The Academy’s Time Stop Player

TL/Editor: looloo

Schedule: N/A, just catching up to the previous tl

Illustrations: Here

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Late night.

At the primary entrance of Nephertem Hotel’s grand hall.

"Ah… I’m beat."

"Just hold on a bit longer. The shift change is near."

Two security guards posted at the front door constantly yawned from tiredness and monotony.

But, managing the students who showed up for job experience made today unusually tiring.

"However, seeing the kids takes me back to the good times."

"I can relate, senior. I once made a name for myself at the academy too."

"Well, in this generation, were you at the level of the Sword King’s disciple or the princess of England?"

"Somewhere around that."

"Hehe, quit joking around and keep an eye out."

"Shift change is almost here anyway. Oh, look! Here they come."

"Hold on…"

The senior security guard sensed something odd.

Their standing position seemed unusual.

"That’s a restricted area... Hey, you over there! Who are you?"

Just as the senior security guard warily unsheathed his sword and started to approach them.

Flick- zzzz…

"What?"

"Um…"

Both security guards seemed baffled by the situation that happened so quickly.

A power outage.

Not only that, but the entire hotel from the 1st to the 50th floor was plunged into darkness.

The moment the senior security guard tried to use his walkie-talkie.

Thunk-

"Argh!"

"Huh?"

A sharp blade whizzed towards the senior security guard’s neck.

The senior guard, struck by the blade, began to shudder and spew blood.

"Huh? Seni…."

Thunk-

Just as he was speaking, another blade came soaring in.

The blade also found its mark on the junior guard’s neck, leading him to the same end.

Darkness and silence engulfed the entrance.

Two men who seemed to be the next shift appeared.

One was a massive man clad in a black hood, and the other was a man in a clean suit carrying a sharp blade.

Shortly after, the enormous man began to speak.

"Begin."

"Sure."

As soon as he said this, two intimidating dark purple gates radiating a threatening aura appeared on either side of the two men.

From the gates came a countless number of men who looked just like the first two that emerged.

"Raise the curtain."

"Yes, sir."

Their movements were seamless and quick.

As a few men who emerged from the gate placed their hands on the ground, a massive magic array appeared. A huge black curtain formed around the magic array, gradually extending to cover the entire hotel.

Soon after, the gigantic curtain engulfed the entire hotel.

Once this was confirmed, a single voice sounded from the large-bodied man.

"Clean up."

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Raei Translations

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Meanwhile, Yoo Seolah, Anna, and the head of security, Kang Jungan, who had exited the 45th-floor general manager’s office, hurried down the dim hallway towards the main hall on the first floor to assess the situation.

"Head of security, what’s the status on contacting each team leader and the control room?"

"I’ve tried reaching them via radio, but there’s no response. It looks like there’s a signal disruption– Wait! What’s that!"

Just then.

The head of security, who had stopped, pointed towards the black curtain visible through the window.

At the sight, Anna’s face turned grim.

She recognized what the curtain was immediately.

"It’s a Dimension Separation Curtain."

"So, someone has breached our hotel’s protective shield and invaded?"

"By the looks of it, yes. And unless we take out the core of the curtain, I don’t think we can get help from the outside. As the space is separated, everything will seem normal from the exterior."

"This is... "

The situation was grim.

The power outage had disconnected all electricity, making it hard to understand the state of affairs.

Moreover, it was clear that even the Heroes Association would struggle to understand the situation, as a Dimension Separation Curtain had been set up within while the protective barrier was normally in place.

"Head of security, please check the backup power in the control room."

"But, Miss..."

"It’s something only you can do. It’s likely the control room has already been compromised. I’ll be with Anna, so don’t worry."

"... Ugh! Understood..."

With that, the head of security disappeared.

He understood Yoo Seolah’s intent and trusted the abilities of the budding sage at the same time.

However.

"Anna, I have a favor to ask."

"Yes? But..."

"Please. It’s something only you can do."

"But then you’ll be in danger, Seolah. Those villains will surely target you..."

"It’s okay."

Yoo Seolah looked at Anna with eyes full of determination and smiled.

Her smile was so filled with steadfast confidence that it instantly eased Anna’s worry.

"I’m confident I can escape. I’ve been in situations like this before."

"......What’s the favor?"

"There must be stones inside the hotel blocking the magic transmission. Anna, please locate and destroy all of them. You’re the fastest person who can do it."

"......Okay. I’ll contact you as soon as I destroy the blocking stones."

"Thank you."

With that, Anna activated her levitation magic and started flying through the window towards the upper floor. In the calm silence that remained, Yoo Seolah’s mind raced.

If the current situation was indeed an assault by the Villain Alliance, she concluded that they must have already taken control of the main hall on the first floor.

