The Academy Geniuses I Raised and Dressed-Chapter 162 : Chapter 162: The Prelude to Collapse

Seoul was in utter chaos.
Ever since the City Hall terror attack by Black Hound and Cosmos broke on the news, every channel seemed to talk of nothing but Forward.
Crystal-owned TBC even compiled a full exposé, broadcasting every suspicion and allegation of Forward’s corruption and crimes to date.
The internet’s gone wild too.
Roughly 70% of posts cursed Forward.
The despair and denial of small-time investors who had bought Forward stock became the butt of jokes.
The remaining posts were filled with speculation and dread.
[What if Forward just cuts the power in retaliation?]
[TBC’s coverage makes it seem like Crystal is gearing up to go for Forward’s throat.]
[This is Crystal’s chance.]
[But Forward still monopolizes mana-stone power. Even Crystal has to buy their electricity.]
[Are we looking at an actual war? Maybe Crystal and Mayor Cheon Jiweon join forces to crush Forward.]
[If Forward really is tied to Cosmos, then the Mayor would have the perfect justification to destroy them, right?]
“Oh.”
Scrolling idly through my phone, I stopped.
“A civil war scenario.”
That was supposed to begin in
Phase 2.
In the game, Phase 2 began when new dungeons, monsters, and demonic resources appeared around the world as dungeon transfers spread.
One new dungeon on Seoul’s outskirts contained a shocking material: the
spirit-stone.
The core resource for mana-stone power.
This discovery threatened Forward’s monopoly over energy.
In response, Forward deployed Black Hound to seize the dungeon. Crystal, upon learning of it, dispatched the Crimson Crystal mercenaries to stop them.
The clash escalated, pulling in countless factions and corporations, until Seoul erupted in civil war.
In that storyline, Cheon Jiweon sided with Crystal, breaking Forward’s monopoly.
The alignment became: Cheon Jiweon + Crystal vs Forward + Cosmos.
But the civil war won’t happen this time.
I powered off my phone.
What’s about to unfold is Forward’s collapse, nothing more.
No doubt Forward would protest their innocence.
They’d threaten to cut power, hoping to seize the initiative.
But it wouldn’t matter.
Watching the bombs I’ve planted start to go off is… quite satisfying.
A knock sounded.
“Yein! A Peacekeeping Force officer’s here to pick us up!”
It was Lumina.
“Coming.”
I strapped my inventory bag to my waist and left the room.
[Breaking News.]
[In response to yesterday’s City Hall attack, Forward insists they had no involvement.]
[Forward claims Black Hound commander Yang Len acted independently, denying all ties to Cosmos. They also insist threats made against HAUT champions from Gwangcheon Academy were rogue actions, not corporate orders.]
[This morning, Forward announced it will cut Seoul’s power supply from mana-stone generation to one-third. They cite the ongoing investigation into Black Hound as preventing resource acquisition.]
[Asked whether this reduction was retaliation for Peacekeeping Force actions, Forward denied any connection.]
Well then. What will you do, Cheon Jiweon?
Oh Sungcheon smirked as he reclined into his plush sofa.
No matter what stunts you pull, it’s meaningless. The world runs on mana-stone power. If we shut down supply, the world halts with it. What then?
Show a starving man on TV, ten days without food—turn off the set, and all he’ll think about is his own dinner. That’s human nature. As time passes, they won’t want me dead, they’ll want you dead. Let’s see how long you last, hypocrite.
He savored the image of Cheon Jiweon kneeling before him, begging for electricity.
Then his desk phone buzzed.
Could Jiweon be calling already?
He picked up, only to hear a panicked voice.
[Sir, it’s Lee Jing. You need to turn on the TV immediately.]
Oh Sungcheon scowled and rose from his seat.
“Why? What now?”
[Mayor Cheon Jiweon…]
His secretary’s breathing was ragged, as though bracing to deliver a death sentence.
[…he just announced that they’ve successfully developed mana-stone power technology.]
“…”
Oh Sungcheon froze. For three full seconds, he doubted his own ears.
“They… developed mana-stone power?”
[Y-yes, sir…]
“Pfh… Puahahahaha!!”
His office rang with booming laughter.
“Mana-stone power? That sanctimonious bastard? Utter nonsense! Hahaha!”
He couldn’t stop laughing.
He must be lying, desperate to quell the fallout. A flimsy lie like that won’t hold for even a few days.
He looked down at the phone.
“Fine. I’ll watch the broadcast. Get back to work.”
He hung up and flicked on the holoprojector, curious to see Jiweon’s face as he spun this farce.
A holographic image filled the office.
There stood Cheon Jiweon, beside a machine glowing with pure white light.
Oh Sungcheon’s expression stiffened.
That light—he had seen it before.
[…As you can see, channeling mana into this new material generates electricity immediately, without using traditional mana-stones.]
Jiweon spoke as he removed a battery from the charger.
Its indicator remained a steady green, showing the mana-born electricity was stable.
ers gasped and applauded, breaking their restraint at the sheer impact of the demonstration.
