The Support Ate it All

The sample collection had been completed, but the dungeon cleanup was far from over.

Since the Dark Oobleck posed a significant risk during the raid, it was necessary to hunt down and eliminate every last one of them.

And so, the disciplinary action continued through the weekend.

We entered the dungeon, ran detectors at major checkpoints, used escape scrolls if nothing appeared, and occasionally defeated any Dark Oobleck that popped out.

It was tedious work, but it wasn’t entirely without reward.

Specifically, there were the random boxes distributed as my share.

All of them were F-rank, so there was no need to involve Lucky Charm’s hand, and even if stamp coupons appeared later, they wouldn’t apply, so I opened them right away.

Fortunately, they yielded some fairly useful items.

[Rank Up (F)]

Including the ones I received from Bong Jae-seok and set aside, there were now a total of four Random Rank Up scrolls.

Since items related to rank were always better to have in abundance, I decided to store them safely.

Meanwhile, Shin Byeong-cheol kept drawing F-rank wooden chairs and eventually completed a full wooden furniture set.

– Hey, can we sit on these?

– No, get lost. All of you, get lost.

– I want to sit too!

Amid such small incidents, the disciplinary action continued without issue.

By Sunday morning, the endless dungeon list had finally dwindled to just two remaining entries.

Song Cheon-hye spoke with a face mixed with exhaustion and satisfaction.

“We’re almost done now. Next is—”

But then, the remaining dungeon number erased itself, leaving the list completely empty.

It seemed another party had finished the cleanup.

Han So-mi was overjoyed and began jumping up and down.

“It’s! Done! At! Last!”

“Y-Yeah, it is.”

Song Cheon-hye paused for a moment but soon wrapped up the dungeon cleanup with a pleased expression.

I asked,

“Can we leave now?”

“Yes, thank you for your hard work. Just remember to follow the school rules.”

“Of course, of course.”

“Absolutely.”

Though Shin Byeong-cheol and I nodded coolly, Song Cheon-hye still gave us a doubtful look.

She quickly softened her expression, as if deciding it wasn’t worth ruining the good mood.

Han So-mi who was cheerful as ever waved her hands vigorously in farewell.

“Great job! Bye-bye!”

“Yeah, you worked hard too.”

I waved back before turning to leave.

But then—

“Huh?”

“….…?”

Both members of the disciplinary committee suddenly froze and summoned floating windows in mid-air.

It looked like they were checking a message.

After a moment, they both turned their gazes toward me at the same time.

I asked,

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“We’re supposed to bring you in.”

“Where to?”

“The principal’s office!”

So, it’s finally come.

It had been a few days since I delivered the sample, so by now, they must have used the Wall of Wisdom.

And the Wall of Wisdom always presented the most efficient solution.

Since I could halve the Witch of Corruption’s power just by my presence, there was a very high chance that I would be mentioned.

So I asked again,

“When do they want me to come?”

“They said to come as soon as possible.”

“Then let’s head over right away.”

Meanwhile, Shin Byeong-cheol, perhaps sensing the gravity of the situation, had gone pale.

“I, uh, don’t have to go, right?”

“No, you’re all set. Thank you for your help.”

“Okay, then! Take care, everyone! Have a great weekend!”

With that, he quickly made his escape, as if worried someone might change their mind.

What a spineless guy. May he keep drawing nothing but tea sets from now on.

Song Cheon-hye’s brow twitched slightly as if she shared the same thought, but she soon composed herself and took the lead.

“Follow me.”

***

We soon stopped in front of a door marked <Principal’s Office>.

Song Cheon-hye who looked slightly tense knocked on the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

The door swung open abruptly, revealing Lee Soo-dok.

Beside him, Seo Cheong-yong stood with a warm smile as he casually waved his hand.

They had probably sensed our arrival long before we got here.

Song Cheon-hye bowed slightly and spoke.

“I’ve brought him.”

“Thank you for your hard work. You may leave now.”

