The Spoon Villain Is Obsessed with the Hero Again Today

7 – Spoon in the Drawer (6)

At Han Yul Military Academy, there was a duty system created to prepare for any potential attack by the Ma-su.

Internally referred to as the ‘Initial Response Unit,’ among students, it was simply called ‘duty.’

This Initial Response Unit was organized targeting combatants and students, operating on a rotational basis with duty rosters changing every week.

The primary mission was simple: to be the first responders on-site in case of an incident and eliminate the Ma-su according to the command from the headquarters.

Of course, when high-risk Ma-su appeared, they would avoid direct combat and wait for reinforcements.

Anyway, not many cherished this duty as it was a hassle.

Here, Kim Dong-hak, a technical officer who had just arrived, grumbled about being tasked with this bothersome duty.

“Tsk… I thought this week would go smoothly… always getting caught up at the last moment.”

Kim Dong-hak quickly read the report that came from the central situation room.

Then, he shouted towards the students, “Are you all here? Let’s start the briefing. First, I, Kim Dong-hak, will be in charge as the coordinator for this operation.”

Apart from the combat agents directly involved on the field, there were several technical agents outside issuing commands or handling supplies.

All of them constituted units of the Initial Response Unit. And Kim Dong-hak was the supervisor in charge of this situation.

“I heard on the broadcast that a break occurred near the west gate. According to the report, the opponent has detected the same signal as Code 69 Decarabia.”

“Decarabia? Ah, how uninteresting. It’s just a D-rank. Can’t we leave it to the mobile unit?”

Several students expressed disappointment upon realizing that the entity referred to as D-rank Ma-su after being hyped up was hardly a threat.

“Don’t relax just because it’s a D-rank. As I’ve always said, always keep in mind the possibility of mutations…”

“Miss Arna! Can we have a quick interview? We’re from the Seoul Hero Daily!”

“What’s your current physical condition, Miss Arna?”

“Will you finish off this Ma-su within a few minutes?”

Upon the news of a break, numerous reporters rushed in, eager to get a scoop. What they were all focusing on was Arna’s performance.

“This break is no child’s play…”

Soon, the Ma-su would appear here. It was a perilous situation where someone’s life could be in danger if mishandled, but nobody, not even the civilians, seemed to realize the gravity of the situation.

Kim Dong-hak shouted at the reporters, “Please leave! Do you realize where you are? This is a real emergency! Right now…”

“Commander Kim.”

At that moment, a middle-aged man appeared, intervening to stop Kim Dong-hak.

Kim Donghak was startled and his shoulders jerked.

“Ha, Headmaster… at this hour…”

Im Minho, the headmaster of Hanyul Military Academy, was neatly dressed in a suit, with no wrinkles despite his age, a slender body, a well-shaved jawline, and distinct facial features.

– The headmaster! Headmaster Im Minho is here!

“hahahaha.”

Pop!

Countless flashes exploded toward Headmaster Im Minho. Im Minho skillfully waved his hand and posed for the cameras.

As if he were a celebrity or a politician.

“Arna student, please go and respond to the interview.”

“Yes…?”

Im Minho gave Arna a friendly smile and instructed her.

Arna hesitated for a moment in her place.

“Come on.”

“Yes, yes… I understand.”

Arna reluctantly left the ranks and headed towards where the reporters were.

Watching her, Headmaster Im Minho nodded in satisfaction.

“Kim Instructor, don’t be too angry. Isn’t she an S-rank Awakened One, attracting the attention of the world? Her one word in the interview could be a great hope for someone. I want to give hope to them.”

Snap!

Then, Im Minho lightly flicked his fingers, saying a good idea had come to mind.

“Right! How about sending reporters to the scene? Broadcasting Arna’s activities to the whole world!”

“R-Reporters? But they are civilians! They don’t even have a gun to protect themselves…”

Tock. Im Minho put his hand on Kim Donghak’s shoulders. In that state, he whispered softly.

“Anyway, the responsibility lies with them. It’s none of our concern whatever happens, right?”

“…”

“Well then, I’ll leave it to you, Kim Instructor.”

Im Minho maintained his friendly face until the end as he left the place, not forgetting to wave to the reporters.

At that moment, Kim Donghak felt a chill. To the headmaster, the battlefield was nothing more than a stage show presented to the public.

Arna Christine Tyr was one of the leading actors on that stage.

From this point on, Hanyul Military Academy seemed to have turned into an entertainment company or something.

