Ex Rank Supporting Role’s Replay in a Prestigious School

When Han Yi fell asleep in the Silver Pavilion, he dreamed.
In the dream, Han Yi felt both painful and happy.

The pain stemmed from having to leave behind many things, while the happiness came from the presence of the person in front of him.
Just being able to share in his noble will made him happy.
The man with a benevolent expression spoke.

― The preparations are complete. I will reincarnate as a human, hiding from the eyes of the Celestial God.
As the interest of the higher beings in the Korean Peninsula began to fade one by one, and with the land greatly ravaged by the invasion of foreign forces, the Celestial God had bestowed many blessings. However, the Celestial God loved his son more than the land, and desired that his most beloved rise to the heavens to receive strength and affection solely in his own body.
Thus, the love for this land, the Hojo family, and humans began to fade, as the Celestial God shared his blessings meant for his son with those on this land.

Even if the Celestial God were to forcibly grant him divinity, no one could stop it, and if he ascended to become a god and left, the fate of this land was all too clear.
So, he wished to live as a human for a long period of time in this land, ensuring that the Celestial God could not abandon it or its people.
― Humans on this land cannot live without the Celestial God's blessings. Therefore, my long reincarnation will continue until the humans of this land can live without the grace of the gods.

― How can you know when that time will come?
Han Yi’s mouth answered without his control.
Unable to move of his own will, Han Yi vaguely realized that he was dreaming.

All the chaotic knowledge swirling in his mind seemed to be part of the dream.
Han Yi didn't dwell on it but instead listened to the clear and resonant voice.
The voice he now heard was sweeter than the melody that had troubled him in his dream.

― This land will tell you. My reincarnation is deeply connected to the spiritual veins. When the energy of the Korean Peninsula overflows, and humans have gained enough power, my life as a human will end, and I will return as a demigod.
― When do you think that day will come?
― It will probably take over a thousand years.

Faintly, Han Yi's consciousness recalled the "Dimensional Collision."
After the collision, the Korean Peninsula had been filled with overflowing energy.
Technological advances and players' abilities were so developed that even without the intervention of higher beings, human survival was not at risk.
The time he spoke of had already arrived.

― If the spiritual veins are destroyed, won’t you also be in danger?
― If the Celestial God abandons me and the Hojo family cannot protect this land, my soul will perish.
The mention of soul annihilation alone was terrifying.

The man in front of Han Yi seemed prepared to lose his soul, repeating the life and death of a human while intending to protect this land.
If a son with such a noble will wishes to protect this land and its people, even the Celestial God would not turn away.
― I trust my father and my old friends. Don’t you?

― I trust my friends. But the thought of leaving without a word is too much...
A sharp sensation spread from Han Yi’s heart, so intense that even he, still dreaming, could feel it.
It was clear that Han Yi had given up many things for this very moment.

The man in front of him, with a benevolent expression, seemed to feel the same pain, as his gaze became heavy.
― I promise you, for following me after abandoning everything, I will go to fight when the Hojo family faces a crisis.
― When that time comes, I will fight too!

― Of course, and you will fight alongside me. After all, you have left a blessing on my soul, haven’t you?
Even if he left a blessing, how could Han Yi follow him as he reincarnated as a human?
If Han Yi searched for him, the Celestial God would surely find out.

As Han Yi had this thought, the answer came to him.
‘That’s right. He entrusted my physical body to the one he trusts most, and I will become a human close to that person...’
But his thoughts couldn’t continue.

The dream was crumbling.
Han Yi's consciousness, which had been lost in the dream and wandering through forgotten memories, was forcibly pulled out by someone.
It seemed someone had intruded into his dream.

The voice that had felt incredibly beautiful disappeared completely, and silence surrounded him.
The sound disappeared from Han Yi’s world.
[Wake up.]

A figure appeared before Han Yi and spoke.
It was a higher being that had frequently appeared in Han Yi's dreams.
The one with their eyes covered by a cloth embroidered with five colors appeared clearer and more distinct than when Han Yi had first seen them.

