Chapter 293

(293)

School is a Legion (1)

Kang Shin-hyuk suffered from the complication of Janus's appearance and Shin Eunah's disappearance, but in fact, the crisis hadn't come only to him. On that day, not only Shinyoung and the Korean Superhuman Association HQ, but also superhumans around the world were attacked by Jormungand. Jormungand had devoted all its energy to bombing superhuman training institutions and associations around the world. The damage was the worst it had ever been. [Heroes] from the United States, one of the world's top three educational institutions, was destroyed, and associations around the world lost nearly 30% of their superhumans.

The Korean Superhuman Association, in particular, had been blown away by a huge magical explosion inside the HQ. Shin Eunah's biological parents, who were among those detained by the association, were being pointed at as the main offenders, but the dead couldn't hold blame. Their daughter, Shin Eunah, was known to have been blown up while protecting everyone from the terrorist attack that took place in Shinyoung, so it had ended there.

Due to the destruction of their association HQ, Korea, the strongest superhuman country in the past few years, had lost much of their force at once. Compared to other countries, the blow to them had been more severe. Fortunately, Shinyoung, who held the talented people responsible for Korea's future, suffered relatively little damage.

Shin Eun-hyuk, who had revealed his identity as Kang Shin-hyuk, with the Thunder Empress's sacrifice had protected them. Of course, just because the students were alive didn't mean it was possible to conduct normal classes. They were forbidden from leaving the dormitory, and everyone was gathering together to discuss what to do going forward.

What was Kang Shin-hyuk doing in the midst of that?

"I hope the tea suits your taste."

"...Yes, what?"

He had interviews with the school principal and the other teachers. The principal and vice-principal, as well as the third-year manager and the second-year manager, his homeroom teacher Ji Min-hye, and even Siara Bertrand, were all there. Meanwhile, the person sitting next to Kang Shin-hyuk was, of course, Claire. The loss of a precious person remained for both of them, but she was admirably hiding her feelings.

"So... I hope you can get to the main point."

However, Kang Shin-hyuk had heard from Tsukuyo earlier, so it was impossible to pretend to be calm. The principal flinched away at his cold tone and exchanged glances with the teachers around him. Then, for some reason, he stared at Ji Min-hye, who noticed that the principal was asking her to speak.

"Shin-hyuk... No, we have something we would like to request from the Death Puppeteer, Shin Eun-hyuk formally."

"Am I expelled from school? I've tricked you in many ways so far..."

Honestly, it didn't matter if he was. The only reason he was planning to graduate was to get the name of a superhuman officially. But now that Shin Eunah had vanished and he had learned some of the secrets of the Hero Universe and Jormungand, he felt foolish for obsessing over titles and status. The title of a superhuman was meaningless. Wasn't that what Shin Eun-hyuk had been created for?

"No, no, not that!"

However, at that, Ji Min-hye and the others jumped up and shook their hands. Their feelings were so clearly revealed that laughter came out of him.

"I'll tell you straight, so there are no misunderstandings."

"Yeah."

"We want you to be a battle instructor for Shinyoung's students."

"Battle instructor..."

Kang Shin-hyuk frowned at the cold impression the words left. Shinyoung cultivated superhumans who would be active in the future, but it was still a school. They had students, not soldiers. However, what she said now reminded him of the latter.

"Are students entering the gates like last year?"

"Last year, we had the chance to select and put them only in safe places in advance."

Of course, except for extremely special cases like Kang Shin-hyuk and Baek In-ha, most students were put into gates that matched their combat ability or were at a level somewhat lower than them.

"But now that has changed, right? Shinyoung can no longer remain an educational institution."

"Then what kind of military facility will it be?"

"If I say it privately, yes."

Shin Yun-hak, the principal, responded.

"It's very unfortunate, but we can't wait for the future of our students anymore. That is what we are asking for. Not only for Korea but the world that is in this situation."

"Ha."

He had been in the gym during the attack, and he had lost his left arm while defending the students, despite having withdrawn from active duty a long time ago. Among the teachers, quite a few had lost their lives in the defense, so it was rather lucky that he had only lost an arm. Of course, he had watched Kang Shin-hyuk tear through SSS-ranked monsters like they were pieces of paper and confront Janus. However, the biggest reason he respected Kang Shin-hyuk wasn't for that strength...

