Academy’s Villain Professor-Chapter 137 : Chapter 137

Chapter 137 : Confirmation (2)
The dean, of course, expected Ho-cheol to actively step up again this time to root out the source of this incident and the related villains.
That's why he had shared this information.
But seeing his reaction, he belatedly realized that it was too optimistic of a thought.
In the first place, Ho-cheol only reacted sensitively and moved first when the opponent stepped into his domain.
Ho-cheol had no interest in this matter.
“Human-monster fusion? It’s intriguing. But how long have they been pulling this crap?”
His indifferent expression, gaze, and even his tone of voice were all exuding his inner thoughts.
“If they've been at it since the beginning, well, it wouldn't be strange for some tangible results to start showing up.”
From the moment monsters and gates appeared, all the villains interested in that field had flocked to it, repeating all sorts of crazy experiments and reSe-ahrch.
Experiments to mix monsters and humans were something Ho-cheol had heard a lot about as old rumors even when he was a villain.
However, due to the limitations of technology, they had never actually shown themselves.
It was just that what was bound to come had come.
That's all he felt.
Most importantly.
“Looking at its state, it's not a fusion, it's just mixed together like bibimbap. It looks incredibly weak.”
At the very least, it wasn't strong enough for Ho-cheol's instincts to send a danger signal.
If it had been, he would have intervened long ago.
But in the end, it was at a level that could be caught by a patrol hero.
“……Indeed, its strength was not significant. But to have even partially succeeded in fusing with a monster is something.”
Ho-cheol cast his gaze back to the table.
“What on earth did they mix it with?”
A monster was originally a term for a creature that appeared within a gate, different from any animal or plant on this earth.
Naturally, the individual differences were more pronounced than in humans.
As a result, some of them could be subdued by an ordinary person with just a crowbar.
And he had to step up when they couldn't even properly fuse with such things?
In Ho-cheol's opinion, it was frankly close to making a fuss.
“Anyway, I'm out.”
At Ho-cheol's firm refusal, the dean slowly closed his eyes.
He muttered as if lamenting.
“That's right. You were that kind of person.”
He had been mistaken.
In the first place, he was not a subordinate he could command, nor was he a hero who would not hesitate to do any dirty work out of a sense of justice.
The cases he had actively stepped up in were limited to those involving his students, the people around him, or his past.
All the incidents since his release had been like that.
From the ‘Lunard Auction’, the ‘Organization’, the ‘Escapees’, the ‘Sword Demon’, the ‘Black Market’, and even ‘Ji-an’.
All of those had a direct or indirect connection to Ho-cheol's past and present, which was why he had personally moved and resolved them, despite the numerous risks and dangers.
And the most recent case, when the guys who claimed to revive the dead were running rampant, the reason Ho-cheol had reacted was not because it was causing social chaos.
It was simply because they had approached Ho-cheol and thoroughly gotten on his nerves.
If that had not happened, he would probably have just brushed that matter off as well, thinking,
“That's a big deal.”
Looking at the slightly sulking dean, Ho-cheol waved a hand.
“Well, if it’s a really urgent matter for you, old man, and you ask me for help, it’s not like I can’t help you.”
Of course, the dean was also a person who was barely included in Ho-cheol's category of ‘my people’.
Even if he didn't want to, it was troublesome, and he didn't think it was a very important matter, but if he was asked for help, it wasn't like he couldn't help.
However.
“But listen.”
Ho-cheol was not an idle resource either.
“The guys who revive the dead. Do you think this is more serious than chasing them?”
In fact, Ho-cheol found the dean's attitude even stranger.
The resurrection of the dead, he had already shared this information.
He considered this a more serious matter than Ji-an's ‘Organization’.
But to be obsessed with a mere genetic patchwork?
Could it be dementia?
He even had such a worry.
“Well, that’s true too.”
Which one was the more serious issue?
There was no room for debate.
But the reason the dean had brought this up was because the investigation had yielded no results.
Not only the dean, but also the head of the Legal Department and Se-ah were secretly digging for related information, but not even a speck of dust was coming out.
It was more hopeless than when they were chasing Ji-an's ‘Organization’ at the beginning of the semester.
It had reached the point where he even wondered if they had just pulled a stunt to shake Ho-cheol.
“It's not entirely impossible, is it.”
“Certainly.”
Ho-cheol bent his index finger and rubbed his forehead with his knuckle.
The dean's opinion was also plausible.
No, in fact, considering the value and ability of the personnel engaged in this matter, their goal might have been to divert their attention or deplete their resources.
“I’ll have to think about this a bit more.”
“Or there's another way.”
The dean lightly tapped the armrest of the sofa with his fingertips.
