I Became an Illegal Cheat User

77 – The 9th Subjugation Unit (1)

On the way to the Superhuman Association.

Right now, I was sitting ‘alone’ in the back seat of a taxi, gazing out the window.

Perhaps sensing my bittersweet and distant mood,

my eternal comrade, Tera, sent a message of comfort.

[Master, are you okay?]

‘No.’

Not at all okay.

I shook my head at Tera’s inquiry and let out a heavy sigh.

As I stepped out of the academy’s main gate, I recalled the conversation I had with Arthur and Noah.

‘…What? You haven’t applied for the internship yet?’

‘What? Was that something I could do in advance?’

‘Didn’t you know? Arena Academy has a system that allows early applications, unlike other academies.’

‘I had no idea such a system existed… Who was supposed to tell me about it?’

‘No, it’s not like that, but it’s quite a well-known system, isn’t it? And even if it weren’t a rumor, there are announcements on the academy’s website and in the Arena Academy first-year gallery. So I thought you would know…’

‘Hmm… In that case, we have no choice but to go first.’

‘Yes, unfortunately, it seems we must say goodbye for a while here.’

‘Then, Lee Joo-jin, let’s meet at the forward base.’

‘Yoo Jin, I will see you at the outpost.’

For this reason, Arthur and Noah had gone to the continent of death, where the extermination squad’s outpost was located.

Completely unaware of the academy’s system, I was heading to the Superhuman Association all alone, feeling desolate.

‘No, how would I know anything about the academy’s system?’

Of course, it was my fault for not even making an effort to find out…

If I were to make an excuse, it would be that I didn’t even know enough about the system to make any effort to learn.

Still, I decided to reflect on this.

No matter how uninterested I was in information outside the storyline, the academy system was basic knowledge.

Yet, not even considering to look into such fundamental information was not just a mistake; it was a shortcoming.

‘I should check the academy’s website or community when I have time later.’

In addition, I should rummage through various sources of information like articles, news, and superhuman galleries.

There might be basic information or useful insights that I don’t know.

Just as I was thinking this, Terra sent me a message.

[( ✋˙࿁˙ ) No, you mustn’t.]

A message that contradicted my thoughts.

I looked at the message with a puzzled expression and asked,

‘Why? Why can’t I?’

I wondered if there was a reason behind it.

After all, Terra, the system supporting me, wouldn’t oppose me for no reason.

But amusingly, the reason Terra opposed was quite simple.

[Information gathering is the role of a supporter.]

[Therefore, please use your precious time elsewhere.]

This… is my supporter?

I stared blankly at Terra’s message, overwhelmed with emotion.

Then, I nodded and said,

‘Alright, then I’ll leave it to you. If you find any useful information, let me know.’

[Leave it to me. (・∧・)ゞ]

I chuckled at Terra’s reassuring message and nodded again.

&

Superhuman Association.

To be precise, it should be called the Korean branch of the Superhuman Association.

Unlike the main office of the Pension Workshop located in Korea, the headquarters of the Superhuman Association is in the United States.

That said, it’s not managed by the U.S.; it operates as an international union, much like the UN.

Of course, even though it’s called an international union, the influence each country holds is not equal.

This is only natural, as the influence of the Superhuman Association’s headquarters is determined by how many superhumans each country possesses.

Thus, the country with the most influence across all nations is the very land I stand on now—Korea.

And for good reason, as Korea is home to:

The War God, Baek Yu-hwa.

The Archmage, Yoo Baek.

The Sword Star, Lee Jung-baek.

These three transcendent beings reside here. Moreover, Korea also has the highest number of top-tier and upper-tier superhumans.

Consequently, the U.S. refers to Korea as a “country blessed by the gods,” while other nations call it a “superhuman powerhouse.” This is unavoidable.

After all, the “Arena Academy” is located in Korea.

That’s why this place can’t help but be the center of it all.

However, with that prominence comes a surge of incidents… particularly the frequent occurrences of rifts and terrorist attacks related to the Fallen.

Of course, other countries experience rifts and terrorism as well, but not as frequently or as intensely as Korea.

As the saying goes, being a “country blessed by the gods” also means facing formidable trials.

“And that’s why only our country has a suppression unit.”

I let out a short sigh and operated my smartwatch.

Then, I left a message for “Pretty Noona (Gray)” in my contacts, letting her know I had arrived at the association.

After that, I entered the Superhuman Association, which was structured like a building, similar to the Pension Workshop.

Murmurs filled the air.

[There are a lot of people.]

‘Well, it is the Superhuman Association.’

This is a place where people gather, even if they aren’t heroes.

It’s also where one must come to register as a superhuman for the first time.

It’s a place where superhumans come to become heroes.

There are various other reasons, but they don’t concern me, so there’s no need to know.

“Welcome to the Superhuman Association. How may I assist you?”

As I approached the reception desk, a staff member who had been organizing paperwork came over to me.

“I’m here to apply for an internship.”

“Oh, you’ve come to apply for an internship.”

The staff member nodded with a sales smile.

Then, they pulled out a piece of paper from beneath the reception desk and handed it to me along with a pen.

“Could you please fill out this form?”

[Internship Application Form]

“Please write your information here, here, and in the circles marked here.”

Following the staff member’s guidance, I looked at the spots circled in pink marker.

– Name of the academy you are currently attending.

– Name, grade, phone number, address.

– Department applying for the internship.

I immediately picked up the pen and filled in the empty spaces.

– Name of the academy you are currently attending.

= (Arena Academy)

– Name, grade, phone number, address.

= (Lee Yu-jin), (1st year), (…), (…).

– Department applying for the internship.

