A-Class Promotion Exam (3): The Traitor's Shadow

Yubin. You could tell just from the lack of any fancy suffixes like Yulis or Joun—he wasn't someone who'd inherited the proper blood of a true hero. Nor was he a scion of some prestigious family like Song Junho or Ohana. Just an ordinary orphan. A young boy discarded on the cold streets without a single foundation to build on. That was his life.

Anyone with real experience could roughly guess the path he'd walked from that alone. 'Faced mortal crises and clawed his way to growth through sheer grit. Built a name for himself on innate talent, eventually becoming a valued senior instructor at Prunel Academy.' A story so typical it bordered on cliché.

So why the hell did I kill him? I'm no psycho murderer; I didn't do it out of personal grudge.

'Kay. What the hell kind of guy do you think I am in that head of yours?'

Anyway, the reason I killed him was simple: he was a traitor who'd played a major role in bringing Prunel Academy to its knees.

'…Everything starts going wrong with Yubin as the turning point.'

In the future where the Demon God descends and the world goes to shit, Cheonwigwang makes a resolute choice that's hard to believe from the kindly old neighborhood grandpa vibe he usually gives off. He gathers like-minded heroes, unites them, and forms an alliance against evil with Prunel as its core.

Maybe because an Awakener once called a 'legend' and the 'Wrathful Young Dragon' steps up to the front lines himself? In reality, tons of heroes and groups nearly rallied under his banner.

Yeah, nearly.

'The reason it's in past tense…'

Right before the alliance could fully form, Yubin succeeds in killing Cheonwigwang.

I heard it straight from Yubin later: no chance of winning head-on, so he poisoned him in advance and barely ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠managed it by weighing the lives of cadets in the balance.

'And after that, it's all predictable.'

Prunel loses its leader, the principal. Then the Villain Union shows up like they've been waiting. And even traitors from the hero side who embrace demonic energy to survive and become demons.

'That's the backdrop for why the hope called "Prunel" flickers out.'

'And the survivors from there band together to form the Hero Party…'

In a way, the 'Prunel Alliance' could be seen as the proto-Hero Party.

I still think about it sometimes. If Cheonwigwang hadn't died so pointlessly. If Yubin hadn't betrayed them.

Erina the Hero wouldn't have shouldered such a massive burden right after turning adult. Prunel wouldn't have held out until it crumbled, twisting into the form I despise.

'All pointless what-ifs.'

Anyway, you'd wonder, 'So why the betrayal?' I was curious too, so I tracked him down, chopped off his limbs, and asked directly.

"…Kuhk… I have a daughter…"

"What?"

"…My one and only precious treasure… I couldn't bear to see her suffering anymore…"

"……"

He joined hands with them to save his daughter from an incurable disease. The reason was so clichéd I remember laughing my ass off right there on the spot.

I got more details later: the Villain Union's leader actually cured his daughter right in front of him. That's why Yubin said he had no choice but to betray. He instinctively knew that the leader—known as the Queen of Grafting—could make the illness return whenever she wanted.

'…Tch.'

The world's downfall had layers and causes like that. People just realize too late… or can't do a damn thing about it.

'Got sidetracked.'

I stared silently at Yubin.

'…Can I win against the current him?'

He'd dulled from dirty tricks, but Yubin's skill was the real deal. His sword swings were beautiful and fluid. Like reeds swaying in the wind—never breaking—his blade embodied curving arcs, while weaving illusions and transformations to strike at enemy weaknesses.

'In short, he wields annoyingly tricky swordsmanship.'

I gauged his full power. Memories of the past-life Yubin surfaced. But that was the demonized version who'd broken his limits to become a full demon. Not the man before me now.

I recalled the arm with the trimmed mustache. His sword strikes etched into it like watercolor on rice paper.

'One side…'

If I sacrificed one arm, I could probably win without much trouble.

"Sizing up your odds?"

A low voice tickled my ear. Yubin gazed at me with a scholar-like smile.

"Same goes for you, Instructor."

"Haha, sorry. It's just—fifty years swinging a sword, and you're the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠first powerhouse I've ever seen. Couldn't help the competitive spark. Truly impressive, Mr. Choi Siwoo. A realm unbelievable for your age."

"…You that old, Instructor?"

"Hitting me there… Even looking like this, I have a daughter just two years older than you."

He chuckled heartily, radiating the vibe of someone itching for a spar right then. A complicated mix of emotions hit me.

The man I'd killed had been a shell, mocking himself as mere meat scraping by day-to-day, his swordsman's pride long gone.

I think about it occasionally: is this a side effect of 'regression'?'The disconnect when people I know turn out different… or haven't turned that way yet.'

I swallowed the bitter aftertaste and smiled back at him.

