The Academy’s Time Stop Player

TL/Editor: looloo

Schedule: 5/Week Mon-Fri

Illustrations: Here

"Now, the future in which they were saved is one that you share."

Hajoon's expression blanked for a moment upon hearing those words.

After staring blankly at Joa for a moment, Hajoon let a small smile creep up the corners of his mouth.

He said to her, "It sounds like everyone else is going to have a hard time too."

Joa responded with a gentle smile.

"I should get going."

"See you later, Irregular."

With that, Hajoon left the reception room.

After leaving the reception room, he immediately headed to the office of Chairman Kim Jeongyong.

Walking down the long corridor, he saw many agents busily moving about.

Several agents who recognized Hajoon stopped in their tracks and respectfully bowed their heads.

They were agents who recognized Irregular's face, even amidst the busyness caused by the crisis.

Despite the busyness, they did not fail to stop and respectfully greet Hajoon.

At one point, agents lined up along the corridor, standing side by side, and began to bow their heads respectfully towards Hajoon.

Hajoon paused for a moment but then continued forward with a composed expression.

"I'll count on you."

"We will support you to the best of our abilities."

Voices of agents could be heard as Hajoon passed by.

Even Hajoon himself couldn't guarantee if he could meet their expectations.

"I'll do my best."

Hajoon left those words for the agents who were politely asking for his help and headed towards the chairman's office.

Knock- Knock-

After knocking on the door to the chairman's office, Hajoon entered.

Chairman Kim Jeongyong stood with his hands clasped behind him, staring out the window at the gigantic gate.

Hajoon paused to look at his back before approaching and standing beside him.

Chairman Kim Jeongyong maintained silence for a moment before slowly speaking.

"At the ISU meeting, a global superhuman alliance was formed to resolve this crisis. It's unprecedented."

Hajoon also stood next to him, shifting his gaze towards the gigantic gate.

Soon, Kim Jeongyong's head drooped.

"Despite that, Korea was in a situation where support could be delayed. The situation was severe in other countries as well."

"……."

With that, he turned his head towards Hajoon.

The expression on his face spoke volumes of his troubled heart.

"They said to rely on Korea's Irregular and to hold on. If we can hold on, they promised to provide support after settling their own country's situation. I couldn't easily refute their words. I too felt desperately in need of Mr. Hajoon's help."

"……."

"Mr. Hajoon has resolved numerous incidents, but he is still a young student of 17 years old."

When the topic of Irregular came up during the meeting, he couldn't easily respond. He too knew how desperately Hajoon's help was needed to resolve this crisis.

The hero known as Irregular had reached a point where he could no longer be classified merely as a top-tier hero.

He was known as the strongest hero in the world.

Yet, this formidable individual was still a 17-year-old boy.

Chairman Kim Jeongyong could only bow his head in a mix of helplessness and apology towards Hajoon.

"Despite this, I must ask you, Mr. Hajoon."

He bowed respectfully towards Hajoon as he spoke.

"Please protect Korea."

"……."

Hajoon looked at him silently for a moment.

The chairman of the hero association, who had supported Korea until now, was bowing his head to him.

After a moment, Hajoon spoke.

"Please raise your head, Chairman."

"All I can do is make such a request."

"There's no need for you to ask."

Kim Jeongyong slowly raised his head to look at Hajoon.

Hajoon smiled lightly and said,

"Actually, I was thinking of asking for your help."

"……."

At those words, his eyes widened and shook.

The boy had already decided to step forward to resolve this crisis.

Hearing this, Chairman Kim Jeongyong looked at Hajoon with a face full of resolve and answered,

"All of Korea's heroes, including those from the association, will support you."

At that, Hajoon smiled lightly and nodded in response.

"Not bad."

After leaving the association, Hajoon used time stop and headed to the academy.

The reason was a call from Riella Harnis, the academy's divine beast tamer.

Hajoon immediately used time stop and arrived in front of the principal's office.

Just as he was about to knock, the door opened by itself, allowing him to see the people gathered inside.

"You came faster than expected. Didn't I just contact you?"

Hajoon looked at the people standing beside her for a moment.

It was so sudden that he hadn't expected them to gather at the academy.

Hajoon spoke in a slightly astonished voice,

"Everyone's here?"

"Yes."

The great heroes who had conquered dimensional dungeons and ended the era of Great Chaos.

Riella Harnis, Adrian Heights, Han Junho, Helen Belhar.

They were gathered in the principal's office, looking at Hajoon.

"I called them because it seemed like we'd need help,"

Adrian said, smiling slyly at Hajoon.

"The young ones are putting in the effort; we couldn't just sit back and do nothing."

At that, Hajoon chuckled and moved closer to them, saying,

"That's reassuring."

"We all owe you a debt," said Han Junho, the Sword King.

Hajoon looked around at them, thinking.

"Now, the future in which they were saved is one that you share."

He recalled Joa's words and smiled lightly.

"Yes, it's good that we've gathered like this, but it's going to be draining. You all are aware of the current situation, right?" Helen Belhar said.

