The EX-Class Extra of the Academy

Chapter 100 : Chapter 100

Chapter 100: Flowers Blooming in the Mud (2)

The impact of my words was significant.

Next to me, Ju Ha-yeon and Oh Jin-eon wore expressions that asked if I had gone insane.

In front of me, Baek Ha-seong sent an intrigued look my way.

Among us, the first to speak was Baek Ha-seong.

"Ho. You are asking for mercy?"

"Yes."

"Why should I do that? I am a villain."

As expected, he accurately understood his own position.

Since he had come here in the capacity of a villain, he likely had no intention of showing a friendly side easily.

'It is only natural.'

I had said that Baek Ha-seong was not a bad person, but I never said he was a purely kind one.

He simply does not enjoy mindless killing; he is not someone who blindly shouts for justice.

'That is why even if he is not good, he chooses the easier path.'

Had I not mentioned it?

He is currently in the position of a villain.

That means the gaze directed toward him could never be favorable in the first place.

Whatever the original reason was, based on the information known to the world, he was a villain.

In short, no matter what we said to Baek Ha-seong, he was bound to misinterpret it.

Therefore, rather than acting friendly and trying to clear up misunderstandings.

It was easier for him to force others into submission and make them listen.

'I cannot blame him for that.'

I would have done the same if I were in his position.

Suppose I were in a situation where the opponent was certain to interpret whatever I said cynically.

In that situation, if there were a path easier than persuasion?

I would obviously choose that path.

'So, I must answer well.'

As I just explained, Baek Ha-seong is a man of deep-seated shrewdness.

Would a person like that ask why a villain should show mercy for no reason?

Through that seemingly light question, he was trying to make a judgment.

Whether to treat me cordially or to crush me with force.

'In that case...'

The answer I had to give was already decided.

I had to show that I held no animosity and that I wanted to resolve the situation through dialogue.

However, I could not answer too bluntly.

Ju Ha-yeon and Oh Jin-eon were right next to me; I could not just blurt out something like, "I am on your side."

In short, I had to speak in a roundabout way so the two would not notice.

While simultaneously ensuring that Baek Ha-seong could fully understand my meaning.

'Of course, I already know what to say.'

Baek Ha-seong does not know, but I know him well.

Since he was one of the characters I liked while reading the novel, I had always followed his story with interest.

Simply put, I already knew exactly which words he would react to.

With that confidence, I opened my mouth toward Baek Ha-seong.

"I would be grateful if you could do so."

"You and I are enemies. Why should I listen to your request?"

"Because of the truth."

At my confident voice, Baek Ha-seong continued to stare at me with a peaceful face, as if daring me to go on.

However, with my following words, the sense of peace vanished from his face.

"Because even if one is buried in the mud, it does not mean their essence becomes tainted."

Did a fissure appear in Baek Ha-seong's expression because it was a cringeworthy remark?

No, absolutely not.

He was not the type of person to show such a reaction over something like that.

The reason Baek Ha-seong showed such a dramatic reaction was simple.

'Because those were the words that woman said.'

The woman Baek Ha-seong loved.

The person who was the decisive reason why Baek Ha-seong became known as the Irregular.

She had once said this to him:

'You are a flower blooming in the mud.'

Those were words that spoke of Baek Ha-seong's essence.

It meant that even within the elitist Baek Family, Baek Ha-seong was the only one who possessed the correct values.

Since Baek Ha-seong was also a member of the Baek Family, it was a remark that could have been considered rude.

'But Baek Ha-seong loved those words.'

To the point that he had carried them in his heart his entire life.

So, it would surely be effective.

And my thought was proven true before long.

"...Haha! Even if one is buried, the essence does not become tainted. It has been a long time since I laughed like this."

"..."

"I did not quite understand at first, but now I think I know where that interest came from."

Baek Ha-seong laughed joyfully at the words I uttered.

I had expected a positive reaction, but even for me, this was quite surprising.

