An Angel Lagging Behind in the Exam (3)
Heroes were a kind of celebrities. Some were so obscure they weren't even recognized in their hometowns, while others were so famous the whole world beyond Korea went wild for them.
Among them, Yumari was especially renowned. As a member of the prestigious superhuman Seocheon Yu family, a half-dragon no less. And with her stunning beauty and overwhelming strength... she couldn't not be famous.
Even in practical clothing chosen purely for function, she exuded an effortless elegance. No jewelry or makeup was needed for her beauty to shine. And on her forehead, those small horns—a mark of her draconic heritage.
That Yumari was looking right at him.
Top graduate of the Central Superhuman Academy. A mixed-blood dragon who earned the infamous title of Dragon Lady, yet so exceptional she turned even that infamy into praise. The hero who single-handedly sealed a rainbow-colored rift.
Refri remembered the room from his past life. The largest decoration there had been a poster of her.
Tucked in one corner of Refri's bookshelf had always been a scrapbook of her news clippings.
Yes. In his past life, Refri had been that big a fan of Yumari.
"Hello."
But now, that Yumari was talking to him......
"I'm Yumari. Not to brag, but I think my name is somewhat known... Have you heard of me?"
Yumari was speaking to him so amiably. Yumari was smiling at him.
"Yeah, I've heard of you. The dragon lady of the Seocheon Yu family... I know all about you."
"Then......"
She reached out her hand.
But Refri couldn't take it.
Why? Because in his past life, Yumari had betrayed humanity.
She sold out the Mariana Base—humanity's most vital fortress—to the Demon King's army, then fled to another dimension as a full dragon in exchange. Wings spread wide as a dragon, she never once looked back at the world she'd abandoned.
Recalling that wretched past, Refri reaffirmed his resolve once more.
I have to stop that from happening, no matter what...
Why did Yumari betray humanity? To understand that, he needed to know her past.
The head of the Seocheon Yu family had once kidnapped the Sky Dragon Lumari and made her his concubine. And Lumari gave birth to a cute daughter named Yumari.
A prodigy with both the Seocheon Yu family's powers and draconic abilities. The family wanted to exploit her talents but also feared her enough to plot her elimination. Simply put, factions formed.
And both factions...
...tormented Yumari.
In the end, even the Sky Dragon was captured, exploited, and died at the hands of the Seocheon Yu. Her half-blood daughter was then targeted by half-brothers fearing she'd claim the heir position.
To survive, she had to keep proving her excellence.
If she was seen as unnecessary, she'd be purged at any moment.
The reason she maintained such a perfect heroic facade? It was all just an act to stay alive.
And in his past life, Refri had fallen for it completely.
A bitter taste filled his mouth as he bowed his head.
No matter the reasons, the fact of her betrayal didn't change. Even if she'd sacrificed humanity for her own freedom, too many had died because of it.
"You... aren't going to shake my hand?"
Look at her, extending her hand while pretending to be so nice.
But Refri wouldn't be fooled again. He knew now it was all an act.
With a sigh, he said, "Yumari. Reveal your draconic senses right now. There's a trap targeting you."
"...What?"
Refri knew about the traps set here.
How? After Yumari betrayed humanity and fled in his past life... a massive inquiry had been held.
That inquiry revealed many truths. One was the Seocheon Yu family's schemes against Yumari... and the first one involved the entrance exam.
"Ha... What the hell......"
Dragons were supremely perceptive creatures. Especially their horns, which sensed everything from traps beyond walls to atmospheric conditions and even human emotions.
Her horns slowly grew larger. She was heightening her draconic senses.
She'd been hiding them deliberately, not wanting to show her rivals she could.
As Yumari exposed her senses, Refri gathered his thoughts.
No matter how betrayed I feel, Yumari is a hero humanity needs. If I can block the Seocheon Yu family's schemes against her from now on...
Then maybe she wouldn't betray them.
More importantly...
Their schemes won't kill her anyway—they just fuel her resentment toward humanity. Better to block them outright and claim the Angel Power for myself.
You have rescued a future hero from a trap!
Rescuing a future hero is truly the act of an angel!
You have acquired a large amount of Angel Power.
Angel Power would be essential for the upcoming exam trials. If he could gain something this valuable, he could set aside old grudges for now and help her a little.
Damn... freaking hell...
Meanwhile, Yumari's sharpened senses picked up dangers aimed at her from all directions.
Talismans laced with dragon-slaying magic... potent enough to injure even her.
