Ex Rank Supporting Role’s Replay in a Prestigious School

To face a formidable foe, one must prepare every move meticulously—and conceal those moves as well.

So, as a chess knight, whenever I entered a match, I hid my expression and even bluffed to unnerve my opponent when necessary.

I was, therefore, accustomed to hiding my emotions or wearing a face that conflicted with my true intent.

Using that skill, today I staged a little farce with Hwang Ji-ho in the area beyond the Third Eye’s reach.

In the performance itself, I made no mistakes—but the problem came afterward.

For example, Hwang Ji-ho, unable to compose himself, was standing right in front of me, laughing.

“Stop laughing.”

As soon as the tiger in Hwang Ji-ho form reached a spot out of the Third Eye’s sight, he broke into laughter.

At my command to stop, he tried to feign silence by covering his mouth with one hand—but then burst out again.

“I can’t help it. Ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha! Even my clone laughed its fill!”

It seems even his unseen clone had joined in the laughter.

The thought of multiple Hwang Ji-hos laughing at once put me in a foul mood.

Though, if one of them was Hwang Yu-ho, I felt a bit better.

If anything could bring him joy thanks to me, that was a small mercy.

But seeing the adult-appearing Hwang Ji-ho, quite unfamiliar among the others, behaving like this was displeasing.

His broad forehead fully exposed, those sharp eyes curved into a grin.

“Do I amuse you that much?”

“Of course. And White Tiger’s impression of Jo Eui-shin pretending to be frightened—the way Eun-ho looked at that... ha ha ha ha!”

I’d taken care not to appear too close with Hwang Ji-ho; yet, the white tiger had mimicked that in secret and played with it.

I’d seen him impersonate me when revealing he’d read my mind.

But even that? The beast who’d served as my elder for millennia mimicking a human like that...

Poor Eun-ho, forced to witness it.

‘In any case, I’ve passed a difficult hurdle. And I succeeded in luring the High Priest of the Demon God—who represents all sins—to target me.’

In the Demon Realm scenario, the expedition is threatened both physically and mentally.

Just as the priest of Invidius once tried to convert Bang Yun-seop by exploiting his jealousy, the Demon God’s priests attack the party by every means.

The exhausted expedition, worn by the harsh journey, made easy targets.

Since the Demon Realm was their domain, it would have been easier than targeting Bang Yun-seop.

Yet they shrugged off every temptation and pressed on.

Though Joo Su-hyuk and Andain possessed tremendous power, they remained humble; Gwak Kyung-gu felt gratitude toward Su-hyuk more than jealousy; and Heo Chae-ah succeeded in mastering the rage that nearly engulfed her.

“Jo Eui-shin, I know it’s dangerous if people learn you’re close to the nobility, but honestly, I don’t much like this method.”

The genuine Hwang Ji-ho, having finally composed himself, stepped closer.

He confirmed once more that the Third Eye had been thoroughly blinded, then removed the anti-ability manacles.

The Hwang Ji-ho who once had to look upward now stood directly before me, his worried expression clear.

“If one only heard our recent ‘conversation,’ there’d be many problems.”

It wasn’t a conversation so much as him laughing at me.

Anyone witnessing might think Hwang Ji-ho simply had mental issues.

“...Jo Eui-shin, you know I don’t mean that problem, right?”

“You heard?”

“I didn’t ask, but White Tiger told me anyway.”

Again, the white tiger seemed to have babbled unnecessary details to Hwang Ji-ho. Yet, despite hearing that, Ji-ho spoke earnestly.

“We spoke as if you’d committed sins symbolizing the Demon God. Anyone who dared spy on us would think you were a human used by the nobility—and they’d know you’re a student of Eun Gwang High.”

Right now, I appeared as a very plausible prey.

If such prey fell into the Demon Realm, they would not leave it be.

Just as they targeted the Pulgwang High expedition, they’d move against us—but I’d become the primary target.

‘Anyway, we intended to enter the Demon Realm, and I’ve already drawn their attention—in a bad way. I planned it to make it easier to track their movements, so the danger hasn’t really increased.’

If it became known I was close to the nobility, my movements would be restricted, and someone among the expedition might be entangled with sin or even fall.

But if the Demon God’s priests clearly prioritized me as their target, it would increase the options available and ease our countermeasures.

I spoke to reassure Hwang Ji-ho—and to the white tiger, who’d pass the message on.

“It’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Nightmares couldn’t harm me—sin I haven’t even committed can’t interfere.”

Only then did Hwang Ji-ho seem relieved.

I glanced at my freed hands and said, “Then let’s go see the temporary bunkers Jeolheukpoongrim set up.”

“Bunkers? Oh, right. That’s what they called them.”

Jeolheukpoongrim has, with the Dark Horse’s cooperation, established a base in Gangwon Province hidden from the Third Eye, securing supplies and so on.

The signs of Demonification have grown so large they’ve reached a stage Jeolheukpoongrim can handle—yet they pretend to be merely gathering intel, as though still investigating.

