I Became the Academy’s Heroine Stalker – Chapter 64

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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The morning of the festival finally arrived.

It also meant that it had been over two months since I possessed Han Tae-jin.

As I saw in my status window, the original Han Tae-jin had completely disappeared.

My stats had more than doubled, my existing skills were nearing max level,

And I had acquired new powerful skills.

If I could successfully wrap up this episode and unlock the [Level Up as a Harem!] hidden information, I would be able to reach God R’hell’s level.

Of course, there was a chance that even if I defeated ‘De Roque,’ the main villain of this episode, a different hidden information might be unlocked due to some variable.

Or perhaps, thanks to my Luck stat, an additional information might be revealed.

Anyway, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that I had been training and hunting villains like crazy for this day, so amidst the chattering, excited students, I was filled with nervous anticipation.

For some reason, Han-na was walking to school with me.

Han-na on my left, Renia on my right.

“This is my first time enjoying the academy festival… It’ll be fun, right, Master?”

“Of course. It’ll be fun.”

The terror incident was scheduled for around 8 PM, when the festival would be in full swing. I didn’t want to spoil the mood before then, so I told her it would be fun.

Although Choi Do-han’s and the heroines’ stories had changed, the other events were unfolding as they did in the original story.

In other words, unless there was a major variable, the terror incident would end with the defeat of the villain ‘De Roque.’

It would be the [Illusion Terror Incident], which resulted in serious injuries but no fatalities, thanks to the swift response of the Monster Management Bureau.

‘Even in the original story, it seemed like the Monster Management Bureau knew about the terror attack in advance.’

Of course, I couldn’t be certain due to Choi Do-han’s current state, but I didn’t want to ruin my excitement about enjoying the festival as an ‘honorary student’ until the evening.

I was quite proud to be attending the student festival as an ‘honorary student.’

‘By the way…’

I glanced at Han-na.

This was the first time we walked to school together since the possession.

After that first time, we had been going our separate ways, as if we were back to fending for ourselves, but today, for some reason, we were walking together.

Han-na had approached me first.

At first, Renia was wary.

But,

-Would it be okay if I called you “unnie”?’

-U-Unnie?

This short exchange was enough to completely disarm Renia.

A thousand-year-old Succubus brought down by the word ‘unnie.’

It seemed she had been somewhat bothered by being called ‘Reina-ssi’ all this time.

‘Well, I guess it would be annoying to be called “-ssi” by someone barely twenty years old.’

Among the main heroines, Mi-jin, who was naturally friendly, had been calling her ‘Reina unnie’ from the start, but Han-na called her ‘Reina-ssi,’ and Su-ah always called her ‘sister.’

Well… Su-ah, aside from her religious beliefs, had probably lived for close to a thousand years as a 52-time regressor, so she was an exception.

‘Of course, to Renia, she’s still a fledgling.’

-Hoho, yes. You can call me “unnie.”’

-Okay, unnie.*

Just like that, Han-na and Renia became ‘unnie’ and ‘dongsaeng.’[1]

Wasn’t it typical for women’s relationships to shift from sisterhood to animosity with a single word?

So, I didn’t think much of it.

If they got along, I would support them.

Anyway, I was walking to school on the day of the festival with my highly excited, SSS-rank bodyguard, Reina, and the SSS-rank beauty, Han-na.

The hill leading to the academy seemed especially steep today.

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Since all classes were canceled today, we gathered in the classroom and busily went about our individual tasks..

Those who were running food stalls at the festival were preparing ingredients, those preparing for the talent show were practicing, and those in charge of the event were checking the script.

The morning was for preparations, and the festival would officially begin in the afternoon.

The festival would kick off with a bazaar, a flea market, a cooking competition, small events, and a talent show, while food stalls and an idol performance in the evening would serve as the grand finale.

Han-na and Mi-jin were each in charge of a part of the festival, so I hadn’t seen them since morning.

Participating in the festival wasn’t mandatory, so those of us who were free(?) were killing time, waiting for the festival to begin.

Fortunately, I wasn’t bored, thanks to Renia and Su-ah.

I didn’t have time to be bored.

More than anything, I was concerned about Choi Do-han.

He, who had been in a sort of depressed state, now had a sharp glint in his eyes.

‘Does this mean he hasn’t given up completely?’

But he had no chance of winning now that he had lost the Golden Goblin and missed out on a crucial Easter egg.

Moreover, he hadn’t become Park Na-yeon’s exclusive student, further hindering his growth.

‘What if…’

A rather unsettling thought crossed my mind.

From what I had subtly gathered from Han-na, Su-ah, and Mi-jin, he hadn’t been doing anything to improve his relationships with the main heroines.

He hadn’t made any sudden confessions, except to Baek Mi-jin.

Was he planning to secure the [Level Up as a Harem!] hidden information first?

