Chapter 438: What must be hidden (2)

Support Ex-Rank

I ran into Min Geurin while on the way to the Silver Hall.

She had her hoodie on while running at full speed so I almost missed her.

I wonder why she was so hurried when we had much time left.

Maybe she’s working out after our lunch?

“Hey, let’s go together.”

Min Geurin stopped quickly when I called her up.

It would’ve been difficult to come to a stop right away when she was running so fast, but her lower body strength and flexibility allowed her to do so.

‘Though she had a hard time stopping once she started running in PMH.’

In the scenario where Min Geurin and Song Daesok appeared, Min Geurin was running at full speed, still unable to control her energy waves.

That was when Song Daesok grabbed her and made her stop.

I took an item card out just in case, but it seems like Min Geurin was perfectly capable in this world already.

A cloud of dust rose behind her feet as she stopped perfectly.

Unlike the PMH scenario, Min Geurin was in perfect control of her energy waves, and unlike when she learned to run on her own, she’s now much better thanks to her excellent teachers.

All kinds of praise came to mind, but I swallowed them in fear that they might burden Min Geurin.

“You can walk. We have a lot of time.”

“…I ran a little to shake off Daesok-ie.”

Everyone in our class knows that Min Geurin and I will be talking about the secrets of Imoogi’s Exorcism.

However, everyone, except Hwang Jiho, does not know that the chairman is involved.

Min Geurin must’ve said she’d be meeting with the chairman, but not to discuss the painting.

‘It doesn’t matter even if our classmates know though.’

But from Min Geurin’s perspective, she must be worried that Song Daesok, who’s already very busy these days, might become wary that she’s going into dangerous territory.

So it seems she didn’t say why she’s meeting the chairman today.

On the other hand, it could also alarm Song Daesok that Min Geurin would suddenly meet with the chairman.

With that said, isn’t it relevant that painter Hong Kyungbok is coming with us today?

As if belatedly realizing, Min Geurin spoke with an embarrassed face.

“I should’ve mentioned that I’m going with the master. He would’ve been relieved if I did.”

“You should send him a message. Or else he might break into Silver Hall.”

“Ah… Yeah, I should.”

Though I think Song Daesok is already on an air shuttle headed to the Silver Hall.

Perhaps the guy kept on messaging her, Min Geurin was absorbed in her device all the way to Silver Hall.

And perhaps she’s successfully persuaded Song Daesok, Min Geurin had a bright face.

When we arrived at the lobby of the Silver Hall, we saw painter Hong Kyungbok talking with someone.

We approached him to say hello and overheard some of their conversations.

“Take care of yourself, Kyungbok-ah. Seeing you makes me feel old too.”

…Shocked by what I heard, I unconsciously stopped for a second.

Kyungbok-ah? Care? Old?

Min Geurin looked at the two with a blank face, and I thought maybe I have a similar expression.

Hong Kyungbok only laughed.

“Hoho, you haven’t changed since twenty years ago. You look the same, and you act the same too.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

The middle-aged woman standing in front of Hong Kyungbok smiled.

…But was it really a compliment?

Isn’t he implying that her substance hasn’t improved at all?

Nevertheless, the two continued talking.

From the outside, it looks like painter Hong Kyungbok is a generation older, but their interaction felt like it was two friends meeting and talking.

“Euishin-ah, is that person…”

Min Geurin seemed to have noticed who was talking to painter Hong Kyungbok.

A person who can talk comfortably with painter Hong Kyungbok.

A woman with long hair who’s permitted to enter Silver Hall.

Those who study at Eungwang High could easily guess who she was.

I answered Min Geurin with a nod.

“She’s our school principal.”

“Ah… It’s my first time seeing her this close so I didn’t recognize her right away.”

Our school principal doesn’t show up in front of a lot of people.

She’s said to be someone who hates standing out.

The principal of Eungwang High is expected to be a public representative of the school, and it’s said that our current principal initially refused to take the position since she’s unwilling to be in the public spotlight.

At the persuasion of the chairman, the principal eventually accepted the position.

‘I heard that the chairman accepted two conditions to make that happen.’

First was the expansion of the library.

Eungwang High’s library size and the number of books were already world-class, but it seems like the principal was still unsatisfied.

Hwang Jhio, who doesn’t hold back on splurging his money, accepted that condition immediately.

‘Though the second condition is a bit tricky.’

The second condition was to allow the principal o have her face covered at official events.

At present time, there are many players who choose to cover their faces, so it’s not a big deal to conceal her appearance at official events.

However, considering the social conditions in the past decade when the principal accepted the position, it was unimaginable to allow the school representative to have her face covered.

Nevertheless, Hwang Jiho mobilized the Hwangmyeong Foundation’s public relations team to respect the principal’s will.

‘Usually the vice-principal or one of the board members moves on behalf of the principal, but sometimes she has no choice but to show her face. Like the opening ceremony of the sports exchange exhibition with the Military Academy.’

And the reason why Eungwang High’s principal shuns media participation was revealed by my playable character.

Back when we went to Hongcheon, Song Daesok mentioned that the principal was born in that place.

