Ch.159Why Did I Even Make That Promise – 2

What should I do when standing before the Arbiter? I’m still confused.

I feel sad hearing about his birth and the tragic end of those around him.

I want to show anger toward those who committed such atrocities.

But when I recall the Arbiter patting my head and telling me not to worry, I can’t help but smile.

Even though he says a long time has passed, and that he’s fine now.

Grandfather said that everyone who speaks like that still carries at least one wound.

That’s what Grandfather said after learning the Arbiter’s secret.

“Grandfather, what should I do then?”

Whether it’s right to share in his pain or to make him smile.

When I told him it was difficult to decide, Grandfather thought the latter would be better.

“If it were just a passing relationship, it might be different, but Soohyun, don’t you want more? A lover, no. Family is someone who always gives you strength and makes you smile. Be that person for Seojin Baek. Isn’t that what you want?”

Grandfather seemed to know everything now.

He said he would always support me, and that he completely approved of that person.

“But Rina. I’m worried about that kid. She seems similar to you.”

If it had been the old me, I would have tensed up at his concerned voice.

But not this time. I recently received a promise from the Arbiter.

I didn’t plan it, but he said he’d grant me anything if I did as he asked.

Before I knew it, I found myself saying:

“Can you give me a day of your time, Arbiter? No, two days?”

I don’t know how nervous and embarrassed I was.

What if the Arbiter said it wasn’t possible?

Or what if he understood the meaning behind my request?

I would be so sad if he looked at me strangely.

But I was too desperate now, so I couldn’t help it.

With my hands tightly clasped, I waited for the Arbiter’s answer.

“…Alright. I understand.”

When the Arbiter nodded after thinking for a moment.

Despite the situation not being good at all, I found myself jumping into his arms.

Great. With this, I can stay ahead of that woman, Rina.

I was worried because she kept trying to cut in line.

No matter who she is, she can’t do what I’ve done in the Arbiter’s eyes.

A promise with the Arbiter like this can’t be interfered with! Absolutely not!

When would be good? It’s only Tuesday, so I should think more…

No, that’s not right. Grandfather said to keep deliberation short and act quickly.

This weekend? Or Friday evening? Yes. That would be good.

From what I’ve seen, the Arbiter seems to be in the best mood on Friday afternoons, right?

If I aim for that time, the Arbiter will surely be happier. Yes, he definitely will be.

“Oh! Soohyun! Frieeend!”

The person approaching from ahead is Hyunwoo Lee. One of the few males I can talk to comfortably.

The reason is… he’s easy to be around. There’s no reason to see him as difficult.

He’s similar to Grandfather. Only effort, more effort, and his only interest is getting stronger.

While other male students look at me with burdensome gazes, Hyunwoo doesn’t.

And he has absolute trust in the Arbiter, just like me.

I’ve heard that people with common interests become good friends regardless of gender or age.

He was a good example of that saying. I always felt like Hyunwoo and I communicated well.

Other people, even Hana unnie and Dasom sunbae, say it’s strange.

But from my perspective, it was hard to find someone more comfortable than Hyunwoo.

Maybe it would have been better if he were a female friend rather than a male friend.

“You’re coming from the assessment again today, right?”

“That’s right! Today was another big clash!”

“For a clash, you look pretty satisfied?”

“Yeah! The promotion assessment ended today!”

Ended? The promotion assessment is over? What does this mean?

“As of today, I’m now Silver. Now we’re not Bronze comrades, but Silver comrades!”

“Huh… that’s unexpected. I thought you’d stay in Bronze.”

“Me? Why?”

Why? Because anyone could see you were serious about the assessments.

Wanting to do them on weekends, even when the Arbiter was sick.

Even trying to change the rule that only one assessment per day is allowed.

How could someone like that create a situation where assessments are no longer necessary?

“Honestly, I’m a bit disappointed, but I’ve achieved all the goals I set.”

“The goals you set…”

“To become the best assessment candidate the Arbiter has ever evaluated.”

I can’t help but tilt my head slightly. What about me?

It’s not that Hyunwoo is weak. Even I can see he’s clearly skilled.

But at the same time, I, who receive recognition from the Arbiter alongside Hyunwoo, am also skilled.

I’ve gained confidence in myself now. I don’t doubt myself like before.

Why? Because if I don’t, there wouldn’t be a single student making the Arbiter proud.

For him, and additionally for myself. I need to become stronger on my own now.

“And from tomorrow, it’s not assessments but sparring!”

“…”

As expected. Yes, this is just like Hyunwoo.

The Arbiter will probably smack his forehead in exhaustion, but he’ll be smiling inside.

He’s someone who can never be harsh to those who work hard.

