Chapter 593: First Christmas (4)
To be precise, Yong Jegun’s power prevents snow from falling inside Eungwang High.
‘As expected, it’s impossible to completely stop the snow through Hwang Jiho’s wish alone.’
There’s a limit to the wishes that the Cintamani can fulfill.
It fulfills wishes at its discretion or a price.
Compared to Yong Jegun’s ability or the price that would be paid, wishes that or too contrary to values eat at his life and energy and are not fulfilled.
Just as Kim Shinrok in PMH didn’t come alive no matter how many times he wished for him to be revived.
In consideration of that, Hwang Jiho made this wish in return for revising the teacher’s contract.
‘To protect Eungwang High from the snow falling today.’
The reason why we didn’t ask to remove the cause of the snow is to leave the form of a wish come true to the owner of the Cintamani.
It would be best if the cause of snow would be eliminated, but that would put a huge burden on Yong Jegun.
Pungbaek and Usa are mythical beings, and the Dragon King’s shamans have shared power with superior beings.
It will be difficult to stop such people in return for merely revising a contract.
However, the snow that would cover Eungwang High couldn’t be left unattended.
Thus, the course of action was to create a huge space over Eungwang High.
The fallen snow from the sky was blocked by the jade space and could no longer contaminate the land or take away the power of the people in Eungwang High.
‘But the snow didn’t stop.’
If Yong Jegun collapses, or if a force stronger than the Cintamani breaks down the space, it will snow again.
‘But we prevented Eungwang High from being tied up by snow. The first move went right. So next…’
Meanwhile, the children who were lost in thought followed my gaze and looked out the window.
Outside the window was the cyan space surrounding the entire Eungwang High.
“The sky is colored with Yong-ssaem’s energy wave color.”
“Does that have to do with what VP said?”
“I think Yong-ssaem is using his spatial skill. Does that mean Eungwang High really is in a dangerous state right now?”
My classmate didn’t expect this situation, but they calmly asked questions.
I answered them one by one.
“Yes. Eungwang High is being attacked. It’s impossible to call outside since communication is cut off. But we’re going to have to fight because there’s going to be a lot of enemies on campus soon.”
“I was on the phone with him just now, so I’m sure Daseok has noticed. Wouldn’t he be watching Eungwang High over the satellite?”
“There’s still a cloud covering the entire Eungwang High. Unless the clouds are lifted or the boundary is returned to its original state, it will be difficult to check our status from the outside. And…”
It may be a discouraging remark, but it had to be said.
Even if the communication signal is restored, it would be difficult for support to come from the outside.
It was a waste of power and resources to prioritize restoring communication right now.
“It’s difficult to expect help from outside. By now, a large number of otherworlds have spawned, and players would be dealing with them. Even if help comes, it will be very late.”
“Is it more dangerous outside?”
“Not to that extent. Only professional players currently in Korea can attack them.”
The kids seem to be more worried about the outside situation than ours.
Maeng Hyodon has people from Tanrae Middle School, and Min Geurin and Saeum of April’s families are outside.
Rather than discouraged, the kids seem relieved.
Not just that.
“What should we do, VP?”
“I think you’ve got a plan in place.”
“I don’t think Euishin would’ve let this situation happen without any preparation! You explained it to us because there’s something we can do, right?”
Maeng Hyodon, Min Geurin, and Saeum of April weren’t anxious even though they understood that we were now trapped in Eungwang High and would be attacked.
Those three were counting on me.
I moved my fingertips, which have been frozen cold since the outsiders were let in, and clenched my fists tightly.
“Yeah, I have a favor to ask.”
My words somehow made my classmates happy.
It was like they were waiting for me to ask something.
“Yeah, go ahead.”
“Yes! We’ll do what we can!”
Maeng Hyodon and Saeum of April readily answered, and Min Geurin nodded vigorously.
All three of them seemed motivated.
I felt guilty about passing on such dangerous things to such good children, but I couldn’t turn it back since I had come this far.
After taking a breath that seemed to be too difficult to take, I explained the plan step by step.
“First, we’ll evacuate those who have weak powers or none at all. There’s a safe place in Eungwang High. We’ll lead them there.”
There’s an emergency exit in Eungwang High which, in PMH, was blocked by Choi Pyeondeuk.
There’s no Choi Pyeondeuk this time, but perhaps the Black Screen prepared a trap using someone else.
The plan now is to evacuate people to areas that are definitely safe that the Black Screen doesn’t know about.
But it was difficult to evacuate everyone to a safe place.
“We will limit the number of people evacuated because it will attract the attention of enemies if people are flocking. Players who can fight will have to fight.”
