The Academy’s Time Stop Player

TL/Editor: looloo

Schedule: 5/Week Mon-Fri

Illustrations: Here

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"Are you leaving now?"

After the giant king's death, all the dwarves gathered in the village square, looking at Hajoon.

Hajoon smiled and nodded at Zelnof, who stood at the forefront.

"It's time to go."

"I see..."

As Zelnof knelt, all the dwarves followed suit, kneeling towards Hajoon.

When they began to show their respect to Hajoon, Zelnof spoke on their behalf.

"Your Majesty, everyone here is grateful to you. Please call on us anytime. We will answer your call."

"Alright."

But the truth was, Hajoon felt even more grateful to them.

He had fought alone, stopping time, but he had never enjoyed his time as much as he did now.

If it weren't for them, Hajoon would have continued his lonely battle for years.

Thanks to the dwarves gathered here, he had spent a year that felt both long and short, filled with joy.

"I'll come visit when I have time."

At those words, Zelnof smiled warmly at Hajoon.

"Your Majesty."

At that moment, Philaten approached Hajoon.

She looked like she had a lot to say.

Understanding her thoughts, Hajoon just smiled at her.

Hajoon spoke to Philaten.

"Philaten."

"…Yes."

"You've worked hard until now."

Surprised by his words, she opened her mouth but then smiled gently and responded.

"Please visit anytime, we will be waiting for you."

She no longer needed to stay with Maharazu.

Living with the dwarves here would make her happier than staying by Hajoon's side.

"Well then, it's time to go."

It was time to leave.

Hajoon reached out his hand into the air.

This place was no longer Hajoon's psychic world.

It was another separated world.

Therefore, the only way to return was to create a gate, not by dissolving the psychic world.

Hajoon used the power of creation to open a gate back to Korea.

The power of creation could easily make anything Hajoon wanted just by thinking about it.

"See you next time."

As Hajoon turned to leave, he heard the dwarves' powerful cheers from behind.

"Please come again!!"

"We will always be waiting for you!!"

At their voices, Hajoon smiled faintly before crossing the gate.

The year he spent here had made him fond of this place.

"Take care."

With those words, Hajoon waved at them and disappeared through the gate.

Hajoon had started to miss Korea.

When he crossed the gate and arrived in Korea, Hajoon was momentarily taken aback.

"...?"

[The funeral of the hero once called an irregular, the late Kim Hajoon, started this morning.]

On a large monitor attached to a skyscraper, a female anchor was delivering the morning news.

Hajoon's mouth dropped open.

His face was being broadcasted on the screen.

"What the hell?"

A year ago, after the dimensional dungeon incident was resolved, many people searched for the great hero, the irregular, who had ended the crisis.

However, as weeks and months passed without finding him, the Hero Association of Korea and other international associations had to accept Hajoon's death.

At the request of Hajoon's younger sister, Elaine, the search continued for a year. After a year, Elaine also accepted the situation and decided to hold a funeral for Hajoon.

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Raei Translations

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At a funeral hall near Seoul,

Reporters were lined up at the entrance as numerous mourners visited.

Starting with the head of the National Hero Association, who had been involved in the dimensional dungeon incident a year ago, there were heroes from Korea and the United States who knew Hajoon, as well as children from the academy who were close to him.

"I am truly sorry..."

Director Kim Jeongyong, dressed in mourning clothes, spoke to Elaine, who sat weakly staring blankly at the portrait.

Elaine, who turned to look at him with a weak nod, slowly shook her head.

"It's alright. I've already come to terms with it."

A year was enough time for Elaine to accept her brother's death and come to terms with it.

Meanwhile, Riella Harnis looked at Hajoon's portrait with a sad expression and spoke.

"Sigh... I never thought he would go first..."

"We made him carry too much of a burden. I wish we could at least find his body..."

In front of her, the great hero Adrian responded.

He too, with a somber expression, sighed deeply.

"He was a boy who had immense power at such a young age. In the end, it must have been too much for him to handle, and he reached his limit."

It was merely Riella's speculation.

A boy with unmatched power at the young age of seventeen.

