The S-Rank Warden Devours the Academy - Chapter 77

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 77

“Do you know this person?”
The operative’s eyes flickered with suspicion as he looked back and forth between Kim Jujim and Yeom Sa-hyeon.
“To see him in such a pitiful state…”
Yeom Sa-hyeon exhaled quietly as he watched Kim Jujim sitting there, hunched and forlorn.
“I can’t just pretend I don’t know him, can I?”
“…Tch.”
Beneath the ball cap, his ashen eyes gleamed with sudden sharpness, and Kim Jujim’s mouth snapped shut.
The eyes that had glistened with desperation now trembled violently, as if the ground beneath him had split open.
“Mm, mmph!”
He turned his urgent, muffled pleas toward the operative instead.
“…What are you trying to say?”
The operative, who had been staring down at him with bewilderment, removed the item that had been silencing Kim Jujim.
“—Ah! Please, I beg you, don’t hand me over to him!”
The moment his mouth was free, Kim Jujim appealed desperately to the operative.
“…? What? Weren’t you two working together?”
The operative’s brows knit together in confusion as he voiced the question, but Yeom Sa-hyeon and Kim Jujim continued their exchange.
“Is this how you handle assignments?”
“I—I thought the Auction House appraiser was a Non-Awakened! I didn’t know there was a fighter hiding here…”
The operative interjected, still bewildered.
“So you were the one who hired this man?”
“I never expected the job to be botched quite this badly, though.”
Yeom Sa-hyeon sighed as he pushed his hands into his pockets.
The operative’s eyes narrowed.
‘Who exactly is this man?’
Both the Mana Stone he’d shown earlier and the one this intruder had brought—they were all his possessions? But how could that be?
The operative opened his mouth.
“…Where did you get all these Mana Stones?”
Yeom Sa-hyeon tilted his head slightly and regarded the operative in silence for a moment.
‘He seems to know something.’
Since the other side appeared to have considerably more information, he decided to dangle this much as bait.
“Found them at a Gate. Do you know anything about it?”
At his casual question, the operative’s eyes widened.
“A Gate? …Has he started infiltrating Gates now too?”
“Gates ‘too’?”
Yeom Sa-hyeon echoed the word, and the operative’s expression grew guarded as he narrowed the gap between his brows.
He glanced at Lee Ha-je’s direction before speaking with obvious reluctance.
“The Mana Stone you just brought—it’s merchandise that’s been circulating quietly among VIPs for consumption. They’re being lured in by claims it’s safe. Though it still seems to be in an experimental stage.”
As he listened, Yeom Sa-hyeon felt a question form in his mind.
“Why did you chase after this item?”
The movements of the Gehaengja had struck him as peculiar.
Even he, who had spent years dealing with criminals of every stripe, had only just now gotten a lead on this merchandise.
How had they noticed so early and moved into action? And what was their hidden purpose?
The operative’s lips parted in a sullen tone.
“There’s been an increasing trend of disappearances lately—Awakeners and Non-Awakeners alike. The public blamed it on Dungeon Breaks, but… something felt off, so I traced the trail and ended up here. Is there a problem?”
“What are you planning to do with it?”
By now, Yeom Sa-hyeon had fallen into the habit of questioning like an interrogator.
Yet the operative answered with surprising naturalness, apparently unaware of the shift.
“Why, to ease the burden on our Lord with the Mirror Mask, of course. Or as I’d say—as an offering?”
“…You should stop talking.”
Beneath the cap, his gentle eyes crinkled sharply.
Every question was met with such nonsensical replies that there was barely any point in listening anymore.
He had no idea what scheme lay hidden beneath the surface, but the devotion was undeniably intense.
“Why’s he asking if he’s going to throw a fit about the answer anyway?”
The operative muttered darkly, his face twisting.
Pressing his aching temples, Yeom Sa-hyeon asked with clear reluctance.
“…So, is it that you snatch up anything with a red glow without thinking?”
“!”
The member turned to Lee Ha-je with startled eyes.
“You disclosed information that confidential?”
