Those Who Welcome, Those Who Do Not Welcome - 3
Number Blocked: 44 (44 / ???)
Hmm.
No matter how many times I looked at it, reported it, and examined it again, that damn Hook Mark showed no sign of disappearing. No, seriously—why? Why the hell is something like this popping up here? It started by clearly presenting a concrete number of ten people. So why is the next requirement not fifty, not a hundred, but a bunch of question marks?
Just when it was getting good.
Just yesterday, when the notification arrived saying the waiting period for the required count had ended, I don’t know how many times I shouted “Finally!” Even though I had only fulfilled a requirement of ten people, an enormous reward followed. I wondered how much stronger the trait would become once I reached the next requirement. That was the thought that made me urgently activate my Third Eye, and this was the result.
They say expectations are always betrayed. That old saying seems to hold true no matter where you go. Maybe it really is better not to expect anything at all.
But even so, it gives me the strength to keep living. Why? Because it’s exactly six o’clock. The quitting time I’ve been waiting for since the moment I started my shift.
It’s true that the Silver-grade examinations are the most important part of my job. But it’s also better if I don’t have to do them whenever possible. Work is something you hate whether it’s easy or hard.
The progress is going smoothly as expected, at least.
I didn’t shove the entire academy student body into special examinations. For now I’m only trying to raise the Silver count again, since that’s the most urgent issue. The problem, as always, is the conflict inside me. The desire to hold on to them as long as possible, and the reality that I have no choice but to let them go. The two keep colliding again and again.
If nothing else, it benefits everyone to keep Lee Hyunwoo and Kim Suhyun around for a long time. Even if it’s only because of the Sweet After Bitter trait, it’s good for all parties involved. The other students are different, though. In a situation where I haven’t even granted them that trait yet, when it’s time to refill the Silver slots, keeping them stuck in Bronze indefinitely would do more harm than good.
No matter how much of a gatekeeper I try to be, those who must leave will have to leave.
The decision has already been made. I would let them pass only if they were students who truly deserved it. I’m worried about the penalties, but there’s no more time to hesitate or worry. The justification I hold is good in both meaning and origin. It gives the Silvers a sense of urgency and the driving force to work even harder. When they become Silver again, it forges the strength to aim for Gold. If that in turn stimulates the Golds, it can be called a success.
But to achieve that, some student eventually has to rise to Silver rank. Whether they possess the qualifications, have high growth potential, or simply refuse to slack off on effort—whatever the reason, it means escaping Bronze and surpassing the gatekeeper.
It’s a shame, but… I have to let go of the ones who don’t need to be held back any longer.
Students who settle for Silver, stop making any effort, and later die meaningless deaths. My goal is to give them even the slightest chance to extend their lifelines. Under that main premise, I also included my own growth.
…That’s what my reason keeps desperately trying to convince me, but the regret is unavoidable. Sending them away means fewer people will come to the examination room with genuine enthusiasm and persistence. Of course there are those who will eventually sit down no matter how much you whip them. If only those remain in the end, my own growth will stagnate too.
Sigh…
There is now a little less than a year left until the predicted great disaster. I can only hope that when that time arrives, both they and I will be fully prepared.
“Examiner.”
I thought I just heard Kim Suhyun’s voice? When I lifted my head, I saw her standing at the academy entrance. She was accompanied by people who were practically screaming “I’m a bodyguard” with their entire presence.
“Suhyun… Ahem. Are you on your way home, Student Kim Suhyun?”
If I used casual speech here, those bodyguards would definitely give me the stink eye. So I deliberately raised my register a little. Kim Suhyun’s eyes widened as she walked toward me. She seemed startled by my sudden polite tone. I decided to give a suitable excuse so she would understand why.
“The people beside you appear to be bodyguards.”
“Yes? Ah, ah…”
Even though Kang Minsung had permitted it, they probably didn’t know that. In that situation, a young man speaking casually to the granddaughter he cherished more than life itself—it was obvious their expressions would turn fierce. I didn’t need to see it to know.
“Yes. I told him I was fine on my own, but Grandfather keeps insisting I bring them along…”
“It must be tiring for all of you.”
When I offered a light greeting, as expected, there was no reply. Crisp suits without a single wrinkle and sharp auras radiating from behind sunglasses. Even in a world where monsters rampage and villains run wild, bodyguard fashion stays the same. At least they didn’t try to stop me by asking who I was, which was fortunate. I never thought being a recognizable face would help in a situation like this. I certainly never imagined the day would come when that Irina would prove useful.
“Um, Examiner. What are you doing for… dinner tonight?”
