Ch.88Sorry, I’m Not S-Rank – 2

“Seojin Baek, examiner. I’m sorry, but just one more time….”

Over here, Mr. Jaewoo Im. I work in the measurement department, so I know.

This is all taxpayer money being spent, so I believe two attempts per person is the limit.

Besides, I’ve never even heard of an ability rating measurement having an error.

“I’m really, really, really sorry, but just one more time….”

…At this point, it’s beyond apologetic—it’s pitiful.

I wonder what kind of expectations they have from above, what kind of picture they’re trying to paint.

Why is this middle-management man so anxious?

“Please, just one last time. This, this can’t be right….”

Yes, yes. Go ahead. You can do it, but the result will be the same.

[Measurement Result: B-Grade Assessment]

The man receiving the fifth measurement result was in absolute despair mode.

Like someone who thought they had a winning lottery ticket only to realize it was last week’s numbers.

His face looked like someone with an incredibly sad story.

“H-how is this… Could there be an error…?”

“I don’t think so. Just look at that measuring device—it’s brand new.”

I know this too well because the ability measurement department is my workplace.

Determining grades is done by fellow ability users using measuring devices like that.

It basically measures the total magical power of an ability user and their sustainable limit.

Then it calculates what both aspects can withstand simultaneously.

Unless something truly unusual happens, the measurement results are accurate.

Even if there was a mistake once, the next attempt would yield the correct result.

Both the machine’s cost and the operators are paid with tax money.

One mistake wastes tax money and could cause problems in ability user deployment.

That’s why measurements must be carried out thoroughly and perfectly.

“This doesn’t make sense. This can’t be right. Seojin Baek, the examiner…”

“You mean fighting The Elder? Yes, I fought fiercely. But looking at the end result, I nearly died while The Elder just walked away casually.”

“Ah….”

“Just from that alone, it’s clear who had the upper hand.”

It feels bitter to downplay my own worth, but what can I do?

This is the truth. What I’m saying now is what really happened that day.

I broke Hyuk Kwak’s spear, gave him an X-shaped wound on his chest.

Among other injuries, his left arm was completely broken and unusable.

Even though he was seriously engaged in combat and emotionally charged.

In the end, I was the one who reached my limit. The Elder could still fight.

My body couldn’t move anymore while The Elder was still moving fine.

If Jiyoon Han and another Elder, Sujin Hyun, hadn’t arrived at that moment…

I probably would have been completely destroyed by the enraged Hyuk Kwak.

“But, still…”

“Yes, I understand. Fighting an Elder is impressive no matter what. But, there are research findings about this, right? People exhibiting superhuman strength in desperate, life-or-death moments.”

“Ah… y-yes. Come to think of it, there have been such cases…”

There certainly are such cases. People displaying extraordinary strength in critical moments.

Some call it a miracle, others call them heroes.

“I was truly desperate in that moment. The students were exhausted, villains surrounded us from all directions. And then The Elder appeared in front, threatening to harm the students.”

“So what you’re saying is… that you just gritted your teeth and fought out of desperation, that’s all?”

Of course, that’s not the whole story. Not at all.

I have a strange characteristic that others couldn’t even imagine.

Thanks to that, I was able to engage The Elder in close combat and inflict damage.

However, I can’t talk about this characteristic.

It’s my exclusive weapon and privilege.

It’s only natural that I wouldn’t reveal everything about myself.

“Yes. That’s how I remember it.”

“…Looking at it that way, the current measurement result makes some sense.”

“I admit it seems a bit low even to me. I expected at least an A-grade.”

As I casually went along with the mood, Jaewoo Im nodded.

Both this person and the higher-ups seem to have had huge expectations.

I didn’t expect him to show such obvious disappointment.

“What should we do? Should we try one last time?”

“For now… we’ll end the measurement here. Thank you very much for your cooperation.”

“Not at all. If anything, I feel sorry for disappointing you.”

“No need to apologize. We’ve confirmed that you’re a valuable asset regardless.”

Really? But your expression doesn’t look fine at all.

No matter how hard you try to hide it, the disappointment is written all over your face.

“Well then, I’ll be going now. Thank you for your hard work.”

After finishing the measurement, I headed toward the car I arrived in earlier.

Glancing back, I could see Jaewoo Im still standing there with a blank expression.

He stood there for a moment before starting to make a phone call.

‘I wonder if he’s going to get scolded. Suddenly feeling sorry for him.’

That man is innocent. He did nothing wrong.

He just did what he was told and reported the results as they came.

But that’s the tragedy of middle management.

Getting scolded even when following orders, getting blamed just for reporting results.