She thought Kim Hajoon must have reached his limit, unable to handle such power, and met his end during the large-scale dimensional dungeon incident a year ago.

Thinking of Hajoon, who must have died bitterly alone, brought tears to her eyes.

As she sighed with such thoughts,

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

A voice with a disrespectful tone came from behind Riella.

Adrian, who sat across from her, widened his eyes in surprise and began to gape.

It wasn't just Adrian.

Everyone gathered there was gaping with wide eyes.

Soon, Riella turned around with a similar expression.

"Kim Hajoon?"

"No way, are you alive?"

Seeing their faces, Hajoon also looked bewildered.

For the record, Hajoon still didn't understand the situation.

"I come back, and what? You're holding a funeral for me?"

After working hard and returning, finding a funeral being held for him, Hajoon couldn't help but be bewildered.

"O, Oppa!!"

At that moment, Elaine ran towards Hajoon with tears streaming down her face and hugged him tightly.

Following her, friends from the academy, including Adrian, rushed towards Hajoon and hugged him.

"W-Where have you been for a year?"

"We thought you were really dead!"

Hajoon looked puzzled.

Huh? A year?

At first, he didn't understand, but slowly, Hajoon began to grasp the situation.

'Did time pass?'

There was one thing Hajoon hadn't anticipated.

The psychic world.

Hajoon's psychic world had completely become another world separate from Earth.

Hajoon had spent a year in the psychic world with time stopped, but since it was a completely separate world, time on Earth continued to flow.

As Hajoon thought about this, he finally understood the situation.

So, after the large-scale dimensional dungeon incident was resolved, a year had passed with Hajoon missing.

"Hwaaa!! Why did you come back only now, Oppa?"

"Yes, tell us, where were you for this past year?"

Riella's words reflected the sentiments of everyone present.

Under their concentrated gazes, Hajoon thought.

'For the past year...'

Hajoon recalled what had happened over the past year in his mind.

-Hahaha!! The king is truly skilled at everything!

-Dance, dance! Wahaha!!

He couldn't tell them that he had spent every day enjoying banquets and laughing happily with the dwarves.

Hajoon sighed, brought over a chair, and sat down.

Fortunately, he had an excuse ready.

With everyone's attention focused on him,

Hajoon, concealing the truth about the past year, began to fabricate a story with a serious face about the grand battle with the giant and the mysterious dwarven race.

"What I did over the past year was..."

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Raei Translations

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People were ecstatic.

The news that the hero who had made the greatest contribution during the large-scale dimensional dungeon incident a year ago, the hero who saved the world, the irregular, had returned, spread quickly.

The downside was that Hajoon's face was now known worldwide, leaving no one unfamiliar with it.

Regarding this, Director Kim Jeongyong explained that he couldn't, in good conscience, hold a quiet funeral for a hero who had saved the world and died in the line of duty without making his face known.

"I told you this would happen one day, didn't I?"

After the commotion of Hajoon's funeral had passed and time had moved on, the students gathered on the academy's rooftop.

Anna looked at Hajoon with a soft smile and spoke.

"Your face is known now, and you'll become famous like us."

"...."

Hajoon had nothing to say to that.

As she had predicted, the situation had turned out this way.

"Sigh..."

He had thought he could keep it hidden, but things had turned out differently.

The thought of the upcoming bothersome events made him anxious.

"So, are you really going?"

At that moment, Han Siyoung asked Hajoon.

Hajoon looked at Han Siyoung, smiled faintly, and nodded.

"Yes."

He had already received permission from Riella, the current headmaster of Rokia Academy.

While Hajoon was in the dimensional dungeon, the students had become proper third-year cadets.

They were gathered now after the freshman entrance ceremony.

"Well, Hajoon would have a hard time if he stayed here."

The entrance ceremony had been chaotic due to Hajoon's fame as the world's strongest hero.

Everyone wanted his autograph or to take a picture with him, causing many minor annoyances. Hence, Hajoon decided to leave the academy for a while, maintaining his status as a student.

Of course, these annoyances weren't the main reason; he had been thinking about this for a long time.

