The Academy’s Time Stop Player

"Impossible... Someone like you really exists?"

His agitation returned as he grasped Hajoon's hand.

"No, no! I can't feel any magical power at all! Seriously, you..."

Words failed him and tears welled up in his eyes out of pity for Hajoon.

"I can't believe I doubted you... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to belittle you. I was just..."

He softly stroked Hajoon's hand, his tone filled with warmth, a stark contrast from before.

"You must have had a tough journey. Yet, you cleared the academy's entrance exam. You must have worked hard. Thinking about it brings tears to my eyes, which isn't like me at all."

"......"

This felt odd. Could his Indomitable Will (SS) be malfunctioning? Why was his heart so heavy and pained?

He had put in months of hard work to boost his stats...

Why did it feel like all that hard work was being disregarded?

"I... I apologize for my behavior... I've made a fool of myself..."

He gave a rueful smile.

Hajoon was lost in his thoughts.

'I feel like hitting him with a hammer...'

He couldn't refute these words because they held truth...

And because Hajoon sensed genuine remorse in the man's voice, he was left speechless.

Hajoon's desolate look seemed to encourage the man's heartfelt confession.

"Throughout my life, I've never met a weaker superhuman than me... I got overly excited. So, you were asking for an elixir?"

"......Yes."

"Hehe, no need for money. Seeing you, I realize why I made this elixir. It's as if it was meant for someone like you. Please, take it."

Afterwards, he slowly stepped back and started to join his hands together.

A jade-green magical power began to encircle him.

Just as Han Siyoung, who recognized the color of the magical power, started to whisper to Hajoon in astonishment.

"Distinct magical power."

"......"

But, Hajoon just nodded at Han Siyoung's words, not saying anything in return. A type of magical power known to be the world's rarest, with its own unique trait.

Despite the diversity and variance in the properties of magical powers, most superhumans could not figure out their distinct magical power's abilities, even though they were aware of having it.

"In the past, I was discriminated against for my lack of power. But, my hard work paid off and I was able to manifest a distinct magical power."

Broker.

Despite having little magical power, it had a unique feature.

Real-time rapid growth of a superhuman's power.

He could create an elixir to boost a superhuman's power just by mixing his magical power with water. Of course, the side effects were significant.

"After drinking this, you'll need to work hard, but I believe in you. So, will you take this?"

He offered a warm smile, passing a small bottle filled with the elixir to Hajoon.

Hajoon eyed the elixir before accepting it and spoke up.

"Yes. Thank you, sir."

Despite everything, he couldn't disrespect the old man who was showing him care......

Managing to hold back the flood of swears he wanted to let out, Hajoon took the potion.

With a downcast, sorrowful look, he thanked the elder respectfully and made his way outside.

After securing the Elixir and exiting the tavern, Kim Hajoon and Han Siyoung immediately set about their return journey.

The method was straightforward.

To leave Del Her, where they'd arrived, Hajoon and Han Siyoung simply needed to revisit the plaza where they landed and mentally wish to go back.

However, just as they were about to depart, Han Siyoung, oblivious to the tense atmosphere, suddenly spoke up.

"You're really impressive. I never thought you'd have the power to conceal your strength."

Han Siyoung looked at Hajoon with an expression of admiration and calm.

Annoyed by Han Siyoung's comment, Hajoon almost snapped but quickly exhaled a sigh, deciding to tolerate it.

Given his character, he wouldn't be sarcastic, and his words were probably offered with the same sincerity as the old man earlier.

'Aside from that...'

While Hajoon accompanied Han Siyoung back to the plaza, his mind was busy.

This combined mission, 'Elixir,' wasn't part of the main tasks.

It was just an episode that allowed the selected player to use Del Her.

Sure, to leverage Del Her, you had to complete this episode, where he appeared as the antagonist, but what troubled Hajoon more was his power.

'If it weren't for the side effects, it might have been a pretty good Elixir...'

As expected, this Elixir came with significant side effects.

'It's far too addictive. This Elixir.'

It was a potion that boosted superhuman strength, but its addictive property was five times stronger than that of a drug.

Yet, Hajoon felt a tinge of regret.

If one could remove that side effect, an excellent Elixir would emerge.

And Hajoon was predicting that the addiction wouldn't affect him.

One of the stats at its peak in his status window was 'Willpower.'

'I guess I'll bring it up with Principal Choi Jungwon later...'

He planned to discuss it in the future.

Today, he only wanted to get back swiftly and rest as he felt down.

Hajoon and Han Siyoung stepped out of the shadows and moved quickly towards the plaza.

Suddenly, Han Siyoung stopped in her tracks and began looking at a tall building. Hajoon followed Han Siyoung's gaze and studied the building.

'Hermes.'

The worldwide knowledge guild 'Hermes.'

An elite information guild based in Del Her with branches globally. Hajoon then realized why he stopped in front of this information guild.

This was a detail from the game.

