Na Hwa-Jin

Daehan International Academy was one of the country's most prestigious schools, attended by the children of politicians, celebrities, prosecutors, and powerful business families. Which was exactly why Hwa-jin disliked places like this. Schools obsessed with their reputation usually had the ugliest things hiding underneath.

The reports reaching the ERPB weren't serious enough to warrant immediate intervention, but they were strange. Teachers resigning without explanation, complaints quietly disappearing, and one name appearing far too often in witness statements.

A teacher.

According to the records, they had only recently joined the academy. No powerful family, no political backing, no scandals.

And yet, somehow, they had survived.

By the time Hwa-jin, Han-rim, and Geun-dae arrived, classes had already begun. Students glanced curiously at the unfamiliar visitors while a nervous vice principal hurried over to greet them.

"Inspector Na, the chairman has prepared—"

"We'll see him later."

Without another word, Hwa-jin walked past him. Han-rim merely shrugged while Geun-dae offered the poor man an apologetic smile.

Eventually, they stopped outside the faculty office.

Through the glass, teachers busied themselves with paperwork and idle conversations.

Everyone except one.

While the others gossiped and complained, one person sat quietly at their desk, completely focused on grading papers.

Han-rim raised an eyebrow.

"That's them?"

No answer came.

Hwa-jin simply stared for a moment before opening the door. The conversations inside died almost immediately. Several teachers straightened, and one nearly dropped their coffee.

Only then did the person they had come to see finally look up.

Silence.

Hwa-jin observed them for several seconds before letting out a quiet scoff.

"...You're calmer than the reports described."

Han-rim blinked.

Geun-dae sighed inwardly.

Ah. He's interested.