Perhaps their lives are even harder than those at the bottom.

Well, all I can say is “hang in there.”

Being in middle management means more hardship and more blame.

But they also receive more in return. You have to work for what you get.

‘But wait… where did everyone go?’

Looking around, it seemed the suited group hadn’t returned yet.

When I got out of the car earlier, they said they would wait somewhere until the assessment was over.

No matter how much I looked around, I couldn’t see the suited group.

Perhaps, because the result wasn’t what they expected…

They thought I wasn’t worth guarding anymore and pulled everyone out?

‘It’s petty, but… a highly plausible prediction.’

They expected an S-grade, but the result wasn’t even an A-grade, just a B-grade.

As soon as they heard the news, they might have ordered “Pull all security personnel!”

Of course, B-grade is nothing to scoff at, but that’s how people’s minds work.

When you expect first place but get third, third place feels like nothing.

The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment. That’s why there’s a saying not to have expectations.

…But seriously, did they all leave? How am I supposed to get back?

I considered going back to Jaewoo Im to ask about the situation.

“…Yes. Yes, I’m sorry. …No. There was no mistake…”

Hmm, he’s already weathering a fierce storm.

Going over there to ask about my situation probably wouldn’t yield a positive response.

Just as I was about to check the nearest subway station on my map app,

Suddenly, the window of a waiting car next to me rolled down with a smooth sound.

“Did the measurement go well?”

Wait, hold on. Why are you coming out of there?

“R-Rina Lee?”

“Yes! Super-powerful, super-beautiful Rina! Ta-da!”

Do you really have to add that ridiculous sound effect?

“Hmm. Our Seojin oppa’s eyes seem to be saying, ‘Why are you coming out of there?'”

I’ve been wondering about this for a while—could this woman’s ability be mind reading?

According to her, my expression management isn’t perfect.

But I consider myself fairly experienced in social interactions, and I’m definitely not the type to openly show my feelings.

Yet Rina talks as if everything is transparent to her.

At this point, it’s only natural to be suspicious.

“That’s not important. Come on, get in.”

“Um… that car?”

“Yes. This car. Where else were you planning to get in?”

The reason for my hesitation? It’s because of where Rina is sitting right now.

Why is this woman sitting in the driver’s seat? How come?

“I have a driver’s license.”

“You do?”

“Of course. What do you think I am, a student? Do you really think a Korean adult wouldn’t have a driver’s license?”

It’s a bit strange hearing a blonde, blue-eyed woman talk about being a “Korean adult!”

More importantly, I’m sorry to say, but I don’t have that license you claim everyone has.

“Hmm. Could it be that our handsome but perpetually single Seojin oppa, who also puts up impenetrable walls, doesn’t have a driver’s license?”

“I’m genuinely curious—is your ability mind reading?”

“Ahaha! There’s no such ability!”

You never know. It might really exist. We have The Silver Gatekeeper here, after all.

“Seriously, how come you don’t even have a driver’s license?”

“I didn’t have time to get one.”

“I hear people call that an excuse?”

It is an excuse. But it’s not like I’m making up facts.

During weekdays, I’m tormented by my boss, slammed with work, troubled by people.

On weekends, I lie down like a corpse to rest, and before I know it, Monday comes crashing in.

You might say, “Just sacrifice your weekend to study and get it!”

Damn it. I want to tell you to try being in my position.

How can I spend my precious weekends like that?

“Well, that works out better then. Get in!”

“Um, when did you get your license?”

Yesterday, or maybe a few days ago—that’s what I’m worried about.

If that’s really the case, I’m ready to say “No thanks” and run away.

“I got it right after receiving my ID card.”

Damn. Now I don’t even have an excuse to escape.

“Hurry up and get in. The measurement seems to be over. I’ll drive you.”

“How do you know where I’m going?”

“As if I wouldn’t know our Seojin oppa. You’re going to the Superpower Academy, right? Come on, quickly. Those guys are getting ready again. If we waste time, they’ll say ‘It’s our job’ and be a nuisance.”

Wondering what she meant, I looked around and spotted the suited group in the distance.

Only then did I understand the situation. Those suits hadn’t disappeared because I was B-grade.

Suddenly Rina appeared, took over the driver’s seat, and told them all to leave.

They had become poor puppies who lost their job and were now struggling.

“…Sigh.”

I had no choice. I opened the passenger door and sat down.

I just hope this crazy woman can drive properly.

If her occasional flashes of madness appear on the road, we’re in big trouble.

‘I wonder if we’ll end up on Moon Hancheol’s dashcam videos.’