How to Survive as an Extra

Chapter 29

Kim Myeongo, who had yelled for a good while, walked briskly toward his office as if he had no time to deal with the on-duty staff.

Which meant, right in front of the wooden door on the second floor where I was.

“…….”

Conflict arose.

Should I leave, or should I stay?

However, the deliberation was not long.

It was impossible for Kim Myeongo to see through my Stealth with his skills, and more importantly, I had no time left.

Besides, if he were to kindly open the door for me, it would be a rather grateful situation.

I held my breath and waited.

Kim Myeongo came stomping over, twisted the doorknob nervously, and inserted the key.

“Hah, crap! The doorknob’s acting up again.”

Soon, with a creaking sound, the office door opened.

Kim Myeongo, in his haste, went inside without even closing the door and began to rummage through his desk drawer.

The only light was a single stand lamp in the corner of his desk.

I hid in the shadow created by that light and observed Kim Myeongo’s urgency.

After frantically rummaging through the drawer, he finally detached it and turned it upside down on the floor.

Documents spilled out.

Soon, he found the document he was looking for and quickly called someone.

“……Ah! I found it, I found it! The investment contract’s secret clause! With this, I can get the investment back…… What? What are you saying right now! You said there was no possibility of the exploration failing in the first place! I don’t care about your side of the story! According to this clause, at least the principal I invested……!”

Kim Myeongo’s voice grew progressively rougher.

“What the hell! Do you know how much I put in just by listening to you? But now you’re saying what……!”

I did not know who was on the other side of the smartphone, but I could quickly tell what topic Kim Myeongo was shouting about.

The most important event that happened in the original work around this time.

The failure of the… Labyrinth Exploration.

The Labyrinth was a monster field that existed in the geological strata of Seoul, created in the aftermath of the Great Fissure.

A place where countless dangers lurked, befitting its name.

It could be entered through the 1st Underground District that existed beneath Seoul’s District 2, but it was not a physically existing field.

Therefore, its exact scale had not been revealed, and not even the entire 1st Layer Area of the Labyrinth had been explored.

Meaning, for the 80 years since the era of the Awakened began, they had been stuck on just the 1st layer.

“What are you going to do! What the hell are you going to do! Do you even know my situation? I need that money right now to overturn the trial!”

From overhearing more of the phone call, I surmised that Kim Myeongo had gathered all his funds and invested them in the Labyrinth Exploration.

Looking only at the result, it was a foolish decision, but that choice could not be called entirely foolish.

That was because this Labyrinth Exploration was a large-scale expedition formed with the most elite hunters and experts since the Great Fissure.

In the original work at that time, more than one or two people had invested in the Labyrinth Exploration and suffered losses.

Since I had not suffered any loss, watching his despair was quite a spectacle, but on the other hand, I felt a little complicated.

“…….”

The return of the Labyrinth Exploration team meant that another development was beginning.

In other words, it meant that the principal of Hero Prep, Kim Shinwoo, was returning.

“Hey, crap! Stay right there! I’m coming right now! Let’s have a three-way meeting and sort this out, for once!”

Kim Myeongo hung up the phone and, as if to express his anger, kicked the drawer that was tilted on the floor.

POW—.

For an Awakened, the drawer shattered into pieces instead of flying away.

Soon, he left the office without delay.

Without even closing the door.

“……Kim Shinwoo is coming.”

I mumbled his name and was lost in thought for a few seconds, then quickly bent down to find the documents scattered on the floor.

Among the documents, an envelope of a particularly noticeable size caught my eye.

Upon checking, it contained a contract with Choi Jaejin’s signature and a memory card.

I checked the memory card, and copied it.

Then, after taking a picture of the contract with my smartphone, I resealed it in the document envelope.

After skillfully completing the series of steps, I naturally dropped the envelope on the floor and pulled the hood I was wearing tightly as if scratching my head.

“Kim Shinwoo is coming…….”

Maybe it would be better to just get kicked out of Hero Prep…….

***

10 PM.

The Vice Principal’s office located in the main building of the Hero Preparatory School.

“You may go now, you must be weary from the various recent events.”

“Then…….”

Yun Jeongseop, who had finished his report to Park Cheolyeong as usual, was about to leave the vice principal’s office when he suddenly stopped.

“Is there anything else you wish to say?”

Park Cheolyeong, who had been getting his coat, stopped and asked.

