Revenge with the Power of the Final Boss-Chapter 74: Declaration of War at the Academy

"My wish is simple. Seomun Ye-jin! Let Ye-jin noona go free!"

Baek Seo-jin’s outburst directed at Kim Ho-jun, the headmaster of Kangin Academy, left everyone in the room stunned.

"Is he insane?"

"Does he want the headmaster’s wife because she’s so beautiful?"

"I get it, though. I cried when I heard Seomun Ye-jin was getting married—I was a fan of hers as a kid."

Hearing the murmurs around him, Baek Seo-jin clenched his teeth.

"Yeah, I expected this reaction."

Everyone here likely saw Kim Ho-jun as a hero, even fooling someone as discerning as Choi Kang-in.

But this much was enough for Seo-jin.

"Kim Ho-jun, your true nature will eventually be revealed."

Once Kim Ho-jun’s villainous identity was exposed, the world would despise and scorn him.

Choi Kang-in himself would likely take the lead in stripping Ho-jun of his position as headmaster. That would only be the beginning.

Seo-jin envisioned Kim Ho-jun being captured or executed as a villain, and Seomun Ye-jin finally being freed. When that day came, as Ye-jin mourned the abuse she had suffered at Ho-jun’s hands, Seo-jin planned to confess his unwavering love for her and propose, no matter what she had endured.

"Even Choi Kang-in wants evidence of Kim Ho-jun’s wrongdoings."

By making this public declaration in front of all the first-year students, Seo-jin was certain it would provoke a reaction.

But as Seo-jin stood confidently with his plan in mind, many others in the room looked at him with contempt.

"What a lunatic."

"He’s not in his right mind."

Lee Ha-yeon and Han Se-hee stared at Seo-jin with disgust in their eyes.

Knowing that Kim Ho-jun was actually Baek Seo-jun and understanding his painful past, the two women felt nothing but disdain for Seo-jin’s delusional behavior.

Having spent the previous night with Baek Seo-jun and Seomun Ye-jin, they were particularly repelled by Seo-jin’s baseless accusations against his brother and his audacity to covet Seomun Ye-jin.

"Of all things, he looks like Seo-jun oppa."

"How dare someone who resembles Seo-jun act like this? Unforgivable."

Moriya Yuka’s feelings were no different.

"Is this why he feels so repulsive?"

Watching Baek Seo-jin’s behavior, she wondered if this explained the sense of revulsion she felt toward him.

Yet, something still felt lacking. While his actions were indeed unpleasant, her intuition warned her there was something deeper behind her aversion.

"I should keep my distance from him."

Kang Yu-ra also harbored no favorable feelings toward Baek Seo-jin.

Kim Ho-jun had personally promised to help her avenge her parents, offering support to help her grow stronger after the Academy began. He had even assured her that she could reach SSS-rank Hunter status in a short time.

For Yu-ra, who had placed her trust in Ho-jun, Seo-jin’s actions in belittling her benefactor were naturally infuriating.

Moreover, she had witnessed firsthand how loving Kim Ho-jun and Seomun Ye-jin were as a couple.

Their relationship was still like a honeymoon, with Ye-jin often being the more affectionate and assertive one in expressing her love.

From Yu-ra’s perspective, Seo-jin seemed like nothing more than a shameless man coveting another’s wife—a detestable sight to behold.

***

Baek Seo-jin relished the attention of everyone present, eagerly anticipating Kim Ho-jun's response.

If Seomun Ye-jin showed even the slightest hint of sadness or discomfort in front of this crowd, it would expose Kim Ho-jun’s oppressive behavior toward her. The façade of a happy couple, bolstered by media manipulation, would crumble.

"Don’t worry, Ye-jin noona. I’ll save you soon."

Seo-jin vowed to reveal Kim Ho-jun’s true nature and take him down with the help of his allies.

With that determination in mind, he smiled at Seomun Ye-jin. To his shock, her expression was filled with nothing but disgust.

"Why is she looking at me like that?"

There were no joyful tears, no confusion—just pure, unfiltered loathing. Seo-jin reasoned it must be because of the trauma she endured at Kim Ho-jun’s hands.

"She must be haunted by the horrifying days she spent with that monster."

Seo-jin tried to recall the memory of her sorrow during his childhood, her forced proximity to Kim Ho-jun, but...

"Wait, did that ever happen?"