Probably the work of those in her family plotting her purge.
Dragon-slaying auras on some doors. The Seocheon Yu family can even interfere with the entrance exam? That was close. Which means they likely have eyes and ears hidden among the examinees.
And her transcendent senses even read the emotions of the boy beside her.
He felt a piercing sadness toward her. And deep betrayal too.
A boy she'd just met today, harboring such intense feelings for her...? And he smelled of the sky.
Mom's scent...
Dragons claimed the skies as kin. That fresh, fragrant scent from her mother—it was said only true heavenly beings could carry it, like dragons.
"Thank you for warning me about the traps. But you... do you hate me?"
"...Can't say I don't."
"Then why help me?"
"Can't say that either."
"You......"
"Enough. I don't want to talk anymore."
One rescue was enough. That was Refri's thinking.
No matter that the current Yumari had done nothing wrong yet, Refri wasn't emotionally stable enough to overlook it.
So he refused further conversation.
Sitting in the corner, Refri pondered where to allocate the Angel Power he'd just earned.
If I stockpile a bit more Angel Power, I can raise a stat...
After last time's stat-up left him drained, saving Yumari had filled him back up to near the threshold.
But with divine abilities needed in the exam ahead, I should hold some Angel Power in reserve.
So Refri decided.
I'll save this Angel Power.
Crouched in the dim corner of the hall, lost in thoughts of Angel Power—that was Refri.
Watching him, Yumari couldn't help but think.
He really looks just like my mother.
The Sky Dragon Lumari had been the same. Bearing the scent of the heavens, beauty beyond ordinary folk. And that foolish kindness to save even hated foes if their lives were at stake.
Just like this boy saving the Yumari he despised.
Appearance, scent, personality... not a single difference.
And in this world, that personality always led to being used and dying miserably—too wretched for survivors to even recall.
Yumari bit her lip.
...He really looks just like my mother.
Overwhelmed by rising sorrow and longing, even she couldn't bring herself to speak to Refri.
Thus, the awkwardness lingered through the day.
Fortunately, it didn't stretch to a third day.
By the time today ended and tomorrow dawned, a trainee from a major guild entered third, and a young master from another family came fourth.
Yumari greeted them immediately. Their wariness melted away at once.
As if they'd forgotten they'd soon be rivals.
Of course, they didn't notice Yumari turning ice-cold the moment the chats ended...
If it's a team exam, this much networking is necessary.
Glancing at the sullen Refri, Yumari felt an emotion she couldn't name as an examinee.
He hates me but still showed pity. I can use that kid. Others will try to exploit him too. Just like...
Just like they did to Mom.
She was worrying about Refri right now.
Her rival, Refri.
So she hid the feeling.
And muttered excuses to herself.
Why worry about that kid? He hates me. He's my enemy.
Yumari smiled, playing along with the other examinees' jokes, all the while thinking:
Yumari... what the hell do you even want?
The tenth to finish registration was a stunning subhuman with pink hair. Her funky outfit and those ears and tail marked her clearly as a feline subhuman.
Yumari identified her instantly.
The next chieftain of the Dalgoyang cat clan. Hongwol...!
The Dalgoyang were infamous as master assassins and thieves, and among them, Hongwol was hailed as a genius.
Sly and cruel, as befitting the moon cats... A target to watch closely.
But Yumari hid such thoughts, greeting her just as she had the others.
However, Hongwol ignored her completely and headed straight for the boy in the corner.
"Hi."
The moment Hongwol saw Refri, her pink tail shot up, quivering.
Yumari wondered. What? Are Hongwol and the boy acquaintances?
Erasing her fake smile, Yumari watched intently.
The man who'd been chatting with Yumari until then looked startled at her smile vanishing—par for the course.
"...Who are you?"
"Hmm? Ah, yeah, first time seeing me like this."
The boy seemed to be meeting Hongwol for the first time too. Then why was she acting like that? No way...
"Boy, I'm Hongwol of the Dalgoyang cat clan."
"Ah, Hongwol...?"
"Heard of me?"
Yumari bit her lip.
As explained earlier, Hongwol was infamous for her brutality. And from a thief clan like Dalgoyang, she'd exploit and discard people without blinking—just like Yumari herself.
Her mother had been used up and killed by such types.
By cruel ones like Hongwol...!
Hongwol. What are you planning? Don't tell me... you're going to use that boy?
Unknowingly, Yumari had taken a step forward.
"Straight to the point—let's team up, boy."
But Hongwol was already much closer to him.