Ch.99Let’s Work Hard, Examiner – 5

There’s no need to go into every detail.

Minseong Kang is a figure in a position as remarkable as Hakjun Ma.

If information reached him, he would already know the general news.

The meeting in the dean’s office, the various conversations we had there.

And even the hypothesis I presented in that situation.

As I finish summarizing the story, Minseong Kang nods and opens his lips.

“…I was expecting the mutation hypothesis. But the growth of monsters.”

“Do you think it’s impossible, Chairman?”

“There haven’t been any such cases yet. The current situation hasn’t been going on for years, not much time has passed. Since it never happened before, it can’t be helped. I’m sorry if you’re disappointed.”

“No, it’s fine. I understand completely.”

Mutations appearing among monsters has been happening for a long time.

In contrast, the ‘growth’ of monsters has never occurred before.

Naturally, it’s understandable that he can’t readily agree with my hypothesis.

Still, I can’t help feeling a bit disappointed.

The thought that things might be resolved more easily with Minseong Kang’s help…

“But, if it’s coming from you of all people. You, whom my granddaughter follows so devotedly—it makes me think this isn’t something to be taken lightly.”

“…”

I wasn’t sure if he valued my abilities highly or if it was just because of Soohyun.

I decided to pretend I didn’t notice the confusion and move on.

Since he gave a positive response, it’s a good outcome from my perspective.

“If your hypothesis is correct, this could be quite serious.”

“Why do you think so?”

“That’s also according to your opinion. Many ability users are in a stagnant situation. I agree with that.”

In the early days, there weren’t even grades or such things, and everyone acted frantically.

Then, as things settled down and personnel became more specialized.

Applying grades and focusing on missions appropriate to each level became the norm.

It’s not that ability users were disappointed with their initial grades and gave up.

Rather, many work hard dreaming of reaching higher grades.

However, the problem is that once they reach their determined grade,

They become satisfied and stop trying to advance any further.

After all, even a B-grade is enough to make a living.

C-grade isn’t bad either. Just escaping D-grade is enough.

They don’t even aspire to A-grade. Not just anyone can reach that level.

Living in a high position is good, but it’s enough not to be at the very bottom.

As such thoughts spread, most people reached only C-grade, or at most B-grade.

And then they completely stopped making any further effort.

“I understand. Even though going from D-grade to C-grade isn’t that difficult, the effort and time required to go from C to B, and B to A is incomparably greater.”

“And even then, it’s not certain if the grade will actually increase.”

“Exactly. If you’re satisfied with your current grade and focus only on your duties, there’s no problem making a living. It’s not like ability users are in absolute shortage anymore; there are enough.”

The behavior of Silver grade students at the Superpower Academy is part of this trend.

There’s no reason to work themselves to death; what they have now is enough.

If they postpone dungeon subjugation or gate processing to train for raising their grade,

And don’t get positive results, they’re just wasting time.

Additionally, with the increasing number of ability users, everywhere is saturated.

If you don’t come, someone else can be assigned, and if you’re pushed out, you lose work.

This is why people increasingly want to operate only within their set boundaries.

In the past, ability users were the only heroes who could save humanity.

But now that it has become just another profession, this was perhaps an inevitable result.

“This is absurd yet amusing when I think about it.”

“What do you mean?”

“In the end, the only sure way is for everyone to become stronger on their own. They need to grit their teeth and do it, even if just to survive. Ha ha ha! This reminds me of the old days.”

All existing ability users and academy students alike need to work like dogs.

Like in the early days when monsters were rampaging and gates were appearing everywhere.

Where those who don’t make an effort are weeded out, and only those who overcome themselves can advance.

Minseong Kang seemed quite pleased with this fact.

“…Perhaps you knew this and pushed the students?”

“Pardon?”

“Isn’t that right? You could say you did it to raise Bronze students to Silver, but there’s no reason to instill such competitiveness and urgency in Silver or Gold grade students. Unless Seojin Baek, the examiner, is a bad person who enjoys tormenting students.”

To be precise, Minseong Kang is right.

But admitting that would create too many unexplainable aspects.

How could I have known about the monsters’ great transformation without experiencing it?

And appearing right at the time it was happening.

It’s not just a simple inconvenience. So, I have to bring it up again.

“That just happened to fit together coincidentally.”

“You mean there’s another reason?”

“I think you’ve already heard about it, Chairman, haven’t you?”

“What do you… Oh.”

A fleeting expression of ‘I made a mistake’ crosses Minseong Kang’s face.

