Chapter 9: Baek Hyunseo’s Regret (2)

“You didn’t… use the master key, did you, Hyunseo?”

Baek Juseok asked, looking at his main master key glowing with mana.

The main master key resonates and starts glowing when the sub-master key is activated. In other words, Baek Juseok realized that the sub-master key had been used and rushed back home in a panic.

“T-that’s…”

At Baek Juseok’s icy words, Baek Hyunseo could only tremble, unable to offer any excuse.

Baek Juseok typically adored his daughter, but this time, he couldn’t hold back his anger and, in an uncharacteristic outburst, cursed.

“You idiot! What were you thinking, messing with the master key! Do you even know what this thing is?”

The fact that Baek Hyunseo used the master key was, in part, Baek Juseok’s fault.

He should have hidden the sub-master key in a place where Baek Hyunseo couldn’t find it, or at the very least, clearly told her never to use it. But Baek Juseok didn’t do that, because he never imagined that Baek Hyunseo’s mana DNA would be 99.7% identical to his.

The master key doesn’t work without ‘mana authentication.’ And the authentication system is designed to pass if the mana DNA of the registered user matches 99.1% or more. Baek Juseok thought it was impossible for Baek Hyunseo to use it, and acted carelessly. The result was disastrous.

Click

Whoooosh

As Baek Juseok opened the master key and channeled his mana, the data stored within it projected into the air.

“Hyunseo, do you see this? You’ve been snooping through the messenger apps, haven’t you?”

Whoosh

As Baek Juseok infused more mana, the access log quickly appeared.

[Helmunt Academy Intranet Access Record: User: – chlwndnjs111]

Baek Juseok stared blankly at the access record.

“You even manipulated the access logs.”

He channeled more mana, and the original record was restored.

[Restored] [Helmunt Academy Intranet Access Record: User: – Baek Hyunseo]

Baek Hyunseo stood there, utterly speechless at what she was seeing.

“T-this… What is this…”

The headmaster, seething with rage, spoke.

“This is the master key to Helmunt Academy’s intranet. Do you really think something like this can be tampered with so easily? If you access the admin authority and use the restoration magic, you can retrieve the original data.”

“Do you know what this means? The records you snooped through on the intranet will be there forever. The original version, too.”

Baek Juseok’s head began to throb.

‘Shit… It’s not like I avoid using the intranet because I’m an idiot.’

Even when he needed information, Baek Juseok would avoid using the intranet as much as possible, only using it when absolutely necessary. The reason was simple: with restoration magic, original records like these could be recovered.

Baek Juseok’s fear was straightforward. If rumors spread that he had been using the intranet for personal purposes, the Magic Investigation Bureau might launch an investigation.

If their investigation revealed that he had been using the intranet for personal reasons, punishment would be the least of his concerns. The reputation of Helmunt Academy, as well as his own, could be utterly destroyed. Even rival academies would seize the opportunity to tear Helmunt Academy apart.

‘I need someone to take the fall.’

Baek Juseok’s mind began racing.

“Hyunseo, I don’t know why you manipulated the access records using that bastard Choi Juwon’s ID, but I’m assuming you did it because you hate that instructor.”

Baek Hyunseo shook her head in protest.

“T-that’s not it…”

Baek Juseok glared at her fiercely.

“If that’s not the case, then what is?”

Having never seen her father this furious, she couldn’t muster the courage to tell the truth and kept her mouth shut. Baek Juseok’s face flushed red, and he slammed the wall as he shouted.

Bang

“Then why the hell did you do something so idiotic, tampering with the access logs!”

Terrified, Baek Hyunseo finally blurted out the truth.

“I-it was just… I-I saw the messenger… and the other girls were saying they liked the instructor… s-so I wanted to ruin his reputation… s-so only I would… get his attention…”

Hearing her words, Baek Juseok’s eyes grew cold. He began muttering to himself.

“So… you happened to see the messenger, saw that the other girls liked the instructor you’re interested in… and you decided to ruin his reputation… because you wanted him all to yourself?”

“Th-that’s… r-right…”

Thump, thump, thump, thump

Baek Juseok, eyes wide with fury, stormed into the house and began smashing everything around him.

Crash

Bang

“This is such complete bullshit…”

“Hah… hah…”

After rampaging for a while, Baek Juseok finally looked at Baek Hyunseo and spoke.

“Baek Hyunseo, the intranet master key isn’t some trivial magical tool for your stupid love games. You knew damn well that I hate that instructor bastard, yet you pulled this shit just because you wanted him all to yourself?”

