The Academy’s Time Stop Player
Chapter 172

TL/Editor: looloo

Schedule: 5/Week Mon-Fri

Illustrations: Here

Lain's brows gradually furrowed.

However, her expression soon relaxed and she sighed, shaking her head.

"I refuse. I don’t want to get involved in troublesome matters."

With that, Lain turned back to her book.

At that moment, a giant eye tore through the space above Lain's head.

Simultaneously, an incredible magical power began to emanate from her body, and her eyes transformed into those of a dragon.

It was magical energy that not even black iron could absorb.

If she so wished, she could easily escape from this space, but her staying quietly indicated she truly did not want to be involved.

However, it seemed Leanon had a different thought.

Suddenly, a voice that wasn’t Lain's, but Leanon's, flowed from her mouth, looking at Hajoon.

[I think I know why you're here, O new king.]

Leanon, locking eyes with Hajoon, continued.

[It seems the other kings are on the move.]

Hajoon nodded at this.

Being called a king himself, he must have had some inkling of the current situation.

That’s why Hajoon had asked for Lain's help.

However, Leanon shook his head, responding differently to Hajoon's thoughts.

[But with my current power, I cannot stop them.]

"Why not?"

[My power is sealed.]

"Sealed?"

[Yes.]

Hajoon's brows furrowed.

What could be the reason for the sealing?

Indeed, having experienced the powers of those called kings, Lain, in comparison, was weaker at the moment.

It meant he had to give up on getting her help.

[Let's make a deal, Irregular.]

While he was lost in thought.

Leanon suddenly spoke to Hajoon.

Curious about the mention of a deal, Hajoon asked.

"What kind of deal?"

[There is someone who has sealed this power. He is also an enemy you must defeat.]

"And who is that?"

[The king of humans, Zahart. Kill him, and I will help you.]

At those words, Hajoon stared intently at Leanon.

He was deep in thought, contemplating something.

There was one thing.

There was a point of doubt.

Hajoon looked at Leanon and spoke.

"I have a question."

[What is it?]

"Are you on the side of humans?"

Up to now, apart from a few, none of the kings he had encountered were on the side of humans.

Therefore, Hajoon asked Leanon.

He might not know if his answer was true or false, but he wanted to understand why Leanon seemed to be siding with him.

Leanon responded to Hajoon's question.

[I am not on the side of humans.]

It was a very frank answer.

Hajoon's brows narrowed even more.

In the moment she was about to unleash her magic, Leanon continued speaking.

[I am an observer. I have no intention of taking sides, but I promise not to harm humans.]

"Why is that?"

[Because she wouldn’t want that.]

Hajoon stared blankly at Leanon for a moment after hearing this.

There was no basis for this statement, but somehow, it seemed believable.

Hajoon nodded and responded to Leanon.

"If I kill the king of humans, you'll help me."

[I promise.]

Hearing his answer, Hajoon silently left the room.

During the brief silence that followed.

Lain, whose eyes had returned to normal, frowned and spoke irritably to Leanon.

"What are you doing making deals on your own, Leanon?"

[It concerns you, Lain.]

"What do you mean?"

[A war is about to begin.]

"War?"

Lain frowned and looked at Leanon.

"What exactly is a king?"

[They are beings similar to me. He is also a king.]

As Leanon said this, he watched Hajoon, who had just left the room.

Lain then spoke.

"So these beings are starting a war?"

[Yes, and you might get swept up in it too, Lain.]

"What do you mean?"

[The moment the war starts, the king who sealed me might also try to kill you, Lain.]

Lain looked at Leanon with a serious expression.

Leanon continued.

[He must have noticed too. The weakening of the seal. He would likely kill you to prevent even a slight threat.]

"What will happen to you if I die?"

[I'll be trapped in this space forever.]

Lain sighed at his words.

She pondered for a moment with her head down, then asked Leanon a question.

"…Leanon."

[What is it?]

"If the seal is broken, what will you do?"

Leanon's eyes softened.

His voice, still resonant, became somewhat gentler as he spoke to her.

[Don’t worry, Lain. Even if the seal is broken, I have no intention of leaving your side.]

With that, magic flowed through the torn space.

At one point, the magic took the form of a dragon's hand and gently rested on her head.

Leanon looked at her and continued.

[Even if the seal is broken, I will stay by your side, Lain.]

Having finished his business, Hajoon returned to Korea through a gate, courtesy of Chairman Andre's arrangements. He was contemplating going home for a long overdue break when his phone suddenly began to vibrate.

Hajoon took out his phone and answered the call.

It was a call from Kim Jeongyong, the chairman of the Korean Hero Association.

"Yes, what's the matter?"

-Well, Student Hajoon, there's something urgent you need to see...

"Something I need to see?"

Hajoon asked Kim Jeongyong with a puzzled expression.

Kim Jeongyong quickly responded to Hajoon's question.

"S-rank villain Karthon. It seems he has started to be active again."

After receiving the call from the chairman, Hajoon hurried back to the Korean Hero Association.

Chairman Kim Jeongyong, upon Hajoon's arrival, quickly showed him a video, saying, “This happened just a few hours ago.”

It was an internal video from a guild.

An incident at the headquarters of the Wolfshire Guild, representing Daejeon.

