episode_0057

As the sun began to set, the group that had obtained the Reward of Origin carefully examined the surrounding structures and concluded that there was nothing more to be gained, before leaving the area.

“Let’s try a little bit. It’s so big, what’s there to worry about? Huh? How about it?”

– Dori Dori

“That’s right. Honestly, aren’t you curious about the taste of the Reward as well? If something strange comes out of the draw, it’ll be a loss. It seems like there’s something inside when you tap on it, so let’s cook and try it.”

– Dori Dori!

Most of the schedule was coming to an end. By tomorrow evening, they would automatically be ejected from the Tower.

But complacency was forbidden. As the end of the schedule approached, there could be as many challengers as they wanted for the final hunt.

Now that it was coming to an end, Baek Arin, who had been looking for a way to spend the last day properly, turned her head at the commotion coming from behind.

Rarely, Lee Hayul, who was crying and shaking his head continuously, was visible.

The cause was the mischievous looks of Hong Yeonhwa and Elia on either side of him.

They teased him by tapping the Reward of Origin and saying things like ‘Let’s make fried eggs’ or ‘It would be nice to make scrambled eggs’, and every time they did, Lee Hayul whimpered and twisted his body.

He seemed to be holding the Reward of Origin tightly in his arms, as if it were precious.

Knowing that it wasn’t a malicious prank, but rather a unique reaction, he was desperately guarding the Reward of Origin.

Watching that scene, Baek Arin recalled what Elia had said before.

Wasn’t Lee Hayul said to have a lively reaction when teased?

Even in Baek Arin’s eyes, it seemed so.

If he just ignored it, it would be over, but showing such a generous reaction made them want to tease him more.

At first, it seemed like only Elia was doing it, but now Hong Yeonhwa was subtly joining in on teasing Lee Hayul.

‘He’s having fun.’

Seeing their joyful appearance, Baek Arin sighed inwardly. If she hadn’t been the party leader, she would have been teased as well…

Although they seemed to be relaxing and playing around, none of the three were letting their guard down.

They were ready to respond to any sudden attacks at any moment.

As the heirs of the Geophwa Clan, Hong Yeonhwa, who had been educated, and Elia, who had attended a professional academy since childhood, had been trained in such a manner.

And in between, Lee Hayul, who had only become a superhuman two months ago and had only been attending Siyolam for about a month, also had such an attitude.

Even though his eyes were closed in darkness, even though his sensory abilities were temporarily disabled, if a surprise attack came, he would respond appropriately.

Baek Arin recalled the recent past.

The day of the welcoming party for the new students. Baek Arin couldn’t gauge Lee Hayul’s potential.

She just thought that there must be a reason behind the principal’s decision.

After the proper academic schedule began and they were assigned to the same class.

Lee Hayul had grown unrecognizably day by day.

It was understandable.

A newly awakened superhuman’s growth rate was originally steep. Moreover, with the blessing of growth, it was natural for his growth to be fast.

Baek Arin’s thoughts changed as time passed.

The first day, the second day… the growth rate was understandable.

The third day… the fourth day… the following week.

As time passed, the growth rate became steeper. It wasn’t just a simple diagonal graph, but the growth rate shot up like building a skyscraper.

His body grew, and his magical power accumulated abundantly. Even his basic posture was corrected more and more as each day passed.

Even considering the blessing of growth, it was an extraordinary growth rate.

The thing that confirmed this was the previous sparring session.

Aiden Reynolds. From Baek Arin’s perspective, he may be an easy opponent, but nonetheless, he is also a student of Siyolam.

Moreover, he is a superhuman who has awakened his magical powers and unique abilities since childhood, receiving education in a professional superhuman training facility.

Just by enrolling in Siyolam, he was recognized for his world-class potential.

From such an opponent, Yi Hayul emerged victorious.

It was an absurd situation. Yi Hayul himself may not be aware of the community’s discussions, but the outcome of that match garnered great attention.

There was luck involved in the process. The victory was achieved because the gamble paid off.

However, it was Yi Hayul who met the minimum qualifications for the successful gamble.

In just a short month, he improved his physical abilities to the tip of a superhuman’s toes, built up the qualities to wield a sword, and demonstrated the ability to use strength and agility at an advanced level.

At that point, any doubts about his special admission were largely dispelled. The lottery was gradually being scratched off.

