Breaking Up With the Heroine in an Otome Game

63 – I Have Something to Say (1)

063.

The current Republic of Korea is in an uproar.

People of all ages are paying attention to the media.

Television, internet, newspapers, communities—everyone was loudly discussing the Union assault incident this time, involving hundreds of villains attacking what could be called the cradle of heroes, the Union, for the first time.

– Union Academy Assault! What is the goal of the villains?

– “Is another war with villains inevitable?” Citizens anxious and uneasy.

– [Incompetence and Reality of the Union] Unable to prevent the massive attack by villains.

– ‘Mass casualties!’ Can we trust the security and safety of the academy?

The media criticized the incompetence and powerlessness of the Union Academy.

The top hero institution in South Korea not only failed to properly defend against the attack by villains but also, due to the chaotic response, caused numerous large and small casualties, deserving criticism.

Parents poured out displeased calls due to the doubts about the academy’s security system and concerns about leaving their children there.

Moreover, the video footage distributed by Yoo Da-hee was a big issue.

The footage of the Union Academy assault incident flooded various portal sites.

In the video, the incompetence of Union security personnel and examiners was clearly exposed.

Being defeated by unknown villains, collapsing powerlessly, was enough to shatter the trust and confidence of civilians.

Furthermore, the so-called hero trainees were revealed crying and pleading for their lives to villains, exposing a pitiful sight to the public.

Many who witnessed such a pathetic scene expressed great disappointment.

Some criticized, saying that even if they were students, how could they bow down to villains, while others defended, saying that they were merely trainees who had not experienced real combat, so it was understandable.

The Union Academy assault incident was the worst disaster since its establishment, leaving people with emotions of disappointment, anxiety, restlessness, fear, and more.

And it went further, leading to a decline in trust in heroes.

– In addition to the Union’s inadequate response to this incident, we apologize once again for causing significant harm to the trainees…

The chairman of the Union held a press conference.

With bland words of consolation, he made efforts to calm public opinion by promising the strengthening and improvement of the Union Academy’s security system and prevention of recurrence.

Also, due to this assault incident, the mid-term exams have been temporarily suspended, the upcoming final exams have been reduced, and the joint training has been completely canceled.

‘…Reduced final exams and canceled joint training, this is something. I can’t predict how things will go from now on.’

The story changed because of this incident.

I never expected the final exams and the training camp to clash.

Both played crucial roles as main episodes.

They were episodes meant to foster the growth of Soyeon and the male protagonists.

“My original plan was to follow the storyline as closely as possible while developing the protagonists and their team. It was the most certain and safe path.”

But so many things went awry.

To the point where the future became uncontrollable.

“Yudahee and the Rebellion members attacked much sooner than expected.”

If the game had unfolded as intended, the attack by Rebellion members should have occurred during the training camp episode. However, for some reason, they stormed into the midterm exam venue and caused a ruckus.

“The butterfly effect, it must be the butterfly effect…”

Up until now, each action I took had piled up, one by one, leading to the current outcome. I had some expectations, but I never thought it would turn out like this so soon.

“The Rebellion members are strong. It will be difficult for the current strength of the protagonist’s team to confront them.”

Well, considering that the antagonists had almost finished growing compared to the protagonist’s team, who were in the midst of their growth phase, it was inevitable.

Experiencing various events sequentially, obtaining relics, building connections, discovering conspiracies, training skills, and awakening abilities – after diligent leveling up, the enemies they had to face were formidable.

Originally, they shouldn’t have encountered such strong enemies in the game’s storyline.

Since they were all at least mid-boss level.

“…The only fortunate thing is that Yisieun and Kang Daehan seem to have been quite stimulated.”

Whether it was misfortune or luck, those two seemed deeply affected by meeting Yudahee. Having heard about her genius reputation since childhood, encountering a white-haired girl for the first time and being thoroughly defeated must have been quite humiliating for them.

From the perspective of the male protagonists, who had been living in the taste of their own excellence, it must have been quite a blow.

Because of that, the male protagonists began to focus on intensive training.

Yisieun went to the best swordsmaster in the peninsula to learn the sword again, and Kang Daehan went to his father, one of the strongest in the previous generation, to undergo hellish training.

“Both of them returned to their mentors much earlier than in the game. It’s one of the leveling events that occurs when you’re at a dead end.”

Was the shock that great?

Well, now that I think about it, it might be possible.

Helplessness and the feeling of defeat, especially for these individuals, were emotions they could never tolerate. Experiencing such powerlessness against a peer, especially a girl, would have seriously damaged their pride.

“In the case of Kang Dae-han, he even fought Yoo Da-hee directly and endured mockery.”

Kang Dae-han is a corpse without pride.

Due to his personality, he was determined to undergo hellish training until he could rebuild his trampled pride, lying on the ground and crushed underfoot.

“It should become quite strong in a little while.”

Could it be considered a kind of blessing in disguise?

The protagonist and his group became significantly stronger each time they faced a life-threatening situation.

According to the game’s setting, the desire for strength and the stress of death drastically accelerated their growth.

Truly fitting for the protagonist and his companions.

“I was afraid of deviating from the main story and tried to be cautious in my actions, but if it has strayed this much, there’s no need to worry anymore.”

As the male protagonists are geniuses in their own right, they will likely grow well on their own. The important thing now is me and So-yeon, right?

Since it’s difficult for me to become stronger through training, I can only rely on relics, potions, and items.

Of course, these were originally meant for the protagonist’s group, so I tried not to interfere as much as possible. After all, even the dimensional ring that should have been So-yeon’s relic.