Bang

“I could’ve overlooked it if you accidentally saw the messenger app. But because you went so far as to manipulate the access logs, things have become extremely complicated. When you tamper with records, those tampered records remain. If an audit comes later, not only I but the entire Helmunt Academy could be utterly destroyed.”

Baek Juseok pressed his temples with both hands, clearly suffering from a headache.

“Your brain must be empty. How can you just act on whatever comes to mind without thinking? I divorced your mother and spoiled you rotten because I felt sorry for you, raising you alone. But even after all these years, your level of thinking is worse than a street dog’s. You worthless brat.”

Bang, bang, bang

As if his anger hadn’t subsided, Baek Juseok smashed every piece of furniture in the house until he finally calmed down. He then looked at Baek Hyunseo with disgust.

“I don’t recall ever having such a stupid and dull daughter. Since I’m the one who brought you into this world, I’ll do my duty as a father. But don’t expect much from me from now on. You need to learn how cruel the world can be. You need to fully understand what it means to take responsibility for your actions.”

“Sniff…”

Baek Hyunseo held back her tears, trembling in fear. Her father’s reaction was terrifying, and she had only just realized the gravity of what she had done.

Step, step, step

Baek Juseok approached Baek Hyunseo and spoke.

“Since you already tampered with the records, I’m going to put all the blame on Choi Juwon. Before the Magic Investigation Bureau gets involved, we’ll take the lead in punishing him and show that we’re taking full responsibility. That way, the Bureau won’t feel the need to intervene.”

“I-I’m sorry… Please… don’t…”

Slap

“Shut up. Just watch how this all plays out from now on. This is all your fault. And if you start running your mouth, I swear I’ll disown you, so live like a mouse from now on.”

Bang

With that, Baek Juseok stormed out of the house.

‘Damn it… I must’ve spoiled Baek Hyunseo too much.’

If it had been a subordinate who pulled this kind of idiotic stunt, he would have killed them without hesitation. The only reason he let it slide was because she was his daughter.

Click

Baek Juseok opened his phone and made a call to a woman.

“Hello, this is Baek Juseok. How have you been?”

“Oh my, to what do I owe the honor of the Helmunt Academy’s president contacting me? Oh, and by the way, I received the gift you sent to the Tower last time~ That artifact was simply beautiful.”

“I’m glad to hear it pleased you.”

Baek Juseok regularly greased palms and built connections wherever he could. He figured now was the perfect time to leverage those connections.

“Master of the Tower, I have a favor to ask.”

“For someone who’s making plenty of money to be contacting me, this must be a serious matter, huh?”

“Yes, the situation is quite bad. My daughter used Helmunt Academy’s intranet master key to spy on information and tampered with the access logs.”

“What?… What were you doing to let your daughter use something like that? Are you a moron? I mean, seriously, I’m at a loss for words.”

Hearing the Tower Master’s incredulous tone, Baek Juseok replied again, his voice filled with shame.

“I… I have no excuse.”

“Hmph… Well, there’s no point in nitpicking about what’s already happened… So, what is it you’re asking of me?”

“Since things have come to this, I’m going to frame someone. There’s an S-rank instructor at our academy named Choi Juwon. When he comes to the academy tomorrow, we’ll show him fake access logs with his ID and press him on it. From today, I’ve already got people spreading rumors among the students that Choi Juwon accessed the intranet. We’ll ruin his reputation and credibility, and create a situation where he has no choice but to resign voluntarily.”

“Huh… But if this Choi Juwon doesn’t cave and resign, things will get complicated. What if he claims he’s innocent and requests an investigation from the Magic Investigation Bureau?”

“That’s exactly what I’m asking of you. I plan to preemptively warn them that we’ll request an investigation ourselves, but if he turns the tables and files a complaint, I need you to stop it just once.”

“Hmmm… The Magic Investigation Bureau isn’t easily swayed by bribes, so even as the Tower Master, that might be tough.”

Baek Juseok swallowed nervously and spoke.

“I’ll give you the Mirror of Ersi.”

The Mirror of Ersi, one of Baek Juseok’s most prized possessions, was an S-rank artifact with an extraordinary value. Though it had many restrictions, its main ability was to replicate and release the magic used by its target.

“What? You’ll really give me that S-rank artifact? You’ve always refused to part with it, no matter what.”

“I’ll keep my promise. So, please, if something happens, help me just this once.”

Tower Master Shin Yura chuckled and replied.