“Everything I know, I’ve reported to my master.”
Lee Ha-je raised his eyebrows lightly, and the member exhaled a deep sigh as if conceding the point.
When someone sitting in a high post at the Gehaengja trusted a person, there was no choice but to let it pass.
He opened his mouth with a dissatisfied face.
“…We discovered that this thing we call a Mutated Mana Stone carries a special frequency. And what could detect it was precisely that item with its characteristic reddish glow.”
“I see.”
Yeom Sa-hyeon let out a short exclamation.
An item that detected Mutated Mana Stones….
Yeom Sa-hyeon pulled something from his inventory.
“Like this?”
“…!”
A red shimmer flowing across the Badge’s surface.
With two Mutated Mana Stones in this place, its distinctive pattern flickered and radiated presence.
“That’s…!”
The member reached out as if entranced.
Yeom Sa-hyeon dodged it lightly, and the member cried out urgently.
“Where did you get that?! Could it be from that Gate where they found the Mana Stone?”
“You know well.”
“Hah, with a pattern like this, tracking would be so much easier….”
The member spoke urgently, breathing heavily.
“That item is too much for a greenhorn like you to handle. Hand it over to me. I’ll investigate it properly.”
“You sure?”
Yeom Sa-hyeon narrowed his eyes as if unconvinced.
Veins rose on the member’s forehead.
“Have I been deceived this whole time….”
“Seems to be the pattern.”
“Don’t play word games—hand it over, now!”
The member spoke as if pressuring, but Yeom Sa-hyeon merely raised his eyebrows without changing expression.
“What’s the condition?”
Why would I hand this over willingly? Especially to someone spouting dubious talk.
“…….”
Grind.
The member ground his teeth and reluctantly answered.
“…I’ll pass along any information I obtain right away.”
“How am I supposed to trust that?”
“This bastard really….”
“I’m just disappointed in incompetent subordinates. Seems I need confirmation.”
Yeom Sa-hyeon chuckled softly and flicked his chin toward Kim Jujim, who had been holding his breath in the corner.
“Gulp….”
Kim Jujim bit his lip and quietly avoided the barrage of gazes.
The member let out a frustrated breath and finally spoke.
“…There are several locations suspected to be the source of Mutated Mana Stones right now. Having this item would make filtering through them much easier.”
“Not bad.”
Yeom Sa-hyeon’s lips curved up with satisfaction as he tossed the Badge over.
“Be careful with it!!”
The member snatched the Badge and gave a warning, but Yeom Sa-hyeon brushed it off lightly.
“Once you find something, relay it through him right away.”
He pointed to Lee Ha-je as he spoke, and the member clenched his molars.
“……Understood.”
Whatever relationship that insolent bastard has with my fellow Gehaengja, I’ll teach him manners someday.
It was then.
Buzz-buzz-buzz—
The member’s phone rang.
“—Yes, thank you for calling! This is Lee Seong-hyeon~”
In an instant, his face shifted docilely as if putting on a mask.
“Professional dedication is one thing, at least.”
Yeom Sa-hyeon let out a small note of admiration.
“Yes, I’ll head right up~”
The operative ended the call with a bright smile.
“We should get going.”
He reverted to his natural, low-pitched voice and gestured toward the door with a tilt of his chin.
Before they could move, Yeom Sa-hyeon spoke to Kim Jujim.
“You go with that guy.”
“What? That’s unnecessary.”
The operative cut him off flatly.
“Isn’t it better to have one more person to work with?”
Yeom Sa-hyeon spoke at an unhurried pace, leaning forward slightly to meet Kim Jujim’s gaze.
The implication was clear: keep watch, and do your job well.
“Besides, you deserve a chance to redeem yourself, don’t you?”
His eyes gleamed with sudden brightness.
Kim Jujim bobbed his head frantically.
“Y-yes, of course! Absolutely!”
If he left this place empty-handed and got dragged back to prison, he’d be locked in a cell and subjected to every form of torture imaginable.
“What good is a weakling like that?”
Lee Ha-je spoke irritably with his arms crossed, still untrustworthy of the operative.
“Just do as you’re told.”
“…Tch.”
The operative rolled his tongue with a dissatisfied expression, then nodded halfheartedly, as if he had no choice.
“Fine, whatever you say.”

