Due to the attacks, the number of superhuman troops in each country had decreased as little as 20% and to as much as 50%. Superhuman powers such as the United States and Russia had suffered less damage because of the large number of guilds they had, but many were at the level of barely running superhuman associations and had no additional support from guilds. And, even in countries such as England and France, the situation was serious. Of course, as in Korea, they decided to operate their own training institutions to confront the monsters. Many of them were calling back their international students as well.

  “Since Shinyoung’s ratio of international students is 60%…… All those kids are leaving little by little.”


  The same could be said for the international students at Shinyoung, so the faculty convened to discuss it at dawn. Kang Shin-hyuk, who heard the stories yesterday from Baek In-ha and Eleanor, also participated with Claire. The teachers were glancing at them occasionally, but he understood.

  “You can’t even hold onto them. They’re acting for their country.”


  “Shall we talk to the government? Not only the students but also their family members will be given Korean nationality and brought to Korea.”


  “No, will their countries let that stand?”


  Among Shinyoung’s faculty and staff, there were quite a lot of foreigners, but most of them had naturalized to Korea, so they all decided to remain at Shinyoung. Rather than patriotism towards Korea, they felt like they belonged to a group called Shinyoung.

  “What sort of patriotism is there for the students?”


  Gong Joonpyo, the teacher in charge of the non-technical training course, responded profoundly. Kang Shin-hyuk personally hated him, but he thought he was correct. The era of blindly imposing patriotism on people had long passed. In this era of widespread individualism, a sense of belonging was limited to the family and groups that benefited the individual. In other words, Shinyoung would be their home as long as it could benefit them.

  “I think it’s too extreme……”


  “All you have to do is let them know that those who remain at Shinyoung will benefit. Of course, as said earlier, it wouldn’t be bad to bring their families here. At least, the students who belong to countries with less power than Korea will be likely to accept.”


  “Hmm……”


  “I have to advise.”


  When Kang Shin-hyuk spoke up, all eyes turned to him. Kang Shin-hyuk looked directly at Gong Joonpyo, who blatantly turned away from him (they hadn’t been able to talk since some point last year) and smiled.

  “All the students will be insecure. Like the terror that occurred in the gym, students and teachers were killed and injured…… So, why don’t we make it clear how Shinyoung will change and protect the students?”


  “Then, is it possible for you?”


  “Yeah.”


  Since Kang Shin-hyuk held the merits that could be presented to the students, he couldn’t fall into that kind of work. What Claire previously told the principal wasn’t a joke. The moment they brought Kang Shin-hyuk in, it was as if they made him the center of Shinyoung.

  “Actually, I spoke with some students yesterday.”


  “Ooh.”


  “As we’ve done in class so far, we score points for students who are active in the field…… They can get mileage.”


  “Mileage?”


  “It allows you to get rewards accordingly. It could be one-on-one training, a skill stone, or an artifact I created.”


  “Ooh……”


  Some of the teachers muttered it was like a game, and Kang Shin-hyuk didn’t deny it. To earn points by actively fighting against enemies, then equipping yourself with skills or items you bought with those points……What was it if not a game?

  “It’s a very good suggestion for young students. The problem is readying the product……”


  “I’ll prepare it, but the teachers will need to help. You’ll also need an agreement with the government.”


  “Shinyoung’s students already have a level of ability similar to or even exceeding those of superhumans on the frontline. The government will spare no expense to protect them.”


  Then, Kang Shin-hyuk coughed and glanced over at Lee Manwoo, who was still in the corner. He nodded and emerged at the signal.

  “Shin-hyuk will be exhibiting at the World Prize.”


  “For…… Are you talking about that World Prize, Mr. Lee Manwoo?”


  “Is there more than one World Prize?”


  World Prize. It was the adult version of the rookie’s creator contest held last year, and it was a global artifact contest held once every five years. It was a competition that aimed to create stronger and more innovative artifacts, regardless of means or purpose, with artisans from across the world.

  “Wouldn’t the title of World Prize champion make Shinyoung a more attractive place?”


  “But, Lee Manwoo, with the current state, will it be held……?”


  Siara Bertrand asked carefully. However, Kang Shin-hyuk briefly hallucinated that he saw a tail fluttering excitedly behind her. This woman followed Lee Manwoo out of great respect. If someone else saw it, she might be misunderstood! However, Lee Manwoo had a confident smile.

  “I came after a discussion. When the world gets tough, the value of weapons increases.”


  No, with who?”