‘Why could they barely be seen before but are so clear now?’
Han Yi thought for a long time about why he hadn’t been able to recognize the higher being's words.
The first reason that came to mind was Han Yi's lack of strength.

It was natural that he couldn’t understand what was being communicated since he didn’t have the power to perceive higher beings.
However, a thought suddenly crossed his mind.
‘Could it be that they deliberately made it hard to understand before?’

Han Yi and the higher being were clearly recognizing each other.
It had been strange that Han Yi hadn’t grown accustomed to the higher being despite their frequent visits to his dreams.
Since it wasn’t easy for a higher being to visit a human’s dreams, the being’s lack of power wasn’t the issue.

Also, Han Yi had been guessing that the higher being, with the cloth covering their eyes and the words they spoke, was the Celestial God.
There was no way the Celestial God would have been unable to convey a message properly on the Korean Peninsula.
If that were the case, it seemed that the messages were purposely delivered in an unclear way.

It was like lowering one’s presence while scouting enemies in a dimension, moving the mouth more quietly than usual.
Thus, Han Yi had to see and listen very closely to understand the Celestial God’s words.
‘Did the Celestial God intentionally convey difficult-to-interpret messages out of caution? But then, why now...?’

Han Yi’s reasoning was interrupted by the Celestial God’s words.
[Your friends are in danger.]
The moment Han Yi heard this, the two classmates he considered his friends immediately came to mind.

Though the Celestial God didn’t directly say who they were, Han Yi somehow knew exactly who was being referred to.
The yellow energy surrounding the Celestial God was unusually thick, and upon seeing it, a sudden surge of emotion rose in Han Yi’s chest.
‘This is strange... it feels like...’

The pain Han Yi had felt in the dream just before the Celestial God appeared began to spread in his chest.
If you are reading this translation anywhere other than .net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.
It was the same painful feeling whenever he thought about what he had given ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) up to be part of the noble will of the man in front of him.

The Celestial God urged him.
[Wake up.]
Before Han Yi could fully read the Celestial God's lips, he turned his back and rushed toward the light.

And Han Yi opened his eyes in the Silver Pavilion.
While answering Du Go Mi-ro’s worried words, Han Yi turned his head, trying to find the source of the pain he felt.
When he spotted the frozen clone of Huang Ho, his heart raced as if it were about to explode.

"My friend is in danger. I have to go."
Without hesitation, Han Yi referred to the person as his friend.
The person he had to help now was Han Yi's friend, and an old companion from long ago.

Han Yi knew exactly where he needed to go.
The friend in danger was very close, just a part of them.
Despite Du Go Mi-ro's attempt to stop him, thinking it was reckless, Han Yi had to go.

"You said you wouldn't send me!"
Whoosh!
As Du Go Mi-ro swung his morning star, Han Yi deftly avoided it with the tips of his fingers, only to receive a kick immediately after.

Han Yi used Taeho-gwon’s footwork to kick off the floor, leaping up to strike Du Go Mi-ro’s knee from above.
However, before he could, Du Go Mi-ro regripped his morning star and swung it upwards, forcing Han Yi to twist mid-air and land.
As soon as he landed, Han Yi immediately jumped back.

Boom!
The place where Han Yi had landed was deeply impacted by the morning star.
Crushed marble dust scattered around the overturned sofa and coffee table, with broken porcelain teacups and a damaged vase.

Except for the frozen clone of Huang Ho, there were clear signs of the rough fight between the two.
Du Go Mi-ro asked.
"Han Yi, what are you hiding? Is it really just because you’re going to that madman?"

Han Yi couldn’t speak.
He couldn’t explain how his existence was deeply entwined with the Hojo family, or that if he went now, he would uncover a secret.
And he couldn’t tell Du Go Mi-ro that those who learned the secret would all be in danger.