Moreover, if their sole aim was to abduct her, it was reasonable to think they would definitely take hostages.

The immediate priority was to buy some time.

She needed to delay to help more hostages.

The moment she was captured, the hostages’ value would disappear.

"Hu... Okay."

Yoo Seolah started running towards the rooftop on the other side.

Soon, the hallway began echoing with the sound of numerous footsteps.

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Raei Translations

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"Grrr...."

Kang Jungan, the head of security, clenched his fists so hard that blood began to ooze from his hands.

Just as the young lady had predicted, the control room had already been captured.

He quickly checked the backup power, but the villains had already destroyed it. Additionally, the villain he had taken down was not a human.

It had the appearance of a human, but when its head was smashed and its arm ripped off, no blood spurted out.

It was just an empty shell.

Looking at their clothes, he realized they had infiltrated by disguising as guests.

"A puppeteer..."

An A-rank villain puppeteer.

The number of puppets he could create was countless.

Some estimated he could manufacture between 100 to 200, while others claimed he could amass a force of up to 500.

"Damn it!"

Having assessed the situation, Kang Jungan instantly attempted to rush towards Yoo Seolah.

That’s when it happened.

It seems the puppet had been destroyed?

A robotic voice echoed from the wrecked puppet’s head.

Kang Jungan instantly stopped and glared at the puppet from which the voice was coming.

Then, the decapitated head of the puppet rolled towards Kang Jungan and started to talk in an eerie manner, its mouth moving up and down.

Judging by the fact that you defeated the puppet, you must be quite strong. This puppet was one of my proudest creations.

"Are you the puppeteer?"

Yes. So, you must be the head of security?

"What do you want, you bastard?"

I’ve taken hostages.

At that, Kang Jungan could only glare at the puppet.

The puppet continued to speak.

Bring Yoo Seolah. For every minute you’re late, one will die.

"You bastard!"

...Huh? Oh, never mind... I found her.

As soon as that voice was heard, Kang Jungan’s expression hardened.

Is she alone?

"That’s, that’s not possible! You bastard! If you lay a finger on her, I won’t stand by!"

Heh heh, do what you can.

With those words, the puppeteer’s voice stopped.

"Damn it!"

Crack-

Kang Jungan, who had just smashed the doll head he was holding onto the floor, started sprinting towards Yoo Seolah.

Just then.

An unexpected sound filled the atmosphere.

Static- screech- static-

"What is this!"

It was noise from the radio, which was supposed to be jammed and not receiving signals.

Immediately after.

[Uh, ah~ Can you hear me? If you can, respond.]

A boy’s voice came through the radio.

The signal interference was gone.

In a state of desperation, Kang Jungan grabbed the radio and shouted.

"Who, who the hell are you!"

[Who are you?]

"……"

Caught off guard by the unexpected reply, Kang Jungan was momentarily at a loss for words.

The boy’s voice came through again.

[Uh, ah~ I’ve destroyed the blocking stone... huh? There are villains holding hostages in the 1st floor main hall? I’ll go rescue them first.]

"Wa, wait! Stop!"

No matter the circumstance, as the head of security, he needed to stop him.

Judging from the voice, it was clearly a young boy.

This wasn’t a situation a young boy could manage alone-

[The situation is over. I’ll send the rescued guests upstairs.]

"What? What the hell! This is not a situation for pranks!"

It had barely been a minute since their last exchange.

As the furious head of security yelled into the radio,

Thud- Thump- Thud-

The sound of numerous people ascending the stairs became audible.

Caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, Kang Jungan blankly watched the individuals hastily moving up the stairs.

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Raei Translations

---

"Haa... Haa..."

At the end of the 35th-floor corridor.

Cornered with no way out, Yoo Seolah started glaring at the villains and puppets that surrounded her, panting heavily.

She pressed her hand against the wound on her abdomen, leaning against the end-of-the-line wall.

Soon, a man in a suit separated from the crowd of villains and approached Yoo Seolah.

"You’re more skilled than I thought? You’ve destroyed quite a few of my puppets."

"Kuh...”

Yoo Seolah clenched her teeth.

She hadn’t expected the Villain Alliance to deploy a puppeteer.

"Kuh - haa, haa."

"You’ve... lost too much blood. I don’t want to kill you. Just come quietly."

"I have... no intention of using my ability for you."

The Villain Alliance prioritized capturing Yoo Seolah because of her ability.

An invincible healing power that allows for swift and perfect healing of any wound without significant internal damage.

Even though she couldn’t heal herself, the ability’s value was tremendous, to the point that the Villain Alliance was bent on kidnapping her.

"If you come with us, you might change your mind. It doesn’t look like you have many options, do you?"

"The guards are still..."

"We’ve taken care of all of them. We brought excessive firepower for you."

