Ch.47Red Yellow Red – 1
by fnovelpia
Unlike the bodyguards who couldn’t leave their charge’s side.
Seojin Baek moved forward and engaged in fierce combat with the villain faction’s executives.
In the midst of battle, he suddenly spun around and threw something.
Each time he did, several people who had appeared to be ordinary civilians fell with screams.
They were all villain operatives disguised as civilians.
Thanks to him, the burden on those guarding Soohyun Kim was greatly reduced.
Seojin Baek was handling more than half of the attacks.
And even the remaining half were being neutralized by him without anyone noticing.
Though the perimeter guards were providing backup.
In the end, Seojin Baek was handling most of the villains alone.
“Shouldn’t we join in too?”
“No. That examiner is far better than us. If we interfere, we’ll just get in his way. It’s better to watch his back so he can fight without worry.”
To avoid disrupting the battle, the bodyguards focused only on villains trying to attack from behind.
And as expected, Seojin Baek was successfully blocking all enemies approaching from the front.
“…”
Soohyun Kim sat silently among the bodyguards, watching the scene unfold.
How could he be like that?
He had no obligation to fight this way, and his reasons for doing so were unclear.
Despite being an ordinary person, literally.
He was a good person. A person to be grateful for. Someday, she wanted to repay this kindness.
That’s why when he said he was injured during his match with Yuhyun Jung.
When she saw the bloodstain on his side, she had been so angry.
Later, he had shown her a value in herself that even she couldn’t find.
Don’t compare yourself to others, he’d said. Accept who you are now and move forward slowly.
Set a goal and follow it—wouldn’t that be enough?
From those words, Soohyun Kim had begun to admire Seojin Baek.
And today, with villains appearing before her eyes once again.
Watching him protect her just as he had stood against The Elder.
Soohyun Kim finally began to cherish Seojin Baek.
‘The examiner is fighting alone. For me.’
BOOM!
Meanwhile, Seojin Baek blocked a head-on attack from a man wielding flame magic.
Blazing flames scattered in all directions, spewing black smoke.
Even from this distance, the heat was palpable against her skin.
It must be scorching—Seojin Baek must be in terrible pain from those flames.
Once again, anger began to rise within Soohyun Kim.
And the desire to become someone like him blossomed within her.
‘I can do it too. I can fight for the examiner too!’
Anger for his sake, admiration for him, wanting to be someone he cherished.
Those intense emotions germinated the seeds planted within Soohyun Kim.
Hissss—
Soohyun Kim’s eyes gradually turned red.
Not like bloodshot eyes where the whites turn red.
The iris, which until moments ago had looked no different from anyone else’s.
That part began to take on a crimson hue.
Though feelings of inferiority and self-doubt still remained, those negative elements.
The seeds had germinated, sprouted, grown vigorously.
And they couldn’t be stopped from finally blooming.
“One minute until backup arrives. We should start… Miss?”
“Miss! What’s wrong! Miss! No, why are you suddenly taking the sword…”
She paid no attention to the bodyguards’ words.
She simply drew the sword from the bodyguard beside her with natural ease.
Shing—
Despite the clear sound of the blade being drawn.
A red energy was already creeping along the blade.
“Miss!”
“I’m sorry, everyone. Really sorry. But… I’ll be right back.”
“Miss! It’s dangerous. Please give back the sword and step back…”
“The examiner is over there. I’m sorry. I have no choice.”
Her usual timid demeanor and small voice remained unchanged.
But the bodyguards could no longer hold Soohyun Kim back.
As people who had awakened superpowers, their senses sent urgent warnings.
Danger. Retreat while the opponent still holds goodwill toward you.
At that call, the bodyguards stepped back, forgetting even their duty.
‘You’re hurt. Again.’
The burn marks appearing on Seojin Baek’s arms.
Seeing them, Soohyun Kim winced as if she herself were injured.
She was furious. The person she admired, the person she cherished, was hurt.
She wanted to remove the black-clothed man who caused it herself this time.
She wanted to take one step closer to her goal of becoming like Seojin Baek.
Her steps felt incredibly light. The sword in her hand felt remarkably good.
Where to cut, where to stab, how to make the opponent suffer.
All of it began to appear clearly in Soohyun Kim’s eyes.
“What…”
The black-clothed man who had just gotten up recoiled in terror.
Slash!
But a long sword wound had already been carved across his chest.
*
I didn’t see it. How Soohyun Kim just moved.
Which direction she swung the sword—I truly didn’t see any of it.
Was it because her characteristic as The Crimson Witch appeared, distracting me?
