Ch.2Became a New Examiner – 2

Injury. Injury. Injury. Injury….

As it turned out, it wasn’t just one or two people who had been dispatched to the Academy.

Personnel from nearby measurement departments had been continuously sent out as well.

And every single person who was dispatched had been pulled out due to injury.

The fortunate part was that none of the injuries were life-threatening.

The worst cases were limited to fractures.

“…What exactly is going on here?”

“Before I explain the reason, I’d like to apologize first.”

Jiyoon Han bowed her head, which only made my situation more awkward.

I could see the professors glaring furiously from behind me.

I’ll probably receive some very harsh looks when I leave here.

“You must be aware that today’s superpower users are different from those in the past.”

I’ve heard about this. The ethical consciousness of superpower users. Was it something like “Is this really okay as it is?”

It’s been quite a long time since superpowers randomly manifested in people.

A period of chaos and confusion. Then came the emergence of monsters and villains who used their powers for evil.

In that environment, the early superpower users, called the “First Generation,” fought against all kinds of threats.

Naturally, the concept of a superpower user became something akin to a hero in their minds.

Someone who must fight whenever danger approaches and knows how to sacrifice themselves.

Recently, a new group of superpower users called the “Second Generation” began to question this.

They acknowledge that superpower users have certain obligations to some extent.

But why keep demanding unconditional sacrifice?

They’re people too. They’re just trying to make a living.

The First Generation insists on the importance of duty, while the Second Generation asks not to be forced into sacrifice.

That’s where the trouble began, as I’ve seen in political debates.

Honestly, while the First Generation’s argument is right in principle, it’s difficult to follow.

Who in the world would want to throw away their life to save complete strangers?

“I’m well aware of that. I also know there’s a lot of conflict because of it.”

“I suppose that’s because you’re a civil servant. Anyway, because of this, it’s become difficult to control the new students entering the Academy these days. From their perspective, being a superpower user is no longer about dedication but just another profession. And if we push too hard, the Human Rights Commission will be after us.”

Sighing, Jiyoon Han pointed to the documents I was looking at.

“Recently, they’ve suddenly started doing this as a challenge.”

“Doing what?”

“Seeing how quickly they can take down a grade examiner.”

I was momentarily speechless.

“Why would they do such a thing…”

“You’re aware that the Academy has its own ranking system, right?”

I nodded at Jiyoon Han’s question. Understanding the information about my assignment location is basic protocol.

From Bronze to Diamond. Unlike the public system that ranges from E-rank to S-rank, the Academy has its own league.

The Academy isn’t a place where you graduate just by attending for four years.

If you don’t meet the standards, you can’t graduate, and in severe cases, you might even be expelled.

Once you surpass Bronze and Silver to reach Gold rank, you meet the graduation requirements.

When you reach Platinum, clans will contact you even during the semester.

Above that, Diamond rank students are considered promising talents, and everyone scrambles to recruit them.

And Master rank is considered a pre-S rank, so the government keeps tabs on them.

“I heard that lower ranks are tested by measurement departments like mine, while higher ranks are tested by professors.”

“That’s right. Among them, the test to advance from Bronze to Silver is really simple. The examiners aren’t that strong either. Oh, I apologize if that was offensive.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s the truth, after all.”

I know I’m weak. My ability is barely worth calling a superpower.

“But I don’t know who started it, but some students have been deliberately getting demoted and then harassing the examiners who oversee the Silver advancement tests. On the surface, they claim that someone so weak shouldn’t be conducting examinations and demand someone more qualified. But…”

“They’re just showing off their bad attitudes.”

Nod, nod—

Jiyoon Han nodded weakly. That’s where I became slightly confused.

If it were just the actions of a few immature individuals, wouldn’t they be intimidated by just a clearing of Jiyoon Han’s throat?

“The higher-ups are preventing intervention, saying it would only make things worse. It’s also become too widespread as a trend.”

If even the mighty S-rank has this reaction, that says it all.

“Still, I’m surprised this hasn’t become public knowledge. Despite how many times this has happened…”

“That’s because the compensation has been substantial.”

Even with compensation, we’re talking about assaulting civil servants, not some neighborhood uncle. How did this get swept under the rug?

Just how much compensation are they offering to keep everyone silent?

“If you look at the next page, you’ll find the exact details.”

At Jiyoon Han’s words, I immediately turned to the next page.

“Excuse me, Professor Han? This… is there a typo with the zeros here?”

“No. The amount you’re looking at is correct.”

“One billion won? You’re saying one billion won is the correct amount? One billion combined for all these people?”

“That’s one billion per person.”

The worst injury was a fracture, but the compensation is one billion won?

With that kind of money, I’d be smiling even if something broke.

No wonder this hasn’t become public. I’d keep quiet too.

If they gave just a little, people would get angry and expose everything, but when they give so much that it’s scary, people stay quiet.

“I apologize once again. If you feel you can’t do this…”

“Isn’t it natural for civil servants to sacrifice themselves for the citizens?”

Call me materialistic if you want. But would you act differently?

