Side Story Chapter 29 – Sesha (4)

“Mystery? What’s that?” Sesha tilted her head because it was her first time hearing about such a thing.

Everything related to the system was retrieved after Yeon-woo awoke, and all the dungeons and gates closed. Most mysterious and magical phenomena in the world had disappeared. Even if there were some remnants left, it was only the trivial objects, and they were currently being used for science. A “mystery” in present-day was most likely just another remnant.

‘But there wasn’t anything like that.’ If there was a remnant at school, Sesha would’ve noticed by now. She was born with dragon blood, and her perception of magic was far above everyone else’s. Even with the system retrieved, Sesha would still use magic. Unlike the other players, who only used skills given by the system, she had learned how to control it from Ananta.

Park Yoo-min nodded and moved closer to Sesha, whispering as if she was sharing a secret only for her ears. “Yup. You know the statue of King Sejong in the schoolyard?”

“The one in the middle?”

“Yeah. When the clock strikes midnight, apparently it starts moving.”

“…What?”

Sesha blinked. The statue of King Sejong was something she was familiar with as well. Along with the statue of Yi Sun-sin, it was a statue that could be seen commonly at most schools. Beneath the stone statue where King Sejong was sitting with dignity was the Korean alphabet. But Sesha could guarantee the statue was just an ordinary factory-made object. There were no traces of magic to be found on it.

“And around that time, sounds of soft piano playing can be heard from the music room, and the lights of the seniors’ classrooms on the third floor light up, and strange shadows—”

“Hey.” Sesha cut Yoo-min with a scowl. “How old are you again? Huh?”

Yoo-min seemed to be describing a scene from a movie that came out when they were younger. Scary stories about schools were popular back then too, so Sesha remembered them very clearly.

Park Yoo-min sighed. “Darn it, you didn’t fall for it…”

“People who fall for that are probably idiots.”

“Right? But seriously, I know I sound ridiculous, but I’m not lying.”

“Stop pulling my leg.”

“I’m being serious!” Park Yoo-min wagged her index finger. “There are real eyewitnesses. Even in our class.”

Sesha’s unbelieving face turned into one of interest. “Eyewitnesses…?”

“Yeah. Our class president said she was going home after an after-school study session and then came back to school after remembering she forgot one of her books.”

“Oof.” Sesha glanced to her side with a face that screamed “yikes.” At the end of her gaze was a glass-wearing girl solving math problems in the corner of the classroom. The girl always studied even when everyone else was chatting and playing around during their break time… She was truly amazing. Sesha could never do that, but that was probably because her grades were surprisingly good considering how much effort she put (or in this case, didn’t put) into her studies.

“And when she returned, it was around midnight, and the lights were all off.”

“She has guts…”

“Exactly. Anyway, she was going to her class when she suddenly started to hear piano sounds. Für Elise or something like that.”

“Maybe someone left their phone behind and that’s where it was coming from?”

“Maybe. But then the lights in another classroom suddenly switched on, and she saw shadows moving. Then she ran away because she was scared.”

“Maybe it was just a thief?”

“You know how our class president is, sharp as a tack. So that’s what she thought too at first, and she called the police the next day to check.”

“When?”

“That day you were absent because you were at a photoshoot or something.”

“Oh, that day? And what was the result?”

“Nothing was stolen. And the classroom where the lights were turned on was closed with a lock, and there wasn’t any indication of it being broken into.”

“…That’s a bit strange. I hope it’s not a pervert.”

“Apparently that wasn’t it either.”

“Hmm.”

“And…”

“There’s more?”

Park Yoo-min nodded and began to gush about what she’d heard. A student-athlete who’d been going home late from training, a neighborhood resident who’d been walking her dog near the schoolyard, and even a teacher who had late night duties. It was strange that the rumors weren’t further spread at this point.

‘Is there a ghost or something?’ Sesha tilted her head and heightened her senses, but she still didn’t feel anything. Ghosts, spirits, phantoms… Nothing. There just wasn’t anything at this school that was related to mana in general. “…How do you know all that?”

“Heehee. It’s interesting.”

“You should try studying with that passion.”

“Shut up. I’m going my own way.”

Sesha shook her head and became deep in thought for a moment. ‘Should I go and check it later?’ If there really was something left behind that she hadn’t been able to sense, and if it was a remnant of a dungeon that Yeon-woo hadn’t retrieved, it could end up being dangerous in the future.

‘What should I do?’ Sesha contemplated returning later alone in the evening. If she got a bad feeling about it, she could always call her family. She could probably take care of it herself, but if there really was a mystery, it could be dangerous since it was strong enough to go undetected by her senses.

Of course, no matter how great the danger, Kronos would be able to take care of it with just a wave of one hand.

‘But I can’t request something from Mom and Grandpa with something that hasn’t been confirmed.’ Sesha needed to find out what the mystery was first. ‘Ugh, what a bother.’

Sesha shivered at the thought of having to return to school so late, then remembered why they were on this subject. “Oh right, so they’re gonna film experiencing this mystery for the show?”