However, before Yun Jeongseop could even open his mouth, Park Cheolyeong’s words continued.

“……Well, I can guess even if you don’t answer.”

He let out a short sigh and perched on his desk.

“It must be about that fellow. The you I’ve observed is a man with more affection than necessary.”

“I just wish to know the Vice Principal’s intentions in detail.”

“Intentions, you say…….”

Park Cheolyeong let out a self-deprecating laugh.

“Still, you do not doubt me. The staff at this school, whenever an incident occurs, they first question if it’s not my scheme.”

“Because I am in charge of the Investigation Division where the incident occurred.”

“Hmm, I see. But in any case, it was my choice to let the incident grow, so it’s not entirely wrong. ……The proof of the statement and the physical evidence of the victim cadet are so absurd, even giving a temporary suspension was a ridiculous choice.”

“…….”

“Furthermore, considering the reputation of that fellow named Kim Muung, it must have been a harsh measure for someone. ……But you see.”

For a moment, Park Cheolyeong’s tone lowered.

Yun Jeongseop instinctively gulped.

“You and I both know, don’t we? That fellow Ji Seokhyeon’s cunningness. I know those kinds of fellows well. He’s the type to rise above countless competitors by overcoming the weaknesses he possesses.”

“…….”

“Neither domination nor submission works on those types. They cling to what they want until the very end, stubborn as they are. So, I plan to put a muzzle on him. He’s too much of a pain in the ass to be used as a faithful tool.”

“I see…….”

“Well, don’t worry. I have no intention of kicking him out.”

A faithful tool.

Yun Jeongseop silently mumbled the words, then reluctantly nodded his head.

Park Cheolyeong, as if satisfied with his own words, slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

“By the way, since it’s come to this, how about we go for some hot soup on this chilly day?”

“I apologize. The deliberation is tomorrow, and…….”

Yun Jeongseop trailed off and cast his gaze out the window.

Park Cheolyeong, who had followed his gaze, hurriedly spoke as if he had forgotten.

“Oh my, it was almost the full moon. My apologies, it must be a sensitive time for you.”

“…….”

“Then let’s plan for next time. Hahaha.”

***

Tuesday.

After all the lectures were over.

Before going to the Hall of Justice where the deliberation was to be held, I waited for Choi Jaejin at the park in front of the dormitory.

It was clear that he would have to visit his dormitory upon entering the school grounds.

Beep-.

-8 attempts remaining.

While waiting for him, I habitually used the vending machine.

The drink I chose was the carbonated coffee I had drunk while talking with Do Minyeong last night.

It did not taste good, but there was a strangely addictive aftertaste.

Just as I was about to bend my finger to pop the can, Do Minyeong, who was entering the park entrance, caught my eye.

To be precise, she was approaching while watching me.

“……What is it.”

Do Minyeong quickly came to the front of the vending machine and asked bluntly.

“What happened?”

“What?”

“Did you… steal it…….”

Ah, was that what she was curious about.

I was sorry, but given the circumstances, I could not tell the truth.

Still, I did receive help, so…….

“Well, let’s just say it’s not the worst.”

“What does that mean? Did you do it or not? Are you saying you didn’t do it?”

She was so persistent.

I tilted the can I had popped to my lips to buy time to think about how to answer.

Gulp.

Even after emptying half of this tasteless drink, no sharp idea came to mind.

In the end, half-giving up and about to express it in a roundabout way, Choi Jaejin appeared from the opposite park path.

I indicated him with my eyes.

“Sorry, but could you give us some space.”

“What? Ah……!”

Do Minyeong turned her head to follow my gaze with a somewhat puzzled expression, but she soon left the park with a dissatisfied look, leaving behind the words ‘see you later’.

I stood in my spot as leisurely as possible and waited for Choi Jaejin.

In any case, once he set foot in the park, there was only one path.

As if he knew that too, he spotted me in the middle but did not turn back and approached.

Soon, we were in close proximity.

As Choi Jaejin tried to pass by me, pretending not to notice without showing any emotion, I quickly called out to him.

“Want something to drink?”

“…….”

“You don’t have to be scared, I won’t hit you. Believe it or not, I’m the holder of the lowest practical skill score in the school.”

Choi Jaejin stopped and turned only his head to stare at me.

“I don’t think we have much to talk about.”

“That goes both ways. I just want to ask one thing.”

