Ex Rank Supporting Role’s Replay in a Prestigious School

“Unknown Supernova.”

“Ah, that’s the human the hojok have been using.”

“He’s the one the Demon God’s archpriests are watching.”

“Them? Why are they focusing on him?”

“You’ll see when you look.”

The demons’ gazes converged around the stationary air shuttle.

They couldn’t see inside, but its surroundings were fully visible.

Soon a Hwangho in his thirties disembarked.

“Is that Hwangho?”

“That’s right. It’s the proxy the hojok leader uses for public engagements.”

“But when Hwangho appears publicly, doesn’t he usually send Hwang Myeongho?”

“Hwang Myeongho shoulders leadership responsibilities and has too many duties. By human standards he’s older and less mobile. So he maintains a younger public façade.”

“Impressive knowledge. If he’s using that face, whom is he meeting? What name does this proxy go by?”

“Hwang Siho.”

The Hwangho in Hwang Siho’s guise strolled over to Jo Eui-shin.

Startled, Jo Eui-shin stepped back, but then glared at him with fury in his eyes.

The demons sighed softly at the sight.

“You show such arrogance toward the leader of the hojok.”

“If you wanted to be bold, you shouldn’t have cowered and hesitated just now.”

“Hwangho looks so incredulous he’s laughing.”

“Everyone keep your voices down. Let’s vocalize the data our third eye gathers so we can observe. I don’t want to miss anything while reading lips.”

At once the demons fell silent as agreed, and the two voices carried vividly as if they stood before them.

A dark smile curved Hwangho’s lips, and his laughter echoed among the demons.

Seeing that, Jo Eui-shin trembled violently, as if gripped by fear.

“You seem full of complaints, Jo Eui-shin.”

“It’s only natural to be dissatisfied in this state.”

“I personally brought you to a place worthy of your talents. Weren’t you seeking somewhere to prove your power? Your name’s been mentioned everywhere recently, and you seemed quite excited.”

Hwang Siho’s tone was gentle, though his words carried a hidden sting.

The Unknown Supernova had been achieving top results at Eun Gwang High and had recently scored two victories against the Ju-o Group’s heirs at Jeolheukpoongrim’s melee exhibition, drawing much attention.

He became a hot topic at the festival and among players.

Yet by hojok standards, his power and fame—decent by human measures—were trivial.

Especially to Hwangho, who for millennia had been part of human myth.

Sensing that unspoken meaning, Jo Eui-shin, ashamed, fell silent and blushed, then changed the subject.

“If you want to act so kindly, why not at least remove these Inungpa shackles?”

“That’s not possible. My subordinates worry what might happen if you keep up your rebellious attitude and greed.”

“Then you could just not follow me.”

“If someone other than me brought you here, do you think you’d be safe? You must have forgotten I take a special interest in you. Among the hojok, I treat you most kindly. If White Tiger were here, you couldn’t even stand.”

During the Korea-Japan-China exchange match, when Jo Eui-shin tried to betray the hojok by allying with the fox spirit, a demon had watched White Tiger’s conversation with him and nodded.

Even as Jo Eui-shin pleaded in front of the Japanese students, White Tiger carried him on his back to shame him.

Had someone shown such defiance toward the magnanimous hojok leader, White Tiger would not have remained idle.

Of course, that was the demons’ speculation; in reality White Tiger was busy laughing as he relayed the scene for his own amusement.

“Then how about sending me alone? If we move around like this wearing these shackles and run into Jeolheukpoongrim, what will you do? I guess you’re not trying to hide me anymore.”

At the mention of White Tiger, Jo Eui-shin, as if terrified, flustered and fired off questions.

Truly feeling a surge of emotion, his performance gained intensity.

Hwangho, who’d acted gentle, now looked annoyed.

That was the demons’ view; in reality he strained his face to keep from bursting into laughter.

“You dare ask to be left alone after trying to join hands with a fox spirit in the realm of the hojok deity? Your lenient treatment seems to have gone to your head. Also, had I left you be, you’d rest on your talents and grow complacent.”

“When did I ever...!”

“The reason you lose to Joo Suhyuk and Andain isn’t just talent or background—you know that. They’re always diligent.”

At the names Joo Suhyuk and Andain, Jo Eui-shin’s expression shifted noticeably.

His eyes softened with fleeting happiness, then he hastily masked it.

The demons exchanged glances, curious why those names were invoked.

Hwangho offered the answer.

