Why Did I Have to Enroll

Why Did I Have to Enroll - Chapter 188

Lesson 37. It’s Vacation, Let Me Rest - 3

“Hello, I’m Lee Hyun-ji, a friend of Yu-mi!”

“I’m Yu Ji-na, Yu-mi’s junior! I’ve heard a lot about you since high school!”

“You said to come alone, Kang Mi-yeon!”

“I came alone, Yu-mi. They just followed me. Nice to meet you, Yu-won. Want to call me Mi-yeon noona?”

The four who introduced themselves as members of the Oculus Ruber seemed to already know the family, as they only introduced themselves to Ban Yu-won.

Ban Yu-won thought he had heard their names before, and it turned out they were all fencing athletes on the national team. Among them, only Kang Mi-yeon had competed in the Olympics with Ban Yu-mi during her high school days, winning a bronze in the individual sabre event and a gold in the team event. The others had participated in the Asian Games last year, winning gold in the team sabre event with Ban Yu-mi.

They were training hard at the athlete’s village with the goal of winning medals at the next Olympics…

“It’s impossible. They can’t inspect each athlete’s level and abilities.”

“Maybe they’ll hold something like an Ability Olympics? Dividing sections by level.”

They chatted over tea in the living room with the guild members who had arrived too early.

Even during the conversation, Ban Yu-won often sensed their gazes locking onto him…

Especially blatant was Lee Hyun-ji, who was also Ban Yu-mi’s university classmate, while Kang Mi-yeon, who gave off the most mature impression, was the least obvious.

‘Since I can read the concept of their movements, it’s all exposed…’

To deceive him, they would need to be at least as skilled as Dokgo Yeon.

Ban Yu-won sighed deeply, wondering what his sister had been saying about him to make these people so interested in him.

Of course, it wasn’t just because of that.

Right now, everyone on Earth probably had a similar or even greater interest in Ban Yu-won.

“I have a question.”

Soon, Lee Hyun-ji launched a direct attack.

“Was that video just a concept, or was it real?”

There was no need to ask what video she was referring to.

Ban Yu-won thought about what kind of torture this was and checked to ensure his family wasn’t around.

Fortunately, his father and grandfather were at work, and his mother was in the kitchen.

―Thud

In the meantime, Ban Yu-mi punished her friend.

“Hyun-ji, stop talking nonsense, seriously.”

“Why, everyone was curious! It was more explicit than most adult videos!”

“Why is Hyun-ji always like this?”

“And the undeniable lingering regret makes it look even worse.”

“You’re all so mean…!”

Indeed, Hyun-ji seemed to be the one taking the hits in this group.

Ban Yu-won quickly figured it out and shook his head, while Luciel, who had been smiling, suddenly spoke up.

“Do any of you also want to be Yu-won’s girl?”

“Pfft―.”

Kang Mi-yeon, who had been leisurely sipping her tea while teasing Hyun-ji, couldn’t hold back and spat it out.

Ban Yu-won captured and dissolved every drop of liquid in the air, then flicked Luciel on the forehead.

“Watch your words.”

“What? But I did hold back.”

He dreaded to think what she might have said if she hadn’t held back.

Kang Mi-yeon was amazed at the move Ban Yu-won had casually shown and shivered slightly as she looked at Luciel, who was smiling innocently.

“Well… I can see it’s not just a concept…”

“Hey! Would you be okay if Yu-won dated other girls, Luciel?”

Hyun-ji bravely charged again.

Yu Ji-na looked at Hyun-ji with the eyes of a villager watching a hero.

“Of course, it’s fine. It’s only natural for females to flock to a strong male. If you can’t accept reality and just stomp your feet in place, you’ll only be left behind.”

“No, her mindset is different from humanity’s…! Gangmyeon, switch!”

Kang Mi-yeon, who had been shattered by Hyun-ji’s words, opened her mouth again.

“As a woman, you want a man who loves only you. That’s what’s important to us. If that’s not possible, you find another man.”