“……What.”

“The reason you’re struggling so much as to bury a fellow social care beneficiary in the Awakened world. We, the parties involved, can talk honestly, right? Ah! Don’t worry, I’m not recording this.”

Choi Jaejin was an extra, just like the training instructor An Hwigom.

A role with more I did not know than I did.

This question was simply curiosity as the original author.

A question about the narrative given to the extra, Choi Jaejin.

“……It’s because of you.”

“Hmm?”

“Because you needlessly got on the wrong side of people.”

If he had some family circumstances or some other pitiful story, I might have felt a shred of pity, but…….

This was an excuse not even worth considering.

“Ah……. The worst of the answers I expected.”

“You wouldn’t be saying that if you knew even a little about the nature of this world.”

“What?”

“The social care beneficiary program ratio is 3%. You seem to be mistaken about something, but we’re not real cadets. We’re nothing more than a part of the noblesse oblige advocated by the vested interests at the top, who are based in Hero Prep.”

“…….”

“No matter how hard a social care beneficiary tries here, nothing changes. Even outstanding talent can’t compare to these people who have gilded their bloodlines. Don’t you still get it? What they wanted from you and me was clowning around. To be trampled on by the successors with bright futures, to act as their limbs, and to be used if necessary, a clown……!”

Choi Jaejin, who had poured out his words, caught his breath.

At the same time, as if to express his anger, he kicked a stone on the ground hard.

Bloodline, that is, awakening, was largely influenced by genetics.

It was certainly difficult for someone from the outskirts of Seoul who had awakened by chance to surpass the accumulation of talent passed down for up to four generations, like Cha Yeri’s Hyeonseong family.

Thus, the social care beneficiaries of Hero Prep all had the role of being trampled on by the elites blessed by their bloodlines.

Inevitably.

In my original work, and here as well.

Therefore, it was not that I did not understand his words, but…….

He should not have forced that method on me.

No matter what claims Choi Jaejin made, the fact that he sacrificed me for his own benefit did not change.

“I understand what you’re saying. But you know how heavy the responsibility of your choice is.”

“You should probably be the one packing your bags.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of it myself.”

With those words, I turned my back on him.

I was starting to get disgusted.

***

The meeting room of the Hall of Justice, gathered for the deliberation.

Present here now were all the members of the student council, including the student council president, Yu Hyeonjeong.

In addition, Yun Jeongseop and Kim Muung, excluding the party involved, Choi Jaejin.

The student council was composed of the top students from each division and grade.

Therefore, Lee Eunho and Do Minyeong were present, and from the 1st-year Support Division, a cadet named Kim Dasol was seated.

Kim Muung was sitting in a seat opposite me, and he was smirking as if to mock me for all to see.

Disregarding the rather chilly atmosphere of the meeting room.

Anyway, how did Gong Minwu manage to keep a guy like that around.

No, was it possible because Gong Minwu did not pay much attention to personal relationships?

“…….”

Yun Jeongseop, in the corner of the meeting room, maintained his usual expressionless face, and the student council president, Yu Hyeonjeong, occasionally sent me a sharp gaze.

It seemed she was not pleased with the fact that a deliberation committee was being held during her term.

The character named Yu Hyeonjeong that I set up had a bit of an obsession.

An obsession that everything she leads must be perfect.

Therefore, I, who had been involved in several incidents since enrollment, must have been a thorn in her side.

Lee Eunho, who was in the same position, would not be much different, but at least he had not yet done anything to be dragged into a deliberation.

In the first place, he was trusted as a talent to lead the student council.

In any case, the variable I was most concerned about, even with all the cards to overturn the deliberation, was her.

It would not be strange for her to retaliate in some way against me, who had tarnished the school records that had been flowing perfectly under her leadership.

“You’ve arrived, Cadet Choi Jaejin.”

While I was briefly lost in thought, Yu Hyeonjeong’s voice flowed out softly.

Following her voice, I turned my head to see Choi Jaejin, who seemed to be suppressing something, crossing the threshold of the meeting room.

I purposely sent a persistent gaze to meet his eyes, but he intentionally avoided my gaze and moved to his seat.

“…….”

He seems to have made up his mind.

Well, that was actually better.

Yu Hyeonjeong waited until Choi Jaejin was seated, then nodded once to Yun Jeongseop and opened her mouth again.

“Then we will now begin the deliberation.”