I Became the Academy’s Kibitz Villain

At that moment, in the small conference room of the Busan Hero Association.

“Hey, everyone….”

The seven S-Class heroes gathered in the association, under the president’s instructions, were all focused on their smartphones.

Normally, there should be eight S-Class heroes, but one seat was always vacant.

Always.

“So, how are Gwang Ik Gong’s responses? Do you like Golden Wings?”

A moment of silence ensued.

Despite being assertive S-Class heroes, no one spoke easily about Golden Wings, an ability consulting app developed by Gwang Ik Gong.

“…Well, it’s okay. It’s been a while since Gwang Ik Gong kindly explained things like this.”

The president silently sighed in relief and gestured for Baek Seol-hee to continue.

“Gwang Ik Gong’s words may not be the absolute truth, but they are close to the right path. Personally, it was a great help. I could approach my concerns from different perspectives. However….”

“However?”

“The answers coming from this Blackened Gwang Ik Gong concept are a bit harsh.”

Baek Seol-hee, who had put down her smartphone, began to openly express her frustration.

“The concept of being blunt, factual, and offering unsolicited advice seems rather strange. It feels like someone else is speaking.”

“Right. When I asked if this was necessary, Gwang Ik Gong insisted on including this feature.”

The president displayed some data on the TV screen.

“Feedback can’t always be positive. Good feedback involves pointing out flaws and leading towards betterment, not personal attacks.”

“Even if the feedback is sharp?”

“Gwang Ik Gong deemed it necessary and included the feature. I respect his decision. If he thinks ‘Blackened Gwang Ik Gong’ is needed, there must be a reason.”

“President, do you trust Gwang Ik Gong completely?”

Cheok Jun-kyeong asked, looking at his smartphone.

“Did Gwang Ik Gong really make this app?”

“Are you doubting it? The answers don’t seem like him?”

“No, the answers are precisely Gwang Ik Gong. The concept of Blackened Gwang Ik Gong is new, but… never mind. So, will Gwang Ik Gong continue to act as an ability consultant for now?”

“Yes. Isn’t it beneficial?”

It was beneficial.

Everyone fell silent again.

“…It is, but sometimes one harsh truth can outweigh a hundred compliments if you hear it from Blackened Gwang Ik Gong.”

Baek Seol-hee shook her head as she tapped her smartphone.

“No matter how much you lock it before opening, when you see the warning pop-up, you get curious and open it. And then you get hurt by the blunt truths.”

“Seol-hee, were you hurt? What did you ask?”

“That’s private. If it’s something you can easily tell others, it’s not something you’d ask Gwang Ik Gong about in the first place.”

Baek Seol-hee waved her hand, looking around.

“It seems like everyone got their answers. Is this the end?”

“For now. If everyone’s okay, we’ll continue the Golden Wings consulting and gradually expand the participants. However, future participants will be extremely limited.”

The president pointed to the screen as the S-Class heroes either listened or ignored him.

“It looks like a pyramid scheme, but the structure is similar. Each of you will find one or two people. You don’t have to. But it would be nice if you recommend those you think could become S-Class.”

“So, Golden Wings is….”

“It’s a kind of ‘S-Class Club.’”

A group that only S-Class or potential future S-Class heroes could join.

“Golden Wings can only be downloaded and joined through your recommendation. You have to give them a referral code, and Gwang Ik Gong has to approve it for them to join.”

“President.”

“Yes, Tushin. Do you have a question?”

“Why not make it public to everyone?”

Several heroes smirked at Tushin’s innocent face.

“If it’s a good app, introducing it to others could benefit everyone.”

“Does Gwang Ik Gong answer everyone individually?”

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

“Not everyone will accept the answers as they are. President, may I speak?”

“Go ahead.”

Nje raised his hand.

“Accepting Gwang Ik Gong’s advice is fine, but some may see it as unsolicited advice. Whether it’s good or bad, speaking from another’s perspective isn’t always right.”

Noje threw his smartphone forward in a sarcastic tone.

“No matter how great Gwang Ik Gong is, he can’t meddle with other people’s abilities arbitrarily. Is he omniscient? No, he’s not.”

“Did you receive an unpleasant answer? Why are you so annoyed?”

“Tushin, Noje is irritated because of the harsh truths.”

Cheok Jun-kyeong laughed, causing Noje to scowl immediately.

“What? Are you done talking?”