“Oh dear, President. If you’re giving me the Mirror of Ersi, then of course I can help you~ Don’t worry. Even if a request is filed, the Magic Investigation Bureau won’t get involved. Oh, by the way, I have a favor to ask as well.”

“Go ahead.”

“Do you know a man named yang Han-gil? He was kicked out of the Tower and used to work as an instructor at Helmunt Academy.”

“Yes, I remember him.”

“When Choi Juwon is gone, hire him as an instructor. Make sure it doesn’t draw any attention. Don’t ask why.”

“I understand. We need new instructors anyway, so I’ll send out the offer right away.”

Suddenly, Baek Juseok hesitantly asked with a nervous tone.

“Um… if… by any chance, this whole situation somehow leaks to the public and the public opinion turns against us, could you stop that as well?”

With a hardened voice, Shin Yura replied.

“If the people in this country find out that Helmunt Academy not only snooped through its intranet but also tried to cover it up and tamper with the records, it won’t be the Magic Investigation Bureau you’ll have to worry about. The whole government would come down on you. Why don’t you just ask me to die along with you?”

“I’m sorry.”

Shin Yura softened the mood and laughed again, speaking through the phone.

“President, you worry far too much. You already said you’re going to frame an S-rank instructor, didn’t you? Do you think an academy instructor has the power or connections to make a move against us? Someone with no influence or backing can’t sway the higher-ups, and even if he tries to stir public opinion, what could he possibly do? Post something on a community forum? At most, it’ll get a few hundred views before being buried. There are thousands of posts like that on the internet every day, most of them just attention-seeking nonsense.”

“Th-that’s true, but…”

“President, relax. There’s no way an instructor can move public opinion. He’s just a bug we can crush. Let’s just focus on keeping the Magic Investigation Bureau in check, alright?”

“Yes, I’ll leave it to you.”

Click

After hanging up, Baek Juseok quickly made several more calls—to newspapers, journalists, and the administrators of major online communities. He made sure that if Choi Juwon ever tried to post about his innocence online, it would be swiftly blocked and public opinion controlled.

‘That’s it… all the preparations are done. As the Tower Master Shin Yura said, there’s nothing that bastard can do. Now he’s just a bug waiting to be squashed. He was always a nuisance, but now he’s going to take the fall and live out the rest of his life quietly in disgrace.’

Things moved quickly after that. Choi Juwon submitted his resignation voluntarily, and the Magic Investigation Bureau hadn’t been involved. There were no signs of him online either. Baek Juseok celebrated his victory, relieved that the sudden crisis caused by his daughter had been averted safely.

“Ahhh!” “Huff… huff…”

Baek Hyunseo, who had fainted, woke up with a piercing scream, as if she had been tormented by a terrifying nightmare.

“Hyun… Hyunseo, you’re awake?”

“Are you alright, Hyunseo?”

Surrounding her were fellow beginners from Helmunt Academy, looking at her with concern. Baek Hyunseo, drenched in cold sweat, forced an awkward smile and spoke.

“Ah… I’m sorry, I haven’t been feeling well lately. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“You need to take better care of yourself. With that jerk yang Han-gil around, things are going to get tougher. But don’t worry, we’ll be here to help.”

Seeing the worried faces of Lee Haru, Kim Siyeon, and Yoon Seulgi, Baek Hyunseo suddenly felt a wave of guilt. After all, it was essentially her fault that yang Han-gil had come to replace Choi Juwon.

Trying to change the subject, she looked around the room. That’s when she noticed Kim Siyeon’s phone. On the screen was a strange person wearing a mask.

“Uh… Siyeon, are you watching some kind of play or something on your phone?”

Kim Siyeon lifted her phone and replied, “Oh, this? You wouldn’t know because you don’t have a phone, but this guy is all the rage right now. You know NATUBE, right? The video platform. He’s an instructor who wears a mask, and in just one day, his subscriber count skyrocketed to 350,000.”

“Th… 350,000?”

“Amazing, isn’t it? I posted a video there once, but I only got 3 subscribers. 350,000… That’s more people than the entire academy put together. It’s crazy…”

“That’s… really impressive.”

“Of course it is. I watched his video too, and it was groundbreaking. It’s so well-made. Everyone I know has already subscribed. Honestly, I wish we had an instructor like him at Helmunt Academy instead of people like Choi Juwon or yang Han-gil.”

On Kim Siyeon’s phone screen was a large headline:

[Masked Instructor: The Rising Star on NATUBE. Who is the New Creator Who Gained 350,000 Subscribers in Just One Day? What Influence Will He Have on the Magic Community in the Future?]