EX rank supporting role’s replay in a prestigious school - Chapter 846 - Side (11)

In front of the furnace at the center of the garden, the fire burned with a screaming sound.

It seemed like the furnace had been overloaded because of the powerful force that had just been used.

Docheol didn’t spare it a glance, but his face was distorted with anger.

‘Why does a human have such power…!’

Docheol successfully captured Sung Gukeon and Jeon Muyeong with the mental attack ability.

Although he doesn’t know what kind of illusion is being shown to them, their wavering energy waves and Unsa’s deepening spirit tell him that Sung Gukeon has great regrets.

Sung Gukeon’s spirit was greatly shaken as soon as the ability began to unfold.

Dowul of the Four Perils warned of Sung Gukeon’s solid mind so they should be careful of using that power.

However, they still underestimated him, saying a human’s mental strength can only do so much.

So they watched, but no matter how long they waited, Sung Gukeon made all the same choices from his past and came close to destroying the attack.

They were able to prepare for this as they deployed their abilities with Unsa’s power, but that too was blocked.

‘It should’ve shown his future and then his fears. How come he saw through the illusion?’

Docheol quickly intervened and confronted Sung Gukeon.

The latter immediately recognized the presence and talked to Docheol.

It seemed like he was looking straight at them through the cracks, smiling.

‘We knew their plan of sending a Tiger Clan with the congressman, but how come…?!’

The events after were even more shocking.

Sung Gukeon captured Docheol and attacked, a huge power emanating from his eyes.

The power of those eyes seemed distant even to the experienced Docheol.

Docheol barely recalled Sung Gukeon’s abilities that he had researched in advance.

‘That’s right, the congressman has a superior being’s order. That’s why they say that his eyes have a special power! But what kind of superior being gives humans that much power…!”

Of course, the power that Jo Euishin used at that time wasn’t Sung Gukeon’s.

The Glare of Life and Death given to Jo Euishin by the gods of death was very different from that of Sung Gukeon’s order, but Docheol had no idea about this.

Without thinking too much, he was set on getting rid of those pesky eyes as soon as he could.

Docheol gathered Unsa’s power and aimed at Sung Gukeon’s eyes.

The latter was difficult to find among the clouds, but the great power from his eyes gave away his location.

Finally, Docheol managed to break one.

‘Only one eye is gone, and…’

The moment he pierced those eyes through Unsa’s power, Docheol felt as if he was being dragged into an abyss.

A feeling of freezing cold, anxiety, and fear washed over his entire body.

It felt like he stepped into a terrible quagmire.

Like he was on the verge of death.

Docheol lost all his strength as soon as Sung Gukeon’s eye closed.

Instead of continuing to attack, Docheol decided to run away.

‘I can’t believe I’m running away from a mere human… Just what kind of order is given by that superior being?’

Docheol was humiliated for choosing to flee, but it was a wise choice.

He received a warning as he dared to destroy the power granted by the gods of death.

It was a warning because only one eye was destroyed and he did it through Unsa’s power, but if he had destroyed both, Docheol would’ve been cursed by death.

Until the end, Docheol had no idea that Sung Gukeon was actually Jo Euishin.

Meanwhile, Jeon Muyeong was able to escape from the attack.

‘Not just them, but the floor master also collapsed. I thought that the Taoist can only use physical attacks…!’

Docheol checked the seals engraved on the furnace.

Some were still burning with flames, but others were reduced to ashes.

It meant that the other gardens connected to Unsa’s power were destroyed.

Although he knew things were going askew, Docheol had no intention of backing down.

‘I shattered one of those pesky eyes so he can’t use it anymore. Knowing that he was trying to find me, he wanted a fight rather than escape. That means there’s still a way.’

Docheol put his hand on the furnace and exuded energy waves.

The flames began to change as Docheol gritted his teeth, preparing a new plan.

* * *

Hwang Jiho had one condition during the strategy meeting, which had to do with the plan with Jeon Muyeong.

He wanted me to take him with me.

I was planning on taking someone as strong as possible to hide with the Time Without Shadows, but I never intended on taking Hwang Jiho.

‘But after thinking about it carefully, I realized it wouldn’t be that bad, so I agreed.’

Up until this moment, I kept the tiger’s involvement hidden as much as possible.

Hwang Jiho’s negligence led to many things going wrong before, but that prejudice made it easier to outwit our opponent.

I wanted the Black Screen to still perceive him as negligent as long as possible, and for the sake of Hwang Jiho’s safety, I refrained him from directly intervening.

But this case was different.

‘Since they figured out the Tiger Clan’s involvement, there’s no need to hide it any further. It’s not a bad idea to actively use Hwang Jiho. But of course, safety is the most important.’

The plan would’ve been different if the Black Screen hadn’t noticed the Tiger Clan’s participation and thought that they were targeting the real Sung Gukeon.

