Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Exam (2)
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1. Choose the one that is not appropriate as food for the monster appearing in the following photo.
(1) Jungle Cat (2) Rat (3) Gorvas (4) Locust (5) Cat
2. Describe the countermeasures for the D-rank monster Shadow.
( )
3. The following is a conversation describing the characteristics of a monster. Based on the conversation, write the name of the appropriate monster.
Cheol-su: This monster can even be caught by ordinary people.
Young-hee: I tried raising it for food, but it failed.
Min-su: It's an E-rank monster.
Gi-young: It has the strength of a mid-teen.
( )
The problems didn't seem too hard. It was probably thanks to all the studying I'd done. Wearing a triumphant expression, I turned in my exam as the third to finish. Seeing me submit mine, Ichie furrowed her brow, hurriedly solved the remaining questions, and turned hers in fourth. As she came back after handing it in, I gave her a thumbs-up.
Ichie returned the thumbs-up and sat back down. Right on cue with us sitting, others began submitting theirs one by one. The last two were Kim Chun-bae and Kim Ju-seong. Ju-seong patted Chun-bae on the shoulder and nodded. Chun-bae, head bowed low, trudged to the back of the room. Teacher Jeong-ah collected and sorted the exams before speaking.
"Alright, good work everyone. We'll post the results after grading, next class."
With those words signaling the end of the exam, a strange wave of exhaustion washed over me. The moment Teacher Jeong-ah left, the students swarmed each other with questions.
"Hey, what'd you put for number one? Cat, right? Who feeds a cat to a monster?"
"You idiot, it's Gorvas. That thing's several times bigger than an Elder Spider—how's it supposed to eat that? Even hunters' heads explode against a Gorvas."
"Ah, shit. Wrong from the first one. Hey, what about two? I wrote 'just beat it with brute force.'"
Listening in, Kim Ju-seong spoke up.
"I heard from my mentor before—Shadows like dark places, so shining light on them confuses them."
"Oh, really? Ah, damn. Exam's busted then. Ah, I was gonna build a new PC if I got the money. Ju-seong, what're you gonna do with yours?"
All eyes turned to Kim Ju-seong. Staring out the window, he said,
"Get my grandma a massage chair."
Glancing at the clock, it was time for training. Leaving the still-chatting students behind, I headed to the training area. Ichie trailed close behind me. I figured first place was mine anyway. Ichie said,
"First place is mine."
"Nah, it'll be me. Thinking back on the exam, I'm sure now. I'm first."
I'd played around in the top ten school-wide, even if not first. This time, it felt like I could take first. Seeing my super-confident face, Ichie replied,
"Let's bet."
"Bet? Yeah, good idea. What're the stakes?"
"Do whatever the winner wants all day."
"You're done for, Ichie. Don't say I didn't warn you."
"I'll win."
I couldn't understand her confidence. First was mine anyway—why act so smug?
*****
📜 Exam Score Sheet 📜 1st: Kim Ju-seong
1st: Kim Chun-bae
3rd: Ichigaya Ichie
4th: Jeong Su-hyeon
The next day's scores showed my dismal results. Staring in disbelief, I stood frozen in the hallway, checking the sheet over and over. Amid the bustling laughter and sighs of regret, I was like a statue. Kim Ju-seong and Kim Chun-bae tied for first? Then Ichie third, me fourth?
Ichie, beaming triumphantly, said to me,
"I won."
At least it was comforting that fourth still got subsidy money—top five did. Swallowing my bitterness, I nodded. Ichie said,
"Today, all day. Su-hyeon oppa does what I say."
"I don't have much money."
"Not asking for money."
Ichie shook her head. Suddenly, today felt like it would drag on forever.
Even so, training waited for no one troubled heart. Today too, Ichie and I collapsed on the floor, soaked in sweat. Lately, even after training, my body felt a bit lighter. Cautiously sitting up, I massaged my arms. Ichie, sprawled on the floor, staggered to her feet using the wall and headed to the showers.
******
"Give me a piggyback."
Post-shower, Ichie brushed her still-damp hair behind her ear and said that to me. I stared at her, arms outstretched like a kid demanding a ride. Amid students heading home happily after showers, we stood frozen like riverside rocks. Thinking I hadn't heard, Ichie waved her arms again.
"Piggyback. Please, for today."
"Right now?"
"Yes."
I glanced around, then turned cautiously. Ichie wrapped her arms around my neck and pressed against my back. Sweet shampoo scent wafted. Her chest pressed softly against my back. I struggled not to enjoy the sensation.
