Villain Hides His True Colors

It had been a week since I entered the institute.

And thanks to my hard work, I had achieved top scores in all subjects.

The total was 11.

At this point where no proper tests have even been administered yet, it could be said that I had already gained an overwhelming gap over the other trainees.

[Keuh…As expected of Noah!]

[What do you mean?! This was natural for Noah!]

The others had raised their thumbs up in a fuss about my grades, but honestly, such compliments didn’t mean much to me.

It was only natural for me to achieve first place among these people anyway.

More than that, there was something else I cared about right now.

Hehe…I had already collected this much.

[ 3x Random Box (Low). ]

I had just diligently participated in the classes, but I couldn’t believe I had gotten three random boxes. Was this what it meant to shoot a fish in a barrel?

However, if there was one thing I was disappointed about, it was that I was scarcely missing a top score needed for the next reward.

[ Achieve top score in three evaluations (2/3). ]

Ah, if I could have just one more point, I would have neatly gotten four boxes.

Top score was limited to one per professor, so there were no more subjects for me to gain an evaluation.

However, it would be such a waste to just give up like this.

Hmm…was there any way?

I was deep in thought for a moment when an idea crossed my mind.

Wait a minute, wasn’t it possible to get an evaluation from a new professor even if it was the same subject?

If that was the case, I could get a new evaluation and another top score if the existing professors were replaced.

…Could the rewards be duped?

Well, to be honest, I didn’t think it would work out that easily, but it was worth a try.

There would be no harm trying anyway.

Good. Let’s kill one tonight.

It would be easier for the institute to invite a new professor if it was handled quickly before Monday’s class.

Checking my schedule, I thought about which professor I should start with.

But at that moment, suddenly someone knocked on my door.

Knock, knock–

I looked at the clock and found that it was 4PM. There was still considerable time left until dinner.

Who could it be?

The Pyongyang branch guys who bother me every day didn’t bother me as much in their free time.

No way…Did that perverted guy show up again?

I pulled out the Love Whip from my inventory.

It seemed I would have to tie him up for the weekend and educate him properly once if he said such nonsense again.

Thinking as such, I opened the door with a jerk. However, standing there was a figure I never could have imagined.

“Mr. Noah. Are you free?”

A clergy uniform with close-fitting thighs. An innocent face with bright eyes.

Samaria was smiling brightly at me. On top of that, I didn’t know why, but next to her stood the director of the institute.

What was going on all of a sudden for this crazy woman and old man to show up?

Except for the first day, this woman hadn’t spoken to me since appearing at the institute.

That was why I had been feeling at ease…What wind blew her here today?

For some reason, I had a bad feeling. She peaked inside and leisurely looked around my room before speaking.

“It’s my first time seeing a trainee’s room…It’s much nicer than I thought.”

“Oh…yes. Thank you.”

“But I’m afraid it’s going to be a long story, so may I come in to talk?”

What was this woman trying to pull? I told her firmly.

“No. I’m very busy with my homework for tomorrow’s classes. Just let me know your business for being here.”

I gave her a sour look. Dokgo Hakju who was standing next to her spoke.

“I think it would be best for me to explain.”

Dokgo Hakju fidgeted with his hands as he pulled something out of subspace. It was a certificate with gold leaf printed letters and a tightly sealed small wooden box.

He reached out both in front of me and continued.

“The reason why I’m here today was simply to convey these to you.”

I received the certificate and the wooden box. On the certificate, the words ‘Outstanding Student’ were glistening in gold leaf.

Why did he show up out of the blue to give me this?

“Ahem. We’ve got a system called Scholarship Student at our institute that we began this year. And Mr. Choi Noah was chosen as the Scholarship Student this time. Congratulations!”

“Scholarship Student?”

“It’s an honor awarded to the trainee who has shown exemplary conduct and excellent academic performance.”

It was the first word I had heard in my life. If there was such a system, the institute would have informed the trainees in advance…

While I had such doubts, Dokgo Hakju continued his explanation with an exalted look.

“You’ll also receive a top score evaluation and a magic potion that can increase your mana.”

Ding–!

[ Condition for the Challenge – Model Student (Repeatable) has been met. ]

[ Achieve top score in three evaluations (3/3). ]

[ Received 1x Random Box (Low). ]

“Oh?”

It worked like this?

Come to think of it, he was a professor, so he could also give me an evaluation. It seemed I had forgotten that.

Thanks to this, the remaining point that had left me uncomfortable was completed.

Hehe…I didn’t know what’s going on, but it was good as long as I could get a reward.

Speaking of which, I also opened the wooden box I had just received. Inside was a clump of plant roots filled with moss that looked like a human face.