“Yes.”

When Song Cheon-hye glanced briefly in my direction, I also bowed politely to the teachers before stepping into the principal’s office.

The door closed behind me, but not long after, Lee Soo-dok suddenly flung it open again and stormed out.

– What are you standing there for?

– …Sorry.

It seemed she had been lingering nearby to eavesdrop, perhaps out of curiosity, and got caught.

Even Dang Gyu-young would get caught if Seo Cheong-yong and Lee Soo-dok were involved, so how could someone like Song Cheon-hye hope to succeed?

Finally pulling my gaze away from the door, I took in my surroundings.

The principal’s office exuded an atmosphere of solemnity and gravity.

Underfoot, soft carpet cushioned each step and every piece of furniture seemed to boast, “I’m expensive.”

The walls were lined with evenly spaced frames that displayed photographs of past principals.

In one corner, a bookshelf held tightly packed volumes that were likely high-ranked magic books or martial arts manuals.

At the center of it all was a desk with a nameplate that read <Principal>, and behind it sat a man who looked utterly out of place in such a dignified setting. 𝙧𝘢Ŋο𝔟ЁS̩

His hair stuck out in every direction and his beard was unkempt.

Although he was wearing a suit, the loosened tie and undone buttons made it clear he found it uncomfortable.

Despite his disheveled appearance, I already knew he was the principal, so I immediately bowed politely.

“Hello.”

“Ah, welcome, Kim Ho.”

The principal answered in a calm tone.

Then, as if something was bothering him, he scratched his head vigorously and said,

“Sorry to ask this right after we’ve met, but is it okay if I speak informally?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Ah, thank you. I swear, trying to keep up formalities is exhausting. Makes it hard to breathe.”

While glancing sideways to gauge the mood, I noticed a woman in a suit standing nearby.

It was the vice principal. She was radiating about 2.5 times the seriousness of Song Cheon-hye.

She’s no joke.

Not in terms of personality, but in sheer ability.

Judging by an experienced eye, she seemed to be knocking on the door of S-rank strength.

She might even be stronger than Lee Soo-dok or Seo Cheong-yong.

“……”

The vice principal remained silent. Her gaze was sharp and cold.

The principal, perhaps feeling the tension, shifted his focus to me and asked,

“Any idea why you were called here?”

“I’m not sure.”

For now, I decided to act clueless.

Even if the outcome was the same and I ended up joining the subjugation team, there was a significant difference between volunteering knowingly and being formally approached with an explanation and proposal.

The latter is much more advantageous.

Considering that someone of the principal’s caliber, who was practically a legendary hero, had called me, the benefits on offer were likely substantial.

The principal asked,

“You’re familiar with the Witch of Corruption, right?”

“Yes, I am.”

It was the hottest topic among students lately, and given that I’d encountered Dark Oobleck multiple times during disciplinary action, there was no reason to deny it.

The principal explained,

“We’ll soon launch a full-scale battle against the Witch of Corruption. A subjugation team is being organized, and I’ve been told you could play a critical role in it.”

“This is the first I’ve heard of it. May I ask who said that?”

“….…”

The principal was momentarily at a loss for words.

The Wall of Wisdom was a top-secret matter, known only to a select few insiders.

It wasn’t something that could be casually disclosed to a mere student.

Of course, I already knew all about it.

At that moment, the vice principal who had been silently observing finally spoke up for the first time.

“That’s classified information, so I hope you’ll understand Kim Ho.”

“Is that so? Understood.”

What I gained from this was a small debt of gratitude and a slight upper hand in the conversation.

The principal asked again,

“Anyway, if you can think of anything, why don’t you tell us what you can do?”

After deliberately pausing for a moment, I spoke.

“There’s one thing I can guess. But before that, may I ask another question?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“You said you were organizing a subjugation team. Does that mean I’ll be part of it too?”

“…That’s how it’ll likely turn out.”

I made a face that clearly showed I was already reluctant.