“Then how are we going to facilitate evacuation? There’s no communication. Ah, if it’s running then I’m confident with that.”
Maeng Hyodon and Min Geurin warmed up.
They seemed willing to comply even if I asked them to run all over the school.
But they didn’t have to do that.
There’s a man in front of us who had a much more efficient power that facilitated the evacuation of hundreds of people before.
“We need to borrow Saeum’s power.”
“Yes! I can do it if you’re next to me, Euishin.”
Saeum of April’s light skill, King’s Word, is an ability that can widely convey the voice of a respected subject.
Currently, we have secured a list of ordinary faculty members and players who aren’t suitable for fighting.
Once I show Saeum of April the map and the list, evacuations will proceed without difficulty.
“So where’s the safe zone?”
“There are a few places. Like the basement of the Central Library.”
At the time of PMH’s first Christmas scenario, the members of the library department fled to the central library.
Most of them weren’t good at fighting and were already injured so they couldn’t join the other students.
The student council and student association that was fighting against enemies didn’t know their whereabouts and couldn’t afford to dispatch personnel.
Eventually, they staged a sit-in at the Central Library, and to their surprise, all of them survived.
‘Enemies didn’t go near the basement because of the energy from the books. Even if enemies enter, they could just run around the maze-like library basement.’
It was dangerous to stay there for a long time because the energy wave density was too high, but they would be less affected if they set time properly and stay around regular books.
It will be difficult to evacuate a large number of people because the library department would have to take charge, but it’s clear that it was a safe space.
The maze-like building structure was advantageous.
Of course, it would be difficult if the long-tail royal lineage would come, so we’d evacuate only those who aren’t their possible targets.
“So, what are we going to do after evacuating?”
“We’ll move to the central area and join the student association. Do Wonwoo sunbaenim will be recruiting players through the broadcasting club soon.”
Do Wonwoo in PMH quickly grasped the situation and responded correctly.
Communication outside was cut off, but the broadcasting department was instructed to use the broadcasting line in school.
Do Wonwoo gathered survivors in the central area and built a defense line.
Great sacrifices, including Do Wonwoo’s life, were made but annihilation was avoided.
‘It couldn’t be helped since they had to fight while there was snow. On top of that, the enemies become stronger and learn more without being affected by the snow.’
I keep remembering the death of my playable character.
I tried to shake the image out of my head and continue explaining.
“After using this skill, it will be difficult for Saeum to participate in battle, so the next part has to be you two.”
“…What about you?”
“Of course, I will fight with you. Until we get to the central area.”
Maeng Hyodon frowned, not liking that we wouldn’t move together until the end.
“After that, I’ll have to go to the residential area.”
“Can I join you?”
Thinking of the situation in the residential area, I shook my head.
Maeng Hyodon at his current level might become a hostage if he comes with.
I don’t think Maeng Hyodon read my thoughts, but he didn’t ask the same question when I showed resistance.
“Lena and Wooram are in the central area. Let’s go and join them.”
“That’s right! The two may not know what’s going on right now.”
Min Geurin and Saeum of April said anxiously.
It was time to move, so I decided to hurry.
“Then let’s start evacuation first. Stay here, Saeum, and the two of you wait outside. Let them move to the designated location, and you should convey this message.”
I added important words before invoking Saeum of April’s light skill.
“Never use their air boards while moving. And if they see someone with an umbrella, run away immediately.”
***
The Cintamani between Yong Jegun’s hands melted into the air and disappeared.
However, Yong Jegun’s vertically opened pupils and the scales on his face remained.
He seemed to have consumed so much energy that it was difficult to conceal his true appearance.
“…”
Kim Shinrok looked up at the jade space covering Eungwang High.
The entire Eungwang High, including Kim Shinrok, witnessed the miracle.
Once the clouds are lifted, those who are outside will see it too.
‘I should be happy. I should tell him he did a good job…’
While Kim Shinrok was rendered speechless, Yong Jegun twisted for a moment.
When he was about to run to Yong Jegun to help him…
Fwiish.
Above the surrounding building, shadows began to emerge.
It seemed to have stopped stifling its presence for a millisecond.
All the unidentified beings who appeared were using umbrellas.
“The Cintamani’s power is stronger than I thought. What happened? You said he doesn’t have enough power yet since he doesn’t cover his eyes. We shouldn’t have prepared umbrellas. Oh, it’s still snowing outside that space. We can knock him down and it will snow again. What about the preparations?”
“The siege is over.”
“Minions are ready to attack.”
The people with the umbrellas were royal lineage that Kim Shinrok and Yong Jegun knew.
They were the bears who attacked Kim Shinrok at the youth retreat.