If one were to study Cheongho’s body, it would have to be done in a secretive yet top-tier facility.

Having all these conditions met, and with the article of the Water Shade passing through the Ministry of National Defense research facility, it was expected that Cheongho’s body would be there.

However, there was also the possibility that all evidence had been destroyed, but the Water Shade's article probably thought it wouldn't be discovered.

There were more traces left underground in the Ministry of National Defense research facility than expected.

"First, let me tell you that the three teachers safely withdrew. The teachers joined the students at the academy in a staggered manner. They then had the three noblemen wear crow masks and left the premises, recording their exit on a recording device."

The teachers were outstanding players, but because of their status, they had to ensure no problems during the retreat process.

In particular, the power of the strong teacher, Im Yeonhwa’s Gwanglim, and the spellcasters could easily be recognized by anyone familiar with them.

I had told the teachers to be careful of the recording devices in advance, and if it couldn’t be avoided, the nobles would intervene to manipulate the information.

The footage on the recording devices would be deleted or overwritten with other footage, and the teachers were given an alibi.

Such a plan would be useless if someone was severely injured to the point it couldn’t be hidden, but I decided to trust the moves I had made and the teachers.

And the teachers lived up to that trust.

"Although the teachers quickly concluded the situation, it also had an impact on the surface, and some students sensed it. The student council of the academy and the student representatives of Eungwang High began to move to confirm the situation."

Normally, the instructors at the academy would be the first to act, but they couldn’t respond quickly.

The secret of the research facility was shared with only a few soldiers.

In a dangerous situation, if someone with power tried to conceal the secret, the strict hierarchy of the military would have caused things to fall apart.

As a result, the first ones to arrive were the Eungwang High students.

Among them were the top geniuses of Eungwang High.

‘Just in case, Joo Suhyuk and Andain were on standby.’

With Joo Suhyuk, who could strike at all weaknesses with his almost omnipotent Gwanglim, and Andain, who was skilled at long-range attacks and had the unique purification ability, there was no problem, even if something went wrong in the research facility.

When an unidentified darkness started to rise in the research facility, the third-year students who had experienced malevolent darkness during the field trip were unsettled, but upon realizing that they were safe near Andain, they calmed down.

Additionally, the academy's principal, who had secretly attended as a surprise guest for the closing ceremony, was there too.

They had to be careful about the movements of Jared Lee, involved with Lee Yeoreum, and thus acted cautiously, but fortunately, the principal had accepted the invitation and agreed to keep it hidden from everyone.

The situation was a bit delicate, but Kwon Lena and Moon Saeron had been deceived and forced into the Ministry of National Defense’s underground research facility.

When those students sent a rescue request, it provided a reason to infiltrate the secret facility.

What followed proceeded swiftly.

‘Before the association or the military moved, we succeeded in securing the Water Shade’s article. The environment was quite unfavorable, so I thought I might lose the article even if I couldn’t gather other evidence.’

Hwang Jiho continued to relay the good news, but there was no way to view it purely positively.

In this case, there was a victim who had been used as bait, whether they intended it or not.

After staring at me for a while, Hwang Jiho paused and spoke.

“From what we’ve confirmed so far, everyone is safe. However, Lee Yeoreum has suffered some external damage and is unconscious due to unstable I-neungpa.”

"I saw a record indicating that Lee Yeoreum lost their I-neung after the Center incident."

"They said that Lee Yeoreum was using I-neung when the teachers found them. Both the original and the copy."

The answer to Eunho's question was unexpected.

I had thought of the possibility of replication, that a replicated enemy might possess the enemy’s powers, but the idea that Lee Yeoreum could recover their I-neung had never crossed my mind.

Could those who lost their I-neung actually regain it?

I couldn't help but feel a sense of shame, realizing that I had focused more on Lee Yeoreum's recovery of their I-neung than the information about their external damage, but I tried my best not to show it.

Since I was keeping my composure, I hoped the white tiger would look away.

"Jo Yi-shin, I misspoke. When I said external damage, I meant that Lee Yeoreum’s hair was cut off. So don't blame yourself."

"You were lacking in consideration. Do you know how much I worried about Lee Yeoreum?"

"Yes, Hwangho misspoke."

Hwang Jiho must have noticed, seeing through my thoughts...

Although Eunho’s gentle words didn’t bother me, I didn’t know what was so good about the white tiger joining in and adding fuel to the fire.

“Anyway, since Lee Yeoreum’s I-neungpa is quite unstable, it will take time to test it on other Center victims. Based on Lee Yeoreum’s condition from earlier, it may be worth testing.”

I thought of those who had suffered from losing their I-neung because of the Center. Some had gone through hardships to achieve their dreams, just like Dukomiro, but others had to give up their dreams because they lost their I-neung.

