Chapter 32: Implementation of Justice

[Hello, student Kim Maru. Today is the DT Academy The Premium Mock Exam day. Please go to the designated test site specified below….]

After checking the text message, I stood in front of the academy building.
Numerous students entered the academy with determined expressions.

This wasn’t just an ordinary academy mock exam.
It was a test everyone took with utmost seriousness, as the quality and quantity of content returned to their schools depended on the students’ scores.

These are the rules of Hakdo.

Strict meritocracy.
That was the reason Ojakgyo, led by Alice, gained power.

If so, I just need to exploit that meritocracy.

Haneul High simply needs to surpass Ojakgyo through skill.

“It’s finally today.”

Kim Noeul muttered beside me.
She looked relaxed.
It seemed she had managed her condition well the day before.

“The 1st semester ranking is decided by the 1st mock exam we took last time and the 2nd mock exam we’ll take today, right…?”

Na Yuna-sunbae spoke up, checking her understanding.
Han Doa, listening beside her, nodded in affirmation.

“The person to watch out for is the male student named Joo Wonyoung from Dowon High. His grades are good.”
Han Doa used an anxious tone, but her expression didn’t match at all.
It was because she trusted Kim Noeul and me.

“This is effectively the first step in directly opposing Ojakgyo.”

I initiated the topic with them.

It was true.

During the Je Galhwarin incident, the Counseling Club wasn’t fully formed, and it was a small clash on the street, so it didn’t become a major public issue.

But this time is different.

Given TT Academy’s fame, Haneul High suppressing a school affiliated with Ojakgyo will be seen as a public action.

“We need to start off on the right foot.”

Kim Noeul said that and smiled at me.

“Maru, are you confident you’ll get first place?”

“Are you trying to shift the burden onto me now? You should also aim for first place.”

“Of course, but.”

Kim Noeul added.

“It feels like you would have prepared some big event this time too. Just like when the Counseling Club was founded.”

“……”

I couldn’t answer that question in detail.
The success rate of that event increases the fewer people know about it beforehand.

“If you’re expecting such an event, today should be quite satisfying.”

“I knew you had a scheme.”

“But it doesn’t matter even if it fails.”

Even if Gu Miho’s and my plan falls through, the outcome of Haneul High’s status rising in the academy district is certain.

Because I just need to take the top spot.

‘Wonyoung, things won’t go your way.’

Speak of the devil, Joo Wonyoung and other Dowon High students approached from afar.
They didn’t enter the academy building right away but glared at us.

Fighting isn’t just about physical blows.
Now we begin a battle using pens as weapons.

“Haneul High. You guys have been standing out a lot lately. What makes you act so boldly?”

“If it were me, even with good grades, I would have intentionally lowered my score. Rather than getting targeted by Ojakgyo.”

They started dirty talk to shake our mentality.
But unfortunately, while it might affect Na Yuna, the three of us are completely unfazed by such mental attacks.

Just Han Doa slightly widening her eyes made a few of the provoking Dowon High students flinch.
Kim Noeul eased the atmosphere with her kind smile.

“Instead of doing this here, why don’t you just go in first? You have a lot of materials to review, right? Unlike us.”

It was a sophisticated provocation, indirectly pointing out that Dowon High had an advantage over Haneul High.
It reminded them that despite having an advantage, they had already lost to Haneul High in the 1st mock exam.

Joo Wonyoung’s face turned red and pale.

“Ha…! Noeul, I didn’t see you like this, you’re really nasty. I approached you with goodwill, but you responded curtly, and I heard you even got into a fight? Seriously advising you, get a grip and just focus on studying.”

“Pot calling the kettle black. Who’s the nasty one, and who really needs to focus on studying.”

I personally countered Joo Wonyoung’s words with facts.
Joo Wonyoung’s eyebrows twitched as he glared at me.

“Today is the last day you can act so high and mighty, you fcking whore-monger bstard. I’ll make an example of you to show what happens when you mess with Ojakgyo.”

Finished speaking, Joo Wonyoung confidently entered the academy.
He seemed overflowing with confidence.
I know well where the source of that confidence comes from.

“Shall we go in too…?”

At Na Yuna’s careful suggestion, we also set foot into the academy.

Kim Noeul and I split from Na Yuna and Han Doa.
Because 3rd years take the test on a different floor than 2nd years.

“Do well, kids!”

“Good luck.”

“You too, sunbaes.”

“Don’t make mistakes.”

We bid each other farewell and entered the test sites.
I entered the male test room.
As soon as I entered, I saw Joo Wonyoung’s back.

Thinking his head looked like a good punching bag to hit, I sat in the chair marked with my exam number.

‘Subjects are Korean, Math, English. Exam ends around 8 to 9 PM.’

There’s a saying that if subjects like Science and Social Studies are about form, then Korean, Math, and English are about class.
I agree with that saying.

Today’s test results will be a measure proving the students’ pure class.

[We will now explain the instructions for The Premium Mock Exam.]