According to Song Daesok, there’s a reason why the principal doesn’t wish to make her face known.

She’s afraid that if she becomes famous, people will try to rip her off thinking that she has a lot of money.

Our school principal is a real thinker.

“I see my student is here.”

After talking for a long time, painter Hong Kyungbok turned around.

He gestured for us to come, perhaps intending to introduce us to the principal.

Min Geurin timidly approached.

She seemed to be wondering whether she should take off her hoodie or not in front of the adults, but painter Hong Kyungbok patted her head over her hoodie, signaling that she could leave it on.

The principal didn’t seem to mind either.

She’s one to usually hide her face in public as well too.

“I think this is your first meeting. This is Min Geurin, my student. This one is Geurin’s class’ vice president, Jo Euishin.”

“…Hello.”

When Min Geurin and I bowed and greeted, painter Hong Kyungbok introduced the school principal.

Even from up close, the principal’s face wasn’t visible properly because she was covered by her scarf and long hair.

“This is Hwangbo Yoon. I’m sure you’ve heard of her name since she’s the principal of Eungwang High.”

Eungwang High’s school principal, Hwangbo Yoon.

Last name “Hwangbo”, first name “Yoon”

It sounds like a gender-neutral name so it was difficult to know her gender just from her name.

“I see you’re not surprised. Did you figure out that Yoon is the principal?”

“We saw her from afar at the sports exchange opening ceremony.”

Hwangbo Yoon sighed deeply at my words.

I guess she really hates being seen.

“…I didn’t want to go, but I didn’t have a choice since the head of the Military Academy made an appearance.”

“It’s impossible to cover your face and ruin the fun for these young people.”

“Oh, stop it. You make us sound so old.”

“Hohoho. Is it because you’re still immature?”

It was strange to see the two bickering.

Painter Hong Kyungbok was 72 years old, the same age as Song Manseok.

Hwangbo Yoon on the other hand looks like she was either in her 30s or 40s.

It looked like a father-daughter dynamic at first but seeing them joking around like that, their age doesn’t seem to have anything to do with their friendship.

I settled that in my mind and tried to think of something else, but Hong Kyungbok suddenly spoke with a playful tone.

“Yoon is an old friend of mine. It doesn’t look like it, but Yoon is the same age as me.”

What?

What in the world did I just hear?

Min Geurin gasped and covered her mouth.

I just managed to keep my jaw from dropping too.

“I’m younger though if we consider our birthdays.”

“Hoho, after living for 70 years, you’re still considering those measly months of difference? If you’re serious about it, then I’ll speak as if I’m older than you.”

“Huh, no thank you.”

Hwangbo Yoon, who looked like she was in her 30s or 40s, was the same age as painter Hong Kyungbok.

‘…Painter Hong Kyungbok must’ve been through hard times.’

And he went through a lot of incidents after Min Geurin became her student too.

Those who knew that Min Geurin immediately tried to get rid of her.

That ploy almost made Min Geurin give up on painting forever.

The painter sacrificed a lot of things yet Min Geurin refused to go to school at first.

When Min Geurin finally decided to go, malicious comments still found their way to her.

Painter Hong Kyungbok was with her and he has suffered a lot, so there’s nothing we can do about the marks of pain on his face.

‘But Principal Hwangbo Yoon still looks too young.’

There are players who look youthful, but I think this is a little too much.

Her face looks very young for her age.

While we were talking, Hwangbo Yoon checked her watch.

She raised her wrist and I saw it was an analog clock.

“I heard you have a meeting with the chairman. Isn’t it almost time for you to go?”

“Yes, I guess we should go now.”

“Then I’ll see you next time.”

The two naturally split ways, but the more I looked at them, the more I was surprised that they really were of the same age.

‘No, come to think of it, it shouldn’t be a surprise.’

I know a certain old guy too, the one who’s waiting for us in his office.

“You may come in.”

We were guided into the office by the secretary.

Inside, Hwang Jiho in Hwang Myeongho’s appearance was waiting.

Hwang Jiho had us sit in his imposing chairman’s office.

Painter Hong Kyungbok sat confidently, and Min Geurin sat while watching him.

Min Geurin seemed surprised at the dignity of the chairman’s office at first, but soon on acted naturally as the artworks everywhere got more of her attention.

Hwang Jiho looked satisfied.

I guess he liked how Min Geurin doesn’t look very pressured by the atmosphere.

Hwang Jiho gave a few words in greeting before bringing up the main point.

“Lunchtime is almost over so I will be getting to the point.”

Since Hwang Myeongho is in his 60s while Hong Kyungbok is in his 70s, Hwang Jiho spoke formally.

“Let’s look at Imoogi’s Exorcism that we have secured.”

Hwang Jiho took out Imoogi’s Exorcism item card.

The two looked surprised at first to see the painting carded, but they soon looked at ease.

Fwaa!

Hwang Jiho actualized the card and held the painting.

He compared it to a terrestrial map when…

“Stop.”

“Wait!”

Painter Hong Kyungbok and Min Geurin raised their voices as if they had found something.

Support Ex-Rank