With a serious face, she continued,

"The scale of the last dimensional dungeon gate we conquered during the era of Great Chaos is incomparable to this one. It seems we have no choice but to wait for the dimensional dungeon's break period and defend rather than conquer."

"It was also decided in the ISU meeting that we should opt for defense rather than offense."

"Korea, Japan, Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, China. Dimensional dungeons have appeared in the capitals of these six countries. Even with the allied nations united and our presence, it won't be possible to block every country's gate."

The last statement was from Riella Harnis.

Realistically, her words were accurate.

Even with support from other countries without gates, and even with the united forces of the allied nations and the power of the great heroes, it's practically impossible to defend against every dungeon break.

Of course, the United States, being a superhero power, could provide some support to Korea, but they too had their own gates to block, making significant assistance unlikely.

"What are you planning to do?"

With Riella Harnis's question, their gazes turned towards Hajoon.

"If you wish, I'll stay here for a while and offer my support,"

Adrian Heights asked with a serious face, likely a difficult offer to make.

Leaving his own country, the United States, to help Korea for a while was no small decision.

Hajoon looked around at them.

Seeing the great heroes nodding at Adrian's words, it was clear they all shared the same thought.

"It seems I'll have to put my travels on hold."

"As for me, I've been away from England for a long time, so it doesn't matter."

Hearing Han Junho and Helen Belhar also offering their help, Hajoon smiled lightly.

While he appreciated their offer to help, Hajoon had already decided how to resolve the situation.

"You don't need to go out of your way to help Korea."

Everyone's eyes widened at his statement.

Knowing he wouldn't say such a thing without a plan, Adrian asked Hajoon,

"Do you have a method in mind?"

"Yes."

With that, Hajoon nodded and shared his plan.

Hearing Hajoon's strategy, their eyes widened in astonishment.

"You're going to do that?"

"Really, is that even possible?"

"You believe you can do it?"

To Riella's remark, Hajoon simply nodded.

Faced with Hajoon's overly idealistic plan, the great heroes could only stare at him with stunned expressions.

The rooftop plaza of Rokia Academy.

The students' resting area was quiet now.

Everyone had been sent home due to the crisis.

Yet, there were still some students who remained.

"Everyone's here."

Hajoon chuckled as he looked at those gathered at the resting area.

Han Siyoung, Anna, Yoo Seolah, Liam, Haruna, Lee Jooah, and the student council president, Lee Joohee.

All of them had gathered upon hearing Hajoon was at the academy.

"Hajoon, did you see it? The dimensional dungeon above."

"Yeah."

"Are you really planning on doing that?"

"Yes."

At that, everyone chuckled.

Hajoon looked around at the kids and asked,

"What are your plans?"

At least, the kids in front of him were either on par with or had surpassed the power of top-tier heroes.

They were the main characters of this game.

There might be some exceptions, but in terms of power, they would be considered equal to top-tier heroes.

Yet, they were still 17-year-old kids.

Hajoon intended to respect the children's decisions.

And the first to speak up was Anna.

"I plan to step in too. But I'll be fighting in my own country."

The United Kingdom was also among the countries where dimensional dungeons had opened.

Given that she had already awakened the sage's power, her participation would be a significant asset.

"I'll have to return to the United States. If you need help, just say the word. I can come straight through the gate."

At that, Hajoon nodded and shifted his gaze to the other kids.

"I'm thinking of moving too."

After Han Siyoung's words, Yoo Seolah, Lee Jooah, and Lee Joohee nodded and responded,

"I'm thinking of providing support from the rear."

"My ability could be helpful in many ways, especially in a mass event."

"The power of the divine beasts will be of great assistance."

The kids nodded as if they had firmly decided.

Well, these were somewhat expected answers.

In a way, these were the protagonists of this world.

Hajoon looked at the kids who had been playable characters.

Hajoon still had a red quest that he had received long ago.

[Main Quest]

Quest Eligible Characters: Kim Hajoon (Liber Laphilton Phil Ehrman)

Description: Graduate safely from Rokia Academy with your comrades.

● Han Siyoung (Completed)

● Anna Elizabeth Hartel (Completed)

● Haruna Ruel (Completed)

● Liam Martel (Completed)

Failure: Death

'I guess if any one of these kids dies, I'd die too.'

He sighed with that thought.

However, Hajoon knew.

As important as the lives of these kids were, their power was desperately needed in this situation.

"What are you planning to do now?"

Han Siyoung asked Hajoon.

Hajoon slowly rose from the bench.

Looking at the kids, he said,

"For now, I'm going to try to save everyone."

"……?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"I plan to make sure no one dies."

The phrase 'make sure no one dies' wasn't limited to just the kids present here.

Hajoon literally intended to ensure that no one would die.

He had no intention of letting people die needlessly, caught in the crossfire of the battle with the kings.

"Act with all your might. I'll take care of the rest."

Hajoon intended to save everyone involved in this fight.