Il-seong joined Si-woo in the cafeteria.He didn't even make it to the food counter before he was swarmed with sudden invitations.Everyone suddenly wanted him at their table.
But Il-seong only had one person in mind.He walked straight past the clingers and flatterers, heading for his friend. Without a word, he dropped his tray on Si-woo's table.
THUNK
Si-woo jump. He hadn't even noticed Il-seong's dramatic entrance—he was too busy plotting revenge against Jeunk and figuring out how to get him kicked out of school.
— You mean I missed burger day?" Il-seong asked, sliding onto the bench.— It's Japan Day today," Si-woo replied, barely looking up. Burgers are on Thursdays.
Il-seong shot a glance at the quest "King of Condiments."It had "Time-Limited" written on it, but no timer ever started.His Master had played him.He glared at Si-woo, who quickly raised his hands in surrender.
— Whoa, easy there! I had nothing to do with it. We'll hit McDonald's tonight, alright? Your precious burgers will still be waiting.
Pure innocence.Il-seong hesitated. Maybe he was wrong about him…But then, Si-woo's eyes drifted into the void again—like he was seeing something hovering right above Il-seong's shoulder.
While his friend grimaced silently, Il-seong made up his mind.At worst, he'd confess that both he and Jeunk were Players.Unlike Jeunk, he wasn't bound by any gag rule from the system.
He took a deep breath and opened his mouth—
— Hey there ! Skipping the infirmary these days?
Dr. Kim beat him to it.
Smiling way too brightly, the doctor leaned on Si-woo's head like he owned the place.
— What's up, kiddo? You've got the blues or something?
— Th-the… blues?" Si-woo stammered. Isn't that a music genre?
Dr. Kim burst out laughing.
His tone was way too familiar. Usually, he just barked at them to get lost and stop crying like babies.Now? Now he was patting Si-woo's hair like a proud dad watching his son's first steps.
Si-woo, on the other hand, looked ready to crawl into a hole.Everyone was staring.Especially the girls—who always swooned over Dr. Kim's charm.
But something in the doctor's smile… felt wrong.The memory of Jeunk's humiliating touches flashed through Si-woo's mind.
Is he treating me like a dog too?
He lowered his head and slowly slid down the bench—just far enough to escape Kim's reach.
The doctor frowned, but didn't look angry. Just… disappointed.
Si-woo squirmed uncomfortably.
Had I misunderstood?
Il-seong cleared his throat, ending the awkwardness.He didn't like seeing Si-woo in that state.
Now that Jeunk was out of the picture—at least for now—Il-seong would make sure they could finally live a normal life.Free from mockery. Free from fear.
He spoke lightly but firmly.
— Sir, we won't bother you from now on.
— Oh really, Dr. Kim said.
Just like that, all the warmth drained from his voice.
His eyes turned cold as ice.Il-seong shivered.
Looking at Si-woo next to that sharp, unreadable man, he realized something.Si-woo was soft and anxious. He didn't have the aura of a manipulative mastermind.But Kim?Kim did.
He had watched them long enough in the infirmary to know them—too well, maybe.Enough to predict Il-seong's moves.Enough to know personnals things like online identity.
Kim curled his lips into a smile. But it wasn't friendly anymore.
— You're the reason Si-woo's got the blues. I'm sure of it.
— WHAT?! The two boys shouted.
The doctor stood straight and jabbed a finger into Il-seong's chest.
— I know what you're up to! Winning fights you used to lose… Drawing too much attention… Think about your friend, will you?
He's talking about the system!Il-seong's mind raced.Is he… my Master? Is he warning me after the fight with jeunk ? Like keeping a low profile because of the other master ?
Si-woo, meanwhile, was completely lost.
Why is he talking about blues? That's… blue in English, right? Is he trying to say he knows about the system?
But Dr. Kim had no aura. No blue, no gold.Even the kid who once mocked him during Jeunk's punishments had no aura either.
Weird...
Was this the other Master trying to communicate through a Player?
Or had the other Master just guessed that Il-seong had a system, and was trying to warn them off?
Still, it didn't explain Kim's sudden affection.Si-woo decided to poke a little.
— You miss us, sir? he asked, mockingly.
Dr. Kim turned to him, back to his joyful self.
— A little," he admitted. It's been too quiet without your endless whining.
Definitely not a compliment.Yet he smiled as he pinched Si-woo's cheeks.
— If you ever have a question, a problem, or a weird dream, come to me. Don't be shy.
Then he spun to Il-seong.
— And you, tough guy. Behave yourself.
That said, he stepped back, pulled out a megaphone, and announced as if none of that bizarre interaction had ever happened:
— Reminder to all the brats here! Tell your parents to check their emails! For the semi-term exam ceremony, an official from the Ministry of Education is coming. They need to confirm attendance in the email form!
And with that, and a little wink to Si-woo, Dr. Kim vanished.He didn't even wait to see if anyone heard him.
Il-seong stared blankly for a while before muttering:
— …Is it just me, or is everyone going crazy in this school?
Si-woo slowly nodded, eyes already lost in thought again.Whether it was another Master's will or just fate...
Dr. Kim had just handed him the perfect opportunity to crush Jeunk.