The recent intense training made even lifting her exhausting. Ichie asked,
"Am I heavy?"
"Light as a feather."
She seemed pleased. Gripping her thighs firmly, I slowly walked toward the gym bench where Yu-jeong sunbae waited. Sipping coffee through a straw, sunbae spotted us, squinted, her expression shifting from disbelief to demanding explanation.
Sunbae's furrowed brow was cute but sent chills down my spine. Over my shoulder, Ichie waved brightly at Yu-jeong sunbae.
"What's going on?"
Yu-jeong sunbae asked, staring at Ichie. Ichie lowered her hand visibly and made a V-sign.
"I won the bet."
"Bet?"
"Score bet. Su-hyeon oppa fourth. Me third. So I asked for a piggyback. All day today, Su-hyeon oppa does what I say."
"...I see. Thought you'd win."
After the explanation, Yu-jeong sunbae's expression softened into a smile. She asked me,
"Our Su-hyeon. What were you gonna make Ichie do if you won?"
"Treat me to omakase."
"...Pretty realistic."
Yu-jeong sunbae seemed slightly disappointed by how practical it was. Honestly, I hadn't thought much and just blurted it out.
Ichie hopped off my back and sat at the desk. Her face lit up like a kid on her first ride. Quite the reaction for someone whose expressions rarely varied. Ichie said,
"Su-hyeon oppa's back is wide. Really. Like a playground."
"Right? I was shocked when I tried hugging... uh."
Ichie gave Yu-jeong sunbae a strange look as she chimed in. Realizing her slip, sunbae froze with mouth agape, eyes darting, then played it cool.
"...Haven't hugged yet 'cause it'd be shocking. These days, senior-junior harassment is a big issue. Su-hyeon really does have a broad back—I'm jealous. Wanna piggyback sometime."
"Not today."
Yu-jeong sunbae was rambling incoherently—sentences so jumbled even I struggled to follow, but Korean-challenged Ichie just took it at face value. She simply said no. Yu-jeong sunbae nodded with a smile.
Congratulating our exam results, Yu-jeong sunbae offered to buy dinner tomorrow as celebration. Ichie asked,
"Not today, tomorrow?"
"Yeah. Got something tonight. Also, stuff to talk about over food tomorrow. See you then?"
"Yes."
"Yes."
Looking forward to tomorrow's meal, we parted with Yu-jeong sunbae. Ichie said,
"Escort me home."
Come to think of it, the day wasn't over. Smiling, I nodded. Our houses were on the way to hers. Passing the large studio apartment district, we stopped at the familiar alley. Ichie always waited here for Yu-jeong sunbae's car.
Ichie stopped too and looked at me. She said,
"Further. Have some tea. Relatives here today. Introduce my partner."
"Relatives?"
"Yes. All good people."
Curiosity piqued about Ichie's family—I'd only heard stories, never met them. Nodding, I said,
"Sure. Mind if I drop in briefly?"
"Not intruding. They wanted to see your face."
I followed her down the alley. A black luxury sedan was parked. Amid cute studios, it exuded heavy, intimidating presence, making passersby hesitate. Pointing at it, Ichie said,
"Uncle's car. Uncle's here too."
"Wow."
Admiring the car, I let out a gasp. Someday, I'd be the one driving one.
Ichie pointed at the building. Impeccably clean, far too upscale for a studio.
"Huge."
"Smaller than it looks."
I needed to stop thinking of her as a rich girl. Below the building, men in black suits smoked heavily in the parking lot—sunglasses on, tattoos peeking from sleeves.
Spotting us, they frantically stubbed out cigarettes, bowed deeply.
"You're here, miss!"
"Don't bow like that—Su-hyeon oppa'll be scared."
Surprisingly fluent Korean. Everyone using Korean here? Ichie waved them off. They parted like the Red Sea before Moses, lining up at the door. Footsteps descended the studio stairs. A man in flashy floral suit, hair slicked back, sporting a mustache, came down. Ichie said,
"Uncle."
Tattoos showed through his shirt. Scars crisscrossed behind sunglasses. I shrank involuntarily. Seeing me, he startled, buttoned his open shirt, straightened his sleeve, donned his held coat properly, then smiled warmly.
"Uh, a-gain... Nice... to meet... you. Ichie. Un-cle... here. Tak-ing... good... care... of Ichie."
His clumsy Korean and polite greeting surprised me. Seemed like a good guy despite the yakuza looks. Can't judge a book by its cover.