The Academy’s Time Stop Player

TL/Editor: looloo

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It was a Sunday morning.

Inside the principal’s office at the Academy, Choi Jungwon, the principal, wore a constant smile.

"Thank you... Because of you, many people survived."

His smile had many reasons behind it, but it was mainly due to the young boy standing in front of him.

"It’s the first time so many people have survived an attack by Karthon," he said.

"I just stopped him because I didn’t want to die," the boy replied.

Choi Jungwon chuckled. "How humble. If all you wanted was to live, you could’ve simply run away. You had the ability to do so."

"Hmm... That is true."

Yes, running away was an option. I could’ve taken Anna and found a way to escape. It was a possibility I had considered.

But I chose to save everyone instead. That was just who I was. If I had run away, leaving everyone behind, I would’ve spent the night awake with regret.

"You look well. Even healthier than before," Choi Jungwon noted.

"Yes, I’ve somehow become healthier," I agreed. It couldn’t be helped. I’d spent my time in the frozen space sleeping and wielding my weapon. It was only natural that I’d grown healthier.

Name: Kim Hajoon

Level: 3

Job: Student

Title: None

Fame: 300

HP: 13

MP: 0

Strength: 12 (+2)

Agility: 9 (+1)

Health: 20 (+5)

Defense: 0

Magic Resistance: 999(Max)

Spirit: 999(Max)

My previously stagnant strength and health stats had increased. These improved stats were the result of an entire month of struggle. Compared to other superhumans, my stats were still low. However, I was now as fit as any healthy human. The six-pack abs I’d developed were proof.

"Anyway, we are fortunate to have you..." Choi Jungwon said in a calm voice.

His voice carried weight, but to my sharp ears, it sounded as if he was entrusting something to me. As if he wanted to hand over a heavy burden. A shiver ran down my spine, and anxiety filled me.

"I’m not the hero you think I am, Principal. Nor am I a volunteer," I told him.

"You sound like you have no intention of becoming a hero," he observed.

"If that’s what you heard, then you’re probably right."

"Is that so... Well, that’s enough for now."

In front of a student who claimed to have no intention of becoming a hero, Principal Choi Jungwon maintained his previous smile. He was truly an enigmatic man. His words implied understanding, but it also felt like he wanted to entrust me with something.

Feeling an inexplicable anxiety, I decided to voice my question. "Are you going to leave us?"

Choi Jungwon chuckled, "Where would I go? I’m just excited to see the future taking shape in front of me."

I knew better. His power was fading, his time was running out. But that time was not yet. He still had at least three healthy years until I graduated.

"Oh, my... I have taken up too much of your time. You may go now."

"Huh? Oh, then......"

I rose from my seat, glancing back at Choi Jungwon. He was still smiling.

"I’ll be leaving now."

With nothing else to say, I bowed and left the principal’s office.

Behind me, the office fell into an odd silence. I could imagine Choi Jungwon lost in thought, his calm voice echoing in the emptiness.

"You seem unconcerned...."

A century ago, magic was born, and with it came monsters and demons. Ordinary people awakened as superhumans and rose up to fight against the new threats.

The enemy of humanity was clear – the monsters and demons.

"Seeing you reminds me of the heroes of that time... With you here, I think I can leave in peace."

Choi Jungwon slowly stood from his seat.

"However, I do not intend to leave everything to the younger generation."

In the past, all superhumans united to fight against monsters and demons. But as the number of dungeons decreased and peace prevailed, some of the ’heroes’ began to claim rights based on their powers, creating factions.

A faction formed advocating for the superiority of superhumans. They were called the Villain Alliance.

"The culprits of that era should be my responsibility."

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Raei Translations

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Meanwhile, I was taking a leisurely walk in a park within the academy’s grounds.

Given that Rokia Academy was a world-leading institution, there was nothing it lacked. Facilities intended to help students relax and heal mentally, like parks, swimming pools, stadiums, and cinemas, were common.

Frankly, I found this aspect a bit absurd, but there was nothing to do about it. This was a game world, not reality. Despite its absurdity, I was grateful for the convenience provided to students.

While sitting on a park bench, I found myself idly watching a nearby fountain.

"Sometimes, taking a break like this isn’t so bad."

Was this what serenity felt like after a month of struggles? I felt a strange sense of contentment and peace, which I welcomed with gratitude.

After sleeping soundly for two full days, I was far from tired. With nothing else to do, I decided to take a leisurely walk through the park, which surprisingly brought a sense of calm.

"Ha... this is good."

"You were here."

"It’s been a while."

Hearing voices, I slowly turned my head towards the sound, briefly meeting the gaze of the speakers, before returning my attention back to the fountain.

At my indifferent reaction, the two girls approached me with slightly pouted lips.

"You can at least acknowledge our presence."

"You haven’t changed at all."

"…but when were you discharged?"

"You didn’t visit us even once?"

These were Anna and Yoo Seolah. After the incident, Anna, who had passed out due to the recoil of her power, was admitted to the Hero University Hospital alongside Yoo Seolah. They were both unconscious for two days from magical exhaustion and had only just woken up.

"That phenomenon was the first for me. I hope to never experience it again. It made me feel helpless."