“In that case, Ji-an. How about asking her for advice? In any case, among us, she was a villain until the most recent time, so she might have some information related to them.”
Ho-cheol's expression changed strangely.
“I don't want to involve her in this.”
From the past investigations, it was clear that she was still tired, both physically and mentally.
He didn't want to add more work and burden her.
It wasn't for nothing that he had included Wolf Fang, whose position was a bit ambiguous at the time.
It was an unspoken signal to leave Ji-an alone since he was there.
That useless bastard.
I heard he's not even catching escapees well these days.
Should I throw him back in prison?
While Ho-cheol was having such bad thoughts, the dean suggested again.
“I'm just saying we should listen to some rumors, that’s all.”
“Well, if it’s just that much. Alright. I’ll ask her separately.”
If possible, he had intended to refrain from external activities until the investigation was over.
But since the matter was serious, he would have to make some concessions.
“Then I’ll ask her first. Let's push this to the second priority.”
“That should be fine. Ah, and.”
Ho-cheol waved his hand, cutting the dean off.
In any case, there was only one thing he would say at this timing.
“I’ll ask about the guys doing the genetic bibimbap too.”
“That would be good.”
After the situation was somewhat sorted out, the dean stood up from his Se-aht again.
“Right. What was your business here today?”
“You’re asking early.”
Ho-cheol took out a zip-lock bag containing a document from his pocket and held it out to the dean.
“This. Can you run a fingerprint comparison on the paper inside?”
“Whose is it?”
“If I'm asking, who would it be?”
Ho-cheol leaned back on the sofa and said softly.
“It's Smiley's.”
“I see.”
The dean nodded with a complicated expression.
“So.”
The dean held up the transparent zip-lock bag with his thumb and index finger.
“You want me to compare the fingerprint left on this document with the fingerprint on the Peacemaker?”
“Yeah. The DNA comparison failed last time, but fingerprints remain unless someone damages them.”
The dean stared at the document.
“Where did you get this? Are you still suspecting a relationship between that student and Smiley?”
“Suspecting? That's a bit of a strong word. I'm just curious.”
Ho-cheol sank deeper into the backrest of the sofa.
“I received something, so I have to give it back.”
Of course, when Smiley had given it to him, she had said that anyone who met Ho-cheol's criteria would be fine, and had left the judgment entirely up to him.
But Ho-cheol was honestly anxious.
What if his judgment, his eye for people, was wrong?
In that case, it would be better to give it to her family.
Honestly, it was a burdensome task for Ho-cheol.
“Smiley’s legacy. It seems it really does exist.”
At his words, the dean's eyes widened in surprise.
Before Ho-cheol's release, when the Association was negotiating with the academy to decide his post-release residence, such a story had come up.
There were some social issues and a shortage of hero manpower, but the biggest reason for his return to society was none other than Smiley's legacy.
It was just a rumor without any evidence, but in any case, the Association had vehemently argued that it should not be in the hands of a villain, and the dean at the time had also strongly agreed.
Of course, now he thought it wouldn't really matter if Ho-cheol had it.
“I never said it didn't exist.”
In fact, Ho-cheol hadn't particularly hidden it.
It wasn't in his nature to brag about such things, and he had simply not said anything because no one had asked.
Hiding a treasure was only for those who lacked the ability to protect it.
“But don't go spreading rumors. I'm not interested in having people I'm not close to prying into things.”
Ho-cheol stood up from his Se-aht.
“Then, please check on what I asked for as soon as possible.”
“Heo.”
The dean let out a sigh as if dumbfounded.
Returning to his dorm, Ho-cheol immediately summoned Ji-an.
It was a summons in name only; since she was just next door, a simple knock on the front door was enough to bring her over.
In fact, she arrived at Ho-cheol's dorm in less than 5 minutes.
She usually just barged in on her own, so it was extremely rare for him to call her first.
Thanks to that, her excitement was clearly visible.
Ji-an, with her hands behind her back, took off her shoes and came in.
“What’s the matter?”
“So.”
But before Ho-cheol could even ask his question, Ji-an moved first.
The two hands she had hidden behind her back were shot towards Ho-cheol in an instant.
A fleeting movement that caught him off guard, enough to make even Ho-cheol tense for a moment.
But her hands stopped before they reached him.
And in her hands was a small flowerpot.
“It’s a little strange to give back what you gave me.”
Her fingers, tightly gripping the flowerpot, couldn't stay still and kept fidgeting.
“It’s a congratulatory gift for passing the exam.”
It was one of the flowerpots Ho-cheol had bought her during a recent outing.
What a dynamic way to give a gift.
He was a little taken aback, but he obediently accepted the flowerpot anyway.
“……No. Thanks.”
He examined the flowerpot from various angles.
What had she done to it in the past few days?