“Where are you going? Ah, to the Arbiter?”

“Yes. Because of lectures, I couldn’t come to school with the Arbiter today.”

“I see? Oh, by the way, someone was visiting the Arbiter just now.”

Someone visited? Who? Maybe Grandfather?

No. If it were Grandfather, Hyunwoo would know and wouldn’t need to say “someone.”

What is this sudden feeling of unease?

“Was it… a woman?”

“Yeah. If it had been a man, I wouldn’t have mentioned it.”

Ah. No way. Really, no way.

“Does she have blonde hair? And is her hair long, like down to here?”

“She’s blonde, but she had it tied up tightly.”

After hearing that, I immediately grabbed Hyunwoo’s shoulder.

A blonde who can freely enter the academy despite being an outsider, and who clings to the Arbiter.

If that’s the case, there’s only one person it could be! That insane woman!

“Could it be Rina?”

“Rina? You mean that S-rank?”

“Yes. The Yellow Madwoman. That Rina.”

At my question, Hyunwoo rubs his chin and says, “Hmm?”

What? Is it Rina or not?!

“I’m not sure. She did look Caucasian… she was wearing glasses and her appearance seemed different when I think about it now. I don’t think it was Rina? …Ah, maybe it’s because of makeup? But if it were that woman, would she be laughing and sticking close to the Arbiter like that…?”

After hearing that much, I immediately ran toward the assessment hall, leaving Hyunwoo behind.

This crazy woman! Is she crawling back to steal the Arbiter again?!

I don’t care about anything else, but at least within the academy, I come first. I come first!

Why does she keep sneaking in and wagging her tail when she’s not even a student!

*

“Huhuhu! Uhuhuhuhu!”

Please stop laughing. I’m about to develop a neurosis.

Rina appeared in a disguise that doesn’t look like a disguise, yet people somehow fall for it.

And today, for whatever reason, she even put on makeup.

The strange thing is, with all that dressing up, her Rina-ness does fade a bit.

“Isn’t it funny? No one thought I was Rina while walking here! Ahahaha!”

Of course they didn’t think so. Or rather, they couldn’t. Ability users are so busy these days.

From the lowest rank to S-rank. Frankly, I’ve heard it’s absolute chaos.

It’s so bad that they’ve even pulled out large numbers of security personnel from special residential zones.

What’s even funnier is that villains have also quieted down because gates and monsters have become hell-level difficult.

Of course, a few truly insane ones are still causing trouble, but the rest are quiet.

Anyway, I’ve heard that S-rank ability users’ workloads have become disgustingly heavy, making everyone struggle.

We don’t need to look far for a good example—the poor soul Jiyoon Han.

A professor in the morning, an S-rank ability user in the afternoon, and a clan master at night, wasn’t it?

“My congratulations on becoming S-rank isn’t just empty words, Seojin. I’m really glad, and so are the other S-ranks, because we now have a colleague to share the hard work with.”

The moment I heard those words, I wanted to quit being an S-rank.

I finally escaped being a civil servant only to become an honorary civil servant again!

And this one doesn’t even allow escape. Retirement doesn’t exist.

To do so, I’d have to lose my S-rank, which might only happen when I weaken around age 40.

That means I have to live like this for 20 years. Damn it. Save me.

‘But wait? Why?’

Why does Rina only do ability user activities once every three days?

Don’t they make her work? Why is she always running around everywhere whenever she gets the chance?

“So, our handsome Seojin oppa? When are you going to fulfill your promise?”

“…”

“Seojin oppa, who’s handsome and I thought was inexperienced, but turns out to have a secretly lecherous side. When are you going to set a date to be devoured by me…?”

“Let’s be reasonable. This is an academy. An educational facility.”

“Oh my. Someone might think this is an elementary school. This is an academy. A place where only adults with IDs can enter, right? And even the school lunch kids know everything these days.”

Damn it. Every word is correct, so I can’t even refute it.

Moreover, I’m the one who hastily accepted that so-called promise.

This is a structure where I can’t win in any way.

I barely managed to stop Rina from going crazy after learning about the past.

More precisely, I offered candy to a crying child. No, to a madwoman.

And Rina, this woman, bit into it as if she’d been waiting for it.

“Did you just promise? To grant my wish.”

At that moment, I thought “oops,” but there was nothing I could do.

The arrow had already left the bow, the water had already been spilled.

“What I want? Of course it’s ‘adult business,’ hehehe!”

I want to take it back. I want to pretend it never happened. Just ignore it…

“You!!”

Startled by the burning energy coming from somewhere, I looked up.

I can see Soohyun rushing over from ahead. Haha. What a mess.