The CCTV footage showed a masked assailant breaking into the guild headquarters and massacring the heroes.

"The casualties include one top-class hero and three high-class heroes from the guild, along with 57 injured. According to a hero who survived the attack, the assailant was definitely S-rank villain Karthon..."

Hajoon's expression turned stoic at this revelation.

He shifted his gaze to the chairman and asked, “Where is he now?”

"We have dispatched agents to the guild where the incident occurred to track his location. However, judging by his escape route, it seems he is heading towards Seoul."

"Is that so?"

Hajoon somewhat understood what the villain was thinking.

If Kim Jeongyong was correct, the villain was probably coming towards him.

'I wondered where he was hiding.'

A villain Hajoon had no choice but to release in the past due to his weakened power.

However, if the villain was coming to him, that was rather fortunate.

It saved him the trouble of searching.

"Student Hajoon."

Chairman Kim Jeongyong looked at Hajoon seriously and spoke.

"As you saw in the video, Karthon's power has become tremendously stronger compared to before. This attack was certainly to test his power. His target is clearly you, Student Hajoon."

"Yes, I think so too."

"Please be careful. Our association will provide maximum support."

With that, Hajoon nodded and stood up.

It was unlikely there would be more terror attacks for now.

Now that his target was clear, wouldn't the villain come straight to him?

‘So much for a day off...’

Hajoon, slightly annoyed, decided to leave the association.

After all, if the villain was coming for him, all Hajoon needed to do was wait.

That night, long after the sun had set, Hajoon stood on a rooftop, lost in thought as he looked around.

He was there not just to view the cityscape but also because he couldn't just return to his home or the academy dormitory under these circumstances.

Since he was the villain's target, Karthon would likely attack him tonight or tomorrow.

Or perhaps he might try to summon him through terror or some other unpredictable means.

For now, Hajoon just had to wait.

That's when it happened.

His phone vibrated.

Hajoon took out his phone to see who was calling.

Anna Elizabeth Hartel.

Indeed, he had thought she wouldn't stay quiet in such a situation.

Hajoon answered the phone.

"Why?"

-Hajoon, did you see the news?

"...Yes."

-Karthon has revealed himself.

She spoke with a serious voice, determination evident in her tone.

-He's probably coming for you, Hajoon.

Knowing Karthon's tendencies, Anna was predicting his next move.

She was certain that Karthon's target was Hajoon.

That's why Anna had called to convey her resolve, a promise she had made before.

-You remember our promise, right, Hajoon?

Hajoon recalled the promise he made with Anna at the hot springs.

A bet-like promise about who would take down Karthon first.

Hajoon spoke to her.

"Are you sure?"

-...

Karthon might see him differently, but for Hajoon, Karthon was just another villain to be killed.

However, for Anna, it was different.

A target of revenge and a villain she had aimed for a long time.

That's why Hajoon asked her.

If she could kill him.

"I'll kill him as soon as I see him."

-...I know. So, I have something to say.

Under the night sky.

Anna, standing atop the tallest building nearby, faced the cold night wind, her calm eyes scanning the surroundings as she continued.

"If I find him first, don't interfere."

Anna's eyes flickered blue, shining brightly.

"That's a promise."

The call with Anna ended with those words.

Anna had only conveyed her thoughts and ended the call, but a slight smile appeared on Hajoon's lips.

"Was I worried for nothing?"

● Anna Elizabeth Hartel (75%)

The progress rate of Anna's episode was rising before Hajoon's eyes.

Hearing her determined words, it seemed she was not planning to yield this time.

Moreover, knowing Anna as he did, she wouldn't engage in a mere contest of wills.

She probably had a plan of her own.

"Well, then..."

Hajoon's gaze shifted in a certain direction.

Towards a direction where a massive wave of magical power was felt.

A superhuman, not attempting to hide their presence, had been emitting an intimidating magical energy since the middle of his call with Anna.

And in that energy was a will filled with murderous intent.

[I am here.]

Karthon.

He had no intention of hiding.

The fact that he was emitting such murderous magical energy suggested he didn't care who came looking.

Chairman Kim Jeongyong and the agents and heroes from the association waiting nearby must have also felt this surge of magical power.

Yet, Karthon made no attempt to conceal his immense power, continuing to radiate it openly.

'Has he really become stronger than before?'

While it was hard to tell just from the emitted power, it seemed he had been grinding his teeth in thoughts of revenge.

The emotions felt in his will — particularly anger and murderous intent — were clear, indicating how desperately he had been seeking Hajoon.

But...

Hajoon wasn't ready to confront him just yet. He didn't appreciate being summoned so brazenly.

Releasing his own golden magic, Hajoon created a massive wave of energy.

Brilliant and majestic, this wave of light started from Hajoon and began to spread across the area.

Into this wave, Hajoon embedded a warning, meant only for Karthon to understand.

[Don't you dare summon me.]

The audacity of such a being to dare and taunt him out, irked Hajoon.

If Karthon recognized this power, it would be a clear warning.

[Before I kill you.]

The wave of energy, filled with emotion.

Hajoon, too, imbued his massive killing intent into his magic, targeting Karthon.

And as this colossal wave of energy extended far beyond Hajoon's sight.

“......”

The magical power that had been irritating Hajoon from Karthon suddenly dwindled and vanished.