This World Needs a Hero - Chapter 23

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Chapter 23

The second doll was an employee at the garbage incineration facility.

A servant tasked with collecting and disposing of the garbage accumulated in guest lodgings, faculty residences, dormitories, and the like.

As the carriage passed near the garbage dump, Nyhill pointed to the silhouette that was moving the mountain-like heaps of trash.

“The custodian of the garbage dump, Sergei.”

There was no need to ask why it was a garbage dump.

Nyhill momentarily lost in thought, continued, “Professor Labin Hawk seems to have a strong preference for walnut pastries. According to the receipts, he’s been buying walnut pastries from the same bakery for several weeks.”

“I found a torn receipt in Professor Ryse Parun’s room’s trash bin. Upon recovery, it turned out to be from a suspiciously named bar. ‘Happy Hour’…? A name that doesn’t suit a married person.”

Despite appearances, this was not just a garbage dump but a place for gathering information.

By compiling the information obtained here, one could learn the secrets of the Rosenstark people—what they liked, where and when they went, and even their weaknesses.

“It’s not an easy job for a human to do.”

Working around the clock, digging through smelly piles of garbage for small clues would be too harsh for a human.

Nevertheless, with these pieces of information coming together, understanding the personnel within Rosenstark and obtaining clues about potential traitors would become easier.

“The next doll is disguised as a village merchant near the academy….”

“We probably won’t have time to look into that friend. I’ve already understood enough about Senneta and Sergei regarding your wishes.”

“Understood.”

The carriage stopped in a secluded area, and I listened to the rest of the explanation.

“There are a total of four dolls, right?”

“Yes, if I may explain them in order….”

A rookie maid working in the faculty building.

A cleaner at the incineration facility.

A merchant settled in a nearby village.

Finally, a doll with the same appearance as the ‘main body.’

Since four was Nyhill’s limit, they were initially placed in crucial locations deemed necessary.

“If you want to change their placements, please let me know. It may take some time as we need the cooperation from higher-ups, but we will create new identities and infiltrate them.”

“Got it. What about their combat abilities?”

“Except for the doll made to resemble me, they have none.”

Afterward, additional features, such as being able to directly control the doll when she fell into a sleep state, were introduced.

Nyhill looked at me with eyes that sparkled like glass beads.

“We may look like humans, but we are tools without human hearts. Please use us as you see fit.”

“…All right.”

I nodded.

Given the shortage of manpower, it would be good to take some time to think of useful applications of these dolls.

* * *

A few days later.

Boom!

The sound of explosions echoed over the training ground, which has now become a noisy corner of the academy.

A black-haired girl was crouched down.

At a glance, it seemed like she was resting peacefully.

However, that was not the case as her black eyes were relentlessly following her peers who were fully focused on their training.

“….”

Ghost No. 3… no, it was Nyhill.

The training ground was bustling with a considerable number of students.

However, none of them showed any interest in her.

Jet-black hair, gloomy eyes.

Average height and physique.

Ordinary clothing.

Disguised as a commoner for better concealment.

Her presence was inevitably faint.

Thanks to these conditions, she could easily carry out her missions in the blind spots of attention.

The three main tasks of the spy were as follows:

‘Firstly, observation and protection.’

The main targets were children and the ‘Extreme’ instructor, Pia Joyce.

“While I might be the main target for traitors, with the Demon King in power and the traitors being cautious, it doesn’t seem like I would be the first one they target recklessly.”

Promising children.

Teachers conducting important research.

Even if they were not Heroes, there were many potential targets, and she seemed to be concerned about that.

“Secondly, if the children mention anything about ‘lectures,’ report it to me. If there are any lectures they think would be good or bad, or any details about such lectures, it would be helpful to understand the children’s wants so I can teach them efficiently.”

This could be seen as an extension of the first mission.

Observing the children closely would naturally reveal information.

Even now, there were children in front of her talking about the Extremes.

“How’s your class? I feel a bit overwhelmed.”

“Talking about intensity? Stop it. I fell off the bed because of muscle pain.”

“But how long are we going to stick to the basics?”

Nyhill remembered their words.

Upon returning to the dormitory, she planned to create a report.

“Lastly, gather as much information as possible about the founder of Rosenstark, Zero. Whether it’s rumors or facts, even absurd content is fine, gather everything.”

Although this mission had an inexplicable reason, Nyhill nodded silently.

Sangmyeong Habok.

When the superior commands, the subordinate obeys.

In this process, no complaint is tolerated.

Nyhill learned and practiced it that way.

“Please.”

However, it was inevitable that she felt a bit strange when she heard that unfamiliar word.

Swish!

Nyhill doodled on the dirt floor with the tip of her shoe, recalling the face of the Hero who spoke those words.

“….”

Of course, whether the superior’s demeanor was gentle or harsh had no impact on the completeness of the mission.

Nyhill turned her gaze back to the bustling center of the training ground.

There, her peers were tirelessly training, sweating profusely in their efforts.

Rosenstark’s new students experienced their busiest time during the year they enrolled, with a barrage of major academic events.

Various small exams, party arenas, Unir competitions, academic exchange fairs, and more—all of these academy events were conducted rigorously through peer evaluation.

The reason for their diligence was clear.
For those who had been considered the most outstanding talent within their groups throughout their lives, competition with their peers was something that should never be overlooked.

