The World After the Bad Ending - Chapter 54



53 – How to Get Rid of a Stalker

Iris rubbed her forehead, which had turned red.

It was the mark of the flick I gave her this morning.

No matter how you look at it, she had squeezed me too tightly.

It was a punishment she deserved.

When I arrived at the dining hall with Iris, I saw students bustling about.

Today is the day of the summer palace.

The subtle tension permeated the entire dining hall.

As Iris appeared, all eyes turned towards us.

I quietly followed Iris, trying not to arouse suspicion.

“Hania, did you hear that?”

“It’s a huge incident.”

But perhaps because of Hania’s innate sociability.

Hania’s friends often came up to talk to me.

“Sorry, everyone, I want to focus on the Magung today, let’s talk next time.”

But since it was the day of the summer Magung battle.

When I spoke indirectly, everyone understood and stepped back.

“Iris’s team came in second in the team event.”

“They must be focusing to make up for it.”

Fortunately, what happened in the team event gave weight to my words.

Focusing on the Magung battle to make up for the humiliation of the team event.

It was a reason that could be fully understood.

‘You have to work hard at everything.’

My past self.

I commend you.

One praise sticker.

‘After many twists and turns, the day is over.’

Now, all that’s left is the Magung battle.

Since it was the final act of the third act, I was quite nervous too.

“Hania, let’s go.”

In the tense atmosphere.

I headed to the martial arts building with Iris.

All the students gathered in the martial arts building and headed to the entrance of the Magung under the guidance of the professor.

As such, the martial arts students were crowded in front of the martial arts building.

The atmosphere was more tense than usual.

When I shifted my gaze, I saw Hania with a look of annoyance, arms crossed, standing with Seron.

It’s obvious.

She wanted to be next to Iris but couldn’t, so she was sulking.

Seron, who was next to me, kept his mouth tightly shut, as if Hania made him extremely uncomfortable.

It was a part of Seron’s social awkwardness.

Our Seron.

A communication idiot…

“Just like Hanon.”

Then Iris whispered.

That annoyed expression looks just like mine?

For someone like me who always wore a kind smile, it was a shocking statement.

As I was reeling from the shock, Isabel caught my eye.

Isabel tilted her head slightly as she looked at Hania, who resembled Hanon.

Could she have noticed something?

I hope not.

“Ha, I’m tired.”

“Another demon palace, huh.”

Meanwhile, several third-year students appeared.

The third-year students, who had already experienced several demon palaces, looked exhausted.

Unlike the second-year students, who had a strong desire to rise, most of the third-year students had a resigned attitude.

They were called the weakest generation by those around them.

They lacked the will to strive.

Among those third-year students.

I saw silver hair that looked colder than usual.

Under the hair.

I saw eyes of cold blue light.

The sharp eyes even felt gloomy.

Nikita Cynthia.

For some reason, I could feel a chill emanating from her.

At that moment, Nikita’s head lifted.

I quickly looked away before our eyes could meet.

I felt Nikita’s gaze linger on Iris before moving away.

The subtle killing intent in her eyes was something only I, who knew all the circumstances, could notice.

“Haah, it seems we’ve almost arrived.”

In the midst of a peculiar tension, Professor Beganon appeared belatedly.

Unlike usual, she was dressed in a neat suit, stifling a yawn left in her mouth.

Next to her was the martial arts professor in charge of the first and third years.

Professors with such fierce faces that Beganon seemed kind in comparison.

But among them, Beganon had the highest seniority.

Behind them, assistant professors and teaching assistants stood in a line.

With a considerable number of people in tow, Beganon gestured to the junior professors to follow her.

“From now on, we will move to the entrance of the Demon Palace. No commotion, everyone move.”

With the words of the third-year professor, the movement of the martial arts students began.

Given the number of people.

A rather grand procession followed.

By now, other departments besides martial arts must have started moving as well.

Later, a truly large number of students will gather in front of the entrance to the Demon Palace.

As we walked, I felt a gaze piercing the back of my head.

Since we started moving, I kept feeling someone watching me from behind.

Could it be that someone has realized I’m not Hania?

I glanced around, but none of the students seemed to be paying attention to me.

The students were all tense, preparing for the Demon Palace battle.

No one was in a situation to care about others.

‘If that’s the case.’

The owner of the persistent gaze was not a student.

Expanding my sense of the gaze a bit more, it reached the teaching assistants.

But even among the teaching assistants, no one was looking at me.

Finally, when my gaze reached the faculty.

I discovered someone staring intently at me.

One of the second-year assistant professors of martial arts.

Barkov Debliju.

The second son of Count Debliju, famous for his wealth.

And I know of an incident involving Barkov.

‘That b*stard has a thing for minors.’

An incident where a guy, an associate professor at Jerion Academy, was expelled for following a student around.

It only briefly appeared as news within the academy.

It’s not an event where the user directly intervenes.

Just a conflict between a professor and a student that stemmed from this incident.

And a stepping stone episode that explains why Professor Beganon became an alcoholic.

That guy is looking at me now.

To be precise, he’s looking at the shell of Hania that I wrote.