“? But there’s only one Yu-won.”

“I see.”

Kang Mi-yeon perfectly understood Luciel’s logic.

“When there’s an absolute priority, everything else becomes irrelevant. It can’t be helped.”

“This society will change like that soon.”

Luciel confidently declared with a smile, listening to Kang Mi-yeon’s contemplation, which still seemed like an analysis of alien life from another planet.

“External threats are strong, and we become stronger when united. We’ll naturally reach a stage where we expand the family, the smallest unit we can trust. Centered around a strong head of the family, like Yu-won or someone like your sister.”

“Uh, huh?”

“There are many dimensions, and among them, there are species that form families centered around females. It’s usually when females are superior to males. Right, Yu-won?”

“Ah― that’s right. We learned that in class. You remember well, Luciel.”

“Because Yu-won helped me! Ehehe.”

Luciel, pleased with Ban Yu-won’s compliment, purred and snuggled on his lap.

The four Earthlings couldn’t say anything as they watched.

Kang Mi-yeon alone was lost in thought, pondering Luciel’s words.

“Indeed, I’ve seen statistics showing that humanity is rapidly declining despite setting up dedicated organizations and actively dealing with monsters. If this continues, we might have to change our fundamental way of thinking just to preserve the population…”

“Gangmyeon, what are you seriously analyzing?”

“It’s a serious topic. Luciel comes from a world where mana civilization is more advanced than ours. I think there’s a high possibility it will turn out as Luciel says.”

“…Really?”

Hyun-ji was quite impressionable.

“Besides, the point of Luciel’s words is that the strong will lead many of the opposite sex. If I become strong, I can have a lot of handsome men following me.”

“Oh…!”

Hyun-ji was completely swayed by Kang Mi-yeon’s words.

“Now that I think about it, that’s true! Changing men every day makes you a trashy woman, but having a lot of men with you makes you a successful woman! Yes, I can legally achieve the dream of a reverse harem!”

“Well, I’d rather aim for a strong and cool man who can protect me than a cumbersome man I have to protect…”

Kang Mi-yeon quietly voiced her secret desire, watching Hyun-ji’s nonsense after falling into the trap.

Ban Yu-mi reacted to her words with sharp eyes, but Luciel, enjoying Ban Yu-won’s lap, nodded in agreement.

“That’s right. Women naturally want a man who can protect them. If there’s a man you can’t give up on even if other women are around, it’s reasonable to try to gain his favor from the closest position. And if you can manage the other women, even better.”

Indeed, the group understood perfectly why Luciel had initially tested the Oculus Ruber members with her words.

“Still, it’s hard to accept. It’s emotionally difficult.”

“Of course, allowing my boyfriend to two-time is out of the question!”

“Oh? …Yeah, right!”

Kang Mi-yeon spoke firmly, and Yu Ji-na nodded vigorously as if she had been waiting for those words.

…And Hyun-ji, who had been dreaming of a reverse harem, was shocked by her friends’ cold words and hurriedly agreed.

They were truly interesting people.

“Okay, I understand. So, you’re not interested.”

Luciel replied with a bright smile.

“If any of you approach Yu-won in the future, I’ll consider it an attempt to take him from me.”

And she added lightly with a smile.

The others, guessing what she meant, couldn’t bring themselves to laugh.

“Isn’t it about time?”

“Yeah, the reporters will be here soon. Everyone, stop daydreaming and get ready.”

Ban Yu-mi stood up abruptly, responding to Ban Yu-won’s wry comment.

Although she seemed the most shaken by Luciel’s words, her kind friends didn’t point it out.

“Question. Ban Yu-won, does this mean you haven’t completely returned to Earth?”

“As mentioned in the video, Union Academy’s vacation is relatively long. If you finish the special activities before vacation quickly, it’s even longer. I completed a two-week special activity in less than a week, so my vacation is extended. I’ll be staying on Earth for just under two months.”