Starting with the announcement, students were distributed answer sheets and Korean language test papers.
I filled in the handwriting confirmation field.

-The sunlight was vividly licking the leaves, slurp slurp.

‘I’ve seen this phrase somewhere before….’

And waited for the main test bell.

I wasn’t nervous.
Rather, I was looking forward to it.

The event that will unfold after the exam ends.

[The 1st period, Korean language section, has begun.]

As soon as the main bell rang, I turned over the test paper.
From then on, I focused on the test questions, so time flew by very quickly.

I took the test in a trance-like state, moving my pen.
By the time I came to my senses, it was already 1 minute before the end of the English section.

‘I think I concentrated incredibly hard.’

The exam had reached its final stages in the blink of an eye.

Before entering the academy building, the sky was blue, but now darkness had deepened, and the building signs were lit up.

Since I had already finished the English problems 10 minutes ago, I crossed my arms and gazed blankly out the window.

The night view was beautiful.

[The 3rd period, English section, has ended.]

“Everyone, hands below the desk! We will collect the answer sheets from the back!”

Students busily collected the answer sheets.
Once the supervising teacher finished checking everything and left the classroom, students began murmuring restlessly.

“No, the English fill-in-the-blanks were f*cking abstract as hell.”

“What’s the answer for the sequence? Seems like (A) is first?”

“I tried solving Math problem 30 during English class, still can’t solve it.”

“Did the mother of the person who wrote the Korean economics passage leave home?”

Leaving their noisy chatter behind, I exited the test room.
And went to a deserted hallway near the restroom and took out my phone.

[Me: Spread it on Hakdogal now]

[Me: Also request Veritas to publish it in tomorrow’s newspaper]

[Gu Miho: Should I title it ‘Certified Perfect Score on Today’s Premium Mock Exam.jpg’?]

I’ve thought this before, but this Gu Miho girl is truly a genius at clickbait.

[Gu Miho: It’s actually impossible, but people will click out of curiosity, right?]

Checking Gu Miho’s message, I paused for a moment.

[Me: Impossible?]

[Gu Miho: ?]

I reviewed the mock exam questions I solved today.
All other problems were fine, but the Korean economics passage was tricky.

‘There was just one question I was unsure about….’

[Me: No, never mind, just post it]

[Gu Miho: Yes]

Finishing the chat, I returned to the vicinity of the test room.
The Haneul High girl trio had already gathered and were chatting amongst themselves.

“Did Noeul-hubae do well?”

“Korean was a bit difficult. How about you, sunbae?”

“The type Maru-hubae pointed out appeared, so I got the 4-point question right.”

Han Doa made a V-sign with her fingers with a serious expression.

As I approached them, Na Yuna brightened up first.

“Maru! Did you get everything right?”

“Even I don’t know that. I might have made a mistake.”

“Then maybe you’ll lose to me this time?”

Kim Noeul provoked with a playful expression.
I sighed and opened my mouth.

“You said Korean was difficult. Are you that confident?”

“I’m seriously predicting this, there’s no 100 score in Korean this time. You saw the economics passage.”

“…True.”

The international patent system was twisted and turned for the questions; it was too harsh a level for high school students.

“Unless someone memorized leaked answers, there definitely won’t be a perfect score.”

Kim Noeul didn’t know it, but she hit the nail right on the head.
In fact, in the original work too, there was only one 2nd-year student with a perfect score on this mock exam.

That one person is none other than….

“Hey! The scores are up!”

As the scores were calculated, students turned on the app and checked their scores one after another.
Most despaired looking at their Korean scores.

“This damn talent-based subject.”

“Huh? I got 98 in Korean but I’m 2nd place.”

“Crazy. There’s a 100 score?”

Hearing the students’ conversation, Kim Noeul’s complexion turned pale.
Na Yuna and Han Doa’s expressions naturally darkened too.

A top student like Kim Noeul had predicted no perfect score in Korean, but the result surpassed that prediction.

They were gripped by the anxiety that perhaps a student not from Haneul High might take first place.

“N-Noeul! What’s your score!?”

As Na Yuna shouted, Kim Noeul answered weakly.

“…297 points. Lost one point in Korean.”

“So close….”

Just as Kim Noeul was about to check the overall ranking, cheers erupted from the Dowon High side.

“Joo Wonyoung got everything right!”

“This is Dowon!”

“Joo Wonyoung, GOAT! Joo Wonyoung, GOAT!”

Joo Wonyoung wore a vile smile, receiving everyone’s cheers.
Soon, that vile smile turned towards us.

He walked towards us, lifting his chin.

“Well, it turned out like this. It was a good fight.”

“……”

Kim Noeul stared at Joo Wonyoung without a word.
Joo Wonyoung, perhaps feeling some thrill from that gaze, fidgeted with his lips.

“Why did you act up without knowing your place….”

Joo Wonyoung couldn’t finish his sentence.
Because the screen window in the test room came down.
The noise was quite loud, drawing the students’ attention.

“What’s this? Are they going to show some video?”

