Ch.98Let’s Work Hard, Examiner – 4

As the training match with Soohyun began, a thought crossed my mind not long after.

‘Was I temporarily insane?’

I think I was arrogant. I probably overreacted. I showed off too much.

These thoughts kept building up one after another.

‘How can she be this fast?!’

It wasn’t just her speed. Swift swordsmanship wasn’t all there was to Soohyun.

Each strike, every single blow carried substantial weight behind it.

This was like a dump truck moving at sports car speeds.

If this had been an advancement evaluation for Silver rank…

If I had properly manifested my ability, I wouldn’t be getting pushed back like this.

We might have been evenly matched, or I might have even overwhelmed Soohyun.

But that wasn’t what I wanted at all.

What I want right now. No, what I need most right now…

Is to understand exactly where I stand. To figure out what my limits are.

‘And for that, I need to endure with everything I’ve got!’

Clang—! Clash—!

I gritted my teeth. If I didn’t, I felt like I might involuntarily scream.

How embarrassing would it be to cry out in pain after being the one who requested this match?

“Huff, huff…”

After creating some distance, I quickly assessed Soohyun’s condition.

Her eyes, which had turned red since awakening as The Crimson Witch.

Right now, they were glowing even redder than usual.

It meant her ability was working perfectly.

Additionally, it seemed her sub-ability, Frenzy, had also activated.

‘I’m truly glad. I’m so relieved that The Crimson Witch ability is manifesting properly.’

Losing all reason in battle and becoming a ruthless killing demon.

Without any mechanism to counterbalance the Frenzy.

That was how The Crimson Witch Soohyun Kim had been portrayed as a “villain.”

But now, rather than awakening in a Twisted way due to brainwashing…

As a “superpowered” Crimson Witch, Soohyun had awakened perfectly.

Thanks to that, she maintained her reason even while in Frenzy.

“Arbiter.”

The fact that she could speak normally was clear evidence of this.

“Are you alright? Just say the word. Whenever you say so…”

Her voice and expression were filled with concern for me.

She seemed ready to stop the match immediately if I just said so.

“Soohyun.”

There was only one answer I could give here.

“You’re doing great. Thank you so much.”

“Ah…”

“So, please continue a little longer.”

It was difficult and painful.

But this was a path I had to endure for no one else but “myself.”

I should be grateful that it was Soohyun standing before me, not an enemy.

“Yes! Arbiter! I’ll do my best!”

Soohyun shouted as she gripped her sword and charged at me again.

…Hmm, maybe I should have added that she should do just a little bit of her best?

I was worried that if she really went all out, my head might fly off.

I’m not sure how much time passed after that.

When I swung, Soohyun blocked, and when Soohyun attacked, I defended.

Each time our swords clashed, an unfamiliar sensation filled my entire body.

Though we weren’t fighting with killing intent, this wasn’t just training—it was almost a real battle.

It was chilling, but I didn’t let those emotions show.

This situation, this atmosphere was exactly what I had wanted.

“Huff, huff…”

My heart and lungs felt like they might burst at any moment.

Perhaps because we were using real swords instead of wooden ones, my arms were developing muscle pain.

My legs also felt noticeably heavier.

I observed Soohyun. She too showed slight signs of fatigue.

If this had been her in the early days, she would have collapsed from exhaustion long ago.

But now she had The Crimson Witch ability. She was probably less tired than I was.

So if we continued fighting like this, my defeat was inevitable.

It wouldn’t be surprising if I crumbled under Soohyun’s offensive at any moment.

That’s right. Yes. That should be the natural progression, but…

Clang—! Clash—!

I was still withstanding all of Soohyun’s attacks.

I even regained enough composure to launch counterattacks in between.

Clearly my body should have been exhausted beyond its limits by now.

Yet somehow, all of Soohyun’s movements appeared even clearer than before.

‘It’s as if, as if my current physical state is at its peak—an absurd illusion…’

Is it an illusion? Is it really an illusion?

‘My body definitely feels heavier than before… Why am I enduring better than earlier?’

I didn’t have to wait long to find the reason.

I could see clearly. Soohyun’s movements and the trajectory her sword drew.

How I should move, how I should attack—everything was mapped out in my mind.

The Silver Gatekeeper ability still wasn’t properly manifesting.

Nevertheless, my physical condition felt better than ever.

Right now, in this state, I felt like I could cut through anything.

Clash—!

Just as I was about to step forward and extend my sword one inch further,

someone suddenly appeared between Soohyun and me.

*

As he launched himself forward, this thought entered Minseong Kang’s mind:

What on earth was he thinking, why was he interfering in their fight?

If he could, he would have grabbed his own collar and demanded answers.

As the proud head of the Kang family. As someone who valued the honor of swordsmanship.

