I Became an Academy Overpowered Growth Genius

I Became an Academy Overpowered Growth Genius – 55

EP 55 My Humiliation (3)

The moon hung high in the midnight sky.

In the office of Park Seo-yoon, located in the Taesan Building.

Park Seo-yoon clenched her teeth, grinding them audibly as she smoked a thick cigar down to a stub.

“Damn it… Damn it all…”

The stress was extreme.

With the guild facing a critical strategy session, there was already a mountain of work to do, and now her brother Park Shin-hoo had gone missing.

What’s more, the investigation at the scene suggested that this was not a simple disappearance but likely a kidnapping.

The abundant traces of magic and signs of combat made that much clear.

“Who the hell could it be…!!”

Given the magic found at the scene, the culprits were undoubtedly Demons.

But that was the only clue.

Who could have kidnapped Park Shin-hoo and for what purpose remained a mystery.

She needed that information to negotiate or to strike back.

But the clues were not enough.

Park Seo-yoon grabbed her head in irritation.

“Ah… Even the lackeys are useless idiots… Damn it all…”

She had thought that the situation would become much easier once she rescued her brother’s usual followers from the scene.

If there were witnesses, they could reveal a lot about the identities of the culprits.

But upon starting the investigation, those followers turned out to be utterly unhelpful.

“Always dragging around idiots like these.”

How could it be that not a single one of them witnessed the incident properly?

They just kept repeating, “I can’t remember anything.”

She even threatened them, saying she’d consider them accomplices if they didn’t cooperate, but they only seemed confused, not like they were lying.

No. No matter what, it would be normal to have seen something before passing out.

“Argh!”

– Bang! –

Unable to contain her anger, Park Seo-yoon slammed the desk.

– Crack! –

The recently purchased, high-quality wooden desk collapsed under the force.

– Flinch. –

The surrounding guild members flinched at the sight.

“Huff… Huff…”

Park Seo-yoon, with a deeply furrowed brow, took a deep drag of her cigar and then spoke.

“That bastard… The one in charge of Park Shin-hoo. What was Kim Joon-pyo doing?”

Kim Joon-pyo.

At the mention of the name of the attendant dedicated to Park Shin-hoo, one of the guild members quickly reported.

“He claims he was duped by a diversionary tactic, but he’s currently awaiting disciplinary action for negligence of duty.”

“Disciplinary action? Disciplinary action? What kind of disciplinary action!!!”

Park Seo-yoon threw the chair she was sitting on.

– Crash! –

“Eek, eek!”

The guild members cowered at her hysterical behavior.

“What disciplinary action in a situation like this!!! Deploy them to the search operation immediately! Have them comb through Stellaport until their limbs wear down!!!”

– Swoosh! Swoosh! –

“What are you all standing around for!? Why aren’t you moving!? Get out there and bring back something, anything!!!”

As Park Seo-yoon finally picked up the guild leader’s plaque, the guild members scrambled into action.

“Eek, eeeek!”

“Bu-but, I still have, to, to report!”

“Deputy Kim! Deputy Kim! Later! Let’s just get out of here for now! Hurry! Hurry!”

“Go, go! Get out! Quickly!”

“Run awaaay!!”

Once all the guild members had left the office, the place fell into sudden silence.

– Thud. –

Park Seo-yoon carelessly threw the plaque on the floor and walked over to the window.

“Damn it….”

Even though she had set all her guild members in motion, could they really find him?

Why had the Demons kidnapped Park Shin-hoo in the first place?

If it was for money, it would actually be simpler.

At least there would be room for negotiation.

But given the current situation, it seems like their goal might actually be Park Shin-hoo himself.

That’s a real headache.

If the kidnappers who have already secured their target just hide away, it would be nearly impossible for Taesan Group to find them.

“How can you get kidnapped by Demons with the way you usually carry on…”

Her younger brother’s antics are now beyond absurd, they’re almost impressive.

“Demons with any sense wouldn’t dare mess with a top-ranking conglomerate in Korea’s business hierarchy.

Yet, the fact that they kidnapped Park Shin-hoo suggests that the cause likely originated from his end.

What kind of trouble did he stir up to provoke Demons into kidnapping him?

He’s always been problematic, but isn’t this a bit too much, even for him?

That’s when it happened.

“You seem to be in need of help.”

“What!?!?”

Suddenly, a man’s voice came from Park Seo-yoon’s left.

A deep bass voice, like the growl of a bear.

Chills ran down Park Seo-yoon’s spine.

“Who are you!?”

She turned her body hastily towards the source of the voice.

In the corner of the office.

A man stood in the darkness, a place barely touched by the fluorescent light.

– Swoosh. –

The man took two steps forward from the darkness.

The fluorescent light illuminated him.

“…!”

Dressed in a black raincoat with a deep hood, and even wearing a white mask.

And on top of that, a threateningly large and muscular build.

“A… Demon?”

Under the fluorescent light, the man’s appearance, from any angle, could only be thought of as that of a Demon.

“Hah.”

Park Seo-yoon let out a hollow laugh while clenching her fist.

“It seems we really looked like easy targets.”

Was she being targeted too, following Park Shin-hoo?

Had the man been hiding until all the guild members were sent out?

No need for questions.

It didn’t matter.

“This actually works out well.”

– Whoosh! –

Park Seo-yoon lunged at the man, intending to restrain him.

It was a stroke of luck that a Demon would come to her when she had no leads.

What a windfall.