Just as Baek Ha-seong had said, he was not exactly the type to laugh easily.

'Well, I suppose this is a good thing.'

In any case, it is not bad.

Is it not a testament to how effective my words were?

As if to confirm that fact, Baek Ha-seong, who had been laughing for a moment, soon stopped and nodded toward me.

"Very well. I shall show mercy as you requested."

"Is that true?"

"Yes. It seems that would be better in many ways."

At those words, I could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Though it had diverged from the original plan, I had at least secured the best possible situation for now.

However, not everyone here agreed with this situation.

"Are you truly insane...!?"

Ju Ha-yeon, whose previous trembling was nowhere to be seen, sent a sharp remark my way.

She probably thought she was lowering her voice, but it was quite loud.

Baek Ha-seong was also subtly casting a glance in our direction.

"Why are you reacting like this?"

"Do you really think you can handle that man alone?"

Hmm, looking at her now, I suppose it was not purely a sharp remark.

I could feel the worry contained in her voice.

Considering the short amount of time since we started speaking comfortably, it was something to be very grateful for.

'But for now, it is an unnecessary concern.'

Therefore, though I felt sorry, I had no choice but to speak to her in a firm tone.

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

"That is..."

"Are you suggesting the three of us try to attack him? Are you serious?"

At my words, Ju Ha-yeon, who had been speaking loudly until a moment ago, immediately shut her mouth.

She likely knew as well.

That the opponent before us was someone we could never defeat even if the three of us attacked.

'Forget the three of us; even if every cadet here attacked, it is certain we would lose.'

The difference in level was that severe.

To use an analogy with fantasy mages, we were mages of the third or fourth circle.

And Baek Ha-seong felt like an 8th-Circle Archmage.

"How is that any different from saying we should all die?"

"..."

"Make a rational choice. Do not be swayed by your emotions."

Ju Ha-yeon is the epitome of rationality, yet here I was saying such a thing to her.

It was a bit of a funny situation, but what else could I do?

Ju Ha-yeon is still just a seventeen-year-old first-year cadet.

'So, she is likely still lacking in this regard.'

It will be different in the future, but not right now.

Therefore, regardless of my guilt, I had to speak firmly.

Being a player was a profession where each and every judgment like this was directly linked to one's life.

Fortunately, though...

'It seems she understood immediately.'

Perhaps it was a relief that the one next to me right now was Ju Ha-yeon.

If it had been Kim Su-hyeok, he would have surely been stubborn and insisted on not leaving me behind.

While thinking that, I focused on Ju Ha-yeon and continued.

"This is the best we can do for now. You know that, do you not?"

"..."

"He is an opponent we cannot beat even if every cadet here attacked together. In that case, it is better for only me to be held back while you two go and help the others."

"But we cannot conclude that he is the only enemy of that caliber, can we?"

Hmm...

There should be no one else of that caliber here except for Baek Ha-seong.

However, it was difficult to refute her.

What Ju Ha-yeon said was a reasonable inference, and even if I said otherwise, I had no evidence.

But the answer to this situation came from an unexpected source.

"Ah, you do not have to worry about that. The rest are at a level you can reasonably handle."

Baek Ha-seong, who had been listening to our conversation, subtly cut in to add a word.

Ju Ha-yeon looked displeased at his intrusion, but she did not let it show.

It was a good judgment.

There was no need to provoke him for no reason.

However, the conclusion was a bit disappointing.

"...What do you mean by that?"

"Exactly what I said. There are no other enemies at my level."

"..."

"It seems you do not believe me. Well, it would be strange to easily believe the words of a villain. However..."

Baek Ha-seong trailed off slightly before continuing in a dry voice.

"What are you going to do if you do not believe me?"

A chilling warning came from Baek Ha-seong.

And it was not just mere words.

"Guh...!"

Suddenly, mana began to press down on our entire bodies.

It was the same Intimidation that Ryu Jin-seong had shown before.

However.

'Damn it, what is this...!'

It was on a completely different level from what Ryu Jin-seong had shown.