Han Yi spoke calmly.
“You’re the same.”
“I?”

“You didn’t tell me about your situation.”
Du Go Mi-ro was momentarily silent, and Han Yi continued.
“It’s related to you being scared of cameras, isn’t it?”

“… You knew?”
“When we used to take photos together, you weren’t like that.”
While they had been apart, Han Yi had tried not to think about the friends who had drifted away, so he hadn’t noticed it right away.

But as they spent more time together again as classmates, thoughts naturally grew, and they started to notice things.
At school, when there was a chance for a group photo, Han Yi and Du Go Mi-ro always stuck together, even taking photos for each other.
Little Du Go Mi-ro had smiled brightly at the camera.

It was during the time they had drifted apart that Du Go Mi-ro had become scared of cameras.
“You noticed.”
The bullying that had occurred in elementary school could easily have been learned by Han Yi if he wanted to.

But instead of digging into that unpleasant past, Du Go Mi-ro decided not to deny it.
Du Go Mi-ro spoke hesitantly.
“At that time… I didn’t know what to do.”

Han Yi raised his voice when he heard Du Go Mi-ro’s answer.
“I wanted to fight with you!”
“How? Even back then, you were weaker than me.”

Hearing Du Go Mi-ro’s words, Han Yi kicked off the floor and charged forward.
Until now, he had fought to escape Silver Pavilion, but now he was charging to strike back.
Du Go Mi-ro instinctively prepared to counter but seemed unsure of what to do, lowering his morning star.

Du Go Mi-ro didn’t retaliate or avoid, instead closing his eyes and bracing to take Han Yi’s punch.
Whoosh!
Du Go Mi-ro felt the impact but didn’t sense the blow.

Han Yi had pushed Du Go Mi-ro into the wall, looking up at him with a face full of frustration, as if about to cry.
“You’ve gotten strong enough to fight like this, and still, you can’t speak?”
Du Go Mi-ro didn’t respond right away.

He didn’t know whether to apologize, make excuses, or pretend nothing had happened.
Instead, Du Go Mi-ro realized he had no right to stop Han Yi from going to save his friend.
Just as Du Go Mi-ro was about to speak, a presence suddenly emerged near the door.

“...!”
The two of them turned in unison to face the direction of the presence, where they saw a familiar face.
It was Yong Je-gun.

Yong Je-gun had suppressed his presence and was watching the fight.
“Are you done fighting? I won’t stop you, but let me referee. I’m a good referee.”
“...”

Yong Je-gun, who spoke without waiting for a response, grinned.
“Alright, I’ll judge this like a proper referee.”
“Yong-sensei, what kind of nonsense is that?”

“Draw!”
The tendons on Du Go Mi-ro’s hand, gripping the morning star, bulged.
Yong Je-gun, the playful one, seemed to have interfered deliberately.

Han Yi and Du Go Mi-ro were both dumbfounded as Yong Je-gun watched with a gleeful smile.
It seemed like he was enjoying the similar expressions on their faces.
“I’m busy now. I’ll give you a real judgment next time.”

“I’m not asking for your judgment!”
“Are you not going to let me referee? Then I’ll call Ham Geun-hyeong. If I say you two are fighting, he’ll come running right now.”
“...”

When Yong Je-gun mentioned Ham Geun-hyeong’s name, neither Han Yi nor Du Go Mi-ro could say anything.
The second-year class 0 students loved their homeroom teacher Ham Geun-hyeong and tried to avoid annoying him.
“So, why are you here? The chairman isn’t here.”

“I didn’t come to see the chairman.”
Yong Je-gun, nervously trying to find an exit, looked at Han Yi.
Seeing the blissful expression on Yong Je-gun’s face, Du Go Mi-ro panicked and stepped in front of Han Yi, as if hiding him.

“I came to grant a wish for a benefactor.”
Although there was no clue as to who the benefactor was, both Han Yi and Du Go Mi-ro immediately thought of Jo Yi-shin.