The Protagonist Already Knows

Chapter 63: Return [3]

Despite being in his 40s, the figure’s facial features seemed relatively young, with clean, combed-back black hair and ice-blue eyes full of vitality.

His face not betraying even a bit of emotion, the figure glanced at me for a moment, seemingly scanning my entire body, before finally opening his mouth.

"Welcome back to the Human Realm."

My expression stiffening, I nodded my head, avoiding the gaze of not only the #1 Ranked Hero in the World...but the leader of The Grove.

Seeing Alaric pause for a moment, I finally asked the question lingering on my mind.

"How long...has it been?"

Glancing down at his smartwatch, he answered...seemingly just as surprised as I was.

"It’s... Saturday. Since you returned last Saturday, it’s been exactly a week."

Ah...a new record, wasn’t it?

After giving me a moment, Alaric raised his head and continued.

"Your classmate, Carissa, recovered a few days ago and already described what happened."

Pausing for a moment, Alaric looked up and through the open window.

"I know this may sound selfish...but I hope you two can keep this situation private, for now. The Sunken Pearl has already found the culprit and set up a new mana border to prevent something like this from occurring again."

"The story will be released eventually, but we hope to keep it under wraps for now as to...prevent panic and paranoia from spreading with the inter-school tournament coming up."

As I nodded my head, affirming that I wouldn’t say a word, Alaric added.

"Of course, your efforts will not go unrewarded. In entering the Dreg Realm, you two sacrificed your lives to close the portal and save the lives of your classmates, who were still trapped in their virtual reality world."

"A small award ceremony to honor you and present you with a suitable prize will be held tomorrow with top heroes and influential figures, so I hope you’ll be able to attend."

Watching me nod my head again, Alaric turned around.

"Unfortunately...the problems with the Dreg Realm seem to be only increasing, so I must leave. Once again, the Grove highly values your heroism. If you run into any problems in the future, please feel free to reach out."

As the door shut behind Alaric, I finally unclenched my jaw and sighed in relief.

I had attempted to mark Alaric...but there was nothing to mark.

It was as if the space in front of me were empty...

...

...

...

Waking back up after resting for a couple of hours, I carefully got off my bed and stood by the window, embracing the evening breeze.

I had been cleared to leave a few minutes ago, so this was probably it for now.

Putting on a jacket and a pair of jeans that had been left for me, I hesitated a moment while gazing at the closed door.

Everything...was new from here on out.

This whole journey with Carissa through the Dreg Dimension...it was a complete and utter deviation from the plotline.

Many things from the novel would likely change and shift, maybe small details or sometimes massive differences.

Nobody knew what the future held for me next.

I wondered for a moment.

If I knew today was my last day in this world...what would I do?

Before, I had never considered the question, assuming my survival to be guaranteed due to the novel’s timeline and plot.

"..."

Unable to find an answer to my question, I reached for the doorknob, but before I could even touch it, the door suddenly swung open.

Instinctively, the words left my mouth as I gazed at the figure with short black hair, barely cascading past her neck, and matching onyx-black eyes standing before me.

"Professor Sooyung?"

She looked at me in silence for a moment before eventually turning around and saying.

"I’ve come to escort you back to the academy. After all, it was my fault for not noticing the Dreg Portal sitting...right above me."

"..."

It really was my fault for not alerting her about the portal’s existence...but I remained silent and followed her out of the hospital.

As we passed the play structures in the garden, Professor Sooyung suddenly asked.

"Hey, why did you go in?"

Trailing a bit behind her, I simply avoided her gaze and answered.

"The portal wouldn’t close unless two people entered it."

"I see."

A few moments later, the two of us sat side-by-side on an empty train, heading back to the Sunken Pearl under the half-moon.

As we entered the stations within Vael, Professor Sooyung suddenly asked.

"Hungry?"

Perhaps, in the past, I would have wanted to sprint back to my room to train or study...but at this moment, the thought of eating didn’t sound bad at all.

Seeing me nod my head, Professor Sooyung stood up as we arrived at the next station and led me into the streets of Vael, which were still relatively full and rowdy.

Drunken students stumbling out of nightclubs, tired office workers just finishing their jobs, and vendors advertising their restaurants filled the streets that were lit up by bright and dazzling neon-green lights.

The streets were closed off, allowing vendors to set up booths in the middle of the road as the scent of fresh barbecue and sweet desserts flooded the area.

Within a few minutes, Professor Sooyung and I were being seated in a relatively full Korean barbecue place.

After grabbing the screen on our table and ordering a few items, which arrived just moments later, Sooyung glanced up at me while grilling the beef.

"How do you feel?"

"Sore...very sore, but besides that, fine."

"Learn anything new?"

Hesitating, I eventually nodded my head and answered.

"I think I realized how to connect my sword to my body."

"...How long ago did you form your weapon art?"

Dryly coughing, I answered.

"At the end of the exam."

"...Within a week, you completed the first stage of Martial Arts."

The edges of her lips curving upward, Professor Sooyung continued while placing a piece of grilled beef on my plate.

"What you described would be the starting point of the second stage. Threadbearer, I believe it’s called."