"Yeah, I've been through a lot, so I want to have some fun now."

The students all nodded and smiled in agreement.

Hajoon had dreamed of something for a long time.

It was a dream he had before entering this world, precisely before entering the game world.

A dream he wanted to pursue once the quests were over.

It was to travel the world.

"Take care of Elaine while I'm gone."

For the record, Elaine had already entered Rokia Academy as a second-year student while Hajoon was away.

When he mentioned going on a trip, she cried and made a fuss, wanting to go with him, so he had to convince her to study hard.

Elaine, pouting like a duck, spoke.

"Take care and don't get hurt, brother."

"Sure."

With those words, Hajoon reached out his hand into the air.

He was already prepared for the trip.

When Hajoon reached out, a white gate opened.

It was a new ability created with the power of creation.

"Wow, it's not even surprising anymore."

"Isn't he omnipotent now?"

The students watching Hajoon were no longer surprised, just accepting it as it was.

Hajoon waved lightly at them and spoke.

"See you at the graduation ceremony."

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Raei Translations

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Time flowed swiftly, like a river.

It had been a year since Hajoon set off on his journey.

Hajoon, who occasionally kept in touch with the kids, smiled as he realized it was almost time.

'Is it really over now...?'

His eyes turned to the red quest floating in the air.

[Main Quest]

Quest Character: Kim Hajoon (Liber Laphilton Phil Ehrman)

Description: Graduate safely from Rokia Academy with your companions.

● Han Siyoung (Completed)

● Anna Elizabeth Hartel (Completed)

● Haruna Ruel (Completed)

● Liam Martel (Completed)

Failure: Death

It was a quest he had received long ago, one that could only be completed by graduating from Rokia Academy with the kids.

Looking at the only remaining main quest, Hajoon felt a sense of nostalgia.

The struggles caused by the system now seemed like fond memories.

"Alright, time to go."

He had enjoyed himself enough during the past year.

He had often returned to the psychic world to check on Philaten and the dwarves, and he had traveled the world, seeing every place he hadn't visited before.

Hajoon remembered the promise he had made to the kids before leaving.

It wasn't anything special, just a promise to go on a trip together after graduation.

"Alright then..."

Hajoon reached out his hand into the air.

Opening a gate to Rokia Academy, Hajoon stepped forward, thinking about the kids he hadn't seen in a long time.

In front of Rokia Academy's entrance,

Anna, now the student council president and about to graduate, was waiting for someone.

"President Anna, is it really him?"

At that moment, a cautious second-year secretary asked Anna.

Anna nodded in response.

"Yes, he promised to come for the graduation ceremony."

"I'm looking forward to seeing my brother again."

Elaine, standing beside Anna, spoke up.

Elaine, now a third-year student and vice president of Rokia Academy, was preparing to become the next student council president.

Anna smiled warmly at Elaine's words.

"Yes, me too."

"Oh! Over there!"

Elaine pointed straight ahead.

The air swirled, and a gate opened.

A familiar-faced boy stretched and emerged from it.

As soon as Elaine saw Hajoon, she ran towards him and hugged him.

"Brother!"

"Huh?"

Hajoon looked at Elaine, who had hugged him, puzzledly.

Anna smiled at the sight of her long-time friend.

"You made it?"

"Yeah, you were waiting?"

"If I had left you alone, people would have swarmed you."

"Really? There are quite a few people here."

Looking around, Hajoon saw many people.

From heroes to reporters.

As people began to recognize Hajoon, they started to swarm towards him.

"Look! It's the Irregular!"

"The Irregular is really here!"

"Quickly, let's go before the reporters crowd in. The graduation ceremony has already started."

Anticipating this situation, a few student council members blocked the reporters and cleared a path.

Hajoon, calmly, nodded and followed the path to the graduation ceremony building.

"You're used to this now, aren't you?"

Elaine asked Hajoon playfully.

Hajoon laughed and replied.

"I've experienced it enough to be sick of it."

He had indeed experienced it enough to be sick of it.

While traveling the world, countless people recognized Hajoon.

But he had managed to see everything he wanted to see, even while hiding his face, making it a satisfying journey.

