A-Class Promotion Exam (Complete)

Rage boiled in the mustache's eyes. The hooded figure watching him turned pale as a ghost. Coughing in shock, the hood trembled like a child who'd been punished.

'Why the fuck is that bastard acting like that?'

"Cough..."

"You lost. Even after all that preparation and effort, even after I slipped you two decent cards just in case... you still lost."

"...S-sorry, Father."

'Huh...?'

Father? For a split second, he was baffled, but yeah, it was a shock, and fuck, they didn't look anything alike... but suddenly, the whole story clicked into place. He'd wondered why a mere cadet was getting training on another level entirely. That damn mustache bastard.

'So that's where he pulled a powerhouse like that from... his own damn daughter.'

But instead of praising a good fight, he was scolding her? Siwoo clicked his tongue, and the mustache turned toward him, closing the distance. Clearing his throat with a fake cough, he looked Siwoo up and down with clear disdain.

"...Hmph. Lucky street mongrel. But don't get cocky. Trash like you will eventually—"

Ah, this fucker.

"Hey, old man, bow your head and shut your trap if you lost. Even stray dogs know to crawl away after defeat. What kind of human acts worse than a dog?"

"Y-you little shit!"

The mustache trembled, grinding his teeth. His glare was murderous enough to kill a hundred times over, so Siwoo just smirked back.

"According to you, old man, you're the one with that noble bloodline... but if you can't tell luck from skill, isn't that a problem?"

"You insolent fuck with that loose mouth!"

Siwoo shrugged both shoulders in a 'What're you gonna do about it?' pose, taunting him.

"Man... to think a Peak realm guy doesn't even know the gap between you... the Association's future looks bleak, huh."

Trembling with fury, he raised his cane high. But he stopped short. He knew it too—swinging here would gain him nothing but trouble.

"Meeeow!"

Unable to hold back, he vented on the innocent opponent instead. Stepping in front of his daughter, the mustache kicked her straight in the gut. Siwoo's expression hardened instantly.

"You worthless idiot! After all I've fed you, clothed you, raised you—and you can't even beat a mongrel like that? And you call yourself my son? Huh?!"

The violence dragged on. Even as the cane battered down, the hood just curled up and took it silently. Yubin tried to step in, but a mention of the Association made her back off reluctantly.

"...You sure we should just let that happen, junior?"

Turning, Siwoo saw Dangmari clutching his arm with a freaked-out look. She was standing so casually beside him it threw him off for a second.

"...Why're you so comfy next to me? People might think we're on the same side."

"Hehe~ C'mon, I surrendered already. If you'd asked, I'd have said my whole body hurts? Later~ Junior beat me up so bad it hurts sooo much~"

Creeped out by her sugary tone, Siwoo shoved her off. She toppled over, frowning.

"That's mean!"

"Y-you're older than me, stop acting cute..."

"Nope. Not acting. I am cute."

"..."

Her brazen confidence left him speechless, but he let it slide. Thud-thud! The kicking sounds kept coming.

"..."

For a moment, an immature, petty surge of pity welled up—too embarrassing to name. He shook his head.

'...Whatever.'

Trash or not, it was family business. No place for a third party. And stepping in for someone he'd just fought? Absurd. He turned to tell Yubin the match verdict.

That's when it hit—a line he couldn't let slide.

"Useless bastard! You should've won even if it killed you! That's your worth, your value!"

Siwoo froze mid-step. The words echoed in his skull, chilling his chest. Memories from his past life flooded back unbidden.

—...What did you just say? Value? Value?!

—Yeah... that's what they said.

—Who the fuck are you to put a price on my comrades? Huh? Who the hell—

—It was triage. You were the only one we could save.

—That's right. No need for you to follow them...

—Shut your fucking mouths, both of you! They died following your orders! We knew from the start! Low odds of success! But we trusted you anyway. Believed it'd lead to killing the Demon God. I wish... I wish you'd just let me die too. Why... why only me...

—......

—...Sorry. And here's a new order.

—What?

—...Captain Choi Siwoo. Effective immediately... you're appointed to the Hero Party for the Demon God subjugation. Disobedience will not be tolerated.

'...Fuck.'

That old man dragged up the shittiest memories. Siwoo spun and marched toward the mustache. Yubin's panicked voice rang out, but he ignored it.

"You damned brat—"

"—Cut it out?"

"What?! Who dares inter—"

The mustache couldn't finish. Cracking knuckles met his jaw, sending teeth flying. Oink! Like a pig squealing at slaughter, he crumpled, clutching his bloody face.

"Wh-what the hell are you?! How dare you butt in! Hit an inspector?! You think this will—"

"Instructor Yubin."

She blinked at being singled out, pointing at herself.

"M-me?"

"Match isn't over, right?"

"Huh?"

"You said before the exam. Relay from Inspector Hasman: 'Anything during the match is fair game.'"

"Uh... y-yeah, but."

Siwoo grinned slyly down at the mustache.

"Haven't gotten a surrender from Hwangbo Han yet. So it's not over. Right?"

"Y-you bastard... you think that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bullshit will fly?!"

"Hmm..."

Yubin rubbed her chin thoughtfully, then slyly stepped back.

"True... no verdict yet, so technically not over. I was just congratulating you early? Yeah. Proceed, Mr. Choi."

Siwoo flashed a grin. The mustache's face drained of color. Cracking his knuckles, Siwoo raised his fist.

"W-wait! You, lowborn bitch! Now's your chance! Show your loyalty to the Association! Attack this mongrel!"

Dangmari stared in disbelief, then hugged herself.

"Old man, we've met like twice—why're you talking to me? You're ugly as sin... ugh, creeps me out. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Stop staring. Know what gaze rape is? Might report you."

