How to Survive as an Extra

Chapter 17

Friday.

A school holiday when club activities were actively carried out.

The Mystery Club, a club in name only, also held a meeting early in the morning in an empty classroom in the Hall of Justice.

The instructors were Vice Principal Park Cheolyeong and Investigation Instructor Yun Jeongseop.

The cadets were Lee Eunho, Cha Yeri, and myself.

The purpose of this meeting was to wrap up the incident that occurred on Tuesday.

“Therefore, it will be officially announced that ‘Cadet Hong Dahee underwent ghoulification due to contact with an external party.’”

Yun Jeongseop’s words were as dry as ever.

“Furthermore, the Demonic Being’s purpose in turning the cadet into a Ghoul will be to target the descendant of the Sword Saint. ……Well, there’s no way to prove their purpose, but it would be a very suitable reason to announce to the public. The fact that the Demonic Beings hate the Sword Saint is something the whole world knows.”

It was a relatively cold conclusion, but the Hero Preparatory School had decided to conceal the fact that they had employed the Demonic Being, Lee Gangju.

Since there was evidence that Hong Dahee had gone off-campus last weekend, they decided to claim that the ghoulification itself was due to external contact.

“It’s useless even if you have complaints about the summary of the incident. Above all, it’s a matter that has been discussed with the Special Affairs Division.”

I had already expected that this conclusion would be reached.

It was Park Cheolyeong himself who had hired Lee Gangju.

With Principal Kim Shinwoo currently absent, such an issue would be fatal to him, so he must have tried to hide it somehow.

“Um…… what happens to Hong Dahee’s family?”

Lee Eunho, who had been fidgeting with his lips until just a moment ago, asked.

Yun Jeongseop shook his head in response.

He did not answer directly with words, but Lee Eunho nodded his head as if he understood perfectly.

Guilt by association.

Just for the fact that Hong Dahee had been in contact with a Demonic Being, her entire family would be disposed of.

Regardless of any secrets or injustices that might exist in the process.

When we did not ask any other questions, Yun Jeongseop brought up the remaining topics.

That Yun Jeongseop would be the advisor for the Mystery Club.

That all tactical training classes were postponed due to repair work on the 5th Tactical Training Ground.

And finally, brief information on Park Oseok’s disposition and the current status of the fugitive Lee Gangju.

“Then……”

Having finished all his prepared words, Yun Jeongseop dutifully cast his gaze at me.

“As the president, are there any other matters you wish to suggest?”

It was a formal question, so I had not prepared anything.

However, I opened my mouth as I looked at Park Cheolyeong, who had been sitting silently throughout the meeting.

“Give us points.”

“Hmm?”

“What?”

Park Cheolyeong and Yun Jeongseop questioned simultaneously.

Yun Jeongseop immediately added.

“As for points, a decision has been made to provide compensation for the incident on a moral level, so you will be given a satisfactory amount.”

“Of course, it should be so. Regardless of the incident’s overview, it was something that happened due to the negligence of the instructors and facility managers.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“School Rule Article 8, Section 7, cadets belonging to a meeting accompanied by an advisor, including club activities, shall receive 3 points for each participation.”

“…….”

“In accordance with the school rules, I request the payment of points for the Mystery Club’s activities.”

A clearly stated school rule.

“Wait.”

Park Cheolyeong, who had been quiet the whole time, interrupted.

“You mean you want us to treat it the same as an official club activity. And therefore, you want points according to the school rules.”

“That’s right.”

“Then let me ask you. What kind of activities are you doing to claim such a right? I’m asking if you have any tangible results befitting a club activity.”

Park Cheolyeong’s words were sharp.

I turned my body towards him.

“The purpose of the Mystery Club was to report any unusual trends among the cadets. To find Park Oseok’s accomplice.”

“You know it well. But you failed to achieve that purpose. Unfortunately, Support Cadet Hong Dahee was sacrificed as a Ghoul.”

“Yes, it’s a regrettable incident. But doesn’t that mean the significance of the camouflage club activity has disappeared? The accomplice has been identified. Therefore, there is no reason to be tied to the Mystery Club any longer.”

“…….”

“Rather than discussing results, you should show us a reason to keep us, the parties involved in the incident, tied together in one place. If you want us to serve on a grander level as awakeners……. I can’t do this club activity.”

