EX rank supporting role’s replay in a prestigious school - Chapter 851 - Boundary (4)

At the Tiger Mansion, the day Maeng Hyodon’s father caused a scene in front of Eungwang High.

The Black Screen tried to injure Maeng Hyodon before teachers’ day.

Jeokho confirmed the situation through a recording device and saw that the players that Maeng Hyodon’s father paid weren’t strong enough to kill Maeng Hyodon.

In other words, the Black Screen didn’t want Maeng Hyodon alive, but they didn’t want to kill him either.

‘There’s no way the Black Screen didn’t know that. They just wanted to seriously injure Maeng Hyodon. And I’m concerned about the timing of it being just ahead of the big plan to assassinate Sung Gukeon.’

With Maeng Hyodon’s attack added as a variable to the operation to prevent Sung Gukeon’s assassination, I had to reconsider and redeploy several plans.

“Maeng Hyodon will visit Tanrae Middle School on May 15th. Don’t let down your guard until that day passes.”

“Got it.”

Hwang Jiho agreed without discussion, but watching Maeng Hyodon wasn’t enough.

“The guards deployed to keep an eye on Maeng Hyodon have to be a bit sloppy. They have to be found out as Hwangmyeong Foundation affiliates with just a little research.”

“So it’s not just about protecting Maeng Hyodon.”

“Yeah, the real plan is different. I’m going to ask Professor Ham for help.”

Professor Ham Geunhyung, a powerful person who knows Maeng Hyodon’s situation and sincerely wants to protect him.

“But the Tiger Clan can protect him, even without Ham Geunhyung’s participation.”

“It will be suspicious if we don’t do anything. Same goes if there aren’t any loopholes in the plan, it will just make them vigilant. I want to keep Maeng Hyodon safe while finding out what comes out from the other side.”

“I think you already have a guess, Euishin hyung.”

Eunho wanted to hear my thoughts, but Hwang Jiho stopped him.

Hwang Jiho’s eyes sparkled as he tried to guess what I had found out.

“You want to keep an eye on Maeng Hyodon until he visits Tanrae Middle School. Is it because Sung Gukeon previously uncovered the corruption in the schools around that area? It must’ve been quite some time though.”

Hwang Jiho linked Sung Gukeon’s assassination with the situation, but there was something missing.

It would be difficult for him to guess since he doesn’t know much about Maeng Hyodon’s situation, his relationships, and the circumstances surrounding him.

I said my thoughts.

“Maeng Hyodon’s middle school teacher must’ve discovered something. Even the Black Screen would’ve noticed it. To know for sure what it is, we’ll have to wait for that day and watch the situation.”

The tigers were puzzled by the sudden mention of the middle school teacher.

Jeokho asked first.

“If you’re talking about his middle school teacher, then isn’t it someone without special abilities? There’s no way that cruel and ruthless piece of trash would spare a human who discovered something important.”

Jeokho was right.

If things played out like they intuitively would, the middle school teacher would’ve fallen into the hands of the mastermind.

But at this point, there was a reason why the Black Screen couldn’t just kill the middle school teacher.

“The Black Screen wants to kill him, of course. But if they did that too early, two players will be on the move to catch the Black Screen, so they will postpone that plan.”

“Two?”

“One is Maeng Hyodon, and the other is Sung Gukeon sunbaenim.”

There’s no way Maeng Hyodon would sit still if that teacher died.

The death of a loved one prompts investigation as to how they died, and in order for Maeng Hyodon to accept his teacher’s death, he’d have to figure out if it was an accident or deliberate.

Maeng Hyodon’s instincts would tell him that there was something wrong, and he’s someone who has access to lots of people who could help him.

“Maeng Hyodon is just a student, but he has connections with many people from Eungwang High, including Professor Tak Geosan. Even if the Black Screen kills the teacher in the guise of an accident, Maeng Hyodon would surely find out and he’d have a lot of help behind him.”

In that case, the teacher’s death would create a bigger door for secrets to be revealed than buried.

It’s also possible that Sung Gukeon would act.

“Sung Gukeon sunbaenim uncovered the corruption related to Tanrae Middle School last year. Since then, they’ve been periodically requesting personnel and accounting data from  Tanrae and nearby schools. If the teacher dies, Sung Gukeon sunbaenim would surely find out.”

No matter how clever a design is, it will be difficult to fool Sung Gukeon.

Hwang Jiho narrowed his eyebrows and frowned.

“So the purpose of attacking Maeng Hyodon is…”

“They want him useless so he can’t contact his teacher. If Maeng Hyodon was seriously injured, his mind wouldn’t go to his teacher. With enough time, they could cover up his teacher’s murder.”

Maeng Hyodon already made plans to meet his teacher on Teachers’ Day.

The teacher’s words consistently fell upon deaf ears, but Maeng Hyodon and Tak Geosan would surely listen.

The Black Screen has to eliminate Maeng Hyodon, Sung Gukeon, and the teacher in that exact order, but since their plans are all messed up, I’m sure they’ll try to get rid of them all at once.

There would be chaos if Sung Gukeon, Maeng Hyodon, and Tak Geosan were to die or go missing, and the case of an ordinary middle school teacher would be buried.