Soohyun probably told him about my ‘story’.

About how I lost a friend who was an ability user and what I realized from it.

That it’s important to move forward even if it’s difficult, rather than settling for the status quo.

That I’m enduring the harsh words and uncomfortable gazes to teach this to the students.

Even if Soohyun had kept quiet, he would have heard it from someone else.

Since Hakjun Ma knows about it, there’s no way Minseong Kang wouldn’t.

“Ahem. Hmm. I, I apologize. If I’ve dredged up the past…”

“Not at all. Rather, hasn’t it led to positive influences?”

As he provided me with an escape route, Minseong Kang immediately nodded.

Agreeing that I was right, that with good results, my friend could rest in peace.

‘I’m sorry, friend whose name I don’t even know.’

I’ve milked this story so much that I’m starting to worry it might be too much.

But I can’t help it. You can’t remove the bones when the broth is still simmering richly.

“…Examiner Seojin Baek.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“How about, I’d like to help you. Would that be alright?”

Suddenly, what is he saying? Help me? With what?

With that question in my eyes, I looked at Minseong Kang, who continued.

“Your hypothesis is still just that—a hypothesis. When you present your countermeasures, there will be a social atmosphere that accuses you of demanding sacrifice and duty without compensation again. I’m saying I’ll help ease that atmosphere somewhat.”

While Soohyun was kidnapped and brainwashed by The Elder,

Minseong Kang showed great distrust towards the government, including the Ability Users Association.

He even acted independently and eventually defected.

It was because of this that I subconsciously didn’t place much expectation on Minseong Kang.

Did I momentarily think ‘he won’t be of much help’?

How foolish. It seems I still haven’t fully accepted this world as it is.

But not anymore. With Soohyun safely by Minseong Kang’s side,

Minseong Kang wasn’t going to act independently out of distrust and defect.

Rather, he was showing me that he had become a strong supporter through his trust in me.

*

“Where have you been that you’re so late? I thought you couldn’t wait and had gone back.”

In response to Hakjun Ma’s words, Minseong Kang shrugged his shoulders once.

Then he shared what he had just heard from Seojin Baek with his friend.

“I’ve heard the general story. The reason you called me is probably because of another hypothesis that Examiner Seojin Baek presented, rather than the mutation hypothesis, right?”

“What? I thought you went to see your granddaughter, but you were with Examiner Seojin Baek?”

“Soohyun follows that young man so much. Now it’s more accurate to say that if you find Examiner Seojin Baek, Soohyun will be by his side.”

“…”

Hakjun Ma stared at Minseong Kang for a moment before breaking into a smile.

Not good. Whenever he smiled like that, Hakjun Ma was about to play a prank.

“I see you’re feeling left out. Right?”

“What are you talking about? I’m not feeling left out at all.”

“Stop the nonsense and be honest. Your face is already full of disappointment.”

“Come on, I’m telling you I’m not.”

No matter how much he denied it, Hakjun Ma kept asking Minseong Kang.

It was part joke, part revenge against a friend who always put him in awkward situations and was somewhat immature.

Knowing this, Minseong Kang played along appropriately.

“Your heart is already full of disappointment, you know.”

“…Fine. I am disappointed. Happy now? Very disappointed! Soohyun doesn’t even care…”

“Why be so upset? You can’t keep her by your side forever.”

Hakjun Ma clicked his tongue lightly and returned to the main topic.

“What do you think? Do you really see a possibility in Examiner Seojin Baek’s hypothesis?”

“There’s always a possibility. Honestly, we can’t say it’s zero, can we?”

“That’s true… but the growth of monsters. If we’re not careful, this could cause major social upheaval.”

At those words, Minseong Kang clicked his tongue.

“When was there ever no upheaval? When those monsters first appeared, when unprocessed gates became dungeons. There’s always been chaos. We just need to get used to it.”

“Aren’t you worried at all?”

In response to Hakjun Ma’s question, Minseong Kang shook his head.

Then he said of course he was worried, about the juniors who had been stagnant for quite a long time.

How could he not be concerned about the sudden whipping of those who were like carriages stuck in mud?

“But if they can’t escape from the mud right now, it’s dangerous.”

Patting Hakjun Ma’s shoulder, Minseong Kang continued.

“Let’s wait and see. If no more such incidents occur, then the mutation hypothesis is correct. If not, and such phenomena continue to be reported, then Examiner Seojin Baek’s hypothesis is right.”

At his words, Hakjun Ma finally nodded.