Ch.188Welcome, Stranger! – 2

Emily was bewildered. She had just heard something completely unbelievable.

“That Seojin Baek over there is literally just an ‘examiner.'”

He wasn’t the professor or head instructor she had expected.

This Korean S-rank who supposedly defeated The Elder was merely an examiner.

And apparently, he wasn’t even examining the top-tier students!

‘How can this possibly make sense…?’

S-rank isn’t just some casual designation—its significance is enormous.

Why would they place such a precious human resource in a position as a Silver rank examiner?

‘Does South Korea have an abundance of human resources? That doesn’t seem right…’

Even if they did have surplus talent, the S-rank individual’s own wishes would be an issue.

What S-rank ability user in the world would want such a position offered to them?

Silver rank. By outside standards, it’s somewhere between D-rank and C-rank.

Not the absolute lowest, but certainly not high by any measure.

They’re asking an S-rank to oversee examinations for those ranks. An S-rank examining them!

‘If they asked other S-ranks to take on such a job, they would have exploded in rage at being disrespected.’

But this man, Seojin Baek standing beside her, showed no sign of resentment.

No, beyond that, he seemed to be in that position because he actually wanted to be there.

‘But why? For what reason?’

Perhaps to feel superior while watching those climbing up from below?

But that doesn’t make sense—being an S-rank already places him at an insurmountable height.

If he wanted to feel superior, a higher-rank examiner position would be more fitting.

“I understand your confusion. To answer that, our friend Seojin over there isn’t doing it for the exceptional one, but for the ordinary ten people.”

The remaining reason, as Hakjun Ma said, was truly for the sake of ten ordinary people.

That was remarkable. Without considerable responsibility and firm resolve, such a thing would be impossible.

Even with a spirit of sacrifice, the gap in levels would normally be unbridgeable.

Could an S-rank truly understand the struggles faced by lower-level ability users?

This wasn’t simply a matter of contempt or superiority. It was an unavoidable issue.

How could an eagle soaring through the sky understand the arduous daily life of an ant crawling on the ground?

‘What a strange, fascinating person. Or should I say, remarkable?’

After talking more, she realized that Hakjun Ma’s words were absolutely correct.

This wasn’t something he was ordered or asked to do—it was truly what he wanted.

This S-rank ability user named Seojin Baek was genuinely satisfied being a Silver rank examiner!

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Emily’s mind.

If she could spar with someone like him, might it help her too?

Could it perhaps alleviate this stifling, blocked feeling she had?

He was different from any S-rank she had seen before.

He might show her a path forward when she felt unable to progress.

So, despite the rudeness, she requested a sparring match.

Since the outcome was predetermined anyway, there was no pressure about winning or losing.

She simply wanted to somehow resolve this stifling sense of obstruction.

“…Well, it’s not difficult for me. Let’s not drag this out and head to the training ground.”

Fortunately, Seojin Baek accepted her sparring proposal.

A sparring match with an S-rank—an opportunity difficult to come by even in her home country.

She had only experienced it a few times because she was Bernard Shaw’s daughter.

When she finally stood in the middle of the training ground, Emily’s mind was filled with all sorts of thoughts.

What level of strength would this Korean S-rank ability user who defeated The Elder possess?

Was the rumor true that he was in a different league from other S-ranks, like Rina Lee?

If he had such ability, could he handle all the remaining Elders too?

Could Seojin Baek fulfill the revenge that was impossible for Emily herself…?

“Ms. Emily.”

The chain of thoughts that had been running through her mind finally subsided.

Seojin Baek, standing across from her, looked at Emily and raised his sword.

“Focus. Even though this is just sparring, I never go easy.”

“I’m sorr—”

Emily’s apology was cut short.

“Huh?!”

A sudden overwhelming force, tension pulling at every muscle in her body.

The man standing before her was clearly emanating intense “killing intent”!

As if he would kill her at any moment! Like facing The Elder!

“It seems you’re wavering between two paths, unable to choose either.”

“What do you—”

“Revenge for your father, and the sense of duty to fill his vacant position.”

Emily’s body shook violently at Seojin Baek’s words.

She couldn’t believe he had so easily seen through the feelings she had tried to hide.

She wondered if he was using some kind of mind-reading ability.

Of course, from Seojin’s perspective, this was possible because he could observe with The Third Eye.

“Let’s find out. Whether you can take revenge, or if it’s still premature.”

Since she had requested this sparring match herself, he hoped she wouldn’t be crushed by it.

Seojin smiled as he mimicked the auras of Hyuk Kwak and Sujin Hyun.

“Huff, gasp…!”

Her heart felt like it would burst. Her limbs ached as if they would break.

