The Academy’s Time Stop Player

TL/Editor: looloo

Schedule: 5/Week Mon-Fri

Illustrations: Here

They intend to help him, Hajoon understood.

However, Hajoon was the master of this spectral world.

Thus, he could feel what the deceased wanted and the emotions they harbored.

"I have no intention of being used."

Hajoon stared at the spirits, opening his mouth with a calm yet dignified voice.

He planned to fulfill their wishes but had no intention of being exploited.

This was not because Hajoon, being the master here, felt discomfort at the thought of being used by them.

Nor was it out of pride.

It was merely because the state of those who had followed Horton in the past appeared too miserable.

-......

Soon, the outcry of the spirits subsided, and silence ensued.

In the silence of the spirits, Hajoon could feel an emotion.

It was confusion.

They too were feeling the meaning behind Hajoon's words.

Although their words were not heard, he could sense that the spirits were also immersed in some thought.

Philaten watched this scene with amazed eyes.

‘The spirits fell silent...’

Beings filled with resentment and anger had silenced at Hajoon's words.

Moreover, from this silence, even the emotions that sustained their existence were not felt.

Meaning, all of them were feeling something other than resentment and anger because of Hajoon's words.

‘They are realizing.’

Soon, Philaten's gaze turned towards Hajoon.

Hajoon had made them realize something.

What kind of beings they were.

For what purpose they existed in this spectral world.

A moment later, a faint moisture trailed down Philaten's cheeks.

Before her eyes, a new king, inheriting the king's power, had made the spirits realize their forgotten identities.

Philaten bowed deeply, lowering herself towards Hajoon.

The spirits of this spectral world might be confused now, but with more time, they would come to realize at some moment.

Their identity, what they had existed for until now.

[Thank you, Your Majesty.]

The moment Philaten spoke, Hajoon turned back to look at her.

Philaten raised her head, continuing with a face full of emotion.

[Thanks to the king's words, they will realize.]

Not just what Hajoon wished for them but the reason they still existed.

[Just as the king can understand their emotions, they will come to know the king's emotions as well.]

Those who existed as miserable spirits in this spectral world would realize the reason for their existence.

Time passed, and all preparations for the dimensional dungeon were completed.

Hajoon's gaze shifted to the countdown floating in the air.

[00:09:59]

Only 9 minutes left.

In preparation for that time, Hajoon stood at the center of a wide open space located underground at the Korean Heroes Association, waiting for time to pass.

Around him, many agents of the association were busily moving and preparing.

"The mana waves from the gate are gradually increasing. In a few minutes, the gate to the dimensional dungeon will open and go berserk."

At that moment, Association Chairman Kim Jeongyong approached Hajoon to explain the situation.

He had shed the suit he had worn for so long and was now dressed in a black bulletproof vest, as if ready to head to the field.

"Under the pretext of supporting all nations, the personnel distribution has also been properly arranged by Student Hajoon."

The scale of the dimensional dungeon was the same as in other countries.

No, compared to others, the magic circle that opened in the capital of the United States was even larger, visible even from New York.

Hajoon seemed to understand why.

The dimensional dungeon that opened in the United States must be the focal point.

After all, the Elf King existed beyond it.

"Gates leading to other countries have also been prepared."

In front of Hajoon, six gates were open.

This was made possible by the precious manpower of gate owners provided by other countries.

Each gate led to the central areas where the dimensional dungeons were opening.

This was a part that Hajoon had requested.

It was the only way to support six countries at once.

"Five minutes."

Hajoon brought a chair in front of the six gates and sat down.

He stretched his arms and loosened up his body.

It was time.

[00:04:59]

In 5 minutes, the gate would open, and an unpredictable situation would unfold.

Would hundreds of demonic beasts pour out like a flood? Or would puppets of the Giant King spill out?

Or perhaps both.

"Will you be alright?"

At the last moment, Association Chairman Kim Jeongyong was still worried about Hajoon.

Hajoon responded with a smirk and shook his head at the Chairman.

"Thinking about the trouble makes me lose my motivation."

Knowing that Hajoon's words were in jest, Kim Jeongyong smiled softly and told him.

"Our association will support you with all our might."

Hajoon also smiled and nodded in response.

"More than that, those people are impressive."

"Are you referring to the journalists?"

Soon, Hajoon's gaze shifted to the monitors set up near the gates.

The screens showed the current situations in various countries.