That possibility exists, of course. Yes, it does… but still, this isn’t right.
“Urgh…”
The black-clothed villain who had been holding up well collapsed backward.
Though not instantly fatal, blood flowed from the gaping wound.
If Soohyun Kim’s sword had gone in just a bit more properly…
I might have seen a person’s torso split in two.
“Backup’s here! Run!”
“Boss! Support has arrived!!”
“Ah, shit. Hey! Take him and run!”
Almost simultaneously with those words, one villain quickly picked up the black-clothed man.
Soohyun Kim swung her sword immediately, but the villain was slightly faster.
He didn’t look particularly strong, but he must have specialized in speed.
“Where do you think you’re escaping to!”
The leader of the bodyguards fighting the one-eyed woman shouted.
But the distance had already widened, and it’s difficult to chase those determined to flee.
Above all, our side wasn’t tasked with capturing the villains in the first place.
Pursuing them could lead to unnecessary casualties, so stopping here was the right call…
“Examiner. Should we chase them?”
Soohyun Kim, who had been quietly looking at me, suddenly asked.
Where had that trembling fear from earlier gone?
Now she seemed ready to chase and handle everything if I just gave the word.
‘What on earth happened?’
– Activating The Third Eye.
◎ Notice
: All seeds necessary for blooming have germinated.
All penalties from previous characteristics have disappeared.
◎ Soohyun Kim
: The Crimson Witch
◎ Details
: A being who has finally bloomed, bathed in the blood of the battlefield.
Grows stronger the more blood is seen in battle.
The clearer the killing intent, the longer the hyper-sensory state lasts.
Never weakens even when injured.
Will not falter as long as there is someone to guide her.
– Currently in initial blooming state.
– Characteristics may strengthen in the future.
– A sub-characteristic has been generated.
◎ Sub-characteristic
: Berserk
◎ Details
: All combat abilities are amplified when reaching emotional threshold.
: Basically cannot distinguish between friend and foe, but ‘The Crimson Witch’ characteristic controls this.
: The ‘Berserk’ characteristic can be used without losing rationality.
This was absolutely shocking and terrifying.
First, the characteristic name is The Crimson Witch. It’s certain.
That future I tried so hard to avoid has returned.
And the characteristic details are brutally intense.
Growing stronger the more blood is seen in battle.
The clearer the killing intent, the longer the hyper-sensory state lasts.
‘A broken character on Hyunwoo Lee’s level.’
That strike that cut down the opponent without hesitation.
Speed, accuracy, power—not lacking in any aspect.
Moreover, this is just the initial blooming state. The characteristics can strengthen further.
No wonder Hyunwoo Lee had such a hard time with the real Crimson Witch.
‘And what about the sub-characteristic? Berserk. Frightening enough on its own…’
What’s the fatal flaw of Berserk? The inability to distinguish friend from foe.
Getting drunk on blood and slaughter, attacking both enemies and allies.
That’s the fate of those who use Berserk, commonly known as berserkers.
But ‘The Crimson Witch’ characteristic easily counters that weakness.
She can use Berserk without losing rationality.
In summary, she can use an overpowered buff skill without any penalties.
My wish for Soohyun Kim to level up has come true.
Yes, she’s leveled up to an almost unbelievable degree.
But why do I keep feeling this strange anxiety?
“…You’re hurt again.”
Somehow she had approached my side, and Soohyun Kim was touching my arm.
Whether the villains escaped or not. Whether the bodyguards asked if we were okay or not.
Soohyun Kim was focusing solely on the burns on my arm.
The Elder, The Crimson Witch who fought insanely against Hyunwoo Lee in the original work.
The notorious villain who dragged hundreds of thousands to hell in the Seoul attack.
That woman had now become an Academy student and was watching over me.
With an expression of deep concern, no less.
“This? It’s nothing. Soohyun. Just like getting scalded with hot water.”
“But it must have hurt a lot. Am I wrong?”
It did hurt. Yes, it couldn’t help but hurt.
Burns, injuries from heat, are said to be the most painful type of injury.
But is it worth that worried look?
Not really. Even being generous, it’s like getting splashed with oil while grilling meat.
“I’m sorry, Examiner. I’ll, I’ll try harder.”
Those words about trying harder probably meant she would train more diligently.
Yes. Working hard to do better in evaluations and become stronger.
As a teacher, I should feel proud hearing such words…
‘But… why does it keep sounding like she’s saying she’ll kill better?’
I sincerely hope it’s just my imagination. Yes, please. Let it be my misunderstanding.
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