I Escaped the Exile Story Only To Find It Was a Regret Trope

35 – 7# The Redhead Doesn’t Die! (1)

Until this morning, Yushin didn’t feel that bad.

Of course, being discovered by Athena was a significant risk. But on the flip side, it meant gaining a reliable ally.

Moreover, he had extracted information from both the student council and the disciplinary committee. He felt a bit closer to the main scenario. But then.

Yushin frowned. It was an act of openly expressing his displeasure. However, the person in front of Yushin didn’t care at all.

He was a middle-aged man in a black suit, wearing a fedora. In many ways, his actions, appearance, and demeanor exuded elegance.

But before asking who he was, Yushin moved his body as if he was familiar with it. Like being submerged in water, his movements were very heavy.

“So, this is a dream.”

“You’re a quick-witted customer.”

“A customer? Me?”

“Every human is a potential customer. Even if we are in a relationship where we point swords at each other.”

With just that one sentence, Yushin could roughly grasp the identity of the other person. If it’s a relationship where humans point swords at each other. There’s only one thing, right?

“Most monsters don’t have intelligence, do they?”

“Oh, that’s a sad misunderstanding. But I understand, since all the ones you’ve faced so far were lowly creatures without dignity.”

The man’s golden eyes, nodding as if he understood, were filled with deep arrogance. As if assuming you are beneath me.

I know the opponent is not an easy one.

With my current strength, I would probably be defeated. But Yushin is not one to bow his head just because he lacks strength. Yushin spoke, veins bulging.

“Your tone is annoyingly arrogant. Do you want to die?”

“Me? Nonsense. On the contrary, I’m showing you some respect.”

“Is openly looking down on me your idea of respect?”

“Aren’t we sitting face to face and having a conversation?”

Surprisingly, he was sincere. Indeed, he didn’t have many opponents with whom he sat face to face and had a conversation. Yushin was dumbfounded.

He couldn’t throw a punch right away. To be more precise, just before his fist could fly. The words of the gentleman in the fedora stopped his fist.

“Is there something you want to know? Or should I say, something you’re looking for?”

“……”

“I can help you. Of course, if you show a bit of sincerity.”

“I don’t need it.”

Without even a moment’s hesitation, Yushin immediately rejected the man’s offer. As a warrior with countless experiences, he had learned one thing.

Most of those who proposed deals were not to be trusted. The thieves’ guild was obsessed with betrayal, and demons sought to steal souls.

Even the king of a country would try to avoid keeping promises. Let alone, he had no intention of dealing with someone like this.

“Not even a moment’s hesitation? I see, you must have had many experiences of this kind.”

But the man did not show any sign of disappointment. He had already heard enough, and Yushin realized this without difficulty.

“You b*stard, who told you about this?”

“Maybe I just noticed your composure and figured it out.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, that confident tone. You definitely heard about me from someone.”

Though he hid it with a relaxed tone, Yushin immediately noticed. This man already knew everything about him. But how was that possible?

“Let’s just say I heard it from an old friend who knows you very well.”

“……An old friend?”

“That’s right. And unlike you, that person is my V.I.P client.”

“Among my old friends, there are few who would deal with someone like you.”

Athena, of course, and most of his comrades would rather drink beer from a ten-year-old boot than deal with someone shady like this.

Among the living comrades, that is.

Suddenly, a thought crossed Yushin’s mind. But as soon as it came, he dismissed it. It was possible if it was that guy, but no, it was impossible.

Because that guy was dead.

He had made sure to end his life. To block any possibility of resurrection. Yushin’s expression hardened, and the man smiled in contrast.

“It seems you are close to the answer.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“The service ends here. The rest, you have to find out yourself. Well then.”

The man in the fedora clapped his hands. At that moment, the beautifully sparkling night sky began to collapse. Soon, his voice echoed in Yushin’s ears.

It’s time to wake up from the dream.

* * *

He woke up from the dream in a very dirty way.

But the dirty feeling and the problem at hand were separate issues. Yushin, who woke up from his sleep, set aside the dirty feeling and pondered with a serious expression.

However, there was nothing to be gained from worrying alone. So, I spoke the truth I wanted to avoid. If there was one person who would make a deal with that guy, it was only one.

“Athena.”

“Why?”

“Why are you in my room so naturally?”

Yushin wanted to ask about the fact he had discovered himself, but before that, he couldn’t help but point out Athena’s presence in the room too naturally.

“What does it matter? We’ve been through thick and thin together, haven’t we?”

“What are you talking about?”

Yes, they had been through thick and thin together.

The problem was that it was a mud pit, not a bed. Yushin corrected that part clearly, and thanks to that, he barely avoided Yuri’s cold gaze.

“No, when did you come in again?”

“I saw this woman entering your room.”

“So you came in together?”

“T-this is to protect you…”

Seeing Yuri fidgeting with her fingers, Yushin felt a headache coming on. Let’s put aside such trivial matters for now.

“Athena.”

“Yes, I’m listening.”

“Is there a possibility that the sage is alive?”

“No, there isn’t.”

Athena answered firmly. It was a firm answer that could cut through even the toughest sinew in an instant. However, even with such an answer, Yushin couldn’t feel at ease.

Why did that guy suddenly appear and propose a deal?

If the sage was really alive and made a deal with him, why would he tell me that? What is he aiming for?

‘I don’t know, it’ll work out somehow.’

But Yushin lightly shook off the growing anxiety. After all, there was no answer to be found by constantly worrying. So, he would just face it head-on.

And as Yushin thought, the answer appeared not long after. On the way to the academy, early in the morning, while walking with Hayoung.

A familiar face blocked their path. He had red hair, but dark circles under his eyes. His eyes were bloodshot, and his face was gaunt.

‘I thought he was an undead.’

He looked so emaciated that he seemed like a real undead. Thanks to that, Yushin barely realized that the person blocking their path was Hyunwoo.

But even that was not because he remembered his face, but because he saw the name tag. However, Hyunwoo, who didn’t know that, glared at Yushin and said.

“Baek Yushin, I can never forgive you.”

“What kind of nonsense is this? I haven’t done anything wrong to you.”

“You’re trying to take everything from me!!”

“??”

Of course, from Yushin’s perspective, who didn’t even feel it was worth remembering Hyunwoo’s existence, this sounded like nonsense.

But that didn’t mean he had any intention of avoiding the fight that was coming.

Only then did Yushin notice the two girls standing next to Hyunwoo. One had purple hair and purple eyes.

She exuded a mysterious aura in many ways.

And on the other side was a girl with light green hair. If you didn’t know better, you might think she was an elementary school student, given her small stature.

“Who are those two next to you?”

“They’re the ones who stick with Hyunwoo even in Class A.”

“Oh, Selena. I was wondering why you didn’t show up today, seems like you’ve had a hard time.”

“I’m sorry, I tried to stop it somehow.”

Surprisingly, Selena was now captured behind Hyunwoo, injured. Her body was restrained by something like invisible ropes.

It couldn’t be Hyunwoo’s ability.

Then, is it one of those two girls’ abilities? Whatever it is, this gives a perfect justification. Yushin stepped forward towards Hyunwoo and said,

“I don’t know who you are, but you’re really not going to get away with this.”

If there’s one thing he’s learned in life, it’s that he must take care of those who have chosen to stand by his side. Even if he can’t protect them, he must avenge them.

And by Yushin’s standards, Selena was an ally who stood by his side. But to beat up such an ally like that, even ganging up on her?

“Let’s end this today.”

This is intolerable.