I Became the Student Council President of Academy City-Chapter 106

He simply needed a place to rest until he was back in top condition, and this location seemed perfect for that purpose.

Of course, if the situation became dangerous, he planned to escape through a space jump.

'But what does she mean by good opinion?'

Woo-jin was aware that Se-ah harbored a desire to make him her subordinate, which she had hinted at in a previous conversation.

It seemed that Se-ah had been talking about him to her subordinates, like someone drinking the kimchi soup before the meal.

"Please follow me."

Se-ah led Woo-jin through the bunker.

It was quite spacious.

"Sunbae, you need rest, don’t you?"

"How did you know?"

"You fought a major battle even before you were captured by the Police Academy, didn’t you? Also, the fact that you’ve reached the 7th tier has been revealed to everyone. For someone as strong as you, if you’ve just fought a big battle and aren’t doing anything, it’s obvious~. You need time to recover your magic, but with martial law declared and all sorts of forces targeting you, it’s hard to rest properly, right?"

"So?"

"I’m going to help you get some rest."

The two arrived at a bedroom.

"Feel free to make yourself comfortable. You can sleep if you like. I’ll wake you if anything happens."

If it were Baek-seo, Woo-jin might have considered it, but he thought it was too dangerous to trust someone else and fall asleep in the current situation.

"I appreciate the thought. But I got plenty of sleep while I was in the cell, so I’m fine."

"No need to refuse. Oh, are you hungry? Should I prepare a meal for you? We also have fresh clothes."

"No, it’s fine. Just providing a place to rest is enough."

Woo-jin sat down on a chair, while Se-ah took a seat on the bed, creating a setting conducive to conversation.

After a brief silence, Se-ah spoke first.

"Um... I won’t ask what’s going on. It seems you’re involved in something very complicated."

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes. I know what kind of person you are, Sunbae. After all, we’re mutual stalkers, aren’t we?"

"Mutual stalkers...? Well, whatever, that’s fine."

"You’re straightforward. If I were in your position, I’d probably be suspicious of everything in the world right now."

Woo-jin stared intently at Se-ah.

"Well... let’s forget I asked for a response to that!"

Se-ah switched to a playful tone, avoiding the topic.

After all, if she admitted to being suspicious, it would justify Woo-jin's own doubts about her.

"More importantly, Sunbae, what are you planning to do now? It seems like you’ve been falsely accused of quite a few things."

"You figured that out, huh?"

"Of course. That’s why I’m helping you. Oh, by the way, did you know that they’re conducting a search and seizure at the Discipline Committee?"

"A search and seizure? I expected as much..."

It wasn’t surprising.

Given the circumstances, it was something that was bound to happen.

"Even if you recover your magic and cause a scene, it’ll only add to the charges against you."

"My comrades will handle that. I’ll do my part too, of course."

"Oh, camaraderie and trust? I like that! So, who are these comrades...?"

Woo-jin leaned back against the chair.

"The members of the Discipline Committee. It’s our duty to uncover the truth without falling victim to the tricks of criminals. We’re also the investigative agency of Ahseong High School."

"Right now, you’re being treated as the villain of this academy city, you know? The most dangerous one, considering martial law was declared just to deal with you."

"But you said you trust me."

"Of course."

"Then I should at least try to trust those who believe in me."

"...Why are you smiling?"

Se-ah was grinning from ear to ear, her reaction unusual enough to make Woo-jin frown.

"I like people who try to trust others. It makes you even more desirable, Sunbae~."

"Enough... Why did I even ask that...?"

"By the way, Sunbae. Are you planning to go after the Principal once your magic is recovered?"

Se-ah’s question flowed naturally, but Woo-jin immediately sensed something off and paused.

"...?"

Woo-jin’s eyes narrowed. It wasn’t the kind of question one would ask so casually.

Se-ah was still smiling slyly, which only heightened the sense of unease.

Woo-jin spread his senses, trying to detect if there was anything hidden in the room. Enhancing his physical senses with 7th-tier magic allowed him to do so.

However, there didn’t seem to be any hidden cameras or bugs.

"Is this room soundproof?"

"Yes, it’s well soundproofed. After all, it’s a secret base."

...Was he being too suspicious because of the situation?

Woo-jin sighed, trying to calm his nerves.

"What kind of answer are you expecting from me?"

"I’m just curious. Oh, you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to."

This conversational tactic—the way she shifted topics after sensing his discomfort—made Woo-jin uncertain.

Was she being considerate, or was she harboring some intention and then retreating?

Woo-jin found it difficult to fully trust Se-ah, even though he liked her.

'In that case...'

Woo-jin decided to ask a straightforward question.

"It feels odd to ask this now, but there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask."

"To me?"

"Yeah."

"Wow~, I’m honored that you’re curious about something! Feel free to ask anything. I’m always on your side, Sunbae."

