Ch.157The End of Revenge – 3

“What do you think, Arbiter?”

Just as I was about to conduct Hyunwoo Lee’s Silver rank evaluation as usual today.

The guy quietly preparing across from me speaks up.

He usually doesn’t talk much before evaluations, claiming he needs to concentrate, so why is he suddenly speaking?

More importantly, what thoughts is he asking about? Let’s use proper subjects here.

“I mean about Sujin Hyun. Whether to restore her honor as a Superpower user or not.”

Ah. So that’s what he’s talking about.

Instead of answering Hyunwoo Lee’s question, I silently walk to the center of the evaluation arena.

Following my footsteps, Hyunwoo also takes his position opposite me, his sword hanging at his side.

“People’s opinions are divided. Her evil deeds as The Elder are undeniable, but before that, she accomplished much as an S-rank Superpower user, was framed by cowards, and in her final moments, she helped you defeat an S-rank monster. Some say her honor should be restored…”

“While others say that harming and killing innocent people can never be overlooked under any circumstances. Regardless of everything else, she died as The Elder, as a villain, so she should remain that way.”

Hyunwoo Lee nods and looks at me quietly.

As if asking what my opinion is, given the divided public sentiment.

“I’m curious why you’re asking me this, student Lee.”

“You had contact with Sujin Hyun, and you were with her in her final moments.”

“That’s a rather flimsy reason. It’s not like I was her comrade-in-arms.”

Perhaps it would make more sense to ask Jiyoon Han, who was her colleague, or Hakjun Ma, who taught her.

That seems more appropriate, Hyunwoo.

I slowly raise my sword and circulate my magical power once.

My arms, which had been completely wrecked, are now in perfect condition.

And my magical power, which had been in chaos, has now completely stabilized.

I feel like I’ve actually become stronger after fighting the Cyclops.

Or more precisely, it’s not just a “feeling.”

When I regained my senses after treatment, The Third Eye showed me this:

◎ Required Value Reached

: Trait will be strengthened.

A somewhat sudden achievement of the required value.

I wondered if I had finally reached the designated number.

Had that damn question mark finally disappeared?

◎ Number Blocked

: 531 (531 / ???)

But the question marks at the end remained the same.

And the number was “531,” which by all accounts doesn’t seem special.

If it had been a round number like 500 or 1000, that would be different.

“531”? Isn’t that an uncomfortable number by anyone’s standards?

At this point, I started to think there might be something more to these values than just numbers.

Perhaps when I use the Gatekeeper trait against exceptionally strong beings rather than evaluating those of similar strength.

For example, like when I used the Gatekeeper trait against an S-rank monster this time.

Maybe that’s when it counts toward some requirement value.

…Well, it’s just a hypothesis; nothing is certain.

“What do you think, student Lee?”

“My opinion? Well, I understand there were reasons why she had no choice, but…”

It’s a difficult question. No one could easily judge it as simply good or bad.

There were worse people who drove her to that point.

They conducted unethical experiments and then tried to erase everything.

When she investigated, they branded her a traitor and isolated her.

Sujin Hyun willingly became that traitor.

She chose a path that wasn’t normal, a direction she shouldn’t have taken.

In the process, many innocent people died and were injured.

That’s why public opinion is split between whether to restore her honor or not.

“To be honest, I think things should stay as they are.”

“As they are? Do you mean neither one way nor the other?”

“Yes. Neither the world’s calamity as The Elder, nor a hero as a Superpower user. Remaining forever as a shadow with divided evaluations, surrounded by controversy. That kind of ending.”

My goodness. Who would have thought that Hyunwoo Lee would make such a heavy and serious statement?

It’s a bit surprising, but also touching to see him maturing.

I thought all he ever cared about was evaluations and training, but is he finally showing some protagonist-worthy qualities?

“What about you, Arbiter?”

“If I had to say, my opinion is similar to yours, student Lee.”

It’s clear that external factors influenced Sujin Hyun’s decisions and actions.

And those external factors were neither benevolent nor clean or good.

In some ways, she could also be considered a victim.

But then there’s the issue of the real victims who suffered because of her.

If she were restored as a hero, what about those who lost their lives to her shadow?

That’s why I couldn’t help but share Hyunwoo’s opinion.

Sujin Hyun should remain a shadow for life, as she chose.

Not denying her existence, but accepting a life where she cannot step into the light.

“Let’s stop talking about this and get to work, student Lee. There are other students waiting their turn.”

My rank measurement still doesn’t register as A-rank or higher.

Even after another measurement following the Cyclops subjugation, the situation remains the same.

However, the government has semi-forcibly designated me as S-rank.

The reason being that the Superpower Association and two or more S-rank Superpower users vouched for me.

The two who vouched were, naturally, Jiyoon Han and Rina Lee.