Back on the first floor with the handcuffed Kim Jujim now freed.
Tae Eun-o, who had been examining items, came running over with an excited face.
“Sir, sir! I found something I absolutely love!”
Tae Eun-o beamed and pointed to a glass display case.
“This one!”
Lee Ha-je’s gaze followed to where he was pointing.
A black titanium ring engraved with Roman numerals, and a price tag hanging beside it.

[600 Million +]

Lee Ha-je let out an astonished breath.
“Either boldly ambitious or just shameless…”
Tae Eun-o spoke proudly to Lee Ha-je.
“Hey, that thing is seriously good though? They say when you turn the ring, the attributes change! And there’s even hidden potential that hasn’t been unlocked yet? I’m absolutely hooked on it!”
“That’s not really my concern.”
Lee Ha-je replied without much interest.
As they walked along steadily, they soon arrived at the VIP Reception Hall lobby.
Soft classical music drifted through the space.
On a plush red sofa sat a man in a neat business suit.
“Oh my, valued customer! We apologize for the wait~”
The operative lowered his eyes smoothly and bowed respectfully.
“You weren’t in the private room!”
“Ah, I was just browsing to see if any good items had come in.”
The customer spoke while closing the catalog he’d had resting on his lap.
“I see~ What kind of item are you looking for today?”
The operative smiled kindly at the customer.
Yet he cast a silent, pressuring glance toward Yeom Sa-hyeon’s group, urging them to disappear.
“I think this profession truly is my calling…”
Yeom Sa-hyeon shrugged his shoulders and moved on without hesitation.
Lee Ha-je and Tae Eun-o followed in succession.
Kim Jujim, shadowing them closely, also followed in silence.
Just then, the customer rose with a cheerful tone.
“Ah yes, I came to pick up some armor. With all the talk of Dungeon Breaks and such lately, it’s gotten rather unnerving, hasn’t it? What with the Academy and all…”
As Yeom Sa-hyeon’s group passed in front of him.
“Huh…?”
The customer’s gaze halted on Tae Eun-o’s face.
“That red hair… where have I seen it before?”
“!”
Tae Eun-o’s ears pricked up.
He’d caught the soft murmur with practiced alertness.
‘Insane—finally someone recognizes me!’
“Me?!”
Tae Eun-o spun around with delight, and the customer studied his face intently before letting out a short exclamation.
“…Ah! You’re the student who sparred at the Academy today?”
“!”
Tae Eun-o’s mouth fell open in shock.
“Whoa! Insane! Hey, did you hear?! Get six hundred million ready, man! Hahahaha!”
“…Ha.”
Lee Ha-je let out a hollow breath.
He couldn’t believe this was actually happening.
Convinced by Tae Eun-o’s reaction, the customer spoke with genuine warmth.
“Right, I knew it! You’re in the same class as S-rank Lee Ha-je!”
“Actually, the person’s name is Tae Eun-o, not just Lee Ha-je’s classmate, but…! Whatever! A six-hundred-million-won item just fell into our lap!”
Tae Eun-o’s shoulders bounced with excitement as he cheered.
“He’s very pleased with himself.”
Yeom Sa-hyeon let out a soft, hollow laugh.
That broadcast had caused such an uproar—it was natural someone would recognize him here.
Articles were probably still pouring out right now.
“Wow, running into the talk of the town here—that’s something special, right?”
The customer’s mouth curved upward smoothly.
“Ha ha, I suppose I’m out of the loop not knowing a celebrity?”
The organization member played along smoothly while his mind raced ahead.
‘Academy student—and I heard them calling someone “teacher” earlier. So that irritating cap-wearing kid is an Academy professor?’
“You didn’t know? It’s the talk everywhere right now! …Oh, but now that I think about it.”
The customer snapped his thumb and middle finger together with a sharp click, then pointed at Tae Eun-o with his index finger as he spoke.
“There’s been a rumor going around that Lee Ha-je’s instructor is the Mirror Mask. Is that true?”
“…!”
A suffocating silence fell over them all at once.
The smile that had been playing at the organization member’s lips froze solid.
…Who just said what now?
His dilated pupils slowly turned toward Yeom Sa-hyeon.

S-rank Correctional Officer Devours the Academy Chapter 77

Author
Baek Ruga
Publisher
Daon Creative
Planning / Editing / Production
Yun Tae-ri
Cover
Tong

UCI
G720:N+A036-20260512043.0077

ⓒ2026, Baek Ruga

※ This e-book is a work protected by the copyright law of the Republic of Korea.
No part of this work may be reproduced or modified in any form without the permission of the author and publisher.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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