“I’d like to hear more details.”Nôv(el)B\\jnn

“Alright, I’ll explain.”

This time, Seo Cheong-yong answered in the principal’s stead.

The Witch of Corruption had hidden herself in an A-rank dungeon, the Teleportation Labyrinth.

Furthermore, it was highly likely that she had fortified the place, which was why a subjugation team was being formed.

The Teleportation Labyrinth, huh?

As expected, given the change in the players involved, she had hidden herself somewhere I hadn’t anticipated.

I could roughly guess her intent, though.

Still, since my bargaining process wasn’t over yet, I lowered my head with an even more reluctant expression.

“If it’s the Witch of Corruption in an A-rank dungeon, I don’t think I’m up to the task. My apologies.”

“…I suppose that’s to be expected. I understand.”

The principal spoke with a tone of disappointment.

Participating in the subjugation team was a matter of life and death, so it wasn’t something that could be forced upon a student.

All the more so if that student was only a first-year.

However, the moment I met the principal’s gaze, I realized it instinctively.

As expected, he hasn’t given up.

His eyes were still brimming with curiosity and interest.

He hadn’t said anything, but he must have done some digging into my background.

And whatever he discovered had likely interested him even further.

The principal raised the corners of his mouth slightly and said,

“Still, I’d like to hear if you’ve got something.”

I could have wriggled out of it here, but if I did, they would genuinely plan the operation without me.

It was time for me to prove my worth.

“I have a countermeasure for poison.”

“She does use poison techniques. But an ordinary countermeasure won’t work.”

“It’s more than enough.”

Rather than explain with words, I decided to show them directly.

Since it would be revealed during the subjugation anyway, there was no need to keep it tightly under wraps.

[Activated ‘Enchantment’.]

[You have granted “Poison Immunity” to the target.]

“Immun—!”

The principal’s expression froze solid.

It was astonishing enough that a student possessed an ability like Poison Immunity, something even graduates and faculty members hadn’t mastered, but the fact that I could bestow it on others was beyond belief.

He immediately shared the notification message with the other teachers who reacted similarly.

Their attitudes shifted entirely.

Just moments ago, they had been half resigned to leaving me out of the subjugation team, but now their gazes carried an almost desperate determination to include me no matter what.

“Couldn’t you reconsider? That skill would be of great help.”

When the principal asked this, I once again put on my “reluctant expression”.

“As I mentioned, my abilities alone aren’t enough. Just because I have Poison Immunity doesn’t mean I’m invincible.”

At that, Seo Cheong-yong and Lee Soo-dok chimed in.

“The teachers and seniors will make sure you don’t get even a scratch.”

“We can guarantee that much.”

Then the principal made an offer.

“Alright, if you’re going to risk your life to join us, it should be worth it. Tell me what you want.”

“After the subjugation is over, I’d like to make a small request of you, Principal.”

There’s nothing more certain than a blank check.

And if the person granting it is the principal, that makes it all the more solid.

“……!”

The principal’s eyes gleamed sharply.

He realized that the reason I had been negotiating up until now was precisely for this moment.

Even so, he seemed to ponder what could possibly be so unreasonable before nodding in agreement.

“Fine, let’s do that. If it’s something I can manage, I’ll take care of it. So, you’re joining us?”

“Thank you.”

“The subjugation team will be led by Teacher Seo and Teacher Lee, so make sure to coordinate well with them.”

“Yes, understood.”

***

After Kim Ho left and even Lee Soo-dok and Seo Cheong-yong had gone,

Only the principal and vice principal remained in the principal’s office.

The principal who was lost in deep thought for a while finally spoke.

“…That one, he’s a Monarch, isn’t he?”

“Yes, without a doubt.”

“A Monarch, Poison Immunity, and even can bestow his abilities…”

Where in the world did someone like that come from?

While the Witch of Corruption subjugation would undoubtedly end in success this way, the principal couldn’t shake the feeling that he had invited a tiger into the fold just to catch a fox.