Ch.100There’s No Normal People Here – 1

“I’ll have all your belongings moved by tomorrow morning, Arbiter Seojin Baek.”

“After you finish work, please wait and we’ll escort you to your residence.”

So that day had finally come. The last commute back to where I’d been living.

From tomorrow, I’d be returning to a place provided by the government.

They even said I just needed to pack my things and they’d take care of moving everything else.

‘They said they recommended moving to a special residential zone for safety reasons.’

Honestly, I thought they’d just say that and let it slide.

Since my ability measurement came back as B-grade, not A-grade.

B-grade isn’t the level of personnel that needs to be managed at a national level.

They might miss you if you’re gone, but they won’t bend over backwards to look after you.

Furthermore, those living in the special residential zone are experienced A-grade users.

Then there are S-grade ability users who could be considered the nation’s greatest assets.

Finally, their families live there under the highest level of protection.

That’s why I thought they might quietly drop the matter.

But looking at the text message I just received, that didn’t seem to be the plan.

‘At least risking my life for that crazy stunt paid off.’

I never expected that pretending to be crazy in front of The Elder would benefit me this far.

I would have been satisfied if just the Academy students and professors changed their perception of me.

– Searching for Special Residential Zone –

Suddenly curious about where I’d be living, I did a search.

Various listings appeared one after another.

Better than any wealthy neighborhood in Korea, they said.

The residents are much stronger than the security guards protecting the area, they said.

That makes sense. At minimum, they’re A-grade ability users, with some S-grades too.

I wondered if Jiyoon Han and Rina Lee lived there too.

But I found myself shaking my head without realizing it.

While Jiyoon Han might comply, Rina Lee didn’t seem like someone who would meekly follow government orders.

The special residential zone wasn’t just for the safe residence of important figures.

It also served as a means to monitor the nation’s most valuable resources.

Rina would certainly know this, which made it even more unlikely she’d willingly comply.

‘Perhaps aware of this, the government emphasized that there was no compulsion, right?’

There really was no compulsion. However, they made the pros and cons so clear.

It felt like they were emphasizing, “You’ll only hurt yourself if you don’t comply.”

In the end, I found myself saying “okay” without even realizing it.

‘This will be the last time I walk this street.’

The small room I’d struggled to find after passing the civil service exam.

For Seojin Baek with no family or relatives—for my past self—it was the only sanctuary.

Though I don’t have particularly good memories or shining moments here, I can’t help feeling a bit sad.

As I approached my room, the laundry shop on the first floor caught my eye.

I’d already said my goodbyes to the laundry shop owner, who was also the building’s landlord.

That I’d be leaving soon. That I was grateful. That I wished them well.

I remember them as neither particularly generous nor a bad person.

So at the very least, saying goodbye wasn’t a bad thing to do.

I took the key from my pocket and entered the room.

As soon as I entered, I saw the cramped interior that made me wonder how I’d managed to live here.

Various second-hand items were scattered throughout the space.

“The items are quite worn out. If you say the word, we’ll dispose of everything. Your new residence has everything prepared to replace your existing belongings. Of course, they’ll belong to you, Seojin Baek, not the state, and you’ll retain ownership even if you leave the residential zone in the future.”

Not only were they offering moving services, but they’d also replace all my belongings.

I’m not materialistic, but I have too many things that are on their last legs.

Like the refrigerator that roars like a vacuum cleaner or the washing machine that seems ready to explode…

‘Huh.’

Suddenly, I felt all the muscles in my body tense up.

For a brief, foolish moment, I wondered if I was getting a cramp.

But that thought vanished from my mind in 0.1 seconds.

Beyond the dark room where I hadn’t turned on the lights yet.

Someone of unknown identity was present. I could clearly sense it.

Soohyun? No, she’s not that twisted.

Then Rina? But this aura I’m feeling isn’t hers.

Though she’s a formidable woman, she’s never shown such a sharp hostility in front of me.

‘Could it be an assassin sent by a villain?’

Chillingly, that possibility seemed quite high.

My name and appearance had been widely spread thanks to the media.

Finding out where I lived wouldn’t have been difficult.

So this is why the government created the special residential zone, I realized.

I quickly scanned my surroundings with my eyes.

Something that could be used as a weapon. Anything that could inflict damage.

Unfortunately, nothing suitable was visible nearby.

Perhaps I’ve grown too accustomed to using items provided by the Academy.

Tomorrow, I must definitely carry at least one sword on my person.

Of course, that’s if I make it through today without incident.