Though she felt like collapsing at any moment, she gritted her teeth and endured.

‘How many times… have I fallen?’

She had fallen so many times that she could barely remember anymore.

Though Emily didn’t realize it, only 20 minutes had passed since the sparring began.

In that short time, she had been slammed to the ground by Seojin Baek a full 17 times.

From a single punch, one kick, a flash of swordplay.

And from one chilling wave of killing intent.

She had become an A-rank through tremendous effort, training, and practical experience.

It was a past where she had gritted her teeth to avoid tarnishing her father’s name.

Recently, she had even hunted monsters that had grown stronger due to the great cataclysm.

Yet why was this single sparring session more difficult than all of that?

“Not yet.”

“N-not yet?”

“Whether it’s revenge or growth, you’re still far from either.”

If she truly wanted revenge, she was still woefully inadequate.

The pressure Seojin Baek was exerting was merely mimicking that of Hyuk Kwak and Sujin Hyun.

Facing an actual Elder would be a nightmare several times more terrible.

If she couldn’t withstand even this fake pressure, she couldn’t win against the real thing.

Far from taking revenge, she would die while being ridiculed.

Conversely, if she wanted growth, she would ultimately need to reach S-rank.

But that too would be meaningless if she couldn’t overcome this trial.

The Elder is ultimately a powerful being on the same level as an S-rank; she must endure before them.

CLANG!—

Seojin Baek’s sword struck Emily once more.

A blow clearly aimed at her heart, the energy behind it filled with killing intent.

Had he not reduced the speed, she would have suffered a fatal wound.

“Don’t overthink it. Think simply, straightforwardly.”

“Haa, haa…”

“Survive. Do your duty as an ability user. If you do that, at some point, you’ll clearly see which path to take and how to proceed.”

Whether that was revenge or duty, you’ll eventually know.

After saying this, Seojin Baek defeated Emily once more.

*

“Phew—”

This sparring session felt different from the one with Hyunwoo Lee.

Unlike Hyunwoo who had just reached A-rank, Emily was a seasoned A-rank ability user.

Additionally, if she chose revenge, she would face The Elder; if duty, she would aim for S-rank level.

Either way, her path would be several times harsher than before.

The fortunate thing was that she had requested the sparring match first, admitting her rudeness.

It wasn’t like I had insisted on it, and Emily herself had apologized.

So even if I went a bit hard on her, the British side couldn’t complain.

‘Though I might have gone a bit overboard because of that.’

I could see Emily collapsed on the ground, coughing roughly.

Excluding S-ranks, she was a talent that could be called top-tier without exaggeration.

A valuable asset in Britain, where ability users were scarce due to ongoing gate incidents.

I felt a bit sorry for defeating someone like her so thoroughly, but it couldn’t be helped.

“Haa, haa…”

– Activating The Third Eye.

◎ Emily Shaw

: Revenge and Duty

◎ Detailed Information

: She is conflicted between revenge and duty.

Her abilities are temporarily reduced until this conflict is resolved.

– Additional details have been added.

: She has realized her own inadequacy.

She will eventually make a choice one way or another.

Yes. This is how you need to clear the path for her to move forward again.

“…It’s strange. I lost, lost terribly, yet I feel oddly refreshed.”

After replacing the simultaneous translation device that had broken during the sparring.

Emily, who had barely managed to sit down, looked at me with a tilted head.

“For your information, the pressure you faced earlier was that of The Elder I defeated.”

“Ah…”

“Now you should understand. Whatever place it is, you know what kind of level you need to reach.”

Emily slowly stood up, saying, “I think so.”

Though her appearance was a mess, her expression seemed brighter than before.

It would be nice if the Bronze friends remaining at the Academy could end up like this too.

“It’s amazing. Both you, Seojin Baek, and your country, Korea.”

“I can understand about me, but why Korea suddenly?”

“Small territory, small population, but look at the level of your ability users. Starting with Rina Lee, then Jiyoon Han, and other S-ranks, and now you. I can’t help but be amazed.”

Well. That’s because this world setting ultimately revolves around Korea.

In fact, as Emily said, looking closely, none of it makes much sense.

Inferior in territory and population compared to other places, yet top-tier in ability user quality.

Though Rina used her power and Soohyun helped, the fact that the United Academy was established in Korea probably had something to do with this reason.

“I’m getting a bit envious. A place where an ability user like you serves as a Silver rank examiner.”

Hmm. If the Bronze rank students who suffered recently heard that, they would be horrified.

“If you have time, come back and challenge me again sometime.”

“Really? Is that allowed?”

“Of course. No, it’s absolutely necessary.”

You might be A-rank in Britain, but in my heart, you’re Bronze.