“Will you be using both classes today?”

Ah, and I’m not the only one at the center of attention.

Two people have manifested the Dual Class, something usually exclusive to the strongest.

One is Soohyun Kim, known as “The Crimson Witch.” And the other is this guy.

“I’m still a bit dazed, honestly. During a fight, my sword broke, and I thought ‘To hell with it!’ and charged in bare-handed. When I wrapped magical power around my arms and legs, it actually worked well, so I decided to properly develop it.”

Hyunwoo’s dual class is Weaponry and Martial Arts. I had expected this.

He had already fiercely pressured me in evaluations just from what he’d learned online.

“So, your answer?”

“Of course I’ll use both. I feel like you wouldn’t let me off easy if I didn’t use both classes, Arbiter.”

Oh. Correct answer. I was planning to stake you upside down if you didn’t use your dual class.

“And, Arbiter?”

I was about to raise my sword straight up to begin, when Hyunwoo gave an awkward smile and continued.

“I think today will be the last time.”

“…The last time?”

What’s this sudden statement? The last time?

Are you dropping out of the Academy? No way, right? You’re not that kind of person.

“The last time I’ll be evaluated. More precisely, the last time I’ll remain Bronze.”

At Hyunwoo’s words, I finally let out an “Ah” of realization.

He’s clearly worthy of a Silver rank evaluation, yet he keeps backing out at the last moment.

Setting aside that question, I continued to evaluate him as he wished.

I silently waited, thinking he must have some level he wants to reach.

This went on for nearly half a year, until the end of the first semester approached.

And today, finally, it seemed the guy had made up his mind.

It seemed like he felt ready to move forward now, having fulfilled a promise to himself.

“But student Lee, you seem too confident. Who said I’d send you right away? You’re talking as if you’ve already secured a promise. You’ll need to satisfy me first. Are you confident?”

“I’m sure it will happen. I promise. So, please take care of me today, Arbiter.”

This kid. Anyone listening would think he already secured a Silver rank promise.

But it’s also plausible, given that Hyunwoo has taken down A-rank monsters without much trouble.

He can’t stay Bronze forever at the Academy.

Now that he’s made up his mind, I think he’ll grow even more insanely fast.

…More than that, looking at him now, I bet he’s accumulated a ton of Bittersweet Triumph trait stacks.

Even excluding weekends and time spent in the hospital, he must have passed 50, right?

I’m really excited to see what kind of monster will emerge after tomorrow’s evaluation.

Come join me at S-rank soon, Hyunwoo. I don’t want to struggle alone.

*

“Arbiter Seojin Baek. We’ve arrived.”

At the suited man’s words from behind the wheel, Seojin Baek glanced around.

The memorial hall Hakjun Ma had told him about. Sujin Hyun’s fiancé was said to be resting here.

“Please wait here. I’ll go alone.”

Preventing those who tried to accompany him, Seojin Baek got out of the car.

Now that he was officially confirmed as “S-rank,” bodyguards were meaningless.

Knowing this, the suited men nodded and waited in the car.

A place where many rest in eternal sleep.

Searching for someone, Seojin Baek soon stopped in front of one memorial.

“…”

Unlike others, there wasn’t even a single photo of this person with anyone else.

Perhaps that was natural. A created being, someone who couldn’t have a family.

“I’m too late. I’m sorry.”

His memories were still hazy. What kind of person they were, what relationship they had.

But Seojin Baek instinctively knew. This person was just as lonely as he was.

And yet, like him, they had wanted to prevent tragedy.

After a moment of silence, Seojin Baek spoke as if wanting to be heard.

“How was the end for those bastards? Was it what you wanted? I hope so. I tried hard, you know. To prevent them from slipping away quietly. Whew. It was so difficult.”

This wasn’t empty talk. He had to work hard to restrain the excited Jiyoon Han and Rina Lee.

And he also had to explain various things to calm down the angry Hakjun Ma and Minseong Kang.

“You saw the news, right? That if you surrender now, they’ll treat you as a Superpower user, not as The Elder or a villain. That despite your mistakes and faults, they might give you a chance for a fresh start with mitigating circumstances.”

“It’s a rare opportunity. It’s not too late, so if you change your mind, come back anytime. Oh, but be prepared to be punished severely—not to the point of death, but close—if you do return.”

No answer came. There was no one beside him to hear the conversation.

What was here was merely a shadow cast by light.

After waiting for someone for a while, Seojin Baek shrugged his shoulders and turned around.

As he slowly walked back the way he came, he spoke as if suddenly remembering something.

“I’ll do my best. In your place.”

With that, Seojin Baek left the memorial hall.

And some time later…

Swish—

A streak of shadow appeared along the wall and stood in front of where someone was resting.

Though it was hard to see clearly without light, wasn’t the shadow definitely smiling?