In truth, they’ve almost finished preparing for war, but they’ll continue to appear as if collecting information.

“Since you’re heading to the Demon Realm, you don’t really need to see all of this. Wandering here could draw unwanted attention if someone under his influence spots you.”

Hwang Ji-ho didn’t want to stay long in Gangwon. Still, he wanted to see a few things with his own eyes.

‘Gwak Kyung-gu’s replay couldn’t show the post-Demon Realm scenario in Gangwon. But Pulgwang High’s account mentioned a few things.’

The altars the Demon God’s priests tried to erect.

The shelters where the sacrificed townspeople gathered.

Mysterious disasters in areas that weren’t battlefields.

Entire mountain villages that vanished without a trace.

Pulgwang High only mentioned these in passing, but each was horrific.

I’d relayed only well-sourced information to Jeolheukpoongrim, but I wanted to confirm personally how they’d handled it.

“Very well, if that’s your wish. If that Eye senses anything, I’ll support you immediately. Let’s say I freed your manacles to avoid nearly running into ordinary civilians.”

Even as he warned against my method, Hwang Ji-ho actively aided me in this risky endeavor.

Not liking my approach, yet still thinking through our next move with me—it was unexpected and, strangely, reassuring.

He seemed to catch my glance and smiled.

“This won’t be an easy problem to solve. That’s why you devised a dangerous move, but you chose to do it with me instead of alone. I’m glad you remember what I said.”

“You talk a lot, so it’s hard to remember everything.”

“It’s hard, yes, but you remember almost all of it.”

I couldn’t argue.

Any weak rebuttal would just be reported by the white tiger to Hwang Ji-ho.

After a moment’s thought, I spoke the words I recalled—words I’d said when we flew to England in the private plane with the class.

“...I promised to seek a plan that considers both my wishes and safety.”

“You remember well. Don’t forget it going forward.”

Though he’d laughed so hard earlier, Hwang Ji-ho’s lips curved once more—perhaps saving another smile.

We moved on to our agreed rendezvous, exchanging idle chatter. The white tiger’s mimicry, which earned a scolding from Eun-ho, turned out to be unexpectedly informative.

Listening to it, I kept thinking, ‘Listen to your sister,’ and ‘Stop it already,’ silently urging the white tiger to understand.

“Jo Eui-shin, White Tiger is still giggling through all that nagging—give him something to stir him up.”

Surely not because of me?

I wondered aloud, about to protest, when I sensed someone’s approach and fell silent.

The Third Eye registered nothing.

Ung-nyeo and Eun-ho had completely reinterpreted the cufflink-style device by Seodo-ri, creating peripheral gear that looked like a cover for the device. When it detected the Third Eye, it alerted via vibration, light, or sound depending on the setting.

I wore the earring type; Hwang Ji-ho wore the band type—each with a differently designed cover.

‘Hwang Ji-ho isn’t on guard, and his detector shows no response. He must be one of Jeolheukpoongrim.’

As expected, a Jeolheukpoongrim member.

But surprisingly, the swordsman of the Black Forest—the one busiest of all—had come to meet us personally.

His long black hair fluttered between the jet-black trees, his low-set gaze fixed on me.

Offering minimal courtesy, the Black Forest swordsman got straight to the point.

“After midnight, Senior Seong-Geonmusang will meet the Fomor demons.”

“Already?” I replied. “They’re eager, too.”

“Based on Jeolheukpoongrim’s intel, they’ve waited an awfully long time. Their trust must be deep.”

The swordsman’s tone was harsh, yet unarguable.

From the perspective of one who’d faced the capricious demon race, it was inevitable.

Recalling the atrocities of the Fomor in Celtic myth, their behavior was extraordinary.

In a good light, it meant Seong-Geonmusang handled them well—and in a bad light, that he was extremely close to them.

“If the contract is fulfilled, I will publicly denounce Geonmusang in the name of Jeolheukpoongrim’s matriarch. The same goes for anyone aiding him.”

Jeolheukpoongrim knew the nobility and Seong-Geonmusang had joined hands—so they came personally to warn us.

Hwang Ji-ho fell silent and looked at me. Since I’d taken responsibility for this contract matter, I had to answer.

“How will you judge if the contract is carried out?”

“I will see it with my own eyes and decide. Not through someone else’s report—my testimony that I saw it will make the public believe.”

Seong-Geonmusang’s support base was so solid he won despite every media blitz.

To shake that, it made sense the Black Forest swordsman would intervene personally.

‘If he really distrusted him, he wouldn’t have told me or Hwang Ji-ho. He still has faith in Seong-Geonmusang.’

I spoke firmly to the swordsman—though it wouldn’t reassure him, I decided to at least convey the truth.

“The contract won’t be fulfilled tonight. I guarantee it.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“There’s one more time to use the Fomor demons. You’ll see.”

I didn’t need to involve myself personally this time.

Seong-Geonmusang would handle it well.

“Senior Seong-Geonmusang will use them to learn the day the Demon Realm’s gate opens.”

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