The Support Ate it All-Chapter 548: Finals Week 17–18 (4)

Go Hyeon-woo took in everyone at the table and opened his mouth.

“I remember when we’d only just enrolled. Everyone mocked Kim Ho. Yet now, so many of you have recognized his true worth... it really makes you feel how times have changed.”

“......”

“I understand what kind of thinking led Jeong Jin-myeong to that decision. There were quite a few parts I could relate to as well.”

“It’s all excuses. Either way, isn’t it a shitty thing to do to Kim Ho and to you guys?”

“At least it doesn’t seem like you harbor ill will toward Kim Ho.”

“If anything, I like him.”

The two of them smiled at each other.

Go Hyeon-woo continued.

“I’ll acknowledge there’s a need for groups to link hands. I’m only concerned it might get pushed too far.”

“I’ll explain in a second. Listen first, then tell me.”

“I will.”

Jeong Jin-myeong’s gaze shifted to Hong Yeon-hwa.

“What about you?”

“Does what we think even matter? It’s not like anything’s going to change.”

“Sorry, but it does.”

Jeong Jin-myeong wore a bitter smile.

Could they really disband and pretend it never happened just because a few people objected?

The moment they’d gathered here, the die had already been cast.

Even so, asking was meant to soothe and persuade Kim Ho’s side, even a little.

Each of them was powerful in their own right, so they needed cooperation—however they could get it.

Hong Yeon-hwa folded her arms, clearly displeased.

“I don’t know about the rest, but I’m going over there and telling him.”

Cha Hyeon-ju snorted and cut in.

“You’re gonna scurry over and tattle? Look at that—here comes the loyal lapdog.”

“If I’m a loyal lapdog, what are you? Even dogs have shame.”

Meaning: the way you strut around like you’re something special, you’re worse than a dog.

Cha Hyeon-ju’s eyes went wide when they caught the meaning.

“You’ve been running around with Kim Ho a little, and now you think that’s your skill.”

“Even if I’m ‘just running around with him,’ I’d still beat you.”

Hong Yeon-hwa glared back as she answered.

Cha Hyeon-ju ground their teeth, about to snap back again, but Jeong Jin-myeong raised a hand to stop them.

“Let’s stop. I never intended to keep it secret in the first place. It’s not like you can hide something and have it stay hidden.”

Being grouped together for finals was only temporary.

Students were tied together by all kinds of relationships—friends, parties, clubs.

It was practically impossible to make all of them keep a secret, so they hadn’t even planned to try.

Jeong Jin-myeong looked at Hong Yeon-hwa.

“You can tell Kim Ho. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t make it sound too awful.”

“I’m not going to make things up.”

“That’s enough.”

Watching the exchange, Moyong Jun asked,

“Seems things are more or less settled. May we hear it now? How you intend to link hands.”

“It’s simple. Nonaggression.”

Group A and Group C wouldn’t fight each other, nor steal item cards, crystals, and the like from each other.

And when they encountered powerful enemies—dragon-tooth soldiers, top-tier students from Group B—they would cooperate when possible, even if it wasn’t strictly mandatory.

Jeong Jin-myeong added,

“And I want to add one more safety latch. We’ll probably get a proposal from Group B too, right?”

“Most likely.”

“No matter what it is, prioritize the ‘nonaggression’ we just stated. As for anything else—reject it, adjust it, whatever. Handle it as you see fit. How’s that?”

Moyong Jun let the silence stretch, exchanging looks with their group.

After confirming everyone’s response was positive, they smiled smoothly.

“It isn’t an unreasonable demand. We’ll accept.”

The two of them clasped hands.

*****

Go Hyeon-woo, Han So-mi, and Hong Yeon-hwa suddenly came to find me.

Then they explained that Group A and Group C had formed a nonaggression pact.

‘So it’s here.’

To most first-years, it was a pretty big deal, but I’d more or less expected things to go this way.

My ability was already beyond the level of a typical first-year, and it was still climbing sharply upward.

Anyone who knew that was bound to feel pressured, so it was inevitable they’d try to keep me in check.

If I’d hidden my strength more, I could’ve delayed it a bit—but lately I’d been blasting through Challenge Quests and spending what I had like water.

Still, the rewards I’d gained were substantial, so I didn’t regret it.

Go Hyeon-woo said,

“Jeong Jin-myeong apologized repeatedly. Seems they want to maintain a good relationship, if possible.”

“I don’t think badly of it either.”

As someone leading a group, it was a decision they could reasonably make.

If they’d prioritized personal feelings, it would’ve meant they were small-minded—and that would’ve disappointed me more.

Hong Yeon-hwa asked carefully.

“So what do you do now......?”

“That’s not a problem I have to solve.”

That headache belonged to Song Cheon-hye—the leader.

‘Honestly, I like this.’

▷Objective 1: Eliminate competitors(-/20 people)

If I went around stirring up trouble just to fill the headcount, it could sour relations with other groups, so I’d planned to move carefully.

‘But now I don’t have to watch my step.’

Because A and C had their nonaggression—and that meant only we were left as the common enemy.

I could go around acting like a complete menace and no one would have the standing to complain.

“Actually, I’m the one who wants to ask. What are you three going to do?”

Go Hyeon-woo and Han So-mi exchanged a quick glance, then answered one by one.

“I can more or less understand it, but I don’t like the decision. Still, it’s finals. We should do our best in the roles we’re given.”

“I agree!”

Hong Yeon-hwa let out a frustrated sigh.