Since Ban Yu-mi had carefully selected reporters who were friendly and wouldn’t cause trouble, the press conference proceeded smoothly.

However, they couldn’t only exchange safe questions and answers.

Considering this press conference was being broadcast live worldwide, even more so.

“Luciel is the first visitor from an external dimension to Earth. Are you aware of the claims being made?”

There were all sorts of rumors on the internet, like Luciel might carry harmful bacteria to humans, she’s the vanguard of an alien invasion, she’s a monster, and even extreme suggestions to kill and dissect her for thorough investigation.

The problem was that some people seriously believed these claims.

Especially outside Korea, there were even more such people.

“If Luciel is dangerous for any reason, then I, who have been with her all along, would be too. Of course, I have no intention of handing over myself or Luciel to anyone.”

“Oculus Ruber officially protects both of them. All investigations are complete, and if anyone makes absurd claims, we are considering legal action.”

Ban Yu-mi nodded in agreement with Ban Yu-won’s words, adding her own.

Claiming all investigations were complete, without even a hint of hesitation.

Despite thinking that, Ban Yu-won casually agreed.

“I’ve just returned home for vacation with my girlfriend. I’m surprised by Earth’s dimensional evolution, and I plan to assist my sister’s guild during the vacation for a better future.”

“So, you’re saying you’ll join Oculus Ruber. But I understand Oculus Ruber only allows female members…”

“Yu-won will be an exception. Originally, we didn’t allow male members to prevent internal disputes, and since Yu-won is family to the guild master, there’s no need to worry. Besides, he’s strong.”

“So, the guild’s external policy remains unchanged.”

“Yu-won will be the only exception.”

Ban Yu-mi paused for a moment, then added with a seemingly fabricated smile.

“We’ll also accept support requests for dungeons ranked G or higher. We’ll handle the bombs that countries can’t manage themselves.”

“Is that really possible?!”

The reporters were stirred by today’s biggest bombshell announcement.

Ban Yu-won was also stirred.

What is a G-rank dungeon?

If you’re going to talk about this, shouldn’t we have coordinated beforehand?!

Oh, right, we were listening to Luciel’s alien romance theory then!

[It seems they classify dungeon danger levels with alphabets, Master.]

Just then, Lilith sent a message only he could hear, using Resonance.

[It starts from the smallest unit, A, and increases based on the mana amount and monster level in the dungeon. The highest level humanity can currently handle is F. It seems the Oculus Ruber guild managed that.]

‘I see, since dungeons can go berserk or overflow if left alone, it’s better to classify and handle them quickly. There’s also the infection wave issue.’

Ban Yu-won nodded internally, convinced by Lilith’s explanation, then asked out of curiosity.

‘But how do you know, Lilith?’

[Since arriving on Earth yesterday, I’ve seized all communication networks and gathered information about this world. I’m also connected to all Earth’s satellites, so I can instantly obtain information about any region you want, Master.]

‘Perfect, Lilith!’

Ban Yu-won nodded, recalling that Lilith had consumed a massive amount of electrical energy and cores in the 94th room of the Tower of Babel, allowing her to control electricity itself.

Though he wasn’t sure how that connected to seizing communication networks, if Lilith said it was possible, it must be.

‘So, until now, handling F-rank dungeons was the maximum, and even that was only possible for Oculus Ruber, but with me as part of the force, we can handle G-rank dungeons that might go berserk at any moment?’

[Exactly, Master. It’s excellent for winning public favor.]

Though it might not have been Ban Yu-mi’s idea alone, Ban Yu-won agreed it was a clever thought.

Even if there were those who harbored resentment upon hearing that two asymmetric forces, Ban Yu-won and Luciel, had joined Korea, they couldn’t oppose if these forces declared they would handle other countries’ dungeons.

“Of course, just saying we’ll handle G-rank dungeons isn’t enough to convince anyone. So, starting tomorrow, we plan to clear a G-rank dungeon here in our country.”

