EX rank supporting role’s replay in a prestigious school-Chapter 970: Regret (4)

Seongwoo's funeral was held according to Seong Guk-eon's suggestion.

Instead of expressing their condolences in silence, they filled the space with recollections.

The memories of those who remembered the deceased were truly striking.

Given that the background was the era of darkness, stories of heroism were pouring out.

"During the dark times, your grandfather commanded the defense of Incheon Port, General? When I saw the name in the textbook..."

"I intentionally erased the name. At the time, the plastic surgery was supposed to be held in Jindo, Jeonnam."

"Knowing that the general was in charge, the crafty enemies hesitated and stopped their advance. Thanks to the name Seongdae, we did have a few close calls," they said.

Back when the great hero Song Man-seok was in his prime, there would have been few who could stop him, and it was unimaginable that the crisis passed because of the name Seongwoo.

It sounded like an exaggerated tale that elderly people often tell, but everything they said was a fact recorded in history.

Although Seongwoo had made a mistake during the recording process, there were differences in details such as the commander’s name, the allies' strategy, and the routes taken, the most important performances and outcomes were consistent with history.

Hearing these words from the elders made me realize just how extraordinary Seongwoo was.

Even if I had been in the dark, I would have wanted to erase Seongwoo.

Whether it was by killing them or binding them with contracts, stopping them and moving forward would always be safer.

‘If Seongwoo had lived, many of the movements performed by dark magic would never have happened.’

He was the one who blocked that number even after his death. If he had lived, he would have blocked even more numbers.

I knew well that he was an extraordinary person, but the more I heard these words, the more I felt that he sent someone I love.

"Among the materials your grandfather left, there was something about leyline research. Was he involved in the mitigation of ley lines?"

"Yes, I’m embarrassed to say my name was left in place of his, but I would like to correct it now."

"It seems your grandfather didn’t do it alone. I think the principal also participated. I’m curious about what kind of incident this was," Seong Si-wan said.

After the funeral began, Hwang Bo-yun didn’t speak, but in response to Seong Si-wan’s question, he shared old stories.

At first, it seemed like he was speaking reluctantly, under the request of the deceased’s grandson, but as the story continued, he began to speak more voluntarily.

Hwang Bo-yun, who had seemed detached, appeared nostalgic for his memories with the deceased.

I wonder what Seongwoo or the AI would say if they saw this scene. They might not speak much, but I imagine they’d say something about burning the corpse...

Seong Si-wan listened to Seongwoo’s hidden performance, while the elders generously shared the old stories.

Occasionally stopping their speech, they would look at Seong Guk-eon, and they marveled at how Seongwoo resembled him when he was younger.

Seong Guk-eon’s AI was so similar to Seong Guk-eon that, when seen in places like this, it would remind me a lot of Seongwoo.

Meanwhile, there were those who made noises that made it hard to think clearly, even while talking about the deceased.

"He looks like my grandson. Though my grandfather’s side was more prominent."

"Do you think so, Dark Horse? If you had seen Guk-eon as a teenager, you wouldn’t make that judgment."

"Didn’t you see Seongwoo when he was a teenager? Wasn’t he too strong?"

"I saw him too. But Hyungwoo restrained himself because the times were different, right?"

The executives, who had been listening to all the conversation, stood beside Yong Jegyeon, trying to maintain a neutral expression.

Dark Horse and Yong Jegyeon briefly shared anecdotes from their teenage years.

The alumni of Class Zero, who had been surprised by the mix of amazing accomplishments, didn’t deny that some of the seniors who had known Seongwoo since their teenage years, including Seong Guk-eon, had similar experiences.

The story of the recently departed grandson seemed like it could be true.

But are you two planning to stay at the funeral? This is surprising.

Yong Jegyeon had thought he could remain until the end, considering his loyalty during the funeral, but he knew Dark Horse would return midway.

However, Dark Horse remained in his seat, continuing the conversation about the deceased.

Seongwoo’s funeral, which had been attended by three influential members of the Jin dynasty until the very end, was an event Seongwoo never could have expected.

"Now, we will send Grandpa off."

"...We should."

Hong Gyeong-bok opened his mouth heavily and looked at the coffin.

Inside the coffin, Seongwoo had his eyes closed, looking no different from when he was alive.

I had worried that, like a soul, he might have been burned painfully, but unlike a soul, Seongwoo didn’t seem to have regenerative powers, and they seemed careful not to damage his body.

From the outside, it seemed like Seongwoo was simply asleep.

It was so similar that I had to keep reminding myself that Seong Guk-eon was alive when I looked at Seong Guk-eon multiple times.

"Have you decided on a method?"

"Yes, I asked Senior Yeom Bang-yeol to bring a crimson flame. I plan to activate it with supernatural power."

In Seong Guk-eon’s hand was an item card engraved with a scarlet flame.

In the past, Hwang Ji-ho had created an item card that could activate barrier magic and gave it to Kwon Reina, but this card seemed to contain the flames of a flame-thrower.

Fixing the superhuman powers in item card form is not easy, and using this kind of card to activate supernatural abilities consumes a lot of energy, unless one has special skills.