Classification: Elixir 

Grade: E 

Description: A powerful elixir that boasts excellent efficacy. However, as it was artificially grown, it’s difficult to expect it to be on par with natural counterparts.

“Hmm…”

To be honest, I had my doubts about it. With my current stats, would my stats even go up if I eat this?

Well, it was better than nothing.

I put the Mandragora into my inventory.

By the way…

Was it just my imagination that this situation seemed rushed?

The award ceremony in front of my door. 

Wasn’t this usually given during assembly or in an auditorium where people gathered?

Rather, this looked as if it was something that no one else should know.

“Director. But was it really necessary for you to come and give these to me now?”

“Th-that’s…I wanted to tell you the good news as soon as possible. Ahem. Anyway, that’s what happened.”

“Hmm…”

His appearance seemed very suspicious, but so what?

I didn’t lose anything and I had even received rewards.

“Thank you. I’ve got to do my homework, so I’ll see you off.”

I left them and tried to close the door. But at that moment, Dokgo Hakju shouted in a hurry.

“H-hold on! I still have something to tell you.”

“What?”

“There’s one more benefit for the Scholarship Student.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

Maybe he was going to give me another top score? I looked at him with expectations.

“Scholarship students have the benefit of taking special customized in-depth classes, not traditional ones based on the existing curriculum.”

“…What does that mean?”

“Ahem…I mean…”

Dokgo Hakju hesitated as he was unable to speak.

Soon, Samaria, who was next to him, perhaps seeing his appearance, spoke on his behalf.

“It means Noah won’t be able to take any more of the existing classes.”

“What?”

What did that mean? I was enrolled at this institute, but I was being told I couldn’t take any classes.

As I gave her a suspicious look, Samaria replied.

“Oh, of course, as a trainee, you have to participate in school evaluations and various events at the institute for a year. However, a special curriculum will be conducted for Noah who is different from other students.”

“…What’s the special curriculum?” 

Fortunately, the conditions for the fairly big Challenges seemed to still be valid.

But at this rate, my plan to get the top score by changing professors every day might go down the drain.

No. It was still possible to change professors in the new curriculum, so there was still hope.

Thinking as such, Dokgo Hakju spoke.

“Ahem! Professor Samaria, an A-Rank hero, had decided to teach you one-on-one herself.”

“…Can I not do this?”

“No.”

“…”

Samaria looked at me and smiled with her eyes.

“I look forward to working with you.”

My happy school life had ended on such a short weekend.

* * * * * * * * * *

“This sofa has a really nice cushion. When did you bring all these?”

Samaria asked, looking around the room.

“…”

To be honest, I didn’t like the fact that she was in my nest.

However, since I couldn’t say it openly, there was no way for me to particularly kick her out.

“Why don’t you give me a proper explanation? What do you mean I can’t attend classes?”

“Like I’ve told you before. Mr. Noah’s skills aren’t at the level that could be taught by the professors at the institute, so I’m here to teach Mr. Noah myself.”

She looked at me with a look of admiration. But as far as I was concerned, I wasn’t happy at all.

My repeatable Challenge…

The plan I had made a moment ago had gone down the drain. I thought I would be able to kill the professors and earn more boxes.

I almost couldn’t control my momentary irritation.

“So…I won’t be able to attend any more classes from now on?”

“That’s right. Instead, Mr. Noah will follow the new curriculum I have in mind. I’m sure Mr. Noah will like it.”

There was something I would like more than getting consistent boxes?

Without any expectations, I asked.

“What is it?”

“Villain hunt.”

Samaria said, raising one corner of her mouth. There was a flash of madness in her eyes again.

There was a distinct difference between the first and second semester at the institute.

During the first semester, you study theory and small practical classes tailored to it, while in the second semester, you become a ‘hero’ after signing a probationary contract, and it could be said that the main content was to deal with villains and gain real world experience.

“So from now on, Mr. Noah will learn from me how to get rid of villains as if it was the second semester.”

“Hmm…”

Although this woman’s sudden meddling had led to a change in my original plan…

This kind of class should be good?

Didn’t it mean that I could hunt villains without having to wait a semester?

“Huhu, what do you think? You like this class, right?”

She smiled as if she had read my mind.

I didn’t know what the hell this woman was up to, but one thing was certain…

“When do we begin? Professor?”

She had understood my taste more precisely than anyone else.

I smiled as I faced her.

* * * * * * * * * *

Ilsan Lake Park near the institute.

I sat on a park bench in the early morning, blankly staring at the pedestrians passing by as they made their way to their destination with purposeful steps.

Looking at them, I let out a long sigh.

“Haa…”

Maybe by now the other trainees were having fun at the institute.

But as everyone else was busy, I was meaningless sitting in a park like this.