But given the current situation, I can’t help but take a little more.

“Oh, I wish I had some useful supernatural ability like others.”

Unfortunately, my in-game character never awakens any supernatural abilities.

Whether it’s because there’s no suitable plot for awakening abilities or simply because I die before awakening, I can’t know.

…Well, considering that my character is made to be a sacrificial lamb and the worst idiot, it’s more natural not to awaken any supernatural abilities.

Still, it’s a bit disappointing.

If only I could develop one useful supernatural ability, the situation would improve a lot.

“I’ve only been gone for a few days, but the academy atmosphere still doesn’t seem good.”

“Ah, Yoo Seol-hyun.”

Suddenly sitting next to me, Yoo Seol-hyun smiled. Thanks to her, I snapped out of my reverie.

After the attack by villains, perhaps due to family reasons, Yoo Seol-hyun hadn’t attended the academy for a few days, but it seems she’s planning to go to school starting today.

“Hello? It hasn’t been that long, has it?”

I quietly looked at her.

Yoo Seol-hyun just casually swept her golden hair aside.

“After the attack by villains, the academy atmosphere was gloomy, but Yoo Seol-hyun seemed nonchalant, as if it didn’t affect her.”

“Lee Jin-hyuk. I heard the story.”

“What story?”

“That you gave a punch to that silver-haired woman?”

“Can you fix me up with some herbal medicine?”

Again, where’s he picking up these strange phrases?

“Heard even the mightiest couldn’t lift a finger to help out?”

“…Just a slight injury on the back of my hand, nothing serious.”

“Hmm, where’d that happen?”

I can’t quite figure out why this guy’s so interested in my exploits.

Oh, maybe because I’m one of the scouting targets for their clan, and I keep showcasing useful skills. Does that boost their mood?

“Anyway, Yoo Seol-hyun, how have you been?”

“In what way?”

“You’ve been absent from the academy for a few days. Some kids were fussing, saying it was because of your injury.”

“Ah, no, it’s not because of that.”

Yoo Seol-hyun chuckled, shaking their head lightly.

“I just mentioned something at home related to this incident. Took a little break to deal with it and have a chat.”

Even within the Gaon Nuri Clan, it seems there’s quite a bit of skepticism about the recent incident.

Well, considering some trainees got injured so severely they might no longer pursue their dreams of becoming heroes because of this incident.

Yoo Seol-hyun, being directly tied to the Gaon Nuri Clan’s bloodline, must be under a lot of pressure.

“I, for one, didn’t encounter any dangerous villains. I just escaped following the security agent’s instructions.”

“You got lucky.”

If I had made a mistake and ended up badly hurt meeting those Rebellion members, it could have disrupted my plans.

I’m truly relieved Yoo Seol-hyun didn’t get hurt.

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, Yoo Seol-hyun tilted their head slightly, a mischievous smile forming. It was almost like the playful grin of a child.

What’s up?

Why the sudden change?

“Are you perhaps worried?”

“Well, I can worry a bit. Why?”

“Heh heh, so honest, aren’t you?”

I’m not a turbulent adolescent or someone who needs to say, “Oh, I’m not worried at all!” for no reason.

“Hmm? Oh, Soyeon, hello to you too.”

“Been a while, Seol-hyun.”

There, Soyeon is walking this way.

It seems like Soyeon also attended school.

After greeting Yuseolhyun, she quickly glanced at me.

Judging by her lips pursing slightly, it seemed like she had something to say.

“Oh, then you two talk.”

Yuseolhyun must have noticed the situation, as she smoothly left her seat.

“Hey, Jinhuk.”

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“I have something to talk about today. Do you have time after school?”

“Well, that works out. I have things to tell you too.”

After the Union attack incident, I pondered on ways to develop Soyeon and me.

Eventually, I decided that it would be best to start by lying to Soyeon about her having precognitive abilities.

It makes sense, as claiming to have precognitive abilities would allow us to farm various items and artifacts together.

Moreover, it’s convenient to be able to justify knowing things others don’t by saying, “hahahaha, I actually saw it through precognition.”

“I wasn’t sure how Soyeon would take it or if there were any issues, but now is not the time to nitpick.”

I glanced at Soyeon subtly.

Soyeon was smiling, lips slightly curved.

“…You have something to say too.”

“But Soyeon, what are you trying to say?”

“Me? That thing we talked about last time. That.”

“You mean you have to apologize?”

“I was planning to properly talk about it after the midterms, but considering the current situation…”

Soyeon spoke, glancing at me cautiously.

“If I keep delaying it, I might never say it. Plus, I regret not saying it before we were attacked by villains.”

“But do you have something to apologize to me for?”

I couldn’t hide my confusion.

Did Soyeon mess up so much to create a separate atmosphere for an apology? I don’t remember anything like that.

“Anyway, let’s meet at my house after school, Jinhuk.”

“Your house?”

“Yeah.”

Soyeon nodded, twisting her hair into a loose bun.

From Noble mtl dot com

“Your house… it feels like it’s been a while. Oh, is your mom doing well?”

“Yeah, she’s fine. You won’t see her face; she’s away on a business trip.”

“Ah, right, she’s on a business trip. So, your house today… huh?”

“Why do you ask?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Is Soyeon’s house empty today, then?

Just the two of them…

It’s probably evening by the time the academy ends.

Strange, isn’t there a bit too little resistance between them, considering they’re a man and a woman?

Well, even on the day he declared the breakup to Soyeon, no one was there.

Now, it’s a bit amusing to pay attention to every detail, right?

Because it’s between me and Soyeon.

Let’s not dwell on unnecessary thoughts.