I Teleported Into the Academy of a S*xy Game

Social Gathering (2)

Saturday.

I headed to the party venue to join, and I bumped into Baek Ahyeong right away. I expected her to be all dressed up for the party, but she was in her usual work attire.

Well, it’s a suit, so it still looked pretty sharp. Plus, she always looks good, so going to the party like this doesn’t seem odd at all.

“Wow, there’s quite a crowd here.”

“Yeah, parties are usually like this, but this time it’s even crazier.”

We positioned ourselves slightly away from the main hall. In front of the venue, there were hordes of people and journalists who came to catch a glimpse of celebrities.

I get wanting to see celebs, but it’s pretty surprising to see this many people.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

“Let’s take a detour that way.” Ahyeong pointed towards the back door of the party venue.

“The main entrance is a bit chaotic because of the journalists. We’ll be bombarded with interview requests and loads of photos.”

“So what?”

Someone who spread rumors about us dating to get attention a few days ago is now saying she doesn’t like the attention. What’s up with that?

I grabbed Ahyeong’s hand and marched towards the main entrance.

“N-no! We’ll be caught on camera!”

“You gave vague answers in the interview, making it awkward, and then disappeared. Ahyeong, it’s time to be on the other side of the situation.”

“T-That was just a mistake…”

With Ahyeong, whose voice was gradually fading, I made my way to the main entrance.

Click! Click!

I heard the shutter sounds from the main entrance, and I saw the entrance where celebrities were arriving.

“Hey, it’s the Saint and Lee Hoyeon!”

“Oh, they actually came together!”

Some eagle-eyed folks had already spotted us. Ahyeong, realizing retreat was futile, lowered her head.

“Let’s go, Miss Ahyeong.”

“T-Th

It’s kind of cute to suddenly pull away in a crowded place. After a wry smile, I took her arm and walked through the crowd of journalists.

There were reporters taking pictures of us, shouting questions, and even a reporter holding a microphone directly in front of me.

“Lee Hoyeon! Just a quick word, please! What’s your relationship with the Saint? Are you two really a couple?”

“This is your first official appearance together. Can we get a quick interview?”

It’s pure chaos.

Considering other heroines, I couldn’t outright confirm dating Ahyeong, but tagging along with her meant I couldn’t deny it either.

Let’s just smoothly navigate through this.

“Strike a pose for the photos.”

“Sure…”

“Don’t be nervous.”

“How are you so calm? This is your first time dealing with this too.”

Ahyeong seemed intrigued by my composure. Thanks to my [Clear Mental Strength], I can relax even in a crowd.

“Well, that’s just how it is.”

“Sigh…”

Holding Ahyeong’s nervous hand, we headed towards the entrance. Right before entering, we turned around to strike a pose. Might as well make it look good if we’re going to be in the headlines.

It’s photo time.

“Ugh, blinding.”

After enduring the burst of flashes, we entered the party venue.

“Baek Ahyeong and one guest. Entry confirmed. Please enjoy the party.”

We were guided further in after handing Ahyeong’s invitation to the association staff waiting inside.

The party is already underway. In reality, despite being called a party, it’s just a social gathering for drinking and chatting. It’s a bit more formal, that’s all.

As soon as we entered, all eyes turned our way.

“Uh…”

I felt Ahyeong’s body tense, so I nudged her side, “I told you not to be nervous.”

Since the party is hosted by the association, some of Ahyeong’s former colleagues are present.

“Ahyeong~” A voice completely mismatched with the formal setting reached us. It was Min Yeji.

“Yeji… You’re here too.”

“Naturally. Ahyeong… and…” Yeji’s gaze shifted my way. Her cat-like smile was charming, but it did feel a bit awkward.

“Oh, Lee Hoyeon is here. Nice to meet you. First time properly greeting you, right?”

“Hello. I should have greeted you earlier; my bad.”

In her own way, Min Yeji played the welcoming host. Sure, she probably had her motives, but gratitude is gratitude. Thanks to her, others who were on the fence started approaching us.

“Miss Ahyeong, it’s been a while. How’s the academy treating you?”

“Well… the academy isn’t bad. Of course, the association was good too.” Ahyeong started chatting with people she knew.