A chill ran down my spine.

Those burning eyes were utterly disgusting.

‘Why couldn’t Hania’s character deal with a stalker right away?’

A guy with a good family background, even as an associate professor, acting like that.

He must have been watching the situation, unable to resolve it hastily.

The problem is that now, that guy is looking at me with those burning eyes.

For the first time in my life, I felt a murderous urge.

“We’ve arrived at the Demon Palace, so from now on, find your team members until each is called.”

At that moment, we had already arrived at the Demon Palace.

As soon as Professor Beganon’s order fell, I clung to Iris in fright.

“Iris, let’s go quickly.”

If I felt that guy’s gaze any longer, I might use the Thunderbolt Broom.

Iris, sensing this, said nothing and moved her steps.

“Hania.”

Then.

Associate Professor Barkov appeared, blocking our way.

This madman.

“Iris, may I speak with Hania for a moment?”

Professor Barkov looked at me intently, as if he had made up his mind.

My hand, holding the Thunderbolt Broom, trembled.

I really want to hit him.

“That.”

Iris looked at Barcop with a troubled face.

Iris must have heard Hania say she would handle the stalker case alone, and that’s why she hadn’t stepped in until now.

But now, somehow, it’s not Hania but me who got involved.

Iris was also at a loss as to what to do.

The students’ gazes were gradually gathering.

It would be troublesome to arouse suspicion here for no reason.

“Iris, I’ll be back.”

First, I decided to smooth over the situation.

Anyway, since the third years enter the labyrinth first.

The second years still have some time.

When I stepped forward, Iris eventually gave her permission.

“Professor Barcop, shall we go?”

“Y-yes.”

Barcop’s face brightened instantly.

It was the complete opposite of mine.

Barcop led me to a place a little away from where people were gathered.

Meanwhile, he kept glancing at me, which was annoying.

Inside this body is a 185cm tall dark man.

I couldn’t imagine how much he would freak out if he knew that.

“So, what do you want?”

Instinctively, my voice sharpened.

But Barcop, seemingly not caring at all, cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Hania, hearing that you are going to the labyrinth this time, I couldn’t hold back any longer and had to tell you.”

If you’re a student at Jerion Academy, it’s natural to go to the labyrinth.

What nonsense is this?

“The labyrinth is dangerous. Imagining that you might not come back made me realize my feelings properly this time.”

Barcop’s thick cheeks trembled.

My face slowly began to harden.

Could it be this guy…

From noble mtl dot com

Confessing here?

And of all times, when I’m inside Hania?

“Wait a minute. Associate Professor, what on earth is this?”

“Ha, Hania!”

Barkov had already made up his mind.

“I like you! I wanted to tell you before going to the palace!”

A man over thirty saying this to a minor.

A sudden headache hit me, and my fist clenched.

So this is how you punish someone with a confession.

Now that I’m experiencing it, I understand how dizzying it is.

“Associate Professor Barkov, calm down.”

“Hania, answer me. I already know you have feelings for me too.”

Barkov’s eyes had already turned upside down.

Just as I was about to administer a drastic measure of justice.

“Associate Professor Barkov, Hania is dating me, so this is problematic.”

A voice I hadn’t even considered echoed in my ears.

I turned my creaking head.

There stood a boy with jet-black hair and red eyes.

Hanon Airey.

So the real Hania was there.

“What?”

Barkov’s face went blank for a moment due to Hania’s bombshell statement.

Then Hania walked over and grabbed my hand.

“Hania and I are dating, so such a confession is problematic.”

Suddenly, I found myself dating Hania.

No, wait, I am Hania now.

Am I dating myself?

“Wh-what is this?”

Barkov looked back and forth between my hand and Hania’s hand with a bewildered face.

“Don’t talk nonsense! I know very well that Hania isn’t dating anyone!”

“Is that so? I just started dating Hania yesterday.”

Hania turned to look at me.

It was a signal to play along.

Reluctantly, I raised our clasped hands confidently.

“Yes, Hannon confessed yesterday, and we decided to date. So, I can’t accept your feelings, Professor Barkov.”

“Th-that can’t be.”

Barkov staggered back.

The shock of rejection seemed too much for him.

I wished he would just drop dead.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Prove it!”

Barkov shouted crudely.

When the people involved say it’s true, what more proof is needed?

Hania sighed, seemingly annoyed at having to deal with Barkov.

“Hania, let’s do what we did yesterday.”

What did we do yesterday?

At that moment, Hania grabbed my chin.

Indeed, the skill of the second-best in martial arts.

Her hand moved so fast it was almost invisible.

Hania’s face was right in front of mine.

Our lips were so close they were almost touching.

But Hania’s lips didn’t quite meet mine.

It was an incredible display of inner strength.

However, from Barkov’s perspective, with Hania’s back to him, it looked like a kiss.

Realizing Hania’s intention, I subtly raised my hand to wrap around her back.

The final touch.

And then, Professor Barkov screamed.

“No! No! That can’t be!”

Unable to handle the reality, Professor Barkov ran out.

It was the most devastating rejection of Barkov’s life.