Phantom Thief Neon and Goo Seulbi retreat after being caught surveilling Year One Class Zero.

The two have not been in touch since returning to the country.

They thought of the possibility of encountering each other one day in Eungwang High, but that was the extent of it.

Until they ran into each other in the classroom yesterday, and once again today.

As soon as they made eye contact yesterday in the Class Zero classroom and heard each others’ voices, the two attention-seekers immediately recognized each other.

Even when they hid themselves today to watch Year One Class Zero, the two quickly sensed each other.

“Hey, why are you following me?! Go away!”

“You’re the one who’s on my way.”

“Hearing you speak Korean is so weird.”

“A thief is supposed to be weird and bizarre!”

The two were moving on the exact same route as if they discussed it in advance.

But the thing is, they didn’t.

Since attention is only relevant when received alone, it was somewhat odd to see the two be so in synch.

However, a common threat to the two attention-seekers existed, and a consensus was formed between them.

“I see it’s different for a thief to be noticed by a class. It’s not so easy to make a noticeable appearance.”

“…I thought I’d stand out today because that idol wasn’t there!”

“I heard that the idol Dokgo Miro is currently waiting at the gym.”

The two’s expressions darkened.

Class Zero is about to hold a big event in which Dokgo Miro, who has been attending school since yesterday, is the main character.

No matter how spectacular they try to make their appearance now, they are no match to the battle between Dokgo Miro and another classmate of theirs.

The two were attention-hungry attention-seekers, but they weren’t fools.

In fact, they were very astute and brilliant if they need anything to catch people’s attention.

‘Would it be better to join forces here?’

‘I can’t be buried like this! Maybe it’s better to split the spotlight in half than to get none.’

Judging that their interests overlap, Goo Seulbi and Phantom Thief neon decided to temporarily join forces.

Sitting side by side on a bench in the corner of a quiet walkway, the two decided to discuss each other’s plans.

Phantom Thief Neon recited his plan neatly first.

He planned to use an energy wave firecracker to capture the souls of the Year One Class Zero students before appearing leisurely.

“…Firecrackers aren’t well visible during the day. They won’t see it well. It doesn’t stand out.”

“There’s no problem if the windows of the classroom are blocked and lights are turned off. Well, that was my plan. What’s yours?”

“I was going to go see things first and then plan to make a plan”

At Goo Seulbi’s words, Phantom Thief Neon gave a pitying look.

“You… I see you don’t have a plan.”

“What are you saying? I told you I was planning to make a plan! I can capture everyone’s attention with a Druidess’ splendid and perfect technology in any situation.”

“That’s called not having a plan.”

The two’s opinions on what “planning” really means are divided.

Still, there was a consensus between them on what they should do in the future.

“We continue surveillance to make our entrance more perfect!”

“That’s right!”

Phantom Thief Neon smiled and reached out his hand for Goo Seulbi to shake.

Having rarely experienced a situation where she has to shake someone else’s hand, Goo Seulbi looked at him for a while.

Merlin was the only one she had a proper conversation with.

There was no particular reason for her and Merlin to shake hands, so it took Goo Seulbi a few seconds to realize what the gesture meant.

“We are temporarily allied. I hope you’ll take my hand.”

“Huh? Oh…”

Goo Seulbi held Phantom Thief Neon’s hand belatedly.

She was surprised by the size of his hand.

‘…His hand is huge.’

Phantom Thief Neon’s physique was a little less than average for a high school student, but his hand was large.

Goo Seulbi felt the big hand and the warmth it gave before taking off.

At first glance, it was like a scene from a coming-of-age movie with a young boy and young girl holding hands.

In reality, it was a scene where two international attention-seekers were forming an alliance.

***

Gymnasium 3 for freshmen.

On the way, my playable characters and I encountered the two attention seekers from our class, but we arrived at the gym safely.

“They don’t seem to be coming here.”

“They’re not around. They must’ve run away.”

“But how did you sense them so fast? Were you using a skill?”

“One can’t deceive the senses of yours truly with that kind of hiding technique. Hahaha!”

Maeng Hyodon questioned what skill Hwang Jiho used, but the old man only laughed, giving a response that didn’t answer Hyodon’s question.

Hwang Jiho was able to sense the two attention-seekers not because of a skill, but because of his experience as an old man.

This was also his territory, and it could be because Hwang Jiho is the guardian.

“…Let’s go in guys!”

Kim Yuri made sure that everyone in the class went in before closing the door behind her.

Everyone was shushed about the match until after we entered the gym.

“There’s no one around. I guess the rumor didn’t spread.”

“…I was worried ‘cos Miro has a lot of fans at school so it’s a relief.”

Min Geurin spoke with a relieved face after Kim Yuri.

She was once plagued by the Ministry of Fine Arts, so she must be worried about Dokgo Miro.

All the blinds of the windows were down, and everyone seemed to be careful not to have this match come out to the other students.

Then, we heard a blunt voice.

“Everyone change into your gym clothes.”

In the center of the gym, Professor Ham Geunhyung stood, dressed in gym clothes for faculty members.

With Professor Ham Geunhyung at the center, Hani and Dokgo Miro were here as well.

Hani was in the inner side of the gym, while Dokgo Miro stood nearer to where I and the other kids were.

The two were warming up, staring at each other across from Professor Ham Geunhyung, so incredibly focused that they didn’t pay attention to us.

“Well, I guess greetings are for later.”

“…I’ll say hello after changing into my gym clothes.”

“I bought them snacks and drinks, but it’s better not to give it now, right? Oh, would it be too much to eat something while watching their battle?”