"Y-you filthy whore spreading for mongrels... w-wait, hold— Oink! Gack!"

Siwoo pummeled him head to toe like tenderizing pork—no spot spared. No mana reinforcement? Zero combat experience.

'This fucker's always been disposable.'

Recon on Siwoo? Lizard tail to cut if it failed. Kept him around for his kid's talent, probably.

Siwoo unleashed all his stress, beating with gusto.

"S-stop! I was wrong—"

"—Old man. Don't grovel now. Stay a prick to the end."

Lightning jab to the neck. Siwoo's mentor's pressure point—mute acupoint. Not his specialty, but it'd hold a minute. No talking.

The mustache's eyes quivered.

"Damn, even a low-rank inspector has spine. Not begging for mercy."

"Guh... guk..."

Siwoo applied bone-displacement arts, pulverizing every bone—non-lethally, of course. Enough to ache on rainy days. Finally, the wrecked mustache shuddered, coughing blood.

"Cough... hack..."

Kneeling, Siwoo ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠grabbed his head. Terror flickered in those eyes. Perfect.

"...S-spare..."

"Nah, of course I'll spare you. Who do you think I am, a killer? But let's sign a little contract first?"

"Wh-what?"

The mustache flinched as Siwoo gripped his finger, drawing on the floor. Looked like nothing, but he felt it. This sensation—mental power? A pact? On a mongrel!?

'M-mental realm ability? A soul-binding pact?! That rare shit on this trash!?'

"N-no..."

Siwoo slammed his head down. Frothing and out cold. Siwoo stood.

'What're ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you on about, Kay? This is justice.'

Glancing back, only Yubin seemed to catch on, eyes gleaming. Tch, showed a card... but whatever.

Brushing his hands, Siwoo eyed the wide-eyed hood like a rabbit.

"Name."

"Uh... huh?"

"Your name."

"D-Daniel..."

"Fuck, you scream kimchi tribesman—why the buttered-up—"

"—M-my late m-mother named me..."

"Whoa, badass name."

Pulling the dead-mom card? Hood—Daniel—gawked at the pivot, exhaling in disbelief.

Anyway... he'd snapped in annoyance, but now...

'What do I even say?'

Not his expertise. Fuck it, wing it.

"Look... I didn't step in 'cause I pity you or wanna help."

He nudged the sprawled mustache with his foot.

"Eyes open wide. That's your 'dad'—faints after a few hits, weak and pathetic. At your age, a father's shadow looms huge. Feels inescapable. But grow a bit, and you'll see. It's all pointless... what matters is the path you choose."

Scratching his head. Advising outta nowhere felt messy.

"If you wanna stay tied by duty, fine. Your call. But if you hate this shit, scream it. Stand on your own feet and walk out. You've got talent—plenty to do. Worst case, work under me. I'll spot you some noodle soup with kimchi."

"..."

Daniel stared blankly up, lips twitching. Confusion warred with anguish on his face. That'd do.

Meanwhile, Yubin had slung the passed-out Hwangbo Han over her shoulder, watching.

"Situation resolved, I suppose. I'll report to Prunel. And... Inspector Hasman? Tragic accident."

"No need... whatever."

"It's fine. Once you had the edge, he was no threat."

She bowed crisply, gathered the fallen Hasman and hood, and left.

"Congrats, junior~"

"...Not a relay race. Your turn now, senior? Don't touch. No pressing those tits."

"...Huh? Junior, you're harsh. Normal guys go nuts for these desire bags, no?"

Dangmari puffed her chest with a sharp inhale. Pink bra peeked through straining buttons, tanned skin gleaming. Siwoo's face soured in sync.

"...Wow. You really hate 'em... gay?"

"Like women fine. Shut up. Just... tired of big ones... bad experiences."

"Hmm? Got it. One sec!"

She slapped his waist without asking. Phone in her hand now.

"What're you doing? Give it back."

"Hold on~ Like this... okay! Saved!"

He snatched the tossed phone. Screen: "Cute & Pretty Dangmari Senior (18), Virgin Seeks BF!"

"Gotta go. Text ya lots, junior. Pick up?"

"...Get lost."

"Byeee~"

She waved and bounced away.

* * *

Siwoo rolled his neck. Yawning off fatigue, prepping to leave—then Kay's excited voice buzzed in his head.

"...Huh?"

Screen down—notifications glowed in the corner from ping-ching goddess Irelua.

* * *

Next day after the match. Back in the principal's office, Siwoo faced an old man clutching his belly in laughter.

"Umhahaha! You crushed him! Perfect! Puhahaha!!"

"P-Principal... dignity? Laughing too hard?"

"How could I not? Inspector beaten bloody... so damn refreshing."

"Uh... yeah..."

"You look sour. Scared of payback? Don't worry. Prunel's bowed only over the beast attack exam. Harm you? I'll block it on my name."

'...No need, but...'

Anyway, sweet reward time. A-Class? Who cares.

"Principal, the item you promised..."

"Of course. Here."

Cheonwigwang handed over an iron box from the floor. Opening slow: an antique pocket watch, faded centuries old, shimmering ethereally.

'Nice...'

Grinning. Was pondering how to snag it—maybe gift Cheonwigwang a crate of "Zeus Bounty" baldness cure from the classics.

Beaming, the principal probed curiously.

"Odd to ask after giving it, Cadet Choi Siwoo. But... what for? Heard it's a tricky relic most Awakeners can't handle."

"...Just wanted it. Looks cool, right?"

Cheonwigwang eyed the dodge skeptically but said nothing.

Right after leaving the office, all wrapped up—pocket buzzed. Phone out, text checked. Siwoo nodded slowly.

'Finally.'