The thought puzzled him momentarily before fading away. He was certain it had happened. It had to have.

He was convinced Seomun Ye-jin had once suffered, cried, and wished for someone to rescue her.

"So, when you say to 'let her go free,' are you asking me to divorce my wife?"

Kim Ho-jun’s calm yet mocking voice broke through the murmurs of the crowd.

"Yes," Seo-jin replied firmly. "Release Ye-jin noona from the forced marriage you trapped her in."

Seomun Ye-jin shot Seo-jin a glare so sharp it could cut through steel.

"Kid, who are you to tell me and my husband to get a divorce?" she demanded, her voice laced with fury.

Seo-jin only felt pity for her.

"Ye-jin noona... you don’t have to act anymore. Do you remember what happened nine years ago?"

"Are you talking about the time your parents caused a scene, weaponized women’s rights groups, and attacked me through the media just because they didn’t like me being with my husband?"

"W-what?"

Seo-jin froze. That didn’t sound right. He couldn’t immediately recall such an event, but the words stirred a faint memory.

The more he tried to grasp at the details, the clearer it became.

"Wait, wasn’t there an article about that nine years ago?"

"I don’t remember much since I was a kid, but..."

"Yeah, the Baekho Guild did launch a smear campaign against Seomun Ye-jin back then."

The other students had all but forgotten their breakfast, captivated by the unfolding drama. Phones came out as they began searching for old articles.

It didn’t take long for them to find records of Baek Hyung-won and Kim Yoo-jung covertly using activist groups to smear Seomun Ye-jin’s name.

"Holy crap, this is a disaster."

"Seriously, what the hell is wrong with these people?"

"Wait, could this mean Baek Seo-jin targeted Seomun Ye-jin even back then?"

Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.

"That must be why he’s still obsessing over her now. But it backfired big time."

"They attacked her like that, and now he’s trying to act like he’s the victim? What a joke."

As the crowd’s murmurs grew louder, Seo-jin’s composure wavered.

"Why... why didn’t I remember this?"

Nine years ago, Kangin Guild had launched a massive crackdown on the Baekho Guild. The reason? The smear campaign against Seomun Ye-jin. It had forced Baekho Guild into a public apology, something his parents had suffered greatly for.

"But... why did I forget that?"

The realization didn’t unsettle him, though. Instead, a new thought surfaced.

"This must’ve been another scheme by Kim Ho-jun. Dad was framed."

That idea felt oddly comforting, as if something was compelling him to believe it.

Deciding to change his approach, Seo-jin shifted tactics.

"Maybe Ye-jin noona has been brainwashed."

He reasoned that Ho-jun might have used mind control to suppress any rebellion from her.

Seo-jin addressed the headmaster once more.

"Headmaster Kim Ho-jun, you must remember the threats and animosity you showed my parents nine years ago, don’t you?"

His words reignited the crowd’s curiosity, drawing even more stares. Seo-jin seized the moment to command the room’s attention.

"Ye-jin noona might not recall it, but I made a promise to Choi Kang-in. Here and now, I declare war on you. I will expose your lies, reveal your crimes to the world, and free Ye-jin noona from the marriage she was tricked into!"

Seomun Ye-jin’s icy voice cut through the air.

"Even nine years ago, you were spouting nonsense about your parents. You really are insane."

Her tone was cold and dismissive, but Seo-jin pitied her all the more. Whether she was acting or brainwashed, she couldn’t truly mean those words.

Ho-jun smirked.

"So, a declaration of war, huh? It’s laughable that someone coveting another man’s wife would say such things. Still, it’d be harsh to kick out the top scorer on grounds of insanity. Let’s see if this illness of yours can be cured."

Accepting the challenge, Ho-jun’s response left Seo-jin clenching his fists in triumph.

"Perfect."

Even if not everyone believed him, Seo-jin knew seeds of doubt about Kim Ho-jun had been planted. Over time, they would grow.

Sooner or later, Ho-jun would be unable to hide his true nature.

Mentioning Choi Kang-in’s name had also been a deliberate move. It would make it harder for Ho-jun to retaliate against him directly.

"Just a bit more strength, and with everyone’s help, we’ll drive Kim Ho-jun out."

For the first time, Seo-jin felt a glimmer of hope.

A future where evil was vanquished, where everyone smiled and walked toward a bright future together—that vision felt closer than ever.