Ch.80Becoming Famous – 3
by fnovelpia
The same wake-up time as always, and the same preparation for work.
But as soon as I put on my shoes and stepped outside, I realized that was my misconception.
“Seojin Baek.”
Outside stood a black sedan and a group of men in suits surrounding it.
What’s this all about? I wondered as one of the suited men approached me.
“We’ve been waiting for you.”
“…Is this more national security business?”
“What? Oh, no! We’re not here for that.”
Then what? You certainly look the part.
I narrowed my eyes at him, and the suited man hastily continued.
“We’re just here to accompany you on your way to work.”
“Accompany me?”
“Yes. More precisely, we’re your security detail.”
Security detail? What’s this about now?
As I tilted my head in confusion, the suit explained.
I had been designated as an important person, hence the security team.
They had no intention of bothering me; this was simply protection at the national level.
Once I moved to a designated safe location, this wouldn’t be necessary anymore.
“So basically, I need to move out of here.”
“Unfortunately, yes. The commute from here to the Academy where you work is too long. I understand you need to transfer several times on public transportation.”
“That’s true.”
“Additionally, there are too few ability users in this area who could assist you. In case of an emergency, it would be extremely difficult to get support.”
Their explanation suggests they’re doing this for my safety.
But I’m certain that’s not their only purpose.
If only everything in the world operated with pure intentions.
From my perspective, they probably have surveillance as an additional objective.
Someone capable of going toe-to-toe with The Elder might actually be a mole planted by villains.
Or I could become a betrayer like Sujin Hyun or Hyuk Kwak, holding the knife backward.
“Let’s go. If we leave now, you’ll arrive more than 20 minutes earlier than your usual time.”
Are you kidding me? The words itched in my mouth.
What’s so great about arriving 20 minutes early? Damn it.
Shouldn’t arriving exactly on time be the right approach?
I desperately wanted to say something.
‘…No, hold back. These people probably came to work even earlier just to wait for me.’
One thing I’ve learned from being a low-level civil servant:
At the very least, those at the bottom shouldn’t make life harder for each other.
We all know how difficult things are for everyone.
There’s no reason for me to say something unpleasant and make their time harder.
“…Let’s go.”
So I obediently got into the black sedan the suited man indicated.
After he took the passenger seat and gave the signal to depart, the vehicles started moving.
I glanced back discreetly.
Behind our car followed a black van.
It seemed to contain the group of suited men I had seen earlier.
“How many of you are there?”
“Me, this driver, and the team members behind us—seven in total.”
“…Isn’t that excessive?”
The suited man in the passenger seat was either A-rank or close to it.
And his team members, though lower-ranked, would still be quite capable.
Having seven such ability users assigned seemed like a serious waste of manpower.
“Not at all.”
Of course, the suited man objected as if I’d said something absurd.
“I heard about your exploits from colleagues who were present. You fought The Elder and inflicted serious injuries on him. An examiner’s struggle to protect students. It was truly impressive.”
“That was just… me being crazy. I don’t know what I was thinking, confronting The Elder.”
“That’s precisely what matters. Even decent ability users, myself included, would question whether we could even speak properly to The Elder, let alone confront him.”
The suited man then went on to say things that made me embarrassed just listening.
That I provided good motivation for those too fixated on ranks who give up when facing higher-ranked opponents.
That I served as a clear warning against the recent surge in villain attacks.
“And recently, there was even an article about how many newborns are being named Seojin…”
Damn it, stop. At this rate, aren’t villains going to try assassinating me?
Maybe by making me die of excessive embarrassment. Yes, that must be it.
“Let’s stop talking about this. It’s a bit much.”
“Ah, I see. You must be quite embarrassed.”
Who wouldn’t be after hearing all that?
Fame is good, sure, but naming children after me is going too far.
“I suppose that makes sense. After all, Seojin Baek simply did what you felt had to be done. Yet people see it differently.”
Please, just stop. I’m begging you! Stop!
Let’s just travel in silence. I might jump out of the car at this rate.
*
It’s true. We really arrived 20 minutes earlier than my usual time.
