Ex Rank Supporting Role’s Replay in a Prestigious School

The silence and inaction of the Crow Demon King, Sidellentium, had been focused on researching the weight of wealth and life, and contemplating the item and the True Heroes’ Eight Immortals.
The weight of wealth and life, however, was a failure.
The original purpose of the balance was to erase the potential of both the Celestial Gods and the Newcomer, but as of now, this item could not place beings not bound by lifespan, such as the True Clan or their descendants, or higher beings, onto the scale.

Therefore, the balance could only weigh the possibilities of humans at this moment.
However, Sidellentium had realized that the balance’s functionality seemed to be recovering.
That wasn’t all.

"According to what the Woongnyeo of Sorrow conveyed through the Dragon Emperor’s decree, the True Heroes’ Eight Immortals are about to awaken."
The True Heroes’ Eight Immortals, who had been gathering strength and wisdom to annihilate the Celestial Gods and the Newcomer, were said to have gone mad and fallen into deep sleep after the two lost their senses.
In other words, during the creation of the balance meant to destroy the Celestial Gods and the Newcomer, they either went insane or fell asleep. Sidellentium suspected that they might have suffered this fate as a result of eliminating someone.

Moreover, Sidellentium theorized that if the balance’s function and the True Heroes’ Eight Immortals were to recover, the disappeared X might return.
"Sidellentium speculates that X might be closely tied to the True Clan and the Woong Clan. If the Hojo’s best performer is indeed X, there’s a high likelihood of such a connection."
The tigers watching from outside the simulator were likely starting to sense some discomfort.

Other tigers might think that the Hojo’s best performer was merely a virtual boss enemy created by the interdimensional simulator, but Eun Ho would think differently.
Eun Ho had gained the chance to view the Hojo objectively through another life, even going as far as creating a timeline and reflecting on the River of Creation myths.
While I was still processing these thoughts, the exchange of information between the Korean, Chinese, and Japanese teams continued.

"After organizing the timeline, I haven’t heard the ringing in multiple places at the same time."
"It’s been heard with a slight time difference. It must have moved very quickly."
"If it hadn’t been that fast, it would have been caught by the enemies long ago."

"But the enemies and the Hojo couldn’t hear the ringing. Doesn’t that mean they also wouldn’t be aware of the source of the ringing?"
"That’s not it. The enemies are definitely aware of the presence that interfered with the assassination."
"It seems like the ringing is just a kind of hint from the interdimensional simulator."
As the information was shared, the once ambiguous identity of the boss enemy began to take shape.

Dokgo Mi-ro gave me a thumbs-up, visible only to me.
We confirmed that the ringing had occurred at the moment Cheong Ho mentioned the Hojo’s best performer.
It seemed that Dokgo Mi-ro also believed the boss enemy to be the Hojo’s best performer.

"If X really is the Hojo’s best performer, then he would be acting according to Eun Ho’s commands."
Furthermore, when we checked the locations where the Chinese and Japanese players had experienced the ringing, the Hojo’s best performer often appeared alongside the enemies.
Eun Ho was a leader who could issue harsh commands when necessary.

Even if the best performer was skilled, they wouldn’t be protected in a safe place.
It was easy to imagine the Hojo’s best performer collecting information, moving through the cracks of the enemies’ ranks.
"But Eun Ho wouldn’t want meaningless sacrifices. Infiltration is not just about gathering information; the ability to deliver that information is also necessary for it to be meaningful."

While the foreign players felt the ringing, they couldn’t see its source.
This contrasted with the fact that Dokgo Mi-ro and I had glimpsed the silhouette of the performer from a distance.
The Hojo’s best performer would likely be highly skilled at hiding their presence and blending in.

At least, they’d be able to hide within the enemy ranks and return alive.
"Still, they’d likely be weaker than Baek Ho, Hwang Jiho, and Jeok Ho. If they were as strong or stronger than those three, it’d be better to send Jeok Ho instead."
Baek Ho, despite having received the divine beast debuff, had perfectly concealed himself while facing Kozuka Yashiro.