= (Mobile Team 4)

For reference, ‘Mobile Team 4’ is the ‘official’ department name of the 9th Subjugation Unit.

Since the 9th Subjugation Unit is an unofficial organization, everyone belonging to the unit is listed under ‘Mobile Team 4.’

It is, quite literally, a department created for operational costs, salaries, and external activities.

“Have you filled it all out?”

As I set the pen down, the staff member, who had been typing on the computer, approached me again.

“Yes, I’ve completed it all.”

“Alright, let me check it for a moment.”

The staff member took the application form and sat down in front of the computer.

After glancing at the application form placed beside them, they began typing on the keyboard for a moment.

“…Um, did you fill this out correctly?”

With a flustered expression, the staff member stood up and handed the document back to me.

They pointed to ‘Department applying for the internship,’ specifically ‘Mobile Team 4.’

“Yes, I wrote it correctly.”

“Oh… really?”

At my affirmation, the staff member picked up the phone next to the computer with a stiff expression.

Then, they dialed a number somewhere.

“Is this Team 4? This is the reception on the first floor. Have you decided to take on new interns? As far as I know, all the interns from Team 4 went to the operation area today… Ah, yes, yes.”

With a worried look, they glanced at me repeatedly while inquiring about the intern hiring for Team 4.

A moment later.

“Yes, understood.”

After finishing the call, the staff member looked at me with a brighter expression and said,

“The deputy team leader is on their way down now.”

Then, in a small voice, they muttered, “Thank goodness they’re not a villain.”

‘…Did they just mistake me for a villain?’

[It was a situation that could easily lead to misunderstanding.]

Well…, considering that Arthur and Noah, who had applied for the internship in advance, went to the operation area, the Continent of Death, while I was here applying separately.

From the staff’s perspective, they might have thought I was a villain or a corrupt individual targeting Team 4.

[It’s fortunate that you left a message for Gray.]

‘Right, if I hadn’t, I might have been taken away!’

I agreed with Terra’s words and let out a short sigh of relief.

“Then… Yujin Lee? I will assist you with the internship process.”

The staff member put on the sales smile I had seen earlier and sat back down in front of the computer.

And as they began typing at a speed that was on a different level from before, quickly processing the internship paperwork.

“Yujin!”

From an elevator beyond the reception desk, Gray, dressed in a suit, called my name as he appeared.

When I raised my hand and waved, Gray smiled brightly and approached me with quick steps.

He then opened his arms wide, trying to embrace me, but—

“Oh, that’s a bit much.”

I forced a smile and subtly stepped back.

It was understandable, as the moment Gray appeared, all the surrounding eyes were focused on us.

And some, with surprised expressions, whispered to each other, alternating their gazes between Gray and me, seemingly wondering where he belonged.

“Ah, why are you avoiding me?”

When I rejected the hug, Gray pouted and lowered her arms.

But that was only for a moment.

“Come on, Yujin.”

With a gentle smile, like an older sister looking at her youngest sibling, she pinched my cheek.

Then, resting her arm on my shoulder, she spoke to the staff member who was processing my internship paperwork.

“Hey, can I take her up with me?”

“Ah, just a moment. We’re almost….”

Tatadatak!

“…done!”

As the staff member said this, she pressed the Enter key.

“The internship paperwork is complete, and Yujin Lee is officially affiliated with the Academy for the next three months, as well as being part of ‘Mobile Team 4.'”

The staff member, speaking like a rapid-fire machine, stood up and handed me a key card.

“This is your association access card. If it gets damaged or lost, please come to me, and I’ll get you a new one right away.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Wow, this staff member must be a veteran.

I marveled at the skill of the employee who had created a key card with my name on it while processing my internship.

In response to my admiration, the staff member wore a proud expression and began the paperwork she had been doing when I first arrived.

“Yujin, let’s go.”

The internship registration was complete.

The association access card was issued.

Gray gave me a light tap on the back and walked toward the elevator we had just exited.

As we stepped into the elevator together, Gray swiped the access card on the reader inside.

“Our officially assigned Mobile Team 4 is on the 7th floor.”

Her finger pressed the button for the 7th floor.

“And the place we unofficially belong to is on the 3rd basement level, but to get in there… Ah, we’ll have to go there soon anyway, so I’ll tell you about it directly. For now, let’s just greet the people on our team on the 7th floor.”

I understood what Gray was hinting at.

The 3rd basement level, where the ‘9th Strike Force’ base is located.

To enter there, one must go through a special procedure.

Of course, having frequented this place in the game, I know the special procedure well.

Still, since this is my first time in reality, I should pretend not to know.

I nodded at Gray’s assurance that he would explain, then looked up at the elevator’s floor indicator.

We chatted casually until we reached the 7th floor.

Ding.

[7th floor.]

“We’re almost there, let’s get off.”

As Gray stepped out of the elevator, I followed him.

“Sister! Is this the one?”

“This is their…!”

“Wow, I can’t believe I’m seeing the child of that brother and sister while I’m still alive.”

Members of the hunting squad rushed in, looking excited.

With faces full of emotion, they turned to me and asked Gray.

Seeing their expressions, Gray smiled broadly, placing a hand on my shoulder.

“That’s right, this is Yujin, the child of that sister and brother.”

He confirmed their words.

Then, the members stared at me in silence for a moment.

And not long after.

“Oh, oh my!”

“I’m so glad you’re alive!”

“It’s really nice to meet you! Truly a pleasure!”

They embraced me, cheering as if they had found a long-lost family member.

Caught in their warm embrace, I felt utterly at a loss.

“Ha, haha… it’s nice to meet you.”

I could only manage an awkward smile.