It would be enough to have Jeokho and Kim Shinrok hiding behind the red fog.

However, if the Black Screen finds out our tricks this time and targets me, Hwang Jiho’s pretense wouldn’t mean much anymore.

Since they already knew about the Tiger Clan, I judged that it would be okay to take Hwang Jiho this time.

I have some regrets though.

‘I said I’m okay, but he can clearly see that I’m injured.’

My left eye can’t feel anything but pain.

The wound was too deep to stop it from bleeding.

It may have healed a little if I used Kwak Gyungu’s light skill 100 Seconds of Grace, but I chose not to.

The opponent is under the impression that I am Sung Gukeon, and using a power that he can’t possibly have would blow my cover.

‘I have my reasons, but I can’t explain them. If the opponent thinks that I’m Sung Gukeon, they wouldn’t imagine that I’m trying to find Unsa. That would make it easier to get Unsa back.’

As I was unable to speak, Hwang Jiho moved.

His appearance was in his 20’s, much taller than the teenage version.

His long legs allowed him to get closer to me in just a few steps.

Hwang Jiho looked down at me.

Sung Gukeon was a tall guy, but Hwang Jiho right now was even taller.

For a few seconds, Hwang Jiho stared at the back of my hand that covered my left eye.

He said,

“I will look at your wounds. Put your hand down.”

I expected him to be angry or show some pity, perhaps even a little worried, but Hwang Jiho spoke as usual.

Feeling relieved, I thought of how Sung Gukeon would act.

He would probably give the same answer as I would.

“I’m okay.”

“Okay, you say?”

A golden light shimmered beyond Hwang Jiho’s eyes.

Hwang Jiho asked,

“Did you just say you’re okay?”

I contemplated how I should answer.

The consumption of my energy waves was severe and my left eye hadn’t stopped bleeding yet, but it’s not like I’m immobilized.

I answered objectively.

“The bleeding will stop soon. I can fight.”

“I’m not asking to see if you can fight.”

My answer seems to be wrong.

Hwang Jiho spoke somewhat harshly, but his next words were gentle as if he were soothing a child.

“You just suffered a psychic attack and serious injuries. I don’t want to nag you right now.”

Hwang Jiho said those words as he stared at my remaining right eye.

The golden light that shimmered fiercely beyond his eyes had become relatively calm.

There isn’t much age difference between the 20’s Hwang Jiho and the teenager one, and though his appearance isn’t much different either, he seemed much more like an adult.

“Let me at least see your wound.”

I couldn’t refute it anymore.

I slowly lowered my hand.

I couldn’t see anything with my left eye, which made me feel strange.

“…”

Hwang Jiho looked at the wound silently.

Jeon Muyeong, who was a few steps away, covered his mouth to hide his expression as he saw my wound.

Even if he knew that I was Jo Euishin, it wouldn’t have felt good since I’m still borrowing Sung Gukeon’s appearance.

Hwang Jiho examined my wound without taking his eyes off for a second.

Only after that did he move again.

Fwaaaa!

Hwang Jiho covered my left eye with his power.

As the golden energy waves covered my skin, the bleeding soon began to stop.

I once saw him do this to an injured Jeokho.

It seems like he can stop people from bleeding even if he doesn’t have healing abilities.

Perhaps it’s a consequence of having to fight numerous wars as the Tiger Clan.

The pain in my left eye seemed to have lessened.

If it’s because the bleeding had stopped or because the golden energy waves felt warm, I don’t know.

Swish.

Next, Hwang Jiho took off his necktie, exuded energy waves on it, and used it to cover my eye.

As he imprinted a boundary spell on the makeshift eye patch, Hwang Jiho said,

“This body can only stop the bleeding right now. I’m sorry.”

Why is Hwang Jiho apologizing when I should be thanking him?

I tried to say something, but Hwang Jiho continued as if to cut me off.

“I don’t think this happened because you couldn’t dodge the opponent’s attack. Your eyes are injured out of all things. The reason is probably…”

Hwang Jiho must’ve figured out that I was doing it in pursuit of my desperate search for Unsa.

I told this during the meeting so it wasn’t strange that he realized it right away.

“I know you won’t back down no matter how much I persuade you.”

That’s right.

I know where Unsa and the former head of the association are, but I can’t leave them alone like this.

And even if I wanted to escape on my own, that would be more dangerous.

It’s best to stay by his side now.

‘Hwang Jiho probably knows that too.’

He closed his eyes tightly for a moment.

Jeon Muyeong was behind him so he couldn’t have seen his face.

Everything disappeared from Hwang Jiho’s face when he opened his eyes.

Like a fighter suppressing his emotions before a fight.

“Let’s go. I’ll make them pay for the blood you shed.”