Ex Rank Supporting Role’s Replay in a Prestigious School

Winter in Gangwon Province was harsh, but beautiful.

More than eighty percent of its area is mountainous, and the Taebaek Mountains stretch along its eastern side, so snowfall is heavy and once the snow piles up, it’s easy to become isolated. Yet the snow-covered ridges and the distant vista of the highlands had an overwhelming power.

Whenever Seong Guk-eon visited Gangwon, he liked to get up early and watch the world turn pure white under thick frost or snow. But now he could not enjoy the sight so readily.

‘Compared to last year, the temperature is lower and the daily temperature range is greater. That difference alone isn’t huge, but the problem is that the cold is bound up with the earth, lingering there.’

It was a harbinger of demonification, but there was no way to prove it. Only those with abilities on Seong Guk-eon’s level could detect it among the players. The Association’s satellite management team had noticed something odd, but, having no precedent, could only report that “something is wrong,” with no way to demonstrate how serious it was or how to deal with it. In other words, there was no way to convince the public that a terrible calamity was approaching. Nevertheless, Seong Guk-eon was doing what he could.

“Congressman, here’s today’s schedule.”

At the family estate in Hongcheon. Jeon Moo-young approached Seong Guk-eon, who sat on the numaru and looked out at the snowy landscape. The printed schedule on paper was filled with the names of those he had to meet today and the names of their groups: from local government heads in Gangwon to various regional associations. All of them were people rooted in this region.

Although his constituency was Eun Gwang District, a member of the National Assembly represents all the people, not just a specific region, so it was not strange for him to meet them. Besides, he often visited Gangwon for his family estate and to pursue his campaign pledge of interplanar conquest, and most of the names on the schedule were people he regularly interacted with.

“This list was compiled based on the replays of surviving students at the time of demonification, according to that world’s standards.”

Jeon Moo-young handed him another sheet. Next to each name on that paper was a remarks column containing brief notes: Resistance. Flight. Betrayal. Unknown. These were the actions they had taken during the demonification.

‘Not as many resisted as I’d thought.’

Seong Guk-eon had heard the stories of those who’d watched the replay after he disappeared: how, due to the player-destruction law, Yeom Jun-yeol died, what kind of battles erupted because of that, and how the people of one region had been abandoned. In fact, Gwak Kyung-gu hadn’t paid enough attention to each name in the news to remember them in detail. But Jo U-shin, who watched the replay with him, recalled every piece of information they encountered and relayed it to Seong Guk-eon.

‘The Association had no resources, the government refused to send troops, and compared to other regions, there were fewer players in Gangwon and severe aging among the population. Forming a militia would have been difficult, so everyone must have known that resistance led only to death.’

Some must have held out because they knew that abandoning Gangwon would effectively end his political career. Many politicians in history chose death over losing power. Yet he also knew that others stayed purely to defend the land. Seong Guk-eon looked with satisfaction at the names marked “Resistance.” Some were his close friends, but others were people wary of him, the player-Member of Parliament.

“Haha! I have more people I want to befriend now.”

“They may share your views on demonification, Congressman, but on other issues, who knows? I cannot predict how they’ll act in the future.”

“But they’re better than these, right?”

He glanced at the names marked “Flight” and “Betrayal.” Among them were people who had politically supported him, even stayed up late drinking with him. He could understand those who fled to save their lives and families, but the betrayals were a different matter. Though only a few, their deeds were atrocious—by revealing the updated shelter locations, they led all the evacuees there to become sacrifices on the Demon God’s altar.

“The local gentry checked, and this person hasn’t had any contact with the Sin of Alliance. He simply chose to side with the Demon God after demonification began, to claim a position.”

Their expressions darkened. Though they had long guarded against humans, sometimes humans could be as cruel as, if not crueler than, demons. It was unpleasant to know people they were acquainted with belonged to that kind.

“And that’s not all.”

Jeon Moo-young’s gaze paused at the names marked “Unknown.” Gwak Kyung-gu’s information had limits. Some things hadn’t made the news, and Gwak Kyung-gu had entered the Demon Realm partway through. Thus, how these people would act later remained unknown.

“...The problem isn’t only those marked ‘Unknown.’ Those who first resisted could still change their minds. History has seen many vile traitors. Perhaps this list isn’t so significant after all.”

Such betrayals were common even in the darkest times. Players on the front lines had often succumbed to the enemy’s temptation and sold out their comrades. Instead of denying that, Seong Guk-eon smiled and said:

“From here on, it’s our job. Reading and persuading people’s wills is something we’ve done countless times. In that world, there was no opportunity, but now there is.”