It’s really not a funny matter.

─Booong

In the distance, several armored transport vehicles arrived. The hatches soon opened, and soldiers in black combat uniforms, armed with various weapons, emerged.

It was the mobile unit to be deployed for this operation.

“The mobile unit has arrived just in time. Everyone, double-check your earsets and smartwatches for the last time! Huh? You there, squeezing in the middle! Who are you?”

There was a male student sneaking into the formation.

The student spoke to Kim Donghak.

“Is that me? I’m Shinyunseong.”

“I can tell that too when I see it…. By the way, Shinyunseong is also included in the early dispatch unit list for this week.”

“Why were you late? Did you forget your tablet again?”

“I was a bit late this time because I brought earplugs.”

“Speaking as if it’s something to be proud of… And what’s that you’re holding in your hand?”

It wasn’t just an empty-handed arrival. In his arms, he brought a large box, about the size of a rice cooker.

“It’s nothing special. I just brought some earplugs.”

Shinyunseong shouted loudly enough for everyone to hear, confidently lifting the box as well.

“….”

Earplugs? Does that guy think he’s going for a shooting practice or something?

─Kuguguguguung

As planned, the brakes opened, and from within, the giant demon Decarabia appeared.

Decarabia had no separate arms or legs. Just eyes and a mouth embedded in its massive body.

As a Grade D demon, it wasn’t a significant threat on its own.

Thunk─!

But when Decarabia opened its mouth, it was a different story. Countless demons serving Decarabia poured out from within, like a beehive opening.

“Fire!”

─Tudududududu

Facing the incoming horde of demons was the mobile unit on the front line. The mobile unit poured out all its ammunition, not allowing the demons to approach.

Even non-adept individuals could easily take down demons of this level.

“What did you say? Reporters are on the scene too? Why on earth!”

A rear area slightly away from the front line. Arna shook me vigorously, gripping my collar tightly.

It was dizzying.

“That’s the order that came down from the central command. They decided to deploy reporters.”

“So, why?”

“What’s the use of asking me? It’s not an order I gave.”

“Oh.”

Only then did Arna release the grip on my collar. She really had an unexpectedly strong grip.

─Director! Is this good enough?

─A little to the right! Yeah, there! Okay!

While the mobile unit was busy on the front lines, the rear area felt like watching a movie set.

Staff adjusting the lighting, a camera director framing shots. It was hard to believe this was a real wartime situation.

─Miss Arna! You’ll be on camera soon; should we make the makeup a bit heavier? It looks different on camera than in real life, you know.

There was even a makeup artist suggesting makeup.

“Makeup is fine… I’m fine with this.”

Arna answered the staff with an effortful smile. Her fists were trembling.

“There’s no need to get too worked up. If you think about it the other way, it means it’s that much safer.”

A D-class masu had just appeared. With this level of firepower, losing to Decarabia was unthinkable. The probability of being struck by lightning while walking down the street was lower.

“Still…”

“If you’re that worried, just take down the enemy with a single blow. You can do it, Arna.”

It’s the most surefire method. Take down the enemy before the fight drags on. Then, naturally, there’s no need to worry about anyone getting hurt.

Beep─

At that moment, the smartwatch rang. Following that, a notification hologram appeared.

[All demons suppressed. Mobile units, withdraw.]

The situation report indicated that all demons had been eliminated. Now it was time for the Awakened Ones to step forward. Masu could only be defeated by the Awakened Ones.

“Let’s go too.”

“Just a moment.”

Arna, who was about to head to the battlefield, grabbed my hand. Arna widened her eyes.

“What… what is it?”

“Arna, don’t we have one promise?”

There was something I asked of Arna, even getting down on my knees before coming here.

Just once, nothing more, trust me.

“I don’t have time for that right now! Later! Let’s talk later!”

Arna tried to push my hand away and move forward. But I didn’t let go. I exerted more force to stop Arna.

“No. It has to be now.”

“Uh…”

With my firm stance, Arna couldn’t help but stop walking.

Afterward, with my arms crossed, Arna asked me.

“So, what is it? Hurry up and tell me.”

“I don’t plan on dragging this out.”

Given the situation, only the necessary words were needed.

I compressed my words as much as possible to convey to Arna.

“Arna, take off what you’re wearing right now.”

“What, what, what…? Ta-ta-take off…?”

“Yes. Take it off completely.”

Of course, the earset too.