“Oh, that’s right. Jo Eui-shin, you’re jealous of them even as you harbor feelings for them. You want to surpass Eun Gwang High’s unrivaled geniuses, yet you hold them dear. Such excessive greed.”

Believing Hwangho’s composed tone, Jo Eui-shin—who’d been defiant—found himself unable to reply.

Even then, most demons couldn’t follow until one versed in human web culture fetched search results on the trio.

Scores of posts analyzing Jo Eui-shin’s feelings for the two, along with photos of him gazing wistfully, flooded in.

Having long observed human emotions, the demons quickly grasped and accepted the situation.

“Emotions unfit for your power and recklessness are arrogance. By human standards your grades, abilities, and luck aren’t bad—but relying on such things and nurturing such feelings is excessive.”

The words sounded forced, as though they’d held back emotion. Jo Eui-shin, repressing his feelings, spoke little.

Hwangho stifled laughter; Jo Eui-shin stifled his shame, though demons perceived it differently.

To shift the mood, Hwangho said:

“Jeolheukpoongrim predicts demons will soon invade this area. Since you’re entangled with them, I intend to send you to the most dangerous spot.”

“The most dangerous spot...!”

“Honestly, I don’t want to send you. But I can’t stand idly by while the peninsula’s in crisis.”

His reluctance lent weight to the words.

Given earlier remarks, it sounded like ‘I don’t want you in such an important role.’

Hwangho then spoke of what Jeolheukpoongrim had learned, discovered, and what would unfold here—condensed and partly distorted but frightening to a human.

Jo Eui-shin, unwilling to stay, looked about and called for Jeolheukpoongrim members, but no one answered.

“I told them we’d visit. No one will come. Jo Eui-shin, for your safety take in everything here today and become accustomed. We’ll also pay respects to Jeolheukpoongrim, so steel yourself.”

Hwangho’s impassive words made Jo Eui-shin lower his head.

Announcing a greeting to Jeolheukpoongrim in this state meant they likely wouldn’t react while he was bound.

Jeolheukpoongrim might intervene if humans were mistreated by the Jin clan, but they’d never force forgiveness on one caught betraying the hojok to a fox spirit.

Until Hwangho gripped his arm and moved him, the demons stared long at the terrified and enraged human.

Soon they reached an area where the dark demons’ third-eye countermeasures were placed, making observation difficult.

But the demons were satisfied, having witnessed a captivating spectacle.

“As he said, the Unknown Supernova isn’t on the death list.”

“Right. Last winter something disrupted the Wheel of Reincarnation’s news flow, but he received his alias long before then. In other words, he’s a target that can be corrupted.”

Names on the death list—inscribed souls—can’t be corrupted and must be killed.

Yet despite his alias and involvement in many incidents, Jo Eui-shin’s name didn’t appear on that list.

Nearly every human allied with the hojok had their name inscribed, yet Jo Eui-shin—though shackled—acted alongside the hojok leader.

The demons, as promised, began naming sins one by one.

“Hubris—overconfidence in your power must delight Superbia.”

“Greed—you’ve tried coveting beyond your lot. Avaritia will watch you.”

“Envy—with unrivaled geniuses before your eyes... Invidia failed last year and will want another chance.”

“Wrath—you couldn’t endure even Hwangho’s restraint. Shall we introduce you to Iraeos?”

“Lust—such arrogant emotions torment you, yet you cherish both. Luxuria will covet this.”

“Gluttony—it’s vague. I’ve heard you buy vast amounts of snacks. Gula should see and judge.”

“Sloth—we’ve seen no slothful display, but if Hwangho deems it worthy of direct oversight, Pigredus will show interest.”

Naming the seven deadly sins delighted the demons.

Though they convened to study magic and did not worship the Demon God, they knew the sins well and reveled in watching human corruption through the third eye.

Considering Jo Eui-shin’s known actions, their third-eye observations, and Hwangho’s intel, his behavior perfectly matched the sins.

Moreover, Jo Eui-shin possessed strong Inung powers, physical prowess, and a disciplined appearance that even the rock Stele would envy, leaving the demons thoroughly pleased.

“The archpriest of Luxuria is already pondering which sin suits the supernova.”

“For Gula, the archpriest predicts it may be more than one sin.”

“Convey to the sin alliance: we will watch the nameless star’s corruption through the third eye.”

They believed they observed the board more keenly than anyone.

Yet unaware, they had become one of the pieces on the chessboard set before the star.

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