Ch.97Let’s Work Hard, Examiner – 3

The Association President’s reaction in the meeting room wasn’t bad.

Even though it was just a hypothesis I threw out without any evidence.

I was impressed by how he listened attentively with a serious expression.

‘Wasn’t he Hakjun Ma’s favorite junior? Indeed, he seems worthy of the Association President position.’

As people age and rise to higher positions, they often become stubborn.

Because they have their own formula for success, they’re confident in it.

It’s fine if that confidence is maintained at a reasonable level, but go further and you become an “old fogey.”

From that perspective, the Association President wasn’t that type of person.

The Association President is ministerial level. No, I heard he’s even higher than that.

Yet there wasn’t the slightest trace of authoritarianism in him.

If someone like the Association President had been my boss instead of the one who suspended me, it would have been nice.

Maybe I wouldn’t have quit the civil service and would have stayed on just fine.

‘Let’s see. First, I’ve informed them about the Great Transformation to some extent.’

The growth of monsters. The literal “Great Transformation” that’s about to hit us.

The definitive countermeasure is ultimately the more pronounced growth of superpower users.

I clearly conveyed that point to the Association President, Hakjun Ma, and the professors.

I’m not in a key political position, just an Academy examiner.

I revealed my future vision to them without arousing suspicion.

I need to be careful not to let things get complicated by overstepping.

‘Come to think of it, I didn’t plan it this way, but somehow I ended up preparing in advance.’

Don’t just aim for Silver if you’re Bronze.

Don’t get complacent just because you’ve reached Silver, and don’t just try to stay there.

All my actions, even those that earned me criticism, finally seem to have found their purpose.

As the female professor said, I didn’t have a grand plan, but it worked out well.

Because of this, I might be able to change the futures of many more students.

“While Bronze students are sweating blood! While Silver students are gritting their teeth! What are you all doing?”

What student wouldn’t feel their pride hurt hearing those words?

Especially if they can see those Bronze and Silver students growing day by day?

Even Gold-ranked students have been anxious, constantly seeking me out.

Brief conversations, or sparring. Beyond that, even requesting evaluations that risk demotion.

Some slightly regretted it, but most had relieved expressions.

They finally had someone to clash with fiercely, igniting their passion.

Their eyes sparkled so brightly that I could feel their excitement.

The Academy’s work, evaluating students, is now perfectly on track.

It would be nice if Platinum and Diamond ranks visited more often, but that’s about it.

I have no intention of forcibly pulling down those who are already doing well to fit my standards.

If they come, I’ll see them; if not, that’s fine too. They’re already doing well enough.

‘What remains now is… how prepared I am. That’s it.’

– The Third Eye is activated.

◎ Seojin Baek

: The Silver Gatekeeper

◎ Details

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

The characteristic part remains the same. No one can pass without the Gatekeeper’s permission.

Although there hasn’t been a major change like Soohyun’s, it’s still sufficient.

I’ve benefited greatly from this characteristic. I especially felt it when facing The Elder.

Besides this, I’ve accumulated quite a few sub-characteristics.

◎ Sub-characteristic

: Sole Arbiter

◎ Details

: All those who haven’t received promotion from you are recognized as evaluation subjects.

◎ Sub-characteristic

: Bittersweet Triumph

◎ Details

: Stacks accumulate in proportion to the designated opponent’s promotion failures.

Upon successful promotion, the designated opponent’s abilities are strengthened by the number of stacks.

◎ Sub-characteristic

: Overtime

◎ Details

: When the Gatekeeper characteristic is satisfied, evaluations become possible even in undesignated places.

◎ Sub-characteristic

: The Gatekeeper’s Heart

◎ Details

: One cannot forever firmly block the Silver gate.

After arduous efforts, it’s only natural for those with proper qualifications to emerge.

Those deemed to have ‘qualifications’ are not included in the penalty count.

‘Not only is the basic characteristic overpowered, but all the sub-characteristics are too.’

Being able to use the Gatekeeper characteristic anywhere, strengthen others,

And even eliminate penalties if they violate characteristic conditions.

If this were a game, I’d say, “What kind of ridiculous character is this?”

“…”

Am I really completely prepared now? A question that suddenly comes to mind.

And the answer I immediately give myself is, ‘No.’

‘It’s strange.’

The characteristic is certainly overpowered. But that alone isn’t enough.

Not just for enduring the upcoming battles, but also for explaining everything I’ve shown so far.

A characteristic is just a characteristic. You’ll die all the same if you exceed what your body can handle.

I took fatal blows from The Elder. Not once, but twice!

Yet, I survived just fine.

They said it was a serious injury, but my recovery speed was incredible.

As if there was something special beyond the characteristic, from the very beginning.

*

Sensing someone’s presence, I looked ahead and saw Soohyun in the examination hall.

‘As expected.’

She must have rushed over right after her lecture ended.

She seemed to be waiting for me to return, since I hadn’t come back yet.

“Soohyun.”

She came running over as soon as I called, like a puppy.

And then she smiled brightly, clearly pleased about something.

The Crimson Witch—her appearance doesn’t match that characteristic at all.

“Are you done with what you went to do?”

