The Academy’s Time Stop Player
chapter-41

"Alright, who wants to go first?"

"Can I go first?"

Dan Yeseul quickly raised her hand to Kim Jaehoon's question.

Kim Jaehoon nodded, pleased with her enthusiasm, and said,

"You're Dan Yeseul, correct? Let's see..."

He took out his smartphone to check Dan Yeseul's profile.

"So, your main weapon is a dagger, right? You've mentioned you're confident in your speed, haven't you?"

"Yes!"

"But you do have clear strengths and weaknesses. You're fast and skilled, but not very strong... The dummy was designed for a basic strength test, but for you, I'll focus on your skills. See the scoreboard on the dummy? It usually shows a numerical strength value, but don't worry about that. Just show me what you can do."

"Yes! Got it!"

Full of confidence, Dan Yeseul quickly stepped in front of the dummy.

She took out her dagger and assumed her stance.

Dan Yeseul, positioned with her body low, sprang forward like a coiled spring, striking the dummy with her dagger.

She made dozens of rapid slashes on the dummy. Kim Jaehoon, surprised by her skills, turned to Jin Ahhan and said,

"Wow, she's fast, isn't she? About five dagger swings per second?"

"Yes, she's a talented one. While she may not be the strongest, her skills and speed more than make up for it."

"Let's see... she certainly has ability, and she calls it 'Fencing'."

"A fitting name indeed."

Dan Yeseul was undeniably a standout talent.

Even though the other four members of the class overshadowed her, she had exceptional skills and speed, and even a unique ability.

Her ranking as fourth in her grade was testament enough to her prowess. There was nothing more to add.

Beep-

Immediately after, Dan Yeseul stopped her dagger swings and looked up to see her score.

The scoreboard read 2423.

With a puzzled expression, Dan Yeseul approached Kim Hajoon and asked,

"So, what score is considered good?"

"Hmm? The average is around 3000, but hitting 2400 at that speed is quite impressive."

"Oh! Thank you!"

With that, she glanced at Hajoon, an arrogant look in her eyes.

Why is she looking at me like that?

Am I supposed to applaud because I'm also impressive?

Regardless, I clapped and cheered, "Oh!"

But Dan Yeseul only looked more displeased.

She's still unhappy even though I clapped.

"Next is Haruna. Would you like to go?"

Haruna simply nodded, her face expressionless.

She moved to stand in front of the dummy.

Then, she slowly reached out her hand towards the dummy.

And she murmured a single, monotone word,

"∎∎∎∎∎∎∎"

A language only she could understand.

This language began to transform into a skill, inciting a strange phenomenon.

Crack!

An unfamiliar, mystical force started to constrict the dummy, gradually crushing it into a shape that was no longer recognizable.

Crunch!

Beep!

As the deformed dummy stood there, a score flashed up on the scoreboard.

Kim Hajoon marvelled at the score, ignoring the ruined dummy.

"Wow... 15250, that's... that's on par with a mid-tier hero delivering a full-force blow."

"15000 points..."

Upon seeing the score, Jin Ahhan gave a knowing smile.

Rune Language.

Alongside verbs and nouns, it's one of the world's three unknown languages. This skill produces phenomena by activating an alien energy through language, not magic.

In the world, this alien energy is referred to as 'divine power.' A Grand Magician once claimed that the phenomena that can be created through the Rune Language surpass the possibilities of magic.

"Do you think you could have exerted more force if you tried?"

"Isn't it quite something to hit 15000 points at her age?"

"It is. But she doesn't seem to be struggling."

Just as she said, Haruna's expression was calm.

She maintained a tranquil, emotionless face, showing no sign of difficulty, and simply returned to her seat.

"Wow! Haruna is incredible!"

Seeing the spectacle, Dan Yeseul couldn't help but tousle Haruna's hair and pull her into a tight hug.

Haruna, seemingly accustomed to Dan's antics, simply let out a quiet sigh.

"And next... your name is...?"

"My name is Kim Hajoon."

Hajoon introduced himself without fanfare.

Immediately afterward, Kim Jaehoon began to appraise Hajoon, examining him from head to toe.

"Hmm... Guild Master? He was recommended by the Vice Guild Master, wasn't he?"

"Yes, that's correct."

Assuming the Vice Guild Master's recommendation meant something, Kim Jaehoon started going through the introduction.

"Let's see... Strength is speed, and the weakness is... huh?"

A small laugh slipped from Kim Jaehoon's mouth as he read the weakness section.

"No weaknesses?"

"I couldn't think of any."

"Oh, really? Confidence is good. And, you're an ability user, huh? The ability is called Hectopascal Leg? There's also a skill. Hectopascal Kick? What kind of ability is this?"

Intrigued by the unusual name of the skill, Kim Jaehoon turned to Hajoon and asked.

Hajoon simply shrugged his shoulders and began to explain.

"It's a kick, just like the name suggests."

"A kick, like...?"

"Exactly."

"Well, does this skill have any special properties?"

"Um... If you hit it wrong, it could twist your back and waist at a 90-degree angle?"

At these words, an awkward laugh slipped from Kim Jaehoon's lips.

Honestly, he was internally questioning why the Vice Guild Master had recommended such an eccentric kid.

Still, considering that he had an ability and was highly ranked, there had to be something remarkable about him...

On the outside, he didn't appear particularly strong.

Reading through his introduction, there were no distinct features that stood out.

"Well, shall we see it for ourselves? Would you like to stand in front of the dummy?"

"Certainly."

With that, Hajoon moved in front of the dummy and took his stance.

He launched himself into the air and kicked, simultaneously activating Time Stop (SSS).