Hwang Jiho could use barrier techniques to hide his presence within the barrier and could handle close combat decently, making him likely to survive even if thrown into enemy territory.
Jeok Ho, needless to say, could simply use his shadow techniques to conceal himself.
But the Hojo, while in need of information, were more urgently in need of battle-ready forces, so Eun Ho wouldn’t use those three precious assets for infiltration.

"Also, it’s not just about abilities. Trust is crucial. We can feel the Hojo’s trust in the Newcomer when they allow him to play the accompaniment."
The outline of the Hojo’s best performer, possibly X, was becoming clearer.
Someone who could be trusted to never betray the Hojo.

Someone who could hide the Hojo’s presence even among the enemies and had the ability to pass on information.
Compared to Baek Ho, Hwang Jiho, and Jeok Ho, this person would be more useful for infiltration than for direct combat.
"If the Hojo’s best performer existed, and the True Heroes’ Eight Immortals erased them..."

If this theory were true, we could pinpoint the exact moment X disappeared.
X likely vanished at the moment the True Heroes’ Eight Immortals lost their sanity or fell into slumber, coinciding with their loss of power.
Furthermore, since the True Heroes’ Eight Immortals seemed to be waking up, it’s likely that the real-world X had also started to regain some of their lost form.

Considering all the deductions made so far, there were plenty of ways to find X.
If necessary, I could use communication with the Extra-Dimensional Universe to confirm the facts.
"If they are someone who could return even without us knowing, then there’s no need for me to act."

When I made a cool-headed judgment, I realized there wasn’t much I needed to do about X in the real world.
Once the True Heroes’ Eight Immortals regain their senses or awaken from their deep sleep, those who had once recognized X will naturally recall their memories before X disappears.
I was already speaking of my benefactor, and if I interfered in this matter, it might look like I was trying to claim credit for something unnecessary.

Still, I couldn’t leave it alone.
"But if it’s a friend of the tigers, I want to find them. Plus, there might be more secrets to the process of the True Heroes’ Eight Immortals erasing X."
Looking at the River of Creation myths from an outsider's perspective, there were many parts that bothered me.

There were scenes that were difficult to understand when analyzing events from the far past through the eyes of a modern person.
However, when I listened to the Hojo, who had lived through this world for a long time, the discomfort they felt couldn’t be completely erased, suggesting that something was still there.
I couldn’t just stand by and ignore X’s existence.

—Someone has to open the door.
Suddenly, Sidellentium’s words came to mind.
Sidellentium had once said that because the Hojo and Woong Clan lacked objectivity, the key was with the nation, and then made that remark.

That door might be the lid of Pandora’s Box or a fire door holding back flames, but Sidellentium would probably ask for it to be opened simply because he wanted to watch.
Meanwhile, the exchange of information between the Korean, Chinese, and Japanese teams ended smoothly.
"Let’s wrap up the information sharing here. It seems like it’s time for each of us to take on the challenge on our own."

"Thank you for the consultation."
"Ugh... Why do I feel like I’ve lost out on this?"
While Yeom Jun-yeol and Hirano Seiji finished their conversation with satisfaction, Yao Ruichi was left feeling bitter.

Yao Ruichi had used an emergency contact method, a written letter, to reach Lu Bo-won, but had yet to receive a reply.
Though Yao Ruichi had gained some clues about the boss enemy, the ominous darkness had fallen, and with no choice but to act alone, he couldn’t use it in the raid strategy.
At that moment, as the Korean team and Yao Ruichi were about to distance themselves from the Woong Clan’s territory...

Snap.
A spark erupted around Arihara Tomoaki.
Turning to look in the opposite direction, Arihara Tomoaki said,

"The trap was triggered over there. The enemies will be coming."
"We don’t need to worry. The Red-winged Bugs are all gone, and there are Woong Clan members using fire over there."
"Instead, let’s head toward the Woong Clan leader. If another assassination attempt happens, then..."