“Me too...... kind of. Doing a half-assed job isn’t respectful. To the group, and to myself.......”

“Good mindset.”

I nodded slowly.

Then I tossed it out like it was nothing.

“What if there’s a way to change it?”

“......!”

It was like three exclamation marks popped over their heads.

Hong Yeon-hwa answered first.

“If there is...... I want to change it.......”

“Same here.”

“Me too! Right!”

Go Hyeon-woo and Han So-mi followed right after.

After confirming they all felt the same, I started explaining the method.

“Alright. Then, from the moment we enter.......”

*****

News of Group A and Group C’s nonaggression pact spread across the entire first-year class in less than a day.

And just as expected, Song Cheon-hye fell into deep anguish.

“How did it end up like this.......”

Pressing a hand to her forehead like it hurt, she paced the same spot over and over.

Meanwhile, I spoke like it was no big deal.

“You don’t need to worry that much.”

“Shouldn’t we? It’s a 2-versus-1 structure from the very start.”

“It’s nonaggression. It’s not like they’re thinking, ‘Let’s dogpile B and crush them.’”

Meaning: extreme situations weren’t going to happen—like A and C openly hunting Group B, or forming a coalition and flooding our main base all at once.

“Still, it’s true we’re at a disadvantage.”

“It’s true, but I’m saying it’s not so bad we can’t function.”

Only then did Song Cheon-hye regain some composure, like she was weighing different factors.

Once she calculated that it was still doable, her expression brightened.

And I gave her serious advice.

“At times like this, you have to stay steady. If you shake, everyone under you shakes too.”

“...Understood. I’ll talk to them properly.”

“Yeah. Good luck.”

As I turned to leave, Song Cheon-hye raised an eyebrow.

“Where are you going?”

“The campus store.”

“Let’s go together. I feel like eating something sweet.”

“I’m fine, but I’m just buying coffee and going somewhere else.”

“Somewhere else where?”

“I’ve got an appointment.”

At that, Song Cheon-hye stopped mid-step.

“.......”

“You’re not coming?”

“...Later. I just remembered something I need to do.”

She looked a little sulky, but I couldn’t exactly break an appointment, so I left her behind and kept walking.

I bought a cup of coffee at the campus store, then took a seat somewhere quiet.

I didn’t have to wait long before the person I’d arranged to meet sat down across from me.

“I heard Group B’s leader is Song Cheon-hye. Yet you came out instead?”

“She’s not great at politics.”

“Indeed. From what I’ve observed, she has a certain uprightness.”

Moyong Jun smiled faintly.

Facing me, they continued.

“Before we get to the main point, I’ll say this. I intend—if possible—to keep my promise to Jeong Jin-myeong. Meaning: I will prioritize the nonaggression pact.”

“Even so, wouldn’t it be better to leave some room?”

“That is precisely why I accepted your invitation.”

I took a light sip of coffee and got to the point.

“I’m not telling you to break it immediately. I don’t have anything to offer right now. Especially not something more tempting than nonaggression.”

From A and C’s perspective, maintaining nonaggression alone already created a picture where B was pressured—and using that, they could aim for first and second place even more easily.

In other words, to break nonaggression, you had to present something worth more than that benefit.

Moyong Jun’s lip curled slightly.

“‘Immediately,’ you say. May I interpret that as meaning you will have something to offer later?”

“That’s why I called you.”

“I’m listening.”

“You know value changes depending on the situation.”

Something that was priceless could turn into trash overnight—and the reverse could also happen.

As if they realized what I was getting at, something flickered through Moyong Jun’s eyes.

“May I interpret that as meaning the nonaggression pact becomes meaningless?”

“It could become more than meaningless. It could turn into a shackle.”

“Perhaps I lack imagination. I cannot picture it at once. Explain further.”

“For example—what if one of you is locked into third place?”

If either Group A or Group C fell behind so badly it was hopeless?

Then the remaining one would be competing with Group B for first and second.

“In that case, would third place really want to lend their strength? They’d just ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ be helping someone else.”

“Indeed, I see no necessity.”

“They won’t throw their hands up entirely. They’ll look for a more realistic approach.”

“.......”

Moyong Jun fell silent, deep in thought—likely imagining what it would look like if their own group became third place.

Soon, they seemed to reach a conclusion. Their face hardened.

“...They’d break the nonaggression first.”

“Because that has the best odds.”

Group B already lived in a state where everyone was an enemy—they’d be on constant guard.

But between A and C, nonaggression existed, so they were bound to be looser.

If you stabbed into that gap, you might avoid finishing in third.

“If your assumption holds, it would be best for us to strike first—before they grow other intentions.”

“If it holds. Like I said, I’ve got nothing to show you yet.”

“But you intend to show it.”

“Of course.”

Ways to cook Group C’s base flashed through my mind.

Seeing the vicious smile curl at the corner of my mouth, Moyong Jun let out a bitter chuckle.

“Seems Jeong Jin-myeong made a greater blunder than expected—making an enemy of someone like you.”

“Didn’t they brace for at least this much? They’ve got a quick mind too.”

“And yet, is it not true that one never knows? Perhaps there was something they overlooked.”

“Maybe. Anyway, think it over.”

“I will keep it in mind. If things proceed as you say, I will move when the time is right.”

That meant I’d planted a small seed of discord.

Now it was a question of which would come first—whether our group would get crushed by the other two, or whether Jeong Jin-myeong’s Group C would get stabbed in the back by Moyong Jun.