Before Han Siyoung went back to the academy, he stepped into this information guild and made a request.

"Kim Hajoon."

"Okay, go ahead. I'll wait here."

At Hajoon's words, Han Siyoung nodded and immediately walked into the Hermes guild, while Hajoon took a moment to observe the local vendors nearby.

Given the international footfall in this area, there were many foods sold by the vendors that Hajoon had never seen before.

"Well, I've managed everything without spending a dime, so I can afford a little, right?"

Thanks to the Elixir that he received for free due to the broker's kindness, there was no need to spend the money borrowed from Principal Choi Jungwon. Considering it was all due to him, a little spending wouldn't hurt, right?

After all, there was no one to scold him for spending a little of the money inside.

Hajoon immediately pulled out a note of Del Her's local currency from his bag.

As Del Her was a gathering place for people from around the world, it had its own unique currency. With that single note, he bought something good to eat from a street vendor,

Then, he sat on a bench and waited for Han Siyoung.

Around 10 minutes later,

Han Siyoung exited the information guild and walked towards Hajoon.

"Huh? Are you done?"

"..............."

Han Siyoung stayed silent, just staring at Hajoon.

As Hajoon, puzzled, tilted his head,

Han Siyoung spoke up.

"Kim Hajoon."

"Yes?"

"I need to ask a favor."

"...............Huh?"

10 minutes ago.

This was when Han Siyoung had entered the guild.

"I'm surprised to see you here."

A woman with glistening black hair that radiated a purple sheen and violet eyes.

She was Lorelei Hills, the guild master of this Hermes Guild.

Casually lounging on the sofa, she looked at Han Siyoung and began to speak with a soft smile.

"What brings you? You're not the type to visit places like this, right?"

In reply to her words, Han Siyoung kept a poker face, staying silent.

Shortly after, he let out a sigh and took off a ring from his finger.

"··········How did you know?"

"Hehe, you're quite naive, aren't you? Who else would make such a request if not a great hero or you?"

At her words, Han Siyoung merely looked at her without replying.

Watching his silent response, Lorelei, her eyes still smiling, said.

"Locating the Sword King... such requests are not usually made so offhandedly."

This was Han Siyoung's request to the information guild.

A request to find the whereabouts of the Sword King.

"I was taken aback, too. You made such a request so nonchalantly."

"Can it be done?"

"Hmm..."

Lorelei folded her arms and touched her chin, deep in thought.

If it's about whether it can be done or not, yes it can be done, but...

"Do you have enough money?"

"I have saved a considerable amount."

"Such a request would cost at least a billion, wouldn't it? Do you have that kind of money?"

"..."

Han Siyoung stayed silent at those words.

Puhuhu- Lorelei, suppressing a giggle, looked at Han Siyoung and spoke.

"A risky request comes with a high price."

"The Sword King isn't that kind of person."

"Perhaps not to you. But how would the Sword King feel if an unknown person started pursuing him?"

"..."

At those words, Han Siyoung fell silent.

For a while, Han Siyoung, arms folded, seemed deep in thought.

His response left even Lorelei slightly surprised.

"I'll pay you back later."

"Excuse me?"

"So, will you accept the request now?"

"..."

At his words, Lorelei looked a bit taken aback.

Then, as if finding Han Siyoung's words amusing, she began to laugh.

"Ha ha ha! How should I put it... your response is very you."

After laughing for a bit, she looked at Han Siyoung, gave him a smile, and slowly spoke.

"You don't need to pay. I'll accept the request."

"Really?"

"Absolutely~ Trust is important in an information guild, so we don't break promises. But..."

Her captivating eyes turned towards the window next to the VIP room.

Beyond the window, a boy sat on a bench, hungrily eating grilled squid.

Lorelei looked at the boy and started to speak.

"Can I talk with your friend? If that's okay, I'll take the request for free."

"So, you want me to talk with her?"

Kim Hajoon pointed at a woman standing on the top floor of the Hermes Guild building, waving at them with a smile from behind the window.

In response to his words, Han Siyoung, nodding, spoke.

"I'm asking you, Kim Hajoon."

At his words, Hajoon thought to himself.

'He's really cheeky to trade his friend like this, isn't he?'

Could he be seeing the conversation as just a simple chat?

Knowing Han Siyoung's personality, Hajoon thought it might be possible.

'I can't say no...'

Hajoon pondered for a moment.

Firstly, the request itself was a key event for the main story, so he was reluctant to reject Han Siyoung's favor. The current priority for Han Siyoung was to find the Sword King.

'Well...'

Hajoon lifted his gaze once again and looked at the woman beyond the window. She was still beaming at him.

Looking at her, Hajoon turned his head back to Han Siyoung and answered.

"Alright..."

"Thank you. I'm sorry if it feels like I'm taking advantage of you."

"Yeah, yeah. If you feel guilty, you can return the favor later."

With that, Hajoon plodded towards the Hermes Guild, a weary expression on his face.