“Dinner? Oh, I don’t have any particular plans, so I was thinking of just eating at home.”
“R-really?! If it’s all right with you… would you like to have dinner together?”
Huh. Wait a second. Was Kim Suhyun always this proactive?
When I glanced around, the bodyguards were trying hard to keep straight faces, but I could still see the surprise slipping through. As expected, it seemed this was the first time something like this had happened.
If I refuse… it’ll only pile up bad results.
This was a proposal Kim Suhyun had made after gathering real courage. Given her timid personality, suggesting something to someone first must have been incredibly difficult. The fact that she stepped forward anyway was a good thing in itself. Besides, honestly, having dinner together wasn’t a problem at all. If she were still a minor it would be another story—I’d have nothing to say if I got arrested. But I’m an adult, and so is Kim Suhyun. There is no issue whatsoever.
“Shall we? To be honest, I was worrying about what to eat tonight anyway.”
“Ah, then let’s go together! Please get in here!”
Hey, Suhyun. Even so, how can you open the door for me like some kind of bodyguard? The actual bodyguards are startled and rushing forward to do it themselves. More importantly, this car. The interior looks about a hundred times nicer than my house.
Ah. Is that obvious? Well, it is a vehicle used by Kang Minsung’s family, after all. Besides Kang Minsung himself, the rest of the family also possesses tremendous, colossal influence, so it makes sense.
Hmm…
I wish Kim Suhyun would say something. We got into the car after she suggested dinner, but she’s just sitting there in silence, which makes me feel strangely awkward.
Maybe my earnest inner wish reached her.
“Um… is there any particular menu you’d like?”
Fortunately, Kim Suhyun finally opened the door to conversation.
“Let’s see. If Student Kim Suhyun has somewhere in mind, we can go there.”
“Is that really okay? What if Examiner doesn’t like it…”
“There’s absolutely no chance of that. I eat anything well.”
Grass, fish, meat—it’s all fine. I learned both in my original world and here that complaining about side dishes is pointless. Life itself is a struggle to eat and survive, so what’s with the nonsense about food.
I quietly watched the scenery flowing past the window. I remember originally seeing these sights from a bus or a subway train. Back then the world only felt difficult and lonely. But riding in a car so expensive it makes you gasp, everything looks beautiful instead. So this is why people stake their lives on nice cars.
Of course, my philosophy is to eat three proper meals a day rather than obsessing over cars.
Anyway, the city looks quite beautiful, different from before. The brilliant lights that appear every night. The many people beneath them enjoying the sweetness of getting off work. Some alone, some together, spending the night. And that shooting star flying this way adds a touch of romance…
…Wait a second.
Why is that shooting star flying toward us instead of falling from the sky?
“Kim Suhyun!”
“Yes?”
At the same time, a tremendous roar and flames filled every direction.
“Yoo-hoo. Direct hit.”
The car that took a fireball dead-center swerved violently and slammed into a building. Seeing this, the one-eyed woman patted the back of the dark-clad man who had launched the spell.
“We don’t have time. The ability users will swarm in soon.”
“It’ll be quick. Some weird bastards got mixed in, but it actually worked out for the best.”
When the one-eyed woman held out her hand, the dark man passed her the axe he was holding.
“Let’s finish this fast and get out of here. Before those crazy bitches and bastards show up.”
At those words the dark man made a light gesture. As if on cue, the villains who had been hiding everywhere began to reveal themselves.
“Boss.”
“What.”
The man who had been assessing the situation frowned slightly.
“Looks like most of them are still alive.”
“For real? You, didn’t you cast that spell properly?”
“The vehicle’s defense is high. And those bodyguards aren’t non-ability users.”
Just as he said, the car they thought had turned into a fireball was surprisingly intact. Bodyguards were already leaping out from front and rear, immediately taking control of the situation.
“They look around B-rank. At least one is probably A-rank.”
“What now? If we fight them, eliminating the target will be delayed.”
“I’ll hold them off. You clean up.”
“It might take a while.”
“If I’m late for today’s drama, you’d better be ready.”
At the suggestion that they could just watch the rerun, the one-eyed woman cackled. She lifted the axe and gave the man’s shoulder a few light taps.
“Want me to chop them up nicely?”
“…I’ll be back.”
“Good.”
Holding the axe whose blade was in terrible condition, the one-eyed woman dashed forward. If someone asked why she was doing this, she would answer like this: Does everything in the world need a reason? She just does it because she wants to. That is the great principle of villains. Nothing can stop their immediate desires. If they want to commit something, they commit it. If they want to kill, they kill. Today’s target was simply the man stepping out of the car. Baek Seojin.