From then on, Hajoon's actions were straightforward.

"Huh! Huh-huh!"

With a boxing-like rhythm, he launched a flurry of punches at the dummy.

Did he joyfully pound away at it for about 20 minutes?

Hajoon returned to his stance, leapt up to kick again, and deactivated the Time Stop (SSS).

Simultaneously, a beep rang out, and the numbers on the electronic display began to climb.

"3100? Higher than I expected?"

"......"

"Guild Master?"

Despite Kim Jaehoon's words, Jin Ahhan didn't respond.

Instead, she just knit her eyebrows together, as though she had witnessed something out of place.

"......What?"

"Yes? Is something wrong?"

"It seemed to disappear for a moment?"

The reflexes and dynamic visual acuity of a top-tier hero far exceed those of an average superhuman.

For instance, they boast a remarkable sense that allows them to catch a flying bullet with their eyes closed and just two fingers.

And what Jin Ahhan briefly perceived with such keen senses was peculiar.

Vanishing and reappearing.

This simple, yet intricate spectacle was what she had observed.

"Hmm......"

"Guild Master?"

"Hmm? Oh! No, it's nothing."

While a slight unease lingered, she didn't think it was a significant concern.

Well, she might have misseen.

"So, is everyone passing?"

"Yes. It appears so."

"Then I'll take the kids and go on patrol. When the Vice Guild Master arrives, let him know the kids have made it."

"Yes. Please be careful."

It was 2 PM.

Jin Ahhan and the kids set out on a patrol in a nearby park.

To call it a patrol, it was more like a leisurely stroll.

Just casually meandering around the surrounding area on foot?

"Wow! It's Jin Ahhan!"

"Kyaaah! Jin Ahhan, look over here please!"

"Huh? Isn't that kid Haruna Ruel?"

"Wow! It's true! They seem to be getting a taste of the sidekick life."

Soon, the attention of those nearby began to turn towards Jin Ahhan and the kids.

Jin Ahhan simply responded with a casual wave and a relaxed smile.

Surveying the scene with intrigue, Dan Yeseul posed a question to Jin Ahhan.

"Do you always patrol this area, Hero Jin Ahhan?"

Jin Ahhan chuckled at the question, shaking her head as she replied.

"Not all the time, just sporadically. Maybe once a month? Since there are guild members, I don't necessarily have to patrol. But since you guys are here, I decided to do a special patrol just for today."

"Wow..........."

"Indeed, when we have this many people together, proper patrolling isn't possible. But the presence of so many can act as a deterrent to crimes. It's about showing people that we're around."

"Ah! That makes sense!"

Jin Ahhan broke into a hearty laugh, finding the response quite endearing.

"Hehe, do any of you have any more questions?"

"When do we head back?"

Hajoon chimed in, speaking what was truly on his mind.

His blunt question triggered laughter from Jin Ahhan, while Dan Yeseul shot Hajoon a stern glare.

"Excuse me, even though this is a job, how about you take it seriously?"

"Am I not taking it seriously? I'm just curious about when we're done, that's why I asked."

"Ugh.........., you should just keep quiet. Haruna is sitting quietly, why don't you try and do the same?"

I merely shrugged in response.

But does she realize?

That Haruna is also equally bored, sporting an expression similar to mine.

'Um.........., is it about time?'

The monotonous patrol was about to conclude soon, so Hajoon casually raised his arm to stretch.

The time was 2:30 PM.

It was the moment for Haruna Ruel's first adventure to begin.

And then it happened.

"Kyaaak!! There's a thief!!"

"Over there! Somebody stop that guy!!"

At the sound of the commotion, Jin Ahhan and Dan Yeseul could only respond with dumbfounded expressions.

"That... isn't that Jin Ahhan, the hero? That was certainly a thief just now..."

"Huh? Is that so?"

Despite being a seasoned hero, she found herself taken aback.

Incredibly, a thief had erupted onto the scene and committed a theft right in front of her eyes.

And there wasn't just one thief, but two, both snatching bags.

These two thieves, seemingly displaying superhuman agility, were seen leaping high above the crowd and making a swift escape.

Jin Ahhan felt a surge of inexplicable discomfort at the sight, but resolved to pursue the fleeing thieves.

"Anyone who can keep up with my pace, follow me. I didn't anticipate this, but it's still a chance to gain some experience. If you don't think you can keep up, wait here."

"Ah! Yes!"

Well, this was no terrorist attack, but merely a petty theft. Jin Ahhan's response was measured and light-hearted.

With that, Jin Ahhan quickly sprang into action, giving chase to the thief. Dan Yeseul also followed suit, determined to catch the thief.

And while observing the situation with a calm demeanor, Hajoon shifted his gaze towards Haruna.

“......”

Haruna was just staring blankly in one direction.

Hajoon noticed her expression subtly change.

A strange spark flickered in her eyes, replacing the empty stare from earlier.

Hajoon followed her gaze towards the object of her attention.

There, an old man was sitting on a park bench, tenderly feeding the pigeons.

'So, the episode has begun...'

Having discerned the situation, Hajoon began to deliberate.

In truth, he could activate Time Stop (SSS) right now and apprehend the culprits.

However, Hajoon understood that they were merely diversions.

Their purpose was to draw attention away from Haruna.

Hajoon's eyes were drawn to the old man.

'If I don't leave my position...'

Would they resort to creating more chaos to divert my attention?

If that's their intention, then I might as well play along with their game for now.

Hajoon quickly distanced himself from Haruna, pretending to join the pursuit of the fleeing thieves.

After all, he could always activate Time Stop (SSS) and return to his position at any moment.