Numerous heroes gathered to prepare for the dimensional dungeon and journalists filming them from outside the great magic barrier created by Anna.

Hajoon's gaze moved to the journalists filming the scene from helicopters.

Even though it's said to be safe beyond the barrier, he wondered if it wouldn't be better to avoid potential risks.

However, Association Chairman Kim Jeongyong simply defended them with a soft smile.

"They too are risking their lives. The citizens have the right to know the end of this fight."

Kim Jeongyong added that they were there risking their lives to document this historic battle.

Well, filming from a slightly farther place than the outskirts of Anna's barrier would ensure safety. However, there could be beings powerful enough to break through the barrier.

But Hajoon had no intention of letting them easily break through the barrier.

"It's time to start preparing."

"Indeed."

Click! Chirp!

That was when it happened.

The voice of Andre flowed from the walkie-talkie attached to Chairman Kim Jeongyong's chest.

[This is Chairman Andre. Lain has finished all the preparations.]

Now that it was known that the Elf King was beyond the dimensional dungeon in the United States, there was no need for Lain to move individually.

The moment the dimensional dungeon opened, the heroes who were waiting in advance beyond the dimensional dungeon would stop whatever poured out. Meanwhile, Lain planned to enter the dungeon alone to kill the Elf King.

This meant Lain's role was the most crucial in this battle.

"I had no idea Student Hajoon would enlist Lain. I heard she plays the most significant role in this event."

At that, Hajoon nodded.

"The dimensional dungeon will close only if she succeeds."

Although Hajoon wanted to follow Lain into the dungeon to help, he had many tasks to attend to here.

While she was killing the Elf King, he had to support the heroes gathered to prevent the Break of the dimensional dungeon.

Moreover, not knowing the full extent of the Giant King's power, it was a situation where magic had to be conserved.

Even though he possessed a mana figure of 700, unlike Anna, his mana was finite.

The plan was to conserve even a little bit of mana before facing the Giant King.

"It's time."

Chairman Kim Jeongyong checked the time and spoke to Hajoon.

The dimensional dungeon's opening time, individually investigated by the association, was similar to the countdown time appearing before Hajoon.

As he said, only 1 minute was left.

That was when the quest window cascaded before Hajoon's eyes.

Instantly, Hajoon's eyes widened.

[Sub Quest]

Character: Kim Hajoon (Liber Laphilton Phil Ehrman)

Description: Defeat the demonic beasts pouring out from inside the dimensional dungeon.

Kill Count: 500

Reward: 20,000 Experience Points

[Sub Quest]

Eligible Character: Kim Hajoon (Liber Laphilton Phil Ehrman)

Description: Defeat the demonic beasts pouring out from inside the dimensional dungeon.

Kill Count: ***,000

Reward: 30,000 Experience Points

[Sub Quest]

Eligible Character: Kim Hajoon (Liber Laphilton Phil Ehrman)

Description: Defeat the demonic beasts pouring out from inside the dimensional dungeon.

Kill Count: ******,000

Reward: 40,000 Experience Points

"Good grief...."

The moment he saw the quests that appeared, a wry smile formed on Hajoon's lips.

It wasn't because the quests had suddenly surged up after being quiet for a while.

It was because, through the kill count in the quest window, he could indirectly know the number of demonic beasts that would pour out from the gate.

There were disgustingly many.

Of course, it was somewhat expected.

"The dimensional dungeon is about to open."

At Chairman Kim Jeongyong's words, Hajoon slowly stood up.

He then took Maharazu out of his pocket, slung it over his shoulder, and wrapped the Perception Obstruction Bandage around his arm to conceal his appearance.

Soon, Hajoon's gaze moved to the monitors showing the current situations in various countries.

Among the many heroes who had gathered to prevent the Break of the dimensional dungeon.

[00:00:00]

The countdown hit 0, and a notification message popped up.

[The gate to the dimensional dungeon is now open.]

Hajoon glanced at the situation beyond the monitor for a moment before slowly turning around to face the gate.

It was time to get to work.

He wasn't sure how long this would take, but he intended to try his best.

Hajoon moved towards the first gate, activating time stop.

"Let's go."

Meanwhile, in the heart of Seoul, Korea, numerous heroes had gathered to block the dimensional dungeon.

Thousands of heroes surrounding the gate of the dimensional dungeon held their breath in anticipation of the Break.

Close-range heroes quietly prepared to move, while heroes and magicians with long-range abilities quietly readied themselves for a preemptive strike against the demonic beasts falling from the sky.