“Hoyeon.”

“…?” Responding to my name, I spotted the flowing platinum hair. It was Moon Soorin, donned in a neat dress.

“Soorin Noona! Seeing you here feels quite refreshing.”

“Yeah, I didn’t expect to see you here either.”

In Moon Soorin’s direction, there were several young men. It seemed like they had just had a conversation.

“Those people are…?”

“Ah, don’t bother about them. They’re just people I met here, hoping to be my partner.”

“Oh, you’re so popular, indeed.”

To the guys behind, holding their glasses and looking our way, I flashed a winning smile.

“Hehe, thanks.”

I also raised a glass and enjoyed the party while chatting with Moon Soorin. Even though I don’t drink alcohol, everyone else was holding a glass, so I felt like I should join in the atmosphere.

“Hello, Nurse Ah—no, Miss Baek Ahyeong.”

“Oh… Hello, Miss Moon Soorin.”

Soorin greeted Ahyeong. The two had formed a connection during the last dungeon practice. It was Moon Soorin who first discovered us when the dungeon went wild.

“Since you became the academy nurse, it’s the first time we’ve had a proper conversation here.”

“Indeed. I’m always grateful to Miss Moon Soorin. I heard you spoke well of me.”

The atmosphere of their conversation was pleasant. Working in the same place, it was only natural.

“Yes, but I never expected this to be the reason.” Moon Soorin chuckled, alternating her gaze between Ahyeong and me.

Wasn’t the atmosphere nice…? Uh, let’s keep it that way.

“A-Ah… it’s not like that…”

“Haha… still, spreading misinformation can be tiresome for us. Please be cautious.”

“Mi-Misinformation…” Ahyeong couldn’t continue her sentence and looked at me.

No, what can I do if she looks at me like that?

“Oh my, could what I heard be different from the truth? Hoyeon?”

“To say… it’s misinformation might be a stretch. I didn’t outright say we were dating. It was just a bit misleading.”

Hearing my words, Ahyeong looked disappointed. But I can’t say we’re dating here. What if she gets disappointed?

★ Heroine Status

[Baek Ahyeong]

[Affection: 97] (+ 0.8)

[Lust: 82]

[Appetite: 30]

[Fatigue: 65]

Current Status: Spreading misinformation… even though he’s my darling…

Sorry, Ahyeong.

Soorin didn’t continue with a more aggressive conversation. After that, the conversation turned into everyday and peaceful talk. In reality, I don’t know how it actually was, but it felt that way to me.

Anyway, while chatting, I looked around to see if there might be someone helpful to me. I recognized a few familiar faces, like the Class A’s extra character, Do Jinhyuk, and Kim Hyundo, Magic Research Club’s leader.

Those bastards are here too.

There was so much going on that I had forgotten about them. Whenever those guys met my eyes, they scowled and looked away. Well, I’ve grown too much for them to do anything now.

***

“Huff

Shin Dongmin maliciously observed the footage captured by his subordinates’ concealed cameras in the party venue.

Squirm-squish!

An insidious transformation was corrupting his body—the malevolent fusion of demon essence with manastones. Entangled with the Pandemic, Shin Dongmin, now on the path of demonic power, had relinquished control over his own form.

Twisting and writhing.

“It’s still… It’s still bearable.”

Oblivious to his deteriorating state, he continued to fixate on the screen. The scene of Moon Soorin and Lee Hoyeon conversing and laughing only intensified his fury.

It should have been me! I should have been the centerpiece of this gathering, with Moon Soorin by my side!

“Lee Hoyeon… and even Baek Ahyeong.”

Shin Dongmin narrowed his eyes, issuing commands to the demonis of the Pandemic lurking behind him.

“Initiate in two hours.”

“Yes. I will deliver the message to Miss Rebecca.”

The demonic prowess of the Pandemic was undeniably formidable. With sufficient funding, they could execute any scheme. This time, the promise was a maleficent barrier enveloping the entire party venue.

His father’s resources were nearly depleted, but that mattered little. After this reign of terror, Lee Hoyeon would plunge into the abyss as well.

Shin Dongmin grinned, contorting the corners of his mouth, “There’s not much time left. Let’s see if that smile persists in two hours…”