"Ugh..."

Despite his threatening words, Yoo Seolah stood up.

She braced herself for a fight, wielding a rapier in one hand.

She was sure that the puppeteer wouldn’t kill her.

But all the puppeteer did in response to her defiance was let out a deep sigh.

"Sigh... I suppose it wouldn’t matter if I cut off your arms or legs."

"Huh..."

At his words, Yoo Seolah started to tremble with fear.

Tears welling up in her eyes, she stared down the puppeteer, not ready to give up just yet.

She thought if she were captured here, it would spell the end.

"Tsk, so foolish... I thought you were smart..."

The puppeteer started advancing towards Yoo Seolah slowly.

It was then.

Crackle- Beep-beep- Crackle-

A signal began emanating from the radio.

However, Yoo Seolah’s expression didn’t brighten.

Despite the destruction of the Blocking Stone, the situation hadn’t improved.

Moreover, their opponent was an A-rank villain Puppeteer.

Even the head of security might find it challenging to take him down.

"Huh? Well... the Blocking Stone has been destroyed."

As expected, the Puppeteer seemed unfazed.

Even if the Blocking Stone had been destroyed and communication restored, it didn’t necessarily mean that the tide was about to turn.

However, an unexpected voice crackled through the radio.

[Uh, ah~ Can you hear me? If you can, please respond.]

A young boy’s voice came through.

It was a familiar voice, unnervingly calm given the circumstances.

With her faltering hand, Yoo Seolah lifted the radio to her mouth and spoke.

"You... Kim Hajoon, right...?"

[Huh? Yoo Seolah? Where are you now?]

"There’s nothing you can do if you come here. Instead, please ensure the safety of the guests and students first..."

[Where are you?]

Hajoon interrupted, disregarding Yoo Seolah’s plea.

Yoo Seolah clenched her teeth and continued.

"Please, I beg you. I don’t matter, please confirm their safety first."

[I asked... where are you?]

This time, a more forceful and commanding voice came through.

His words bore a deep and unyielding gravity.

As she heard his voice...

Why did such a thought cross her mind?

"I... I..."

Her trembling hand clutching the radio tightly, she closed her eyes.

Tears began to trickle from her tightly shut eyes.

Without wiping away her tears, she spoke into the radio, her voice trembling.

"Can... can you save me?"

In the end, she had spoken words she never thought she would.

No matter how much she pretended, she was scared.

She wanted to rely on him, who seemed like her last hope.

His voice came through soon after.

[...Where are you?]

"I’m at the end of the corridor on the 35th floor...."

[I’ll be there soon.]

Crackle-

And with that, the radio communication ended.

She wanted to tell him not to come, but the words wouldn’t come out.

Yoo Seolah couldn’t help but regret what she had just said.

"It’s all over."

The Puppeteer’s voice echoed through the corridor.

She could hear the sound of his footsteps slowly closing the distance.

Wiping away her tears with her sleeve, she slowly opened her eyes.

Then.

“…Huh?”

“Speak up already.”

Kim Hajoon was standing right in front of her.

Yoo Seolah couldn’t hide her shock, her eyes wide open.

Simultaneously, the Puppeteer, who was approaching her, was looking at Kim Hajoon with eyes full of surprise.

“Wh, where…!!?”

However, the Puppeteer couldn’t finish his sentence.

Bang! Crash—! Thud———!! Crash———!

The villains and puppets that filled the corridor began to scatter into thin air.

Some had their heads exploded, others were slammed against the walls, and still others were flung with such force that they pierced the walls and tumbled out of the windows.

“H, how!”

The Puppeteer started to stammer.

He looked at his own shattered body and the corridor splattered with blood and puppet debris in utter disbelief.

Shortly after, a young boy holding a golden hammer approached the Puppeteer.

“So, the real body didn’t come?”

“Wh, who are you?!”

“You don’t need to know.”

Crunch!

The Puppeteer’s last words were cut short.

Hajoon stomped on the Puppeteer’s head, crushing it, then turned his gaze towards Yoo Seolah.

All she could do was blink her frightened eyes and stare back at Hajoon in shock.

Then, Hajoon continued speaking.

“The guards and others will be coming up here soon, so run to the top floor.”

“Wh, what? But the guards…”

“They were subdued along with the hostages. Once it’s over, just cut them all loose.”

Hajoon let out a deep sigh and turned away, his steps heavy with weariness.

Resting the Maharazu on his shoulder, he started walking towards the stairs.

Yoo Seolah’s voice followed him.

“Wh, where are you going?”

“…To finish up. And tell Anna never to come down.”

Those were his last words.

Then, Kim Hajoon vanished without a trace, leaving behind the echoing sound of footsteps and voices ascending from the central corridor staircase.

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