But did he really think he had a chance after missing out on the Golden Goblin and Park Na-yeon, two crucial Easter eggs?

Especially since the villain ‘De Roque’ was a high-ranking member of Illusion, and even in the original story, Choi Do-han was only able to defeat him due to luck and circumstantial factors, not his own strength.

That’s how powerful De Roque was.

‘Even then, he would have been killed instantly if it weren’t for Park Na-yeon’s help.’

And Park Na-yeon’s help was only possible because he was her ‘exclusive student.’

In other words, with the divergence from the original story, the probability of him defeating De Roque on his own was close to zero, since he wasn’t Park Na-yeon’s exclusive student.

But,

‘This is strange.’

He had a look in his eyes as if he was calculating his chances.

His usually listless eyes now held a spark of determination.

What was going on?

Did he come up with some strategy to acquire a hidden information?

Or perhaps…

‘No way… he wouldn’t have resorted to dark magic, would he?’

I couldn’t completely rule out the possibility that he had touched dark magic as a last resort to defeat De Roque.

His gloomy expression and slightly disheveled appearance lent a sliver of credibility to that possibility.

But,

‘He’s the original protagonist, though?’

What was a protagonist?

Weren’t they characters designed to overcome adversity through righteous means?

Would such a character resort to dark magic, something only villains would use, just because he lacked options?

Dark magic, which could gradually corrupt his mind, destroy his body, and turn him into a monster?

“No way. That can’t be it.”

“…What? Brother? What are you talking about?”

“Huh? Master?”

“Ah, nothing.”

I had unintentionally voiced my thoughts.

But the unsettling feeling seemed to support that theory.

‘Could that be why all 51 regressions failed?’

Did the original author intend for a dark ending, a shocking conclusion that surpassed [Path of Light], to make history?

Was that why Su-ah was stuck in an endless loop of regressions?

It was a plausible theory.

Perhaps Su-ah, or Ercia, failed all 51 regressions because the original story, [Hidden Piece Academy], starring Choi Do-han, was destined for a disastrous ending.

It meant that Choi Do-han might not have been a character designed with the qualities of a protagonist.

If the theory was correct, he might resort to dark magic.

“Ha…”

“Why the sudden sigh? Is something wrong, Master? You seem troubled…”

I sighed and my head was spinning whenever I thought about Choi Do-han.

Renia, who was looking at me with concern, suddenly shifted her gaze past me.

“Oh.”

“What?”

I turned my head instinctively.

And I felt my already tangled thoughts become even more knotted.

It was Choi Do-han.

Speak of the devil. What perfect timing.

Just perfect.

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“What did you want to talk about?”

He said he wanted to talk to me privately, so we moved to a secluded spot under a tree at the edge of the training grounds.

This was the first time I had faced him since our duel.

Not far away, Renia was glaring at him with narrowed eyes, and Su-ah was also watching us with a tense expression.

Even Su-ah knew.

That this meeting wouldn’t end well.

Choi Do-han, with an impassive expression, began,

“There’s something I want you to know.”

“What is it?”

“I’m not joking or trying to trick you, so listen carefully. I’m telling you the absolute truth.”

His chuunibyou-like, arrogant tone hadn’t changed.

“Don’t take this lightly. This is for your own good, and for the sake of this world.”

“…So, what is it you want to say?”

Choi Do-han glanced around.

I couldn’t even begin to guess what he was about to say.

His unreadable expression and his past actions defied common sense.

But I wasn’t afraid or nervous.

Just curious.

What was he thinking behind that impassive mask?

A moment later, as if to answer my question, Choi Do-han spoke.

And I,

I was completely dumbfounded.

“The truth is, I’m a transmigrator, and this is the world of a novel I was reading. The protagonist of that novel is Choi Do-han, me.”

“And I’m the one tasked with defeating Illusion, along with the main heroines. You’re interfering with that.”

“So, stay away from Su-ah, Han-na, and Mi-jin. Otherwise, the world will be destroyed.”

“I won’t say this twice, so listen carefully. You’re putting this world in danger.”

“Do you understand?”

‘Whoa…’

‘Holy shit…’

‘To think I’d hear this with my own ears…’

I didn’t want to mock him.

He was serious.

But I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

I understood he was desperate, but who would believe such a story…?

And since Ercia had chosen me as the [Agent], I couldn’t back down now.

I wanted to tell him, “Snap out of it, dude,” but I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

‘…I’m sorry, but why do you look so pathetic today…?’

-Whoosh.

A gust of wind blew past us.

Instead of the July heat, it carried a chill, creating an awkward silence between us.

‘Hmm…’

I think I finally understood why Su-ah failed 51 times…

‘What should I do?’

‘With him?’

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[1] Unnie = Older sister (used by females to address an older female),
Dongsaeng = Younger sibling (used to address a younger person, regardless of gender)

[T/N: Someone, please delete that dumbass from his miserable existence.]

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