“That’s incredible news!”

The reporters couldn’t hide their excitement, indicating that G-rank dungeons were indeed a serious threat.

Ban Yu-won speculated that someone, driven by competitiveness, might have recklessly challenged a G-rank dungeon after hearing Oculus Ruber cleared an F-rank one, only to be crushed… or perhaps a wave occurred.

Maybe both.

[How did you know?!]

‘I’ve been around.’

As Ban Yu-won wore a satisfied smile, the reporters, interpreting it as confidence regarding the G-rank dungeon, expressed admiration.

Ban Yu-mi drove the point home.

“Once the elite party of Oculus Ruber clears the G-rank dungeon, we’ll start accepting support requests. Of course, selection will be fair.”

Selection will be fair.

There wouldn’t be anyone watching this press conference who didn’t understand what Ban Yu-mi meant.

If you want protection, you’d better behave.

As Ban Yu-won listened to his sister’s closing remarks with a smirk, he suddenly became curious and asked Lilith.

‘Why is everyone so concerned about G-rank dungeons?’

[It seems G-rank dungeons have monsters up to level 70. Sometimes, it increases based on the boss’s level.]

‘Piece of cake.’

They probably started from a maximum of level 10 for A-rank and increased each step.

Wait a minute.

‘Then F-rank dungeons are up to level 60.’

He checked Ban Yu-mi’s level again.

Kang Mi-yeon, the highest among the other members, was 43.

‘…How did they clear it?’

Ban Yu-won, who had been hunting enemies stronger than himself, was astonished by his sister’s record.

While he was amazed, the press conference ended smoothly― and after the reporters left, Ban Yu-mi, unusually, bowed her head to him.

“I’m sorry I didn’t explain beforehand…! Those damn women barged in and started spouting nonsense.”

Who would have thought his sister would bow her head?

Considering her mature demeanor throughout the press conference and her interactions with Luciel, Ban Yu-won was a bit taken aback by how much his sister had changed.

“Well, it’s only level 70, right? Don’t worry about it.”

“Only, you say.”

Yu Ji-na (level 36), who had been silently standing behind Ban Yu-mi throughout the press conference, smirked.

“Yu-won, what’s your level?”

“My level, well.”

Checking his Life, it had increased by 2, reaching 897.

He could round it up, but he decided to discard the latter part and explained.

“89.”

“You’re kidding, right?!”

“Luciel, what’s your level?”

“Let’s see, thanks to Yu-won, it increased a lot… I’m at 120. Of course, if I really fought Yu-won, he’d win overwhelmingly.”

“It wouldn’t be overwhelming. You have the Wildness Core now.”

Ban Yu-won chuckled at Luciel’s overestimation of him.

Luciel, whose Life hadn’t reached 1,000, had permanently replaced a vast amount of Wildness as her core concept, thanks to burning the Wildness Core, reaching this monstrous level.

Of course, even so, she wouldn’t surpass Dokgo Yeon, but if she started fighting with the Wildness Core activated, even Dokgo Yeon couldn’t underestimate her.

“89 was surprising, but 120…”

“Good thing we didn’t mention it during the press conference.”

“We’d just be accused of cheating.”

“89…”

The guild members were shocked, and Ban Yu-mi’s expression was particularly memorable.

It wasn’t joy or amazement.

If anything, right now, his sister seemed…

“Yu-won.”

His mother, who had prepared drinks for everyone, placed the tray on the table and called Ban Yu-won’s name.

“Can we talk for a moment?”

“Right now?”

“Yes, right now.”

“Got it.”

He had a rough idea of what she wanted to discuss.

Ban Yu-won prepared himself mentally, gently removing Luciel’s hand from his sleeve, and followed his mother to the bedroom.

He expected it to be lengthy, but her words were simple.

“Yu-won, remember. Yu-mi’s face must not be exposed on the Rebellion channel.”

It was indeed simple.

Simple, but…!