And that’s after delaying by buying coffee—it would have been over 30 minutes otherwise.
Same departure time but earlier arrival—what kind of hell is this?
Sighing, I was about to get out of the car when the suited man in the passenger seat stopped me with a “Wait.”
“You always leave work at a fixed time, correct?”
“Don’t tell me you’ll be there when I leave work too?”
“Of course. This is necessary until you move to the designated safe location.”
“Please be reasonable about my departure time. Don’t I deserve some freedom after work?”
“But…”
“And if you escort me home, your own departure time will be much later.”
Why am I suddenly saying this? This is actually an important matter.
The tragedy of someone else’s departure being delayed because of me.
If I accept that, I can’t complain if my own departure gets delayed.
Those who value their own departure time should equally value others’.
This is the attitude everyone should embrace while navigating these treacherous times of prompt departures.
“Ah… I appreciate your consideration for us. However…”
“If your superiors are the issue, I’ll speak with the Dean, Professor Jiyoon Han, and Chairman Minseong Kang to resolve it. So please, just do this for my arrivals.”
My proposal must have been quite appealing.
The suited man hesitated with an “Hmm” and started looking uncertain.
I realized I couldn’t just wait here.
I’ve never had such an uncomfortable commute. And they want to do this for departures too?
They say you might become friendly over time, but I’m rather shy.
This treatment isn’t particularly welcome, so I want to avoid it somehow.
“Report that I made a strong request—no, a ‘demand.’ That should work.”
It sounds strange for a mere civil servant to make strong demands.
But I’ve recognized that my status has definitely changed from before.
So my “demand” will likely be received differently by them.
“…I’ll contact headquarters about it.”
The suited man seemed to understand my sincerity and finally accepted.
‘With this, I’ve avoided what would likely have been a very awkward journey home.’
I arrived more than 20 minutes earlier than my usual time.
Leave late, arrive early—the exact opposite of the ideal.
I already feel tired.
While the examinations themselves aren’t difficult or tedious, the very act of coming to work is always painful.
But there was an upside to this.
I could return to my seat before more students gathered around.
Even now, I can feel students’ gazes following me with each step.
They’re not looking with ill intent. All their eyes contain goodwill.
“Huh? Isn’t that the examiner? I heard he lost consciousness?”
“You’re so behind on news. Articles reported he regained consciousness, you idiot.”
“More importantly, how impressive. How long has it been, and he’s already back at work?”
Right. Even I think I’m impressive. Or maybe just crazy?
“What happens now? Can he rise to Silver rank?”
“That’s impossible. How could anyone who survived a fight with The Elder…”
“Isn’t he already beyond A-rank? What exactly is his rank anyway?”
Unfortunately, I’m still C-rank. I’ll probably be reassessed soon.
“It’s not about winning, it’s an examination. You just need to prove you qualify for the Silver badge.”
“That’s exactly why it won’t be easy. Think about his standards!”
Well, if you were at Hyunwoo Lee’s or Soohyun Kim’s level, you’d immediately meet my standards.
And since I don’t expect that from you all, there’s nothing to worry about.
I plan to go easy on you and let you pass anyway.
‘Sometimes students misunderstand this, which is exhausting.’
They think they must defeat me in the examination.
Yet the examination conditions don’t require absolute victory.
Just showing that you’ve done your best and made an effort is enough.
‘The penalty system will be key, but they can’t hold students indefinitely.’
With these thoughts, and hearing various comments,
I headed toward the rank examination hall but had to pause my thinking.
‘Who’s that?’
A male student sitting in the middle of the examination hall.
At first I wasn’t sure, but as I got closer, I recognized Hyunwoo Lee.
With almost an hour left before the lecture, I wondered what he was doing.
But the moment I saw the picket sign in his hands…
“…What the hell is that?”
I couldn’t help but mutter.
I thought I might have seen wrong. So I blinked once or twice.
When it remained the same, I even rubbed my eyes vigorously.
– Daily Examinations Guaranteed! Absolute Defense of Rights! –
“…”
Has this guy finally lost his mind? And he’s supposed to be the protagonist?
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