“Let’s move Cheon Dongha sunbaenim. Instead of looking around Eungwang District, I’ll ask him to look at Tanrae Middle School.”

“Didn’t you say they will transfer those three? Cheon Dongha would see through it.”

“If my guess is right, then yes, there will be a transfer at Tanrae Middle School too.”

Since the Black Screen has to deal with tough players, they’ll try to transfer them into a garden too.

But even without a transfer, an attack will definitely occur.

‘If Maeng Hyodon’s party gets transferred, then the Fomorian demons will have more work to do.’

I tried to organize my thoughts on how to use the Fomorians.

“I want to have Cheon Dongha sunbaenim check the entire process with his eyes. I need to know where and what problems occur and who is taking action.”

“Then we need to decide who will be watching Eungwang District. It will be easier to move if we know when they will turn their eyes away from the area.”

Jeokho’s concern was easy enough to answer.

Although Cheon Dongha can do that task thanks to his wide field of vision, we have someone else who’s sensitive to watching eyes.

Yong Jegun.

“I want to ask Professor Yong Jegun to patrol Eungwang District instead.”

“…Yong Jegun would love it. He was pestering Kim Shinrok and begging to join the operation.”

“I feel reassured that my son’s friend will be added to this plan.”

No one from the tigers opposed the idea, but they didn’t exactly welcome it.

Except for Jeokho, that is.

The tigers’ reactions made me worry.

‘There’s another royal lineage that I need to call other than Yong Jegun.’

And I’m sure that royal lineage would be less welcome.

Still, I definitely want her help because our success rate would greatly increase with her presence.

And we have to cooperate with her for future scenarios too anyway.

“Please speak, Euishin hyung.”

Eunho spoke softly.

“I want to call Heukma, the head of the Horse Clan.”

As expected, the tigers weren’t very pleased.

Although they’re on friendly terms with the Horse Clan, they don’t trust them enough to lend a helping hand in the important operation to rescue Unsa.

Thankfully, with the explanation of the plan that I had in mind, I was able to convince them.

“Alright, Jo Euishin.”

Hwang JIho was the first to accept, followed by the other tigers.

“If Heukma’s help would make this operation safer, then I agree.”

* * *

Inside the garden, after joining hands with Hwang Jiho.

Despite the injuries, things were still going as planned.

Hwang Jiho, Jeon Muyeong, and I were heading to where Unsa was.

I continued to give directions while Hwang Jiho took the lead.

“This way.”

“It looks blocked at first glance…”

Jeon Muyeong said as he looked in the direction where I pointed, an area obscured by clouds and fog.

The structure of the garden was complex, and the concentration of energy waves was increasing.

We’d be lost if we let down our guard even for a little bit.

Regardless, the location revealed to me by the Glare of Life and Death was deeply engraved in my mind.

‘I know Unsa is powerful, but the amount of energy waves in here is too much. It must be related to the secret that the Black Screen is trying to hide. The enemies in the garden must be quite strong. I wonder if Maeng Hyodon is okay.’

Once Heukma traces Maeng Hyodon’s location, Professor Ham would be able to save him.

‘Heukma must’ve secured Maeng Hyodon’s location and moved on to the next target. I left traces when I found the body of the former head of the association…’

Heukma’s powers are deeply related to life and death.

I heard that when she captured and tortured a Demon Race priest, Heukma held her at the boundary between life and death.

Heukma would be able to find the body of the former head of the association on her own, so I merely assisted by leaving traces that she could track.

I no longer had to worry about retrieving the former head of the association.

The problem was still on Maeng Hyodon’s side.

‘Is there some other reason why the Black Screen is after Maeng Hyodon? Maybe it has something to do with the secret that his teacher discovered.’

While I was so absorbed in my thoughts, Hwang Jiho spoke to me.

“Is there something bothering you?”

“…Yes.”

For a moment, I almost forgot that I was impersonating Sung Gukeon and almost responded to Hwang Jiho with “Yeah.”

Hwang Jiho’s next words brought me back to my senses.

“Joo Soohyuk of the Joo-Oh Group and his secretary Kim Chul entered the garden.”

Joo Soohyuk? How did he…?

Did he follow Maeng Hyodon?

No, Maeng Hyodon would’ve noticed if he was being followed.

“He must’ve followed Ham Geunhyung and jumped in.”

Why did Joo Soohyuk follow Ham Geunhyung?

“Joo Soohyuk is a smart student. He seems to have identified Ham Geunhyung while tracking down the person who will move to protect Maeng Hyodon.”

Joo Soohyuk’s situation in PMH was far from this reality.

Despite that, he fought keenly and dug into the Black Screen’s secrets.

Knowing how persevering he is, it wouldn’t have been strange for him to do what he did now.

‘I should’ve anticipated that Joo Soohyuk would come!’

What can I do now to ensure Joo Soohyuk’s safety?

While I was puzzled over what to do, Hwang Jiho said,

“That kid is strong. He knows how to take care of himself. Don’t worry.”

Hwang Jiho probably just wanted to ease my worries, but his words held conviction.

After walking for a long time, we finally arrived at our destination.

Beyond this door lies Unsa.