– Vroom! –

Park Seo-yoon closed the distance in an instant and threw a punch towards the man’s throat.

However, her fist never reached the man’s throat.

[Activating skill 《Counter Time》.]

[A critical hit! A stroke of luck strikes the enemy’s vital spot!]

– Thud! –

“Ugh…?”

In a flash, a bright light burst before Park Seo-yoon’s eyes.

When she opened her eyes again, the ceiling was what she saw.

‘What, what’s this…!?’

Almost immediately, she realized she had fallen, and a severe pain surged from her neck.

She had been hit in the throat and knocked backward in the blink of an eye.

“Ugh! Cough! Cough!”

Park Seo-yoon clutched her throat and quickly sat up.

“Ugh!”

The man had already closed in a few steps closer.

“Are you alright?”

“You, you bastard! Kek! Kuheuk!”

She tried to shout, but her voice wouldn’t come out properly due to the blow to her throat.

“Calm down.”

– Step. Step. –

The man came close enough to reach out and touch.

“Get, get away from me!”

Feeling a threat to her life, Park Seo-yoon swung her arm.

[Activating skill 《Counter Time》.]

[A critical hit! A stroke of luck strikes the enemy’s vital spot!]

– Thud! –

But due to the Counter Time, she ended up getting hit in the throat again.

“Kek! Kuheuk!”

“I didn’t come here to fight. Let’s talk.”

Trembling…

Park Seo-yoon glared at the man with bloodshot eyes.

‘You say you didn’t come to fight after chopping at my throat like it’s firewood?’

“Cough! Cough! Demon, cough! I’ll kill you…”

“Ah. I told you, I’m not here to fight. And I’m not a Demon. I just came to tell you Park Shin-hoo’s location.”

“…What?”

– Fumbling. –

Kang Seo-jun pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from inside his black raincoat and held it out.

“Look at this. I’ve written everything down here.”

“…?”

Park Seo-yoon glared at Kang Seo-jun and then snatched the paper roughly.

“…?”

It contained coordinates, an address, a map, and some numbers.

“The ones who kidnapped Park Shin-hoo are a Demon group called the Red Cross Society. He should be confined at this address. I’ve included the internal structure and the scale of Demons present for your reference.”

His deep voice calmly explained.

“Cough! Hah, ha!”

Park Seo-yoon couldn’t help but let out a mocking laugh, despite her coughing.

So this was his intention.

“This is… really funny, cough, isn’t it? So what, what am I supposed to do with this? You think I’m going to trust something given by a Demon? To walk into a trap you’ve set, cough! And get all my people caught? You damn bastard! Coughing!”

“Ah. I told you, I’m not a Demon….”

Of course, Kang Seo-jun knew that his intimidating appearance didn’t lend much credibility to his words.

“Believe it or not, it’s your choice. But if you don’t hurry, your brother will surely die.”

From Kang Seo-jun’s perspective, Park Shin-hoo’s death was not desirable.

Well, by now, there are many alternatives if the host dies, so it doesn’t really matter.

But still, it would be a waste if he didn’t have to die.

“Nonsense….”

Somewhat regaining her composure, Park Seo-yoon tore the paper to shreds.

“…Ah. I put a lot of effort into that map.”

This is problematic.

It was clear that Park Seo-yoon needed to take action for the Red Cross Society and Taesan Group to engage in an all-out war.

‘Ha… Is there no other way?’

Kang Seo-jun sighed softly.

After all.

Even he had to admit that his appearance was highly suspicious.

It would be difficult to earn trust looking like this.

He had no choice but to take the risk and show proof.

“You seem to think I’m a Demon. But I’m not.”

“Cough! Shut up. Sneaking into my office looking like that and you’re not a Demon? Are you trying to be funny?”

“….”

That was a fair point.

Kang Seo-jun decided it would be quicker to show than tell, so he lifted his right hand.

– Flinch! –

Perhaps it was because of the two critical hits he had taken, but that movement alone made Park Seo-yoon flinch.

“What, what’s that! Cough!”

“Evidence that I’m not a Demon. I’ll show you.”

Kang Seo-jun concentrated mana into his right hand.

– Sssssssss… –

– Whooooooom… –

Soon, a faint humming sound could be heard, and Kang Seo-jun’s right hand began to glow.

A brilliant white light of pure light attribute magic.

“What?”

Seeing this, Park Seo-yoon furrowed her brow and let out a dumbfounded noise.

A brilliant flower of light bloomed in Kang Seo-jun’s hand.

At a glance, it was clearly light attribute magic.

A power that Demons, even in death and rebirth, could never wield.

Had it been merely a bright light, she might have thought it a trick, but the power of this light was felt through the skin, as a scent, and even as sound.

A power that brought tranquility to the mind and body just by being in its presence.

Bathed in the light, Park Seo-yoon could feel the pain from the blow to her throat rapidly diminishing.

“….”

Park Seo-yoon froze in place as if turned to stone.

She never expected the evidence shown to be light attribute magic.

This was a rare attribute, counted among the rarest in the entire world.

Moreover, this man had just overpowered himher an A-class hunter, as if she were a child, indicating that he must be at least S-class… and a possessor of light attribute magic.

If that were the case… at the very least…

He would be a top-tier figure active at the pinnacle of legendary gates or towers.

A big shot.

“…No… Who really are you to do this here…? Let’s at least introduce yourself.”

It was the moment Park Seo-yoon’s attitude changed 180 degrees.