“Yeah. It seems like the kids who are fans of Sung-chan are going to stay behind until then.”

“…They’re probably going to be slapped on their backs by their moms.”

Park Yoo-min smiled mischievously at Sesha, who seemed contemplative. “Why? You’re interested?”

“It’ll be dangerous if there really are monsters left.”

“Ooh! Idol.”

“…Can you please stop calling me that weird name?”

“Ooh! Hero of justice.”

“I shouldn’t have even tried…”

“If the mystery is a monster, we’ll be able to see the black dragon that’s asleep in your arm, right?”

“…There’s nothing like that.”

“Really? They said on your fandom forum that ‘our goddess is hiding wings beneath her clothes’ and—”

“I said to stop!” Sesha shouted because she felt like Yoo-min would continue to say weird things at this rate. But that didn’t deter Yoo-min from teasing her.

* * *

Producer Kim brightened upon receiving good news from the scriptwriter. “Really? Is that true?”

“Yup!”

“Whew! Looks like everything’s going smoothly from here!”

All the staff members looked to Producer Kim after his loud reaction. They wondered why he was being so dramatic this time.

Just then, Producer Kim burst up and walked toward Shin Sung-chan, who was getting his makeup retouched by his stylist.

Shin Sung-chan looked at Producer Kim through the mirror when the producer suddenly grasped his hands.

“Hey, Shin. Is there anything you want to eat later? You’re not allowed to eat properly because your comeback date is coming close, right? Just give me the word, and I’ll order you food when your manager isn’t looking.”

“……You should say that when my manager is gone…”

Manager Kim Hyung-eun glared at Shin Sung-chan with crossed arms from far away.

“But did something good happen?”

“Kya! I didn’t know our Shin was so proactive with this show! Sorry for not realizing your genuineness earlier.”

“…?” Shin Sung-chan still looked confused, not understanding what Producer Kim was saying.

Now, it was Producer Kim’s turn to look confused. “Hm? It wasn’t you who got the Idol to participate in our filming?”

“So-yeong is…?” Shin Sung-chan looked dumbfounded at the unexpected news, but he quickly cleared his throat and responded with composure when he spotted his manager glaring at him through the mirror. “Ahem, I just asked if she could help with our show. But I told her it was fine since she looked a bit uncomfortable… Haha. I guess So-yeong heeded my request without me knowing. It would’ve been nice if she texted me about it, haha.”

“She probably wanted to surprise you. Very good, very good! You brought the Idol…! Whew! Our Shin is so capable, huh?” Producer Kim patted Shin Sung-chan’s shoulders while he nodded. The stylist glared at him because the makeup brush missed its mark with every pat, but the producer didn’t seem to notice. He was too overjoyed. It was harder than pulling a star down from the sky to cast the Idol in a show, but Shin Sung-chan had done it.

The staff became much busier. Sesha’s popularity was beyond comparison to Shin Sung-chan’s. She was a star of stars who was famous globally. They had to give her their best treatment. The script writers also quickly revised the script while the cameramen called headquarters to request more staff. Shin Sung-chan’s agency heard the news and said they would send more people as well.

If this filming went well, Shin Sung-chan and his group’s popularity and reputation would soar. Producer Kim and the rest of the staff, who were in charge of this show, would be able to add a spectacular project to their job experiences.

However, Shin Sung-chan, who was at the center of it all, looked far from excited. ‘So-yeong…’ The same thought repeated in his head over and over again. ‘So-yeong is coming…! To see me!’

Cherubs blew trumpets in Sung-chan’s mind. In his imagination, he was already married to Sesha and had two children with her, and they were living close to his in-laws. But of course, it was all in his head. The greater the delusion, the greater the shock would be when it was broken.

* * *

Mom, go ahead and eat first. I think something similar to a dungeon appeared at the school. Sesha was writing a message for her mom. She needed to tell her mom that she’d be late today. However, she wasn’t able to press the send button.

Mom, go ahead and eat first. I think something similar to a dungeon appeared at the school. Also… Sesha typed an extra four letters. “Also.” After biting her lip for a while, she pressed a few more letters. Also, I’m sorry about…

All Seshe had to write was “I’m sorry” or “I apologize.” Why was it so hard? The prideful seventeen-year-old adolescent had difficulty being truthful to her mom. In the end, Sesha erased everything from the “also” and pressed send. For the next few moments, Sesha glared at her phone. After a while, the “read” appeared and Ananta’s response arrived.

Ding!

Do you need me?

After some deliberation, Sesha pressed the keys again. I’m fine.

Okay. Don’t worry about me, and take it easy. Eat something too. You know safety is more important, right? I love you.

“Haa…” After the conversation via messages was over, Sesha put her phone down and sighed. The last words echoed in her head. I love you. Her mom was worried about her instead of scolding her for this morning’s actions, but why couldn’t she apologize?

“…I’m so stupid.” Sesha kicked the innocent floor again and again.