Anna shuddered, remembering the incident. I could only chuckle at her words. She would face similar events in the future, and it was unfortunate to see her reacting this way.

Soon, Yoo Seolah looked at me, a puzzled expression on her face. "You don’t seem as surprised as I thought you’d be?"

"About what?"

"Well... Aren’t you curious why I’m here?"

Indeed, Yoo Seolah was now in the academy, wearing a student’s uniform. I knew she would join the academy eventually, so it wasn’t surprising.

"Did they kick you out?" I asked.

At my words, Yoo Seolah just smiled quietly.

"No, I wasn’t kicked out. I resigned. Someone had to take responsibility."

"But there was no need to return your Hero License."

Despite her youthful appearance, she was the youngest ever hero in Korea. The magnitude of her power was beyond question.

"It was too much for me from the start... And then..."

Yoo Seolah slowly approached me.

She whispered quietly into my ear, "I found the safest place."

With that, she beamed at me with a bright smile.

Hearing her words, I looked at her in mild surprise. As a player of the game, it was impossible for me not to recognize the dialogue that had just reached my ears.

’I’m actually hearing this...’

Originally, in the game, an illustration of Yoo Seolah would appear with a smile on her face as a subtle soundtrack played in the background. This was during the part where she made her revelation to Anna. However, witnessing this scene unfold in reality felt surreal.

As I continued to gaze at her, Yoo Seolah started blushing inexplicably.

"A-anyway, are you alright, Hajoon?"

"Huh? What?"

"Your body. You faced Karthon and The Puppeteer alone..."

Yoo Seolah’s sentence trailed off as she began inspecting Hajoon from head to toe. Her mouth fell open as she realized that he didn’t have a single injury. It was nothing short of miraculous, considering he had taken on both Karthon and The Puppeteer.

"You’re really strong..."

Yoo Seolah stared blankly at Hajoon for a moment before she eventually sat down beside him.

Seeing Yoo Seolah, Hajoon scrunched his face slightly, but soon sighed and shifted his gaze back to the fountain.

Yoo Seolah glanced at Hajoon occasionally before finally breaking the silence.

"Thank you…"

"…"

"It’s all thanks to you."

Hajoon didn’t respond. He just continued staring at the fountain, scratching his head in discomfort. He was still unsure how to handle gratitude from others.

"Planning on hiding your feats?"

"…Yes."

"I don’t know why, but you must have your reasons."

With that, Yoo Seolah gave Hajoon her contact information.

She gave him a broad smile and said,

"I just wanted to say thank you. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to contact me."

I nodded silently as I accepted her contact information.

"Alright, I’ll contact you later."

"Ah, I have something to give you as well."

Anna said this as she took something from her pocket and handed it over to me.

It looked like an invitation. As I glanced at her questioningly, she grinned and confidently declared,

"Not just anyone can receive this. It’s a personal invitation."

"You’re inviting me to England?"

"Come over during the vacation. I’ll treat you as respectfully as possible."

"Alright."

Why not? If I’m in a game, why not do something I can’t do in real life?

A trip abroad.

Traveling is something I, who lack funds in reality, have always longed to do at least once.

"Then we’ll be leaving now."

Yoo Seolah stood up and let out a weary sigh.

"Do you have a lot to do?" I asked her.

"Well, we’re busy people too… Do you wish I stayed longer?"

"No."

"…That was a quick response. We’ll be going then. See you tomorrow."

They both waved, turned around, and started to leave. I shifted my gaze back to the fountain, relishing the tranquility once more. But then...

Ting-a-ling-

"Huh?"

At the sound of both Anna and Yoo Seolah’s smartphones ringing simultaneously, they exchanged puzzled glances before promptly answering the calls from where they stood.

"Yes, who is this?"

"What’s happening?"

"Huh? Who’s the student in the video......"

"A video?"

Ding-

Anna’s smartphone pinged with an incoming message, a video had been sent to her. As Anna and Yoo Seolah began watching, their expressions morphed from confusion to shock.

’...Why are they reacting like that?’

Hajoon, unaware of the reason, could only stare at Anna from a distance, puzzlement written all over his face.

Suddenly, Anna and Yoo Seolah raced back to where Hajoon was.

"Why? What happened?"

"Did, did you see this?"

Anna shoved her phone at Hajoon, who looked at the device with a puzzled expression.

"It’s from the British Hero Association. But what is it about?"

"No, this video here!"

Hajoon, now even more curious, clicked on the YouTube link and started watching the video that had been uploaded.

Familiar places and people started appearing in the video, causing Hajoon’s expression to harden.

Boom———!!

-Aaaaahhhhhhh!!

-Please, save me!!

In a dark environment, the terrified screams seemed to paint an accurate picture of the situation at the time.

A large man wearing a hood slowly advanced towards the panicked crowd. Suddenly, a young boy wielding a golden hammer appeared and stood his ground against the imposing figure.

Bang! Boom———!! Thud!

With the arrival of the boy, Karthon, the menacing figure, started retreating back into the hole he had burst through from. The boy then silently faded from the scene.

It was a recording of the moment when Karthon had attacked the 45th floor.

Fortunately, the boy’s face was obscured by dust, but the hammer, which was glowing noticeably, had been clearly captured in the video.

"Damn it!"

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