To rudely interrupt a duel between two swordsmen engaged in fierce combat.

Moreover, this involved his beloved granddaughter and future grandson-in-law.

Clash—!

But that regret was completely erased by the familiar sensation transmitted through the sword tip.

The sword was still crying. That intense cry passed through his hands and engraved itself on his entire body.

Thanks to this, he could be certain. If he hadn’t stepped between them…

‘One of them would have been seriously injured.’

Actually, to be precise, his granddaughter might have been in more danger.

The sword’s cry coming from the grandson-in-law’s side was more intense than his granddaughter’s.

“Gr-Grandfather?”

“Chairman!”

Kim Soohyun and Seojin Baek, who had stepped back, withdrew their swords in startled surprise.

It was understandable, given that Minseong Kang had suddenly appeared in the middle of their exchange.

“Are you alright?”

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

Normally, he would have laughed and said, “Hey! You kids. Who’s worrying about whom!”

Even the fights between his grandson and granddaughter, whom others called geniuses, had been mere child’s play to him.

However, at least in this moment, he couldn’t say that.

‘Soohyun is one thing. But Seojin Baek, this young man is truly… puzzling.’

The first impression he had given wasn’t particularly impressive.

His basics were decent and he had practical experience, so he wasn’t bad.

But by Minseong Kang’s standards, Seojin Baek was difficult to call a skilled swordsman.

He blocked and attacked precariously, but his finishes were lacking.

How he had fought The Elder, how he had managed to land an effective hit on Hyuk Kwak.

Though he didn’t want to doubt him, such thoughts had crossed his mind.

‘That was certainly the case. But at some point, the atmosphere completely changed.’

In the final moment, precisely when Seojin Baek was about to swing his sword.

Minseong Kang felt a chill down his spine and moved immediately.

There was no killing intent. He wasn’t aiming for vital points.

In fact, Soohyun Kim’s previous attacks had been far more dangerous.

If he had intended to intervene, that would have been the right time.

“Grandfather?”

“Ah, yes. Soohyun. I, I’m sorry. Your grandfather was so captivated by your match with the Arbiter that I foolishly interfered. I’m truly sorry. Arbiter Baek. I apologize.”

“Not at all, Chairman. I was thinking of wrapping things up anyway.”

Seojin Baek waved his hand dismissively and approached Kim Soohyun.

He thanked her sincerely, saying that thanks to her, his confused mind had become somewhat clearer.

“Ah! I’m glad!!”

Kim Soohyun beamed with joy, as if nothing could make her happier than being helpful.

After briefly watching his granddaughter, Minseong Kang turned his gaze to Seojin Baek.

“…”

The thought that he was truly a puzzling young man grew stronger.

That ominous yet thrilling aura from earlier.

The rough wind that he had never felt even from his own children and grandchildren.

He could easily be considered S-rank.

But now he was calm as if nothing had happened. Completely serene.

As if saying ‘all that you felt was your imagination.’

“Grandfather. By the way, what brings you to the Academy so suddenly?”

Minseong Kang had been trying to observe Seojin Baek more closely.

But Kim Soohyun’s question immediately disrupted that.

“Hmm? Hahaha! I came because I wanted to see my granddaughter… if I said that, would you scold your grandfather?”

“I told you not to do that.”

“Yes, yes. I remember. Don’t worry. That’s not why I came.”

He said he had business here, and just happened to have some free time.

So he thought he’d stop by to see his granddaughter’s face, that’s all.

Kim Soohyun nodded at Minseong Kang’s explanation.

“By the way, Soohyun. Isn’t it almost time for your lecture?”

“Eh? Ah, aah! Y-yes, it is!”

Perhaps because of the unplanned match with Seojin Baek?

She should have been heading to the lecture hall with plenty of time, but now that wasn’t the case.

There were less than 5 minutes left until the next lecture.

“I-I’ll be going now, Arbiter! I’ll see you later!”

With those words, Kim Soohyun dashed off toward the main building.

Watching her, Minseong Kang clicked his tongue a few times.

“She could at least say goodbye to her grandfather too.”

“…”

Couldn’t you please say things like that to yourself?

It feels like you’re saying it specifically for me to hear.

“Arbiter Baek.”

While cautiously grumbling to himself, he was suddenly called out.

Startled, Seojin Baek involuntarily responded with a loud “Yes?”

“Why so surprised?”

“Well…”

“Never mind that, tell me what happened. Why were you and our Soohyun like that?”

Right. I knew he would ask about that.

Thinking this, Seojin Baek first explained the contents of the earlier meeting.

Although it was a secret meeting, the person before him was Minseong Kang after all.

He probably came to the Academy primarily to meet Hakjun Ma.

If so, Seojin concluded, he would end up hearing about the meeting anyway.