EX rank supporting role’s replay in a prestigious school - Chapter 841 - Side (6)

A few weeks ago, Joo Soohyuk ordered Kim Chul to investigate the Hwanmong Auction and the fight club.

It sounded like a simple reinvestigation of a player-related incident, but it was to gather information to figure out the relationship between his friend and that one incident.

Kim Chul accurately understood Joo Soohyuk’s intention and took action.

However, despite the talented Kim Chul’s thorough investigation to the point where he rarely took breaks, he achieved little success.

Too many blanks were on the report.

‘It’s not Chul hyung’s fault. The blanks themselves are clues.’

Joo Soohyuk’s light skill had just awakened when that incident occurred.

He decided to pay attention to related incidents since he became an official player so he knew something about it.

Quite some time had passed so he should’ve made progress, but there was very little.

Nothing was known except for the crimes done by the people involved and the punishment that they received.

There was little information about the Red Wall Thief and the person who infiltrated the fight club.

The formal investigation conducted seemed to have ended in vain.

But other than that…

“It looks like someone is covering up information about the person who brought down the Hwanmong Auction and the fight club.”

The recording devices secured during those incidents were reported to have failed for unknown reasons.

The eyewitnesses’ testimonies were deemed unreliable and excluded.

With the advent of counterevidence, existing hypotheses were eliminated one by one.

It seemed like a common cold case, but Joo Soohyuk thought differently.

The events seem to point to an intention to thoroughly and persistently protect the identity of the Red Wall Thief and the crow-masked man.

“There must be someone protecting those two. Someone with authority, like an executive of the Association. Someone with sufficient money and people to command and can exert influence on the player world… It seems like several groups are moving.”

Joo Soohyuk was satisfied with the results of the investigation.

He already had a hunch that the Red Wall Thief and the crow-masked man were Jo Euishin.

Although he failed to find solid evidence through the investigation, he was relieved to learn that at least Jo Euishin wasn’t fighting alone.

Jo Euishin helped many people besides Maeng Hyodon, and it seems like they want to help Jo Euishin in return.

‘Euishin’s life was unrelated to the player world until he took the entrance exam for Eungwang High. The people helping Euishin now are probably those he met after entering school. Probably those that he helped.’

Jo Euishin’s reputation was at risk of being tarnished at the time of the Group 13 incident.

If Hwangmyeong Foundation hadn’t suddenly changed its position from being a spectator, Jo Euishin might’ve been treated like trash who gained a reputation by stealing credit.

If the people helping Jo Euishin now had also helped him back then, it would make sense that there’s pressure on Son Minki’s side to keep him quiet.

If he had been part of Group 13 and had been in the same situation as Jo Euishin, the Joo-Oh Group and his acquaintances would likely been harsher.

‘Euishin was always alone before entering school.’

Jo Euishin’s life wasn’t that good before he attended Eungwang High.

He was a middle school student who lost his entire family, and the fact that no one reached out to help him was proof that he was truly helpless and isolated.

‘It’s clear that Jiho wasn’t helping Euishin right from the start. Maybe the Hwangmyeong Foundation changed its position slowly over time.’

Joo Soohyuk knew how Hwangmyeong Foundation treated students in the past.

He received several warnings and advice from alumni and current students before entering Eungwang High.

Do Wonwoo, who had just been proclaimed as the student representative, went so far as to tell students to consult him before consulting teachers if anything happened to them.

Although he had heard such things, Joo Soohyuk believed there would be no problems as long as he did the right thing.

However, after seeing teachers like Choi Pyeondeuk and his gang, his belief was greatly shaken.

He learned about the Hwangmyeong Foundation’s neglect.

‘Jiho isn’t an ordinary human. The reason why the Hwangmyeong Foundation changed may be because Jiho changed. And that’s thanks to Jo Euishin.’

Joo Soohyuk looked back on Jo Euishin’s actions and succeeded in drawing a guess that was very close to the truth.

He’s seen Jo Euishin and Hwangho up close over the past year, so he had plenty of references to judge the solidity of his speculation.

The transformation of Hwangmyeong Foundation’s school management policy, the time when Maeng Hyodon entered school, and the other incidents with the Class Zero kids.

Looking back on everything based on Jo Euishin’s surroundings, he saw the truth more clearly.

And he could guess what Jo Euishin would do in the future.

“Let’s keep an eye on Hyodon. Starting with that bail case, lots of things are suspicious. Euishin will move again to save Hyodon.”

“Understood, sir.”

After that, Joo Soohyuk watched over Maeng Hyodon.

No one thought it was strange since he was originally close to Maeng Hyodon.

On the contrary, it would’ve been strange if he didn’t show any signs of concern for Maeng Hyodon.

“A bodyguard follows Maeng Hyodon around whenever he’s not with Professor Tak Geosan. Have you checked who sent them?”

“Yes, sir. They were all sent by the Hwangmyeong Foundation. None of them were members of the Players’ Association or a professional player team.”

For the first time in a while, Kim Chul had figured out something quickly.

However, Joo Soohyuk’s expression darkened after checking Kim Chul’s report.