However, it seemed that Seong Guk-eon received that item card to send Seongwoo off with his own hands, even if it cost him considerable energy.

After speaking with Hwang Bo-yun, Hwang Ji-ho, who had remained mostly silent, spoke up.

"If this is an item card representing Crimson King’s skill, the flame output will be considerable. I will set up a barrier around it to ensure the fire doesn’t leak out."

"Then, don’t hesitate."

Seong Guk-eon nodded in agreement with Hwang Ji-ho’s suggestion and gestured at Jeon Mu-young.

Jeon Mu-young, who had been about to set up a barricade around the coffin, stepped back, and Hwang Ji-ho pointed his finger at the coffin.

Boom!

A golden barrier unfolded and covered the area.

The barrier was thin and transparent, allowing one to see what was inside, but it was intricately woven to prevent the intense scarlet flame from escaping.

When he created such a barrier with a single gesture, even the elderly players and Dark Horse let out a brief gasp of awe.

"Grandfather, I’m finally sending you off. Even if your body turns to ashes, I will engrave your will and intentions in my heart."

"I’ll do the same. I will make sure that the things you worried about don’t happen after your death."

After Seong Guk-eon and Seong Si-wan bid their final farewells to the deceased, the crimson flame surged.

The card that absorbed Seong Guk-eon’s superhuman energy transformed into a scarlet flame that covered the coffin.

Though his fingertips trembled slightly from the tremendous energy consumption, Seong Guk-eon stood upright, unwavering.

Seong Guk-eon stood firm and watched the end, and even the relatively calm elderly men turned red as they watched the intense flames.

"Plastic surgery..."

Tak Geo-san’s sigh merged with the roaring flames.

Though Hwang Bo-yun’s expression was hidden by his scarf, which covered half his face, it was clear that he couldn’t take his eyes off the crimson flame.

Once the last remnants were completely gone, Hwang Ji-ho dispelled the barrier.

All that remained in the spot where the barrier had been was ash.

Do-ol, who had emerged from the darkness, was gasping for breath.

His hair was deeply disheveled, and his cheeks had sunken in, as though something major had happened.

Do-ol had just finished his report to "him."

“I feel like I’m losing my soul. I never imagined I would be this drained from making a mistake and contacting him.”

The bounty Do-ol had set was poorly executed, and though he noticed Hwang Ho’s doppelganger wearing a crow mask, he had only slightly injured his eyes.

Moreover, his plan to separate humans and demons had failed.

Not only that, but he had been discovered by Yong Jegyeon, and his identity had been suspected.

Do-ol, devastated, had finished his report with a heavy heart.

“You didn’t disobey my orders.”

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Do-ol, who had prepared to be thrown into the furnace, heard a voice that was surprisingly gentle.

It was filled with malice, showing no mercy or tolerance.

Do-ol was exposed but didn’t reveal himself as per his request. He simply handled his hair and began setting a new plan in motion.

He had no idea what it meant.

"I can't fathom his mind. There must be countless evils lurking that I could never imagine."

Still confused, Do-ol stopped his deep thoughts.

Rather than delving into his true intentions, Do-ol decided it was better to prepare for his next move to remedy this situation.

Thinking about what kind of malice he would bring into the world next, a burst of energy surged through his body.

“You stay here. Did you finish the report well?”

At some point, Gung-gi had appeared before him.

He was speaking in a softer tone than usual.

Among the four, Gung-gi, who spoke the most refined words, was actually the most vicious and cruel, with great confidence in his own power and malice.

“Just saying, the archer’s voice is full of power, the fangs are brighter than usual, and the feathers are shining. There’s something to it.”

Normally, he would have ignored the impulse and set out, but today was different.

If Gung-gi was scheming something evil, Do-ol wanted to get involved.

“The report has been successfully completed. Now it’s time to assist with his next move. What about you?”

“I feel the same way.”

“Did you have something to report?”

“I’ve received permission from the council, but I had no obligation to report.”

Gung-gi spoke as if asking a riddle.

Do-ol couldn’t guess Gung-gi’s plan, but since it was clear that Gung-gi had something to do with him, he decided to handle the matter.

"Just say it. You know what happened today. I can't disappoint him any further."

"I know too. His malice is so dark and immense that it feels strangely sweet. He doesn't want to see you disappointed."

There was nothing strange about Gung-gi's words, but Do-ol felt a subtle dissonance.

Whenever Gung-gi spoke of his malice, he always sank deeply into it.

He was so immersed in his malice that, when reporting, he often appeared dazed.

But today, Gung-gi seemed focused on something other than himself.

It was strange.

"I should say I’ve snapped out of it, but no, I’m not being sincere when I say that."

Do-ol couldn't figure it out.

He couldn't imagine that Gung-gi was obsessed with something other than his own malice.

While Do-ol was silently repeating these unanswered questions in his mind, the Archer was observing him.

Strangely, Gung-gi's gaze was fixed on Do-ol, but it seemed like he was thinking about someone who wasn’t there.

The Archer asked kindly.

“Do-ol, I want to ask you about what you saw today.”