“I want to go home quickly.”

Ignoring the students’ complaints, the beam projector displayed a video.

A dark night street.
It was a scene of a man and a woman facing each other and talking.

[So? Tell me in detail. You want to get 1st place?]

[Yes. Give me the answer key.]

“Huh? Isn’t that Teacher Choi?

“Yeah. Who’s the other person?”

[Is this agreed upon with Jihye?]

[…Lee Jihye told me to clean up the academy district. This is part of that.]

“That’s Joo Wonyoung’s voice.”

A student approached the screen closely and examined the face.

“It is Joo Wonyoung. But asking the teacher for the answer key means.”

Some quick-witted students quickly reached a conclusion.
If this video wasn’t manipulated, Joo Wonyoung had caused a really big incident.

“J-Joo Wonyoung? What is that? Why are you asking for the answer key?”

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, a Dowon High student interrogated Joo Wonyoung.
Joo Wonyoung couldn’t say anything, just watched the video blankly with his mouth agape.

‘When? When was this filmed?’

[But the risk is a bit…. We need to not get caught.]

[Only the two of us in Ojakgyo know about this, who would find out? So, are you going to give it?]

[Hmm….]

“That’s definitely Joo Wonyoung’s voice.”

“Wow, so the teacher leaked the mock exam questions?”

Dowon High students shouted to turn public opinion.

“No, but is that video even real!? It could be manipulated! What would Joo Wonyoung gain from that!”

“Go ahead and verify its authenticity!”

Cold sweat streamed down Joo Wonyoung’s face like a waterfall.

‘Verifying authenticity will only be disadvantageous to me. Because that video is real. Even if I grit my teeth and pretend not to know, rumors like this spread endlessly.’

The moment it becomes public, it’s over.
He had to prevent it from becoming public.
But that resolve also came to nothing.

“Hey hey, go check the gallery now. It’s trending.”

“Perfect score certification? But the content is different? This is targeting Joo Wonyoung.”

“So Joo Wonyoung really did it?”

Even the Dowon High students found it hard to cover for him anymore, their expressions stiffening.
They looked at Joo Wonyoung with various expressions.

Some were angry, some looked hollow, and some looked disappointed.

[This is the down payment. If things go well, this much more.]

[…This is worth the risk.]

On top of that, the financial transaction was exposed.
Joo Wonyoung’s legs gave out, and he collapsed.

His head spun.
The world swirled round and round.
People’s figures mixed geometrically, forming monstrous shapes.

Leaving behind Joo Wonyoung, who seemed to have lost his soul, I headed towards another test room.
In the other test room too, the same video was being screened.

A long-haired female student manipulating the video came into my view.
I approached her.

“Veritas is everywhere. Simultaneously broadcasting the video in all academy test rooms.”

“Are you Kim Maru?”

She asked upon spotting me.
She observed me intently for a moment, then turned her gaze back to the video.

“Good articles come from good information. Good information must be obtained by sending correspondents here and there. There are quite a few members in this academy too.”

I checked the name tag on her uniform.

Seong Nari.

The chief of Veritas, who stirs up Hakdo.

She attends Yushin High, located outside Ojakgyo’s territory, and is capable of freely avoiding Ojakgyo’s oppression thanks to the help of members spread throughout Hakdo.

“Thanks to you, the publicization was faster. And the scene of the wrongdoing was obtained easily too.”

“The latter is entirely your achievement. Honestly, I was impressed. How did you find out their meeting place and time without being a correspondent?”

I couldn’t exactly say, ‘Watch the webtoon,’ so I chose silence.

Thinking I was intentionally not answering, she gave up prying.

“Miho said she found a good business partner, so I had some expectations….”

“Did I meet your expectations?”

Seong Nari glared at me with the eyes of a thief coveting treasure.

“Should I be honest? Counseling Club or whatever, I want to kidnap you for Veritas.”

“Discuss it amongst the chiefs.”

At my concise reply, Seong Nari fell into thought for a moment.

“Haneul High’s Counseling Club president… Kim Noeul? I’ll pass. I don’t want to depart from life just yet.”

Seong Nari said so and checked Hakdogal.

“Miho also did an excellent job drawing aggro as a ‘giregi’ (trash reporter). A perfect score on the Premium Mock Exam…. Even knowing it’s absurd, you can’t help but click.”

“She’s not a ‘giregi’.”

“Hmm?”

I displayed today’s mock test results on my phone.
Seong Nari’s pupils trembled slightly upon confirming the phone’s screen.

“Gu Miho is a true journalist who delivered the facts.”

“…Ha, hahaha!”

Seong Nari laughed cheerfully and wiped the tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.

“Guess there was no need to snipe him then? Since you’re the top student anyway?”

“Still, implementing justice is the right thing to do.”

Stopping her laughter, Seong Nari asked me again with a serious expression.

“You’re going to wrap things up now, right?”

“Yes.”

“Might as well see it through to the end.”

It seems tonight at TT Academy will be very long.