“You’re upset because Gwang Ik Gong hit the nail on the head. You want to argue, but you can’t because it’s true.”

“Are you provoking me? Ah, did you also get stung by Gwang Ik Gong? Seems like you opened Pandora’s box and got a harsh response from Blackened Gwang Ik Gong?”

“…….”

Cheok Jun-kyeong’s smile froze at Noje’s words.

“What did you ask? I can share. I asked how to acquire Seol-hee’s cloning ability. Want to hear the answer? He told me to research different approaches because her ability and mine are different. I asked for methods, but he hasn’t replied yet. What did you ask?”

“…….”

“Look at this. You’re poking without being able to answer. Why? Are you mad? Want to have a go? I’ll flatten you like last time.”

The atmosphere was gradually becoming tense, but the president just scratched his cheek.

“Why do those two fight every time they meet…”

“Are you asking because you don’t know? That person-”

“Stop it, Yoonji.”

As Baek Seol-hee’s voice carried mana, the atmosphere in the conference room instantly calmed down.

“Jun-kyeong, don’t take out your bad mood on others. If Gwang Ik Gong upset you, why are you taking it out on Noje?”

“…….”

“If you have a complaint, why don’t you fight Gwang Ik Gong instead? Or should I handle it?”

“…No, it’s fine.”

Cheok Jun-kyeong lowered his head but still couldn’t shake off his bad mood.

“Uh, everyone? We’re not here to fight; we’re here to exchange skills and opinions for a good cause…”

“President. The intention is good. The process is good too. But.”

Cheok Jun-kyeong tapped his smartphone with a sharp voice.

“A person who hasn’t shown his face for almost half a year suddenly does this. Can we really trust it? Is it really Gwang Ik Gong? Or is it the government employing people to do something?”

“…….”

“Isn’t the government using this to indoctrinate people through the responses?”

“Cheok Jun-kyeong, watch your mouth.”

Tae Irin, who had been silent, stood up.

“Are you saying the government is playing games with Gwang Ik Gong’s name? If they did, the president would be the first to oppose it.”

“…Hmph.”

“Even if you don’t trust the government, it’s not good to doubt everything. Something starting with good intentions, do you have to spoil it from the start?”

“…….”

Cheok Jun-kyeong looked around, but no one responded to his words.

“I’m not saying this for other reasons. Good intentions? I acknowledge that. But is this really Gwang Ik Gong?”

“Cheok Jun-kyeong.”

“Here, who has seen Gwang Ik Gong’s face in the past three months? No one, right?”

No one answered.

“If it were Gwang Ik Gong, he would have explained this directly, not introduced it through the president. He didn’t even attend the events in May; Seol-hee did everything. Honestly, I have a suspicion in my mind.”

“Are you asking if Gwang Ik Gong is alive?”

“…….”

Cheok Jun-kyeong stared at the president with a tense face.

Everyone else also looked at the president, who closed his eyes heavily.

“Gwang Ik Gong is…”

“He must be alive. Who else could provide such professional answers?”

Taejo slowly opened his mouth.

“You have paranoia. Do you think the political world is hiding Gwang Ik Gong’s death?”

“Have you seen Gwang Ik Gong?”

“Why would I? There hasn’t been any national upheaval. If there had been, our great Gwang Ik Gong would have judged it wasn’t worth stepping in.”

“Why are you like that too?”

Tae Irin snapped at Taejo.

“What kind of answer did you get?”

“Oh, just.”

Taejo looked at his smartphone and chuckled.

“I suggested having a patriotism party with beautiful women from China and Russia in a mountain villa, but he told me to do it alone.”

“…….”

“He said to call others if necessary.”

Everyone fell silent.

“Oh, my.”

Taejo shrugged as he threw his smartphone forward.

“He doesn’t know the joy of patriotism and lives like an orchid. Why worry about whether he’s alive or dead? He’ll appear like light to save the country when it’s on the brink of collapse.”

“…….”

“Yawn. President, can I leave now?”

“Yes. But… that… take it easy.”

“Oh, don’t worry.”

Taejo made a mock slicing motion across his neck and smirked.

“I’ll be thorough with contraception.”

“Teacher, so this man, his promiscuity…”

“Oh, that’s his personality. He likes patriotism.”

“…….”

“But he uses even that.”

Ding.

An alarm rang.

“…Ha.”

“Look at this.”

A reply was posted.

-Can you recommend someone to invite to the patriotism party?-