“Yes. It went well.”

Soohyun nodded at my answer and stuck close to my side.

Anyone else might have asked what it was about.

But Soohyun beside me didn’t seem curious at all.

“Aren’t you going to ask what it was about?”

“If you want to tell me, I’ll listen, and if not, that’s fine too. What if I asked and you made an uncomfortable expression because it was difficult to answer?”

She was silent because she didn’t want me to feel uncomfortable.

Grateful for her answer, I unconsciously patted her head.

“Ah.”

Soohyun looked at me with wide eyes.

Worried I might have made a mistake, I immediately withdrew my hand.

“Sorry. If that was too sudden…”

“Not at all! I was just surprised. Your touch was so warm.”

“…Don’t say things like that too casually. People might misunderstand if they hear.”

We’re both adults, and there’s not much age difference between us.

There’s nothing wrong with it, but hearing such words makes me feel a bit guilty.

Anyway.

“Soohyun.”

“Yes, Examiner.”

“Can I ask you for a favor?”

I want to explore the question that’s been on my mind.

“Yes! Just tell me! I’ll do anything for you!”

“Let’s have a sparring match.”

“A sparring match?”

“Yes. With real swords, giving it our all.”

“…Huh?”

A bewildered sigh escapes from between Soohyun’s lips.

I somewhat expected this reaction.

I know she shows great interest and affection toward me.

Even I had thought, ‘Hyunwoo might be better than Soohyun.’

But after considering various aspects,

I concluded that Soohyun would be better than Hyunwoo.

‘I’ve fought with that guy too many times. In a familiar state, optimal results won’t come out.’

The reason I want to spar now is to check how far my abilities go,

While using my characteristic as little as possible.

If that’s the case, rather than facing Hyunwoo, whom I’ve already become familiar with,

It would be better to face Soohyun, whom I’ve clashed with less.

“E-Examiner? Isn’t that too dangerous? What about doing it like the promotion evaluation…”

I shook my head at Soohyun’s words. That would be useless.

I want a fierce sparring match. The more spine-chilling, the better.

And incidentally, I also want to see Soohyun’s full strength.

I know she’s grown tremendously while sparring with Rina.

That’s why I promoted her to Silver first.

Now that some time has passed, I’m curious to see how much she’s grown.

“Please, Soohyun. I really want to fight you seriously, giving it your all.”

I held her hand and asked with a serious tone.

With my characteristic suppressed as much as possible, she was the best sparring partner.

How far I’ve come. How much further I need to go.

There was no one better than her to objectively gauge that level.

“…If you’re asking like this, you must have a reason.”

Yes, you must. If I refuse at this point, it would be absolutely wrong.

Soohyun muttered to herself before putting on a determined expression.

“Let’s do it. The sparring match. As you said, I’ll give it my all.”

*

A car enters the Academy’s main gate.

It was clearly an extremely luxurious vehicle.

“…”

Hakjun Ma, watching from a distance, let out a sigh.

That damn friend. He thought it had been suspiciously quiet lately.

Screech—Clunk!

‘That temperament. Why is he opening the door before the car has even stopped properly?’

A vehicle that expensive would have the locks engaged while in operation.

Is he so impatient that he can’t even wait for that?

“Hakjun!”

The person who got out and spread his arms wide in greeting was none other than Minseong Kang.

The head of the Kang family, Korea’s greatest Weaponry Class clan, and a hero of the past.

Even now, despite his age, he was skilled enough for villains to call him the Sword Wraith.

“Please. How many times do I have to tell you to keep it down?”

But to Hakjun Ma, he was just a friend who still hadn’t grown up.

“What brings you here suddenly? Did something happen?”

“No, nothing like that. I don’t need a reason to visit.”

“I’m pretty sure I told you to only come when something happens.”

Despite Hakjun Ma’s words, Minseong Kang just laughed heartily.

Minseong Kang, who prioritized his family above all else in the world,

Valued Hakjun Ma as much as, if not more than, his family.

“You’ll have to wait a bit. The work isn’t finished yet.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll just take a little stroll around the Academy.”

“How about just sitting quietly next to me instead of causing a commotion?”

Minseong Kang shook his head at that suggestion.

“I should go see my granddaughter’s face.”

“What if she’s in class?”

“She’s not! I checked her schedule before coming!”

At that point, it’s not affection but obsession.

That thought lingered on Hakjun Ma’s lips, but he barely held it back.

“Please be careful not to cause too much commotion. If rumors about special treatment start, it’ll only harm your granddaughter. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Of course. Do you think I’m a child?”

Yes, you are a child, not an adult, you fool.

Shaking his head, Hakjun Ma went back inside.

Meanwhile, Minseong Kang left all his attendants behind,

And headed into the Academy alone.

‘It should be around here. My granddaughter’s energy…’

Clang!

It was a sound others could never hear.

But the “Sword Wraith” caught even that momentary clash.

Minseong Kang carefully headed toward the source.

After a short while, the scene he encountered was:

Clang! Clash!

Soohyun Kim wielding her sword vigorously, and Seojin Baek facing her.

“Hmm…”

Looking at that scene, Minseong Kang thought:

Did they get into a fight?