If someone held out one billion won and said, “I’ll give you this if you get moderately injured,” would anyone refuse?

“Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease a bit.”

Jiyoon Han stood up and extended her hand.

A handshake with an S-rank superpower user. Something I never imagined would happen.

“Um, instead of a handshake, could I get an autograph?”

“Ah… sure, why not. We’ll be working together at the Academy anyway.”

One on my phone case, and a few more on some blank papers.

This should get me a few free drinks.

While Jiyoon Han gladly fulfilled my request, I quietly activated my special ability.

– Activating The Third Eye.

◎ Jiyoon Han

: Righteous Sword

◎ Details

: An unwavering strong one.

As an ally, doubles fighting spirit and composure; as an enemy, increases fatigue tenfold.

Does not break even in extreme situations.

Sees through deception.

It seemed like there was nothing to worry about.

“I look forward to working with you, Seojin Baek. The faculty is also doing their best to guide students on the right path. The atmosphere among students is improving, so if you can just bear with it a little, it should be fine.”

“Trends fade quickly, don’t they? With you here, Professor Han, this will disappear soon. Besides, what could possibly happen on my first day at the assignment?”

*

This mouth of mine is my worst enemy. I should’ve known better than to speak so carelessly.

“Ready, Examiner?”

As soon as I entered the Academy’s main building, several students rushed toward me.

None other than Silver rank examination applicants. Or rather, examiner assaulters.

There must definitely be an informant among the faculty.

Otherwise, my identity couldn’t have been revealed so quickly.

“…I’m ready, but are you really Bronze rank?”

“I showed you earlier, didn’t I? I’m Bronze rank. If I can’t advance to Silver, I’m dead meat.”

Working in a superpower measurement department enhances one thing: the ability to read people.

Specifically, predicting and judging how skilled someone is.

And by that measure, this tattooed thug, Junwoo Park, is definitely above my level.

That’s for certain. And he’s not even a new freshman.

‘Why did it have to be this guy?’

They say you meet your enemies on a narrow bridge. To think it’s the guy I met earlier.

It’s infuriating. If I could, I’d beat him up.

But sadly, the probability of me getting beaten up is much higher.

“Let’s make this quick. It’s my first day on the job.”

Fortunately, the rank I’m in charge of is really basic.

The Bronze to Silver range in Academy standards could be considered equivalent to D-rank to C-rank.

If I just go through the motions and say, “Ah! Pass!” and escape, no one would complain.

“But I want to give it my all.”

Yet our tattooed thug here says he wants to give it his all.

Why does that sound like he wants to give his all to torment me? Am I imagining things?

‘Nothing’s ever easy. If I’m not careful, I might get completely destroyed on my first day.’

Junwoo Park brought all his friends to watch as spectators.

He’s planning to make an achievement in his life by sacrificing me.

The compensation might be sweet enough to rot teeth, but… this is a bit much.

“You’re familiar with the examination rules, right?”

“Of course I am. We start when the examiner says start, and stop when they say stop.”

The fact that he’s going to act like this despite knowing the rules means he’s confident in his abilities.

Glancing around, I noticed the female student I met earlier was also there.

Unlike Junwoo’s snickering friends, she looked extremely tense.

– Activating The Third Eye.

◎ Soohyun Kim

: Inferiority-Driven Genius

◎ Details

: All abilities are temporarily reduced.

If not quickly freed from the inferiority complex, permanent loss of superpower may occur.

Improper awakening may lead to fatal consequences.

Inferiority-Driven Genius. Two words that don’t seem to go together at all.

There seems to be a story there… but I can’t recall who she is.

I don’t remember a character named Soohyun Kim.

I’ve never seen such a name among the heroines either.

“Let’s begin. I’m ready.”

Junwoo Park takes his stance with a swagger.

He’s an expert at getting under people’s skin. It might even be a strategy.

Make someone so angry they charge in recklessly, then beat them up.

For all his cocky exterior, he might actually be quite clever.

“Then let’s start the examination.”

I’ll try to endure as much as possible. If it seems impossible, I’ll surrender. That was my plan as I took my stance…

‘What the?’

In an instant, Junwoo Park was right in front of me.

This guy was even more skilled than I had anticipated.

BANG—!

“Ugh!”

I felt like I’d been hit by a car. If I hadn’t blocked it, something would definitely have broken.

If a simple punch without a weapon is this powerful, I have no chance.

‘This should be enough…’

This level is sufficient for Silver rank. So let’s stop here. That’s what I was about to say.

“Did I catch you off guard?”

But this guy clearly had no intention of letting me go.

His next attack broke through my guard. My vital points were exposed to him.

I tried to dodge somehow, but Junwoo was much faster.

“Three-second knockout for the civil servant.”

…This fucking bastard.

*

– The Third Eye is currently active.

◎ Seojin Baek

: Low-level Civil Servant

Error. Reactivating The Third Eye. –

Error. Reactivating The Third Eye. –

… …

◎ Seojin Baek

: The Silver Gatekeeper

◎ Details

: No one can pass without the gatekeeper’s permission.

◎ Number blocked

: 1 ( 1 / 10 )