"I heard the story."

"What are you talking about?"

"They say you're teaching Oh Hye-na, a freshman student."

"..."

"We were also paying attention to her rapid growth. I just never thought that would be related to you. It turned out to be simple. Not only her, but most of the people associated with you grew fast."

Yes, he thought it might be spotted someday. To put it plainly, he could induce growth by giving Do Woojin an occasional buff, so it was no exaggeration to say that most people close to him had benefited from his trait. It would be odder if the school didn't notice it. As Kang Shin-hyuk nodded, Ji Min-hye chimed in.

"I don't intend to deepen my own abilities. However, I would like to use that ability a little for the students. Please. Most of the students will die if they are pushed to the front lines like this. You know that."

"That's why an instructor."

Certainly, if they wanted to use his abilities properly, the title of the instructor was suitable. Of course, it was unreasonable to apply a 24-hour buff to all students as he did those close to him, but it wouldn't be difficult to promote their growth for a shorter period of time. But...Kang Shin-hyuk gently bit his lip, remembering Tsukuyo's words. He wondered if what she said would come true like this.

"If possible, I would like to ask for weapons the students will use. Oh, of course, I'll pay any price! I'll have Mr. Lee Manwoo discuss that part."

"These are the conditions we've devised, so will you examine it? You will probably be the first beneficiary of the new superhuman law special provisions."

While Kang Shin-hyuk was immersed in thought, Claire took the document on his behalf and scrutinized it.

"With this, you'll recognize Shin-hyuk as an official superhuman. However, in this case, it would be okay to think of Shinyoung as his guild. Are the teachers really okay with that?"

"Oh, that..."

"For the safety of the students, it doesn't matter what others see it as. In fact, for the next few years, or maybe even decades, normal superhuman education will become impossible, so if Shinyoung remains until then, it would be a good idea."

"Okay... There's nothing bad here for Shin-hyuk."

Naturally, the people around them smiled bitterly as she represented Kang Shin-hyuk. If anyone else saw it, they might think she was his guardian, but in reality, the two were in love.

"Shin-hyuk, what would you like to do?"

Claire, having read the provisions and thought it over, looked back at Kang Shin-hyuk as she asked that. Kang Shin-hyuk realized that she wished to accept this offer.

"I think your thoughts are set."

"If you do, I'll be there to help. Still, it's impossible to run a bar in this situation."

"...Okay."

If Kang Shin-hyuk could strengthen the students and provided them with weapons, the school would become an army. Surely, the students would become stronger (maybe more than the teachers thought) and would be able to fight against Jormungand, but then Tsukuyo's words would become a reality. If Kang Shin-hyuk didn't control it, their power would only grow...

"Is it a leap?"

"Huh?"

"No, no."

Kang Shin-hyuk shook off Tsukuyo's words that remained in his mind to harass him. They weren't only a possibility but also a suggestion to him, who wanted to get rid of Jormungand.

"Okay, I will."

"Ah!"

Finally, the teachers' faces brightened as he nodded.

"But I need plenty of holidays. I would also like to discuss discretion."

"We'll give in to your will as much as we can."

"It'll make us strong, but can you accept any conditions?"

He was surprised by the respectful attitude of the principal and Ji Min-hye.

"...Us?"

"Okay."

When Kang Shin-hyuk narrowed his eyes, Siara Bertrand was the one to respond.

"Actually, we wanted to ask you to help not only the students but also the teachers who will be on the frontlines."

"No... What?"

"Shinyoung's future is as a community. We don't want to differentiate between students and teachers and teach all equally... It's all the same to us to be strong."

Kang Shin-hyuk grew agitated as he realized all the teachers gathered there were looking at him seriously. Yes, of course, his ability could strengthen them too, no, really...?

"Please take care from now on, instructor."

"Please believe in instructor Kang Shin-hyuk!"

"They're all acting like big kids."

Claire sighed and mumbled as Kang Shin-hyuk watched blankly.

It was the moment that he took off his mask and was promoted to an official superhuman.