"Honored to meet a powerhouse like you, Instructor. Once I hit S-Class, let's have a proper bout."

"I'd beg for the chance. We've dawdled too long. Before Inspector Hasman throws a fit, let's head inside."

Yubin volunteered to lead the way.

"The test is simple. Cadet Choi Siwoo, subdue the attacking enemy and force their surrender. Or retire them completely—doesn't matter."

"Typical. If it gets near lethal, you intervene, right, Instructor Yubin?"

"Yes, but… you probably noticed coming in. This space isn't constructed by spells."

"So unexpected variables are just part of it?"

"Exactly. Normally, we wouldn't run it this way. 'Space Separation' is an efficient spell that's been around forever. But Inspector Hasman keeps bitching—er, sorry. Being stubborn about it."

"Hm…"

"And it's billed as 1v1. Though that's just his claim. You saw earlier—don't take it at face value. Oh, and…"

He paused, adding cautiously:

"He said everything that happens during the match is fair game. I figure you get what that means, Mr. Choi Siwoo."

I nodded quietly.

"No issue. I won't lose anyway."

"Haha, good luck."

How many minutes had passed following him? Yubin halted after a long walk. I turned my head along his gaze.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

A neatly maintained circular plaza came into view.

"I'll head up top then. Give it your all, Mr. Choi Siwoo."

Finishing the guide, Yubin bowed politely and walked off into the distance.

'The test's here, huh.'

I quietly brushed the ground.

'…Doesn't seem tampered with.'

'Hm.'

Some separate prep? I scratched my chin, pondering, when the trees beyond the plaza rustled thickly.

Someone leaped branch to branch, racing toward me.

Crunch!

Leaves scattered as a black silhouette vaulted high.

Thud!

The hulking man landed right in front of me and bellowed in my face with a booming voice.

"You're finally here, Choi Siwoo! I've been… I've been waiting for this day!"

Ear-piercing. Who the fuck is this guy?

A muscle-bound brute. He struck a pose like he might charge any second, glaring daggers at me.

'Similar build to Cheolwangguk, but…'

Unlike the giant soldier Cheolwangguk, this one radiated feral beast vibes. If I had to compare to an animal, a grizzly bear.

"…Who?"

"Hah! No need to play dumb. I haven't forgotten that past grudge, but I'm not barbaric enough to settle it right away."

"…No, seriously, who the hell are you?"

"Still with that act? Fine. I'll make you feel it skin-deep."

The rambling fool clenched both fists. His eyes flashed open, unleashing a savage aura. Heavy yet sharp… like a predator eyeing prey.

"Behold my power. Once you've tasted it firsthand, no more pretending."

'…Sigh.'

Do I have shit luck with people? Song Junho, Cheolwangguk, Kang Hanseong… why are all the dick-swinging idiots around me total headcases?

Anyway, I seriously have no clue who this is. After wracking my brain, Kay finally stepped in, fed up.

'…Ah?'

Memories flooded back then. Right, this asshole existed.

"Your face finally changed. Can't ignore me now—"

"—Aren't you the punk who passed out from one kick?"

"……"

Hwangbo Han's face twisted. His fists trembled; I smirked and continued.

"So why're you here?"

"Arrogant to the end. Obviously to get revenge on you. Perfect timing too."

"…Timing?"

"Heard you're gunning ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for promotion. But no one approves of a cheat like you. So they approached me: stop you, tear you apart so you never try again."

"Hm, the Association send you?"

"…No need to hide it. Yeah. Not sure exactly, but some bigwig there. That nosy Hasman prick is their lapdog."

So that's how it flows. Almost too predictable—kinda ridiculous.

'Nah, the original work was written without the author thinking hard either. What more to expect.'

As I thought boredly, he kept ranting.

"Don't misunderstand. I'm no Association dog. Whatever schemes they have, irrelevant to me. I'm here to smash your dirty tricks, Choi Siwoo! Bet you've prepped a ton again. Doesn't matter. I'll say it clear right here."

He jabbed a finger at me with blazing eyes.

"I'll crush it all head-on. From that humiliating entrance exam defeat, I've trained endlessly. Forged myself never to yield to evil again."

"…Couldn't care less."

"Brace yourself. This time, you're the one hitting the dirt!"

God, so chatty. I scratched my head and glanced around.

"Do whatever. So when do we start?"

His lip curled right after. My senses blared a warning.

Crisis scent wafted through my nose.

Slash!

A cross-shaped gash scarred my tactical vest. Five sharp claws—like a beast's rake.

Sure enough.

"Started the moment I walked in, huh."

"Exactly. Not ambushing from the jump? That's me showing minimal courtesy!"

A beastly growl erupted from Hwangbo Han's mouth. He lunged forward—left foot front, right back—explosive speed.

I watched calmly, hands in pockets.