Hajoon, Elaine, and Anna followed the path made by the students and entered the hall where the graduation ceremony was being held.

It seemed the ceremony had already started, and Hajoon's arrival caused a brief commotion in the quiet atmosphere.

The children, happy to see Hajoon after a long time, greeted him enthusiastically.

"Oh! Kim Hajoon."

"You're late."

"Hajoon, you made it?"

"Huh? Hajoon!"

"Wow... it's Hajoon."

At the children's words, the cadets attending the graduation ceremony turned their gaze to Hajoon.

Just before the ceremony could become chaotic, Riella, who was on the stage, cleared her throat and addressed everyone.

"I know you're happy to see him, but let's wait until the ceremony is over to catch up."

With Riella's words, everyone turned their attention back to the stage.

Hajoon also quietly took his seat.

The ceremony resumed.

"Now, before we begin the speech, I've brought someone to speak on my behalf."

Everyone turned to Riella with curious expressions.

Hajoon, too, looked at Riella with a puzzled face.

It was then that Hajoon felt a familiar magic presence.

A faint but recognizable energy.

"It's been a while..."

The magic was so weak and faint, but Hajoon knew it well.

The other children must have sensed it too, given their shocked expressions.

Hajoon quietly smiled as he looked at the stage.

Ding-

[Main Quest]

Quest Character: Kim Hajoon (Liber Laphilton Phil Ehrman)

Description: Graduate safely from Rokia Academy with your companions.

● Han Siyoung (Completed)

● Anna Elizabeth Hartel (Completed)

● Haruna Ruel (Completed)

● Liam Martel (Completed)

Failure: Death

[Success!]

With the quest's success notification, an elderly man walked out from the side of the stage.

As the graduates started to gasp in surprise,

"Hehehe, it's been a long time, everyone."

The sage Choi Jungwon spoke with a kind smile.

"When did you wake up?"

"I woke up the day before the graduation. I asked Riella to keep it a secret because I wanted to surprise you."

After the ceremony, Hajoon and Choi Jungwon sat on a bench, chatting.

Choi Jungwon looked at Hajoon with a happy smile and answered.

"Really... you've become a remarkable hero while I was asleep."

Hajoon grinned and replied.

"Can I rest now?"

"Hehe, you've worked hard enough; no one will blame you for taking a break. You've really done a lot."

"Yes, I really have."

Hajoon smiled, reminiscing about everything that had happened.

They were now memories.

"Will you return as headmaster?"

Hajoon asked Choi Jungwon.

Choi Jungwon thought for a moment and shook his head.

"I don't plan to resume the headmaster position. I'll just help Riella. I've rested long enough; it's time for me to work again."

"Riella will be pleased."

"Hehe, it seems she enjoys being headmaster. I'd feel bad taking it back from her."

"That's true."

Hajoon smiled and nodded.

After a moment of looking at Hajoon with a kind smile, Choi Jungwon spoke again.

"I'm really grateful to you for keeping your promise."

"It's okay, I'm planning to enjoy myself now that I've worked hard."

"Hehe, I suppose so..."

Choi Jungwon looked up at the sky, lost in thought.

After a moment of quiet, Choi Jungwon looked at Hajoon with a kind smile and spoke.

"Oh dear, it seems this old man has taken too much of your time. It looks like the kids are calling for you, so you should go."

With those words, he pointed to where the children were.

Hajoon nodded and stood up from the bench.

"Then, I'll see you later."

With that, he headed towards the children.

They were getting ready to take graduation photos together.

"Alright, the graduation ceremony is over, so are you ready to keep your promise?"

"You mean the trip?"

"You've traveled a lot, so you must have some good places in mind, right?"

"Do you have a place in mind, Hajoon?"

Hajoon made a slightly awkward expression at those words.

He didn't have any specific plans in mind...

Well, they could just go anywhere that seemed nice.

"Alright, let's take the picture. Everyone, get ready."

Anna, who had levitated a camera in the air with magic, spoke to everyone.

"One, two, three!"

"““Kimchi!”””

"Cheese."

Click-

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