Dungeon practice. His remarkable performance was noted.

Increased physical abilities and skills, a special detection ability displayed during exploration.

And in the meantime, he even delved into magic. To think that without the aptitude, it would take years to barely begin studying magic.

It was incredibly astonishing. Admiration arose. If this growth trend continues, he will undoubtedly become an extraordinary hero.

And even that expectation was shattered.

‘……’

The events of the past few days.

The results at the Tower of Growth were hard to accept. Despite wearing a friendly face, Baek Arin was filled with doubts about his growth.

Baek Arin planned to find Yi Hayul at the Tower of Growth to offer assistance.

To find him, help him, and accumulate favors. To build a relationship that is not burdensome.

But she did not think she would succeed. Honestly, she thought there was a greater chance of him being eliminated before she found him.

The outcome was different.

He turned the tables on the superhumans who underestimated him.

It was not like the previous one-on-one matches.

In the vast forest, fighting in multiple battles one after another.

He said he eliminated over ten superhumans. If approached not as elimination but as injury, the number would exceed that.

The results of this entrance to the tower will not end quietly. It is a match that cannot be compared to the previous matches.

Furthermore, he was still growing at an incredible speed at this moment. Was it due to the overlapping growth blessings? Even considering that, it was an phenomenon that was impossible to comprehend.

Baek Arin did not realize it at first.

What followed was extraordinary, absurd, and astonishing.

And now…

– It’s dangerous.

Thump! Her heart beat roughly. The vibration spread to the tips of her limbs. For a moment, her body stiffened.

The source of life, the heart, was beating. Most living beings have a heart that beats every moment.

Baek Arin was no different. The only difference was that there were rare moments when her frozen heart would stop.

After one beat, a chill filled her heart. The chill spread throughout her body. Coldness ran through her veins and circuits.

Her body embraced coldness instead of warmth.

Baek Arin had always been well-liked for her smile and gentle demeanor.

Now.

‘……’

That kind of appearance was nowhere to be found.

Her face was as stiff as ice. There was not a trace of emotion on her expressionless face, making her unrecognizable from the usual Baek Arin.

Her cool eyes contained Yi Hayul. Previously likened to the blue of the sea, they were now akin to the darkness of the deep sea.

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, Hong Yeonhwa turned her gaze.

Their eyes met.

The ice-like face of Baek Arin met the fiery red eyes of Hong Yeonhwa.

Hong Yeonhwa, who was staring intently at Baek Arin, blinked her head.

“What are you looking at?”

The usual attitude. Hong Yeonhwa did not notice the change in Baek Arin.

The purpose of a ‘mask’ was just that. If it couldn’t hide your face, it wouldn’t be called a mask.

– Thud!

Her frozen heart weakly started beating. It hadn’t been a moment, but her frozen heart started beating again.

Her expression softened. The frozen face melted away, and in its place, her usual smile quickly appeared.

Baek Arin, looking bewildered as usual, said, “Why are you picking a fight again? Trying to show your true colors?”

“True colors my ass. You’re acting weird… no, you were watching, weren’t you?”

“If it’s that obvious, even Hayul knows it’s fake… just speak freely. And stop bothering Hayul. It’s embarrassing.”

Baek Arin turned away after saying that much. Hong Yeonhwa, who was trailing behind, was ignored.

It was a common occurrence between the two since childhood.

Somewhere, the displeased Hong Yeonhwa would pick a fight, only to be turned around by Baek Arin’s counterattack.

Even among the servants of each family, it was a familiar occurrence.

The only difference was that this time, Baek Arin didn’t respond much to it.

– Thud!

Her cold heart beat. Baek Arin placed her hand on her chest as if conveying her intention through the beating.

– Kill her.

Baek Arin’s eyes widened. It was the first time she had expressed her intentions to this extent.

Unlike the vague and roundabout way before, the three-year-old child’s straightforward and direct intention was something even a child could understand.

Was it judged as that dangerous?

After briefly contemplating, Baek Arin smiled and muttered under her breath.

“Fuck, damn it.”

They say it takes three years to learn to curse like a scholar.

It’s been over a decade since she got entangled with the crazy bitch Hong Yeonhwa.

Her proficiency in profanity is at a level that can’t be beaten anywhere.