Se-ah pointed to herself with her index finger, clearly pleased.

Woo-jin leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them.

"Why are you trying to take over the Black Market?"

It was a question he had kept to himself until now.

Se-ah’s stated goal was to become a “necessary evil” to create a “better world.”

That was likely her reason for trying to dominate the Black Market.

Woo-jin had once secretly investigated the matter but had been unable to uncover any concrete evidence, such as transaction records. It seemed Se-ah was thoroughly prepared to avoid leaving any trace.

He had always wondered how the Dohwa Group could even attempt to take over the vast market of the Black Market. But if Se-ah’s intentions were good, Woo-jin didn’t intend to interfere.

However, he was asking this now to determine whether Se-ah was truly someone he could trust.

"Um... Wow. That’s a pretty intense question... I wasn’t expecting that at all..."

Se-ah laughed awkwardly, scratching her cheek.

"I didn’t think you’d ask something like that. Although it’s not strange for you to know... How did you find out?"

"There are ways to know."

It was knowledge from the original work.

Something that couldn’t be revealed through a simple investigation.

"Are you trying to avoid the question?"

Se-ah fell silent, her voice lowering slightly.

"Then why didn’t you arrest me?"

"The Black Market is a neutral zone. It’s not under Ahseong High’s jurisdiction."

"But whatever I do in the Black Market would still violate Ahseong High’s rules, right? You have more than enough reason to take me in."

"Yeah... I could turn a blind eye to that. You’ve helped me a lot in the past. Besides, I don’t have any solid evidence against you. I’m not that inflexible. Just don’t commit any serious crimes like the Six Sinners."

Woo-jin’s goal was to prevent the rise of a dystopia.

He didn’t intend to regard Se-ah as a clear enemy unless he was certain she would bring about such a future. He had simply been wary of the possibility that she might become a great evil.

Given her sincere dream and the actions she had taken, Woo-jin couldn’t help but want to believe in Se-ah.

"Wow... That’s not something I expected the Head of the Discipline Committee to say."

Se-ah chuckled, placing her hand on the bed.

"But I’m relieved! To be honest, I was worried you might be too rigid, but this means we might see eye to eye someday, right?"

"I’m not interested in the Black Market. As long as you don’t do anything foolish, I’m fine with you taking control of it. Someone’s going to dominate it anyway. It might as well be you."

"Sunbae, you’re making me want you even more. It’s like you’re getting more attractive by the minute."

Se-ah said playfully.

"So? You still haven’t answered my question."

"I’ll tell you if you agree to join me."

"..."

"Don’t look at me like that. It’s scary. But don’t worry. I have only good reasons. I just want to make a better world, and I don’t want to be at odds with you."

Se-ah smiled.

"As I’ve said many times, I really like you, Sunbae. Why wouldn’t I like our Head of the Discipline Committee, who’s working to create a better world? Isn’t this just a case of like-minded people getting close?"

"Is that so..."

"...Oh, I’ve been keeping you for too long, haven’t I? I should go do some breathing exercises. Feel free to call me anytime you’re bored. Since martial law’s in effect, I have plenty of free time."

"Yeah, thanks."

"Make sure to use the shower if you want to freshen up."

Se-ah smiled brightly and left the room.

Soon, the room fell into silence.

After a while, Woo-jin heard a faint crackling sound in his ear, forming a tiny fracture.

─ Finally, she’s gone.

From the fracture, Geum-yang’s voice echoed in Woo-jin’s ear.

"Geum-yang."

─ What?

"Do you think that girl is trustworthy?"

─ No.

"Why not?"

─ She’s hiding too much. She seems sly as a snake.

"Hiding things..."

Woo-jin stared at the ceiling.

"Isn’t that true for both of us?"

─ True enough.

"By the way, I need a favor. Can you secretly keep an eye on this place and see if it’s trustworthy?"

─ Why should I bother with something so tedious?

"I’ll treat you to as much curry as you can eat when it’s all over."

─ Surveillance is my specialty. Leave it to me! Hehe!

The crack disappeared, and silence returned.

Woo-jin went to the bathroom to wash his face, then returned to his seat. He let out a long breath, settled into a comfortable position, and closed his eyes, allowing himself to drift into a light sleep.

He had a feeling this might be his last chance to rest.

So, he decided to take full advantage of it.

As he was resting, Se-ah reentered the room. It had been about two hours.

Curious about what she would do, Woo-jin pretended to be asleep.

"Sleep well, Sunbae."

Se-ah covered him with a blanket, adjusted his position for comfort, and then left the room again.

...

─ Kid, wake up.

A few hours later.

Still half-asleep, Woo-jin heard Geum-yang’s voice in his ear.

"I’m not asleep. What’s up?"

His body felt more refreshed than before, but there was still a hint of drowsiness in his voice.

─ Enemies are coming.