The bonsai tree was not just growing in various directions, but its branches were twisting like a tornado, tightly wrapping around the trunk.
It was so dense that if he were to turn it upside down and pour water on it, wouldn't it hold water like a cup?
He asked, slightly impressed.
“How did you do it?”
“I don't know. It just happened?”
“This is overflowing with talent.”
Her room, which he had glimpsed, was already not much different from a botanical garden.
She said she would dig up dandelions and all sorts of weeds from between the concrete and asphalt on the street and grow them.
“You’re not just trying to get rid of the extras because you don’t have space for flowerpots in your room, are you?”
“N-no! Really! It’s my most treasured flowerpot!”
“Alright. Then, I’ll just put it here…”
“Ah!”
And as if she had realized something belatedly, she snatched the flowerpot from his hand again.
She placed the flowerpot not where Ho-cheol was about to put it, but on the windowsill, in a spot that overlooked the desk.
Then she declared firmly.
“Absolutely. Absolutely don’t touch it! This angle is important!”
Is the angle that important?
It looks the same even if I turn it once here.
Of course, he didn't voice that thought.
“Alright. I got it.”
Ji-an, with her hands behind her back again, timidly glanced at him.
After hesitating for a long time, she carefully brought it up.
“And this flowerpot. Please think of it as me and treat it nicely. And say nice things to it.”
“……Why should I?”
Ho-cheol asked back as if he couldn't understand.
A refusal without a single moment of hesitation. Ji-an, who hadn't expected him to be so firm, instantly became dejected.
She fidgeted with her fingers, her voice a crawl.
“No. I’m not saying you have to……”
Seeing the tearful Ji-an, on the verge of bursting into tears, Ho-cheol added.
“That’s not it. Why are you putting up a proxy, no, should I say a proxy-tree in this case, when you’re right here?”
“Eh?”
“If that's what you want, you can just ask me to do it to you directly, right?”
Looking at Ho-cheol, who was asking as if genuinely puzzled, Ji-an sniffled.
“……Th-then, can you say nice things to me?”
“Let me ask you in return. Why do you think I wouldn’t?”
“Uh……”
Ji-an thought for a moment, but then shook her head.
“No.”
Come to think of it, Ho-cheol had only asked her to refrain from secretly coming into his room at night or sticking to him 24/7.
He had never shown any sign of dislike for this kind of request.
She had just been holding back, thinking she was crossing the line, but that was just her own foolish thought.
Ho-cheol was such a gentle and kind person.
Ho-cheol lightly opened his arms.
“Come here.”
Only then did Ji-an embrace Ho-cheol.
Deeply and strongly, to the point of being suffocating, she hugged him and silently rubbed her forehead against his chest.
Ho-cheol also lightly patted her back.
“It must be hard, but you’re enduring it well.”
Although So-hee was taking good care of her, it seemed she was still quite burdened when dealing with Ji-an, unlike with him.
Since Ji-an was also quite sensitive, she would have been able to read that atmosphere.
Since neither could be a comfortable place for the other, Ji-an must have been quite tired, both mentally and in terms of stress.
If he could be her sanctuary.
As a guardian, it was an affection he should rightly bestow.
After some time had passed.
“Now, let’s let go.”
“Just one more minute.”
“You’ve already done that for 5 more minutes.”
If you asked for an encore like this at a karaoke, the owner would hit you on the back of the head with the microphone.
Ho-cheol forcibly detached Ji-an, who wouldn't let go.
“You still have to listen to the reason I called you.”
“Ah, right. What is it?”
Ho-cheol explained what had happened.
“In any case, you were a villain until recently, so you might know more than us.”
Honestly, it was a question asked without much expectation.
But her answer surpassed Ho-cheol's expectations.
“I know them.”
Ji-an answered shortly.
“What?”
Not knowing at all how serious the matter was, and having no interest in it, Ji-an just beamed, happy that she could be of help to Ho-cheol.
“In the first place, they’re the same guys.”
“With whom?”
“In the first place, they're them. The cooperative villain organization that backstabbed me at the end.”
The biggest mistake Ho-cheol, the dean, Se-ah, and the head of the Legal Department had made was to investigate this matter and the previous one as separate cases.
The villain organization that claimed to revive the dead and the organization that fused monsters and humans this time.
In the first place, they were grouped into one category.
“What was their name? I think it was similar to a department store's name.”
As Ji-an was thinking with her arms crossed, Ho-cheol said it as if spitting it out.
“New World Trait Liberation Society.”
“Yes, yes! That's it! They were explaining all sorts of things about how great they were, and said they were reSe-ahrching things like that too!”
At the familiar name, Ho-cheol covered his eyes with his palm.
This isn't someone else's problem anymore.