[We are already preparing a pilot power plant using this material. Details will follow soon, but one thing I can promise today—]
Jiweon held the glowing battery high.
[—this electricity will be a
public resource.
Every citizen will have access to it. With this, our world will move into a new era never seen before.]
The hall erupted in cheers.
“Urk.”
Pain stabbed Oh Sungcheon’s neck. He collapsed back into his seat.
A moment later, he tilted his head back, staring up at the blank white ceiling.
The ceiling seemed to crumble above him— a hallucination swallowing Oh Sungcheon whole.
“Aah… AaAAAAHHH!!”
Flattened to the floor, he clutched his head with both arms, trembling.
“It’s collapsing… everything is collapsing…”
He lay there for a long time, whispering the words like a broken record.
Only after thirty minutes, when the news broadcast ended and ads replaced the hologram feed, did he finally rise.
Step by step, he walked back to his desk, pressed the phone’s button, and spoke.
“It’s me. Gather every remaining Black Hound. Summon all mercenaries under our payroll. And call the board to session.”
He hung up and sank into his chair.
“If there’s a fire, you just put it out. Nothing more.”
The next heir to Forward muttered with a quiet laugh.
The shock and fear had drained from his face— leaving only a smile twisted with madness.
The Peacekeeping Force car dropped us at All-Around’s headquarters.
“Call an hour before you want to head back. Even with Yang Len captured, don’t let your guard down.”
“Yes, understood. Thank you for bringing us.”
The officer, with his blond mohawk and soldier’s build, gave a curt nod before driving off.
“Haa… haaa…”
Beside me, Lumina let out a long breath, her face tense.
“Lumina, are you alright? Want some water?” Seo Yui asked.
“I-I-I’m fine, Yui.”
“You don’t look fine.” Meiling sniffed and muttered flatly.
“Lumina, there’s no need to be so nervous. It’s not a job interview—it’s a welcome party. Just relax and enjoy it.”
“Y-yeah… o-okay…”
She tried to smile at me but failed miserably.
“Alright, let’s go.”
I led the group to All-Around’s entrance.
A security scanner blocked the way.
I held up the device All-Around had given me, and the doors slid open.
[Welcome, Nam Yein, to All-Around Headquarters.]
“Kyah!?” Lumina yelped.
“Why are you so surprised? It’s just TTS,” Meiling muttered, arms crossed.
We passed through the lobby when a familiar voice called out.
“Oh! You’re here.”
Abel walked toward us, armband strapped on, smiling.
“Hello, Senior Abel.”
“I’m fine, don’t worry about me. Come on, let’s go. Everyone’s waiting in the banquet hall.”
“Hiccup!”
Lumina jolted, hiccupping loudly. The idea of
everyone
waiting must have been too much pressure.
Following Abel up the staircase from the lobby, we reached the grand double doors of the banquet hall.
He pushed them open.
Inside, All-Around members filled the room—more than I had seen even when they’d rescued us from Black Hound. Roughly sixty, by my estimate.
And every gaze turned toward us.
Quite the turnout.
Guild members of All-Around had to be busy, yet so many had gathered. Or perhaps they were simply starved for an event.
“Go on, move forward,” Abel urged from behind.
We cut through the weight of their stares until I spotted Zeke standing at the podium.
“Welcome,” Zeke said warmly.
“Abel, bring them up.”
“Yes, sir.”
We stepped onto the platform, with Zeke beside us.
“Attention, everyone.” His voice carried across the room.
“Here they are—All-Around’s youngest members ever. A team of first and second-year Hunter trainees. The HAUT champions, as you already know. Let’s hear some introductions.”
“Haa… haa…”
Hearing the shaky breathing beside me, I couldn’t help but grimace.
At this rate, Lumina’s going to faint.
“I’ll go first,” I said, trying to ease her burden.
Zeke nodded.
Facing the guild, I spoke.
“First year, Gwangcheon Academy. Nam Yein. I usually serve as a supporter and item user. Right now I’m basically a problem child who had to drop out after threats from Forward and Black Hound…”
I gave a wry smile. A few chuckles rippled through the room.
“But judging from the news, it seems that mess will be resolved soon. Once I return to the academy, I’ll keep my head down, graduate safely, and make sure nothing hinders guild activities.”
I bowed. Applause followed.
“Second year, Gwangcheon Academy. Seo Yui. I’m the squad’s tanker. Pleased to meet you.”
“N-nam… Lumina Cueva! First year, Gwangcheon Academy! I’m the squad’s mid-line melee damage dealer! I look forward to working with you!!!”
Her voice rang through the hall like a battle cry, the polar opposite of Yui’s calm introduction.
Last was Meiling.
“Chen Meiling. First year, Gwangcheon Academy. Magic user.”
Everyone here is older than you. You could at least be polite,
I thought.
Then she added:
“I can already handle sixth-floor dungeons. So skip the pointless welcome party and just take us there. That’s all.”
[…]
Silence smothered the hall.
Déjà vu…
I covered my face with one hand.
(End of Chapter)