“Competitiveness, the desire to win.”

What would it feel like to live with such emotions?

Nyhill quietly recorded the bustling training ground using a miniature video recording device.

* * *

Kasim manipulated the buttons on the connector.

[Anonymous Bulletin Board]

[Operated completely anonymously in the name of the Chief Developer, Yussi Glendor.]

[Feel free to share the ins and outs of academy life without worries.]

Chrrr!

The list of posts appeared.

As usual, there were many users today.

The number of new posts exceeded dozens, and it was increasing in real-time.

“Let’s see.”

Kasim quickly found the type of post he was looking for.

– By the way, how’s the Extreme class? Even though they accept it, you can’t get in. I’m a fourth-year, old-timer, but curious… How is it?
└ Still just grinding the basics. The lectures are mainly focused on that, so it feels a bit boring.
└ ‘Just grinding,’ ‘a bit boring’? Are they really Extreme class students?
└ Yeah, they are. Envying them?
– Still just working on the basics, that’s true. Still, the lectures are good. If you’re curious about something strange or want to learn more, they tell you right away.
└ This one seems fake too. They’re elite with around thirty members from the start; do you think they’re wasting time here at this hour?

“Hmm, the reaction is more than I expected….”

Kasim scrolled down the screen further.

– Seems like the lectures aren’t that great. I made the right decision not to apply.
– It’s not bad, just lacking in originality.
└ That’s pretty bad. Why bother taking classes if they’re just going to focus on the basics?
└ That grape is a new grape~
└ Yeah, why complain about the lack of originality after only a few lectures?
└ It’s because the expectations were high.

There were similar posts below, continuing the heated arguments.

One caught Kasim’s attention, causing a slight grimace.

– I said it, didn’t I? No matter how strong the power of the Hero is, it has nothing to do with catching the attention of the students.
└ Professor, what are you doing here?
– Deleted post.

Kasim chuckled, tapping the screen.

“Hmm….”

Kasim took his fatigued eyes away from the connector.

His gaze shifted to someone quietly focused on work, seemingly unrelated to all the commotion.

“You know, Professor Redymer. For a while, don’t look at the connector….”

“I already saw it.”

“What?”

Kasim’s eyes widened slightly, scrutinizing the Hero’s expression.

Despite the negative opinions, there was no hint of hesitation on his face.

“Well, this is not just something that can be ignored. If public opinion goes south, it’ll be a headache.”

In fact, for Kasim, it was a situation he had feared.

A genius finds it challenging to become a distinguished professor.

He agreed with this proposition to some extent.

There had been a few cases where Heroes, already famous before becoming professors, came to the academy and struggled to take control of the classes.

Some failed as professors, while others succeeded, but all had difficulty in adapting.

Difference in perspective.

No matter how talented the students were, they seemed dull in the eyes of geniuses.

‘Darn it, I can’t understand why they can’t do such a simple thing.’

‘How am I supposed to explain it more simply here!’

It was likely that such a situation would unfold as Kasim imagined.

The Hero consecutively teaching only basic skills might be due to that reason—still trying to understand the students.

‘As the ratings and public opinion worsen, only the senior professors seem to be having fun.’

The relatively high ratings for the Hero’s lectures were gradually decreasing.

If it continued like this, the Hero’s position would naturally narrow.

‘Did I make a mistake?’

As Kasim’s contemplation deepened, a voice interrupted.

“By the way, what are you doing in my research lab at this late hour?”

“Haha… I’m just a helper for Professor Redymer to have a smooth life at Rosenstark. I’m doing my original duties.”

“Your original duty is to be a professor.”

Tuck!

Before Kasim could finish speaking, something flew towards him.

It was a thick book.

Reflexively catching it, Kasim squinted his eyes.

“What is this?”

“Lecture material for tomorrow.”

Whether freshly printed or not, it had a stiff texture and smelled of paper.

“Read it. It’ll ease the helper’s mind a bit.”

Swoosh!

Kasim flipped through the pages.

“Huh?”

The expression that had been skeptical gradually turned into astonishment.

The content written in the book was something he had never imagined.

What was even more surprising was that it explained the completely new theory he had never seen before in a way that could be easily understood.

For students, it shouldn’t be too difficult to grasp.

“Huh, huh.”

Kasim was dumbfounded by the absurdity.

He had seen many professors here, but there was no one like the Hero.

Isn’t it so?

What kind of professor compiles a completely new concept that doesn’t even exist in academia into a book for a lecture?

It was a theory of such a high level that it could be presented at the end-of-year private research presentation.

‘The experiences that the Hero went through on the front lines are fully integrated.’

As a professor, Kasim looked at the Hero with admiration and respect.

The theory was at such a level that he could confidently present it at an end-of-year personal research presentation.

The worries on Kasim’s face disappeared completely as he scanned through the early part.

He looked at the Hero with confidence and exclaimed, “Well then, Professor Redymer! Have a good night!’”

Exiting the lab, Kasim smiled to himself.

He wasn’t worried about the Hero anymore.

“Hehe.”

With the thought of public opinion turning 180 degrees and the senior professors taking a hit, Kasim’s steps felt light.

Early the next morning, an announcement appeared on the Extreme notice board.

“4th Lecture Title: Monster Anatomy.”

The title was enough to make the readers raise their eyebrows in intrigue.

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