  Kang Shin-hyuk instinctively asked the question, and Lee Manwoo shrugged.

  “The 3333 sponsors, who else? I asked them to open it in the US and France, but in the end, they did it in the country that paid the most.”


  “Wait a minute, don’t tell me because I think I know the end, sir.”


  Kang Shin-hyuk remembered Eleanor’s words yesterday pass through his mind. However, Lee Manwoo bulldozed on heartily with the answer he expected.

  “It’s in England.”


  “I knew it……!”


  Kang Shin-hyuk felt everything fall into place. One of the sponsors for the artifact contest was the British royal family! Thinking about it, it was clear that they did. That was why Eleanor had been there, wasn’t it obvious? Then, the people who worked with Jormungand invaded and aimed at Eleanor…… No, wait.

  ‘It’s dangerous.’
-

  There is a possibility it will be aimed at.

  He wanted to ignore it. However, pretending not to know while already possessing a clear idea didn’t fit his nature. He had the feeling he needed to go to England at least once if he wanted to make a decision with those guys woven with himself and Eleanor, so oddly, it was a good chance.

  “By the way, are all the weapons used by you made by yourself?”


  While he was thinking deeply about what to do, a teacher came up with that question.

  “Yes, what?”


  “Ooh!”


  As Kang Shin-hyuk gave that definite answer, the atmosphere in the office heated up. They didn’t know the exact rank of the armaments he used, but they knew those weapons were incredibly powerful.

  “Then, our weapons will be……!”


  “They will depend on the mileage the teachers earn.”


  “.……Yeah?”


  Kang Shin-hyuk narrowed his eyes at their confusion.

  “I’ve no intention of discriminating against teachers. The mileage system should be charged equally to everyone. Oh, of course, I’ll make basic equipment, but if you want that kind of gear, you’ll have to try.”


  For reference, the basic equipment was still in the A+ to S ranks. It was of a level that even high-level guilds struggled to supply, rather than being basic. However, the faculty and staff, still unfamiliar with his abilities, had bright eyes as they thought of acquiring these great artifacts. It would be a good thing for Kang Shin-hyuk anyway.

  “So, Shin-hyuk.”


  “Yes, teacher.”


  Lee Manwoo looked at Kang Shin-hyuk with a strange face at his politeness, but he quickly recovered.

  “There’s nothing to be humble about this competition.”


  “Will it be crazy?”


  “More than this?”


  “Is that so?”


  If Kang Shin-hyuk really devoted himself to creating an artifact, he would probably break through the current limit, though Lee Manwoo couldn’t predict that far. However, if he wanted to publicize his abilities and promote Shinyoung, he had to show off his skills to some extent. Kang Shin-hyuk nodded at Lee Manwoo, who was looking serious.

  “Okay. Even if I kill Na-hee by drying her out, let’s make something right.”


  “Hmm, well, probably not drying but steamed…… Huh.”


  As always, Lee Manwoo made a dangerous joke as he tried to put Lee Na-hee onto Kang Shin-hyuk, but then suddenly he froze. It was because of Claire, who was glaring at him.

  “Haha, I’m kidding, hahaha.”


  “There are jokes you can make and ones you can’t, huh? It’s annoying because Na-hee doesn’t know how to cover the front and back……”


  “Oh, it looks like my granddaughter is doing very well…… Hick, ah, no, no.”


  There was no other person who could protect Lee Manwoo.

  ***

  “.……So, in the future, I will serve as a battle instructor. Shinyoung will become the world’s stronger superhuman organization. From the moment you step on the frontlines, you will be treated as one of the superhumans, and you will be given a dangerous but fair price for the honor of standing at humanity’s forefront.”


  That afternoon, Kang Shin-hyuk stood before all the students. Their meeting place was the gymnasium that had been attacked by Jormungand before. All the students attended the event, including the international students. The fact that they showed up meant they were weighing Shinyoung against their homeland. However, it would be difficult for them to abandon their home countries as it was, so Kang Shin-hyuk confidently revealed the relief measures Shinyoung prepared in consultation with the government to help them make their choice. Looking at their eyes now, the efforts Shinyoung and the Korean government put in didn’t seem to be in vain.

  And……

  “Students showing amazing achievements will be given a chance to join Masked Bacchus.”


  That was the biggest merit he had thought of after talking with Karen and Baek In-ha the day before. The moment he said it, Kang Shin-hyuk himself had no clue what the response would be like.

  The gym had gotten overrun.