious?"

Hajoon just stared.

"I didn't expect you to take on such a bothersome request. You've been full of surprises lately."

"Maybe I'm surprisingly diligent?"

Instructor Han Eeseul chuckled lightly.

"First, change your usual behavior, then talk."

"Well... I thought I was diligent in my own way."

"Effort only when necessary isn't exactly diligence."

Well, that's one way to look at it.

Hajoon nodded without denying.

He stood up from his seat and gave Instructor Han Eeseul a slight bow.

"I think I'm done here, so I'll be on my way."

Just as he was about to walk away,

"Kim Hajoon."

Instructor Han Eeseul suddenly called out Hajoon's name, looking at him with a serious expression. Sensing the gravity of the atmosphere, Hajoon took his seat again.

He stared blankly at Instructor Han Eeseul, who, in return, gazed intently back at Hajoon before speaking earnestly.

"I'm proud of you."

"Why are you suddenly saying something so embarrassing?"

"I watched the news yesterday. You were attacked by a villain."

At that statement, Hajoon met Instructor Han Eeseul's gaze with a stoic face and remained silent.

Instructor Han Eeseul narrowed his eyes slightly and continued, "There's no need to hide anything from me."

"..."

"I also know that you rescued the hostages. Considering everything you've done so far, I can't help but feel proud."

Hajoon just listened silently to the instructor's words.

Instructor Han Eeseul then looked at Hajoon and spoke with urgency, "However, never let your guard down."

"..."

"It might sound like an unnecessary concern, but I've seen countless heroes, no matter how talented or powerful, who met their end due to carelessness."

He looked at Hajoon, almost as if giving advice, and said, "So, please, never become complacent. I've seen many students, but none with talent like yours. There's not much else I can teach you."

"I... I understand."

At that, Hajoon gave a slow nod. Instructor Han Eeseul smirked slightly and said, "You should go now. If you're taking on that request tomorrow, you'll need a good rest."