I didn’t expect this to be the content of the class.

It was very different from what I had thought.

Samaria had clearly told me it was ‘villain hunting.’

Specifically, arresting villains on the wanted posters and building a personal track record as a hero.

To this end, she had specifically lifted some of the license’s restrictions so that I could have almost the same rights as an official hero.

And as a result, I could now go around and legally hunt villains like ordinary heroes.

But damn it! I was completely fooled.

If there was one problem here, it was that I didn’t know where to find them.

She gave me no information.

Hunting villains was what I had hoped for very much, but finding them was a problem in itself.

Field bosses where you didn’t know when or where they would appear was the same as trying to find them without a mini-map.

Such a condition for the class was unexpected…

However, Samaria had advised me to go with her last weekend.

I naturally refused because I didn’t want to be around such a crazy woman. Nonetheless, this despicable woman didn’t even give me information about the villains’ whereabouts.

She had said she would only share the information if I went with her.

Huu…I just needed to find where the villains were.

Unexpectedly, even these little things were done by the hero themselves.

I was now wishing I hadn’t bothered to play hero if I had known this.

“Haa…”

A deep sigh leaked out without me realizing it. Soon, as if it was waiting for this moment, a little baby angel appeared in the air.

“Huhu, is it not going well, Mr. Noah?”

It looked similar to the baby angel I had seen in the past, but if there was one difference, it was that its face resembled Samaria.

And different from the past, it was now the size of a finger as it buzzed around like a fly.

In any case, it was Samaria’s alter ego.

“As I had suggested, wouldn’t it be a little easier to hunt villains together with me?”

Samaria reiterated the proposal she had made over the weekend. However, I didn’t feel like hanging out with her.

“No. It’s fine. I’ll do it on my own.”

“Huhu, if you experience it firsthand, you’ll realize it most clearly. Then, try your best. Oh, and don’t forget about our bet.”

She left those parting words and immediately disappeared.

“Huu…”

I get strangely irritated every time I see that woman’s smile.

I was sure she thought I couldn’t catch even one villain, so I would like to prove her wrong.

But where in the world should I start to look for a villain?

***

[ Translator – Yasi ]

[ Proofreader – Karane ]

Unlike heroes, these guys were always active in the dark, so although there was no problem fighting them, finding them was hard work.

…Still, it would be best to move for now.

With that thought, I stood up.

Then, at that moment, two women, who were walking in tracksuits, could be seen approaching me cautiously.

“Over there…isn’t that hero Choi Noah?”

“What?”

One of the women smiled brightly and clapped her hands.

“That’s right! That’s right! It’s really Choi Noah!”

“Kyaaak! Noah, I’m your 1st generation ARK fan! S-signature…No, can I take a picture with you?”

The women faltered out their smartphones. Their eyes were full of anticipation.

Huu…this was annoying.

I was still annoyed that I couldn’t find a villain, but now I couldn’t believe these strange people were sticking to me.

“Yes. Okay.”

“Waaaah! Really! Really! Thank you!”

But I nodded without expressing such a feeling. Because to become a hero, image management was essential.

And my reputation may increase if these women go somewhere and talk about me.

After switching to selfie mode, the women stretched out their arms.

“Noah-nim, please get a little closer! It won’t come out well because there are three of us.”

“…”

“Let’s take the picture on the count of three.”

A while ago, they seemed to have some manners, but now they freely stuck to me without any qualms. And perhaps because they were exercising, I could even smell their sweat.

“One, two…”

At that moment, a gray shadow appeared on the camera screen. An afterimage of something flying at high speed against the background of the lake and too fast for the camera lens to keep up.

What was that?

“…Three!”

And then…

The missile flying at a high speed from behind exploded.

Boom–!

Along with a deafening explosion, a large pit had formed where I had been standing.

“Kyaaaak!”

“T-terrorist!”

An extraordinary event in a peaceful park. Screams could be heard all around me.

Cloud of dust that had soared high into the sky scattered to the ground soon after.

Thud–!

The severed hand of the woman who was holding her smartphone in front of me just a moment ago fell to the ground.

“…”

Soon, a man with a big scar on his face appeared in the air.

The man lowered his rocket launcher and slowly approached the spot where the missile had exploded.

“I-is it done?”

There was nothing left but smoke. Seeing such a sight, he grinned.

“I-it’s done! I did it! The points are mine!”

And at that moment, my body that had transformed into gas returned to normal and I deprived him of his freedom.

“H-huh? Wh-what’s this?! What’s happening to my body?!”

He struggled like a worm caught in a spider’s web, but it was impossible to escape the shackles.

I slowly approached him.

“Hehe…I didn’t need to do anything and one came on their own.”

My bet with Samaria, it seemed I would win.