Was my tone too strong?

Yun Jeongseop’s eyebrows furrowed subtly, and Lee Eunho moved his head back and forth as if he did not know what to do.

On the other hand, Cha Yeri made an ‘hmm’ sound as if it were a rather interesting situation and tilted her head slightly in concentration.

I was not making an absurd claim.

With the Demonic Being Lee Gangju having escaped, the justification for operating the Mystery Club had completely disappeared.

But Park Cheolyeong was taking the stance of maintaining it.

Because it was an opportunity to use the promising cadet, Hyeonseong’s only daughter, and, on the pretext of being related to the incident, the descendant of the Sword Saint as he pleased.

“……Hmm, it’s a reasonable argument.”

As expected, Park Cheolyeong reluctantly agreed.

“Fine, I will grant 3 points on the day of the meeting in accordance with the school rules.”

“No, you should give them to us on all weekdays when we have contact with the cadets. During the time we observe for unusual trends among the cadets, the results you mentioned.”

“By that, you mean…… you want 12 points every week?”

“To be precise, it’s 15 points, including Friday, which was made for club activities.”

“…….”

A look of disapproval.

Not only Park Cheolyeong, but also Yun Jeongseop, who did not show much expression, looked troubled.

The reason instructors were usually reluctant to give out points was because points were a special currency used for academic purposes.

They were absolutely necessary to advance to the next grade, so they were used as a sort of device to make cadets enthusiastically engage in their studies.

Like Do Minyeong, who was desperately trying to change her major.

However, the reason these two were showing disapproval now was different.

Because if it became known to the outside that a significant amount of points were being regularly paid for a camouflage club activity with no activity record every week, there would surely be a fierce backlash.

But that was exactly what I was aiming for.

To give them the tension that we might speak up about the points, and to keep them in check.

“Are you trying to bargain with an instructor?”

“It’s not a bargain, it’s a negotiation. One that is mutually beneficial.”

“……Beneficial, you say.”

Park Cheolyeong was probably worried about that too, but in the end, he had no choice but to accept.

From the beginning, he had been aiming for the position of principal of the Hero Preparatory School.

There was no better time to build up achievements than now, when Principal Kim Shinwoo was absent.

Conversely, the same went for making up for his mistakes.

“……I will accept your opinion.”

Soon, Park Cheolyeong’s head nodded.

“However, you are forbidden from divulging this matter to the outside.”

“Of course.”

When Park Cheolyeong gave Yun Jeongseop a look, Yun Jeongseop operated his smartwatch.

It seemed he was about to pay the points according to the number of past club activity days.

But suddenly, Yun Jeongseop threw a look at me with an unreadable expression.

“Let me ask one thing. Is this proposal based on the consensus of the club members?”

“No.”

“Oh dear……. For a president to fail to gather the opinions of the members, I will deduct 3 points.”

“Pardon?”

“I won’t accept any objections. It’s my authority as the advisor.”

“…….”

Yun Jeongseop…….

For a moment, a silent scoff escaped.

Cha Yeri was showing a nonchalant expression, her lips slightly raised.

Along with her scoff, Park Cheolyeong ended the meeting.

“If there are no other suggestions, let’s call it a day.”

***

Park Cheolyeong and Yun Jeongseop left the classroom first.

It was not to stagger their departure to conceal the meeting; it seemed they were genuinely busy.

As Cha Yeri started to leave, I called out to her before she got too far.

“Excuse me, Cadet Cha Yeri.”

Cha Yeri turned around with a somewhat surprised expression.

As if it was unexpected.

“……Yes?”

There was no better opportunity than now to make contact with Cha Yeri, who was surrounded by female cadets all day long.

The purpose was, of course, to appease her stubborn anger.

As the original author, I already had a thorough understanding of her tastes, personality, and secrets.

If I mentioned a condition she could not refuse, at least I would not be disliked.

“Are you perhaps free this evening? I’ve been……”

“No, I’m busy. I’m sorry.”

A firm refusal.

Judging by her tone, it was a heartfelt answer.

“And I ask of you, please refrain from approaching me for purposes other than club activities if possible. You’re…… making me uncomfortable.”

How could I possibly hear a more heartless answer than this?