“Oh, what did you buy?”

Saeum of April and Maeng Hyodon stopped momentarily to check out the contents of a paper bag Saeum was holding, but the blunt voice from earlier resounded again.

This time, a little bit blunter.

Professor Ham Geunhyung was staring at the paper bag with a scary face.

“It’s class hours.”

“Yes…”

“Eat it after class.”

The kids didn’t seem overly nervous that two of our classmates are about to fight.

To put it in perspective, it was similar to the atmosphere where Bang Yoonseob and I had a battle on the first day of school.

However, unlike that day, Professor Ham Geunhyung is holding out his scary face, and there was no BGM or electronic displays prepared by Moon Saeron.

“Oh, Lena’s here!”

“Welcome, Lena.”

Kwon Lena entered the gym before all of us entered the locker room.

“Sorry guys… I overslept.”

“…What happened?”

“Oh, no it’s nothing. I just slept a little late looking for news and other things…”

Kwon Lena looked exhausted.

At the mention of “news”, Kwon Jein immediately came to mind.

However, she doesn’t have any concert planned nor does she have a new interview article coming out.

‘Did something happen?’

However, I don’t think it’s quite a big deal that teenagers overextend their use of smart devices and end up sleeping late.

It’s a little surprising that Kwon Lena did that, but when it comes to violin or Kwon Jein, it’s perfectly normal that she would’ve stayed up late.

Anyway, Kwon Lena was just in time for the battle, so I passed it off.

Not long after my classmates and I changed into our gym clothes, the class bell rang.

“…I think I heard this somewhere.”

“It’s a song that Miro sang on Playlist.”

“It’s the first song Miro sang in the preliminary rounds, Daesok-ah. We watched it together but you don’t remember…? Are you tired a lot these days?”

“No, I just…”

The class bell today was accompanied by the song Dokgo Miro covered during Playlist.

The song featured a powerful falsetto sung by the main vocalist of a popular idol group during his solo career debut.

The overall vibe of the song felt different being accompanied by a haegeum.

(T/N: Haegeum is a traditional string instrument.)

‘Does Dokgo Miro have a fan in the Traditional Korean Music club?’

The broadcasting department must’ve hurriedly organized a song as a special feature after hearing that Dokgo Miro started school yesterday.

They wouldn’t have had much time to practice, but it sounded great.

However, listening to the excellent haegeum performance made me worry about something.

‘There’s a sunbae jerk from Class 3-0 who’s good at haegeum.’

I was reminded of the candlelight ceremony around a campfire in Joo-Oh Island hosted by Woo Kihwan.

At that time, one of the seniors from Year Three Class Zero played haegeum to set the mood.

Candles and haegeum don’t really match well, but the sunbae’s performance was so outstanding that the hearts of the people around the campfire were touched, both students and teachers.

Meanwhile, when the class bell began to ring, Dokgo Miro stopped for a while.

“Ah…”

She looked relaxed.

She even waved her hand when she found us sitting in the audience’s side.

She looked at ease.

Dokgo Miro warmed up to the sound of the haegeum, but before the class bell rang, she was unresponsive and only repeatedly practicing the basic stances of Taehokwon.

“…What a shame.”

Hwang Jiho muttered so while looking at Hani, but he didn’t explain further.

I didn’t bother to ask why, and neither did our other classmates.

Pang!

At the end of the class bell, Professor Ham Geunhyung concentrated energy waves in his hands and clapped loudly.

The sound made the entire gym quiet.

Hani also sensed energy waves and looked up at Professor Ham Geunhyung.

“Even if I don’t explain it, you know well why I allowed this battle.”

Professor Ham Geunhyung’s face was in such disarray that even the other kids who perhaps didn’t really understand his intention would just nod their heads.

Dokgo Miro and Hani weren’t hard-headed, so they were silently listening to Professor Ham Geunhyung.

“I hope the conflict will be resolved through this battle.”

After a short speech, Professor Ham Geunhyung explained the rules again, looking in Hani’s direction so that she could read his lips.

Use of light skill is prohibited.

Use of consumable items other than weapons is prohibited.

If one suffers damage unhealable by an SR-level recovery item, the battle will be suspended immediately.

The time limit of the battle is until the end of the class.

Finishing his explanation, Professor Ham Geunhyung raised his hand.

“The two of you, in your place!”

Professor Ham Geunhyung used a device and two circles floated up in the gym.

One was above Hani, the other above Dokgo Miro.

A number was floating in a hologram on the circle, counting down the seconds until the start of the battle.

With about ten seconds left on the counter, Dokgo Miro spoke.

“I accepted your offer because you wanted a battle, but why don’t you withdraw now, Hani?”

Saying that Dokgo Miro lightly moved the R-class beginner’s Morning Star item provided by the school.

Whiiiish!

It was a light movement, but the effect was heavy.

The wind pressure from the Morning Star made Dokgo Miro’s hair flutter, and Hani’s shoulder-length hair shook.

‘Ohh!’ sounds broke out among our classmates.

The King of Back Alleys isn’t someone to mess with.

“…Isn’t that weapon supposed to be handled with two hands? Why is she using it with one?”

“She’s comfortable with it. I think I can use it with one hand too.”

Maeng Hyodon answered Mok Wooram’s question.

Hani wasn’t shaken by Dokgo Miro’s provocation and only strengthened her Taehokwon stance.

The number above them dwindled.

“Start!”

Dokgo Miro and Hani clashed at each other at Professor Ham Geunhyung’s signal.