If Ryu Jin-seong's Intimidation had been a test, what I was feeling now was real combat, where I could feel only the will to crush us.

Baek Ha-seong continued to speak even as he sent that Intimidation toward us.

"Whatever you choose is your freedom. I respect that enough."

"..."

"However, you should keep in mind that every choice comes with a responsibility."

Every choice comes with a responsibility.

It was a phrase one heard often in daily life.

However, no one here simply let it go in one ear and out the other.

The Intimidation Baek Ha-seong was emitting was that immense.

Fortunately, though...

"I suppose you have understood by now?"

His warning ended sooner than expected.

As soon as the crushing Intimidation ceased, the sound of suppressed breathing burst out from beside me.

"Haaah..."

"Pant, haaah...!"

"I did not exactly mean to torment you, but the situation turned out a bit strange."

Baek Ha-seong spoke to us that way.

We had struggled desperately to endure it, yet he called it mere torment.

However, I knew those words were the truth rather than an exaggeration.

Therefore, I could not help but let out a hollow laugh internally.

"Whew..."

But there was no time to just laugh to myself.

Time was continuing to flow even now.

Thus, I spoke to Oh Jin-eon and Ju Ha-yeon, who were breathing heavily next to me.

"I told you. He is an opponent we can never win against. So, go now."

"..."

"In this situation, the right decision is to go and help Kim Su-hyeok's group."

"B-but..."

Oh Jin-eon hesitated until the end at my words.

And Ju Ha-yeon was still contemplating, perhaps because she had not yet reached a clear judgment.

Should I be happy that they are loyal?

Or should I be angry that they are being foolish?

'...At the very least, I cannot be angry.'

Are they not acting this way because they are thinking of me?

I could not be angry.

I was not such a bastard as to get angry at friends and heroes who were worrying about me.

So, I had no choice but to persuade them with the best words possible.

"Ju Ha-yeon."

"...Yes."

"You know it too, do you not? If Baek Ha-seong had intended to, we would all be dead by now."

"...I suppose so."

"So, you can go without worrying."

Ju Ha-yeon pondered my words for a moment before speaking.

"Will you be okay?"

Has she finally made up her mind?

What a relief.

I was worried about what I would do if she refused even this.

"I am fine. I have no intention of dying here."

At my words, Ju Ha-yeon hesitated briefly but eventually nodded.

"I understand."

"A good judgment. Now you sound like yourself."

"...I have barely spoken to you, so how well do you think you know me?"

Well, I probably know you better than anyone except yourself.

Since I have read every detail of your monologues and such.

However, since I could not say that, I moderately changed the subject.

Of course, I did not just say something useless.

"After you meet with the others..."

Now that I could no longer go to the scene.

I had to briefly explain the plan I had in mind.

That they must gather the others and fight with Kim Su-hyeok at the lead.

And that they must absolutely gather at the exact center of the island.

'That way, we can bring in all the cadets who were eliminated.'

Normally, I would have moved there while making an appropriate excuse.

Since I could no longer do that, I had to push forward even if the reason was lacking.

Fortunately, Ju Ha-yeon accepted it without refuting.

"I do not know why, but I understand. I will do as you say."

With that, the brief conversation ended.

Expressing my gratitude to Baek Ha-seong for giving us time to speak, I finally sent the two of them away.

Although their glances backward until the very end weighed on me slightly.

'They should be fine.'

They are not the type to ruin things while worrying about me.

So, now I had to focus entirely on my own task.

Yes. On an important task where even a moment's lapse in attention should not be permitted.

"Finally, it is just the two of us. Are they precious friends?"

"I am not sure. I do not know about them, but for now, I am someone who could even give my life for them."

"I see. That is an enviable relationship."

Baek Ha-seong spoke as he slowly approached me, who was left alone.

Finally, the tragic man who had no choice but to become a villain.

The spine-chilling one-on-one confrontation with the Irregular, Baek Ha-seong, had begun.