It was a result of my delusion that I could restore our relationship.

“……Ah, yes.”

“Then……”

Cha Yeri put on a fake smile and headed for the classroom door.

Then she suddenly stopped, took out her smartphone, and let out a shallow sigh.

Was she in a bad mood?

Is that why it had the opposite effect?

Soon, Cha Yeri fiddled with her smartphone and left the classroom.

At the same time, Lee Eunho’s hand landed on my pitiful shoulder.

“If you had told me you liked her beforehand, I would have helped……”

“…….”

“But still, cheer up. I’m sincerely rooting for you too.”

Isn’t that socially inept, stubborn gaming addict your heroine?

It seemed better to just give up now and maintain a professional relationship.

If I kept worrying about Cha Yeri, I would only end up looking foolish.

“Hoo……”

The moment I fell into resignation, my smartphone vibrated in my pocket.

A real-time notification message from the Mammoth Market app.

-The current bid for your registered ‘MA6’ is: 81,000,000 won

Was it a blessing in disguise?

My social relationships were a mess, but this side of things was looking promising.

Judging by the trend, it would probably jump several times higher…….

***

After the Mystery Club meeting ended, I headed to the library.

To set foot in the restricted area I had asked Yun Jeongseop for.

The library was open not only to cadets but also to graduates.

However, the restricted area on the lowest floor was jointly managed by the Hero Preparatory School and the Bureau of Superpowers, so it could not be easily accessed.

On the lowest floor, guards of Hunter Rank D or higher stood guard in shifts, and the closed-circuit cameras were so densely placed that it would not be strange to describe them as ‘tight.’

In the first place, it was difficult to get entry approval without the political influence of someone like Vice Principal Park Cheolyeong in the world of awakeners.

“The daily entry limit is 6 hours. The entrance is closed, but it is being monitored and recorded in real time by CCTV. There are no lights provided separately. You can only use your own portable LED. Of course, light emission through mana is prohibited.”

The precautions from the guard standing watch on the lowest floor of the library.

Only after being informed of all the rules could I enter the restricted area.

“It’s a little more cramped than I expected.”

It was shabby compared to the size of the library, but it felt like I had stepped into the wooden workshop of a rigid old inventor.

Darkness.

Dust.

A musty smell.

A place where a spider might be spinning a web in some corner.

But I was automatically overwhelmed by the unique solemn atmosphere.

The reason the Bureau of Superpowers was so protective of this place was none other than this.

Because the history of the Hero Preparatory School was recorded and preserved in books.

The Hero Preparatory School was the first academy established by heroes.

Therefore, this place could be called their common study, where their traces remained.

I carefully tread on the dusty floor and finally found the ukulele-sized candlestick I was looking for.

[Candlestick Imbued with the Dazed Dead’s Desire: The candlestick of a nameless avid reader who passed away without being able to study the knowledge they desired. It can be used by lighting the wick.]

An unhelpful description.

But I already knew its effects thoroughly.

I carefully lit the wick.

This candlestick would burn forever if you just lit it.

That was probably why it was placed here, but the true value of this item began with melting the candle wax.

The way to melt the candle wax was to concentrate on something corresponding to ‘proficiency’ under the candlestick.

For example, if you picked up an ancient book with an unclear cover and read it intently under it for a certain period of time…….

[Intellect has increased by 0.1.]

The status increased.

Of course, it was not only intellect that could be raised.

If you read a book while using Stealth, your mana power also increased.

[Mana Power has increased by 0.1.]

Naturally, doing strength training also affected strength increase.

The exact effect of the item was to explosively increase the rate of status growth.

For me, wearing the suspenders, it was safe to say it was a so-called ‘experience doping’ effect.

The time it took for the entire wick to burn was 30 hours.

Even if the entire set of candles melted, the officials would not mind.

As long as the candlestick itself did not disappear.

“I wonder if three or four books will be enough……”

It was a bit late to say this now, but actually, the candlestick had an owner.

In the first place, it was ridiculous for such a serendipitous encounter to just fall from the sky in the setting and drift around without an owner.

In the original work, this candlestick was discovered much, much later by the protagonist, Lee Eunho.

“…….”

Yes, right now, I was stealing Lee Eunho’s serendipitous encounter.