Jeon Moo-young, whose mood had been dark, brightened slightly at those words. Even in the replay, when the enemy realized they could not politically exclude Seong Guk-eon, they resorted to a physical attempt, and they succeeded. In other words, in any other contest, they knew they could not beat him.

“Before the Demon Realm scenario begins, we’ll complete a more accurate list than this.”

Seong Guk-eon said confidently. Jeon Moo-young wanted to correct “we” to “I,” given Seong Guk-eon’s great power. As Jeon Moo-young smiled, about to amend his words, Seong Guk-eon narrowed his eyes and looked down at his device. His expression changed.

“I think we need to add to today’s schedule.”

“If we add appointments, it will go past midnight.”

“They chose that time on purpose.”

Seong Guk-eon displayed an encrypted message:

“The Fomor demons are calling. Since they know I’m in Gangwon, they’ll come find me.”

He stood, straightened his tie, and said:

“Soon I’ll meet that junior martial artist again.”

Eun Gwang High.

With the Christmas charity event approaching and everyone busy preparing, I was on the move.

‘Time’s running out.’

For our class, the charity event was just a repeat of the tea house, so there wasn’t much to prepare. The problem was the school-wide event. The student council had planned several activities to commemorate overcoming last year’s Christmas Eve incident, and somehow my name had been mentioned. As a result, they decided to create a special exhibition called “Black Eye Snowfall” bearing my name, which meant they needed my ability and photographs—and thus had much to do.

“I’ll have you take a photo with Teacher Jegal dressed as a crested ibis mascot.”

“Great! Much appreciated!”

At the last festival, they were subdued, but this time Geum Chan-sol and Wang Chan-sol were wildly offering grand favors. From what they said, I guessed what they planned, and since I wanted many copies of that photo, I gratefully accepted. If Hong Gyu-bin, who was overworked, had received such an offer, he might have cried on the spot. But they wouldn’t let some shabby freshman have that privilege, so I decided to take the photo later and show it off.

“What about Saeron?”

“She probably left early. She’s busy helping her father these days.”

“When did Reporter Moon return? Wasn’t she busy covering overseas assignments?”

Meanwhile, the newspaper club was also busy with the charity event. Other clubs mostly repeated festival activities or reminisced about last year, but the newspaper club had no shortage of topics, whether from their reporting or other stories. So their workload wasn’t heavy or complicated, and they had it relatively easy. That’s why Moon Saeron probably felt comfortable leaving early.

‘She must know something’s happening in Gangwon. I hope she doesn’t overextend herself this time.’

Though the media was still a mess, it was far better than at Plumago. It wasn’t common for conscientious reporters to be surveilled, falsely accused, expelled from journalism, or even killed. So, unlike in the replay, I wouldn’t be directly targeted, but it remained dangerous.

‘I won’t take Moon Saeron to the Demon Realm this time. Then she’ll cover Gangwon with her father, not the Demon Realm.’

Moon Saeron was not part of this Demon Realm expedition. Unlike the replay, she wasn’t deeply involved in the main scenario and didn’t know many secrets. She might eagerly follow if asked to go to the Demon Realm out of the blue, but I didn’t want that. According to the game’s flow, she’d learn a great secret in her senior year and die.

“Jo U-shin, we need to go to Gangwon. I hear you’re ready.”

As I left the newspaper club room and headed toward the Silver Hall—used as our meeting room for preparing the Demon Realm scenario—Hwang Ji-ho spoke coldly. Before the scenario began, we planned a few moves, but he still seemed unsatisfied with my strategy.

“Is the air shuttle ready? The one with the Hwangmyeong logo painted large?”

“Of course. I plan to ride you on it proudly.”

Hwang Ji-ho’s expression was oddly triumphant. I couldn’t understand why he disliked my plan but approved of this part. I was about to comment but decided against it and continued toward the shuttle, when a message arrived.

[Trickster] Jo U-shin, it’s me.

[Trickster] Let’s meet right now.

At last, a message from Seodol. I had prepared for her being late, but thankfully she was on time. It looked like I’d have to adjust today’s schedule. Some tigers might be very displeased, but it was necessary.

“Before departure, let’s stop by the Silver Hall.”

“More tasks?”

“Yes. Seodol will be there.”

Hwang Ji-ho’s face twisted openly. What I said next would surely annoy not only him but any doting spouse. As expected, as soon as I spoke, the aura of the tigers around us grew harsher and deeper.

“Also invite Ungnyeo. Tell her to bring all the items related to that eye.”

No sooner had I finished speaking than a white tiger, as if leaping down through the trees, landed with a crack behind me.

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