“It’s strange that the bodyguards sent by the Hwangmyeong Foundation had been identified so quickly. They could mobilize royal lineages. Not only would they be able to hide their identity, it’s possible to not be detected at all…”

Kim Chul’s eyes opened after listening to Joo Soohyuk.

He also thought that something was off because his investigation was carried out too easily.

As Joo Soohyuk continued speaking, the vague sense of discomfort became more and more tangible.

“Euishin sent them to protect Hyodon, but there’s no way he would be this lax. There must be a different target.”

Kim Chul suggested tracking Jo Euishin instead, but Joo Soohyuk disagreed.

“It would be more difficult following Euishin. The people erasing traces of the Red Wall Thief are very thorough, and they’re helping Euishin. It would be almost impossible.”

Kim Chul didn’t think it was impossible, but he felt that Joo Soohyuk’s words made sense.

It seemed like the people hiding the Red Wall Thief were secretly protecting Jo Euishin and keeping a watchful eye on his surroundings.

“It’s hard to know what’s happening by observing Euishin or Hyodon. Let’s look at Euishin’s collaborators instead.”

“You mean the Hwangmyeong Foundation?”

“Maybe, but it’s impossible to monitor the entire foundation, so let’s narrow it down.”

Joo Soohyuk thought about who Jo Euishin would send to save Maeng Hyodon.

The first person who came to mind was Tak Geosan, but somehow it seemed like a bait.

Since Tak Geosan is always by Maeng Hyodon’s side, it’s a given that he’d protect his student.

The opponents coming after Maeng Hyodon must be prepared to deal with his teacher already.

‘It’s not Professor Tak Geosan or the bodyguards sent by the Hwangmyeong Foundation, but someone that Euishin can trust to leave Hyodon to…’

The next thing that came to mind was the kids from Class 2-0.

Although they were all students, there were many strong and reliable people he could rely on.

But that didn’t seem to be the case either.

‘He wouldn’t want to drag his friends into danger.’

He remembered the expression on Jo Euishin’s face as the black snow fell last Christmas.

His expression as he found Joo Soohyuk, Maeng Hyodon, and Yoo Sanghoon in front of Uma told him that it wasn’t the case.

Even though he was in pain, Jo Euishin’s eyes stayed on them as Yoo Sanghoon activated his light school to block Uma.

‘If Jiho had been at Mt. Cheonik that day, Euishin wouldn’t have called the other kids.’

However, monitoring Hwangho would be more difficult than monitoring Jo Euishin.

As Joo Soohyuk went through the process of elimination, he finally came to a conclusion.

“Chul hyung, please check this person’s schedule.”

“Is it okay if we track just one person?”

“Yes. Somehow.”

Although the person he chose wouldn’t be easy to track, Joo Soohyuk judged that it was better than following Hwangho or Jo Euishin.

The person happened to be someone who revealed part of his schedule.

From deducting people’s actions and the circumstances, Joo Soohyuk had a prediction of what would happen on Teacher’s Day.

‘Hyodon is in a bad mood after experiencing such an incident. On top of that, Maeng Hyodon’s teacher was very happy to see me and Euishin. Judging form Euishin’s personality, he would’ve tried to make time for Teachers’ Day by adjusting his whole schedule, but the fact that he couldn’t means that…’

On Teachers’ Day, Joo Soohyuk and Kim Chul decided to head towards Tanrae Middle School.

“Chul hyung, please be prepared to fight anytime. Ah, it’s not that I want it to be a reckless fight. Let’s intervene when I think I can reduce the risk on my friend.”

Joo Soohyuk thought of an excuse to persuade Kim Chul in case the latter objected, but his secretary coolly agreed.

“Understood.”

Joo Soohyuk’s eyes widened a little at the unexpected answer.

In a calm tone, Kim Chul said,

“I owe something to your friend.”

* * *

The darkness passed and dawn came.

I made no sound as I walked quietly to the destination, lost in thought.

‘Jeon Muyeong would be okay, right? He did his homework well. It will be difficult since it’s the first time he’ll use it outside of practice, but Jeon Muyeong is strong in actual combat. He’ll be okay.’

As I expected, the opponents targeted this way.

I used Player Identity to mimic Sung Gukeon, and Jeon Muyeong and I were transferred instead.

This part went according to my expectations, but I was worried about the other part.

‘There are too many variables at the Tanrae Middle School side, but there’s no way to check it now. Taoist Tak and Maeng Hyodon won’t be defeated easily even if some trouble arises. Considering the time, the number of preparations I can make in the meantime…’

My thoughts weren’t as smooth as usual, but I tried to keep thinking.

I felt like if I didn’t keep thinking about the present, I would be suffocated by the past.

If I’m not careful, I might get swallowed up in this trap.

Not just of my real past but also the twisted one that they’d try to construe.

Step, step.

“Hyung, buy us some presents when you get back.”

“Oppa, are you still angry that I ate your snacks? I’m sorry.”

“Do you wanna eat this one?”

My younger siblings, fresh from sleep, went to me and offered me snacks.

This was my house before I left the country, I was a middle school student.

It was the last time I saw my family alive.