With all heroes and magicians staring intensely at the dimensional dungeon floating above, a tense atmosphere prevailed.

"......?"

"What's going on?"

After a few seconds, they all couldn't help but wear puzzled expressions.

They all felt it because they were there.

That the gate to the dimensional dungeon had opened.

However, not a single demonic beast came out from beyond the dimensional dungeon.

Only a silent tension and bewilderment circulated.

"What's the situation in other countries?"

An agent of the association, positioned in the rear, asked about the situation in other countries.

An agent who checked the status of countries where the dimensional dungeon had opened through the monitor spoke up.

"Including the United States, China, Japan, and Russia, numerous humanoid demonic beasts have poured out. Only the United Kingdom and our Korea are in the same situation."

"This doesn't make any sense..."

Whether to consider this situation fortunate or not..., while all the agents of the association, including the heroes, were puzzled.

"?!"

In an instant, the gaze of all the heroes gathered here turned towards the gate of the dimensional dungeon.

Everyone felt and saw with their own eyes.

A sticky, dense, and ominous mass of mana slowly flowed out from the dimensional dungeon and began to fall to the ground.

The situation was the same in the United Kingdom.

As they all watched the scene in silence,

Thud-

Boom!!

The moment a massive mana mass hit the ground, a huge vibration occurred as if an earthquake had struck, capable of demolishing the surrounding buildings.

Simultaneously, the ground surged, and the heroes standing at the center began to evacuate in all directions.

"What on earth is that...?"

A hero murmured, losing their composure at the unfolding scene.

What emerged from the ground, breaking through the asphalt, was a giant made of dirt.

A monster emitting an enormous mana unlike anything felt before.

It quietly looked around before beginning to roar towards the sky.

-Kwooo!!

Before this scene unfolded, everyone was burning with resolve, but the appearance of the giant instilled an indescribable fear in them.

It was evident from the mana emanating from the giant.

It was an entity beyond human opposition.

As some of the heroes gathered here began to slowly lose their resolve,

"Snap out of it! If you give up, who will protect this place?"

Riella Harnis, a great hero waiting in the front, summoned numerous divine beasts and shouted towards them.

Simultaneously, Han Siyoung and the Sword King, also waiting in the front, drew their swords and charged towards the giant, kicking off the ground.

Swoosh-

-Kwooo!!

It was the Sword King and Han Siyoung who grazed past the giant, swinging their swords.

The moment two swords passed by the giant's body, a white line was drawn on the giant's left arm, causing the giant's massive left arm to fall to the ground and begin crumbling back into dirt.

The Sword King, having landed, shouted loudly towards the heroes gathered here.

"Don't be afraid! This is the place you need to protect!"

That single sentence revitalized the heroes, bringing a spark back to their eyes.

The resolve of the heroes gathered here was about to return.

However, the next scene made all the heroes freeze in horror, staring at the scene with stiff faces.

Ssshhh!

The giant's severed left arm began to regenerate.

Dirt from the surroundings was absorbed into the giant's body, starting the regeneration of the severed arm.

Just as the heroes' morale was returning from the great heroes' rallying cry, it began to wane again.

Then, suddenly, it happened.

Whoosh! Thump!!!

-Kwooo!!

It all occurred in an instant.

A massive hammer appeared from nowhere, sweeping through the body.

As the giant's pained scream echoed, its half turned back into dirt, about to collide with a high-rise building.

Then, once again, from the opposite side, a massive hammer appeared and swept through the giant's body.

Thwack!! Boom!!

As a result, the giant's limbs fell off, and it collapsed to the ground with a thud.

As a massive vibration spread in all directions, with the dirt that formed the giant's body dispersing, they all watched this shocking scene unfold.

From the center where the giant had fallen, a boy emerged, walking with a hammer slung over his shoulder, step by step.

The moment the heroes present saw the boy, they all began to cheer.

"Woah!! It's the Irregular!"

"He's come to help us!"

With those cheers, their fighting spirit was revived.

However, Hajoon, having eliminated the giant's limbs, disappeared again.

Of course, none of the heroes were concerned about the disappearance of the Irregular.

They all understood the boy's intention.

He had eliminated the giant's arms and legs, and now it was their turn to do what needed to be done.

To stop the giant's body from regenerating before it could.

"The Irregular has created an opportunity!"

"Stop the giant before its body regenerates!"

All the heroes gathered here yelled and charged towards the fallen giant.