Listening to the Japanese team’s conversation, a question came to mind.
It wouldn’t be much help for the boss enemy raid, but it could be a clue in finding X.
"I have a question."

"No..."
"If it’s something you can answer, then I’ll ask."
Though Arihara Tomoaki tried to immediately refuse, Hirano Seiji blocked him.

Arihara Tomoaki probably thought that the two of us were conspiring, like a fox and its dog.
Anyway, I decided to ask the question.
"Are all the True Heroes’ Eight Immortals safe?"

If some of them had already gone mad or fallen into a deep sleep, we would have to reconsider the existence of X.
Hirano Seiji hesitated for a moment but, thinking that answering wouldn’t significantly affect the boss enemy raid competition, responded.
"I met them through the Woong Clan leader recently. They should all be on the front lines, so I can’t say for sure if they’re safe."

I got the answer I wanted.
As of now, the True Heroes’ Eight Immortals were still intact.
So, X had not been erased yet.

"Thanks for the answer. Good luck then."
"Yeah, see you later."
Whether the next encounter would be in the River of Creation myths or outside the simulator, it was uncertain.

At this point, the Korean team had almost figured out the boss enemy’s identity, so it was likely to be outside the simulator.
The Korean team had helped organize the timeline of the Hojo’s circumstances and the ringing, but managed to finish the conversation without revealing any crucial information.
"Yi-shin, have you decided where we’re going?"

"For now, we’ll head to the Hojo’s territory. There’s something I need to confirm."
"Let’s go."
I shared the information about the Hojo’s best performer as a hologram, making sure to avoid Yao Ruichi’s eyes.

Dokgo Mi-ro, who held valuable information with me, quickly diverted Yao Ruichi’s attention by starting a conversation.
As we traveled, Dokgo Mi-ro brought up the topic of music and performance, and Yao Ruichi quickly got engaged.
When Dokgo Mi-ro mentioned performing at the Ho Yeon-gwan Concert Hall during the Eungwang High Festival, Yao Ruichi showed interest.

The conversation between Dokgo Mi-ro and Yao Ruichi continued until we neared the Hojo’s territory, and immediately afterward, Dokgo Mi-ro contacted me through the device.
[Dokgo Mi-ro] Hey, do you think the Hojo’s best performer might have abilities similar to Kwon Je-in, the teacher? The performance we heard back then might have had some hidden power behind it.
[Jo Yi-shin] The performance itself probably didn’t carry any power. If it did, we wouldn’t have been able to hear it because of the ringing.

[Dokgo Mi-ro] True. Still, don’t you think it’s better to cover our ears when we approach? It could be the type to attack with sound. Also, when the boss enemy exerts power, the ringing occurs. We need to be cautious not to let it mess with our minds. Does covering our ears make it inaudible?
Dokgo Mi-ro seemed to be forming a plan for the boss enemy raid.
While tweaking part of the plan, an unusual event occurred.

Saaaah...
A thin light began to trickle down from the previously pitch-black sky.
A faint moonlight created a crack in the dark veil.

"Could that be... the crack in the moonlight that Hang-a created upon the request of the Moon Palace’s Moon Rabbits?"
Park Seung-hyun marveled as he gazed at the sky through his glasses.
The moonlight crack made by Hang-a from the Moon Palace was so beautiful that it was hard to look away.

But this wasn’t the time to be distracted.
It’s happening faster than expected. Did Eun Ho move faster, or did the Moon Rabbits and Hang-a assist him more quickly than expected?
As the situation dawned on me, I grew anxious.

I urged the raid team.
"We need to hurry."
"At this point, would it not be better to wait for Baek Ho to split the sky? It would be safer then."

I shook my head at Kwak Kyung-gu’s words.
"If Baek Ho successfully opens the sky, the Celestial God will descend and bless us. If the boss enemy receives the Celestial God’s blessing, the raid will become much more difficult."