But now, this incident had opened a new path.

"Now, Jo Yi-shin, that's all for the report. Leave the rest to me and focus on your remaining matches."

Unlike when the report first began, Hwang Jiho’s face no longer carried any displeasure, only a bright expression.

Hwang Jiho was receiving real-time updates on the field through his clones, and it seemed like the reports were gathering things he liked more and more.

"Whatever you think, those involved in this incident will thank you once they know about the move you made today."

The move had worked out, but Hwang Jiho’s words seemed a bit exaggerated.

Just as the introductions of the military academy players ended and our turn was approaching, I couldn't respond with anything, heading towards the stage instead.

Perhaps due to the news Hwang Jiho personally delivered, I felt lighter and naturally smiled at the cheering audience.

As we had lunch later in the afternoon before the PlayerZ match, the incident at the military academy was revealed.

The information that two of our classmates were involved spread, and it seemed that with Moon Uram absent, the class was in a state of confusion.

However, surprisingly, the class was calm.

It seemed like they were glancing at me, as if they knew I would have headed to the scene if it were truly a big deal.

"They know that if something really serious happened, you'd be at the scene instead of here."

"Baiho, pass me the sauce bottle."

White Tiger answered a question that hadn’t been asked, and Cheongho immediately stopped him.

As Cheongho received the bottle and poured balsamic honey mustard sauce onto his grilled chicken salad, Kim Yuri took care of explaining the situation.

"Guys, I just got in touch with Lena! Lena’s older sister had to go to Hwangmyeong Medical Center for a checkup, so she couldn't come here because she had to accompany her. But she said we should stay and cheer for Yi-shin. Uram and Ham Geun-hyung are with her, so it should be fine."

"Okay... if she needs to stay for a longer time, we’ll go visit her!"

True to her nature, Kim Yuri delivered only the facts and erased any concerns that could make others anxious.

Frankly, if her companion was Moon Uram, I would have had some reservations, but the mention of Ham Geun-hyung made the kids feel more at ease.

After lunch with the class, I headed to the participant passage for the Hwangmyeong Arena with In Seon-o.

Before the rehearsal began, In Seon-o spoke to me.

"It seems like Yang Seonghoon prepared for situations like this."

"Yang Seonghoon?"

What was he talking about? The only thing I could think of was that the stage preparation was taking longer than expected, but that had nothing to do with preparation for any situation.

In Seon-o had a mischievous look on his face.

"I managed the practice schedule. Yang Seonghoon simulated situations where you were absent. If you’re fighting without a team member, your tactics change drastically, right?"

So, Yang Seonghoon, a PlayerZ fanatic, had prepared for such a scenario.

It was surprising that he had thought of this despite not being told about the situation. Even though I didn't explicitly ask, he was clearly thinking ahead.

"Did you arrive? Congratulations on the chess victory, and good luck with PlayerZ."

When I met Yang Seonghoon in the waiting room, he was just like usual, and In Seon-o, with a knowing expression, went off to talk to other team members.

Yang Seonghoon was the first friend to introduce himself in this world, someone I needed to protect and someone I shouldn't get involved with.

Even though Yang Seonghoon knew about the existence of my moves to some extent, he stepped back and supported me in his own way.

Learning that I had received help in an unexpected way made me feel a little heavy, but for now, I decided to do what I could.

"I’ll do my best."

"Yeah, you should."

Meanwhile, the military academy was showing signs of agitation due to the events related to the Ministry of National Defense research facility.

The next day, the remaining match began as the audience roared from behind the stage.

In the dark, he realized that one of the traps he had set had been triggered and waited.

He had spent a lot of energy using a valuable trap, and his other plans were delayed, but it was worth it.

The person in question had shown signs of being uncontrollable, even having direct contact with Lee Yeoreum. By keeping them as subordinates, they could become more useful.

Despite betraying his team, his ability to manipulate human intellect and create clones, even with limitations, was precious.

However, moments later, what appeared before him was not a servant knight but only a hand gripping hair.

The butterfly spirit beside him didn’t show any reaction, but immediately realized that one of his plans had fallen apart.

‘Should I be disappointed, angry, or just indifferent?’

The man didn’t express his emotions, # Nоvеlight # but instead reached out his long fingers toward a floating water-like object, influenced by the I-neungpa that had remained in the Water Shade’s article.

His fingers brushed against the water and gently made contact with it.

When his fingers and the trap lost their glow, he smiled.

‘Is he laughing?’

The butterfly spirit couldn’t believe it as she looked at the man’s smile.

The man smiled contentedly and raised the trap he had transferred.

His gaze was fixed on Lee Yeoreum’s hair.