‘The best option would be to turn around and quickly escape, but…’

Would that be possible? I might be cut in half the moment I show my back.

Should I back away? Would the opponent just watch if I did?

Above all, the only card I can play in this situation…

To manifest my ability, I must absolutely avoid retreating.

I need at least some trivial goal, even if it’s just defending my home.

*Clench*

I made up my mind. I took a deep breath internally and clenched my fist.

As my hesitation disappeared, my turbulent heart became strangely calm.

Is this what martial arts novels call “a clear mind like still water”?

“Why don’t you come out?”

With tension gripping my entire body, I stared into the empty room.

I tried throwing out those words experimentally, and it worked.

‘To the right.’

For a moment, I sensed an alien presence from the right side of the room.

As I silently stared in that direction, I soon discovered the intruder’s identity.

‘…Shit. Seriously, is my body coated in honey or something?’

The faint lights shining through the window.

Thanks to them, I could see it. The shadow squirming on the right side.

If I’m not mistaken, the identity of that living shadow can only be one person.

The Elder, Sujin Hyun, who, like Hyuk Kwak, had turned her back on her entire past.

‘Why do these terrifying beings keep lurking around me?!’

As I bit my lip, the shadow gradually took on a human form.

I thought about turning and running even now, but it was too late.

If I really turned my back here, I couldn’t predict what fate would await me.

It’s better to grit my teeth and face it head-on.

I blocked Hyuk Kwak’s attack, so I should be able to withstand an attack from another Elder once or twice.

And if I’m lucky, Rina, who’s so good at sensing Elders, might come…

Wow. Now I’m in a situation where I have to rely on Rina? This is maddening.

“It’s been a while.”

Meanwhile, the shadow that had completed its transformation into human form.

No, Sujin Hyun, with eyes that were eerie just to look at.

Slid forward and muttered those words.

“…”

I could tell at a glance. This woman’s aura was extremely low-pressure.

Anyone else who saw this would agree.

Could she be angry about what I did to Hyuk Kwak?

No, that can’t be it. She actually took my side then.

We haven’t had any significant contact since, so why is she so angry?

I glanced toward the kitchen.

Since ordering delivery or eating out costs quite a bit of money.

I’ve done a fair amount of cooking, so I do have knives.

Without a sword at hand, I might have to fight with a kitchen knife.

“Don’t bother.”

Damn. Did she notice? Is she going to attack first?

There’s no time to hesitate, I need to prepare for battle…

“We’ll fight someday. But not today. Yes, at least not today.”

As if to prove her words, Sujin Hyun stood still in her place.

But I couldn’t let my guard down. This woman possessed the ability to manipulate shadows.

More precisely, she had acquired the “shadow” attribute in the Magic Class.

Either way, it’s clearly an absurdly overpowered ability.

She can attack with shadows without making any movement herself.

If she wanted to, a surprise attack from this distance would be nothing.

“I heard you’re leaving this place.”

For a moment, I almost asked, “How did you know?”

Did information leak from somewhere? Could Sujin Hyun have a mole in the government…?

“They say you’re giving up this room. The laundry shop owner told me.”

“…”

Right. If the laundry shop owner said so, she could easily know.

“You seem to be leaving suddenly. Did you accept that offer?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

This habit of mine. I want to stop using formal speech, but it’s so ingrained that speaking informally would feel more awkward now.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. Everyone must know by now that you fought with Hyuk Kwak, that water ghost. They must have designated you as a special management target, right?”

“…”

“And they’ll try to use you as a dog that fits their taste.”

From her last statement, I could form a hypothesis that was close to certainty.

This woman didn’t betray for some stupid reason like Hyuk Kwak.

Though she tries to hide it, she harbors great anger toward those above, I thought.

Otherwise, there would be no reason to use words like “use” or “dog.”

There would be no reason for her eyes to momentarily blaze with rage.

“I don’t know what offer you received, but you’d better decline it.”

“I don’t see why you should be giving me advice.”

“I didn’t come here to give advice, Seojin Baek.”

As Sujin Hyun took a step forward, I stepped back.

The moment I sensed any hostility, I would charge without hesitation.

Even if I couldn’t win, I wouldn’t go down without a fight.

Sujin Hyun, who had been staring at me for a moment, slowly raised her hand.

Thinking that the inevitable was finally coming, I clenched my fist.

“I have a proposal for you.”

“A proposal…?”

“Join me in seeking revenge.”

…What the hell is this crazy woman saying now?